Did you know that a recruiter spends only 7 seconds scanning a resume? Research by Ladders shows that the majority of resumes are read for a mere 7 to 9 seconds before the recruiters decide to contact an applicant. So, it is crucial to make a great first impression. A quality cover letter can set you apart from the competition, showcasing your personality and strong sides. But again, most of the students and job seekers don't know what a cover letter is and in what form they should write one. In this guide, we will provide you with step-by-step guide, tips, and cover letter examples that will help you write an exceptional cover letter.
What is a Cover Letter?
A cover letter is a document that you include with your resume to introduce yourself to potential employers. It is aimed at explaining why you are the best fit for the position and gives a glimpse of your work attitude and personality. In a nutshell, cover letter complements your resume by providing important additional information. It also highlights your skills and experiences relevant to the job. Moreover, cover letter also reveals your communication style.
A well-structured cover letter includes three key sections:
- Introduction
- Main Body
- Conclusion
Next, we’ll provide practical tips on how to format each section correctly to increase your chances of receiving a positive response.
How to Start a Cover Letter
A cover letter follows the same structure as a standard business letter. It starts with your contact information and is typically addressed to a specific person.
Introduction Part
While writing a cover letter, you need to be very careful with the introductory section since it’s your first step in grabbing the attention of the reader (hiring manager, potential employer, etc.) and making them read your cover letter until the end.
Basically, the cover letter starts with a greeting. Depending on whether you know the person or not, you can use different alternatives. For instance, if you know the recipient's name, you can use specific greetings like "Dear Mr. Tomas" or "Dear Ms. Antonina."
If the recipient's name is unknown, you can address your letter by specialty (i.e., "Dear Hiring Manager," "Dear Client Manager," or "Dear Recruiter."). It is also acceptable to write to the entire company team (e.g., "Dear Recruiting Team," "Dear Customer Service Department," "Dear Apple Team," etc.).
We recommend that you state your intention in the very first paragraph of the cover letter. For example, mention immediately that you are writing regarding a vacant position. Also, you should also include where you had found the job's ad. If you are writing on the recommendation of this company’s employee, don't forget to state their name and position.
Main Body
The main section of the cover letter is the most important part that conveys your interest and motivation in working for the particular company. We recommend that you state the reasons why you want to apply for the vacant position and point out how your previous skills may be suited for it. In simple words, give several reasons why the company should hire you.
It is crucial, however, not to overpraise the company and yourself. It would be better to talk about your particular achievements outlined in your resume in detail. For example, if you are applying for the position of software engineer, you can start explaining a successful project that you implemented.
As for the style of writing cover letter, be clear and convincing. Do not add any unnecessary information to your cover letter. And it's better to omit such meaningless words as "attentive", "stress-resistant", "competent", etc. Only real achievements will make you a true professional.
We recommend starting the main section with the following sentences:
I am highly interested in your vacancy because…
I have always dreamed of working in this field.
I would be thrilled to work with you to further develop my skills in…
If you have had an opportunity to look over my resume, you may have seen that I already had experience in…
If you have had an opportunity to look over my resume, you may have seen that I already had experience in…
I believe that my experience will help you…It is also worth considering how to conclude your cover letter because it is also a very important part of this document.
How to End a Cover Letter
The way how you end your cover letter has a very straightforward mission: to convince the employer to invite you for an interview. Below are some general tips to make a good impression on the recruiter:
- Mention your resume – Confidently state that you have attached your resume to consider.
- Express your interest in an interview – Let the employer know that you are looking forward to hearing about the prospect in the near future.
- Suggest a convenient rime – Indicate when you are available for a meeting or call. This way, you will show initiative and enthusiasm to move ahead.
- Repeat your contact information – It is simple to make the recruiter contact you easily by repeating your phone number and email towards the end.
Besides, closing your cover letter with gratitude always makes a positive impression. You can include some of these commonly used phrases:
- Thank you for your time and consideration.
- I appreciate your attention to my application.
- Thank you for reviewing my application.
- Looking forward to your response. Thank you!
- I appreciate the opportunity and hope to discuss further.
A polite and confident closing sets the right tone and increases your chances of a positive response.
Cover Letter Format
Proper formatting is the crucial element, since it makes your cover letter readable, professional, and easy to understand. Don’t forget that recruiters have only 7 seconds to scan your cover letter, so don't waste this time with unreadable fonts and messy layout. Properly formatted cover letter improves your first impression, so be attentive to it. Here is a simple guide from JustDone’s specialists:
- Use a standard font (e.g., Arial, Times New Roman) of 10-12 points. Your fantasy has no place in the cover letter, keep it simple and professional.
- Have a professional structure with sharp-cut sections: introduction, body, and conclusion.
- Keep your cover letter up to one page with all the key information.
We know that sometimes, proper formatting can seem challenging and time-consuming. But you don't necessarily have to do it yourself if you don't want to. JustDone's cover letter generator offers templates that can assist you in organizing your document correctly and save your time.
Real-Life Scenarios and Examples
Based on my own experiences, I remember applying for an administrative assistant position. I wrote the cover letter to emphasize my organizational skills and work experience in a stressful environment. Having almost no time to craft a professional-like cover letter, I used a cover letter builder which helped me simplify my thoughts into short and sweet points. No need to tell how happy I was with an interview invitation!
Similarly, one of my best friends used a graphic design cover letter to showcase her portfolio in the most effective way. She combined visual and written accomplishment that matched perfectly the job qualifications. All with the help of the cover letter generator too.
Best Practices and Tips
We prepared some practical tips that can help you improve your cover letter. Here they are:
- Create a template of your cover letter, but always make it personal for each job application.
- Use keywords from the job posting to synchronize your abilities with the employer's demands.
- Don't repeat your resume - tailor your cover letter to the job requirements. Instead of listing your experience, highlight your achievements and the main reason why the company should employ you.
- Check the result for spelling and grammatical mistakes.
By following these practices, you will impress hiring managers significantly and boost your chances to get the job many times.
Craft Your Path to Success With Cover Letter
A cover letter is your opportunity to talk about yourself and reveal your unique talents and persona to potential employers. Don't miss this chance - start with an effective intro, enhance the impression with the main body, end with proper gratitude, and keep the format accurate. With our professional guidance and real-life examples, you are now well-equipped to construct an effective cover letter that can make a successful impression on employers. We wish you to proceed confidently with your search for the best job!
