How to write a cover letter, Me pēhea te tuhi i tētahi reta whakamārama

A cover letter goes with your CV when you apply for a job. It gives employers an idea of who you are and why you’re the best person for the job.

Your cover letter shouldn’t repeat everything that’s in your CV – it’s like a snapshot of your skills and experience that match what the employer is looking for.

Use this guide, examples and templates to make it easy for you to write a good cover letter.

Employers will usually read your cover letter before they look at your CV, which is why it’s so important. If they like what's in your cover letter, they’re more likely to read your CV.

A good cover letter will get your application noticed if lots of people are applying for the same job.

Skills-focused cover letter example

Skills-focused cover letter template

Work-focused cover letter example

Work-focused cover letter template

Tell the employer why you’re interested in the job and how your skills and experience match what they’re looking for. You could do some research about the organisation to find out if their goals and values fit with yours.

Always include:

• the date of your job application and your contact details
• the employer’s name and the job you’re applying for
• your current situation and why you’re interested in the job
• why you’d like to work for the organisation (use your research)
• how your skills and experience match the job
• what makes you a great person to have in a team.

Try to always address your cover letter to the contact person in the job ad. If there isn’t a name, contact the company to find one.

If you can’t find a name, use ‘Dear hiring manager’ or ‘Kia ora’ to suit the job you’re applying for.

Let the employer know you’re keen on the job and you’re confident about your skills.

Use positive wording like, ‘I stay calm and focused in a busy environment’ or ‘I have great people skills’.

Every job is different so make sure you change your cover letter to suit the one you’re applying for.

Include skills and experience from your CV that fit with what the employer is looking for.

You can make your cover letter easy for employers to read if you:

• use simple wording
• use a plain black font, like Calibri 11
• use bullet points to list information
• use short sentences and short paragraphs
• don’t use images
• keep your cover letter to 1 page.

AI tools can create a cover letter almost instantly but check to make sure it’s correct and makes sense.

It’s a good idea to rewrite some sentences in your own words so it will be more personal and make you stand out to an employer.

Before you send off your cover letter with your CV, remember to:

• check it for spelling and grammar and ask someone else to check it too
• send it in a PDF format unless the employer asks for a Word version
• use your first and last name and cover letter in the filename, for example, sam-henderson-cover letter.pdf.

When you apply by email:

• copy and paste your cover letter into the email
• check the formatting looks good
• attach the PDF version as well as your CV.

Use the cover letter examples and templates that fit you best.

If you're a school leaver, have no work experience or have gaps in your work history, use a skills-focused cover letter.

If you have work experience, want to change jobs or move to your next career stage, use a work-focused cover letter.