A cover letter is an official document that we send in response to a job advertisement. Not every candidate remembers about it, so if you create it in a professional way, you will have a chance to attract the attention of recruiters. A good cover letter must be addressed to a specific person and meet several basic conditions. What? Read and find out!
In this article, you’ll learn:
- What is a cover letter and what does it include?
- How to write a cover letter that will encourage the employer to invite you for an interview?
- Cover letter – what should it contain?
- How to Write a Cover Letter for a Job? Guidance
- Letter to Work – Frequently Asked Questions
- Cover letter – how long should it be?
- Should you write a cover letter without a specific position?
- Cover letter without an addressee – is it correct?
- Do you sign the cover letter by hand?
- Is a cover letter necessary?
- Cover letter – how to write a conclusion?
- Cover letter and CV – what is the difference?
- Cover Letter Examples for Different Professions – Excerpts
What is a cover letter and what does it include?
A cover letter is a document that is usually sent with your CV when applying for a job.
Its main goal is to present itself as an ideal candidate for a given position.
In your cover letter , you should highlight your qualifications, experience, and skills that are relevant to the position.
It’s important that it is well-written and focuses on what you can offer the employer, not just what you expect as a candidate.
Your cover letter should also be personalized for each position you are applying for, which will show that you have a thorough understanding of the requirements and are seriously interested in the job
How to write a cover letter that will encourage the employer to invite you for an interview?
A short cover letter is the key to success.
Nowadays, everything is done at a fast pace.
Most often, recruiters do not spend much time considering one candidacy.
The concise form will ensure that the person reading your modern cover letter will not be discouraged by long blocks of text.
Another important aspect, in addition to a concise and official form, is engaging content.
The first few sentences are the most important, and they should be convincing.
Think about how you make your purchasing choices.
If you like a particular product right away and after reading a short description you decide that it meets your requirements, you will probably be more interested in it.
In your cover letter, you need to use wording that will immediately attract attention.
Cover letter – what should it contain?
A cover letter to an office, restaurant or school has a similar layout. While each document should be tailored to you and your specific position, there are some elements that need to be included in every cover letter.
Cover letter – what does it look like?
- A header containing: date and city, your name, phone number and email address.
- Recipient’s data.
- Salutation.
- The first paragraph in which you will answer the question of why you are writing your cover letter. You can also mention how you found out about the offer.
- The second paragraph in which you justify why you are the right candidate. Everything should be supported by examples from previous professional experience.
- The third paragraph should answer the questions why you are interested in working in this particular place and why you want to prove yourself in this position. Mention what your experience and skills can bring to the company.
- Conclusion of the cover letter, in which you express your willingness to meet at the interview.
- A salutation and your signature.
- Current consent to the processing of personal data.
How to Write a Cover Letter for a Job? Guidance
You already know what a sample cover letter contains, but the layout itself is not everything. What matters is the content, i.e. what you want to convey to the addressee. You will arouse the employer’s interest with a catchy introduction, as well as the correct form. Write your letter in a way that shows your personality and passion for your work and industry.
- Ensure that your professional cover letter addresses the needs and requirements outlined in the job posting. Show that your skills and experience match what the recruiter is looking for.
- Tailor each letter to a specific position, highlighting how your competencies and experience match the requirements. A ready-made cover letter template should only serve as a support for you, the entire content must be very personalized.
- Don’t repeat the information from your CV, expand it by adding new ones that show why you are the right candidate for the job.
- Instead of just writing about your skills, provide specific examples of situations in which you have used them. Talk about your achievements and how they contributed to your success in your current job or with previous employers. Mentioning specific numbers will make these arguments credible.
- Describe why you want to work for this company and what your goals are. Focus on how you can contribute to the success of your business.
- Make sure your letter is well-organized and easy to read. Use short paragraphs and highlight important points.
- Before you send your cover letter, read it carefully. Grammatical errors or typos can hurt your app.
- It is best to download the finished file in PDF format, so that it retains the original formatting.
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Letter to Work – Frequently Asked Questions
Are you interested in a specific job offer, want to apply, and the letter templates you are browsing still leave many doubts? Read the answers to the most frequently asked questions and write a professional cover letter avoiding mistakes. Remember that a good cover letter should be personalized and created with your strengths in mind, so you need to take care of every aspect of it.
Cover letter – how long should it be?
The entire cover letter should be short, i.e. fit on one A4 page.
There is no need to write too much.
All key information about your employment and the skills you need is included in the Curriculum Vitae. A modern cover letter is a supplement to it, but also a separate document.
If you look at any example of a cover letter, you will notice that it fits on one page.
You will present all the additional things you want to use to describe your candidacy during the interview, if you think it is necessary.
Should you write a cover letter without a specific position?
We should definitely not create a one-size-fits-all cover letter that can be sent to every company. The role of this document is that it is addressed to a specific person and written for a clearly defined purpose. If you are wondering how to write a cover letter without a job advertisement, Create a job application. This is the right form of submitting your candidacy to a company that is not currently recruiting.
Cover letter without an addressee – is it correct?
A cover letter should always contain the details of the sender and the addressee. This is a very personalized form of document, so if you have one universal, ready-made cover letter that you send in response to all offers, you are making a significant mistake. Although it is quite time-consuming, you should write a new cover letter for each advertisement. You will find that the effort will bring you tangible benefits, in the form of an invitation to a job interview.
Do you sign the cover letter by hand?
You already know the answer to the question of whether a cover letter is signed. Is it worth signing it by hand? It depends on the situation. Sign by hand if the employer requires it in the advertisement. In most cases, however, recruitment processes take place via the Internet, then it is enough to simply put your name and surname at the end.
Is a cover letter necessary?
Information on whether a cover letter is required, can be found in the job advertisement. If your employer has not indicated this, you can still create such a document. In this way, you will show your commitment and great willingness to work.
Cover letter – how to write a conclusion?
Use a positive statement emphasizing your interest in the position and the company. Be willing to meet at an interview to discuss your candidacy more broadly. Wondering how to end a cover letter? Use a salutation, e.g. “Sincerely” or “Yours sincerely” and sign your name.
Cover letter and CV – what is the difference?
A cover letter and a curriculum vitae (CV) are two key elements of the application process, but they have different functions.
- A cover letter for a job is a document in which a candidate expresses their motivation for the job and why their skills and experiences are suitable. It emphasizes individuality and interest in a specific position.
- A Curriculum Vitae is a document that outlines a candidate’s education, work experience, skills, achievements, and qualifications. It should be tailored to the job offer, but you do not address anyone directly in it. It has a concise form and only key information with very short descriptions.
A CV gives an employer a quick and clear picture of a candidate’s qualifications, while a cover letter allows for a deeper understanding of their goals and personality.
Cover Letter Examples for Different Professions – Excerpts
Cover letter office worker, excerpt: “I am convinced that my organizational skills and experience in document management are a perfect fit for your team’s requirements.”
Cover letter accountant, excerpt: “I believe that my ability to analyze financial data and plan strategically will be a valuable contribution to the growth of your business.”
Cover letter teacher, excerpt: “I offer you my four years of experience working with young people of different age groups and the ability to create engaging and interactive lessons.”
Cover letter from a nurse, excerpt: “My work at XYZ Hospital required a high level of precision, the ability to make quick decisions and the ability to communicate effectively with both patients and the medical team.”
Cover letter hairdresser, excerpt: “In my previous work at salon XYZ, I had the opportunity to develop my skills in a variety of cutting, coloring and styling techniques. Together with my team, I created my own keratin straightening technique, which contributed to an increase in the number of clients using this service by 35%.”
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