Among the sneakiest tactics job applications employ is stating that submitting a cover letter is optional. While it’s true that some companies may genuinely not mind if you include a cover letter, also known as a letter of application, many hiring managers use this as a method to narrow down applicants before HR even starts sending emails. They understand that dedicated candidates will go above and beyond, and the cover letter is your opportunity to make a powerful initial impression. Just as there are countless ways to approach a task, there are numerous ways to write a cover letter, but simplicity often reigns supreme. This article will guide you on crafting a compelling cover letter that propels your application to the forefront and secures you that crucial first phone screen or interview. Here are 10 essential tips for writing an exceptional cover letter. Let’s dive in!

1. What Purpose Does a Cover Letter Serve?

In essence, your job cover letter allows you to explain to potential employers why they should hire you. It should showcase your suitability for the position, your professionalism, and your capabilities, all while providing a glimpse into your personality. Moreover, it’s your chance to contextualize your resume, clarifying any omissions and emphasizing the aspects most pertinent to the role. Sounds challenging? Rest assured, it’s not as daunting as it seems. Once you grasp the fundamentals, you can easily adapt your cover letter for each position, ensuring its relevance to the specific job you’re pursuing.

2. What’s the Ideal Length for a Cover Letter?

Similar to resumes, cover letters should not exceed one page; anything longer risks losing the hiring manager’s interest before they even glance at your resume. In terms of word count, aim for approximately 500 words. A good rule of thumb is to stick to around three paragraphs (maximum four), excluding the salutation and closing.

Submit your application today for immediate review!

3. Essential Components of a Job Cover Letter

A strong cover letter for a job application typically includes the following:

1. Your address and a salutation
2. An introductory paragraph that introduces you to the hiring manager and states the position you’re applying for
3. A statement expressing your enthusiasm for the role and why you’re the ideal candidate
4. A concise section outlining your qualifications and relevant work history
5. A brief conclusion reiterating your interest in the position, providing your contact information, and ending with a courteous yet professional closing

4. Proper Formatting for a Cover Letter

A standard cover letter for a job application should resemble the following:

As illustrated, the cover letter begins with your name, address, and contact details at the top, followed by the date and the recipient’s name and address. The body of the cover letter (ideally three paragraphs) should comfortably fit on one page, leaving space for your closing. (Tip: You can find this and other cover letter templates in Microsoft Word.)

5. Choosing the Appropriate Salutation and Closing

Generally, it’s advisable to tailor the language, style, and tone of your cover letter to the specific role and company you’re applying to. For instance, a cover letter for a position at a prestigious law firm would differ significantly from one for a part-time retail job.

“Tell me, my good man, did that applicant just address you as ‘sir’? I must say, I’m quite fond of his demeanor.”

Nevertheless, a safe and versatile salutation is “Dear Mr./Ms. [Name].” If you don’t know the hiring manager’s name, you can use a generic salutation like “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear Recruiting Manager.” (Experts recommend (avoid using “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir/Madam,” as they sound outdated). Note: It’s best to refrain from using “Mrs.” when addressing a female hiring manager, even if you’re certain she’s married. Opt for the respectfully neutral “Ms.” instead. For the closing, stick to something straightforward and professional, such as “Sincerely” or “Regards.”

6. Crafting a Compelling Cover Letter Opening

Wise words to live by. Image courtesy of WikiHow. Typically, the introductory paragraph of a cover letter aims to achieve three objectives:

• Introduce yourself
• Explain why you’re contacting the recipient
• Entice the recipient to continue reading While there are a few unconventional ways to begin your cover letter, most follow a fairly standard format. For example: “My name is Dan Shewan, and I’m writing to express my interest in the Staff Writer position.” This sentence accomplishes two of our three goals by introducing me and stating my purpose for writing. Whether to mention where you saw the job posting is up to you (I usually omit this, as the hiring manager already knows where they’re advertising). If you were referred by someone or know someone at the company, this would be a suitable place to mention it, for example: “My name is Dan Shewan, and I’m writing to apply for the Staff Writer position, which I learned about from your magazine’s editorial assistant, Jane Doe.” We still need to address the third objective of our cover letter’s introduction, which is to provide a compelling reason for the recipient to keep reading. This is your opportunity to highlight your strengths: “With over a decade of editorial experience across various print and online publications, I believe I would be a valuable asset to your team.” By including this sentence, I’m giving the hiring manager a reason to continue reading. I mention my years of experience, hint at the type of experience detailed in my resume, and conclude with a strong, confident statement of interest. With that, I’m ready to delve into the heart of my cover letter.

7. The Body of a Letter of Application: Showcasing Your Value

Remember, cover letters are your chance to demonstrate why you’re the perfect fit for the hiring manager’s specific needs. This is the purpose of your cover letter’s body, specifically the second paragraph. A helpful approach is to step into the hiring manager’s shoes. The person responsible for screening candidates likely has a clear picture of their ideal candidate. They know the ideal candidate’s college major, specific skills, years of experience, and types of projects they’ve worked on. When it comes to cover letters, hiring managers seek one thing above all else – relevance. In short, the hiring manager knows exactly who they’re looking for.

“So, your resume says you can walk AND chew gum at the same time? Color me impressed – so impressed, in fact, that I’m going to continue nonchalantly resting my elbow on my keyboard.”

Your cover letter is your chance to prove that you are that person by aligning yourself perfectly with the hiring manager’s vision of their dream candidate. The second paragraph of your cover letter (the longest and most substantial part) is where you achieve this. In about 5-7 sentences, tell the recipient why you’re the absolute best person for the job by emphasizing specific aspects of your education, work history, or life experiences that you bring to the table. If you’re genuinely passionate about the job and your field, let it shine through! No one wants to hire someone who’s just desperate for any job they can get. Here’s an example of a great cover letter body via Ask a Manager: As my resume demonstrates, I’ve cultivated my career across diverse roles and industries, primarily within smaller companies where I served not only as an administrator but also as a gatekeeper, technology specialist, bookkeeper, and marketing expert. I’m not merely accustomed to wearing multiple hats, I genuinely relish it; I thrive in environments where every workday presents unique challenges. Beyond being adaptable and responsive, I’m also meticulous about details – especially when it comes to presentation. One of my recent projects involved coordinating a 200-page grant proposal: I proofread and edited the narratives provided by the division head, formatted spreadsheets, and ensured every line was flawless and the final product adhered to the RFP’s specific guidelines. (The outcome? A five-year, $1.5 million grant award.) I believe in applying this same level of meticulous attention to detail to tasks as significant as preparing materials for high-level meetings and as seemingly mundane as ensuring the copier never runs out of paper. Notice how this cover letter substantiates claims (like “meticulous about details”) with concrete examples and evidence ($1.5 million grant award).

8. Aligning Your Cover Letter with the Job Description

It’s crucial to align your cover letter closely with the job description! Since the hiring manager knows what they want, it’s wise to look for clues in the job description and reflect them in your cover letter. Tailoring cover letters to the job description’s requirements is a surefire way to stand out from the competition. Many companies employ software that scans cover letters for specific keywords or phrases from the job description. Failing to include these keywords could lead to your application being automatically rejected before human review. This further emphasizes the importance of aligning your cover letter with the job description. We understand: If you’ve been job hunting for even a short period, it can be soul-crushing, and after a few months, it’s easy to see why many people neglect to personalize each cover letter, especially if they’re mass-applying to numerous companies weekly.

“Applicants must possess a Master’s degree or higher and 10+ years of relevant professional experience. Starting salary is $35,000 per year.” Don’t fall into this trap! Because the hiring manager has already done much of the groundwork, an easy way to make your cover letter more relevant is to “mirror” the job description’s structure. For example, let’s say you’re applying for an Office and Events Coordinator role. Here are some key job functions and requirements:

Use the exact terms and language from this list in your cover letter to describe your relevant experience and skills. For instance, you could start your cover letter like this: “As an experienced events coordinator with substantial expertise in planning and executing large-scale corporate events, including client functions, conferences, and executive meetings, I am confident I would excel in this role.” Notice how this mirrors the list of events from the first bullet point? As before, back up your claims with specific examples, using words from the job description so the hiring manager can see you’ve paid attention and are a good fit: “In 2016, I managed travel and accommodation logistics for 40 staff members traveling from San Diego, CA to Boston, MA for the INBOUND marketing conference. My key responsibilities included securing cost-effective flights by negotiating with commercial airlines, accommodating individual needs such as dietary restrictions for several attendees throughout their stay, and collaborating with multiple nationwide logistics companies to ensure timely delivery and setup of conference booth materials. As a result, we achieved a 35% year-over-year reduction in travel and accommodation expenses and secured a more favorable rate with a more efficient nationwide logistics provider.” This paragraph mirrors the job description while making it more engaging, specific, and relevant. It demonstrates your ability to handle the job’s demands and subtly highlights your achievements, like saving the company a significant amount of money.

Hats off to HubSpot’s phenomenal event planning team

9. Striking the Right Tone in Your Cover Letter

Pay close attention to the language used in the job listing and reflect it in your cover letter. Adopt a formal tone when applying for a position with a formal job description. If the description is more playful and unconventional, you can be slightly more creative and casual (within reason). The language used in many job descriptions reflects the company’s brand voice and values. Mirroring this language in your cover letter not only makes stylistic sense but also demonstrates that you’d be a good culture fit.

10. Cover Letters for LinkedIn Applications

This might surprise you, but cover letters were once physical letters that accompanied resumes, mailed in an envelope. Today, most job applications are processed online, with a significant portion handled through LinkedIn. As you may know, LinkedIn offers a convenient way to share your information with potential employers called “Easy Apply.” This feature sends a condensed version of your LinkedIn profile directly to the hiring manager’s InMail inbox, where they can view your complete profile and application materials.

A ray of hope in the often-murky depths of job hunting

Remember how we discussed the “optional” cover letter tactic? Honestly, I rarely include a cover letter for Easy Apply roles on LinkedIn. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t.

How Are LinkedIn Cover Letters Different?

There are even fewer hard and fast rules for LinkedIn cover letters than for traditional ones. However, there are unique factors to consider when crafting one. Firstly, your LinkedIn profile combines elements of both a resume and a cover letter. Your LinkedIn summary essentially functions as its own cover letter, and your profile should ideally contain ample details about your professional accomplishments and valuable connections, which are increasingly important in today’s job market. Consequently, LinkedIn cover letters can be shorter and more concise than traditional ones. Regardless of your LinkedIn cover letter’s structure, keep it brief. The hiring manager already has plenty to review, so don’t waste their time.

Thank You for Your Time and Consideration

There are countless ways to write a cover letter, just as there are countless jobs to apply for. However, as long as you capture the hiring manager’s attention and maintain a professional and respectful tone, your cover letter serves its purpose of getting your foot in the door.