Cover and Application Letters

What is the difference between a Cover and an Application Letter?

Cover Letters can usually be divided into 2 categories:

1. A document accompanying a resumé and submission such as selection criteria for government jobs
2. A generic letter designed to be sent to prospective employers for jobs which are not necessarily advertised

For example you may be a Graduate in Accounting, keen to find employment with a firm of accountants.  If you wait for the right job to be advertised, you will be competing with many other graduates all over the country for the one job.  In this instance you will need to have an Application letter rather than a Cover letter as you will have to make sure your letter covers all requirements mentioned in the advertisement.

 Most people are unaware that 80% of jobs are never advertised!  Why?  Because they are very often filled by applicants who approach organizations direct, either face to face or by sending them a good cover letter and resumé.  These people show initiative, motivation and persistence:  all very desirable qualities to demonstrate to prospective employers.  The cover letter in this instance is like a letter of introduction which explains why you are approaching the organisation, summarises your background and entices the potential employer with an outline of your skill offerings.  There may not be an immediate vacancy at the time of application, but many organizations will hang on to potentially good applications for future consideration.  This saves them advertising (which can be costly)and having to sift through hundreds of applications (which takes up time they are usually not prepared to spend).

Using a Cover letter effectively can be like going fishing.  If you put one rod in the water you might get a bite;  if you use 10, you greatly increase your chances of catching a fish!  Similarly, if you consider your options and carefully compile a list of organizations you would like to work at, sending them an individualized copy of your Cover letter together with a good supporting resumé will often result in interest from one or more of those targets.  Imagine:  you may be in a position of being able to choose jobs!

In summary, a Cover letter is used along with your resumé to apply for similar types of positions at any number of different organizations.

Application Letters

Application letters are written to address a specific position, either advertised in the paper, on-line or word of mouth (networking).  It can also be for a position which you are aware is becoming vacant in the near future.  You may even have been “tapped on the shoulder” and asked to apply for the position.  This can be a great opportunity, but if you offer a sub standard document, which in conjunction with your resumé and listed referees doesn’t convince the reader of your enthusiasm and ability to undertake the position, then you are unlikely to be offered an interview.

A good application conveys to the reader your strong interest in the position.  It also sets out to convince the reader of your potential and credibility.  Like the resumé it should be a marketing tool highlighting why you would be a good applicant.  As well as appropriate content, professional layout and good grammar is important.  First impressions count!  Many a potentially good applicant has been bypassed because of a hastily presented document featuring numerous spelling and grammatical errors and poor layout.

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 Note:  Please be aware that most advertised Australian government positions (federal, state or local government) require an application which addresses essential and desirable selection criteria or person specifications.  These are not application or cover letters as discussed in the above paragraphs, but more complex exercises which need to be approached in a different manner (see “Government Job Applications”).