These are the types of covering letters that are used when you apply for any positions that are advertised in the paper. Covering letters must be professional. You should ring the company, if possible, and request the name of the person you should address the application to (eg - Mr John Jones). The font should be in single 10 or 12 point size and if you wish you can also use bold for the heading. The employer may request you to do your application in your own hand-writing. Here is an example:

Your name Your address Your Suburb and Post code Your contact details Employer's Name Employer's Address Employer's Suburb and post code Today's Date Attention: Mr John Jones Re: Position of Administration Assistant - Timbuktu Gazette 1 June 2004 Please accept my expression of interest in this advertised position, my resume is included with this letter of application. I have fifteen years in the administration field having worked with Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook (Email). I can also perform various other administrative tasks such as accounts payable/receivable, QuickBooks, general ledger and MYOB. Other duties that I can perform include telephones, filing, mail, general typing, banking and many other general office duties Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you in relation to any short-listings or interviews in the future. Yours Sincerely (Sign your name here) Your name

How to Write the Perfect Covering Letter

• Address your cover letter to the person making the hiring decisions and remember to contact the organisation and ask for the name of the Human Resources Officer/Manager, etc.
• Open with a good line to let the employer know what it is in relation to e.g. Re: Advertised position Timbuktu Gazette 1/6/4 Witch Burner. This will mean that your application will be taken into account.
• Remember - Less is more! The best cover letters have plenty of spaced out areas that are clear, focused, short and sweet. This gets the interviewer/employer's attention every time.
• Focus on how you can sell yourself and charm the employer! How can you and the employer benefit from you being hired by the company. Do a little research and put it all in the letter.
• Choose words that show how positively you want a/the job/position. Take this with you when you go to an interview.
• Request an action that you want the employer to take. 'I would like a chance for a one-on-one interview next week. (Don't knock it till you try it)
• End your cover letter with something positive enough for you to want the job. For example - I look forward to hearing from you in relation to being short-listed or in relation to an arrangement for an interview..this is clever and the employer will interview nearly every time.
• Last but not least - always proof-read your application and make sure that you have no spelling and/or grammar mistakes and always make sure that you have got your application (whether it is typed-up or written) right.

Selection Criteria

Selection Criteria are commonly used at Local, State and Commonwealth Government level jobs whether you are applying to be a landscape gardener or an administration officer. Non - Government organisations have been known to use Selection Criteria but this is not as common. Selection Criteria are commonly used to weed out the candidates that do not meet the requirements as per demonstrated in the Selection Criteria.

Here are some common Selection Criteria questions:

• Well developed verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a diverse client base.
• Demonstrated ability to operate within and contribute to a team environment.
• Demonstrated administrative and organisational skills including the ability to set priorities and meet tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated competence in the application and use of word processing, spread-sheeting and database software and the use of office equipment.
• Ability to work unsupervised, as well as the ability to work as a member of a team, to achieve set goals and deadlines.
• An understanding of and commitment to Human Resource principals, such as Equal Employment Opportunity and Workplace Health and Safety and Financial Management Practices.

Good Luck!

Cold Canvassing Letters

These letters known as canvassing letters are used when you are unable to approach the employers for many reasons and you would like to send a canvassing covering letter and your resume in the post to the employers. The best way to do a canvassing letter is to open a new Microsoft Word document and set up a mail-merge (Tools, Letters and Mailings, Mail Merge Wizard). It will then show you through the Mail Merge Wizard. Here is an example:

Your name Your address Your Suburb and Post code Your contact details Employer's Name Employer's Address Employer's Suburb and post code Today's Date Attention: Human Resources Officer Please allow me to introduce myself, my name is Anna Smith and I am seeking employment as an Administration Officer. My resume is included with this application. I have completed my Certificate II and III in Business Administration at Timbuktu Technical College and did my traineeship with the Timbuktu Shire Council doing Administration and my duties included filing, mail, telephones, general typing, accounts payable/receivable, general ledger, MYOB and general banking. If I am successful in gaining employment with your company, I have a strong willingness to learn and if there are any courses that you would encourage me to undertake, then I will do them in my own time. I look forward to hearing from you in relation to an arrangement of any future interviews. Yours Sincerely (Sign your name here) Your name

As with advertised applications, always check your spelling and grammar and ensure that your letter is perfect.