Cover letters for jobs in Indonesia: clear structure, convincing content, safe sending
A good cover letter is short, names the position and proves your skills: structure, example sentences, handwritten requests and safe attachments.
Summary
- A cover letter should fit on one page: the position, why you fit, brief evidence and a request for an interview.
- Tailor the letter to each vacancy; recruiters can easily spot the same letter sent to every company.
- Attach only the documents requested, and send identity documents only through the company's official portal or e-mail.
- The Ministry of Manpower lists recruiters who use free e-mail and ask for money as signs of a fake job.
- Employers may not discriminate on any basis during recruitment (Ministry of Manpower Circular M/6/HK.04/V/2025).
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On this page
What is a cover letter for?
A cover letter explains which position you are applying for and why you fit it, politely and briefly. A CV lists your history, while the letter connects that history to the vacancy's needs. Recruiters usually skim, so the first sentence should name the position and where you saw the vacancy, for example the company's official careers site.
What is a good structure for an Indonesian cover letter?
A common structure: place and date, addressee (the HR department and company name), greeting, an opening paragraph naming the position and the vacancy source, one or two body paragraphs with relevant evidence of your skills, a closing paragraph saying you are available for an interview, a sign-off, then your name and contact details. List attachments only if you really attach documents.
What makes a cover letter convincing to recruiters?
Pick the two or three most important requirements in the vacancy and show evidence that you meet them: experience, projects, measurable results or relevant certificates. Example sentence: 'During a six-month internship in the administration team, I managed records and prepared weekly reports.' Avoid generic claims such as hard-working without evidence, and do not copy your CV in full.
How long and formal should a cover letter be?
One page, or about three to four paragraphs, is enough. Use polite, standard Indonesian, or English if the vacancy is written in English. Check spelling, the company name and the position title, because small mistakes there can get an application set aside. Save it as a PDF with a clear file name, such as Name-Cover-Letter-Position.pdf.
Which attachments are safe to send with a cover letter?
Attach only what the vacancy asks for, usually your CV, diploma, transcript and certificates. Send identity documents such as your ID card only through an official portal or company-domain e-mail after confirming the company is real, for example on AHU Online. Law 27/2022 requires data controllers to keep personal data confidential, but fake recruiters ignore it, so limit what you share.
What are the warning signs after you send an application?
Be wary of very fast replies with instant chat interviews, recruiters using free e-mail addresses, and requests for money for administration, training or uniforms. The Ministry of Manpower lists all of these as signs of a fake job. A genuine interview invitation names the company, gives an address or official link, and names a recruiter you can confirm through the company's official contacts.
Cover letter checklist
- The position and vacancy source are in the first sentence.
- There are two or three pieces of evidence that match the vacancy.
- The company name, position title and spelling are checked.
- It fits on one page and is saved as a PDF.
- You attach only what was requested; no ID card sent by private chat.
Frequently asked questions
Is a cover letter still needed if you have a CV?
Often yes, especially if the vacancy asks for one or you apply by e-mail. A cover letter explains why you fit the position, while the CV details your history. If an online portal has no field for a letter, write a short version in the e-mail body or message field.
Should you attach a copy of your ID card from the start?
Only if an official vacancy asks for it and you have confirmed the company is real. The Ministry of Manpower warns that ID cards, bank account numbers or selfies with ID requested by fake recruiters can be misused, for example for online loans. Send it through a portal or company-domain e-mail, not a private chat.
Who wrote and reviewed this page?
Sources
The facts on this page come from these sources. Dates show when we opened them.
- 6 Ciri Lowongan Kerja Bodong yang Perlu Diwaspadai Kompas TV · official statement via media · accessed
- Undang-Undang Nomor 27 Tahun 2022 tentang Pelindungan Data Pribadi Kementerian Hukum RI (peraturan.go.id) · UU 27/2022 · accessed
- Surat Edaran Menteri Ketenagakerjaan Nomor M/6/HK.04/V/2025 tentang Larangan Diskriminasi dalam Proses Rekrutmen Tenaga Kerja JDIH Kementerian Ketenagakerjaan · SE Menaker M/6/HK.04/V/2025 · accessed
- Ditjen AHU Online: pencarian profil perseroan Direktorat Jenderal Administrasi Hukum Umum, Kementerian Hukum · accessed
How to cite
KarirAman (2026). Cover letters for jobs in Indonesia: clear structure, convincing content, safe sending. Updated 7 October 2026. https://kariraman.com/en/guides/cover-letter/
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