How to Write a Cover Letter? A Quick & Easy 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 word and don’t understand what it means let alone know how to write a cover letter, 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.
What Is a Cover Letter?
A cover letter 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 in-depth. You are required to choose an experience that you think will suit best the role that you are applying for. Once you have selected the experiences, achievements, and scenarios that you want to present, try to write them with great detail. It will help the employer to figure out if you fit in perfectly for the job role as describing your achievements in detail may help them understand you better. While making a cover letter for a fresher may seem like an uphill battle, it can truly help you in securing an interview if done right with keen detailing. So, let’s get on with it.
Any good cover letter consists of three broad sections. These are an introduction, body, and conclusion. Let’s break these sections down and take a look at all of them one by one:
Cover Letter Introduction
Follow the points detailed below to get an idea about what you should be including while writing an introduction of a cover letter:
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
Mention the Date
After you have written your personal details like name and address, it is important to mention the date.
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.
Greeting
When you are starting a cover letter try addressing it to a specific individual. You can do this by scouring LinkedIn or their official website 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.’
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. With 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.
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.
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.
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
Cover Letter Example
If you are required to write a cover letter for the position of Brand Copywriter then 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. Following is a cover letter example:
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
Now that you know how to write a cover letter, apply for copywriting jobs in Delhi.
What to Include in the 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.
Points to Avoid 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 – 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. Once your cover letter is ready in your hands, you can also check these Jobs in Mumbai.
