If you are asked to send a cover letter then type a letter in Word (or other word processing program) and attach it to your resume. Some important tips about cover letters:

• Always include your contact details on the cover letter.
• The date goes first.
• Address the letter to the correct person—and spell their name right.
• Use Dear Sir/Ms (not Dear Sir/Madame, as many women don't like this term).
• Use standard business letter format:
  • Use left-align/left-justified. This means your letter should line up to the left and the right-hand side should be uneven (not blocked or fully justified)
  • Leave a space between paragraphs.
  • Don't indent the first line of a new paragraph (this is writing/journalism format not business format).
  • Use open punctuation. This means no full stops after 'Mr', 'Mrs', 'Miss', etc. No commas after 'Dear Sir/Ms' and no commas after 'Yours faithfully'.
  • Use a standard type style and type size (together they are called 'font'), such as Arial 11 point or Tahoma 10 point. Don't use a font that is difficult to read, smaller than 10 point or larger than 12 point.
• End the letter with:
• 'Yours faithfully' if you addressed it Dear Sir/Ms (impersonal; more formal).
• "Yours sincerely' if you addressed it by their name Dear Mr Jones/Dear Ms Jones (personal; less formal).
• Allow room for your signature and sign the letter (or use a scanned copy of your signature if you are emailing it).
• Type your name below your signature.

Download an example of a cover letter (PDF)