What is the best way to start a cover letter for a job? The first two sentences in your cover letter are the most important. Hiring employees and hiring managers often spend just seconds scanning your application.
If your cover letter doesn’t grab their attention immediately, they may not even reach the second paragraph. What should these important opening sentences say? Remember, you hope to distinguish yourself from the competition. Your goal is to explain to the reader who you are, why you are writing, and how you can contribute to the employer’s success.
Think about why the hiring manager would choose you over all the other candidates for an interview, and you will be on the right track.
How to Start a Cover Letter
Be direct. In these opening sentences, you want to clearly tell the reader the position you are applying for. Hiring managers often look for candidates for several open positions at the same time. Make sure it’s easy for them to see your intentions. For example:
I am interested in the Coordinator position at ABC Company.
References. If someone referred you to the job, mention that information early on as well. Referrals are a key aspect of ensuring you get an interview, so be sure to mention yours up front. For example:
Jane Doe referred me to contact you regarding the position, as she believes my skills would be suitable for the role.
Mention an achievement. Try to reference an accomplishment from your previous job. If you can, demonstrate how you added value to the company you worked for in the past. You might even include the job title you held if it’s similar to the position you are applying for. For example:
As a Coordinator at XYZ Enterprises, I increased my team’s productivity by 37% over the past 15 months.
Express enthusiasm. Convey your passion for the work and excitement for the role and the company. Your cover letter is an opportunity to sell yourself to the hiring manager and share why you are well qualified for the position. For example:
I would be extremely grateful for the opportunity to meet with you and discuss what I have to offer for the position at ABC Company.
Use keywords. If you can, mention any keywords from the job listing. You might bring up a skill you possess that was mentioned in the posting. For example:
My successful record in managing teams and delivering projects on time and within budget makes me a suitable fit for this role.
Examples of Cover Letter Opening Sentences
As an IT professional with extensive management experience in the information technology industry, I have learned that the best way to achieve success is to utilize the resources I have by achieving well-defined goals and an empowerment mindset.
I am very interested in the entry-level position available at ABC Investment Partners. I recently graduated from XYZ College, and my coursework in investment, finance, and business has provided me with a strong foundation to build my career.
I am writing to express my strong interest in the open international marketing position at WellCam, Inc. My colleague, Jana Dowling, recommended that I contact you directly regarding this position, given my years of experience developing successful campaigns for XYZ.
I am writing to express my strong interest in the editorial assistant position listed on Monster.com. With five years of editing experience and excellent skills, I would appreciate your consideration of my application for this position.
I have a strong interest in pursuing an educational career. With the experience I have gained at the elementary and high school levels, along with activities outside the traditional classroom, I have a diverse background with much to offer.
I had the pleasure of meeting one of your team’s consultants, Eleanor Seville. She told me about the available position and recommended that I contact you.
I was
Excited to read about the open Administrative Assistant position at XYZ Company. I have several years of administrative experience in a variety of fields, including insurance and finance.
I understand you may have received many resumes since Computer World released its list of the best companies to work for. My resume is one among many, but I have hard-to-find experience.
My successful record of performing complex analyses across various companies makes me an ideal candidate for the Analyst opportunity you advertised.
Customize Your Cover Letter
When you’re unsure how to start, it can be really helpful to review examples of cover letters. You can use them as a guide, but be sure to customize your introduction to your personal circumstances and the job you are applying for.
The closer you build your cover letter to show that you match the job requirements, the higher your chances of getting an interview.
What to Write in the Rest of Your Cover Letter
Of course, the other part of your letter is important too. You will need to use an appropriate salutation and make the close of your cover letter polite and enticing. In the body of your letter, you have the opportunity to promote your qualifications for the position in more detail than you have space for in your resume.
Note: If there are specific events or accomplishments you think are likely to make you stand out, you can briefly mention them and explain them in more detail if you get an interview.
Be sure your contact information is complete as well, and format your signature to match the style of the letter you are using.
Cover Letter Template
Download a cover letter template (compatible with Google Docs or Word Online) or read the example below.
Download Word Template
Cover Letter Template (Copy Text) John Smith
37 Oak Street
Middle Village, NY 10502
555-555-555
[email protected]
March 22, 2021
Dr. Jane Doe
All Smiles Dentistry
5 Main Street, Suite A
Middle Village, NY 10502
Dear Dr. Doe,
My former colleague Maria Rodriguez suggested that I reach out to express my interest in the Dental Assistant position at your office in Middle Village.
I am a licensed dental assistant with over 10 years of experience helping doctors and nurses make their patients smile. In my current role with ABC Dental, I have gained proficiency in four-handed dentistry techniques, as well as mastering the Henry Schein Dentix software.
I also have the following skills and qualifications, as outlined in the job description on your website:
– Experience in taking and developing dental x-rays
– Infection control experience, including preparing and sterilizing instruments and equipment
– Knowledge of several different scheduling software
– Language skills (bilingual: English/Spanish)
– Excellent customer service and attention to detail
Most importantly, I love working with people. I consider it a great honor to assist doctors in improving their patients’ lives by providing the best customer support and care.
I have attached my resume, and I hope to hear from you at your convenience to arrange an interview.
Sincerely,
Signature (hard copy letter)
John Smith
More Cover Letter Examples and Templates
Review examples of cover letters for different types of jobs, and get downloadable templates you can use to write your own cover letters.
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References
The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts in our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and of high quality.
Ladders.
“2018 Eye Tracking Study.” CareerOneStop. “How do I write a cover letter.”
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Source: https://www.thebalancemoney.com/cover-letter-opening-sentences-examples-2061030
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