“Let’s be clear, a cover letter can be the deciding factor between success and failure in your application, it’s that simple”

Julie Armistead, Director, Chartered Accountant, and HR Lead at Financial Dynamics, brings a wealth of knowledge in tax and business advisory. In her role, she regularly interviews professionals at various career stages, offering valuable insights on making a strong first impression.

Julie can’t emphasise enough the importance of a well-crafted cover letter when applying for a role. “Let’s be clear, a cover letter can be the deciding factor between success and failure in your application, it’s that simple” Julie outlines. To help you create a cover letter that stands out, Julie offers some valuable tips.

“First and foremost, take the time to do your research! Visit the company’s website, identify the decision-makers, and address your cover letter to them if no specific contact is provided. Then tailor your message to show that you’ve truly understood the company’s values and vision.” she adds.

For instance, Financial Dynamics values People and Family, emphasising respect and understanding for everyone. If these values resonate with you, reflect that in your cover letter to demonstrate why you’d be a great cultural fit. Julie stresses, “We won’t even consider an application without a cover letter because it helps her determine if you align with Financial Dynamics’s culture”. If your cover letter makes a strong case, she’ll then move on to your resume.

Julie explains the significance of this step, saying, “There are so many accountants in the world, I need to know you’re a cultural fit for us because it’s the single most important aspect of hiring the right person.” She also advises keeping your cover letter concise, no longer than one page.

When reviewing resumes, Julie looks for relevant work history, not what you did 25 years ago. Don’t shy away from career gaps; instead, explain them. If you took 12 months off to backpack across Asia, mention it. Julie is interested in life experiences that might make you a good fit with the Financial Dynamics team and clients. For those aspiring to leadership roles, she looks for evidence of managerial skills, such as mentoring others or holding a Team Leader or Manager title in previous positions. Julie is particularly impressed by candidates who take the initiative to drop by the office and introduce themselves before submitting their application. “That takes guts and shows how genuinely interested you are in the opportunity,” she notes.

Once you’ve secured an interview, Julie uses the initial hallway chat to gauge how well you’ll fit into the team. During those five minutes of informal conversation before the interview starts, she assesses your communication skills and enthusiasm for the role. Make sure you can clearly articulate why you’re excited about the opportunity, as this is where it will be noticed.

What truly sets candidates apart in an interview is their ability to demonstrate that they’ve thought about their future at Financial Dynamics. For example, asking questions like, “I’ve been considering the opportunities at Financial Dynamics, and I was wondering if I could specialise in Superannuation in the future?” shows Julie that you’re motivated and interested in a long-term career with the company.

Above all else, what makes a candidate stand out is their genuine care for others. “You have to love helping people because that’s what we live and breathe here,” Julie says. “Whether it’s assisting a junior staff member with a tax return or guiding a client through setting up Xero, caring for others should be at the core of what you do.”

Julie reflects on advice she received from a teacher at a young age: “Find what you love doing and do that every day.” She believes that this is key to finding happiness in our work lives and encourages everyone to seek out roles that align with their passions.