Cover letters. As much as we despise them, they are the chance to make a case, to cover everything we can’t express in our resumes – which is a lot – and come across as real people to potential employers. Don’t throw together a cover letter in the hope that nobody will actually read it. To take advantage of its full potential, follow these steps. Below that, you’ll find advice on formatting, reviewing, and researching the letter and also links to three free sample letters which you can copy and adapt to your needs.
Method 1 of 4: Write an Email Cover Letter
Include a salutation
There are a number of different kinds to choose from, and the greeting you choose will depend on how much information you have about the company.
If you know the name of the hiring manager, your salutation should be something like "Dear [insert name]" followed by either a comma or a colon. Make sure to address the manager formally using their proper title (Mr., Ms., Dr., etc.).
If you don't know the name of the hiring manager, consider addressing your letter "Dear Hiring Manager," "Dear Recruiting Team," or "Dear [insert company name] Team."
As a last resort, address the letter "To whom it may concern," though we recommend avoiding this salutation, as it could come across as a template letter.
Write the first paragraph of your letter.
This is where you will mention the job for which you're applying and how you found the job listing. It only needs to be 1 to 2 sentences in length.
Write the body paragraphs of your letter
Most cover letters will only have 1 or 2 body paragraphs. You don't want to overwhelm the hiring manager or use up a great deal of his or her time. Try to answer the following questions in your body paragraphs:
Why am I a qualified candidate for this position?
What work experience do I have that fits the job requirements in the company's listing?
Why do I want to work for this company specifically?
Write the final paragraph of your letter.
This will be where you wrap up and discuss how you will proceed with the application. Consider including the following:
Reiterate in one sentence why you feel you're a perfect fit for the position.
Discuss what you'll do next. If you plan on following up with the hiring manager in a week or two, include a specific date. Otherwise, just say that you look forward to interviewing for the position and discussing your qualifications further.
Provide your contact information. Include your email address and your phone number so the hiring manager can get in touch with you.
Mention that your resume or references are attached (if applicable).
Thank the person for their time.
