In this article, we’ll show you how to write a cover letter that makes a great first impression on potential employers.
Cover letter format
Your letter should look like a business letter with the following sections:
- Header with date and contact information
- Salutation or greeting
- Opening paragraph
- Middle paragraph(s)
- Closing paragraph
- Letter ending and signature
The cover letter should be one page and use a simple and professional font such as Arial or Helvetica in size 10-12 points. Your letter should be single-spaced and aligned with one-inch margins.
1. Start with your header
Similar to the header of a standard business letter, you should include some personal and role-related information at the top of your letter so recruiters and hiring managers can easily follow up. If desired, the name and address can be centered at the top of the page to reflect the look of your resume.
Header template:
- Your name
- Your city and ZIP code
- Your phone number
- Your email address
- Date
- Name of recipient
- Title of recipient
- Company name
- Company address
Header example:
Ali Lang
[email protected]
555 Orchard Lane, Las Vegas, NV(555) 888-4000
May 5, 20XX
Terry Washington
Revolve Inc.
123 Vineyard Drive, Las Vegas, NV
2. Include a greeting
In your research, try to find the names of people who are considering applying for this Let’s Write Letter. Avoid using “To whom it may concern.“
Greetings example:
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear Tyler Wallace,
3. Write an opening paragraph
In the first paragraph, mention the position you are applying for and where you saw the job posting. Describe your role and interest in the company and show that you have done your research. The first part of your cover letter is also the first impression your readers will have of you, so it’s important to be quick and concise.
Opening paragraph example:
“I’m excited to apply for the graphic designer position at Cloud Clearwater that I found on Indeed. I know they’re currently adding several new product lines. My skills in video and animation as a long-time fan of your products , I’m excited about the opportunity to bring my unique style and passion for beachwear to the company.”
4. Add a second paragraph
The second paragraph should briefly describe the background relevant to the position. Include key accomplishments, skills, or areas of expertise that make you a good fit for the position. Focus on one or two and provide specific details about your success, including measurable impact.
Pay close attention to the keywords mentioned in your job description and include them in the body of your letter. You only need to have information about your recent work experience.
Second paragraph example:
“As head of human resources at Wes Morgan Phillips, I was a key senior leader in the organization and responsible for improving the efficiency and performance of the company’s 540 employees. At Jenkins Technology, Jenkins Technology Solutions, Inc., I developed an employee. wellness program That included wellness programs, internal training programs and a promotion selection process that helped me improve my overall employee turnover, reduced by 50%.
5. Finish with a closing paragraph
The final paragraph should focus on an achievement or other key skill relevant to the position. Instead of repeating resume details, summarize specific stories or anecdotes that show you’re a good fit for the role. If you’re changing careers, this is a good time to talk about your transferable skills and career-related experiences.
Closing paragraph example:
“Achieving ambitious marketing goals is always my top priority and I always look out for the best interests of the company. I enjoy hitting the ground running. My marketing skills at River Tech have helped the company experience new levels. Continuously learning how to improve “Find and reach new customers through innovative campaigns that I have to discover.”
6. End with a professional signoff
Your cover letter should end with a paragraph summarizing why you are applying for the position and why you are the best fit for the position. Conclude your cover letter briefly and explain that you look forward to hearing from your employer about next steps. Sign it at the bottom to finish.
Signoff example:
“Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to learning more about the sales role and TradeLot. Growth is essential to my continued success, and I look forward to being part of TradeLot’s industry-leading team.” My proven track record and TradeLot’s quality products are the perfect combination to grow this company’s market share.
Sincerely,
Malik Rabb
Cover letter examples
Below are two examples of cover letters. A traditional version and a less traditional version. Review the job description and read the cover letter. In the first example, you can see how certain phrases from the job description are used in the letter. The second example takes a more creative approach, tells a personal story and is abstractly interested in the desired characteristics of the job advertisement. Both are under 300 words.
Example 1: Administrative assistant
Job description
In this role, you will support managers and other senior-level personnel by managing their calendars, arranging travel, filing expense reports, and performing other administrative tasks. Strong interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills will be critical to success.
Qualifications:
- 5+ years of experience providing high-level admin support to diverse teams in a fast-paced environment
- High school diploma or equivalent work experience
- Excellent Microsoft Office Skills with an emphasis on Outlook and Excel
- Self-motivated and highly organized
- Team players who work well with minimal supervision
Cover letter
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to express my interest in the opening for an administrative assistant at [name of company].
I’m drawn to this opportunity for several reasons. First, I have a proven track record of success in administrative roles, most recently in my current job as an administrative coordinator. A highlight from my time here was when I proactively stepped in to coordinate a summit for our senior leaders last year. I arranged travel and accommodation for a group of 15 executives from across the company, organized meals and activities, collaborated with our internal events team and ensured that everything ran according to schedule over the two-day summit. Due to the positive feedback I received, I’m now tasked with doubling attendance for the event this year and leading an internal team to get the job done.
I am attracted to this role because of the growth opportunities that [name of company] provides. The research that I’ve done on your company culture has shown me that there are ample opportunities for self-motivated individuals like me. A high level of organization and attention to detail is second nature to me, and I’m eager to apply these skills in new and challenging environments.
I look forward to sharing more details of my experience and motivations with you. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
5 tips for the perfect cover letter
Employers often receive many applications for any job vacancy, so you need to make sure your letter makes a lasting impression with the right reasons. Here are some tips to increase your chances of success:
- Tailored to your organization – Every time you apply for a position, you should rewrite your cover letter to target the company. Sending a generic letter to every applicant rarely yields good results, and recruiters can tell your lack of time and effort from afar.
- Format – Presentation is important, so you need to format your cover letter correctly. Make sure your document is as clean as possible, use the same font and size as you use on your resume, and print it on good quality plain white paper if you’re sending it by post or by hand.
- Identify your USP – Your USP is your unique selling point. Be upfront about what you have to offer and clearly state how your skills and experience match what is required in the job description. give me a reason.
- Include examples – Provide factual evidence or examples of when and how you used your skills and experience to support your cover letter claims.
If you’re a student or recent graduate, you can make an appointment with your university’s careers and employment services for more help writing your cover letter. Talk to a specially trained consultant to get advice on what to include and get a professional look at your application before submitting it.
Thanks For Read…!!
