Landscape Designer Cover Letter: Example, Template + How to Write One in Australia

Staring at a blank page, wondering how to turn your passion for outdoor spaces into words that actually land you an interview? You’re not alone. Most landscape designers can visualise a stunning garden transformation in minutes, but translating design skills and creative vision into a compelling cover letter feels like working in a completely foreign medium. The good news? A great cover letter doesn’t need to be a literary masterpiece. It just needs to showcase your design philosophy, technical expertise, and genuine enthusiasm for creating beautiful, functional outdoor environments. This guide walks you through everything you need to write a landscape designer cover letter that gets noticed by Australian employers, complete with real examples, formatting tips, and strategies for standing out whether you’re a recent graduate or career changer. We’ll show you exactly what works, what doesn’t, and how to tailor your application to roles on Seek and LinkedIn.

Landscape Designer Cover Letter Example (Text Version)

How to Format a Landscape Designer Cover Letter

Before diving into content, get the technical details right. Australian employers expect professional presentation, and a poorly formatted cover letter can undermine even the strongest experience. Here’s the standard format that works across most landscape design firms, councils, and development companies:

• Length: Maximum 1 page (3–5 paragraphs). Hiring managers in the design industry are visual people but they’re also busy. Keep it concise and impactful.
• Font: Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman (10–12pt). Stick with clean, professional fonts that are easy to read on screen and in print.
• Spacing: Single or 1.15 line spacing. This keeps your letter compact without looking cramped.
• Margins: 1 inch (2.54cm) on all sides. Standard margins ensure your letter prints correctly and looks balanced.
• File format: Always PDF. This preserves your formatting across different devices and operating systems, which is crucial when your letter might be viewed on a phone, tablet, or desktop.

What to Include in a Landscape Designer Cover Letter (Australia)

A landscape designer cover letter follows a clear structure that lets you tell your professional story strategically. Each section serves a specific purpose, and when done well, the letter flows naturally from introduction to call-to-action. Here’s what to include:

1. Contact Details: Your name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn profile at the top. Include the date and the employer’s contact details if you have them (this adds a professional touch, especially for smaller studios).
2. Salutation: “Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name]” is always best. If the job ad doesn’t list a name, check the company website or LinkedIn. As a last resort, use “Dear Hiring Manager” rather than outdated options like “To Whom It May Concern.”
3. Opening Paragraph: State the position you’re applying for and immediately hook the reader with your strongest qualification or achievement. This is where you make your case for why they should keep reading. Mention where you saw the role advertised if it’s through a referral or specific platform.
4. Middle Paragraphs: This is your evidence section. Discuss 2-3 specific examples of relevant work experience, technical skills, and achievements that directly relate to the job description. For landscape designers, this means discussing projects you’ve completed, design software you’re proficient in, your understanding of Australian plants and climate, and any measurable results (client satisfaction, budget management, water efficiency improvements, etc.). Connect your experience to what the employer specifically needs.
5. Closing Paragraph: Reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and company, mention your portfolio availability, and include a clear call to action (requesting an interview). Thank them for their time and consideration.

Right vs Wrong Example

The first example immediately demonstrates specific expertise (water-efficient design, native plants, coastal environments), includes a quantifiable achievement (55% water reduction), and shows knowledge of the company’s values. The second example could apply to any role at any company and offers nothing concrete about the candidate’s actual abilities.

Entry-Level Landscape Designer Cover Letter Tips

Breaking into landscape design without extensive professional experience? Focus on what you do have rather than apologising for what you lack. Employers hiring junior designers or recent graduates understand you’re early in your career. What they want to see is genuine enthusiasm, foundational knowledge, relevant skills, and the ability to learn quickly. Here’s how to position yourself effectively:

• Highlight Academic Projects: University or TAFE design projects are legitimate experience. Discuss your thesis project, studio work, or any designs you developed during your studies, especially if they demonstrate technical skills or creative problem-solving.
• Emphasise Technical Skills: If you’re proficient in AutoCAD, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, Vectorworks, or Lands Design, say so explicitly. These are highly valued skills that many employers prioritise, even over experience.
• Connect Transferable Experience: Retail, hospitality, or customer service roles demonstrate communication skills and client management. Volunteering with community gardens or Landcare groups shows practical plant knowledge and environmental commitment. Even working in nurseries or garden centres demonstrates plant expertise that’s directly relevant.
• Show Industry Engagement: Mention if you’re a student member of AILA, attend design workshops, follow industry publications, or engage with landscape design on social media. This demonstrates you’re serious about building a career, not just looking for any job.
• Express Specific Career Goals: Rather than generic enthusiasm, explain what specifically draws you to landscape design and this particular employer. This shows intentionality and research.

Entry-Level Cover Letter Sample for Landscape Designer

The first example provides concrete evidence of capability (distinction average, 40+ technical drawings, nursery experience), demonstrates technical proficiency, and shows genuine interest in the company’s specific work. The second example focuses on what the candidate lacks and offers only vague claims without any supporting evidence.

Top Mistakes to Avoid in a Landscape Designer Cover Letter

Even experienced designers make avoidable errors that cost them interviews. Watch out for these common pitfalls:

• Repeating Your Resume Word-for-Word: Your cover letter should complement your resume, not duplicate it. Use the letter to provide context, tell stories about your achievements, and explain the “why” behind your career moves. If your resume says you completed 15 projects, your cover letter should describe one project in detail with specific results.
• Failing to Research the Employer: Generic letters that could be sent to any landscape design firm show lack of genuine interest. Reference specific projects the company has completed, their design philosophy, or values they emphasise on their website. This takes an extra 10 minutes but dramatically increases your chances.
• Using Empty Filler Phrases: Statements like “I’m a team player,” “I work well under pressure,” or “I’m passionate about design” mean nothing without evidence. Instead, write: “I collaborated with three other designers and a structural engineer to deliver the St Kilda foreshore project two weeks ahead of schedule.”
• Neglecting Australian Context: International designers or recent migrants sometimes forget to localise their applications. Mention your familiarity with Australian native plants, water restrictions, bushfire-prone area regulations, or local council requirements. This shows you understand the specific challenges of designing in Australia.
• Forgetting to Proofread: Typos, grammatical errors, or using American spelling (“organization” instead of “organisation”) suggest carelessness. Get someone else to review your letter before submitting.
• Making It All About You: While you need to showcase your skills, frame everything in terms of what you can do for the employer. Instead of “This role would help me develop my skills,” write “My experience with drought-tolerant design can contribute to your water-wise residential projects.”
• Including Irrelevant Information: Unless specifically relevant to the role, employers don’t need to know about your hobbies, unrelated work experience, or personal circumstances. Keep every sentence focused on why you’re the right person for this landscape designer position.

How to Tailor Your Cover Letter to a Job Ad

The best cover letters feel like they were written specifically for one role at one company, because they were. Tailoring takes extra time but significantly improves your success rate. Here’s how to do it strategically:

• Mirror the Job Ad Language: If the ad emphasises “sustainable design,” use that exact phrase in your letter (naturally, not forced). If they want “experience with commercial projects,” discuss your commercial project experience specifically. This helps your application pass any automated screening systems and shows you’ve actually read the requirements.
• Address Their Specific Needs: Job ads often reveal the employer’s pain points or priorities. If they mention “fast-paced environment with tight deadlines,” discuss your project management skills and ability to deliver under pressure. If they emphasise “client communication,” highlight your client relationship experience.
• Reference Required Software and Tools: If the ad lists AutoCAD, SketchUp, or Lands Design as requirements, explicitly state your proficiency level with these tools. If they mention experience with native plants or specific landscaping styles (contemporary, coastal, bush garden), address this directly.
• Match the Company’s Tone: A boutique residential design studio might appreciate a more personable, creative tone, while a large commercial firm or council position might require a more formal approach. Check their website and social media to gauge the appropriate style.
• Prioritise Relevant Experience: You don’t need to mention every job you’ve ever had. Focus on the 2-3 most relevant experiences that directly match what they’re seeking. If they want residential garden design experience and you’ve done both residential and commercial work, spend more time on your residential projects.

How to Sign Off Your Landscape Designer Cover Letter

Your closing is the last impression you make, so keep it professional and complete. After your final paragraph thanking them for their consideration and expressing your interest in an interview, use a professional closing phrase and include all necessary contact information:

• Professional Sign-Offs: “Sincerely,” “Kind regards,” or “Regards” all work well. Avoid overly casual options like “Cheers” or “Thanks” unless the company culture is exceptionally informal (and you’re certain of this).
• Include Full Contact Details: Even though this information is in your header and resume, include your full name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn profile below your signature. Make it as easy as possible for them to contact you.
• Keep LinkedIn Links Professional: If you include a LinkedIn URL, ensure your profile is complete, professional, and features examples of your work. A customised LinkedIn URL (linkedin.com/in/yourname rather than linkedin.com/in/yourname-2847593) looks more polished.

Cover Letter Signature Example

How to Submit a Cover Letter in Australia

You’ve written a compelling letter, but submitting it incorrectly can still cost you the opportunity. Follow these best practices for Australian job applications:

• Always Use PDF Format: Unless the job ad specifically requests a Word document, submit your cover letter as a PDF. This preserves formatting, prevents editing issues, and looks more professional. Most Australian employers expect PDF submissions.
• Use Professional File Names: Name your file something like “SophieNguyen_CoverLetter_LandscapeDesigner.pdf” rather than “coverletter.pdf” or “finalversion3.pdf”. When a hiring manager downloads dozens of applications, clear file names make you easier to track.
• Follow Application Instructions Precisely: If the ad says to include your cover letter in the body of an email, don’t attach it as a separate file. If they want both documents combined into one PDF, do that. Following instructions demonstrates attention to detail, which is crucial in landscape design work.
• For Seek Applications: Most Seek ads let you upload a cover letter separately from your resume. Take advantage of this rather than skipping the cover letter section. If there’s a message box, include a brief 2-3 sentence introduction before your attached documents.
• For LinkedIn Applications: LinkedIn’s “Easy Apply” feature often includes a brief message section. Don’t waste this with “Please see attached resume.” Instead, write a 3-4 sentence pitch highlighting your strongest qualification and enthusiasm for the role, then attach your full cover letter and resume.
• Email Applications: If sending your application via email, write a brief professional message in the email body (2-3 sentences), then attach your cover letter and resume as separate PDFs. Your email subject line should be clear: “Application for Landscape Designer Position – [Your Name]”.

Final Tips for Writing a Great Landscape Designer Cover Letter

Before you hit send, run through this final checklist to ensure your cover letter is as strong as possible:

• Make Every Sentence Earn Its Place: Read through your letter and ask whether each sentence adds value or could be cut. Remove repetitive phrases, filler words, and anything that doesn’t directly support your candidacy.
• Use Confident, Active Language: Write “I designed and delivered 12 residential gardens” rather than “I was responsible for assisting with garden design projects.” Active voice and specific numbers create stronger impact.
• Proofread Multiple Times: Read your letter aloud to catch awkward phrasing. Use spell-check but don’t rely on it alone. If possible, ask a friend or family member to review it with fresh eyes. Errors in a design profession application are particularly damaging because attention to detail is fundamental to the work.
• Quantify Achievements Whenever Possible: Numbers stand out and provide concrete evidence of your impact. Instead of “improved water efficiency,” write “reduced water usage by 40%.” Instead of “managed multiple projects,” write “delivered 15 projects valued at $780,000 total.”
• Match Your Tone to the Employer: A creative boutique studio might appreciate personality and passion, while a local council or large development company might prefer a more formal, structured approach. Adjust accordingly.
• End on a Forward-Looking Note: Your closing paragraph should express enthusiasm about the possibility of contributing to their team and include a clear call to action requesting an interview.
• Update for Each Application: Never send the exact same letter to multiple employers. Even small customisations (mentioning the company name, referencing a specific project, or adjusting examples to match their focus) make a significant difference.

More Resources for Job Seekers

Writing your cover letter is just one piece of a successful job application. To give yourself the best chance of landing a landscape designer role in Australia, you’ll want to ensure your entire application package is strong. Check out these additional resources to build a comprehensive application: our Landscape Designer Resume Examples to see how to structure your work history and technical skills effectively, our guide on How to Write Selection Criteria Responses for government and council positions that require detailed written responses, and our Interview Tips and Common Questions to prepare for the next stage once your cover letter lands you an interview.

A well-crafted landscape designer cover letter can be the difference between your application being passed over or landing on the shortlist for an interview. By following this guide, you now have the framework to create a compelling, tailored letter that showcases your design skills, technical capabilities, and genuine enthusiasm for transforming outdoor spaces. Remember to focus on specific achievements with measurable results, demonstrate your understanding of Australian plants and climate conditions, and always customise your application for each employer. Whether you’re applying for roles on Seek, LinkedIn, or directly through company websites, taking the time to write a thoughtful cover letter shows employers you’re serious about the opportunity and willing to put in the effort to stand out.