job application cover letter example australia

One of the quickest ways to have your application overlooked is to send out a generic Cover Letter which does not address the specific key selection criteria or skill set required.

Things to include in a tailored Cover Letter in Australia are:

Best Cover Letters Template Tips: Don’t write too much!

Your Cover Letter should be concise, encouraging the hiring manager to want to learn more about you by reading your Resume, and, ultimately, inviting you to an interview.

By rambling on too much and including unnecessary information, you risk alienating yourself and having your application dismissed. Recruiters love simple, short and concise Cover Letters. Get to the point!

Keep your Cover Letter to one page, highlighting your most relevant achievements and skills, always ensuring they match the key selection criteria stated in the position description.

Best Cover Letters in Australia: Avoid buzzwords

Using Buzzwords or clichés in your Cover Letter shows a lack of imagination and effort. You don’t want to give off the impression to recruiters of being unoriginal or lazy, do you?

Simply recycling those qualities listed in a job ad word-for-word and attributing them to yourself won’t do you much good. Without giving concrete examples of how they apply to you will see your application immediately brushed aside. Examples of such buzz words include: “team player”, “good communication skills”, “hard worker”, and “detail-oriented”.

Don’t just tell them you’re a hard worker, show them! Back-up your statements. You can do this by detailing specific tasks and outcomes you were responsible for, and successful at, while in your previous role(s).

Your Cover Letter and Resume may promise a certain level of personality or value, which is what will get you an interview, but once you’re face-to-face with a recruiter, that level of value will need to be made evident.

Best Cover Letters: Include appropriate personal details

Personal details such as your age, hobbies, and marital status should not be included in your Cover Letter .

Not only are they usually irrelevant to the job you are applying for, but they could also give the person reading your Cover Letter an excuse to dismiss your application without having read your Resume.

An employer wants to see how your previous work experience relates to the position on offer. So, unless your outside interests are pertinent to the role, it’s best to not include them in your Cover Letter.

Best Cover Letters: Don’t exaggerate or lie about skills or experience

Sometimes job seekers are tempted to exaggerate their skills or experience to improve their chances of obtaining an interview. This is a big mistake.

Whether the prospective employer asks you about it during an interview or calls your previous employer to ask them, you will nearly always be found out.

It is much better to really think about how your actual experience relates to the qualities and key selection criteria being sought after. Once you have found qualitative and quantitative examples of this experience, aim to express this honestly and in your own words.

Even if you don’t have enough experience required for the job you’re applying for, you can overcome this by selling yourself in other ways.

A Cover Letter that highlights your achievements and includes similar projects or relatable experience can work in your favour. This will provide evidence of your value in terms of accomplishments which is what recruiters want to know about.

Also, if you’re qualified in any way, you can sell this in a Cover Letter or in the interview to convince recruiters of your value, regardless of any gaps in your experience, skill set or job history.

Download our Cover Letter Example Template For 2022

To conclude, a good Cover Letter is a pivotal factor in the job application and job interview process. A Cover Letter should be well-written and engaging, and should convince the hiring manager that you are the best candidate.

A Cover Letter is a brief introduction of a job applicant that captures the employer’s attention and conveys competence, professionalism, and enthusiasm. The Cover Letter should provide some basic facts about the applicant such as their current position, career goals, and key skills.

To help you develop the perfect Cover Letter, download our free Cover Letter Template today to get started! Our Cover Letter template includes tips and advice from top Australian recruiters which will help you catch the recruiter’s attention – so you land a job in 2022.

The template can be customised to apply for jobs in all industries including Information Technology, Engineering, Business, Finance, and Accounting.

Cover Letter Example Template Download 2021

If you would like one-to-one support to create a high-quality and impactful Cover Letter to get more job interviews and jobs in Australia, please feel free to get in touch.

We wish you all the best in your job search! Careers Team, Career Success Australia

Our Career Counsellors have helped more than 3000+ Job seekers to get their Dream Job in Australia.

Bad Cover Letters vs. Good Cover Letters

How To Write A Cover Letter That Stands Out In 2021

How to Write a Cover Letter that Stands Out [Beginner’s Guide]

How To Write A Great Cover Letter For A Job [Top Tips]

Hello, It’s been a real challange finding job(s) that DON’T require vaccinations. How does one succeed in getting THAT job where this isn’t a requirement?

While the initial advertisment for a job doesn’t mention the need for a double vaccantion, it isn’t until the end or indeed, when one is called for a interview, that the question arises.

What can I, as one that has been stood down from a 15 year job, do to succeed in getting a job? And one where the mandate hasn’t been implemented or has been rescinded. It just seems so prejudicial.

Many thanks, Armand Haine

Hi Armand, yes, we have heard of many cases where the person hasn’t been able to have the vaccination due to medical reasons. At some point in time the vaccination certificate requirement that some companies ask for will phase out. What you can do Armand is increase the number of job interviews you attend. The more interviews you get, the more offers you will get which means you may find an employer that does not require the vaccination certificate. Also, it depends which industry you are trying to get into. Some industries require it, others, not so much. Feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss your case in detail. Best wishes, Career Success Australia

Cover letter template

Explain to the employer the purpose of your letter, why you’re applying for the job, how you meet the job criteria, and how they can contact you for an interview.

Cover letters for job applications

[your street number and name] [your suburb, state and postcode]

[title and name of addressee] [his/her position title if known]

[organisation’s name] [organisation’s address]

Dear [insert Ms/Mr Xxx or Sir/Madam]

Application for position of [name of role], Reference Number [if given]

OPENING PARAGRAPH(S): The purpose of this letter, and why them.

Paragraph 1 : start by referring to the position you’re applying for (or “I am applying for the above position” if formatted as above) and where you saw the advertisement or heard about the role.

Paragraph 2 : explain why you’re interested in the role and the organisation. In order to do this, you need to have thoroughly read the selection criteria relating to the role and researched the organisation using their website, news sites, industry contacts, and so forth. If you’re applying through a recruitment agency and don't know the name of the hiring organisation, you can research the industry instead. Try to avoid clichés and make your interest in the organisation appear personal and genuine. A brief summary of your key selling points can be included at this point to highlight your ‘organisational fit’.

eg, GreenBuild’s recent exhibit at the Sustainable Cities festival was of particular interest to me as I have a passion for sustainable development. My skills in residential design developed through my Bachelor of Design in Architecture, along with my thorough knowledge of sustainable building practices acquired over two years as a project officer with the NSW Department of Environment and Heritage, would allow me to make a meaningful contribution to your mission to create Sydney’s greenest housing developments.

MIDDLE PARAGRAPHS: Why you?

Paragraph 3 : this is where you provide evidence as to how your qualifications, skills and experience meet the selection criteria for the position. You can draw evidence from a range of experiences if relevant, including academic studies, extracurricular activities, placements, volunteer roles and paid employment history, including casual work. This section where you address the selection criteria should be the longest section in your letter. It may be necessary to divide it into more than one paragraph.

eg, My strong time management skills have been developed through balancing part time work at Bob’s Café with volunteering commitments at my local community centre while meeting all assignment deadlines to maintain a distinction average in my studies.

FINAL PARAGRAPH: Wrap-up

Paragraph 4 : this is where you express the hoped-for outcome of your letter. End on a positive note and a call to further action. You may want to reiterate how your relevant strengths make you a suitable candidate for the role and mention your availability for interview. Refer to any attachments such as resume, transcript, application form, etc.

Yours sincerely [your name typed]

[Note: Use ‘Yours sincerely’ for letters beginning with ‘Dear plus Addressee’s Name’ and ‘Yours faithfully’ for letters beginning with ‘Dear Sir/Madam’]

Speculative cover letters

Speculative cover letters are used when you are proactively seeking opportunities directly with an employer, rather than responding to advertised vacancies. For speculative letters, follow the format above, with the following adjustments:

Opening paragraph : If you’ve been referred by a friend or colleague known to the recruiter, mention this. As no job has been advertised, state that you’re seeking employment opportunities in a particular occupational area or role.

Final paragraph : You may wish to include your intention to contact the employer on a particular day to follow up. Make sure that you keep your promise by noting the date in your diary and contacting the addressee on the mentioned date, as planned.

Need more cover letter tips?

How to write a cover letter.

A cover letter is your first introduction to a potential employer, so it needs to show that you’re a suitable candidate.

Addressing selection criteria

Selection criteria are the skills, knowledge, and experience required to successfully do the job.

How to write a resume

A clear, tailored and professional resume is essential for any job application. It should aim to convince an employer that your qualifications, work experience and skillset make you a strong match for the job.

Student links

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How to Write a Cover Letter: Template & Tips | Hays

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Form + Intro - Cover Letter | UB

The importance of cover letter, what is a cover letter.

So, what is a cover letter? Let’s go back to basics. A cover letter acts as a personal introduction in a professional setting. Most commonly, it’s a separate document that you should attach to a job application along with your CV.

You should use it to demonstrate your personality and summarise why you are the right person for the job, so the reader can consider the rest of your CV with this set up in mind.

Follow our tips for how to write a cover letter or download our cover letter template.

Why write a cover letter?

The idea for writing cover letters for your resume is simple: it needs to be engaging enough for an employer to read to feel compelled to find out more about your skills and experience in your resume, before (hopefully) calling you in for an interview.

Not all candidates will make the effort to write a tailored and personalised cover letter, so by making sure you write a cover letter that answers specifics needs on the job ad, it’ll help separate you from other applicants. In turn, giving you a greater likelihood of being shortlisted for an interview.

Download your Cover Letter template

Enter your details below to download your Cover Letter template:

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Cover letter advice.

Recruiters & hiring managers often receive hundreds of applications for each job. You need to start with a great cover letter to gain attention. Learn how with this video from Hays.

Resumes & Cover letters rh menu

Resume & cover letters.

How to write a CV

How to write a cover letter

CV cliches to avoid

Updating your resume

How to optimise your CV

Make your CV stand out

Resume & cover letters

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Do i really need a cover letter, how long should a cover letter be, what are some common mistakes people make when writing cover letters, how do i format a cover letter, sg - check your salary blurb + image.

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Cover Letters: A Comprehensive Guide [+ Templates and Samples]

In this post Show

Free cover letter template, cover letter examples for different kinds of jobs, creative cover letter design template, how to message a recruiter on linkedin, in this post.

Write the perfect cover letter for a job application in every industry. Download our free cover letter templates and examples to impress the hiring manager and nab the job you want.

The purpose of a cover letter is to convince a hiring manager or recruiter to read your resume. Your cover letter tells the story of why you’re applying, and why you’re a great fit for the role. Then your resume backs it up with essential data and details.

But for a new or inexperienced job seeker, figuring out how to write an effective cover letter can be super confusing.

That’s why we’ve created various cover letter templates for you to download and use. They’re no-fuss, easy to edit and are even targeted at certain jobs (so you know they have the right information).

Use these cover letter templates as a starting point and personalise them however you want.

Are cover letters still relevant in 2021?

Cover letters are a hotly-debated topic amongst job seekers, recruiters, and people giving career advice. Doubt that? Try searching ‘cover letters’ on Reddit and see how many different opinions are out there.

Almost every job application requires a cover letter. It’s the first thing that hiring managers see, and creates a first impression (whether positive or negative) that can determine whether your application makes it past the skimming stage.

No wonder we often dread writing them. It’s common to stress over how to write it, what to include, and wonder if they even matter at all.

How much time should you spend on it? Does anyone actually read cover letters in 2021? (Yes, they do).

The most challenging thing about writing one is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Different industries and levels of seniority will have different sets of expectations.

If you’re applying for a position as a project manager in construction, your cover letter will sound very different than if you were applying for a customer service role. Likewise for roles in the creative industry, technology, and healthcare – they all have different flavours.

In 2021, cover letters are still very relevant, and many employers won’t even consider your application without one. But there are more modern ways of delivering them, as well as a few ways to make yours stand out.

Cover Letter Template

This is a generalised cover letter template that projects passion for any job. Just add your own information!

[Today’s Date]

[Your full name] [Your phone number] [Your email] [Your address, city, state, postcode] [Your LinkedIn]

[Hiring Manager’s Name] [Company Address, City, State] [Phone number] [Email address]

Dear [Hiring Manager],

RE: <insert role title> position

I am thrilled to submit my application for the <insert role title> role at <insert company name>. I believe I would be a perfect fit for the position as I am passionate about <insert your passion that aligns with the role you’re applying for> and possess the motivation and perseverance to overcome any challenge thrown my way.

Your company’s mission to <insert company mission you are passionate about> is inspiring, and I would be thrilled to contribute to this mission. I feel my relevant experience and skills match well with your company values, including:

<Experience: insert a sentence about your relevant experience. E.g.: Working in my role as XXX for X years, I’ve gained a deep understanding of XXX> <Skills: insert a sentence that covers your key technical skills relating to the job. Avoid talking about soft skills or personal traits here.> <Achievement: insert a sentence about an achievement or result that demonstrates your suitability for the role or exemplifies your work ethic.>

I can see myself vastly developing my skills and professional expertise at <company name>, which would be an exhilarating opportunity. I’m always hungry to improve myself and am dedicated to continuously learning.

From previous work experience at <insert company name>, I have learned valuable communication skills, problem solving, and teamwork. I thrive working in high-pressure situations and am a highly adaptable professional.

I am confident that I am a great candidate for this position and that I would be able to navigate the challenges of the <insert role title> role at <insert company name> successfully. I’d appreciate the chance to meet with you to further discuss this job opportunity. Thank you for considering my application.

[Your name]

How to Write a Cover Letter That’s Unique (Like You)

Got questions about editing your cover letter template? The answers are here.

Best Cover Letter Examples and Why They Work

Discover how to win over the hiring manager with just your cover letter.

Sometimes, you need an industry-specific cover letter, because generic ones just aren’t relevant to the positions you’re applying for. Here is a range of examples for the most commonly searched cover letter types.

Hospitality cover letter

Craft the perfect letter for a culinary or tourism job with this hospitality cover letter

Nursing cover letter

A sample to use when building your nursing cover letter.

Administration cover letter

Create the perfect application with this administration cover letter example.

Receptionist cover letter

Get noticed and hired using this receptionist cover letter example.

Retail cover letter

A quality sample of a cover letter for retail.

Customer service cover letter

Get a head-start on drafting the perfect customer service cover letter with this example.

How to address key selection criteria in a cover letter

Discover examples and templates to help you properly address key selection criteria.

If you’re looking to enter a creative industry, or a role where you’ll be expected to offer some creative flair, these templates have been designed for you. Submitting a well-designed cover letter not only feels more premium, but it demonstrates your passion for creativity and creating high quality work.

This kind of cover letter won’t be appealing to employers in all industries, so be discerning about whether it will make the right impression for the job you’re applying for.

Artistic Flair Cover Letter Template (Orange)

A cover letter with a bold design to get noticed. Perfect for design-centred jobs.

Artistic Flair Cover Letter Template (Beige)

Creative communications cover letter template.

A cover letter perfect for communications jobs, pairing bold design with a professional style.

Modern Corporate Cover Letter Template

A sleek and professional cover letter that offers readability and style. Perfect for corporate jobs.

Because, after all: it’s not always what you know, it’s who you know.

Making a great impression through a LinkedIn DM can be tricky. But, done well, it has the potential to propel you to the top of the interview shortlist.

This is how to message a recruiter on LinkedIn:

Cold contact with a recruiter to ask about future job openings

Message title: speculative job application — [role title you’re interested in].

Hi <recruiter’s first name>,

I’m keen to connect with you to stay up to date on job openings with <company name>. As a recent <field of study> graduate, I’ve been on the lookout for a <specify the kind of role you want (e.g.: marketing assistant)> role in a company where I’ll be encouraged to strive for excellence in my work and have the chance to develop as a professional.

Through my research, I found <company name> to hold values that align with my own, and have a mission I feel passionately about pursuing myself. <Insert statement about how you relate to the company’s mission, or why you feel strongly about it.> Because of this, I feel we’d be a perfect fit for each other.

I have skills in <insert short list of key technical skills> founded in work experience at <company name>. I’m also dedicated to pushing for strong results, for example, <insert example of a situation where you’ve used one/multiple of these skills to push for an excellent result. Make sure it aligns with the role you want, and ensure you outline the result you achieved.>

I am a <insert snappy summary of who you are as a professional, e.g.: I am a proven writer with an adaptable mentality and a desire to exceed expectations and continuously learn.> I’d love the opportunity to work for <company name>. Although I can see there are no jobs advertised at the moment, I’d like to submit my resume for your future consideration.

If you’d like to discuss what else I can bring to <company name> as a <role title>, feel free to call me on <mobile number>.

Kind regards, <Your name>

(Remember to attach your resume.)

LinkedIn message to complement recently submitted job application

Message title: regarding the position of [role title] or concerning the recently advertised [role title] position.

I’ve recently applied for the position of <role title> with your organisation, and am keen to reach out to formally introduce myself. Working for your company has been a dream of mine since I began my studies in <field of study> X years ago. I have a deep respect for <something you respect about the company> and feel my own values align with this.

Through my studies and work experience at <insert company>, I’ve developed a broad skill set which would be highly beneficial in this role. For example, <insert example of a situation where you’ve used one/multiple of these skills to push for an excellent result. Make sure it aligns with the job description, and ensure you outline the result you achieved.>

I’ve outlined further examples of what I can bring to the company as a <role title> in my job application.

I hope we’ll have the opportunity to speak more about this role and what I can bring to it.

Regardless of whether I’m a successful candidate, it would be great to connect with you so I can stay on top of job opportunities with <company name>. Thank you for considering my application.

Warm regards, <Your name>

If you’re struggling to find the right person to message, check out this video tutorial.

So they’ve read your cover letter, and decided your resume is worth a look. Make sure it’s doing you justice!

Check out the Ultimate Guide to Resumes for templates, examples and more.

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COMMENTS

How to Write a Job Application Cover Letter
Writing a cover letter is essential when applying for jobs. This is the perfect way to express how your specific skills are relevant to the open position. Wow your future employer with this simple cover letter example format.
What Is a Letter of Introduction for a Job?
Letters of introduction are mainly used to express interest in a job that has not been advertised, while cover letters are used to express interest in a job that has been advertised.
How Big Is Australia?
Australia is a massive country, with an area of approximately 2.97 million square miles and a population of approximately 23 million people as of 2014.
Free cover letter template
A cover letter is all about making a great first impression and giving your job application the best chance of making progress. A well-written cover letter
Cover letter templates
Writing a cover letter customised to the job demonstrates you have taken the time to put some effort into your application. You can also use a cover letter as
Cover Letter Format for a Job in Australia (How-To Guide)
Cover Letter Format Template · Cover Letter Header. [Your Full Name] · Date and Reader's Address. [Date of Writing] · Salutation. Dear [Ms/Mr
Best Cover Letter Example Template For Australia
Your contact information like email address, mobile number and LinkedIn Profile · The position you are applying for · The skills and experience you have which
Free Cover Letter Templates
An application cover letter is the standard formal cover letter submitted with your resume when you apply for a job. As it's written for a
Government Cover Letter Examples Australia (With How-to)
Dear Ms Jenkins,. I am excited to pursue the cybersecurity expert role with the Australian Department of Technology. I'm applying for this role
How to write a winning cover letter
The following example cover letters provide a reference for you to use when writing application letters. Make sure you tailor your letter to each job
Cover letter template
Explain to the employer the purpose of your letter, why you're applying for the job, how you meet the job criteria, and how they can contact you for an
How to Write a Cover Letter: Template & Tips
Keep it succinct and relevant to the job you're applying for. · State what your motivation is behind your application. · Just as you would in your CV, use strong
Cover Letters: A Comprehensive Guide [+ Templates and Samples]
I am confident that I am a great candidate for this position and that I would be able to navigate the challenges of the <insert role title> role
How To Write A Cover Letter
your name and contact details; the job title you are applying for; a brief summary of your skills and experience that match the job description; a summary of