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- Resume and Cover Letter
- How to Write a Cover Letter...
How to Write a Cover Letter (With Example)
10 min read · Updated on November 07, 2024
Cover letters aren't a thing of the past!
If you dread writing cover letters, know you're not the only one. You've put a lot of work into writing your resume , and now you need to sell yourself in a great cover letter.
The task can feel daunting, but it's an important one, so try to approach it one step at a time. Before you know it, you'll have the perfect cover letter to pair with your perfect resume, and you'll be ready to catch the attention of hiring managers.
Let's start with the basics, and then we'll walk you through each section of the cover letter — and even give you an example.
What's a cover letter, and why are they important?
A good cover letter is a one-page document that emphasizes to future employers what you want to do next and why you think you're the best person for the job. Yes, your resume does that, to a degree, by highlighting your skills and qualifications , but the cover letter goes a step further.
When you write a future-facing cover letter, employers can learn about any career shifts you've had or are making. You can talk about how you've overcome past challenges and how those have prepared you to succeed in new jobs.
Basically, your cover letter is a story employers want to read that allows them to connect what you've done in the past with what you want to do in the future. It's a chance for you to shine a spotlight on your enthusiasm, how your values align with the company's mission, and the particular things from your past that will prove beneficial to the new team.
How to write a cover letter
Your cover letter needs to have a particular format. It should be written as a business letter and contain
A header with your contact information
A salutation, e.g., Dear So and So
3-4 body paragraphs
A call to action
A sign-off/signature
It's a good idea to have the font, margins, and alignment mirror your resume. This will help make your entire application appear more professional. Also, keep your cover letter on one page.
Since you're trying to make a great impression with your cover letter in an attempt to distinguish yourself from other candidates, try to inject some of your personality into it. Let the hiring manager start to get to know the real you.
How to write a cover letter: A step-by-step guide
Although cover letters are fairly short, they can be quite daunting. That's why it's important to approach your cover letter by sections:
How to write a cover letter: Header
Your cover letter and resume are a package, so you'll want them to match. Start your proper cover letter with your name (formatted like it is at the top of your resume) along with your contact information.
When you search for generic cover letter templates online, you might find ones where you'll fill in a company's contact information. That was relevant when cover letters were sent via snail mail, but these days, you can just leave it off. A hiring manager doesn't need to see the address of their office building.
How to write a cover letter: Salutation
Below your contact information, add the date you're applying and greet your intended recipient . If the job description doesn't include the name of a hiring manager or team leader, here's how to find this information:
If the job listing has an email address, use it to search for a name on Google or through an online company directory.
If the job listing is on LinkedIn, see if you can track down the original poster.
If the job description mentions who the job reports to, search for that individual or position title in a company directory.
If you still can't find a name to address your cover letter to, avoid phrases like “To whom it may concern,” “Hey,” or “Dear Sir/Madam” – these are overused cover letter cliches that won't serve you well at all. Instead, address it to the department that's hiring (e.g. Dear Editorial Team) or the team manager (e.g. Dear Customer Service Manager).
How to write a cover letter: Introduction paragraph
You should kick off your great cover letter by introducing yourself. This is the perfect opportunity to explain why you're interested in the role and the company and what you can bring to the team.
This is also your chance to demonstrate you've done your homework, showing you know something about the company or industry. Additionally, if you found the job through a colleague already at the company or through a mutual connection, this is a great place to drop their name.
If you're confident in your writing skills and feel creative, you can swap out the standard introductory paragraph with an anecdote related to your work. This should grab the reader's attention and also illustrate the most important – and relevant – skills you possess for the job at hand.
If you're curious to learn more about this idea, communications expert Danny Rubin explains “storytelling” cover letters with examples. This is definitely a great way to hook the reader into wanting to read your entire cover letter.
How to write a cover letter: Qualifications paragraph
After you've introduced yourself, use the second paragraph of your professional cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and qualifications . Instead of simply listing these (you already did that on your resume), use this as an opportunity to illustrate how you are qualified to do this job. Spell out how your professional experience, education , and abilities meet the position's core requirements.
This is arguably the most important section, as it clearly explains to the reader why your application is worth a read.
Certified professional career coach and TopResume's resident career expert Amanda Augustine suggests identifying three or four core must-have requirements from the job description , listing each in its own bullet within the cover letter, and explaining how you meet these requirements.
Don't forget to tie each requirement back to the job itself; you want the hiring manager to understand exactly what you can bring to the company.
How to write a cover letter: Career achievements
As with your resume, the best way to prove you have the right skills and qualifications is to highlight career wins . But you'll do it a bit differently on your cover letter. Of course, the focus will still be on the impact you made and the skills you used to achieve results. The main challenge is converting the statements you used in your resume into a narrative.
Instead of writing something like, “Increased sales by 20% by creating comprehensive marketing campaigns,” you'd want to expand on that and turn it into a story. For example,
“While I was at ABC Corp, I worked with department heads and senior leaders to identify goals and created a new marketing campaign that increased sales by 20% in 6 months. My passion for collaboration and strategic planning has equipped me to fulfill the tasks of the position you have available and will ensure that I can effectively work with the people on your team.”
This works because it fuses the past with the future to show prospective employers what you have to bring to their table.
How to write a cover letter: Close with a call to action
You're almost done! Now, it's time to wrap up your cover with a specific call to action.
Rather than merely asking for the hiring manager or recruiter to review your resume, let them know when you will follow up with them about your application. This keeps the ball in your court and gives you a legitimate reason to follow up.
Your closer is also the perfect spot to show your enthusiasm and excitement. Don't go overboard, but don't be afraid to let them know you're excited about this opportunity.
How to write a cover letter: Sign off
Once you've thanked a hiring manager for their time and consideration, it's time to sign off. Think about how the closing salutations you use for your professional emails. Keep it simple with “best regards,” “sincerely,” or “thank you.”
A note on cover letter keywords
As you write your unique cover letter, keep keywords in mind. Just like you added keywords to your resume , you'll want to do the same for your cover letter.
Remember, these aren't just catchy buzzwords. Keywords are the words you see repeated in the job listing. Including these keywords in your cover letter will help ensure it gets seen and prove to the hiring manager you understand the job listing.
Use this cover letter example for guidance
If you're still struggling to get started, check out this free cover letter sample to give you a better idea of how you can structure your cover letter.
Remember: The information should be tailored to the specific role and company, and the format of the cover letter, such as the font, should match the look and feel of your resume.
How to write a cover letter: Tailoring it for each job
Now that you've got your successful cover letter let's reiterate one final point: It's important you tailor your cover letter for each job application .
Of course, you'll want to update the company name and the position title, but take it one step further and mention specific facts about the company, the job requirements, and your most relevant skills. Doing this will woo the hiring manager and show you're serious.
You don't have to write a brand new cover letter for each job, however. Instead, create a cover letter template and make copies of it for each job application you submit. Simply leave blanks for the hiring manager's name, the specifics about the company, and your relevant professional skills, then customize them to each job description.
Once you've created a solid template, you've gotten the hardest part out of the way, and it should make applying to jobs a lot easier.
Expert Tip: Did you know that you can use AI to analyze your cover letter against a particular job description? At TopResume, we embrace the use of AI as a tool to help you do your absolute best. In this instance, all you have to do is type out a prompt that asks ChatGPT (or whatever your preferred AI platform is) to analyze your cover letter against a job description. Then, you paste both into the program and let it tell you if you're missing any relevant keywords.
Your career, your story, your future
In every interaction with a future employer, you have to put your best foot forward in a way that actually gets noticed. Too many people enter the job search without the right knowledge to successfully search for, apply for, and land a new job. By following the steps outlined here, you can create a cover letter that stands out to hiring managers and intrigues them to the point where they want to know more about you. That's what leads to interviews.
Nailed your cover letter but still not feeling so hot about your resume? Let an expert help with a resume rewrite .
This article was originally written by Amanda Augustine . It's been updated by Carson Kohler and Marsha Hebert .
Recommended Reading:
9 Cliches to Cut From Your Cover Letter Right Now
The Right (and Wrong) Ways to Show Personality in Your Cover Letter
How to Tailor Your Cover Letter for Each Job Application
Related Articles:
Do Hiring Managers Actually Read Cover Letters?
How to Create a Resume With No Education
Why You Lose When You Lie on Your Resume: Learning From Mina Chang
See how your resume stacks up.
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What Should You Include in Your Cover Letter? [w/ Tips for 2024]
You’ve spent weeks job hunting, and you’ve found the perfect job.
Your resume is all set, and you’re almost ready to send your application.
There’s just one thing left—you’re writing a cover letter to create a flawless job application.
The only issue? You're not sure what exactly to include in your cover letter.
There’s no need to worry! We’re here to help
In this article, we’re going to cover:
- What Is a Cover Letter
- What Elements Should Your Cover Letter Include
- What You Shouldn’t Include in Your Cover Letter
Let’s get started.
What is a Cover Letter?
A cover letter is a document that you send as part of your job application, along with your resume or CV .
The cover letter’s purpose is to introduce you and briefly summarize why your professional background makes you the right person for the job.
On average, a cover letter should be between 250 and 400 words long and fit neatly on one page.
A cover letter is one of your first forms of communication with a hiring manager. It’s your opportunity to present yourself in your own words, stand out from other candidates, and get the hiring manager interested in learning more about you.
Let’s take a look at an example of what a cover letter looks like:
Why Do Cover Letters Matter?
After you’ve spent so long making the perfect resume , you might be wondering why you should even write a cover letter.
The truth is that while not all employers request a cover letter, you should always include one with your job application.
Adding a cover letter to your job application shows the hiring manager you’re willing to go the extra mile for the job, and you’re not just randomly applying and hoping your application sticks.
A cover letter is your opportunity to give the hiring manager more information about you as a candidate. This is your chance to personalize your application and provide additional information on your skills and experiences that align with what the employer is looking for and that you didn’t have space on your resume for.
But your cover letter is also your chance to go beyond your most important skills and experience. You can use it to talk about your passion for the industry or your enthusiasm to join this specific company’s team and show the hiring manager that you’re serious about the role.
If your cover letter is good, it can complement your resume and get you that much closer to an interview.
A badly written cover letter, on the other hand, could undermine even the best resume and lead to your application getting tossed in the ‘no’ pile, so it’s crucial to get this document right.
Need help preparing for an interview? Check out our guide to the most common interview questions and how to answer them!
What Elements Should You Include in a Cover Letter?
There are a few key elements you need to include to write a successful cover letter .
Let’s take a look at them one by one:
#1. A Professional Template
Your cover letter should be easy on the eyes and even easier to navigate.
This means you have to set the right page margins, adjust the line spacing, choose an appropriate font , and set it to the correct size, all while making sure your text never spills onto page two.
But what if there’s an easier way?
Just use one of our cover letter templates instead.
Our free resume builder comes with built-in resume templates that you can match with a cover letter template for a stylish application.
You can automatically set your font style, size, and even the dimensions of the paper you intend to print it on - standard A4 or US letter format.
#2. Neatly-Split Paragraphs
A cover letter should be easy to navigate at a glance.
If your cover letter is a huge chunk of text that fully covers the entire page, without paragraphs or ample white space, it’s going to look cramped and leave a bad impression on the hiring manager.
This is where your cover letter’s formatting comes in. You should divide the contents of your cover letter into a header with contact information, and then split the actual text into an opening paragraph, a main body, a conclusion, and a formal closing line.
Be sure to also use line breaks and bullet points to break up your paragraphs to increase your cover letter’s readability.
This can make it seem less of an overwhelming read to the hiring manager and easier for them to skim through it all to find what they’re looking for.
#3. The Date of Writing
The exact date you write your cover letter may seem like a small detail, but it can actually add an extra touch of professionalism to your job application.
This can help the hiring manager keep track of when you’ve applied for the role, and it reflects your attention to detail .
Just keep in mind that the format of the date should align with the standard in the country where you're applying. For example, in the US , the mm-dd-yyyy format (e.g., May 22, 2024 ) is the go-to, whereas most other countries prefer the dd-mm-yyyy format (e.g., 22 January 2024 ).
#4. Your Interest in the Company
It’s important to tailor your cover letter for the specific job you’re applying for to show the hiring manager that you’re a serious candidate who’s done their homework about the position.
This is why the body of your letter should always include a paragraph where you clearly explain why you’re interested in the specific company.
Start by doing some research on the employer . You have to show the hiring manager that you understand what makes the company unique and how you align with their values and needs.
Think about what you genuinely like about the company you’re applying for. Whether it’s their remote working conditions, their focus on diversity or sustainability, or something else entirely, be sure to mention it in your cover letter.
If you’ve used a product or service that the company provides, say so in your cover letter. On top of that, highlight what specific aspects of the company resonate with your career goals , such as their innovative methods or cutting-edge market strategy, that you want to be a part of.
You can also take the time to explain why you’re excited about the job itself. Talk about how your unique experience and skills make you a suitable candidate and how you’re confident you can contribute to the company’s goals.
Looking to write a cover letter for an internship ? Check out our detailed guide!
#5. A Call to Action
Every cover letter should end with a strategic call to action.
Your call to action can be a polite statement prompting the hiring manager to get in touch with you to go over your application or to discuss how you could contribute to their team.
Adding a call to action at the end of your cover letter shows that you’re proactive and eager to move forward with the hiring process. This highlights your enthusiasm for the role and makes it more likely for the hiring manager to get in touch with you after putting down your cover letter.
Here’s an example of a call to action at the end of a cover letter :
I am very enthusiastic about the opportunity to discuss how my artwork can contribute to Happy Hippo Book Publisher’s track record as the best children’s storybook provider on the market. Please feel free to contact me at the provided phone number so that we can discuss my application further.
Want to give your cover letter an extra kick? Use these tried and tested cover letter tips !
What Sections Should You Include in a Cover Letter?
When writing your cover letter, you can easily split the process into several key sections.
Let’s break them down:
- Header with contact details. The top of your cover letter should include a designated header where you can input your contact information, such as your full name, email address, phone number, address, and links to any relevant social media. Make sure these details match your resume and double-check for any typos.
- Company details. Do your research so you know exactly who to address your cover letter to. Add the hiring manager’s name, department, the company’s name, and the company’s address.
- Personalized greeting. Skip the cliche and impersonal “To Whom It May Concern” and use a more memorable greeting instead. We recommend using “Ms.” or “Mr.” followed by the hiring manager’s last name.
- Opening paragraph. Your cover letter should start with a brief and attention-grabbing paragraph . This should include a couple of your top skills, an impressive achievement, or a relevant qualification.
- Main body. Take the time to explain some of your top achievements or skills in more detail, and cover anything you didn’t have the space to address in your resume.
- Conclusion. Recap the main points in your cover letter so far, then wrap it up with a polite call to action.
- Closing line. Choose an appropriate closing line to finish your cover letter with and sign your name underneath.
What Should You Never Include in a Cover Letter?
A cover letter allows you to personalize your application and provide more details about you to the hiring manager.
But that doesn’t mean everything should make the cut.
Let’s look at what you should never include in your cover letter:
#1. Irrelevant information
Your cover letter should be concise and focus on the most relevant details that make you the right candidate for the job.
Hiring managers don’t have all day to spend on your application, and when they’re reading your cover letter, they want to get to the point quickly. If your cover letter includes too many personal anecdotes or irrelevant experiences, like how you worked as a dog walker at 15, they might get bored and stop reading it altogether.
A cover letter is, first and foremost, a professional document, not a personal essay. This means that focusing too much on yourself, as well as your wants, needs, and opinions, is not a good idea.
Your cover letter should focus on what you can do for the employer, not what they can do for you. If you miss the mark here, you’ll come off as an inattentive candidate and won’t be getting an interview.
#2. Overly Long Paragraphs
A dense, difficult-to-read text can discourage a hiring manager from going through your cover letter.
For example, if the body of your cover letter is contained in a single, thick paragraph, the hiring manager might skim over it and miss your main points.
Long paragraphs can also make your cover letter look poorly organized and make you come across as someone with bad written communication skills . Your essential qualifications and skills can get lost in that sea of words and hide the most important information you want to convey.
Overly long paragraphs also imply a lack of consideration for the hiring manager’s time. Keeping your text concise and easy to follow is just as important as the content itself. Otherwise, your cover letter might not catch the hiring manager’s attention at all.
#3. Salary Expectations
Unless the employer specifically asks you to, it’s considered taboo to include salary expectations in your cover letter, and it can even leave a bad impression on the hiring manager.
Talking about money in your cover letter can make it seem like your primary interest in the job is the paycheck. And, while there’s nothing wrong with wanting a specific salary, this can seriously undermine what you want to convey to the hiring manager about your enthusiasm for joining the company and your professionalism.
You should also keep in mind that talking about salary expectations so early on can even put you at a disadvantage in potential salary negotiations . If you mention a high number too early on, the hiring manager might reject your application before you even make it past the initial screening. But if you go too low, you could undervalue yourself.
This is why it’s recommended that you discuss salary expectations during an interview once you already understand the full scope of the role and have more context.
Are you just getting started on the job market? Check out our guide to writing an entry-level cover letter !
#4. Excessive Flattery
Writing a cover letter doesn’t mean writing a love letter to the company you’re applying for.
You don’t need to shower the employer with compliments to get the hiring manager to like you. In fact, if you use too many compliments or describe the company in the exact words they use on its website, you’re going to be severely disappointed.
For example, most companies you apply to may describe themselves as “innovative” or “ team-focused .” If that’s all you can say about them in your cover letter, it tells the hiring manager that you never researched the employer or paid much attention to what they do.
If you genuinely hold the company’s values, mission, or culture close to your heart, there’s no harm in mentioning how they inspire you. Just remember to keep it professional and related to how you can enthusiastically contribute to their work.
#5. False Information
This should go without saying but lying on your cover letter is just as bad as lying on your resume – very bad.
We get it; you want to impress the hiring manager. But exaggerating or falsifying information to make yourself look like the coolest candidate ever can easily backfire.
On one hand, the hiring manager is probably going to catch onto you while reading your cover letter. They’re going to notice the inconsistencies you didn’t pay attention to, and they simply won’t call you.
But it could be even worse. You could land an interview, only to have the hiring manager discover the truth face to face. Your professional reputation could suffer some serious damage, beyond just an awkward interaction during the interview.
Trust us – lying isn’t worth it. You’re capable of writing a standout cover letter without exaggerating anything you can’t back up.
#6. Grammatical Mistakes
You should always proofread your cover letter before submitting it with your job application.
Even when you’re absolutely sure there are no mistakes, sometimes you might miss something that the hiring manager will notice immediately.
This is why we always recommend you do several rounds of proofreading and editing before finalizing your job application.
Start by carefully reading your cover letter out loud. It might sound a little weird, but it helps you notice any awkward phrases or words that are out of place.
Then, run it through a spell-checking tool like QuillBot or Grammarly . They can help you spot any errors you might have missed.
Finally, ask a friend or family member for help. A fresh pair of eyes can read your cover letter and notice mistakes that both you and your robot sidekick might have skipped over.
#7. Complaints About Employers
As a general rule, you should never badmouth your previous place of employment.
If you were unjustly fired or passed over for a promotion for personal reasons, these are best explained during an interview.
It’s important to always maintain professionalism when your past employer or coworkers are brought up, especially in your cover letter.
For example, instead of saying you had enough of a chaotic work environment, you could say you’re “looking forward to joining a team that values structure and accountability.”
Check out these more common cover letter mistakes and keep an eye out while writing your cover letter!
29 Cover Letter Examples
Looking for inspiration? Check out these perfect cover letter examples for different professions.
#1. Customer Service Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a customer service cover letter here.
#2. Marketing Executive Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a marketing executive cover letter here.
#3. Medical Assistant Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a medical assistant cover letter here.
#4. Consultant Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a consultant cover letter here.
#5. College Student Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a college student cover letter here.
#6. Retail Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a retail cover letter here.
#7. Team Leader Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a team leader cover letter here.
#8. Actor Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing an actor cover letter here.
#9. Digital Marketing Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a digital marketing cover letter here.
#10. Executive Assistant Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing an executive assistant cover letter here.
#11. Finance Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a finance cover letter here.
#12. Graphic Designer Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a graphic designer cover letter here.
#13. IT Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing an IT cover letter here.
#14. Project Manager Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a project manager cover letter here.
#15. Sales Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a sales cover letter here.
#16. Accounting Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing an accounting cover letter here.
#17. Business Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a business cover letter here.
#18. Dental Assistant Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a dental assistant cover letter here.
#19. Human Resources Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a human resources cover letter here.
#20. Nurse Practitioner Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a nurse practitioner cover letter here.
#21. Receptionist Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a receptionist cover letter here.
#22. Architect Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing an architect cover letter here.
#23. Management Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a management cover letter here.
#24. Physician Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a physician cover letter here.
#25. Substitute Teacher Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a substitute teacher cover letter here.
#26. Software Engineer Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a software engineer cover letter here.
#27. Administrative Assistant Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing an administrative assistant cover letter here.
#28. Mechanical Engineering Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a mechanical engineering cover letter here.
#29. Attorney Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing an attorney cover letter here.
FAQs About What to Include in a Cover Letter
Do you still have some questions about what to include in a cover letter? Check out the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions on the topic!
#1. What is a good example of a cover letter?
There are plenty of great cover letter examples for different professions that you can look at.
Overall, a cover letter that’s well done starts with your contact information in a designated header at the top. Next, you have to add the hiring manager’s contact details and include a personalized greeting.
Write a strong opening paragraph that references the job you're applying for and includes a standout achievement or relevant experience that makes you a strong candidate.
Use the body of your cover letter to expand on your key skills and experiences that match what the employer is looking for. Give specific examples to illustrate your greatest accomplishments and how you gained your most impressive skills.
Wrap up your cover letter by recapping your key selling points and including a call to action that invites the hiring manager to reach out to you. Lastly, add a professional closing line and sign your name underneath.
#2. How do you start a cover letter?
The opening to your cover letter should be brief and attention-grabbing.
Your first few sentences should be something that makes the hiring manager want to learn more about you. You don’t want to give them too many details—just enough to pique their interest.
Explain why you’re writing and why you’re interested in the specific role. We recommend including keywords from the job ad , especially ones that match your most relevant skills, experiences, or impressive achievements.
#3. How do you write a unique cover letter?
Your cover letter is your chance to give the hiring manager a unique insight into you as a candidate. It’s your opportunity to stand out from the crowd using your own words.
The best way to write a unique cover letter is to start by researching the company and referencing anything you find attention-grabbing about it. You should be able to easily identify what you like about the specific employer, such as their contributions to the industry, their values, and reputation, and mention it in your cover letter.
Use a polite but conversational tone to convey both your professionalism and personality. Instead of using passive language to explain that you “managed” this or were “responsible for” that, take advantage of action verbs and power words to make your experiences stand out.
Avoid using generic phrases like how you’re a “team player” or have “ leadership skills ” alone, and instead provide concrete examples that back up the skills and experience that make you the right candidate for the job.
#4. Should a cover letter be fancy?
Since a cover letter is a formal document, you might be tempted to make it fancy.
There’s no need to go over the top with your cover letter. Adding too much decoration or creative flair can detract from the information you want to convey to the hiring manager.
Your focus should always be on writing a clear, concise, and well-organized text that gets your point across.
More traditional industries, like law or finance, should stick to minimalistic cover letter templates with a clean and simple layout.
For professionals aiming for creative industries like illustration or graphic design, a bit of color can make your application pop. Even then, it’s important to strike a balance between creativity and professionalism, so your cover letter’s text remains the hiring manager’s primary focus.
Key Takeaways
And that’s all there is to what you should include in your cover letter!
Hopefully, after reaching the end of our article, you feel confident that your cover letter covers all the necessary bases. Good luck on your job hunt!
But before we say goodbye, let’s briefly recap what we've covered so far:
- Your cover letter should be concise and avoid any irrelevant information. The hiring manager is interested in what you can do for the company, not in any personal information that doesn’t relate to the job.
- Overly long paragraphs and a messy layout can leave a bad impression. Instead of trying to format everything yourself, use an online cover letter builder.
- Our online resume builder offers resume templates and matching cover letter templates that you can use to create a stylish and professional job application in minutes.
- Dedicate a portion of your cover letter’s main body to express your genuine interest in the company and the specific role. Do some research beforehand so you can identify several things you genuinely like about the company and position you’re applying for.
- End your cover letter with a strategic call to action. This shows the hiring manager you’re eager to make it to the next step of the hiring process, and it makes it more likely for them to reach out to you.
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3. Open a new document. To begin combining your resume and cover letter into a single document, start a new file on your computer in your preferred application or platform. Choose a file name that's professional and use your full name without any numbers to differentiate your application from the candidate pool.
Middle paragraph (s) Closing paragraph. Letter ending and signature. Your cover letter should be one page long and use a simple, professional font, such as Arial or Helvetica, 10 to 12 points in size. Your letter should be left-aligned with single spacing and one-inch margins. Show Transcript.
A cover letter is a short introduction to you that concisely communicates your interest in a job opportunity along with your top skills and relevant experience. It's important to customize your cover letter for each role to demonstrate that you've researched the organization's mission and values. — Genevieve Northup, MBA, SHRM-CP, HCI-SPTD.
What to include in a cover letter for a job. Here's what to include in a cover letter for a job:. Contact information - List your name and contact details in your cover letter header, followed by the hiring manager's name and contact details.; Salutation - Greet the hiring manager ideally with their preferred honorific (Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. / Dr. / etc.) and their name.
There are 3 types of cover letters that you can send to a hiring manager. The 3 types are: Application cover letters. Letters of Interest. Email Cover letters. The letter you write is influenced by whether you are going to apply for a job directly, citing a referral, or asking about vacancies that are not advertised.
Our resume cover letter examples are just what you need if you're going to learn how to write one for yourself. Keep in mind that all cover letters have a similar structure that you should follow: ... Send one along with your resume and you'll know that you might have already stirred a potential employer's curiosity.
Dear So and So. 3-4 body paragraphs. A call to action. A sign-off/signature. It's a good idea to have the font, margins, and alignment mirror your resume. This will help make your entire application appear more professional. Also, keep your cover letter on one page.
A cover letter is a document that you send as part of your job application, along with your resume or CV. The cover letter's purpose is to introduce you and briefly summarize why your professional background makes you the right person for the job. On average, a cover letter should be between 250 and 400 words long and fit neatly on one page.
A cover letter should always be sent with your resume. The cover letter tells your why you want to work for the company and tailors your experience to the position for which you are applying. In addition, you are telling a little about who you are as a candidate that is different from what is on your resume.
A cover letter is a one-page application document that provides an employer with information about your qualifications, experience and why you're interested in the role. Candidates may choose to describe their role-related skills, outline how the position aligns with their career goals and review their industry experience more in-depth than on ...