HOW TO WRITE A GOOD COVER LETTER
What is a cover letter and why is it important?
A cover letter is a document that accompanies your resume when you apply for a job. It is your opportunity to introduce yourself, highlight your skills and qualifications, and explain why you are a good fit for the position and the organization.
A cover letter is important because it can make a difference between getting an interview or being rejected. A well-written cover letter can:
- Grab the attention of the hiring manager and make them want to read your resume
- Show your personality and enthusiasm for the job
- Demonstrate your communication and writing skills
- Showcase your relevant achievements and accomplishments
- Address any gaps or issues in your resume
- Express your interest and fit for the company culture and values
How to write a cover letter in 5 steps
Writing a cover letter can seem daunting, but it does not have to be. You can follow these five steps to create a cover letter that stands out and impresses the employer.
Step 1: Research the company and the job
Before you start writing your cover letter, you need to do some research on the company and the job you are applying for. This will help you tailor your cover letter to the specific needs and expectations of the employer. You can research the company by:
- Visiting their website and social media pages
- Reading their mission, vision, and values statements
- Learning about their products, services, and customers
- Finding out their goals, challenges, and achievements
- Identifying their culture and work environment
You can research the job by:
- Reading the job description carefully and noting the main requirements and responsibilities
- Finding out the skills, qualifications, and experience needed for the role
- Understanding the expectations and goals of the position
- Looking for keywords and phrases that describe the ideal candidate
Step 2: Choose a format and layout
The next step is to choose a format and layout for your cover letter. There are different types of cover letters, such as:
- Application cover letter: This is the most common type of cover letter, which you use when you apply for a specific job opening.
- Prospecting cover letter: This is a type of cover letter that you use when you inquire about possible job opportunities in a company or organization.
- Networking cover letter: This is a type of cover letter that you use when you request information or assistance from someone in your network, such as a former colleague, a friend, or a mentor.
The format and layout of your cover letter should be:
- Professional and consistent with your resume
- Clear and easy to read
- One page long or less
- Divided into four main sections: header, salutation, body, and closing
The header should include:
- Your name and contact information
- The date
- The employer’s name and contact information
The salutation should:
- Address the hiring manager by name, if possible
- Use a formal and respectful greeting, such as “Dear Mr./Ms./Dr.”
- Avoid generic salutations, such as “To whom it may concern” or “Dear Sir/Madam”
The body should:
- Have three or four paragraphs
- Start with an introduction that states the position you are applying for and how you learned about it
- Explain why you are interested in the job and the company
- Highlight your relevant skills and qualifications and provide examples of your achievements and accomplishments
- Show how you can add value to the company and help them achieve their goals
- End with a conclusion that summarizes your main points and expresses your appreciation and interest
The closing should:
- Use a polite and professional sign-off, such as “Sincerely” or “Best regards”
- Include your name and signature
- Provide your contact information and availability for an interview
Step 3: Write a catchy introduction
The introduction of your cover letter is the first thing that the hiring manager will read, so you need to make it catchy and memorable. The introduction should:
- Grab the attention of the reader and make them want to continue reading
- State the position you are applying for and how you learned about it
- Mention something that you know or like about the company or the job
- Explain why you are interested in the job and the company
- Provide a brief overview of your main qualifications and skills
For example, you could write something like this:
Dear Ms. Johnson,
I was thrilled to see your posting for a Marketing Manager on LinkedIn. As a creative and results-oriented marketing professional with over five years of experience in the industry, I am confident that I have the skills and qualifications to help ABC Inc. grow its brand and reach new customers.
I have been following ABC Inc. for a while and I admire your innovative and customer-centric approach to marketing. I am particularly impressed by your recent campaign for XYZ product, which increased sales by 25% and generated positive feedback from the target audience.
I am interested in joining your team and contributing to your success. I have a proven track record of designing and implementing effective marketing strategies that align with the company’s vision and goals. Some of my achievements include:
- Increasing web traffic by 40% and social media engagement by 50% for DEF company
- Launching a new product line that generated over $1 million in revenue in the first year for GHI company
- Winning the Best Marketing Campaign Award for JKL company
Step 4: Highlight your relevant skills and qualifications
The main purpose of your cover letter is to show the employer why you are a good fit for the job and the company. To do this, you need to highlight your relevant skills and qualifications and provide examples of how you have used them in your previous or current roles. You should:
- Focus on the skills and qualifications that match the job requirements and the employer’s expectations
- Use keywords and phrases from the job description to show that you understand what the employer is looking for
- Use bullet points or short paragraphs to organize your information and make it easy to read
- Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to describe your accomplishments and quantify your results with numbers, percentages, or other metrics
- Show how your skills and qualifications can benefit the company and help them achieve their goals
For example, you could write something like this:
In my previous role as a Marketing Coordinator for DEF company, I was responsible for:
- Developing and executing online and offline marketing campaigns for various products and services
- Creating and managing content for the company’s website, blog, social media, and newsletter
- Conducting market research and analysis to identify customer needs, preferences, and trends
- Collaborating with other departments and external partners to ensure the consistency and quality of the marketing materials and messages
- Measuring and reporting on the performance and impact of the marketing activities and providing recommendations for improvement
Some of the results that I achieved include:
- Increasing web traffic by 40% and social media engagement by 50% in six months
- Generating over 500 leads and 100 conversions through email marketing campaigns
- Improving the SEO ranking of the company’s website by 20% in three months
- Reducing the marketing costs by 15% by optimizing the use of resources and tools
I believe that these skills and qualifications, along with my creativity and passion for marketing, would make me a valuable asset to your team and enable me to contribute to your growth and success.
Step 5: Write a strong conclusion
The conclusion of your cover letter is your last chance to make a good impression and convince the employer that you are the best candidate for the job. The conclusion should:
- Summarize your main points and restate your interest and fit for the job and the company
- Express your appreciation and gratitude for the opportunity and the consideration
- Include a call to action that invites the employer to contact you for an interview or to discuss your application further
- Provide your contact information and availability for an interview
- End with a polite and professional sign-off and your name and signature
For example, you could write something like this:
In conclusion, I am very interested in the Marketing Manager position at ABC Inc. and I believe that I have the skills and qualifications to help you achieve your goals and objectives. I would love to discuss this opportunity with you in more detail and show you how I can add value to your company.
Thank you for your time and attention. Please feel free to contact me at any time by phone at +234 123 4567 or by email at example@email.com. I am available for an interview at your convenience.
Sincerely,
Your name
Your signature
Final tips for writing a cover letter
Here are some final tips to help you write a cover letter that stands out and impresses the employer:
- Proofread and edit your cover letter for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and clarity
- Use a professional and appropriate tone and language
- Avoid repeating your resume or using generic statements
- Customize your cover letter for each job and company
- Be positive and confident, but not arrogant or boastful
- Keep your cover letter concise and relevant
- Use a clear and attractive font and layout
- Attach your cover letter and resume as PDF files
- Send your cover letter and resume to the right person and follow up if necessary
I hope this post has helped you understand how to write a cover letter and why it is important.
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