How To Write A Cover Letter For A Job With No Experience In That Field

Writing a cover letter for a job with no experience in that field happens a lot if you are switching fields or are fresh out of college. It can seem like a daunting task because you may think hiring managers will pass you over because of your lack of experience. Even if you don’t have experience in the field, you can still impress the hiring manager with your cover letter.

Whether you’re just entering the workforce or are switching careers, we’ll go over how to write a cover letter for a job with no experience in that field, go over the cover letter format, and provide some example cover letters to help you get started.

Key Takeaways:

• Before writing your cover letter make sure you reread the job description and research the company to help add any keywords and include the company’s personality.

• A well-crafted cover letter will get you noticed and get the person reading it interested enough to want to know more.

• Even without all the experience needed, your cover letter is a great way to highlight the skills and qualifications that you have and how you can benefit the company.

What is a cover letter?

A cover letter is your introduction and a great opportunity to highly any skills, qualifications, and experience to a hiring manager.

It’s also your first impression, so this is your chance to stand out and be recognized. A well-crafted cover letter will get you noticed and get the person reading it interested enough to want to know more.

In your cover letter, you don’t have to list all of your experience. That’s for the resume. The first hurdle you have is this cover letter, which should make it a lot easier. Writing a cover letter can be difficult, but it shouldn’t be a problem if you take it piece by piece and section by section. Luckily for you, there is a basic formula to cover letters.

How to write a cover letter for a job with no experience

The key to a successful cover letter is to follow a formula. The formula is just to help you hit the important parts of a cover letter. After that, you can get as creative as you want. It’s more about the words you choose than the way you compile them.

Here is the formula to write a cover letter with no experience in a job:

1. Header. This is where you list the contact information for you and the person you’re reaching out to.

   Example:

   [Your name]
   [Your email address]
   [Your phone number]
   [Your mailing address]

   [Date]

   [Hiring Manager’s name]
   [Company address]
   [Company phone number]
   [Hiring Manager’s email address]

2. Greeting. To Whom It May Concern is pretty typical, and it’s not the best approach. It can come as stuffy and awkward. Instead, try to find out who exactly your letter is reaching and then use their name. If you can’t find their name, it’s best to address them using something generic and gender-neutral.

   Examples:

   • Dear [Company Name] Recruiter

   • Dear [Position Title] Hiring Manager

   • Dear [Department] Team

   • Dear Human Resources Manager

3. Opening paragraph. This is your chance to grab their attention. This paragraph should include your name, an explanation of your primary professional expertise, how you first encountered the job posting, and why you’re interested in being considered for the role.

4. Second paragraph. This fills out the cover letter a bit and lets them know why you’re the best candidate. It’s all about you. This is where you highlight your academic and professional experiences up to the present moment have made you uniquely qualified to take on the demands of the role that you’re applying to.

5. Third paragraph. It’s already time to sum up your cover letter. Highlight why you’re the fit they want and what you bring to them. This is all about them.

6. Closing paragraph. Make sure to thank them and offer to supply additional information, if necessary.

   It should also let them know that you’ll follow up with them if you don’t hear back from them in a week (following the date of your cover letter’s submission). This is typically only a sentence or two.

7. Sign off. Then sign off with a polite and professional close and follow it by your name. We highly recommend putting your email and phone number under your name so they can get in touch with you immediately. Some people also include a link to their professional portfolios or their LinkedIn profile.

Cover letter with no experience example

Here is a cover letter with no experience but willing to learn example to help you get started today:

Template for cover letter with No experience

As we mentioned above, there is a formula to cover letters. This can make it very easy for you to start. We suggest following this template initially and plugging in the information. Then, going back and tweaking it to make it more interesting and a standout. Here’s your basic starting cover letter template.

Tips to help write a cover letter with no experience

When writing your cover letter with no experience, you should reread the job listing and research the company. This will help you get an understanding of what the company is looking for. Here are some more tips to keep in mind when writing a cover letter with no experience:

• Reread job listing. The first thing you should do before writing any cover letter is review the job listing carefully. As you re-read it, pay attention to what the company is looking for.

  Are they looking for someone who has to deal with the public? If so, you might have some good communication skills to highlight. Are they looking for an organized person? Do you have those skills? Do they want a leader? Have you been in the position of a leader in your life?

• Research the company. Go to the company’s website and see what they’re all about. A website can tell you a lot about a company but what’s most important to you now is their “personality.”

  Yes, a company has a personality. Is the company very professional, or do they pride themselves on being laid back and fun? What are their company values, and how do you fit in? This is all important information.

  As you were researching, what made that job jump out as one you desperately want? If you want it, why? Try to figure out what you bring to the company, and why you’d be the best fit. If you don’t have any professional experience, do you bring enthusiasm, a willingness to learn, outside experience, or talent? These are the things you’ll focus on in your cover letter.

• Proofread. Before sending your cover letter, make sure to read over it a few times. This will help eliminate any spelling or grammar errors. You can also have someone else look over it to help catch anything that you might have missed.

• Send a test message. If you are sending your cover letter over email, make sure to send a message to yourself first. This will help make sure that your attachments work and that the formatting is correct. Once you are sure it’s fine, send one to the hiring manager. You can also BCC yourself on that just to make sure it was delivered and error-free.

Cover letter with no experience FAQ

1. What to say when applying for a job with no experience?

   When applying for a job with no experience, you should focus on your relevant skills and how they apply to the job. A great way to do that is to use your cover letter. This will allow you to talk about your achievements and your goals for the future, while still tying them back to the job.

2. Can you write a cover letter with no experience?

   Yes, you can write a cover letter with no experience. While it may be challenging, you should focus on your relevant skills and why you are the best candidate for the position. You also want to showcase your willingness to learn.

3. How do you say you have no experience but are willing to learn?

   “While I don’t have experience in [field you are applying], I am a fast learner and I am confident I can do [job title] successfully.” Being confident is a great way to impress an interviewer. You will also want to show them that you are a fast learner by using an example from your past when you learned a new skill or new program.

Final thoughts

Don’t fear the cover letter when you don’t have any job experience. It’s actually the perfect introduction for you. This is your chance to explain why you’re a great choice for so many other reasons. Let them know you can be trained to do the job, but the other skills you bring are not trainable, which is why you’re the best applicant.

Your resume is the place where you’re meant to list all of your professional skills and experience. This is where it can get tricky if you don’t have any experience or all of your experience is in another field, which is why a cover letter is ideal.

If you’ve done it well, you’ve already piqued their interest, and they’re ready to overlook your lack of experience in the field. You’ve moved ahead of other candidates already if you can accomplish this.

References

1. Harvard Extension School – Resume and Cover Letters

Author

Kristin Kizer

Kristin Kizer is an award-winning writer, television and documentary producer, and content specialist who has worked on a wide variety of written, broadcast, and electronic publications. A former writer/producer for The Discovery Channel, she is now a freelance writer and delighted to be sharing her talents and time with the wonderful Zippia audience.