A well written cover letter always gets appreciation by getting selected for the first round of interviews. In this article, we will address all your cover letter queries from format, and structure to tips for writing an impressive cover letter.
What is a Cover Letter?
A cover letter is a document that you submit along with your CV or resume. It’s a place to explain your achievements, skills, or other details that you think are important & you didn’t get any chance to mention them. For example, having any employment gap in your CV or past experiences on complex projects, it's a perfect place to explain your professional & personal life. The cover letter content, format, and tone vary depending on the job position and the applicant's personality. On average, you should write the cover letter in 0.5 -1 page.
Informed Decision to Impress Hiring Managers
You can impress the hiring manager with your writing skills, work experiences & achievements. But extra homework can make you eligible for the round of interviews. Below we have listed some of the checklists for your help:
Go through the original job posting
Before applying, go through the original job posting & read the job description. If the hiring manager has mentioned attaching a cover letter then it's essential to send it to meet their expectation.
Focus on quality
Instead of applying for numerous job searches and sending generic cover letters to all of them, send a quality cover letter for the job positions that genuinely align with your skills & interests. Before sending forward proofread carefully for grammatical errors.
Prepare for interview
While you seek for job search & come across a company that hasn’t mentioned the cover letter requirement. So, your cover letter might go unread! In such a scenario, create an outstanding resume & get prepared for the rounds of interviews.
Format of Cover Letter
Structure of a Cover Letter
A correctly structured cover letter is valuable & the right format with the proper style of writing can catch the attention of the hiring manager & make you stand out from other applicants.
Date and Contact information
Depending on your choice of providing the letter to your hiring manager - hard or digital copy, there are two ways to list the contact details in your cover letter. If you are sending a digital copy of a cover letter online, then you need to add your specific address - city, state, phone number, and email ID.
For example:
You might also be required to submit a hard copy of your cover letter. In such a scenario, the top left corner of your letter should include the following:
Salutation /Greetings
You need to start writing your cover letter on the right note, addressing your hiring employer. You can also mention their name (check on the company website & get their name) for the job position you are applying for in the letter. In case, you can’t find out your hiring employer’s name, then mention them as Dear Hiring Manager.
Opening Paragraph
The opening or introductory paragraph is the ultimate chance for you to impress your hiring employer. You can start the letter by introducing yourself & enthusiastically telling the potential employer about your interest in this position & why you are applying for the role.
You will explain the specific job position that you are applying for in this paragraph including why you’re interested in working in this company, how excited to be a part of the team, and how the job description aligns with your career goals. Suppose, you are referred by someone who knows the hiring employer or ex-employee, then you can mention his/her name in this paragraph.
Middle Paragraph
After you are done introducing yourself and establishing your credibility & excitement in the previous paragraphs. Explain your relevant experiences, qualifications, and skills. In at least 1-2 paragraphs, try to build a connection between your previous achievement & your interest in this new job position/role. Avoid repeating what’s written in the resume instead explain further details that highlight your experience & knowledge.
Closing Paragraph
In this concluding/ closing paragraph, you will be thanking the employers for their time & consideration. You can also choose to make any clarifications in the closing para. For example: you can talk about the major gap in your employment history; discuss your qualifications for the applied position & express your interest in the interview.
Compliments & Signature
After you end up writing the cover letters to the hiring manager, now it's time to close the letter with a compliment that is friendly yet formal and is followed by your full name including your last name as signature. Suppose, you are providing a hard copy of a cover letter to your hiring employer, then you need to provide a signature along with your full name.
Some of the closing compliments you might consider are:
- Sincerely
- Best
- Regards
- Thank you
- Thank you for your consideration
- Respectfully
Other Technical Terms
Font
- Keep the font simple & professional
- Choose a basic font like Arial, Calibri, or Verdana
- Keep a 10-12 font size for easy reading for an employer
- Use the same font & font size, you used in your resume
Spacing
- Good spacing is vital for a cover letter
- Use single-spaced in writing cover letters
- Add space between each section of your cover letters. For example: contact information, salutation, opening paragraph, middle paragraph, closing paragraph, and compliment & signature
Length
- Keep the cover letter to a single page for three paragraphs
- If required, you can add extra middle paragraphs
Margins & Alignment
- Try to align the text of the cover letter to the left
- Use the standard 1-inch margin on all sides of the letters
- The ideal paper margin would be ¾” or ½”
File Format
- Save the document in a compatible file format like .doc or PDF
- Rename the file to a simple format like First Name-Last Name-Cover Letter
Sample Cover Letters
Applying with No Experience
Tips for Writing Cover Letters
A cover letter is the last chance for you to show your potential employer about your interest and passion for the role. So, before you head up for writing, go through the tips to create your cover letters for job interviews.
1. Highlight your skills
Talk about your skills that completely match the company’s need for the job role. Mention your hard skills and soft skills properly in your cover letter.
2. Cite specific examples
Produce a factual example to back up your achievements like any data that can show your credibility. For example - Show numbers in percentages related to your performance & the time it took to achieve your accomplishments.
3. Research the company
Take time to research about the company you are applying for the job position. Mention the company values or something related to the company in your cover letter. This shows your interest in the role of the hiring person.
4. Use a professional/formal tone
Always maintain a professional /formal tone while conveying your expression through your letter. Even though you are using a conversational tone maintain formality as it is a formal document. Avoid using jargon, emojis, etc.
5. Short and crisp letters
Keep your cover letters to your hiring person short and crisp. Avoid writing 2 pages or more pages of letters.
6. Proofread the whole content
You are expected to send a proper piece of content through a cover letter. No typos & grammatical mistakes should be present in your letters. Use grammar check tools to double-check your spelling & grammar mistakes.
7. Personalise letter for each job
Try to personalize your cover letter for every job you are applying for. This shows your interest and professionalism to the hiring person. And that you aren’t sending any generic application for the job.
Final Thoughts
An exquisite cover letter can significantly improve your chances of getting selected for the interview. So, customizing your letters for all jobs, showcasing your skills, and showing genuine interest in the position, would make you stand out from the other applicants. Keep the letter concise, short, and proofread carefully.
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