What is a cover letter?

A cover letter, also known as an application letter, is a three- to four-paragraph memo to employers explaining your interest in the job and company and your fitness for the role. It's typically submitted along with your resume in a job application. This letter should highlight your skills, experience and achievements concerning the position you seek. Unlike your resume, cover letters allow you to go into more detail about your professional career and explain why you're a good fit for the role and company.

A well-written cover letter has the potential to impress employers and set you apart from other applicants. To avoid a generic cover letter, you should conduct in-depth research on the company and role for which you're applying to in-depth before writing your cover letter.

What to consider before you write

Before you craft your cover letter, gather all the information you may need. Here are some things to consider before you write a cover letter:

• Think about your experiences and how you would like to relate these experiences to a hiring employer. What talents, skills or accomplishments would you like the company to know?
• Think about how you learned about the job opportunity. If it's a personal contact, jot down the person's name and title. If it was an ad or job board, write down where and when you saw it and list any specific instructions noted in the job description.
• Think about the company you're writing to and what drew you to it. Do you admire its culture or brand? Are its reviews positive or negative? Research the company to see if you agree with its mission statement and vision.
• Think about who you are writing to. If it's a specific person, address them by name and title. If not, consider addressing the cover letter to "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear Human Resources."

Cover letter format

A cover letter should be formatted like a business letter with these sections:

• Header with date and contact information
• Salutation or greeting
• Opening paragraph
• Middle paragraph(s)
• Closing paragraph
• Letter ending and signature

Your cover letter should be one page long and use a simple, professional font, such as Arial or Helvetica, 10 to 12 points in size. Your letter should be left-aligned with single spacing and one-inch margins.

How to write a cover letter in 6 steps

Here are six simple steps to writing a great cover letter. In the sections below, we'll offer detailed information about what to include in each area with examples.

1. Start with your header

As with any standard business letter header, you should include a few pieces of personal and role-specific information at the top of your cover letter to make it easier for a hiring manager or recruiter to follow up with you. If you'd like, you can center your name and address at the top of the page, mirroring how it looks on your resume.
Header template:

• Your name
• Your city and ZIP code
• Your phone number
• Your email address
• Date
• Name of recipient
• Title of recipient
• Company name
• Company address

Header example:

Ali Lang
ali.lang@email.com
555 Orchard Lane, Las Vegas, NV(555) 888-4000

May 5, 20XX

Terry Washington
Revolve Inc.
123 Vineyard Drive, Las Vegas, NV

2. Include a greeting

In your research, try to find the name of the person reviewing applications for the job. Address your letter to this person with a common business greeting, such as "Dear [first and last name]" or "Dear [position title]." Avoid using "To whom it may concern."

Greetings example:

• Dear Hiring Manager,
• Dear Tyler Wallace,

3. Write an opening paragraph

In the first paragraph, mention the job title you're applying for and where you saw the position posting. Explain your interest in the role and company to show you've done your research. The first section of your cover letter is also the first impression the reader will have of you, so it's important to appeal to that person quickly and succinctly.

Opening paragraph example:

"I'm excited to apply for the Graphic Designer position at Cloud Clearwater I found on Indeed. I understand you're currently adding several new product lines, and I believe my skills in video and animation provide a significant advantage for creating a successful launch. As a longtime fan of your products, I'm thrilled at the opportunity to bring my unique style and passion for beachwear to the company."

4. Add a second paragraph

Your second paragraph should be a brief overview of your background as it relates to the position. Include key achievements, skills and specialties that make you particularly suited to the position. Focus on one or two and provide specific details about your success, including measurable impacts you made.
Pay close attention to keywords listed in the job description and include those you identify with in the body of your cover letter. You should only include information about your most recent professional experiences.

Second paragraph example:
"As the Director of Human Resources at Wes Morgan Philips, I was a key senior leader in the organization and was responsible for improving the efficiency and performance of the company's 540 employees. Before that, I worked in human resources, equal employment opportunity and diversity for Jenkins Technology Solutions, Inc. At Jenkins Technology, I developed an employee retention plan involving a wellness program, an internal training program and a promotions selection process. This led to a 50% reduction in the overall employee turnover rate."

5. Finish with a closing paragraph

The closing paragraph should focus on another key achievement or skill relevant to the position. Instead of repeating details from your resume, summarize a specific story or anecdote that displays you're right for the role. If you're changing careers, this is a good opportunity to talk about transferable skills or relatable experiences from your career.

Closing paragraph example:
"Achieving ambitious marketing goals is always a top priority, and I am always looking out for the company's best interests. I enjoy delivering marketing presentations to potential clients and focusing on an organization's strengths. My marketing skills at River Tech helped the company experience new levels of success and a 45% increase in customer engagement. I'm never satisfied with the status quo, and I believe that a company should continually look for ways to improve and reach new clients through innovative campaigns."

6. End with a professional signoff

You should end your cover letter with a paragraph summarizing why you are applying for the role and why you would be a great fit. Keep the cover letter conclusion brief and explain that you look forward to the employer's response about possible next steps. End with your signature at the bottom.

Signoff example:
"Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to learning more about the sales position and TradeLot. Growth is essential to my continued success, and I'm excited for the chance to be a part of TradeLot's industry-leading team. My proven track record and TradeLot's quality products are a winning combination for increasing the company's market share.

Sincerely,
Malik Rabb