The cover letter is a vital part of the job application process, and it can be very intimidating. You want to put your best foot forward and highlight your qualifications and experience in a way that will make you stand out from other applicants.
But how do you write a good cover letter for a job application? The following guide will walk you through all the steps involved in writing an effective cover letter:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Using personal language and expressing enthusiasm can make your cover letter stand out |
| Tailor your cover letter to each specific job posting and company |
| Using bullet points can break up large blocks of text and make your cover letter easier to read |
| Address your cover letter to a specific person whenever possible |
| Keep your cover letter concise and to the point, highlighting your qualifications and explaining why you are a good fit for the job |
Can You Use The Word Love In A Cover Letter?
The short answer is yes, you can use the word love in a cover letter. But like all things, there are rules and guidelines to follow. The following sections will discuss how to write a cover letter that uses the word love, as well as some tips on how not to use it.
How Do I Start A Letter?
The first sentence of your cover letter should be a greeting or salutation, followed by the name of the person you are writing to. This could be a hiring manager or another member of the team who will be reviewing your application (for example, human resources). You can also address your letter to “Dear Sir/Madam” if you don’t know their names.
Next, introduce yourself briefly: “I’m applying for [position] at [company].”
Finally, state clearly why you’re writing this letter and what steps you took to make sure it was delivered correctly. For example: “I am writing to apply for employment with [Company].”
Your cover letter is often the first impression you make on a potential employer, so it’s important to make it count. Read our article on the importance of cover letters to ensure you’re putting your best foot forward.
How Do I Address A Cover Letter With No Name?
If you don’t know the name or even the gender of the person who will be reading your cover letter, there’s one simple solution: address it to “Dear Hiring Manager.”
This is a good practice in general because it can help keep you from accidentally referring to someone by name in case they have an unusual or unpronounceable last name that would make you seem like an idiot if you called them out by it.
If there are multiple hiring managers on the team who might be interested in reading your cover letter, then you should use a similar strategy and address your document to “Dear Hiring Manager(s).”
But remember that this doesn’t mean both men AND women; if only men are involved in hiring decisions at this company (and assuming no other names were provided), then “Hiring Managers” would be more appropriate than “Hiring Managers.”
What Should Not Be Included In A Cover Letter?
Don’t use a word like “love” or “hate.” These words are too strong and will not get you the job.
Don’t use the word, God. It is considered offensive to some people and will not get you the job.
Don’t use any references to money in your cover letter, even if it is something simple like “I need this job so I can make more money.”
This may seem obvious but there have been many cases where someone has thought it would be clever to include such a line in their cover letter only to find themselves without employment after their prospective employer was offended by their crassness.
Can You Lie On A Cover Letter?
The short answer: is yes. But only if it’s not going to get you caught and will help your chances of getting the job.
What does that mean? Well, as explained above (and in many other places), cover letters are about selling yourself so if saying something untrue about yourself can help sell yourself better, it might be worth bending the truth just a little bit. For example:
If one of your hobbies is kickboxing and someone asks if you’re interested in joining their kickboxing club team as part of their interview process, say “yes!” even if this isn’t true (yet).
The point here is that sometimes it’s okay to stretch the truth slightly because ultimately what matters most is how well someone sells themselves during an interview not whether or not they are telling complete truths on their cover letter.
Submitting the same generic cover letter to multiple job postings can be tempting, but it’s not the most effective approach. Check out our article on using the same cover letter for every job to learn how tailoring your cover letter can increase your chances of landing the job.
How Do You End A Professional Letter?
When you’re finished, it’s time to sign off. If you’ve been following along with this guide from the start, then you should be able to say goodbye in no time at all. To end your cover letter with a flourish, take a look at this example:
Thank you again for taking the time to review my materials and allowing me the opportunity to interview for this position. I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible so we can discuss how my qualifications will benefit your organization.
Why Is A Cover Letter Important Quizlet?
A cover letter is an important part of the job application process. A typical cover letter should include:
Your contact information
An opening paragraph about why you are applying for the position and how you learned about it (you can also use this section to explain why you’re a good fit for the job)
A short paragraph explaining why you want this particular job at this company or organization
Examples of your work or accomplishments
Transitioning to a new field can be daunting, but crafting a well-written cover letter can help ease the process. Check out our guide on changing fields cover letter for tips on how to effectively communicate your transferable skills and make a strong impression on potential employers.
Why Is It Called A Cover Letter?
In the business world, a cover letter is used to introduce you and your resume. It’s typically addressed to a hiring manager or agency representative; it doesn’t have to be, but that’s most common. Think of it as an introduction that makes it clear what kind of job you’re applying for and why you’d be great at it.
The cover letter can also be used when writing an application letter for an internship or other type of job where there isn’t an advertised position posted yet (and your resume will get passed around anyway).
In this case, the cover letter serves as an introduction from the candidate rather than their work experience but they still need to show why they’re qualified for the position in question.
What Should Not Be Included In An Email Cover Letter?
Email cover letters should not include the following:
Your salary requirements. This is a topic best left for your initial interview material, and your prospective employer will likely have already researched your range anyway. If they want to talk about salary before you’ve even met face-to-face, this may be a sign of trouble.
References or work history (unless specifically requested). You don’t want to come on too strong or overwhelm the reader with information; instead, keep things simple by focusing on how you can help them fill their needs in an email cover letter.
A resume or CV (unless specifically requested). Instead of sending these documents along with an email cover letter, wait until they ask for them before handing them over—and even then only send copies and not originals!
Using subheadings in your cover letter can help break up large chunks of text and make your letter easier to read. Learn more about using subheadings in a cover letter in our latest article on cover letter writing.
How Do You Write A Good Cover Letter For A Job Application?
If you’ve ever applied for a job, then you know the importance of a cover letter. The cover letter is your first chance to impress the hiring manager and get them excited about meeting with you.
A good cover letter should be addressed to the hiring manager or specific person in charge of hiring at your target company. It should be tailored to the job description and highlight why it’s perfect for you.
The best way to do this is by highlighting relevant skills, experience, and qualifications from previous jobs or internships that match what they’re looking for in their ideal candidate and there are lots of ways to do that!
Here are some tips for writing an awesome one:
Be concise: Keep it short (no more than one page) and sweet (no more than four paragraphs). State why you’re interested in working with them, what makes them stand out among other companies/job postings, share any relevant references/links/references if applicable; then end by asking when they would like an interview scheduled.
Writing a cover letter that stands out can be challenging, but using personal language and expressing enthusiasm for the job can make a big difference. Read our guide on using the word love in a cover letter to learn more about how to make your cover letter unique and engaging.
Conclusion
We hope that you now feel confident about writing a cover letter and can start using these tips in your job search. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources that can help you improve your cover letter writing skills:
Top Cover Letter Words That Will Get You Hired: This article provides a list of powerful and persuasive words to help you make a great impression in your cover letter.
How to Write a Cover Letter: Tips and Examples: Indeed offers a comprehensive guide on how to write a cover letter, with examples and tips to make your letter stand out.
Cover Letter Phrases and Their Synonyms: Hitmarker provides a list of common cover letter phrases and their synonyms to help you diversify your language and make your letter more engaging.
FAQs
How long should a cover letter be?
There is no hard and fast rule for how long a cover letter should be, but most experts recommend keeping it to one page or less. Your cover letter should be concise and to the point, highlighting your qualifications and explaining why you are a good fit for the job.
Should I use bullet points in my cover letter?
Bullet points can be an effective way to break up large blocks of text and make your cover letter easier to read. However, it’s important to use them sparingly and only when they enhance the overall structure and flow of your letter.
Can I use the same cover letter for multiple jobs?
It’s not recommended to use the exact same cover letter for multiple job applications. Instead, tailor your letter to each specific job posting and company to demonstrate your interest and qualifications for that particular role.
How do I address a cover letter?
Ideally, you should address your cover letter to a specific person rather than using a generic greeting such as “To Whom It May Concern.” If the job posting doesn’t include a contact name, try doing some research on the company’s website or LinkedIn to see if you can find the name of the hiring manager or HR representative.
What should I include in my cover letter?
Your cover letter should include an introduction that explains why you’re applying for the job, a brief summary of your qualifications and experience, and a conclusion that thanks the reader and expresses your interest in an interview. You can also use your cover letter to showcase your personality and enthusiasm for the job.
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.