Putting together a resume might be more intuitive than knowing how to write a cover letter. Even the most sophisticated resumes generally boil down to a list of a candidate's work experience, skills, and education. Cover letters are more open-ended—they could go in different directions. Let these tips guide you on writing an engaging cover letter that could get you noticed.
What is a cover letter?
A cover letter gives the reader info about you, which role you're interested in, why you'd like to join that employer, and why you're a good fit for the open position. It's an opportunity to go more in-depth about some of the accomplishments mentioned on your resume and show how your qualifications would translate to success. No matter how far along you are in your career, stick to a few paragraphs on a single page.
If you're emailing your job application, your cover letter could be in the body of the email. If you're applying via a company portal or an applicant tracking system, you may need to paste your cover letter into a text field or attach it as a .doc or .pdf file. Be sure to follow the instructions.
Do you need a cover letter?
Are cover letters necessary? It depends. In some industries, it's a must, and in others, a rare sight. Some applications specify not to include one. In all other cases, it could be a good idea to send a cover letter. Because many applicants skip submitting them, knowing how to write a cover letter and including it with your application could separate you from other candidates.
Draw the reader in quickly and then get right to the point. Hiring managers and recruiters don't have a lot of time to read cover letters. Detail why you're a good fit for the open role, and share exactly what you possess that other candidates may or may not have mentioned because they didn't submit a cover letter.
How to write a cover letter
There are many ways you could convince a hiring manager or recruiter to meet with you. You could introduce yourself, express in a few lines something unique and relevant about yourself, and then explain which role you're interested in and why, what interests you about the company, and why your skills and experiences fit their needs. If you're changing careers, devote a paragraph to explain how your skills and experiences are transferrable to the industry you're trying to break into. If you have a long resume gap, you could spend a sentence or two explaining why.
You could also could tell a story. If you're stuck on what that could look like, here's an engaging format:
Step 1. Start with a time you achieved something in a previous role that's relevant to the job you're applying to
Consider beginning in the middle of the action to make your reader want to continue reading to find out what happens next. Lead with the word "when." For instance, for a junior sales role, you could open with a line like: "When my manager set a goal for me to double revenue in the next year, I …" and follow that with steps you took to achieve that goal. End the paragraph with what those efforts resulted in: you hitting or even surpassing that goal.
Step 2. Set up a smooth transition
To transition from the intro paragraph, you could say, "That's why I would be a good fit for X role at Company Y." Then, share how you found out about the role—perhaps on a professional networking site or job aggregator. If someone at the company referred you, get their permission to mention them by name. You could also end that paragraph by explaining why the role and company interest you.
Step 3. Connect your experience with what the employer is looking for based on the job description
You could impress a recruiter or hiring manager by working in details from news stories about the company and their social media and website. For example, "I would be excited to show your existing clients, such as Company A and Company B, how your new X product could benefit them. Because of my relationships with Companies C and D, I would also be able to show them the value of X product."
Step 4. Highlight another couple of successes or experiences
Be sure to go deeper on these examples than on your resume, and relate them back to the open role.
Step 5. Close strong
End by thanking the reader for their consideration, requesting a chance to meet with them, and share your phone number and a professional email address. Make sure you've addressed anything the application instructions mentioned, such as your willingness to relocate or work in a hybrid environment.
Here are a few do's and don'ts to keep in mind.
Cover letter tips
- Customize your cover letter for each position you apply. You don't have to start from scratch each time, but the exact same cover letter won't work for multiple openings.
- Stick to the truth. Don't risk your reputation and future opportunities by fabricating.
- Express your enthusiasm. Make it clear why you're eager to join their organization.
- Proofread. Typos and grammatical errors can negatively affect your application.
- Give examples of times you were detail-oriented and hardworking
- Use simple fonts for better readability.
- Don't bring up salary or benefits, unless the application instructions ask you to share your expectations.
- Don't talk badly about a previous job or manager.
- Don't send a cover letter if an application specifically asks you not to.
If the application instructions don't specify whether or not to write a cover letter, consider doing so because it gives more opportunity to make your case, possibly increasing chances for an interview.