MCCSA Jobs Cafe Event #2: The Cover Letter

This is the second in a series of six monthly-events to assist those seeking employment opportunity.

Drafting a stellar cover letter may be the key to landing your dream job: join the event to learn how!

Preparation for the event:

• Identify a role that you would really like to pitch for. (Check Seek, Indeed, I Work for SA,   

       Linked In, Ethical Jobs…)

•     Save the link on your phone.

Following is a precis of the Jobs Cafe project which has now merged with the MCCSA's programme:

Report: 5 March 2025

This project aims to help job seekers better prepare themselves in applying for positions and navigating subsequent interviews.

The “Jobs Café” concept (there is no physical Jobs Café!) evolved at Hopes Café, Clayton Church, Beulah Park, South Australia as a response to the significant number of those visitors who were demoralised by constant rejection in their efforts to secure work. And the recognition that in our community the establishment and maintenance of a person’s dignity is tied to being employed.

The project began as a stand-alone exercise in late August 2019: to date there are 1200 job-seeking registrants (people from diverse cultures, refugees, migrants, homeless persons, those differently-abled, men and women, old and young…) and 451 have secured positions….plus a network of 742 supporters (including members of the marvellous Circle of Friends Association), all contributing at various levels.

MCCSA Jobs Café, as it is now, is not a Job Agency per sae… in supporting the job seeker’s own efforts to identify roles, it also uses its networks to add possible opportunities and then encourages and assists the job seeker in pursuing and securing them. The exercise requires significant self-help on the part of the job seeker, but working together success has every chance.  MCCSA Jobs Café is independent, purely voluntary and informal in its activity: there is limited external funding** of MCCSA Jobs Café and no connection with the bureaucracy….it simply seeks to help in this particular area of community need.

Activity is now largely based at Cibo, The Avenues Shopping Centre corner of Payneham Road and Nelson Street, Stepney on Saturday and Sunday mornings and at the Central Market during the week. Each new job seeker is asked to join the Coordinator for a coffee and a chat: this face to face meeting is important in establishing trust and reducing risk for all involved as we work together in pursuing employment opportunities.

“The Third Tuesday of the Month” Event 5.30 - 7.00pm has resumed at MCCSA, 113 Gilbert Street: an evening of some formality (a job seeking topic, sector speakers, success stories) and networking activities: attendance has averaged 50 persons at each event.

** HITsa Charitable Fund and The Awesome Foundation currently, and COFA 92 and AizoOn previously.

And for those seeking to participate and tap into what is being offered there is only one simple requisite:

“Just walk through the virtual door of MCCSA Jobs Café!”

Peter                                                                                                                                                                                      Founder/ Coordinator                                                                                                                                                            MCCSA Jobs Cafe                                                                                                                                                                     mobile: 0435012057                                                                                                                                                                email: jobscafe2021@gmail.com