How to write a cover letter to get a job
Hiring managers often decide on a candidate just from the cover letter. Your cover letter is your first opportunity to make a positive impression, so it's crucial to make it count. Even if you're light on experience, a well-crafted cover letter can still grab the attention of potential employers and set you apart from other applicants. It's your chance to shine and make a compelling case for why you're the perfect candidate for the job.
❓ What is a cover letter ❓
A cover letter is a brief introduction of yourself and a summary of your professional background. It should be submitted with your resume or CV as part of your job application. Typically, a cover letter ranges from 250 to 400 words in length. A well-crafted cover letter aims to impress the hiring manager, convince them of your worth as a candidate, and complement your resume without duplicating it. It serves as an opportunity to elaborate on significant achievements, skills, or any other aspects that your resume may not have room to include.
❓Do I need a cover letter ❓
Yes, unless stated otherwise. The importance of a cover letter is as significant as that of a resume to present yourself as a serious candidate. A well-written cover letter can distinguish you from other candidates with similar professional experience and skills. It could potentially influence the hiring manager's decision to schedule an interview with you if done correctly.
🧑🏻💻 Cover letter structure
In most cases, you will need to attach your cover letter when applying for a job. Here’s a structure you should follow:
Header. The position you’re applying for and your contact information
Greeting. Choose an appropriate way to greet your target audience
Introduction. Introduce yourself in the opening paragraph and explain your interest in the role.
Body. Elaborate on why you’re the best candidate for the job and a good match for the company. Focus on “selling” your skills, achievements, and relevant professional experiences.
Conclusion. Summarize your key points and wrap it up professionally.
Tips on how to make your cover letter stand out
📝 Customize your cover letter for every job
Before writing a cover letter, make sure to check the job description. This will help you write a cover letter that is tailored to a specific job. Hiring managers can see if you just copied and pasted an old cover letter.
📝 Keep it short
One page is more than enough when it comes to cover letters. The optimal length for a cover letter is between 250-400 words long.
📝 Avoid generic words & cliches
Team player, detail-oriented, communicator- all those words are old-school. The hiring manager can tell when you’re just throwing words around, and it doesn’t make your cover letter look good. Search for some synonyms online to step up your cover letter game.
📝 Use action verbs
To make your achievements stand out, use action verbs. So, instead of repeating “I was responsible for” or “I was in charge of,” you can use action verbs such as “managed” or “coordinated.”
responsible for = in charge of, managed, supervised, was in control of, coordinated
📝 Use specific examples
Instead of saying you're great at something, give an actual example to back up your claim. Any data you can provide makes you sound more credible, so quantify your achievements. For example, give numbers such as percentages related to your performance and the timeframe it took to accomplish certain achievements.
📝 Address any gaps
If there are any employment gaps in your resume, your cover letter is a great place to mention why. Your resume doesn’t give you enough space to elaborate on an employment gap, so addressing it here can set hiring managers at ease—life happens, and employers understand.
📝 Research the company
Use a professional tone. Even though a conversational tone isn’t a bad thing, remember that it's still a formal document. Show professionalism in your cover letter by keeping slang, jargon, and emojis out of it. And don’t forget to add a personal touch (maybe your values align or you care about the same thing)
📝 Proofread carefully
Typos and grammar mistakes are a huge deal-breaker. Use a tool like Grammarly or QuillBot to double-check your spelling and grammar, or even get a friend to check it for you.
📝 Follow the application instructions
If the job posting asks for something specific in your cover letter or requires a certain format, make sure you include it. Not following instructions can come off as unattentive or signal to the hiring manager that you’re not taking the job seriously.
Your cover letter is only as good as your resume. If either one is weak, your entire application falls through. So make sure to read my article about writing resumes with little to no experience.
