Showcase your skills and suitability for the job

A good cover letter can have a significant impact on whether you are noticed or overlooked during the screening process. It should communicate to your future employer that you are the right person for the job.

Tips

  • Make sure it is no longer than one page.
  • Ensure it looks professional.
  • Use ‘action’ words.
  • Tailor it to the job advertisement – address the selection criteria from the job advert.
  • Correct grammar and free from spelling errors.
  • Write professional and formally structured paragraphs
    • Topic sentence
    • Expansion sentence
    • Evidence sentence
    • Link to position/company
    • Transition sentence

Structure and content

See an example of how to structure your cover letter and the kind of content to include.

Your name
Your address
Your phone
Your email

Receiver’s name
Receiver’s position
Company/Organisation
Address

Date

Re: Title and reference number of the position for which you’re applying

Dear Receiver’s name/Sir/Madam

Paragraph 1 – Position: Indicate the position for which you are applying (position, source, date) and show enthusiasm for the position. Make the start interesting: what attracted you to the role?

Paragraph 2 – Qualifications: Address the selection criteria and use supporting statements with reference to your degree, skills and knowledge gained. Use full name of degree and institution. Can mention GPA, key subjects and awards.

Paragraph 3 – Employment, work experience, volunteering or extra-curricular: A sentence or two briefly highlighting the main skills or abilities you can bring to the role and any relevant personal qualities or attributes. Refer to employment and skills gained. Backup with examples as evidence you possess selection criteria

Paragraph 4 – Show research of organisation: Indicate and explain why you are interested in the job/role/organisation. Avoid quoting from the website, they wrote it. Show insightful research, tell them something different. Research on newspapers, trade journals, financial reports, publicity materials, annual reports, and other sources on the web (ensure validity). Possible areas to mention would be organisation values, strategic direction and culture.

Paragraph 5 – Thank you: Advise on your ability for an interview. Thank organisation/person for their consideration of your application. Sincerely (if you know the receiver’s name), OR Yours faithfully (if addressed to Sir/Madam), Your name.