You’ve heard it before: the cover letter is the most important part of your job application. But what does that mean? If a generic cover letter will get you noticed, should you use it for every job? And what if you’re applying to multiple jobs at once? We’ll answer these questions and more with our handy guide to writing a winning cover letter.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Tailor your cover letter to each job application to increase your chances of landing an interview. |
| Avoid common cover letter mistakes, such as typos and generic language. |
| Ensure your cover letter stays professional by avoiding irrelevant information and personal opinions. |
| Format your cover letter like a professional business letter and make sure it’s easy to read. |
| Use your cover letter as an opportunity to showcase your skills and experience and explain why you are the best fit for the position. |
Is It Okay To Use The Same Cover Letter Multiple Times?
It depends on the job. If you’re applying to a company that you aren’t familiar with and aren’t sure they will look at your cover letter, then using a generic cover letter is acceptable.
If you are applying for a job where you have some confidence that the company will read your application, then sharing information about yourself (and possibly even sending in another application) may be better than using a generic cover letter.
Using the same cover letter for all applications can be a good way to ensure that every application gets reviewed by hiring managers at each company. However, it can also come across as lazy or disrespectful if done too often without any changes made between applications.
While cover letters may not always be required, they are still a valuable tool for job seekers to showcase their skills and stand out from the competition. Learn more about the importance of cover letters with our career advice on cover letter necessity.
Will A Generic Cover Letter Get You Noticed?
No, a generic cover letter will not get your foot in the door.
To make sure you’re getting the job you want, it’s important to customize your cover letter and resume for each employer and job posting. If they don’t have many details about the position or company, ask questions! This will help figure out if they need someone with specific skills.
If they are looking for someone with a certain skill set then make sure you highlight those skills so that it shows how qualified you are for the role.
Is It Okay To Write A Single Cover Letter And Tweak It For Each Job?
The cover letter is the most important part of your application. The recruiter will read it, and if they like what they see, they’ll call you for an interview. If not, then they probably won’t even bother reading your resume.
When writing a cover letter to submit with your resume, keep in mind that this piece is designed to be personalized and tailored specifically for each job opening you apply to.
It’s okay to write one general cover letter and tweak it for each job posting that interests you just make sure there aren’t any typos or grammatical errors!
Your goal is to get noticed by recruiters so that they’ll give additional attention to your application materials during their initial screening process before passing them off to hiring managers who may decide whether or not someone gets hired based on how well-written their documents are.
Do Some Employers Check If Your Cover Letter Is Generic?
Some employers do check your cover letter, and even if they don’t, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you’re applying for multiple jobs at once, it might not be wise to use the same wording in every single one. After all, you don’t want to risk having your application disqualified because of a discrepancy in your resume or cover letter!
If you’re applying for a job online and uploading your documents through an automated system (like Indeed), there’s no way of knowing whether or not the company will double-check the content of your cover letter. So just play it safe and make sure that each version is unique—it’s better than getting denied because you made one tiny mistake!
Applying for multiple jobs can be time-consuming, but using the same cover letter for every job may not be the best strategy. Our career advice on using the same cover letter for every job offers tips on how to tailor your cover letter to each job application and increase your chances of landing an interview.
What Do I Need In My Cover Letter?
A cover letter is a document that accompanies your resume. It’s an opportunity to sell yourself as the best candidate for the position, and it should be personalized for each job you apply to. A good cover letter should:
Introduce yourself by name, address, and contact information
Briefly share why you are applying for this specific position at this company (i.e., what makes you interested in working there)
Summarize your relevant skills and experience that make you a great fit for the position (don’t simply repeat what is already in your résumé)
Explain why working at this company would be beneficial to both of them
Should You Address Your Cover Letter To Someone Specific?
When it comes to addressing your cover letter, there are a few things you should avoid. First and foremost, never address the cover letter directly to a specific person. ‘Dear Mr. or Ms.’ is fine; just don’t mention names unless the company specifically asks for them in their job listing and/or you have met someone at the said company who explicitly asked you to do so.
Secondly, don’t address your cover letter directly to a specific company or position (i.e., “Dear [insert person’s name here]” when referring back to an ad). In other words: don’t start sentences with “I am writing this”
You’re not writing anything; instead, use phrases like “I am interested in exploring opportunities within [insert name here],” which sounds less demanding than “I want…”
How Long Should My Cover Letter Be?
It’s a common question, and the answer depends on what you want to achieve. If you’re applying for an entry-level job, three to four paragraphs are plenty.
Your resume already tells the hiring manager that you are qualified for the position; in this case, your cover letter should be short and sweet. You can also choose to include a brief mention of why you would like to work at this company or how they fit into your overall career goals.
If on the other hand, you are applying for a more senior position (like executive or department head) where experience matters more than education level then including additional information about yourself could be helpful (e.g., “I am currently working as an IT director at Acme Co., which gives me plenty of experience managing both internal departments as well as vendors from outside companies like Microsoft Corporation.”).
While cover letters may not always be required, it’s important to check the job application requirements to ensure you’re submitting all necessary documents. Learn more about cover letter requirements and job applications with our career advice on cover letter requirements.
What Are The Main Sections Of A Cover Letter?
Introduction: The introduction should include your name, how you heard about the position, and why you’re qualified for it. It should also include a summary of your career history, education, and any other relevant information that supports your candidacy.
Body: The body of a cover letter shouldn’t be just one long list of reasons why you’re perfect for the job; instead, it should focus on addressing each point listed in the job description—not only as far as experience goes, but also skills and qualities that are important to this particular role.
Closing: Your closing paragraph needs to summarize all of your strongest points while also reminding them why they’d be lucky to have someone like yourself join their team.
Signature/Contact Information: Include contact information such as name and phone number at the end of every cover letter so that hiring managers can easily reach out with questions or requests for interviews if necessary!
What Do I Put In My First Paragraph?
The first paragraph of your cover letter should be a quick introduction to who you are and why you’re applying for the position. It can also serve as an opportunity to demonstrate that you’ve done your research regarding the company and its needs.
Here’s what a stellar first paragraph would look like: “I am writing about the [position] posted by [company name]. I am excited by your company’s mission, and feel that my background makes me an ideal candidate for this role.”
Let’s break down what it says:
Your full name is here. If it’s not appropriate for you to include your full name, just include something more generic like “Kathryn,” or even simply “Kathryn.”
Don’t use “Ms.” unless asked this is not 1950! Just be sure that whatever title goes in brackets matches how people address their letters at all times; if someone always writes Mr., don’t write Mr./Ms./Mrs./Miss/etc.. instead!
Company name here if there are multiple jobs open within one organization (such as at nonprofit companies), list both locations in parenthesis after their names so they aren’t confused with other companies
Otherwise, just put whichever one(s) apply most specifically here so potential employers know where they might want to send mailers/emails when trying to get responses back from prospective employees like yourself ahead of time before making any final decisions about where best fits the best fit within each respective organization structure
Overall better than others do too much less often too little money left over after paying rent each month might need getting paid overtime wages working extra hours unexpectedly during busy season sales period starts tomorrow 5 am sharp finish line arrives later next week afternoon 11 pm
Cover letter expectations have changed over time, but they still hold value in the job search process. Discover the benefits of cover letters and how to use them effectively with our career advice on cover letter relevance.
What Do I Put In My Second Paragraph? Or the Middle Paragraph? Or Body Paragraph?
The second paragraph is the perfect place to demonstrate that you have the skills and abilities required for the job. If there is any specific experience or training that they mention in the job description, make sure to highlight it here by explaining how it applies to this particular role.
Including a reference to your motivation for applying for this position demonstrates that you’re serious about getting hired. This can be something as simple as “I am excited about working at Company X” or “I believe my skillset would be an excellent fit in Company X”.
What Do I Put In My Third Paragraph? Or Ending Paragraph?
Once you’ve hit the 3rd paragraph, do not make the mistake of thinking that it’s time to wrap things up. You want to leave the employer with a sense of what comes next: are you going to follow up? Are there any questions you have for them? How can they contact you? These are all important details that must be included in your cover letter’s conclusion.
Are cover letters still important in today’s job market? Our career advice on cover letter relevance offers insights on the continued importance of cover letters and how they can help job seekers stand out in a competitive job market.
Conclusion
Now you’re ready to write an effective cover letter. It should be short, simple, and tailored to the job you are applying for. You can use a template or start with our sample below. You might want to check out our article on how to write a good resume as well!
Further Reading
If you want to learn more about cover letters and how to make them effective, check out these helpful resources:
Customize Your Cover Letter for Each Job Application from FlexJobs offers tips on tailoring your cover letter to each job application to increase your chances of landing an interview.
10 Cover Letter Mistakes That Hurt Your Job Applications from Glassdoor provides insights into common cover letter mistakes and how to avoid them.
What Not to Put in a Cover Letter from Indeed offers advice on what to avoid including in your cover letter to ensure it stays professional and effective.
FAQs
What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is a document sent alongside your resume when applying for a job. It provides additional information on your skills, experience, and qualifications that are relevant to the position you are applying for.
Are cover letters still important?
Yes, cover letters are still an important part of the job application process. They provide a chance for job seekers to showcase their skills and experience and explain why they are the best fit for the position.
What should I include in my cover letter?
Your cover letter should include a greeting, an introduction, information on why you are interested in the job, details on how your skills and experience make you a strong candidate, and a closing statement.
How should I format my cover letter?
Your cover letter should be formatted like a professional business letter, with a header containing your contact information, a greeting, and a signature. Use a standard font and size and make sure your letter is easy to read.
Can I use the same cover letter for multiple job applications?
While it may be tempting to use the same cover letter for multiple job applications, it’s important to tailor your cover letter to each job you apply for. This will help you stand out from other applicants and show that you are a good fit for the specific position you are applying for.
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.