What to Put in a Cover Letter: 7 Essentials
A well-crafted cover letter is your first chance to make a strong impression on a potential employer. It complements your resume by providing context, showcasing your personality, and demonstrating your genuine interest in the position. But what exactly should you include? In this guide, we’ll break down the top 7 essentials to put in your cover letter, ensuring it captures attention and increases your chances of landing an interview. By focusing on these key elements, you can create a compelling narrative that sets you apart from other applicants and highlights why you’re the perfect fit for the job.
Contact Information
Your contact information is the cornerstone of your cover letter. It’s essential that the hiring manager can easily reach you. This section should be clear, concise, and accurately reflect your current contact details. Accuracy here is non-negotiable; a single typo can prevent you from receiving an interview invitation. By presenting this information professionally, you showcase your attention to detail and commitment to clear communication, making a positive first impression before the reader even delves into the body of your letter.
Your Name and Contact Details
Start with your full name, followed by your phone number and email address. Use a professional email address; avoid anything informal. Consider including a link to your LinkedIn profile or online portfolio, if applicable. Place this section at the top of your cover letter, either left-aligned or centered, so it’s easily visible.
Date and Recipient Information
Below your contact details, include the date you are writing the letter. Then, address the hiring manager or the specific person mentioned in the job posting. If no name is provided, research the company to find the relevant contact person. If you can’t find a specific name, use a general title like ‘Hiring Manager’ or ‘Recruiting Team.’
Professional Salutation
Start your letter with a professional salutation. Use ‘Dear [Hiring Manager name]’ or ‘Dear [Mr./Ms./Mx. Last Name]’. If you cannot find a specific name, ‘Dear Hiring Manager’ is acceptable, though less personalized. Avoid overly casual greetings. This sets the tone for the rest of your letter and shows respect.
Personalized Opening
A generic opening can undermine the impact of your cover letter. Instead, craft a personalized opening that grabs the reader’s attention from the start. This is where you demonstrate your understanding of the company and the specific role. A well-crafted opening immediately distinguishes you from the many candidates who send out generic applications. Showing you have invested time and effort in researching the company sets a positive tone, making the hiring manager more inclined to read the rest of your letter.
Addressing the Hiring Manager
If you know the hiring manager’s name, address them directly. Otherwise, use a professional title. Avoid phrases like ‘To Whom It May Concern’, which feel impersonal. Briefly mention where you found the job posting and the specific position you’re applying for. This immediately orients the reader and highlights your genuine interest in the role and the organization.
Showcase Your Value Proposition
Your cover letter should highlight your value proposition. What makes you the ideal candidate? How do your skills and experience align with the job requirements and the company’s needs? This section is where you connect the dots between your qualifications and the role, demonstrating why you are the best fit. It’s an opportunity to show the hiring manager the specific benefits of hiring you, turning your application from a simple submission into a compelling argument for your candidacy.
Highlight Relevant Skills and Experience
Carefully review the job description and identify the key skills and experiences the employer seeks. Select 2-3 of the most relevant skills and experiences you possess. Provide brief examples of how you’ve used these skills in previous roles, emphasizing the results you achieved. Tailor these examples to match the job requirements, showing that you understand the role and are prepared to succeed.
Quantify Your Achievements
Whenever possible, quantify your achievements with numbers, percentages, or specific data. Instead of saying, ‘Improved customer satisfaction,’ say, ‘Increased customer satisfaction by 15% within six months.’ Quantifiable achievements demonstrate your impact and make your claims more credible. Use metrics to back up your claims, making your cover letter compelling and demonstrating your value.
Demonstrate Company Knowledge
Showing you understand the company you’re applying to is critical. Research the company’s mission, values, recent projects, and industry position. This demonstrates that you are truly interested in the opportunity and have invested time in understanding the organization. This shows that you are serious about joining their team, making you stand out from the many candidates who submit generic letters. The hiring manager will see that you are not just looking for any job, but specifically want to work at their company.
Research the Company
Visit the company’s website, read recent news articles, and check their social media profiles. Understand their products or services, their target market, and their competitive landscape. Identify their core values and see how your personal values align with theirs. This research forms the foundation for a tailored cover letter.
Tailor Your Letter
Use the information from your research to tailor your cover letter to the specific company and role. Mention specific projects, initiatives, or aspects of the company that resonate with you. Show how your skills and experience align with the company’s needs and contribute to its goals. Tailoring your letter demonstrates that you’re not just sending a generic application; you are specifically interested in this company and role.
Express Enthusiasm and Interest
Expressing genuine enthusiasm and interest in the position and the company is crucial. This helps you connect with the hiring manager on an emotional level and shows your motivation. Your cover letter should exude positivity and a genuine desire to be part of the organization. This is a key component that can move the hiring manager to see beyond your qualifications.
Call to Action and Closing
The closing of your cover letter should include a call to action and a professional sign-off. It’s your final opportunity to reiterate your interest and request the next steps. A strong closing leaves a lasting impression, reinforcing your enthusiasm and commitment.
Express Gratitude
Thank the hiring manager for their time and consideration. Show your appreciation for the opportunity to be considered for the role. A simple expression of gratitude makes a positive impression.
Formal Closing
Use a professional closing such as ‘Sincerely’, ‘Best regards’, or ‘Thank you’. Follow this with your full name and your signature (if submitting a physical copy or a PDF). Make sure your closing aligns with the tone you have established throughout your letter. It should be polite and respectful, leaving a positive final impression.
Proofread and Edit
Before submitting your cover letter, meticulously proofread and edit it for any errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Ensure the formatting is consistent and professional. Typos and errors can undermine your credibility and make a negative impression. It’s also useful to have a friend or colleague review your cover letter to catch any mistakes you might have missed. A polished, error-free cover letter demonstrates professionalism and attention to detail, significantly increasing your chances of making a positive impression.