Cover letters are an important part of the interview process. They can help you stand out from other candidates and show your professionalism, but they also have to be well-written. The following tips will walk you through creating a solid cover letter that will impress hiring managers and get your resume noticed.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| A cover letter is a one-page document that accompanies your resume when applying for a job. |
| A well-crafted cover letter can make a strong first impression on potential employers. |
| The purpose of a cover letter is to introduce yourself to the employer, highlight your qualifications, and express your interest in the position. |
| A cover letter should be formatted like a professional business letter, with a formal greeting, body paragraphs, and a professional closing. |
| To tailor your cover letter for a specific job, research the company and position, and highlight your qualifications and experience that are most relevant to the job. |
Choose A Readable Font
If you’re not sure what kind of font to use, try a serif font like Times New Roman or Cambria. These are the fonts that people read the most easily, and they are more likely to be readable on your computer screen.
Serifs are those little embellishments at the ends of lines in letters like “t” and “f.” Sans serif fonts have no serifs; they’re easier for designers to work with because they’re simpler (and thus save space), but they can be harder for readers’ eyes to follow as they move down the page.
Starting a cover letter can be a daunting task, but with the right approach, it can set you apart from other candidates. Our guide on how to start writing a cover letter offers valuable tips to help you get started.
Don’t Go Over One Page
The best cover letters are short and to the point. If you can’t say something in just one page, then it’s probably not worth saying at all.
To keep your cover letter concise and focused, don’t use a lot of filler words like “I believe” or “in my opinion” and try to avoid using too many commas as well (they give off the impression that you’re unsure about what you’re saying).
Unless there is a specific reason for doing so, don’t include irrelevant information such as age or gender; these details will only distract from your skillset and qualifications for the job.
If you need more space than one page for whatever reason maybe there was an error in formatting earlier on in our example letter? then make sure that each section is kept short enough so that it doesn’t stretch out over several lines of text within a given paragraph (that would just look messy).
Use The Same Font Throughout
Using the same font throughout makes the letter easier to read and looks more professional. It also helps you maintain a consistent tone and style.
In addition, using the same font throughout makes it easier for readers to scan through your letter quickly and make decisions about whether or not they want to move forward with your application.
Consider Your Margins And Line Spacing
Now that we’ve decided on a font, it’s time to address the margins.
Your cover letter should be formatted consistently across all of your documents (and even within each document). This means that you’d use the same margins throughout your cover letter, resume, portfolio, and application forms.
The standard margin width is 1 inch all around; however, if you’re using 12 pt fonts or smaller this can become extremely narrow and difficult to read. As a rule of thumb: don’t go below 0.8 inches on any side as it will make your document hard to read.
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Don’t Justify Text
Don’t justify text. You’ll have enough trouble keeping your head up while you’re craning over your computer screen, so don’t make things harder by justifying the text in your resume or cover letter. This will only make it difficult to read, and even if you do manage to get through, chances are that the recruiter will not be able to either.
Do use serif font (if available). If you’re using a serif font for the body of your resume or cover letter, make sure that all caps are used sparingly they can look too jarring against a more traditional typeface such as Garamond Italic or Times New Roman Italic.
However, if you can’t use these fonts (and most people can’t), then stick with sans-serif fonts like Arial Narrow or Verdana Regular instead; they’re easier on the eyes than Helvetica Neue Light Condensed Extra Bold Extended Text Size which is too small for most humans’ reading comfort levels!
Proofread
When you are done with the letter, read it out loud to yourself. This will often reveal mistakes that aren’t so obvious when you’re reading silently. If you find errors and want to edit your document, don’t be afraid to do it!
It’s also a good idea to get someone else (like a friend or family) to proofread your letter for spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes before sending it off for review. You could also use a spell checker or grammar checker online if that helps give you peace of mind!
Address The Cover Letter To A Person
You should address the cover letter to a person. The name of the person you’re addressing your cover letter to is typically referred to as “Dear Hiring Manager.”
You must find out who will be reading your cover letter. It’s best if you know this information before submitting your application, but if not, there are some ways you can find out how to address it:
Google the company and see who its CEO is (or look at its website).
Look up the job posting on several job sites, like Indeed or Glassdoor. Find out who posted it and make sure they’re still in charge of hiring for that position!
Sometimes recruiters post these jobs without letting their bosses know about them first–so check with multiple sources before assuming that someone else has made an error when posting online job descriptions (we’ve seen this happen far too many times).
Understanding the purpose and function of a cover letter is key to crafting a compelling application. Our guide on how do cover letters work breaks down the components of a cover letter and offers tips for success.
Use An Appropriate Greeting
Use a greeting that is appropriate for the recipient. If you’re writing to someone who has a title like Mr., Mrs., Miss, or Dr., then use that title in your greeting. If there are multiple people with the same last name (such as Smith), it’s fine to address them all by their first names and titles.
Use a greeting that is appropriate for the type of job you are applying for. For example, if you’re applying for an entry-level position at an advertising agency, don’t begin with “Dear Sirs.” Instead, try something more casual like “Hi” or even just “Hello” if you have no idea what gender they identify as or what pronoun they prefer reading about themselves.
Use a greeting that is appropriate for the type of company you are applying at
Show You’re Serious With A Professional Cover Letter Header
Your cover letter header should be the first thing that the hiring manager sees. Even if they don’t read it, they’ll still see it first. That’s why you want to make sure it looks professional and trustworthy. Here are some ways you can do that:
- The right font
- The right format
- The right font size
- The right font color or style (try serif fonts for traditional jobs, sans-serif for modern ones)
- A professional-looking weight
In a competitive job market, a well-written cover letter can make all the difference in landing the job. Our guide on the importance of cover letter to land a job offers expert insights into the significance of cover letters in the job search process.
Write An Attention-Grabbing First Paragraph That Introduces Who You Are And What Role You Want
The first paragraph is the most important part of your cover letter because it’s the only chance you have to make an impression on the hiring manager. You need to show that you know what you’re talking about and why they should hire you over other applicants.
Here are some tips for writing a great first paragraph:
Start by introducing yourself and explaining why you are interested in the position. Don’t just say that you want a job; explain which job (and why) specifically interests you.
State which skills or experience make up your qualifications for this particular role, but also mention any personal traits that will make them attractive as well (such as being trustworthy).
You should also be sure to include some details about how long ago it was since you last worked with this type of company, if applicable; this shows that despite having been away from work for some time now, there’s still an interest in returning.
Close With A Call To Action That Lets Them Know You’re Ready To Interview
In your closing, make sure to let them know how you can help their organization. Don’t rest on generalities like “I would be a good fit” or “I am excited to speak with you.” Instead, go back to the original opening paragraph and restate why you’re interested in the position:
- Mention the specific job title and company name again.
- Talk about how your skills and experience could be used at that company.
- Explain what makes this job different from other jobs that you might apply for. For example, if this is a promotion for an existing employee, explain why you would want to take it on yourself.
Submitting a personalized cover letter for each job application can increase your chances of landing the job. Our guide on how many cover letters do you need discusses the importance of tailoring your cover letters and offers tips for streamlining the process.
Conclusion
Having an effective cover letter can be the difference between getting a job and not. It’s the first thing your potential employer sees, so it needs to show them that you’re serious about the role and can do it well. If you need help writing one, we have some tips for you!
Further Reading
For more information on cover letter writing, check out these resources:
How to Write a Cover Letter Guide: A comprehensive guide with step-by-step instructions and examples for crafting a compelling cover letter.
How to Write a Cover Letter: A practical guide with tips and examples for writing a standout cover letter that will catch the attention of hiring managers.
Cover Letter: An overview of what a cover letter is, its purpose, and how to write an effective one.
FAQs
What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is a one-page document that accompanies your resume when applying for a job. Its purpose is to introduce yourself to the employer, highlight your qualifications, and express your interest in the position.
What should I include in a cover letter?
A cover letter should include a greeting, an opening paragraph that explains why you are interested in the position, a second paragraph that highlights your qualifications and relevant experience, a closing paragraph that expresses your interest in the position and thanks the employer for considering your application, and a professional closing.
How long should a cover letter be?
A cover letter should be one page in length and no more than 3-4 paragraphs.
How do I format a cover letter?
A cover letter should be formatted like a professional business letter, with your contact information at the top, followed by the employer’s contact information, the date, a formal greeting, and body paragraphs that are single-spaced with double-spacing between paragraphs. The letter should end with a professional closing and your signature.
How do I tailor my cover letter for a specific job?
To tailor your cover letter for a specific job, research the company and the position to understand their needs and values, and then highlight your qualifications and experience that are most relevant to the job. Use keywords and phrases from the job posting to demonstrate your fit and 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.