A great cover letter should be more than just a summary of your resume. It should tell a story and highlight your passion and enthusiasm for the position. Here’s a breakdown of what to include:
- Header: Your contact information and the date.
- Greeting: Address the hiring manager by name. This shows you’ve done your research. If you can’t find a name, use a professional and general greeting like „Dear Hiring Manager“ or „Dear [Company Name] Team.“
- Introduction: Grab their attention with an opening that states the position you’re applying for and how you found it. Briefly mention your most relevant qualification to hook them from the start.
- Body Paragraphs: This is where you connect your skills and experiences to the job description. Don’t just list what you’ve done. Use specific examples and quantify your achievements whenever possible. For instance, instead of saying, „I have experience in sales,“ say, „I increased sales by 15% in my last role by implementing a new customer outreach strategy.“
- Closing: Reiterate your interest in the position and thank the hiring manager for their time. State that you’re eager to discuss your qualifications further in an interview.
- Signature: A professional closing like „Sincerely,“ followed by your full name.
Tips for Making Your Cover Letter Shine
- Tailor it for each job: Avoid using a generic cover letter. Customize it for every application, making sure to reference the company and the specific job requirements.
- Show, don’t just tell: Use concrete examples to demonstrate your abilities.
- Keep it concise: A one-page cover letter is ideal. Hiring managers are busy, so get straight to the point.
- Proofread carefully: Typos and grammatical errors can make you look unprofessional. Read your letter out loud or use a grammar checker to catch any mistakes.
- Highlight soft skills: While your resume lists your hard skills, your cover letter is the perfect place to show off your soft skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
Example:
[Your Name] [Your Phone Number] | [Your Email] | [Your LinkedIn Profile URL]
[Date]
[Hiring Manager Name] (if known)
[Hiring Manager Title]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
Dear [Hiring Manager Name], I was excited to see the opening for the [Job Title] position on [Platform where you saw the ad]. With my experience in [mention a key skill], I am confident I have the skills and passion to be a valuable asset to your team at [Company Name].
In my previous role at [Previous Company], I was responsible for [mention a relevant responsibility]. For example, I successfully [quantify an achievement]. This experience directly aligns with the responsibilities outlined in your job description, particularly [mention a specific responsibility from the job description].
I am impressed by [Company Name]’s commitment to [mention something specific you admire about the company, like a recent project or company value]. My own professional values are a great match for your company’s mission.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I have attached my resume for your review and look forward to the possibility of discussing this opportunity with you further.
Sincerely, [Your Name]
If you’re looking for a new job, a great resource to check out is MyJobsi.com. This U.S.-based job board allows you to search for a wide variety of roles and, importantly, offers free job postings for employers. This means you have access to a large and diverse selection of positions that may not be advertised elsewhere.