
How to Write a Cover Letter: Examples & Template
Is your head aching from conflicting advice about how to write a cover letter? Use our writing guide and stop spinning.
Finding a job that satisfies you is one thing. Going through the application process is another. This cover letter format guide will get you to think it’s nothing.
Writing a cover letter gives you Babadook nightmares.
Visions of getting no job, failing at every interview, let alone getting one because of your poor formatting….
No more.
The cover letter format guide will give you the strength to lock all your fears in the basement, letting you celebrate writing a job-winning cover letter.
This guide will show you:
Did you know that our builder can take care of the formatting for you? No need to worry about margins and spacing: just add your text and watch the Zety cover letter builder arrange everything on the page just the way it should be. Here’s what your cover letter can look like:
You can take your pick from 20+ professional cover letter templates to make your cover letter not only formatted well, but also looking great!
Here’s a list of contents. Use it to jump to the particular chapter:
Let’s start with a—
Cover Letter Header
[Your Full Name]
[Address]
[Address]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
Date and Reader’s Address
[Date of Writing]
[Hiring Manager’s/Recruiter’s Name]
[Hiring Manager’s/Recruiter’s Job Title]
[Company Name]
[Address]
[Address]
[Hiring Manager’s/Recruiter’s Email Address]
RE: [Role Title and Number]
Salutation
Dear [Ms/Mr Hiring Manager’s/Recruiter’s Last Name],
Opening Paragraph
Start your cover letter by saying why you’re doing this, but know that mere interest in the position won’t hook the reader. To make the recruiter continue with your application, tell your reasons behind it and get personal. Be direct and confident enough to convince your recruiter that you’re who they’ve been looking for.
Central Paragraphs
Move on to your skill set and qualifications relevant to the job posting. Disclose your certifications and training. Talk about your strongest skills that you grew on the job or at school.
Now give detailed information about your relevant experience. Do yourself a favour and speak achievements, not responsibilities. Give quantifiable examples to showcase your skills and prove you can bring results.
Close this section by telling your recruiter why the company isn’t a random choice. This time, you have the chance to show they’re the right fit for you.
Call to Action
Finish with a question to schedule a meeting between you two. Use this line also to reinforce your motivation and remind the hiring manager about your successes.
Formal Sentiment
Yours sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
Enclosure
Attachments:
Resume
Here’s how to complete the template step-by-step:
So you’re on a tinder date, and they said it’s your personality that made them want to go out with you.
Ouch!
Even though everyone says it’s about what’s inside, it’s looks that make an impression. And it’s not so different for cover letters.
Learn how to charm your recruiter with your cover letter formatting:
That’ll be a quick one, because you just need to introduce yourself, but—
There’s one thing that can make the entire experience less entertaining. And it’s finding out your hiring manager’s name.
If it’s readily available in the job description, company website, or LinkedIn, you’re all good. But if it’s gone walkabout, then you need to do the thing introverts hate most—
Make a call and ask.
*shrieks in horror*
Here’s the list of all the details you need to write a correct cover letter header:
Now that you’ve got all the details in place, see how to organise them:
Luca Fielding
64 Yulara Drive
HUGHESDALE VIC 3166
(03) 9681 4359
lucafielding@email.com
10 August 2021
Declan Kidman
Boutique Owner
Declan’s
95 Watson Street
BURNEWANG VIC 3558
declankidman@email.com
RE: Sales Assistant—Position number:789B5A
Ah, come on! It wasn’t so hard, was it?
Imagine rocking up to a party after a Pommy shower.
Those who don’t know you won’t get near you, and those who do, won’t admit that.
Your recruiter also doesn’t want to smell your laziness in the cover letter opening. Bring a breath of fresh air instead, by picking one of the below opening strategies:
Check out how to start a cover letter based on the below example:
Dear Mr Kidman,
As an aspiring stylist, it is with great pleasure that I am applying for the stylist position at Declan’s. You have been styling artists from all over the world (Aisha Dee styled by you in the Oscar de la Renta’s couture dress on the September’s Vogue Australia cover is beyond perfection). That is precisely the kind of influence I dream to work with.
The successful format formula to make the reader continue with your cover letter is to personalise it on two levels:
First, address the letter to a specific person by using your hiring manager’s name. If you can’t find it, the only option is to write “Dear Hiring Manager.” Everything else is bodgy.
Then, you have the opportunity to show your true passion, so do it. Writing a generic intro will steal your chances of landing the gig.
For good.
“I should be so lucky
Lucky, lucky, lucky….”
Although Kylie Minogue could be giving pep talks, don’t bet on luck to get a job. You should move all your chips into the experience pot.
Follow the below advice to win the round:
Have a look at the format of the cover letter for a stylist:
I graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York with a degree in Fashion Design. Akira Isogawa noticed my design during the annual student runway show and gave me the opportunity to intern at his studio in Sydney. It helped me develop skills in styling for fashion photography, trend spotting, and photoshoot coordination (from scheduling to instructing on wardrobe, hair, and make-up to planning the set).
To date, I have organised and assisted with 30+ photoshoots, including one for the RUSSH magazine. My approachable personality and problem-solving skills helped develop relationships with models, such as Kaia Gerber and Shanina Shaik. I have also acted as a co-host of 250-attendee workshops for celebrities about their attire during PR conferences and public appearances in general.
The last part of the cover letter format is about—
You.
Now you can say why the company is the place you see yourself in.
See how Luca did it:
Love for fashion has always been present in my life because my mother is a seamstress. She taught me how to bring out the beauty and helped me understand why it is such an immersive experience you would never want to quit.
Stay true to yourself, and don’t look for inspiration elsewhere.
Right.
The rage is almost over, so reinforce your motivation to see each other again, highlighting one of your strengths, and close the paragraph with a call to action.
I feel confident saying that my experience in a fast-moving environment will come in useful at Declan’s. I would welcome the chance to discuss what else I can bring to the table. Let’s stay in contact to schedule a meeting where we can talk about my candidacy.
Works like magic!
The format of a cover letter closing is easy-peasy.
Like in any other business letter, sign off with “Yours sincerely” followed by your full name.
If you’re adding any enclosures, mention them right below your signature. See how:
Yours sincerely,
Luca Fielding
Attachments:
Resume
Portfolio
Job application
Beaut!
Pro tip: Got more accomplishments to share? Mention one in an eye-catching P.S. below your signature. No one will be able to resist reading it!
Pressed for time or still not sure what to say? Good news: the Zety cover letter builder can also help you with your wording. Alongside matching cover letter and resume templates, it comes with drag & drop bullet points and other pre-written content to speed up your job application:
Just think: you could skip the boring parts and be ready to apply for your dream job in minutes!
What you need to know about the cover letter format in a nutshell:
And that’s a wrap!
Please tell us—
Do you have questions about the Australia cover letter format? Do you know now what a format of a cover letter for a job is? Which part of the cover letter format is the most difficult for you to work on?
Give us a shout in the comments! Let’s get the conversation rolling.
Is your head aching from conflicting advice about how to write a cover letter? Use our writing guide and stop spinning.