WRITING A COVER LETTER
Cover letters are important because they allow you to personalize your job application and demonstrate your interest in the specific position and company. The letters provide an opportunity to introduce yourself, genuinely express your interest in the position, and highlight skills and experiences that are not captured in your resume.
Tips for Creating a Great Cover Letter by Learn Free https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3jJY8GlXoM
Why Your Cover Letter Gets Rejected (5 Mistakes to Avoid) by Jeff Su
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xudcyY06PiI
Following is a link to Indeed about cover letters with article extracts:
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/how-to-write-a-cover-letter
While cover letters are not always required, many hiring managers still rely on them to gauge an applicant’s skills, experience and background.
What to consider:
- Your experiences, talents, skills or accomplishments, and how to relate them to a hiring employer.
- How you learned about the job opportunity; is it a personal contact, job board, etc.
- What do you admire about the company, is it their culture, brand, etc.?
Cover letter format: like a business letter – use a simple, professional font, like Arial or Helvetica, 10 to 12 points in size. Your letter should be left-aligned with single spacing and one-inch margins.
1. Start with your header: As with any standard business letter header, you should include pieces of personal and role-specific information at the top of your cover letter to make it easier for a hiring manager or recruiter to follow up with you. For example:
Ali Smith
ali.smith@email.com
555 Orchard Lane, Las Vegas, NV (555) 888-4000
May 5, 2025
Terry Jones
Revolve Inc.
123 Vineyard Drive, Las Vegas, NV
2. Include a greeting: Address your letter to the hiring person with a common business greeting, such as “Dear [first and last name]” or “Dear [position title].” Avoid using “To whom it may concern.
3. Write an opening paragraph: In the first paragraph, mention the job title you’re applying for and where you saw the position posting. Explain your interest in the role and company to show you’ve done your research. The first section of your cover letter is also the first impression the reader will have of you, so it’s important to appeal to that person quickly and succinctly.
4. Add a second paragraph: Your second paragraph should be a brief overview of your background as it relates to the position. Include key achievements, skills and specialties that make you particularly suited to the position. Focus on one or two and provide specific details about your success, including measurable impacts you made. Pay close attention to keywords listed in the job description and include those you identify with in the body of your cover letter. You should only include information about your most recent professional experiences.
5. Finish with a closing paragraph: The closing paragraph should focus on another key achievement or skill relevant to the position. Instead of repeating details from your resume, summarize a specific story or anecdote that displays you’re right for the role. If you’re changing careers, this is a good opportunity to talk about transferable skills or relatable experiences from your career.
6. End with a professional signoff: You should end your cover letter with a paragraph summarizing why you are applying for the role and why you would be a great fit. Keep the cover letter conclusion brief and explain that you look forward to the employer’s response about possible next steps.
Example Job Vacancy — Job Description:
Job description: In this role, you will support managers and other senior-level personnel by managing their calendars, arranging travel, filing expense reports, and performing other administrative tasks. Strong interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills will be critical to success. Qualifications:
High school diploma or equivalent work experience
Excellent Microsoft Office Skills with an emphasis on Outlook and Excel
Self-motivated and highly organized
Team player who works well with minimal supervision
5+ years of experience providing high-level administrative support to diverse teams in a fast-paced environment
Example Cover Letter:
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to express my interest in the opening for an administrative assistant at [name of company]. I’m drawn to this opportunity for several reasons.
First, I have a proven track record of success in administrative roles, most recently in my current job as an administrative coordinator. A highlight from my time here was when I proactively stepped in to coordinate a summit for our senior leaders last year. I arranged travel and accommodation for a group of 15 executives from across the company, organized meals and activities, collaborated with our internal events team and ensured that everything ran according to schedule over the two-day summit. Due to the positive feedback, I received, I’m now tasked with doubling attendance for the event this year and leading an internal team to get the job done. I am attracted to this role because of the growth opportunities that [name of company] provides.
The research that I’ve done on your company culture has shown me that there are ample opportunities for self-motivated individuals like me. A high level of organization and attention to detail is second nature to me, and I’m eager to apply these skills in new and challenging environments.
I look forward to sharing more details of my experience and motivations with you. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
