how to write a cover letter for a job application.

• be tailored to be read specifically by the hiring manager advertising the role
• show that you have read the advertisement carefully, considered it and understand what is required of you as the potential employee
• be concise and well structured, clearly linking your experience to the requirements of the position advertised.
• be kept to around 5 paragraphs in length at most
• be positive and confident, compelling the hiring manager to look at your resume. 
• speak the language of the hiring manager, and 
• include a call to action prompting the hiring manager to contact you to arrange an interview

Where possible, you should always personalise your cover letter. You may be tempted to use a variation on 'To whom it may concern' as your opening line, however there is no better way to show your interest in the organisation than by taking the time to find out who it is that has advertised the role and addressing the letter directly to them. 

Usually you can find the hiring manager’s information either directly listed on the job advertisement (usually down the bottom in the 'contact us to apply' section), or if this is left blank, try looking on the company's career page or via your LinkedIn network to determine  who has advertised the role.

Often your cover letter is the first interaction the prospective employer will have with you - well before they open your resume. This is why it is imperative that when writing your cover letter you must introduce yourself and give the employer a sense of who you are and more importantly, why they should hire you for the role. A great opening in a cover letter should include your key experience and take particular care to outline your demonstrated skills and how they match the requirements listed in the job description. Showcase what sets you apart from competing applicants. Don't forget to use strong action words and ensure the overall tone of your message is confident.

Here's an example introductory paragraph in a cover letter

"I am writing to apply for your recently advertised role of business development manager in Auckland. Having over 4 years experience working as a Sales Manager in the Financial industry, I believe I am the perfect candidate for your role. As an expert in field sales, I pride myself on my excellent communication and negotiation skills, and my superior ability to provide tailored solutions to my clients. In your advertisement, you mentioned you are looking for someone who is energetic and who can drive sales margins. I am highly personable, cheerful and dynamic and it is my unique personality which really helps me to excel and grow both my portfolio of clients as well as the overall account worth. I am consistently a top performer and I know I would be an asset to your sales team."

One of the biggest oversights that people make when they are writing a cover letter is to make it all about themselves, but one of the best ways you can make your job application stand out from the crowd is by researching the business you are applying with, and including information in your cover letter that only a person familiar with the company would know.

Visit the company website, and Google the company’s latest news. In particular, a good place to start is looking up the careers page on the website of your potential employer and researching what sets them apart as an employer. Familiarise yourself with what the company does and how it talks about itself so that you will be able to mention this in your cover letter, and also during your interview. This will help your job application stand out.

Here’s an example:

"I have always admired ABC company and so when I saw your job advertisement I jumped at the chance to apply. Having read an article just the other day about how ABC company is expanding its operations into our western region, I can see how robust your business strategy is, and would love to be a part of this exciting new growth period in your organisation"

Your cover letter must finish on a strong call to action, encouraging the potential employer to look through your resume and to contact you to arrange an interview date/time.

Here’s an example of what and how to include a strong call to action at the end of a cover letter:  

"Please see attached my resume. As my skills and experience demonstrates, I believe I would be a perfect fit for your organisation and I welcome the opportunity to meet with you and discuss this opportunity further. Please call me on 0123 123 123 or email me at joebloggs@candidate.com.nz so that we can arrange a suitable date/time. I look forward to hearing from you soon."

Once you have taken the time to write your first cover letter, it might be tempting to recycle its use for all future job applications - don't do it!

While you might save time in the short-term, having a tailored cover letter vs a generic one might be the difference between getting your dream job or losing it because of this oversight.

Your cover letter needs to show that you understand exactly what the employer wants from you as a prospective employee, and that your skills and expertise match those that the organisation has outlined as requirements in their job advertisement. Since no two job ads are the same, the wording in your cover letters should always reflect these differentiations. Take some time to customise your cover letter for each job application and boost the chances of success of your job application.

Now you know how to write a cover letter, what are you waiting for? Write it!
Once you have written your first cover letter, read through it thoroughly and use the below checklist to ensure you have included all the essential information required in your cover letter:

• your name and contact details
• the job title you are applying for
• a brief summary of your skills and experience and how they match the job description
• a summary of why you are right for the job
• outline what you know about the company, and why you think you would fit in if you were to become the successful applicant
• a call to action asking the hiring manager to read your resume and contact you to arrange an interview

Here is a list of things that you should take into consideration and try to avoid when writing your cover letter:

• Check your cover letter for any typos and factual errors.
• Always use a spell checker before you send your cover letter. If in doubt, get someone you trust to read over the letter and proof it for you.
• Don’t cut and paste sections of text from your resume into your cover letter. This does not add value to your job application, rather it distracts with its repetition and misses the opportunity to add context and colour to your skills and experience.
• Your cover letter is a way to show your personality, where your resume tends to be more factual, so make sure your tone and wording in your cover letter conveys to the reader who you are as a person, not just a recitation of your skills and experience.
• Don't make it a 60 page essay! The ideal length of a cover letter is between half and three quarters of an A4 page. Remember that a potential employer reading it does not have all day to scroll through a lengthy letter, so keep it succinct and to the point. You can always direct them to view your resume or LinkedIn profile for further information.
• Don’t mention other jobs you may have applied for. Most jobseekers apply for several jobs at a time, however it is important not to mention this in your cover letter. You are trying to convince an employer to hire you, so why would they invest the time into your application if they know you are looking at other roles as well?

Now you have a better idea on how to write a winning cover letter for a job application. You can read our articles to find more cover letter examples and tips!