When you are looking for a job, being able to craft a great cover letter is important. Even if a cover letter isn’t required when you apply, it can be an excellent way to separate yourself from other candidates and provide the hiring manager with details that don’t fit on your resume.
While general tips on cover letter writing are certainly helpful, being able to look at samples is particularly beneficial. You can take the examples and adjust them to fit you, making it easier to create an exceptional cover letter.
If you need to learn how to write a winning cover letter, here are some guidelines with samples that can help.
Include Details About the Company in the First Paragraph
If you want to showcase your enthusiasm for the role, adding a few tidbits about the company’s mission or values can help. This shows you went the extra mile and researched the organization before you applied, and that can increase the odds you’ll stand out in the eyes of the hiring manager.
Usually, you want to include these details in the first paragraph after you express your interest in the specific position and highlight a bit of what you have to offer. For example, “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be considered for [job]. As a professional focused on [field], I believe my skills and experience make me an excellent fit for the role. Plus, I find [Company’s mission or values] very inspiring, and I am excited by the prospect of being able to be a part of it.”
Showcase Relevant Experiences and Accomplishments
After the first paragraph, it’s time to discuss how your experience and accomplishments can provide value to the organization if you are selected for the role. The goal should be to choose instances that are incredibly relevant to the position, demonstrating you have the right capabilities and can excel in the job.
Make sure to include achievements that highlight your soft skills as well as your expertise. For example, if, in your previous job, you led a project, you could say, “While employed with [Company], I had the opportunity spearhead [Project], during which I used my expertise in [field-related skills] and [soft skills] to ensure the project was completed on time, on budget, and to the desired specifications” to open the paragraph. Then, add additional details to round out the related experience or accomplishment and discuss how you believe it makes you a good fit by connecting the dots between the experience and the job description.
Usually, you’ll have two body paragraphs that follow a similar formula, allowing you to address the primary requirements of the job. If you are a recent college graduate, or new to the field, and applying to an entry-level position, one of those paragraphs might be oriented to your education. However, if you have three-to-five years of experience, mentioning your education in your cover letter isn’t necessary.
Reiterate Your Interest in the Job in the Closing
When you get ready to close your cover letter, you want to reassert that you are a strong candidate and reiterate your interest in the position. For example, “Based on my prior experience, I am confident that I could excel in [Job] at [Company]. I look forward to speaking with you further about my qualifications and this exciting opportunity. Thank you for your consideration.”
In most cases, your finished cover letter should be between 250 and 400 words, unless the employer requests otherwise.
If you would like to know more, or you’re looking for new jobs in Jackson MS, the team at TempStaff can help. Contact us to speak with one of our knowledgeable recruiters today and see how our cover letter writing expertise can benefit you.
