​Deciding how to explain any employment gaps on your job search material (CV, cover letter, applications) can be the difference on whether you are put into the YES or NO pile. Depending on the reasons for your gaps, some may be easy to explain while others could be a bit more difficult. The key aspect is to be as positive as you can about them. Depending on the employment gap, you may be required to give an explanation about this. If an employer sees any application material with large unexplained gaps in your employment history, it will raise major concerns and your application will end up in the bin.


Not Every Gap Needs To Be Explained
There will be some gaps that you may not need to explain such as a couple months off or gaps that occurred from long ago. On a CV, the best way to avoid these types of gaps from being highlighted is to only give the years of your employment rather than the months. You may not be able to do this with an application form if it requires the months too!


Career Breaks
One growing trend is workers taking a certain amount of time off from their careers to have time off. This is usually to go travelling either in certain regions or countries e.g. American, Asia etc. If your break was over a few months (6+) then you may wish to state a little something about it. Not every employer looks at these breaks as a disadvantage. Many believe that the cultural awareness and sense of independence you will have gained as a result of the experience will prove invaluable to you in your future career. Perhaps you were able to undertake further qualifications or training during this time and, if so, these should be included.


Leave
Many workers have gaps due to taking leave for a year or two to raise their children which you should include. You don’t have to go into detail but you must state that you took time away to spend it raising your children. If you’re a new parent, you will develop a new skill set which you may be able to transfer to the jobs you applying for.


Accidents or Illness
If you have taken time off from your career to recover from accidents or illness to fully recover, then try to be positive about it. Meaning, state that you are fully recovered after the time off and are fit & raring to go.


Prolonged Unemployment Gaps
Sometimes, no matter how hard you have been trying, the right job is just not out there for you and you have a gap in your employment history purely for this reason. It can be very difficult to put a positive spin on this as employers will assume that you have just been very idle during the time. The key is to highlight positive actions that you have undertook during this time. Whether it was doing some voluntary or community work or completing some new qualifications or training. If you have not done anything, then perhaps you need to look at doing something to add value to your CV. Either way, when explaining the gaps to make sure that you clearly state how you have been proactive in your job seeking during this time and that you are readily available to start work.

​
DON’T LIE
Some individuals feel its ok to extend their employment dates to hide any gaps. While this may seem harmless, new employers will do a check on your work history and it will be discovered that you lied which will disqualify you for the role. Whatever the situation is, just be positive and make sure that you come across as enthusiastic and ready for work. Don’t make your chances harder by lying.

When applying for jobs, the cover letter is the chance for you to highlight your skills & achievements for the job. It allows you to show the employer how YOU meet the job requirements and that you’re someone who they should interview. To get the interview, you need to develop a strong & good enough letter. We have put together some helpful suggestions to help your efforts.

Customisation
You have to customise each cover letter you send out, not only in content, but addressed to the specific individual who is responsible for hiring instead of “Dear Sir/Madam.” Generic letters will not impress.


The Language
The language or phrases that you use can either help your letter be read or help it to be moved into the rejection pile. It’s important that you don’t use anything that may make you sound desperate or not professional. Read your first draft objectively and also read it as if you were an employer, would you give yourself an interview?


Why you’re writing
Make sure that you address why you are writing to them i.e. replying to an advertised job, name the position title and where you saw the ad, but don’t waste valuable space doing so in your opening paragraph. Instead, accomplish the same thing by positioning the information in the subject line “regarding” space or the subject title of the email.


Top candidate
The cover letter gives you the opportunity to briefly show why you are an ideal candidate by highlighting your skills and achievements that relate to the job role. That alone is not enough, you must back them up specific brief examples. Never go into detail though, choose a few good examples to use to gain an employer’s attention. You leave the rest of the selling for the actual interview.


Them
Some candidates don’t realise that employers don’t just want anyone working for them. Ideally they want candidates that WANT to work for them e.g. share the same values/ethos, their community work etc. Just giving praise won’t work. Show that you have a good positive reason of why it’s that company you want to work for.


Next
When closing your letter, reprise your enthusiasm, confirm your desire for an interview, and state what the next step will be. Preferably, you use an action close, telling the recipient that you will follow up and when that will happen. In some instances, you will have to wait for them to contact you.


Check, Check & Check Again
One of the most common faults of a good cover letter is poor grammar or spelling mistakes. Either they relied on their spell-checker or didn’t even bother to properly check it before sending it off. You should always read what you have developed. If you can’t see any mistakes, then ask someone who you trust to check it. Don’t let something so simple cost you the opportunity of an interview.​

Here is a comprehensive list of things that you should not do or include with regards to your covering letter. We hope that by including all of the things not to do, that it will help you avoid making mistakes when you’re developing your cover letter. All of the below have been done or are being done in cover letters so do not repeat them too!

• Don’t have spelling or grammar mistakes
  
• Don’t go beyond one page
  
• Don’t use jokes
  
• Don’t rely on auto spell-check
  
• Don’t just repeat your CV/Resume
  
• Don’t over use “I”
  
• Don’t just copy a template or someone else’s
  
• Never say why you need the job
  
• Don’t lie or embellish over your skills/experiences & achievements
  
• Don’t use logos, pictures, borders to enhance letter
  
• Not researching companies
  
• Never use slang, abbreviations or text language
  
• Don’t state what company can do for you
  
• Don’t use famous quotes
  
• Don’t start with your name as it already on your CV/Resume
  
• Never state what you lack for job or apologise for it
  
• Don’t explain why you left your last job
  
• Don’t badmouth old boss/co-workers
  
• Don’t waffle
  
• Don’t have anything longer than 3-4 paragraphs
  
• Don’t attach it to email
  
• Don’t provide irrelevant information
  
• Don’t exclude information they’ve specifically asked for
  
• Don’t rush doing your cover letter
  

Here is a comprehensive list of things that you should do or include with regards to your cover letter. We hope that by including all of the things to do, that it will help you develop the cover letter that can help you in your job search efforts. All of the below are tried and proven things that help!

• Address it to someone specifically
  
• Make sure every letter is personalised to each company & position
  
• Include job code & reference
  
• Have a confident, enthusiastic tone
  
• Proof read
  
• Ask someone else to proof read it for you
  
• Be concise 3-4 paragraphs
  
• Evidence how you meet requirements of job
  
• Focus on your strengths
  
• Send with your CV/Resume
  
• Always thank person for their time at end of letter
  
• Use the correct format
  
• Show company you have researched them
  
• Put cover letter in the main body of the email
  
• Use statistics & figures to evidence your work/achievements
  
• Be honest & truthful
  
• Make sure yours & company details are correct
  
• Use same font & size as CV/Resume
  
• Sign it whether it electronic signature, typed or written signature
  

 

Your covering letter is an important job search tool, a key part of your application to a prospective employer. Many job seekers fail even to write one and only submit their CV or application form. Develop a strong covering letter and your application could really stand out from the crowd. A great covering letter should demonstrate your understanding of the role, the company how your skills and abilities match the job perfectly.

To help you, we have put together a few helpful tips that can help you develop a good covering letter.


Never Rewrite Your CV
Don't just copy your CV into the the covering letter. The purpose of the cover letter is to show an employer how you meet the job requirements through your skills, experiences & achievements.


Select The Right Type Of Cover Letter
There are 5 different types of covering letters from an application cover letter, cover letter of interest to a referral cover letter. Picking the wrong type could cost you an interview. If you need help understanding what type of cover letter to use then check out our helpful guide by clicking the link 'Types Of Cover Letters'.


3/4 Paragraphs Long
A covering letter should only consist of 3/4 paragraphs long. It needs to be straight to point, specific and definitely no waffling. Your cover letter needs to show the employer not only how you meet job requirements but also how would be a good addition and how much you want the job. If you wish to see a full break down of the structure of a cover letter then click this link 'Cover Letter Section'.


Provide Evidence
One paragraph in your cover letter needs to be used to evidence your skills & achievements. An employer will not interview or even hire anyone who can't evidence that their skills or even how they meet job requirements. Make sure you EVIDENCE!


Don't Mention Weaknesses
The point of the cover letter is to sell yourself to an employer. You need to show them that you're the one for the job. However, some job seekers think that by apologising for weaknesses in a cover letter will help but it doesn't. An employer doesn't want to see you apologising. Yes we all have weaknesses but save them for the interview process. FOCUS ON YOUR STRENGTHS!


Proof Reading
Very basic tip but you will be surprised how many job seekers don't follow this rule. Whether it is because they are rushing their covering letter, lazy or too arrogant to think they have made no mistakes. Always check for any errors at least twice and have someone else check for you. Spotting a mistake before you send it helps improves your chances. 

During your job search, it is important you understand when your developing a cover letter that there are different types. Each type is for a different type of situation. To help you make sure that you are using the right cover letter for the right occasion, below are the different types and what occasion they used for!

(1) Application Cover Letter
This cover letter is used to apply for a specific job that you have seen advertised. A very common cover letter used!

(2) Referral Cover Letter
This type of cover letter indicates which individual/organisation recommended or referred you to the job. 

(3) Cover Letter of Interest
This type of cover letter is used to enquiry about possible job openings at a company/organisation.

(4) Network Cover Letter
These type of cover letters are used when someone is requesting help & advice.

(5) Recruiter Cover Letter
This type of cover letter is used when sending your CV to recruiters that explains the type of roles you are qualified to fit and how your skills will benefit a company.

A good cover letter is an important tool to have in your job search. To help you develop one, we have provided you two helpful guides. Both guides are full of very good tips and advice on how to produce a good cover letter. Use these as a guide to help you move in the right direction and develop good cover letters that help you make the right impressions to employers.

Good luck!!

Covering letters are an important tool that helps you try and grab an employers attention when applying for a job.  However, mistakes on covering letters are one of the biggest reasons people can fail in their job search. With this in mind, we just want to show you four phrases that a lot of people use that don't impress employers. 

1. I just can't convey on paper how excited I am about this opportunity
2. My past skills and experience enable me to excel in any role/task I take on.
3. I'm applying to you because you're a prestigious and vibrant company
4. I have great attention to detail

Remember - in a covering letter you have to make sure you evidence not only your skills but that you meet the job requirements if you want to stand out. Being vague over what you can do is one way to get your covering letter into the 'NO' pile. If your excited about applying to a company, keep that to yourself. It won't help you at all and employers get fed up of hearing those chat up lines. Applying for a job is not a date so keep the chat up lines for dates!

Check out our website for more covering letter help via the Covering Letter Section or the Covering Letter Links Section by clicking on the links in blue. Below is an example of what you can find on our site!

We have added two new resources to our website in our Download Section. Both are in Word document formats!

• Covering Letter Guide 

This simple guide is to help you learn what information is to go into a cover letter as well as template to practice your skills at doing one. 

• Job Search Timetable

We have developed a basic timetable that can be used to plan out your job search for a week in half hour slots. This is just a guide and your free to edit or use it to create one that suits your purposes. We hope that it will help you be more focused on completing one task at a time then trying to do everything at once.

Both resources are free to download. If you want to access to either of these resources then click the link below.

http://jobsupport4u.weebly.com/download-section.html

Here is a list of the most common covering letter mistakes. Make sure that you are avoiding these if you want to impress an employer!


1. Spell the name of the company and/or the recruiter incorrectly.

2. Send the letter with your CV to the wrong address.

3. Do not address the letter to anyone by specific name.

4. Relying on spell check to spot your spelling mistakes or typos.

5. Don’t bother putting your address on it as it already on your CV.

6. Addressing the letter to 'Dear Sir/Madam.'

7. Don’t worry about the attachments—you can always send them later.

8. Trying to stand out and show some creativity with brightly coloured paper and unique colour combinations and fonts.

9. Use the reader’s(employers) first name

10. Don’t bother finding out the addressee’s title and position.

11. Write like you talk, using slang or even text messaging language

12. Don’t use brand-new paper and envelopes. You wouldn't want the potential employer to think that you are desperate or really want the position.