A cover letter matters even more when your CV is short. It lets you explain why you want this role and show evidence of the skills employers look for, even if you have never had a formal job.
A structure that works
- Opening: the role you are applying for and one line on why you want it.
- Your evidence: two examples from school, studies, volunteering, sport, church, family responsibilities or part-time work that show reliability, teamwork or initiative.
- Fit: one sentence on why this company or programme.
- Close: say you would welcome an interview and when you can start.
A short example
“I am applying for the retail learnership advertised on your website. In matric I was treasurer of our school’s fundraising committee, keeping the cash book for a R 12 000 market day that balanced to the cent. On weekends I help at my aunt’s spaza shop, serving customers and packing stock. I would like to start my career with a retailer known for training young people, and I can start immediately.”
Builder tip: the cover letter builder uses your name and contact details from your CV and downloads a one-page PDF.
Avoid: apologising for having no experience, copying a template word for word, and repeating your CV line by line.