What should an Australian cover letter add beyond my résumé?

The cover letter's real job

A cover letter is an introduction that explains why you are interested in a particular role and which of your skills are most relevant to it. It complements the résumé by adding context and evidence, not by repeating your full work history. This is practical guidance from Job Jumpstart, a government-backed careers resource, not a legal rule that every application must include a letter. Before you decide what to send, read the vacancy notice carefully: it may ask specific questions, request attachments in a certain format, or state that a cover letter is optional or not required at all.

Connect your experience to this role

Identify one or two duties that matter to this employer and give a concrete example that shows you are prepared for them. If you are changing careers, explain how your transferable skills apply to the new field instead of apologising for a perceived gap. Use only information about the business that you have actually verified, such as its published services or recent projects. Avoid claiming you understand its internal culture based on a slogan or a single online review. The goal is to show a clear link between what you have done and what this job requires.

Avoid common mistakes

Before sending, check the recipient's name, the exact job title, the requested length, and the file format. If you reuse text from an earlier application, remove leftover names of the company you previously applied to and text unrelated to this vacancy; keep relevant, accurate examples from past employment. Make sure the dates and responsibilities in the letter match your résumé. Read the letter aloud and ask whether each paragraph answers a question that is relevant to this vacancy, rather than making a broad statement that you would be suitable for any position. A generic letter is less useful than one that speaks directly to the advertised role.

Keep a record of your application

Store the cover letter together with the vacancy notice so that you can prepare for an interview using the same facts. A reviewer should be able to point to the specific example behind your main claim. If the application form asks for answers to selection criteria, answer those directly in the form rather than relying on the letter to cover them. This guide cannot predict whether you will be hired, and it does not justify inventing a qualification to meet a requirement. Honesty in the application is essential.

What to do if the instructions are unclear

If the vacancy does not state whether a cover letter is required, and you cannot tell from the application portal, consider what the form itself asks for. If a letter is optional, use the available field only if the letter adds useful context, and follow any document limits. If not, you may attach a brief letter only when the system allows it. When in doubt, you can contact the employer through the contact details provided in the vacancy, but do not expect a guaranteed response time. The key is to follow the instructions you have, and to ask a specific question if something is genuinely ambiguous.

A practical example of how to decide

Imagine you are applying for a project coordinator role. The vacancy asks for a résumé and says 'cover letter optional'. Your résumé lists two years as an administrative assistant. In the optional letter, you could describe a time you organised a multi-step event, explaining how that experience prepared you for coordinating schedules and vendors. You would not repeat your entire job history. After writing, you might ask yourself: 'Does this letter give the employer a reason to interview me that my résumé alone does not?' If the answer is no, revise it. This example is hypothetical; it does not guarantee any outcome.

Next steps if your application is unsuccessful

If you do not get an interview, you may ask the employer for feedback, but do not assume every employer will provide it; check any feedback or review process stated for that recruitment. You can also review your own letter against the vacancy description to see if you missed a key requirement. Keep your application materials for future reference, but do not copy confidential company documents into your personal archive. If you believe the employer discriminated against you, you may contact the Fair Work Ombudsman or the Australian Human Rights Commission, but this guide does not assess whether your situation meets the legal threshold.

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