How to Write a Good Cover Letter (This Works for Every Job)

The job application process is long and cumbersome. Knowing how to write a good cover letter requires experience. So, it can get stressful when you must prepare a cover letter, resume, and portfolio. This explains why so many job applicants are tempted to skip it. And then they do, which is a mistake. According to a ResumeLab survey, including cover letters in your job applications increases your chances of getting hired or landing more interviews by 83 percent.

Job hunting is one of the most grueling experiences of adult life.

Before you get your dream job, you must leaf through countless job ad listings, rework and submit your resume, prepare for interviews, negotiate your salary, and more.

This is why the need to write a cover letter doesn't instinctively make sense. Why add extra work to an already-grueling task? Creating a great cover letter works in your favor.

A resume outlines your experiences, but a cover letter goes beyond that. It explains the skills, talents, and qualifications that fueled your accomplishments.

It helps convey enthusiasm and excitement for the job. It shows you are excited about the prospect and idea of working there. It helps emphasize why you, and not any other applicants, are best suited to the role in question.

Moreover, a good cover letter shows your personality and values and highlights your passion for your craft. It tells the reader or client that you enjoy working in your position and industry.

To help you tap into this powerful tool, this article will teach you:

Did you know that, according to a survey by Resume Lab, writing an excellent cover letter can increase your chance of getting an interview by up to 83%? Even if your CV is below average, you can explore CV tools now to spruce up your CV.

We've included expert tips to teach you how to write a perfect cover letter. Plus, 25 cover letter samples that you can learn from so you don't miss out on future job ads.

A generic cover letter pinpoints your skills and experience. However, it does not tend to grab the attention of the hiring or prospective line manager or recruiter. Only a cover letter tailored to the company you're applying to can do that. Consider Emily's scenario:

So, how can you replicate Emily's success? You write a cover letter.

Let's start with the basics. What is a cover letter?

A cover letter is a unique and crucial part of your job application. It is a short but detailed document you submit with your resume when applying for a specific position at an organization.

The letter is a powerful tool for introducing yourself to hiring managers. It effectively showcases your skills, training, achievements, and work experience.

A typical sample cover letter should be between 350 and 400 words long, roughly one page with three or four paragraphs.

It is crucial to note that a cover letter may never replace a resume, no matter how strong. Remember, a cover letter should not regurgitate the information provided in your resume; it should provide additional context and insight.

A cover letter complements your CV by allowing you to go into detail about your career accomplishments and interest in the job title for which you are applying.

But why do you need a cover letter in the first place?

Imagine you get invited to an interview. You wouldn't walk into a company's HR department, say, "Here are my documents," place them on the desk, and walk out.

A better way would be to introduce yourself and briefly explain why you're applying for the role. That's what a cover letter is for. It says, "Hello, this is who I am, what I have accomplished, and what I have to offer."

A strong cover letter helps you demonstrate that your abilities align with the firm's goal and culture. It promises that the writer can deliver a top-value solution to the employer's or client's challenges.

Finally, a cover letter provides insight into your personality.

But before writing your cover letter, you must prepare to hit the ground running.

Start by researching the company. Visit the company website, Twitter, and other social media pages to learn its brand voice. Read the organization's mission statement, too. Know its line of business, key successes, important details, and what promise it holds for the future.

The goal here is to learn about the company culture and familiarize yourself with how the company communicates. This information will help you pick the right tone for your letter. If the company leans towards creativity, you can be more accessible in your phrasing. If it is more corporate, you may need to maintain a more formal tone and language.

As you research, learn the recruiter's name in advance. You will need this for your salutation.

Go through the job requirements several times and note down the keywords. You will convey these in your cover letter template.

You can also search the company online to find out how it is perceived in the industry. Type 'XYZ company' into Google and read an article or two.

Now the good part: writing a winning cover letter. You need not be a professional writer to crack the cover letter code and be heard. If you follow these steps, you will be one step closer to your dream job.

One thing you never want to forget when writing a cover letter opening is to include your contact information. If your application is successful, your potential employer must know how to contact you for an interview.

This contact information should include your full name, phone number, email address, and relevant social media links (e.g., a LinkedIn profile site or a portfolio website). A reliable phone number is critical for recruiters to call you. Use our free LinkedIn profile builder to create your LinkedIn profile if you do not have one.

You may decide to include your home address, but this is optional.

Identify the recipient after you detail the company name, date, and address.

Here, the research effort you made will come in handy. You never want to open your cover letter with an impersonal greeting like "to whom it may concern" or "dear hiring manager."

Instead, use the recruiter's name you found out earlier and address the letter to them directly. This is an excellent way to make a good impression, establish a connection, and grab the hiring manager's attention.

Having understood the job description, are you convinced you are a great fit? Good. Now you need to give the employer the same impression that you deserve the position.

In your opening paragraph, aim to capture the hiring manager's interest and get them to keep reading. Everything you say should be passionate and packed with intent from the first sentence.

Start with submitting a header that explains what your essential skills are and what position you're applying for. For example:

Follow this up with a first paragraph that provides more specifics. For example:

Here are some tips for writing this section:

The previous paragraph has helped snare the right person's attention.

In the second paragraph, you must answer what makes you a good fit for this job title. Identify how your educational background, relevant accomplishments, and professional experience make you an asset to the company.

Mention all your hard skills, such as programming, accounting, math, data mining, relevant communication, management, and cooperation. Where possible, refer back to the skills mentioned in the job description.

Using bullet points can make this key section more visually appealing and help you stay on topic.

Then, tie in all the information to the research you did earlier. State the company's primary challenge and explain how your qualifications uniquely allow you to solve the problem. You can start by saying, "Having graduated top of my class from the Harvard Business School Executive MBA 20XX program, I am well-versed in marketing and managing the…"

It is essential to note that employers place a lot of stock on adaptable employees and candidates post-pandemic. Sweeten the deal by mentioning and demonstrating your adaptability and ability to learn fast.

Job applicants often make the mistake of writing an example cover letter all about themselves. They go on and on about how thrilled they are for the opportunity to join and how it is a personal goal to get this job and grow their careers.

But hiring managers do not want to hear that. They want to know how you will help them and their clients. This is where you relate and match your skillset to the company's problem.

To get started, review the job description. What gaps is the organization trying to fill with this job listing? Can you find three or five qualifications that make you the best person to meet these needs?

It might seem like you already did this in the opening paragraph. But you can never go wrong with phrasing your cover letter as a solution to the recruiter's problem. Sell them on you as the best hire.

Never write a check you can't cash. In the second paragraph, you must provide written evidence of your suitability for the role.

Be confident. Focus on a few skills and qualifications that you can best demonstrate.

Remember, the goal here is to go beyond what is in your CV. If the hiring manager can read these details in the CV you prepared with our CV tools, your cover letter serves no purpose.

So, to convince the manager, ask yourself the following questions:

Use numbers, data, and statistics to bolster your claims. Be as specific as possible when you summarize your achievements.

Some interesting suggestions:

Now the closing paragraph. The best way to end your cover letter is to protect the value developed within the body. You do not want to ruin your standing, for example:

Even the best writers know that sounding needy and 'whiny' does not prove your worth and is not one of the qualities companies appreciate or admire.

Instead, you need to calmly and professionally showcase to your audience that you look forward to further discussing how you can help them meet their goals in person. You can say:

Try out some practice closings with a friend with corporate knowledge until you find one that works.

This final paragraph is also a great place to add additional leads, such as:

Finally, finish with a formal closing like "Sincerely," followed by your name.

If you do not like to use "sincerely," try:

Add your signature and the date to the conclusion if you send a hard-copy letter to the manager.

The advice is to ask a few friends to peer-review your cover letter before sending it. Ask for specific feedback. For example: "Is my message clear?" "How about the tone? Does it seem appropriate?" "Can you suggest any improvements?"

Also, read your letter several times, correcting punctuation, spelling, and grammar errors. Read it out loud to catch any overly-long sentences or awkward phrases. And double-check the spelling of the manager's name.

Check out our 25 free downloadable cover letter examples. Read at least two examples before you start working on your letter.

Template 1

Template 2

Template 3

Gaps in your CV are scary, but they should not deter you from writing a cover letter.

This is especially true if your past few gaps were due to genuine reasons, like caring for a sick loved one, traveling, becoming a student to take a course, relocating to a new city, or starting a family.

But here, as in the rest of your cover letter, being creative is vital. Keep the bit about your gaps brief. Don't make it the focus of your letter, especially if the details are personal.

Talk about any essential skills you picked up during your gap period or a course you took. And express your desire to become an asset to the company and your enthusiasm for the job.

The final step in writing a cover letter is formatting. This will help you present an organized document. Format by:

By this point, you know that over 50 percent of companies will ignore your application if it is not accompanied by a cover letter.

When it all comes down to it, a good cover letter should explain why the hiring manager should want you. Why are you the solution to their problem and a good fit for their firm? Why should they arrange a meeting with you to speak and hear more?

So, what are the three main things needed in a cover letter?

You cannot go wrong once you have these tips and eight simple steps in this guide. If you're still unsure or wondering where to start:

You are now ready to craft winning cover letters. And watch the meeting calls start rolling in.

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