ways2work - Parents and carers
The cover letter
A good cover letter can get you an interview by selling your suitability and enthusiasm for the job. Short, snappy cover letters are the most effective – one page is best.
Answer these questions in your cover letter:
- what attracts me most about this job?
- do I have the enthusiasm, skills, experience, understanding and qualifications to do the job?
- how do I see myself fitting into this job and working for this new employer?
What to include:
- date
- employer's address: contact name and title if you have it, company and address
- your contact details: name, address, phone numbers (home and mobile) and email address if you have one – but make sure it’s a professional-sounding email address!
- Dear Mr/Ms/Mrs (use the title given with the contact name) or Dear Sir/Madam if you don’t have a direct contact name (although if you can, call them to find out a name and remember to check the spelling!)
- paragraph one: explain why you’re writing and why you’re interested in the job. It is usual practice to include where you saw the job advertised (in X newspaper or website on X date).
- paragraph two: very briefly show you can do the job by matching your knowledge, skills and experience with what the employer is looking for. Keep it short and direct and stick to two or three points. The aim is to get the reader to look at your resume and the detailed application if they’ve asked for one.
- paragraph three: show your enthusiasm and how your personal attributes will help you fit into their workplace
- paragraph four: thank them for considering your application and note that you would be keen to attend an interview to discuss your application further. Refer to any other attachments in the application, such as your resume and written application addressing the key selection criteria.
- closing: if you started with 'Dear Sir/Madam', close with 'Yours faithfully'. If you know their name and addressed it directly to someone, close with 'Yours sincerely'.
Tips and template
You will find more detailed advice in the Tips for Writing Cover Letters (PDF 72kb) fact sheet.
Create your own using the Cover Letter Template (Word 35kb). Save it to your computer and print it out.
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