Key takeaways
Introduce and connect: A cover letter should introduce you, link your experience to the role, and show the value you would add.
Always include one: A tailored cover letter is strongly recommended for every application, even when not explicitly requested.
Keep it concise: Limit your letter to one page, structured across four focused paragraphs.
Personalise every time: Tailor each letter to the specific role, company, and hiring manager.
Avoid common mistakes: Do not use flowery language, overuse "I," or draw attention to skill gaps.
Why a cover letter matters
A cover letter is often the first thing a hiring manager sees. Without the right content and structure, it can cost you an interview before they even reach your CV. Knowing how to write a cover letter well is what separates an application that gets read from one that doesn't.
A poorly written letter, even from a perfect candidate, can send an application straight to the bottom of the pile. Understanding what components of a cover letter to include, and what to leave out, helps you make a strong first impression.
A well-crafted cover letter increases your chances of standing out and securing an interview.
What is a cover letter?
A cover letter accompanies your CV and is addressed to the hiring manager. Most applications are submitted electronically, so the letter typically appears as the first page of a document or as a separate attachment.
Its purpose is to preview the contents of your CV. It connects your professional history to the role you are applying for and persuades the hiring manager that your application is worth reading.
Think of your CV as a book and your cover letter as a letter to the publisher. It convinces them why the story of your career is worth their time.
Is a cover letter mandatory?
Some employers specifically request a cover letter. When they do, you can be confident it will be read.
A cover letter is not always required. Even when a job advertisement does not ask for one, submitting a tailored letter demonstrates enthusiasm and shows you have considered the role's specific requirements.
How long should a cover letter be?
A cover letter should fit on a single page. Four focused paragraphs are sufficient to convey your value without losing the reader's attention.
A longer letter signals a lack of focus to the hiring manager. Brevity and precision are signs of a strong communicator.
Your cover letter strategy
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An effective cover letter follows three principles: connect, convince, and extend courtesy.
First, connect with the hiring manager by establishing who you are and why you are writing.
Second, convince them that your CV is worth reading by referencing specific, relevant experience.
Third, extend a courtesy by thanking the hiring manager for their time. Professional courtesies are highly valued and are among the most overlooked elements of a strong application.
The four-paragraph structure
A clear structure helps the hiring manager quickly see why your CV is worth reading. This four-paragraph approach is the simplest way to learn how to write a cover letter that gets results.
Paragraph 1: Who you are
State who you are and why you are contacting the employer. Include where you saw the role advertised or mention if a colleague referred you.
Paragraph 2: Your relevant skills and experience
Reference three specific skills or experiences drawn directly from the job advertisement. Explain why your background is the right match for what the hiring manager is seeking.
Paragraph 3: The value you will add
Identify three distinct ways you can contribute to the business through your skills, experience, and personal attributes. Focus on what you bring to them, not simply what you want from the role.
Paragraph 4: Availability and thanks
State your specific availability for an interview. Thank the hiring manager for their time and for considering your application.
What to include in a cover letter
Contact details
Place your contact details in a prominent, easy-to-find location. If the letter is printed and stapled to a CV, accessible contact information makes it straightforward for the hiring manager to call you in for an interview.
Formal greeting
Address the reader by name wherever possible, for example "Dear Stephanie." When the hiring manager's name cannot be found through the job description or a quick search, use "To whom it may concern" or "Dear Hiring Manager."
Avoid informal greetings. Your opening sets the tone for the entire application.
Formal sign-off
Close with "Yours sincerely" or an equivalent formal sign-off. This reinforces a professional tone and completes the letter correctly.
Related: How to finish off a cover letter
What not to include in a cover letter
Flowery language
A cover letter is not the place for buzzwords or elaborate phrasing. Keep your language professional and precise.
Overuse of "I"
Avoid starting multiple sentences or paragraphs with "I." Vary your sentence construction to maintain a balanced, confident tone.
Unexplained skill gaps
Do not draw unnecessary attention to gaps in your experience. If an essential requirement is one you do not meet, address it briefly and redirect focus to the strengths you do bring to the role.
Related: What not to include in a resume
How to personalise your cover letter
Mirror the job advertisement
Scrutinise the advertisement and reflect its exact language in your letter. If the recipient is listed as "Stephanie Green, HR Manager," use that name and title precisely. If the role is "Administration Assistant," do not substitute "Administration Coordinator."
Draw on relevant experience
Map your experience to the language of the advertisement. For example, if a role requires someone "excellent at stakeholder engagement," you might write: "As a Project Manager with eight years' experience, I am known for my ability to influence and engage key stakeholders to achieve business goals."
Reference the company's goals and values
Research the company's stated goals or values before writing. Articulate how those values align with your own professional outlook.
How to create the perfect layout
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Even the strongest cover letter content can fall flat if the layout looks cluttered, generic, or hard to read. From font choice to paragraph structure, small formatting decisions shape whether a hiring manager keeps reading.
Career change
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Deciding to pursue a new career is one thing. Convincing a hiring manager that you are the right fit for a new industry and role is a far greater challenge. That challenge demands a compelling cover letter.
Using cover letter templates
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Advantages of templates
Templates provide a ready-made, basic cover letter structure, which can be useful if you're still learning how to write a cover letter from scratch. They can also serve as a source of inspiration for key messages, language choices, and correct formatting.
Limitations of templates
A cover letter's core purpose is to convince the hiring manager that your application is unique. A template used without significant personalisation risks appearing generic, which undermines that goal.
Downloaded templates may also be used by other candidates. A letter that looks identical to someone else's makes it harder to stand out.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What should be included in an Australian cover letter?
An effective Australian cover letter includes your local contact details, a formal greeting, and a clear four-paragraph structure. Those paragraphs should cover your reasons for applying, relevant skills mapped to the job description, the value you will add to the business, and your availability for an interview.
What is the main purpose of a cover letter?
The primary purpose is to introduce your professional background, connect your CV to the specific job requirements, and persuade the hiring manager that your application merits reading.
How do you write a cover letter?
Start with a formal greeting, then follow a four-paragraph structure: introduce yourself, reference relevant skills and experience, explain the value you'll add, and close by stating your availability and thanking the reader.
Is a cover letter mandatory when applying for a job in Australia?
A cover letter is not always required. A tailored letter is strongly recommended regardless, as it provides context for your CV and makes the case for why you are the right fit.
How do you address a cover letter if you don't know the hiring manager's name?
Use a formal greeting such as "To whom it may concern" or "Dear Hiring Manager." Avoid informal alternatives, as your greeting establishes the professional tone of the entire application.
How long should a cover letter be?
One page. A four-paragraph structure is enough to communicate your value without overwhelming the reader.
What should you avoid putting in a cover letter?
Avoid overusing "I," flowery language, and generic buzzwords. Do not highlight gaps in your experience without immediately redirecting attention to the relevant strengths you offer.
How do you structure a four-paragraph cover letter?
Paragraph 1: introduction. State who you are, why you are reaching out, and where you found the listing.Paragraph 2: skills and experience. Reference three specific skills or experiences from the job description and explain why you are a strong match.Paragraph 3: commercial value. Highlight three ways your personal attributes and experience will benefit the company.Paragraph 4: availability and thanks. Thank the reader for their time and state your specific availability for an interview.
