What Should You Include in Your Cover Letter? [w/ Tips for 2024]
You’ve spent weeks job hunting, and you’ve found the perfect job.
Your resume is all set, and you’re almost ready to send your application.
There’s just one thing left—you’re writing a cover letter to create a flawless job application.
The only issue? You're not sure what exactly to include in your cover letter.
There’s no need to worry! We’re here to help
In this article, we’re going to cover:
- What Is a Cover Letter
- What Elements Should Your Cover Letter Include
- What You Shouldn’t Include in Your Cover Letter
Let’s get started.
What is a Cover Letter?
A cover letter is a document that you send as part of your job application, along with your resume or CV .
The cover letter’s purpose is to introduce you and briefly summarize why your professional background makes you the right person for the job.
On average, a cover letter should be between 250 and 400 words long and fit neatly on one page.
A cover letter is one of your first forms of communication with a hiring manager. It’s your opportunity to present yourself in your own words, stand out from other candidates, and get the hiring manager interested in learning more about you.
Let’s take a look at an example of what a cover letter looks like:
Why Do Cover Letters Matter?
After you’ve spent so long making the perfect resume , you might be wondering why you should even write a cover letter.
The truth is that while not all employers request a cover letter, you should always include one with your job application.
Adding a cover letter to your job application shows the hiring manager you’re willing to go the extra mile for the job, and you’re not just randomly applying and hoping your application sticks.
A cover letter is your opportunity to give the hiring manager more information about you as a candidate. This is your chance to personalize your application and provide additional information on your skills and experiences that align with what the employer is looking for and that you didn’t have space on your resume for.
But your cover letter is also your chance to go beyond your most important skills and experience. You can use it to talk about your passion for the industry or your enthusiasm to join this specific company’s team and show the hiring manager that you’re serious about the role.
If your cover letter is good, it can complement your resume and get you that much closer to an interview.
A badly written cover letter, on the other hand, could undermine even the best resume and lead to your application getting tossed in the ‘no’ pile, so it’s crucial to get this document right.
Need help preparing for an interview? Check out our guide to the most common interview questions and how to answer them!
What Elements Should You Include in a Cover Letter?
There are a few key elements you need to include to write a successful cover letter .
Let’s take a look at them one by one:
#1. A Professional Template
Your cover letter should be easy on the eyes and even easier to navigate.
This means you have to set the right page margins, adjust the line spacing, choose an appropriate font , and set it to the correct size, all while making sure your text never spills onto page two.
But what if there’s an easier way?
Just use one of our cover letter templates instead.
Our free resume builder comes with built-in resume templates that you can match with a cover letter template for a stylish application.
You can automatically set your font style, size, and even the dimensions of the paper you intend to print it on - standard A4 or US letter format.
#2. Neatly-Split Paragraphs
A cover letter should be easy to navigate at a glance.
If your cover letter is a huge chunk of text that fully covers the entire page, without paragraphs or ample white space, it’s going to look cramped and leave a bad impression on the hiring manager.
This is where your cover letter’s formatting comes in. You should divide the contents of your cover letter into a header with contact information, and then split the actual text into an opening paragraph, a main body, a conclusion, and a formal closing line.
Be sure to also use line breaks and bullet points to break up your paragraphs to increase your cover letter’s readability.
This can make it seem less of an overwhelming read to the hiring manager and easier for them to skim through it all to find what they’re looking for.
#3. The Date of Writing
The exact date you write your cover letter may seem like a small detail, but it can actually add an extra touch of professionalism to your job application.
This can help the hiring manager keep track of when you’ve applied for the role, and it reflects your attention to detail .
Just keep in mind that the format of the date should align with the standard in the country where you're applying. For example, in the US , the mm-dd-yyyy format (e.g., May 22, 2024 ) is the go-to, whereas most other countries prefer the dd-mm-yyyy format (e.g., 22 January 2024 ).
#4. Your Interest in the Company
It’s important to tailor your cover letter for the specific job you’re applying for to show the hiring manager that you’re a serious candidate who’s done their homework about the position.
This is why the body of your letter should always include a paragraph where you clearly explain why you’re interested in the specific company.
Start by doing some research on the employer . You have to show the hiring manager that you understand what makes the company unique and how you align with their values and needs.
Think about what you genuinely like about the company you’re applying for. Whether it’s their remote working conditions, their focus on diversity or sustainability, or something else entirely, be sure to mention it in your cover letter.
If you’ve used a product or service that the company provides, say so in your cover letter. On top of that, highlight what specific aspects of the company resonate with your career goals , such as their innovative methods or cutting-edge market strategy, that you want to be a part of.
You can also take the time to explain why you’re excited about the job itself. Talk about how your unique experience and skills make you a suitable candidate and how you’re confident you can contribute to the company’s goals.
Looking to write a cover letter for an internship ? Check out our detailed guide!
#5. A Call to Action
Every cover letter should end with a strategic call to action.
Your call to action can be a polite statement prompting the hiring manager to get in touch with you to go over your application or to discuss how you could contribute to their team.
Adding a call to action at the end of your cover letter shows that you’re proactive and eager to move forward with the hiring process. This highlights your enthusiasm for the role and makes it more likely for the hiring manager to get in touch with you after putting down your cover letter.
Here’s an example of a call to action at the end of a cover letter :
I am very enthusiastic about the opportunity to discuss how my artwork can contribute to Happy Hippo Book Publisher’s track record as the best children’s storybook provider on the market. Please feel free to contact me at the provided phone number so that we can discuss my application further.
Want to give your cover letter an extra kick? Use these tried and tested cover letter tips !
What Sections Should You Include in a Cover Letter?
When writing your cover letter, you can easily split the process into several key sections.
Let’s break them down:
- Header with contact details. The top of your cover letter should include a designated header where you can input your contact information, such as your full name, email address, phone number, address, and links to any relevant social media. Make sure these details match your resume and double-check for any typos.
- Company details. Do your research so you know exactly who to address your cover letter to. Add the hiring manager’s name, department, the company’s name, and the company’s address.
- Personalized greeting. Skip the cliche and impersonal “To Whom It May Concern” and use a more memorable greeting instead. We recommend using “Ms.” or “Mr.” followed by the hiring manager’s last name.
- Opening paragraph. Your cover letter should start with a brief and attention-grabbing paragraph . This should include a couple of your top skills, an impressive achievement, or a relevant qualification.
- Main body. Take the time to explain some of your top achievements or skills in more detail, and cover anything you didn’t have the space to address in your resume.
- Conclusion. Recap the main points in your cover letter so far, then wrap it up with a polite call to action.
- Closing line. Choose an appropriate closing line to finish your cover letter with and sign your name underneath.
What Should You Never Include in a Cover Letter?
A cover letter allows you to personalize your application and provide more details about you to the hiring manager.
But that doesn’t mean everything should make the cut.
Let’s look at what you should never include in your cover letter:
#1. Irrelevant information
Your cover letter should be concise and focus on the most relevant details that make you the right candidate for the job.
Hiring managers don’t have all day to spend on your application, and when they’re reading your cover letter, they want to get to the point quickly. If your cover letter includes too many personal anecdotes or irrelevant experiences, like how you worked as a dog walker at 15, they might get bored and stop reading it altogether.
A cover letter is, first and foremost, a professional document, not a personal essay. This means that focusing too much on yourself, as well as your wants, needs, and opinions, is not a good idea.
Your cover letter should focus on what you can do for the employer, not what they can do for you. If you miss the mark here, you’ll come off as an inattentive candidate and won’t be getting an interview.
#2. Overly Long Paragraphs
A dense, difficult-to-read text can discourage a hiring manager from going through your cover letter.
For example, if the body of your cover letter is contained in a single, thick paragraph, the hiring manager might skim over it and miss your main points.
Long paragraphs can also make your cover letter look poorly organized and make you come across as someone with bad written communication skills . Your essential qualifications and skills can get lost in that sea of words and hide the most important information you want to convey.
Overly long paragraphs also imply a lack of consideration for the hiring manager’s time. Keeping your text concise and easy to follow is just as important as the content itself. Otherwise, your cover letter might not catch the hiring manager’s attention at all.
#3. Salary Expectations
Unless the employer specifically asks you to, it’s considered taboo to include salary expectations in your cover letter, and it can even leave a bad impression on the hiring manager.
Talking about money in your cover letter can make it seem like your primary interest in the job is the paycheck. And, while there’s nothing wrong with wanting a specific salary, this can seriously undermine what you want to convey to the hiring manager about your enthusiasm for joining the company and your professionalism.
You should also keep in mind that talking about salary expectations so early on can even put you at a disadvantage in potential salary negotiations . If you mention a high number too early on, the hiring manager might reject your application before you even make it past the initial screening. But if you go too low, you could undervalue yourself.
This is why it’s recommended that you discuss salary expectations during an interview once you already understand the full scope of the role and have more context.
Are you just getting started on the job market? Check out our guide to writing an entry-level cover letter !
#4. Excessive Flattery
Writing a cover letter doesn’t mean writing a love letter to the company you’re applying for.
You don’t need to shower the employer with compliments to get the hiring manager to like you. In fact, if you use too many compliments or describe the company in the exact words they use on its website, you’re going to be severely disappointed.
For example, most companies you apply to may describe themselves as “innovative” or “ team-focused .” If that’s all you can say about them in your cover letter, it tells the hiring manager that you never researched the employer or paid much attention to what they do.
If you genuinely hold the company’s values, mission, or culture close to your heart, there’s no harm in mentioning how they inspire you. Just remember to keep it professional and related to how you can enthusiastically contribute to their work.
#5. False Information
This should go without saying but lying on your cover letter is just as bad as lying on your resume – very bad.
We get it; you want to impress the hiring manager. But exaggerating or falsifying information to make yourself look like the coolest candidate ever can easily backfire.
On one hand, the hiring manager is probably going to catch onto you while reading your cover letter. They’re going to notice the inconsistencies you didn’t pay attention to, and they simply won’t call you.
But it could be even worse. You could land an interview, only to have the hiring manager discover the truth face to face. Your professional reputation could suffer some serious damage, beyond just an awkward interaction during the interview.
Trust us – lying isn’t worth it. You’re capable of writing a standout cover letter without exaggerating anything you can’t back up.
#6. Grammatical Mistakes
You should always proofread your cover letter before submitting it with your job application.
Even when you’re absolutely sure there are no mistakes, sometimes you might miss something that the hiring manager will notice immediately.
This is why we always recommend you do several rounds of proofreading and editing before finalizing your job application.
Start by carefully reading your cover letter out loud. It might sound a little weird, but it helps you notice any awkward phrases or words that are out of place.
Then, run it through a spell-checking tool like QuillBot or Grammarly . They can help you spot any errors you might have missed.
Finally, ask a friend or family member for help. A fresh pair of eyes can read your cover letter and notice mistakes that both you and your robot sidekick might have skipped over.
#7. Complaints About Employers
As a general rule, you should never badmouth your previous place of employment.
If you were unjustly fired or passed over for a promotion for personal reasons, these are best explained during an interview.
It’s important to always maintain professionalism when your past employer or coworkers are brought up, especially in your cover letter.
For example, instead of saying you had enough of a chaotic work environment, you could say you’re “looking forward to joining a team that values structure and accountability.”
Check out these more common cover letter mistakes and keep an eye out while writing your cover letter!
29 Cover Letter Examples
Looking for inspiration? Check out these perfect cover letter examples for different professions.
#1. Customer Service Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a customer service cover letter here.
#2. Marketing Executive Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a marketing executive cover letter here.
#3. Medical Assistant Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a medical assistant cover letter here.
#4. Consultant Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a consultant cover letter here.
#5. College Student Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a college student cover letter here.
#6. Retail Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a retail cover letter here.
#7. Team Leader Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a team leader cover letter here.
#8. Actor Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing an actor cover letter here.
#9. Digital Marketing Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a digital marketing cover letter here.
#10. Executive Assistant Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing an executive assistant cover letter here.
#11. Finance Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a finance cover letter here.
#12. Graphic Designer Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a graphic designer cover letter here.
#13. IT Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing an IT cover letter here.
#14. Project Manager Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a project manager cover letter here.
#15. Sales Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a sales cover letter here.
#16. Accounting Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing an accounting cover letter here.
#17. Business Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a business cover letter here.
#18. Dental Assistant Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a dental assistant cover letter here.
#19. Human Resources Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a human resources cover letter here.
#20. Nurse Practitioner Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a nurse practitioner cover letter here.
#21. Receptionist Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a receptionist cover letter here.
#22. Architect Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing an architect cover letter here.
#23. Management Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a management cover letter here.
#24. Physician Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a physician cover letter here.
#25. Substitute Teacher Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a substitute teacher cover letter here.
#26. Software Engineer Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a software engineer cover letter here.
#27. Administrative Assistant Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing an administrative assistant cover letter here.
#28. Mechanical Engineering Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a mechanical engineering cover letter here.
#29. Attorney Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing an attorney cover letter here.
FAQs About What to Include in a Cover Letter
Do you still have some questions about what to include in a cover letter? Check out the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions on the topic!
#1. What is a good example of a cover letter?
There are plenty of great cover letter examples for different professions that you can look at.
Overall, a cover letter that’s well done starts with your contact information in a designated header at the top. Next, you have to add the hiring manager’s contact details and include a personalized greeting.
Write a strong opening paragraph that references the job you're applying for and includes a standout achievement or relevant experience that makes you a strong candidate.
Use the body of your cover letter to expand on your key skills and experiences that match what the employer is looking for. Give specific examples to illustrate your greatest accomplishments and how you gained your most impressive skills.
Wrap up your cover letter by recapping your key selling points and including a call to action that invites the hiring manager to reach out to you. Lastly, add a professional closing line and sign your name underneath.
#2. How do you start a cover letter?
The opening to your cover letter should be brief and attention-grabbing.
Your first few sentences should be something that makes the hiring manager want to learn more about you. You don’t want to give them too many details—just enough to pique their interest.
Explain why you’re writing and why you’re interested in the specific role. We recommend including keywords from the job ad , especially ones that match your most relevant skills, experiences, or impressive achievements.
#3. How do you write a unique cover letter?
Your cover letter is your chance to give the hiring manager a unique insight into you as a candidate. It’s your opportunity to stand out from the crowd using your own words.
The best way to write a unique cover letter is to start by researching the company and referencing anything you find attention-grabbing about it. You should be able to easily identify what you like about the specific employer, such as their contributions to the industry, their values, and reputation, and mention it in your cover letter.
Use a polite but conversational tone to convey both your professionalism and personality. Instead of using passive language to explain that you “managed” this or were “responsible for” that, take advantage of action verbs and power words to make your experiences stand out.
Avoid using generic phrases like how you’re a “team player” or have “ leadership skills ” alone, and instead provide concrete examples that back up the skills and experience that make you the right candidate for the job.
#4. Should a cover letter be fancy?
Since a cover letter is a formal document, you might be tempted to make it fancy.
There’s no need to go over the top with your cover letter. Adding too much decoration or creative flair can detract from the information you want to convey to the hiring manager.
Your focus should always be on writing a clear, concise, and well-organized text that gets your point across.
More traditional industries, like law or finance, should stick to minimalistic cover letter templates with a clean and simple layout.
For professionals aiming for creative industries like illustration or graphic design, a bit of color can make your application pop. Even then, it’s important to strike a balance between creativity and professionalism, so your cover letter’s text remains the hiring manager’s primary focus.
Key Takeaways
And that’s all there is to what you should include in your cover letter!
Hopefully, after reaching the end of our article, you feel confident that your cover letter covers all the necessary bases. Good luck on your job hunt!
But before we say goodbye, let’s briefly recap what we've covered so far:
- Your cover letter should be concise and avoid any irrelevant information. The hiring manager is interested in what you can do for the company, not in any personal information that doesn’t relate to the job.
- Overly long paragraphs and a messy layout can leave a bad impression. Instead of trying to format everything yourself, use an online cover letter builder.
- Our online resume builder offers resume templates and matching cover letter templates that you can use to create a stylish and professional job application in minutes.
- Dedicate a portion of your cover letter’s main body to express your genuine interest in the company and the specific role. Do some research beforehand so you can identify several things you genuinely like about the company and position you’re applying for.
- End your cover letter with a strategic call to action. This shows the hiring manager you’re eager to make it to the next step of the hiring process, and it makes it more likely for them to reach out to you.
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The Ultimate Cover Letter Writing Guide
The complete guide to writing an effective cover letter.
Any of these sound familiar? The simple answer is yes, having an effective cover letter is completely necessary and highly recommended and we’ll tell you why you need a cover letter as well as a resume!
When you’re applying for a job, whether it be for an entry-level position after graduating or for a high-level executive vacancy with a professional resume , a cover letter is essential to make your application stand out .
Without this extra introductory letter, a resume alone could easily be discarded by a hiring manager. CareerBuilder estimates you’re 10% more likely to miss out on an opening if you don’t include a cover letter.
Writing a good cover letter it’s not a skill many many people master, but that doesn’t mean it’s an impossible feat!
With our complete cover letter guide , you’ll learn how to write a cover letter that will attract the hiring manager and convince them to read your winning resume.
What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is an extension to your job application. It is not obligatory but including a well-written cover letter is strongly advised by all human resource experts . By definition, a cover letter is an accompanying, explanatory letter.
All jobseekers need a sales pitch of sorts, they need to hook the reader and demonstrate to the hiring manager why they are the right person for the vacancy on offer. This style of self-marketing for a job application must come in the form of a winning resume and cover letter combination that complement one another.
A simple cover letter is an introduction to the candidate behind the qualifications and experience. The aim is to show a prospective employer how you can take on the role and what you can offer the company in question.
Cover letters generally follow a basic structure and can be in either hard or digital format, that is to say, either printed and sent via regular mail or as a document scanned and attached to send digitally, or written directly in an email cover letter .
Why include a cover letter on a job application?
If you want to stand any chance at all of catching the eye of a potential employer , it is imperative to include a cover letter with your job application.
Simple – even if you create an effective, outstanding resume , using all the right keywords and qualifications etc. it’s possible there are candidates more qualified than you or with more experience so it’s necessary to add a cover letter to back up your resume and allow the hiring manager to see more of your personal side that is relevant to the vacancy.
- The cover letter demonstrates your communication skills.
- The cover letter serves as an introduction to the resume.
- The cover letter can be used to emphasize certain skills, or mention skills that you couldn’t fit on the resume (it serves as an addendum).
- The cover letter is what you customize for each position, to show why you are the right person for “That” role, as opposed to the resume which stays pretty much the same for all applications.
A cover letter is the added value that you need in a job application to ensure the call-back you’ve been waiting for.
To create a unique, tailor-made job application , each candidate should use a cover letter to highlight their strengths and elaborate on relevant achievements that demonstrate their ability to take on the new responsibilities.
Is it practically always sensible and appropriate to write a cover letter to accompany a resume for a job application that should be customized for the role you’re applying to including any explanations of information that might be missing from the resume, such as employment gaps, traveling, periods of study etc.
The only time it is acceptable to not include a cover letter in your job application is if the job listing specifically requests that you do not.
Advantages of Writing a Cover Letter
A cover letter directly adds to the likelihood that you are called in for an interview and gives you a better chance of being hired .
If you’re successful in writing an effective cover letter , it will offer you the following advantages:
- Hiring managers will see your added effort
- Demonstrates you put in the time to learn about the company
- It will add a personal touch to your application
- It shows your enthusiasm for the opening
- Hiring managers will become acquainted with your best qualities
Knowing exactly what is in a cover letter will ensure that it gives you a major advantage over the other applicants.
What are the 3 Types of Cover Letters?
Adding a cover letter is almost always essential, but choosing the appropriate letter will also be key. Depending on the job post you are applying for, you will need to select the best type of letter to send along with your resume.
There are 3 types of cover letters that you can send to a hiring manager. The 3 types are:
- Application cover letters
- Letters of Interest
- Email Cover letters
The letter you write is influenced by whether you are going to apply for a job directly , citing a referral, or asking about vacancies that are not advertised.
Whatever the case may be, ensure that the cover letter is specific to the job vacancy . It’s always important to avoid making a generic cover letter for every single job you apply for.
So, what are the 3 types of cover letters you should consider sending to a job recruiter?
Application Cover Letter
This is your classic cover letter that you send to a hiring manager when you spot a company advertising a job opening. When you want to directly apply for a position, it is mandatory to send this, unless you are specifically asked not to.
Using this letter, you can mention why you want to work for a specific company and why you are the perfect candidate for the position.
Letter of Interest
Say you notice a company that you would really like to work for. It fits your sector, and you know it offers great benefits and good pay. However, you can’t find any openings that match your skill set.
If that’s the case, you don’t need to sit around and wait for the company to have a job vacancy. You can take action with a letter of interest. This type of cover letter states your interest in being employed by a company that isn’t currently advertising any vacancies.
This type of letter goes by a couple of other names, such as:
- Letter of intent
- Statement of interest
Of course, since there is no vacancy there is no role you can specifically mention, which is the major difference between a letter of intent and a traditional cover letter. Your objective will be to advertise yourself well enough that an employer will just have to interview you.
Email Cover Letters
Over the years, the job application process has shifted to a nearly 100% online hiring process . Due to this, it may be necessary to send your cover letter in an email as part of your job application.
While applying, there may not be an option to upload your cover letter. Or maybe you would just like to send it in the body of your email along with your resume . You can send it in one of two ways, in the body of your email or as an attachment (in PDF).
How to write a cover letter
A cover letter, although short in length generally, can take time to elaborate as it is important to get it right. Sometimes, due to the scarce space for writing, candidates find it difficult to know what to include in a cover letter and what to leave out .
However, knowing how to do a cover letter can make all the difference to your job application and be the just the thing to capture the attention of a hiring manager.
A professional cover letter should be well-formatted, following a structure with a header, an opening paragraph, a second main paragraph, a final closing paragraph and a closing with signature/electronic signature.
To begin writing a cover letter for a job application , candidates should analyze their skills, qualifications, accomplishments and experience to decide which are the most fundamental aspects to include in their personalized cover letter.
Next, each jobseeker will have to select the most job-relevant of these elements to include by comparing them with the required or desired qualifications and experience in the job description.
Finally, the applicant should choose some memorable examples which demonstrate evidence of each element included in their cover letter, aiming to tell a story which shows their aptitude concerning each skill or qualification.
Jobseekers should also ensure to explore how to make a cover letter for their specific role or industry because, similarly to resumes, each cover letter should be tailored for the vacancy and company to which it will be sent.
It is vital for candidates to consider several factors when it comes to writing their professional cover letter . A jobseeker must review their resume work history section as well as any skills and honors included to find the most pertinent experiences that can be explored further. Detailing examples of when a candidate demonstrated certain abilities or expertise is how a candidate can convince a hiring.
One way to create a winning cover letter is to use an online cover letter creator or take advantage of cover letter templates as a stepping stone as well as checking out cover letter examples that can serve as a great source of inspiration for you to make your own unique cover letter .
Our cover letter builder forms part of our resume builder and allows jobseekers to create a more complete job application. Users can write their cover letter with pro tips and design help thanks to our pre-designed templates. Read our cover letter writing guide to get to grips with cover letter writing techniques and tips before using our online cover letter builder!
How to Structure a Cover Letter
The structure and layout of a cover letter is essential to make sure the letter displays each point that you wish to get across clearly and concisely . This means it’s necessary, in general, to follow a commonly-accepted format for an effective cover letter.
Similarly to a resume format , designing and writing a cover letter has certain rules which should be adhered to in order to convey the necessary information in a brief and to the point introductory letter.
Check out some of the cover letter best practices as advised by human resources experts below:
- It’s imperative to begin a cover letter with a header , including the candidate’s name and contact information as well as the date. This primary cover letter section can also include the job title, website and other relevant personal information.
Following this, the letter should include the details of the company and person to whom you are writing, with the full name, job title or team, company name and address.
- The main body of a cover letter should be divided into three sections : an introduction, a bullet list of accomplishments followed by a paragraph highlighting skills, and a closing paragraph inviting the hiring manager to contact you. By using bullet points when detailing your achievements and capabilities, you can make sure that recruiters will be able to quickly pick out key information. This is especially important as studies have found that recruiters spend very little time reading each individual application.
- Finally, the letter should be electronically or physically signed with your full name in a formal manner.
The universally-accepted cover letter length is no longer than one letter page, which in total has about 250-300 words for the main body of text.
Don’t repeat information or be too detailed because hiring managers simply do not have the time to read it all and will simply skip to the next one. Resumes that run over 600 words get rejected 43% faster and cover letters can easily fall into this trap too.
Keep your cover letter short and sweet and to the point!
Get more cover letter formatting advice in our guide on how to format a cover letter with tips and information about all aspects of a good cover letter structure.
Cover letter advice
The importance of including a cover letter with your job application is often overlooked by jobseekers of all categories, however this can seriously reduce your possibilities of getting an interview with a prospective employer.
Therefore you need not ask yourself when to write a cover letter because the answer is just that simple – it is always appropriate to include a cover letter in your job application , unless the listing explicitly requests that you do not.
Check out the following expert cover letter tips to create a winning cover letter that will convince the hiring manager to give you a call:
- We may be quite repetitive with this one but the sheer quantity of resumes and cover letters that are disregarded simply for forgetting this vital and basic rule is incredible: USE A PROFESSIONAL EMAIL ADDRESS for your contact details and that does not include your current work email but a personal, suitable email address.
- It is essential to remember to maintain your focus on the needs of the company you’re applying to and the requirements and desired abilities of the ideal candidate for the role. Do not focus on how you can benefit by becoming a member of their team, but on how the team can make the most of your experience and knowledge.
- Remember to highlight your transferable skills , especially in cases where you may not meet all the required qualities in the job description such as in student resumes and cover letters.
- Each cover letter for a job application, cover letters for internships , for further study or even volunteer experience should be tailored to their specific organization and position with the pertinent keywords.
- Use specific examples to demonstrate the candidate’s individual capacity to take on the role and tell a story with your cover letter to convey more of your personality and passion towards the sector or profession.
- Towards the end of a cover letter , each candidate should write a convincing finish to entice the hiring manager and in sales terminology “ seal the deal ”.
- Finally when you have completed your polished cover letter, potentially one of the most important steps in the process is to PROOFREAD . Candidates should request that a friend, mentor, teacher or peer takes a look at their cover letter for not only grammatical and spelling errors but also any unwanted repetition or unrelated information .
Some jobseekers doubt whether a cover letter is necessary or not , but as most human resource professionals agree without a well-written cover letter, candidates lose the possibility to demonstrate different aspects of their profile from those included in their resumes which could easily be the deciding factor in your application!
An easy and fast way to write an effective cover letter for a job application is to employ an online cover letter creator that will offer advice on how to complete a cover letter with examples and HR-approved templates.
Cover Letter FAQs
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