What should be written in a cover letter

A short bullet list is fine. If you're answering a job advertisement, there may be a position description that lists essential skills and experiences. Remember that if you say you have a skill or experience, you need to show how you've used it or how you got it for example, if you say you've got child-minding skills, mention some jobs where you've used them.

Using the same language as people who do a particular job shows that you understand the industry or field that the employer works in. Find out what the employer does, and how they talk about themselves. Use this language in your cover letter. For example, if there's a tool or software or skill the job requires, like machining tools or cash handling, mention it in your cover letter but make sure you mention it correctly!

Read what to research before a job interview page to find more ways to research an employer. Your cover letter should finish by asking the employer to read your resume.

It should also ask them to contact you about an interview. There are some things that should never be in your cover letter. Here are some things to watch out for.

Always spellcheck your cover letter. It's even better to get someone else to read it and point out any mistakes or confusing things. People you could ask to read your cover letter include friends, family members, your careers teacher or a careers counsellor at your university or TAFE. Double-check everything in your cover letter. If you mention a company's name, make sure you spell it right.

If you mention places you've worked before, make sure you spell their names right, too. Don't cut and paste your resume into your cover letter. Try to re-word the information in your resume, rather than just repeating it.

Keep your cover letter short and let your resume tell the whole story. You're probably applying for more than one job at a time. Your letter should aim to convince the employer that you really want this job. There may be times when you need use different kinds of cover letters.

Visit the pages below for examples of these situations:. Study and training Apprenticeships and traineeships Applying for an apprenticeship or traineeship Benefits of apprenticeship or traineeship Financial assistance for apprentices and trainees Find an apprenticeship or traineeship opportunity Options for an apprenticeship or traineeship Solving problems with your apprenticeship or traineeship Victorian Government Traineeships What are apprenticeships and traineeships?

How to write a cover letter Sample cover letters Cover letter when no job is advertised Cover letter when no resume is needed Cover letter: No work experience Cover letter: Some work experience How to find a job Job scams and dodgy ads Ways to find a job 6 ways to find jobs online Employment agencies Find a job by networking How to find government jobs Manage your online image Tips for successful cold calling What is cold calling?

What job skills are in demand? What are your job options? Working Overseas Volunteering and work experience Graduate recruitment programs Industry Based Learning Volunteering How to find volunteer work Organisations that are seeking volunteers Volunteer for an annual event What is volunteering?

What are internships? The more your experience and your skills match the job description, the higher your chances of getting picked for an interview. Be sure to include information in your letter about how you possess the particular skills and requirements that the employer is seeking.

Don't simply repeat what's in your resume. Your resume lists your skills, but your cover letter should highlight how you have put those skills to use. Before you start writing, review cover letter examples and make sure that your letter explains how your skills relate to the criteria listed in the job posting. Looking at examples of effective cover letters will give you a starting point for creating your own letter. Here's what to include in a cover letter to send with a resume when you apply for a job.

When writing a cover letter to mail or to upload to a job board or company website, the first section of your cover letter should include information on how the employer can contact you. Printed or Uploaded Letter List the following information in the contact section:.

Email Cover Letter When you send an email cover letter , include your contact information in your signature instead of listing your contact information at the top of the message:. Here's more information, with examples, on how to address a cover letter. It's important to include an appropriate greeting at the beginning of the cover letter or message. If you have a contact person for your letter, be sure to include their name in your letter. Consider salutation examples that are appropriate for cover letters and other employment-related correspondence.

For example:. The body is the most important part of a cover letter or an email message applying for employment. The body of a cover letter includes the paragraphs where you explain why you are interested in and qualified for the posted job :. Be specific by referencing the employer's job requirements as listed in the job posting in this part of your cover letter. Including keywords related to the jobs for which you are applying in your cover letters can help you get selected for a job interview.

These are specific words hiring managers look for when considering applications. As hiring processes have become automated, online applicant tracking systems are programmed to search for keywords. Make sure to close your letter in a professional manner. Casual closings as you would write to a friend or a family member are not appropriate in a letter to a potential employer. What is included in a cover letter signature depends on whether you are sending or uploading a cover letter document or using an email message as your cover letter.

Hard copies of letters should be signed by hand. Scanning your signature to include on PDFs can be a nice touch, while emails should include a professional electronic signature that includes your contact information. Most job seekers tend to mess this one up. The company values of integrity and transparency really vibe with me. So to wrap it all up, thanks for looking into my application.

I hope I can help Company X make the most out of their Facebook marketing initiatives. I'd love to further discuss how my previous success at XYZ Inc. Before sending off the cover letter, make sure to proofread it with software like Grammarly, or maybe even get a friend to review it for you. Do you address the right person?

Need some inspiration? Want to discover more examples AND learn what makes them stand out? Check out our guide to cover letter examples. Your cover letter is only as good as your resume. If either one is weak, your entire application is for naught. After all, a cover letter is just an introduction. Imagine going through all this effort to leave an amazing first impression, but flopping at the end because of a mediocre resume.

Check out our complete guide on how to make a resume , as well as how to write a CV - our experts will teach you everything you need to know in order to land your dream job. Follow our blog to stay up to date with the industry-leading advice.

Or, check out some of our top guides….