How to Write a Cover Letter (11 Great Examples of Cover Letters)

Let’s face it, when you’re looking for jobs, it can feel like a never-ending quest sometimes. You keep applying to places, and you keep getting those dreaded emails that go, “Thank you for your application, but……”. Does anybody like reading those? Then, what’s the secret to getting that job you’ve been eyeing? The answer might surprise you – it all starts with what is called the cover letter!

A great cover letter can be the difference between getting a positive reply from your potential interviewer and having your CV discarded. Here are the 11 tried and tested tips on writing a great cover letter:

1. Understand the Purpose of a Cover Letter
2. Know Your Audience
3. Start with a Bang!
4. Tell Your Story
5. Show Them You’ve Done Your Homework
6. Prove Your Value
7. Make Sure To Have A Call-To-Action
8. Don’t Forget the Formalities
9. Proofread, Proofread, Proofread
10. Keep it Short and Sweet
11. Show Some Personality

Don’t worry, we’re not going to leave you high and dry by just listing out these ways. We’ll take you into each of these steps in detail and even give you sample examples so that you can model your own cover letter after those! Soon, you’re going to be a master at writing these out, and job offers are going to come knocking on your door before you know it. Let’s get started!

11 Tips To Help You Write The Perfect Cover Letter

You already know the different tips from what we’ve mentioned above, but let’s dive deep into the nuts and bolts of it all. If you want to write a stellar cover letter, these are the steps that you should religiously be following.

1) Understand the Purpose of a Cover Letter

First things first, you’ve got to understand what cover letters is all about. Why are they so important? Well, cover letters are where you connect the dots with your employer! It’s where you tell them about your experiences and skills and show them that you’re the best fit for the company. So, make sure you know who your audience is when writing a cover letter.

Example:

“Dear Mr./Ms. {Name of Hiring Manager}, 

I am writing to express my interest in the {Position} at {Company Name}. With my extensive experience in {Specific Field or Industry}, I am confident that I would be a valuable asset to your team“.

2) Know Your Audience

You’re writing a cover letter for someone to read – so shouldn’t you be doing your homework on them? The cover letter must be customized to suit the company you’re applying for and also get into their mission, culture, and values. The better you understand your audience, the better your words will ring with them.

Example:

“I’ve always been fascinated by the work that Tesla does in the autonomous vehicle industry. Your values of innovation and taking risks is what I embody in my own work ethic, and I hope to bring that to the table as part of the team“. 

3) Start With A Bang!

Your opening line should be the bomb – and it should make a big impact. Grab their attention! Ditch the tired old “I’m writing to apply for…” and try to come up with something innovative and that shows your enthusiasm. First impressions count, for sure!

Example:

“Is your team looking for an outside-the-box thinker who can redefine the way you deliver your product? If so, then I’m the person that you need for your company“. 

4) Tell Your Story

Usually, most CVs will be full of stuff like academic details, work experience, and so on. The cover letter is where your story should come out – not just facts about you. Keep it relevant, but also make sure that anyone reading it would be able to connect with you.

Example:

“I come from a small town in Massachusetts, where I grew up seeing the struggles of a small business first-hand. That’s what taught me to think with my feet and always look for the most effective solution. And that’s what I’d like to do for your company too“. 

5) Show Them You’ve Done Your Homework

What do employers love the most? Candidates who’ve done their homework and due diligence. Make sure that you not just show your interest in the job but also sneak in your interest in the company itself. Recruiters fall head over heels when you bring out information on the company’s core details.

Example:

“As Apple’s founder Steve Jobs once said, “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” I think that for me, this place is where I can combine my creativity with my enthusiasm to be a leader. And that’s why I’m so excited to apply for this job at Apple“. 

6) Prove Your Value

This is a pretty simple (and most commonly used tip) – talk about yourself, and sell yourself hard. Show them why you’re the best match for their team. Talk about your achievements, skills, and experiences that give you an edge over the competition. This part of the cover letter is where recruiters really get to see your mettle.

Example:

“I have 5 years of experience in Digital Marketing and have even completed Google’s prestigious certification on the fundamentals of this domain. I also received an award from my previous organization for successfully launching a new campaign that increased sales by 25%“. 

7) Make Sure To Have A Call-To-Action

Oftentimes, people will just end their cover letter by saying something generic like “Thank you, and I hope to hear from you soon”. Stop doing that! Don’t just thank them, make sure you’re encouraging them to take the next step. This could be anything from asking for an interview or even expressing your eagerness to discuss further.

Example:

“I’m grateful to you for considering my application and would love to discuss further how I can be of value to your team. I’m available anytime that suits you, and I look forward to connecting with you and sharing my ideas on how I can help your business grow“. 

8) Don’t Forget the Formalities

You’re writing a cover letter, not a text message. Formalities are pretty important here – and this includes proper salutations, dates, a professional closing remark, and the works! You should also be leaving your contact information so that they can easily get in touch with you.

Example (Closing):

“Yours sincerely,

John Doe 

+1 (555) 555 5555 

[email protected]“

9) Proofread, Proofread, Proofread

Nobody wants to read something that’s peppered with grammar mistakes, punctuation errors, and weird phrasings. A well-polished letter shows that you care about the job and have an eye for detail. It also makes your letter look aesthetic and a breeze to read through. So make sure to proofread your letter at least 3 times before you send it over (hence the 3 repetitions of ‘proofread’ in the subheading!).

Examples (of what not to do):

“I’m really interest in this position.” – Poor grammar

“I can’t wait to hear back from u.” – Usage of the slang “u” instead of “you”. 

10) Keep it Short and Sweet

You’re writing a cover letter, not a novel. It’s quite easy to write pages and pages when you really want that job, and you have a lot of experience and achievements to show for it. But recruiters have to go through tons of these letters in a day, so make sure yours is short, sweet, and captures their attention quickly.

Example:

An ideal cover letter should just be around 250 to 400 words. Here are some short and easy cover letter templates you can use – https://zety.com/blog/short-cover-letter-examples. 

11) Show Some Personality

Last but not least, don’t be afraid to show some personality in your cover letter. No company is hiring an employee just for their skills, instead, they’re hiring an entire person. This means that your enthusiasm, passion, and unique perspectives are all pretty important. Make sure that part of you comes out in your letter.

Example:

“I’m someone who loves to take on challenges and find creative solutions. I truly believe that in 5 years, we can achieve a 100% shift to carbon-efficient products and practices – it’s definitely achievable, and my passion lies in striving to make that change happen.” 

Final Thoughts

Writing a cover letter can seem like a pretty difficult (and not to mention nerve-wracking!) task. But if you follow the tips that we’ve mentioned above, you can craft a cover letter that will impress any recruiter that reads it. So, are you ready to go out there and secure the job of your dreams? Then what are you waiting for? Start using these tips right away!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Let’s take a quick look at some of the most common questions we get asked when it comes to writing cover letters.

Q.1. Should I always include a cover letter?

A. Not every company would require you to submit a cover letter. But it’s always a good idea to include one, even if they haven’t asked. This creates a really good first impression, and also showcases your enthusiasm.

Q.2. Can I use the same cover letter for different jobs?

A. We would advise you not to use the same cover letter for different jobs. Cover letters are most effective when you’ve customized them for the company and role you want. You can always create templates that you can refer to, but it’s a poor idea to copy-paste the same cover letter everywhere.

Q.3. Should I address my cover letter to a specific person?

A. If you know who the hiring manager is, it’s always a great idea to specifically address that person. It creates a sort of connect with the person, which can increase your chances of selection. If you can’t find a specific name, a generic salutation like “Dear Hiring Manager” is also good enough.