Cover Letter: When it comes to finding a new job, cover letters are possibly the most underrated part of the whole application process. Mainly because most of us aren’t even 100% sure what they’re actually for.
To make sure you stop underestimating yours, here are a few things you should know about cover letters…
Write A Cover Letter: What is a Cover Letter?
A cover letter is a document you send with your CV (traditionally as the front cover).
However, it differs from a CV in that instead of being a written overview of your skills and experience, it’s specifically written with the job you’re applying for in mind – allowing you to highlight certain areas you think would make you right for the role.
Successful cover letters go something like this:
- Memorable introduction
- Specific, organized examples of relevant work done and problems solved
- Concise conclusion with a call to action
The rest is up to you. As we’ll go over in the next section, “What to Include in Your Cover Letter,” successful cover letters prove that you are qualified for the job by telling stories that demonstrate your skills and experience.
What Should a Cover Letter Include?
Although cover letters are a lot less rigid than CVs, there are still some things you should always aim to include.
Here a few essential things you should aim to cover in your cover letter:
- Your details (e.g. name, address, phone number)
- The hiring manager’s name (if you have it)
- Where you found the vacancy
- Why you’re suitable for the job
- What you can do for the company
- Closing statements (including thanking the recruiter for their time)
Why Is it Important?
To put it simply, your cover letter is the easiest and most effective way to stand out from the crowd.
It brings something extra to the table when you apply for a job – the employer will learn more about you, your personality, what you want from the job, and gain insight as to why you’re applying.
And, as your CV is supposed to be short and sweet, your cover letter is the perfect way to elaborate on your achievements.
How Should A Cover Letter Be Formatted?
Much like a CV, there is no one-size-fits-all format when it comes to writing a cover letter.
However, the layout will say a lot about your approach, and your overall attention to detail. For that reason, it isn’t something that should be underestimated.
To make sure what you write is logical, to the point, and easy to read, here are some key rules to follow for your cover letter:
- Be clear and concise
- Keep paragraphs short and direct
- Back up any statements you make with facts & figures
- Choose a professional font
- Check spelling and grammar
- Use a template
Writing Guidelines for Your Letter
Here’s an outline of the items that should be included in every cover letter. Before you get started, it can be helpful to review some cover letter samples, just so you have a visual of how everything fits on the page.
These cover letter examples, both written and email, are designed for a variety of different types of job applications and employment inquiries. Do be sure to take the time to personalize your letter, so it’s a strong endorsement of your ability to do the job for which you’re applying.
Header
A cover letter should begin with both you’re and the employer’s contact information (name, address, phone number, email) followed by the date. If this is an email rather than an actual letter, include your contact information at the end of the letter, after your signature.
Your contact information should include:
First and Last Name
Street Address
City, State Zip
Phone
Email
Salutation
Begin your cover letter salutation with “Dr./Mr./Ms. Last Name.” If you are unsure if your contact is male or female, you can write out their full name. If you do not know the employer’s name, simply write, “Dear Hiring Manager.” This is better than the generic and formal, “To Whom It May Concern.”
Review information on how to choose the right cover letter greeting to select one that works for the job and company you’re applying to.
Introduction
Begin your introduction by stating what job you are applying for. Explain where you heard about the job, particularly if you heard about it from a contact associated with the company.
Briefly mention how your skills and experience match the company and/or position; this will give the employer a preview of the rest of your letter. Your goal in the introduction is to get the reader’s attention. To get started, see examples of engaging opening sentences for cover letters.
Body
In a paragraph or two, explain why you are interested in the job and why you make an excellent candidate for the position. Mention specific qualifications listed in the job posting, and explain how you meet those qualifications. Do not simply restate your resume, but provide specific examples that demonstrate your abilities.
Remember, actions speak louder than words, so don’t just “tell” the reader that you are, for example, a great team player with strong communication skills and excellent attention to detail. Instead, use tangible examples from your work experience to “show” these traits in action. Here’s more information on what to include in the body section of a cover letter.
Closing
In the closing section of your cover letter, restate how your skills make you a strong fit for the company and/or position. If you have room (remember, just like your resume, your cover letter should be no longer than one page – here’s more information on how long a cover letter should be) you can also discuss why you would like to work at that specific company.
State that you would like the opportunity to interview or discuss employment opportunities. Explain what you will do to follow-up, and when you will do it. Thank the employer for his/her consideration.
Signature
Use a complimentary close, and then end your cover letter with your signature, handwritten, followed by your typed name. If this is an email, simply include your typed name, followed by your contact information, after the complimentary close.
Format Your Cover Letter
Your cover letter should be formatted like a professional business letter. The font should match the font you used on your resume and should be simple and easy to read.
Basic fonts like Arial, Calibri, Georgia, Verdana, and Times New Roman work well. A font size of 10 or 12 points is easy to read. Standard margins are 1” on the top, bottom, and left and right sides of the page.
Add a space between the header, salutation, each paragraph, the closing, and your signature. You can reduce the font and margin sizes to keep your document on a single page, but do be sure to leave enough white space for your letter to be easy to read.
Follow these cover letter formatting guidelines to ensure your letters match the professional standards expected by the hiring managers who review applications. Follow these guidelines if you are sending your cover letter by email.
Important Reads:
Edit and Proofread
Remember to edit and proof your cover letter before sending it. It may sound silly, but make sure you include the correct employer and company names – when you write multiple cover letters at once, it is easy to make a mistake. Printing out and reading the letter aloud is a good way to catch small typos, such as missing words, or sentences that sound odd.
Always double-check the spelling of your contact’s name, as well as the company name. Here are more tips for proofreading a cover letter. If possible, enlist a friend or a family member to help proofread your cover letter, as two pairs of eyes are better than one and even professional proofreaders don’t always catch their own mistakes.
Submitting your Cover Letter
Always follow the submission instructions laid out in the job description when submitting your cover letter.
If you are submitting the letter through a website with fillable fields, be sure that no formatting or content errors have occurred
Make good use of this opportunity, trust you can write your cover letter now with confidence. Should you have any question that bothers you concerning how to write a cover letter article, drop your question in the comment section of this page. Kindly share this with your friends after reading it.
StudentsandScholarship Team.
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