When you apply for a job, your cover letter is one of the most important parts of your application. A good cover letter can help get you noticed by employers and increase your chances of getting an interview.
Here are 7 tips to write a great cover letter that will make you stand out:
Tip 1: Understand the Purpose of a Cover Letter
The main purpose of a cover letter is to introduce yourself to the employer and explain why you are a good fit for the job. It gives you a chance to:
- Highlight your key skills and experiences relevant to the role
- Show your enthusiasm and interest in the company and position
- Explain anything not covered in your resume, like career gaps
For example, let’s say you are applying for a marketing role. In your cover letter, you can highlight your top marketing skills like social media management, content writing, etc. You can also discuss your passion for the company’s products or services to show you are genuinely interested.
A cover letter complements your resume by providing more context about your qualifications. It allows you to make a case for why you should be hired.
Tip 2: Research the Company and Role
Before writing your cover letter, take some time to research the company you are applying to and the specific role. This research will allow you to:
- Understand the company’s values, culture, and priorities
- Learn about the key requirements and responsibilities of the role
- Get insights to customize your cover letter
For the marketing role example, you would visit the company’s website and social media pages. Look at their “About Us” section, read their marketing materials, and try to understand their brand voice and audience.
You can also look for information on the company culture – whether it is collaborative, fast-paced, innovative etc. Make notes on details you can mention in your cover letter.
For the role, carefully go through the job description. Identify the key skills, experience levels, and responsibilities they are looking for. Note down ways your background matches these requirements.
This research ensures your cover letter is well-informed and tailored, increasing your chances of impressing the hiring team.
Tip 3: Start With a Strong Opening
The opening line or paragraph of your cover letter is crucial – it needs to grab the reader’s attention and make them want to continue reading. Some effective ways to start your cover letter include:
- A brief, confident introduction summarizing your top qualifications
- A relevant achievement, statistic or fact related to the role
- A compelling anecdote that demonstrates your passion for the field
- A thought-provoking question related to the company/role
For example, if applying for a sales role, you could start with: “As a driven sales professional with over 5 years of experience exceeding targets, I am excited to apply for the Sales Manager position at [Company Name].”
Or you could use an anecdote: “During my time as a sales rep, I once converted a disappointed customer into a lifelong brand advocate through exceptional service. This passion for creating positive experiences would be a valuable asset in the Sales Manager role.”
The key is to craft an opening line that is unique, memorable and relevant. It should give a glimpse into your qualifications and motivations.
Tip 4: Highlight Your Relevant Skills and Accomplishments
The main body of your cover letter should clearly outline your key skills and accomplishments that make you well-qualified for the role. Some tips:
- Go through the job description and match your experiences to the required skills
- Use bullet points to list out your top skills and give specific examples showcasing those skills
- Quantify your accomplishments with numbers/data where possible to demonstrate impact
- Focus only on experiences directly relevant to the target role
For instance, for a social media marketing role, you could include:
“My top relevant skills for this role include:
- Content Creation & Copywriting: Created engaging captions leading to 25% increase in Instagram engagement for [Company]
- Social Media Analytics: Used social listening tools to monitor brand mentions and identify influencers to collaborate with
- Campaign Management: Launched 6 successful social media campaigns for [Company], generating over 10,000 new followers”
The key is providing clear examples that prove your skills, rather than just listing them out. This helps build credibility.
Tip 5: Convey Enthusiasm for the Company and Role
In addition to your skills, employers want to hire candidates who are passionate about the role and company. Your cover letter should convey:
- Your genuine interest and excitement about the position
- What appealed to you when you read the job description
- Aspects of the company mission, values or culture you admire
- How your skills and experience can contribute to the company’s success
For example, you could say something like:
“I have been following [Company’s] work in sustainabilty and was inspired by your mission to become carbon neutral by 2025. My experience executing sustainable procurement initiatives can lend valuable insights as you work towards this goal.”
Or
“I have always admired [Company’s] commitment to innovation and continuous learning. The opportunity to join such a forward-thinking team dedicated to pushing boundaries is truly exciting.”
Showing enthusiasm demonstrates you have done your research and gives the impression you would be an engaged, passionate employee.
Tip 6: Keep It Clear, Concise and Readable
While you want to create a compelling cover letter, you also need to keep it clear, concise and easy to read. Some tips:
- Keep your cover letter to one page with 3-4 paragraphs
- Use clear section headings and bullet points to break up text
- Check grammar, spelling and ensure professional formatting
- Avoid overly complex words, jargon or exaggerations
- Have someone else read it to check if it flows well
For example, here’s how you could structure a one-page cover letter:
Paragraph 1: Compelling opening highlighting your top qualifications Paragraph 2: Overview of your relevant skills and accomplishments Paragraph 3: Convey fit and enthusiasm for company/role Paragraph 4: Closing paragraph reiterating interest and a call-to-action
A clear structure, correct formatting and simple language will ensure your cover letter is readable and engaging throughout.
Tip 7: End with a Powerful Call-to-Action
Wrap up your cover letter with a strong closing paragraph that leaves a lasting impression and motivates the reader to take action. This could include:
- Reiterating your enthusiasm for the role and company
- Summarizing again why you are a strong fit
- A call-to-action asking to be considered for an interview
- Thanking them for their time and consideration
For example:
“With my proven track record in sales and deep passion for [Company’s] products, I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss how my skills can contribute to your team’s success. Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to speaking further.”
A confident, respectful closing keeps the reader’s attention till the very end and hopefully motivates them to follow up with you.
By following these 7 tips – understanding the purpose, researching thoroughly, crafting a strong start and finish, highlighting relevant details, keeping it readable, and conveying enthusiasm – your cover letter will be noticed and remembered by potential employers.
