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How to Write a Great HR Cover Letter

​While you might read hundreds (or thousands) of cover letters as part of your HR job, it can be a challenge to write one of your own. Where do you begin? What should you include? How do you get someone to read it carefully? And probably the most important question: Do you still need one?

The answer is yes . A cover letter is still an important tool in an effective job search. The cover letter's job is to give the reader specific information tailored to the open position. It is also the perfect place to show passion for your career. You want to go above and beyond what's on your resume by giving a personal touch to your achievements and stories of success.

You're likely familiar with the basics of a cover letter. You should have a strong opening that highlights an accomplishment, talks about your excitement for the job or shares a networking connection. The body should showcase your most relevant stories of success and skills (using either paragraphs or bullet points), and your closing should thank the reader for their time. But a cover letter is also an opportunity to stand out by tailoring your message.

What follows is an overview of the various types of cover letters, how to decide which one you should use and how to best personalize your cover letter to capture your reader's attention.

Types of Cover Letters

Did you know there are many types of cover letters? You're likely familiar with the traditional cover letter that responds directly to a job posting, but there are actually several versions you might need to utilize in your job search. Some of the more common types include:

Job-Posting Reply Letters

Your "normal" cover letter. This cover letter is tailored to a specific job posting and company.   Key Tip: Focus on demonstrating why you are the best candidate for the role by showcasing specific skills and achievements tailored to the open position.

Cold-Call Letters

A letter used to reach out to a company or recruiter to explore potential opportunities. You're not responding to a particular job posting but instead introducing yourself to a company you'd like to work for.   Key Tip: A cold-call letter needs to grab the reader's attention. Consider a powerful first sentence highlighting your best result or answering a specific problem: "Does your organization need a proven diversity and inclusion expert with 20+ years of experience?"

Recruiter Letters

A recruiter letter is simply a letter sent to a recruiter or search firm. You'll use this kind of letter when you want to respond to job postings placed by a search firm or to explore potential roles the recruiter is trying to fill.

Key Tip: Similar to a traditional cover letter, you'll want to talk specifically about your best achievements related to the job you're targeting.

Networking Letters

This letter's purpose is exactly as it sounds: to network with a colleague, an acquaintance, a former manager and anyone else who can help your search.

Key Tip: Immediately let your contact know why you're reaching out and how they can help you. Are you seeking a recommendation? A new connection to get your foot in the door at a company? Keep the letter brief and to the point.

Should You Write an E-Note or Traditional Letter?

An e-note is simply a letter sent in the body of an e-mail rather than a stand-alone letter in a separate attachment. There's no need to let the recipient know you're enclosing a cover letter—just write it in the e-mail itself.

An e-note is shorter than a traditional cover letter attachment and doesn't have the normal heading (with your name, contact info and formatting that matches your resume). Both an e-note and a traditional cover letter should be customized to the job and focused on your achievements.

In most cases, an e-note is the best approach with just a few exceptions. If you're submitting your documents to a database or e-mailing a top executive (like a CEO or member of a board), you'll still want to use the traditional cover letter. If you're simply e-mailing your resume, use an e-note instead.

Key Tip: I recommend writing a traditional cover letter and then copying and pasting the body of the letter when you need to use an e-note (simply remove the format/heading). Then read through it to make sure it isn't too long for an e-mail.

Write Separate Cover Letters for Specific Jobs

There's no doubt that an effective cover letter needs to be written for individual jobs and companies. But how? Focus on your best achievements, relevant skills and something that the resume may not have: a personal touch!

Look through your resume for some of your best stories and proudest moments. Maybe you reduced the average time-to-hire by weeks or lowered the monthly health insurance premiums by 36 percent. Consider using these results within your cover letter by sharing the story in detail, with information on how you went above and beyond.

Also, consider showcasing your best skills, whether they are talent sourcing, creating job descriptions, preparing budgets, onboarding, benefits coordination, project management or any other HR-related function. Don't forget about leadership, mentoring and training—key skills for many HR positions. You can also share your relevant education, training, certifications, credentials and organizational activities, including being a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

Lastly, don't forget the human touch. Write about why you are passionate about what you do. Why do you love HR? What skills are you fantastic at? Why are you the perfect fit for this role? How can you help transform the organization's HR efforts?

The best piece of advice when writing a great cover letter is to tailor it to your goal . Think about your best, most relevant skills and achievements that you want to showcase. Then add a personal touch about why are you excited about this opportunity. Taking a few minutes to customize your cover letter will improve your chances of achieving your goal: to earn an interview.

DOWNLOAD A SAMPLE COVER LETTER

Laura Fontenot, ACRW, CPRW, is an award-winning expert resume writer who has helped thousands of clients excel in their job search for more than 15 years. She offers a complimentary resume review at www.masterworkresumes.com and at linkedin.com/in/laura-fontenot-acrw-cprw .

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Resume Worded   |  Career Strategy

14 human resources (hr) manager cover letters.

Approved by real hiring managers, these Human Resources (HR) Manager cover letters have been proven to get people hired in 2024. A hiring manager explains why.

Table of contents

• Human Resources (HR) Manager
• Senior Human Resources (HR) Manager
• Senior Human Resources Advisor
• Senior Human Resources Manager
• HR Business Partner
• Human Resources Generalist
• HR Generalist
• Alternative introductions for your cover letter
• Human Resources (HR) Manager resume examples

Human Resources (HR) Manager Cover Letter Example

Why this cover letter works in 2024, reducing employee turnover.

This cover letter highlights a quantifiable achievement that is directly relevant to the HR Manager role. Showcasing your ability to improve employee retention demonstrates your value to the company.

Leadership Training Program

Discussing a specific initiative you've led, such as a leadership training program, showcases your ability to take charge and make a positive impact on employee development.

Program Success Metrics

Using data to support your accomplishments, like the 90% promotion rate of program participants, provides concrete evidence of your skills and the value you can bring to the company.

Demonstrate Impact through Metrics

Take a leaf from this cover letter's book: always try to back up your experiences with specific numbers. Here, the applicant showed exactly how their work at Resume Worded reduced time-to-hire and increased retention rates. Quantifying your achievements makes your claims more credible, and it shows you understand the value of measurable results. Plus, it gives a clear picture of what you could bring to the table.

Show Relevance to Company Values

It's one thing to say you're a good fit for a company, but it's another to prove it with examples that align with the company's values. In this case, the candidate's experience with implementing a learning and development program is a perfect match for Microsoft's commitment to employee development. Always try to draw connections between your past experiences and what the company values most.

Targeted Interest

By specifically mentioning Google's culture of innovation and collaboration, this cover letter shows genuine interest in the company. It's like saying "hey, I know what your company is all about and I appreciate that". It also subtly implies that the candidate has done their research and really understands the company's values.

Demonstrate Impact With Numbers

Saying you spearheaded an initiative is one thing, but showing that it resulted in a 40% increase in team diversity is real evidence of impact. It's like saying "look, I made a real, measurable difference". This makes employers sit up and take notice.

Connecting Your Achievements With Their Goals

It's clear that you're not just looking for any job, but that you're specifically excited about this role at Google. You're saying "I can bring my experience and apply it to your specific goals". This shows that you're not just a good worker, but a good fit for their company.

Aligning Personal and Company Values

By saying you share Google's values of valuing human capital and having a positive global impact, you're aligning yourself with the company. It's like saying "we're on the same page, we have the same goals". This alignment makes you stand out as a good cultural fit, which is incredibly important to employers.

Sealing With Confidence

The closing sentence here is strong and confident, but also respectful and polite. It's like saying "I believe in my abilities and I'm ready for this, but I also respect your decision-making process". This balance of confidence and politeness leaves a strong, positive final impression.

Connect with the company's mission

Showing that you share the company's values makes your application more personal and impactful.

Demonstrate your achievements in HR

Stating specific outcomes from your past work proves that you can bring real results.

Align HR goals with business objectives

Understanding the bigger picture shows you're a strategic thinker.

Advocate for diversity and inclusion

Highlighting this aspect emphasizes your commitment to a modern and ethical workplace.

Show gratitude in your closing

A polite thank you acknowledges the reader's time and consideration, leaving a positive impression.

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Share your excitement for the company's industry

Expressing genuine enthusiasm for what the company does connects your personal interests with your professional aspirations, making you a more engaging candidate.

Demonstrate expertise in key HR areas

Detailing your skills in essential HR functions such as talent acquisition and employee relations provides a clear picture of your comprehensive HR competency.

Describe managing significant organizational changes

Talking about how you've handled major challenges such as a merger demonstrates your resilience, adaptability, and leadership skills, which are invaluable in HR roles.

Express your desire to impact growth and success

When you share your excitement about contributing to the company's objectives, it highlights your ambition and readiness to take on challenges that drive business forward.

Offer to discuss your alignment with the company's needs

Inviting further discussion about how your skills and experiences match the company's requirements shows confidence in your ability to contribute and eagerness to engage in mutual growth.

Connect personal experiences to the company's culture

Starting your cover letter with a personal connection to the company shows you're not just interested in the job but also value the company's impact on your life. This sets a positive tone for the rest of the letter.

Show your HR impact through achievements

Specific examples of your success, like improving employee engagement scores and reducing turnover rates, clearly demonstrate your ability to make a significant impact in HR roles, showcasing your skills and experience effectively.

Highlight essential HR skills

Mentioning key skills such as active listening, empathy, and creative problem-solving emphasizes your suitability for the HR manager role, indicating that you understand what it takes to succeed in such a position.

Leverage expertise to support company goals

Expressing eagerness to use your HR expertise to contribute to the company's growth and reputation as a top employer shows your alignment with their objectives and your readiness to add value.

Closing with gratitude

A simple thank you in your closing remarks reflects professionalism and respect for the reader's time, leaving a positive final impression.

Senior Human Resources (HR) Manager Cover Letter Example

Highlight alignment with company's commitment.

Diversity and inclusion are core values at IBM, and this candidate smartly highlighted their relevant experience right off the bat. They've shown how they increased minority representation in leadership, which directly aligns with IBM's commitment. This is a strong way to show you're not just qualified, but that you're the right cultural fit for the company.

Address Company's Focus with Relevant Initiatives

When you highlight initiatives that resonate with a company's mission, it can go a long way. Here, the candidate addressed IBM's focus on employee well-being by showcasing their experience with an employee wellness program. This move communicates that the candidate is in tune with the company's priorities and is prepared to contribute in meaningful ways.

Senior Human Resources Advisor Cover Letter Example

Show how past experience will benefit them.

By connecting your previous experience with Amazon's needs, you're making a clear case for your value. You're practically saying "I've done this before, and I can do it for you". This kind of direct relevance is more persuasive than general claims of competence.

Highlighting Teamwork Abilities

By stating that you enjoy collaborating with diverse teams, you're showing you're a team player. It's like saying "I'm adaptable, I can work with anyone". This is a valuable quality in any workplace, but especially in a diverse, global company like Amazon.

Specific Interest in their Initiatives

Mentioning Amazon's specific initiatives shows that you've done your homework and are genuinely interested in their work. It's like saying "I understand your goals and I want to help achieve them". This makes you stand out as a motivated and informed candidate.

Excitement for Company's Approach

By stating that you're drawn to Amazon's innovative approach to HR, you're aligning your professional interests with the company's practices. It is like saying "I am excited about the way you do things". This shows employers that you're not just interested in the job, but also in the way they function as a company.

Enthusiastic Closing

Your closing statement, expressing eagerness to support and enhance Amazon’s HR initiatives, leaves a strong impression. It’s like saying, "I am not just excited about this opportunity, but I am also ready to contribute". This kind of initiative and enthusiasm is a clear plus for any employer.

Senior Human Resources Manager Cover Letter Example

Express genuine enthusiasm.

Starting with excitement demonstrates that you're genuinely interested in the role and the company.

Showcase talent management success

Detailing achievements like enhancing engagement and reducing turnover showcases your capability to make significant improvements.

Emphasize relationship-building

Stressing the importance of connections within the company highlights your interpersonal skills and leadership quality.

Focus on employee development

Sharing your belief in the power of investing in employees aligns with modern HR best practices.

End with a polite thank you

Concluding with an appreciative note demonstrates professionalism and respect for the hiring process.

Showing you know and care about the company's goals makes your cover letter more personal and interesting.

Show your human resources impact

Talking about specific achievements with numbers proves your ability to make real changes.

Express excitement for the role

Sharing what excites you about the job shows you're genuinely interested and not just looking for any job.

Highlight relevant skills

Mentioning specific skills that match the job's needs shows you understand what's important and that you're a good fit.

End with a strong closing

A polite thank you and an invitation to discuss further shows professionalism and eagerness for the next step.

Make a personal connection with the company

Sharing a personal story related to the company's service excellence helps establish an immediate emotional connection, demonstrating your long-term interest and admiration for the company's values.

Demonstrate HR achievements clearly

Detailing specific initiatives that led to improved employee engagement and retention rates showcases your ability to execute effective HR strategies, making your application more compelling.

Link HR initiatives to business success

Illustrating how your HR efforts align with and support business objectives emphasizes your strategic mindset and ability to contribute to the company's overall success.

Express alignment with company values

Highlighting your enthusiasm for the company's dedication to its employees and customers showcases your compatibility with its culture and mission, further strengthening your candidacy.

End with a polite thank-you

Concluding your letter with an expression of gratitude for the recipient's time and consideration demonstrates professionalism and courteousness, ending your application on a positive note.

HR Business Partner Cover Letter Example

Connect your passion with the company's mission.

When you share how a company's values inspire you, it shows that your motivation goes beyond just getting the job. It makes you a memorable candidate who is likely to fit well in the company culture.

Show your HR impact with numbers

By quantifying your achievements, you make it easy for hiring managers to see the real value you've brought to your previous roles. This approach highlights your ability to drive positive changes in tangible ways.

Position yourself as a strategic business partner

Explaining how you view your role in HR as a strategic partner to the business showcases your understanding of the bigger picture and your ability to contribute to overall company objectives.

Highlight your commitment to employee well-being

Mentioning your alignment with the company's focus on employee happiness emphasizes your modern HR perspective, showing that you value people as the key to business success.

Express gratitude and eagerness to contribute

Thanking the company for considering your application and expressing eagerness to discuss your fit further shows professionalism and a proactive attitude.

Human Resources Generalist Cover Letter Example

Show passion for the company's vision.

Expressing alignment with the company's mission helps create a connection and shows you're a good cultural fit.

Demonstrate versatility in HR functions

Highlighting experience in various HR areas shows you're adaptable and can handle a broad range of tasks.

Share your enthusiasm for the opportunity

Explaining why you're excited about the role demonstrates genuine interest and motivation.

Emphasize your interpersonal skills

Illustrating your ability to work well with others highlights an essential skill for any HR role.

Politely request further discussion

Ending with a courteous thank you and a call to conversation shows you're proactive and ready to engage further.

HR Generalist Cover Letter Example

Connect with company culture.

Talking about a personal experience with the company shows that you know and like the company culture. This helps us see that you will fit in well.

Show your HR impact

Mentioning specific achievements, like improving morale and reducing turnover, helps us understand the real effect you can have in our HR team.

Detail your HR skills

When you talk about how you made HR better at your last job, it makes us think you can do the same here. This is very important for us to know.

Match your skills to the job

Explaining how your skills will help with the challenges we face tells us you understand what the job involves and that you're ready to start making a difference.

Express gratitude and eagerness

A simple thank you can go a long way. It shows you're polite and excited about the chance to work with us.

Alternative Introductions

If you're struggling to start your cover letter, here are 6 different variations that have worked for others, along with why they worked. Use them as inspiration for your introductory paragraph.

Cover Letters For Jobs Similar To Human Resources (HR) Manager Roles

• Entry Level Human Resources (HR) Cover Letter Guide
• Human Resources (HR) Administrator Cover Letter Guide
• Human Resources Assistant Cover Letter Guide
• Human Resources (HR) Business Partner Cover Letter Guide
• Human Resources Coordinator Cover Letter Guide
• Human Resources (HR) Generalist Cover Letter Guide
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• Human Resources (HR) Recruiter Cover Letter Guide
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Thank you for the checklist! I realized I was making so many mistakes on my resume that I've now fixed. I'm much more confident in my resume now.