cover letters - jobsandskills.wa.gov.au · the letter of application is likely to ... paragraph 2...

JOB SE ARCH GUIDE |35© Department of Training and Workforce Development

How to write a letter of applicationWhetheryouarewritingaletterofapplicationinanswer toajobadvertisementorjustsearchingforworkthathasnotbeenadvertised,thereasonisthesame–togetaninterview!Theletterofapplicationislikelytobethefirstcorrespondence you will have with an employer on which he/shewillbeabletojudgeyou.Competitionforjobscan betoughandyourjobapplicationneedstostandout. Attimes,employersmaydealwithhundredsof applicationsfortheoneposition.

Applicationlettersareanimportantpartofthejob packageyousendtotheemployer.Althoughyourresumewill necessarily outline your relevant work history, qualifications,datesandspecificdetailsaboutyourjobduties–thecoverletterwillgenerallycontainmore personalinformationandwillincludeyourmotivations forseekingtheposition.

Coverlettersareausefulwayto‘fillinthegaps’thatmay bepresentifanemployerwasonlytoreadyourresume. Forexample,yourcoverlettercanexplainthingslike:interstaterelocation,careerchange,periodsofunemployment and other details that may be unclear fromreadingyourresumealone.

Coverletters 9

Use Quick tip 6 – Writing letters (page 85) and Checklist 3 – Positive skill words for job applications (page 79)whenwritingjobapplicationletterstomakesureyouincludealloftherelevantinformationinareaderfriendlyformat.

JOB SE ARCH GUIDE |36© Department of Training and Workforce Development

Sample outline for cover letters

YOURNAME YOURADDRESS YOURTELEPHONENO. YOUREMAIL

DATE

MREMPLOYER JOB TITLE COMPANYNAME COMPANYADDRESS

RE: POSITION TITLE AND POSITION REFERENCE NUMBER (IF APPLICABLE)

Dear Mr Employer

Paragraph 1 Explain the basic reason for the letter. What job are you applying for? Whenandwheredidyouseethepositionadvertised?Whenapplyingforajobthathasnotbeenadvertised,statehowyouheardabouttheposition.

Paragraph 2Brieflyoutlinehowyourtechnical and transferable skillsmatchtheposition.Refertoanyrelevantqualificationsyoumayhaveandrecentorprioremploymentexperiencethatmatches the role you are applying for.Demonstrate confidently that your skills aresuitabletotherequirementsofthecompany.Whenapplyingforajobthathasnotbeenadvertised,followthesesameprinciples.

Paragraph 3Outlineanyfurtherskillsrelatedtothepositionandhowtheyarehighlysuitableto the role. Any knowledge of the company or business may be mentioned here, ifappropriate.Mentionyouhaveattachedaresume.

Paragraph 4Mentionhowyourpersonal skillsenhanceandsupportyourtechnicalabilitiesandstatethatyouwouldhighlyregardanopportunitytoworkforthecompany.

Paragraph 5 State your availability for interview and include your contact number. Forunadvertisedpositions,mentionthatyouwillcontactthembyacertaindatetofollowupyourapplication.

Yourssincerely

Your signature

TYPE YOUR NAME Attachments: Resume and Academic Results

JOB SE ARCH GUIDE |37© Department of Training and Workforce Development

Examples

JOE BLACK 2 WOMBAT CRESCENT PALMYRA WA 6156 PHONE: 0400 000 000 EMAIL: JOE@HOTMAIL.COM

30June2011

MS HEATHER JONES Supervisor – Gold Mine Site 1 Diamond Way KALGOORLIEWA6324 Email:heather@goldminesite.com.au

RE: TRADE ASSISTANT – Position Number: 101A

Dear Ms Jones

This letter is in application for the above position as advertised in the West Australian on Saturday, 25June2011Myinterestinthisrolestemsfrommygenuinedesiretoutilisemydriving,labouringandtradeassistantexperienceandembarkuponasecureandlongtermcareerwithintheminingindustry.

Myemploymentbackground includesasolidandcompetent10yearhistory inheavycombination‑semitrailer truck driving, fabricating/boiler making and general manual labour. In addition, I possess trade qualifications in welding as well as various permits and certifications suitable for thisposition.Throughoutmyworkhistory Ihavedisplayedexcellent safetyawarenesswhich Ibelieve tobecrucialinminingindustry.Ipridemyselfonmycommitmenttosafetyandfatiguemanagement.

During my employment as truck driver and labourer for the Railway Corporation in Kalgoorlie WA, Iwasresponsibleforthesafetyofcolleaguestravelling inmyTruckCab.Thenatureofthis jobrequiredworkinginremote,difficultlocationsandattimesIhadtomakecrucialdecisionsthatinvolvedthesafetyofourcrew.WhilstemployedasTruckDriverwithTOLLLogistics, IabidedbyastrictFatigueManagementprogramsetinplacebybothTOLLLogisticsandtheRoadsAuthority,towhichIamproudIhadnostrikesagainstmynameforunsafepractices.

Iamaquick learnerandrequireminimum instructiontoacquirenewskills.Thesequalitiesgivemethenecessaryattributestosucceedwithinminesiteoperations.Inadditiontomyinterest,qualificationsandexperiencefortherole,Iamahighlyresponsibleindividualwhoismostsuitedtotheminingenvironment.Ihavenohesitationwithshiftworkand/orFIFOschedule.Pleaserefertomycurriculumvitaeandcertificatesattached.

Iwouldgenuinelywelcometheopportunityofanoffertoworkforthiscompany.IhaverecentlymovedtoWesternAustralia fromQueenslandandamavailable for an immediate start. Pleasedonothesitate tocontactmeon0400000000foranyfurtherinformationand/ortoarrangeapersonalmeeting.

Yourssincerely

Joe BlackJOE BLACK Attachments: Resume and Copies of Certificates/Permits

Your contact details

Date

Employer detailsTip:Trytoincludetheperson’sname and ensure itisspeltcorrectly!

Position detailsIncludejobtitleand positionnumber

Dear…Alwaysuse‘Ms’for women unless you knowtheyuse‘Mrs’

Opening paragraphExplains the reason fortheletter

Second paragraphDemonstrates you have theskillsandabilitiestomatchthejobrole,givingexamplesoftechnical and transferable skills

Third paragraphOutline any further skills relatedtothepositionandhow they are highly suitable to the role

Fourth paragraphOutlines personal skills such as willingness,enthusiasmand‘fitwiththeteam’.Mayrefertoanyattachmentsincluded,suchasresume.

Final paragraphStates you would welcome anofferofemployment,outlines your availability for startingandforaninterview.

SalutationThe modern term used is ‘Yourssincerely”

Exampleletterofapplicationforanadvertisedposition:Miningindustry

JOB SE ARCH GUIDE |38© Department of Training and Workforce Development

Examples

MS CHANTELLE BROWNE 9/254 WHICHER TERRACE BUSSELTON WA 6280 Phone: 0401 000 000 Email: chantelle@hotmail.com

30June2011

MR SMITH MANAGER GEOGRAPHEFARMMACHINERY&SERVICES UNIT3/548PIONEERSTREET BUSSELTON WA 6280

RE: POSSIBLE ADMINISTRATIVE VACANCIES

Dear Mr Smith

ThisletterisinanticipationofanyReceptionand/orAdministrativepositionswhichmayarisewithinyourbusinessinthenearfuture.

Myinterestintheserolesstemfrommygenuinedesiretocontinueworkingwithinanofficeadministrationenvironment. I have extensive experience in Data Entry, Financial Transactions, Accounts and Taxationduties, having over seven years employment history in this area. Throughout my work history I havedisplayedexcellentorganisationalandteamworkskillswhichIbelievearecrucialworkinginanadministrativecapacity.Thisissupportedbyhighlydevelopedinterpersonalskillsandexperienceinliaisingwithalargerangeofclientsandotherrelevantstaffingpersonnel.

Myemploymentbackgroundhasprimarilyinvolvedthefollowingtasks:organisationalduties,dataentry,coordinationofdailytaskmanagementandstaffsupervision.Otherrelevantskillsincludestrictadherencetosecurityprocedures,processingofclientenquiries(overphone,electronicallyandinhardcopyformats),stockcontrol,maintainingaccurateandefficientcashprocessingprocedures,retailandhospitalityindustryexperienceandmanualwork.InmycurrentroleasFleetClerkforFarmLogisticsWA,IamtheassistanttotheFleetControllerandresponsibleforawiderangeof logisticalanddataentrytasksusingavarietyofdatabases.

In terms ofmy suitability for reception and administrative roles, I am a team player who forges goodfriendshipswithcolleaguesandconsidermyselftobewellrespectedbythosearoundme.Asapersonwhohas grown up in farming, I have considerable experience and understanding of farming machinery, plenty of mechanicalexperienceandIrelateeasilywithfarmingpeople.Ihaveexcellentcustomerserviceskillsandamhighlyefficientwiththeuseofcomputersinawidevarietyofapplications.Pleaserefertomyresumeattached.

My enquiries locally indicate that Geographe Farm Machinery & Services is a highly respected business, whichtakesprideinofferingahighqualityservicetoitscustomers.Iwouldwelcometheopportunitytobepartofsuchapositivebusinessservicingtheruralcommunity,hencethisapplicationtoyouseekingworkopportunities.Pleasedonothesitatetocontactmeon0401000000foranyfurtherinformationand/ortoarrangeapersonalmeeting.

Yourssincerely

Chantelle BrownCHANTELLE BROWNE Attachments: Resume

Your contact details

Date

Employer detailsTip:Trytoincludetheperson’sname and ensure itisspeltcorrectly!

Position detailsIncludejobrole you are seeking

Dear…Always try to obtain the person’snameevenifthejobhasn’tbeenadvertised!

Opening paragraphExplains the reason fortheletter

Second paragraphDemonstrates you have the skillsandabilitiestomatchthejobroleyouareseeking,givingexamples of technical and transferable skills

Third paragraphOutline any further skills relatedtothepositionyouareseeking

Fourth paragraphOutlines personal skills such as willingness,enthusiasmand‘fitwiththeteam’.Mayrefertoanyattachmentsincluded,suchasresume.

Final paragraphIt is a good idea to outline some background knowledge of the company when applying forunadvertisedpositions.Also state your availability for aninterview.

SalutationThe modern term used is ‘Yourssincerely”

Exampleletterofapplicationforapositionwhichhasnotbeenadvertised:Administrativeposition