A cover letter should be a page that accompanies your résumé and gives more detail about your skills and experience as related to the position held. This means that the importance of a cover letter can usually be taken as the first grasp by an employer to understand your qualification for a position.

What is the purpose of a cover letter?

A cover letter supports your résumé by providing an employer with a clear, succinct approach to the position as it correlates to you. Here, the objective of writing is to convince the employer to call you for an interview.

With your cover letter, you’ll want to:

• Show that you’re qualified: You will illustrate how your skills and knowledge fit the employer’s needs for some particular job.

• Show them you are motivated: You will be able to show them that you have a passion for some particular job and organization.

How to Format a Cover Letter

A good cover letter will need to explain why you are the best fit for that job.

1. Type your name and address in the upper left area of your letter.
2. Write a formal letter to the manager in charge of hiring.
3. Begin your cover letter with the proper greeting, like “Dear Neena Mittal.”
4. Make an introduction, outlining how the position fits with your professional objectives.
5. Mention any present workers who recommended you for the job.
6. Link your past achievements.
7. Always express gratitude to the employer.
8. Close the letter with a warm, Sincerely.

Now let’s get started and learn how to write a great cover letter.

How to Write a Cover Letter for a Job Application

Research the company

Preparation is key to a successful application! Start by reviewing job descriptions in detail to develop your skills and qualifications. Make a list and write down:

• notable accomplishments in the workplace from previous positions.

• volunteer work that sharpens the abilities specified in the job description.

• Both technical prowess and interpersonal qualities are considered relevant talents.

• academic qualifications, such as licenses and certifications.

• Awards and honors that are permanent.

Preparation is key to a successful application! Start by reviewing job descriptions in detail to develop your skills and qualifications. Make a list and write it down:

• Familiarize yourself with the mission, beliefs, and culture of the company so that you can describe how you relate to its goals.

• Look for news articles and press releases that can help in keeping current on what’s happening within the company lately.

• Know the name of the hiring manager so you are able to address your letter of recommendation to him/her.

Choose a cover letter template

We recommend using a cover letter template to ensure that it is well-organized and ATS-friendly.

Add a professional header

Make your cover letter in business letter format. Your header should include your name, address, phone number, and email address either left justified or centered.

• Include your contact information
• Include the recipient’s contact information

Greet the hiring manager

Whenever possible, contact the project manager by name to establish a personal connection. If you are unsure of their gender, use their full name (e.g. “Dear Alex Taylor”). 

Write a compelling introduction

Your cover letter opening sentence could very well be your elevator pitch. Give a solid, concise explanation of why you are the best person for that job, and how you fill those very needs of that particular job.

Here are some examples to help you construct a statement that expresses your interest in the job and in the company.

• Always express your interest 
• Emphasize your skills and experience
• Demonstrate Your Research
• Highlight measurable accomplishments
• Tell your professional story
• Mention a shared contact

Write the body paragraphs

The body of your letter needs to give reasons as to why you are the most suitable person. Here are some steps provided by career consultants on how to write effective professional paragraphs within a cover letter.

• If you have prior job experience in your desired position or sector, describe your achievements and utilize numerical data to show how your efforts have affected the situation.

• Emphasize your previous experience’s applicable abilities and clearly state how you can use them for the position.

• If you really think you could be part of the company culture, share it! For example, if you had applied to a not-for-profit social justice company and you were into volunteering for the cause of social justice, explain why the goals of the company are important to you.

• If you are making a career change, write about transferable skills. Career change letters that mention flexibility work well because they convey to potential clients that you will be able to do the job with little or no experience.

Write a closing paragraph

Let it be known in your cover letter that you are impressed by the opportunity to work with such an employer and you feel you have the capacity to do the job. When composing a cover letter to someone special, always remember to thank them for their time and consideration.

Sign off

Sign your letter professionally at the end because it portrays to them that you are thorough, professional, and respectful toward the hiring manager and the company.

Types of cover letters

Cover letters fall into four broad categories:

Application cover letter

This is the most common type of cover letter that job seekers use when applying for their dream job. This style includes details about your experience relevant to the job posting. This is also an opportunity to explain details that aren’t included on your resume, such as job openings, career changes, and why you’re happy to work for a private company.

Referral cover letter

Preliminary letters of recommendation can equally be used when seeking a job, but state your current employer’s name, who recommended you for the open position. Letters of Recommendation are ways to make you outstanding in the hiring process. You can return your letter for agreement on keeping you updated about your application process to the sender.

Letter of interest

Another type of cover letter is a letter of interest, which inquires if there might be an opening with a company in which one would like to work. A company may not have publicized any job posting; it is still in search of the right talent. This type of cover letter informs the hiring manager that you are interested in working with them. You can also make use of resources like True profiles, which will match needs, interests, and qualifications. Your question will be responded to by a manager.

Value proposition letter

A value proposition is basically the summation of things that set one apart, such as skills, achievements, and the value one can bring to the company. Most often, this short cover letter will be used as some sort of resume summary statement or even to answer a “tell me about yourself” interview question.

What to include in a cover letter

A cover letter can include your experience and skills that are most appealing and relevant to the open position. Here are some key points to include in your cover letter:

How do you meet the job’s requirements?

Provide detailed information about your current and past experience and indicate how it directly relates to your ability to succeed in your new job. Listen carefully to the job description and identify aspects of the job that compare to your experience. Add a number or percentage to show your suitability.

Why do you want to work at the company?

The very first thing that employers want to know is that you really want to work for them. They are looking for a person in love with the work, having passion for the company. Explain how working there will meet your career goals. Sincerity is key. Discuss the company’s reputation and growth to show that you have researched the employer and are genuinely interested in contributing to their success.

Other sections of a cover letter may include:

• Key Points: Express an interesting story about a company, industry, or job type you’ve had. You may say something such as you have been a customer for over ten years to this organization, or ever since you read an article in the newspaper last year, you dreamed of working in this industry.

• Call to Action: An honest, workable call—like “I look forward to hearing more about this opportunity”—expresses your excitement while formally bringing the employer to contact you.

Tips for writing cover letters

1. Personalize your cover letter for each job. Your letter of interest must be customized according to the position you are applying for. This will make a huge difference in that it makes you different from just firing off applications but also shows the hiring manager why you are the right man for the job.
2. Showcase your skills. Talk about how your skills fit the company’s needs. While your skills should be front and center, you shouldn’t exaggerate them in your cover letter.
3. No linting. No general statements you can’t support. As a matter of fact, recruiters can pick up rudeness, and that won’t redound to the credit of your cover letter.
4. Use specific examples. Instead of saying you are good at something, give examples to support your claim. Any information you can provide will make you sound better, so measure your progress. For example, give a number (like a percentage) for your performance and the time it took to complete certain achievements.
5. Do some research about the company. This will always buy you some time while applying to any company. Be sure to also include information about them, so that it shows the hiring manager that you are really interested in working with them.
6. Please follow the instructions on the application. If the job posting requires specific content in the cover letter or requires a specific format, be sure to include it. Failure to follow instructions may be considered negligence or may result in the manager signing off on your failure to do so.

Writing excellent cover letters and resumes calls for specialized knowledge and a meticulous writing style. One of the expert resume writing services, Resume Janus, claims to help with creating these kinds of papers by showcasing your distinct qualification story in the best possible way. By making use of our services, you can increase your chances of finding a job while optimizing your job search opportunities.

Ask for the help of Resume Janus, experts in crafting a high-impact resume or CV that can boost your chances of finding new opportunities.