Not all companies expect a cover letter on top of a resume, but all of them will appreciate the fact that one was provided. Think of cover letters as an introduction to you and your reasoning to apply for the position. If you are applying to a hot position, don’t think that you are the only one. You are competing against hundreds and thousands of applicants. A good cover letter can set you apart from the basic crowd and perhaps even get you an interview with the hiring manager. That said, let’s dive into how to write a cover letter.
Step 1: Create your Header
Start by writing your name, email address, and phone number at the very top. You can also include your website or LinkedIn profile links. Word document does a great job by providing nice templates where you can just plug in the information and the formatting is done nicely for you.
Step 2: Address the Hiring Manager
Here you want to line up the date, the name of the hiring manager, contact information of the hiring manager underneath and then opening your statement by writing “Dear (Hiring Manager Name)” or “Hello (Hiring Manager Name).” So far, your cover letter should be shaping into a professional letter.
Step 3: Write the First Paragraph as an Introduction
This paragraph is a formal introduction and information of the reason for the cover letter. Start with which position you are applying for, where you found the position, why are you the best fit, and related skills/accomplishment that you can bring to the table.
Step 4: Write the Second Paragraph to Market Yourself
This paragraph should explain why you are qualified for the job. This is where you really want to talk about your skillset and related experience. Try to answer the question of how you differentiate from other candidates and what you bring that can help advance the department and company. Market yourself by first finding out what the company needs are, provide your relevant experience/skillset, provide examples, and then showcase how it led you to success.
Step 5: Write the Third Paragraph for Conclusion
Lastly, wrap up your cover letter by letting the hiring manager know your excitement of the opportunity, provide contact and availably, and finish off by thanking the hiring manager. Make sure to sign off at the end.
Conclusion
Cover letter can really break the tie between you and another good candidate, so make sure to always provide a good cover letter. It’s the most important piece of document you can provide to a hiring manager besides your resume. So, get started on that cover letter. Good luck!