Simple Ways To Write A Great Cover Letter

A cover letter is your unique opportunity to showcase your personality and skills, and more than that—it can also demonstrate why you’re the ideal candidate for the job. Knowing how to write a cover letter can significantly influence your career path. This comprehensive guide will explain the process of cover letter writing, providing you with valuable insights and practical tips to help you craft a standout document with confidence and finesse.

What Is a Cover Letter?

A cover letter is a one-page job application document that should be submitted together with your resume or CV. Its objective is to introduce you personally while also providing a broader context for your qualifications and achievements.

A good cover letter can help the hiring manager see your worth. A bad one can make your application sink. Luckily you’re about to find out how to write a cover letter that will stand out.

How to Write a Job-Winning Cover Letter

A brief summary: Use a business letter format and a professional cover letter template. Include your and the employer’s contact details, and address the hiring manager by name. In 200–400 words, highlight your achievements, professional skills, and relevant experience that make you the best fit for the job.

Step 1: Prepare Yourself Beforehand

You may be tempted to plunge in right immediately. Hold your horses for a few more minutes! Before drafting a cover letter, you should know what to write. That is why you should take some time to acquire information first.

Here are a few things to research before writing a cover letter:

• Job requirements: make sure you understand what they are because your letter will refer to them.
• Company website: that’s the minimum. Check the company history, its goals, and try to learn about the company culture.
• Hiring manager: you want to address them by name, so do your best to find it!
• Your resume: make sure it clearly shows you’re a good fit for the role, and keep it nearby so you can take a look at it whenever necessary.

Step 2: Use the proper cover letter format

There’s not much freedom when it comes to the cover letter format. Writing poetry when applying for a corporate job may not be the best idea. However, there is certain freedom in choosing a template, as soon as it includes the key parts of a cover letter.

Here’s how to format your cover letter

• Choose a legible cover letter font like Arial or Garamond, and keep it between 10 and 12 points in font size.
• Set even margins on all sides: 1-inch margins should be perfect.
• Left-align all your contents.
• Use double cover letter spacing between paragraphs and 1–1.15 between lines.
• Title your cover letter by Job Title—CoverLetter—YourName.
• Let your cover letter layout stay intact en route to the recruiter by saving the file in PDF.
• Fit all the information included in the letter on one page. That’s how long a cover letter should be.

Step 3: Create a Cover Letter Header

A professional cover letter opens with a header. Ideally, your cover letter header should be the same as in your resume (for consistency), so feel free to use the same template.

If you prefer to write the header of your cover letter from scratch, include the following contact information:

• Full name
• Job title
• Phone number
• Email address

Pro Tip: If you send your cover letter via email, don’t use your current work email address. It’s impolite to your current and potential employer.

Step 4: Address the Reader

Once you’re done with the header, it’s time to mention the location and date of writing.

According to studies, people respond actively to hearing/seeing their names—so use it in the cover letter salutation. Look for the hiring manager’s name by:

• Checking the job description
• Going to the company’s LinkedIn page (to look for the person responsible for uploading the job offer)

If you can’t find the name by any means possible, opt for “Dear Hiring Manager.” Avoid starting your cover letter with “To Whom It May Concern” like the plague. And if you’re not living in Victorian England, don’t start a cover letter with “Dear Sir or Madam,” either.

Follow this template to make sure you include everything:

• [Location, MM/DD/YYYY]
• [Hiring Manager’s or Recruiter’s Name]
• [Hiring Manager’s or Recruiter’s Job Title]
• [Company Name]
• [Company Address]
• Dear [Ms./Mr.] ..

Pro Tip: Wondering whether you should use the hiring manager’s first or last name? That depends on the company culture. Use the first name if you’re applying to a relaxed, casual company. For corporate cover letters, it’s safer to use the addressee’s last name.

Step 5: Make a Proper Introduction

Here’s the brutal truth: these few sentences at the beginning of your cover letter will determine whether the hiring manager will read on. So you need to write the cover letter’s intro in a way that attracts and holds the reader’s interest.

Here are several proven strategies for starting your cover letter:

• Highlight your achievements.
• Display your passion and enthusiasm.
• Drop names.
• Do all the above.

Have a look at these two sample cover letter opening paragraphs:

RIGHT

As a lifelong enthusiast of XYZ’s marketing initiatives, I was thrilled to see your posting for the position of Digital Marketing Manager. I am positive I can help with XYZ’s upcoming challenges. I have experience with leading successful national online campaigns with budgets over $300,000. Moreover, I have expanded ABC’s client base by 19% since 2018.

WRONG

In response to your posting for the Digital Marketing Manager position, I would like to express my interest in participating in the recruitment process. As a digital marketing manager with 8+ years of experience, I am positive that I would succeed in this role.

Why is the wrong example not delivering? Because it provides no value and details. The bottom line is: “I’ve already done this job, so I think I’d fit in.” And it’s just not enough for someone with more than eight years of experience to get the job.

Step 6: Explain Why You’re the Perfect Fit

The second paragraph (main body) of your cover letter has a couple of jobs to perform:

• Give the hiring manager what they’re looking for.
• Show that you’ll satisfy the company’s specific needs.

Let’s look at another cover letter example to see how this could be done. Remember Jane, our digital marketing manager candidate? The XYZ company she applies to needs (based on the job ad):

• A savvy digital marketing manager (1)
• Someone who will supervise the development of their new online portal (2)

Let’s look at how Jane managed to show that she’s both:

RIGHT

In my current position at ABC, I have supervised all phases of our online marketing initiatives, both technical and creative (1). Last year, my key challenge was to design and optimize nine product websites for XYZ’s most strategic products, improve our SEO results, and enhance the UX (2). Here we are a year later:

• Eight of the nine websites I optimized have achieved and secured their spot in the top 3 results on Google. These are organic, non-paid results for 10+ key search terms.
  The incoming search engine traffic to all nine websites comprises 47% of the total organic traffic for key terms and phrases.

Your go-to strategy on what your cover letter should say in the main body:

• In the first sentence, prove you’re an expert in your field (refrain from bragging too much).
• The remaining part should be all about how your previous experiences will help your future employer press ahead with their plans.

A cover letter also is a great place to explain gaps in your employment, if you have any.

Step 7: Show Your Motivation to Join the Company

Your future employers have needs. If they’re willing to hire you, it’s because they think you’ll satisfy those needs. But they also want you to enjoy working with them. That way, they know you’re more likely to stay with them for longer.

The key to writing a perfect third paragraph of your cover letter is showing the hiring manager why you want this job, not just any job. That’s particularly important for entry-level candidates—enthusiasm and passion help prove you’ll hit the ground running.

Have a look at these examples:

RIGHT

I know that XYZ’s current plans involve developing a comprehensive online portal focused on healthcare-related issues. This project perfectly matches my personal and professional interests and is an exciting opportunity to create a unique online knowledge base for patients and healthcare professionals. I would love to leverage my knowledge of SEO marketing and online growth marketing to achieve groundbreaking results with this initiative.

WRONG

XYZ looks like a fantastic opportunity for me. I thrive in fast-paced environments and would love to leverage my current skill set to do better for your company.

Above all, you want to avoid writing too much of a general cover letter. Generic doesn’t win jobs; targeted does. (We’re, of course, assuming you tailored your resume to every job description you’re after, too.)

Pro Tip: Make your cover letter more impressive by including relevant resume keywords from the job ad.

Step 8: Close With a Promise

How to write a cover letter ending that gets people excited? By providing value.

The worst mistakes you can make in writing your cover letter’s final paragraph are:

• Coming off needy
• Focusing on how much you want the job, not on what you have to offer
• Repeating the clichéd phrase, “Thank you for your consideration and your time”

Instead, tell the hiring manager that you’re looking forward to meeting in person and discussing how your experience and knowledge can help your future employer fulfill their goals. Like here:

RIGHT

I would welcome the chance to discuss your digital marketing objectives and show you how my success at ABC can translate into digital and online marketing growth for XYZ.

Step 9: Stay Formal in the Closing Salutation

Once you’ve written the body of your cover letter, you just need to put a formal closing at the very end. Write “Sincerely” and follow it with your full name. Adding your handwritten signature is optional (recommended for more formal cover letters).

If you’re not a fan of the well-worn “Sincerely,” feel free to use any of the following:

• Thank you,
• Best regards,
• Kind regards,
• Respectfully yours,
• With best regards,

Step 10: Add a Postscript

All of the above sections are must-haves in a good cover letter. But there’s one special trick you can use—the postscript. Why is it so important? Because it’s like a magnet for the hiring manager’s eyes that screams: “you cannot miss this information.”

Write a cover letter postscript to tell the hiring manager about something impressive about your career, even if it’s not strictly related to the job opening. And say you’d be happy to provide them with more details if they find it interesting.

Here’s how to make it right:

RIGHT

P.S.—I would also value the opportunity to show you how my e-detailing solutions grew the combined sales of three ABC flagship products by a record-breaking 13% in one year.

How to Make a Cover Letter That Stands Out

• Consider your cover letter to be your personal billboard, allowing you to highlight what makes you unique. It’s not about restating your résumé; it’s about supplementing it with your own story.
• Begin with an appealing beginning that will quickly attract your reader’s interest. Then, highlight your significant accomplishments, but remember to relate them to what the firm requires – because this is as much about them as it is about you.
• Keep it short, personal, and positive. Show them why you’re not only a good fit for the position, but also a perfect fit for their team.

Ultimately, a great cover letter should be all about “why should we hire you” and “what’s in it for us.” The winning tactic here is focusing on them, not just on you, which will ultimately make you stand out from other applicants

And that’s why it’s worth spending time writing a solid cover letter.

Professional Cover Letter Examples to Get You Inspired

If you get stuck when writing your cover letter, taking a look at a professional cover letter example can be really helpful. We’ve gathered a selection of over 10 professionally-crafted cover letters that cater to a range of industries and job levels. Whether you’re an entry-level candidate or an experienced professional, you’ll find a sample that can guide you on your job application journey:

• Academic Cover Letter: that tenure might be waiting for you!
• Career-Change Cover Letter: great if you’re planning to switch professions
• Cover Letter for an Internal Position: in case you’re moving within the same company
• Entry-Level Cover Letter: for those who enter the job market
• Federal Cover Letter: getting a government job ain’t easy, but it’s worth trying
• General Cover Letter: you can quickly personalize it and adapt for any job you want
• IT Cover Letter: can help you prove you’re more than your coding skills
• Manager Cover Letter: easy to customize for any management position
• No Experience Cover Letter : we’ve all been there at some point!
• Student Cover Letter: it will show you how to highlight educational achievements and skills
• Teacher Cover Letter: to inspire the headmaster before you can inspire your pupils

Want to write your cover letter fast?

• Use this cover letter builder.
• Choose from 20+ professional cover letter templates that match your resume
• See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.

Key Takeaway

Here’s a reminder of how to write a great cover letter in 10 steps:

• Research the company and the job beforehand.
• Format the cover letter template according to standards.
• Ensure your contact info in the header is correct.
• Address your hiring manager or recruiter personally.
• Attract their attention in the introduction.
• Use your experience to prove you’re the exact match to the company’s needs.
• Explain your motivation and fit for the position.
• Finish with a call to action and ask for a meeting.
• Be formal in the closing sentiment.
• Include a postscript.

Frequently Asked Questions about How to Write a Cover Letter

What are the four parts of a cover letter?

• Cover letter header with your contact information such as full name, phone number, and email address
• Cover letter introduction with your hiring manager’s address and a hook that hypes the reader up so much that
• they can’t stop reading
• Cover letter body with a description of your significant accomplishments and strengths that you’ll bring to the table. (Beware! It’s not a copy of your resume.)
• Cover letter closing with a call to action and your signature

What should a cover letter say?

That you’re the one. That you want them, but that they want you, too. That you’re the solution to their problems. That’s what your cover letter should say.

And you can achieve all of that by having a number of things in your cover letter:

• action verbs and power words
• accomplishment statements
• organized cover letter layout, and
• enthusiastic but determined tone of voice

How to write a simple cover letter?

To make cover letter writing simple, you need to know a couple of things first:

• Create proper cover letter formatting before putting down words. You’ll ensure a correct structure and that you’ll fit onto one page with your cover letter.
• Find your hiring manager’s or recruiter’s name. By personalizing your cover letter, you have a higher chance of landing the gig.
• Create a list of job keywords you need to target with your application. Have a look at the job ad and mark those words which speak of necessary qualifications and qualities. Then use them in your paragraphs.
• Never lie in your job application.
• And lastly, do as extensive research about the company as possible. The intricate details about their mission, values, and vision will help you find an angle to write your cover letter.

How to write a cover letter for an internship?

A cover letter to an internship resume is a fantastic way to shoo away your competition. So don’t hesitate and write a cover letter for an internship you’ve dreamt of for too long.

First and foremost, prove to your potential employer that you’re worth hiring, and that they’re a great company to work for. Do your research and don’t be shy to show what you’ve learned. Later use that knowledge to give away your connection to the company and its values. Show your transferable skillset and achievements, and let your determination and motivation do their magic.

How to write a cover letter for 2024?

In 2024, write your cover letter with these simple steps:

• Create a consistent look by mirroring a resume header to your template.
• Make a clean cover letter layout to keep enough whitespace on the page.
• Find an angle to write your cover letter—motivation to advance, shared values or mission statement, recent developments in the industry. Doing thorough research always helps.
• Start your cover letter with a relevant accomplishment that makes the reader want to carry on.
• Create a smooth transition from the hook through your strengths to motivation in 3 to 4 paragraphs, tops.
• Call your recruiter to action in the cover letter closing and ask for a meeting with you.

Is a cover letter necessary?

Yes.

Almost half of the recruiters reject applications without a cover letter. Cover letters are a treat for those who still care to hire dedicated professionals. (And that’s you, right?)

It’s no surprise, though, that you’re questioning whether a cover letter is necessary. The entire job application process can be exhausting, so cutting down on documents you have to produce always seems like a good idea. But not this time.