How to Write a Cover Letter – When it comes to your job search, there are many tasks you can do on your own. You can work to make yourself more marketable with impressive achievements in the professional world. You can even customize your resume to showcase your relevant experience, skills, and education. But when one of these tasks–the cover letter–comes around, it’s time to consult the experts at Monster for cover letter examples that will help you get noticed by hiring managers.
A cover letter, also known as a motivation letter or application letter, is a document submitted by a job applicant with his or her resume and application to express the desire to an employer and request employment. Employers and recruitment agencies usually require applicants to submit them with application packages.
Unlike a resume, a cover letter lets you can introduce yourself to the hiring manager, provide context for your achievements and qualifications, and explain your motivation for joining the company.
But you can’t just write a cover letter. It has to be perfect. So… How do you write the perfect cover letter You know—the kind of letter that will make the employer call you up in the middle of the night? Give us 10 minutes and you’ll know how to write a cover letter like that.
Table of Contents
What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is a one-page document that introduces a job seeker’s work history, professional skills, and personal interest in applying for a job.
The main purpose of a cover letter is to support the content of your resume. Your resume focuses on your qualifications and achievements, and your cover letter expands on those achievements, showcases your personality, and explains why you’d be a good fit for the company.
Although they might seem old-fashioned today, cover letters are still necessary. High unemployment rates in 2020 created a bigger pool of job seekers in 2021, and writing a cover letter helps your application stand out when applying for competitive positions.
Attach an effective cover letter to your well-written resume, and your job application will quickly show managers and recruiters you’re both qualified and a great fit for the role.
Cover letter format
A cover letter should be formatted like a business letter and include the following sections:
- Header with date and contact information
- Salutation or greeting
- Opening paragraph
- Middle paragraph(s)
- Closing paragraph
- Letter ending and signature
Your cover letter should be one page in length and use a simple, professional font, such as Arial or Helvetica, 10 to 12 points in size. Your letter should be left-aligned with single spacing one-inch margins.
How to write a cover letter in 6 steps
Here are six simple steps to write a great cover letter:
- Start with your header
- Include a greeting
- Write an opening paragraph
- Follow with a middle paragraph
- Finish with a closing paragraph
- End with a professional sign off
In the sections below, we’ll offer detailed information about what to include in each section with examples for each.
1. Start with your header
As with any standard business letter header, you should include a few pieces of personal and role specific information at the top of your cover letter. This section should include your contact information, date of application and recipient’s contact information. If you’d like, you can also center your name and address at the top of the page, mirroring the way it looks on your resume.
Cover letter header template:
Your name
Your city and zipcode
Your phone number
Your email address
Date
Name of recipient
Title of recipient
Company name
Company address
Example cover letter header:
Ali Lang
[email protected]
555 Orchard Lane
Las Vegas, NV
(555) 888-4000
May 5, 20XX
Terry Washington
Revolve Inc.
123 Vineyard Drive
Las Vegas, NV
Including a professional and detailed heading will make it easier for the hiring manager or recruiter to follow up with you regarding the position.
2. Include a greeting
In your research, try to find the name of the person who will be reviewing applications for the job. Address your letter to this person with a common business greeting, such as “Dear” or “Hello.” If you’re unable to find the preferred gender pronouns (she/her, them/they), it is best to use a gender-neutral greeting such as “Dear first and last name” or “Dear position title”.
Example greetings:
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Hello Ms. Wallace,
- Dear Tyler Wallace,
3. Write an opening paragraph
In the first paragraph of your letter, mention the job title for which you’re applying and where you saw the position posting. Explain your specific interest in the role and company so the reader knows you’ve done your research and have genuine interest. Briefly state the main experience or qualification you have that makes you a good fit. The first section of your cover letter is also the first impression the reader will have of you, so it is important to appeal to that person quickly and succinctly.
Example: “I’m excited to apply for the Graphic Designer position at Cloud Clearwater I found on Indeed. I understand you’re currently adding several new product lines, and I believe my skills in video and animation provide a significant advantage for creating a successful launch. As a longtime fan of your products, I’m thrilled at the opportunity to bring my unique style and passion for beachwear to the company.”
4. Follow with a second paragraph
Your second paragraph should be a brief overview of your background as is relevant to the position. Here, you should include key achievements, skills and specialties that make you particularly suited to perform well in the position. Focus on one or two and provide specific details about your success including measurable impacts you made.
Pay close attention to keywords listed in the job description and include those that you identify with in the body of your cover letter. You should only include information about your most recent one or two professional experiences.
Example: “As the Director of Human Resources at Wes Morgan Philips, I was a key senior leader in the organization and was responsible for improving the efficiency and performance of the company’s 540 employees. Before that, I worked in human resources, equal employment opportunity and diversity for Jenkins Technology Solutions, Inc. At Jenkins Technology Solutions Inc., I developed an employee retention plan that involved the creation of a wellness program, an internal training program and a promotions selection process, which led to a 50% reduction in the overall employee turnover rate.”
5. Finish with a closing paragraph
The next paragraph should focus on another key achievement or skill that is relevant to the position. Instead of repeating details from your resume, expand on specific stories or anecdotes that display your fitness for the role. Again, focus on stories that demonstrate the skills and qualifications outlined in the job description.
If you’re changing careers, this is a good opportunity to talk about transferable skills or relatable experiences from your career.
Example: “Achieving ambitious marketing goals is always a top priority, and I am always looking out for the best interests of the company. I enjoy delivering marketing presentations to potential clients and focusing on the strengths of an organization. My marketing skills at River Tech enabled the company to experience new levels of success and a 45% increase in customer engagement. I am never satisfied with the status quo, and I believe that a company should continually look for ways to improve and reach new clients through innovative campaigns.”
6. End with a professional signoff
You should end your cover letter with a paragraph that summarizes the reasons you are applying for the role and why you would be a great fit. Keep the cover letter conclusion brief and explain that you look forward to hearing from the employer with the next steps. End with your signature at the bottom.
Example: ”Thank you for your time and consideration. I’m looking forward to learning more details about the Sales position and about TradeLot. Growth is essential to my continued success, and I’m excited for the chance to be a part of TradeLot’s industry-leading team. My proven track record and TradeLot’s quality products are a winning combination for increasing the company’s market share.
Sincerely,
Malik Rabb”
Conclusion
The cover letter is the first chance you will have to make a good impression for your job application. It is one of the first steps that stands between you and your dream job. You may even be convinced that without a cover letter, you will not even get an interview. This has led to many people stressing about writing it. There are many ways to write cover letters, you just have to figure out which one works for you.