Free cover letters

The cover letter is an opportunity for you to express your passion for your work and your ability to give the company something special if they employ you. It should enhance the information in your resume, not repeat it.

• Make sure that the cover letter and accompanying resume look and feel the same: same font, same layout.
• Tailor each cover letter you write to suit the employer and the position.
• Write the letter in standard business letter format.
• Think mini essay and write an introduction, a paragraph or two with information about what you can bring to the position, and a conclusion or closing paragraph.
• Address the letter to the person mentioned in the job advertisement. If the ad doesn’t give a name, call the company to find out who you should address the letter to.
• State the position you’re applying for, where you saw the position advertised and any reference number given in the job ad.
• Address any selection criteria listed in the job ad by demonstrating how your skills and experience meet the required criteria.
• Be succinct: keep the letter to one page.
• Only include information in your letter that is relevant to the job. If the job is about web marketing, make sure that your letter is all about your abilities and experience in web marketing.
• Get someone to proofread your letter.
• Sign your letter. If sending via email, you will need a scanned image of your signature.
• If sending via email, include your name in the file name – don’t just name it ‘coverletter.doc’.