In an advertisement for a job, the employer or recruitment agency may ask you to write a covering letter as part of the application process. The covering letter should be written as a business letter.
The format of the job application covering letter is similar to the formal letter. It is important to:
 check there are no spelling mistakes
 ensure, if it is handwritten, that it is neat and easy to read
 ensure, if the letter is typed out, that there are no typing mistakes.
The covering letter is the first impression that an employer or a recruitment agency will have of you.
The content of the letter is also very important. The following are some helpful hints.

Refer to the job you are interested in.

Make sure the tone of the letter is polite and shows interest.

Contain your full name and contact details.

Include relevant details regarding your education.
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Explain why you would like the job and why you are the ideal person for the position. Include any relevant experience you may have that would assist you in doing the job you are applying for.

End the letter offering your availability to be interviewed when the employer has time.
The following is a covering letter for a job that Mark Wells applied for as a Hair Stylist at
Jennifer’s Hair and Beauty.
© Commonwealth of Australia 2012 | Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Australia License 1

33 Stevenson Drive
Ally Heights
Victoria 3000
Ph: 9898 9898
21 April 2011
The Manager
Jennifer’s Hair and Beauty
250 Colin Avenue
Melbourne 3000
Victoria
Dear Sir/Madam
I am writing to apply for the full-time hairdressing position at Jen nifer’s
Hair and Beauty, advertised in the Melbourne Times on 20 April. I am returning to Melbourne after some time in Sydney and I am keen to continue my career. I have included more information on my career as a hair stylist in Sydney in the attached r ésumé. I have worked in the hair and beauty industry for several years after finishing my apprenticeship. I specialise in women’s haircuts and am currently the manager of a small salon in the eastern suburbs.
During my time as hairdresser, I have won awards for my work and built a loyal client base. I have increased the daily salon takings by building on my clientele and produced strong sales results by selling products in store. I have also worked as a trainer of apprentices, which
I enjoy very much.
I am a responsible and hard-working stylist and have a good rapport with my clients. I provide an excellent service and believe my communication skills and experience would be ideally suited to your salon.
I would be happy to meet you to discuss my application.
Yours sincerely,
Mark Wells
2 © Commonwealth of Australia 2012 | Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Australia License

Now let ’s have a look at the different parts that make up the covering letter.
Your address and contact number should be placed at the top left of the page with date underneath.
33 Stevenson Drive
Ally Heights
Victoria 3000
Ph: 9898 9898
21 April 2011
The address of the person or business you are sending the covering letter to should be below your contact details on the left. Also include the recipient’s job title.
The Manager
Jennifer’s Hair and Beauty
250 Colin Avenue
Melbourne 3000 Victoria
Start off your letter with a greeting. If you don’t know whether you are addressing a man or a woman, use Dear Sir/Madam although it is best to personalise the letter with a name if you can.
Dear Sir/Madam
After the greeting, include an introductory paragraph saying why you are writing the letter, and mention the advertisement you saw.
I wish to express my interest and apply for the fulltime hairdressing position at Jennifer’s
Hair and Beauty advertised in yesterday’s Melbourne Times . I am returning to Melbourne after some time in Sydney and I am keen to continue my working career. There is further information regarding my career as a hair stylist in Sydney in the attached resume.
The body of the letter should include brief information about your current job and give details of your professional skills and accomplishments.
I have worked in the hair and beauty industry for several years after finishing my apprenticeship. I specialise in women’s haircuts and am currently the manager of a small salon in the eastern suburbs.
During my time as hairdresser, I have won awards for my work and have built a loyal client base. I have been able to increase the daily salon takings by building on my clientele and have produced strong sales results from the sale of products in-store. I have also worked as a trainer, training the junior apprentices, which I enjoy very much.
I am a responsible and hard working stylist and have a great relationship with my clients. I provide a great service and believe my communication skills and my experience as a hair stylist would suit Jennifer’s Hair and Beauty salon.
© Commonwealth of Australia 2012 | Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Australia License 3

If you are available for an interview, then state that as a closing statement.
I would be interested in meeting you to discuss my application.
Formal closure is required at the end of the covering letter.
Yours sincerely,
Include your name and signature if you are sending your letter by post.
Mark Wells
4 © Commonwealth of Australia 2012 | Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Australia License