How to Write a Cover Letter in 2023 | Ultimate Guide

A study by ResumeLab showed that 83% of HR Manager found cover letters useful for decision making.

Cover Letter gives an employer a story, a snapshot of who you are, and what you can bring to the table.

It describes a job seeker’s qualities in a way that resumes can’t.

What is a Cover Letter?

A cover letter, is a one-page document that complements your resume and gives a summary of your work history. Its goal is to pique interest and compell a HR Manager to dive deeper into your resume. Most cover letters are around 200 to 400 words.

A strong cover letter can be a real game-changer, but only if it’s really good. A top-notch cover letter can swing the door wide open to the interview room.

On the flip side, a mediocre or poorly written cover letter can lead to an early exit from the recruitment process, even if you were close to making the cut.

So if you decide to send your cover letter, don’t just make it good—make it great! This document holds the potential to be a defining factor in your job search journey.

Why Should you Write Your Cover Letter?

A good cover letter is your chance to tell your story in a way, that your resume can’t. It’s the place where you can show your passion for the job. Plus, it gives you the space to highlight your most impressive achievements in real-world context.

How do Recruiters Read Cover Letters?

In 2020, ResumeGo run a study checking if HR Managers read cover letters. They asked 236 people who hire employees and found out that almost 9 out of 10 people (87%) do read them. This means that just a small fraction, about 1 in 10 people (13%), don’t.

When recruiters read cover letters, they typically follow a certain pattern:

1. Recruiters often begin by quickly scanning the cover letter, looking for key points and phrases that stand out. They want to get a general sense of your qualifications, work experience, and whether you’d be a potential fit for the job.
2. After a first glance, recruiters dig deeper into your cover letter. They evaluate your writing style, professionalism, and most importantly, your achievements. They look for success stories, that highlight your suitability for the job.
3. HR Managers want to understand why you’re interested in the job, why you’re applying to their company, and why you believe you would be a good fit. This is where a cover letter can truly shine, by providing context, that isn’t available in your resume.
4. Finally, recruiters compare the content of the cover letter with your resume, and the job posting. They’re checking for consistency in your work experiences and skills, and evaluating how well your qualifications align with the job requirements.

Keep in mind, recruiters often have a lot of applications to go through. Hence, they appreciate cover letters that are concise, well-structured, error-free, and tailored to the specific job and company.

How to Format Your Cover Letter

Creating a top-notch cover letter comes down to right formatting Include these sections:

1. The header
2. Greeting
3. Opening paragraph / engaging intro.
4. Middle paragraph(s)
5. Closing Paragraph
6. Signature

Additional formatting tips:

• your cover letter should fit on one page,
• use a clear font like Arial or Helvetica (10-12 point size),
• make a document left-aligned with single spacing with one-inch margins.

How to Write a Great Cover Letter in 8 steps

Are you set to create a winning, first impression with a spectacular cover letter? Fantastic! Let’s dive into an easy, 8-step plan, that will help you to write an impactful cover letter.

1. Pick the Right Cover Letter Template

Your cover letter is your first impression, so let’s make it a great one! Pick a template that’s professional, clean and readable. It should also visually match your resume and give a cohesive representation of your personal brand.

Have a look at our professional cover letter templates.

2. Start the Cover Letter with a Header

Start your cover letter with a header, that includes:

• your name,
• location (city),
• contact information (phone number, professional e-mail address)
• date,
• details of the hiring manager you’re referring to (their name, professional title, and the company’s name along with the address).

That is not obligatory, but you may add relevant, professional social media profiles or a personal website. However, skip adding your full address and ensure your email address is professional – consider a format like “[first name] + [last name] @ email provider.com”. With these details, your cover letter is off to a great start!

Here’s a cover letter header example:

Jordan Smith
[email protected]
300 Cherry Street, Boston, MA (555) 444-3000

June 7, 2023

Alex Johnson
Senior HR Manager
Innovate Tech Inc.
200 Harbor Drive, Boston, MA

3. Address the Hiring Manager

Alright, you’re all set with your well-structured cover letter. Before we dive into the heart of the content, it’s crucial to address your cover letter to the right person.

Don’t rush and begin with a generic “Dear Sir or Madam”. Make a little research and find the name of the person whois responsible for a recruitment process.

How do you find the name, you ask?

Start with the job posting. No luck? Dive into the company’s website or LinkedIn.

Still don’t know who you should address you cover letter to? Use a targeted approach.

Greeting example: “Dear Software Team Hiring Manager.”

If you really can’t find a specific person or team, then a simple “Dear Hiring Manager” is your go-to.

Keep in mind, “To Whom It May Concern” is old-fashioned and not used much anymore.

4. Write a Good Introduction

This part of your cover letter is your first impression, and you want it to be memorable.

Your opening needs to go beyond just stating the job you’re applying for. Begin by expressing, how eager you are about the job, and immediately share the reasons why. Maybe you love the company’s mission, or perhaps their latest product blew you away. This shows that you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in them, not just any job.

Let’s put this into practice. A great cover letter introduction example :

5. Explain why you’re a good fit for the company

Now, after a good opening, it is time for a second paragraph – body of your cover letter job application. You want to exaplain, why you are a best candidate for a role you are applying for.

Before putting pen to paper, identify the most essential requirements for the role you’re applying for. Take the time to thoroughly review the job posting, pinpointing the most critical responsibilities.

Mention achievements or skills, that aligns with the company’s needs. This isn’t just about saying you’ve done the job before. It’s about demonstrating, how well you did it. Did you exceed sales targets at your previous role? Or perhaps you introduced a process, that improved productivity? Say it.

Let’s imagine you’re aiming for a SEO Specialist position. You could say:

6. Write a formal closing with clear call to action and sign-off

You’re almost at the finish line. All that’s left is to wrap up your cover letter with a professional closing and clear invitation for the next step. You could use something straightforward and well-accepted like:

• Best regards,
• Kind regards,
• Sincerely,

Then, type your full name.

What is call to action in a cover letter?

It is a prompt for the hiring manager. Something like, “I’d love the opportunity to discuss how my experience aligns with [Company’s Name]’s needs in an interview”.

Professional closing example:

8. Proofread your cover letter

Before you send your application, pause for a moment. Give your brain some rest and return to the document with a fresh perspective, which can make it easier to spot any errors.

After manual proofreading, you could use a spell-check tools, like Grammarly. It would be also a good isea to ask a friend to review it. It’s always better to catch those tiny mistakes before they reach the hiring manager’s desk.

Additionally, make sure each sentence is clear and understandable. Remove any unnecessary words or empty phrases.

How to Write a Cover Letter with ChatGPT?

Interacting with ChatGPT can be an effective and preety quick way to write a persuasive cover letter. However, don’t expect any AI writing tool to write it entirely without your involvement. Before you ask ChatGPT to assist you with that task, you should input crucial information to ensure that the cover letter truly represents your skills, experiences, and unique voice.

Here’s how you could do it:

1. Give ChatGPT the job description or the list of job requirements. For example, you can input: “The job requires 5 years of experience in digital marketing, a strong understanding of SEO, proficiency in Google Analytics, and the ability to lead a team.”
2. List your skills and achievements. For example, “I have 6 years of experience in digital marketing. I have led multiple successful SEO campaigns and I’m certified in Google Analytics. In my previous role, I led a team of 4 marketing professionals to increase our company’s online presence.”
3. Additionally, you can provide AI writer with a structure or outline for the cover letter. Example prompt: “The structure should include a header, salutation, introduction, a section highlighting my qualifications and alignment with the job requirements, and a formal closing with a call to action.”
4. Now you can ask ChatGPT to draft the cover letter, based on the information provided. For example, “Based on the above information and structure, please write a compelling cover letter for the digital marketing position”.

Of course, don’t forget to review and revise the draft, to make sure it’s really good, convining and aligns with your real capabilities.

if you are not fully satisfied with the results, you can always ask chatgpt to make adjustments.

Cover Letter Writing Checklist

Cover Letter Examples

Looking for inspiration to create a cover letter? Check out these cover letter examples tailored to various industries and career levels:

Student / Fresh Graduate Cover Letter Example

Career Change Cover Letter Example

Check out this resume example for inspiration, when applying for an internal position.

Teaching Job Cover Letter Example

Software Engineer Cover Letter Example

Internship Cover Letter Example

 Cover Letter Templates

You don’t have to create your cover letter from scratch when creating your cover letter. We offer a variety of ready-made cover letter templates. You can explore more cv templates:

• www.canva.com/letters/templates/cover-letters
• www.indeed.com/career-advice/cover-letter-samples
• create.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/resumes-and-cover-letters
• www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/cover-letter

If you prefer a more guided approach, our resume and cover letter builder might be the perfect fit for you. It provides step-by-step assistance in crafting professional, eye-catching documents. All these options are designed to streamline the process, so choose what’s most convenient and comfortable for you.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Key Takeaways

Alright, if you’ve come this far, let’s recap the cover letter tips:

• Use the right cover letter structure.
• Keep your cover letter concise and limit it to one page.
• Avoid using empty words or phrases. Make sure that every sentence adds value and is relevant to the job application.
• Ensure coherence between your cover letter and resume in terms of content and visual presentation.
• Thoroughly proofread your cover letter to eliminate any errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation. You can consider having someone else to review your cover letter for feedback and suggestions.
• Never send a generic cover letter. Personalize it for each application.
• Research the company and tailor your cover letter to match its values and requirements.
• Showcase specific achievements and results that demonstrate your qualifications for the job.
• Use professional language and maintain a confident, positive tone throughout the letter.