{"id":40802,"date":"2020-11-27T09:00:20","date_gmt":"2020-11-27T01:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shopee.com.my\/blog\/?p=40802"},"modified":"2020-11-20T13:00:46","modified_gmt":"2020-11-20T05:00:46","slug":"cover-letter-writing-guide-for-fresh-graduate-malaysia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shopee.com.my\/blog\/cover-letter-writing-guide-for-fresh-graduate-malaysia\/","title":{"rendered":"Malaysian Fresh Grad Guide: Tips On Writing Your Cover Letter"},"content":{"rendered":"

First off, to the fresh graduates who just finished university, congratulations! You did it! All those long all-nighters filled with unhealthy amounts of black coffee or Red Bull to get you through your dissertation have finally paid off.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Taken from Giphy @WHOSAY<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Now, it\u2019s time to tackle a whole new challenge, submitting your job application. The whole process of writing your resume and cover letter can be an overwhelming process, especially when you have <\/span>no idea <\/span><\/i>what you\u2019re supposed to write. Don\u2019t worry though, in this article, we\u2019ll be focusing on what you can do to make your cover letter stand out, even for a fresh graduate in Malaysia with no experience.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How To Format A Good Cover Letter For Fresh Graduates In Malaysia<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Taken from Giphy<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One basic cover letter rule for every fresh graduate in Malaysia is that it needs to have a proper structure. This means breaking it down to your standard introduction, body, and conclusion. We will expand upon that below. But before that, some general tips include:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Keep it concise and capture their attention immediately. Overall, your cover letter shouldn\u2019t be any longer than a single page.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Don\u2019t just write one full body of text, but separate your letter into three to five short paragraphs. This applies even in emails.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Use fonts that are clean and simple (Calibri, Verdana, or Arial), and set to 12-point size and single-spacing.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Cover Letter Writing Guide For Fresh Graduates In Malaysia: The Introduction\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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    Taken from Giphy<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Address The Letter To The Hiring Manager (Get A Name)<\/span><\/h3>\n

    For most fresh graduates\u2019 cover letters in Malaysia, it\u2019s common to find a generic, \u201cDear sir\/madam\u201d, or \u201cTo whom it may concern\u201d, as their opening greeting. However, it\u2019s always better to address the actual person reviewing your resume and cover letter. In doing so, you’re demonstrating good initiative and respect towards the recruiter. So, address the recruiter or hiring manager by name in your cover letter if you can.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    This can usually be found in the job posting itself, otherwise, you can check LinkedIn or the company\u2019s website for their details. When all else fails, and you did not manage to locate a name, using \u201cDear Hiring Manager\u201d is also completely fine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Showcase Your Excitement And Interest In The Company\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

    This is another cover letter tip for fresh graduates in Malaysia to consider. If you\u2019re genuinely interested in the company\u2019s brand and are an avid supporter of their services or products, don\u2019t be shy to voice that out. Most hiring managers will value that enthusiasm, as it could potentially lead to successful and highly-driven employees.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    It also showcases your familiarity and knowledge of the company, which is always a plus in the eyes of a recruiter. It\u2019s even better when you tie in this excitement to the role that you\u2019re applying for. So, rather than going with, \u201cI\u2019m writing to apply for the XYZ position\u201d, replace it with, \u201cI\u2019m excited to be applying for XYZ position\u201d. While it may seem like a minor edit, it completely shifts the tone of the letter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Cover Letter Writing Guide For Fresh Graduates In Malaysia: The Body<\/span><\/h2>\n
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    Taken from Giphy<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Highlight Your Academic Background And Relevant Experience<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Another cover letter writing issue for fresh graduates in Malaysia is the lack of experience.\u00a0 You\u2019re applying for your very first job and clearly won\u2019t have a long list of previous work experiences to draw from. Though, what you can do is include the relevant accomplishments that you currently have and elaborate on them further. In your case, these can be from your academic background and internship. Reflect on the skills you obtained from university or your internship, and how they can be applied to fit the job requirements.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    However, be careful not to turn this into another copy of your resume. Your resume would typically cover your skills in brief bullet points. So, with the cover letter, pick one or two standout achievements and, as mentioned earlier, go into them with more detail.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Display How You Can Fit Into The Corporate Culture<\/span><\/h3>\n

    This is a major aspect that companies will consider in reviewing cover letters when hiring fresh graduates in Malaysia. On top of your relevant skills, recruiters will also be judging based on your character. They’d want to see that the potential applicant will be a good fit in the work culture too. They’ll be assessing whether you\u2019re able to uphold the company\u2019s core values and principles just from your cover letter alone. To show that you reflect those qualities, take the time to go through the company\u2019s website and social media page.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    You can usually find out more about what the company represents, along with the kind of employees they\u2019re looking for through their \u201cAbout\u201d and \u201cHiring\u201d sections. Similarly, their social media profiles will give you a rough idea of the image they\u2019d like to present to the public.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Taking all these factors into consideration will enable you to modify your cover letter accordingly, and give you that edge.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Cover Letter Writing Guide For Fresh Graduates In Malaysia: The Conclusion\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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    Taken from Giphy<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Close With A Call To Action<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Your closing is just as important and shouldn\u2019t be rushed through. It\u2019s the final section, so you\u2019d want to leave a lasting impression. It should compel the recruiter to immediately contact you and schedule an interview. Examples would be:<\/span><\/p>\n