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Job Application Writing - Importance of Cover Letter
JOB APPLICATION WRITING – IS A COVER 
LETTER REQUIRED? 
One of the key issues in job application writing is the 
cover letter or letter of introduction. 
The question of a cover letter came up recently with 
one client who wanted to know if they should write a 
cover letter (or more to the point have us write them a 
cover letter) when applying for a vacant position. 
A well crafted cover letter is generally vital in applying 
for any job UNLESS the application requirements 
specifically state they do not want a cover letter and just 
the Resume, or CV. 
www.redtapebusters.com
The cover letter is often forgotten about and is the poor cousin in 
the job application process and most job applicants really give little 
effort or thought in preparing their cover letter. 
To me a compelling and interesting letter of introduction/cover 
letter is THE most important document in your job application 
arsenal. 
A great cover letter will capture the interest of the reader and 
encourage them to read your Resume or CV. 
This is your chance to sell, sell, sell yourself and to get them to find 
out more. 
www.redtapebusters.com
A Cover letter of a paragraph or two just will not cut the mustard. 
Conversely you don’t want to prepare a cover letter encompassing 
page after page but a good cover letter will be informative, give the 
reader an insight into your career, provide an overview of your skills and 
encourage them to arrange an interview. 
Following are the key components of a cover letter that every job 
applicant needs to include:- 
Address tag – preferably a name, their position and the contact 
details of the organisation or company advertising the position; 
 Date – the date that you prepared the letter; 
Subject – identify what position you are applying for – what is the 
reference number etc; 
www.redtapebusters.com
Introduction – in your first paragraph introduce yourself and state that 
you are applying for position x and identify what documents you are 
including in your application – i.e. CV/Resume, Response to Selection 
Criteria etc. 
Content – In the body of your cover letter you need to identify your 
current employment status if you are employed and what position you 
currently work in and maybe even detail how long you have been in 
that position or with that organisation especially if you have been with 
the same organisation for a while. 
If you are unemployed I would refrain from stating that and instead 
move on to giving a brief synopsis of your career history showing how 
this experience correlates with the position you are applying for now. 
www.redtapebusters.com
Job Application Writing - Importance of Cover Letter
Every cover letter needs to give a brief overview of your 
experience and relate this to the vacant position. 
Then you should provide an overview of your skills and again show 
how these relate to the position. 
For instance if the vacant job advertisement identifies they are 
looking for someone with managerial skills, team skills and 
communication skills briefly discuss how you have demonstrated 
these over your career. 
Summary/Conclusion – in the last paragraph or two you summarise 
your experience/skills, maybe your reason for applying and identify a 
call to action ie to have them contact you to arrange an interview. 
www.redtapebusters.com
Following these steps will assist you in preparing a robust cover 
letter. Remember this is your chance to market yourself so don’t 
waste it. 
A great cover letter is vital in job application writing and the skilled 
job application writer will make the cover letter a winner! 
Contact us at Red Tape Busters - http://www.redtapebusters.com/ 
should you require more information about this article or if you 
require specialist job application writing or grant and tender writing 
experience to help your organisation or business win grant funding or 
achieve successes with tenders. 
www.redtapebusters.com
We are specialists in providing the following services:- 
 Lobbying; 
Tender Writing; 
Grant Writing; 
Resumes/Job Applications; 
Organisational/Business Development. 
Please also “friend” or “like” us on Facebook - 
https://www.facebook.com/RedTapeBustersShaneBowering, follow us on 
Twitter – Red Tape Busters or check us out on YouTube just search for Red 
Tape Busters. 
www.redtapebusters.com
Contact Us 
Red Tape Busters Pty Ltd. 
ABN: 39 094 823 417 
PO Box 3126 
WARNER QLD 4500 
Telephone: 07 3882 2055 
Facsimile: 07 3882 2066 
Email Address: admin@redtapebusters.com.au 
www.redtapebusters.com

More Related Content

Job Application Writing - Importance of Cover Letter

  • 2. JOB APPLICATION WRITING – IS A COVER LETTER REQUIRED? One of the key issues in job application writing is the cover letter or letter of introduction. The question of a cover letter came up recently with one client who wanted to know if they should write a cover letter (or more to the point have us write them a cover letter) when applying for a vacant position. A well crafted cover letter is generally vital in applying for any job UNLESS the application requirements specifically state they do not want a cover letter and just the Resume, or CV. www.redtapebusters.com
  • 3. The cover letter is often forgotten about and is the poor cousin in the job application process and most job applicants really give little effort or thought in preparing their cover letter. To me a compelling and interesting letter of introduction/cover letter is THE most important document in your job application arsenal. A great cover letter will capture the interest of the reader and encourage them to read your Resume or CV. This is your chance to sell, sell, sell yourself and to get them to find out more. www.redtapebusters.com
  • 4. A Cover letter of a paragraph or two just will not cut the mustard. Conversely you don’t want to prepare a cover letter encompassing page after page but a good cover letter will be informative, give the reader an insight into your career, provide an overview of your skills and encourage them to arrange an interview. Following are the key components of a cover letter that every job applicant needs to include:- Address tag – preferably a name, their position and the contact details of the organisation or company advertising the position;  Date – the date that you prepared the letter; Subject – identify what position you are applying for – what is the reference number etc; www.redtapebusters.com
  • 5. Introduction – in your first paragraph introduce yourself and state that you are applying for position x and identify what documents you are including in your application – i.e. CV/Resume, Response to Selection Criteria etc. Content – In the body of your cover letter you need to identify your current employment status if you are employed and what position you currently work in and maybe even detail how long you have been in that position or with that organisation especially if you have been with the same organisation for a while. If you are unemployed I would refrain from stating that and instead move on to giving a brief synopsis of your career history showing how this experience correlates with the position you are applying for now. www.redtapebusters.com
  • 7. Every cover letter needs to give a brief overview of your experience and relate this to the vacant position. Then you should provide an overview of your skills and again show how these relate to the position. For instance if the vacant job advertisement identifies they are looking for someone with managerial skills, team skills and communication skills briefly discuss how you have demonstrated these over your career. Summary/Conclusion – in the last paragraph or two you summarise your experience/skills, maybe your reason for applying and identify a call to action ie to have them contact you to arrange an interview. www.redtapebusters.com
  • 8. Following these steps will assist you in preparing a robust cover letter. Remember this is your chance to market yourself so don’t waste it. A great cover letter is vital in job application writing and the skilled job application writer will make the cover letter a winner! Contact us at Red Tape Busters - http://www.redtapebusters.com/ should you require more information about this article or if you require specialist job application writing or grant and tender writing experience to help your organisation or business win grant funding or achieve successes with tenders. www.redtapebusters.com
  • 9. We are specialists in providing the following services:-  Lobbying; Tender Writing; Grant Writing; Resumes/Job Applications; Organisational/Business Development. Please also “friend” or “like” us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RedTapeBustersShaneBowering, follow us on Twitter – Red Tape Busters or check us out on YouTube just search for Red Tape Busters. www.redtapebusters.com
  • 10. Contact Us Red Tape Busters Pty Ltd. ABN: 39 094 823 417 PO Box 3126 WARNER QLD 4500 Telephone: 07 3882 2055 Facsimile: 07 3882 2066 Email Address: admin@redtapebusters.com.au www.redtapebusters.com