When you apply for a job, you'll need an up-to-date CV and a relevant cover letter. In this mselect career services guide, we want to help you craft better cover letters that showcase you as a standout candidate.
Writing the perfect cover letter
You'll need a different cover letter for every job you apply for because every job is unique and requires different skills and qualifications. A well-written cover letter will help you demonstrate how your skills and experience align with a particular job's requirements.
Your cover letter also shows that you understand the company and role you are applying for, which is crucial if you want to increase your chances of getting an interview.
Let's look at the steps to creating a better cover letter.
Step 1: Research the company and the job you are applying for
The first thing you need to do before drafting a cover letter is do some research. Learn about the company you are applying to work for and understand the job role they have posted.
The information you learn will help you
● Appreciate company values and culture
● And understand their goals and how the role works towards that
A company's website has plenty of helpful facts and figures. Look at its mission statement, leadership team, social media, and current projects. Use this information throughout your cover letter to demonstrate your knowledge and interest in the company.
Depending on the job, it may also be helpful to research the industry the company serves. Demonstrating that you understand trends could help you showcase the creativity and innovation you would bring to a role.
Step 2: Address the Hiring Manager in your cover letter
Addressing a hiring manager in your cover letter is always a nice touch. It shows that you have done your research and are genuinely interested in the company, its people and the job you are applying for.
Here are a few tips to help you find the hiring manager's name:
● Check the job posting - Some postings include a hiring manager's name.
● LinkedIn - You can search for the company on LinkedIn and find the names of its employees.
● Company website - The company's website may have a "Meet the Team" or "About Us" page that lists the names and titles of its employees.
Once you have the hiring manager's name, you must address them correctly in your cover letter. You can use their full or last name with titles like "Dear Mr. Smith" or "Dear Ms. Neesha Johnson."
Avoid being generic with phrases like "To Whom It May Concern" or "Dear Hiring Manager," as they sound too impersonal.
Step 3: Highlight relevant experience and skills
Hiring managers will read cover letters to help them sift applicants for the necessary skills and qualifications for a job. To ensure you meet that expectation, you will want to understand what's expected and write in a way that showcases these talents.
To identify relevant experience:
Review the job description carefully and list the required and preferred qualifications.
Review your work history and identify experiences that align with those qualifications.
Consider any transferable skills you have that could be valuable in the new role.
To relay the information in your cover letter, use specific examples of your accomplishments and how they relate to the job requirements. Also, use action verbs to describe them and highlight the results or outcomes you gained. Demonstrating your experience and accomplishments increases your chances of getting an interview.
Step 4: Demonstrate your passion
Demonstrating your passion is crucial when applying for a job. Employers want to see that you are genuinely interested in the industry and the position you are applying for. Not only does it show dedication, but it also suggests that you are more likely to succeed in the role.
How do you do that? You include enthusiastic and positive language.
Step 5: Always look forward
Remember, your CV shows where you have been, and your cover letter discusses where you want to go in your career. So, use wording that reflects this. Talk about the future in your text and do it positively.
Step 6: Always include contact details and a professional sign-off
As with any other letter, ensure you give your contact details clearly at the top of your template. Include:
● Your full name
● Email address
● Phone number
● Location (optional)
● LinkedIn profile or website (optional)
Equally, you will need a professional sign-off at the bottom of every cover letter. "Yours sincerely" or "Sincerely" is fine. Leave space to sign your name and then print your name and lead contact information (i.e. email or phone number).
Step 7: Make sure your first paragraph opens strong
Use the first paragraph of your letter to include these things:
● The job you are applying for
● Company name
● The number one reason why they should hire you for the role.
All of these act as indicators, alongside an introduction to you, which help busy hiring managers (who may handle several hirings at once) ensure they have the right CVs for the right roles. It also helps recruitment firms who will work across several companies during a hiring cycle.
Also, include a reason why they should consider you in the opening paragraph. Show off your passion and ability and take the opportunity others miss by sending a bulk standard cover letter.
Step 8: Close strong to finish your cover letter
A strong closing statement can make a big difference when applying for a new job, as it's the last impression a hiring manager has of you. Use your closing statement to help solidify your candidacy for the position.
Here are some tips for crafting a solid closing statement:
● Reiterate your interest in the position.
● Remind the employer how your qualifications and experience make you a strong candidate.
● Thank the employer for their time and consideration
● Encourage the employer to take the next step by asking for an interview or for the opportunity to discuss your candidacy further.
Step 9: Remember to proofread and edit every time!
Crafting a perfect cover letter takes time, so don't be in a rush to send it to an employer. Instead, once you've written a first draft, sleep on it and return to it fresh so you can proofread and edit where necessary. You will find that this approach gives you better results.
How long should your cover letter be?
One page.
Think of your cover letter as an introduction to you and your CV. Your cover letter structure will need the following:
● an introduction
● 2 -3 paragraphs as a body
● and a closing statement
What tone should you use in your cover letter?
The best writing style for your cover letter is a professional tone. You want to write respectfully and show how you present yourself as an employee.
Examples of a cover letter
Here are a few cover letter examples:
[2 side-by-side images of examples - made up, not real][1]
Can you create a cover letter template?
Yes.
A general template you can adapt to each job will reduce production time and allow you to concentrate on the wording.
Should you use a cover letter template generator?
We would say no.
We say this purely because sometimes these cost money or come with a watermark. You just need access to word processing software, and you can create a simple letter template to copy and reuse across your many job search applications.
Good luck, and we hope you get that job!