cover letter of ngo job

Humanitarian Work Cover Letter (Complete Guide)

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When applying for a job in humanitarian aid, your cover letter will be a key part of your application. Alongside your CV, your cover letter is the main document NGO recruiters use to decide whether to short-list you for an interview. It’s crucial your cover letter shows the NGO recruiter that you’re a strong candidate with the skills needed to do humanitarian work.

This complete guide breaks down the 12 key steps in writing a successful cover letter for a humanitarian job application. Follow these steps in order to get a full breakdown of what you should, and should not, include in your cover letter for a job in humanitarian aid.

Keep Your Cover Letter to One Page

Your cover letter for a humanitarian job needs to capture the NGO recruiter’s attention. Humanitarian work is competitive and NGO recruiters will receive a lot of applications.

Often a recruiter will scan your CV to see if you have the experience and qualifications needed for humanitarian work, before turning to your cover letter. Although your cover letter should expand and explain your CV, it should also be direct and to-the-point as humanitarian work recruiters simply do not spend much time reviewing each application.

Your cover letter as part of an application for a humanitarian job should definitely be less than one page. Aim for 350 to 500 words and write in font size 12. Keep the font clear to read and professional.

A cover letter more than one page, or over 500 words, is simply too long for the humanitarian work recruiter to take time on and may actually mean they skip over your application. A good rule for humanitarian cover letters is actually the shorter the better, as long as you can convey the to the NGO recruiter you are a strong candidate for humanitarian work.

As well as making sure that your humanitarian job application cover letter is less than one page, it is also important to ensure it is professional. Begin the letter with ‘Dear Sir/Madam’ and close it with ‘yours faithfully’ – this is formal letter writing etiquette.

Make sure your cover letter is broken into paragraphs with each covering a specific area of your experience or qualifications for humanitarian work. Definitely make sure you proof read and spell-check your cover letter. If you are not a native English speaker it is good to ask someone who is to read your cover letter over to ensure it is clear and grammatically correct.

Tailor Your Cover Letter

One of the most important things to do when writing a cover letter for a humanitarian job is to tailor the cover letter to the role you are applying for.

Avoid sending a generic cover letter with all your applications. Instead, write a cover letter specific to the role and job advert. Doing this shows the NGO recruiter your knowledge and understanding of the job you’re applying for, as well as allows you to demonstrate exactly why you are qualified for humanitarian work.

Humanitarian work is competitive. You’ll need to send a lot of applications to secure a job, especially if you are early in your career. As you need to write a specific cover letter for each humanitarian role you apply for, this can take a lot of time. To speed it up, create a cover letter template that has sections that can remain the same, such as on your education and training, and sections you can tailor quickly to the job you’re applying for, such as parts on how your professional skills make you a strong candidate for the humanitarian role.

When writing cover letters for jobs in humanitarian aid, be sure to create a system that allows you to tailor your cover letter quickly to the role you are applying for. Do not re-write your cover letter for each application.

Save all the cover letters you send. This means if you are applying for similar humanitarian role you can go back and edit less. Saving time is really the aim when tailoring your cover letter for humanitarian jobs, as the humanitarian industry is competitive and you need to fire off a lot of applications.  

Capture the Recruiters Attention

The next most important aspect of writing a cover letter for a job in humanitarian aid is to instantly capture the NGO recruiter’s attention.

Always remember, recruiters for humanitarian work get a lot of applications, and so only look at each one for a second or two when making a decision to interview. Therefore, your cover letter needs to tell the NGO recruiter right from the outset what makes you the best candidate for the humanitarian job.

After opening the cover letter with a general statement such as ‘Dead Sir/Madam, I wish to apply for the role of…’, state clearly your most important professional experience. This is usually your current or most recent job. Doing this in your cover letter tells the NGO recruiter straight away that you have experience in humanitarian work.

If you are applying for entry-level jobs, put here your recent humanitarian internships , related volunteer experience or educational qualifications.

Once you’ve got the NGO recruiters attention and shown your relevant experience, the next step is to link that experience to the humanitarian role you are applying for. Explain in a few short points how your most recent professional experience makes you a strong candidate for the role. Make sure it links directly to the points in the job description advertised. Keep it strong and to-the-point. This is definitely a section on your cover letter template you will update for each application.

Humanitarian Aid Online Courses

If you are looking to work in humanitarian aid, we highly recommend the online course International Humanitarian and Development Careers . We think it provides one of the best overviews of the humanitarian sector and gives valuable insights for those searching for jobs in humanitarian aid. Follow the link to the course’s page for more information.

The International Humanitarian Law Theory and Practice online course offered by Leiden University in the Netherlands provides a fantastic theoretical overview of humanitarianism. We think it’s one of the top online courses for those who want to understand the basics of international humanitarian law. Click the link to visit the course’s page for more information.

We also think the Humanitarian Action Response and Relief online course offered by Coventry University is a must for anyone looking to become a humanitarian aid worker. It only takes around three weeks to complete and would be a major addition to the CV of anyone looking to work in the aid sector. The link is to the course’s page.

Expand on Your Experiences

After capturing the NGO recruiter’s attention by opening your cover letter with your most recent and relevant humanitarian work experience, the next step is to expand on your experience further. Do this by highlighting a few other relevant humanitarian jobs you have done that also link to the one you are applying for.

If you have a lot of previous or relevant humanitarian experience, just pick two or three to put here.

As with your opening sentences outlining your most relevant humanitarian experience , when expanding on your work experience you should keep it strong and direct. One or two sentences per position is a good aim, with two or three positions described here maximum. Try and get your opening paragraph to include your most recent/relevant jobs and your additional experiences without making it to long.

You do not need to list all of your professional humanitarian experience in your cover letter. These are listed in your CV. Make sure to have your first cover letter paragraph open with your most relevant experience linked to the job points, and then two or three max additional experiences also linked the job.

If you are new the humanitarian sector, you can either expand more on the experiences you do have or describe how you’re training and education links to the role you’re applying for.

Link to the Exact Job Requirements

As outlined above, its crucial your humanitarian job cover letter relates directly to the job you are applying for. However, avoid repeating the job description. Instead, link your key experiences to the main elements of the job. This should be covered in the first paragraph of your cover letter.

Linking your most relevant experiences to the main job points tells the NGO recruiter straight away you have the relevant humanitarian work skills for the job.

Your cover letter should be less than one page, ideally less than 500 words. This means you need to pick carefully the experiences you describe and which parts of the job you link them to. Start by highlighting what the foundational elements of the job are and then think about which key humanitarian experiences you have that prove your competence at them.

Make sure describing your professional experiences only takes your first paragraph as you need space later to cover other important qualifications and skills.

Remember, your first paragraph is to catch the humanitarian work recruiter’s attention. Make sure you include your most impressive and relevant humanitarian experience. Linking these to the job you’re applying for tells the NGO recruiter you are a strong candidate. Don’t repeat your CV as the NGO recruiter will review that as well.

Use your cover letter to explain why your experiences are relevant to the humanitarian job you’re applying for and how you have experience highly relevant to the humanitarian work you wish to do.

Outline Your Training and Education

After you have used your first paragraph to grab the NGO recruiter’s attention by linking your relevant humanitarian work experiences to the job you’re applying for, next is to move onto outlining your qualifications.

In the next paragraph, begin by explaining how your university qualification is relevant to the job. Give one example and make it broad, but ensure it is linked directly to the job. The example you give will need to be updated for each job you apply for.

Following providing a short sentence on your university qualification on your cover letter and how it will broadly help you be successful at the job you should then move onto to highlight humanitarian trainings you have completed.

Direct and to-the-point is the aim still so do not list all the humanitarian trainings you have done. Describe one or two highly relevant ones and explain how they give you the humanitarian knowledge and skills needed to do the job you are applying for.

As the aim of the cover letter is still to grab the NGO recruiter’s attention you should cover your relevant humanitarian qualifications and trainings in a few sentences.

If you have a relevant humanitarian masters and undergraduate you can link both to the job and be more concise than describing both separately. The same goes for trainings – if you have many relevant trainings write about them generally in your cover letter and list them individually on your CV.

Explain Your Soft Skills

As well as outlining your professional experiences related to the humanitarian industry and your educational qualifications related to aid work in your cover letter, you also need to detail your ‘soft skills’. Soft skills are personal traits such as team work, adaptability, taking initiative and problem solving. Recruiters for humanitarian work need to know candidates have the personal traits needed to be successful on a humanitarian mission.

The soft skills you explain in your humanitarian cover letter should be linked directly to the job you are applying for.

Most humanitarian job descriptions list the competencies required for the role. In your cover letter you should explain briefly how you have the personal traits that align with these competencies. You do not need to explain fully how you developed these competencies, a brief statement such as ‘my previous humanitarian work experience and related university degrees have given me strong skills in…’ should suffice.

Again, remember the key of the cover letter in a humanitarian job application is to expand on your CV, but to remain direct and to-the-point. If you have a lot of experiences that can be related to the humanitarian jobs required competencies, avoid listing these in full but instead either make a more generic statement or highlight a few highly relevant jobs have given you the soft skills needed.

If you are at entry-level, a general statement as to how your internship, volunteering, studies or early roles have given you the humanitarian competencies needed is usually fine.

Highlight Your Computer Skills

It is important in your humanitarian cover letter that you indicate you have the IT skills needed to do the job. Almost all modern jobs require people to be computer literate and the humanitarian industry is no exception.

Including a sentence on your computer abilities in your humanitarian cover letter shows you acknowledge the need for strong IT skills as well as allowing you to show an understanding of what is required in humanitarian work and the specific aid job you are applying for.

Highlighting your computer skills in your humanitarian cover letter can be done in two ways. Firstly, if you know the position requires specific computer programmes, such as in finance or some project management roles, explain how you have used these before successfully.

If the role doesn’t require specific IT software, or it is not clear what programs are used, write more generically and include references to the Ms Office sweet – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, which are required in every humanitarian job.

As the aim of the cover letter for a humanitarian job is to be direct and hold the NGO recruiter’s attention, keep your statement about IT skills to a simple sentence. Ideally, link it directly to the job you are applying for and the outcomes the role will require. If you have used specific software in a previous role you know will be relevant, still highlight this and the successes you had, but make sure that you keep this part of the cover letter to one or two sentences maximum.

Show What the Job Will Do for You

Now that you have highlighted that you are a strong candidate for humanitarian work through linking your professional and educational experiences to the job you’re applying for, as well as your competencies and computer skills relevant to the humanitarian industry, the next stage is to explain why you want the job. This should come later in the cover letter after you have already highlighted that you are a strong candidate for the job.

There are two main things to focus on in your humanitarian cover letter when showing why you want the job.

The first is the specific reasons the role excites you. Pick out a few key elements of the job and honestly explain why they made you apply. The more knowledge you can show of the role the better, but also allow your passion to come through. You can also explain how the humanitarian context where the job is located is important to you.

The second area to focus on in your humanitarian worker cover letter when explaining why you want the job is to describe briefly how the job will build on your current professional experiences and help you towards your career goals. As always, keep this direct and to-the-point, but show the humanitarian work recruiter in your cover letter what this job will do for you.

Again, be honest and show passion so that the NGO recruiter can see you are excited to work in the position as well as the humanitarian context.

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Describe Why You Want to Work for This Organisation

The final part of your humanitarian job application cover letter should describe why you want to work for the NGO you have applied to. Like with outlining why you want the job, leave this until later in the cover letter after you have shown the humanitarian work recruiter you are a strong candidate. This is usually the final sentence in the cover letter and should show the NGO recruiter your knowledge of the humanitarian NGO you want to work for.

A good tip when explaining in your humanitarian cover letter why you want to work for the NGO you have applied to it focus on the programmes the NGO does.  This shows the NGO recruiter you understand the NGO’s humanitarian focus, as well as that you have researched the NGO.

Another tip is to focus on the mission or values of the NGO, often published on their website, and explain in your cover letter why you are passionate about these.

Like when describing why you want the role you have applied for, when outlining why the NGO interests you in your humanitarian job application cover letter keep it brief and direct, but also be honest and show your passion. This is often the last sentence of your cover letter and should leave the NGO recruiter with a strong feeling that you have researched the humanitarian organisation well and are excited to work for them.

Don’t Include Start Date and Salary Expectation

It is definitely not mandatory to include information on when you could start in the new job and what salary you expect in your cover letter, unless the humanitarian NGO you are applying to says this must be included.

Generally, a good tip is to leave this information out of your cover letter unless it is specifically asked for. These kinds of details can be discussed at the interview stage where you have more time to fully explain your position.

If the humanitarian organisation you are applying for directly asks you to include an estimated start date for the job, include this as a short sentence at the end of your cover letter. You can either include a rough date you can start, or state something like ‘available with one months’ notice’ if this is required of your current job.

The only exception to whether you include your start date in your cover letter if the NGO does not ask for it is if you are available immediately. NGO recruitments are often urgent and being able to start work immediately can this can actually help your application.

Unless a humanitarian NGO directly asks you to include your salary expectation in your cover letter, definitely do not include it. Generally, salary negotiations are best done after the job has been offered to you, and providing this information in the cover letter is very rarely going to improve your application.

If the humanitarian NGO does specifically ask for an expected salary, put this at the end of your cover letter in a short one or two sentence paragraphs along with your estimated start date if this is also requested.

Don’t Put a Photograph

As a general rule, do not include a photograph of yourself in your cover letter for a humanitarian job application. Although in some cultures it appears to be more common for people to include a photograph of themselves in their application, often it does not add to the quality of the application and only distracts from the points being made on the strength of the candidate.

Unless the humanitarian NGO specifically asks for a photograph to be included, which is very are, do not put one voluntarily on your cover letter.

If you are asked to include a photograph of yourself in your cover letter for a humanitarian job, or in your country it is very much expected to include a photograph, there are few things to remember.

Firstly, make sure the photograph is well taken and you look professional. Avoid casual photographs or cropping one with multiple people in it. Also, be sure to avoid passport style photographs! Everyone knows – no one looks good is a passport photo!

As said, unless the humanitarian NGO directly requests for a photograph to included in the cover letter, do not put one. A good rule to follow is to not provide more information than the NGO recruiter needs to see you as a strong candidate. A photograph doesn’t tell the NGO recruiter anything about your skills for humanitarian work, your knowledge of the aid sector or passion for the job. Therefore, including a photograph doesn’t help the recruiter select you as a good applicant for a humanitarian job, and so it is best not to include one.  

If you want to learn more about how to become a humanitarian worker, explore our list of the top humanitarian aid online courses here .

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3 Inspiring Nonprofit Cover Letter Examples

By Status.net Editorial Team on February 14, 2024 — 8 minutes to read

The nonprofit sector includes organizations that are neither part of the government nor operated for profit. When you interact with nonprofits, you’re looking at a diverse group with missions ranging from education and health to environmental conservation and the arts.

Nonprofits are typically funded by donations, grants, and membership dues and are driven by a mission to serve the public. Unlike for-profit businesses, they reinvest any surplus revenues back into their programs and services. This structure means that your passion and alignment with the organization’s mission can often be just as important as your professional skills.

When writing a cover letter for a job in the nonprofit sector, it’s important to highlight both your professional abilities and your dedication to the cause. This could include volunteer experience, board memberships, or simply a strong personal connection to the mission of the organization.

Crafting Your Cover Letter

A stellar cover letter grabs attention by aligning your skills and passion with the nonprofit’s mission and the job at hand. Here’s how you can craft one that stands out.

Analyzing the Job Description

Start by thoroughly reading the job posting to understand what the nonprofit is looking for. Identify keywords and phrases related to skills, experiences, and values. You can use these to tailor your cover letter to demonstrate you’re a perfect fit for the role. For example, if “community outreach” is a frequently mentioned phrase, highlight your experience in this area.

Knowing Your Audience

Research the organization to get a sense of its culture and values. Use this insight to talk directly to the nonprofit’s needs and show you’ve done your homework. For instance, if the organization values innovation, you can mention a time you implemented a new process or project.

Personalizing Your Introduction

Begin with a compelling opening sentence that introduces you and your interest in the organization. A personal story or a connection to the cause can make your cover letter memorable. For example: “Seeing the impact of your homeless outreach inspired me to apply.”

Outlining Your Relevant Experience

In bullet points, list the experiences that directly relate to the job. Explain how each experience has prepared you for the specific responsibilities of the role. For example, if you’re applying to be a grant writer, list success stories of past grants you’ve secured.

Demonstrating Your Passion for the Cause

Let your enthusiasm for the work shine through by sharing why the mission matters to you. Relate personal experiences or achievements that show your commitment. For example: “Volunteering with (…) initiative confirmed my dedication to environmental advocacy.”

Concluding with a Strong Finish

End with a confident and polite closing that invites further conversation. Express excitement about the prospect of contributing to the team and the cause. For example:”I am eager to bring my experience in nonprofit management to your esteemed team and am looking forward to discussing how I can support your goals.”

Formatting Your Cover Letter

Structuring your document.

Your cover letter should have a clear structure with an introduction, body, and closing. In the introduction, briefly mention the job you’re applying for and your enthusiasm about the mission of the nonprofit. The body of the letter should consist of one to two paragraphs where you highlight your relevant experience and achievements. Finally, end your letter with a strong closing statement, expressing your desire to discuss how you can contribute to the organization.

Choosing the Right Font and Size

You should select a professional and easy-to-read font such as Arial or Times New Roman. Your font size should be between 10 to 12 points to ensure readability. Keep margins at standard 1-inch on all sides to present a tidy page, and use single spacing within paragraphs with a blank line between each paragraph.

Templates and Examples

Crafting a personalized cover letter can greatly increase your chances of landing a job interview in the nonprofit sector. Here, you’ll find templates specifically designed for various levels of experience, whether you’re just starting out, have years of professional experience, or are transitioning to the nonprofit world.

Entry-Level Nonprofit Cover Letter Example

If you’re fresh in the workforce and eager to contribute to a cause, your cover letter should highlight your volunteer experiences and the skills you’ve gained from them. Remember, you’re telling a story about why you’re passionate about the nonprofit’s mission.

Example: Subject: Application for the Position of Community Outreach Coordinator

Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],

I recently graduated with a degree in Social Work and found great purpose in my volunteer work with [Local Nonprofit Organization], where I deepened my understanding of community engagement and developed strong organizational skills. I am excited about the opportunity to bring my dedication and fresh perspective to [Nonprofit’s Name] as your next Community Outreach Coordinator.

Experienced Professional Cover Letter Example

For you, as someone with substantial experience, your cover letter is an opportunity to demonstrate how your track record can translate into success for the nonprofit. Be specific about your achievements and how they align with the values and goals of the organization.

Example: Subject: Application for Senior Program Manager Position

With over 10 years of program management experience, notably with [Previous Nonprofit], I significantly increased program efficiency by 20% and spearheaded a fundraising campaign that raised over $100,000. My commitment to fostering community growth and empowering diverse groups aligns seamlessly with the mission of [Nonprofit’s Name]. I am excited to bring my expertise and innovative strategies to your team as the Senior Program Manager.

Career Change to Nonprofit Sector Cover Letter Example

Your cover letter should reflect a clear, genuine reason for shifting to the nonprofit sector. Draw parallels between your past experiences and how these can benefit the organization. It’s important to show that your skills are transferable and that your passion for the mission is a driving force behind your career change.

Example: Subject: Application for the Role of Advocacy Coordinator

After a successful decade in the legal sector, I am ready to apply my expertise in advocacy and policy analysis to make a meaningful impact in the nonprofit realm. My experience winning complex legal battles translates well to the tenacious approach needed as an Advocacy Coordinator with [Nonprofit’s Name]. I am passionate about your mission and eager to contribute to your team with fresh strategies and a strong commitment to social change.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When crafting your nonprofit cover letter, ensure you don’t make these common errors:

• Neglecting Customization: Each nonprofit has its unique mission and values. Remember to tailor your cover letter to each organization’s specific ethos. A generic cover letter can imply a lack of genuine interest.
• Overlooking Details: Always double-check for typos, grammatical errors, and incorrect information. These mistakes can suggest you lack attention to detail or professionalism.
• Repeating Your Resume: Your cover letter should complement your resume, not repeat it. Use this space to expand on your experiences and explain how they align with the nonprofit’s goals.
• Being Too Lengthy: Keep your cover letter concise. Aim for a maximum of one page. Your goal is to maintain the reader’s interest with a clear and brief message.
• Skipping the Thank-You: End your cover letter by expressing gratitude for the consideration. It’s a simple but powerful way to show your appreciation and courtesy.

Best Practices for Follow-Up

After you’ve submitted your nonprofit cover letter, effectively following up can make a significant difference in how your application is perceived. Post-submission, it’s important to remain engaged and show your continued interest in the position.

Monitoring Your Email and Voicemail

Regularly check your email and voicemail for any responses or further instructions from the nonprofit organization. Promptness in your response conveys your eagerness and professionalism.

Being Proactive with Hiring Managers

If you haven’t heard back within a week or two, don’t hesitate to reach out. A courteous email inquiring about the status of your application demonstrates initiative, but remember to be respectful of the hiring manager’s time. Related: Get More Interviews: Follow Up on Job Applications (Templates)

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key components to include in a cover letter for a nonprofit position.

In your nonprofit cover letter, you should include your passion for the mission of the organization, specific examples of your past achievements, and how they align with the goals of the nonprofit. Highlight your teamwork and communication skills, and don’t forget to mention any volunteer experience.

How can someone with no experience approach writing a cover letter for a nonprofit job?

If you’re lacking experience, focus on your transferable skills such as organization, enthusiasm, and the ability to learn quickly. Share your understanding of the nonprofit’s mission and express how your personal values align with it. You might discuss relevant coursework or extracurricular activities that demonstrate your commitment.

What’s the ideal length for a cover letter when applying to a nonprofit organization?

Your cover letter should be concise, ideally one page, with no more than three to four paragraphs. This shows that you can communicate effectively and respect the reader’s time, which is important in the fast-paced nonprofit sector.

Could you provide tips on formatting a compelling cover letter for NGO job applications?

Use a professional and readable font size, typically between 10-12 points, and keep the margins to about one inch on all sides. Align your text to the left and use bullet points to make achievements stand out. Ensure your layout has plenty of white space for easy readability.

In what ways can a program coordinator cover letter be tailored to highlight relevant skills for a nonprofit role?

Your program coordinator cover letter should demonstrate your project management skills, ability to work with diverse groups, and experience in organizing events or campaigns. Mention any successful programs you’ve run or contributed to and how they have made a positive impact.

What are some effective strategies for enhancing my cover letter when applying for jobs in the nonprofit sector?

Personalize your cover letter by addressing it to an individual rather than using a generic salutation. Use the job description to guide you in highlighting the most relevant experiences and skills you have. Use stories and examples that you think will resonate with the organization’s culture and mission.

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Useful Phrases and Language For Your NGO Cover Letter

Cover letters are challenging. No one enjoys writing them. When written carefully, cover letters give you an advantage over other job applicants. They expand on your resume and reveal more about who you are. When thinking about how to write your NGO cover letter, think like the person hiring you. What will stand out to them? Beginning with your introduction and leading up to the end, here are useful phrases and language that can separate you from the bulk of applicants.

Introducing your letter

The first few sentences of your letter are extremely important. If you fail to hook the reader, they may skip the rest of your letter entirely. They have lots of letters to get through. Never open your letter with something like “I’m applying for (x) job.” The hiring manager already knows that. What should you open with, then? You’ll find a lot of advice on cover letter introductions, but not everything applies to the NGO sector. As an example, you might be advised to open your letter with humor. We don’t usually recommend that. It’s better to start with passion and enthusiasm about the organization.

Passion alone isn’t sufficient. Simply stating that you’re excited about the company won’t grab anyone’s attention. Contextualize that excitement with something specific. Has the organization done anything newsworthy recently? Is there a particular project/campaign they’ve worked on – past or present – that you’re especially impressed by? Express your enthusiasm about these specifics, then state how your skills and experience match the organization’s values and goals. Including something about the organization and yourself in the introduction shows you’re excited about the job, you know what the organization has been up to recently, and that you’re a good match. If you know someone in the organization, your introduction is the best place to mention this.

Elaborating on your skills with action keywords

This part of a cover letter is tricky because you don’t want to just repeat what your resume says. First, look at the action keywords in the job position. These are the words that describe skills the organization is looking for. Common keywords include “specialized” and “proficient.” You’ll also most likely see keywords like “teamwork,” “leadership,” and “detail-oriented.” Next, consider the skills you have that match. Choose up to three that are most relevant to the position you’re applying for. Use language similar to what you see in the job description. Why? Cover letters are often scanned by resume software looking for those keywords. This cuts down on the amount of time a human needs to spend looking through letters. The software narrows the hunt down to people who meet the basic qualifications.

You want to be careful not to copy the job description too closely. If it sounds like you just copy-and-pasted the whole desired skills section, you’re doing something wrong. You’re most likely not being specific enough. You want to mirror the language while showing that your specific experiences support those skills.

Employing action verbs

Action verbs are also important to your cover letter. These verbs describe the different things you’ve done in your previous positions. Think about your work experiences. Have you helped programs get off the ground? Led a team on a project? The action verbs there are “helped” and “led.” Choosing powerful action verbs gives your cover letter punch and highlights your experiences more effectively. Is “helped” the best action verb you could use? Consider alternatives like “assisted,” “advised,” “supported,” or “aided.” For “led,” a word like “facilitated,” “piloted,” “coordinated,” or “spearheaded” is punchier. Choosing your action verbs carefully polishes and sharpens your cover letter. You’re making the most out of a very limited space.

Closing your cover letter

Your letter’s ending is just as important as your opening. While the introduction serves as the hiring manager’s first impression of you, the ending is their last impression. They might be interested so far, but if the end of your cover letter is really weak, you probably won’t get a second look. What impression should the end of your cover letter send? You want to make it clear that you have something valuable to bring to the organization. You want to convince the hiring manager to follow up with you.

One way to do this is to promise more information. Something like, “I’d love to share how my success on/with (name a successful project or team) can translate to (organization/job you’re applying for)” shows your eagerness to bring something to the table. Whatever you decide to do, be confident and enthusiastic. For your sign off, keep it simple. Something like “sincerely” or “best regards” followed by a space, then your full name, is all that’s necessary. If you have an online portfolio, provide the link at the end.

Letter Templates & Example

Best Cover Letter Template for NGO Applications

Looking for ways to craft an effective cover letter for your NGO job application? Look no further! You have arrived at the right place. Our comprehensive cover letter template for NGO is here to help you showcase your skills and experience while highlighting your enthusiasm to work in the non-profit sector. Whether you are applying for a position in an animal welfare organization or an education-oriented NGO, our templates have got you covered. They are easy-to-use and can be customized to match your individual needs. So, what are you waiting for? Check out our cover letter template for NGO, grab the examples, make changes, and land your dream job in the social sector today!

The Best Structure for a Cover Letter Template for NGOs

When applying for a job in the non-governmental organization (NGO) sector, having a well-structured and tailored cover letter is crucial. A cover letter provides the perfect opportunity to express your passion for the organization’s mission and showcase how your skills and experience align with their values and goals. Here is a recommended structure for the best NGO cover letter template.

First paragraph: Start by introducing yourself and explaining why you are interested in the position. This is a great chance to show your enthusiasm for the organization’s mission and values. Additionally, you can mention how you found out about the job opening and any personal connections you may have with the organization.

Second paragraph: This section should focus on highlighting your relevant skills and experience. Carefully read the job description and select a few key responsibilities and qualifications that you have experience with. Use specific examples to explain how you have excelled in similar roles or projects. This is also an excellent opportunity to showcase any unique skills or qualifications that make you stand out from other applicants.

Third paragraph: This is where you explain why you believe you would be a good fit for the organization. Discuss how your values align with those of the NGO and how you would contribute to their mission. Mention any relevant volunteer work or extracurricular activities that demonstrate your commitment to social justice and human rights.

Fourth paragraph: In the final paragraph, thank the hiring manager for considering your application and express your enthusiasm to meet with them in an interview. Provide your contact information and invite them to reach out to you if they have any further questions or require additional information.

In conclusion, following this recommended structure for an NGO cover letter will ensure that you present yourself as a well-qualified, passionate candidate for the position. Tailoring your cover letter to the specific NGO and position will help you stand out from other applicants and improve your chances of getting hired.

NGO Cover Letter Templates

Application for ngo program coordinator position.

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to express my interest in the Program Coordinator position at your NGO. I am a dedicated professional with over five years of experience in community development, project management, and partnership building. I have a proven track record of executing successful programs and building strategic alliances with various stakeholders.

In my current role as a community development specialist, I gained extensive experience in planning and implementing projects that aim to improve the lives of marginalized communities. I also have a background in building strategic partnerships for NGOs to leverage their impact and ensure the sustainability of their programs.

I am excited about the opportunity to contribute my skills and experience to your organization and help create meaningful change in the community. Thank you for your consideration.

[Your Name]

Volunteer Application for an Upcoming Event

Dear Volunteer Coordinator,

I am writing to express my interest in volunteering for the upcoming event at your NGO. I am passionate about social justice and community empowerment and believe in the importance of supporting causes that aim to make a positive impact on people’s lives.

I have previous experience in event planning and coordination, including volunteer management, fundraising, and logistics. I am confident that my skills and experience will be an asset to your event and contribute to its success.

Thank you for the opportunity to apply for this volunteer position. I am excited about the prospect of working with your team and contributing to your mission.

Congratulatory Letter for NGO’s Success

Dear [NGO Name] Executives,

I am writing to extend my heartfelt congratulations on [NGO’s recent accomplishment]. Your inspiring work has made a significant impact on the lives of many, and my admiration for your dedication and passion cannot be overstated.

Your [NGO’s specific achievement] is a testament to the hard work and perseverance of your team and a source of hope for those facing similar challenges. I am proud to support your work and look forward to seeing your continued impact in [cause/issue].

Thank you for your tireless work in [cause/issue]. Your commitment to creating a better world is truly remarkable.

[Your name]

Donation Request for Upcoming Project

Dear [Donor’s Name],

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to request your support for our upcoming project at [NGO Name]. Our program aims to [purpose of the project] and improve the lives of those in need. Your contribution will help us achieve our goals and make a meaningful impact in the [community/issue].

We believe that every individual deserves access to [specific need], and your donation will help us provide this essential service to those in need. Your generous contribution will enable us to [specific actions/reach a specific target].

Thank you for considering our request and for your continued support of our organization. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of many.

NGO Partnership Proposal

I am writing to propose a partnership between our organizations. As fellow advocates for [cause/issue], I believe that our collaboration would have a significant impact on the [community/issue] we both serve.

Our organizations share a commitment to [common goal/mission], and I believe that a partnership would leverage our strengths and create a more robust impact on our shared cause. Our proposed partnership includes [specific actions/services].

Please let me know if you are interested in exploring this opportunity further. I look forward to the possibility of working together to make a positive difference in the lives of many.

Congratulatory Letter for Successful Campaign

Dear [Campaign Name] Team,

I am writing to extend my congratulations on the success of your [campaign name]. Your tireless work has paid off, and your impact on the [community/issue] you serve is truly inspirational.

Your campaign’s [specific result] is a testament to your team’s dedication and vision. Through your efforts, you have created meaningful change and provided [specific benefit] to those in need.

Thank you for your commitment to [cause/issue] and for sharing your passion with the world. Your campaign has made a profound impact, and I look forward to seeing your continued success in the future.

Congratulations once again on this significant achievement.

Internship Application for NGO Position

I am writing to express my interest in the internship position at your NGO. As a recent graduate of [major/field], I am eager to gain experience and contribute to a cause that aligns with my values.

I have a passion for [cause/issue] and have been actively involved in [volunteering/activism/community outreach] for several years. I am excited about the opportunity to learn and grow with your organization and contribute my skills and knowledge to your mission.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further.

Cover Letter Template Tips for NGO Jobs

Applying for a job at a non-governmental organization (NGO) can be a highly competitive process. With so many qualified candidates vying for the same position, it’s important that your cover letter stands out and makes a strong impression on the hiring committee. Here are some tips for creating a cover letter template that will help you land your dream NGO job:

1. Customize your cover letter for each job application. While it may be tempting to use a standard cover letter template for all of your job applications, this can make you look lazy and unimpressive to hiring managers. Instead, take the time to research the NGO you’re applying to and tailor your cover letter to showcase your skills and experience in a way that aligns with the organization’s mission and values.

2. Highlight your relevant qualifications and experience. While it’s important to customize your cover letter for each job application, this doesn’t mean you need to start from scratch every time. Keep a master version of your cover letter template that includes all of your relevant qualifications and experience, and then tweak it as needed for each new job application.

3. Keep it concise and to the point. Your cover letter should be no more than one page in length and should concisely articulate why you’re the best candidate for the job. Avoid using flowery language or long-winded sentences, and instead focus on getting your key points across in a clear and compelling manner.

4. Use concrete examples to illustrate your skills. Rather than simply stating that you have strong communication skills or experience managing teams, use concrete examples from your work history or academic background to demonstrate your abilities. This will make your application more memorable and help it stand out from the crowd.

5. Close with a strong call to action. Your cover letter should end with a call to action, such as requesting an interview or expressing your enthusiasm for the opportunity to work at the NGO. This will leave a positive impression on hiring managers and increase your chances of securing an interview.

Cover Letter Template for NGO: FAQs

What is a cover letter for an NGO?

A cover letter for an NGO is a document submitted along with a job application to express your interest in a specific position at a non-governmental organization and to highlight your qualifications and skills that make you a suitable candidate.

Why is it important to write a cover letter for an NGO?

Writing a cover letter for an NGO job is important because it gives you the opportunity to showcase your skills and experiences related to the position you are applying for. This can set you apart from other candidates and increase your chances of being hired.

What should be included in a cover letter for an NGO?

A cover letter for an NGO should include your contact information, a brief introduction explaining who you are and why you are interested in the position, a summary of your relevant experience and skills, and a closing statement expressing enthusiasm for the opportunity to interview.

How can I make my cover letter stand out?

To make your cover letter stand out, you can tailor it to the specific requirements of the position and organization you are applying to. Use specific examples of past experience and achievements that relate to the job requirements, and keep the tone professional and enthusiastic.

Should I include my salary expectations in my cover letter for an NGO?

It is not necessary to include your salary expectations in your cover letter for an NGO job. You can address this topic during the interview process if it comes up.

What is the recommended length for a cover letter for an NGO?

A cover letter for an NGO should be concise and to the point. It is recommended to keep it to one page and use clear and concise language to convey your qualifications and interest in the position.

Should I submit my cover letter in a specific format?

You can usually submit your cover letter for an NGO job in either a Word document or PDF format. Check the job application instructions to be sure. Make sure to follow the submission instructions carefully to ensure your application is considered.

Go Ahead and Give it a Shot!

With the help of this cover letter template for NGO, you’re now one step closer to landing your dream job. Remember to personalize it, showcase the right skills and express your passion for the nonprofit sector. Thank you for reading and good luck with your job search! Don’t forget to check back for more helpful tips and advice on our website. We wish you all the best!

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Getting your first job

The perfect humanitarian CV and cover letter

Hiring managers from across the aid industry give their advice on what makes a great CV and cover letter. However, they don’t always agree.

There is no shortage of advice on the internet: how to fix a broken washing machine, how to make a crying baby fall sleep, or even how to do a barbell bench press without engaging your anterior deltoids. (Yes, these are the last three things that I Googled for advice.) Unfortunately, not all search engine guidance can be trusted, which explains how I’ve managed to re-injure my deltoid twice in one year.

The untrustworthiness of internet advice also applies to queries about  how to write a humanitarian CV or cover letter . Most of the guidance out there is written by bloggers without inside knowledge the humanitarian sector, and many articles are just fluffed-up generic CV tips masquerading as customised advice for aspiring aid workers , seemingly written by A.I. algorithms.

So what do the people who actually do the hiring for NGOs and the United Nations think should be on your CV and cover letter?

To answer this  question , we  delved into  our humanitarian network to speak with eight program managers and senior specialists – from  across a wide range of technical specialisations – who have personally done extensive  recruitment  in the aid sector.  We asked them: What do they like to see in a CV and cover letter when they are  hiring ?

The good news: the advice below is honest, practical, and comes straight from the people who may actually review your job applications one day. The unfortunate news: many of them disagree on what exactly makes a CV sparkle and a cover letter dance.

But first, some Insider advice for your CV

Before we dive into what the panel of humanitarian experts thinks, we would like to politely hijack this article to share our own homebrewed Insider recipe for the perfect humanitarian CV. (If you want to skip to what the pros in the field think, you can click here .)

There is a lot of room for flexibility — and even creativity — in how you format your CV, if you keep two key principles in mind. First, be consistent. For example, if you bold your job titles and italicise the organisation names in your work experience section, then do it the same way for each entry. Second, aim for a “classic” (i.e. boring) look. Excessive use of colours or graphics don’t fit the humanitarian aid industry standard. If you must use colour, choose only one.

When choosing how to format your CV, remember that the goal should always be to highlight (metaphorically) the relevant aspects of your skills and experience. If your formatting is a distraction, simplify it.

The formatting in the images below is suggestive only. Feel free to format your CV in a way that expresses your personality, so long as it consistent and easy to read.

Personal information

This section, which sits at the very top of your CV, should include your name, your location (or full address if you want), a phone number, and email address.  If it’s relevant or advantageous, you can also add your LinkedIn profile, your nationality, or your work permit status in the country you’re applying to. Don’t put your birthday.

While looking chic in the field is serious business for some aid workers, you will be relieved to know that humanitarian hiring processes are not based on appearance. A headshot on your CV is 100% optional. And if you’re unsure, the safe option is probably not to have a photo. (Personally, I have never used a photo on my CV.)

However, if you do choose to have a picture, ensure that the photograph is of professional quality and that you look nice in it.

Due to living conditions in the field , the people hiring you may also live and work with you in very close quarters, so your personality is a weighty consideration. Most humanitarians prefer to work with positive, cheerful people in such tough conditions, so if you have a photo, make sure that it radiates amicable vibes.

Profile summary

If you don’t have a profile summary section at the top of your CV, you’re potentially missing a golden opportunity. This section is your chance to succintly demonstrate that you meet the minimum requirements of the job.

To make optimum use of this section, take a close look at the key requirements of the job advertisement that you’re applying to (usually they will be toward the bottom of the advert). Usually the requirements will fall into these categories:

• Years of work experience (e.g. “At least 2 years of relevant experience”)
• Education level (e.g. “Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree preferred”)
• Technical knowledge (e.g. WASH, Shelter, etc.)
• Hard skills (e.g. report writing, project management, etc.)
• Language skills or country-specific knowledge (e.g. previous work related to the Middle East or fluency in Ukrainian).

Once you understand the requirements, craft your profile summary in a way that clearly demonstrates that you meet as many of these as possible. For example:

Entry-level professional with 1 year of combined humanitarian experience in project reporting for WASH programming in Ethiopia. Native French speaker with fluency in English, and a recent master’s degree graduate in International Development.

With a quick scan of these 2 – 4 lines, a hiring manager should be assured already that you could be a great fit for such a role, and intrigued enough to read the rest of your CV in detail.

If you are transitioning into aid work from another career — and your CV is filled with non-humanitarian experience — your profile summary is also the best place to explain your career change in just a few words. For example: “Experienced supply chain manager with 5 years of experience, now transitioning into the aid sector.”

If you are a recent university graduate, this is also the place to acknowledge that while you may not have any humanitarian experience yet, you are aiming for a career in the sector. For example, “Recent graduate and aspiring aid worker…”

Absolutely do not write generic phrases touting how you are “organized and detail-oriented” or “able to work independently” or “have excellent interpersonal and communication skills”. While these claims may be true, they are tedious to read, impossible to verify, and, well, everyone writes these boilerplate phrases and so they won’t set you apart from other candidates.

If you earned your higher education degree at a prestigious university, you may be discouraged to learn that where you studied is not a vital consideration in the humanitarian sector.

Whether you earned your degree at Oxford or Tafila Technical University , the only two things that really matter to HR screeners and hiring managers are: what is the highest degree level that you have attained (either a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree), and if your degree is in a “relevant” field of study — which is typically so broad that it doesn’t matter if you studied humanitarian aid, international relations, international development, a foreign language, or most of the social sciences.

Therefore, in the education section of your CV, clearly state each degree level and title. For example, “Master of Arts in International Development”. Of course, you must also include the name and location of the university and your graduation year.

If you are a recent graduate, your education should be at the top of your CV: after your profile summary, but before your work experience. If you’ve already worked for a few years, put your work experience first.  Adding information about your thesis title or the courses that you took is optional, and is only relevant if you are a recent graduate with minimal work experience.

Work experience

This is the most important part of your CV. When humanitarian hiring managers quickly scan your CV (usually in 1-2 minutes, as you will see below), they want to know what you did in your previous work. Getting it right can make or break your application.

First, you should have between 3-6 bullet points for each work experience, with fewer points for older work experiences. Each bullet point should begin with a verb in the past tense. For example, do not write “I researched…” or “Research…” or “Researching…”. Instead, start the bullet point with “Research ed …”

Second, be specific and quantify your achievements. For example, instead of writing “Organised conferences and events”, you should say, “Organised 3 week-long conferences with over 100 participants from a dozen countries”. Instead of saying that you “Wrote reports”, you should say, “Wrote monthly 5-page progress reports for a variety of projects, and co-wrote the annual 20-page report summarising all the organisation’s field activities and achievements in 2020 and 2021”. Adding these details helps the hiring manager understand the scope and scale of your experience.

Finally, and most importantly, tailor your previous work experience to the job advertisement that you are applying to. You should be adapting the text of the bullet points for each new job applications, even if only slightly. For example, if your previous job called it “grant writing” but the job advertisement calls it “project development”, then use the latter term. If the primary responsibility of the advertised job is managing a team of data enumerators in the field, and if you did something similar in a previous position, then move this bullet point up to the top of that work experience.

As a side note, ensure that any acronyms you use will be understood by the humanitarian hiring manager reading your CV. You — and everyone from your previous job — may know what a “3PL” is, but if it’s not a term in common usage in the aid industry, use the full words instead of an acronym (I still don’t know what a 3PL is but I did see it on a CV once).

It may surprise you that language skills beyond English (or French in francophone Africa) are not often required for international humanitarian positions. However, they are almost always “preferred”. For example, a job advert might read: “Full working proficiency in English required, knowledge of Arabic preferred”.

You should list your language abilities toward the end of your CV. We recommend that you describe your level of proficiency using both widely understood terms like “beginner” or “intermediate”, and also the appropriate CEFR reference level . For example, “Spanish (native), English (fluent, C2), Russian (beginner, A2)”.

Volunteer experience

When trying to launch a career in humanitarian aid, volunteer work is often the best way to gain experience. If you have volunteered in some relevant way — with your local Red Cross society after a natural disaster, with children or the elderly in your community, or perhaps as part of a student initiative in university — you should include it in your CV. You can either make a separate section for volunteer experiences, or you can include them within the work experience section.

...And insider advice for your cover letter

The depressing reality is that, although cover letters are a requirement for nearly all humanitarian job applications, most of them are never read. Hiring managers are too busy to pore over 150 letters when screening applications, and sometimes the Human Resources unit does not even forward the cover letters to the hiring panel.

However, sometimes cover letters are read, usually at the final shortlisting stage when the hiring manager must whittle her list from ten excellent candidates to a final list of just three or four to interview. At this stage, they already know your skills and experiences from your CV, and they are looking to read new information in your cover letter that will set you apart from the other qualified candidates.

There are two takeaways from this (rather demotivating) information: First, you must ensure that every crumb of important information is on your CV. Leave nothing vital to the cover letter, because it may not be read. Second, if you’re trying to submit an application with a short deadline, focus your energy on your CV. You should always submit a first-rate CV and, if you must, you can submit a second-rate cover letter.

Our cover letter recipe

Do not write a cover letter that is a repeat of your CV in paragraph form. You must be confident that the hiring manager has already read your CV in detail and knows your skills and experience.

Rather, your cover letter should provide new information.  Specifically for entry-level candidates, your motivation is crucial at this point in your career. A convincing explanation of your personal motivations may be the key thing that separates you from other highly qualified entry-level aspiring aid workers.

Therefore, we recommend a cover letter that focuses on your motivations for the role, using a five-paragraph structure like this:

• Brief introduction (state which position you are applying to, and where you found the advertisement)
• Your motivation for the sector (why do you want to work in humanitarian aid?)
• Your motivation for the organization (there are dozens of humanitarian organisations; why do you want to work for  this one?)
• The skills and added value that you bring to this specific role (identify the 2-3 key requirements for the job and clearly explain how you have all the right qualifications to succeed)
• Closing (state your willingness to discuss everything further in an interview, and give your soonest availability to start working)

Now, on to the experts

Et voilà. That is our advice. Now, on to the opinions of eight humanitarian program managers and senior specialists who have shared their reflections on what makes a great CV and cover letter in the aid industry:

Just job titles and duty stations

“To be honest, when I’m hiring I never ever read the cover letter. But if I do, and if it’s long, it annoys me [laughs]. I feel like the cover letter should be super to-the-point, only summarising your key experience.

The CV does the majority of the talking. I want a two-page CV maximum, just a few bullet points for each position, and nicely laid out. If it’s creatively formatted then I’m extra attracted to it as that shows initiative and attention to detail.

For me, in the humanitarian sector, the main things that I look at on a CV are the previous job titles and duty stations. This tells me what I need to know very quickly.  For example, if I’m looking for a Health staff in Yemen and I see that an applicant was a Health Officer in Bangladesh previously for one year, I’ll automatically interview them because that experience is super relevant.”

– M. has worked for the United Nations and several large international NGOs for the past ten years in Africa, Central America, and the Middle East.

Do not be a misogynist macho racist

“The key elements for a good CV are the following: clear and short. More than two pages is often a no-go for me. It’s important for me to know clearly the name of the humanitarian donors that they have worked with, as well as some quantifiable information about the sizes of the budgets they have managed (if any), and the number of projects or staff that they managed (if any). Language skills are also important, as I need to know that they will be able to communicate clearly with both headquarters and the country office.

On the cover letter, I really appreciate when candidates give personal and non-generic reasons why they are applying. Use  the cover letter to explain why your career path is coherent so far, and how your diverse experiences are suitable for the specific job that you’re applying to.

For newbies in the humanitarian sector, naive statements about “wanting to make the world a better place” or “dedicating myself to others” are not good looks.  Be very careful on how you refer to beneficiaries. Avoid “white saviorism”. You should be able to show some awareness on topics like de-colonialism, safeguarding, or PSEA [protection against sexual exploitation and abuse].

Basically, do not be a misogynist macho racist (you’d be surprised how often it happens), or that will be the end of your application immediately.”

– P. has worked in humanitarian finance and project management for large NGOs for more than eight years in Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Two minutes, two pages

“As a manager, I usually spend between 30 seconds and 2 minutes reviewing a CV, especially when I have hundreds of applications to review. So, it should be eye-catching, clear, and to-the-point. In my opinion, a CV should not be more than two pages – maximum. It should focus on the previous one or two jobs that the candidate had, rather than providing long explanations about all of their previous jobs.

Each previous work experience should clearly state the job title, duration, location, and seniority level. Their education should clearly name the institution, duration, and location. These are the things I look at when I quickly scan a CV.

Believe it or not, I spend more time reading and reviewing cover letters than I do reading CVs, just because I feel it’s more personal. However, I will stop reading a cover letter if it is generic and obviously not written for the specific role that I’m hiring.”

– M. is a senior Shelter and WASH specialist in the Middle East and has been working on both NGO and United Nations sides of the industry for the past nine years.

The more information, the better.

“The things that attract my attention the most on a CV are the descriptions of a person’s past experience. It really helps me to better understand what is their technical background and what are their skills.

People often think that it’s better if they only write key words, short lines, or bullet points on their CVs because it looks simpler. But from my perspective as a humanitarian recruiter, the more information that a person has on their CV, the better.

When candidates understate their experience on their CV and don’t write enough, they risk missing out on job opportunities. When I’m headhunting, I often learn after having phone call with candidates that they actually have far more experience than what they have written on their CV.”

– H. is a humanitarian recruiter and HR specialist working for several United Nations clients in the Middle East.

I don’t have time for an 8-page CV

“For me, a CV or résumé should be something short: two pages maximum if you have a senior profile, one page for a junior profile. Sometimes we receive over 400 applications per position, so I don’t have time to read 8 to 10 pages of detailed descriptions of every previous position that a candidate has held.

Visual formatting is important too. If I can, in one look, get the gist of a candidate’s experience and the main skills the person has, I’m happy. For cover letters, honestly, I don’t always read them. I often find cover letters to be very generic. Not many stand out.

As the head of a department, I focus on the CV and save most of my time for the later steps in the recruitment process like the technical tests and the interviews.”

– C. is a Monitoring and Evaluation specialist who has worked for large humanitarian NGOs in Africa and Europe for the past seven years.

Layout and Aesthetics matter

“The aesthetic of the CV is the first thing that grabs my attention: a nice picture in the corner, stylish fonts for titles, and bullet points to list the information. A small bio paragraph can be included but is not always necessary in my opinion.

The body of the CV should include key words that are compatible to the job advertised. The experience that you list should match the description of the job that you are applying to, and irrelevant experience could be taken off. In short, your CV should be updated and tailored for the position that you are applying for.

Unfortunately, I usually only skim a cover letter if it is too long. Cover letters should be short, precise, and get to the point.”

– A. is a junior humanitarian recruiter hiring for United Nations roles in the Middle East.

Education first

“I only care about cover letters when the job will have a strong writing component so I can get a sense of how the person writes. But I don’t bother matching the content with the CV, nor do I use the cover letter as a way to understand the person’s experience. I find cover letters to be mostly a formality. Sometimes they can say something interesting but I’d never hire someone because of what they wrote in their cover letter.

On a CV for researcher positions, I look first at the person’s education because we research sensitive issues and I want to know what they studied and what degrees they have. Experience also matters a lot. I would never hire someone who has never worked as a researcher before, again because of the sensitivity and complexity of the work.”

– M. is a researcher in conflict and violence, and works in a senior role at a consultancy firm in Africa with international NGO clients.

It's all about relevant transferable skills

“For me the CV is the most important. I mainly look at cover letters after the first selection of candidates is finished, in order to help in the ‘fine-tuning’ of the shortlist.

For CVs, it’s first of all about relevant experience but this does not mean it has to be in the humanitarian sector. For example, a social worker could be a very interesting candidate for a Protection Case Manager position. It’s mostly about transferable skills and I would recommend candidates to draw them out in some detail in their CV.

I would also advise candidates not to send the same the CV to each job you are applying to, but rather to tailor it case-by-case depending on the requirements of each vacancy notice. This shows real interest and shows that you pay attention to detail.  Another aspect I look at is any volunteering, community work, side projects or initiatives that are broadly aligned with the objectives or tasks of the advertised position.

For education, I focus more on the relevance of the subject of the degree, rather than the name and prestige of the university.”

– I. is a Protection specialist working for the United Nations in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East for the past 8 years 

May 2022 Updated January 2023

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Popular searches

Land your dream job, how to land a job at an ngo.

We’re asking hiring managers to share their tips and advice on how candidates can stand out during the job search.  Read all of the articles in the series here . Want to contribute? Sign up for our  HR Council  and we’ll be in touch!

You spot an awesome job at an NGO and think you tick all the boxes, so you apply and are confident that you will get the job. But you miss out and don’t understand why. What’s missing from your application? Why is it being overlooked?

In my eight years of working in human resources and as the HR manager at  The School of St Jude –a nonprofit school serving over 1,800 students in Tanzania–I have sifted through countless applications and know what it takes to make your job application shine. Here are some tips on improving your chances of getting that dream NGO job.

Your resume and cover letter

Use the cover letter to address the selection criteria

A cover letter is the best chance you have to explain why you’re good a match for the organization and to win that crucial interview. Don’t sell yourself short, even if you don’t meet all the selection criteria. If you can produce a convincing cover letter that demonstrates what you can offer then you will likely secure an interview. Start a cover letter by addressing a simple question:  Why should this organisation hire me?  Go back to the selection criteria and show how through your experience (both through work and personally) you have strong communication skills, good organisational skills or whatever it is the company is looking for.

Highlight volunteer or community work

Hiring managers look at  the types of volunteer and community based work  that you have done either at home or overseas. It could be as simple as working in a soup kitchen or organising a fundraiser, however this all goes a long way in showing a hiring manager that you have a genuine interest in community development.

Avoid clichés

We don’t want to hear that you want to go to Africa to save the world. Be respectful to the fact that your destination of choice is likely to have a proud and vibrant culture where people do not like the idea that their country is helpless or in need of saving. Telling an HR recruiter that you “love Africa” gives little insight into how you would be the best person for the job. Have a strong knowledge of the country, culture and job that you’re going for and give good, clear examples about how you are suitable for the role.

During an interview

Demonstrate an understanding of the country and cause

Take a real interest in the organisation, place or industry you are looking at joining. Research, research, research. For example, if you wanted to move to South Africa to fight poverty could you explain to your interviewer what you know about poverty there? You will always be asked at an interview why you want to move to a new country or join a particular company, so if you are well prepared for a job interview it greatly increases your chance of success. Don’t forget to highlight any previous travel or experience you have in a developing country as this reinforces your commitment and interest.

Be aware of the challenges that can come with working in a developing country

Resilience is a key trait that hiring managers are looking for in candidates . You may be a confident, social person at home but that alone is not enough to be able to cope with living in a developing country. Think honestly about how you would handle living somewhere where you don’t have all the comforts of home — where Internet and electricity can drop out regularly. A really good job applicant will demonstrate at an interview that they have the maturity to handle such situations, and that they are sensitive to cultural differences and have experience with working with people from different nationalities.

Be clear about your motivations

Do you really want to help build a sustainable community or fight poverty or another cause? Or are you trying to run away from a problem or boredom at home? The latter can really work against you as it can be difficult to fulfill requirements if you are dealing with difficult, personal issues from abroad. Working in a developing country is a noble act, but make sure that you are doing it for the right reasons.

Good luck in landing that dream job!

About the Author | Anna Richardson is the HR manager at  The School of St Jude , a nonprofit school serving over 1,800 students in Tanzania.

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NGO Employee Cover Letter: 4 Templates

As a job as an NGO employee, you may be responsible for doing different social causes., holding meetings, running events, and arranging sponsors for the underprivileged. If you cannot write a letter to apply for the post of NGO employee, you can choose this letter link.

It is not necessary to include every detail written in this letter link. But you can actually follow the pattern of writing. It will save you time also.

Letter Template: 1

Table of Contents

NGO Employee Cover Letter

[Mention the date]

[Mention the name of the hiring manager]

[Mention the name of the company]

[Mention the appropriate address of the company with all details]

Dear [Mr. /Mrs. /Ms.] [Name of the manager]

I, [Mr. /Mrs. /Ms.] [mention the name of the NGO employee] am writing this application cover letter to let the recruiting board of the [mention the name of the company] knows that I am interested in the vacant position of NGO employee for your company. 

In my past jobs, I have been in the position of an NGO employee and have successfully achieved the goals each year.

The entry-level jobs as non-governmental organization employees were quite informative, and I learned a lot while doing my job. Companies like [mention the company’s name] helped me learn my job role very well.

While I was an employee in the [mention the name of the company], I used to work under the social service board, and my work basically revolved around some tasks like executing services for society and people.

I had held more than [mention the number] sponsors’ meetings each month, which made me learn the new techniques and ideas to deal with the sponsoring teams to increase the membership.

My educational qualification is stated below, in brief-

I have completed the high schooling from the [mention the name of the high school]

I have done my graduation with a major in the [mention the subject] from the [mention the name of the university]. 

I have been in the traineeship for the [mention the company’s name]. 

The reason for which I have applied for the position of the NGO employee in the [mention the name of the company] is that I want to learn and cultivate my knowledge in the same field. Your company is convenient to the maximum number of users; it will be the best platform to learn and showcase my talent.

I think I am the best among the other candidates because I tend to learn more and dig to a deeper depth for useful resources and knowledge. 

I hope I have been able to convey my thoughts. Hoping to get a reply from your side.

With regards,

[Mention the name of the sender]

[Mention the address of the sender]

[Mention the contact details of the sender]

Download Template : ( pdf, docs, ODT, RTF, txt, HTML, Epub, Etc )

Letter Template: 2

[Mention the address of the company]

Dear Sir/Ma’am,

With great enthusiasm, I am writing this letter to your esteemed NGO that is [Mention the name of the NGO] to apply for the post of vacant position for an NGO employee. After reading the job description and requirements, I believe that I am suitable for this position.

I have completed my schooling from [Mention the name of the institution] in the year of [Mention the year] and completed my higher studies from [Mention the name of the institution] in the year of [Mention the year]. I worked at many NGOs so I know how an NGO works and I have all the qualities [Mention the qualities related to this field] which is necessary to be a candidate applying for the position of an NGO employee.

Recently, I was working with a big NGO that is [Mention the name of the NGO] where I got to learn many different things like what they do, how they do, and many more. I am capable of working in your reputable NGO is [Mention the name of the NGO]. You will not get disheartened by my work. I will give it my best.

Hope to hear from you very soon regarding the acceptance of my letter. My one copy of my resume and other necessary documents are attached to this letter which will help you to know my abilities. You can contact me at your own convenience through my contact details Mentioned below. Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

With regards, [Mention the name of the sender]

Letter Template: 3

Dear Sir/ Ma’am,

Recently, I saw your advertisement regarding the job vacancy for an NGO employee which your esteemed company that is [Mention the name of the company] has posted on its website. After reading the job description and requirements, I consider myself suitable for this post.

I have completed my schooling and higher studies from [Mention the name of the institution] and [Mention the name of the institution] in the year of [Mention the year] and [Mention the year], respectively. After that, I did my training at a renowned institution that is [Mention the name of the institution]. In addition to this, I attended many programs related to this and gained knowledge in this particular field.

 Now let me tell you about my work experience, I have worked in an NGO that is [Mention the name of the NGO] for [Mention the years] where I learned about lot of things like what an NGO do, how they do all the things and what responsibilities are duties we as an employee need to do. There are a lot of responsibilities and duties of an NGO employee and I know them all.

Apart from this, I have additional qualities like [Mention the qualities related to this field] which will help me to do well in this job. I will not let your expectations down with my work. I am confident that I can do all the work properly.

Hope to receive a call from you very soon regarding the acceptance of me as an NGO employee, and I would be really grateful if you consider me for this job in your esteemed company. You can contact me at your own convenience through my contact details Mentioned below. Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

Letter Template: 4

Your esteemed company that is [Mention the name of the company] has posted a job vacancy for an NGO employee for which I am interested and want to work as an NGO employee. I have all the necessary skills which are required for this post and I believe that I am perfect for this.

To start with my education life, I have completed my schooling from [Mention the name of the institution] in the year of [Mention the year] then I persuade [Mention the course] and completed my higher studies from [Mention the name of the institution] in the year of [Mention the year].

I attended many programs related to this field which enhanced my knowledge. I have work experience of [Mention the years], which I gained from working at [Mention the name of the institution]. 

I know there are a lot of responsibilities and duties of an NGO employee like providing support, checking if everything is going well and many more, and these responsibilities and duties are well known by me.

I have additional qualities like [Mention the qualities related to this field] which will help me to do well in this job and can add value to your esteemed company. You will not get disheartened by my work and techniques. 

Hope to hear from you very soon regarding the acceptance of me as an NGO employee and I would be really grateful if you give this wonderful opportunity to work for your esteemed NGO. You can contact me at your own suitable time through my contact details Mentioned below. Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

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“Business, marketing, and blogging – these three words describe me the best. I am the founder of Burban Branding and Media, and a self-taught marketer with 10 years of experience. My passion lies in helping startups enhance their business through marketing, HR, leadership, and finance. I am on a mission to assist businesses in achieving their goals.”

The Perfect CV and Cover Letter for an NGO Job Application

No matter what kind of NGO you want to work for, your CV and cover letter will need to show the same things. They will want to know that you care about their cause and that you have the skills and experience that make you the best person for the job.

1. Start with a strong opening.

Your CV and cover letter need a strong beginning, just like any good story. Make sure that the first line grabs the reader’s attention. This could be a summary of your work history and skills that you could put on your CV. You could quickly say in your cover letter why you’re the best person for the job.

2. Keep it relevant.

Make sure that when you customize your CV and cover letter for an NGO job, you only include information that is important to the role. You don’t have to list every job you’ve ever had. Just focus on the parts that are most important to the NGO you’re going to.

3. Highlight your passion for the cause.

NGOs want to hire people who care deeply about their cause. So, be sure to talk about any time you’ve worked with a similar group or cause in the past. Even if you don’t have any direct experience, you can still show how passionate you are by writing about why you want to work for the NGO and what you hope to achieve.

4. Focus on your skills and experience.

Even though it’s important to show that you care about the NGO’s cause, they’ll also look at your skills and experience to see if you’re a good fit for the job. Make sure that your CV and cover letter show off any skills and experience that are important. For example, if you’re looking for a job in fundraising, make sure to talk about any sales or fundraiser experience you have.

5. Use strong language.

Use strong, convincing wording when writing your CV and cover letter. This is your chance to really sell yourself and your skills, so don’t be afraid to brag a little bit. But don’t go overboard, because you still want to seem humble and likeable.

6. Be concise.

Remember that your CV and cover letter are only an opening to who you are and what you can do. They’re not supposed to be your whole life story, so try to be as brief as you can. Keep to the most important information and leave out anything that isn’t directly related to the job.

7. Proofread.

Make sure to check your CV and cover letter for writing and grammar mistakes before you send your application. Small mistakes like these can make your application look bad, so you should take the time to fix them.

8. Follow the instructions.

Make sure to carefully read the job post and follow any specific directions about how to send in your application. For example, some NGOs may want you to send your cover letter and CV as one document, while others may want them sent separately. Make sure you follow these rules so that your application doesn’t get turned down.

9. Include additional materials.

If the NGO you’re going to wants more information, make sure to send it along with your application. These might be things like samples of your work or letters of reference. Putting these things in your application shows that you are willing to do more to get the job.

10. Send a thank-you email.

Send a thank-you email to the person who accepted your application after you’ve sent it in. This is another chance to show how interested you are in the job and the NGO. In your email, be sure to say again how much you want the job and tell them anything else you think they should know. If you use these tips to make your CV and cover letter, you’ll have a better chance of getting the NGO job of your dreams.

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Table of Contents

Cover letter for humanitarian job(4 samples)

As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.

The Optimistminds editorial team is made up of psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health professionals. Each article is written by a team member with exposure to and experience in the subject matter.  The article then gets reviewed by a more senior editorial member. This is someone with extensive knowledge of the subject matter and highly cited published material.

This blog post will show samples of cover letters for a humanitarian position.

Examples of cover letters for a humanitarian position

To get a humanitarian position, you need a well-written cover letter that showcases your passion for and dedication to the industry. When writing a cover letter for a humanitarian position, these are some of the essential things to include in your letter:

• Address the employer with a formal salutation. For example, “Dear/Hello (name of the recipient or hiring manager).”
• The next step is to state the position you are applying for and how you found the opening. 
• Write a short sentence about why you’re interested in the position.
• State your skills and work experience; ensure they are similar to the job position. When stating your skills, provide the accomplishment you have achieved. 
• Conclude your letter with a forward-looking statement. For example, “I look forward to discussing the position further.”

“Dear Ms. Schneider.

Upon learning of your need for a Humanitarian worker, I am writing you to submit my resume for consideration. As a Humanitarian with 10 years of volunteer experience and a recent recipient of a Master’s degree in Sociology, I believe I have the education and experience necessary to succeed as a Humanitarian worker for your organization.

My professional experience includes 10 years of volunteering for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity. While this was not paid work, I think my experience has prepared me well for helping your organization achieve its goals.

Below are some of my achievements and qualifications.

Earned Master’s degree in Sociology from Boston University

Developed and implemented logistical plans for Habitat for Humanity construction projects

Coordinated the efforts of architects, construction professionals and fellow volunteers on several projects

Ordered construction supplies without going over budget

Recruited and trained other volunteers

Although I may not have the experience other candidates have, I have an insatiable desire to help people, and I think that makes me a great candidate. If you would like to grant me an interview, then please contact me at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your consideration.

Lawrence G. Skidmore”

“POSITION: Humanitarian Program Officer

In response to your job opening, please consider my application in your search for the Humanitarian Adviser – CHASE OT. I come with extensive experience in Humanitarian Affairs/project management capacity, while providing support /assistance to vulnerable communities and those at risk, ensuring a protective environment that respects human rights for all, and strengthening the cluster approach, via the Cash for Work Program (CFW) and Utilization of various computer applications such as; MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access.

In practical, I utilized my In-depth experience in humanitarian affairs, data collection, management, research and report writing, to ensure all vulnerable communities and those at risk have access to basic services such as: sanitation, education, health facilities and especially water. As a humanitarian staff of Mercy Corps Nigeria, I conduct myself in a way which is acceptable to the community, hence easy acceptability of Mercy Corps to the community.

I have proved to be an independent worker with a reputation as a resourceful problem-solver who uses his initiative and organizational skills to get the job done. Regarded as a competent team member, who is always prepared to go the extra mile, with ability to remain focused and self-directed in a fast paced work environment, while dealing with conflicting demands”

“Humanitarian Affairs Officer Competencies

Competencies

I am knowledgeable and experienced in the field of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related human rights issues. I gained this experience during my employment first as District Administrator with the Ministry of Local of Government in Zimbabwe where I would coordinator development and drought relief programmes. I also spent a cumulative total of 12 years working for the United Nations World Food Programme in Zimbabwe as well as South Sudan. It was during the tenure with WFP that I gained experience in working under difficult and stressful conditions especially in South Sudan. I was a Programme Officer leading a team that was responsible for providing emergency food aid to war affected areas in the Upper Nile Region in South Sudan. I was responsible for coordinating the programme among different stakeholders such NGOs, INGOs, UN agencies the government among others. This served to unsure that the UN operational procedures and principles such as non-discrimination, do no harm approach gender issues among others where adhered to. I also possess research skills and experience emanating from formal training in Social Research Methods and conducting different assessment as required by the office. I also participated in more than 5 Food Security Assessment Surveys at local and Nationallevel in Zimbabwe.

Communication is very important in humanitarian work as it is way of providing information on implementation of the programme. I was therefore responsible for providing feedback through compiling qualitative and quantitative reports on a regular basis. Sometimes verbal reports were also made when necessary.

My training in conflict resolution enabled me to ensure cooperation and a smooth working environment while the sociology training fosters good working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-racial and multi ethical environment. I also worked under such conditions in South Sudan.

Finally, I feel that in view of the above mentioned experiences, I possess the necessary competencies for the above mentioned post”

“Dear Ms. Jackie Mack,

I am writing to express my interest in filling the Aid Worker position at New Hope Services, Inc. that is now available.

I have invested twelve years as an Aid Worker during which time I have gained a vast amount of experience and knowledge that I would like to share with your company. I have real compassion for those in need and I fully understand how important it is to be discreet when handling delicate situations.

My work experience, qualifications and skills include:

•A bachelor’s degree in Social Work

•The ability to work on my own or as part of a team•The ability to stay on schedule•Exceptional time management skills•The ability to work well under pressure and in high stressful situations•Excellent organizational skills•The ability to communicate both orally and in writing

I have personal experience responding to and coordination emergency situations in which I:•Developed objectives and monitored the effectiveness of varies programs•Coordinated with government officials and their agencies to help resolve issues•Coordinated and provided support for volunteers during emergency situations•Created reports and proposals for emergency intervention•Made sure all the work was conducted in compliance with the national and International regulations, laws and policies

I believe that I am qualified to fill this position and that my pervious training will aid in the growth of your company as well as my career.

Please call (555)-555-5555 anytime. I look forward to meeting you in person to discuss the position in more detail and what I can contribute to your company.

Your Signature

Mary Holbert

Enclosure: Resume”

Frequently Asked Questions:

What are your professional career objectives examples.

General career objective examples

“Seeking an entry-level position to begin my career in a high-level professional environment. To secure employment with a reputable company, where I can utilize my skills and business studies background to the maximum. Seeking a challenging career with an MNC.”

Why should we hire you with no experience?

“Because I am a good team member. That helps your organization. You should hire me because as I am a fresher I can learn many things and grow my career. And if you give me a chance, I will definitely give my 100% efforts which is good for me as well as good for the origination also so.”

If you like this blog post, please leave your comments and questions below.

https://www.jobhero.com/cover-letter/examples/social-services/humanitarian

https://www.mindsumo.com/cover-letters/UN/Full-Time/3068

https://www.mindsumo.com/cover-letters/UN/Full-Time/3370

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Must Read! FREE Sample Cover Letter To Use When Applying For NGO Job Today

Choose your goal below:

By Kibet Tobias Are you applying for an NGO job in Kenya ? Do you need to write a cover letter for a job? Well! Your cover letter is your first, and best, chance to sell you to the employer on your candidacy for employment, so make sure it’s perfect. It takes a little extra time, but be sure to write a unique cover letter for each job. Your cover letter should be specific to the position you are applying for, relate your skills and experiences to those noted in the job posting. It can be helpful to look at cover letter samples when writing your own. A sample can help you decide what to include in your letter, and how to format the letter. Read through this sample, and customize your own cover letter that shows why you should be selected for an interview.

Here Is A Sample Cover Letter For NGO Job For A Program Officer

Your Name P. O. BOX XXX-00100 Nairobi. 22nd February 2018, The Hiring Manager, ABC Kenyan NGO, P.O. Box XXX-00100 Nairobi. Dear Mr Oluoch, RE: Application For A Programme Officer Position Following your advert regarding the position on Career Point Kenya website on 22nd February 2018, I forward my application in response. I possess Bachelors degree in Development Studies and experience with data collection through surveys, observations, interviews, and focus groups. I am especially interested in this position for several reasons. First, I have over 2 years of thoroughly enjoyable experience in working closely with community service organizations at the local and state levels. Second, I have conducted several practical studies of community service organizations which have resulted in strengthening their roles at the local level. Furthermore, my research work has placed me at the center of the policy process where I have worked effectively with government officials and other community groups and helped create solutions to domestic violence at the county level. I have practical experience in project planning, implementing of project interventions, budgeting, report writing, documentation, supervision, monitoring & evaluation, linkage negotiation, coordination, facilitating meeting, seminar, workshops and campaign etc; My communication skills will also come in handy as I am comfortable making presentations to large groups of people while demonstrating integrity and understanding during interactions with the public. I strongly believe that my competency of precise knowledge on management along with the experience will contribute in making a good outcome for your projects and organization as well. Thank you for your time and consideration and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Yours truly , (Signature) Your Name The writer is a content writer at Career Point Kenya. For any Cover letter queries contact [email protected].

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Sample cover letter for Full Time position at NGO

Program officer.

APPLICATION LETTER

Abraham Selamu

+251-911-785701 or +251-924-105758

May 31, 2016

To: Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS)

Addis Ababa

Subject: - Applying for job vacancy announcement Head, Programs Division

I am applying for the Head, Programs Division position in your esteemed organization and my credentials match the requirements in your advertisement.I have credentials and work experiences on Program management i.e. monitoring and evaluation, human resource and financial management. This is exactly the type of position that I have worked in some organizations and I have been looking for.

I hold an advanced MA degree in Development Economics and BA degree in management with above seven years’ experience; I offer a good combination of Project Management and M&E development and implementation experience on livelihood development, HIV prevention, OVC care and support, and capacity building programsin Oromia, Amhara and SNNPR regions. I Have exceptional experience on managing HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support projects: Trans ACTION care and support project: MULU MARPs HIV/AIDS combination prevention project, OVC care and support: Developing community level care and support for PLHIV OVC and their families affected by HIV/AIDS: projects funded from USAID, Handicap International, CIDA, EU and CCRDA.

I have also good partnership and communication skill and experience with governmental, CBOs and non-governmental organizations including ERCS in East Shewa zone in both formal and informal ways. My experience in proposal development and preparation of quality report to donors and stakeholders coupled with my determination and record of professional achievement, would make me a valuable asset to your organization. In collaboration with my teams, I have developed, win and implementing HIV related projects in SNNPR and Oromia regions. I have demonstrated the ability to fulfil my previous duties in different projects and organizations in an efficient and professional manner, including maintaining the highest standards of beneficiaries’ safety, motivation and care.

I have extensive knowledge of quality control, data validations, statistical methods and IT (MIS, tool box, data base management and, DHIS2, Excel and E-VIEW) applications. My personal skills include having excellent verbal and written skills combined with a friendly and outgoing personality with the ability to work as part of a team efficiently.I am able to take on the responsibility of this position with one month time, and have the enthusiasm and determination to ensure that I make a success of it. Thank you for taking the time to consider this application and I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

Yours faithfully,

How to Write a Cover Letter That Will Get You a Job

I ’ve read thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of cover letters in my career. If you’re thinking that sounds like really boring reading, you’re right. What I can tell you from enduring that experience is that most cover letters are terrible — and not only that, but squandered opportunities. When a cover letter is done well, it can significantly increase your chances of getting an interview, but the vast majority fail that test.

So let’s talk about how to do cover letters right.

First, understand the point of a cover letter.

The whole idea of a cover letter is that it can help the employer see you as more than just your résumé. Managers generally aren’t hiring based solely on your work history; your experience is crucial, yes, but they’re also looking for someone who will be easy to work with, shows good judgment, communicates well, possesses strong critical thinking skills and a drive to get things done, complements their current team, and all the other things you yourself probably want from your co-workers. It’s tough to learn much about those things from job history alone, and that’s where your cover letter comes in.

Because of that …

Whatever you do, don’t just summarize your résumé.

The No. 1 mistake people make with cover letters is that they simply use them to summarize their résumé. This makes no sense — hiring managers don’t need a summary of your résumé! It’s on the very next page! They’re about to see it as soon as they scroll down. And if you think about it, your entire application is only a few pages (in most cases, a one- or two-page résumé and a one-page cover letter) — why would you squander one of those pages by repeating the content of the others? And yet, probably 95 percent of the cover letters I see don’t add anything new beyond the résumé itself (and that’s a conservative estimate).

Instead, your cover letter should go beyond your work history to talk about things that make you especially well-suited for the job. For example, if you’re applying for an assistant job that requires being highly organized and you neurotically track your household finances in a detailed, color-coded spreadsheet, most hiring managers would love to know that because it says something about the kind of attention to detail you’d bring to the job. That’s not something you could put on your résumé, but it can go in your cover letter.

Or maybe your last boss told you that you were the most accurate data processor she’d ever seen, or came to rely on you as her go-to person whenever a lightning-fast rewrite was needed. Maybe your co-workers called you “the client whisperer” because of your skill in calming upset clients. Maybe you’re regularly sought out by more senior staff to help problem-solve, or you find immense satisfaction in bringing order to chaos. Those sorts of details illustrate what you bring to the job in a different way than your résumé does, and they belong in your cover letter.

If you’re still stumped, pretend you’re writing an email to a friend about why you’d be great at the job. You probably wouldn’t do that by stiffly reciting your work history, right? You’d talk about what you’re good at and how you’d approach the work. That’s what you want here.

You don’t need a creative opening line.

If you think you need to open the letter with something creative or catchy, I am here to tell you that you don’t. Just be simple and straightforward:

• “I’m writing to apply for your X position.”

• “I’d love to be considered for your X position.”

• “I’m interested in your X position because …”

• “I’m excited to apply for your X position.”

That’s it! Straightforward is fine — better, even, if the alternative is sounding like an aggressive salesperson.

Show, don’t tell.

A lot of cover letters assert that the person who wrote it would excel at the job or announce that the applicant is a skillful engineer or a great communicator or all sorts of other subjective superlatives. That’s wasted space — the hiring manager has no reason to believe it, and so many candidates claim those things about themselves that most managers ignore that sort of self-assessment entirely. So instead of simply declaring that you’re great at X (whatever X is), your letter should demonstrate that. And the way you do that is by describing accomplishments and experiences that illustrate it.

Here’s a concrete example taken from one extraordinarily effective cover-letter makeover that I saw. The candidate had originally written, “I offer exceptional attention to detail, highly developed communication skills, and a talent for managing complex projects with a demonstrated ability to prioritize and multitask.” That’s pretty boring and not especially convincing, right? (This is also exactly how most people’s cover letters read.)

In her revised version, she wrote this instead:

“In addition to being flexible and responsive, I’m also a fanatic for details — particularly when it comes to presentation. One of my recent projects involved coordinating a 200-page grant proposal: I proofed and edited the narratives provided by the division head, formatted spreadsheets, and generally made sure that every line was letter-perfect and that the entire finished product conformed to the specific guidelines of the RFP. (The result? A five-year, $1.5 million grant award.) I believe in applying this same level of attention to detail to tasks as visible as prepping the materials for a top-level meeting and as mundane as making sure the copier never runs out of paper.”

That second version is so much more compelling and interesting — and makes me believe that she really is great with details.

If there’s anything unusual or confusing about your candidacy, address it in the letter.

Your cover letter is your chance to provide context for things that otherwise might seem confusing or less than ideal to a hiring manager. For example, if you’re overqualified for the position but are excited about it anyway, or if you’re a bit underqualified but have reason to think you could excel at the job, address that up front. Or if your background is in a different field but you’re actively working to move into this one, say so, talk about why, and explain how your experience will translate. Or if you’re applying for a job across the country from where you live because you’re hoping to relocate to be closer to your family, let them know that.

If you don’t provide that kind of context, it’s too easy for a hiring manager to decide you’re the wrong fit or applying to everything you see or don’t understand the job description and put you in the “no” pile. A cover letter gives you a chance to say, “No, wait — here’s why this could be a good match.”

Keep the tone warm and conversational.

While there are some industries that prize formal-sounding cover letters — like law — in most fields, yours will stand out if it’s warm and conversational. Aim for the tone you’d use if you were writing to a co-worker whom you liked a lot but didn’t know especially well. It’s okay to show some personality or even use humor; as long as you don’t go overboard, your letter will be stronger for it.

Don’t use a form letter.

You don’t need to write every cover letter completely from scratch, but if you’re not customizing it to each job, you’re doing it wrong. Form letters tend to read like form letters, and they waste the chance to speak to the specifics of what this employer is looking for and what it will take to thrive in this particular job.

If you’re applying for a lot of similar jobs, of course you’ll end up reusing language from one letter to the next. But you shouldn’t have a single cover letter that you wrote once and then use every time you apply; whatever you send should sound like you wrote it with the nuances of this one job in mind.

A good litmus test is this: Could you imagine other applicants for this job sending in the same letter? If so, that’s a sign that you haven’t made it individualized enough to you and are probably leaning too heavily on reciting your work history.

No, you don’t need to hunt down the hiring manager’s name.

If you read much job-search advice, at some point you’ll come across the idea that you need to do Woodward and Bernstein–level research to hunt down the hiring manager’s name in order to open your letter with “Dear Matilda Jones.” You don’t need to do this; no reasonable hiring manager will care. If the name is easily available, by all means, feel free to use it, but otherwise “Dear Hiring Manager” is absolutely fine. Take the hour you just freed up and do something more enjoyable with it.

Keep it under one page.

If your cover letters are longer than a page, you’re writing too much, and you risk annoying hiring managers who are likely sifting through hundreds of applications and don’t have time to read lengthy tomes. On the other hand, if you only write one paragraph, it’s unlikely that you’re making a compelling case for yourself as a candidate — not impossible, but unlikely. For most people, something close to a page is about right.

Don’t agonize over the small details.

What matters most about your cover letter is its content. You should of course ensure that it’s well-written and thoroughly proofread, but many job seekers agonize over elements of the letter that really don’t matter. I get tons of  questions from job seekers  about whether they should attach their cover letter or put it in the body of the email (answer: No one cares, but attaching it makes it easier to share and will preserve your formatting), or what to name the file (again, no one really cares as long as it’s reasonably professional, but when people are dealing with hundreds of files named “resume,” it’s courteous to name it with your full name).

Approaching your cover letter like this can make a huge difference in your job search. It can be the thing that moves your application from the “maybe” pile (or even the “no” pile) to the “yes” pile. Of course, writing cover letters like this will take more time than sending out the same templated letter summarizing your résumé — but 10 personalized, compelling cover letters are likely to get you more  interview invitations  than 50 generic ones will.

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Cover Letter for a Career Change

Blog career & leadership development.

Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Even if a cover letter is not explicitly required by an employer, it is vital and should always be a part of your job applications. A cover letter introduces you, demonstrates you have invested time and energy into researching the organization, highlights a few of your experiences or skills, and requests an opportunity to meet personally with the potential employer. It refers to your resume without repeating the exact same information.

Cover letters for career changers are essentially the same as writing any other cover letter. A career changer’s cover letter should still demonstrate that the applicant has researched the company, meets the qualifications of the job and aligns with the organization. The biggest difference between a career changer’s cover letter and any other resume is the main body of the letter because the body is the place where the applicant sells their qualifications.

There is no one way to write a cover letter, but if you are a career changer there are some key things you should consider:

• Explicitly: “While my experience is predominantly in the IT space, I believe my ability to analyze problems and strategically identify solutions will translate well into your Operations Manager position.”
• Subtly: “My career in IT has given me the ability to analyze problems and strategically identify solutions. I believe this has prepared me well for your Operations Manager role.”
• Do you meet the minimum qualifications? If the answer is yes, be sure you use the same keywords from the job description to inform them of this fact. If the answer is no, ask yourself whether your other experience could make up for it in the hiring team’s eyes; then spell this out for them in the cover letter.
• Your transferable skills should be on display. Your resume is the appropriate place to provide many of these transferable skills, but the cover letter is a chance to explain them more in-depth.
• Make sure that you do not simply restate what’s on your resume. Instead, draw conclusions from what your resume shows and point out areas of unique “fit”. The cover letter should bring up relevant, employment related issues that cannot be easily expressed on the resume.
• Your cover letter should be results-oriented. Just like resume writing, cover letter writing is marketing. You are marketing yourself to the organization, so be sure to sell your achievements and not just tell them your responsibilities.
• How can I best convey this information? For some it will be the traditional paragraph format, others it will be in bullet-points or a combination of both. Paragraphs often tell a story whereas bullet points highlight key accomplishments or skills.
• Tailor your cover letter for every organization. Your key points may be relatively unchanged, but do enough research that you can say something specific and unique in each letter.
• Use assertive language. This demonstrates confidence and an ability to take initiative. However, be careful! There is a fine line between confident and cocky.

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