How to write a cover letter that captures recruiter's eye - Sample Included

You cannot solely rely on your resume to make a big impact on the hiring manager of the company you are applying to. A cover letter can help you in getting a call back for an interview, but in order to be able to do that it should be good enough to make a strong impact on the hiring manager.

Now you must be wondering about how to write a cover letter that would assist you in getting your dream job. Well, to help you in the job hunting process, we have mentioned some great cover letter writing examples along with amazingly helpful tips and tricks.

Cover letter writing is the first step towards a professional job interview

Why writing a cover letter is important?

Writing a good cover letter helps you to introduce yourself and showcase your abilities and accomplishments to highlight why you are a perfect fit for the job opening. Cover letters give you the opportunity to add details about information mentioned on your resume.

Furthermore, they allow you to write more fluently, showcasing your ability to communicate well in writing, which is what employers usually look for. All in all, a proper cover letter puts the right foot forward from the get-go and allows recruiters to differentiate between you and the other candidates with similar qualifications.

A candidate who does not submit a resume with a cover letter, is looked upon as a lazy one. Hence, if you write a cover letter for a job that is good enough, then your chances of getting hired increase significantly.

Tips for writing a cover letter

·       Do an ample research: Before you start writing your cover letter for a CV, find out more about the company and the specific job you want. Look at the company’s website and follow its social media accounts. In addition, look for its executives and employee profiles on LinkedIn. Make sure you clearly know about what exactly does this company do, its business model, product or service and culture. As only after knowing all this, you would easily be able to explain why you are a perfect fit for the company.

·       Strong introduction: Your first paragraph should hook the reader, making them want to read the rest of the letter and your resume. Make yourself stand out with a good introduction paragraph. Instead of writing what you want to apply for and from where you heard about the job opening, write about why the job excites you and why are you the most eligible for it.

·       Be yourself: Don't lie about skills you don't possess or responsibilities you didn't perform.

·       Keep it to a single page: A cover letter is meant to be a summary of your resume, therefore don’t write more than one page.

·       Use a format: following a structure of a cover letter makes it visually organized, and more presentable. It would be better if you’ll add unique visual format for your cover letter as it can help you stand out from other candidates in a positive way. Don’t forget to use a cover letter writing structure that is appropriate for the company you’re applying to. Your cover letter writing structure should be a professional one. You should use the same font on your cover letter and your resume, making sure that it’s simple and easy to read. You can use fonts such as Arial, Calibri, Georgia, Verdana, and Times New Roman with a size of 10 or 12 points. And don’t forget to add space after the header, salutation, and each paragraph.

·       Proofread well: You only have one chance to make a good first impression, which can get ruined by typos and spelling errors. Hence, if you don’t want to lose the job, then don’t forget to thoroughly proofread your cover letter after writing it. You can ask for help from friends and family to make your cover letter an error free one. You can use online tools for grammar correction to ensure that the write-up is free from errors.

Make sure to redesign your cover letter for a specific job or company

·       Include specific examples of relevant work done and problems solved: highlight the most relevant details about your skills, experience, or credentials and all the things that would compel the employer to call you for an interview.

·       Conclude with a call to action: in order to entice the recruiter to invite you for a job interview, you need to end your cover letter with a strong call to action. For that you have to give one last push and show interest and enthusiasm in a way that stands out.

·       Don’t include negative information: focus only on positive things and don’t give the hiring manager any reason to not interview you.

·       Don’t include your whole resume in the cover letter: don’t just copy things from your resume. Instead expand on a few key accomplishments, and let your resume list the rest.

·       Don’t send a generic cover letter: As also suggested by the recruitment manager at the Royal UK Essay Writers you need to customize your cover letter. It will increase the power of your cover letters, customize each one of them according to the job requirements and the company you are apply to.

What is the format of a cover letter?

Heading: The header of every professional cover letter for a job application should include the following:

-         Your name

-         Your phone number

-         Your email address

-         The date

-         The name of the hiring manager

-         The name and address of the company

Salutation: begin with a proper salutation such as dear sir/ma’am or to whom it may concern or Dear Hiring Manager (if you don’t know the employer’s name). But, it would be even better if you do some research and address the recruiter or hiring manager by name.

1^st paragraph: this is the introduction paragraph, try to keep it short and to the point, explaining why you’re getting in touch. It’s also useful to include why you are excited for the job and if someone referred you, mention their name in this section.

2^nd paragraph: utilize this paragraph to explain how you can add value to the company with your experience, qualification and skills. Ensure relevancy to the role and refer to each of the skills listed in the job description. Provide specific examples that demonstrate your abilities and do not simply restate your resume.

3^rd paragraph (optional): if you have any space left on your cover letter, then here you can write why you are choosing this company.

Closing paragraph: this is the closing paragraph, use this space to restate how your skills make you a strong fit for the company and for the position. In addition, express your appreciation for the employer’s time and ask him/her to contact you.

Signoff: At last, sign off your cover letter with either one of the following:

Yours sincerely

Regards

Best regards

With best regards

Thank you

Followed by a hand written signature (if it’s not an email) and then your name.

Cover Letter Sample for Internship