Essentials of Cover Letter: The best guide

In the crowded job market, we all know that you need something special to stand out. But that special doesn’t always have to be a unique skill. Your presentation, matters more. After all, every company desires for a well-organized employee. 

In this blog, we will discuss what is a cover letter?, it’s types, content, and some more relevant tips you need to know, so you don’t fall back behind others.

What is a cover letter?

A cover letter is a single-page document that you should generally send along with your CV or resume during a job application. A cover letter adds more significance and context to your CV or resume by highlighting your specific achievements. 

 A cover letter explains how your skills and experiences can become a strong need for the specific company role you are applying to. You can say that while a resume lists all your qualifications, a cover letter provides a personal narrative to make your job application even more compelling.

What is the Purpose of a Cover Letter?

The purpose of writing a cover letter is to introduce yourself to a potential employer in order to let them understand your visions and convince them as to why you are the best choice for a particular position. 

The best way of showing your interest in the job is to focus on your key skills and accomplishments, and thoroughly customize your application as per the company or job role. This will make the employer want to read your application with utmost interest.

A good cover letter helps open up doors towards more interviews and makes you stand ahead of other potential applicants in this crowded job market.

Types of Cover Letters

There are many types of cover letters, but their purposes are different. Each of them is suitable for some special situations. Let’s see the types of cover letters and when we should use which type.

1. Application Cover Letter

This is the most traditional and widely used form of cover letter. When sending an application cover letter, you are applying for a specific job advertised. It’s directly related to the job description, wherein in-depth details show why you’re the best fit for the position.

When you should use it:

• When responding to an advertisement or for a vacant position
• Specific qualifications and experiences that answer requirements

What to include in it:

• Mention your job title and how you came across this listing.
• Emphasis on specific skills and experiences that are relevant for the position.
• You are interested in the company and the job position.

2. Prospecting Cover Letter

This prospecting cover letter is sent to make an inquiry about the availability of jobs in a company even when there is no advertised opening. Such a kind of letter reveals your initiative and interest in working for that company despite the presence of unfilled job vacancies that are not made public.

When you should use it:

• If you are interested in a particular company, that has no job posted, or 
• When you wish to network and introduce yourself to hiring managers for future endeavors. 

What to include in it:

• A brief introduction of you and your reason for being interested in the company.
• Mention how your key skills can add value to the company.
• A simple request for being interviewed or to be considered for future job vacancies.

3. Networking Cover Letter

This is a cover letter that you use in a situation where you are contacting through your mutual connections or a professional network. It is a good way to get attention for your application because it’s a reliable base built on referrals or recommendations.

When you should use it:

• You are already using your professional network to find job leads.
• You want to connect with someone inside a company or industry whom you know.

What to include in it:

• Reference from the person who referred you, or your mutual connection.
• A short statement on your background and your expertise emphasizing how well you could fit into the organization.
• Expression of gratitude to your contact and to the employer for being interested enough to want to hear from you.

4. Referral Cover Letter

A referral cover letter is exactly like a networking cover letter, but it must state that you have known the other person or there is someone within the company who has referred him or her to the current role. In other words, such a cover letter provides one with an excellent advantage because hiring managers always consider referrals by colleagues whom they consider reliable.

When you should use it:

• Anyone in the company has provided a reference for you for the job.
• When you want to use an internal connection to stand out.

What to include in it:

• Within the first/opening sentence, include a positive introduction about yourself.
• Explain your skill set and how it matches up to the job
• Don’t forget to include a thank you to the person referring you.

What to Include in a Cover Letter?

A standard cover letter is your opportunity to make a great first impression on a potential employer. It’s not the summary of your resume or CV; it’s the chance to build your application in a unique way. Below is a breakdown of what to include in each section of a strong cover letter:

1. Header

It is necessary to format this section professionally to set the tone for the rest of your letter.

1. Your Contact Information:
   1. Full name
   2. Address (optional in some cases)
   3. Phone number
   4. Email address
   5. LinkedIn profile or online portfolio link (optional)
2. Employer’s Contact Information:
   1. Hiring manager’s name (if known)
   2. Company name
   3. Company address

You must include the correct contact information so that your cover letter reaches the right person. 

NOTE: If you use the hiring manager‘s name, it adds a personal touch to the cover letter.

Example:

Sam Singh  

MG Main St.  

New York, The United States  

singh.sam@email.com  

+1  8932786744

www.linkedin.com/in/singhsam

September 27, 2024  

Hiring Manager’s Name  

Company XYZ  

56 Business Rd. 

New York, The United States   

2. Salutation

You always address the letter to the appropriate person. This makes a good impression, showing that you have done your research on who the hiring manager is. 

• Best Practice: Use “Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name]”.

NOTE: Try to find their name through the job posting, company website, or LinkedIn postings.  

• In Case You Don’t Know the Name: “Dear Hiring Manager” or “To Whom It May Concern” are acceptable alternatives, but they are less personal.

3. Opening Paragraph

The opening paragraph is your opportunity to grab the hiring manager’s attention right away. So always include the following things in the content:

1. The job title you’re applying for.
2. The place where you saw the job vacancy (job board, referral, company website).
3. A one-liner about what makes you a strong candidate for the role.

Tip: Instead of using generic introductions like “I am writing to apply for the position,” write some more interesting intros to make your opening stand out.

4. Body of the Cover Letter

Here you outline your skills, achievements, and why you are the best candidate for this job. This is where you mention your relevant experiences for the job, and how they fit into the job.

Format:

First paragraph: 

• Professional background, qualifications, relevant experience. 
• Describe the key points from your resume, but make it more vivid by providing specific examples of success.

Second paragraph: 

• Point out your outstanding achievements. 
• Mention how you assisted previous employers, either in revenue growth, efficiency improvement, or some successful management of projects. 
• Try to supplement your story with numbers or metrics where appropriate.

Third paragraph: 

• Establish a means for aligning your skills and values with the company’s mission. 
• Before sitting down to write, research the company thoroughly as discussed earlier. 
• Explain, based on your expertise, how you can meet their needs and solve their problems.

Points to include:

• Key accomplishments relevant to the job you are applying for.
• Skills or qualifications specific to the job post
• Interest in the company and role.

To understand better, look at this example.

In my previous role at ABC Marketing, I led a team of five in executing digital marketing campaigns, resulting in a 20% increase in overall site traffic within six months. I specialize in SEO, content creation, and data-driven strategies, and I am eager to bring these skills to XYZ Company to enhance your online presence and grow your customer base.

I have always admired XYZ Company’s innovative approach to marketing, and I am particularly drawn to your emphasis on creative problem-solving and data analytics. I am confident that my experience and passion for marketing align perfectly with your company’s values, and I look forward to contributing to your success.

5. Closing Paragraph

The closing paragraph is meant to wrap up your cover letter with a call to action. Here you need to re-emphasize your enthusiasm for the job role. Mention that your resume is attached.

What to Include:

1. A brief statement summarizing your excitement for the role.
2. A call to action (e.g., requesting an interview or offering to provide further information).
3. A thank you call at last for the employer.

Tip: Instead of phrases like “I hope to hear from you,”  be confident yet polite, by saying something like “I look forward to discussing how my skills align with the needs of your team.”

Example:

Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to XYZ Company’s growth, and I would love the chance to discuss how my background and skills can help achieve your marketing goals. I really look forward to hearing from you to schedule an interview.

Sincerely,  

Sam Singh

6. Signature

End the letter with a professional sign-off, such as “Sincerely,” “Best regards,” or “Kind regards.” Then, include your full name.

Electronic Signature: If you’re submitting your application online, you can type your name. 

In a physical letter, you can write your signature above your typed name.

7. Postscript (Optional)

Though a postscript, P.S., can be optional, it may add a personal tone or pinpoint a key accomplishment that you want to stay alive in the reader’s mind. In that regard, the tactic works very well; after all, hiring managers tend to scan cover letters, and the well-placed postscript stands out.

Example:

P.S.  I would love to share the details of how I led a team to exceed annual sales goals by 30%. Let’s discuss how I can bring this same energy and success to XYZ Company.

Do I Have to Mention Soft Skills in a Cover Letter?

Yes, you can. Mentioning soft skills in the cover letter naturally can uplift the whole ambiance and engaging power of your cover letter. 

Qualities such as communication, leadership, and problem-solving often complement the technical skills on your resume. 

Employers get a more holistic view of your abilities from this action.

Some Tips for Writing Good Cover Letters

You can write a perfect cover letter with these handy tips.

1. Tailor your cover letter
2. Keep it Concise and Focused
3. Use Action Words and Quantifiable Achievements
4. Show Enthusiasm and Personality
5. Research the Company
6. Match Your Tone to the Company Culture
7. Address Gaps or Changes
8. End with a Strong Call to Action
9. Proofread  your cover letter thoroughly
10. Don’t repeat anything something from your resume or CV.

What is the Format of a Cover Letter?

A standard format for cover letter. 

• Contact Information: On top, you must include your full name, email, telephone number, and address.
• Date: Date of writing
• Employer’s Contact Information : Mention the hiring manager’s name, company name, and its address.
• Salutation: Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name].
• Body : Three to four short paragraphs that give reasons why you are suited to apply.
• Closing: “Sincerely,” followed by your name.

Common Mistakes to Avoid While Writing a Cover Letter

• Using a template not tailored to the firm: Always write a cover letter fitting the specific job.
• Repeat of Resume: Avoid restating your resume. Instead, expand those important points in the cover letter.
• Typos and mistakes: Care for an error-free draft free from grammatical errors.
• Lack of concentration: Your letter of application must be focused on the job and not general.

Should I Use AI to Write My Cover Letter?

With AI, you can quickly draft a cover letter, but you should personalize and customize the content so that your self-done voice and personal touch create distinction. AI tools, like Chatgpt, will give you a suggestion, but you should add your voice and personal touch to stand out.

Make Your Efforts Perfect with a Brilliant Resume or CV

Last but not the least, always remember that cover letters are always just a complementary action to enhance your resume or CV. 

So first, you need to make an excellent resume or CV to capture the first impression of employer.

And having an excellent CV doesn’t only mean quality education or outstanding work experience. It also refers to how you present your CV. 

Where Can I Get Help to Write a Good Cover Letter?

Writing the perfect cover letter can be a bit difficult task without some professional help. So professional cover letter writing services in Dubai are exactly what you need.

Enterprise like ClarityIgnite is a leading career counseling organization that provides excellent resume/CV writing services. 

Now get ready to make an impact with your cover letter!