Great cover letters don’t retell your whole CV; they make it easy to say “yes” to an interview. Think short, specific, and relevant to this one job.
Use the tips below to plan a letter you can write in under 30 minutes, plus a quick template you can paste and personalise.
Keep it short (and strong)
Aim for 200–300 words: 3–5 short paragraphs. Busy managers skim—make every line earn its spot. NZ guidance on structure here: Careers NZ: How to write a cover letter.
- Structure: Intro → 1–2 proof paragraphs → Close.
- Cut filler: “I am writing to apply for…” becomes “I’m applying for the [role]—here’s why I’ll add value from day one.”
Skip “To Whom It May Concern”
Use a name when you can. Check the ad, LinkedIn, or call reception. If you can’t find it, “Kia ora Hiring Team” or “Hello [Company] Recruitment” is modern and polite. See friendly salutations that work.
- Found a team but not a person? “Hello Marketing Team” works.
Add value beyond your CV
Don’t repackage bullet points. Use a quick story: Challenge → Action → Result → Relevance.
Example: “At Smith & Co I inherited a 3-week backlog (challenge), mapped the workflow and created a same-day triage (action), clearing it in 10 days and lifting CSAT to 4.7/5 (result). Your ad mentions response times—this is where I can help (relevance).” Helpful overview of STAR: The Career Academy STAR steps.
Make it about them
Mirror the language from the ad and website—show you understand what matters.
- If they say: “customer-obsessed, process-driven” → use those words genuinely.
- Link to goals: “Your focus on faster onboarding resonates—I cut our ramp time by 25% with a simple playbook.”
Start with a punchy opener
State the role + a relevant win in one breath.
- “I’m applying for the Payroll Administrator role—last year I processed 450+ fortnightly pays with 99.8% accuracy and introduced a 3-step audit that cut errors in half.”
More opener ideas: Careers NZ guide.
Target the role
Only include skills the role uses. If your background is broad, translate it.
- Transfer: “Retail rostering → workforce planning.”
- Translate: “Cash-up accuracy → attention to detail in invoicing.”
Nice primer: Hays NZ: Transferable skills.
Say why this job
One sincere line beats a vague paragraph.
- “I’m drawn to [Company]’s community scholarships—my volunteer tutoring means this mission is personal.”
Proof like a pro
- Read it out loud—you’ll catch clunky bits.
- Run a spell check, then ask a friend to read it.
- Use a simple font; avoid images, tables, or headers that can confuse ATS.
More on ATS basics: Careers NZ: Get past tracking software.
Show real familiarity
One tasteful nod to their work helps you stand out.
- “Your 2024 sustainability report caught my eye—switching to supplier X saved 18% on packaging. I’ve led similar vendor reviews and can contribute here.”
Let your strengths shine
Pick one or two strengths that match the role and back them with a metric.
- “Detail-driven: zero late filings in 18 months.”
- “People-first: 4.8/5 internal support rating.”
Copy-paste mini-template
Want a second set of eyes?
Our Career Centre can review your cover letter and CV, suggest stronger openers, and help tailor it to the ad.