What to Put in a Cover Letter
A cover letter is your first opportunity to make a positive impression on a potential employer. It’s a crucial part of your job application, providing a platform to showcase your personality, skills, and enthusiasm for the role. Unlike your resume, which is a factual summary, a cover letter allows you to tell a story, explaining why you are the ideal candidate for the position. Crafting a compelling cover letter involves more than just repeating information from your resume; it requires a strategic approach to highlight your unique qualifications and capture the hiring manager’s attention. This guide will walk you through the essential elements of a cover letter and provide expert tips to help you create a standout document that secures you an interview. Mastering the art of the cover letter is an investment in your career, opening doors to new opportunities and propelling you towards your professional goals. Let’s dive in and learn how to make your cover letter shine.
Contact Information
The foundation of any professional communication, including a cover letter, is accurate and accessible contact information. Ensuring your contact details are readily available and easily accessible to the hiring manager is paramount. This section needs to be clearly formatted to enable the recruiter or hiring manager to contact you without any difficulty. It gives them all the means to reach you fast.
Your Name and Contact Details
Begin with your full name, prominently displayed at the top of the letter. Include your phone number, email address, and optionally, your LinkedIn profile URL. Ensure the email address is professional and up-to-date. Double-check all contact information for accuracy. An error here can lead to missed opportunities. Position this information in the top left or right corner, or at the top of the page.
Date and Recipient’s Information
Directly below your contact information, include the date. Then, provide the hiring manager’s name (if known), their title, the company name, and the company’s address. Addressing the letter to a specific person, when possible, adds a personal touch and demonstrates that you’ve done your research. If the hiring manager’s name is not available, use a general greeting such as “Dear Hiring Manager” to maintain a professional tone. This level of detail immediately shows your attention to detail and willingness to go the extra mile in your application. It will help your letter stand out from the others and give it more impact.
The Introduction Paragraph
The introduction paragraph is your chance to make a strong first impression, and should immediately capture the reader’s attention. It sets the tone for the rest of the letter, so it is important to make it compelling. It is also the place to state your intention in applying for the job, which will make your interest clear and focused. Your aim is to make the hiring manager want to read the rest of your letter. The introductory paragraph is your ‘hook’, and here are some tips to get it right.
Grab Attention Immediately
Start with a strong opening statement that grabs the reader’s attention. This could be a brief anecdote, a statement about your passion for the industry, or an enthusiastic expression of interest in the role. The goal is to immediately pique the hiring manager’s interest and encourage them to continue reading. Avoid generic opening lines. For instance, instead of saying, “I am writing to express my interest in the position of…,” try something more engaging, such as, “Having followed [Company Name]’s work in [Industry] for years, I am excited to apply for the [Job Title] position.” This approach immediately connects your interest to the company’s specific activities.
State the Purpose of Your Letter
Clearly state the position you are applying for and how you learned about the opportunity. Whether you found the job posting online, were referred by someone, or learned about it through networking, make sure to mention it. This helps the hiring manager understand where you are in the application process and ensures that your application is properly routed. Being specific also demonstrates your attention to detail and your understanding of the company’s application process. This clarity helps streamline the process and gives the recruiter a better idea of who you are.
Highlight Your Key Skills and Experience
The body of your cover letter should showcase how your skills and experience align with the job requirements. This is where you connect the dots between your qualifications and the needs of the company. By directly addressing the job description and providing specific examples, you can effectively demonstrate your value to the potential employer. Avoid simply restating your resume; instead, elaborate on your achievements and show how they translate into success for the company. The main focus here is to convince the hiring manager that you are the best person for the job, and that your skills and experiences align well with what the company is looking for.
Tailor to the Job Description
Carefully review the job description and identify the key requirements and desired skills. Then, in your cover letter, highlight specific experiences and skills that directly relate to those requirements. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate that you understand the role and the company’s needs. For example, if the job description emphasizes project management skills, provide a brief example of a successful project you managed, mentioning specific tools or methodologies you used. This targeted approach shows the hiring manager that you have taken the time to understand the role and that you have the skills needed to be successful.
Quantify Your Achievements
Whenever possible, quantify your achievements to provide concrete evidence of your impact. Use numbers, percentages, and specific metrics to demonstrate your successes. Instead of saying, “Improved customer satisfaction,” you could say, “Increased customer satisfaction by 15% through implementing a new feedback system.” Quantifying your accomplishments makes your claims more credible and helps the hiring manager understand the tangible benefits you can bring to the company. This is a great way to make a significant impact and show the hiring manager the value that you bring.
Showcase Relevant Skills
Highlight a combination of hard and soft skills that are relevant to the job. Hard skills are technical abilities and knowledge, such as proficiency in specific software or industry-specific knowledge. Soft skills are interpersonal abilities, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Providing examples of how you have applied these skills in the past will make your claims more convincing. For instance, if the job description requires strong communication skills, describe a situation where you effectively communicated complex information to a diverse audience. This is your chance to shine. If you have a skill that matches a company need, make sure to mention it and, whenever possible, provide an example where you have demonstrated that skill.
Demonstrate Your Knowledge of the Company
Demonstrating that you’ve researched the company shows your genuine interest and commitment to the role. It also helps you tailor your letter to address the company’s specific needs and values. A well-researched cover letter will stand out from the generic ones. Take the time to understand what the company does, what its mission is, and what challenges it faces. Then, in your cover letter, show how your skills and experience align with the company’s goals.
Research the Company
Before writing your cover letter, research the company. Visit their website, read their “About Us” page, and review their social media presence. Look for information about their mission, values, products, and recent news. If possible, research the hiring manager or the team you would be working with. Understanding the company’s culture and values can help you tailor your letter to resonate with the hiring manager. This is key to making a good impression. By showing that you’ve taken the time to understand their business and values, you’ll signal that you are genuinely interested in the role and that you are well-prepared to integrate into the company. Being familiar with the company culture makes it easier to get a good vibe going during the interview, and lets the hiring manager know that you have done your homework.
Explain Why You’re a Good Fit
In your cover letter, explain why you are a good fit for the company and the role. Connect your skills and experience to the company’s needs and goals. For example, if the company emphasizes innovation, highlight your experience with creative problem-solving or developing new ideas. Show how your personal values align with the company’s mission and culture. Demonstrating this understanding strengthens your application by showing the hiring manager that you not only have the required skills and experience but also that you share the company’s vision. Explain why you’re excited about the opportunity and what you hope to achieve if you’re hired. Be specific and show the hiring manager why you’re the best candidate for the job.
The Closing Paragraph
The closing paragraph is your final opportunity to leave a positive impression. It should express your enthusiasm for the role and encourage the hiring manager to contact you. Be clear and concise. Make sure to reiterate your interest in the position and express your willingness to discuss your qualifications further.
Express Enthusiasm and Call to Action
Reiterate your enthusiasm for the opportunity and express your eagerness to learn more about the role. Include a clear call to action, such as, “I am eager to discuss how my skills and experience can contribute to [Company Name]’s success” or “I welcome the opportunity to discuss my qualifications in an interview.” The call to action should be specific and encourage the hiring manager to take the next step.
Thank the Reader
Thank the hiring manager for their time and consideration. This simple gesture of gratitude leaves a positive impression and demonstrates your professionalism. A brief acknowledgment of their effort in reviewing your application is a thoughtful touch. Expressing gratitude is a small detail that can have a big impact, particularly when you want to make a lasting impression.
Formal Closing and Signature
Use a formal closing, such as “Sincerely,” “Respectfully,” or “Best regards,” followed by your full name. If submitting a digital cover letter, you can type your name. If you are submitting a printed copy, leave space for your handwritten signature above your typed name. Ensuring a proper close to the cover letter will demonstrate to the hiring manager that you are professional and that you have attention to detail. This final step in the process will leave a lasting positive impression, and increases the chances of being selected for an interview.