Cover letters are requested less than before in the private sector, but they remain decisive in three cases: the unsolicited application, competitive exams and administrations (as a handwritten request) and roles where writing matters. This guide gives the structure that works in Algeria and three complete templates.
The 5-block structure
- Header: your details (name, phone, e-mail, wilaya); the company and department; city and date.
- Subject: “Application for the position of Senior Accountant — ad reference if any”.
- Opening (2 lines): where you saw the ad and why it interests you, with a real detail about the company.
- Body (5 to 7 lines): two experiences or results matching exactly the ad’s missions. Quantify.
- Closing: availability, interview request, short courtesy formula. Signature.
Send it as a PDF with the CV, or paste it in the e-mail body if the ad asks. Name the file Firstname-LASTNAME-letter.pdf. For a CV that matches the letter, use the same job title.
Template 1 — Reply to a job ad
Amine BENALI +213 5 50 12 34 56 · amine.benali@example.dz · Algiers (Bab Ezzouar) Atlas Agro — Human Resources Rouiba, 27/10/2026 Subject: application for the position of Senior Accountant — ad published on Chghol Dear Sir or Madam, Your ad for a senior accountant at your Rouiba site caught my attention: you need someone able to run the monthly closings of two companies and the tax and social filings, which I have done for four years in an industrial SME. At my current employer I brought the closing lead time from 12 to 5 working days and delivered three fiscal years of G50, CNAS and IRG filings with no penalty. I master PC Compta, Sage 100 and Excel (pivot tables, Power Query), the tools listed in your ad. Available within one month, I would be glad to present my background at an interview, in Rouiba or by phone. Yours faithfully, Amine Benali
Template 2 — Unsolicited application
Subject: unsolicited application — Industrial maintenance technician Dear Sir or Madam, Your Sétif plant doubled its bottling capacity in 2025, according to your company page. A line that runs more is preventive maintenance that matters more: that is precisely my trade. A higher technician in electromechanics, I raised machine availability from 88% to 96% on three packaging lines and set up a preventive maintenance plan in a CMMS. I hold a low-voltage electrical certification and work 3×8 shifts without difficulty. I would like to join a structured maintenance team such as yours. I am available for an interview at your convenience and can start within two weeks. Yours faithfully, Yacine Hamidi · +213 6 61 23 45 67 · Sétif
Template 3 — Internship or graduation project
Subject: final-year internship request — Mobile development, 4 to 6 months from February 2027 Dear Sir or Madam, A second-year Master’s student in Software Engineering at USTHB, I am looking for a four-to-six-month final-year internship from February 2027. Your delivery app, which I use, made me want to contribute to a mobile product used every day in Algeria. In my projects I published a Flutter budgeting app (1,200 downloads on the Play Store) and worked in a team of four with Git and code reviews. My thesis is on offline synchronisation, close to your network constraints. My university will issue an internship agreement. I remain available for an interview and thank you for considering my request. Respectfully, Sarah Boudiaf · +213 7 70 11 22 33 · GitHub: github.com/sboudiaf
The handwritten request for administrations and exams
For an exam or a position in an administration, the required document is often called a “handwritten request” (طلب خطي). It is written by hand, short, in Arabic (sometimes French depending on the notice), and follows a fixed form: your details at the top, the addressee, the subject, a three-sentence request, date and signature. It does not replace the file: it opens it.
الاسم واللقب: أمين بن علي العنوان: باب الزوار، الجزائر الهاتف: 0550 12 34 56 إلى السيد مدير الصحة والسكان لولاية الجزائر الموضوع: طلب المشاركة في مسابقة التوظيف على أساس الشهادة — رتبة محاسب إداري يشرفني أن أتقدم إلى سيادتكم بطلبي هذا قصد المشاركة في مسابقة التوظيف المعلن عنها بتاريخ 20/10/2026، لشغل رتبة محاسب إداري. وأنا حائز على شهادة ليسانس في العلوم المالية والمحاسبة (جامعة الجزائر 3، 2021)، وأرفق طيّه الملف المطلوب. في انتظار ردكم، تقبلوا مني فائق عبارات الاحترام والتقدير. الجزائر في 27/10/2026 الإمضاء
Phrasing that works, phrasing to avoid
| Avoid | Why | Instead |
|---|---|---|
| “I take the liberty of sending you my application…” | Empty formula, read a thousand times | Start with the company or role: “Your ad for … caught my attention because …” |
| “Dynamic, motivated, serious” | Adjectives everyone writes | A result: “I cut … by 30%”, “I managed 80 clients …” |
| “I am willing to learn” | Says you do not know yet | “I already master … and I am currently training in …” |
| A full page | Nobody reads it | Half a page, three paragraphs |
| Casual tone, emojis | Not suited to a first contact | Formal register and a short closing formula |
Sending by e-mail or WhatsApp: the accompanying message
When the ad asks for CV and letter by e-mail, the message itself must be short: clear subject (“Application — Senior Accountant — Amine Benali”), three lines in the body, both attachments as PDF. On WhatsApp, same rule: introduce yourself in two sentences before sending files, and never write in phonetic Latin slang to a recruiter.
Frequently asked questions
Is the cover letter mandatory?
No, unless the ad asks for it. In the private sector a precise CV and a three-line message are often enough. It remains useful for unsolicited applications and roles where writing matters.
Arabic or French?
The language of the ad. Administration and exams: Arabic, as a handwritten request if the notice requires it. Private sector: mostly French; English for multinationals and tech.
Handwritten or typed?
Typed and sent as PDF in the private sector. Handwritten only when the notice or exam file says so.
Should I mention salary in the letter?
No. Salary is discussed at the interview. On Chghol, ads display the net salary: you already know whether it suits you before writing.
How long before following up?
One week after the ad’s deadline, or ten days after sending an unsolicited application. A short, polite message recalling the role and your availability.