Cover letters and selection criteria

Your résumé shows what you have done. A cover letter, application questions and selection criteria responses show why that matters for this particular role. They are your chance to connect your experience to what the employer needs, to show genuine interest in the organisation and to demonstrate that you can communicate clearly in writing.

This guide covers how to write a tailored cover letter, how to answer the questions that appear in many online applications and how to address selection criteria, which are common in government and some private sector recruitment.

The purpose of a cover letter

Australian Government careers advice describes a good cover letter as a personalised letter to a specific employer, briefly outlining your relevant skills and experience and why you are the best candidate for that job. It should be tailored to the role and make the reader want to learn more about you. Because recruiters have limited time, keep it to a few paragraphs and no more than one page.

A simple cover letter structure

Opening

Address the letter to the contact person in the listing if one is named. State the role you are applying for and, briefly, why you are interested. If someone referred you or you met the employer at an event, mention it.

Why you

In one or two paragraphs, highlight the two or three most relevant things you offer. Link each to the role's requirements, with a brief example. For instance, if the role requires data analysis, mention a project where you analysed a real dataset and what you found.

Why them

Show you have researched the organisation. What about its work, values, projects or graduate program appeals to you, specifically? Avoid flattery; be concrete.

Close

Thank the reader, say you would welcome the opportunity to discuss your application and sign off politely.

Common cover letter mistakes

• Generic letters. A letter that could be sent to any employer rarely impresses.
• Wrong names. Always check the organisation and role name, especially if you have adapted a previous letter.
• Repeating your résumé. Highlight and explain; don't list everything again.
• Focusing only on what you want. Explain what you can contribute, not just what you hope to gain.
• Too long. Keep it to one page.
• Errors. Proofread carefully.

Online application questions

Many graduate applications replace or supplement the cover letter with questions, such as "Why are you interested in this program?" or "Tell us about a time you worked in a team." Treat each one as a mini-essay:

• Answer the question that is asked, directly.
• Stay within the word limit, using most of it.
• Use specific examples rather than general claims.
• Show your knowledge of the organisation where relevant.
• Write your answers in a document first, then paste them in, so you can check spelling and keep a copy.

Understanding selection criteria

Selection criteria describe the skills, knowledge, experience and qualities needed for a role. They are common in government roles, universities and some not-for-profits. You may be asked to address each criterion separately, or to write a "pitch" or statement of claims that covers them together. Some public sector employers describe criteria as capabilities. Read the instructions carefully, because formats vary.

The STAR method

The STAR method helps you write clear, specific examples:

• Situation: briefly set the scene. Where were you, and what was happening?
• Task: what did you need to achieve, or what was the challenge?
• Action: what did you do? Focus on your own actions, using "I" rather than "we".
• Result: what happened? What did you achieve or learn?

Spend most of your words on the action and the result. That is where the employer learns about your skills.

An example

Criterion: Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team.

During a final-year engineering design project (situation), our team of five had to deliver a prototype and report in eight weeks, and two members were struggling to coordinate their parts (task). I suggested we set up a shared task board and a short weekly check-in, and I offered to help integrate the two sections (action). We submitted on time, our prototype met the brief, and our supervisor commended the report's consistency. I learned how much clear coordination helps a team under pressure (result).

The example is specific, shows what the writer did and ends with a result and reflection.

Choosing good examples

Draw on study, placements, part-time work, volunteering, sport, clubs and community involvement. The best examples:

• are recent and relevant;
• show your individual contribution;
• have a clear outcome;
• match the level of the role.

Use different examples for different criteria where you can, so the employer sees a range of experiences. Our hub guide suggests building an example bank before you start applying.

Tailoring your language

Use the words in the criteria and role description to show how your experience matches. If the criterion mentions "stakeholder engagement", describe your example in those terms (where accurate). But avoid stuffing in keywords without substance; recruiters look for evidence.

Proofreading and feedback

Read your answers aloud to catch awkward sentences. Check that each example answers the criterion. Ask a careers adviser, mentor or friend to review your application before submission. Careers services often run workshops on selection criteria.

Keeping copies

Save every cover letter and set of answers, organised by employer. If you are invited to interview, reread your application, because interviewers often ask about the examples you gave.

Tailoring a letter in practice

Suppose you are applying for a graduate policy role in a state government department. A generic opening such as "I am writing to apply for the advertised position" tells the reader nothing. A tailored opening might mention the department's current priorities, a public consultation you followed or a subject in your degree that relates closely to the team's work. Then, instead of listing every skill you have, you might choose two that the listing emphasises, such as written communication and research, and give one brief, concrete example of each.

The same approach works for any employer. Spend ten or fifteen minutes researching before you write, note two or three specific connections between your experience and the role, and build the letter around those. It takes a little longer than reusing an old letter, but the result is far more persuasive.

Writing in your own voice

Recruiters read many applications, and those written in clear, natural language stand out. Avoid overly formal phrases, buzzwords and long sentences. Write as you would speak in a professional conversation: confident, polite and direct. If you use any tools to help with ideas or proofreading, check the employer's rules first, and make sure every claim is accurate and reflects your real experience.

Key points

• A cover letter should be tailored, specific and no more than one page.
• Explain why you fit the role and why you want to work for that organisation.
• Answer application questions directly, within word limits, with real examples.
• Use the STAR method for selection criteria, focusing on actions and results.
• Proofread carefully and keep copies of everything you submit.