new zealand format cv and cover letter

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Develop a New Zealand-style CV

Most employers will quickly scan your CV to decide if it is worth reading in more detail. So it needs to make a good impression quickly.

What to include in your CV

New Zealand employers only want to see relevant information on your CV. They do not need a list of every job or course you have ever done.

Employers are most interested in your:

• technical and personal skills
• work experience
• qualifications and education
• community and volunteer experience.

They also like to see some evidence of how you have applied your skills.

It is best to only include relevant details of your skills and experience and to give brief examples of how you have used your skills in the past.

Skills employers are looking for | careers.govt.nz

Previous employers

Local employers may not be familiar with the organisations you have worked for overseas. It helps if you include a short description of organisations you list on your CV, like:

• the number of employees
• the location
• a website link so they can get more information if they need it.

The careers.govt.nz website has tips on how to write a CV for New Zealand employers.

How to write a CV | careers.govt.nz

Make a good impression

It is important to make a good impression of yourself as a potential employee, but not to appear too boastful about your achievements.

Many people make the mistake of writing a CV and using it for every job application. New Zealand employers expect you to adjust your CV to suit each job so that it highlights the skills that are relevant to the job.

People suggested that my CV was not what New Zealand employers would look at. Where I come from we prepare a CV in a different way: we give all our experience right from day one. Here, nobody likes to read a story! Darshan Desai

Cover letters

Most New Zealand employers expect a cover letter with your CV when you apply for a job. A cover letter is a ‘sales pitch’ about why you think you are ideal for the job.

Your cover letter should:

• briefly introduce yourself
• outline your main relevant skills and experience
• make an argument for why you are the right person for the specific job.

Just like your CV, it should focus on details that are relevant to the job you are applying for and it should be brief – no longer than 1 page.

Use a formal and persuasive style when writing a cover letter. It is a good idea to have a generic letter that you can adjust to match the job description you are applying for.

How to write a cover letter | careers.govt.nz

Your qualifications

Remember to bring your qualifications with you to New Zealand. If you are sending them in with an application, send a copy. Keep the originals safe and get copies made and certified. If you are in New Zealand, a Justice of the Peace (JP) can certify them.

Find a JP | Royal Federation of New Zealand Justices' Associations

Helpful resources

The careers.govt.nz website has many resources that can help you to make a New Zealand-style CV and cover letter. There is material to help you:

• understand the parts of a CV
• learn how to put transferable skills on your CV
• learn how to write a cover letter
• fill in job application forms.

CV and cover letter templates | careers.govt.nz

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CVs and cover letters

Take the hard work out of writing your CV and cover letter. Get advice about what to write, support to show you what to do, and free templates you can use.

When you apply for a job, employers will look at your:

• CV, to see your skills, any qualifications, and your work history
• cover letter, to find out what kind of person you are and why you want this job.

They'll use this to decide if they want to interview you, so it's really important to make a good impression.

What's available

'build my cv' service.

A free service to help you write or review your CV and cover letter. It's run by the Auckland Business Chamber, and it's available online throughout New Zealand.

You can sign up if you're getting Jobseeker Support or Sole Parent Support.

If you've been getting one of these benefits for less than 12 months, you can sign up through MyMSD:

If you've been getting one of these benefits for more than 12 months talk to your local service centre or call our Job Search line on 0800 779 009 .

Step-by-step CV builder

A free, interactive tool from Careers.govt.nz.

• Makes sure your CV has all the information employers look for.
• Tips and advice to help you build a CV to get you noticed.
• Your CV will save automatically to your account, and you can download, print and email it in Word and PDF.

How to write a cover letter

Careers.govt.nz has great advice about:

• what your cover letter needs
• how to make it look good
• templates you can use.

New Zealand Resume Formats, Templates, and Writing Tips

Applying for a job in New Zealand? This New Zealand resume guide has some tips, FAQs, and templates to inspire you to write the perfect resume.

If you want to get a job in New Zealand, it’s important to learn how to write a great New Zealand resume.

No matter what industry you’re in, you will need a great resume if you want to land an interview.

In this article, we will discuss:

• Requirements for a New Zealand resume
• New Zealand resume sections
• How to write an effective New Zealand resume
• New Zealand resume FAQs

New Zealand Resume Requirements

Before writing your resume for New Zealand, it’s important to understand the expectations New Zealand employers will have. You need to include the right personal details and resume sections for your resume to be successful.

Mandatory personal details

There are certain details that are mandatory if you want your resume to be accepted. These include:

• Phone number
• Email address

Optional personal details

If you have a professional online profile, like LinkedIn, Github, or an online portfolio, you can include it in your New Zealand resume. If you do, make sure everything it contains is completely professional and appropriate for the workplace.

Do not include

Some personal details, while common in other countries, should never be included on a New Zealand resume. Do not include your:

• Marital status
• Health status
• Nationality

How to Write a New Zealand Resume

To write a great resume for New Zealand, it’s important to make sure you have all the right sections and feature the right experience. To make sure your resume is ready for the New Zealand job market, simply follow these steps:

1. Choose the right New Zealand resume format

There are essentially two resume formats for New Zealand: A reverse-chronological resume , focused on your work experience, or a skills-based resume , focused on your skill set.

Reverse-chronological New Zealand resume format

In a reverse-chronological resume, the Work History section is the longest and most important part of the resume. In the Work History section, you list past positions in reverse-chronological order, beginning with your current or most recent role and working backwards. In each role, list responsibilities, skills, and accomplishments.

The reverse-chronological resume format is ideal for most job seekers. It clearly shows your career progression, and demonstrates your most important tasks and accomplishments in all of your past jobs. As long as you have had a fairly typical career, with roles largely in the same industry, this is the right choice for you. This is the most straightforward resume format, and the one most New Zealand employers will expect.

Skills-based New Zealand resume format

In a skills-based resume, the Skills section is the most prominent section of the resume. In the Skills section, you make each skill or skill area a heading, then provide a detailed explanation or list of accomplishments related to each skill. The Work History section will be shorter and less detailed, and may be reverse-chronological or sorted by relevance.

A skills-based resume format is a great choice for job-seekers who have had a less traditional career path. If your work history has had long gaps, frequent job-hopping, or significant career changes, you may want to consider using a skills-based resume format. This format allows you to foreground your skill set, so you can make sure your most impressive and most relevant skills are clear to employers when your work history does not make this obvious. This resume format is less common than the reverse-chronological resume, but it can benefit the right job-seeker.

2. Select a great New Zealand resume template

The right resume template for your New Zealand job search will depend on your experience, your career goals, and your personality.

If you are in a more traditional industry, like law or finance, and you are applying for a large corporation, you will probably want to use a traditional resume template. Classic resume templates use little or no colour, a single column, and plenty of white space.

For example, VisualCV’s Standard template is a great choice for a classic New Zealand resume template.

If you are in a more modern or creative industry, like social media marketing or graphic design, a visually striking resume could be a benefit to your job search. A modern resume template might include more striking colours, multiple columns, and other visual elements.

For example, VisualCV’s Quartz template offers a second column and a splash of colour that allows your resume to be expressive while remaining professional.

3. List your contact information

Once you have decided on your resume format and resume template, you can start adding the content to your resume. To start, make sure to list your contact information.

At the top of your resume, include your:

• Telephone number
• Email Address
• Home Address

This ensures that the employer will be able to contact you. Make sure all of your contact information is up to date, and be sure that your email address is professional and appropriate for work.

Optionally, you can also include a link to a professional online profile, like a personal website or LinkedIn account. This will give employers greater insight into your career and online presence. If you do, however, make sure everything on the account is completely professional and appropriate for work.

4. Write a great personal statement

At or near the top of your resume, many job-seekers include a Summary, Objective, or Personal Statement. This section is optional, but a great professional summary can be a great way of introducing yourself to an employer and ensuring that your key qualities are easy to find, right at the beginning of your resume.

In a Summary or Personal Statement, offer some key skills, accomplishments, or qualifications that make you a great candidate for the position you are applying for. This section should be short–only a few sentences or bullet points–but impactful. By listing some key details up front, you can impress hiring managers right away and convince them to keep reading.

Objective statements are more rare, and are sometimes seen as outdated. We recommend including a Summary instead. If you do include one, however, briefly describe your career goals and how your experience relates to the position you are applying for.

5. Showcase your work experience

Your Work Experience section is the longest and most important part of your resume. In this section, you can list all of your previous positions in reverse-chronological order, beginning with your current or most recent job.

For each job, include the:

• Company Name
• Dates of Employment
• Job Description

The job descriptions of each role can be the most effective parts of the resume. These sections are where you can list your achievements, skills, and abilities so the employer knows exactly what you bring as an employee.

To write great job descriptions, make sure to focus on achievements rather than responsibilities. Accomplishments are more impressive than duties, and a job description focused on success is going to catch the hiring manager’s eye.

If you’re having trouble thinking of accomplishments for each role, try to come up with measurable aspects of the job. This can be things like sales, customer growth, and budgets. Anything you can put a number to will look great on a resume. Using numbers to describe your experience simultaneously provides concrete examples of your experience, while showing that you are a data-driven worker who keeps track of your performance.

Further, use active language as much as possible to describe your work experience. Action verbs like “spearheaded”, “led”, and “developed” show that you are a dedicated worker with leadership qualities. It’s important to sound like you can think for yourself and take initiative, and describing your experience in the right way can help you do this.

6. List your skills

Writing a great Skills section in your New Zealand resume can be the push that your resume needs to land you an interview. If your Skills section has just the right technical skills and personal attributes the employer is looking for, your resume is sure to be taken to the next stage.

It’s important to include both hard skills and soft skills in your resume. Hard skills are the professional skills specific to your career, like logistics, welding, or JQuery. Soft skills are the people skills that make you a great person to work with, like communication, problem solving, and time management.

To write a great Skills section, make sure to think carefully about the job you’re applying to. The company will have specific technical skills they’re looking for, so it’s important to make sure you have the right skills. List the most relevant skills right at the top of the list.

7. List your education and qualifications

Your education is an important part of your career story. Below your Skills and Work Experience sections, include a section for your degrees and other certifications. In your Education section, list accreditations in reverse-chronological order. For each item, include the:

• Degree Name
• School Name
• Month of graduation

If you have other certifications you would like to include, such as workshop certifications, associate certificates, or post-secondary courses, you can include them in your Education section as well. Some job-seekers call this section Qualifications so that the different certifications will all fit in.

8. Add Referees

It is customary to include a section for Referees, sometimes called “References”, in your New Zealand resume. If you have space, you can include the full details for each referee, including their name, job title, organization, and contact details.

If you don’t have space, or if you would prefer to keep your referees’ details private until they are needed, you can simply write “Referees available upon request” in your Referees section.

9. Customize your resume

Once all of your qualifications have been included, it’s important to customize your New Zealand resume for every application.

To do this, carefully study the job description of the position you are applying for. The company will have specific skills and experience they are looking for. Take note of the key words and phrases used in the job description, then use them in your own resume. The closer your own skill set matches the job requirements, the more likely you are to be invited to an interview.

New Zealand Resume FAQs

The steps above are a great way to write a New Zealand resume, but you may have a few lingering questions. With these FAQs, your questions will be answered:

How long should a New Zealand resume be?

Your New Zealand resume should be one or two pages long.

For most job-seekers, one page is enough. If you are a mid-career professional, you should be able to condense your skills and experience to a single page. If you are having trouble, just focus on the best and most relevant details.

If you are highly experienced, with decades of experience to display, you can consider using a two-page resume. If you do this, however, make sure you can fill both pages, and make sure everything you include is truly important. Hiring managers aren’t likely to read the second page of a resume unless your experience is extraordinarily impressive.

Is it “New Zealand resume” or “New Zealand CV”?

In New Zealand, the terms “resume” and “CV” are usually used interchangeably. However, both refer to the shorter “resume” document. “CV” refers to what American job-seekers would call a “resume”, not the longer “curriculum vitae”.

Should you include a picture in your New Zealand resume?

No, you should not include a picture in your New Zealand resume. It is not common to include a photograph of yourself with your job application, and employers do not expect it. In fact, your resume could be rejected for including a picture.

What are the best fonts for a New Zealand resume?

For a New Zealand resume, it is best to stick to a readable and professional font. Effective resume fonts might include Open Sans, PT Serif, or Assistant.

Many job seekers use two typefaces in their resume, one for headings and one for body text. If you do this, using a serif font for headings and a sans-serif font for body text is often visually pleasing.

What is the best file type for a New Zealand resume?

The ideal file type for a New Zealand resume is a PDF. With a PDF, you can be sure that your resume will look the same on every computer, no matter what operating system or PDF viewer they are using.

Many job-seekers use a Word document, but Word documents may have formatting issues if opened with a different type of computer or word processor. If you want to make sure your resume looks the same to an employer as it does to you, use a PDF.

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Building a convincing cover letter can take time and skills we don’t always have. Now, with CVapp.nz, we’ll help you build an effortless and easy cover letter that helps showcase your skills.

With our diverse range of stunning cover letter design templates, there’s something for everyone. All of our templates have been designed with professionals in mind, allowing users to pick a template for any job, industry or employer. professional Curious? Come take a look!

Employers need reliable contact information, so be sure to add relevant and appropriate contact details. With our expert-designed templates, headers and formatting, you can be sure your CV will be noticed and get you hired faster. No boring visuals, no problems!

Save on time by using our pre-approved phrases and top career tips and tricks! Use our free guides and resources to create impressive cover letters that leave a lasting impression and save you time and energy!

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How to Create a New Zealand CV

Support nz pocket guide and get our huge ebook collection to access our tips on the go, write a wicked cv for new zealand.

In New Zealand, we call that document with your work experience and skills on a “curriculum vitae”, or much more commonly, a “CV”. Having one that stands out is essential when applying for jobs in New Zealand .

Your CV in New Zealand should look different from the one you have back home, as the effectiveness of a CV differs from country to country, culture to culture. So drafting up a CV for your time in New Zealand is a must! With that in mind, we have put together this quick guide to create a CV that Kiwi employers love.

We recommend creating a New Zealand CV before you arrive in New Zealand so you can get this boring but essential task out of the way early (see more tasks like this in the 20 Essential Must-Dos BEFORE Moving to New Zealand ). You will need to have the file on hand to edit while you are in New Zealand. Plus, if you are going to apply for a variety of job roles, which we fully recommend, then you will have to create multiple versions of your CV to stress relevant skills and experience. More on that below!

How Long Should a New Zealand CV Be?

We’re glad you asked! In New Zealand, you won’t get penalised for having a CV that’s more than a page long.

Kiwi employers like to get a good all-round representation of your skills and experiences, which can take a couple of pages or even three. We recommend a CV that is 2-3 pages long.

How to Show Your Work Experience

Now, we won’t go into the perfect New Zealand CV template, as you can find heaps of basic CV templates online, like these templates from Careers NZ . Where ever you look for templates, they will tell you the same thing: include your name, contact, work experience, skills, reference, etc. If you haven’t had much work experience, you’ll want to look up a ‘skills-based’ CV template.

When you have seen a good base for your CV, it’s time to start adding content, the most important of which is your work experience.

Here is what you should include:

• Start each job section with your job title (e.g. waiter, technician, retail assistant, etc.), company name, location, and timeframe that you worked there.
• Write a short sentence that explains what the company did, as it is likely that the employer has never heard of the company, especially those from overseas.
• Now say what your role was and what you achieved there.
• Use bullet points to say each responsibility you had.

Bonus : Keep these points in mind when it comes to creating your CV after your gap year too !

Keep it Relevant and Simple

Now that we have the basics out of the way, how can you make your CV effective in New Zealand? Well, Kiwi employers like to keep things relevant and simple. There’s nothing more off-putting than a huge chunk of text!

Here are a few ways you can keep your CV as short and relevant as possible:

• Headline your CV with your name, phone number and email address . You don’t need your postal address.
• Keep your most relevant experience and skills to the top of your CV . Don’t worry about keeping everything in chronological order. You want the employer to instantly see that you have the skills and experience for the job, so put the most relevant parts of your CV first.
• Keep dates and locations simple . As a backpacker from overseas, it’s likely you’ll have worked overseas, so just put the country. For the dates, just state the month and year you worked in a particular job role, rather than specifying the exact day.
• Lose the personal statement . If you have a paragraph about how awesome you are and how you’re a “hard worker”, lose it! Show your work ethic and personality through a cover letter (if needed) and in the interview.
• Use keywords . If you are responding to a written job application, stick keywords from the job description into your CV.

The Importance of References

The last thing on your CV should be two or three references or “referees”. These can be past employers or tutors who can recommend you to future employers and put in a good word for you. That’s why it is always good to end your employment with someone on a high.

Many Kiwi employers ask for references, so it’s good to have references and their contact details already on your CV. It also gives potential employers peace of mind to see you have contacts that you are confident will speak positively about you. Not putting any references would look a bit suspicious.

A reference should state the name of the referee, their job role, company, phone number and email address. As it is likely that you have references from overseas, remember to add the phone number with the correct country code. For example, the New Zealand country code is +64.

Speaking of phones, is your New Zealand phone number set up? You’ll need it for potential employers to contact you. Find out more at Will Your Phone Work in New Zealand?

What Format to Save Your CV in

When sending a CV electronically, you want your potential employer to be able to open your CV on their computer and see exactly what you see: a clean-designed CV. The worst-case scenario is that your CV is misaligned and looks a mess when someone else tries to open the file on their device.

For these reasons, save two versions of your CV: as a .doc and .pdf file. To send to the employer, we prefer .pdf because it looks exactly the same no matter what device you open it on. To save a .pdf file using Microsoft Word, click on Save As then select PDF from the drop-down menu. There may also be an option to ‘Export as a PDF’.

You should also have a .doc version of your CV just for yourself so you can edit your CV. If you do, for whatever reason, send a .doc file to an employer or anyone to proofread, make sure the design is kept clean and simple.

For tips on finding WiFi in New Zealand, see How to get Internet and WiFi in New Zealand .

5 Things Not to Do on Your CV

A few “DO NOT” tips before we leave you to work on your CV…

• Don’t copy a CV. First of all, you would be lying on your CV, which would become apparent to the employer once they met you. Secondly, templates have been used so much that it would be instantly recognisable as a template.
• Don’t use pictures on your CV .
• Don’t use multiple fonts and colours .
• Don’t use family members as a reference , even if they have employed you.
• Don’t be negative (much like this list).

Now Go and Get that job!

Once you have a killer CV, follow these tips and tricks to land yourself a job in New Zealand.

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How to Quickly Find a Job in New Zealand

How to nail a job interview in new zealand.

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

• MBIE Immigration and Workers Rights (Working rights in New Zealand - Updated [2024])
• Immigration New Zealand (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2024])
• Stats NZ (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2024])
• Council websites (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
• New Zealand Customs Service (Customs and Biosecurity - Updated [2024])
• Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
• TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2024])
• Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])

Our editorial standards : At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

This article has been reviewed and approved by Robin, who is the co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. With more than 15 years of experience in the New Zealand tourism industry, Robin has co-founded three influential tourism businesses and five additional travel guides for South Pacific nations. He is an expert in New Zealand travel and has tested over 600 activities and 300+ accommodations across the country.

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How To Master a Cover Letter for New Zealand [Examples & Tips]

Although you might don’t want to, yet in most cases, you need to include a cover letter when applying for a job in New Zealand. NZ cover letter is similar to other countries; it should show the company why you are the right candidate for the job. Take your time to write a personal and customized letter. Never send the generic one; this can ruin your application from the start.

A cover letter is a monumental part of your job application in New Zealand. A good cover letter should answer the main question, which is why the company should hire you. Additionally, it must provide information on how you can bring value to the company and help them with the challenges. A cover letter should showcase the relevant skills and experience you have.

In most cases, businesses and recruiters in New Zealand will require you to attach a customized cover letter. And it’s a good thing for you. In the end, the cover letter is a claim for the role – it’s your chance to highlight and match your experience against the job description and to clearly state what you can offer your potential employer.

If you are looking for a job in New Zealand, I would highly recommend going through the Job Hunter’s handbook made by Careers.govt.nz.

Table of Contents

Is a cover letter necessary in New Zealand?

Unfortunately, yes, you need to include a customized cover letter when applying for a job in New Zealand. Almost  half of the recruiters reject applications without a cover letter. A high-quality, customized cover letter tells the manager you are a dedicated professional. It should be only a page long.

A resume or CV alone can show your achievements and qualifications, but it can’t tell the story and explain why you choose this company in particular. That’s why we need a cover letter. It’s also a great tool to show your personality and motivation. It must show the employer you are an asset to their company.

Are you resigning from your previous job? Read how to write a proper resignation letter .

Resignation Letter in New Zealand (Examples + Template)

Tips and guidance for a winner cover letter.

So what is a cover letter, and why it’s so important for your job application in New Zealand?

• Cover letter is your first point of contact with employers .
• It should fit on one page .
• It needs to explain why you want this job .
• It should relate to your CV .
• It should describe your relevant skills, experience, and accomplishments .
• It should show the evidence that you have researched the company and that you are the right candidate.

If you follow these simple statements, you should already be able to create a decent letter. Yet, if you want more, read this article to the end and follow the advice.

The winning tactic here is focusing on  them , not just on  you,  which will ultimately make you stand out from other applicants

When writing your cover letter, pay attention to the following:

• Do very extensive research about the company. Show it in the cover letter.
• Reflect on the company’s vision.
• Highlight specific achievements and successes that show you can address the challenges the employer is facing.
• Show your personality.
• Prove that you understand the challenges of the company.
• Explain your motivation and fit for the position.
• Presents how your skills and experience as a solution for the company.
• Create a list of job keywords that are mentioned in the job ad. Include them in the cover letter.
• Address the cover letter to the right person, e.g., the hiring manager or recruiter
• Be clear and concise
• Have a structure in the letter – beginning, middle, end
• Use active words to describe your work – accomplished, achieved, led, created, increased, identified
• Finish with a call to action and ask for a meeting.
• Try to be funny
• Send a generic cover letter — customize each one for the specific job.
• Forget your full contact details
• Generic and boring opening paragraph
• Copy-paste from the CV or job ad
• Start every sentence with “I”
• Write more than one page

Looking for a job? Check out the best recruitment agencies in New Zealand .

Best Recruitment Agencies in New Zealand 2024

1. Research about the company and position

Your knowledge about the company you are applying to work for is crucial. You must also know all the essential details about the advertised position and how your skills and experience fit in.

When someone reads your cover letter, they must be sure you are the right candidate for this position and for this company. That’s why you must include as many tailored to the job ad details as possible (yet not too many).

So, look for information on the company, its key products or services, its mission, and anything else that gives you an insight into them. Notice the most important details and mention them in the cover letter where appropriate.

You might want to check out the company’s website, its executives’ Twitter feeds, and LinkedIn profiles.

The culture of the organization is vital to note. This will influence your communication style. For instance, you might be more casual with start-ups or advertising agencies but more formal with banks and large corporations.

2. Show how you can help

A company hires you to solve a problem or to help with challenging tasks they are unable to manage. Point out the things you can do for a company and which potential results it might bring. Or maybe you already were challenged with similar tasks? Mention it in your cover letter!

3. Why are you a perfect fit?

The second paragraph of your cover letter should give a clear idea to the reader why you are the one and that you will satisfy the company’s specific needs.

Here you should match the keywords mentioned in the job ad with your skills and experience. You also must show the hiring manager why you want this job, not just any job. Include all the enthusiasm and passion you have.

Match your skills with a job ad

Highlight the key skills and qualities in the ad, e.g.:

• strong written and verbal communication
• technical skills
• analytical thinking
• team player or teamwork
• problem-solving
• time management
• knowledge of software & tools
• specialized or technical competencies
• high level of computer competency
• ability to work well under pressure
• enthusiasm and initiative
• excellent customer service

Include them in the cover letter with real-life examples.

Connections matter in New Zealand

About 70% of all jobs in New Zealand are so-called hidden. They are simply not advertised because hiring managers seek candidates within the company, their circle of colleagues, and people they know before they post a job ad. For that reason, having connections in New Zealand is very crucial.

You are more likely to be invited to an interview if you know a friend of a friend and they got a reference they you rather than just based on your qualifications and experience.

That might be good news for some and bad news for others. Nonetheless, it’s highly recommended to start networking as soon as you land in New Zealand. Join groups, participate in social and professional events, work on your Linkedin profile, and just be proactive.

And if you are lucky to know someone in the company you are applying to work for, mention it in the first sentence or two of your cover letter.

Don’t forget to include

Your cover letter shouldn’t miss these small but key elements:

Your personal value and personality

While skills and experiences are indeed critical, New Zealanders love human connection. If they find you an interesting and nice person, they are more likely to move forward with your application.

Try to be personal in your cover letter; tell them more unique things about you and your experience. Avoid being general at any cost.

Reflect on your experience that relates to the job ad and company profile. What challenges have you faced, and how did you solve them? You also want to provide evidence of the things you mention by using concrete examples, situations, numbers, and facts. For example:

“During the last quarter, my company was challenged by the supply shortage of …We have had 200% more orders than we can ever fulfill. To solve this problem, I was on the lookout for new suppliers for several weeks; after dozens of selling calls, I finally managed to sign a contract with our best supplier so far. I will never come across them otherwise.”

Your enthusiasm

In many cases, people don’t get hired because they aren’t enthusiastic and convincing enough. So, it’s not the lack of skills; it’s your desire and how you show it. If you make it as if it was your dream job, you are more likely to be invited. Avoid at any cost writing in a manner as you are doing a company a favor by working for them.

Hiring managers even say, “Enthusiasm conveys personality.” Some tips that help you to point out your enthusiasm include:

• Show that you have thought about the job and why you would like to work for them.
• Why is this company so brilliant? What they do the best? How they stand out?
• Mention their reputation, performance, and product.
• Remember, it’s about what you can do for them, not what they can do for you.

NZ cover letter structure

Following the formal structure when piecing together a cover letter is as much as important as its content. So, make sure you stick to New Zealand standards. Here is an example:

Dear [Ms. or Mr. Surname],

• Opening – Explain why you are writing this letter (add an interesting one-liner summarizing why you’re interested in the role and what you’d bring to their business.)
• Explain your interest in the job, show knowledge about the company and position
• Demonstrate your skills and experience related to the job
• Explain why you will fit into this role and which value you will bring to the company
• Sign off and offer them to contact you

Yours sincerely,

Your name – Andrew Black.

Make sure you check your cover letter via Grammarly for spelling and grammar mistakes!

Cover letter introduction

The introduction sentences will determine whether the hiring manager will read on or skip your resume. Start your cover letter in an unconventional way and hold the reader’s interest. Here are some tips for a stellar introduction:

• Highlight your achievements in the industry.
• Display your passion and enthusiasm.
• Mention some names and numbers.

A no-go cover letter introduction looks like this:

In response to your posting for the Digital Marketing Manager position, I would like to express my interest in participating in the recruitment process. As a digital marketing manager with 8+ years of experience, I am optimistic that I would succeed in this role.

Top cover letter example

Since you already know how to write the header, here is only the main part of the cover letter.

” I am writing regarding the Marketing Manager position you currently have open. As a marketer with over 5 years of experience managing small and larger teams, I would love to take a challenge and work for your company. Marketing is my passion, so it’s to achieve monthly goals, generate new leads & sales, and train the team for success.

In my previous role at (company name), I reached not only the set marketing goals but exceeded them by 80% and, in some months, even 120%. Your company (name) already has brilliant strategies in place, you use paid advertising, social media, and outreach, but I would add other channels to ramp up the reach and revenue. I am experienced and knowledgeable in the SEO scene; hence we can explore new opportunities for your business in this area of marketing.

My previous team of marketing assistants was great! I love to work with people and guide them in our current strategies. At the same time, responsibility for people does not make me stressed or scared but ignites my motivation to bring even better results so we can all be proud as a team.

Besides, my Master’s degree in Business taught me fundamental knowledge about organizations, management, strategy, and agility, which I would be happy to apply when working for (company).

It will be great to talk in person one day. You can reach me at 123456789 any time or via email at [email protected] to arrange an interview. Thank you for your consideration, I look forward to hearing from you.

Cover letter for a visa application

Im most cases, Immigration New Zealand, will request a cover or so-called motivational letter together with your visa application. This is generally a less complex document that you would write for the employer.

Your cover letter for a visa should include:

• Reasons why you are moving or visiting New Zealand
• How are you going to support yourself
• Demonstration of how you meet the criteria for the visa

The content of the cover letter will vary depending on the visa type you are applying for. If it’s, for instance, to join a partner in New Zealand, you should include your relationship to them and explain it briefly.

Therefore, your cover letter should target your visa category’s main requirements. 

When I was applying for a student visa, my cover letter described why I decided to study in New Zealand and what are my plans after my studies. Immigration New Zealand also mentioned in their requirements that the cover letter must include these details.

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Free cover letter template

A cover letter is all about making a great first impression and giving your job application the best chance of making progress. a well-written cover letter will encourage a potential employer to read through to your resumé and get in touch to find out more or set up an interview..

• why you’re interested in that role,
• what the most relevant skills and experience you could bring to it.

“I’m starting out my career in…"

• “I’ve committed myself to building skills in <aspect of the job> and <another aspect> throughout my work as an <your current role>. Now, I’m ready to take the next step in my career. The <job title> role at <company name> would allow me to contribute my skills to the <team name> team, and in doing so, help <company name> to succeed in <what the company does>.”
• “Providing patient-centred care has grown to become my key focus as I establish my nursing career. I’m passionate about ensuring dignity and respect, and that’s why this role as Graduate Nurse at Smith Hospital appeals so greatly to me.”

"<Company name> has been of interest to me since …"

"i welcome the opportunity…", top search terms, explore related topics, subscribe to career advice.

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How to Write a CV for the New Zealand Market

Haere mai! Are you moving to New Zealand, and ready to start your job hunt?  When you make a big move to a new country, or even just to a new city, you’ll find there are ways of doing things that are unique to that environment. This applies here in New Zealand, and it will be beneficial for you to take the ‘Kiwi way’ into consideration when applying for jobs.

Here are some tips to adapting your CV, and your communications, which may make a difference to your success

• You don’t need to include a photo, but if you do choose to, make sure it looks professional.
• Leave out your race, nationality, gender, sex, marriage status, religion or age. This information shouldn’t be used to make hiring decisions and as such doesn’t need to be said.
• If you speak other languages, put it in there! Most people in New Zealand are monolingual so this can be a point in your favour.
• Speaking of languages, Māori is an official language of New Zealand. Why not start your cover letter with “Kia Ora” to show your interest in our culture.
• If you’re emailing your CV then your ‘cover letter’ doesn’t have to be an actual letter, it can be in the body of the email.
• Use the cover letter to add information to the CV, not duplicate it. This is the place to include important additional information such as your visa status, the type of employment you are you seeking (full time, part time etc) your arrival date in the country, your notice period etc. If you’re concerned you may be overqualified, recognise this and explain that you are just keen to get some NZ experience.
• If you are applying for a specific position, the cover letter is also a place to succinctly outline why you are a good match for the role.
• A good length for a CV is 1 or 2 double-sided pages, try not to make it longer.
• Formatting is important: I recommend Size 12, Arial or Calibri font, and formatted in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF.
• If you include your High School qualifications in your CV, add in the NZ equivalent to make it easy for the reader. For those with A levels, I recommend including your grades but only if they are good!

Year 11 = NCEA level 1

Year 12 = NCEA level 2

Year 13 (final year of High School) = NCEA level 3.

• List any software and CRMs that you have used. Technology skills are always in demand and often seen as transferrable skills.
• It depends on which company you are applying to, but Kiwis tend to not be impressed by fancy words or long-winded explanations; keep it simple.
• Leave your referee details out of your CV. If you like, you can put “references available on request”, and if you have a written reference already then include that in the application.
• Keyboards in New Zealand aren’t designed for common use of diacritics so be forgiving if your name gets anglicised at first (sorry!).
• If you’re not sure the name of the person receiving your application just address “To whom it may concern”.
• Bear in mind that lot of Kiwi businesses are owner-operated, you may not be dealing with HR experts.
• Keep your CV current (including phone number, address, and suburb), and update your profiles on LinkedIn and SEEK.co.nz

To gain New Zealand experience, it is key to show flexibility.  Until you have familiarised and established yourself within the New Zealand market you may not be able to walk straight into your dream job, or earn the salary you’ve been on previously—but something can be learnt from every opportunity.

Job hunting in New Zealand is not that different from in other parts of the world, but the little things can make a difference! Hopefully working through the items on this checklist will help you enter the New Zealand job market and move you further on your road to success.

Here’s an example of an NZ-formatted CV.

• Employers Blogs
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• Recruitment Industry Blogs

The Real World of Contracting

Employment can take on a range of forms – there are permanent, part time, temporary, fixed-term, and contracting positions.

When interviewing candidates and discussing their preferences, we’d have to say that the most polarising option is contracting. Those candidates who have fully embraced the world of contracting are very enthusiastic, and find this approach to employment works really well for them. Whereas some who perhaps haven’t had a great experience, or who have heard stories about the challenges, feel strongly that it’s not for them.

Some Q&A sessions with our regular contractors were compiled in this blog to help those considering this option make an informed decision.

• You have more control over your own destiny.
• There’s generally more variety, and the expanded knowledge and skill set that come with it—you’re going to end up moving around different organisations more than if you were a permanent employee.
• A higher income is possible, even after adjusting for lack of paid annual leave, public holidays sick leave, tax and ACC obligations and employer contributions to Kiwisaver.
• You have greater accountability for your work. You’re paid to deliver, not just to show up (if that’s what you enjoy, it’s good to be a contractor, if it’s not — then contracting won’t be right for you).
• You’re often seen as the expert.
• It can be an enjoyable challenge to get up to speed, fast.
• You tend to rotate through more roles, so meet a lot of really interesting people.
• Financially you are a business, so can claim expenses (though this is not so with a fixed term contracts).
• Because of the flexibility required, you are forced to think laterally about your skills.
• You get to ask the questions that the organisation has been wanting to ask, but for perm employees may be seen as career limiting.
• There’s more flexibility over your annual workload; your commitment tends to be limited to three to six months at a time.
• It’s possible to get a ‘’foot in the door’ into a preferred company.
• You gain project experience.
• You have to be ‘top of your game’ to get consistent work. That can mean working in a more junior position, especially while you get established.
• You may end up taking on types of work you don’t want to do, because it is the first available contract, although with experience you can start to pick and choose a bit more.
• The risk is yours. If the work dries up, or if you’re sick, you’re then the income stops immediately.
• You always have to think ahead and make strategic decisions, e.g. trying to avoid roles likely to finish in periods when there is little work.
• Nobody will be supporting your career except you. You’re not part of the organisation, and you won’t get training or other development.
• You need to understand and manage your tax and ACC obligations.
• You do not have the employment law protection of an employee.
• Discipline is essential around financial budgeting for between roles, time off sick and holidays, GST, Tax (this is the one thing people don’t appreciate when they see your hourly rate)
• You’ll be the first one off the staffing budget in an economic downturn.
• You need to be flexible, you need to think laterally about your skills and be open to what’s required.
• You can be treated as an outsider. Get used to it and have your own social events!
• Keeping track of hours can suck.
• Insurance is expensive.
• Uncertainty about income is the biggie. Your paycheck can look different every month.

Recommendations for those looking at entering the contracting world

• Talk to people who are already contracting, preferably several people, and ask them whatever you want to know.
• If you’re not sure, try a fixed-term position as a middle ground option. Although it has much of the risk without the financial reward, it will test your tolerance for uncertainty and will also help show your suitability for your first contract role.
• Be disciplined and build good financial security, whether through savings or having a working partner.
• Save any difference between your old and new income, don’t get used to a higher income as it comes without security.
• Create a bank account for ‘downtime’, and an account for ‘between contracts’ and save for each.
• Don’t look to invoice for every hour e.g. attending a cool seminar that may be ‘sort of’ related. Be reasonable.
• On the flip side, make sure you invoice for the work you do. Value your contribution.
• Be organised. Set yourself objectives to complete timesheets/prepare well in advance of your requirements to submit documents.
• NZ is small, negative behaviour will get around so keep things positive.
• Don’t under-price yourself; it screws the market.
• Choose your style. For example, mine is to be social and also to be part of the team and if people think I’m working full time then I’ve succeeded.
• You get out what you put in, so be proactive, and build relationships with key individuals. Successful contracting is about relationships and long lead times
• Give your manager and colleagues a reason to want to work with you. If you’re good enough, there’s a good chance they will create a role for you if your contract work ceases to exist.
• If you want to succeed, you need to ensure you’ll not pulled into the 9-5 mindset. Create your own standards.
• Understand your IRD/GST/Student loan/ACC obligations as a contractor, it is all your responsibility. You will experience unwanted surprises. Attend the IRD sessions on GST/General business.
• Love what you do!

Typical challenges?

• Finding the next role; it can take a lot of effort.
• You can often be the dumping ground for boring jobs.  You get paid by the hour—just do it, even if it means late nights.
• Managing your energy. It’s too easy to go hard and work the hours for the money and get run down or sick.
• Negotiating the rate.
• Be aware of your ethics: decide what won’t you do.
• If your CV doesn’t fit the usual style, you have to adapt.
• Don’t forget that your hours are virtually nil between mid-December until mid-January.  And if you don’t have a contract by mid-November, you probably won’t be working again until February or March.

Any other things you want to add?

• While it’s not for everyone, I Iove it!
• Don’t make the mistake I made in the past and not set aside money for a rainy day.  And be prepared to go full time if the economy shifts.
• If you decide to go through an agency, do your research. Your Consultant is key, so build a good relationship with them.  They are your ‘insurance’ in this line of work.

I hope you’ve found these insights helpful —and a big thank you to those professional contractors we spoke to, to compile this blog. If you’re a contractor – did we miss anything important? And finally, we’d be more than happy to answer any questions you might have about contracting from a recruiter’s perspective, so feel free to drop us a line.

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• You are currently on: Your CV and cover letter

Your CV and cover letter

Your CV and cover letter are the first impression most employers will have of you. This is your opportunity to showcase your skills and experience to a potential employer.

Remember that you need to tailor your CV for each role. You should not have one version of your CV that you use for multiple applications. Each job is different and you need to demonstrate you have the right skills and experience for that role. 

Make sure you get friends or family members to read your CV and give you feedback. They can spot achievements or skills you've forgotten to include and help you make it easier to read.

Recruiters from some of New Zealand's leading companies share their tips about preparing your CV in the video below.

Cover letters

Your cover letter is your personal sales pitch. Use it to introduce yourself and explain why you want the job and are the right person for it.

Recruiters from some of New Zealand's leading companies share their tips about writing a cover letter in the video below.

Tips from Business School students for CVs and cover letters

In our recent Business School student recruitment experience survey, students had the following advice for you:

• Always apply early! It's really important to put your best foot forward, so use the resources offered at the Business School. Get your CV checked and talk to our Business School Career Development team – they often know the recruitment teams and can tell you what to focus on. Most importantly, be yourself. Tell them what makes you unique and what you can bring to the role.
• Be sure to check your CV, CL and application form thoroughly before submitting it, to ensure that there are no grammar, spelling or other mistakes and that your CV is consistently formatted (e.g. dates and bullet points are aligned consistently). Ensure that all information provided is correct and updated. In addition, it is important to ensure that your CV, CL and application form is tailored to the company's values and job description – not just a general CV.
• Structure your CV well to highlight certain skills you have that would make you more attractive towards the role. Also make sure you come across as an all-round student.
• While applying, make your CV the best possible representation of who you are as a person. Include a list of relevant skills on your CV that are specific and tangible – not just things like “punctual” or “passionate”.

General application tips

• Start early, the application takes a while to complete.
• Get all your CV and cover letters checked and done before the start of the semester, and also create a LinkedIn profile beforehand as well.
• Go to Networking events. These companies get flooded with applications - you need to put a face to your application.
• Never underestimate yourself, you’re just as good as anybody else!

CV and cover letters explained workshop

To find out more, register and attend our workshop "CV and cover letters explained". You can view workshops and registration details on our Book a workshop page .

Drop in with your CV and cover letter

Come and see us at drop-in to get your CV and cover letter reviewed.

• Located in the red booths on Level 1, OGGB, between 12-2pm, Monday to Friday, during undergraduate teaching periods.You don't need to make an appointment.
• During semester 1 2022 it will be held online. You can find the link in the Business School newsletter (BizBuzz) which is emailed to you each Thursday.
• During the breaks you are welcome to make an appointment via MyCDES .

Application checks

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How to write a CV

• CV and cover letter templates
• How to describe skills in your CV
• How to write a cover letter
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How to write a CV employers will want to read.

What's on this page?

Two types of cv, make your cv easy to read, what to put in your cv, what not to put in your cv, name and contact details, objective and personal statement, work history and work or volunteer experience, qualifications, achievements, cv templates and examples, find out more.

Recruitment software now scans your CV for key words and skills used in the job advertisement. This software is used by recruitment agents and many employers. This means that you should change your CV for each job application, using key words from the job advertisement.

Our CV builder helps you change your CV for each job application:

There are two main types of CV.

• Skills-focused CV – useful for career changers, school leavers or people with gaps in work history.
• Work-focused CV – useful for showcasing work experience and for people progressing to the next stage in their career.
• Use our skills-focused or work-focused CV templates

Recruiters take 15-20 seconds to scan your CV the first time. If you make a good impression, they'll read your CV more closely. 

To make your CV look good:

• use a black, easy-to-read font in one size
• use short sentences and break up blocks of text
• use bullet points to list information
• keep the tone formal
• avoid abbreviations, slang or jargon
• avoid photos or images
• have strong headings and lots of white space
• keep your CV to two pages.

Save your CV as a Word document and a PDF

Save your CV as both a Word document and a PDF. An employer may need either one of these file formats.

Label your CV files with your name, the application date, and the job you're applying for.

If you update your Word document, remember to also create a new PDF .

A CV must include:

• your name and contact details
• technical and personal skills
• work, and community and volunteer experience
• qualifications and education
• referees (you can include referees or note that referees are available on request).

A CV could also include:

• an objective and personal statement
• achievements
• job-specific information (for example, a teacher would put their teaching philosophy in their CV).
• a photo or images
• coloured or fancy fonts or design
• your date of birth or age
• your marital status, religion or bank account details
• too much text and bad spelling
• a funny or rude email address
• work experience or interests that are not relevant to the job
• lies about your experience and skills.
• first and last name (this should be in large and bold text)
• postal address, including area code
• phone number 
• email address.
• job hunting profile link, such as LinkedIn or Behance
• your professional website or Youtube channel link.

Make sure that:

• your email address is work-appropriate, for example, [email protected]
• your phone voicemail message only gives your name and a request to leave a message.

An objective gives brief details about the type of work and role you would like and the industry you want to work in.

A personal statement gives the employer an idea of who you are in three or four sentences. 

You can include:

• what you're currently doing for employment or education
• what attracted you to the job you're applying for
• your reason you're applying for this job
• your career goals.

Both an objective and a personal statement are optional and sit under your contact details. 

• Reed website - examples of personal statements

The skills you put in your CV should be the same skills listed in the job advertisement.

Technical skills

Include a technical skill section in your CV to list skills such as:

• driver's licences
• computer programmes.

Examples of writing about personal skills in your CV 

In a skills-focused CV, list the skills from the job advertisement with examples of how you've used those skills. This should be at the top of your CV.

Strong communication skills

• member of Southwest High School debating team
• chaired the Mount Gibson Neighbourhood Support committee for two years.

In a work-focused CV, describe your skills in your work history.

2015-2017  Customer Services Representative, Beluga Rental Cars

• Demonstrated strong communication skills when advising customers on car insurance.

Find out more about putting skills in your CV.

List your most recent jobs or work and volunteer experience first. Your work history needs to include:

• the name of the employer
• the job title/role
• where the job was located
• start date and end date.

Beneath this, list the tasks you performed. Also list any achievements.

If you change jobs in the same organisation, include both job titles/roles.

You don't need to list all your work history – keep your CV short.

Examples of work history

If you choose a skills-focused CV:

July 2017-August 2018  Counter assistant  Sione's Bakery, Auckland

• customer service
• increased sales of large coffees by 10%.

If you choose a work-focused CV, describe your skills more:

Responsible for food and drink and customer service in bakery.

• demonstrated excellent customer service skills when taking customer's orders
• lead sales of large coffees, increasing sales to 10%.

Use action verbs to describe your work history

Use action verbs to describe your work history and skills. These are words like demonstrated, managed, lead, developed, organised.

• Live career website - find action verbs for your CV

Gaps in your work history?

If you have gaps where you haven't been in paid work:

• use a skills-focused CV
• showcase skills you've learned on your break such as planning, budgeting, caring for family members
• include work experience and volunteer work in your work history
• explain the reason for big gaps in your cover letter.

List your qualifications or education in the qualifications section of your CV. You can include:

• NCEA levels or other school qualifications
• school subjects with grades
• certificates, diplomas or degrees
• micro-credentials and short work-related courses
• work-based training
• professional development courses, conferences and workshops
• online courses.

Format of qualifications section

List the newest or most relevant qualification first. Include:

• name of the course or qualification you completed
• name of the course provider
• where you studied
• start and finish date of your training or study, or the year you graduated.

Include an achievements section in your CV if you have important achievements that aren't covered in the skills or work history sections.

You can include such things as:

• awards and commendations
• successfully completed projects
• examples of how you helped a former employer meet their targets
• important contributions to the community.

For each example, note what the achievement was, and when and where you achieved it.

Including your interests on your CV is optional. If you do, make sure you:

• include interests that show skills that employers are looking for such as leadership skills
• avoid common interests such as watching TV or going out with friends.

Referees talk to employers about your skills, work history and personality.

You need at least two referees. One referee should be your current manager, team leader or work experience supervisor.   

Other referees could be a:

• former employer
• sports coach
• teacher or principal
• respected community leader.

Referee contact details should include their:

• first and last names
• organisation they work for
• phone number

See examples of school leaver, skills-focused and work-focused CVs and try our CV templates.

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Updated 8 Nov 2021

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• Cover Letter

How to sign a cover letter: a guide to professional correspondence

Email cover letter 

Attached cover letter, physical cover letter .

You’ve polished your cover letter and you’re good to go. There’s only one thing left to do: Sign on the dotted line. But how can you get this right? Do you need a handwritten signature or can you type out your name? In this guide, we’ll go over how to sign a cover letter like a pro.

What is a cover letter?

First things first, let’s cover the basics. A cover letter is correspondence to the hiring manager. It details why you are applying for this specific role. It also allows you to make a solid case about your suitability for the vacancy. It’s the chance to clearly state why you’re the perfect candidate. 

Every cover letter includes the same elements, as follows: 

• Contact details
• Introduction
• Body (2-3 paragraphs)

In this guide, we will be looking at the last point on the list. The sign-off of a cover letter needs to make the right impression on the hiring manager. Looking for some additional inspiration? Read more about writing a cover letter in our full guide.

Should you sign a cover letter?

Times are changing. You no longer need a handwritten signature on a cover letter. Since we live in an ever-more digitalised world, modern-day recruiters don’t always expect to see this. Most of the time, it’s perfectly acceptable to simply type your name at the bottom of the letter instead.

However, in some cases, adding a full-on signature on a cover letter could help you to stand out from the crowd. It’s important to know when this is appropriate before you get started with your application. That way, you can make sure that the cover letter you submit is suitable. 

How to decide whether to use a cover letter signature

Let’s kick things off by making this decision simple. If you’re unsure whether to handwrite your signature on a cover letter, let the format decide for you. Take a quick look at our breakdown below when you are figuring out which type of cover letter signature works for you: 

Looking to create a cover letter attachment? Look no further. We have a wide selection of expertly formatted cover letter templates that you can use at just the click of a button. 

How to sign a cover letter based on its format

Effective cover letters are interesting and engaging. Chances are, you’ve spent a long time making sure that the body of your letter hits the mark. However, when you come to the end of the document, you don’t want to lose momentum. Getting the signature right is a must. 

Recruiters spend just seven seconds looking at each new application. In that blink of an eye, they decide whether you have what it takes to make it to the interview. If your cover letter doesn’t keep them reading at every point, it could ruin your chances of success. 

Let’s break down how you should sign your cover letter based on the format you are using. 

Email cover letters are quickly becoming the norm. Since you’re likely to apply for a job by sending your CV to the hiring manager, you may choose to write your cover letter in the body of your email. There’s nothing wrong with this approach and it’s certainly speedy. There are two options that you can choose from when using this approach: 

• Type your full name out . If you decide to do this, you should use a standard sign-off, such as “Kind regards” or “Sincerely” followed by your name.
• Use your email signature . Do you already have an email signature? If so, you can use it. Make sure it is suitable for the hiring manager to see before pressing “send”.

As a bonus, you may choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile. Make sure that it is up to date before you do so. Take a look at our adaptable example below:

Kind regards, 

Mary Smith 

+ 44 74795724

Whether you’re filling out an online application or sending your CV to the hiring manager, you might send your cover letter as an attachment. In this case, you should save your cover letter as a PDF document (unless otherwise specified by the job description). Use our cover letter builder to create an interview-winning letter and then download it as a PDF at the click of a button.

You can add a signature by typing your name in the builder. However, if you want an electronic signature, leave it off completely. Once you’ve downloaded the PDF, you can use a program such as DocuSign or SignRequest to add an electronic signature to the document. 

Sign your cover letter with Preview!

Do you have a Mac? If so, it’s even easier. Open your PDF in Preview and then go to Tools, then Annotate, and then Signature. You can quickly create an e-signature for your cover letter.

Sending a physical cover letter? While less popular than online methods, some employers ask that you send them your application in the post. If you are sending your cover letter as an actual letter, you have two options again. Let’s take a look at them: 

• Typed signature . Chances are, you will create your cover letter on a computer and print it off. If that is the case, there’s nothing wrong with typing your name as the cover letter signature. As before, you should include “Kind regards” or “Sincerely” first.
• Handwritten signature . Since you are printing out your cover letter anyway, you can sign your cover letter by hand. Write “Kind regards” or “Sincerely” and leave a gap. When the document is printed, get a good black pen and sign the document.

It doesn’t matter which you choose. However, some employers may be impressed by the extra attention to detail if you hand sign your cover letter. The choice is yours. 

Key takeaways 

Making sure that you sign your cover letter is a must. In this guide, we’ve covered the main options depending on the format that you use. While signing a cover letter may seem like a small detail, it can make a world of difference. Use our cover letter builder tool to get started now.