Home / Blog / How to Write a Cover Letter that Stands Out: Step-by-Step Guide

Even after searching for jobs and improving your resume, you still have not landed the desired job. Nobody likes job hunting. Searching through online sources, building up your resume, and preparing for tough interviews is not fun. The most challenging part of the job hunting journey is writing an effective cover letter. You should send one, of course. There is still a 50% probability that including a cover letter will benefit you, even if only one in two of them are read. Most job ads also require cover letters along with your resume. But do you know how to write a cover letter? Don't panic. We've got you covered. If you want to pay someone to write a cover letter for you, you can hire our cover letter writing service now. 

You should continue reading this blog if you want to know how to write an excellent cover letter. This informative guide will cover the purpose of a cover letter, an outline for cover letter, the length of a cover letter, and effective tips for writing a cover letter.

 What is a cover letter? (Why is a cover letter important?)

It is a paper that helps the employer to know about yourself. The cover letter supports your resume, where you show why you're the right person for this job. Moreover, it's the first document that employers see, so it must be excellent to make a good first impression. Writing a cover letter is a better way to stand out among the competition. 
The main purpose of a cover letter is to grab the employer's interest and persuade them to continue reading your resume. If your cover letter is poor, your application will be thrown in the trash right away. Therefore, it's essential to know how to write a fantastic cover letter to make sure this doesn't happen.

Never forget that a cover letter serves as an addition to your resume rather than its replacement. Your resume and cover letter should not be the same. Don't repeat what you've mentioned in your resume. 
If this is your first time writing a cover letter, it may seem difficult. After all, you're not an expert writer. All you have to do is follow some guidelines. The question that comes here is what to include in a cover letter.

The basic cover letter format includes the following main things:

  1. Cover letter header - add your contact details.
  2. Salutations to the hiring manager.
  3. Opening Paragraph: in two to three sentences, draw the reader in by highlighting your greatest accomplishments.
  4. Explain in the second paragraph why you are the best person for the job.
  5. Third paragraph: demonstrate how you're suitable for the organization.
  6. Closing paragraph - close your cover letter formally.
  7. Your signature.

Cover Letter Outline or Structure

Despite of the internship or job you are applying for, a basic cover letter should have the following components:
Your name and mailing address come first. Even though we live in a digital age, providing your postal contact information should be included. Add this information at the upper right corner of the page. You must also give your phone number. Then, add the date to the cover letter under the contact information.
 
Note down the company's correct information. Place it on the next line and align the left side of the document. Also, include the name of the person you're contacting.

  • Provide the title of the job.
  • As per the cover letter layout, add the company title at the left side of the page.
  • Use "Dear Sir" or "Dear Mrs. Emma" to begin your conversation with the person you are contacting.
  • Give a job reference to describe and show the type of contact you're making.
  • Introduce yourself in an interesting way and tell your achievement in 2-3 paragraphs.
  • Lastly, include a closing line that ends with "Yours faithfully" and your name before your signature.
  • You may wind up with "Yours sincerely" if you know the person well.

Now, let us discuss in detail how to start a cover letter and how to add information to a standard cover letter correctly.

How to Write a Cover Letter in 8 Simple Steps?

Learning how to make a cover letter is essential if you want to stand out from the crowd. Below, you'll find an excellent cover letter step by step strategies.

how_to_write_a_cover_letter_in_8_simple_steps

Choose the suitable cover letter template

Making a solid first impression is the key to writing a strong cover letter. There's no better way to leave a positive impression than with a professionally designed and formatted template. For choosing the right template, focus on the visual and design elements. Also, check their placement. However, avoid selecting any bright colours or odd fonts!

Start with the cover letter header

Do you know how to start a cover letter? Add your full name, telephone number, email, and date. Additionally, you can add your social profile links like LinkedIn, GitHub, etc. You can also add your personal website link if you've. Keep in mind that you shouldn't give your complete postal address.
Make sure your email is professional. If a hiring manager sees your email address as "brooklyplaya@gmail.com," they are unlikely to take you seriously. Use the format "[first name] + [last name] @ email provider.com" when applying for a job.

Cover letter header example:
Emma John
emma.john@gmail.com
0123 67864
666, Manchester Road NW34 7GR
linkedin.com/emmajohn

Address the reader

Once you have finalized the header, mention the location and date when you're writing the cover letter. Next, your cover letter should be addressed to the hiring manager specifically like this:

  • Dear John,
  • Dear Ms. Cannon,

As per studies, people give more attention if you address them with their names. In the cover letter salutation, use it. Find the name of the hiring manager by checking the description of the job or visit the company's LinkedIn page (to find the individual who uploaded the job offer).
If you're unable to identify the person, then you can use 'Dear Hiring Manager' or 'Dear Department Team'.

Write a proper introduction

The hiring manager's decision to continue reading your cover letter will be based on these few sentences at the start. Therefore, you must begin your cover letter in a way that grabs and maintains the reader's attention.
There needs to be a hook in your introduction. In your cover letter, you should highlight two or three professional achievements or something unique that will catch the attention of the HR manager. Show your enthusiasm and passion towards this job. Take an inventive approach at work and make things interesting by detailing how you were able to succeed!

You can also learn how to write a research paper introduction.

Justify your suitability for the position

This is a chance to explain why you are the ideal candidate for the position. So, how do you describe your personality, and what should you write in a cover letter? Begin by learning about the roles that must be handled first in order to ensure that you are the right fit. It will assist you in understanding how to handle the difficulties a company faces. Discuss what you've done, what you've accomplished, and how your ideas helped the previous company achieve the goals.

Show your motivation towards the company

Explain why the company is the right fit for you and how it will benefit you once you are hired. You have to find out what the company needs in order to determine what should be included in a cover letter. If you have something that the company requires, make it specific to show the HR manager that you are the perfect candidate for this position.

Add call-to-action paragraph

This is the right place to add something unique or discuss something that will benefit your HR manager. If there is anything specific you need to mention, put it here. Thank the hiring manager and make a call to action by stating that you would like to continue working with the company in the future.

Closing paragraph and signature

How to end a cover letter? By providing value.
Tell the hiring manager that you're excited to meet with them in person and talk about how your knowledge and experience can help your future employer achieve their objectives.
You can end your cover letter with "Best Regards," "Sincerely," or "Thank you," depending on the circumstances and the organization. When deciding how to end a cover letter, don't forget to leave enough space for a signature to avoid an unprofessional appearance.

Follow the above mentioned cover letter writing strategies. Additionally, always proofread and edit your cover letter twice, reading each section aloud and checking for every sentence to ensure correct spelling. Avoid being overly formal and saying things like, "I would like for you to see my resume and a cover letter," as the HR manager is aware of what needs to be done and will already know. Stay courteous and demonstrate your motivation! 

Suggested Read : How to write personal statement with no experience 

How long should a cover letter be?

Many people wonder about how long should a cover letter be ?. Some people think it should be one page, while others think it can be two. There are very few situations where you can exceed from one page to two pages. However, the ideal length of the cover letter is 250-500 words. This length allows you to provide information about your knowledge, experience and skills while remaining on the point. If a job posting specifically requires a longer cover letter then you can consider writing a more detailed document that addresses all the specific requirements of the job.

Cover Letter Do's and Don'ts

When you start your job hunt, the first thing you should do is write an excellent cover letter. Make every effort to make your cover letter stand out, as some recruiters receive hundreds of cover letters every week. We've put together a list of dos and don'ts for cover letters to help. 

Best Tips for Writing an Outstanding Cover Letter

When you're writing a cover letter, you should keep the following tips in mind.

Personalize your header based on cover letter format

Your address and other contact details are not required if you are composing a cover letter inside of an online job application. That's probably already been typed in other places on the application. If your cover letter and resume are attached, you can use the same header for both.

Keep it concise & to the point

There is no ideal cover letter length unless it's mentioned in the job description. Consider the most important aspects of the job when determining the appropriate length for a cover letter. Choose the finest possibilities to highlight your qualifications by carefully reading the job description.

Proofread thoroughly

Before submitting your cover letter, proofread it numerous times and pay attention to any spelling, grammar, or punctuation mistakes. Speaking it out loud can enable you to identify any awkward wording or overly worded sentences. Because we all have a tendency to overlook mistakes, read slowly and carefully, looking up every word. Moreover, if your salutation includes the recruiting manager's name, cross-check the spelling. 

Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't focus on how much you need this job.
  • Avoid repetition of clichéd phrases.
  • Don't overuse keywords.
  • Never send in a cover letter without editing.
  • Don't repeat details from your CV.

Things to consider before writing a cover letter

Gather all the information you might require before you begin writing a cover letter. The following are some things to think about before writing a cover letter.

  1. Consider your experiences and how you would like to present them to a potential employer. What qualifications, abilities, or achievements would you like the organization to know?
  2. Think about where you saw the job opportunity. If it's from your friend's reference, note down his name. If you came to know through a job ad, then write down when and where you saw it. Also, list the specific instructions mentioned in the job description.
  3. Research the company to which you're going to apply. Check out its reviews, whether they are positive or negative. Do you agree with its mission and vision statement?
  4. Keep the person in mind whom you're writing a cover letter to. If it's a particular person, then address him by his name or job title. If that's not the case, then address them like this: Dear HR Manager. 

Good Cover Letter Examples

The best way to learn how to write a cover letter is to look at some cover letter examples.

Job title: Copywriter

Job description

An experienced copywriter is needed to join our team at our company. If you have an acute sense of balance, a sharp sense of humor, and the capacity to modify a brand's voice for any media, this is the career for you.

Job responsibilities

  1. Write content for events, landing pages, emails, advertisements, videos, product marketing, and other branded communications.
  2. Maintain and improve our brand's voice in cooperation with others
  3. Write content that inspires enthusiasm for our corporate culture.
  4. Work on your own and efficiently manage your time.
  5. Effective ability to copy-edit both your own and other people's work

Requirements

  • A sample of your work
  • Five years minimum of copywriting experience, preferably in an agency
  • Strong focus on details

Cover letter example

Emma John
emma.john@gmail.com
0123 67864
666, Manchester Road NW34 7GR
linkedin.com/emmajhon

Dear Mr. Robert,

My grandmother is the most talented writer I have ever seen.  We had a strong enthusiasm for writing even if she wasn't a professional writer. She loved crossword puzzles, and I only began enjoying them last year. I immediately realized the connection between the two.

Before long, I was solving puzzles in the New York Times from Monday through Wednesday, and as time went on, I noticed that I didn't always need to look up words in the dictionary. I soon finished Thursday through Saturday as well. As I went through this, I could tell that I was getting better at making clever comments, funny comebacks, and using interesting words and phrases. I finally gained the confidence to attempt the Sunday puzzles. 

That courage was the real turning point in my life. My evaluations by peers and managers have demonstrated that I am regarded as a diligent worker and innovative thinker in my current organization. Though I had confidence in my skills, I had never considered myself to be very courageous. I had a newfound sense of self and clarity about my chosen career after taking on and conquering various challenges.

I was good at choosing words to express ideas or emotions, so I started my career as a copywriter. Moreover, I'm still going in that direction because I now see how I can develop and refine that talent to even greater heights. I want to continue my career as a copywriter at [name of company].

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Your's sincerely,
Emma John 

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