How to Write a Cover Letter for a Job?: The Ultimate 2024 Guide
Imagine a scenario where you are able to find that one perfect job role that checks all your boxes but when you scroll down to apply you find the two words that fill you with instant dread, a cover letter. If you can relate to this scenario then don’t worry, you are not alone. Or even if you are new to the term and don’t understand what it means let alone know how to write a cover letter for a job, this blog is for you. In this blog, we will walk you through all the essential elements necessary for writing a cover letter. So, buckle up and get ready to explore all the sections that will help you write a cover letter to ace the application process effortlessly.
How to Write a Cover Letter for a Job
A cover letter for a job is a document that helps you explain your intent and motive for applying to a specific job role. It covers your extracurricular activities, skills, achievements, and experiences in the field.
Follow the cover letter format given below to get an idea about what you should include while writing an introduction of a cover letter:
1. Mention Your Name and Address
Imagine writing the perfect cover letter but never finding out whether they liked it because you forgot your contact details. So, write your name, email address, contact number, and date at the top left of the document. Make sure that your email address isn’t unprofessional.
Meena Joshi
JD Colony, Vasant Vihar
New Delhi
(+91) 9867895046
meena.joshi@gmail.com
2. Mention the Date
After you have written your personal details like name and address, it is important to mention the date.
3. List the Recipient’s Name and Address
It is the first essential step that must not be skipped under any circumstances. Who will the letter get to if it does not have the name and address of the recipient? Hence, it is mandatory to fill out this section by carefully examining the details through the job description or the website of that particular organization.
To
Hiring Manager’s Full Name
XYZ Pvt. Ltd.
B-000, Business Zone
West Country, New City 2,
Delhi, India – 110076
Remember: If you have to write a cover letter by mail then you do not need to mention the recipient’s address, date, or your name and address.
4. Greeting
When you are starting a cover letter try addressing it to a specific individual. You can do this by scouring the official website of the company to find the name of the head of the department or the hiring manager. If the powers of the internet fail you, address it to the department you are applying to. Do not write ‘To Whom It May Concern’ unless you want to come off as a robot. Use ‘Dear ABC’ or simply start with ‘Hello ABC.’
5. Cover Letter Body
After adding all the relevant information, it’s time to move on to the main body of the letter. This section comprises the opening paragraph and the main body of the letter. Let’s understand them further.
Opening Paragraph
There are three ways you can approach the beginning of a cover letter. They are as mentioned below:
- The first way is to start by stating the role that you are applying for. For example,
- I am thrilled to apply for the position of content writer at Buzzfeed India. Having completed a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and an internship of six months at The Indian Express, I am confident that I will bring valuable skills to the organization.
- You can also start with an interesting and engaging opening to the cover letter. You can write about how the ideas of the organization resonate with you. You can prepare by studying thoroughly about the company that you are applying to. For example,
- At the age of 10, I went to the World Book Fair with my brother for the first time. While he was spending time reading the synopsis of books, I was picking up one book after another lured by the attractive covers. I finally settled on Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone then ended up devouring all books in the series.
I followed this interest in judging a book by its cover by pursuing a bachelor’s in Design. I am applying for the position of graphic designer at Scholastic following the creative side of mine which I have decided to pursue as my career.
- At the age of 10, I went to the World Book Fair with my brother for the first time. While he was spending time reading the synopsis of books, I was picking up one book after another lured by the attractive covers. I finally settled on Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone then ended up devouring all books in the series.
- You can also explain how your achievements and interests have urged you to apply for a role that you are willing to take. For example,
- During my last internship in social media marketing at Otter Pvt. Limited, I conceptualized three marketing campaigns, which increased the engagement rate by 25% and led to a spike of 15% in website traffic. I believe that the skills I have gained in this role make me the right fit for the position of Social Media Marketing Associate at Orange.
Make sure to change the tone according to the company that you apply to. If the company is more on the conservative side such as an accounting firm, maintain a formal tone. If you are applying to a startup, you can have some fun, and use the language that they have used in the job description.
- During my last internship in social media marketing at Otter Pvt. Limited, I conceptualized three marketing campaigns, which increased the engagement rate by 25% and led to a spike of 15% in website traffic. I believe that the skills I have gained in this role make me the right fit for the position of Social Media Marketing Associate at Orange.
6. Main Body
This is the part where you explain more about the roles you have mentioned in your resume. Always read the job description attentively and see if you have the key skills that the role requires. Now that you have a fair idea of the key requirements, think of your main accomplishments that demonstrate your skills. Let’s find out how we can make it less exhausting.
- You should contemplate the achievements that you made during your experience with previous organizations. You can use them to give a good impression to the employer. For example,
- I was a content writer at Times Tech and during my tenure, I experimented with various types of content like articles, blogs, FAQs, Q&As, and videos. I analyzed the performance of each type and made the required changes that brought about a 25% increase in readership and website engagement.
- If you don’t have work experience, try remembering the accomplishments during extracurricular activities. This will demonstrate your soft skills like communication and leadership. For example,
- As the Vice President for Enactus, I oversaw the annual inter-college meet. This included getting in touch with leaders in the social entrepreneurship industry for the speaker’s session, ideating competition ideas, marketing the event on social media, and making arrangements for 20 Enactus teams from across the state.
- You are free to include your academic achievements and awards that stand relevant to the job role. Do not forget to use the space efficiently by conveying your plans to use your skills to make things better. For example,
- As a content writer at your company, I would use my writing and researching skills to produce more interactive content. It will bring traffic to your website and increase engagement.
Now that you have told the hiring manager why the job should be yours, let’s learn about writing the parting note.
7. Conclusion
In this section, try to keep your content concise and straightforward. Do not include anything new, try summarizing what you have already talked about. You can also thank them for taking the time to review your application.
I would welcome the chance to speak more about this opportunity and share how I can contribute.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely/Best regards,
Your Name
Also Read: How to Write Cover Letter for Internship
Cover Letter Examples
If you are required to write a cover letter for a job, you will have to read the job description attentively. After that, you will have to form the outline of your letter according to the components that are necessarily included in it. Based on those points, you will have to highlight your relevant skills and experience to shine brighter than the other candidates. Here are some best cover letter examples to help you understand how to do this better.
Example 1: Brand Copywriter Cover Letter Sample
Let’s take a look at a generic cover letter example for your reference:
| M Joshi JD Colony, Vasant Vihar New Delhi, 110057 (+91) 9867895046 meena.joshi@gmail.com Date To Hiring Manager’s Full Name XYZ Pvt. Ltd.B-000, Business Zone West Country, New City 2, Delhi, India – 110076 Hello, Mr./ Ms. Hiring Manager’s Surname Name, I am writing this letter to express my interest in the position of Brand Copywriter at (Company Name) as advertised on the (Platform). With my keen passion for storytelling and extensively rich experience in crafting compelling brand narratives, I believe that I will make a significant impact on your organization. I have exceptional communication skills, brand strategy, creative writing, and analytical skills. Throughout my career, I have honed all my skills as a versatile copywriter. My specialization is in brand development and messaging. I have worked with a diverse range of clients from startups to established brands. I am genuinely excited about this opportunity for the growth of (Company Name). Your organization’s commitment to creativity and innovation perfectly aligns with my professional values and goals. I am confident that I can make valuable contributions to the team and the organization’s success. I thank you for your consideration and have attached my resume below for your reference. I am available for an interview or any further discussions at your convenience. Thank you for your time. Sincerely/Best regards, Your Name |
Example 2: Full-Stack Developer Cover Letter Sample
If you wish to apply for a full-stack developer job, you can refer to this resume sample.
| M Joshi JD Colony, Vasant Vihar New Delhi, 110057 (+91) 9867895046 meena.joshi@gmail.com 12 September 2023 To Hiring Manager’s Full Name XYZ Pvt. Ltd.B-000, Business Zone West Country, New City 2, Delhi, India – 110076 Hello Mr./ Ms. Hiring Manager’s Surname Name, I am writing to express my interest in the position of Full-Stack Developer at [Company Name]. I am a dedicated and goal-oriented developer with an experience of five years in full-stack development. With an impeccable track record of being a part of several successful development projects, I believe I will be a valuable asset to your organization. I am proficient in frontend and backend technologies and frameworks, Java and HTML being a few. With my strong time management skills, I ensure the completion of projects without compromising efficiency. In my previous role, I was given the opportunity to represent our organization’s development team in an international hackathon. With my commitment and innovative zeal, I was able to secure a huge project for our team. After working with the organization for quite some time, I decided it was time to progress further and take up new challenges. I am excited about the prospect of working with your organization because I feel it will provide me with an opportunity to grow as a professional. I am confident I can contribute positively to your organization. Thank you for your consideration. Please find my resume with this letter for more details. I am available for further discussions at the contact details provided above in the letter. Sincerely, M Joshi |
Now that you know how to write a cover letter, apply for full-stack developer jobs.
Example 3: Mental Health Counselor Cover Letter Sample
Here is a cover letter sample to apply for a mental health counselor job:
| M Joshi JD Colony, Vasant Vihar New Delhi, 110057 (+91) 9867895046 meena.joshi@gmail.com 12 September 2023 To Hiring Manager’s Full Name XYZ Pvt. Ltd.B-000, Business Zone West Country, New City 2, Delhi, India – 110076 Hello Mr./ Ms. Hiring Manager’s Surname Name, As an experienced psychiatric healthcare worker, I was excited to find out that there is a job opportunity for a mental health counselor at your ABC hospital. I believe I have the necessary qualifications and skills required for the said job. I have training to provide essential care to those suffering from mental health issues and have a certification in depression-related clinical practices. In my previous role, I worked as a healthcare worker who treated patients from all walks of life. One thing I have learned from the experience is that fostering a safe and compassionate environment for the patients is integral to the job. With regular review of feedback from the patients, I was able to improve my skills over the years. I am excited to contribute to the growth of your hospital with my talent. Kindly review my enclosed resume for more details on my qualifications and work experience. I hope to receive a positive reply from you. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, M Joshi |
Example 4: Graphic Designer Cover Letter Sample
Refer to this cover letter sample if you wish to apply for a graphic designer job.
| M Joshi JD Colony, Vasant Vihar New Delhi, 110057 (+91) 9867895046 meena.joshi@gmail.com 12 September 2023 To Hiring Manager’s Full NameXYZ Pvt. Ltd.B-000, Business Zone West Country, New City 2, Delhi, India – 110076 Hello Mr./ Ms. Hiring Manager’s Surname Name, As a creative professional looking forward to continuing to create appealing and innovative designs, I was excited to come across the job opening for a graphic designer at your company. As a professional with three years of experience in the graphic designing industry, I believe I can contribute immensely to your company with my skills and talent. I am proficient in using graphic design software like Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop having completed a graphic design course from ABC organization. I also possess in-depth knowledge of design principles and color theory. My strong communication skills help me in designing appealing visuals for conveying the right message to the target audience. In my previous role, I worked as an assistant graphic designer and undertook responsibilities such as preparing digital illustrations, developing multimedia content, and testing graphics across various media platforms. The experience allowed me to grow as a professional, and now I wish to take up more challenging roles in the industry. I am excited about the prospect of working with your organization because I feel it is a great opportunity for my career growth. I am confident I can contribute positively to your organization. Thank you for your consideration. Please find my resume with this letter for more details. I am available for further discussions at the contact details provided above in the letter. Sincerely, M Joshi |
Looking to work in the graphic design sector? Check out the best graphic designer jobs.
Tips for Writing a Cover Letter
There are a lot of points that need to be kept in mind when writing a cover letter. The following section explains all the components as well as some cover letter writing tips:
- Call To Action (CTA)- While ending the cover letter, tell the hiring manager what you want them to do. You can request an interview or a meeting.
- Enthusiasm for the Job/Organization– Mention what aspects of the job make you feel eager to join. You may have all the requisite skills, but so might the other candidates. What can set you apart is your enthusiasm for the role or company.
- Customization– Each job description comes with a different set of requirements and each company has a different culture, so make sure you customize your cover letter. Try to avoid sending generic cover letters.
- Conciseness– Once you have written your cover letter, take some time to edit. Eliminate everything repetitive. Make sure that your cover letter length does not exceed one page and 250-300 words.
Things to Skip in the Cover Letter
It is equally important to know what not to write in a cover letter. It is good to know these things before you start writing one to reduce your chances of rejection. Some of these points are mentioned below:
- Clichéd Phrases– Avoid writing overused phrases like ‘fast learner’ and ‘hard-working.’ Instead use action words such as led, designed, developed, conceptualized, etc. that show these qualities in action.
- Overly Formal Tone– A very formal tone can give the impression that you picked out a cover sample off the internet. It can also make it difficult to read your letter. To find out which words or sentences can be rewritten for easier readability, you can use the Hemingway Editor.
- Narrating Your Resume– Make sure that your cover letter isn’t a longer version of your resume. Think about the highlights during your jobs, internships, or extracurricular activities that relate to the job and give insights about them.
- Improper Formatting– Use consistent formatting throughout the letter, and use a font that’s easy to read such as Arial size 12 or Calibri size 12.
- Typos and Common Grammatical Errors– Once you have done the lion’s share of the work by writing the letter, make sure that typos or bad grammar don’t ruin your masterpiece. Even if all seems in order, proofread it yourself or ask a friend to review it for you.
Conclusion
Now that we have covered how to write a cover letter for a job, go write one! If you are still looking for jobs, then you can check out fresher jobs on Internshala. You can also check out our blog on top cover letter examples.
Related Cover Letter for Different Job Roles:
