Is it worth writing cover letters anymore? As recruiters, the answer is more than only “yes”. A great cover letter can really boost your chances of clinching the job. Your cover letter is your first impression and first impressions count.

Sometimes you can really woo a recruiter or an employer with a cleverly crafted and designed letter. Candidates who nail the cover letter really boost their chances of landing an interview. A cover or “covering” letter sells your resume to the recruiter or employer. Whilst your resume underlines your work history, current responsibilities, achievements and education, the cover letter is designed to pique the interest of the reader encouraging them to find out more. It explains why you’re applying for the job, showcases the key points from your resume and includes relevant additional information.

There are things that employers can ask you in a job interview, and there are those they can’t. Surprisingly, those questions aren’t always what you’d expect.

In Australia both federal and state laws make it unlawful for employers to ask job applicants discriminatory questions. There are circumstances, however, when you might be asked a question you’re not expecting that is perfectly legitimate. You can be asked, for example, if you smoke, says employment lawyer Sara McRostie of Minter Ellison.

McRostie says the laws are slightly different in each state. For example in Victoria and Queensland, a prospective employer cannot ask a job applicant questions that resemble discrimination, unless they can demonstrate the information is reasonably required for a purpose that does not involve discrimination.

We’ve provided detail on five questions employers can ask, to ensure you’re prepared and informed for your next job interview:

• If you’re a particular age. Generally, your age is irrelevant, says McRostie, but where age does pertain to the specific requirements of the job, such as the service of alcohol, questions about age can be asked. Once you’ve secured the role, an employer will need to know your date of birth for taxation, superannuation and remuneration entitlement reasons, which is perfectly lawful.
• If you have the right to work in Australia. Discrimination on the base of race or ethnicity is an absolute no-no in Australia. But employers are entitled to ask you to provide proof of your right to work in this country. This means you can be asked if you are an Australian citizen or have the appropriate visa to work, says McRostie. The Australian Human Rights Commission has published a guide to racial discrimination in the workplace, but there are exceptions. Queensland’s Anti-Discrimination Commission cites an example of where it might be a genuine occupational requirement for an employee to be of, or have connections with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage. “In these cases it may be appropriate for employers to advertise for an ‘identified position‘,” says McRostie, as certain health-related jobs, for example, require specific local, cultural or gender-based knowledge.
• If you have any medical problems. Asking questions about your health or requesting that you undergo a pre-employment medical check, is lawful says McRostie, but employers need to be very cautious. Questions about your health must be related to the potential health risks associated with the job or the industry, and your ability to perform the specific elements of the job.
• If you have a criminal record. It’s okay to ask this, says McRostie, and to make an offer conditional upon you obtaining and providing a satisfactory criminal history check. However, there are some limits on how criminal history checks are used, she says. If you think you have been refused a job because of your criminal record, you can lodge a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission. The Commission will investigate the complaint and, where appropriate, try to resolve the issue through conciliation.
• If employers want to check your credentials. Employers can request checks for things such as academic qualifications and degree verification there is a legitimate reason for doing so. However, you need to provide your consent before a background check is undertaken.

Finally, Fair Work Australia says that any employee who needs advice or assistance in relation to their rights or obligations under workplace law, can contact the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94, or visit www.fairwork.gov.au. Resources available on the Fair Work Ombudsman’s website also include information relating to discrimination laws.

There are standard interview questions you’ll come across when interviewing for any job, regardless of the industry or level of seniority. You may find yourself being asked them every time you go for a role, but there’s a reason for that – they’re tried and true formulas for hiring managers and recruiters to find out who you are and what your motivation for applying for the role is. Acing them is as simple as taking a moment to reflect on the basics, such as how you like to work and what your passions are. And who doesn’t want to think about that?

To help you out, our team have shared four common job interview questions you’re likely to face, and tips on how to answer them with such pizzazz that you’ll be signing a contract in no time.

• Whats the ideal next “best career step” for you, or what was it about this role that attracted you to it? This question can inspire anxiety in even the most organised interviewee – it can be hard to articulate your hopes and dreams. The trick is to show your enthusiasm for growing, says senior recruitment consultant Lyndsey Walker. “The client wants to find out whether you see this role as a stepping stone or if you have an ambition to climb the ladder at the company,” says Walker. So highlight your ambition with your suggested development plan.
• What are your interests outside of work? Recruiters aren’t being nosey when they ask what you like to do on your downtime. Walker says, “Culture fit is far more important than it was years ago, so recruiters may use this question to determine whether you are the right cultural fit for the company. Getting an understanding of your interests outside of work is an effective way to understand this.” Think about this before the interview, so that you’re not left scrambling for an answer when you’re put on the spot, Walker says. “Always have answers prepared for a question about hobbies and make sure they’re appropriate! They could be following a favourite footy team, playing an instrument or volunteering.”
• Why did you leave your last job? Depending on the circumstances surrounding your departure from your last role, this question can be tricky. The way to ace it is to not dwell on the past, says recruitment consultant Bronwyn Collins. “When answering this question, focus on your reason for taking the next role, rather than spending a lot of time on what lacked in your last role. Discuss what interests you have in the role you’re interviewing for that might have been lacking professionally in your last role.” Collins says it’s also wise to not speak too negatively about your last role, and avoid talking about “cultural fit issues”.
• How would you describe your ability to build effective relationships? No man is an island – even NASA astronaut Scott Kelly had to work with other people during his year in space. So naturally recruiters will ask about your ability to work with different people. Manager Dale Young says they may even ask you to discuss a time when you had to deal with a difficult person. “In this case, examples are best. Answer with a situation, how you managed the situation and what the outcome was, to give the interviewer a good understanding of how you work with others to achieve outcomes.”