Writing a cover letter is an essential part of the job application process.

When preparing for any job application you will need a well written cover letter. Writing a cover letter enables you to target your application, express your skills and highlight why you want to work for a particular organisation. But before writing a cover letter you should identify the different types to ensure you are sending the most appropriate one.

It doesn’t happen to everyone, but every now and then you may be wondering if you are working in the right industry. It’s never too late to change your employer and you may find yourself wanting to explore different industries and different career paths for a variety of reasons.

Your cover letter is crucial when sending out either speculative or specific emails to recruiters.

Your cover letter is one of your best sales tools. If written well and sent alongside a well presented resume, your chances of being offered a job role should be significantly increased. Remember – this is your chance to promote yourself!

In most cases you can use a cover letter template as a base – but if you are applying directly to a company it is very useful to tailor the cover letter to their advertisement or requirements. This will help you stand out against the other applicants.

There are lots of different types of cover letters but, generally speaking, each one should include the following points to enhance your chances of employment:

A general or all purpose cover letter is a basic adaptable letter that you can use to accompany your resume when applying for job positions or tentatively sending your resume to companies in order for them to consider you for any upcoming positions. These letters are great when used as a base to apply for specific job roles where you can re-visit the letter and personalise it to show how you are an ideal candidate for the position. This will help you save time when applying for several jobs in quick succession. A general cover letter template is also very useful when sending your resume into companies that are not currently advertising for staff where you can ask that your resume be considered when a future position becomes available.

A cover letter is a document designed to accompany a resume when presented to an employer. The purpose of a cover letter is to give an opportunity for an applicant to introduce themselves and their credentials.

Most job seekers decide to send their resume without the benefit of a strong resume cover letter, which is a costly mistake. It shows a distinct lack of effort to send a resume bare and will put you at an immediate disadvantage when applying for a job. Employers like to see that you have taken time to analyse the position and formulate some ideas on why you’re the perfect candidate.

Cover letters express your personality and enthusiasm for the position, and provide support for your candidacy that is not covered by your resume. Writing a cover letter can be a challenging and time-consuming task, especially when you must customize it towards each organization.