Here I will teach you how to write a convincing cover letter with an example.
If you want your dream job, complementing your resume along with a convincing cover letter is a must. Complementing a resume with a cover letter leaves a positive impression on the job seeker. A good cover letter will always make you stand out of a big crowd.
Points covered in this guide:
- What is a cover letter
- What is the difference between a cover letter and a resume
- Is it necessary to attach a cover letter with resume
- How to format a cover letter
- Samples of cover letter that will get you more calls for interview
- FAQs related to cover letter
WHAT IS A COVER LETTER
A cover letter is a document that basically highlights the applicant’s credentials normally sent with a resume or a curriculum vitae (CV). This is often the first contact with any potential employer. It includes points such as the introduction of oneself along with demonstrating the reason of interest for that particular post vacancy or company.
A cover should be so appealing that you draw the attention of the prospective employer to read your resume and motivate them to trust you and further convince them to interview you.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A COVER AND A RESUME
A cover letter is a document where a person tries to designate its suitability for a particular post by mentioning his/her credentials and showcases why he is the best fit for the applied post. It mainly contains a summary of the resume attached and sent along with documents such as a resume or CV.
A written snapshot of a person’s educational qualification, work experiences, and some personal details is known as resume.
Modifications of cover letters can be changed according to the job. Whereas, modifications of a resume remain the same for all jobs.
Must read: How to write a resume for any job
IS IT NECESSARY TO ATTACH A COVER LETTER WITH RESUME
Complementing your resume with a cover letter makes the applicant showcase his interest and a kind of convincing gesture to the recruiter to hire you for the offered job. So it’s important that you attach a cover letter to your resume.
Although, many recruiters don’t prefer reading a cover letter. It was much more prevalent in the past days than in the present job cases. But you should always attach a cover letter unless the description of the job offer mentions the cover letter needless.
According to studies about 26% of the recruiters read a cover letter and make their initial decision to hire you. Moreover, a cover letter gives you an opportunity to write more appealing words in order to convince the recruiter to hire you.
So let’s get started with formatting a cover letter.
HOW TO FORMAT A COVER LETTER
Contact information
Name: Write your full name using a large font size and bold text.
Address: Write your city and state name with zip code (for ATS purpose)
Phone number: Include your relevant area code at the start of your phone number.
Email add: Give your professional Email Id.
Date and employer address
Write today’s date
Hiring manager’s name
Company’s name and address
Email Id of the hiring manager
Greeting
Now, here you will address the Hiring manager to whom you are writing. You will get to see the name of the hiring manager mentioned in the job description or the company’s website. And if you can’t find it, make an effort to find the name of the hiring manager in charge by calling in the company.
If at all you cannot find the name of the hiring manager you can use a generic greeting like “Dear hiring manager”.
Body of the cover letter
This section is where you get an opportunity to showcase why you feel an ideal candidate for a role or why should they hire you and what you can do for the company’s betterment.
Remember that the hiring manager takes less than a minute to take their initial decision. Use keywords and tailor the body of a cover letter according to the job description. Because no one will like to read your story on the very first page so be very specific.
It includes three paragraphs
In the first paragraph, introduce yourself, mention the position you are applying for, and where did you find the opening.
Also if you are referred by any mutual contact of the hiring manager try mentioning it. Maybe you can be favored sometimes and get you an interview call.
The second paragraph consists of your qualifications and achievements. Don’t be in rush thinking your resume has these details. Because this will be your first page the Hiring team is going to read so try including the overview of it with a few examples of quantifiable or measurable achievements of your past posts. Don’t repeat the information you have already mentioned in your resume. Try using compelling language which can convince the employer to read your resume.
The third paragraph will be your closing call. Close it by saying you are a good fit for the position. Also, thank the hiring manager for taking your application into consideration and make a reminder to read the further attachments along. And lastly, finish it with a compelling call to action which prompts the Hiring team to schedule your interview.
Conclusion
Conclude your cover letter with a salutation doing a professional sign off, such as “best regards”, “cordially” or “sincerely”. Add your first and last name as a signature and send it from your personal mail and not from your office/working mail.
Proofread your cover letter.
Now lets put these points into action (SAMPLE)
FAQs related to cover letter
1) What type of cover letters get rejected by the hiring team?
A cover letter full of stories behind how wonderful you are for a particular position without a break turns out to be freaking pathetic. Showing much eagerness and also a kind of drawing mercy makes no sense.
2) What should I include in my Cover Letter, and what should I not?
Including your name, contact details, and addresses is a must. Except for this, just give the insights into specific parts of the other details because you have already mentioned it in detail in your resume.
3) What is the reason behind complementing a resume with a cover letter? Is it important?
The cover letter gives the hiring manager to overview of the applicant’s potential for the post they need in their company. Yes, it is important because 26% of the prospective employer makes their initial decision through a cover letter.
4) When to attach a cover letter?
A cover letter is a must until you are mentioned in a job description for not writing it. And on the other hand, a job seeker has a good opportunity to draw the recruiter’s attention to get an interview if at all it matches their expectation.
5) How long should a cover letter be written?
It should not be more than a page containing a maximum of 380 to 400 words.
6) How to write a convincing cover letter?
Be very honest and specific with your words and also try to capture the recruiter’s attention from the very start of your document. And for further details dive into my article on how to write a convincing cover letter. You will come up with better ideas.
7) What should I send first a cover letter or resume?
The main purpose of the cover letter is to introduce you and your resume. So yes both the documents have to be attached and sent in pairs.
