Cover letter help

I am in the middle of typing up a cover letter for my resume and I'm a little confused. I understand the concept of a basic CV but, I have never used one before as I don't work in corporate business or anything like that. I am simply wanting to change my career path so I'm needing a cover letter because my actual resume doesn't have the area of expertise I am thinking of applying for. However I do have many skills that I think will help me :)

SO, after googling countless CV templates, I don't understand why you need to include address, phone, suburb etc because that information is already in the resume. Also not keen on putting a date because I am dropping resumes to a few companies, but not sure when I will get it printed (no ink left!) or when i will be able to get there.

Is it ok to just have a basic CV that lists my skills and why i think i would be suitable for the position given no previous experience?

I have never put personal details in a cover letter. Just put in why I'm interested in applying and what skills I can bring to the job.

I've also been on the receiving end of reading incoming cover letters and not many come with personal details because as you said, the resume is attached. And for me, if it wasn't a great cover letter, the resume didn't get a glance.

Thank you Miss.September :)
I know that if it were me reading potential employees resumes I wouldn't want repetitive jargon over everything!

IMO, the reason a cover letter would have contact details is because it is a formal letter and therefore set out as a business letter, with your contact details as well as the recipients. If you're applying for a position where writing up letters is included, it demonstrates your ability to set out a formal letter too. It's often pulled apart from the main resume, so an address helps it get back there.

A cover letter is supposed to be personal to the position you're applying for, so should refer to the name of the company, position you're applying for, contact's name (if known), and how you found out about the position. It should add to/enhance what's already in your CV, so as you say, you don't want to say the same stuff over again. It might also include relevant stuff like your (in)ability to work outside regular hours, licence and car and those informal skills that would make you suitable for the position (eg how being a parent has honed your time management and organisational skills). It's a good idea to close with something about being available for an interview, so having your contact details there on the cover letter saves the reader from searching through your resume for them.

At DH's old work, they'd immediately throw any resumes that had poor spelling and grammar or had generic (or no) cover letters. People would often get through for an interview without anyone reading their resume, so it's important to make a good first impression.

Ok, more than what you asked for, so I'll run away now... :)

Agree with JLeigh

The letter needs to be dated, the company details and then your own as you would write a professional letter. Refer to where you saw the dad and why your are applying and talk about the position and what your resume addresses.

Having hired staff in the past I wouldn't go past a generic letter as it's not showing an interest in the company or role. It's the cover letter that makes you look further in most cases.

As said, the cover letter is very important. I recommend finding out the contact details of each person before addressing them. We'd throw out any addressed to "To whom it may concern" or "Sir/madam". Anyone who couldnt pick up the phone to find out who to properly address applications to was wasting their and our time.

The cover letter is where you differentiate yourself from your competition. CVs are a list of skills & experience. The cover letter is where you tell the prospective employer how your experience is going to benefit them.

a tip for all letters: use active voice, not passive voice. Instead of "I am writing to apply", which is passive, use "I write to apply". Google active voice if you need to.

Thanks ladies, turns out I can only apply online! But can still include a cover letter. There was no position advertised so I couldn't address it to a specific job title, but hoping they like it anyway :)