Need to write a cover letter to apply for a job? In most cases, the answer is yes. Your cover letter help can make the difference between getting a job interview or your resume ignored, so it makes sense to spend the time and effort required to write effective cover letters.
Here's all the information you need to write a cover letter that will make your application noticed. Review these tips on what to include in a cover letter, how to format it, and examples of many professionally written cover letters.
What is a Cover Letter?
His resume is meant to expose the facts, but his cover letter is meant to convey more personality. The cover letter is your first introduction to the person who can hire you, and your goal should be to make you as memorable as possible, in a good way.
That means writing a unique cover letter for each job you request. No templates. No pre-written nonsense. The format of your cover letter must also match the company and industry you are applying to.
There is no "official format" for your cover letter or the information you include in it, but your cover letter must be visually organized and sorted in your information presentation.
What to include in your cover letter
- Introduction: Carefully written to grab the hiring manager’s attention and explain why you want the job.
- Body paragraphs: At least two paragraphs detailing your relevant education, skills, work experience, and suitability for the job.
- Conclusion: A concise ending that reiterates your strengths, and asks the hiring manager to contact you (known as a call to action).
This cover letter writing guide will teach you how to write each of those sections step-by-step, with examples showing exactly what to say. You may need these additional resources to assist you, depending on what stage your cover letter is in:
- I haven’t started writing: find a free Microsoft Word cover letter template that suits your sense of style. Or instantly download a simple one here.
- I’ve already started writing: consult this library of cover letter examples by industry (for those with work experience), or entry-level cover letters (for those who are students or recent graduates).
If you’re pressed for time, consider using a cover letter builder to finish the writing process in less than 15 minutes, or follow our sample cover letter template to quickly write a letter that works for most job applications. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a perfectly formatted and persuasive cover letter that will look like this:
How to Make Your Cover Letter Unique?
When thinking about how to make your cover letter unique, keep the following statements in mind:
- You should make your cover letter unique and show the reader who you are as an individual.
- You should include experience and skills that relate directly to the job posting.
These might sound like opposing statements, but they’re equally important for writing a successful cover letter.
Your cover letter needs to be highly related to the job you’re applying to, but the way that you prove your qualifications should show who you are as an individual.
How to Submit a Cover Letter?
The longer you “sit on” a cover letter to edit and rewrite it, the longer you prolong the opportunity for someone else to get the attention of the hiring manager you want to impress.
You should your cover letter builder as soon as you are certain that:
- Your cover letter, resume and portfolio work are free from errors.
- Your cover letter is written in a way that balances professionalism with personality.
- Your cover letter catches the reader’s interest from the first sentence and maintains it throughout.
- Your cover letter uses the requirements for the job and information on the company as a guide for its content.
- Your cover letter tells stories that are filled with examples that satisfy job requirements and make you stand out positively as an individual and a potential employee.
We firmly call it a mistake because 53% of employers prefer a candidate that has submitted a cover letter and less than 40% of job applicants care to attach a cover letter even when it’s mandatory.
Then, you should start considering writing one.
Competitive job market Every last graduate aspires to get hired in one of the top companies and so every company receives an average of 250+ job applications.
This creates a competitive environment for job seekers in the market.
Also read: How to build a job-winning resumeCover letters are influential According to a poll held by Resume Lab among 200 recruiters and HR professionals, it seems that 36% of hiring professionals start the job application evaluation process with a cover letter.
Isn’t this a solid reason for writing a cover letter that can influence hiring managers?
