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If you’re applying for a job, it’s important to submit a cover letter with your application. Cover letters can set you apart from your competition, as they are your chance to speak directly to the hiring manager and show them why you would be perfect for the position.
Though they can seem daunting, there are tons of cover letter advice, and there are templates you can use to get you started. Most word processors have them, including Microsoft Word and Google Docs. If you’re still feeling unsure, we’re here to help you through the writing process.
Looking for a job? These position are hiring now near you:
To make things easier, think of a cover letter being three parts: the opening, the body, and the closing.
The opening includes your contact information, the information of the hiring manager, and a formal greeting. The body is your chance to shine. This is where you’ll explain what position you’re applying for and why you’re the ideal candidate for it. This will take up the majority of your letter. The closing is made up of a few concluding phrases and a formal farewell.
To start writing your opening, make sure you’re writing in 12pt Times New Roman font, single-spaced.
In the header of your document, include your full name, your contact information, such as a phone number and email, and any other information you would like the recruiter to have easy access to, like a LinkedIn profile.
The actual document itself should start with today’s date, formatted as Month Day, Year.
March 31, 2021
Next, start a new paragraph. Here you are going to include the information you would need to address a physical letter: the recipient's name, job title, company name, and company address. This may seem like needless information, especially if you are electronically delivering the letter.
By including this information, though, you are showing that you have done a little research on the company. Recruiters will see this and assume you have searched through the company’s website (to find the main address) and their LinkedIn page (to find the hiring manager’s name).
Just in these few opening lines, you have already proven that you are interested in this company specifically.
As we stated before, you can find the hiring manager’s name on the company’s LinkedIn page, or sometimes it’s even included in the job listing itself. Here’s what to do if you cannot find the name.
Now that you have the hiring manager’s name consider how you are going to greet them. No matter what, address them by their full name, but if you want to come across as more professional, consider using a prefix such as Mr. or Ms.
However, you’ll want to avoid this tactic if you are unsure of the gender of the person, perhaps because you are not familiar with the name or they have a unisex name such as Jessie or Pat.
After this, you’re going to do a bit more digging to find the company’s main address. Scan their website or do a quick internet search to find this. If they have multiple locations, use the address that you will be going to each day if you get the job.
Once you have all of this information compiled, you’re going to list it off like this:
March 31, 2021
Mr. John Doe
Hiring Manager
ABC Company
123 Main Street
Anywhere USA 12348Dear Mr. John Doe,
This part will make up the bulk of your letter. This is probably the hardest section of the letter to write, so don’t get discouraged if it takes you a few tries before you find a version you’re happy with.
Start off your body paragraph by letting the hiring manager know the intent of the letter. Hiring managers may be hiring for many positions at once, so reminding them which job you’re applying for helps them keep the correct set of requirements in mind. Be sure to capitalize the job title.
Try something along the lines of:
As a long-time admirer of your firm, I am excited to submit my application for the Data Engineer position.
The next sentences should tell the recruiter why you are the perfect fit for this position. The best way to do this is to first go back to the job listing and look over the listed requirements. Make a note of the skills and traits they are looking for. If you have this skill, mention it when describing your skillset, use language similar to the language used in the job listing itself.
The idea is to show them that you check off their most important boxes. Start with the skills that seem most important to the job, and then move on to the skills that are listed as “nice to have.”
I am an experienced Data Engineer with ten years in the field. I know several programming languages, and I have built data management systems from scratch.
When it comes to listing off technical skills, you can choose to list them off in a bulleted list, but try to keep this short (around four or five points total).
For example,
I believe I would be a great fit for the position, as I have:
Expertise in building and installing data systems
Ability to find and report on data trends
Knowledge of SQL database design
Experience in Python, Java, C++, and other coding languages
In this section of the letter, take a few lines to describe your career journey so far. Talk about your education, certificates you may have, and past job experiences, especially if they taught you skills you can use in the job you’re applying to.
For example,
I graduated from State University, earning my bachelor’s degree in 2004, and I have since worked with many firms across the country. My experience as a software engineer has given me the skills necessary to create easy-to-use and airtight databases. I’m a great collaborator and have experience building databases with other engineers.
This section is also a chance for you to highlight some of your accomplishments, whether that be a project you’re particularly proud of or an obstacle that you overcame. Try using data to back up your claims, as using data makes your claims more credible and helps the recruiter understand the scale of your achievements.
This section can be the hardest to write, but remember that this is your time to shine. You deserve to have your hard work recognized. Don’t be afraid to brag a little, as this is the time and place to do it.
Now that you’ve given the recruiter a rundown of who you are and why you’re great for this job, it’s time to wrap things up with a conclusion and a farewell. Just like the opening, there is a formula to follow.
Start by reiterating your interest in the position.
I would like to discuss this opportunity with the ABC Company, and I hope to hear from you soon.
Include your contact information one more time.
You can reach me at (555) 555-5555 or at FirstnameLastname@gmail.com.
Thank them formally, and end with a professional signature.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
FirstName LastName
“Regards” and “Yours” can also be appropriate closings.
Looking for a job? These position are hiring now near you:
Once you’ve completed your cover letter, it should look something like this:
March 31, 2021
Mr. John Doe
Hiring ManagerABC Company
123 Main Street
Anywhere USA 12345As a long-time admirer of your firm, I am excited to submit my application for the Data Engineer position. I am an experienced Data Engineer with ten years in the field. I know several programming languages, and I have built data management systems from scratch.
I believe I would be a great fit for the position, as I have:
Expertise in building and installing data systems
Ability to find and report on data trends
Knowledge of SQL database design
Experience in Python, Java, C++, and other coding languages
I graduated from State University, earning my bachelor’s degree in 2004, and I have since worked with many firms across the country. My experience as a software engineer has given me the skills necessary to create easy-to-use and airtight databases. I’m a great collaborator and have experience building databases with other engineers.
I would like to discuss this opportunity with the ABC Company, and I hope to hear from you soon.
You can reach me at (555) 555-5555 or at FirstnameLastname@gmail.com.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
FirstName LastName
Though it can be scary for all of us, writing a cover letter does not need to be difficult. It actually can make good practice, as writing a cover letter allows you to work on pitching yourself to someone who doesn’t know you, which is an important skill in any interview.
Cover letters are what set you apart from the competition, especially since you will be far more likely to catch the eye of the hiring manager and possibly land the highly coveted interview. Luckily, there is no shortage of resources out there that make writing a cover letter as easy as possible.