Tips and Tricks for a Better Cover Letter

Your cover letter is your chance to introduce yourself to a hiring manager. Here’s how to make sure your cover letter gets you that job interview.

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How To Write a Cover Letter?

If you’re looking into applying for a job, you probably know that you need two things: a resume and a cover letter. Both of these things can be complicated and daunting to approach if you don’t know how to write them. However, with the right approach, you can write a cover letter that puts you in position to get you the job.

Whether you know nothing about cover letters or just want to refine your cover letter-writing skills, here’s what you need to know.

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What Is a Cover Letter?

A cover letter is submitted alongside your resume, is written in a much more conversational tone than your resume, and is usually your passport to asking for an interview. With a cover letter, you get a chance to present yourself fully to the company you’re interested in working with, and they get a chance to understand you a little bit more.

The basics of cover letters are fairly simple. Most commonly, a cover letter is one page, and typically it’s a few paragraphs long. This cover letter should be easy to read, and you can use bullet points to make it easier for a recruiter or hiring manager to scan through it.

Why Do I Need a Cover Letter in 2022?

Even if the job listing doesn’t actively indicate that you need a cover letter, you should be prepared to submit one. Not only will most hiring managers expect a cover letter, but it also helps your chances tremendously.

Think of your resume as an overview of your career, including your education, work history and skills. On the other hand, you can use a cover letter as a more detailed introduction to your best qualities, and a chance to make a case for the company to consider hiring you. Sure, your work history and skills are important, but getting into more depth about how you’ve benefited your previous companies and how you can contribute to your next job will allow a hiring manager to understand those qualifications.

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The Structure of a Cover Letter and How To Write It

How do you write the cover letter? The structure of a cover letter is simple, but a good cover letter allows you to get across all the important information you need to make your case as the right choice for a job. Here are the four things you need to include in your cover letter.

1. Contact and personal information

First, you need to include your contact information, which is typically placed as a header that sits at the top of the cover letter:

● Full name
● Phone number
● Physical address (this can be optional)
● Email address
● Any relevant links, such as a link to your LinkedIn profile

2. Greeting

The greeting for your cover letter is more important than you might realize. This is partially because the greeting can tell a hiring manager how much work you’ve put into the cover letter and whether you may have just copied and pasted it to every job application you’ve submitted. Try to avoid a salutation that includes any of the following:

● To whom it may concern
● Dear sir or madam
● Dear hiring manager

These phrases are extremely generic, which makes it seem as though the letter is a form letter you’ve sent to many managers, or that you didn’t do any research on your potential employer before you replied to the job posting. Instead, you should use the hiring manager’s name. This indicates that you’ve personalized the letter.

3. Opening and body paragraphs
Your first paragraph is your introduction, and your chance to make a good first impression. Start by detailing the position you’re applying for, and why you’re interested in applying for the job. This opening paragraph is your opportunity to tell the potential employer why you’re excited about the possibility of working for them.

After this, you’ll move on to the body paragraph(s), which will include all the information you really want the hiring manager to see. Tie your skill set into how you can benefit the company by providing details about specific work you’ve done in the past, and the ways you can contribute to the new company. Make sure you make this section concise and easy to read. Bullet points may be a good option to point out specific pieces of information.

4. Closing

Your final paragraph should wrap up the letter, reemphasizing your interest in the job, and giving thanks to the recruiter or hiring manager for considering you for the position. Make sure you ask for an interview here as a final call to action. Finish the closing paragraph by stating that you look forward to the hiring manager calling you for an interview so the manager feels the desire to do so.

Cover Letter Examples

Examples of cover letters can be a great way to jump-start your own cover letter. If you’re interested in learning more about how a cover letter should look, check out the great examples on ResumeHelp as a starting point for your own.

Cover Letter Tips To Grab the Recruiter’s Attention

● Always use spell check. Typos in your cover letter will immediately stand out, and they’re one of the quickest ways to get rejected.
● Don’t just rehash your resume. Think of your letter as your chance to elaborate on the major skills and experiences that match up best with what the company is looking for.
● Look at sample cover letters for similar jobs and industries before you write yours. It’ll help you understand what employers are looking for.
● Start with a cover letter rough draft, then edit it to fit if needed. Remember, you want to be to-the-point and concise, no more than one page long.
● Make sure you’re sending your cover letter to the right person. There’s nothing like accidentally sending your letter to a person who isn’t even responsible for deciding whether or not to hire you.

FAQ: Cover Letters

Q: Do I really need a cover letter?

Yes, you do really need a cover letter. Even if the job listing doesn’t state that you need to include a cover letter, you still need one. In today’s job market, unless you’re applying for an entry-level job or the employer specifically states you don’t need a cover letter, plan on writing them.

A cover letter gives hiring managers an idea of what you can do for the company. Remember, as a potential employee, you’re trying to present yourself as the candidate the company is looking for. The hiring manager is also trying to select the best option out of a pool of applicants. You want to rise to the top of the pool by differentiating yourself, and a cover letter is one means of doing so.

Q: Do I need to write a new cover letter for every job application?

You also need to make sure that the cover letter you submit with every job application is unique. Although it can feel time-consuming to write a brand-new cover letter with every job application, this will make sure that you’re presenting yourself to your best advantage to every potential employer. Plus, it’s important to tailor your letter to the specifics of a job description.

In fact, if you’re applying for similar jobs or jobs in the same field, you don’t have to rewrite the cover letter from scratch every time. Use your first cover letter as a template, adjusting and changing anything you need to match job opportunities at other locations. This way, you get a unique cover letter for every job application while also saving time on the letter-writing process.

Q: Is it a good idea to use a cover letter template?

A cover letter template can make a huge difference when it comes to writing your cover letter. Not only can the template help you avoid creating from scratch, but it’s also a great way to see the best option when it comes to different industries and different jobs. A cover letter template is a great tool to have in your pocket for this exact reason.

Remember that you should look for cover letter templates specific to the industry and even the job you’re applying for. Your cover letter is going to look much different if you’re a cosmetologist versus if you’re an IT professional. Look at our wide selection of cover letter templates to find a design that works for the job you’re applying for.

Q: What makes an effective cover letter?

An effective cover letter is one that compels a potential employer to call you in for an interview. In general, your cover letter will be more effective if it’s highly professional, effectively showcases your skills, and it gives hiring managers a good idea of your personality and how you will approach work. This can be the difference in getting favored over other job seekers.

Cover letters will vary depending on the job and your particular skills, but if you follow these steps, you’ll be more likely to get a callback from the jobs you apply to, making your job search more fruitful. To go the extra mile, use ResumeHelp’s cover letter builder and examples to create a cover letter that looks amazing and is professional.

Move your cover letter to the top of the yes pile