Job Application ABCs: How to Write a Cover Letter for a Job

How to Write a Cover Letter

There's more to applying for a job than making the best resume and answering the interview well. Applicants must also know how to write a good cover letter. The most effective cover letters highlight how a candidate's experience and education match the position's needs and the company's goals. Even though cover letters aren't always necessary, many employers still use them to gauge potential hires.

In this article, we’ll provide the knowledge you need to craft a winning cover letter for any job application.

What Is a Cover Letter?

A cover letter or application letter is a brief memo explaining your qualifications and expressing interest in a particular job or organization. It's a document you include in a job application alongside a resume. The cover letter usually has three to four paragraphs and is only one page long.

Unlike a letter of interest, which inquires about job opportunities at a company that's not currently hiring, a cover letter responds to the job description of an open position.

A cover letter is where you can elaborate on your experience and explain why you'd be an asset to the company. In today's competitive job market, knowing how to write a good cover letter is essential. For one, having a good cover letter sets you apart from the competition. To avoid generic cover letters, research the company and position you're applying for in great detail before writing your cover letter.

Why Is a Cover Letter Necessary?

One of the best ways to impress a potential employer with your qualifications is to craft an excellent and compelling cover letter. A well-written cover letter should do the following:

• Prove that you took the time to conduct research and are excited about the job.
• Confirm your familiarity with the challenges facing the company.
• Demonstrate that your values coincide with theirs.
• Show how you can solve a problem with your expertise and experience.

If you want an organization to hire you, your cover letter needs to answer the questions, "Why should we hire you?" and "What's in it for us?" When learning how to write a cover letter for a job, the best strategy is to focus your attention on them rather than yourself. This will help you stand out from the other applicants.

What to Consider Before Writing Your Application

Now that you know what a cover letter is, you’re almost ready to write one. Before you begin, carry out the following steps:

Research the Company

Cover letter writing involves thorough research and knowledge about the company you’re interested in. Read its goal statement and vision to determine if they are values you can get behind.

Use these questions to guide your research:

• What do you know about the company?
• Do you agree with the values it represents?

Here are ways to research the company before writing a good cover letter:

• Check out the company website.
• Visit their social media pages to get to know them better.
• Connect with the company on LinkedIn.
• Learn more about company culture through reviews.
• Get insights on their competitors.
• Reach out to people you know who work at the company to ask questions.

Address the Letter to the Right Person

Look for the hiring manager's name and contact information on the company’s website. If you can't find it, try sending them a message through email or their social media pages to get their contact information. Address the cover letter to the hiring manager or human resources if there’s no reply. Avoid using impersonal language such as “to whom it may concern” or “dear sir/madam.”

Relate Your Work Experience

Detailing how your work experience relates to the position you're applying for is crucial as it will give potential employers a sense of your approach to problem-solving. As a result, take some time to research the connection between the two and identify the critical points and numbers you'll highlight.

Insert Keywords

While prioritizing natural, quality writing, add relevant keywords from the employer's job description to your cover letter. Using these keywords will help your document pass the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and demonstrate to the recruiter that you understand the role.

Remember the Job Opportunity's Source

In your application letter, mention where you learned about the job posting. Whether it was from a personal contact, a referral, or a job posting, remember to jot down this information so you can include it in your letter.

Cover Letter Format

Your application document should have the following parts:

Header

A header is the first element of a well-crafted cover letter. The headers of your cover letter and resume must be the same for continuity, so please feel free to use the same format for both documents.

The header should contain the following details:

• Your full name
• Career title
  
• Contact number
  
• Email address
  

Once you've finished the header, include the date and place of composition. Next, include the company's address using this format:

• Name of hiring manager or recruiter
• Title of recruiter/hiring manager
• Name of company
• Address of the Company

Greeting or Salutation

Following the header and the date, direct your cover letter to the hiring manager's attention. When writing a cover letter, using the recipient's name in the salutation is vital to elicit a positive response.

Write it like this: Dear [state the name],

Here are several salutation examples:

• Dear Rachel,
• Dear Ms. Karen,
• Dear Mr. Green,

Introductory Paragraph

The hiring manager's interest in reading your cover letter will depend on your opening sentences. You need to immediately get the reader's attention and keep it with a solid opening paragraph in your cover letter. Start your cover letter off right by using one of these tried-and-true methods:

• Emphasize accomplishments
• Exhibit your interest and enthusiasm
• Mention names
• Use all of the above

Here’s an example of a cover letter introduction:

I've been an avid supporter of InSquare's marketing efforts for many years, so I was thrilled to see your job advertisement for a Digital Marketing Manager. I'm confident I can assist InSquare as it faces future challenges. I've managed online marketing campaigns with budgets of over $200,000 on a national scale. In addition, I have increased DigiAd's clientele by 25% since 2015.

Body/Middle Paragraph(s)

When learning how to write a cover letter for a job, you should know the flow of the main body. The second paragraph (main body) of your cover letter should accomplish two goals: provide the hiring manager with the requested information and demonstrate how your skills and experience will allow you to meet those requirements.

Take a look at this sample content:

At DigiAds, I oversee both the technical and creative sides of our online marketing efforts. My main goal from the year before was to redesign and optimize eight product websites that covered most of the company's strategic products to improve Search Engine Optimization (SEO) results and user experience.

As a result of my optimization efforts:

• Seven out of the eight websites I worked on consistently rank in Google's top three. These organic results rank for more than 10 important search terms.
• Inbound search traffic from major search engines accounts for 47% of all organic search traffic for targeted keywords across all eight websites.

I am aware that one of InSquare's current objectives is creating a comprehensive healthcare-themed website. This opportunity to build a one-of-a-kind online knowledge base for patients and healthcare professionals speaks directly to my professional and personal interests, making it a perfect fit. With this project, I aim to use my SEO and online growth marketing expertise.

Concluding Paragraph

The conclusion is as important as the paragraphs preceding it. Write a good ending for your cover letter by telling the hiring manager you’re looking forward to meeting in person. Also, explain how your skills and background will contribute to the success of your prospective employer.

It should look like this:

I'll be happy to meet with you to discuss your digital marketing goals and provide examples of how my experience at DigiAd can help InSquare expand its online presence.

Complimentary Close and Signature

Simply add a formal closing to your cover letter after you have finished the body. Sign your full name after "Sincerely" and close the letter. A handwritten signature is welcome in more formal cover letters but not necessary.

Here are other complimentary closings to use when writing your cover letter:

• Kind regards,
• Thank You,
• Best regards,
• Respectfully yours,

Examples of a Good Cover Letter

Here’s an example of how to write a cover letter for digital marketing:

Phoebe Geller
Digital Marketing Specialist
202-555-0182
phoebe.geller@gmail.com

Manhattan, NY, 03/15/2023

Chandler Green
Hiring Manager
InSquare Inc. 100, Charming Avenue
Brooklyn, New York, USA

Dear Mr. Green,

I've been an avid supporter of InSquare's marketing efforts for many years, so I was thrilled to see your job advertisement for a Digital Marketing Manager. I'm confident I can assist InSquare as it faces future challenges. I've managed online marketing campaigns with budgets of over $200,000 on a national scale. In addition, I have increased DigiAd's clientele by 25% since 2015.

At DigiAds, I oversee both the technical and creative sides of our online marketing efforts. My main goal from the year before was to redesign and optimize eight product websites that covered most of the company's strategic products. This would improve our SEO results and the user experience.

As a result of my optimization efforts:

Seven of the eight websites I worked on consistently rank in Google's top three. These results are unpaid, organic, and rank for 10+ important search terms. Inbound search traffic from major search engines accounts for 47% of all organic search traffic for targeted keywords across all nine websites. I am aware that one of InSquare's current objectives is creating a comprehensive healthcare-themed website. This opportunity to build a one-of-a-kind online knowledge base for patients and healthcare professionals speaks directly to my professional and personal interests, making it a perfect fit for me. With this project, I aim to use my expertise in search engine optimization and online growth marketing.

I would be happy to meet with you to discuss your digital marketing goals and provide examples of how my experience at DigiAd can help InSquare expand its online presence.

Kind regards,

Phoebe Geller
==========

And here’s how to write a cover letter for a human resources job application:

Evelyn Wang
Human Resources
Director 202-654-0173
evelyn.wang@gmail.com

Manhattan, NY, 03/17/2023

Chandler Green
Hiring Manager
InSquare Inc. 100, Charming Avenue
Brooklyn, New York, USA

Dear Chandler,

It is with great pleasure that I submit my application for the Human Resources Manager position at InSquare. As a certified human resources professional, I feel gratified when I assist service-oriented businesses like InSquare in finding and keeping talented employees. I'm looking forward to helping InSquare improve employee relations by creating and implementing initiatives that help employees throughout their careers.

As Prime Communications' director of human resources, I played a significant senior leadership role in the company. I was in charge of enhancing the productivity and performance of the 600 staff members. In my previous role, I oversaw HR initiatives at Tribbiani Solutions, focusing on diversity and equal employment opportunity issues. With my employee retention plan at Tribbiani Solutions, we were able to cut our turnover rate by 52% by instituting a wellness initiative, a comprehensive internal training program, and a transparent promotions selection procedure.

My background in human resources management and organizational development for the past decade has equipped me with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to serve as the team leader for HR and assist in recruiting and retaining top talent, making InSquare a top workplace. I have an undergraduate degree in Leadership and Management Studies from New York University and a graduate degree in Human Resource Management from Claremont Graduate University.

I appreciate you giving me a moment of your time. I'm eager to meet with you and share more about my background and experience in human resources management.

Sincerely,

Evelyn Wang

Cover Letter Best Practices

Follow these best practices when writing a cover letter for a job:

Use the Right Formatting

For your document, use an executive font like Helvetica, Arial, or Times New Roman in a font size between 10 and 12 points. The document should be one page long at most, single-spaced, with one-inch margins, and left-aligned.

Make Sure the Content Is Unique to the Job

Avoid generic cover letters by demonstrating how your skills make you an excellent candidate for the role. Illustrate how your knowledge and talent are a good fit for the company by providing an example from your previous role.

You must customize your document for each job and company you’re applying to. Tailor the letter to each position by incorporating relevant information from the employer's posting and your research.

Many people treat their cover letter as a paragraph version of their resume. Instead, use your cover letter to expand on things missing in your resume. Identify tangible and intangible reasons why you’re the perfect person for the job.

Your cover letter is also ideal for discussing anything in your CV that you need to explain further. For example, it's essential to clarify why you have an employment gap or why you're going through a drastic career change if those circumstances apply.

Open Strong

You must open with a strong lead sentence to craft an excellent document. Give the employers the nutshell version of why you want this job and what you can bring to the table first. Then, you can add a few sentences about your background and relevant experience by expanding on what's on your resume.

Mentioning a personal connection to the company or an employee within the first couple of sentences is also a good idea. Also, avoid using humor in your introduction, which may fall flat or come off as arrogant. Instead, use a direct, impactful sentence like, “Let me highlight two points that make me an ideal candidate for joining your team.”

Demonstrate Enthusiasm

Hiring managers may pick a candidate who makes it seem like this is their dream job. Therefore, express your excitement for the opportunity and clarify why you want the job. Enthusiasm reveals character. If you can't find anything about the company that excites you, reconsider applying for the role.

Watch the Tone

The tone you use when writing a cover letter is essential. Focus on honesty and avoid flattery. Also, maintain an air of maturity and professionalism and avoid sounding desperate — even if you've been unemployed for months. The best way to impress a hiring manager is to imagine yourself in the manager's role and use the same language the manager would use when speaking with a client.

Keep It Short and Straightforward

Cover letters can vary in length, depending on the position you're seeking. Carefully read the job description to find the best opportunities to highlight your qualifications. Establish which professional accomplishments you are most proud of and connect one or two of them to the skills and experience the hiring manager seeks in just a few concise sentences.

Proofread the Content and Get Feedback

Before submitting your application, make sure it is error-free in terms of spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Reading the work aloud is a good way to catch awkward wording or overly long sentences. It's important to focus on every word and analyze every sentence while reading to avoid any potential mistakes. Another important tip on how to write an application letter is to triple-check the hiring manager’s name to ensure you don’t misspell it.

Use Hyperlinks for Online Applications

If you’re sending your application online, hyperlinks are handy items to include in your application. They save the reader time locating the extra information you want them to see. When hyperlinking, the most important thing to remember is to showcase your best work and projects highly relevant to the job you’re applying for. Keep the URLs short to create a clear and concise application letter.

Make It ATS-Friendly

More companies use ATS to sort applications, so ensure your letter is ATS-friendly. An ATS is a piece of software that helps with applicant screening. The software evaluates applicants and makes hiring decisions based on the company's standards. No matter how qualified and experienced you are, the ATS will pass you over if your application document fails to match the company's requirements.

Follow these simple rules to make sure the software reads your document:

• Use keywords: ATS screens applicants using keywords, so mention these words when writing your document. The keyword could be the skills the company needs. Even if you don't have the necessary credentials, state in your cover letter that you’re working on them or plan to work on them.
• Clearly state your contact information: Since many ATS programs don't search the header and footer, include your contact details in the letter's body. Otherwise, the program will detect missing contact information and exclude you from consideration.
• Keep it simple: Keep your document simple to improve your chances of passing the screening process. Avoid using columns, QR codes, fancy fonts, non-standard bullet points, images, or charts because the ATS will not comprehend them.

Include Metrics

Quantify your accomplishments to make your application stand out. Specify that your efforts generated 10% new customers in a single quarter or that you saved your previous company $10,000 over a certain period through innovative customer retention tactics. Providing such numbers will enable recruiters to understand the scope of your skills.

Highlight Your Interpersonal Skills

Recruiters want to hire candidates who exhibit strong skills in leadership, communication, emotional intelligence, people management, and teamwork. Highlight an interpersonal skill and provide an example of how you demonstrated it to fulfill a past role.

Display Your Value

Determine which challenge the company is facing and explain how you can solve it. Providing a solution to a potential employer shows them that you're serious about the job and can add value to the organization.

Customize the Cover Letter to the Application Process

If you're applying for a job online, leave out your address and contact information since you'll have included them in the application form. Leaving out these details will ensure your letter is clean and straightforward.

Work With a Professional Resume Writer

When you work with a professional team experienced in resume writing, you can experience several benefits. Some advantages of choosing Resumeble include:

• Expertise: Our writers have seen countless resumes, enabling us to draft an effective cover letter and resume to make you stand out.
• Regular communication: You'll have access to a dedicated writer who will stay in close contact with you throughout the writing process.
• Interview and job guarantee: Our premium package promises to land you a job, while the professional one assures you an interview.
• Affordability: We offer better prices than other resume service companies, and our premium and professional packages include unlimited revisions.
• Customization: Your writer will craft a cover letter to highlight your individual skills and showcase how they make you an excellent fit for the target role.

Craft the Perfect Cover Letter With Resumeble

Learning how to write a cover letter is an invaluable skill in any professional's toolkit. This skill will help you get closer to your dream job.

With these tips and tricks, you can now create the perfect cover letter. If you don't have the time to write it or want a professional's opinion, order a package online, and we'll craft an impressive document.