Cover Letter: What is it & How to Write it to Woo Recruiters?

So it comes down to this.

After weeks of hunting potential jobs, perfecting your resume, and preparing for interview questions, you are in the final stages of applying for your dream job.

The last stage of your job hunt requires you to submit a cover letter, but you aren’t really sure what to include in a cover letter. Or maybe you don’t even know what a cover letter is!

No need to panic, we have got you covered. Writing an awesome cover letter is a lot simpler than one might think.

In this blog post, we are going to go over what a cover letter really is and how to write one to land the job of your dream. Read on…

What Is a Cover Letter? (Definition)

Before we jump right in and start teaching you about what to include in a cover letter, let us first understand the meaning and importance of a cover letter.

Your cover letter might be the difference between getting that dream job or having your resume ignored. Put simply it’s a vital part of the job-hunting puzzle.

A cover letter is a vital document written by a job applicant to provide additional details and information about their experience or skill set. A cover letter is not a replacement for a resume. Rather, it’s a nice add-on to showcase your personality in-depth and demonstrate your experience and fit for the position you are applying.

Animated job interview resume and cover letter

Employers use cover letters as a way to select applicants for open jobs. It helps them make decisions as to which candidates they would like to invite for an interview.

Usually, if an employer requires a cover letter, they will list it in the job requirements. However, it’s always a plus to include one, even if you’re not asked. It shows you are willing to go the extra mile for the job.

Rather common mistake applicants make with a cover letter is that they repeat what’s already on their resume. A cover letter provides a great avenue for you to include specific information on your capabilities and why you are the perfect match for the position.

Treat a cover letter like a sales pitch, taking the reader on a guided journey of some of your biggest career and life accomplishments. You want to make sure that your application stands out from the crowd and leaves the best impression on the person who is reviewing it.

Types of Cover Letters

There are typically three types of cover letters:

Ad-Response Letter: This type of cover letter is the one used to respond to a job opening that matches your skills and experience.

Cold-Calling or Prospecting Letter: This type of cover letter is used when you want to apply for a job in a company that hasn’t publicly announced a job opening.

Referral or Networking Letter: Lastly, there’s the networking cover letter used to request assistance in your job search or ask for someone’s referral.

What to Include in Your Cover Letter?

Writing a cover letter is fairly easy. However, a common mistake applicants make is that they repeat the contents of their resume and get it over with. This not only defeats the purpose of the document but also projects you as someone who is lazy and inconsiderate.

Remember, a cover letter is meant to complement your resume, not replicate it.

The Society for Human Resources surveyed organizations’ preferences for résumés, cover letters, and interviews. They found the top three things that must be included in a cover letter:

How a candidate’s skills meet job requirements.
How a candidate’s work experience meets job requirements.
Why a candidate wants to work at the company.

Your cover letter should cover all the above-mentioned points along with appropriate scenarios that show your ability to fulfill the responsibilities listed in the job description.

The purpose of a cover letter is to add a personal touch to your otherwise data-oriented resume. For this, you can write about the time you helped solved a crucial problem in your previous company or how you introduced a new workflow that improved team performance. Experienced applicants can even include key statistical data and growth numbers to further solidify your case as a worthy applicant.

Since its the first point of contact between a job applicant and a recruiter, one should take out time to write an exceptional cover letter to leave a good first impression.

Having said that, make sure that your cover letter is brief and concise and only highlights the key areas of your life, experience, or knowledge you want to showcase. No one has the time and patience to read an autobiography, they may only have a few minutes to review your application and then move on to the next person.

How to Write a Cover Letter?

Step 1: Research the Company and Job Position

Before you even start writing your cover letter, it’s crucial to know the company and the job inside out. This knowledge will help you tailor your letter to show how you fit in perfectly.

Understand the Company:

What does the company do? Learn about the company’s business, its products or services, and its mission and values.
Who are their customers? Understand the target audience the company serves.
What is the company culture? Look for information about the company’s work environment, values, and employee benefits.
What are their recent achievements or challenges? Stay updated on the company’s news and press releases.

Analyze the Job Description:

What are the key responsibilities? Clearly understand the main duties of the job.
What are the required skills and experience? Identify the qualifications needed for the position.
What are the desired skills and experience? These are additional qualifications that would be beneficial but might not be strictly required.
What are the company’s goals for the position? Try to understand what the company hopes to achieve by filling this role.

How to find this information:

Company website: This is the primary source for information.
Social media: Check their profiles for company culture and updates.
News articles: Look for recent news about the company.
Company reviews: Get insights into the work environment.
Job description: Carefully read the details of the position.

Step 2: Address the Hiring Manager

Personalizing your cover letter by addressing it to a specific person shows that you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in the position. To find the hiring manager, look for their name on the job posting, the company website, or LinkedIn. If you can’t find their name, it’s acceptable to use “Dear Hiring Manager.”

When you know the hiring manager’s name, use their full name and title (e.g., Dear Mr. Smith, Dear Ms. Patel). If you’re unsure of their gender, using their full name is appropriate. Always double-check the spelling of their name and use a professional and polite tone.

In cases where you cannot find the hiring manager’s name, use “Dear Hiring Manager” as a suitable alternative. Avoid generic greetings like “To Whom It May Concern,” as they lack personalization and can diminish the impact of your letter.

Step 3: Write a Strong Opening Paragraph

Your cover letter’s opening paragraph is crucial. It’s your first chance to impress the hiring manager. Begin by clearly stating the job you’re applying for and briefly explain what attracted you to the company or the position. For instance, “I am writing to apply for the Marketing Manager position as advertised on LinkedIn. Your company’s commitment to sustainable fashion aligns with my personal values.”

Next, highlight your most relevant skills or experiences. Be specific about your achievements. For example, “With five years of experience in digital marketing and a proven track record of increasing brand awareness by 20%, I am confident in my ability to contribute to your team’s success.” Connect these qualifications to the job requirements mentioned in the job description.

Finally, express your enthusiasm for the opportunity. Briefly state why you’re interested in working for the company and how you can contribute to their goals. Aim for a concise and engaging paragraph that leaves the reader wanting to learn more.

Remember, the goal of your opening paragraph is to quickly capture the reader’s attention and create a positive first impression. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of getting your cover letter read and moving on to the next step.

Step 4: Highlight Relevant Experience and Skills

This is where you show the hiring manager why you’re qualified for the job. You do this by talking about your past work experiences and skills that match the job description.

Focus on the job: Look at the job description carefully. Find the skills and experiences they are looking for. Make a list of these.
Match your experience: Think about your past jobs. What did you do there? What skills did you use? How do these match the skills on the job description?
Use specific examples: Instead of just saying you have good communication skills, give an example. For instance, you could say, “I improved customer satisfaction by 20% through clear and effective communication.”
Quantify your achievements: Use numbers whenever possible. Instead of saying you increased sales, say “Increased sales by 15% in six months.”
Tailor your experience: Every job is different. Customize this part of your cover letter for each job you apply for. Show the hiring manager how your specific experience matches their specific needs.
Structure your information: You can organize this part of your letter in different ways. You could talk about your most recent job first, or you could group similar skills together. Choose the way that makes your experience look most impressive.

Remember, this part of your cover letter is about selling yourself. Show the hiring manager that you are the best person for the job by clearly and confidently highlighting your relevant experience and skills.

Step 5: Explain Why You’re a Good Fit

This is your chance to show how amazing you are for the job! Instead of just saying you’re a good fit, prove it. Look back at the job description and find skills that match your own. Tell a story about how you used those skills to succeed in a past job. For example, if the job needs someone who is great at talking to people, share a time you gave a really good presentation or wrote a clear report. Also, brag a little! Talk about your biggest work wins and how they helped your previous company.

Next, explain why you like this company. Do you love their products? Are you excited about their mission? Show that you care and explain how your goals match up with theirs. If there’s anything unusual on your resume, like a time when you weren’t working or a big career change, quickly explain what happened and how it helped you get ready for this job. Be confident and enthusiastic, and show the hiring manager why you’re the perfect person for the job!

Step 6: Conclude with a Call to Action

You’ve made a strong case for why you’re the perfect person for the job. Now it’s time to wrap it up and ask for what you want: an interview!

Your final paragraph should be short and sweet. Start by thanking the hiring manager for their time and consideration. Then, clearly state your interest in the position and ask for an interview. You can also briefly reiterate your enthusiasm for the company or mention a specific project you’d like to be part of.

Be confident and polite. You want to leave a positive impression.

Example:

“Thank you for considering my application for the Marketing Coordinator position. I am eager to discuss how my skills and experience can benefit your team. Please feel free to contact me to schedule an interview at your earliest convenience.”

Step 7: Proofread and Edit

You’re almost there! Before you hit send, it’s crucial to check your cover letter for any mistakes. Even one small error can make a bad impression.

Read through your cover letter carefully several times. Check for spelling and grammar mistakes. Make sure your sentences are clear and easy to understand. Pay attention to punctuation and capitalization. It’s also a good idea to read your cover letter aloud to catch any awkward phrasing.

If possible, ask a friend or family member to review your cover letter. A fresh pair of eyes can catch mistakes you might miss.

Finally, make sure your cover letter is formatted correctly. Use a professional font and consistent spacing.

Taking the time to proofread and edit your cover letter shows that you pay attention to detail and care about your work.

Anatomy of an Ideal Cover Letter

The process of writing an awesome cover letter begins with doing your research about the company and the specific role you are applying for.

A person checking out documents Every job position values different skill sets, experiences, and responsibilities and it is essential that you modify your cover letter so as to make you best suited for the job. This means no copy-pasting, no pre-made templates, and no recycling of old cover letters.

Although there is no official format of a cover letter, it still needs to be visually organized in a manner that is easy to read and follow through with.

Things You Must Include In Cover Letter

Below is an outline of the things one must include while writing a cover letter.

Header

Begin your cover letter with a header comprising of your contact information. You should include information like first and last name, street address & city, phone number, email, date, and even your LinkedIn profile (if you have one).

Salutation

Next comes salutations. You can begin your situations with “Dr./Mr./Ms. Name.” Always, always avoid using generic salutations like “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir or Madam”- they are archaic and shows laziness.

If the hiring manager’s name is not written on the job description, Google the company or look it up on LinkedIn and try finding their HR manager. If you still can’t figure out the specific hiring manager’s name, try writing your cover letter to the head of the department for the role you’re applying for.

Opening Paragraph aka Introduction

A good rule of thumb is to begin your opening paragraph by stating the job position you are applying for. You can then go and explain where you heard of the job.

However, it’s also advisable to start with a strong punchline with something simple like, “I am excited to apply for [job] with [Company].” You need to convey that you are excited about the company you’re applying for or are passionate about the work that you do.

Your goal in the introduction is to get the reader’s attention as chances are they go through a stack of these a day!

Body

Next up comes the most crucial part. If you are able to hook the reader with your opening statements, you have won half the battle. Now it’s time to showcase why you are the perfect candidate for the job position by mentioning your specific skills and experience and how you meet the job requirement effectively.

Simply stating that you are a “team player” or a “self-starter” falls flat as most of the other applicants follow the same suit. You need to provide tangible examples of how you are a team player or whatever your strengths are.

Closing Statements

Re-emphasize how passionate you are about joining the company and what value you can add. This is your last chance to make an impression so make it count. You can also write about what you will do to follow-up, and when you will do it. Finally, thank the reader for their consideration and for taking the time to review your resume.

Signature

Write a complimentary close like “Sincerely”, “Thank You”, “Regards” etc, and finish up with your name and signature.

Again, make sure to highlight specific experiences and skills you have based on the job you are applying for. The more direct answers you can give to a recruiter relating to the job description, the better chances you will have of being shortlisted.

Bonus Tip: An Awesome Tool to Write Your Cover Letter

Now that you are ready to create your awesome cover letter, we would like to chip in and help you create one quickly and easily.

Bit is a new-age cloud-based document collaboration tool that helps anyone create awesome interactive documents like resumes and cover letters! Think of it as a modern-day Microsoft Word!

So how does Bit work?

If you are looking for a new, advanced yet simple editor, look no further!

The core value proposition of Bit’s editor is the ability to work collaboratively with your peers on writing projects. If you need a colleague, mentor, or a friend to help you out writing your cover letter, you can your Bit document with anyone and work with them on the doc in real-time.

Your friend can then highlight changes, add comments, and can even chat with you, without leaving the document. With the ability to embed rich media inside your documents, you can make your resume interactive and really make an impact on the employer.

For example, if you are applying for the role of a Graphic Designer, you can add your images, videos, and animations directly inside your document!

However, what makes a great writing tool is its editor. Bit’s smart, minimal editor is perfect for distraction-free writing. No more word-styled ribbon with confusing and distracting tabs and buttons.

Just start typing on a blank canvas and you’re good to go. If you need to format the text, just highlight the word/sentence/paragraph and you’re presented with a hidden set of formatting tools!

Bit also allows the use of Markdown to write quickly. Markdown gets rid of all the distractions of a formatting toolbar and mouse clicks by helping you focus on your writing without lifting your fingers off of the keyboard.

All in all, Bit is a modern-day editor that makes writing fun and distraction-free and is the perfect tool to create a cover letter or other smart workplace documents!

Over to you!

We hope you are now well equipped to create that awesome cover letter and land that dream job! If you have any questions or need additional tips regarding your cover letter, you can always tweet us @bit_ai. Good luck!

Further reads:

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Cover Letter: What is it & How to Write it to Woo Recruiters?

What Is a Cover Letter? (Definition)

Types of Cover Letters

What to Include in Your Cover Letter?

How to Write a Cover Letter?