Step 6 – Getting a Job when your Autistic: How to Write a Good Cover Letter

Writing a good cover letter used to be an essential part of applying for a job. These days some employers are happy for you to send in just a CV, as this should cover all of the information you need to give them. Even if it is not considered to be essential for every employer, I would always include a good, well written, cover letter unless specifically asked not to. In my opinion, a good cover letter shows skills such as being able to write clearly and concisely which most employers are looking for when taking on a new person so can only add to your chances of getting a job.

When I first wrote cover letters I used to search the internet looking for templates and guidance on how to put them together. I would often use these templates and change a few words that were relevant to me. This is fine if you struggle to write, and other people can do a better job than you feel you can do yourself. A good website where you can get a basic overview of what to write for each paragraph with examples is Reed.

For me I always like to write my own cover letter. I know some employers would be able to tell the difference between a letter that is completely written by yourself and one that uses snippets of other peoples’ cover letters. This aside, the difference between the two would not be a deal breaker as to whether you would get a job or not. It would just improve your chances ever so slightly again. Especially if you give your own real examples of how you would be suitable for the job you are applying for. So for example if they ask for someone who is good at website development, and you have done this in a previous job, you could write something along the lines of: I have got an extensive knowledge and experience of developing websites as in my role at Tech Star I was responsible for creating and launching their new website at and was the team leader for the logo design and all of the website maintenance.

The main thing is to write the things they want to see, lay it out in the correct manner, don’t have any grammar and spelling mistakes, adding just the right amount of information and don’t try to make it too fancy by adding in words you don’t really understand or too many clichés (such as I am hard working and reliable or I am a go getter). If you know the name of the person you are writing to then you end the letter with: Yours sincerely. If you don’t know their name and for example you put Dear sir/madam at the start, you close the letter with Yours faithfully.

You want your cover letter to fit on one page and be of a good sized font of around 12 or 14 points. An example of a cover letter is below. I have made some details up for privacy but the main information you need to add is all there.


Website for How to: Write a Cover Letter

2 thoughts on “Step 6 – Getting a Job when your Autistic: How to Write a Good Cover Letter

  • Avatar
    February 8, 2019 at 12:10 am

    I am the parent of a high functioning autistic adult person. Do you think that it is best to disclose, up front (i.e. in the cover letter), that the applicant is autistic?

    • Shaun - Site Admin
      February 8, 2019 at 7:54 pm

      For me personally, I wouldn’t put that I’m autistic on the cover letter. I see a cover letter as something that summarises the main reason why you’re suitable for the job, such as a very brief outline of your qualifications and experience. In essence to sell yourself and to get the person reading to want to look at your CV or application form. Many application forms will ask to disclose disabilities so it makes it the ideal place to put it. I see a CV/resume as a replacement for an application form so if I was to mention it I would write it in there somewhere.

      Some people would not disclose it at all. Which obviously has its pros and cons. There’s never a right answer though and it could work in the applicants favour to disclose it on the cover letter, especially if the employer was actively seeking to employ people who are autistic.


Leave a Reply
