While doing your job search, you may notice that, along with your CV or Resume, employers may be asking for a cover letter.
The main purpose of the cover letter is to give a brief description of your skills and expertise. Moreover, it should express your enthusiasm for the position and mention how you can be a good fit within the company advertising the position.
It’s important to have a well-written cover letter as it backs up your resume. It shows how passionate you are so you can stand out from other applicants and make an impact.
So let’s take a deep dive into how to write a cover letter that will grab the attention of your future employer and hopefully get you that coveted position you are after.
Step 1. Know the Purpose of a Cover Letter
The first thing you need to know is what the purpose of this document is. Why do you need it? What’s its function?
A cover letter serves as an introduction, where you tell potential employers about yourself and mention any relevant qualifications concerning their job opening. It’s also an opportunity to convey your interest in working with them.
While resumes describe your experiences and qualifications, cover letters weave narratives about how your background fits with the job advertised. They also include a bit of persuasive writing, as in a way you are trying to convince a future employer you are right for the job.
More importantly, a cover letter helps a hiring manager figure out why they should hire you over anyone else who applied. Your resume needs some context – this is where your cover letter comes into play! You can describe things differently than what may already be on your CV.
Plus, it showcases your communication skills, attention to detail, and care when accomplishing tasks. These are all attributes desired by most roles within office environments, too!
A cover letter has to be specific though. Make sure that every line speaks directly toward winning over whoever reads through it (the HR person). In other words – personalize everything based upon which company/role needs filling next!
Step 2. Understand the Structure of a Cover Letter
In this section, we have included a cover letter writing checklist. With this, you can get your cover letter structure right and convey information quickly.
Header
Before you begin your cover letter, you should include the following information at the top:
- Your contact information (top right-hand corner or left-hand side of the cover letter heading)
- Phone number and address
- Date
- Employer’s name/title/company name/address
Greeting
If possible, it is better to use the hiring manager’s name in your cover letter salutation. This indicates that you have taken time out to find out who they are. It also shows that you know about the company and are genuinely interested in working with them.
However, if you do not have a specific name for the recipient, then generic greetings like “Dear Hiring Manager” can be used.
Introduction
Before you dive into the main body of your cover letter, you need to take a moment to write an engaging introduction. That way, nobody will get bored right away!
State:
- The position you’ve applied for
- Where you have found the job
- Add “I am interested in this position because… (tell them something about yourself)”
For instance, you can say:
“I’m applying for the Marketing Manager Position at (Company) as advertised on your website. With a strong background in marketing, I am excited to bring new perspectives to my team.”
If you’re writing a career change cover letter, detail why you’re deciding to leave your current role and why the company appeals to you. Ensure your writing has a good flow and you are clear and concise. Do not tell them your life story. Focus on your career development.
Step 3. Consider What To Include in the Body Paragraphs
The main body of your cover letter needs to demonstrate what you’re about, including your experience and skills. Here’s a quick snapshot of what you might include in each paragraph.
First Paragraph: Introduce Your Skills
In this part, you should highlight the most crucial experiences and skills. Use three examples that clearly demonstrate why you are qualified for the job. Try to relate your experience with the job description. For example,
“I managed several large marketing campaigns successfully which increased sales by 20% throughout my time at XYZ Company. My digital marketing, content creation, and team leadership abilities have been developed and I feel prepared for this position.”
Second Paragraph: Explain Why You Fit With the Company
Consider why specifically working at this company appeals to you. Talk about how their goals align with yours or what strengths they have that resonate with you personally. Show them that not only did you do some research but also want to be on their team.
You can say:
“XYZ Inc. is unique in that it is dedicated to state-of-the-art technology and community involvement. Their educational outreach programs are dear to me because they align with my ambitions after having developed training courses myself. I am thrilled to be a part of XYZ Inc. You not only focus on achieving business success. You also invest back into our communities so that they can grow. This makes it the perfect place for me with my background and values.”
Third Paragraph: Highlight Your Credentials
Here is where you would indicate any further credentials, qualifications, accomplishments, work history information, etc., that will make them want to hire you even more!
Here’s a quick example:
“I have strong project management skills backed by years of experience in marketing alongside other qualifications relevant in my industry. I’m also an excellent team leader who knows how to best inspire individuals. I can simultaneously bring together cross-functional teams toward common objectives. This has always been one key thing that sets me apart. Having worked in different settings, I’m highly adaptable so ideally positioned to thrive – even within fast-paced environments.”
Final Paragraph: Impress With Your Conclusion
Writing a good conclusion to your cover letter is essential. Briefly state in the last sentence why you are the right candidate for this specific position. Think about what makes it interesting to you. Also, indicate that you would love to speak with the department about your application and indicate enthusiasm. End with a professional closing statement and list your name:
“I am very excited about the opportunity to be considered for the position of Marketing Manager at ABC Corporation. I believe I possess the right skills and experiences to fit the requirements for this role. I hope that we will be able to meet up to discuss my application thoroughly in an interview. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely, [Your Name]”
Step 4. Write the Cover Letter
There are several steps to writing a good cover letter. However, if you do want a bit of help because you are short of ideas of what to include, you can always use a cover letter generator.
Nonetheless, we also have some ideas of what to consider when you are at the beginning of compiling your cover letter, and we have listed them below. You can use these ideas in conjunction with a cover letter builder.
Start With a Draft
Begin writing your cover letter by jotting down all of the essentials on paper. Include the header, greeting, paragraph(s), body, conclusion, etc. Ensure that your initial draft reflects a summary of why you’re qualified for this job. Include what motivates you to apply for it specifically. Write out an initial draft – just so you can organize your thoughts and see everything that should be included.
Revise for Clarity and Conciseness
You need to ensure that your draft is not overly complicated with redundant words. The cover letter should contain essential information written in a small space and as simply as possible. This will help you make it appear neat and professional enough for the hiring manager whom you want to attract.
Make Sure It’s Accurate and Consistent
Ensure that your cover letter is adapted to the particular job you are applying for and represents your credentials. The hiring manager will be looking at formatting consistency and tone throughout the document. Too many grammatical errors or typos will make you seem unprofessional.
Adhere To the Right Formatting
Follow strictly any formatting instructions given by your future employer. Normally, a hiring manager expects to see a one-page cover letter. Don’t overdo it with irrelevant details. Use Arial or Times New Roman fonts with 1.5 spacing only when necessary
How To Write an Engaging Cover Letter
Now that you know the steps for writing a cover letter, here’s how to make it engaging to impress hiring managers.
1. Be Concise
Be concise without losing your key points. Forget jargon and complex language. A short and sweet cover letter is easier to focus on. It’s better to summarize your credentials in a way that is easily readable.
2. Highlight Key Points
Underline the key focal points of your cover letter, like your qualifications. Lay them out so the reader can see why you are a great fit. By emphasizing key points, your cover letter will be much stronger and more memorable.
3. Personalize Your Cover Letter
Customize your cover letter for the job title you’re applying for. Don’t write a general cover letter and submit it to all applications. Identify the details of the company within the body to demonstrate your interest and commitment. Adapting your cover letter shows that you have taken the time to look into the company. It makes it clear that you want the job.
Create Flawless Cover Letters With Smodin’s AI Writer
This guide has taught you what a cover letter is for and the key points you need to include. With all this in mind, you can ensure your cover letter captures the attention of most hiring managers. Keep the letter concise, focus on key points, and tailor it to the job ad and company as a whole. You can also apply some of our tips above to a cover letter video as well.
Smodin’s AI tool can help you write the perfect cover letter. You can input information on the company and job description to personalize it and impress hiring managers. You could even ask Smodin to generate a cover letter template for you.
With Smodin, you can showcase that you’re the right fit for a position. Create a high-quality cover letter that beats the competition!