What Should You Include in a Cover Letter?
A professional cover letter should normally include the following:
- Your name and contact details
- The date
- The employer's name or company name
- The position you are applying for
- A short introduction
- Your relevant skills and experience
- Why you are interested in the position
- A professional closing
Keep your writing clear and avoid unnecessary information.
Start With a Professional Introduction
Your opening paragraph should immediately tell the employer which position you are applying for.
For example:
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to apply for the Administrative Assistant position advertised on VacancyPortal. I am interested in the opportunity and believe my communication, organisational and computer skills would allow me to contribute positively to your team.
If the job advert provides the name of the hiring manager, use their name instead of "Dear Hiring Manager."
Explain Why You Are Suitable
The next part should briefly explain what makes you suitable for the position.
Focus on skills and experience that are relevant to the job.
For example, if you are applying for an administrative position, you could mention:
- Computer skills
- Microsoft Office experience
- Communication skills
- Organisation
- Customer service
- Attention to detail
Don't simply list every skill you have. Choose the ones that match the requirements in the job advertisement.
Don't Have Work Experience?
You can still write a good cover letter if you have never worked before.
Instead of focusing on your lack of experience, talk about your education, skills, projects, volunteering, learnerships, internships or other relevant activities.
For example:
Although I am at the beginning of my career, I am eager to learn and develop my skills in a professional environment. My studies have helped me develop strong communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills, which I believe would be valuable in this position.
The important thing is to show enthusiasm and explain what you can bring to the employer.
Show That You Are Interested in the Company
Avoid sending exactly the same cover letter to every company.
Try to mention something about the position or organisation that interests you.
For example:
I am particularly interested in this opportunity because it would allow me to develop my administrative skills while contributing to a professional team.
This shows that you have taken the time to consider the specific position.
Keep Your Cover Letter Short
Employers may receive many applications, so avoid writing several pages.
A good cover letter should generally be around half a page to one page.
Keep your paragraphs short and make the important information easy to find.
Check Your Cover Letter Before Sending It
Before submitting your application, check for:
- Spelling mistakes
- Incorrect company names
- Incorrect job titles
- Missing contact information
- Poor grammar
- Unprofessional language
One common mistake is sending a cover letter that mentions a completely different company or position. Always check your application before clicking "Send."
Simple Cover Letter Structure
You can use this structure when writing your next cover letter:
1. Introduction
State the position you are applying for.
2. Your skills and experience
Explain why your background matches the position.
3. Your interest
Explain briefly why you want the opportunity.
4. Closing
Thank the employer for considering your application and indicate that you would welcome the opportunity to discuss your application further.
Final Tip
Your cover letter should support your CV, not repeat it word for word.
Use it to highlight the most relevant parts of your experience and explain why you are interested in the specific position.
A clear, personalised and professional cover letter can help your application stand out, especially when it directly matches the requirements of the job.
Looking for your next opportunity? Browse the latest jobs, internships, learnerships and graduate opportunities on VacancyPortal.