Cover letters. Some people love them, some people hate them. But regardless of where you stand on the topic, they are a necessary part of the job application process. Lots of job seekers focus on perfecting a resume and don’t put much effort into writing a cover letter. That’s too bad, because cover letters are what prospective employers see before they look at your resume!
In this blog post, we'll give you expert tips for writing an effective cover letter, as well as a sample cover letter that you can use as a template when applying to your next job. Keep reading to learn more!
What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is simply a short letter or email that you send along with your resume when applying for a job. A cover letter gives the hiring manager a brief overview of your skills and experience that are relevant to the position. They’re concise, well-written, and should be tailored to the specific job for which you are applying. When done correctly, a cover letter can be an effective way to make your job application stand out from the competition.
Cover letter best practices
A well-written cover letter can be the difference between landing a job and being rejected. Here are a few cover letter best practices to keep in mind when crafting your cover letter:
Keep it brief
Your cover letter should be no more than a few paragraphs long. Recruiters are busy and process hundreds of applicants in some cases, so make sure you get to the point quickly. Lengthy cover letters that are more than a page long may get thrown out as hiring managers simply don’t have the time to read that much about every candidate.
Don’t make it too similar to your resume
A cover letter is an opportunity to expand on your qualifications and highlight key experiences that may not be evident from your resume alone. Make sure not to simply repeat the same information that you have on your resume!
Talk about previous experiences
Use specific examples to illustrate how your skills and experiences can benefit the company you’re interested in working for. Highlight successful projects from past jobs and explicitly name the hard and soft skills you used.
Don’t use a generic cover letter
Every job is different, so each cover letter should be tailored to the specific position you’re applying for. Taking the time to customize your letter will show recruiters that you’re truly interested in the role and not just mass-applying to multiple jobs.
Cover letter format
Now that you know the dos and don’ts of your cover letter, you need to know how to structure it. Here’s an example of a great cover letter format that could get you through to a job interview:
1 – Your contact details
The first thing on your cover letter should be your contact information. This includes your full name, phone number, email, and a link to your portfolio or LinkedIn profile.
2 - The hiring manager’s details
Just like with a regular letter, the next element is the receiver’s details. In this case, the hiring manager or recruiter. Include the date, their full name and position, the company name, and if it’s a physical letter, add the company address.
3 – A greeting
Now it’s time to start the letter. Begin with a greeting to the hiring manager. If you know their name, this can be “Dear Jane Evans”. If you don’t know their name, use something like “To whom it may concern”, “Dear Hiring Manager”, or a similar polite but indirect salutation.
4 – Opening paragraph
Your opening paragraph comes next. You should simply state the job you’re applying for and include any other relevant information like where you found the vacancy or why you felt compelled to apply.
5 – Main paragraph
This is where you include the most eye-catching information that will persuade the recruiter to consider you for the job. Talk about your experience, professional success, and qualifications and how they would be of value to the company.
6 – Closing paragraph
This paragraph is used to draw everything to a close and leave the recruiter with a positive last impression of you. Thank them for their time and consideration, state that you’re looking forward to their feedback, and wish them well.
7 – Sign-off
End the letter with “Sincerely”, add your name, and if it’s a physical letter, add your signature at the bottom.
Sample cover letter
While we’ve included a lot of great tips in this article, it’s always helpful to see an example of what hiring managers consider to be a good, professional cover letter. Here’s an example cover letter that you can use to write your own. Remember, you must customize this to the position you’re applying for and add real information that applies to your own experiences and qualifications.
John Adams
(01) 234 5566 789
jadams@email.com
January 20th, 2023
Sally Jones, Operations Manager
XYZ Company
Dear Sally Jones,
I’m writing to you to apply for the Warehouse Manager vacancy at XYZ Company. I saw this job opening on your website and I knew I had to apply as I’m very passionate about making an impact on the warehouse and distribution industry in Canada.
While working as a Junior Warehouse Manager at ABC Brands in Vancouver, I learned valuable skills like task delegation, implementing health and safety regulations, and schedule planning. During my time in that role, my team was able to reduce workplace accidents by 20%. This was possible due to my focus on teamwork and attention to detail. I went a step further and became a qualified Health and Safety officer before leaving the company last month. I’m very interested in the Warehouse Manager role at XYZ Company, and I believe my skills and experience would be a great addition to your company!
Thank you for considering me for this position, I appreciate your time and consideration. If you need any more information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Sincerely,
John Adams