How to write a great cover letter
Quick Summary
Your cover letter is your first opportunity to make a personal impression on an employer. Keep it short, focused, and written in clear, natural language that reflects both your personality and professionalism. Highlight your most relevant skills and experiences to show why you’re a strong match for the role. Avoid reusing the same letter for multiple applications and always proofread before sending. A confident, well-structured letter can help you stand out and encourage employers to read your resume.
A cover letter is your chance to introduce yourself to a potential employer and spark their interest in reading your resume.
When you’re prepping job applications, a cover letter might seem like an afterthought compared to your resume. But your cover letter is worth just as much attention. That doesn’t mean it needs to be overly detailed – in fact, a simple single page is best.
Here are the key points to know about cover letters, plus the steps to follow to write one.
What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is a short letter that accompanies your resume when you apply for a role. It’s often the first point of contact you make with a potential employer, hiring manager or recruiter for a job application.
It’s a way to give the employer a sense of who you are, highlighting your skills and experience, before they read the information in your resume. Just as if you were meeting someone for the first time, you’d introduce yourself first before getting into the detail.
Sometimes, a short email can take the place of a cover letter, but the way you write it is much the same.
Take a look at this article comparing an average cover letter to a great one to help you see how to craft yours well.
How does a cover letter compare to your resume?
Your resume and cover letter complement each other but do slightly different things. Your resume summarises the key details of your skills, work experience and education. Resumes are best formatted with bullet points and broken into sections with subheadings, across about two pages.
A cover letter is shorter and sharper: a single page is best. It’s also more of a conversation opener – you’re speaking to the person responsible for the role you’re applying for, expressing your interest in the job and showing them why you’re a good fit for it.
The language in a cover letter is more personal. For example, a social worker’s resume might include, Redeveloped community youth program, increasing participation by 20 per cent.
But in a cover letter you can write in the first person, which might read as, I’m a dedicated and driven social worker, with a strong commitment to supporting disadvantaged youth. It’s a chance to describe your skills and experiences in a way that also gives some insight into you and your career.
How to write your cover letter
- Start with a brief introduction about yourself and why you’re writing. Mention the job you’re applying for and your interest in it.
- Give a snapshot of the relevant skills, experience and qualifications you have that relate to the job. Think about the key two or three points in your resume and explaining these in a way that links them to why you’d be great for the role.
- Give examples of your skills or mention how you’ve used them – you might need to do this in more detail if the job ad requests that you address selection criteria.
- Note that your resume is attached. To finish, you can say that you’d welcome the opportunity to meet to discuss the role, or that you’re happy to provide more information, before signing off.
- Keep your message clear and concise, focusing on what makes you a strong match for the position. A well-structured, confident closing leaves a positive impression and encourages the reader to take the next step.
How to make your cover letter stand out
A cover letter should be engaging – you want to capture the interest of the person reading it so that they turn to your resume to find out more.
It’s also about showing the employer how your skills and experience are a good match for the role. That’s why you should always create a cover letter especially for the role you’re applying for – it shouldn’t be a generic letter. These tips can help you tailor your cover letter to the job.
A good cover letter can also demonstrate your written communication skills. Write for the environment you’re applying to: if it’s a more informal workplace or a creative type of work, don’t be afraid to inject some personal style into your writing to stand out.
Reading the 5 things employers wish they could say about cover letters and what recruiters look for in cover letters can also help you to write one that will impress.
Quick tips for improving your cover letter
- Use clear, concise language. It’s best to avoid complicated or flowery wording.
- Avoid overly long sentences. Try reading it aloud to see if there are any you struggle with.
- Always tailor your cover letter to the job. An application is all about showing how you’re a good fit for the role on offer, and you don’t want your cover letter to seem reused.
- Rather than writing ‘To whom it may concern’ or ‘Dear Sir or Madam’, find out who to address your letter to; you could phone the company to ask. It’s more personal that way and shows you’ve taken initiative.
- Triple check your spelling and grammar. Try printing your letter out then coming back to it fresh, or get someone with a keen eye to look over it for you.
- Keep your letter to around 250-350 words on a single page.
- Show enthusiasm for the role. A positive, confident tone can help you stand out and show the employer that you’re genuinely interested in joining their team.
- Take a look at these examples of cover letters written by successful job seekers.
Writing your cover letter might feel intimidating at first when you’re facing a blank page. But by following these steps and tips, you can focus on crafting a cover letter that captures what you can bring to the role and makes a winning impression to the employer. Get more practical tips and proven strategies to plan your next step on the Career Advice page.
FAQs
1. Should I include salary expectations in my cover letter?
It’s generally best to avoid mentioning salary expectations unless the job advertisement specifically requests them. Including salary details too early can narrow your opportunities. Focus instead on highlighting your relevant skills, experience, and suitability for the role.
2. Can I use the same cover letter for multiple job applications?
Each cover letter should be customised to the position and organisation you are applying for. Recruiters can easily identify a generic letter, and tailoring your message demonstrates genuine interest and professionalism.
3. Should I include references in my cover letter?
References do not need to be included in your cover letter. They can be added to your resume or provided later if requested by the employer. Use your cover letter to focus on your qualifications, achievements, and reasons you would be an asset to the company.
