Samples Of The Best Cover Letters
When applying for a job, it’s always a good idea to include a cover letter, unless the employer specifies that they only want an application or a resume. Even if a job listing does not specifically request a cover letter, including one can be a terrific way to summarize your skills and experiences and explain why you are an ideal candidate for the job.
What’s most important is writing a cover letter that shows the hiring manager what makes you one of the best candidates for the position.
Think of your cover letter as your introductory sales pitch, your golden opportunity to make a positive first impression on a company.
Reviewing cover letter samples is a great place to start before writing your own letter. You can then download a template to get started creating your own letter.
Characteristics Of An Effective Cover Letter
Cover letters should accomplish the following:
- Get the attention of the prospective employer
- Set you apart from any possible competition
- Identify the position you are interested in
- Specify how you learned about the position or company
- Present highlights of your skills and accomplishments
- Reflect your genuine interest
- Please the eye and ear
The following video features Aimee Bateman, founder of Careercake.com, who explains how you can create an incredible cover letter. You can download a transcript of the video here.
Tip : Check For Spelling And Grammatical Errors
This is key! Spelling and grammatical errors create a bad impression. Spend a few minutes to check your cover lettertype it on a word processor with a spell checker functionand remove any errors you can find. Then, read it aloud to do a final check, at the same time listening to how you come across. Not only will you get a final idea as to how well it all flows, youll also have a safety net to catch anything your software may have overlooked.
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The Dos Of Writing A Spectacular Cover Letter
The old saying, “You only have one chance to make a first impression,” is definitely true when meeting someone in person, and it is just asimportant when you are writing to someone regarding a potential job opportunity. Yes, some say that employers may not look at cover lettersor that Applicant Tracking Systems may not pick up cover letters, but don’t take the chance of being disqualified for not including one.Below are some ideas to consider when writing a cover letter so you can set yourself apart from other applicants:
The goal of the cover letter is to grab the reader’s attention by convincing them you are a great candidate, make them want to read your resume and profile, and, of course, call you in foran interview so you can brilliantly sell yourself in person just like you did on paper. Good luck!
How To Write A Great Resume And Cover Letter
Linda Spencer offers helpful tips and resources to help you write your resumé and cover letter.
What makes a great résumé and cover letter? Linda Spencer, associate director and coordinator of career advising at Harvard Extension School, shares examples of a few strong résumés and explains what makes them stand out.
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When You Cant Submit A Cover Letter
Many companies now use online application systems that dont allow for a cover letter. You may be able to figure out how to include one in the same document as your résumé but thats not a guarantee, especially because some systems only allow for data to be entered into specific boxes. In these cases, use the format youre given to demonstrate your ability to do the job and your enthusiasm for the role. If possible, you may try to find someone who you can send a brief follow-up email highlighting a few key points about your application.
How To Write A Perfect Cover Letter For Retail Jobs
To write the perfect cover letter for a retail position, youll want to first take a look at the values and image of the brand. Are they a fun-loving company aimed at young people? Or everyday fashion for men? Use our complete retail cover letter examples to highlight similar experiences and transferable soft skills like teachability and responsibility. Its alright to show off some personality too just make sure to keep your tone professional.
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Highlight The Required Remote Skills:
Highlight all the relevant skills and the top qualities your employer is looking for in their job ad, such as “excellent verbal and written communication skills” required to work in a remote setup. Also, understand all the specifics to make sure you are following the job posting instructions, along with a mention of any technical skills that support you as a remote worker.
Sample Software Engineer Cover Letter
The process of originating a Software engineer is a collection of sacrificing, hard-working as well as testing, analyzing, designing, and maintaining so many projects. After that, there is a huge competition in the job industry to become a professional Software Engineer. Therefore only a few applicants can achieve their dream job. So, you have to have a good knowledge of how to create a perfect cover letter. Otherwise, you will lose your dream job even though you are a well qualified and experienced software engineer. In addition to this obviously, you have to create a fatal cover letter that functions as an invitation to refer to your resume.
So, we are here to provide a complete guide about how to write a perfect cover letter as a software engineer. If you are in a hurry to create your resume, use our cover letter builder and create it within just 5 minutes. On the other hand, you can copy the text version of our cover letter example and edit as necessary.
Apart from this, you have to fertilize your cover letter using the relevant keywords to your expertise area because there are so many specialized areas of a software engineer such as Full-stack, Web, SaaS, AWS, Database, etc.
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Whats A Resume Objective & When To Use It
A resume objective is, in a nutshell, the goal of your resume. It communicates your motivation for getting into a new field. As with a resume summary, a resume objective should be around 2-3 sentences.
As weve mentioned before, a resume objective is the go-to for anyone that either has no work experience or is going through a career change.
Formula to Create Your Resume Objective:
Looking to apply my at
to help .
Examples of Resume Objectives
1) So, heres how that would look like if youre a student:
- Hard-working recent graduate with a B.A. in Graphic Design from New York State University seeking new opportunities. 3+ years of practical experience working with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, creating illustrations & designing UX / UI. Looking to grow as a designer, as well as perfect my art, at the XYZ Design Studio.
2) Or, on the other hand, if youre going through a career change:
- IT project manager with 5+ years of experience in software development. Managed a team of developers to create products for several industries, such as FinTech and HR tech. Looking to leverage my experience in managing outsourced products as a Product Owner at XYZ.
How To Close An Education Cover Letter
Great lessons close with a recap of the learning, any questions that a student may have and some next steps to take. The same is true of your education cover letter.
First, remind the hiring manager why you are an outstanding candidate. Then, show off your passion for your career with a personal note about why you became an educator or what your targeted role will mean to you. This reveals more about whether you will be a good fit for the job and leaves the door open for follow-up questions during your interview.
No cover letter is complete without a call to action, so make sure you politely request an interview. Our cover letter sample offers one suggestion for the wording of this request.
The aim of the close of your cover letter: Create an opportunity for follow-up questions and reiterate why you are an excellent candidate .
Please let me know if we can further discuss this opportunity in person. Thank you for your consideration.
Most Sincerely,
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How To Ace Your Next Interview
Youve perfected both your resume & cover letter. Now, its time for the next step – the dreaded job interview.
Whether youre an extrovert or an introvert, you probably hate the interviewing process. After all, sitting there while someones prodding into your past experiences and judging the hell out of you isnt the most fun experience.
Did you know, though, that most interviewers ask the same questions? Yep – all you have to do is learn how to answer some of the most common interview questions, and youll be an interview away from landing your dream job!
Want to learn more? Check out our complete guide to Job Interview Questions and Answers.
Types Of Cover Letters
Application Letters
An application letter is written when applying to a job or internship. Along with a resume, it typically accompanies a job application form. The main difference between application cover letters and prospecting cover letters is that an application letter is written for a specific job or internship position.
Prospecting Letter
A prospecting letter is used to inquire about possible opportunities when none are advertised. It is also sent with a resume, but does not address a specific job opening. When writing a prospecting letter, you should state specific knowledge of and interest in the company or program you are inquiring about, then describe the skills and knowledge you offer that could add value to the company.
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Start With Your Basic Information
Your contact information should always go at the top of your resume. In this header youll want to include anything that could be helpful for a recruiter to get in touch with you. Usually, this means adding in:
- Your full name
- Your phone number
- Your personal email address
You might also choose to include other basic information, such as your LinkedIn or personal website URL, your GitHub , your social media profiles , or your address. If youre looking to move for a job, you may choose to leave out your address or write open to relocating to better your chances of getting an interview.
The key is to make this part as clear as possible. If a hiring manager cant reach you, theres no point in perfecting the rest of your resume.
Be Open To Other Formats
If youre applying to a more traditional company, then the tried-and-true three-to-five-paragraph format probably makes sense. However, if youre gunning for a more creative or startup jobor need to explain to the hiring manager, say, how your career has taken you from teaching to business developmenta different approach could be appropriate.
Here at The Muse, weve seen cover letters use bullet points, tell stories, or showcase videos to get their point across. One woman wrote a cover letter from her dogs perspective. This professional even turned hers into a BuzzFeed-style list!
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Resume And Cover Letter Writing
Producing a good resume and a well written cover letter is a basic requirement for a successful job search. These documents play a critical role in helping employers understand who you are, what motivates you, and what you have to offer as a potential employee. The Career Center is here to assist you with this important task by providing the following resources:
Focus It On The Future
While your résumé is meant to be a lookback at your experience and where youve been, the cover letter should focus on the future and what you want to do, says Glickman. It can be helpful to think of it as the bridge between the past and the future that explains what you hope to do next and why. Because of the pandemic there is less of an expectation that youll be applying for a job that youve done before. There are millions of people who are making career changes voluntarily or involuntarily and need to pivot and rethink how their skillset relates to a different role or industry, says Glickman. You can use your cover letter to explain the shift youre making, perhaps from hospitality to marketing, for example. Think of it as an opportunity to sell your transferrable skills.
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References & Letters Of Recommendation
References and letters of recommendation both involve your professional mentors putting a good word in for you when youre applying for something, be it a job or a graduate program. However, they are used at different times.
References
A references sheet is a short list of contact information for 3-4 of your past professors or supervisors whom an employer can call and speak to about your qualifications and professionalism. It is something employers will ask for during the interview process, and it does not require any written work on your mentors part.
Letters of Recommendation
A letter of recommendation is a formal letter written by a professor that discusses your qualifications, and is usually a required part of graduate, medical, or law school admissions As letters of recommendation are formal written documents, you are required to give your professors advance notice if youd like them to write for you. Please visit the graduate school page of our site for more information about letters of recommendation.
Craft A Killer Opening Line
No need to lead with your namethe hiring manager can see it already on your resume. Its good to mention the job youre applying for , and yes, you could go with something simple like, I am excited to apply for with . But consider introducing yourself with a snappy first sentence that highlights your excitement about the company youre applying to, your passion for the work you do, or your past accomplishments.
Need inspiration? Check out these examples of how to start your cover letter in an engaging, attention-grabbing way, or these eight examples of awesome cover letters that actually worked.
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Writing A Perfect Cover Letter
Your potential employers will take around six seconds to look at your CV or resume. That means in order to attract them, you need something extra to serve as the opening act.
This is where a cover letter comes in. A cover letter is an introductory letter that should be to the point and precise about what exactly you are looking for in your job. A good cover letter can help the employers pick out the most suitable candidate for the job.
These cover letters samples can help you write that perfect cover letter and get the employer’s attention.
What Your Ux Resume Should Contain
We recommend that you create your UX resume in such a way that it reflects the visual design you use in your portfolio. You should take all the opportunities you get to impress your recruiter. Likewise, if you do craft a formal cover letter, then please make sure to be consistent in your visual style.
Heres what your UX resume should contain:
Speaking about LinkedIn, lets look into a quick hack if youre in a hurry. We dont recommend this, but we do recognize that sometimes youll discover a position you want to apply forat the very last minute.
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How To Write A Cover Letter In 2021
After weeks of heavy job search, youre almost there!
Youve perfected your resume.
Youve short-listed the coolest jobs you want to apply for.
Youve even had a friend train you for every single interview question out there.
But then, before you can send your application and call it a day, you remember that the job ad requires a cover letter.
Now youre stuck wondering how to write a cover letter…
Dont panic! Weve got you covered. Writing a cover letter is a lot simpler than you might think.
In this guide, were going to teach you how to write a cover letter that gets you the job you deserve.
We’ll cover:
So, lets get started with the basics!
And Lets Wrap It All Up
If youve followed all of our advice until now, congrats! Youre probably an expert on how to make a resume.
To wrap it all up, lets brush up on some of the most important lessons weve learned so far…
- Use the rightresume builder. You dont want to mess around with formatting for hours before even starting to work on your resume!
- Focus on achievements. Mention your achievements instead of responsibilities, so that you stand out from all the other applicants.
- Include the must-have sections. That is, resume summary, work experience, education, and skills.
- Tailor for the job. Everything listed on your resume should be relevant for the job youre applying for.
- Perfect your cover letter. Its as important as your resume, so make sure you pay as much attention to it!
At Novorésumé, were committed to helping you get the job you deserve, every step of the way! Follow our career blog to stay up to date with industry-leading advice. Or, check out some of our top guides:
Andrei Kurtuy
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