If the resume is the piece of paper that gets you to the interview then the cover letter is the one that will get the employer to read the resume. So the resume and cover letter share the same goal- to get your employer to pick you! The best cover letters spark the employer’s interest and create an impression of competence.

A cover letter is a short, tailored letter that should always accompany any resume. You should never send a resume without a cover letter unless specifically instructed to do so by the employer Your cover letter should only be one page, and should:

• Explain why you are writing the letter (eg. You are writing in response to an ad you’ve seen, and you’re very interested in the position)
• Highlight your key selling points ( skills, experiences & attributes)- this encourages the employer to want to discover more by reading your resume
• Encourage a response (request an interview)

Tailor your cover letter

The key to writing a successful cover letter is making it as personal for the employer as possible. This means addressing your letter to a specific person (not 'To Whom It May Concern')- if necessary, call the organisation to find out who you can address the letter to.
Sending a generic letter with no reference to the organisation shows a lack of effort and attention to detail, and may make the employer believe this reflects the level of effort you would put into the position.

How to structure it?

The letter should be structured as follows:

1) Introduction
Introduce yourself and explain why you are writing to the employer. In the introduction you should name the position you are applying for and the source that published it. .

2) Body
In the body section, mention briefly your skills and experiences and explain why ou think that will match the job position. You should identify your strengths, accomplishments and attributes that would benefit the position and organisation. Do not repeat what is stated in your resume- you only need to summarise your most relevant qualifications/experiences.

3) Closing
Your closing should be brief. You can end the letter stating that you will follow up on the letter within a specific period of time, or you can reiterate your interest in the position and therefore hearing back from them for an interview. It is crucial that you provide details for them to reach you- a phone number and/or email. Close the letter by thanking the reader for their time and consideration.

Cover letter samples (Coming soon!)