Create a Killer Resume and Cover Letter

Mastering the Art: Your Guide to Writing a Cover Letter

We may receive compensation when you click on product links from our partners. For more information, please see our disclosure policy.

Whenever you apply for a job position through a job search board or a company’s career site, it is highly recommended to include a cover letter. This will effectively communicate the alignment between your skillset, experience, and the job opportunity to the hiring manager.

A cover letter provides an opportunity to showcase your professional skills and experiences, highlighting why you are a suitable candidate for the job. The way you craft and deliver the cover letter speaks volumes about you. To create an impressive cover letter that captivates prospective employers, consider the following essential tips:

How to Write a Cover Letter

  • Use an AI-powered cover letter generator: If you’re struggling to start or format your cover letter, consider using an AI tool like CareerToolbelt. It helps you craft a personalized and professional cover letter tailored to the job you’re applying for, saving you time while ensuring quality.
  • Understand the Purpose: A cover letter introduces you to potential employers, highlighting how your skills and experiences align with the job requirements and company culture.
  • Research the Company: Tailor your cover letter by researching the company’s values, projects, and the role itself. Show how your background makes you a perfect fit for their team.
  • Address it Properly: Whenever possible, address the cover letter to a specific person. Use “Dear Hiring Manager” only if you cannot find a name, to add a personal touch.
  • Start Strong: Begin with a compelling opening sentence that grabs attention. Mention the position you’re applying for and how you discovered the opportunity.
  • Highlight Key Experiences: Use specific examples from your past work or education to demonstrate your qualifications and how they apply to the position at hand.
  • Show Your Enthusiasm: Express genuine interest in the role and the company. Explain why you’re passionate about the opportunity and how it aligns with your career goals.
  • Include Soft Skills: Mention important soft skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Explain how these have benefited you in past roles or projects.
  • Keep it Concise: Aim for a single page. Be direct and to the point, ensuring every sentence adds value and relevance to your application.
  • Close Strong: End your cover letter by thanking the employer for considering your application and expressing eagerness to discuss your application in further detail.
  • Edit and Proofread: Before sending, meticulously proofread your cover letter for typos, and grammatical errors, and ensure it’s tailored to the job and company.

Introductory Paragraph

Start your cover letter by addressing the hiring manager directly. Ideally, find their name in the job ad or contact the HR department for it. If unable to find the name, address the letter to “Dear Hiring Manager for [name of position].” This shows personalized effort. Begin by clearly stating the job position and then highlighting the specific skills and experiences that make you the ideal candidate for that role. Proofread the content to eliminate any typos, grammatical errors, or other mistakes.

Main Body Paragraph

Next, you will write the body paragraph, which serves as the core of your cover letter. Here, you will demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the job position. Highlight specific skills that align with the job requirements and showcase relevant experiences that support your suitability for the role. When applicable, refer to your resume to provide additional evidence. If you’re not applying to a specific job, explain how your skills and abilities would contribute to the company’s success. Proofread the content carefully to eliminate any typos, grammatical errors, or other mistakes.

Closing Paragraph

In the final paragraph, express your continued enthusiasm for the job and convey your anticipation for an interview. Reiterate your interest and provide your contact details to facilitate communication with the employer. Conclude the letter by expressing gratitude to the hiring manager for their time and consideration. Proofread the content meticulously to rectify any typos, grammatical errors, or other mistakes. Your attention to detail ensures a polished and professional cover letter.

Don’t Make These Mistakes

  • Spelling errors – Your cover letter should be free of all spelling errors or grammatical errors. Proofread your cover letter or use a product like Grammarly.com.
  • Lack of Follow-up – Don’t leave the letter “open-ended”.  Indicate that you will follow up in two weeks.
  • Summary of Your Resume – To cut and paste from your resume or restate what is already included in your resume. Your cover letter should be a stand-alone document.
  • Form Letter Format – Your cover letter should be specific to the opportunity and not a form letter.  It should specifically mention the job title and skills that are aligned with the job opportunity
  • Research the company before writing your letter (take a look at Company Research). Find out as much as you can about the company and the job position. Research the hiring manager via LinkedIn.  Your cover letter should show that you are familiar with the company.
Whenever you apply for a job position through a job search board or company career site, you really should include a cover letter so that the hiring manager knows there is a match between your skillset, experience, and job opportunity.Click To Tweet
  • Never send the same cover letter for every job posting.

Gear You Need for Your Resume and Cover Letters

Okay, you are ready to find your job, but do you have everything you need?  Not sure that you have everything, take a look at the following links.

Resume Paper

Here are our favorites

[table id=11 /]

Gear for Your Job Search

  1. SAMSUNG Galaxy S20 FE 5G Factory Unlocked Android Cell Phone
    $502.92

    Samsung Galaxy

    Buy on Amazon.com

    We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

    11/22/2024 10:33 pm GMT
  2. Apple MacBook Air Laptop with M2 chip: 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage, Backlit Keyboard
    $999.00 $749.00

    The redesigned MacBook Air is ultra-portable, weighing just 2.7 pounds, and is powered by the M2 chip with an 8-core CPU, up to 10-core GPU, and up to 24GB of unified memory. It offers up to 18 hours of battery life, a stunning 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, a three-mic array, and a four-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio. It features versatile connectivity options including a MagSafe charging port, two Thunderbolt ports, and a headphone jack, and introduces Apple Intelligence for enhanced productivity and privacy.

    Buy on Amazon.com

    We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

    11/23/2024 06:32 am GMT
  3. HP Essential 255 G8 Laptop, 15.6" FHD Display, AMD Ryzen 5 5500U, 32GB RAM, 1TB PCIe SSD, Webcam, Windows 11
    $549.00

    This laptop features 32GB DDR4 RAM for smooth multitasking and a 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD for fast bootup and data transfer. It is powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processor with AMD Radeon Graphics, and has a 15.6-inch FHD display. Connectivity options include USB Type-A and Type-C ports, HDMI, RJ-45, headphone/mic combo, SD card reader, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth. It runs on Windows 11 Home, offering a new design, enhanced performance, and compatibility with Android apps.

    Buy on Amazon

    We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

    11/23/2024 06:32 am GMT
  4. MaxGear Professional Business Card Holder
    $5.99
    Store approximately 10-20 business cards, also suitable for ID cards, credit cards, gift cards, and more. This business card case is made of premium stainless steel. Size: 3.7"L x 2.3"W x 0.3"H.
    Learn More

    We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

    11/23/2024 06:29 am GMT
  5. Leathario File Folder Padfolio
    $17.99 $15.29
    Business presentation folder Portfolio. The Product Dimensions Is 12.87"Hx10.14"Wx0.78"D. Could be put in a briefcase.
    Learn More

    We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

    11/23/2024 03:38 am GMT
  6. HP OfficeJet 3830
    $399.99
    HP OfficeJet 3830 All-in-One Wireless Printer, HP Instant Ink & Amazon Dash Replenishment Ready (K7V40A). Main functions of this printer: copy, scan, fax, wireless printing, AirPrint, touchscreen, Instant Ink ready - never run out of ink.
    Learn More

    We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

    11/23/2024 06:03 am GMT
  7. Southworth Exceptional Resume Paper, 100% Cotton, 24 lb, Ivory, 100 Count (R14ICF)
    $14.39 $11.97
    All the gear you need for your job search
    Learn More

    We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

    11/23/2024 02:32 am GMT
Lasso Brag


What's next?

home popular resources subscribe search

You cannot copy content of this page