Cover Letters

Cover letter make the first impression. they can demonstrate how well you can communicate, your level of professionalism, insights into your personality and how much attention you pay to detail (e.g. grammatical and spelling errors)

• Never send an application without a covering letter - some employers can be advertising multiple positions and you need to be clear with your objectives.
• Set your letter out in the standard "business" format - This means having the date and addressee details top left and your contact details top right. Include your name, address, telephone, mobile and email address even if it is on your resume.
• State who you are, why you're writing and how you heard about the company or the specific vacant position.
• The objective is to tell the reader why you should be considered for the position (either in paragraph or in bullet points) by outlining your current skills and career goals.
• The letter should address the requirements of the job directly and include some of the language used in the ad.
• Flatter the reader by mentioning something positive about their company and why you would like to work there. Find out what they pride themselves in e.g. reputation, sales record, corporate culture from their websites, brochures. This is also advised when doing mass mail-outs as it shows you have researched each company individually rather then sending them a stale generic letter.
• When doing a mass mail-out of applications ALWAYS ensure you have the correct company details and contact details on each letter before you send them out. It is not uncommon, but an easily avoidable mistake.
• Don't say anything negative about your current employment situation or personal life, keep your letter positive and enthusiastic.
• Keep a copy of all your letters to refer to when contacted, or use them to keep track of what positions you have applied for to follow up on.
• State clearly what documents are attached. Never send original certificates or references, send copies only.
• Be original when writing your letter - Don't copy example letters word for word, use as a guide only as the common and overused expressions are easily recognisable and boring.
• Conclude your letter by indicating your enthusiasm and how you look forward to hearing from them. Remember: If you haven't received a reply a few days after the closing date, politely contact the employer to follow up on the progress of your application.
• If the letter starts with "Dear Mr, Mrs, Miss, Ms or Dr", it should end in "Yours Sincerely". If no name is given or only a job title, address it to "Dear Sir/Madam" finish it with "Yours Faithfully"
• Check and double-check your letter for spelling and grammatical errors. Ask at least two other people to check your letter and make suggestions.
• Ensure your letter is evenly spaced and formatted with plenty of "white spaces," printed out on clean, crease/crinkle-free paper.
• Don't forget to sign your letter in blue or black ink.

What to do now

To view available jobs or to get assistance, phone or email your local Jobfind Centre and ask to speak to a Consultant.

Local hotline 1300 360 562