humanitarian jobs cover letter

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7 Basic Tips on Drafting a Cover Letter for a Humanitarian Job

Hunger, sickness, and poverty put a heavy burden on communities around the world. Humanitarians help by providing food, clean water, medicine, and other much-needed resources. These helpers are found in refugee camps, areas affected by natural disasters, and places affected by conflict. Humanitarian careers exist in medicine, logistics, research, administration, advocacy, and more. How do you stand apart from the crowd when applying for a job? Your cover letter is a great opportunity to show a potential employer who you are and why you’re the right fit. Here are seven basic tips that will be helpful to getting started:

Stay focused on the organization’s mission

Before starting your cover letter, make sure you have a thorough understanding of the organization you’re trying to get a job with. Read the mission statements carefully and explore the types of programs the organization has. In your letter, you’ll need to show that you understand and are passionate about the organization’s goals beyond the basic qualifications.

Expand – don’t rehash – your resume

Cover letters are challenging because it can feel like you’re just repeating what’s on your resume. However, a cover letter is your opportunity to go beyond the bullet points. Look at the skills on your resume and expand on them, sharing why they make you the best candidate for the job. Explain how your accomplishments in your previous volunteer/work experience align with the job you’re applying for now.

Emphasize the most relevant skills and experiences that make you a good fit

As you begin your letter, study the job description closely. Think back on your experiences and skills. How could they be mobilized in this specific job that you want? Highlight your strongest skills and experiences, emphasizing examples of how they make you a good fit. Every cover letter that comes across a hiring manager’s desk will say something to the effect of “I’m qualified, so pick me.” Your letter can stand out by listing specifics.

Show how your skills have translated into success

Job descriptions always have a desired skills section. Things like “excellent written communication” or “organizing and planning” are common. Your cover letter is your chance to show how these skills got results. Anyone can claim they have a certain skill, but what kind of impact did it make in your previous jobs or volunteer experiences? If you were part of a successful team, be sure to highlight that, as well.

Be concise and to the point

As a general rule, cover letters should take up a single page. You aren’t writing an essay, so be as concise and to the point as you can. In your first draft, you might be a little long-winded as you’re getting your thoughts down on a page. Before you send it, you need to trim, trim, and trim again. Stay focused on the most relevant skills and experiences, so you avoid taking up space with generalizations that don’t apply specifically to the job. Choose punchy, direct wording that gets to the core of what you’re trying to say. Put yourself in a hiring manager’s shoes and imagine what they might think. Have you built a strong enough case for yourself in just a few paragraphs?

Give yourself lots of time to write (and proofread)

While cover letters are short, you should give yourself lots of time to draft one. As soon as you see a job you’re interested in, start working on the cover letter. Research the organization, study the job description, and examine how your own experiences and skills make you a good fit. Edit and proofread – your first draft of a cover letter should never be the one you send off. Ask people you know, especially those with similar work or volunteer experiences, to read your letter. This process catches mechanical issues that could dissuade a hiring manager from seriously considering you.

Write a unique cover letter for every job application

Perhaps you already have a cover letter from a previous humanitarian job application. While it may be tempting to use the same letter or just slightly tweak it, we recommend writing unique cover letters for each job. If a job is similar to one you’ve applied to previously, you will use the same skills and experiences to prove your qualifications. However, copying and pasting chunks isn’t the best choice. Refine your writing and think about how to convince this specific organization to hire you. As you write more cover letters, the process becomes smoother and quicker. You are almost guaranteed to receive rejections from jobs you want at some point. Let the disappointment motivate you to improve your cover letter for the next job.

NGO Cover Letter (Our Short Guide)

When you apply for a job with an NGO, a key part of your application will be a cover letter, alongside submitting a CV. A cover letter is a formal letter explaining why you are a strong candidate for a job. NGO recruiters will review your cover letter and decide if they should short-list you for an interview. Therefore, your cover letter needs to demonstrate you have the skills and experience, as well as the passion, to work at the NGO you are applying to.

We’ve put together this guide to help you write a great cover letter for an NGO job. It goes over thirteen crucial steps you should follow when writing your NGO cover letter. Follow the steps in this guide and see what you should, and shouldn’t, put in your cover letter for that NGO job…

Your Cover Letter Should Be Just One Page

The first thing you need to understand when writing a cover letter for an NGO job application is that it should never be more than one page long.

Your cover letter for an NGO job needs to catch the recruiter’s attention. NGO jobs are highly competitive. Some openings at top NGOs will get hundreds of applicants. NGO recruiters simply aren’t going to read really long cover letters. Keep it to one page to make sure it’s actually read.

Because NGO recruiters have to sift through so many applications, they usually only give each one a brief glance. It’s a shame because you put a lot of work into your application, however, it’s the truth. Therefore, you need to capture the hiring managers attention. One way to do this is to keep your cover letter to less than a single page.

A good length for an NGO cover letter is between 350 and 500 words. Make sure you write in font size 12. This means your cover letter will come out at about three quarters of a page. This is a good length as it allows you to include enough key details, without being too long to lose the NGO recruiters attention.

A cover letter for a job at an NGO that is longer than 500 words or so will have a higher chance of not being read. This means your application will be passed over and you’ll lose the opportunity to join the NGO you want in the role you applied for.

If you write a cover letter for an NGO job that’s less than about 500 words, it will simply be too short to include enough details, and may give the wrong impression to the hiring manager.

Make Sure Your Cover Letter Is Well Written

The second thing you must consider for a cover letter for an NGO job is that it must be well written.

Your cover letter is a key part of your job application for an NGO. Before you reach the interview stage, all the hiring manager knows about you is what you put in your CV and cover letter. Therefore, it is vital that you give the right impression. Making sure your NGO cover letter is written professionally is vital to this.

Start your cover letter with Dear Sir/Madam. This is the correct formal way to address a letter to someone who you do not know the name of. Your cover letter should close with ‘yours faithfully’ – again, the correct formal way to end a letter to someone you do not know.

When writing a cover letter for an NGO job, make sure you break your text down into clear paragraphs. Each paragraph should address a different topic, such as previous work experience, education, soft skills or why you want this role or to work for this particular NGO.

The way you write in your cover letter should be clear, and professional. Never use slang, and write in complete sentences. Good grammar is also hugely important. If you struggle with writing clearly, and correctly, run your cover letter through a spell-checker or a tool such as Grammerly .

If you are unsure whether your cover letter is well written and makes your points clearly, have a friend or family member read it and ask them to assess if it making your points directly enough.

Tailor Your Cover Letter For Each Job Application

Probably one of the most important things you need to do when writing your cover letter for an NGO job is ensure that you are tailoring it for each application that you send.

Don’t write a generic cover letter and send it to every job. NGO recruiters will be reviewing your cover letter to assess how well you fit for the particular role they are hiring for. Editing your cover letter so that it is tailored to the role you are applying for is key.

Tailoring your cover letter for the job you are applying for allows you to clearly demonstrate how well you fit the role. It also lets you demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the NGO and the specific position.

NGO jobs are highly competitive. You will need to send a lot of applications, especially if you are early in your career, to land an NGO role. Therefore, writing an entirely new cover letter for each job application you send will take too much time. You need to have a cover letter that acts as a template, and then have key sections that you can quickly edit for each job you apply for…

For example, parts of the cover letter covering trainings, education and soft skills will likely not change much between jobs. However, sections such as how your previous professional experience makes you qualified for the role, need to change slightly for each application. The section explaining why you want to work for that organisation also needs to be edited for each NGO that you apply to.

Remember, save all the cover letters you send to NGOs. This mean if you apply to the same organisation again, or to a similar role, you can go back to older version and tailor them more easily.

Your Cover Letter Must Capture The Recruiters Attention

A vital aspect of your NGO cover letter is that it must capture the recruiter’s attention.

As we said, NGO job openings can get hundreds of applications – your cover letter needs to stand out. Often NGO recruiters will only take a quick glance over a cover letter before deciding whether to shortlist that candidate for interview. Therefore, you need to ensure that even with a quick look, your cover letter conveys that you are right person for that NGO job.

After your opening of ‘Dear Sir/Madam’, its often good to include a line that confirms the role you are applying for – something like ‘I wish to apply for the position of… with…’ NGO.  This just ensures that the recruiter is aware of the role you are a candidate for.

The next line of your cover letter, usually the opening of your first full paragraph, should highlight your most recent and most relevant work experience. Something along the lines of ‘I am currently employed as…’, or ‘I have experience in a similar role as…’. This instantly tells the NGO recruiter that you are a highly relevant candidate.

Now that you’ve got the recruiters attention, use that paragraph to describe how that position is relevant to the job you are applying for. Again, be direct and concise here, but the aim is to show that your current, or most recent, professional experience is as closely linked to the NGO job you are applying to as you can.

Be Sure To Expand On Your Professional Experiences

Once you have caught the hiring manager’s attention, and demonstrated that your most recent, or most relevant role, is closely linked to the NGO job you are applying for, the next step in writing your cover letter is to expand on your professional experiences.

You should now move to another paragraph, and here you should highlight, briefly, any other relevant work experience you have. If you have a lot of related experience, especially if you have worked for NGOs before, choose some roles that are most closely linked to the position you are applying for.

The aim here is to further show the NGO recruiter that you have professional experience that would provide you the knowledge and skills needed to do the job. You do not need to list all your jobs here, but you should provide details on the relevant positions.

If you are new to the NGO sector, or applying for entry-level roles, instead of including other professional experiences you could expand more on the experience you do have. For example, here you could detail internships or volunteer postings you have done. However, only include them if they are relevant to the NGO job you are applying for.

Make Sure Your Cover Letter Links To The Exact Job Description

As we’ve discussed briefly already, it’s really important that your NGO cover letter directly links to the job you are applying for. One of the best ways to do this is to review the job description posted in the job advert by the NGO, and address the key points in it in your cover letter.

Directly addressing the key points in the job description in your cover letter tells the NGO recruiter directly that you have the required skills and experience to do the job.

Your cover letter should be less than one page – ideally around 500 words. This means you cannot link your previous work experience to every point in the job description. Therefore, you need to pick the most important points only. Often these are the main sub-headings, but make sure to read the job advert to see if the NGO includes any particular challenges or transitions that the role may face.

It’s important in the part of the cover letter not to just repeat your CV. Remember, the NGO recruiter has a copy of your CV and will be reviewing that as well. Your aim here is to briefly describe how your professional experience means you have the skills and competencies listed in the job description.

NGO hiring managers will be looking to recruit the person with the most relevant skills – this is your chance to show them it’s you!

Outline Your Training and Education

After giving a brief overview of your professional experience in your NGO cover letter, you should now include your education and training. This should be the start of another paragraph.

Begin by explaining your most recent university degree. Almost all NGO jobs require at least a bachelors, and usually a masters, and so it is important to highlight that you have these to the recruiter.

After including your degree, you should then go on to list any other qualifications you have. However, only include qualifications that are highly relevant. If you have a masters related to NGO work, but a bachelors that is not, then leave it out. Remember – the aim in your cover letter is to be concise and clear.

Once you have listed your qualifications in your cover letter, next you should put a single sentence explaining how these are relevant to the NGO job you are applying for. You do not need to include a sentence linking each of your qualifications, a single line covering all of them will suffice.

As well as including your qualifications, in this paragraph of the cover letter you can also include any training courses you have completed. You can either include a following sentence also describing how these give you the skills and experience needed to do the job, or you can include them and then have one sentence linking both your university qualifications and training to the role.

Don’t list all the trainings you have done. The aim is to include the most relevant ones to the NGO job you are applying for. The most important thing is to explain how these make you qualified for the position. Again, remember the hiring manager will have your CV as well – it’s there that you can list more of your trainings.

Include Descriptions Of Your Soft Skills

Now that you’ve outlined your professional experience, formal qualifications and trainings – essentially the ‘hard’ skills you have, next in your cover letter you need to briefly go over the inter-personal skills you have – your ‘soft’ skills.

When NGOs post a job advert, they almost always include the competencies they are looking for the role. These can be soft skills such as team work, problem solving, initiative taking and leadership. They can also be more closely aligned to the NGOs own mission and values – and include things like inclusion, accountability, neutrality and fairness.

It’s important you address the soft skills listed in the job advert. Start a new paragraph of your cover letter and briefly explain which inter-personal skills you have. If you have space, also include a sentence on how you acquired these skills, such as that your previous work experience, volunteer postings or education meant that you built the specific soft skills the NGO is looking for role.

Remember, the aim of your cover letter is to expand on your CV, not repeat it. Including your soft skills in your NGO cover letter is ideal as these should not be included in your CV.

As always, keep this part of your cover letter short and to-the-point. Also, ensure that you are including the competencies included in the job description, but, if possible, do not copy them word-for-word.

Highlight Your Computer Skills In Your Cover Letter

Almost all modern jobs require IT skills – NGO jobs are no different. It’s important in your cover letter that you highlight that you have the computer skills relevant to the job.

Include a single sentence stating that you are computer literate and understand how to use the specific programmes the job requires.

Pretty much every NGO job will require you to have moderate-to-strong abilities in Microsoft Word and Excel, so be sure to include these in your cover letter. PowerPoint is also commonly used so it can be beneficial to list this as well.

Some specific NGO roles may require the use of additional computer programmes. For example, finance roles are likely to require experience in accounting software such as QuickBooks. If you know the NGO uses a certain software, or is likely to use a similar programme for the position you are applying for, be sure to mention it in your cover letter.

You should keep this section of your cover letter focusing on your IT skills to a minimum. One, or maximum two, sentences is enough to convey to the NGO hiring manager that you understand the level of computer work needed to do the job.

Explain Why You Want This Job

So, you’ve explained in your cover letter your professional and educational background, as well as the soft skills you have that are relevant to the NGO job you are applying for. You’ve also included a short section covering your IT skills. Now, you need to show your passion for the role!

There are two main things you should do when explaining to an NGO in your cover letter why you want the job. The first is the specific reason why the role excites you. Be genuine here. Look for real reasons why this job is the perfect role for you. However, ensure you remain relevant to the job– avoid general terms about why you want to work in the NGO sector. Instead, explain why the particulars of this role made you apply.

The second thing you need to do here in your cover letter is explain what the job will do for you. How does it build on your current professional or educational experience. Avoid saying that the role is just a stepping stone to another job – this will make the hiring manager think you’ll leave the job as soon as a better one comes up. Instead, focus on how the job relates to your wider, and more general, career goals.

Again, be honest and passionate about why you want the job so that the NGO recruiter can see you are excited by the position.

Describe Why You Want to Work For This NGO

The last part of your NGO cover letter should explain why you want to work for that organisation.

Each NGO is unique and they are often proud of their histories and the work they do. NGO’s also look to recruit people whose values and passions align with their mission. Therefore, is it vital to include a sentence about why working for this particular NGO interests you.

Note – here you need to be specific about the NGO. Don’t say why you want to work for NGOs generally. Do some research on the organisation you are applying to and ensure the ending statement of your cover letter relates directly to the organisations work.

One tip is to look at the NGOs mission statement. These can almost always be found on the NGOs website. Don’t repeat their exact words back to them – but do say that this mission excites you and makes you want to work for the organization.

If an NGO doesn’t have a mission statement on their website, take a quick look over their areas of programming they do and highlight why these interest you.

As always, keep it direct and to-the-point. One sentence here should be enough.

Don’t Include Start Date or Salary Expectation

Unless a NGO’s job advert explicitly asks you to include a date of when you can start in the role, or your salary expectations, don’t.

Generally, it’s good to leave this information out unless you have to include it. These details are best discussed at the interview stage where you can provide more detail and context.

The only time you should include your start date in an NGO cover letter is if you can start work immediately. This can be in your favour as NGO recruitments are often urgent and including that you can start in the position right away can actually help your application.

If an NGO explicitly says they want applicants to include a start date in their cover letter, it is best to include a rough date, or better, something like ‘available with one months’ notice’ – or whatever your current jobs notice period is.

Don’t Include A Photograph

A final point to note when writing your cover letter for an NGO job is that you shouldn’t put a photograph of yourself.

Although in some countries putting a photograph on your job application is more common, generally it is best not to. Putting a photograph rarely adds to the quality of an application. Almost no NGOs require applicants to include photographs when they apply for a job.

A good rule to follow is to only give information in your cover letter that will directly help you get the job. Essentially, if an NGO recruiter doesn’t need a piece of information, don’t give it to them. Your cover letter is a key tool in convincing the NGO hiring manager that you are a strong candidate for the job, and that they should short-list you for an interview. Putting a photograph does not help with this argument, and therefore it shouldn’t be included.

If, on the very rare occasion, an NGO does ask you to include a photograph in your application. Ensure it is professional and clear. Don’t use a passport photo… everyone looks bad in passport photos!

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Humanitarian Cover Letter Example

Writing a cover letter for a humanitarian position can be overwhelming. It’s important to make sure that your cover letter stands out among the other applications and accurately reflects your experience and qualifications. To make sure your cover letter contains all the necessary information, this guide provides an overview of what to include and an example of a well-crafted cover letter to help you get started.

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Humanitarian Cover Letter Sample

Dear [Recipient],

I am writing to apply for the [position] with [Organization]. I am motivated by my long- standing passion for making a positive impact in the world and am confident that my experience and skills make me an ideal candidate for this role.

I have been working in the humanitarian sector for the past [length of time], with experience in [type of position], primarily in [country/region or sector]. During this time, I have gained an in- depth understanding of the challenges faced in this field and have had the chance to work on projects aimed at making a real and lasting difference in people’s lives.

I am confident that I possess the necessary qualifications and experience to be an effective member of your team. Not only do I have a [qualification/degree] and a [number] of years of experience in the humanitarian field, but I also have extensive knowledge of [topics relevant to the position]. Additionally, I have strong communication and organizational skills, a deep understanding of the issues faced by those in need, as well as the ability to work well in a team or independently.

I am excited by the prospect of working with [Organization] to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need. I believe that my experience and dedication make me an excellent candidate for this role and I look forward to hearing from you regarding the next steps.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

[Your Name]

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What should a Humanitarian cover letter include?

A humanitarian cover letter should include information about the applicant’s experience and qualifications, as well as a brief overview of why they are interested in the position and why they are well- suited for the job. It should also include the applicant’s contact information, including an email address, phone number, and physical address.

When writing a humanitarian cover letter, the applicant should focus on their relevant experience in the humanitarian field, including any volunteer work they may have done, or any relevant courses or degrees they may have completed. They should also demonstrate their understanding of the sector and how their skills and abilities could contribute to the organization. Additionally, the applicant should highlight any relevant professional achievements or awards they may have earned.

The applicant should also discuss why they believe they are well- suited to the organization, and why they are passionate about the humanitarian cause that the organization is working towards. This should illustrate how their skills, abilities, and experience can be put to use in the organization.

Finally, the cover letter should conclude by expressing enthusiasm for the position and expressing a desire to be contacted for an interview. Furthermore, the applicant should thank the reader for their time and consideration.

Humanitarian Cover Letter Writing Tips

If you are looking to write a stand- out humanitarian cover letter, these tips can help give you an edge in the job search.

• Start with a strong opening: Your cover letter should start by introducing yourself and demonstrating why you are the best fit for the position. Focus on unique accomplishments or activities that demonstrate your commitment to humanitarian work.
• Research the organization: Research the organization you are applying to and incorporate that knowledge into your cover letter. This will show that you are familiar with the company’s values and are invested in making a meaningful contribution to their mission.
• Highlight your skills: Showcase your skills and experiences that make you the ideal candidate for the job. Focus on qualities that make you an asset to the team, such as strong problem- solving skills, communication abilities, and knowledge of the organization’s mission.
• Demonstrate your commitment: Demonstrate your commitment to humanitarian work by highlighting any volunteer or humanitarian projects you’ve been involved with in the past. This will show the hiring managers that you are serious about making a difference in the world.
• End with a call- to- action: End your cover letter with a call- to- action that encourages the hiring manager to reach out and schedule an interview.

By following these tips, you can create a memorable and effective humanitarian cover letter that will make you stand out from the competition. Good luck with your job search!

Common mistakes to avoid when writing Humanitarian Cover letter

Writing a cover letter for a humanitarian job can be a daunting task, however, with the right guidance and preparation, you can make sure that your cover letter is the best it can be. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when writing a humanitarian cover letter:

• Not considering the organization’s mission and values: Make sure you take some time to research about the organization you’re applying to and tailor your cover letter to match the mission and values of the company. Show that you’re aware of their goals and objectives and can bring value to the organization.
• Not being concise: It’s important to keep your cover letter concise. Avoid writing long paragraphs and focus on getting the key points across without rambling.
• Not proofreading: This is an important step that many people overlook. Always, always proofread your cover letter and make sure that there are no typos or grammatical errors.
• Not tailoring your cover letter: You should make sure that your cover letter is tailored to the job you’re applying for. Don’t make generic statements that could be applied to any job; make sure your experience and qualifications match what the company is looking for.
• Not including a call to action: At the end of your cover letter, you should include a call to action that encourages the employer to reach out to you for an interview. Make sure you provide your contact information so that it’s easy for the employer to get in touch with you.

Following these tips will help you write a great cover letter for a humanitarian job and will increase your chances of getting an interview. Good luck!

Key takeaways

A cover letter is a document sent with your resume to provide additional information on your skills and experience. Writing a Humanitarian cover letter can be a challenging task, as you need to make sure that your message is clear and concise, while still conveying the passion and dedication that make you a great fit for the role. Here are some key takeaways to help you craft an impressive Humanitarian cover letter:

• Take the time to research the organization you are applying to. Make sure you understand their mission and values, and demonstrate how your skills and experience align with them.
• Avoid simply repeating the same information that is included in your resume. Instead, write something unique that shows your knowledge and understanding of the organization and the Humanitarian field.
• Provide concrete examples of how you have used your skills and experience to benefit people in need.
• Be concise but comprehensive. Make sure that you provide a clear and concise message, but also make sure that you provide enough detail to give the reader a full understanding of your abilities.
• End your letter with a request for an interview. Show your enthusiasm for the role and let the reader know that you are interested in meeting with them to discuss the position further.

By following these key takeaways, you can create an impressive Humanitarian cover letter that will help you stand out from the crowd. Good luck!

Frequently Asked Questions

1.how do i write a cover letter for an humanitarian job with no experience.

When writing a cover letter for a Humanitarian job with no experience, focus on emphasizing your soft skills and how they can benefit the organization. Describe the skills you’ve gained from other activities such as volunteering, taking courses, or participating in extracurricular activities that may help you succeed in a Humanitarian job. Most importantly, talk about why you are passionate about the cause and how you can contribute to the organization.

2.How do I write a cover letter for an Humanitarian job experience?

When writing a cover letter for a Humanitarian job with experience, it is important to showcase your knowledge and skills related to the organization’s mission. Talk about the projects you have worked on and the impact you have made. Describe your experience and how it has prepared you for the role. Additionally, emphasize the qualities that make you an ideal candidate and highlight your successes.

3.How can I highlight my accomplishments in Humanitarian cover letter?

When highlighting your accomplishments in a Humanitarian cover letter, you should focus on the measurable results and impact that you have made. For example, if you have volunteered for a Humanitarian organization, talk about the number of people you have assisted and how you have improved the organization’s operations. Additionally, if you have taken courses related to Humanitarian work, explain the skills and knowledge you have gained from the experience.

4.What is a good cover letter for an Humanitarian job?

A good cover letter for a Humanitarian job should start by expressing your enthusiasm for the organization’s mission and how your skills, experiences, and interests make you a perfect fit for the role. Talk about the experiences you have had, such as volunteering or taking courses, that have prepared you for the job and how you can add value to the organization. Finally, express your commitment and explain why the organization should hire you.

In addition to this, be sure to check out our cover letter templates , cover letter formats ,  cover letter examples ,  job description , and  career advice  pages for more helpful tips and advice.

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8 Tips for Drafting Your UN Cover Letter

A cover letter is an important part of any job application, but it can especially help set your application apart when you apply to UN jobs. The UN looks for specific language, skills, experience, and attitude, and your cover letter is the place for you to show that you meet the qualifications they are looking for. The UN provides some guidance on what they look for in a cover letter, so we’ve taken some of their tips, expanded them, and added a few more to help you write your best cover letter for your UN application.

Keep it brief

The UN recommends a cover letter consisting of 3 to 4 paragraphs. Most career counselors and job development professionals recommending keeping your cover letter to a page. While you want to get information in your cover letter about your experience and skills, you want to make sure to keep it within a reasonable amount of space. Keep the paragraphs concise so that the person reading the letter can get the most information in the least amount of words.

Keep it relevant

When you’re writing your cover letter it can be ready to highlight your best experiences and skills, but your best skills and experiences may not always be the best for the job you are applying for. Make sure that your cover letter stays relevant to the job you are applying for, and highlight your best skills that match what the employer is looking for and that are relevant to the job requirements.

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Find ways to make the most of your experience

Even if you are qualified for a job that you’re applying for, your experience may not be an exact match for the skills and description. If this is the case, use your cover letter as an opportunity to highlight transferrable skills and experiences that you can take with you into the job you’re hoping to obtain. Instead of talking about your passion or issues related to the job, focus on your achievements and things that you’ve accomplished. Be specific, and be honest (don’t exaggerate or lie) but take the liberty to frame your experience in a way that shows you have the qualifications and skills they are looking for in a future employer.

Distinguish yourself

Your cover letter provides a chance for you to set yourself apart from the other applicants. Use it to talk about unique skills and experiences that could lead you to be the best candidate for the job. Find an attention-grabbing opening and closing that will keep the employer engaged in your story from the beginning until the end. Make sure this doesn’t outshine your experience but use your cover letter as a way to distinguish what makes you a unique and qualified candidate for the job you’re applying for.

The UN career application tips specifically mention to use action verbs and avoid passive language and clichés. These tips are advisable for any cover letter, but because the UN specifically mentions that they want to see these grammar techniques, make sure to follow them closely. While you want to grab attention with your cover letter, make every word count and don’t include cheesy lines or cliché phrases that take away from your unique skills and experience.

Target your cover letter

We’ve already talked about how you want to keep the information in your cover letter relevant to the UN job you’re applying for. In addition to relevant experience, you want to make sure that the language you use matches the language the UN uses in their job descriptions. Target your cover letter to the job and to the audience, showing you understand the culture and purpose of the organization in addition to the actual job. If you decide to apply for multiple positions, tailor your cover letter for each position; don’t send one cover letter for multiple jobs. While all the jobs may be under the UN umbrella, each department, bureau, and team is looking for a specific skillset, qualification, attitude, and applicant.

Use “I” instead of “we”

Your cover letter is about you. So if you’re talking about work you did as part of a team or in a group or as part of an organization, make sure that you avoid “we” statements when talking about achievements and accomplishments. This doesn’t mean you should take credit for work you didn’t do alone, but make sure you spend most of your time highlighting the work you contributed to the team or project to show that you gained real, tangible experience, even as part of a group.

Demonstrate that you understand the job requirements/description

This might seem like the most obvious tip, but make sure that your cover letter shows that you understand the job requirements and description. How you talk about your experience and skills can make a difference if what you choose to highlight doesn’t match what the employer is looking for. If you’re applying for a position that you don’t fully understand, try to look at similar job postings or even search for articles on the internet that might help you better understand the exact nature of the position you are applying for. Job descriptions, especially for large organizations like the UN, usually don’t go into the day-to-day functions of the position, so make sure that you stay on topic and don’t try to guess what your responsibilities will be outside of what is listed in the posting.