This can be disheartening for any job seeker with the required skills and experience who wants to showcase this to the recruiter but is limited by the resume because it must be brief.
The good news is that you can write a cover letter for quality assurance that allows you to give more details on your qualifications. You'll have a chance to describe your accomplishments in a way that gets the recruiter's attention as you showcase your outstanding writing skills and great personality.
While you get the freedom to be creative as you write your quality assurance cover letter, there are some key sections you shouldn't leave out of your resume. This article will give you a step-by-step guide to help you write a cover letter that gets you more opportunities. Here are some of the topics that we'll cover:
- The right structure for your cover letter.
- What to add to the body of your cover letter.
- How to add a call to action that gets you a response.
- How to close your quality assurance cover letter.
How To Write a Cover Letter for Quality Assurance
While you should aim to get the recruiter's attention with your words, there are certain things you should look out for. Your cover letter should not be more than one page because recruiters only have a few seconds to go through each application. Read through the job description and tailor your cover letter to match the hiring manager's requirements.
The recruiter will be looking for specific keywords and action verbs, and some of these are usually in the job description. Adding them to your cover letter ensures that your application goes through the applicant tracking systems.
If you're writing an entry-level cover letter, emphasize your skills and show the recruiter how they will be useful in the new position. You can also highlight your academic background and specific courses that have prepared you for the job in quality control.
The structure of your quality assurance specialist cover letter should have the following information:
- A header section
- A formal greeting
- An introduction of your cover letter
- The body of the cover letter(consists of relevant experience, skills, and other accomplishments)
- A conclusion
- The call to action
- A farewell to close the letter.
Start With The Contact Information
The first section of your cover letter is the header, and it contains your personal and contact details. These details include your full name, phone number, professional email address, and home address. This information must be accurate to allow the recruiter to reach you when needed.
After your details, you'll add the date you're writing the letter, then the addressee's details. It's essential to research the company you're applying to get the name of the person you should address the letter to. This adds a personal touch to the letter and increases your chances of getting a response.
The details you'll add in the addressee's section include their full name, job title, company name, and street address.
Example 1
1493 Memory Lane
Kankakee, IL 60901
monicaadams@gmail.com
linkedin.com/in/monicaadams
02/03/2018
Mr. Larry Presswood
Hiring Manager
LCS Company
220 Locust View Drive
Novato, CA 94947
Example 2
2794 Single Street
Malden, MA 02148
trentonwhite@gmail.com
linkedin.com/in/trentonwhite
09/09/2019
Miss Sandra Carson
Hiring Manager
BICO Group
4553 Arthur Avenue
Schaumburg, IL 60173
Begin Your Cover Letter Introducing Yourself
The introduction section is crucial. Think about it this way. If you're part of a panel listening to candidates pitch ideas, and one of them starts with a boring statement, will you be as intrigued and interested as you were before they started speaking? Probably not! The same applies to a hiring manager. If your introduction is boring, your potential employer will probably not read the rest of your cover letter.
Start by highlighting your experience and express your interest in working for the company. You can also add a compliment regarding the company in this section. This section can be one to two paragraphs where you'll also mention an achievement that will get the recruiter interested in reviewing your application.
Here are some tips to help you write a strong introduction.
- Always start with a professional greeting and add the recruiter's name. Using the phrase 'to whom it may concern' appears impersonal and may cause you not to get a response. A more acceptable greeting is 'Dear Sir/Madam,' but you should only use it if you've done everything to try and get the hiring manager's name and have not been successful.
- As you begin your cover letter, your excitement for the position should be evident. Let the recruiter know that you're eager to work at the company.
- Highlight your professional experience to show that you're an expert in the industry.
Correct example
I'm excited to see the new quality assurance specialist position at iTech Limited and would love to submit my application for the same. I have worked in the software industry for the past twelve years and have gained experience and skills that will be vital for this role. I also desire to work at a top company in this industry like iTech to share my talent and learn from industry experts.
The example above starts with a professional greeting, and the candidate immediately expresses their interest in the position. It also highlights the experience, which is essential to show the recruiter they have what it takes to do the job.
Incorrect example
I recently saw that you have an open position for a quality assurance specialist and would love to apply for it. I have experience in this field and believe I'll do a good job if given the opportunity.
The example above starts with an impersonal greeting which is highly discouraged by recruiters. It's also vague and doesn't have an achievement or skill that will encourage the recruiter to continue reading the cover letter.
Highlight Why You're the Perfect Quality Assurance Specialist For the Job.
The second section of your cover letter is the body, and it allows you to give details that show the recruiter why you're the best person for the job. Separate this section into two paragraphs and detail your accomplishments and skills. You can use bullet points to list them.
In the first paragraph of this section, describe your previous experience and how it prepared you for the position. As you add the experience, include figures and facts that quantify your results and show the recruiter what you could achieve for the company.
In the second part of the body of your cover letter, discuss your accomplishments which play a significant role in setting you apart from the other candidates. If you won an award, you should add it here. Recent graduates and career changers can add their transferable skills and relevant courses in this section.
Correct example
I received an award for the best employee of the year award in 2017 after developing and implementing an action plan that addressed past defects in the software and increased company sales by 35%. Working in different industries has pushed me to build on the communication skills I believe will be useful in this position. Please contact me on the email or phone number provided to discuss my qualifications further.
Incorrect example
Finish Your Cover Letter with a Call to Action (CTA)
Cover letters should always have a call to action. Failure to add one could cause you not to get a response from the recruiter.
A call to action encourages the recruiter to get back to you, but it's essential to write it in a way that does not appear like you're making a demand. It should be short and precise but still, show your eagerness and enthusiasm to hear from the recruiter.
Also, thank the recruiter for their consideration and, when possible, open a discussion that prompts them to get back to you. Check out these examples that you can consider for your cover letter.
Examples
- I hope to hear from you soon.
This seems like a simple statement, but it acts as an invitation to the recruiter to get back to you when they have feedback.
- Please don't hesitate to let me know if you need anything else.
This is a great way to open dialogue with the recruiter and let them know they can contact you using the information you've provided.
- Please keep me in mind for future openings.
Maintaining a good relationship with the company is always important, and this is a great way to do that. This way, even if you don't get the job, they'll consider you for other positions.
- I'm available for a meeting to discuss my qualifications further.
This encourages the recruiter to contact you and plan an in-person meeting.
- Please let me know if there is any additional information you can offer.
This emphasizes your interest in the position and can encourage the recruiter to reach out to you.
The Farewell: Close Your Cover Letter Professionally
The end of your cover letter is just as important as the beginning. As directed by most hiring managers, your cover letter should end with a professional sign-off. Here is a list of do's and don'ts when you're ending your cover letter.
How to finish your letter
- With best regards,
- Yours truly
- Sincerely yours
- Respectfully yours
- Best regards
- Most sincerely
- Regards
- Respectfully
What you have to avoid
- Yours faithfully
- XOXO
- Take care
- Warm regards
- Have a great day
- Best wishes
- Cheers
- Fondly
Tips to Improve your Quality Assurance Cover Letter
- Personalize each cover letter to match the position and the company you're applying to.
- Prioritize your top accomplishments that will interest the recruiter in reading the rest of your cover letter.
- Always add a call to action to your cover letter to prompt the recruiter to respond to you.
- Research the company you want to join and use the right tone as you write your cover letter to show that you're a culture fit.
- Use our cover letter examples to help you craft your own.
Complement your Cover Letter with a Resume
While a cover letter does a good job of detailing your qualifications, it's not enough. You need a quality assurance resume to complete your application. Check out our resume examples and resume templates which have useful tips to help you craft your own.
Key Takeaways
- A cover letter allows you to create a personal connection with the recruiter.
- The structure of your cover letter is vital so ensure you don't leave out any sections.
- Proofread your cover letter to ensure that it doesn't have any mistakes.
- Make your introduction section catchy to interest the recruiter in reading the rest of your cover letter.
- Highlight the accomplishments that allow you to stand out.
- Keep your cover letter short. The recommended length is one page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get hired without a quality assurance cover letter?
If a hiring manager doesn't require a cover letter, you can get the position without sending one. However, if they've not stated that they don't require one, you should always send one. Otherwise, your application will be incomplete and you’ll miss out on the opportunity.
What are the four key elements of a cover letter?
The header, introduction, cover letter body, and closing statement.
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