Crafting a Strong Cover Letter
Creating an awesome cover letter is a must for job hunters who want to shine in their applications. Snagging some tips on how to smarten up your letter and follow the usual dos and don’ts can get your effort some extra love.
Optimizing Your Approach
The start of your cover letter journey is knowing its main gig and the layout it should flaunt. A good letter needs to clearly show the job you’re chasing and spill some beans about why you’re a great pick. Don’t just copy your resume – pick out the juicy bits that matter for the gig (University of Washington).
Must-Have Parts:
- Stick your contact info on the left. Add today’s date, hiring person’s name, their job title, employers name, and address.
- Say hi like a pro. If you know the name, use it! Otherwise, a friendly “Dear Hiring Manager” works.
Template Sample:
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Today's Date]
[Boss Lady/Man’s Name]
[Job Title]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
Dear [Boss Lady/Man’s Name],
Shape your letter into an intro, a couple of body paragraphs, and a wrap-up. The intro should say why you’re writing, call out the job you want, and link your skills with what the company values (MIT Career Advising & Professional Development).
| Bits & Pieces | What to Chat About |
|---|---|
| Opening Words | Say why you’re writing, the job you’re eyeing, and how your skills mesh with the company. |
| Middle Stuff | Show them what you’ve got and how it fits the role like a glove. |
| Wrapping Up | Polish those skills, say thanks for the shot, and hint at what’s next. |
Following the Rules
To make sure your letter is spot-on with the usual standards, keep it snappy and tidy.
Style Tips:
- Keep it short: One page only.
- Font size: Stick with 10-12 points.
- Be direct: If there’s a reference number, throw it in.
Doing your homework on the company and job gives you the low-down on what they dig in an applicant. It’s your key to tinkering the letter to fit the role and show why you’re perfect for them (MIT Career Advising & Professional Development). Chuck the boilerplate and slide in a personal tale for a gripping touch.
Handy Hints:
- Use the person’s name, the job, and the company’s mojo when you can.
- Keep it tight to a single side for clarity.
- Constantly revamp your cover letter for each gig.
For more killer hacks on crafting a stand-out cover letter, see our lowdown on what your cover letter should say and more ways to make a splash.
By jazzing up your letter and minding the guidelines, you’re giving yourself a better shot at flashing your chops and leaving a killer impression on your potential new bosses.
The Essential Ingredients
Writing a great cover letter is all about saying “Hey, I’m the one you’ve been looking for!” without actually saying it. Stick around to learn those little secrets that’ll make any hiring manager wake up and take notice.
Kicking Off with Your Info
Start off by making sure your name and contact stuff are right there, easily visible. Think of it like a header in a school essay, neat and tidy up in the corner:
- Your full name
- Home sweet home (address)
- City, State, ZIP Code
- Cell (or home phone)
- Email to reach you fast
Visualize it turning into something like this, with a nod to our pals from University of Washington:
John Doe
123 Main Street
Seattle, WA, 98101
(123) 456-7890
john.doe@example.com
[Date]
Hiring Manager's Name
Title
Company Name
Company Address
City, State, ZIP Code
If the name of the hiring bigwig is a mystery, go with “Dear Hiring Manager”—it won’t bite.
Nailing the First Paragraph
The first paragraph’s your golden ticket. Make it exciting! Tell ’em who you are, the role you’re after, and slap that reference code right at the start (MIT Career Advising & Professional Development). Mention where you stumbled upon their job ad and put some gusto in it.
Here’s a slice of the action:
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
I'm writing to throw my hat in the ring for the [Job Title] gig, reference [XXXX], which I spotted on [Job Board/Company Website]. I've got a thing for [Industry/Field] and have shown off [Relevant Skill/Experience] before, so I'm itching to be part of [Company Name]’s team.
For more inspiration on starting off with a bang, check out our tips on how to begin a cover letter.
Highlighting What You Bring to the Table
Jump into the meat of your cover letter by pulling out the highlighters. Showcase what you can do while dropping tales of your achievements. Keep it snappy with bullet points so they can breeze through:
- Steered a 10-person squad to whip up a snazzy new customer service game plan, boosting satisfaction by 20%.
- Orchestrated campaigns that gave the company’s coffers a 30% bump in just half a year.
- Fluent in [Software Name], [Software Name], and [Software Name]—proof? [Specific Achievement].
Head over to our tips on how should i describe myself in a cover letter for more tricks up your sleeve.
To wrap it all up, to punch out an impressive cover letter, keep your contact stuff spotless, kick off like a pro, and let your talents shine. Peek at our treasure troves for even more wisdom: how to introduce myself in a cover letter and how to describe myself in a cover letter.
Crafting Your Cover Letter
Sharpening your cover letter can really boost your chances of grabbing that interview slot. Tweaking it for each gig and lining it up with what the company actually cares about are moves you don’t wanna skip.
Tweak It for Every Job
Making your cover letter match the job you’re eyeing gives employers a clear sign that you’re serious and have done your homework. Here’s how you do it:
- Name the Gig: Say loud and clear which job you want. Mention how you stumbled upon it, like through a job board or someone’s referral. It makes you memorable.
- Show Off the Skills: Talk about job-related skills up front and sprinkle in the softer skills later on. No need to regurgitate your resume; instead, dive into what really matters for this gig.
- Keywords Are Your Friends: Pepper the cover letter with phrases from the job listing. Helps your application get past those pesky Applicant Tracking Systems and right to a human (RoboApply).
- Flaunt Your Wins: Bring out those achievements that prove you’re the one for the job. A little personal flair can make you stand out in a big way (how should i describe myself in a cover letter).
Sync Up with Company Values
Showing that you’re on the same wavelength as the company in your cover letter can make a huge difference. Here’s how you nail this:
- Dig into the Company’s Soul: Get to know their mission, values, and vibe. Check out their website, scan the latest news, and peek at their social media.
- Drive Their Values Home: Highlight how your past antics line up with what they value. If they’re all about teamwork, tell them about a time you knocked it out of the park with a group.
- Speak Their Language: Use the same buzzwords they do. Shows you’re in the know and can walk the talk (how to begin a cover letter).
- Be Real About Your Excitement: Let them feel your passion for the role and the company. Share why you’re psyched about the job and how your dreams jive with their goals (how do you express yourself in a cover letter).
Here’s a quick chart to help you angle your cover letter towards the company values:
| Company Value | How to Show It Off |
|---|---|
| Teamwork | “At XYZ Corp, I spearheaded a group to successfully roll out a new product, boosting teamwork and sales by 20%.” |
| Innovation | “At ABC Inc., I cooked up a fresh marketing plan using cutting-edge data tools, sparking a 15% hike in customer engagement.” |
| Customer Love | “At 123 Ltd., I led a feedback project that supercharged customer satisfaction by 25% in half a year.” |
By sticking to these tips, you’re showing commitment, precision, and a genuine zest for the job. Wanna keep upping your cover letter game? Check out our nifty tips on how do you stand out in a cover letter.
Stand Out with Authentically You
Nailing a killer cover letter means putting a little piece of yourself in it. We’re about to chat about how weaving your own tale and kicking generic lingo to the curb can give your application a shiny edge.
Personal Story
Think of your cover letter as the trailer to your hit career film. Paint your tale with passion, maybe a dash of drama, and those “aha!” moments. Just repeating your resume? That’s so last season. According to HBR, infusing your own story will make employers remember you.
Zoom in on those adventures that shaped you, those dragons you’ve slayed in your job quest. Hook those memories to the job you’re eyeing now.
Here’s a taste of spinning the narrative yarn:
- “In our family’s mom-and-pop shop, my entrepreneurial spirit was fired up. At XYZ Inc., a project I led upped our small biz client smiles by 20%, rooted in values honed at our family store.”
Grab more starter tips with our piece on how to start a cover letter.
Ditching the Plain Vanilla
Your cover letter should echo your career’s unique beats. Can’t stress enough – leave stale phrases in the bin. The real you beats tired clichés any day, making your interest pop. As HBR points out, dodging dull words cranks up your profile’s character.
Instead of “I am a hard worker and a team player,” hit them with specifics:
- “At my last gig, teamed with a group of five, I cut through the noise in our project management, boosting productivity by a neat 30%.”
Peep this handy table showing the swap game from bland to grand:
| Ho-Hum Phrase | Spicy Swap |
|---|---|
| “I am a people person.” | “As a customer service rep, over 50 daily calls were all smiles, ensuring each customer was heard and valued.” |
| “I have strong communication skills.” | “During my internship, my weekly talks to a team of 20 hit home with concise project updates, driving team mojo.” |
| “I am passionate about marketing.” | “College days saw me boost our social media squad by 40% in just three months, lighting my marketing fire.” |
Going for that one-of-a-kind flair in your cover letter might just be your golden ticket to grabbing an employer’s attention. Want more spotlight tips? Check out how to shine in a cover letter.
Stitching your story into your cover and chopping the blah-blah lets your letter be a true badge of your brand. Craving more insider tips? Dive into what makes a cover letter pop and the perfect cover letter length.
Why Stories Rock Your Cover Letter
Want to grab a hiring manager’s attention with your cover letter? Don’t just stick to the dull facts—they can be as exciting as watching paint dry. Instead, pepper it with exciting stories about what you’ve accomplished and some of the hurdles you’ve jumped over. This sprinkles magic into your application, making you memorable—just like that viral cat video.
Job Adventures
Life’s not just about showing up and clocking out—it’s about those killer moments when you’re the one making it happen. Underline the times when you took charge, solved a crunch-time crisis, or hit goals no one thought possible. These tales are your golden ticket to proving you’ve got the chops.
Example:
Not just another day at the office—at XYZ Corporation, I turbocharged our communication systems with a team of rockstars, hacking down project time by a whopping 30%. This wasn’t just about speed; it brought everyone closer, like a real band of brothers and sisters.
Looking for tips to spice up your narrative game? Our guide on what should a cover letter say example could be just your jam.
Bragging Rights & Epic Comebacks
Achievements are your mic drop moments. Pair them with tales of grit, like the times you’ve stood strong against the storm and won over adversity. This shows you’re not just sitting back eating snack foods you’re out there smashing it and bringing home the wins.
| Tales of Triumph | Spiky Situations |
|---|---|
| Big Wins | “Seized a 50% sales boost with my own sprinkle of marketing magic.” |
| Rock-the-Boat | “Dodged a budget crisis using sharp detective work to cut costs.” |
Example:
Ever hit the marketing jackpot? I did—rolled out a campaign that spiked sales by half in just 90 days. We didn’t just toss darts; we hit the bulls-eye with deep dives into the market and creativity that could dance circles around the competition.
These yarns can make your letter sing like a rock band in the shower. Curious for more ways to jazz up your application? Poke around our other pieces like how do you stand out in a cover letter.
Filling your letter with these spirited bits can crank it up another notch, giving it a voice that sings louder than just bullet points. Hunting for tips on nailing the storyline? Dip into our how do you express yourself in a cover letter, and rock on!
Wrapping It Up with Style
Closing a cover letter in a memorable way is like leaving the party at just the right moment—you want to be remembered long after you’re gone. The last paragraph needs to show some serious confidence, a sprinkle of excitement, and a solid promise to follow up. Oh, and a “thank you” never hurts.
The Power of a Call to Action
Think of a call to action as a polite yet firm nudge to say, “Hey, I’m really into this gig, and I’m ready to chat about how I can bring my A-game to your team.” Lay it out straight; tell them you’re up for a chat to hash out why you’re what they need.
Check out this CTA magic:
I'm super excited about the chance to dive into how my skills, experience, and certifications fit into the fabric of [Company Name]. Hit me up at [Phone Number] or [Email Address] so we can set a time to get talking when it suits you. Thanks a ton for checking my stuff out.
Dropping your contact info and pitching your eagerness to engage further ensures your letter doesn’t just fizzle out (University of Washington).
Bring the Enthusiasm
Showing some zest for the job isn’t just nice—it’s essential. You want that last paragraph to pop with personality and make them think, “Now, this is someone we want on our team.”
Here’s how you might want to round off:
Landing this role at [Company Name] has got me really pumped. My love for [Industry/Field] and my track record of crushing [specific achievement] make me confident I’d be a dynamo for your team. Can’t wait to chat about how I can contribute to more wins for your crew.
Managers notice when you’re keen to be there and not just punching the clock. It’s about standing out from those who send applications on autopilot (HBR).
A stellar cover letter should be a blend of polish and pizzazz. Getting it right in that last bit means mixing gratitude, openness, and excitement into a cocktail that’s hard to forget (MIT Career Advising & Professional Development).
Wanna craft the perfect cover letter? Check out more pointers on ending a cover letter like a pro and showcasing your true self in your cover letter.
