As Australian selection criteria writers, we are experts in writing NSW Government cover letters. Below is a NSW Government cover letter example (and targeted question example), which will help you understand what is required in your own application. If you need further assistance, please get in touch for a quote.
This brief 1-2 page NSW government cover letter was written for the role of a Recruitment Officer, found on the I Work For NSW jobs website.
It utilises the STAR method to structure work examples by explaining the Situation, Task, Action and Result. It also addresses the focus capabilities listed in the job ad, and includes examples which highlight the values of the department. This role also included two targeted questions. There is a sample response for one of these below the cover letter example.
1-2 Page NSW Cover Letter Example
Dear Contact Name and Selection Team,
I am extremely excited to apply for the role of Recruitment Officer (Job Reference Number XXXX) with XXXX. I have worked in recruitment for five years now and this is an area I have become extremely passionate about. I have always been a ‘people person’ and enjoy building rapport with others, which is vital when securing quality candidates to meet organisational needs. I am also very excited to contribute to XXX, since this team delivers such vital healthcare to people within my local area.
I have a strong understanding of NSW Health Awards, agreements, and policies and I am confident in my ability to interpret and apply them in my role as a recruitment officer. For example, when I was working as a recruitment officer at ABC Company, I was tasked with ensuring that all new hires were in compliance with the latest award agreements. I reviewed the job descriptions and salaries of all potential hires to make sure they were in line with the relevant awards, and provided recommendations to my manager where necessary. I also kept up-to-date with any changes in the awards and made sure that the company’s policies were updated accordingly.
I have a track record of being able to quickly assess a situation and find a solution that benefits all parties involved. For instance, while working at DEF Company, I was faced with a situation where a preferred candidate had withdrawn from the recruitment process at the last minute. I took the initiative to reach out to other potential candidates and was able to find a suitable replacement in a timely manner, ensuring that the recruitment process remained on track.
Organising my own work and taking into account the impact on others is a priority for me. I am highly skilled at prioritising tasks, negotiating with stakeholders, and ensuring that I meet deadlines. For example, when I was at DEF Company, I was responsible for coordinating a large recruitment campaign. I developed a detailed project plan, including timelines and milestones, and worked closely with a team of recruiters to ensure that all aspects of the campaign were executed successfully. I also made sure to keep all stakeholders, including hiring managers and HR representatives, informed of our progress and addressed any issues that arose in a timely manner.
I am fully committed to providing high-level customer service and maintaining confidentiality and compliance with awards and policies. For example, while at ABC Company, I was responsible for managing the recruitment process for a high-profile role. I was responsible for developing job descriptions, advertisements, and other recruitment-related materials, and it was crucial that these materials were well-written and effectively communicated the key information to potential candidates. When developing job descriptions, I made sure to clearly and concisely outline the key responsibilities, requirements, and qualifications for each role. I also used language that was easy to understand and free from jargon, ensuring that all candidates, regardless of their background, would be able to understand the key information. I ensured that all applicants were treated fairly and with the utmost confidentiality, and that all recruitment activities were in line with the company’s policies and awards. I also provided regular updates to the hiring manager and HR representatives, and made sure that any questions or concerns were addressed in a timely manner.
I am confident in my ability to work both independently and as part of a team, and I am highly skilled at effectively communicating with internal and external stakeholders. For instance, while at ABC Company, I was part of a team of recruiters who were responsible for recruiting a large number of employees across multiple locations. I worked closely with my colleagues to share information, coordinate activities, and ensure that all aspects of the recruitment process were completed efficiently and effectively. I also communicated regularly with hiring managers and HR representatives to provide updates on our progress and address any questions or concerns they may have had.
I am confident that my skills, experience, and approach make me the ideal candidate for the role of recruitment officer. Thank you for considering my application. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this role further at interview.
Yours Sincerely,
Client Name
Targeted Question Example
Q: How do you prioritise your work to keep up with a large workload?
A: Prioritising work is a key aspect of managing a large workload effectively. I use several strategies to prioritise my work and ensure that I meet deadlines. For example, when I was a recruitment coordinator at XYZ Company, I used the “SMART” method, where I would set Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals for each task. This helped me to break down large projects into smaller, manageable tasks and prioritise the most important tasks first.
Another technique I used was to prioritise tasks based on their urgency and importance. I would regularly assess my workload and prioritise tasks based on factors such as deadlines, impact on other projects, and importance to the overall recruitment process. This helped me to prioritise tasks and ensure that I was focused on the most critical tasks at any given time.
I regularly communicated with stakeholders and team members to understand their priorities and ensure that my own priorities aligned with their needs. For example, if a hiring manager had a urgent requirement for a role, I would prioritise that role and work closely with the hiring manager to ensure that the recruitment process was completed in a timely manner.
I was proactive in seeking out support when needed, and was not afraid to delegate tasks to others when appropriate. For instance, if I was managing multiple recruitment campaigns and felt that I was becoming overwhelmed, I would reach out to my team members and delegate some of the tasks to them if appropriate, ensuring that the workload was shared and that all aspects of the recruitment process were completed effectively.
We hope this NSW Government cover letter example and targeted questions example has assisted you to understand what is required in your own selection criteria application. If you need further assistance with your resume, cover letter or targeted questions, please get in touch for a quote.
