A cover letter is a document that accompanies your resume when you apply for a job. It’s meant to entice the employer to read your resume, so it should highlight your most relevant skills and experience. Ideally, your cover letter will prompt the hiring manager to arrange an interview at which point you can discuss in person what makes you such a great candidate!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| A cover letter should be personalized to the company and position you’re applying for. |
| A well-written cover letter can make you stand out from other applicants. |
| A cover letter should be concise and to the point, typically no longer than one page. |
| Your cover letter should highlight your most relevant skills and experiences. |
| It’s important to follow up after submitting a cover letter and resume to express your interest in the position. |
What Is A Cover Letter On Indeed?
A cover letter is a document that accompanies your resume when you apply for a job. It’s an easy way to introduce yourself to the employer and explain why you’re a good fit for the position and it’s also a chance to demonstrate your ability to write well.
The cover letter is sometimes confused with another document: the introduction letter, which is sent out before applying for a job.
Although both documents are usually brief (1-2 pages), the introduction letter often contains more personal information about who you are and why you want this particular job, as well as details about how they can contact you (e.g., phone number or email address).
In contrast, a cover letter should focus solely on what skills make you qualified for the position at hand with no extraneous information about yourself or any other unrelated topics (such as references).
A well-crafted cover letter can make you stand out from the crowd. If you want to learn more about what a cover letter looks like and how to create one, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide on what cover letters look like for helpful tips and examples.
When To Write A Cover Letter?
The answer to this question is not as straightforward as you might think it is. In fact, there are several scenarios when a cover letter can be used:
- When applying for a new job
- When applying for a job online
- When applying for a job in person
- When applying for a job via email (the most common case)
- When applying for a job via post
While the last two options seem quite outdated and ridiculous nowadays, they still exist and so do people who use them. So if you have no other way but to send your resume by post or fax it’s important that you know exactly when and where to include your cover letter with all its details to get hired quickly!
Is A Cover Letter Necessary?
You may be wondering if a cover letter is necessary. A cover letter is a formal document that accompanies your resume when applying for employment. It’s written in the third person and should be about 1 page long (if you need to include more information, create an attached document).
The purpose of writing one is to help the employer understand who you are, what value you bring to their business, and why they should choose you as their next employee.
If no cover letter accompanies your resume or application then it’s likely that it will get lost in the shuffle of other applicants with similar credentials. The information contained within these documents may also influence an employer’s decision on whether or not they want to hire you based on how well it represents you professionally.
It’s important that whoever reads this document has some knowledge about what makes up good writing style before attempting any type of communication with another party; otherwise, there could be some confusion between ideas being conveyed through text versus what was intended.”
Starting a cover letter can be challenging, but it’s an essential part of the job application process. If you’re struggling to get started, take a look at our guide on how to start writing a cover letter for practical advice and guidance.
How Do I Write A Cover Letter For A Job With No Experience?
When it comes to writing a cover letter for any job, the main idea is honesty. At this point, you have nothing to lose. Even if your experience isn’t exactly what they’re looking for, they’ll appreciate that you’re being honest and upfront about it.
If they’ve got their heart set on someone with 10 years of experience managing large teams of people or whatever else in their ad, then maybe your application won’t be so great at this moment. But if they are open to considering other people or changing their requirements based on who applies then you’ll get remembered!
The next thing is explaining why you are interested in the job and why you’d be a good fit for it. It’s important that while being honest about your lack of experience (or lack thereof), that doesn’t mean that there aren’t other reasons why the employer should hire you:
Be enthusiastic about learning new things and improving yourself as an employee
Acknowledge how much value there is in having an eager employee who will put 100% effort into every task given to them – even if those tasks don’t get them used to actually working yet
Show off some personality by mentioning something specific about what interests or excites you about working here
What Is A Cover Letter Example?
A cover letter example is a template that gives you an idea of what to write in your cover letter. It’s important to note that the information included in these templates is not necessarily relevant for every job opportunity, as each company has its requirements and expectations for applicants.
However, if you can find a specific job posting that shows what kind of experience or skills are being sought out by the employer, then using that as your “template” will help ensure that your application is formatted correctly and addresses all the necessary topics.
If you’re unsure about what to include in your cover letter or how to structure it, our guide on all you need to know about cover letters is here to help. From the basics to advanced techniques, we cover everything you need to know to create a compelling cover letter.
Can You Address Your Cover Letter To Whom It May Concern?
As you’re working on your cover letter, you may be wondering how to address it. Some people wonder whether or not they should address their cover letters to “whom it may concern” or if they should use a more formal salutation like “dear hiring manager.” Neither of those is correct.
When addressing your cover letter, it’s always best to address it directly to the person who will be reading each application (the hiring manager). This helps ensure that your application gets read by the right person and makes sure that there’s no confusion regarding whom you’re applying for at all times.
The best way of doing this is simply by using their name in place of “to whom.” For example: To Whom It May Concern: I am writing this letter in order…
Should You Address Your Cover Letter To HR Or The Hiring Manager?
Many job seekers wonder whether they should address their cover letter to human resources or the hiring manager. It’s a good question, and there are several factors to consider before making your choice.
Your cover letter should be addressed directly to the hiring manager who would be responsible for hiring you if you were hired, not simply HR.
In some organizations, this may be the same person; in others, it might not. If you don’t know who that person is, do some research about them by searching LinkedIn or similar sites for information about their professional background and work history or just call up and ask!
How Long Should My Cover Letter Be?
It’s important to keep your cover letter to one page. While it may seem like a good idea to include all of the information about yourself and your experience in a single document, employers are busy people and will quickly become frustrated if their screens are filled with too many pages.
Similarly, don’t try to cram too much into a small space. While there is no hard limit on how long a cover letter should be, it should not be more than two pages in length. If you write at length about each of your qualifications and achievements then you will end up with an overly long document that won’t be read by anyone but yourself!
A cover letter can be the deciding factor in whether you get hired for a job or not. If you want to make sure your application stands out, read our guide on how important a cover letter is when applying for a job to learn why you should always include one in your application.
How Do I Make My Cover Letter Stand Out?
When it comes to cover letters, there are a few things you can do to make yours stand out.
First, use a conversational style. This means that instead of writing like you would if you were writing an essay or something similar, use language that someone might use when engaging in normal conversation. For example: “I’d be happy to work at your company.” Not: “I would be pleased to accept this position.”
Next, keep your letter short, punchy, and simple. You don’t want to go on for paragraphs about why you’re qualified for this job and how hardworking and dedicated you are—no one cares about any of that anyway!
Your goal should be just enough information so that someone reading the letter knows what sort of position they’re looking at without being bored by excessive detail (i.e., no boring filler words like “however” or “therefore”).
Your layout should also be simple this means using only one font throughout the entire document (but not Comic Sans!), keeping things straight up and down (but not centered), and not putting each paragraph on its line unless necessary (which usually isn’t), etc., etc., etc…
What Should Not Be Included In A Cover Letter What Does Status Of Application Mean In Indeed?
You don’t need to include references or other information.
You don’t need to include a resume.
You should not mention your salary expectations in the cover letter, since this may make employers think that you are an expensive hire and choose someone else for the job.
Do not mention the duration of employment or specific benefits you will be receiving from the company, because it may sound like you are looking for something long-term but want something temporary only for money purposes.
A well-crafted cover letter can be highly effective in securing an interview and landing a job. To learn more about how to create an effective cover letter that showcases your skills and experience, check out our guide on how effective cover letters can be and start crafting your own winning cover letter today.
Conclusion
A cover letter is an important part of your job search. It shows the hiring manager that you are serious about the position and willing to put in the effort necessary to get it. Cover letters allow employers to see who you are beyond just your resume, which makes them more likely to hire you over someone else with similar qualifications but without one.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources you can use to learn more about cover letters:
Prospects: Cover Letters – This website offers comprehensive information on cover letters, including tips on how to write them and examples of successful cover letters.
Indeed: How to Write a Cover Letter – Indeed provides practical advice on how to create a standout cover letter that grabs the attention of potential employers.
Investopedia: Cover Letter – This resource provides a detailed overview of cover letters, including their purpose, format, and key elements.
FAQs
What should be included in a cover letter?
A cover letter should include a brief introduction, a summary of your qualifications, and a closing paragraph that expresses your interest in the position and your willingness to follow up.
How long should a cover letter be?
A cover letter should typically be one page or less, with a focus on highlighting your most relevant qualifications and experiences.
Should I address my cover letter to a specific person?
Whenever possible, you should address your cover letter to a specific person, rather than using a generic greeting. This shows that you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in the company and the position.
How can I make my cover letter stand out?
To make your cover letter stand out, be sure to personalize it to the company and the position you’re applying for, highlight your most relevant skills and experiences, and use a professional and engaging tone.
What mistakes should I avoid when writing a cover letter?
Common mistakes to avoid when writing a cover letter include using a generic or overly formal tone, making spelling or grammar errors, and simply repeating the information on your resume. Instead, focus on highlighting your unique qualifications and demonstrating your interest in 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.