Cover letter what is it

How to Write a Cover Letter in 2022 | Beginner’s Guide

After weeks of heavy job search, you’re almost there!

You’ve perfected your resume.

You’ve short-listed the coolest jobs you want to apply for.

You’ve even had a friend train you for every single interview question out there.

But then, before you can send your application and call it a day, you remember that the job ad requires a cover letter.

Now you’re stuck wondering how to write a cover letter.

Don’t panic! We’ve got you covered. Writing a cover letter is a lot simpler than you might think.

In this guide, we’re going to teach you how to write a cover letter that gets you the job you deserve.

So, let’s get started with the basics!

What is a Cover Letter? (and Why It’s Important)

A cover letter is a one-page document that you submit as part of your job application (alongside your CV or Resume).

Its purpose is to introduce you and briefly summarize your professional background. On average, your cover letter should be from 250 to 400 words long.

A good cover letter can spark the HR manager’s interest and get them to read your resume.

A bad cover letter, on the other hand, might mean that your application is going directly to the paper shredder. So, to make sure this doesn’t happen, it’s essential to know how to write a convincing cover letter.

How does a good cover letter look, you might ask. Well, here’s an example:

Keep in mind, though, that a cover letter is a supplement to your resume, not a replacement. Meaning, you don’t just repeat whatever is mentioned in your resume.

If you’re writing a cover letter for the first time, writing all this might seem pretty tough. After all, you’re probably not a professional writer.

The thing is, though, you don’t need to be creative, or even any good at writing. All you have to do is follow a tried-and-tested format:

Or, here’s what this looks like in practice:

How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter (And Get Hired!)

Now that we’ve got the basics out of the way, we’re going to guide you through the process of writing a cover letter step by step.

A good cover letter is all about leaving the right first impression.

So, what’s a better way to leave a good impression than a well-formatted, visual template?

You can simply pick one of our hand-picked cover letter templates, and you’ll be all set in a jiffy!

As a bonus, our AI will even give you suggestions on how to improve your cover letter on the go.

As with a resume, it’s important to start your cover letter with a Contact Information section:

Here, you want to include all essential information, including:

In certain cases, you might also consider adding:

And here’s what you shouldn’t mention in your header:

Once you’ve properly listed your contact information, you need to start writing the cover letter contents.

The first thing to do here is to address the cover letter to the hiring manager.

That’s right, the hiring manager! Not the overly popular “Dear Sir or Madam.” You want to show your future boss that you did your research and are really passionate about working with their team.

No one wants to hire a job seeker who just spams 20+ companies and hopes to get hired in any of them.

So, how do you find out who’s the hiring manager? There are several ways to do this.

The simplest option is to look up the head of the relevant department on LinkedIn. Let’s say you’re applying for the position of a Communication Specialist at Novoresume. The hiring manager is probably Head of Communications or Chief Communications Office.

So, you do a quick lookup on LinkedIn:

And voila! You have your hiring manager.

Or let’s say you’re applying for the position of a server. In that case, you’d be looking for the “restaurant manager.”

If this doesn’t work, you can also check out the “Team” page on the company website; there’s a good chance you’ll at least find the right person there.

Here are several other greetings you could use:

First impressions matter, especially when it comes to your job search.

Recruiters get hundreds, sometimes even thousands, of applications. Chances are, they’re not going to be reading every single cover letter end-to-end.

So, it’s essential to catch their attention from the very first paragraph.

The #1 problem we see with most cover letter opening paragraphs is that they’re usually extremely generic. Most of them look something like this..

See the issue here? This opening paragraph doesn’t say pretty much anything except the fact that you’ve worked the job before.

Do you know who else has similar work experience? All the other applicants you’re competing with.

Instead, you want to start off with 2-3 of your top achievements to really grab the reader’s attention. Preferably, the achievements should be as relevant as possible to the position.

So now, let’s make our previous example shine:

See the difference between the two examples? If you were the hiring manager, which sales manager would you hire, Jonathan or Michael?

Now that we’ve covered the introduction, let’s talk about the body of your cover letter. This part is split into two paragraphs: the first is for explaining why you’re the perfect person for the job, and the latter is for proving that you’re a good fit for the company.

So, let’s get started.

This is where you show off your professional skills and convince the HR manager that you’re a better fit for the job than all the other applicants.

For the sake of the example, let’s say you’re applying for the position of a Facebook Advertiser. You scan the job ad and see that the top requirements are:

Now, in this section, you need to discuss how you fulfill these requirements. So, here’s how that would look for our example:

Other than Facebook advertising, I’ve also delved into other online PPC channels, including:

Are you a student applying for your first internship? You probably don’t have a lot of work experience to show off in this section. Learn how to write an internship cover letter here.

Well, no. You’re not quite there yet.

The HR manager doesn’t only look at whether you’ll be good at the job or not. They’re looking for someone that’s also a good fit for the company culture.

After all, employees that don’t fit in are bound to quit, sooner or later. This ends up costing the company a ton of money, up to 50% of the employee’s annual salary.

Meaning, you also need to convince the HR manager that you’re really passionate about working with them.

How do you do this? Well, as a start, you want to do some research about the company. You want to know things like:

So, get to Googling. Chances are, you’ll find all the information you need either on the company website or somewhere around the web.

Then, you need to figure out what you like about the company and turn that into text.

Let’s say, for example, you’re passionate about their product and you like the culture of innovation / independent work in the organization.

You’d write something like:

I’ve personally used the XYZ Smartphone, and I believe that it’s the most innovative tech I’ve used in years. The features such as Made-Up-Feature #1 and Made-Up-Feature #2 were real game changers for the device.

I really admire how Company XYZ thrives for excellence for all its product lines, creating market-leading tech. As someone that thrives in a self-driven environment, I truly believe that I and Company XYZ will be a great match.

What you don’t want to do here is be super generic for the sake of having something to write. Most job seekers tend to mess this one up. Let’s take a look at a very common example we tend to see (way too often):

I’d love to work for Company XYZ because of its culture of innovation. I believe that since I’m super creative, I’d be a good fit for the company. The company values of integrity and transparency really vibe with me.

See what’s wrong here? The example doesn’t really say anything about the company. “Culture of Innovation” is something most companies claim to have.

Any hiring manager that reads this will see through the fluff.

So, make sure to do a lot of research and come up with good reasons why you’re applying.

Finally, it’s time to finish up your cover letter and write the conclusion.

In the final paragraph, you want to:

And now, let’s turn this into a practical example:

So to wrap it all up, thanks for looking into my application. I hope I can help Company X make the most out of their Facebook marketing initiatives. I’d love to further discuss how my previous success at XYZ Inc. can help you achieve your facebook marketing goals.

Once you’re done with the final paragraph, all you have to do is write down a formal “goodbye” and you’re good to go.

Feel free to use one of the most popular conclusions to a cover letter:

And we’re finally done! Before sending off the cover letter, make sure to proofread it with software like Grammarly, or maybe even get a friend to review it for you.

Does your cover letter heading include all essential information?

Do you address the right person? I.e. hiring manager in the company / your future direct supervisor

Does your introductory paragraph grab the reader’s attention?

Do you successfully convey that you’re the right pro for the job?

Do you convince the hiring manager that you’re passionate about the company you’re applying to?

Did you finalize the conclusion with a call to action?

Did you use the right formal closure for the cover letter?

5+ Cover Letter Examples

Need some inspiration? Read on to learn about some of the best cover letter examples we’ve seen (for different fields).

College Student Cover Letter Example

Middle Management Cover Letter Example

Career Change Cover Letter Example

Management Cover Letter Example

Senior Executive Cover Letter Example

Want to discover more examples AND learn what makes them stand out? Check out our guide to cover letter examples.

Your cover letter is only as good as your resume. If either one is weak, your entire application is for naught.

After all, a cover letter is just an introduction. Imagine going through all this effort to leave an amazing first impression, but flopping at the end because of a mediocre resume.

. But don’t you worry, we’ve got you covered on that end, too.

Or, if you’re already an expert, just pick one of our resume templates and get started.

Key Takeaways

Now that we’ve walked you through all the steps of writing a cover letter, let’s summarize everything we’ve learned:

At Novorésumé, we’re committed to helping you get the job you deserve, every step of the way! Follow our blog to stay up to date with the industry-leading advice. Or, check out some of our top guides…

Cover Letter

What Is a Cover Letter?

A cover letter is a written document commonly submitted with a job application outlining the applicant’s credentials and interest in the open position. Since a cover letter is often one of only two documents sent to a potential employer, a well- or poorly-written letter can impact whether the applicant is called for an interview.

Key Takeaways

7 Cover Letter Blunders

Understanding Cover Letters

Most job postings are done online and no longer require a physical application. Instead, applicants send companies a copy of their resume along with a cover letter either by email or with a hard copy through the mail. A resume offers a glimpse into the professional and academic experience of a potential employee. The cover letter, on the other hand, acts as an introduction written by the candidate to express their interest in the position and what makes them the best fit for the job.

A good cover letter complements a resume by expanding on items relevant to the job. In essence, it’s a sales pitch that describes why the applicant is the best person for the position. Career experts advise job seekers to spend time customizing each cover letter for the particular position, rather than using a generic missive. Although this requires extra effort, it can be very helpful in allowing an applicant to stand out above the competition.

The cover letter provides information to the employer about who the candidate is as a professional and as a person. This includes their areas of interest, professional goals, knowledge, skills they’ve gained over the years, achievements, passions, and aspirations. The cover letter should be a one-page document that provides a clear and concise idea about why the candidate is the best person for the job. It should also highlight the cultural fit.

Types of Cover Letters

While there is no set template for a cover letter, the type of letter that you write will depend on the requirements of each individual company or employer. The information that is included in a cover letter will vary depending on the goals and purpose of your application.

How to Write a Cover Letter

When employers post a job ad that requires a cover letter, they may specify certain requirements for the cover letter to address. For example, they may require applicants to answer certain questions, or to respect a certain word limit. It is important to follow these requirements, as they reflect on the applicant’s ability to understand and follow directions.

If the employer does not set any expectations, a typical cover letter should be about a page or less, and may include a formal greeting, contact information, and links to the applicant’s portfolio or work. It should highlight any special skills, and explain why you would be a good fit for the position. This is your chance to impress the employer: Even if your resume does not have everything an employer wants, a well-written cover letter can make the applicant stand out from the crowd.

However, it is possible to include too much information. Most employers will simply glance at the majority of their cover letters, and a long-winded essay might end up at the bottom of the pile. A few short paragraphs explaining your skills, and why you chose that specific employer, should be enough to put your best foot forward.

Tips for Writing a Cover Letter

Writing a cover letter doesn’t have to be tedious—even though it may seem like it’s a chore. Here are a few simple tips you may want to consider when composing your cover letter:

A simple, focused cover letter without any typos or grammatical errors will get you noticed by potential employers.

A perfect resume can often be sabotaged by a poorly thought-out cover letter or one that is laden with mistakes. Whether you include the letter as per required submission guidelines, or you simply want to emphasize your interest in the job, make sure you avoid making these blunders.

How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?

According to Indeed, a leading job-seeking site, a typical cover letter should be about three or four paragraphs long and highlight any special experience or achievements that make the applicant exceptionally well-suited to the position.

How Do You Start a Cover Letter?

A cover letter should start with a formal greeting, preferably addressed to the hiring manager. If you do not know who will be reading your cover letter, a generic «to whom it may concern» is an acceptable, albeit old-fashioned, way to address a cover letter. It is also acceptable to address the letter to a title, such as «Dear Hiring Manager,» or «Dear Talent Acquisition Team.»

What Should a Cover Letter Contain?

An effective cover letter should highlight the applicant’s skills, experience, and any achievements that make them a good fit for their prospective employer. It is also a good chance to mention anything that is not included in the resume: For example, if an applicant is drawn to a certain employer because they love a certain product, the cover letter is a great place to mention it. Make sure your cover letter also includes your name and contact information.

The Bottom Line

In a competitive jobs market, an effective cover letter is one way to make a job application stand out. This is a chance for an applicant to demonstrate why they think they would be a good fit. However, a poorly-written or meandering cover letter can hurt an application more than it helps.

What Is a Cover Letter for a Job? Definition, Purpose, Meaning

Everyone has heard of one, but what is a cover letter for a job and what does it do? Here’s a simple explanation plus a full toolbox of cover letter advice.

Here’s a brief roundup of what a cover letter for a job is:

Though it is personalized, a cover letter for a resume should also be clean and visually organized.

Here is a cover letter sample created with our cover letter builder.

Want to write your cover letter fast? Use our cover letter builder. Choose from 20+ professional cover letter templates that match your resume. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.

One of our users, Nikos, had this to say:

[I used] a nice template I found on Zety. My resume is now one page long, not three. With the same stuff.

See that? This resume cover letter presents the candidate in a memorable way telling stories that show his skills and experience match what the employer seeks. It’s also well-organized and long enough.

The difference between a resume and a cover letter is clear: a resume is a list of specs and a cover letter is a full-blown marketing campaign. Yes, it still mentions facts and figures, but it puts them out the in the form of a story.

You can find more in-depth information on how to write cover letters in our dedicated guides:

Now, let’s discover why cover letters are still a thing nowadays.

What’s the Purpose of a Cover Letter for a Job in Today’s Hiring?

Ever wondered why it’s called a cover letter? Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, people submitted job applications on paper. The cover letter served as the actual cover page for the resume.

It doesn’t work like that today of course. Now it’s just a smart way to provide context to your application, convey motivation, show your personality, etc.

Regardless, you still need a cover letter and it’s still important. Here’s why:

What is the Point of a Cover Letter?

The purpose of a cover letter is to provide additional background information about your application. The goal of the cover letter is to highlight your best qualifications, explain what’s missing from your resume, and show a bit of your personal story. It shows your commitment to the potential job, as it requires extra time on your part to write one.

Pro Tip: Do you always need a cover letter? It is important in four cases: if the job ad requires it, if the recruiter requests it, if you’re applying directly to a person and know their name, or if someone has referred you for the position.

When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building a professional resume template here for free.

When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.

Is there anything we didn’t cover? Still not convinced you need a resume cover letter? Hit us up in the comments section. We’d love to help.

What is a Cover Letter?

What is a cover letter and, more importantly, what is a good cover letter?

We know that sending a resume without a cover letter is generally a waste of time. The resume rarely gets read or receives the attention it deserves.

Providing concrete evidence of your skills and competencies as they relate to the job opportunity in a well constructed cover letter is an essential step in your successful job search.

Take the right steps to construct a letter that gets you the job interview.

What is a cover letter?

Are cover letters really necessary?

Yes, a cover letter is necessary. Employers are pressed for time. They are likely to ignore resumes that arrive without a cover letter for 2 main reasons:

When your competition has taken the time to compile a well written and targeted cover letter and you haven’t, your job application will go to the bottom of the pile.

How do I write a good cover letter?

Follow these four steps to write a cover letter that grabs attention, creates interest, turns the interest into action.

1. Get the reader’s attention

2. Stimulate the reader’s interest

«I am confident that my experience and skills closely match your job requirements.»

«I am enthusiastic about the positive contribution I can make to XYZ Company.»

3. Turn interest into desire

4. Convert desire to action

Phrases that create a strong closing include:

«I will call you next week to be sure you received my resume and to answer any questions you may have.»

«I look forward to learning more about your company and how I can contribute to the success of your department.»

How do I begin a cover letter?

Start your cover letter with a powerful phrase that immediately grabs the reader’s attention. Examples include:

«I am very interested in the accounting position you posted on your company website and believe I have the qualifications to successfully fulfill your requirements. «

Knowing what is a cover letter and how to write a convincing letter is key to your job search success.

What Is A Cover Letter

A cover letter is a document that introduces you to the person tasked to qualify candidates or proposals to the company or organization. It is usually attached to another document such as a Curriculum Vitae, company profile or business proposal. The cover letter is alternatively referred to as a Letter of Introduction, Letter of Intent or Letter of Motivation.

The cover letter is basically a short summary of your skills and experience. It should not circumvent the attached documents which have greater detail. The purpose of the cover letter is to generate interest from the recipient that he or she would be compelled to initiate progressive action.

In essence, the cover letter is your marketing collateral. It is the first document that establishes a relationship between you and the recipient. Remember even in business first impressions count. Thus, you must put thought and effort in crafting your cover letter because it does not only share insights on your skills and experience. The cover letter also shows the addressee how you communicate.

The Different Types of Cover Letters

A cover letter can be customised to suit your purpose and meet your needs. There are generally three types of cover letters:

Before writing a cover letter, determine your purpose for writing one. How you construct and create content may determine how far your proposal or application would go.

Keep in mind that the cover letter may determine whether you will move on in the process and secure the all – important job interview. Or have your resume end up in their 201 file.

Take the time to review the approach to writing an effective cover letter. It could bring you closer to the job of your dreams.

How to Write a Cover Letter

The cover letter is a letter of introduction. It should only summarize the key points in your application. These key points are the pieces of information that would attract notice from the addressee or the person designated to review your application.

Here are a few guidelines when writing a cover letter:

When writing a cover letter view it from the perspective of determining how your skills and experience would benefit the company or organization. A cover letter should lend more substance to your resume without circumventing its content. It is complementary and should not undermine your overall value proposition.

An effective cover letter should cover the following key areas of interest:

Finally, always express gratitude for considering your application for the job. An appreciative closing statement sends the message to the recruiter that you are considerate of the work they put in scrutinizing every job applicant.

The Basic Structure of the Cover Letter

Given the aforementioned varied points of interest, in order to get these across successfully within a protracted format you should follow the basic structure of a cover letter:

1. Header

The cover letter should always begin with the date the cover letter was submitted and information about you and the addressee. The information should include the following details:

Name – First Name / Middle Initial / Last Name
Position/ Designation
Address
Zip Code
E-mail Address

You should include information on your LinkedIn address and Twitter account. Recruiters are very particular about these two social media accounts especially LinkedIn. Make sure the details in your LinkedIn and Twitter profiles are the same as the Curriculum Vitae.

Address the recipient according to the appropriate title or designation. Make sure the name is written completely. If you are not sure of the name of the recipient, do some research to find out his or her identity.

2. Salutation

The salutation is your formal greeting to the recipient of the cover letter. It should always be formal in tone regardless if you know the person directly. The standard format is “Dear Mr./Ms. “ followed by the last name.

If for example the name of the person is gender neutral such as “Jamie Smith”, place the complete name after the greeting such as “Dear Jamie W. Smith,”.

If you do not know the name of the addressee and your research does not yield any confirmation, you can just state, “Dear Recruitment Manager,”.

3. The Body of the Cover Letter

This is where your cover letter should focus most of its substance. Recruiters will often go to the body right away to determine your value proposition. The body of the cover letter generally has three parts:

The Introduction. The introduction plays a very important part in that this is where you can immediately grab the attention of the addressee.

State the reason for the cover letter by indicating your purpose. If you are sending the cover letter to support a job application, indicate the job position you want. If the cover letter is a business proposal, indicate right away your intent.

You should also inform the addressee how you found out about the job opening.

The introduction is also where you can indicate a contact person or a connection that may have an important association with your addressee.

A connection can become an important component of your application especially if he or she has a good relationship or holds a measure of influence with the company.

The Main Body. This is where you include the important information on your experience, expertise and skill set. As mentioned earlier, you should not go into great detail on what you could do for the organization.

Instead within one to two paragraphs, give a succinct summary of the relevant aspects of your curriculum vitae. A good approach would be to pinpoint details from the job post and use these as reference points for your qualification.

For example, if you are applying for a job as Sales Manager and the job post states the company is looking for people who are “dynamic and experienced in leading a team of achievers to reach their quota”, you can reference your latest employment and state a particular experience which showed you ability to manage a sales team.

It is always advisable to include statistics, figures and other numbers that support your experience. It should tell the addressee how you made a difference in the success of your company.

Lastly, do not attempt to “sugar coat” your qualification. Recruiters are highly experienced when it comes to reviewing content of cover letters. This is an activity they do every single day of the work week. It is a combination of technical expertise and intuition that tells a recruiter if your experience is truthful.

Recruiters will not hesitate to contact your stated employer to find out the veracity of your claim. Sugar coating the truth is never the truth. It is still lying and will do your application more harm than good.

Closing. At the end of your cover letter, you should always close by expressing hope that your application would be given due consideration. It is very important that you do not appear overly confident of your opportunities of making if further along.

There is a big difference between confidence and arrogance. Recruiters prefer candidates who are confident of their skills and experience but these have to be ably substantiated by evidence not just be rhetoric.

You should also express your well – wishes to the addressee and the company. Let the addressee know that you appreciate taking time to read your cover letter and that regardless of the outcome you are wishing the organization continued success in the years ahead.

Signature and Biddings

As a way to complement your salutation, end the cover letter by bidding or sending good tidings to your addressee.

Among the formal biddings or good tidings are as follows:

Type your complete name at the bottom, left – hand side then sign over it with a black signature pen.

Last but certainly not the least, always proof read your cover letter for grammar and spelling errors before printing it out.

The Format of a Cover Letter

The cover letter must not only look professional, it should also be easily readable. When preparing a cover letter, take note of the following details:

Today many recruiters and applicants have put to question the value of the cover letter. Some recruiters have expressed their opinion that they do not bother with the cover letter and prefer to proceed directly with the Curriculum Vitae and other attachments.

The popular criticism with the cover letter is that it lacks purpose and creativity. Many applicants just send standard format cover letters and cut and paste these to include the details of the recipient.

Again, remember these recruiters come across hundreds of applications every day many of which have cover letters. It is very easy for them to pick out which cover letters are the same as others. When this happens the cover letter becomes a detriment to the applicant.

Customize the cover letter to fit the needs, specifications of the job and the company. The recruiter may thank you for it by scheduling you for the first interview.

Sample Cover Letter

Mr. Raymond J. McAllister
91-B Joielane Street
New York City, New York
10001 USA

Mr. Eduard V. Robinson
Human Resources Manager
ABC Sales and Marketing Inc.
New York City, New York
10005 USA

Dear Mr. Robinson,

I am writing to express my interest in applying for the position of Sales Manager as published in the 1st May 2016 issue of the New York Journal. The job posting was presented to me by Mr. Nathan W. Young whose company has been a longstanding client of your esteemed company.

I noted in the job description that you are looking for a candidate who can grow your brand in new distribution channels. In my current position as Sales Director for YYZ Merchandising Corporation, I have posted two (2) consecutive years of growth averaging 10.4% every year. In 2015, I was assigned to develop the business in New Castle. Today, New Castle posts the 2nd highest gross sales for the company at US$12,000,000.

I believe I have the technical and fundamental skills needed for implementing marketing programs and attaining sales quotas. Most of all, I have the confidence, focus and determination to contribute to the success of ABC Sales and Marketing Inc.

Thank you for taking time to review my papers. I wish your company continued success in the years ahead.

I remain hopeful my application shall merit your consideration and favorable approval.

Very truly yours,

Raymond J. McAllister

Table Of Contents

Felix T. Web

I founded ResumeOK in 2011 to help people increase their chances of getting a better job. I am a career expert that has reviewed and written thousands of resumes. During my career, I found patterns that make a resume successful. Together with our team, we are sharing insights and knowledge in our resume examples and career articles. Do you have a question or need help? Just contact us here.

Last Updated on May 19, 2022 by Felix T. Web

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