A cover letter is one of the most important tools in your arsenal for securing a job — or for any other reason you might want to write one. A cover letter is an essential part of your application for a job, and it will either make or break your application. It is also a great tool for convincing a recruiter or employer that you are the perfect fit for the job. Your cover letter should be a concise but thorough explanation of your skills and qualifications. It should also be personalized to the person you are sending it to, and it should express interest in the job and company. Remember, a cover letter should never start with, “Hi,” “Hello,” “Thank you for considering me for this position,” or any other greeting. Begin your cover letter with a clear and relevant objective and end with a genuine interest in the position. You should also include a link to your portfolio or samples of your work. The template below should serve as a great starting point for your cover letter.
The Basics
Before we begin, let’s discuss the basics. What is a cover letter? A cover letter is a short letter that is often included with your resume, application, or other supporting documents when you are applying for a job. A cover letter is typically between one and three pages in length, and it is used to introduce yourself to the recipient of the letter. A cover letter should be typed, double spaced, and it should be sent on a plain white letterhead. Make sure your cover letter is short and sweet, and keep it clean of spelling errors and clichéd phrases. A good rule of thumb is to write the cover letter last, so you have something to fall back on if you need to.
The Objective
Your cover letter’s main purpose is to introduce yourself to the person reading it and explain why you are qualified for the job. You should write your letter for a specific purpose, and make sure that you stick to this purpose throughout the letter. Your cover letter should be short and sweet, but it should also be comprehensive enough to cover all the basic information that the employer needs to know about you. Your cover letter’s opening should be intriguing and pull the reader in — make them want to read the rest of your letter. Remember, you are trying to appeal to the decision-maker and persuade them to hire you. Make sure you have a clear understanding of what the job entails before you begin writing your cover letter. Think of your cover letter as an opportunity to sell yourself, and look for the positive aspects of your letter to emphasize. Your opening should state your qualifications, skills, and experience, as well as include a short bio about you. For example, if you are applying for an account manager position, your cover letter should begin with a strong opening line that draws the reader in — such as, “Having worked as an account manager for the past five years, I am confident I can bring great value to your firm.”
The Body
The body of your cover letter is where you explain in more detail why you are a great fit for the job. You want to keep your reader engaged and interested in what you have to say. Your body should consist of three parts: the first part should consist of a summary of the objective you just stated above; the second part should elaborate on your skills and experience; and the third part should include a discussion of why you are interested in the job. Be sure to include any relevant qualifications or achievements that may be important for the reader to know about you. For example, if you are writing to an HR person, including some relevant work experience may be important, so they know you are a hard worker. Alternatively, if you are writing to a person outside of HR, including relevant work experience may not be as important, but your skillset and academic background are. The body of your cover letter should not exceed three pages in length.
Closing
Your cover letter should end with a strong and concise ending. Your closing should summarize the main points you made in your letter. You should also sign off with your full name and contact details. Your name and contact details should appear at the end of your letter, not at the beginning. This is a very important point to make since it shows you respect the person reading your letter. Just imagine how frustrating it would be if your cover letter began with your name and contact details. Your signature should be strong and confident, and it should match the rest of your letter. Make sure you proofread your letter before you send it out. Once your letter is done, you should address it to the person specified on the envelope. You can also consider sending it electronically through your personal email address. Remember, a cover letter is not a self-evaluation or an excuse to write about yourself in the third person. Make sure you write your letter with your objectives in mind and that you tailor your letter to the specific purpose of the recipient. The template below should serve as a great starting point for your cover letter.