Navigating the job market requires more than just a resume. It demands a compelling cover letter that serves as tailored story of your professional journey and ambitions.
Consider it your first handshake with the hiring team—a chance to articulate your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role. A carefully composed cover letter reflects your genuine interest in securing the position and often becomes the determining factor for hiring teams.
To help you out, our team of experts has compiled some valuable tips to write an impressive cover letter that will increase your chances of getting hired.
Cover Letter
Cover letters are important One page document that you send to potential employers along with your resume. Usually, they are half a page long, containing roughly 150 to 300 words.
What do employers seek in a cover letter?
When hiring managers review cover letters, they search for certain important elements. These include:
Relevance
Employers like it when you write a cover letter specifically for the job you want. Show them how your skills and experiences line up with what they’re looking for.
Demonstrated Understanding of the Company
Demonstrate your enthusiasm for the company by discussing specific achievements or tasks, such as recent successes or completed projects. By doing so, you communicate to potential employers that you are eager to become a valued member of their team.
Accomplishments and Achievements
Highlight your achievements and accomplishments that directly pertain to the job. Use specific examples to show your skills and how they can benefit the company.
Professionalism
When writing a cover letter, it is important to maintain a professional tone and presentation. This means using formal language, addressing the hiring manager correctly, and following the standard format used in business letters.
Enthusiasm and Motivation
Employers are searching for candidates who are enthusiastic about the chance to work and eager to make a positive impact on the company’s achievements. Show your excitement and passion for the position and clarify your reasons for wanting to work with the company.
How to Structure a cover letter
A properly organized cover letter has a specific layout that helps the reader comprehend your skills and excitement for the job. Here is a common structure for a cover letter:
- Your Contact Information
- Date
- Company’s Contact Information
- Salutation
- Opening Paragraph
- Middle Paragraph
- Closing paragraph
- Complementary Close
- Signature
Cover letter Format
21 Tips to Write a Great Cover Letter
1. Create a fresh cover letter for each job application you submit
2. Make sure your cover letter is different from your resume
3. Conduct a research on the company
4. Show your excitement about the company
5. Describe what inspired you to submit your application for this job.
6. Keep it concise
7. Take a look at some examples of cover letters to get ideas and inspiration.
8. Choose the appropriate tone
9. Create a captivating introductory paragraph that captures the reader’s attention.
10. Highlight your transferable skills that can be applied to different situations.
These Includes :
- Research and analytical skills
- Leadership abilities
- Teamwork competency
- Organizational skills
- Time management proficiency
- Resourcefulness
- and effective communication abilities
11. Avoid clichés
Avoid phrases that don’t demonstrate how you’ve applied those skills. Avoid phrases like :
- I have a creative mindset
- I focus on finding solutions
- I pay attention to small details
- I am proactive and driven
- I believe I am well-suited for this job
- I am very motivated
- I handle pressure well
12. Add a call to action
13. Follow the right format
14. Proofread
15. Make sure your cover letter is only one page long
16. Choose a font that is simple and clear to read
18. Apply the margins and line spacing to standard measurements
19. Align the contact information to the left side
20. Pick a proper sign-off (ex: Yours Sincerely, Yours faithfully )
21. Sign Your Name after sign-off
3 Cover letter Examples
1. For an Entry-level Job :
Your Contact Info
date
Company’s contact info
Dear (hiring manager’s name)
I hope you’re doing well. Thank you for considering me for the [position] at [company name]. I recently graduated from college with a [degree title] and I’m excited to start working.
I’m a creative and innovative person who is really good at [type of work]. When I was trying to decide what to study in college, I realized that [topic] was a career path that would let me use my critical thinking skills and come up with unique solutions.
In school, I took classes in [subject], [subject], and [subject], which made me even more interested in [industry]. That’s how I found out about [company name], a company that I really respect for their goals and values.
Before I finished my degree, I did an internship at [company name] in the [department]. During the internship, I got to apply what I learned about [topic] to real-life situations. It showed me that I’m good at doing research on my own and working with a team.
It made me even more motivated to pursue a career in this field, and I would love to keep working with your team.
Sincerely,
Your name
LinkedIn URL
2. For an Internal Promotion :
Your Contact Info
date
Dear(Manager’s name )
Thank you for giving me the chance to apply for the open position of [job title]. I have spent the last [number] years working on [previous team], which has made me feel a strong connection to the mission and culture of [company name].
I am ready to use the knowledge and skills I have gained in my current role as [title] to make a meaningful contribution to the success of the business. At the same time, I am eager to further develop my own career.
If you are not familiar with my work, last summer I supported [project] and used my [skills] to bring it to completion. This experience of creating a [type of project] from scratch and collaborating with various fields was eye-opening and helped me develop new skills.
I am proud to say that we achieved [achievements with metrics], and I believe I can bring this expertise to the [new position].
Although I have enjoyed the challenges of my previous role, I have realized that I excel in utilizing [skills], which I know I can apply to the [new title]. I am prepared to use my knowledge of [topic] in a broader role that comes with new responsibilities.
My creativity, collaboration, and adaptability in my current role demonstrate that I am ready for the next challenge.
Once again, thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the opportunity to continue driving our company toward success.
Sincerely,
Your name
Signature
3. for a freelancer or contractor:
Your Contact info
Today’s Date
Dear [Client/Company Name],
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to express my interest in the opportunity to collaborate with your esteemed company as a freelancer or contractor. With a proven track record in [Your Field/Area of Expertise], I am confident that my skills and dedication can contribute to the success of your projects.
In my [X years] of experience as a [Your Profession], I have successfully [Highlight Key Achievements or Projects]. My expertise includes [Specify Relevant Skills], and I am adept at [Other Skills or Qualifications]. I take pride in delivering high-quality work within deadlines, and I am committed to ensuring the satisfaction of my clients.
What sets me apart is my [Unique Selling Point or Differentiator], which I believe aligns well with the needs of [Client/Company Name]. I have a keen eye for detail, a proactive approach to problem-solving, and a commitment to excellence that I bring to every project.
I am particularly drawn to the prospect of working with [Client/Company Name] because of [Specific Reasons, e.g., Your Company’s Reputation, Exciting Projects, etc.]. I am confident that my skills and dedication make me an ideal fit for your team.
Enclosed is my resume, which provides further details about my professional background. I would be delighted to discuss how my skills align with your needs in more detail during an interview.
Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the prospect of contributing to your projects and bringing my passion for [Your Field/Area of Expertise] to [Client/Company Name]. I look forward to the possibility of working together and am available at [Your Phone Number] or [Your Email Address] to discuss this further.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Your Professional Website
