Do you need to write a cover letter to apply for a job? Most of the time, the answer is yes. Even when employers don’t require a cover letter, writing one will help you highlight your skills and achievements and grab the attention of the hiring manager. The only time you shouldn’t send one is when the job advertisement explicitly states not to. Adding a cover letter to your resume can be helpful and definitely won’t hurt.
What is a cover letter?
A cover letter, also known as a job application letter, should be sent or uploaded with your resume when you apply for jobs. While your resume provides your work history and a summary of your skills and accomplishments, the cover letter you send to the employer explains why you are qualified for the position and why you should be selected for an interview.
Tips for writing a cover letter
Writing this letter may seem like a daunting task. However, if you follow the steps in order, you will soon become an expert in writing cover letters to send with your resume.
How to start
Before you begin writing your cover letter, do some research. Consider the information you want to include (keeping in mind that space is limited).
Remember, the goal of this letter is to justify your candidacy for the position. But you can do better than just repeating your resume – instead, highlight the skills, experiences, and qualifications that are most relevant to you.
Analyze the job advertisement
To include the most compelling and relevant details in your letter, you will need to know what the employer wants.
The biggest clues lie in the job advertisement, so read the ad carefully. Then match your qualifications with what the employer is looking for.
Include the most relevant qualifications
Create a list of your relevant experiences and skills. For example, if the job advertisement requires a strong leader, think of examples when you provided successful leadership for a team. Once you write down some notes and have an idea of what you want to focus on in your letter, you’re ready to start writing.
Writing guidelines for cover letters
Writing a cover letter is quite different from sending a quick email to a friend or sending a thank-you note to a relative. Hiring managers and interviewers expect certain standards when it comes to presenting the letter, from length (no more than one page) to font size and style and line spacing:
- Length: The cover letter should be no longer than one page. Three to four paragraphs is typical.
- Format and page margins: The cover letter should be single-spaced with a space between each paragraph. Use margins of about 1 inch and align the text to the left, which is the standard alignment for most documents.
- Font: Use a traditional font like Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri. The font size should be between 10 and 12 points.
What to include in each section of the letter
There are also specific rules for the sections included in the letter, from the greeting to the closing, and how to organize the letter. Here’s a quick overview of the main sections included in a cover letter:
- Heading: The cover letter should begin with your contact information and the employer’s (name, address, phone number, email) followed by the date. If this is an email rather than a physical letter, include your contact information at the end of the message, after your signature.
- Salutation: This is the polite greeting. The most common salutation is “Dear Mr./Ms.” followed by the person’s name. Learn more about appropriate greetings for cover letters, including what to do if you don’t know the person’s name or if you are unsure of the person’s gender.
- Body
The message: Consider this section as consisting of three distinct parts.- In the first paragraph, you will want to mention the position you are applying for and where you saw the job advertisement.
- The following paragraph(s) are the most important part of your message. Do you remember how you gathered all that information about what employers are looking for and how you can meet their needs? Here you will share those relevant details about your experience and achievements.
- The third and final part of the body of the message will be your thank you to the employer; you can also provide follow-up information.
- The closing: End your email with a polite closing, such as “Sincerely” or “Best regards,” followed by your name.
- The signature: When sending or uploading a printed letter, end it with your handwritten signature, followed by your printed name. If this is an email, simply include your printed name, followed by your contact information.
Simple Formatting Using a Template
Are you feeling overwhelmed by all these formatting and organizational requirements? One way to simplify the job application letter writing process is to use a job application letter template to create your personalized job application letters for job applications. Having a template can help save time if you are sending out many job application letters.
Note: Make sure that each letter you send is tailored to the company and position; do not send the same letter to different companies.
Tips for Writing an Effective Letter
- Always write a letter. Unless the job advertisement states not to send a job application letter or cover letter, you should always send one. Even if the company does not request a job application letter, it never hurts to include one. If they ask you to send a letter, be sure to follow the instructions carefully (for example, they may ask you to send the letter as an email attachment, or to write it directly in the online application system).
- Use a business letter format. Use the official business letter format when writing your letter. Include your contact information at the top, the date, and the employer’s contact information. Be sure to provide a salutation at the beginning and your signature at the end.
- Sell yourself. Focus throughout the letter on how you can benefit the company. Provide specific examples of times you demonstrated skills or abilities that would be beneficial for the position, especially those mentioned in the job advertisement or description. If possible, include examples of times you added value to a company.
- Use keywords. Reread the job advertisement and identify keywords (such as the skills or abilities that are emphasized in the advertisement). Try to include some of those words in your job application letter. This will help the employer see that you are a perfect fit for the position.
- Keep the letter concise. Keep your letter short, no more than one page, with about four paragraphs. Employers are more likely to read a concise letter.
- Proofread and edit. Employers are likely to ignore an application that contains many errors. Read your application letter, and if possible, ask a friend or career advisor to review the letter. Proofread for grammatical or spelling mistakes.
Job Application Letter Template
Below is a sample job application letter. You can download the letter template (compatible with Google Docs or Word Online) or read the example below.
Your Name
Your Address
Your Phone Number
Your Email
Today’s Date
Employer’s Name
Human Resources Manager
Company Name
Company Address
City, State, Zip Code
Dear Mr./Ms. (Name),
I was very excited when my former colleague, Jay Lopez, told me about the job opportunity for an administrative assistant at your Portland offices. As a long-time customer of Veggies to Go and an experienced assistant, I would love to assist the company in achieving its vision of making healthy products available like ready-made meals.
I have
I have worked for small companies throughout my career, and I look forward to the opportunity to wear many hats and work with the team to achieve success. In my most recent role as an administrative assistant at Beauty Corp, I was able to save thousands of dollars for the employer by implementing a self-scheduling system for customer service representatives that reduces shift cancellations. I also learned web design and coding for schedules and honed my Excel skills.
I have attached my resume for your consideration and hope to speak with you soon about your needs for the role.
Sincerely,
(Your signature)
Your Name
Email Application Submission
When sending your message via email, include the reason for your writing in the subject line of your message:
Example subject line:
Subject: (Your Name) – Administrative Assistant Position
Include your contact information in your signature instead of in the body of the message:
Example of an email signature:
Sincerely,
(Your Name)
Phone number: (Your Phone Number)
Email: (Your Email)
Review More Job Application Letter Examples
Review more professionally written job application letter examples for a variety of circumstances, professions, and job types.
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Source: https://www.thebalancemoney.com/how-to-write-a-job-application-letter-2061569
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