Cover Letter for Part-Time Jobs: Do You Really Need It?
If you are an international student looking for a part-time job, for example, you may ask yourself whether you should attach a cover letter to your CV.
There is no definitive answer on whether an international student needs a cover letter for part-time jobs.
Not all employers will request one. There may be instances when a cover letter for a part-time job is not needed. Some jobs may only require the application form and your CV. Yet, if one is required in a job application, you have to provide it to the employer.
While not compulsory, a short, clearly written letter of application may explain the applicant’s interest in the position and how they can add value to the company.
Are you applying for a part-time job? Do you require a cover letter? See how to write one:
How Can a Cover Letter Help International Students?
How can a cover letter assist international students in getting jobs?
An effectively written student application will immediately communicate to the employer their identity and motivation for the position in less than five seconds.
You might have studied in one country and worked or volunteered in another. Your CV may not give the employer an immediate idea of your previous experience.
A well-written cover letter also helps to fill the gap between your previous experiences and other cultural gaps that your CV may not have covered.
You can give that explanation in your letter of recommendation.
Review the Job Description
The first step to take is to carefully read the job announcement. If they specifically ask you to submit a cover letter for a job, you have to provide one. Not sending it could make your application look incomplete.
Some employers indicate that you don’t need to submit a cover letter. If so, you can choose whether to include one in your application.
For instance, you may have valuable experience that you did not have an easy way to illustrate in your CV, and a cover letter can better explain it.
Explain Your Interest
International students can use their cover letter to explain why they may be a good fit for a specific position.
If you are a team worker, for instance, you might say, “I like to work with people” or, “I want to learn while I’m in school, so I want to get experience working with people in my career field.”
Be brief, and stick to the task outlined in the job description. This will show the employer that you pay attention to details.
Highlight Useful Experience
Your international student CV may contain details about your education, previous employment, volunteering and other information.
The information on your CV will be used as a guide to your cover letter. However, be careful not to make it a verbatim copy.
Rather, select one or two experiences that are relevant to the job you want to apply for.
For instance, if you are in the process of trying to get a job at a restaurant, talk about how you worked with customers previously, and how that helped you communicate and be part of a team.
Explaining all of these when writing a cover letter for part-time jobs will give you a better edge with recruiters.
Suggested: How to Write a CV as an International Student
What Should Your Cover Letter Include?
A student cover letter for part-time jobs doesn’t have to be fancy.
You can include:
- The position you want to apply for, e.g. the job title.
- Describe your reasons for applying for the job.
- One or two relevant skills
- Experience that is relevant to the work or volunteer opportunity
- Whether or not you are available, if it helps
- A polite closing
Attempt to limit the letter to about one page or less.
Applicants often receive many responses from employers when they apply for a student job. They may basically wish to view your CV, availability and basic information.
If possible, however, you can include a short cover letter in the application system, which can still be helpful.
It’s important not to send a long letter that repeats everything already in your CV.
A great cover letter doesn’t require any challenging English. Typically, the message is expected to be quickly understood.
Avoid using the normal word for any of these words, or avoid creating long sentences.
You should focus on the skills required for the job, rather than a long sentence containing your ability to work in a fast-paced environment; just mention that you can work in an organised manner when the workplace is busy.
Good writing is better than bad writing.
What Skills to Include in Writing a Cover Letter for Part-Time Jobs?
Even if you have acquired previous experience in a country other than where you are studying, that experience may be useful.
In your part-time job application, talk about the skills you learned, not just from a different country.
For instance, you might have been able to form these skills through previous work:
- Customer service skills
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Time management
- Problem-solving
- Organisation
The skills are applicable to various student jobs. It is also advisable to be honest regarding your experiences. Don’t pile on tasks and abilities you don’t have.
Should You Mention Your Student Status?
Yes, you can indicate that you are an international student if applicable to the application.
Describe the study in brief and your availability. Be careful not to give your letter a student-centred form.
The employer or employer of record is primarily concerned about your ability to do the work and qualify for the job.
If there are rules in the job about what time the students work, be sure to understand and follow them in your country.
The Length of the Cover Letter Is an Important Factor to Consider
Per the rules for part-time jobs for international students, one’s cover letter is likely to be brief.
In most instances, one page will suffice.
The simplest one is:
Opening: State what position you are requesting and your interest in it.
Middle: Talk about your experience, skills and education related.
Closing: Express gratitude to the employer for taking the time to review your application and for considering you.
This helps to make the letter easy to read.
Common Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid Include the Following
When you are applying for a job as an International Student, here are some common pitfalls to avoid:
- Sending the same letter to all employers
- Making the letter too long
- Using the same CV multiple times
- Use of words and expressions that require extra effort to understand and/or to state in English.
- Omitting work role from the curriculum
- Incorrect spelling and/or grammar
- Providing irrelevant information that is not related to the job or task
- Not claiming skills or experience that are off-topic or outside of their scope of expertise.
Read the application letter again before sending it out.
Ensure that the employer’s name and job title are correct.
Final Thoughts
You will not necessarily need a cover letter for all student part-time jobs. It is always worth checking with the prospective employer; the job advertisement will also highlight whether one is necessary.
As a student, you do not need to write an unnecessarily long cover letter. State your reasons for applying and concentrate on your experience and skills that are relevant to the post, and say it succinctly.
It is still helpful to include a straightforward, honest, and well-constructed cover letter in many jobs. This way, the employer can quickly see what you can do in the workplace.
