A cover letter is a document you write to accompany your resume when applying for a job. It’s supposed to help recruiters and hiring managers understand the skills and abilities you bring to the table, how they relate to the position you’re applying for, and why they should hire you (rather than another applicant).
A good cover letter can make all the difference in landing an interview or getting passed over by a hiring manager who doesn’t even look at your resume because his eyes glaze over at the sight of your cover letter.
Takeaways |
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A cover letter is a document that accompanies your resume when you apply for a job. |
Its purpose is to introduce yourself to the employer, explain why you are interested in the job, and highlight your qualifications. |
A cover letter should typically be no longer than one page. |
Customize your cover letter for each job application to show the employer that you have taken the time to research the company and are genuinely interested in the position. |
To make your cover letter stand out, try to personalize it as much as possible by addressing the employer by name, highlighting specific qualifications that are relevant to the job, and using strong language that showcases your enthusiasm and passion for the position. |
What Is The Purpose Of A Cover Letter?
Cover letters are a great way to introduce yourself to employers, showcase your talents, and show that you can communicate professionally. They’re also an opportunity to show off the skills that make you a qualified candidate for the job.
Here are some examples of what could appear in a cover letter:
Introducing yourself: Use this section to introduce yourself by name and briefly describe why you’re interested in working at the company or doing the job that was advertised.
You should also include where you heard about them (their website, LinkedIn, etc.), and if appropriate this shows them how well-versed in their business practices you already are!
Showcasing your talents: This part is where it’s important to connect what’s written on paper with who wrote it you want them to see how passionate and skilled at writing /typing /speaking/etc. so give examples! This section will probably be five sentences long at most; keep it focused on showing off your talent without being too wordy or repetitive.
A well-written cover letter can make all the difference in a job application. If you’re unsure about what to include, take a look at our guide on what a cover letter looks like for some tips and examples.
Should I Write A Cover Letter?
Now that you know what a cover letter is, you’re probably wondering whether or not to include one.
Yes! If you have something meaningful to say about your experience and skills, write a cover letter. This is especially true if the job listing asks for one.
No! If you don’t have anything special to add, don’t bother with a cover letter. A generic “I am applying for this position because I want to work here and think I would be good at it” is usually enough and will save you time and energy in the long run.
How Do I Write A Cover Letter?
The first thing to know about cover letters is that no one cares about your name. It’s not like you can’t write a cover letter if you don’t have an official title, but keep in mind that a lot of hiring managers will be reading these applications and looking for reasons to eliminate people from consideration.
If the person reading your application doesn’t understand what it is you do or how long you’ve been doing it, they’re going to think negatively of you and assume that your work won’t be up to par either.
A good cover letter should start with a brief description of yourself and what caught their attention when they read your resume. This doesn’t need to be long just enough so they know why they want more information on who this person is and what makes them special.
Ideally, this would come across as sincere rather than forced into sounding overly formal (the latter sounds fake).
The next paragraph should talk about what kind of position(s) are available at their company and how those roles align with your career goals/interests/skillset/etc. Don”t forget: there may be multiple openings available so make sure all these things overlap!
And don”t forget either that most companies have some sort of process (like interviews) for selecting candidates; mention here too if applicable! Finally, explain why specifically YOU would love working at THEIR company based on its reputation & culture.”
Starting a cover letter can be the hardest part, but it’s important to make a strong first impression. Our guide on how to start writing a cover letter provides some helpful tips and examples to get you started.
When Writing A Cover Letter, Can I Use ‘hey’ Or ‘hello’?
You should use a formal salutation when writing a cover letter to a specific person. If you don’t know who will be reading your cover letter, use “Dear Hiring Manager.”
If you’re applying for a job at an organization that’s been around for a while or is well-known (e.g., Google), it’s probably safe to assume that whoever reads your cover letter knows which position is being advertised and what qualifications they’re seeking.
However, if you’re applying for the first time through an online job posting, then it might be helpful to call out the name of the employer in your salutation: “Dear [name] at [organization].” This helps make clear where exactly you’re making contact and also signals the fact that you’ve done some research on their organization before sending them materials!
If applicable: If there are other people involved with hiring decisions besides HR personnel, mention those individuals in this section of your cover letter as well. For example: “Dear [HR manager], I’m thrilled to be submitting my application for consideration as [position].”
What Are Some Proper Cover Letter Salutations?
Now that you’ve got your cover letter salutation down, it’s time to think about how you will address the person reading your letter. This is an important part of any business correspondence because it shows someone that you respect them and their position. There are several ways to go about this:
Use their name or title. For example, “Dear Mr. Smith” or “To Whom It May Concern.” If there isn’t an obvious way to determine the gender of the recipient based on his/her name alone (e.g., Mr./Mrs.), then stick with a less formal greeting such as “Dear Sir” or “To whom it may concern.”
State your purpose for writing in the opening paragraph (this is also called a lead). You can also include a brief description of who you are and why they should be interested in reading further into your letter if appropriate!
Are you unsure about how to format or structure your cover letter? Check out our comprehensive guide on all you need to know about cover letters for everything you need to create a winning cover letter.
When Should I Follow Up On My Cover Letter?
You should make a point of following up with your cover letter after the following events:
You’ve sent it. Don’t wait for the employer to reach out to you, because that’s not going to happen. If you don’t hear back within 24 hours of sending your cover letter, send a quick follow-up email saying something like “I just wanted to make sure my cover letter reached its intended destination.”
After you have interviewed with an employer and submitted your resume (but before they’ve made a decision). This is a good time for another reminder on why hiring managers should select you as their next employee. It also shows that if they don’t choose you now, they might need someone like you down the road so there’s no harm in being persistent!
After being rejected by an employer who interviewed with or considered hiring you. This is another opportunity for another reminder on why hiring managers should select them over other candidates who applied for the same position(s).
After accepting a job offer from an employer who interviewed with or considered hiring them
Does It Matter Where In The Email My Cover Letter Goes?
It’s important to include a cover letter with your resume, as it provides context for the skills and traits you’ve listed on your resume.
A good cover letter can help you stand out from other candidates and show the employer what makes you uniquely qualified to work for them. Your cover letter should also be tailored specifically to each job application, so it’s best to send a new one every time.
If your email is already filled with attachments (like a resume), it’s fine if your cover letter goes after those attachments in the body of the email otherwise, it’s ideal for employers if you place them above or below any other attachments such as résumés or portfolios so that they’re easy to find at first glance!
Many job seekers underestimate the importance of a cover letter, but it can be the key to landing an interview. Our guide on how important is a cover letter when applying for a job explains why cover letters are essential and how to write an effective one.
Do Cover Letters And Resumes Go Together?
In short, yes. But there are also some notable exceptions to that rule.
Cover letters should accompany every resume you submit when applying for a job. Cover letters are often used to explain why you are a good fit for a job or company, which can be especially useful when you’re applying for positions at companies with whom your experience isn’t immediately obvious from the resume itself.
For example, if an applicant wants to work at an accounting firm but hasn’t done any accounting work yet, they can use their cover letter as an opportunity to explain why they want this position and what they hope to learn while working there essentially proving that they have thought through their decision before applying.
How Long Should My Cover Letter Be?
A good rule of thumb is to keep it one page (or less) in length. If you’re applying for a job and writing a cover letter, make sure that you keep yourself focused on the position and any relevant experience that you have for it.
Use bullet points or numbered lists if possible, so that your reader can quickly scan through what you’ve written and find what they’re looking for. The last thing anyone wants when reading an application is to get through tons of extraneous information before getting to the meat of things!
When applying for a job, submitting both a resume and a cover letter can increase your chances of getting hired. Check out our guide on how do a resume and cover letter help you to get the job to learn more about how these two documents work together to make a great first impression.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this post has given you a better understanding of how to write a cover letter. From here, it’s up to you to put your best foot forward and make sure that your cover letter is something that stands out from the crowd!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to help you write a great cover letter:
Indeed: How to Write a Cover Letter – This comprehensive guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to write a cover letter that stands out to employers.
Novoresume: How to Write a Cover Letter Guide – This guide offers tips and advice on how to write a cover letter that highlights your skills and experience.
Michael Page UK: Why Cover Letters are Important – This article explains why cover letters are important and provides advice on how to make your cover letter stand out.
FAQs
What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is a document that accompanies your resume when you apply for a job. Its purpose is to introduce yourself to the employer, explain why you are interested in the job, and highlight your qualifications.
How long should a cover letter be?
A cover letter should typically be no longer than one page. It should be concise and to the point, highlighting your most relevant qualifications and experience.
What should I include in a cover letter?
A cover letter should include your contact information, a greeting to the employer, an introduction that explains why you are interested in the job, a summary of your qualifications, and a closing statement.
Should I customize my cover letter for each job application?
Yes, it’s always a good idea to customize your cover letter for each job application. This shows the employer that you have taken the time to research the company and are genuinely interested in the position.
How can I make my cover letter stand out?
To make your cover letter stand out, try to personalize it as much as possible. Address the employer by name, highlight specific qualifications that are relevant to the job, and use strong language that showcases your enthusiasm and passion for the position.
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.