You may be tempted to skip the cover letter when you’re applying for a job. After all, you’ve already spent a lot of time crafting your resume and honing your interview skills. Why not just send off your resume and hope that’s enough?
Unfortunately, an unsolicited application is often given little consideration by hiring managers. That’s why it’s important to make sure your cover letter and the document that accompanies your resume are well-written and relevant to the position you’re applying for.
In this article, we’ll take look at what makes up a good cover letter, including some examples of what not to do.
We’ll also go over some tips on how to write yours: from basic formatting requirements to what information should be included in each section of the document (hint: there are more than three!), we’ll cover everything you need to know before sending off your application materials for review.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| A well-crafted cover letter can make all the difference in getting hired. |
| Understanding how cover letters work is key to crafting an effective one. |
| A strong opening can make a great first impression in your cover letter. |
| Customizing your cover letter for each job application is essential. |
| A cover letter should be concise, well-written, and no longer than one page. |
Your Cover Letter Should Be Personal
The first step in writing an effective cover letter is to make sure that you address it to the correct person. This may seem obvious, but it’s not always easy to know who has hiring power and influence within a company.
If there isn’t a clear contact person listed on the job posting, do some sleuthing you can usually find this information on LinkedIn or by calling the company directly.
And if someone other than your potential boss is named as your point of contact, don’t be afraid to send them an email asking for clarification about who should receive your application materials (this shows initiative).
The second thing you should do is use their name in both the greeting and closing salutations (“Dear Ms./Mr. Smith,” “Best regards”/”Sincerely”).
A good rule of thumb here: if they have a title like “Vice President,” “Director” or “Manager,” you should also use that title when addressing them by name (e.g., “Dear Ms./Mr.” versus just “Ms.”).
And finally, make sure that any other details provided in their profile like where they went to school or what their job responsibilities are are accurate before sending off those emails!
Starting a cover letter can be intimidating, but a strong opening can make all the difference. Check out our guide on how to start writing a cover letter to learn some effective strategies and make a great first impression.
Your Cover Letter Should Be Relevant
A cover letter is your opportunity to highlight why you are the best candidate for a job. You want to make sure your cover letter is relevant, so it’s important to make sure it matches the job description and company.
In general, there are two ways that most applicants think about relevance: 1) how closely does my experience match what this company wants? 2) how closely does my current skill set to match what this company needs?
For your cover letter to be relevant, you need to answer both of these questions effectively. If possible, link your past experiences directly with what they are looking for in the position or department (i.e., “I led projects X and Y at Company A which required skills YZ”).
If you don’t have any relevant experience but have several other strengths that could transfer over (such as communication skills), highlight them instead (i.e., “My communication skills were instrumental in leading these projects successfully”). This will show them that despite not having specific related experience, those other qualities can be just as valuable!
Your Cover Letter Should Be Unique
Your cover letter should be unique to the job that you are applying for. The best way to do this is by using the job description and company website to guide you. By tailoring each cover letter, you will show your potential employer that you are interested in the company and its culture.
Remember that human resources staff have already seen a lot of generic cover letters, so make sure yours stands out from all the rest!
The easiest way to do this is by doing some research on your target company before writing their application materials (cover letters). If possible, try looking through their mission statement and mission statement if they have one; these should give some clues about what kind of person they’re looking for!
Are you unsure about what to include in your cover letter? Don’t worry – our comprehensive guide on all you need to know about cover letters has got you covered. From formatting to content, we’ll walk you through the essentials of crafting a compelling cover letter.
You Cover Letter Should Highlight Your Skills
Your cover letter is a great place to demonstrate your skills, achievements, and experience.
You can also use this opportunity to showcase your personality or education credentials—and don’t be afraid to brag! You want your cover letter to show why hiring managers should pick you over other applicants.
Your Cover Letter Should Answer Questions
Your cover letter should answer questions.
What are those questions?
The ones in the job description, of course! But they’re not just limited to those; your cover letter should also answer any questions that might exist in the employer’s mind, even if they haven’t asked them yet (and even if you don’t know what those are).
This is because when an employer sees a great cover letter, they will be so impressed by your writing style and ability to communicate that they’ll want to bring you in for an interview and that’s when you get paid to write more stuff!
Your Cover Letter Should Show That You Have Done Your Research
When you write your cover letter, be sure to show that you have done your research. If a potential employer is looking for someone with specific skills and experience, make sure those are clearly stated in the cover letter. Also, be sure you know what the company does and how it fits into its industry.
If the job posting mentions a candidate’s preferred skills and experience, mention those in your cover letter. You want to make sure that both parties are on the same page when it comes down to getting down to business (and if they aren’t yet).
Your Cover Letter Should Be Neat And Well Presented
The cover letter should be neat and well-presented. It’s a good idea to have someone else proofread your letter for you, just in case you missed any spelling errors or grammatical mistakes along the way.
Your application will always stand out if you follow these simple rules:
- The cover letter should be written clearly and concisely;
- It should be easy to read;
- It should be well-formatted;
- It should be easy to follow, and a variety of other things as well!
Wondering how to make your cover letter stand out from the crowd? It’s all about understanding how cover letters work. Check out our expert insights on how do cover letters work to learn some tips and tricks for crafting a standout cover letter that will catch the recruiter’s eye.
Your Cover Letter Should Not Have Spelling And Grammatical Errors
You should take care to make sure your cover letter is free of spelling and grammatical errors. These mistakes are a turnoff to potential employers and can mean the difference between getting the job or not.
Don’t just rely on spell check! Spell checkers are great, but they don’t catch everything (for example, “they’re” vs “their”).
To ensure you don’t present a sloppy presentation of yourself and your abilities, ask someone else to read over your letter preferably someone who’s good with grammar. If that doesn’t work for some reason, use one of the following resources:
- Dictionaries (thesaurus)
- Grammar books/websites
Your Cover Letter Is An Opportunity To Show Your Personality
A cover letter is an opportunity to show your personality. It’s a chance to be yourself and showcase your passion, drive, and ambition.
So if you want to discuss the future of email marketing in 2016, go ahead and do it! If you can’t wait for summer because it’ll give you the chance to work on that novel about a girl who has an extra pair of legs growing out of her back, let them know!
The point is: don’t be afraid to show off your personality in whatever way makes sense for the job.
Did you know that a strong cover letter can be the key to landing your dream job? Our experts share their insights on how important is cover letter to land a job and offer some valuable tips for making your cover letter work for you.
Your Cover Letter Should Follow A Business Format
A cover letter is a brief introduction to your resume, and as such should be written professionally. It should be single-spaced, on white paper, and written in a straightforward style that doesn’t go beyond one page.
Your cover letter should follow a business format; it’s not the place to get creative with fonts or colors (though if you have an excellent reason for doing so like being color blind you can make the case for this exception).
While there’s no universally accepted length limit on cover letters, one page seems to be standard practice across industries.
The key is finding your sweet spot: don’t use too much space when you could edit down; don’t skimp too much when you find yourself struggling with getting everything onto the page.
If you’re unsure about where exactly that sweet spot lies, err on the side of more rather than less information being included in your letter while considering how much space each point deserves versus how important it is overall
It’s Okay To Tell Them Why You’re Looking Forward To Working With Them
You can do this by providing examples of how your skills will be a good fit for the position, or by pointing out how well-suited your experience is for their business.
You can even use this section as an opportunity to share something personal about yourself that might pique their interest.
Talk About The Things That Matter To Both Of You
So what should you do?
- Talk about the things that matter to both of you.
- Talk about the things that matter to the company and its employees.
Talk about the things that matter to you and your professional goals, as well as any work or life experience related to what they’re looking for in a candidate (e.g., “I’m very interested in working for [your company] because I have several years experience working with [a type of client] at my current job”).
Also talk about anything else relevant like if there’s something special about your background or personality that makes them want to hire you, even though there are other candidates who seem equally qualified from an outside perspective (e.g., “I think my real strength is communication; it’s been one of my greatest assets at every company where I’ve worked”).
Highlight The Skills They Are Seeking
For example, if you are applying for a job that requires you to work with numbers, and you have included this on your resume, highlight this in your cover letter.
However, if the job does not specifically require certain skills or experience, don’t stress over it too much. Instead of stressing about what they may want from you (and potentially missing out on other important qualities), focus your attention on highlighting how well-suited you are for the position overall.
How Important Is A Cover Letter When Applying For A Job
A cover letter is an important part of your job application and should be treated as such. A cover letter is a chance to show your personality, so you must bring yours into the writing process.
When applying for any job, you must do your research on the company or organization you’re applying for. Look at their website and get a feel for what they are all about! This will help in making sure that any information you include in your cover letter matches up with what they’re looking for.
You also have an opportunity in this section of your application to prove yourself as someone who can communicate well with others by using proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation (or lack thereof). It doesn’t seem like much but being able to write shows how much effort was put into crafting this document which could ultimately mean better interviews down the line!
Are you wondering whether you really need to include a cover letter with your resume? The answer is a resounding yes! Check out our guide on how important is cover letter with resume to learn why a well-crafted cover letter can make all the difference in getting hired.
Conclusion
Put simply, a cover letter is an important part of the job application process. It allows you to explain why you’re the right person for the job, and how your skills and experience match up with what they’re looking for. In short: it means that there’s less chance of your application falling between the cracks!
Further Reading
Do I Need a Cover Letter?: This article provides a comprehensive guide to help job seekers decide if they should include a cover letter with their job application.
Why Cover Letters Are Important: This article discusses the importance of cover letters and provides tips on how to write a great one.
The Importance of a Cover Letter: This article explains why cover letters are important and how they can help job seekers stand out from the crowd.
FAQs
What should I include in a cover letter?
Your cover letter should include a brief introduction, information about your relevant skills and experience, and a closing statement expressing your interest in the position.
How long should a cover letter be?
A cover letter should be no longer than one page, with three to four paragraphs of concise, well-written content.
Do I need to tailor my cover letter for each job application?
Yes, it’s important to customize your cover letter for each job application to highlight your relevant skills and experience and demonstrate your fit for the specific role.
Should I address my cover letter to a specific person?
Whenever possible, you should address your cover letter to a specific person, such as the hiring manager or recruiter. This shows that you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in the position.
Can a cover letter make up for a weak resume?
While a strong cover letter can help to supplement a weak resume, it’s important to have a strong resume as well. A cover letter can provide additional context and highlight your fit for the role, but it shouldn’t be relied on as a replacement for a strong resume.
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.