The cover letter is one of the most important documents in your job search, especially if you’re applying for jobs online. The cover letter is a chance to sell yourself to employers and convince them that you’d be a good fit for the company.
This isn’t just an opportunity to restate your resume; it’s also a chance to explain why you’re interested in the position and what makes you stand out from other candidates. In this article, I’ll walk through every step of writing a great cover letter from coming up with ideas for what to say, to polishing your final draft before sending it off!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| A cover letter should accompany your resume and highlight your relevant skills and experiences. |
| Keeping your cover letter concise and to the point is important, but it should still provide enough detail to showcase your qualifications. |
| The ideal length of a cover letter is generally one page, but there are certain situations where a longer letter may be appropriate. |
| Your cover letter should be tailored to the specific job and company you are applying to. |
| A well-crafted cover letter can help you stand out from other applicants and increase your chances of landing an interview. |
Do Cover Letters Have Headers
The answer is no. There are no headers in a cover letter. Instead, if you’re writing one for a business letter, the header information is included at the top of your first page (i.e., your name, address, and contact information).
If you’re looking to write an effective cover letter that gets attention from hiring managers and helps you land interviews then it’s important to understand what formatting requirements are appropriate for this document type. Here are some things to keep in mind:
Cover letters should be brief; typically one page long or less
Most cover letters contain two paragraphs because employers don’t have time for long stories about why you want their job or how qualified you are for it
They should be double-spaced so they look less like resumes
When it comes to cover letters, it’s important to keep them concise and to the point. Check out our article on do cover letters have to be one page for tips on crafting an effective cover letter that is both succinct and impactful.
Why Cover Letters Are Important
A cover letter is an important marketing tool that’s used to sell yourself and your skills. It’s a business document and the first impression you make on a potential employer. Think of it as your selling-yourself piece
You’re trying to convince someone that you’d be the best person for the job. A great cover letter will show how you can solve problems, show off your passion for work and creativity, and generally just be an all-around awesome employee who would be great at whatever job opening they’re recruiting for.
When Were Cover Letters Started
In the late 1800s, James Parton wrote a cover letter to the editor of the Atlantic Monthly. The letter was successful, and Parton became a writer for that publication. This is where we get our idea of sending letters to people who might be able to help us get jobs or make connections.
According to Business Insider, Parton’s letter contained this line:
“I have written an article on ‘The Psychology of Success’ which I believe has great merit.”
Can You Hire Someone To Write A Resume And Cover Letter
You can hire someone to write a resume and cover letter for you. It’s one of the most popular services that we offer at Resume Writers.com, and we are proud of our writers’ ability to produce quality work promptly.
One way to find a good writer is by asking around friends, colleagues, or family members if they have used one before and what they thought of the service they received. Another option is looking on review sites such as Yelp or Angie’s List where people leave detailed reviews about their experience working with certain businesses like ours.
Once you’ve chosen your writer(s), make sure you check references before hiring them so that there are no surprises down the road when it comes time for delivery!
If possible try to talk with someone else who has worked with them too (it doesn’t need to be another client). This will help give insight into how quickly they turn around assignments as well as whether their communication skills are up-to-par (a crucial aspect in any partnership).
While it’s generally recommended to keep your cover letter to one page, there are certain circumstances where a longer cover letter may be appropriate. For more information on when a longer cover letter is acceptable, check out our article on can your cover letter be two pages.
Does A Cover Letter Have To Be One Page
The answer to this question is no. The length of your cover letter depends on the position you are applying for. If you are applying for a job that requires a cover letter, then you must write a cover letter.
The length of your cover letter should be enough to introduce yourself and clearly state why you are qualified for the job and why they should hire you.
Your information needs to be concise but still give them enough detail so they know something about who we are as individuals. That being said, there’s no need to ramble on in paragraphs about yourself or include unnecessary details (such as how many cats you have).
What Should You Start A Cover Letter With
You should start your cover letter with a brief introduction to yourself. Your name and contact information should be visible at the top of your letter so that the hiring manager can easily find you if they want to reach out.
Next, it’s important to provide some context for how you know the hiring manager or recruiter and what led up to this moment: “I was referred by [name] who suggested that I apply for this position.”
Or “I noticed an article on [website] about your company’s recent expansion, and thought it would be interesting working as part of such a dynamic team.” Finally, you want to summarize your work history in one paragraph (not a sentence).
This is where you give them a sense of why they should hire you! It could be something like “I have worked at ABC Company since 2012 as an accountant and have been responsible for overseeing financials” or “As a self-taught coder and web designer since 2007
I have created over 100 websites for small businesses and startups across North America” or whatever other useful information might help them understand why someone like YOU would be great for THIS specific job!
How To Make A Resume And Cover Letter At Home
If you’re not confident in your abilities to make a resume and cover letter, there are plenty of resources available to help.
There are many ways to get started with your resume. You can use a template or an online builder, but if you feel more comfortable working one-on-one with a professional writer, then using a service like Resume Writing Lab is likely best for you.
They’ve helped thousands of people land new jobs and improve their chances of getting an interview by writing custom resumes and cover letters for them.
Their low prices have made them popular among recent grads who need help getting started on their job search as well as career changers that want help updating their work history so they can apply for positions in their new industry.
A well-crafted cover letter can make all the difference when it comes to landing an interview. To learn more about what makes a great cover letter, check out our article on creating a cover letter that will land you the interview.
Do You Sign An Email Cover Letter
Although email cover letters are often informal and may not require a formal signature, it’s still a good idea to sign your letter. You can sign your email cover letter with your name and title, or just sign it using just your name.
If you are sending an application through email and attaching a resume to the same email, be sure to include contact information on both documents so that they can be easily matched up if they need to be reviewed by someone else in the hiring process.
What Is A Good Way To Start A Cover Letter
The first paragraph of a cover letter is the most important. This is where you grab the reader’s attention and make sure that they think about hiring you. You’re going to be competing against other candidates, so this paragraph needs to stand out from everyone else’s. Here are some tips for what you should include in your first sentence
Keep it short and sweet don’t ramble on about yourself or start getting into details about why you’re applying for this job.
Make it specific talk about how well suited you are for the position and how much experience/what kind of skills/what kind of education you have that would allow them to give it their best shot with this applicant
Put some personality into it tell a little anecdote or share something interesting about yourself (like if there was an event that got your interest piqued)
What Are The Five Unconventional Ways To Start Your Next Cover Letter
Your cover letter can be a great opportunity to showcase your personality, creativity, and ability to think outside the box. There are many ways you can start your cover letter that doesn’t involve simply stating that you’re interested in the position. For instance:
Ask a question. You could ask about the company’s mission statement or organizational values. Or maybe there’s something about the job description that piques your curiosity ask about it!
Quote someone who inspires you or relates to the position you’re applying for (e.g., “It is our duty as men and women of conscience to speak out against injustice”). If there aren’t any relevant quotes already floating around on Google when you search for inspiration, try looking up quotes from people who’ve held similar positions before (or even just inspired by them).
State an opinion (e.g., “I believe…”). This one works particularly well if there are certain aspects of this particular job posting that speak to a core part of who you are as a person
However, it would also work well at any time during your application process even when applying through an internal promotion or transfer request! Check out what our readers were saying about this strategy: “In my opinion…” said no one ever 😉 – @NateWilson1115
If you’re wondering whether or not you need to include a cover letter with your job application, our article on do I need a cover letter for a job application has got you covered. We break down when a cover letter is necessary and when it may not be required.
How To Write An Application Letter For Employment As A Teacher
Make sure you are sending the right cover letter for the right job. A cover letter is one of the first things employers will see when it comes to your application, so make sure it’s tailored to the position you’re applying for and has been proofread by someone other than yourself.
Make sure you are sending the cover letter to the right person. While some organizations may have multiple hiring managers who read applications,
Many companies have just one person doing all of this work which means if they don’t know who you are or what your qualifications are, they won’t be able to pass on those details to their colleagues when they recommend an applicant be interviewed or hired (or denied).
Make sure you are sending a cover letter (and everything else) in response to an actual posting from a real organization with a legitimate website that has been around long enough not only for its employees
But also its customers and vendors (if applicable) have heard about it as opposed to some random email address offering “work-at-home” opportunities that seem too good to be true.*
Do You Send In Your Resume With Your Cover Letter Or Separately
It’s best to send your resume separately from your cover letter. If you’re sending both at once, it’s fine to mention this in the cover letter. But if you’re sending them separately (which is the default), make sure that you let the employer know that in advance.
Can You Use Dear In A Cover Letter?
Dear is used when you are writing to a person you don’t know well. It’s also used when you are writing to someone in a business setting and the letter is formal.
You can use Dear in your cover letter if:
You know the person you are applying for the job, and they would appreciate it if you addressed them by their first name. For example, “Dear John Smith” or “Dear Michelle Jones.”
You want to show respect for the company or organization that will be hiring you. For example, “Dear Karen Smith from Acme Corporation” or “Dear Editors from The New York Times Magazine!”
When it comes to cover letters, length matters. To learn more about how long your cover letter should be, check out our article on how big should a cover letter be. We provide guidance on how to strike the right balance between being informative and concise.
Conclusion
There are many different ways that you can start your next cover letter. You can use Dear as well as just plain old “Hello”. Your cover letter is the first impression that you will make on potential employers, so it’s important that it stands out and elegantly gets their attention.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to help you improve your cover letter:
Cover Letter Dos and Don’ts: This article offers practical advice on how to write a compelling cover letter, including tips on formatting and tone.
What’s the Ideal Cover Letter Length?: This article discusses the ideal length of a cover letter and provides guidance on how to make every word count.
How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?: This article breaks down the ideal length of a cover letter based on different situations and provides tips on how to write a compelling cover letter that captures the reader’s attention.
FAQs
What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is a document that accompanies a resume and serves as an introduction to a potential employer. It should highlight your relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications, and explain why you are the best fit for the job.
Why do I need a cover letter?
A well-crafted cover letter can help you stand out from other applicants and showcase your personality, writing skills, and enthusiasm for the position.
How long should a cover letter be?
The ideal length of a cover letter can vary depending on the position and company, but it’s generally recommended to keep it to one page.
What should I include in a cover letter?
A cover letter should include your contact information, a salutation, an introduction, a body paragraph highlighting your relevant skills and experiences, and a conclusion.
How can I make my cover letter stand out?
To make your cover letter stand out, focus on highlighting your unique skills and experiences that make you the best fit for the position. Use a professional and engaging tone, and make sure to tailor your letter to the specific job and company.
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.