When you’re applying for a job, a good cover letter is essential. It’s the gateway to your resume and can help make sure an employer sees all the best parts of what you have to offer.
A great cover letter will also show off your personality and can help stand out among other applicants. But how do you write a cover letter so that it truly represents who you are? Here’s everything from spelling errors to length:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| A strong cover letter can increase your chances of getting an interview. |
| Your cover letter should introduce yourself, explain why you’re interested in the job, highlight your relevant skills and experience, and express your enthusiasm for the opportunity. |
| Keep your cover letter concise and to the point, focusing on your most relevant qualifications and experience. |
| Customize your cover letter for each job application to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the opportunity and highlight your relevant skills and experience. |
| Format your cover letter like a professional business letter, including your name and contact information, the date, the recipient’s name and contact information, a greeting, the body of the letter divided into three or four paragraphs, a closing, and a signature. |
How About A Cover Letter That’s Just A Few Sentences Long?
A cover letter shouldn’t be a novel. If you were to take the time to write a full page about yourself, you’d be missing out on the opportunity to share your unique skills with the hiring manager.
Be specific. The reason why employers want cover letters is that they want to know who you are and what makes you stand out from other applicants.
They don’t want generic sentences like “I’m an outgoing individual who has experience working in customer service.” They want details about how those characteristics will help them achieve their business goals and make their company more profitable or successful in some way!
Focus on one thing that makes you unique or better than other applicants (or both). You might have several awesome qualities but there may not always be room for them all in your cover letter. For example:
I have six years of experience as a project manager at multinational corporations across Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and North America
Crafting a cover letter that will land you the interview requires attention to detail and a strong understanding of what hiring managers are looking for. Learn more about how to create a winning cover letter in our article on writing a cover letter that will land you the interview.
What If You Don’t Have Much Job Experience?
If you don’t have much job experience, you can still write a cover letter.
Instead of focusing on your past jobs, focus on how your education and training make you an ideal candidate for the position. You can explain what specific skills you have that are relevant to the position, as well as how those skills could be put to use in the role.
If there’s anything else about your background (i.e., hobbies or extracurricular activities) that would be helpful for understanding where your interests lie, include it here too!
What If You’ve Never Written A Cover Letter Before?
If you’re not familiar with it, a cover letter can seem daunting. It might seem like the kind of thing that only professionals are supposed to write, but in reality, everyone writes cover letters.
The first step is to get started by following a template. You don’t need to rewrite the wheel just use what works and tweak it until your tone and style fit your personality.
What should go into it? Your name and contact information are always good places to start (your email address), as well as an overview of why you want the job or internship mentioned in the ad, who referred you for consideration (if applicable), any qualifications related to applying for this position (such as degrees or certifications).
Why do you believe that this company is an excellent choice for someone with your skills and interests (for example: “Your company has been producing quality products since 1856; I would love to be part of such a successful team!”)
If possible mention something specific about their business model that appeals: “I am excited by [insert topic here].” And finally end with how much they mean in today’s world: “This position would be perfect for me because”.
What If You Have No Idea Where To Start?
If you’re having trouble getting started, don’t worry. Here are some easy ways to get started:
Take a look at the job description. If you’re being asked to submit a cover letter with your resume, then it’s likely that they have written a detailed description of what they are looking for. Read through the job posting carefully and make sure that you understand what they want from the person who gets hired.
Then, use this information to help guide your writing process by identifying which skills match up with their needs and highlighting those in particular during the cover letter writing process.
Identify your strengths and weaknesses based on experience. If possible and relevant, include examples from work history or volunteer activities that demonstrate these abilities in previous positions or organizations where you’ve volunteered within the last five years (or whatever period is required).
This will help potential employers determine whether or not they are hiring someone qualified for their position(s) based on their previous work experience; therefore helping them decide whether or not hiring someone like yourself would be beneficial for both parties involved in making such an agreement come true!
One of the most important aspects of writing a cover letter is explaining why you are a good match for the job. Our article on explaining why you are a good match in your cover letter provides valuable tips and advice on how to effectively communicate your skills and experience to the hiring manager.
How About Starting Your Cover Letter With A Story?
You’ve got a great story to tell, so why not share it? A cover letter is your chance to show off your personality and get the hiring manager’s attention.
If you have an interesting story from your past that highlights one of these three things (1) skills (2) passion for the job and/or company, or (3) enthusiasm for the opportunity at hand, then start with a brief anecdote about this experience.
Not only does this make things interesting for both parties involved, but it also provides an opportunity to show off something interesting about yourself that doesn’t necessarily fit into any other section of the document.
How Can You Make Sure Your Cover Letter Is Error-Free?
Here are some ways to keep your cover letter error-free:
Spell-check before you send it. When you’ve finished writing, run a spell check in your word processor and make sure there aren’t any errors that will confuse the reader.
Have someone else proofread it. This can be a friend or family member who has good writing skills and isn’t afraid to tell you when something doesn’t look right. It could also be a teacher or tutor who can help point out grammar mistakes and other problems with the formatting or layout of your CV/resume or cover letter.
Use a template as a starting point for creating your resume, CV/resume, or cover letter (or all three).
You can find these online at websites offering templates for various applications like job hunting; simply download whichever one(s) fits your needs best and fill in their blanks with information specific to each job opportunity listed on Monster’s site today!
What Should Your Formatting Be Like?
Now that you know what to say and how to write it, let’s talk about how you should format your cover letter. The most important thing is to use a standard font size and standard font color so that the reader can easily read what you’re saying. Make sure the text is legible from a distance of at least 20 feet without having to squint!
Next, make sure you are using a common font family like Arial or Times New Roman. These fonts are very readable because they were designed for people who might not be able to see well so if your reader has poor eyesight due to macular degeneration or any other reason, choosing one of these fonts will help them out quite a bit.
In addition, keep in mind that some people may be colorblind so try not to use colors in your letters other than black text on white paper (which is also good for those with dyslexia)!
Finally, make sure everything aligns properly; when we say this we mean both vertically and horizontally within the body paragraph itself but also each section header (e.g., “Objective” vs “Skills”).
This keeps things neat looking while simultaneously making it easier for readers’ eyes to follow along as they scroll down through each section before moving onto another one entirely.”
An effective cover letter can be the difference between getting hired and being passed over for a job. Check out our article on how an effective cover letter can impact your job search to learn more about the importance of this crucial job application document.
How Do You Email A Cover Letter?
If you’re applying for a job via email, follow the company’s instructions for applying. Schools often tell you to send your cover letter and résumé as attachments, but companies don’t like that because it can clutter up their inboxes and make them hard to search through.
Don’t send an attachment unless they ask you to.
Use the company’s email address in place of “yourname@gmail.”
Use the company name in the subject line this tells them instantly who the email is from, so they won’t accidentally delete it before opening it up!
What Should Your Closing Paragraph Be Like?
Your closing paragraph should be short and sweet. The purpose of a closing paragraph is to summarize your qualifications for the position, so you should include only highlights from your resume.
Be sure to emphasize what sets you apart from other applicants. If there are any “wow” factors on your resume or cover letter that make you stand out, now is the time to mention them!
Once again, this paragraph should contain a call to action: it could suggest that an employer contact you for an interview (if you’re looking for employment) or ask for feedback (if you’re writing about yourself).
Are you struggling to stand out from the crowd in your job search? A well-crafted cover letter can be the key to getting noticed by hiring managers. Our article on how a cover letter can help you get your desired job provides valuable advice on how to create a cover letter that will set you apart from other applicants.
An Excellent Cover Letter Will Help Put A Fresh Graduate In The Mind Of The Employer
If you are a fresh graduate, having an excellent cover letter will help put you in the mind of the employer. A well-written cover letter is important if you want your application to be noticed.
A cover letter should be concise and tailored to each job description, rather than generalized. It should also highlight relevant experiences and competencies from past jobs or internships, as well as transferable skills that can be applied in this position.
Writing a strong cover letter requires a careful balance of tone, content, and formatting. Our expert guide on how to write a cover letter provides valuable tips and advice on how to craft a winning cover letter that will impress hiring managers.
Conclusion
Cover letters are important, but they don’t have to be hard. With the right tools and a little practice, you can create an excellent cover letter that will help put you in the mind of an employer.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to help you write a strong cover letter:
7 Tips for Writing a Winning Cover Letter: This article provides seven tips for writing a cover letter that will impress hiring managers and increase your chances of getting an interview.
How to Write a Cover Letter: Indeed’s guide to writing a cover letter includes step-by-step instructions, examples, and expert tips to help you create a compelling cover letter.
How to Write a Cover Letter: Guide: Novoresume’s comprehensive guide to writing a cover letter includes advice on formatting, tone, and content, as well as templates and examples to help you get started.
FAQs
What should I include in my cover letter?
Your cover letter should introduce yourself, explain why you’re interested in the job, highlight your relevant skills and experience, and express your enthusiasm for the opportunity.
How long should my cover letter be?
A cover letter should be no more than one page in length. Keep it concise and to the point, focusing on your most relevant qualifications and experience.
Should I customize my cover letter for each job application?
Yes, you should customize your cover letter for each job application. This allows you to highlight the skills and experience that are most relevant to the job and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the opportunity.
How do I address my cover letter?
Ideally, you should address your cover letter to the hiring manager or the person who will be reviewing your application. If you’re not sure who that is, try to do some research to find out.
How should I format my cover letter?
Your cover letter should be formatted like a professional business letter. Include your name and contact information at the top, followed by the date, the recipient’s name and contact information, and a greeting. The body of the letter should be divided into three or four paragraphs, and should include a closing and a signature.
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.