Welcome to the wonderful world of job hunting! It can be exciting, thrilling, and nerve-wracking. But don’t worry, because we’ve got your back! We’re going to walk you through the basics of creating a cover letter that will not only get you an interview but impress upon your potential employer why you are exactly what they need in terms of talent and experience.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| When writing a cover letter, customize it to the job requirements to catch the employer’s attention. |
| Less is often more when it comes to cover letters, but there are cases where a longer letter may be appropriate. |
| A compelling cover letter can help make a strong case for a career change. |
| Tailor a generic cover letter to multiple job applications without sacrificing quality. |
| The right tone in the opening of a cover letter can set the stage for a successful application. |
Can I Change My Cover Letter?
You can change your cover letter. You should.
A cover letter should be tailored to the company and/or position you’re applying for, so it’s important to make sure it fits with what they’re looking for (and vice versa).
You’ll want to change at least some of your material before sending a new one-off but don’t overthink it! The best thing you can do is spend some time playing around with different combinations until something clicks.
Your cover letter can be the difference between landing an interview or being overlooked. As we discuss in our article on the importance of cover letters, taking the time to customize your letter to the job requirements can make all the difference in catching a potential employer’s attention.
How Do I Write A Cover Letter?
Grab a sheet of paper and write down your skills and qualifications, as well as why you are interested in the job.
Start with “Dear Sir or Madam.” If you don’t know the name of the person who will be hiring you, use “To Whom It May Concern.”
Then, write a sentence that explains why you are writing them (it’s okay to mention how long it’s been since you last spoke).
Mention briefly any previous work experience that relates to this position. You can also use this section to mention any volunteer work or extracurricular activities that helped prepare you for this role.
Include some examples of when these skills have been used in real life—this helps employers understand exactly what kind of employee they’ll have on their hands once they hire them!
What Should I Put In A Cover Letter?
A cover letter is your introduction to the hiring manager. It answers three questions: why you’re applying, how you found out about the job, and why you’re interested in the job. It also provides a brief overview of who you are and what makes you right for this role.
Since this will be your first impression of an employer, make sure that it’s well crafted and contains only relevant information. You can find sample cover letters on our website at https://www.resumebuildingtemplates.com/cover-letter/.
How Do I Start A Cover Letter?
When writing a cover letter, start with a greeting. It’s perfectly fine to use “Dear” or even the person’s name. It may make you seem more personal and authentic if you do so.
Next, explain why you’re writing and what you want from your reader (the hiring manager or recruiter). For example: “I’m applying for a position as a marketing assistant.” You can also add information about why the organization wants this type of job done; this will help them understand your motivation for applying for the job.
Finally, explain why they need to hire someone like yourself to fill that position instead of hiring someone else who is already working with their company.
When it comes to cover letters, less is often more. However, there are certain cases where a longer letter may be appropriate. Our article on writing cover letters longer than one page explores when and how to craft a longer letter without overwhelming the reader
Can You Copy And Paste A Cover Letter？
You can’t use a template.
You can’t use a cover letter from a friend, the one that was given to you by your professor, or the one you found in another book or on the Internet. Don’t even look at those templates: they were made for different types of jobs than yours and will invariably be useless.
As such, don’t use them as sources of inspiration either don’t think “I like how they did this part here so I should do something similar!” Sure, there might be some good ideas here and there but copying something verbatim is not going to help your cause any more than using those templates would (or worse).
What Are The Best Topics To Use To Write A Cover Letter?
You can also use this section to talk about your resume if you have one. If you don’t have a resume yet, it will be better to focus on the cover letter itself. If you do have a resume that you can refer to, then it might be helpful to mention how your previous experience relates directly to the job you’re applying for.
Can I Have Relevant Direct Experience?
No, you can’t have relevant direct experience. You can, however, have relevant experience that’s not directly related to the job you’re applying for. For example:
If you’ve had a job working as an administrative assistant at a law firm but are applying for a position as an entry-level paralegal, your previous job will be considered relevant because it demonstrates your ability to handle both administrative and legal tasks.
If you’ve worked in retail sales but are applying for an entry-level marketing position at a car dealership, having sales experience reflects on your personality and communication skills qualities that will help in any field of work.
Can I Show That I’m A Quick Learner?
A quick learner can be anyone who has learned a new skill or mastered an old one in a relatively short amount of time.
You can show that you are a quick learner in several ways:
Include relevant coursework, certifications, and skills. For example, if you recently took the certification exam for your industry and passed it with flying colors, mention this on your resume or cover letter.
The same goes for relevant coursework that demonstrates your mastery of skills required by the position. If no courses are available that cover exactly what you need to know (or if they don’t exist at all), consider taking some generic ones that will give you confidence about learning new things quickly courses such as “How To Learn Anything Fast” by Tim Ferriss can help!
Include relevant volunteer experience where applicable. Volunteering shows employers that not only do you have an interest in helping others but also possess competency in certain areas (like teamwork) without having needed formal training first.
Volunteering also demonstrates initiative from applicants who aren’t employed yet; these people tend to get hired more often than those who sit back waiting for someone else’s opportunity instead of creating their own!
Making a career change can be daunting, but crafting a compelling cover letter can help you make a strong case to potential employers. Check out our article on changing fields in your cover letter to learn how to effectively highlight your skills and experience in a new industry.
Is It Ok To Tell Them Why You’re Making This Career Change?
It’s okay to explain your reasons for making this change. If you can be honest, it will help them understand what they’re getting into. You don’t have to lie, but you should avoid being aggressive and impolite, which can make things worse for you.
Telling the truth will also reveal how passionate or driven you are about your career. Some employers may not want a too-ambitious employee who wants to climb up the ladder quickly (that’s why we look at references), but others might consider this a good thing!
Is It Ok To Include Relevant Volunteer Experience And Any Awards You’ve Received At Work Or In School?
The right volunteer experience or a specific award you’ve received at work or in school can be a great way to show off your skills. Let’s say you’re applying for an internship and you have extensive experience working with kids.
You should include that in your cover letter! On the other hand, if there’s something less relevant or impressive that isn’t going to help sell yourself as a candidate like, say, getting mentioned in the local newspaper once because they couldn’t get anyone else it’s likely better not to mention it.
The best thing about including relevant volunteer experience is that it shows how passionate and invested in whatever cause you were working toward (and thus how willing and able-bodied), which is always important when employers are looking for someone who will dedicate themselves to their work.
For example: “I helped organize five fundraising concerts over the last year for my music therapy program, providing opportunities for students in need of additional funds but unable to contribute monetarily themselves due to financial constraints.”
Or I spent two summers working as an intern at my local hospital’s pediatric ward.” Including awards like this shows initiative and dedication above all else
Crafting a unique cover letter for every job application can be time-consuming, but it can also make all the difference in standing out from other candidates. In our article on using the same cover letter for every job, we explore how to tailor a generic cover letter to multiple job applications without sacrificing quality.
Is It Ok To List Relevant Courses You’ve Taken Or Certifications You’ve Earned On Your Resume But Not In The Cover Letter?
If you have relevant coursework or certifications, they should be included in your resume.
List the name of each course or certification, followed by an acronym and the date it was obtained (for example, “Introduction to Computer Science June 2018”).
If you don’t have any related experience yet but think that it could come in handy based on what’s listed on your cover letter, make sure that this information is included too. For example: “I haven’t had any professional experience using Python but believe I would be a quick learner.”
You can also add something like: “I’m not sure exactly how much time I’ll need to get comfortable with Django if hired; however, based on my experience in learning languages quickly and my familiarity with Python syntax from courses taken at school.
I would expect myself up-to-speed within a month or so after being given access to training materials and/or mentorship from your team members who are already proficient in Django development.”
These types of statements will show potential employers both how confident you are about achieving results as well as why those skills are valuable for their business needs and give them another reason why hiring someone like yourself could be beneficial for everyone involved!
What If I’m Not Ready For A Job Yet Because There’s Something Else I Need To Get Done First？
If you’re not ready to jump into a new job, that’s fine. We won’t judge you for it! But if you do want to change your cover letter and get ready for the next opportunity, what should you do?
The first step is always research. If there’s something in your current experience that doesn’t match up with what the employer is looking for, then try doing more research about their needs and how they might match up with yours.
You can also think about networking opportunities (like going to conferences or joining industry groups). This way, when an employer makes contact with you again later on down the road after they’ve posted another job opening or have an internal opening closing soon, they’ll know who YOU are!
But don’t forget about things like personal growth too – maybe some skillsets weren’t listed on your resume but would help make YOU better at whatever position they offer next time around!
Starting your cover letter with the right tone can set the stage for a successful application. Our article on starting a cover letter with ‘Hello’ provides tips on crafting an engaging opening that can capture the attention of potential employers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it’s okay to change your cover letter. You should be able to tailor it to the job that you’re applying for and make sure that your resume and experience match up with what they’re looking for in their employees.
There is no one way of writing your cover letter because there are so many different types of jobs out there with different requirements, so don’t worry about whether or not what you’ve written will work!
Further Reading
- Writing a Career Change Cover Letter: Indeed offers advice on how to write a cover letter that emphasizes your transferable skills when changing careers.
- Career Change Cover Letter Sample: The Muse provides a sample cover letter for job seekers who are making a career change, along with tips on how to customize it for your own application.
- Career Change Cover Letter: Upwork’s article offers guidance on how to create a cover letter that highlights your strengths and makes a compelling case for your career change.
FAQs
How do I write a cover letter for a career change?
When writing a cover letter for a career change, focus on emphasizing your transferable skills and how they can apply to the new job. Be sure to tailor your letter to the specific job requirements and explain why you are making the career change.
How long should my career change cover letter be?
Your career change cover letter should be concise and to the point, typically no more than one page. It should highlight your skills and qualifications that are most relevant to the new job, and explain why you are a strong candidate for the position.
Can I use the same career change cover letter for multiple job applications?
While you can use a template for your career change cover letter, it’s important to customize it for each job application. Be sure to tailor your letter to the specific job requirements and explain why you are interested in the particular company and position.
Should I address my career change in my cover letter?
Yes, you should address your career change in your cover letter, as it can help explain why you are interested in the new job and how your previous experience and skills are relevant to the position. Be sure to focus on the positive aspects of your career change and why it makes you a strong candidate.
What should I include in my career change cover letter?
Your career change cover letter should include a brief introduction, your reasons for making the career change, your qualifications and transferable skills, and why you are interested in the specific company and position. Be sure to also thank the hiring manager for considering your application.
Further Reading
Writing a Career Change Cover Letter: Indeed offers advice on how to write a cover letter that emphasizes your transferable skills when changing careers.
Career Change Cover Letter Sample: The Muse provides a sample cover letter for job seekers who are making a career change, along with tips on how to customize it for your own application.
Career Change Cover Letter: Upwork’s article offers guidance on how to create a cover letter that highlights your strengths and makes a compelling case for your career change.
FAQs
How do I write a cover letter for a career change?
When writing a cover letter for a career change, focus on emphasizing your transferable skills and how they can apply to the new job. Be sure to tailor your letter to the specific job requirements and explain why you are making the career change.
How long should my career change cover letter be?
Your career change cover letter should be concise and to the point, typically no more than one page. It should highlight your skills and qualifications that are most relevant to the new job, and explain why you are a strong candidate for the position.
Can I use the same career change cover letter for multiple job applications?
While you can use a template for your career change cover letter, it’s important to customize it for each job application. Be sure to tailor your letter to the specific job requirements and explain why you are interested in the particular company and position.
Should I address my career change in my cover letter?
Yes, you should address your career change in your cover letter, as it can help explain why you are interested in the new job and how your previous experience and skills are relevant to the position. Be sure to focus on the positive aspects of your career change and why it makes you a strong candidate.
What should I include in my career change cover letter?
Your career change cover letter should include a brief introduction, your reasons for making the career change, your qualifications and transferable skills, and why you are interested in the specific company and position. Be sure to also thank the hiring manager for considering your application.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.