With so many different forms of communication, it can be hard to keep track of the proper etiquette for addressing a cover letter. In this article, we’ll break down how to write one and what’s expected at each stage of the process.
But first: What is a cover letter? A cover letter is an introductory document used by job seekers when applying for work outside of an advertised position. The purpose of the cover letter is to introduce yourself and explain why you are the best candidate for that particular job opening.
| Takeaways |
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| Including the date on your cover letter can help establish a timeline for the hiring process and demonstrate your organizational skills. |
| When possible, address your cover letter to a specific person or department rather than using a generic salutation. |
| Keep your cover letter concise, focusing on the most important information and highlighting your qualifications for the job. |
| Follow standard business letter formatting for your cover letter, including a header with your name and contact information, an introduction, a body with your qualifications and experience, and a closing statement. |
| Proofread your letter carefully for spelling and grammar errors before submitting it. |
Should You Include An Introduction In Your Cover Letter?
Yes. An introduction is a good place to briefly summarize the position for which you’re applying and highlight any relevant experience, skills, or qualifications that make you a strong candidate. The introductory paragraph should be short and to the point, a mere two sentences at most and it should serve as an effective springboard into the rest of your cover letter.
When writing a cover letter, it’s important to address it to the appropriate person or department. Check out our guide on whether cover letters need an address to ensure that your cover letter is going to the right place.
What Should Be Included In The Introduction Of A Cover Letter?
In the introduction of your cover letter, you should include:
What you are and why. Are you a recent college graduate? A veteran looking for work? Is a new mom returning to the workforce after a break? Whatever your identity and background may be, it’s important to share this information in your cover letter. This will help the hiring manager understand why they should consider hiring YOU!
Why you’re writing? In other words, explain why this job is so important to YOU and not just another one on a list of available jobs, and show how it fits with YOUR goals and long-term plan! Make sure that what’s written here lines up with what was said in the first paragraph (see above).
Why they should hire YOU instead of someone else who doesn’t have a kid or who isn’t going through massive life changes right now…
Should You Write A Cover Letter For An Administrative Assistant Position?
It depends
Generally speaking, a cover letter is something you write if you’re applying for a job. So if the company specifically asks for one, you should submit one.
It’s not necessary to include a cover letter if your resume includes all of the relevant information about your experience and qualifications. (If it doesn’t, then that’s another story entirely.)
But if they do ask for a cover letter and want it to include specific information like how many years of administrative assistant experience or which software programs you know how to use then it makes sense to comply with their request.
However
If this is not their preference but they don’t specify that they don’t want a cover letter at all, then feel free! You still should tailor it so that it addresses the needs of this particular job posting; there are some general requirements such as formatting guidelines that apply across the board regardless of position type or industry specifics
What Should You Include In A Cover Letter For A Job At A Company That Does Not Have Open Positions?
To apply for a position that does not exist, send the hiring manager an email with your resume attached. In the body of the email, explain why you are interested in working at their company and what career path you would like to pursue within it. If you have any relevant experience or skills that would be helpful for them, be sure to include them as well!
Example: I’m writing because [insert reason here]
I am very interested in [insert job title] at [company name]. As someone who has steadily worked his way up from entry-level positions over eight years at two different companies, I feel that my strong track record demonstrates my ability to learn quickly and adapt well to diverse situations.
My experiences also show my aptitude for thinking creatively while working under pressure; both traits are necessary when dealing with clients who may challenge even seasoned professionals on occasion.
My familiarity with software programs such as Excel and PowerPoint would make me an excellent fit for this role since these programs are essential tools used by anyone involved in accounting or marketing departments!
While not all jobs require a cover letter, submitting one can help you stand out from other applicants. Learn more about the benefits of cover letters with our article on whether all jobs require a cover letter.
How Do You Write A Cover Letter For An Unadvertised Job?
If a job posting doesn’t include specific requirements, you should write a cover letter anyway. A cover letter is your opportunity to show the hiring manager that you’re the best candidate for the position. You can use it to express your interest in working for the company and explain why you are an excellent fit for the open role.
Should You Send A Cover Letter With Your Resume When It Is Not Asked For?
When you’re applying for a job, the hiring manager may or may not ask for a cover letter. It is usually best to send one along with your resume if the employer has not requested it.
A cover letter is a summary of why you want to work at that particular company and how your skills and experience make you perfect for the position. It also allows explaining any gaps in employment history (such as taking time off while raising children) and shows how they are related to the job being sought.
How Do You Start A Cover Letter?
When you start writing your cover letter, you should think of it as an introduction. You are not going to have the chance to have a face-to-face interview with every company you apply to.
Your cover letter is what makes them interested enough in you and your qualifications to get an interview. You should make sure that your first sentence states the position or job title that you are applying for and then state who it is from (i.e., “Dear Mr./Ms.).
The next part of your cover letter will be where you introduce yourself and give more details about who you are and why they should hire you for this position/job.
After that, go into a few sentences about what type of experience or education would qualify them for hiring someone like yourself for this position/job before ending off with some information about how long ago were graduated from school/college.
Writing a cover letter can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Our expert advice on how to write a cover letter can help you craft a compelling letter that showcases your skills and experience.
What Is The Best Way To Address A Cover Letter?
To start, use the person’s name. If you don’t know their name, use the person’s title. If you don’t know their title, then use the person’s name and their company’s name.
In general, state who you are in a friendly way: “Hello Mr./Ms./Mrs./Dr.” This is a good rule to follow even if it seems awkward or unnecessary at first glance what if they have a common last name?
In some cases, it may be appropriate to address yourself as “Dear Editor” or something similar (such as when submitting an article). But generally speaking, it is best not to get too formal unless asked by a specific company or individual (such as someone with whom you already had contact).
Should You Use Bullets In Your Cover Letter?
When you’re writing your cover letter, think about how you can make your key strengths, achievements and skills stand out. Here’s how:
Use bullets. They’re easy to read and eye-catching and they’ll help you highlight the most important parts of your application.
Bullet points are also an efficient way to list education credentials or experience in a short amount of space if you don’t have room for a paragraph or two describing each one.
What Is The Proper Way To Address An Attorney In A Cover Letter?
When addressing an attorney in your cover letter, it’s important to use the proper format. While there are many ways that you could address an attorney, here are several of the most common ones:
- Dear Mr. or Ms. Attorney
- Dear Mr. Attorney (or Ms., if you know it’s a woman)
- Dear Mr. John (if you know the person’s first name) and Miss Mary Smith (if you don’t know who is hiring and have no other way of addressing them).
Many employers consider cover letters to be an important part of the job application process. Find out why in our article on the importance of cover letters, and learn how a well-written cover letter can improve your chances of landing an interview.
How Do You Send Your Resume Through Email & How Long Should The Email Be?
You can email your resume to the company if you want to apply for a position. Many times, people send their resumes in PDF format, but many experts recommend sending them as Word documents because they are easier to read and edit.
The length of your resume should be one page or less, but it’s not something that you need to obsess over. If you have more than one page worth of experience and qualifications, then write another paragraph or two about anything else that may be relevant to the job at hand.
It’s best not to send an email during normal business hours unless otherwise specified in the advertisement or on the company website.
What Is Good Etiquette When Faxing A Resume?
When you are faxing your resume, it’s important to include your contact information. Include your name, phone number, and email address on the cover sheet of the document you’re sending. This will allow the hiring manager to quickly get in touch with you if they want to set up an interview.
If there’s more than one person who should be receiving a copy of your resume when it’s faxed, make sure to include all their names in the “TO:” field on a separate line from yours.
You can also leave off any titles or positions just write “John Smith” instead of “HR Director.” The same goes for addresses: You can simply list “123 Main Street” (or whatever street address is correct) instead of filling out both city and state names.
Including the company’s name and address on your cover letter can demonstrate that you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in the position. Check out our guide on whether a cover letter needs a company address to learn more about how to customize your cover letter for each job application.
Conclusion
Here’s a brief overview of what you need to know:
The purpose of an introduction is to tell the reader who you are, why they should read on, and what they can expect from your cover letter. A good introduction will also make it clear that you’re writing this document with a specific job in mind.
In some cases, it’s best not to include an introduction or just list your contact information at the top of the page instead; if there isn’t much space available on their website or application form where applicants send resumes then this may be appropriate for them too!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to help you learn more about cover letters:
Do You Need to Put a Date on Your Cover Letter? from Resume Genius provides insights on whether or not to include the date on a cover letter.
Do You Need to Put a Date on Your Cover Letter? from Enhancv offers expert advice on how to format a cover letter and whether or not to include the date.
How to Write a Cover Letter from Indeed provides a comprehensive guide to writing a cover letter, from addressing it to the appropriate person to formatting and writing the letter.
FAQs
Do I need to include the date on my cover letter?
It’s generally recommended to include the date on your cover letter as it helps establish a timeline for the hiring process and demonstrates that you are organized and detail-oriented.
Should I address my cover letter to a specific person?
Whenever possible, it’s best to address your cover letter to a specific person or department rather than using a generic salutation like “To Whom It May Concern.”
How long should my cover letter be?
A good rule of thumb is to keep your cover letter to one page or less, focusing on the most important information and highlighting your qualifications for the job.
What should I include in my cover letter?
Your cover letter should include an introduction, a brief overview of your qualifications and experience, and a closing statement that expresses your interest in the position and your availability for an interview.
How should I format my cover letter?
Your cover letter should follow standard business letter formatting, including a header with your name and contact information, a salutation, an introduction, a body with your qualifications and experience, and a closing statement. Make sure to proofread your letter carefully for spelling and grammar errors before submitting it.
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.