Whether you adore writing cover letters or view writing them as a chore, most hiring managers still rely on them to gauge an applicant’s personality, attention to detail and communication skills. The key to writing effective cover letters is to follow the instructions and to communicate succinctly but with a compelling voice. In this article, we will provide you with some tips to writing a good cover letter to help you land those jobs.
1. Begin by Listing Your Name & Address
As with most standard business letters, you should include some information at the top of your cover letter. Some people may centre their name and address at the top of the page, mirroring the way it looks on their CV. For example:
Joe Bloggs
44 Orchard Lane, Dublin, Ireland | 353 86 345 1187 | jbloggs@email.com
Alternatively, you may choose to simply list each piece of information on a new line oriented to the left-hand side of the page. For example:
Joe Bloggs
Jbloggs@email.com
44 Orchard Lane
Dublin, Ireland
353 86 345 1187
2. Include the Date
The next step to writing your cover letter is to include the date of the day you are sending the letter. The date line should be separated from your address and the recipient’s address.
3. List the Recipient’s Name & Address
Once you have included the date, it is time to list the recipient’s name and address. You can easily find these details by looking at the company’s website or LinkedIn page. This information will also most likely be listed on the job posting. You should put their details in the other top corner of the document, following the same style as your own information.
4. Open Your Cover Letter with an Introduction
You should begin your letter with a standard greeting such as ‘Dear’ or ‘Hello’. Also, try to get the hiring managers name to make the letter more personalised.
5. Include an Opening Paragraph About Why You’re Applying
You should write an introductory paragraph that includes the position you are applying for. Then, you should also add in a statement about your enthusiasm for the role and the company.
6. Write About Your Background in the Next Paragraph
Use your second paragraph to give a brief overview of your background. Here you should include your key skills, achievements and specialities that make you suitable for the role. You should focus on one or two and provide specific details about your success including measurable impacts you made. Also, pay attention to the keywords listed in the job description and include those that you identify within the body of your cover letter. Word of caution: you should only include information about your most recent one or two professional experiences.
7. Focus on Why You’re Qualified
In your next paragraph, focus on why you are qualified by bringing up another key skill or achievement that is relevant to the role. Rather than repeating your CV, expand on specific anecdotes or stories that display your suitability for the role.
8. Conclude with Reasons Why You Are Uniquely Qualified
Your final paragraph should recap the reasons you are applying for the role and why you are suitable for the role. You should keep the closing conclusion brief and explain that you look forward to hearing from them with the next steps.
9. Finish with Your Signature
The final step to your cover letter is signing your name after the closing line such as ‘All the Best’ or ‘Sincerely’.
How to Write a Good Cover Letter That Lands You Job Interviews
