A cover letter also called an application letter, is a type of document that is attached to a résumé when applying for jobs. Whether you intend to apply online or physically for a job, you need a cover letter.
A cover letter allows you to write a piece of detailed information about your skills, experiences, and achievements, which are not contained in your resume.
When writing any cover letter, it is essential to include skills and experiences that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. An effective cover letter will enhance your application and boost your chances of landing an interview.
In this article, you will learn how to write an excellent cover letter, the essential elements of a successful cover letter, what to include, and what not to add in your cover letter.
Read More: Best Free Cover Letter Examples
What Is A Cover Letter?
A cover letter is a document that complements or accompanies a résumé. It provides an opportunity for job seekers to write in, the skills and experiences they have had, and the relevant qualifications they possess.
Some people assume that a cover letter is usually read before the resume because of what the name suggests. However, most recruiters tend to go through your résumé first before reading your cover letter in a bid to know more about you.
A good cover letter should contain the following elements:
- A personalized greeting
- A captivating introduction
- Specific and properly organized relevant skills and experiences within the body
- A brief conclusion
The General Structure of Cover Letters
Opening Statement
Your application letter opening statement should contain an introduction about yourself. In this section, you should briefly describe yourself, talk about your expertise, how you got to know about the post, and why you are interested in the role.
Body
Within the body of your cover letter, you write all your skills, experiences, and abilities, describing how relevant they are to the job. You can use a bulleted list to highlight your skills and accomplishments for easy readability.
Conclusion
Your conclusion should be short and inclusive of your contact number or email, should in case the recruiter needs to communicate with you.
Read More: How to Write a Cover Letter?
Samples of Cover letter
Sample one (Digital Marketing Role)
Dear Michael Recruiter,
I was delighted to find out about the position of a Digital Marketer at ABC Company via LinkedIn. With over four years of experience in email and social media marketing, I am very confident that I would be a resourceful and valuable asset to your company.
The details of this job position, as seen on LinkedIn that your company needs someone who is experienced in email and digital marketing, both of which happens to be areas where I have vast knowledge. I currently work with XYZ firm, where I have applied my marketing skills by running multiple successful email marketing campaigns. At XYZ firm, I headed a digital promotion campaign for the company’s new air conditioning product that successfully increased our online engagement by 25 per cent within ten weeks.
Besides, I possess excellent computer skills in MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, and CRM database applications.
I look forward to furthering discussion about the details of the Digital Marketing position. I am available round the clock to talk with you in case you have questions for me.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your full name]Sample two (entry-level cover letter)
Dear [Hiring manager’s last name],
As a long-term admirer of the beautiful work being done at (mention company name), I am delighted to learn about the position of a Quality Control Officer on the abcde.com website. I am a recent graduate from the University of Utah with a BSc. in industrial chemistry.
I’m confident that my course of study and relevant experiences gained through internships and volunteer participation makes me a suitable candidate for the position.
I have worked as an industrial trainee at African Steel Mills, a company that produces various steel products. My duty was to run tests on solid steel samples using an optical emission spectrometer to ensure that it had the right amount of carbon and other essential elements. I was able to affect an increase in daily production by 5% within two months as a result of my quick sample analysis time.
Also, I am proficient in the use of MS office tools like MS word, MS Excel, PowerPoint, and air table.
I have attached to this cover letter my resume, which contains further details about my skills and education. I look forward to getting a response from you. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your name]Sample three (programmer role)
Dear Ms Alice,
I wish to show my keen interest in the position of a programmer, as advertised in the Vanguard newspaper. As directed, I have supplied a complete job application comprising my certification, résumé, and references.
I want to know more about this role, and I believe that my strong technical skills and education coupled with my passion for excellence me a strong contender for this position. The key strengths that I possess which would make me thrive in this position include;
- Creative imagination
- Passion for excellence
- Selfless contribution to customer service for all potential customers
With a degree in computer science, I have a detailed knowledge of the full cycle of software development projects. I am comfortable working with many programming languages like JavaScript, Python, C+, and C++. At my previous workplace, I was able to develop a mobile application version of our website, which made customers navigate around our products and services much more quickly.
I can be reached anytime via email at abcdef@examplemail.com or by phone, +677 000 876.
I look forward to discussing with you further about this position. Thanks for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your full name]Conclusion
Knowing how to write a good cover letter is one of the essential factors that determine whether you will get a call for an interview or otherwise. With the samples of cover letters and explanations provided in this article, you are not far away from landing that job interview, or perhaps the job itself. Thank you for reading!
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