There are many reasons why your next job should be in
disability support but this is a popular field so it’s important to make your cover letter as strong as possible. When you apply for a job as a disability support worker,
you need to make sure your whole application demonstrates your qualifications and people skills right from the first glance.
If you want to impress your prospective employer with your passion and professional experience, the way you write your support worker cover letter really matters.
We explain why cover letters are important and give you some top tips on how to write one that really grabs attention, and helps you through to the interview.
Why are cover letters important?
If you’re finding it difficult to write your disability support worker cover letter, you’re not alone but it might help to see this as an opportunity that could get you through to an interview. The first thing to remember is that a cover letter doesn’t do quite the same job as a resume;
it’s important to spend time perfecting both.
Because your resume lists all your professional skills and experiences, it needs to be brief and factual. Your
cover letter is more flexible, and allows you to highlight specific aspects of your skills and experience, at the same time as illustrating your
personality and values.
In other words, your cover letter gives you more opportunity to demonstrate your passion and explain exactly why you’re the right candidate for the job.
What are five characteristics of an effective cover letter?
- The ability to communicate effectively.
- Having a professional and confident tone of voice.
- Understanding the requirements of the job.
- Relevant experience and qualifications.
- Enthusiasm for the role.
1. The ability to communicate effectively.
Your cover letter is your first opportunity to demonstrate your
communication skills to your prospective employer. Check your spelling and grammar carefully. Then read your letter out loud to make sure all your sentences make sense. You could also ask someone else to check it through before you send it.
2. Having a professional and confident tone of voice.
When you’re writing your disability support worker cover letter, try to find a balance between friendliness and professionalism. Make sure you include the most relevant points of your career so far. Try to stick to language that is professional but avoid using jargon and buzzwords.
3. Understanding the requirements of the job.
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Before writing your cover letter, take some time to absorb the details of the job description. Match what you say about yourself to what the company is really looking for. One great way to do this is to complete a disability support course before you start sending through applications.
4. Relevant experience and qualifications.
Your resume will list all your
disability worker qualifications and previous job roles but it won’t be the first thing a hiring manager reads. It’s important to make sure your cover letter focuses on the elements that really match the role's specifications. Pick one or two recent certifications and explain in a bit more detail how these are relevant to the job you’re applying for.
5. Enthusiasm for the role.
Your cover letter needs to demonstrate your knowledge of the company and explain why you're a good match but don’t go too far with this. Avoid long flattering sentences. Instead, concentrate on showing how your values, and experience could enhance existing organisational strengths.
How to write a cover letter for disability support worker roles
- Format your cover letter.
- Create a compelling opening paragraph.
- Demonstrate your skill capabilities for the role.
- End your cover letter on a high note.
1. Format your cover letter.
The first thing to do is get the layout of your cover letter right. Include your contact information at the top of the page, then the name and title of the hiring manager, followed by the address of the organisation. The best opening salutation to use is, ‘Dear [insert the hiring manager’s name] but if you don’t know their name, use the words ‘hiring manager’ instead.
2. Create a compelling opening paragraph.
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Your first paragraph should explain why you’re applying for the role. Briefly explain why you’re interested and how you’re a suitable candidate.
3. Demonstrate your skill capabilities for the role.
The next few paragraphs are your opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of the job role, as well as your relevant skills and work experience. Keep each paragraph short and to the point. No matter what your level of experience, it’s always important to highlight your willingness to learn.
4. End your cover letter on a high note.
Use a concluding paragraph to thank the hiring manager for their time, indicate your willingness to answer further questions and say that you’re looking forward to hearing from them. At the end of your cover letter, use the closing phrase, ‘Yours sincerely’ or ‘Kind regards’.
When you’re applying for a job in disability support, it’s important to make sure you have the right qualifications, resume and cover letter when that dream career opportunity comes up. Upskilled has a wide range of online community services courses to choose from, so why not get in touch and start building your skill set today.
Fi Darby
Fi is a professional copywriter based in Devon, England. She specialises in education, careers, travel and outdoor writing and is the co-author of the popular daily outdoor blog 'Two Blondes Walking'. Fi has written three children's books and, when she isn't writing, Fi loves to gather inspiration from long walks, early morning sea swims and winter wild camps.