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Human resources generalist cover letter

Human Resources Generalist Cover Letter (With Examples)

Human resources play a vital role in the success of any professional organization. If you are just starting out in the field, you may want to consider the position of human resources generalist. As the name implies, this is a position that covers a wide variety of human resource responsibilities.

However, if you apply for this position, you should know it can be a challenge to show that you have the skills and experience, such as understanding benefits and employee welfare, without being too vague.

Your resume will list your relevant skills and experience, but it is your cover letter that sets you apart from other candidates. Your cover letter for a human resource generalist position is the opportunity to show how you are the best fit for the position. All it takes is the proper format with the right content.

Looking for a job? These position are hiring now near you:

  1. Human Resources Generalist
  2. Human Resources Supervisor
  3. Human Resources Associate
  4. Senior Human Resources Representative
  5. Human Resources Coordinator

Parts of a Human Resources Generalist Cover Letter

A well-written cover letter will reflect your personality and add emotional presence to your application, but its main goal is to show how you are qualified with past examples of successful, relevant experiences.

To start, follow the traditional cover letter format and be strategic with your words. Use the listed responsibilities and required skills in the job description to guide you. As a human resource generalist, you need to show why you are good with people. Paint a picture that shows you can manage all types of employee and customer relations.

For example, if the job description states you will be expected to oversee the hiring of new employees and assist in their development, then structure your letter around an experience from your past where you had to use related skills.

Overall, your cover letter can be broken down into four main parts. They are:

  1. Heading. The most professional-looking headings contain properly formatted contact information that addresses the letter to a specific person.

  2. Opening statement. A great opening statement grabs the attention of the reader with a mixture of professionalism and creativity.

  3. Body. At this point in the letter, you must be direct about what makes you qualified. Don’t restate your resume. Instead, pick a couple of specific skills and responsibilities and go in-depth about how they relate to your interest in the job.

  4. Closing statement. Conclude your pitch and reaffirm your interest. Leave the conversation with a call to action and sign off with a modest parting.

Human Resources Generalist Cover Letter Heading

In a heading, you want to list contact information that looks nice, clean, and simple.

It is best if the letter is addressed to a specific person. Go online and do some research. If possible, ask around in your network of professional contacts. However, if you cannot find a specific name, at least provide the basic contact information of the company and address the letter to the hiring manager.

An example of a good heading for a human resource generalist cover letter will look like this:

Betsy Longfoot
2 Packing Way
Chicago, IL 60601
b.longfoot@fakemail.com
(555) 555 - 5555

John Mallard Duckeye
Human Resources Director
ABC Boxcar Industries
1 Corporate Circle
Chicago, IL 60604

Dear Mr. Duckeye,

Search For Human Resources Generalist Jobs

Human Resources Generalist Cover Letter Opening

Though you are applying for a human resource generalist position, your opening should be anything but generic.

The generic way to start a cover letter is to state the prospective position and how you came across it. Though this tactic is acceptable, you will not stand out. Remember, you want the reader to know right away that you are someone worth their time.

You want to entice the reader while focusing on your interests or skills that connect back to the needs of the organization. Human resource generalists have to have great people skills, so use this as an opportunity to promote yours. Think about all the introductions you will have to make as you hire employees and deal with customers.

The best human resource generalists can make a person comfortable right away. Read the job description and see what you could do to make the reader feel quickly connected to your words. For example, you could talk about your emotional reaction to the opportunity as a way to generate empathy.

Whatever route you take, make sure to:

  1. Be professional. Use a word choice that you would use in most office settings. Don’t be stiff but also avoid any casual language that you might regret later.

  2. Use information that proves your worth. You want further inquiry, so give your reader something that shows you can provide what the job requires. Be passionate and use experience or your interests to get your foot in the door.

Let the reader know right away that you are worth their time. Reveal that you have the right touch of expertise necessary for a human resource generalist.

An effective opening statement for a human resource generalist might look like this:

Dear Mr. Duckeye,

When I read ABC Boxcar’s job description for the Human Resource Generalist position, I’ll admit I was incredibly excited. I could see right away that my previous experience as a Human Resource Representative makes me a perfect match for your organization.

Human Resources Generalist Cover Letter Body

The body of your cover letter will solidify the reasons why you are a great candidate. Pick specific human resource generalist skills from the job description and experience from your past to build a case.

Be careful about word length during the body to keep the letter 200-400 words long. Try to write only two paragraphs. The first paragraph should focus on a successful use of your skills. The second paragraph will then tie into your interests in the position and the organization.

Bullet points are also an option. Whatever you choose, make sure there is a logical flow, and don’t be afraid to dive into your desire to be a human resource generalist.

When you write the body of your cover letter, you want to:

  1. Tell a story with tangible results. This is your second paragraph. Focus on a specific accomplishment to avoid just restating your resume. Show how your skills result in success.

  2. Refer to the requirements of the job listing. This is your third paragraph. This shows that your letter is tailored specifically to the reader and provides you a way to make a connection between your abilities as a human resources generalist and the responsibilities of the position. This is a great place to use keywords found in the job description.

  3. Show passion and engagement. Let the reader know you are a driven employee who is willing to work hard. Human resource generalists have to deal with many different responsibilities and personalities. Your letter should make it clear that this is a type of professional situation you enjoy.

The body of a research associate cover letter should stand out. Assume the person is only skim-reading. They should still see clearly that you are the type of person who not only understands the needs of the organization, but has the skills of a human resource generalist to make a meaningful contribution.

An example of a body to a human resource generalist cover letter might look like:

As a Human Resource Representative at Peat and Bog Coffee, I am tasked with very similar responsibilities to the ones you require. In particular, much like what is written in the job description, every year when we roll out our benefits discussion, I am tasked with educating both new and veteran employees on any changes we face. This past year I was forced to do it remotely, but it turned out to be a major success. I organized a video conference that included easy-to-understand graphics and provided all employees with supplemental material. Out of a company of 100 employees, I only had two members voice confusion during the event.

Your company is looking for someone to be able to do the same and more. This is what excites me most about the position. ABC Boxcar provides a lot of new human resource avenues for me to explore, including dissecting the legal language of trade laws, which has been a career goal of mine for a while now.

Looking for a job? These position are hiring now near you:

  1. Human Resources Generalist
  2. Human Resources Supervisor
  3. Human Resources Associate
  4. Senior Human Resources Representative
  5. Human Resources Coordinator

Human Resources Generalist Cover Letter Closing Lines

Close your cover letter with a couple of sentences that make an impact. Focus on three critical factors:

  1. Restate your qualifications and interest with passion. You are a fully qualified and invested candidate, and it should be clear by this point.

  2. Provide a call to action. Create an opening for yourself for future conversation, but be both humble and assertive.

  3. Depart with a professional sign off. Some examples include:

    • Sincerely

    • Best Regards

    • Yours Truly

Your closing statement wraps up the picture you paint as the best candidate for the human resource generalist position. The result should be that the hiring manager will then quickly reach out to you.

An example of a closing statement would look like this:

My proficiency in organization and communication, along with my video conferencing skills, are needed by your company. It would be incredibly fulfilling to be a part of your team. I would be happy to discuss my interests further at a later date.

Sincerely,

Betsy Longfoot

Example of a Human Resources Generalist Cover Letter

Betsy Longfoot
2 Packing Way
Chicago, IL 60601
b.longfoot@fakemail.com
(555) 555 - 5555

John Mallard Duckeye
Human Resources Director
ABC Boxcar Industries
1 Corporate Circle
Chicago, IL 60604

Dear Mr. Duckeye,

When I read ABC Boxcar’s job description for the Human Resource Generalist position, I’ll admit I was incredibly excited. I could see right away that my previous experience as a Human Resource Representative makes me a perfect match for your organization.

As a Human Resource Representative at Peat and Bog Coffee, I am tasked with very similar responsibilities to the ones you require. In particular, much like what is written in the job description, every year when we roll out our benefits discussion, I am tasked with educating both new and veteran employees on any changes we face. This past year I was forced to do it remotely, but it turned out to be a major success. I organized a video conference that included easy-to-understand graphics and provided all employees with supplemental material. Out of a company of 100 employees, I only had two members voice confusion during the event.

Your company is looking for someone to be able to do the same and more. This is what excites me most about the position. ABC Boxcar provides a lot of new human resource avenues for me to explore, including dissecting the legal language of trade laws, which has been a career goal of mine for a while now.

My proficiency in organization and communication, along with my video conferencing skills, are needed by your company. It would be incredibly fulfilling to be a part of your team. I would be happy to discuss my interests further at a later date.

Sincerely,

Betsy Longfoot

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