Graphic Designer Cover Letter | Writing Guide

If you are a skilled and talented graphic designer, you have endless opportunities at hand, especially in this age where creativity is so highly appreciated worldwide. However, you will need a graphic design cover letter and a resume that shows off your most significant achievements and skills to get your dream job.

It takes time to build your skills as a graphic designer and learn how to create the best designs using illustration, photo editing, and layout software such as adobe creative suite. The good news is that most companies and individuals now understand that branding plays a significant role in the success of a business and want to collaborate with the best artists.

The best way to get the hiring manager's attention and get an amazing opportunity is by writing an engaging that allows your creativity and personality to shine. In this article, we'll give you some cover letter tips and a graphic designer cover letter sample that will help you write a cover letter that sets you apart from all other candidates.

How to write a cover letter for graphic design

One of the biggest challenges that most job seekers face when trying to secure a graphic design job is writing a cover letter to accompany their resume. It can be hard to figure out how to write it and what to include in this short document. Most hiring managers only take a few seconds on your job application so getting their attention to ensure they take their time on your application is vital.

On the other hand, and according to the U.S Bureau of Statistics, employment of graphic designers is expected to grow 3 percent from 2020 to 2030, with about 23,900 openings for graphic designers projected each year. So knowing how to leave the other candidates behind in the recruitment process is a must.

You need to use the right format for your cover letter and ensure it is easy to read and understand. The letter should be one page long and should cover your top achievements, skills and qualifications. The structure of your graphic designer cover letter should have the following sections:

• A header
• A greeting
• A catchy introduction
• A cover letter body
• A call to action/conclusion
• A professional sign off

Start with the contact information

The header is the first section of your cover letter, containing your full name and contact information such as your phone number, professional email address, and home address. This section is sensitive and should be accurate because if you add the wrong contact details, the hiring manager will not reach you.

Once you have added all your details, you'll add the addressee's details, which must also be accurate. If you are not sure about the person to address the letter to and cannot find the details from the company even after reaching out, you can address it to the company's hiring manager. Remember to add the company name since it is an essential detail in this section.

It would be best to avoid phrases such as 'to whom it may concern' because it may feel impersonal and the purpose of a cover letter is to create a personal connection with the potential employer —and get a response.

Examples

Begin your cover letter introducing yourself

Graphic designer jobs can be competitive, and one way to keep the reader engaged is by starting strong with a catchy introduction. Potential employers have many applications to get through, and if your graphic design cover letter is boring, it will probably end up in the 'no' pile. There are multiple cover letter examples below to help you write an interesting introduction if you don't know what to write.

The introduction should highlight an accomplishment that will immediately get the hiring manager's attention and show interest in the job you are applying for. It should be one paragraph but feel free to add an extra one if you need to add more details to your introduction.

Let's look at some tips to consider when writing the introduction of your cover letter.

• It is important to start with a professional greeting and mention the hiring manager's name. When you address the letter to a specific person, it adds a personal touch and may encourage them to respond to you.
• Highlight an achievement that will get the hiring manager's attention and ensure they keep reading.
• You should mention some technical skills from the job description and state an instance where you excelled at your job because of the skills.
• Let your excitement for the position shine through in your introduction.

Correct example

CORRECT

Dear Mr Gabriel,

I’m excited to see the opportunity for a graphic designer at Globex Limited and would love to submit my application. The experience I gained at Socatravel creating designs for various companies allowed me to gain the skills I need for this position. In addition to that, I was awarded the best graphic designer award in 2019, having created unique designs for our top clients.

Incorrect example

INCORRECT

I am excited about this position and would love to get the graphic designer job at your company. I have previous experience as a graphic designer and believe I have the design skills that you require for this position.

This introduction will not impress the hiring manager because it is vague and does not give details of the value the candidate can bring to the company.

Highlight why you're the perfect graphic designer for the job

The body of your cover letter gives you a chance to get into more detail about your skills and qualifications. If you want to highlight specific instances, you can use bullet points to make them more visible to the recruiter.

If you have any special training or attended an elite design school that will help you stand out, you should mention it in this section. Graphic design cover letters should be one page long, so you’ll need to summarize the most relevant qualifications and show the recruiter you are the best person for the job.

Most recruiters want a candidate who can solve their problems, so if you can highlight instances that showcase your problem-solving skills, you will increase your chances of landing an interview. You can also mention some of your career goals and show how they align with the company goals, especially if you don't have relevant experience.

Correct example

CORRECT

Working as a senior graphic designer for the past nine years has allowed me to interact with clients from all industries. I recently worked with a client and helped them with their branding increasing their website activity by 25%, and I was happy to see that you are looking for a candidate with this experience.

Having won multiple awards for some of the best designs, I have also helped four small businesses to create visuals for their marketing programs that have increased their sales at an average rate of 30%. I would love to join the team at Commercially and share my skills and talent. Please get in touch with me on the phone number provided or email address to discuss this role further and answer any other questions you may have about my qualifications.

Incorrect example

INCORRECT

I have done some work in web development and have an extensive portfolio that showcases the same. I have also worked with individuals and created designs for their websites that earned them great compliments and led to many referrals. You mentioned that you need someone with experience developing marketing programs to improve client transactions, and I have also done that. I would love to work for your company, and I hope to hear from you.

The example above does not illustrate the candidate's expertise. Not using facts and figures to show the recruiter what you can do makes it hard for them to see the value you could bring.

Finish your cover letter with a Call to Action (CTA)

Any good sample cover letter you look at will have a call to action at the end of the cover letter. If you fail to add a call to action to your cover letter, you are risking your chance of getting a call for an interview.

A call to action prompts the recruiter to respond to you but remember to use a tone that suggests they get back to you and not demand. Let the recruiter feel your eagerness and enthusiasm in your call to action but keep it short and precise.

You can say that you are available for a meeting to discuss your qualifications further or pose a question to the recruiter to open up a conversation. A question such as ‘can we set a meeting to discuss how we can increase your designs by 35%’ is a great way to end the cover letter while opening a conversation with the recruiter.

Correct examples

How to enhance your CTA

• Check the job description and add some of the keywords and action verbs to your call to action. This helps if the recruiter uses the ATS systems to filter out the cover letters that do not meet the requirements.
• Use the right tone when writing the call to action to sound confident but not demanding and arrogant.
• Keep the call to action short but let the recruiter understand its purpose and feel compelled to respond.
• It’s essential and courteous to thank the recruiter for their time and consideration.
• Proofread your cover letter to ensure there are no grammatical errors or mistakes.

The farewell: close your cover letter professionally

How you finish your graphic designer cover letter is just as important as the beginning. It would be unfortunate if you wrote an impeccable letter then missed out on a great opportunity because of failing to finish strong. You need to close your cover letter with a professional sign off because it determines whether the recruiter responds or not.

How to finish your letter

Here is a list of possible farewells for your graphic designer cover letter

• Sincerely
• Best regards
• Yours truly
• Most sincerely
• Kind regards
• Sincerely yours
• Respectfully yours
• Regards

What you have to avoid

• Cheers
• Love
• XOXO
• Best wishes
• Yours faithfully
• Warm regards
• Fondly
• Take care

Tips to improve your graphic design cover letter

Every job seeker should aim to write the best cover letter to increase their chances of landing the position. Let’s look at some tips that will help you write a graphic design cover letter that stands out.

• Adapt each cover letter for the job and the company. It is essential to personalize each cover letter to the position and the company you are applying to instead of using one letter for multiple applications.
• Highlight your top accomplishments. A cover letter may not allow you to list all your achievements, but it will give you the opportunity to mention your top achievements that will get the recruiter’s attention.
• Include a clear call to action. A call to action allows you to open a dialogue with the recruiter and invite them to respond to you.
• Show the recruiting manager you are a culture fit. One of the best ways to demonstrate you are a culture fit is to research the company and use the right tone when crafting your cover letter.

Complement your cover letter with a graphic designer resume

Graphic design jobs can be competitive, so you’ll need a compelling graphic design resume to complement your cover letter. If you need some help with crafting your resume, you can check out our resume examples and resume templates. The perfect resume template can help you create a resume that will help you land more interviews and bring your job search to an end.

Key points: how to craft a successful cover letter as a graphic designer

Here is a summary of the key points from this article.

• A graphic design cover letter allows you to showcase your personality and creativity to the hiring manager to create a personal connection with them.
• The perfect cover letter template can help you with the structure of your letter to ensure you do not leave out any vital sections.
• The header of your cover letter should have accurate information to ensure the recruiter can reach you.
• The introduction determines whether the recruiter will read the rest of your cover letter, so make it catchy and engaging.
• Highlight the achievements that will get the recruiter’s attention and make you stand out.
• Proofread your cover letter to ensure it is error-free.
• Keep in mind that the recommended length for cover letters is one page so let it be short and precise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get hired without a graphic designer cover letter?

It is always advisable to complement your resume with a cover letter to increase your chances of landing an interview for every job you apply for. However, if the recruiter states that they do not require a cover letter, you don’t need to send one, and this will not affect your chances of landing the job.

What are the four main parts of a graphic design cover letter?

The header, introduction, cover letter body and the closing statement.

What are some of the formatting guidelines you should follow when writing a graphic designer cover letter?

• Use simple fonts that are easy to read, such as Times New Roman, Calibri, Arial and Cambria and keep the font size between 11 and 12pt.
• The recommended format spacing is 1 or 1.15.
• Set your margins at 1-inch and align all your text to the left.
• Save your document in a compatible format such as PDF or .doc to ensure the hiring manager can easily open it.