Many job applicants believe cover letters must be updated, but they are going nowhere soon. More than half of employers prefer a cover letter with a resume, and 45% say that not having one could result in a rejected application. In this guide, we explain step-by-step how to write a cover letter for a resume and provide answers to frequently asked questions.
What Is a Cover Letter, and Why Is It Important?
A cover letter is a personalized document accompanying your resume when applying for a job. It aims to introduce yourself to the hiring manager and explain why you fit the role well. The letter provides space to expand on qualifications and achievements listed in your resume and makes a solid first impression on the employer.
Candidates who know how to write a cover letter for a job can stand out in a crowded applicant pool by adding personality and specific context to the document.
Step-By-Step Guide on How To Write a Cover Letter
1. Start with the header and contact information
Part of writing a good cover letter is using the proper format. These documents should use standard business letter format, including your name, location, phone number, and email at the top of the page. List the hiring manager’s contact information after that. Including the date is also good, but you can leave this off for emailed cover letters.
2. Greet the hiring manager
When possible, address the letter to a specific person. If the job description doesn’t list the hiring manager’s name, look for it on LinkedIn or the company’s website. Use a professional, formal greeting, such as Mr. or Ms.
3. Introduce yourself
An essential part of making a cover letter is quickly catching the hiring manager’s attention. Use the first sentence as a hook. Introduce yourself, and mention the job title.
4. Write the body paragraphs
How to write a good cover letter mainly comes down to the body paragraphs. In the first paragraph, explain why you’re interested in the position and how your values align with the company’s values and culture. Then in the second paragraph, highlight your most relevant qualifications and experience and explain how your skills can resolve a problem for the company.
Remember the cover letter should complement your resume, not repeat it. It’s OK to list key achievements in bullet-point form but provide more detail or context so there is something the hiring manager would need to learn from reading your resume.
5. End with a closing statement
Finish the cover letter with a sentence showing your enthusiasm for the role. Politely request an interview and thank the hiring manager for their time.
Cover Letter Examples by Industry
Review these examples to learn how to write a cover letter for a job.
Aliya Jackson
Digital Marketing Specialist | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | New York, NY | LinkedIn
January 1, 2024
Meiling Li
Hiring Manager
Alliance Marketing Co.
(987) 654-3210
[email protected]
Dear Ms. Li:
I’m interested in applying for the digital marketing manager position with Alliance Marketing Co. As you can see from my attached resume, I have a strong history of building successful brands and developing innovative strategies to drive community engagement. My expertise in digital marketing would be an asset to your organization.
Alliance Marketing Co. has a reputation for its cutting-edge marketing strategy and brand storytelling, which aligns with my professional background. Throughout my career, I’ve defined brand messaging for clients across various industries, including technology, fitness, travel and hospitality, and health care. I can achieve similar results for your organization based on my career accomplishments:
- Managed all online marketing for a portfolio of 12 client accounts valued at $100,000 to $300,000, defined digital marketing strategy, and aligned brand messaging with target audiences
- Drove search engine optimization (SEO) marketing initiatives, performed research to enhance keyword optimization, conducted link-building campaigns, and increased web traffic by over 200%
- Enhanced social media presence for clients across Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, leading to a 55% increase in followers and a 72% increase in community engagement on average
I would like to schedule an interview to discuss further how my background in digital marketing can benefit your team. Feel free to contact me via phone or email at your convenience. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Aliya Jackson
Michael Garcia
Software Developer | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | San Francisco, CA 09876
February 1, 2024
Eric Miller
Senior Software Engineer
Cloud Nine
(987) 654-3210
[email protected]
Dear Mr. Miller,
In my previous position at XYZ Design Corp, I created a new interface that contributed to a 20% increase in new user adoption rates after two months of rollout. My experience includes web technologies (such as HTML/DOM, HTTP, JavaScript, and CSS). I want to bring my knowledge, abilities, and strong work ethic to Cloud Nine as a software developer.
With my eight years of experience and B.S. in Computing Engineering, I look forward to contributing to Cloud Nine’s reputation for cutting-edge programs. My work highlights include:
- Introduced customer analytics to provide insight into customer interactions and improve the user experience (UX)
- Provided hands-on software troubleshooting to avoid late discovery of flaws
- Led a team of seven software developers to refactor the code and reduce the service loading time by 98%
I look forward to discussing how my previous experience can benefit Cloud Nine. Please contact me with a time that works best for you.
Best Regards,
Michael Garcia
Simon Bishop
Sales Executive | [email protected] | (917) 476-8365 | Rochester, NY 14622 | LinkedIn
February 12, 2024
Diane Young
Senior Hiring Officer
The Big Sales Company
(375) 564-7148
[email protected]
Dear Ms. Young:
Over the past four years as a sales executive, I’ve grown my client base by 50% in a competitive market. As the newest member of your sales team, I want to make a similar impact.
With seven years of industry experience and a bachelor’s degree in marketing, I’m drawn to your company’s reputation for top-caliber digital products. My career highlights also include:
- Launching a social media strategy that increased our online presence and grew sales by 15%
- Raising customer satisfaction scores and retention by 10% in one year
I want to discuss the sales executive position at The Big Sales Company further and how my skills can benefit your team. Please call or email me to schedule an interview. I appreciate your time and look forward to hearing from you soon.
Kind regards,
Simon Bishop
How To Write a Cover Letter With No Experience
It can be challenging to decide how to make a cover letter if you don’t have formal job experience. In this case, focus on transferable skills, your educational background, and what you’ve learned from nontraditional roles, such as internships and volunteer work.
Use the cover letter to turn your lack of experience into a positive. Indicate that you’re enthusiastic about the opportunity to learn more about the industry and company, and note how you’ll bring a fresh perspective to the role.
How To Write a Cover Letter for an Internship
Writing a cover letter for an internship differs slightly from how to write a cover letter for a job. A cover letter for an internship often focuses less on career achievements and more on your relevant coursework and academic projects. It can also discuss extracurricular activities if they apply to the internship.
Gertrude McDaniel
Marketing Supervisor | [email protected] | (434) 395-9244 | Atlantic City, NJ 54321 | LinkedIn
January 11, 2024
Sidney Brockley
Senior Hiring Manager
BigAds Agency
(323) 386-3948
[email protected]
Dear Mr. Brockley:
After a successful career in traditional marketing, I recently earned a master’s degree in digital marketing. I’d love to add value to your organization while gaining experience in this fast-growing sector.
I’ve served as a marketing supervisor for the global brand Molson Coors for six years. My team played a crucial role in recent changes that modernized the company and led to 5% growth within a year.
I would be delighted to bring the knowledge I’ve gained about digital marketing to BigAds as an intern. Below are three more of my achievements to date:
- Trained and motivated team members, helping the department set a new staff retention record of 96%
- Pinpointed areas of overspending and helped make significant Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) improvements
- Raised my company’s marketing return on investment (ROI) by 2% in 2019 and 4% in 2020
After reading your company’s values and mission statement, I’m sure my skills and attitude align with the culture at BigAds. Please let me know the best time for an interview. I appreciate your time and look forward to possibly hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Gertrude McDaniel
Common Mistakes To Avoid in Cover Letters
- Overly generic statements: When deciding how to make a cover letter, avoid vague wording that you can’t back up with a specific example.
- Too long or too short: Deciding on the proper length of a cover letter for a job includes deciding on the appropriate size. In general, keep your cover letter concise, ideally one page.
- Not tailoring to the job: A key part of writing a good cover letter is customizing it for each company and role.
FAQs About How To Write a Cover Letter for a Resume
How do I address a cover letter if I need to know the hiring manager's name?-
If you can't find your recipient's name, use a variation of "Dear Hiring Manager." Never use "To Whom It May Concern."
Can I use the same cover letter for multiple jobs?+
Customizing the document is a key part of how to write a good cover letter. However, using the same template for music is OK as long as you tailor it to the specific role and company each time.
What should I include in a cover letter if I have no experience?+
If you don't know how to write a cover letter for a job because you don't have any work experience, focus on transferable skills you've learned from other areas of life and your enthusiasm for the position.
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