HOW TO WRITE A COVER LETTER
Artwork by Atheleen Thomas, Mudjar Aboriginal Corporation
A cover letter is a document that you can provide with your Resume when applying for a job. It basically is a brief
introduction of who you are, your skills and experience and why you are interested in the advertised role.
When writing a cover letter for the first time and you have had no previous work experience, keep it short and simple.
A good cover letter should include:
Personal Details - Your name, email address and phone number at the top of the page
Addressee - The name of the Business and the contact person’s full name and address/email if you have it
Date - The date you are writing the letter
Greeting Line – (Dear Name of Hiring Manager/CEO if you know it) or To Whom it May Concern
(if you don’t know the person’s name)
A Reference Line – (Re: Application for job title or Reference Number)
Opening Paragraph - a statement that briefly introduces you to the reader and why you are applying for the job.
Main Body Paragraph* – Describe your skills, qualities, and characteristics that are relevant to the job, any
previous work experience and what your responsibilities were.
Closing Paragraph – thanking the Hiring Manager for considering your application and indicating your
availability for an interview.
Also specify any supporting documents attached to your application (e.g. Resume, Selection Criteria etc.)
Sign O – end your letter with Yours Sincerely, Best Regards or Kind Regards
Your Name – underneath the sign o put your full name
*If you don’t have any formal work experience, things you can mention in your Body Paragraph may include:
- General skills that help you work as a team member or part of an Organisation
- Personal attributes that will help you learn to work in a work environment
- Key strengths and contributions you have made to demonstrate you are a good applicant
- School work experience or volunteer work that demonstrates your work ethic, strengths and attributes
- Any sporting or community club participation (if relevant)
- Any hobbies or interests that may be relevant to the job or demonstrate your experience and willingness to learn
- Proof-Read your letter – Ask a friend or family member to have a look at it before you submit it
- Ensure your contact details are correct
- Do your Research – have a look at the organisation’s website – see what they do and where they operate
– look at any areas or aspects that interest you want to know more about
- Update your letter for each job application to make it is relevant to the specific job
HOW TO WRITE A PROFESSIONAL COVER LETTER
NOTES:
HOW TO WRITE A COVER LETTER
Artwork by Atheleen Thomas, Mudjar Aboriginal Corporation
[Your full name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your email address]
[Date]
[Name of Hiring Manager]
[Name of Organisation]
[Address or email address of Organisation]
Dear [Name of Hiring Manager]
RE: [Application for Job Title and or Reference Number]
My name is [full name]and I am writing to express my interest in joining [company name] as a
[position title]. I believe I can be an asset to the organisation because [provide a reason to hire
you]. By working as a [position title] I hope to [list your career goal/objective].
I am excited to enter the [job industry type] and am eager to have the opportunity to work at
[organisation name].
I am currently in [list year at high school or TAFE and what subjects you are studying]. I believe I
have the skills to perform the job responsibilities because [list any experiences relevant to the job
you’re applying for]. I hope to get work with [organisation name] because [list a reason specific to
you and why you want to work with the organisation].
Thank you for the opportunity to express my interest in [name of organisation] and I look forward
to meeting you in person should I be successful in gaining an interview. I have attached my
[supporting documents ie; Resume or Selection Criteria] to support my application.
Kind Regards
[Your Full Name]
SAMPLE LETTER
Artwork by Atheleen Thomas, Mudjar Aboriginal Corporation
