Cover Letter | Cold Calling Cover Letter | Youth Central

Use these sample cover letters if:

  • you're looking for work with a particular employer
  • there are no advertised vacancies at that employer.

This approach is often called cold calling. Cold calling is when you get in touch with an employer to ask whether they have any job vacancies.

Cold calling helps you discover unadvertised jobs. Unadvertised jobs can make up a significant proportion of job opportunities.

Cold calling also shows the employer that you have initiative and enthusiasm. Even If there's no work currently available, the employer might keep your application on file. They might contact you when work becomes available.

Even if they don't contact you, you can follow up in a month or so to see if the situation has changed.

For sample cover letters designed for other situations, see our sample cover letters page.

Download sample cover letters

These sample cover letters show you how to write to an employer to ask if they have any jobs available.

You can use the ‘no experience’ letter if you don’t have paid experience. You can use the ‘some experience letter’ if you have some paid work experience.

Paid experience means you have worked in a job that paid you money.

What to include in your cover letter

Key points of a cold calling cover letter are that it:

  • introduces you
  • explains why you're writing to the business
  • shows you've taken the time to research the business
  • links this research to your own experience, values, interests or goals
  • finishes by inviting the business to contact you and indicating that you will follow up your letter with direct contact (if you say you're going to contact them, make sure you do).

Your cover letter should also include:

  • school work experience or volunteer that demonstrates your strengths and attributes 
  • the name of the employer and the contact person's full name on the left
  • a reference line – ‘Re: General application for available positions within your organisation’
  • an address to the reader directly (for example, ‘Dear Mr Moyle’) Try to avoid using ‘To whom it may concern’ if you can.

What to include if you don’t have work experience

If you don’t have paid work experience, things you can mention instead include:

  • school work experience or volunteer work that demonstrates your strengths and attributes
  • general skills that help you work in a team and as part of an organisation
  • any sporting or community club participation (if relevant)
  • hobbies or interests that are relevant to the job or demonstrate your professional experience
  • personal attributes that will help you learn to work in a professional work environment.

What to include if you have paid work experience

In addition to the points above, if you have work experience that is relevant to the job, you should show that your experience:

  • meets the requirements of the job
  • will help you make a positive contribution to the organisation or business.

More about resumes and cover letters

For more information about how to write resumes and cover letters, visit these pages:

For more about resumes and cover letters, check out these pages:

For more about cold calling and the hidden job market, check out our Cold Calling - What Is It? page. 

 Below is the sample cold calling cover letter - some work experience


  

Joanne Tint
Email: joannetint@xmail.com
Mobile: XXXX XXX XXX

Mr Allan Moyle
John Smith and Associates
Phone: XXXX XXX XXX
Email: enquiries@johnsmithandassociates.com.au

RE: General application for available positions within your organisation

Dear Mr. Moyle,

As a recent Bachelor of Information Technology (Networking) graduate, I would like to enquire about positions available within your organisation and provide you with my details for your records.

I have had a strong interest in IT since a young age. I have always enjoyed the challenge of being able to identify faults and work to resolve them. Encouraged by this passion I have recently graduated as a Bachelor of Information Technology with a major in Networking.

While studying I worked as a provider of casual support for IT-related issues on a referral basis. I also worked part-time at Drew Smith Electronics. A technically competent individual, I have a passion for all things technological and a desire to establish a career as an IT professional.

I have been recognised for my high level of motivation and my strong communication skills. I am able to adapt my communication style to reflect the needs of any audience. I have a high level of problem-solving skills and a willingness to focus on my ongoing professional development.

I understand that, as a graduate, I have a lot to learn about working within an organisation. I would like to start in an entry-level position that would allow me to be mentored and guided in my professional development.

I am interested in your organisation's reputation as a leader in the provision of data centre management services. My research into your organisation has shown me that you work closely with a range of clients to manage their data centre needs through outsourced service agreements.

I believe that the opportunity to work in different environments and with different technologies will allow me to develop skills that your organisation can use to meet the changing needs and demands of your clients.

Your reputation for quality support and for being an employer of choice shows that you have an understanding of the needs of your clients as well as your employees. I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you in order to introduce myself and discuss any suitable positions that may be available.

I enclose my resume for your consideration. I will follow up this enquiry in the coming weeks, but I would be be grateful if you were to contact me in the meantime should you know of a position that you think is suitable. I can be contacted at all times on the details provided above.

Thanking you in advance for your time,

 

Joanne Tint