JEFFtheBrotherhood.com is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
If you're looking for a job, you've probably written a cover letter or three.
You might even have a few tricks up your sleeve to get recruiters' attention. But whether you're sending in a resume, emailing a recruiter, or applying through an applicant tracking system, one thing is clear: if your cover letter isn't compelling, it's not going to get read.
And that's why we've put together this guide—how to write a cover letter that gets results! We'll walk through the key elements of what makes a great cover letter…
Skills and Experiences
The first step is to write down all the skills and experiences you have that apply to the position. Put these in order from most relevant experience or skill (for example, if you have experience working with a specific software package or are proficient in a foreign language) down to least relevant (for example, being able to drive a stick shift).
Review the Job Description
Next, please review the job description and make sure each item you listed above fits with what they're looking for there. If it does fit, write one sentence about each of those items and then add it to your cover letter. If it doesn't fit, delete it.
Writing
Now start writing! Start with "Dear [recruiter's name]," then introduce yourself briefly before getting into why you want this job and why they should hire you over other candidates. Include some stories about times when you've used these skills or learned something new because of them—and then explain why those stories are relevant to the job. If you have any certifications, list them and mention how they helped you land this job. Then end with a statement like "Thank you for your time and consideration."
How to Write a Cover Letter that Stands Out? Follow These 5 Tips.
1. Start off with a bang—your first sentence should grab their attention and show them what makes you so special.
2. Keep it short and sweet—the average recruiter spends only 6 seconds looking at a cover letter before deciding whether or not to keep reading it.
3. Tailor it to the company and position you’re applying for—if they don’t post what they do on their website, Google it! And while you’re at it, check out Glassdoor reviews to see what people are saying about working there.
4. Proofread carefully! Typos can be fatal in a written document like this one, where all eyes are on you as soon as employers start reading through resumes and cover letters; hire an editor if necessary (and if you can afford one).
5. Make sure everything is in order when submitting materials online—this includes attaching documents to emails!
Q: How long should a cover letter be?
A: There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The length of your cover letter should be directly proportional to the length of the position you're applying for—the shorter the job is, the shorter your cover letter can be. If your resume is only three pages, you might only need a one-page cover letter; if your resume is six pages, your cover letter could be four.
Q: What should I write in my cover letter?
A: Your cover letter should briefly introduce yourself and explain why you're interested in the company and what drew you there (if anything). It should also briefly explain why you think you'd be a good fit for the position and include any relevant experience or skills that might help support this argument.
Q: How do I format my cover letter?
A: You can use either HTML or plain text formatting in your cover letter if you want it to look nice onscreen; however, if you plan on submitting it as an attachment via email, plain text will show up better than HTML will.
Congratulations! You've reached the end of our guide. We hope you've learned a lot about how to write a cover letter and that you're excited and inspired to start writing one for your next job.
See More:
