Career
How To Create A Career Marketing Letter For Seafarer
April 29, 2019 | Christian So
They say 50% of all recruiters never read cover letters. So why should you, a seafarer, even bother to create one?
Seafarers like you may have never thought about this. But besides your resume, the career marketing letter, more known as a cover letter or application letter, is essential in creating first impression to your prospective employer.
A good career marketing letter brings your application above the rest and puts you forward to the next step: the interview. But don’t settle for creating a good letter (because everyone does); better make it catchy and readable to make sure your words don’t end up unread.
Read on to know how to create a career marketing letter for seafarers that recruiters will surely read.
THE IMPORTANCE OF CAREER MARKETING LETTERS
In this time when reading thousands of application letters can be a chore for hiring managers, never lose the motivation in writing one that will get their attention. Your letter is still important and here are the different reasons why it’ll remain so when looking for a job:
It makes you stand out
Vacant positions always receive overwhelming loads of applications and hiring managers can’t review everything. Some applications may not be even viewed at all.
Sending a cover letter together with an attached resume is a great way to meet the job requirements and let the company know what makes you the best fit for the job.
It lets recruiters know that you’re truly interested to take the position
Recruiters don’t want to waste time around applicants who’ll only quit after a few days. With a cover letter, you can tell why you’re interested in the company and you’re ready to commit to the job.
It shows your personality
Resumes can be boring. Cover letters can add some life to your application by showing the reader a bit more about you as long as you keep it personalized for every recruiter.
It makes you a good fit even when you lack experience
There are job hunters who’re highly skilled and experienced but miss an opportunity because their cover letters lack motivation. Sometimes, a cover letter can bring you to the job you really want even if you’re under qualified if it shows how eager you are to learn and excel in the company.
THE PARTS OF A CAREER MARKETING LETTER
After knowing how important a cover letter is for every application, it’s time to learn how to create one that every recruiter will surely read.
Here are the parts of a cover letter for an application that should be always present:
Name and job title
Never ever forget to introduce yourself and let the recruiters know the position you’re aiming for. Just like in a resume, type your name in a bigger font size and bolder color. Indicate below your name the title of the position you’re applying for.
Date
Indicate when you created the cover letter.
Contact person name and title
You can address the letter to the hiring manager of the company if there’s no indicated instruction on who to contact.
Name and full address of the company
Check the company’s website to find out their complete name and address.
Salutations
Start the letter with a “Dear” and then the name of the contact person. Don’t leave this nameless.
First paragraph
Write down your objective here. Be straightforward in telling them what your application is for.
Second paragraph
Highlight your experience and accomplishments here. Create a visibly bright reference tool like bullet points to make sure recruiters see your accomplishments right away.
Third paragraph
This is where you finish the letter with a call to action which usually mentions to call the applicant in the indicated contact number and email address. (You can simply use up to three paragraphs but feel free to add more.)
Closing salutation
This is where you can close the letter using the words “Sincerely” and “Best Regards”.
Ending with your name and signature
If you’re sending your letter through email, you can simply end the letter with only your name.
TIPS IN WRITING A GOOD CAREER MARKETING LETTER
It’s pretty easy to follow the first and last points in opening and ending a letter. But you may be thinking about how your paragraphs should be written to show recruiters that you’re someone who mustn’t be missed.
As recruiters get piles of cover letters every day – written in the same format and bland style, we recommend that you loosen up and put something different in that letter.
Take note of the following tips that let you become an applicant worth calling:
Personalize
Not one application letter will be fit for all job openings, so try to get away from copy-pasting. To make your writing easier, think about why you’re doing this application and why you believe you should be in that company. Read the job posting carefully and list down the required skills that you possess. Mention every matching skill in your letter to convince recruiters that you fit the job well.
Make a good narrative
Writing a story is the last thing job hunters would write in their cover letters. But, doing this can get them to read your letter especially if you start with a killer opening line. In creating a narrative, ask yourself: “What’s the most interesting thing I’ve done that’s relevant to the job I’m applying?” You can start the story by telling your biggest contribution to your past work that the company would greatly want to have with your help.
Use bullet points
You can break down all your accomplishments with the use of bullet points to make them easier to read. A bulleted list stands out to impress a recruiter right away.
Show a company that you can blend well with their culture
Take a look at the job post again. Find out if a company wants a “team player” who can get along with a group, or a “self-starter” who can work with minimal supervision. Whatever they mention in the requirements, think of how you can tell them that your personality matches their world through your cover letter.
Finish with a question
A call to action at the end of the letter is always important. Ending it with a question convinces the reader to make a move whether it’s making a phone call or an interview.
SAMPLE APPLICATION LETTER FOR SEAFARERS
Here’s a sample application letter that can help you learn how to create one that makes you stand out.
JUAN DE LA CRUZ
Chief Engineer and Marine Engineering Instructor
+63912.345.6789
name@email.com
Linkedin.com/JuandelaCruz
November 16, 2018
Captain Nathan Blas
Training Manager
ABC Maritime Training Center, Inc.
Chino Roces Ave., Makati City 1231
Subject: Tenure-track Instructor on Maritime Education and Training Courses Position
Dear Captain Blas,
I’m interested in working with you as a tenure-track lecturer/instructor on Maritime Education and Training-related courses. I believe that my years of experience in teaching, training, and working in different types of international vessels meet all the requirements needed for this job position.
Here’s a summary of what I’ve done:
- Six (6) years of experience as a marine engineer
- Three (3) years of experience as an instructor in the field of marine engineering
- One (1) year of experience as a cadetship training instructor
- Conducted several in-house familiarization training courses
As a marine engineering instructor in the Maritime Institute of the Philippines-Manila, I taught different subjects in the areas of Marine Thermodynamics, Engineering Materials and Testing, Marine Pollution and Prevention, Hydromechanics, Basic Safety Course, Marine Auxiliary Machineries, Machine Shop Practice, Marine Electro technology, and Engine Watch keeping.
I have also supervised students from the Philippine Maritime Academy and Maritime Academy of the Pacific in the cadetship training provided by Southern Shipping Agency. Here, I’ve conducted classes where we’ve discussed marine engineering theories and how they can be applied to actual field work.
Besides teaching students, I have also conducted in-house trainings. I have lectured about Liquefied Gas Carrier Familiarization Course for Officers and Ratings at Pacific Asia Maritime Training Center. Then, I assisted trainees in a familiarization course about the Operation and Maintenance of Man B&W and Mitsubishi Engine.
Please check the attached curriculum vitae to have a detailed look at my skills and experiences. Can we set up a phone call or a short meeting next week to talk about how I can contribute to your training center as an instructor? Please contact me at +639123456789 or email me at name@email.com.
Thank you for your consideration. I look forward hearing from you.
Best regards,
Juan de la Cruz
DON’T FORGET TO BE YOURSELF
Career marketing letters let recruiters know a bit about who you are as a professional. Let yourself shine through it by highlighting your strengths. If you’re sending an application through email, use the letter as your actual email text that recruiters will surely see once they open your message.
For print, it’s best to keep your letter short and fit to only one page. Never even think about lying about your experience. Don’t even boast too much that the reader may see that you’re thinking too highly of yourself. With this article, we hope you’ve learned how to create that best application letter that recruiters and employers will surely read.