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Home » 07 Best Cover Letter For First Job [Free Samples]

07 Best Cover Letter For First Job [Free Samples]

A cover letter is an important part of any job application, and your first job is no exception. While your resume may highlight your education and qualifications, a cover letter gives you the chance to tell prospective employers why you’re the perfect candidate for the position. To help you get started, we’ve created seven free cover letter templates that you can customize for your own use.

Simply choose the template that best fits your needs, and then follow the instructions to fill in your personal information and details about your experience. With a little effort, you can create a compelling cover letter that will help you land your first job. Good luck!

Table of Contents

How To Write a Cover Letter For First Job?

A cover letter is an important part of any job application, and your first job is no exception. Even if you don’t have much (or any) work experience, a well-written cover letter can give you a chance to stand out from the crowd and get your foot in the door. Here are some tips to help you write a great cover letter for your first job:

• Start by researching the company and the specific job you’re applying for. This will help you tailor your letter to the organisation and make it clear that you understand what they’re looking for.
• Next, take some time to think about what makes you a good fit for the role. What skills and experience do you have that would make you successful in the job? Be sure to mention any relevant coursework or extracurricular activities, as well as any part-time jobs you may have held.
• Once you’ve identified your key strengths, it’s time to start writing. Begin by introducing yourself and explain why you’re interested in the role. Then, use specific examples to show how your skills and experience match up with what the employer is looking for. Finally, wrap up by thanking the employer for their time and consideration.

By following these simple tips, you’ll be on your way to writing a great cover letter that will help you land your first job!

Related: How To Write a Cover Letter (And Get Hired in 2022!)

Cover Letter Examples For First-Time Teachers

Dear Hiring Manager,

As a first-time teacher, I am excited to have the opportunity to apply for a teaching position at your school. I am committed to providing my students with a high-quality education and believe that I have the skills and experience needed to be an excellent addition to your team.

In my previous role as a teaching assistant, I gained valuable experience working with students of all ages and ability levels. I am confident that I can use my skills to create a positive learning environment in your classroom.

In addition to my teaching experience, I have also completed coursework in curriculum development and instructional methods. The familiar with best practices for designing and delivering instruction and am committed to using these methods to help my students succeed.

Believe that I can be an asset to your school and am eager to put my skills to work in a new environment. I look forward to discussing my qualifications further with you and thank you for your consideration.

Related: Teacher Cover Letter:10 Examples & Sample Included

Cover Letter For First-Time Job

I am interested in the open position of ___________ at your company. Based on what I know and my research, I believe that I have the skillset required for this job.

Though I may not have previous experience working in this field, I am a fast learner and have a genuine interest in ___________. Additionally, I have _____ years of experience in customer service/sales, which I believe has helped me develop strong communication and interpersonal skills.

I would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss my qualifications and abilities further with you. Please do not hesitate to contact me at ___________ to arrange a time for an interview.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Related: Part Time Job Cover Letter: 09 Sample Examples

Cover Letter For Teenagers First Job

To Whom It May Concern,

The writing in regards to the open position for a summer job at your company. It is a highly motivated and hardworking teenager who would love to have the opportunity to gain some valuable work experience.

Have attached my resume for your review and I am confident that you will find me to be a qualified candidate. I would appreciate the chance to come in for an interview at your earliest convenience.

Related: 107+ Unique Objective for Teenager Resume ideas & Examples

Cover Letter Examples For First Job

My name is ____________ and I am a recent graduate of ___________. I am interested in obtaining a position as a ___________ in your company.

I have enclosed my resume for your review and would appreciate any opportunity to discuss my qualifications further with you.

Enclosure: resume

Related: Generic Cover Letter: 09 Samples & Examples

Cover Letter For First Time Manager Position

I am writing to apply for the position of Manager at XYZ Company. This is my first time applying for a management position, but I believe that my qualifications and experience make me the perfect candidate for the job.

I have a degree in Business Administration from ABC University, and I have been working in customer service for the past five years. In my current role, I am responsible for handling customer complaints and ensuring that they are resolved in a timely and satisfactory manner. The have also been training new employees for the past two years.

Believe that my skills and experience will be an asset to XYZ Company. I am confident that I can successfully manage a team and meet the expectations of the company. I am eager to put my skills to work in a new environment and contribute to the success of XYZ Company.

Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Related: 07 Best General Manager Cover Letter Samples

First-Time Supervisor Cover Letter

The writing to apply for the position of First-Time Supervisor at your company. Have a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and several years of experience working in customer service. The confident that I have the skills and qualifications needed to be a successful supervisor.

It is motivated, detail-oriented, and able to work well under pressure. I am also excellent at problem-solving and have a proven track record of providing excellent customer service. I am confident that I can lead a team and help contribute to the success of your company.

Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Related: Data Entry Cover Letter: 07 Sample ideas

5 Things To Include In a Cover Letter For First Job

When applying for your first job, it’s important to include a well-written cover letter. The cover letter gives you an opportunity to introduce yourself and explain why you’re the perfect candidate for the job. Here are 5 things to include in your cover letter:

• Relevant experience – If you have any relevant experience, be sure to mention it in your cover letter. Even if it’s not directly related to the job you’re applying for, any experience you have will be helpful in demonstrating your skills and abilities.
• Reasons for wanting the job – In your cover letter, be sure to explain why you’re interested in the position. Include specific examples of what appeals to you about the job and the company. This will show that you’re not just applying for any old job, but that you’ve thoughtfully considered why this particular position is a good fit for you.
• Skills and qualifications – Take some time to highlight your skills and qualifications that make you perfect for the job. Even if they’re not directly related to the position, any relevant skills and qualifications will help demonstrate your suitability for the role.
• Enthusiasm – Be sure to show some enthusiasm in your cover letter! This will help demonstrate that you’re excited about the opportunity and motivated to do a great job.
• professionalism – Last but not least, remember to keep your cover letter professional throughout. Avoid using informal language or making any mistakes that could give a negative impression of you as a candidate. proofread your letter carefully before sending it off, and ask someone else to check it over too if possible.

Related: What is Cover Letter? Complete Guide To Get any Job.

When you’re applying for your first job, it’s important to put your best foot forward with a great cover letter. Not sure where to start? Check out our free samples below.

Your cover letter is your opportunity to introduce yourself to a potential employer and explain why you’re the perfect person for the job. In just a few paragraphs, you need to capture their attention and demonstrate why you’re the right candidate. This can be a challenge, especially if you don’t have much work experience.

But don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. Our free cover letter samples will give you an edge over the competition and help you land that dream job. Simply choose from one of the templates below, customize it with your own information, and you’ll be on your way to writing a winning cover letter in no time!

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Writing your first cover letter: what information can you include?

Jun 21, 2023

Freelance writer and translator, ex-recruiter

Writing a cover letter might seem like a whole lot of pointless hard work, especially when you’re writing your first cover letter. You might even wonder if you really need to include one, does anyone still read cover letters anyway? Heidi Giusto , a career consultant and Resume Writer , says yes. As long as the instructions don’t tell you not to write one (always follow the instructions in a job application), then it’s worth spending some time crafting a killer cover letter. It may not be the first thing a potential employer looks at but when it comes to narrowing down the field of applications for potential interview, it could just be what sets you apart.

When you have little or no work experience and you’re applying for your first job, it can be hard to think of things to say in your cover letter. But the chances are you have more transferable skills than you think. Here are Giusto’s top tips for writing a cover letter for your first job.

What are you trying to achieve?

When you start planning your first cover letter, you need to consider what you’re trying to do with it. Giusto reminds us that, “ Your resume and cover letter are strategic marketing documents , you never share anything just for the sake of it. Think about what the cover letter should be doing, it should not simply restate the resume.” Your first cover letter is about forging a different type of relationship with the reader, giving them a way to get to know you from different angles. It’s your chance to address things that aren’t in your resume , tell them why you’re looking for a new role, show how excited you are to work for the company or industry, and demonstrate your alignment with their mission and values .

Giusto suggests you think about it like dating: the cover letter is just one of the tools you’re using. “When you’re dating someone, you don’t want them to feel you’re dating them simply because they’re available or good enough, you want to show excitement. It’s not, ‘I’m applying because you have a job opening and I need money,’ it’s, ‘ I’m excited about you, about your company, about the really cool things you’re doing. ’ That’s what you can include in a cover letter in addition to making it clear that you’re qualified and you’re the solution to their problem.”

Now let’s break that down into practical steps to make writing your first cover letter a cinch.

Include the essentials

• The job title and the company you are applying to.
• Evidence of why you’re a good fit for their needs. Giusto explains that “A cover letter that states, ‘I’ve done this, I’ve done that,’ and a whole ton of other ‘I’ doesn’t necessarily connect the dots for the reader that they’re good fit for the employer’s needs, or the solution to their problem.”
• Explanation of why THIS role at THIS company.

Find inspiration

You still might be none the wiser about what exactly to include in your cover letters. Giusto says, “You can leverage almost anything you have as a transferable skill if it’s something that the employer is going to value.” Here are her top suggestions for cover letter content for candidates with little or no experience .

Projects and coursework: Your resume won’t go into detail about any projects you’ve undertaken as part of your course, Giusto explains that most recent grads should aim for a one-page resume. The cover letter is your chance to talk about a relevant project in detail, providing the hiring manager with more insight into how you might work for them.

Hobbies and volunteering: The caveat with this one is only if it is relevant. Giusto says, “I joke that you never need to tell someone about what you’ve binge-watched on Netflix, but what if your hobby is selling things you’ve designed and 3D printed, or you run marathons?” The idea is to show relevant information. “What if the job requires you to manage a budget? It’s not something you’ve ever done in a work capacity but you’ve been treasurer of a club—you should include that in your first cover letter.”

Leadership skills : Giusto always encourages college grads to think about any time they have shown leadership skills, it could be as the captain of your ultimate frisbee league, or in a group project. It won’t necessarily be something they are asking for in a first job but it’s certainly something a lot of businesses value.

Interpersonal skills: Are you a strong communicator? When have you communicated with diverse people in a variety of capacities? Giusto advises, “Don’t say your top skills are using the phone, or ‘I’m a people person.’ You need to connect that for the reader with a specific instance, otherwise, it’s just a baseless claim.”

Write it well

• Address your cover letter to a specific person if you can. Use LinkedIn or your connections, or even pick up the phone and call the company’s reception to ask. That said, Giusto adds, “Don’t delay your application because you can’t figure this out. It’s ok to use a generic term like ‘Dear Hiring Manager’ or ‘Dear Hiring Team’ as there may well be more than one person that reads your letter.”
• Make it engaging. AI is now everywhere; you want to make it clear that a real human wrote this cover letter. Show the recruiter that you know about their company and some of their business priorities. It will demonstrate that you’ve put some thought into your application.
• Use AI with caution. The skeleton might look good, but you run the risk of it looking and feeling like a template and completely missing out on the engagement part. Giusto also adds that you may be doing yourself a disservice if you don’t use this as an opportunity to learn how to present yourself. If the application proceeds you’re setting yourself up for a potentially difficult interview.
• Incorporate keywords to the best of your ability and what you can figure out from the job ad. But avoid what Giusto refers to as ‘keyword vomit’. Keywords might help with tracking programs but appealing to the reader is more important as things progress.
• Avoid errors. Giusto explains, “I see silly mistakes all the time, proofreading errors where you’ve made changes and extra spaces aren’t deleted, templates that aren’t properly customized, the wrong company name, and so on.”
• Don’t self-sabotage. Don’t highlight what you don’t have in this one-page document, highlight what you do have. Don’t invite bias by revealing something about yourself that could prompt someone to weed you out consciously or unconsciously, and don’t reveal anything that comes under a protected category in the US legal system.
• Don’t embellish. It will come back to bite you in the butt. You might be able to argue you were being strategic but it could mean a job offer is withdrawn or you end up in a role you simply can’t perform well.

A final piece of advice

Landing your first job can be tough and the whole application process can be demoralizing, but Giusto says, “Don’t let rejections bring you down. For every no you get, statistically speaking you are one step closer to getting the yes.” Keep putting in the work and tailor your cover letter for success every single time.

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60+ Cover Letter Examples in 2024 [For All Professions]

No matter where you are in your career, or what job you’re applying for, submitting a cover letter with your resume is a must . 

Done right, a cover letter will effectively complement your resume and explain to the hiring manager in more detail why you’re the right person for the job.

Writing a cover letter, however, is easier said than done. 

You have to effectively demonstrate that you’ll be able to perform the responsibilities listed in the job description and that you’d be a better fit for the company compared to other candidates. 

And unless you’re a professional writer, this can be a very hard task.

Fortunately, we created these cover letter examples to inspire you and help you get started with your own cover letter!

Let’s dive in!

21 Cover Letter Examples 

#1. career change cover letter example .

Here’s what this cover letter does right:

• Has an ideal length. This cover letter includes all the relevant information for the hiring manager without getting into too much detail.
• Relevant introduction. The candidate explains that they’re changing careers and why they want to work in this new field from the get-go.
• Explains their related experience. The candidate explains how their previous experience in retail sales can help them succeed in PR.

Check out our guide video guide to learn how to write a Cover Letter that gets you HIRED!

#2. Recent Graduate Cover Letter Example 

• Personally greets the hiring manager. The candidate has taken the time to find the hiring manager’s name and address them by it, which makes the opening of the cover letter much more personal.
• Wraps up with a call to action. The candidate wraps up the cover letter by suggesting a meeting with the hiring manager, which makes them more memorable.
• Explains why the candidate is the right person for the internship. In this cover letter for an internship , the candidate explains how they’ve previously interned in a different firm, which gives them the experience to succeed in this role.

Have you just graduated from college? Make sure to check out our guide on writing an entry-level cover letter from start to finish! 

#3. Middle Management Cover Letter Example

• Use of bullet points. The candidate presents the information in a concise and reader-friendly way, making it easy for the hiring manager to find their key achievements. 
• Formal closing. The candidate has used a formal and polite tone to conclude their cover letter, which combined with a call to action makes them look professional and passionate about getting the job. 
• Explains how the company would benefit from hiring them. The candidate outlines exactly what they could do for the company, which not only highlights their skills but also shows they’ve done their research on the company’s needs. 

#4. Business Manager Cover Letter Example

• Detailed header. In addition to the must-have contact details, this candidate has also included their professional Twitter and LinkedIn profiles, making it easy for the hiring manager to look more closely into their career. 
• Concise and to the point. This candidate has used short paragraphs and bullet points to make the cover letter easy to skim through. 
• Wraps up with a call to action. By letting the hiring manager know they’ll be contacting them soon, they’re more likely to make an impression.

Check out this article for a complete writing guide and an inspiring business manager resume sample. 

#5. Ph.D. Cover Letter Example

Here’s what this cover letter does right: 

• Attention-grabbing introduction. In the opening paragraph, this candidate explains why they’re passionate about pursuing a Ph.D. in great detail. 
• Explains the candidate’s qualifications in detail. The candidate builds on their passion by explaining how they’re also qualified for the degree because of their education history and academic achievements. 

#6. Senior Executive Cover Letter Example

• Professional and minimalistic template. This senior executive has used a professional but minimalistic template that lets their work experience do the talking. 
• Achievement-oriented opening paragraph. Right from the get-go, this candidate explains what makes them so good at their job, effectively grabbing the hiring manager’s attention.  
• Wraps up with a call to action. By suggesting to have a meeting and discussing how they can help the company meet its goals, the candidate stands more chance to make a positive lasting impression. 

#7. Architect Cover Letter Example 

• Modern resume template. This architect has picked a template that perfectly matches his industry, as it is professional and modern at the same time. 
• A personal greeting to the HR. They address the hiring manager by their first name, which helps make a better first impression. 
• Measurable achievements. By quantifying their achievements, the candidate proves their achievements instead of just claiming them.

Struggling with your architect resume ? Check out our full guide!

#8. Business Analyst Cover Letter Example 

• Detailed contact information. The candidate has listed both their LinkedIn and Twitter profiles, providing the HR manager an opportunity to learn more about the candidate.  
• Mentions what the candidate can do for the company. This cover letter doesn’t just explain why the job would be great for the candidate, but also how the candidate would benefit the company. Win-win, right? 
• Error-free and reader-friendly. It’s super important for the cover letter to have no spelling or grammatical errors and be reader-friendly. This candidate made sure they did both.

Need a resume alongside your cover letter? Check out our guide on how to write a business analyst resume . 

#9. Consultant Cover Letter Example 

• Professional cover letter template. Being an experienced consultant, this candidate has picked a professional template that doesn’t steal the spotlight from their achievements. 
• Experience and achievement-oriented. The candidate has effectively elaborated on their top achievements relevant to the job. 
• Highlights the candidate’s passion. To show they want the job, this candidate has also explained how passionate they are about their profession.

For more advice on landing a job as a consultant, check out our guide to writing a consultant resume .

#10. Digital Marketing Cover Letter Example

• Creative cover letter template. This digital marketer highlights their originality by picking a creative cover letter template. 
• Lists the candidate’s awards. The candidate has taken advantage of the cover letter to list their most noteworthy awards in the industry. 
• Concludes with a call to action. As they used a call to action to conclude their cover letter, the HR manager will be more likely to remember them.

Want to take your digital marketing resume to the next level? Check out our guide!

#11. Graphic Designer Cover Letter Example 

• Detailed contact information. The candidate has included additional contact information such as their website link, as well as their LinkedIn and Twitter profiles.  
• Ideal length. This cover letter is concise, which means that the HR manager is more likely to read it from start to finish.  
• Draws attention to the candidate’s strong points. Although this candidate is a recent college graduate, they’ve managed to effectively show that they have enough knowledge and experience to do the job right.

Read this guide to write a graphic designer resume that’s just as good as your cover letter!

#12. Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Example

• Minimalistic cover letter template. The candidate picked a well-designed but minimalistic template for their cover letter. 
• Focused on skills and achievements. This cover letter is packed with the candidate’s skills and achievements, proving he can be an excellent employee. 
• Formal closing. Politeness can go a long way and the candidate has used this to their advantage to make an impression. 

Our article on how to write an administrative assistant resume can help you take your job application to the next level.

#13. Front Desk Cover Letter Example

• Modern cover letter template. This template incorporates memorable colors and clear lines, which make the cover letter very visually appealing. 
• Attention-grabbing introduction. Using an attention-grabbing intro, the candidate is more likely to make an impression. 
• Calls the HR to action. By including a call to action, the candidate is reminding the HR of their immediate availability. 

#14. Human Resources Cover Letter Example

• It is concise and to the point. The candidate doesn’t dwell on unimportant details the HR won’t be interested in. 
• Uses a traditional cover letter template. The cover letter design is more on the conventional side, which fits the industry better. 
• Highlights the candidate’s strong points. The candidate has rich work experience and they use the cover letter to elaborate on it. 

This HR resume guide can help you get your resume just right.

#15. Sales Agent Cover Letter Example 

• Attention-grabbing cover letter template. As a salesperson, this candidate knows how important first impressions are, so they’ve picked a catchy cover letter template. 
• Has an ideal length. At the same time, they’ve also made sure to keep their cover letter at just the right length. 
• Lists the candidate’s career highlights. The candidate has made perfect use of the space by mentioning their most impressive professional achievements. 

Check out this sales agent resume guide to create an attention-grabbing sales resume .

#16. Receptionist Cover Letter Example

• Modern but minimalistic cover letter template. The template’s design hints the candidate is creative but professional at the same time. 
• Uses a catchy introduction. The candidate has used an attention-grabbing opening paragraph to catch HR’s attention. 
• Concludes the cover letter formally. The candidate proves that they’re polite and well-spoken, a quality very much important for the role they’re applying for. 

Take your receptionist resume to the next level with this receptionist resume guide .

#17. Information Technology Cover Letter Example

• Mentions measurable achievements. Numbers make an impact, which is why this candidate has included measurable achievements. 
• Lists both soft and hard skills. The candidate has mentioned a great mix of soft and hard skills, showing how well-rounded they are. 
• Contains relevant contact information. The candidate’s GitHub, website name, LinkedIn, and Twitter profiles are all great additions to the resume. 

Looking for tips to help you write a great IT resume ? Check out our guide!

#18. Real Estate Cover Letter Example

• Ideal length. Short and to the point, this cover letter is bound to get noticed by the HR manager. 
• Wraps up with a call to action. This candidate reinforces the HR to call them back through a final call to action. 
• Mentions the right skills. On top of their sales accomplishments, the candidate touch upon important soft skills such as customer service and communication . 

This real estate resume guide will help you take your resume from good to great.

#19. Teacher Cover Letter Example

• Mentions relevant contact information details. This candidate has included optional (but relevant) contact information details, such as their LinkedIn, Quora, and Medium profiles. 
• Achievement-oriented. The candidate has elaborated on their achievements in more detail throughout their cover letter. 
• Highlights the candidate’s passion. For some jobs, being passionate is much more important than for others. Teaching is one of these jobs, which is why this candidate explains their passion for the job. 

Our guide on how to write a teacher resume has all the tips you need to land the job.

#20. Project Manager Cover Letter Example

• Leverages a catchy introduction. Through a catchy introductory paragraph, this candidate is sure to grab the HR’s attention and get them to read the rest of their cover letter.
• Lists measurable accomplishments. This candidate explains exactly what they’ve achieved using numbers and hard data. 
• Personally greets the HR. A personal greeting sounds much better than “Dear Sir/Madam,” and the candidate knows this. 

This guide on how to write a project manager resume can help you perfect your appication.

#21. Paralegal Cover Letter Example

• Minimalistic cover letter template. This cover letter design looks good but doesn’t steal the show from the candidate’s abilities.
• Mentions the candidate’s academic achievements and extracurricular activities. Although the candidate is a recent graduate, they’ve used the cover letter to explain they have enough skills and achievements to do the job.
• Lists measurable achievements. The candidate proves they did well in their internship by mentioning quantifiable achievements.

Check out this paralegal resume guide to perfect yours.

40+ More Cover Letter Examples and Guides 

Couldn’t find a cover letter example for your field? Do not worry.

Below you can find a number of other cover letter examples for different fields and industries:

• Acting Cover Letter Examples
• Accounting Cover Letter Examples
• Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Architecture Cover Letter Examples
• Attorney Cover Letter Examples
• Barista Cover Letter Examples
• Bartender Cover Letter Examples
• Business Cover Letter Examples
• Business Analyst Cover Letter Examples
• College Student Cover Letter Examples
• Computer Science Cover Letter Examples
• Construction Cover Letter Examples
• Consultant Cover Letter Examples
• Customer Service Cover Letter Examples
• Data Analyst Cover Letter Examples
• Data Entry Cover Letter Examples
• Dental Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Digital Marketing Cover Letter Examples
• Elementary Teacher Cover Letter Examples
• Engineering Cover Letter Examples
• Executive Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Finance Cover Letter Examples
• Graphic Design Cover Letter Examples
• Healthcare Cover Letter Examples
• Human Resources Cover Letter Examples
• IT Cover Letter Examples
• Law Cover Letter Examples
• Management Cover Letter Examples
• Marketing Cover Letter Examples
• Mechanical Engineering Cover Letter Examples
• Medical Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Nurse Practitioner Cover Letter Examples
• Physician Cover Letter Examples
• Project Manager Cover Letter Examples
• Receptionist Cover Letter Examples
• Retail Cover Letter Examples
• Sales Cover Letter Examples
• Social Work Cover Letter Examples
• Software Engineer Cover Letter Examples
• Substitute Teacher Cover Letter Examples
• Teacher Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Team Leader Cover Letter Example

What is a Cover Letter? 

A cover letter is a one-page document that you submit as part of your job application, alongside your resume . 

Its purpose is to introduce you and briefly summarize your professional background. On average, your cover letter should be from 250 to 400 words long .

A good cover letter can give the hiring manager more insight into what makes you a good candidate and help them make up their mind about whether they should invite you for an interview. A bad cover letter, though, will get ignored (at best) and lose you the job (at worst).

So, to make sure this doesn’t happen, it’s essential to know how to write a convincing cover letter.

The first thing to remember is that a cover letter is a supplement to your resume, not a replacement. Meaning, you shouldn’t just repeat whatever is mentioned in your resume and call it a day. 

Optimally, you should use your cover letter to shed more light on your skills and qualifications, as well as explain anything you didn’t have space for in your resume (e.g. a career gap or why you’re changing careers).

If you’re writing a cover letter for the first time, though, putting all this together might seem pretty tough. 

Fortunately, you can follow our tried-and-tested format to make the experience much easier:

• Header - Input your contact information.
• Greeting the hiring manager - Open the cover letter with a “Dear Sir or Madam,” or use the hiring manager’s name if you know what that is.
• Opening paragraph - Grab the hiring manager’s attention by getting straight to the point. Mention what your professional experiences are, and what role you’re applying for.
• The second paragraph - Explain why you’re the perfect candidate for the job. Mention your top 2-3 achievements, your top skills, why you want to work in that specific industry, and whatever else is relevant.
• The third paragraph - End your cover letter with a call to action. E.g. “I would love to meet personally and discuss how I can help Company X.”
• Formal closing - Something like this: “Thank you for your consideration. Best, John Doe.”

Here’s what this looks like in practice:

9 Tips to Write a Cover Letter (the Right Way)

Now that we've covered the basics, let's talk about cover letter tips . Below, we'll give you all the knowledge you need to take your cover letter from "OK" to "great."

#1. Pick the right template

A good cover letter is all about leaving the right first impression.

And what’s a better way to leave a good impression than through a professional, well-formatted, and visual template?

You can simply pick one of our tried-and-tested cover letter templates and you’ll be all set!

#2. Add your contact details on the header

The best way to start your cover letter is through a header. 

Here’s what you want to include there:

• Phone Number
• Name of the hiring manager / their professional title
• Name of the company you’re applying to

Optionally, you can also include the following:

• Social Media Profiles - Any type of profile that’s relevant to your field. Social Profiles on websites like LinkedIn, GitHub (for developers), Medium (for writers), etc.
• Personal Website - If you have a personal website that somehow adds value to your application, you can mention it. Let’s say you’re a professional writer. In that case, you’d want to link to your content portfolio site or blog.

#3. Greet the hiring manager the right way

Once you’ve listed all your relevant contact information, it’s time to address the hiring manager reading your cover letter. 

A good practice here is to find the hiring manager’s name and address them directly instead of using the traditional “dear sir or madam.” This shows that you’re really invested in the company and that you took your time to do some research about the job.

So, how can you find out the hiring manager’s name?

One way to do this is by looking up the head of the company’s relevant department on LinkedIn. Let’s say you’re applying for the position of Communication Specialist at Novoresume. The hiring manager is probably the Head of Communications or the Chief Communications Office.

Or let’s say you’re applying for the position of server at a restaurant. In that case, you’d be looking to find out who the restaurant manager is.

If this doesn’t work, you can also check out the “Team” page on the company website; there’s a good chance you’ll at least find the right person there.

If you still can’t find out the hiring manager’s name, here are several other greetings you can use:

• Dear [Department] Hiring Manager
• Dear Hiring Manager
• To whom it may concern
• Dear [Department] Team

#4. Create an attention-grabbing introduction

Recruiters get hundreds, sometimes even thousands, of applications. Chances are, they’re not going to be reading every single cover letter end-to-end.

So, it’s essential to catch their attention from the very first paragraph.

The problem with most cover letter opening paragraphs, though, is that they’re usually extremely generic, often looking something like this: 

Hey, my name is Jonathan and I’d like to work as a Sales Manager at XYZ Inc. I’ve worked as a sales manager at MadeUpCompany Inc. for 5+ years, so I believe that I’d be a good fit for the position.

As you can probably tell, this opening paragraph doesn’t tell the hiring manager anything other than that you’ve worked the job before - and that’s not really helpful in setting you apart from other candidates. 

What you want to do, instead, is start off with 2-3 of your top achievements to really grab the reader’s attention. Preferably, the achievements should be as relevant as possible to the position. 

For example:

My name’s Michael and I’d like to help XYZ Inc. hit and exceed its sales goals as a Sales Manager. I’ve worked with Company X, a fin-tech company, for 3+ years. As a Sales Representative, I generated an average of $30,000+ in sales per month (beating the KPIs by around 40%). I believe that my previous industry experience, as well as my excellence in sales, makes me the right candidate for the role of X at Company Y.

The second example shows how the candidate is a top performer. The first just shows that they’ve worked a sales job before.

Which one are YOU more likely to invite for an interview?

#5. Show you’re the perfect person for the job

One great thing about cover letters is that they allow you to expand more on the top achievements from your resume and really show the hiring manager that you’re the right person for the job. 

A good way to do that is to first read the job ad and really understand what skills/experiences are required, and then to ensure that your cover letter touches upon the said skills or experiences.

In my previous role as a Facebook Marketing Expert at XYZ Inc. I handled customer acquisition through ads, managing a monthly Facebook ad budget of $20,000+. As the sole digital marketer at the company, I managed the ad creation and management process end-to-end. This means I created the ad copy and images, as well as picked the targeting, ran optimization trials, and so on.

Other than Facebook advertising, I’ve also delved into other online PPC channels, including:

• Google Search

#6. Explain why you’re a great company fit

The HR manager doesn’t only look at whether you’ll be good at the job or not. They’re looking for someone that’s also a good fit for the company culture.

After all, employees that don’t fit in are bound to quit, sooner or later. This ends up costing the company a ton of money, up to 50% of the employee’s annual salary . 

To convince the hiring manager that you’re a great company fit, do some research on the company and find out what it is you like about them, or about working there. You want to know things like:

• What’s the company’s business model?
• What’s the company's product or service? Have you used it?
• What’s the culture like? Will someone micro-manage your work, or will you have autonomy on how you get things done?

Then, turn your top reasons for liking to work there into text and add them to your cover letter! 

#7. Wrap up with a call to action

To make the end of your cover letter as memorable as possible, you want to:

• Wrap up any points you couldn't in the previous paragraphs. Mention anything you’ve left out that you think could help the hiring manager make up your mind.
• Thank the hiring manager for their time. After all, it never hurts to be polite. 
• Finish the cover letter with a call to action. A call to action is a great way to make your cover letter ending as memorable as possible. 

#8. Write a formal closing

Once you’re done with the final paragraph, all you have to do is write down a formal “goodbye” and you’re good to go.

Feel free to use one of the most popular conclusions in a cover letter:

• Best Regards,
• Kind Regards,

#9. Proofread your cover letter

Last but not least, make sure to always proofread each and every document that you’ll be including in your job application - cover letter included. 

The last thing you want is to be claiming you’re a great candidate for the job with a cover letter full of typos! 

For an even more comprehensive guide on how to write an impactful cover letter , check out our article ! 

Cover Letter Writing Checklist 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you still have some questions about cover letters? Check out the answers below:

1. How do I write a simple cover letter? 

To write a cover letter that’s simple but also professional, make sure to include a header with your personal information, a formal greeting to the hiring manager, an attention-grabbing opening paragraph, a second paragraph explaining why you’re a good candidate for the job, and a formal closing (preferably with a call to action). 

2. What are the 3 parts of a cover letter? 

The three parts of a cover letter are: 

• The introduction , namely the header, the greeting to the hiring manager, and the opening paragraph. 
• The sales pitch is usually the body of the cover letter. 
• The conclusion involves a formal closing and a signature line.

3. What makes a great cover letter?

A great cover letter should be personalized for each job you’re applying for, instead of being overly generic. It’s also preferable to address the hiring manager by their name and not use the overly-used “Dear Sir/Madam.”

To make a great first impression, you should mention 1-2 of your top achievements in your opening paragraph - the more job-specific they are, the better. Also, don’t stop at showing the hiring manager why you’re a great candidate for the job. Make sure to also talk about how you’re a good culture fit for the company.

Last but not least, wrap up your closing paragraph with a call to action to give the hiring manager a little extra something to remember you by. 

4. When is a cover letter necessary?

Unless the job ad specifically states otherwise, you should always include a cover letter with your job application .

Even if the hiring manager doesn’t read it, you will look more professional simply by including one.

And that’s a wrap! We hope our cover letter examples and writing tips will inspire you to write a cover letter that will land you your next job.

If you’re looking for more invaluable career advice and articles, make sure to check out our career blog , or any of these related articles: 

• How to Write a Resume
• Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid at All Costs
• Cover Letter Format (w/ Examples & Free Templates)

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How to Write a Cover Letter That Will Get You a Job

I ’ve read thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of cover letters in my career. If you’re thinking that sounds like really boring reading, you’re right. What I can tell you from enduring that experience is that most cover letters are terrible — and not only that, but squandered opportunities. When a cover letter is done well, it can significantly increase your chances of getting an interview, but the vast majority fail that test.

So let’s talk about how to do cover letters right.

First, understand the point of a cover letter.

The whole idea of a cover letter is that it can help the employer see you as more than just your résumé. Managers generally aren’t hiring based solely on your work history; your experience is crucial, yes, but they’re also looking for someone who will be easy to work with, shows good judgment, communicates well, possesses strong critical thinking skills and a drive to get things done, complements their current team, and all the other things you yourself probably want from your co-workers. It’s tough to learn much about those things from job history alone, and that’s where your cover letter comes in.

Because of that …

Whatever you do, don’t just summarize your résumé.

The No. 1 mistake people make with cover letters is that they simply use them to summarize their résumé. This makes no sense — hiring managers don’t need a summary of your résumé! It’s on the very next page! They’re about to see it as soon as they scroll down. And if you think about it, your entire application is only a few pages (in most cases, a one- or two-page résumé and a one-page cover letter) — why would you squander one of those pages by repeating the content of the others? And yet, probably 95 percent of the cover letters I see don’t add anything new beyond the résumé itself (and that’s a conservative estimate).

Instead, your cover letter should go beyond your work history to talk about things that make you especially well-suited for the job. For example, if you’re applying for an assistant job that requires being highly organized and you neurotically track your household finances in a detailed, color-coded spreadsheet, most hiring managers would love to know that because it says something about the kind of attention to detail you’d bring to the job. That’s not something you could put on your résumé, but it can go in your cover letter.

Or maybe your last boss told you that you were the most accurate data processor she’d ever seen, or came to rely on you as her go-to person whenever a lightning-fast rewrite was needed. Maybe your co-workers called you “the client whisperer” because of your skill in calming upset clients. Maybe you’re regularly sought out by more senior staff to help problem-solve, or you find immense satisfaction in bringing order to chaos. Those sorts of details illustrate what you bring to the job in a different way than your résumé does, and they belong in your cover letter.

If you’re still stumped, pretend you’re writing an email to a friend about why you’d be great at the job. You probably wouldn’t do that by stiffly reciting your work history, right? You’d talk about what you’re good at and how you’d approach the work. That’s what you want here.

You don’t need a creative opening line.

If you think you need to open the letter with something creative or catchy, I am here to tell you that you don’t. Just be simple and straightforward:

• “I’m writing to apply for your X position.”

• “I’d love to be considered for your X position.”

• “I’m interested in your X position because …”

• “I’m excited to apply for your X position.”

That’s it! Straightforward is fine — better, even, if the alternative is sounding like an aggressive salesperson.

Show, don’t tell.

A lot of cover letters assert that the person who wrote it would excel at the job or announce that the applicant is a skillful engineer or a great communicator or all sorts of other subjective superlatives. That’s wasted space — the hiring manager has no reason to believe it, and so many candidates claim those things about themselves that most managers ignore that sort of self-assessment entirely. So instead of simply declaring that you’re great at X (whatever X is), your letter should demonstrate that. And the way you do that is by describing accomplishments and experiences that illustrate it.

Here’s a concrete example taken from one extraordinarily effective cover-letter makeover that I saw. The candidate had originally written, “I offer exceptional attention to detail, highly developed communication skills, and a talent for managing complex projects with a demonstrated ability to prioritize and multitask.” That’s pretty boring and not especially convincing, right? (This is also exactly how most people’s cover letters read.)

In her revised version, she wrote this instead:

“In addition to being flexible and responsive, I’m also a fanatic for details — particularly when it comes to presentation. One of my recent projects involved coordinating a 200-page grant proposal: I proofed and edited the narratives provided by the division head, formatted spreadsheets, and generally made sure that every line was letter-perfect and that the entire finished product conformed to the specific guidelines of the RFP. (The result? A five-year, $1.5 million grant award.) I believe in applying this same level of attention to detail to tasks as visible as prepping the materials for a top-level meeting and as mundane as making sure the copier never runs out of paper.”

That second version is so much more compelling and interesting — and makes me believe that she really is great with details.

If there’s anything unusual or confusing about your candidacy, address it in the letter.

Your cover letter is your chance to provide context for things that otherwise might seem confusing or less than ideal to a hiring manager. For example, if you’re overqualified for the position but are excited about it anyway, or if you’re a bit underqualified but have reason to think you could excel at the job, address that up front. Or if your background is in a different field but you’re actively working to move into this one, say so, talk about why, and explain how your experience will translate. Or if you’re applying for a job across the country from where you live because you’re hoping to relocate to be closer to your family, let them know that.

If you don’t provide that kind of context, it’s too easy for a hiring manager to decide you’re the wrong fit or applying to everything you see or don’t understand the job description and put you in the “no” pile. A cover letter gives you a chance to say, “No, wait — here’s why this could be a good match.”

Keep the tone warm and conversational.

While there are some industries that prize formal-sounding cover letters — like law — in most fields, yours will stand out if it’s warm and conversational. Aim for the tone you’d use if you were writing to a co-worker whom you liked a lot but didn’t know especially well. It’s okay to show some personality or even use humor; as long as you don’t go overboard, your letter will be stronger for it.

Don’t use a form letter.

You don’t need to write every cover letter completely from scratch, but if you’re not customizing it to each job, you’re doing it wrong. Form letters tend to read like form letters, and they waste the chance to speak to the specifics of what this employer is looking for and what it will take to thrive in this particular job.

If you’re applying for a lot of similar jobs, of course you’ll end up reusing language from one letter to the next. But you shouldn’t have a single cover letter that you wrote once and then use every time you apply; whatever you send should sound like you wrote it with the nuances of this one job in mind.

A good litmus test is this: Could you imagine other applicants for this job sending in the same letter? If so, that’s a sign that you haven’t made it individualized enough to you and are probably leaning too heavily on reciting your work history.

No, you don’t need to hunt down the hiring manager’s name.

If you read much job-search advice, at some point you’ll come across the idea that you need to do Woodward and Bernstein–level research to hunt down the hiring manager’s name in order to open your letter with “Dear Matilda Jones.” You don’t need to do this; no reasonable hiring manager will care. If the name is easily available, by all means, feel free to use it, but otherwise “Dear Hiring Manager” is absolutely fine. Take the hour you just freed up and do something more enjoyable with it.

Keep it under one page.

If your cover letters are longer than a page, you’re writing too much, and you risk annoying hiring managers who are likely sifting through hundreds of applications and don’t have time to read lengthy tomes. On the other hand, if you only write one paragraph, it’s unlikely that you’re making a compelling case for yourself as a candidate — not impossible, but unlikely. For most people, something close to a page is about right.

Don’t agonize over the small details.

What matters most about your cover letter is its content. You should of course ensure that it’s well-written and thoroughly proofread, but many job seekers agonize over elements of the letter that really don’t matter. I get tons of  questions from job seekers  about whether they should attach their cover letter or put it in the body of the email (answer: No one cares, but attaching it makes it easier to share and will preserve your formatting), or what to name the file (again, no one really cares as long as it’s reasonably professional, but when people are dealing with hundreds of files named “resume,” it’s courteous to name it with your full name).

Approaching your cover letter like this can make a huge difference in your job search. It can be the thing that moves your application from the “maybe” pile (or even the “no” pile) to the “yes” pile. Of course, writing cover letters like this will take more time than sending out the same templated letter summarizing your résumé — but 10 personalized, compelling cover letters are likely to get you more  interview invitations  than 50 generic ones will.

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Cover Letter Ideas For Your First Job

You have completed your resume and are looking forward to finally being able to apply for some jobs. Some of the ads you have seen for jobs have mentioned to submit a resume and cover letter. Being new at this, you are not clear on what a cover letter is, much less how to go about writing one.

A cover letter will accompany your resume and offers you a chance to sell yourself to a potential employer. As you are seeking your first job , you will likely not have a lot of work experience to include on your resume. The cover letter will give you the opportunity to present to the employer all that you offer and why you should be interviewed for the job.

When an employer receives a number of resumes for a particular job , a well-written cover letter will help your application stand out. Click here to learn more about why a cover letter is important.

This blog post will cover the following:

• Gathering information for your cover letter
• Consider how to sell yourself in the cover letter
• Putting the cover letter together

Gathering Information for your Cover Letter

The first thing you will want to do when working on your cover letter is learn as much as possible about the position you are applying for, as well as the employer that is hiring. Sometimes this will be easy; there are many employers that post long job descriptions in the ads, providing you the details of the job before you apply for it and you may be familiar with the particular business.

Of course this is not always the case. You may find that you have to investigate what the employer is looking for. Online or newspaper ads, as well as signs in a store window, do not always provide much information on what is being sought. And the company looking to hire someone may not be one that you are familiar with.

Do your best to learn the following things before putting together your cover letter:

• What are the responsibilities of the job?
• What is the employer looking for (as far as skills and experience)?
• What is important to the company where you are applying?

Having a good idea of what the employer is looking for will allow you to write a cover letter that will reflect not only all that you can offer the employer, but how what you offer can meet their needs. Employers usually appreciate that you made the effort to learn about their business and the position they are hiring for. This will help your application stand apart from others.

Consider how to Sell Yourself in the Cover Letter

As you were looking into the job you are applying for, you learned that the employer is looking for a self-starter with experience cutting lawns, pulling weeds and planting vegetables. Spend a few minutes thinking about any experience you have in those areas and how you may show that you are a self-starter.

As you are thinking about this, you remember how every year for as long as you can remember you have helped your grandparents with their garden. And when you were twelve you went around your neighborhood and offered to mow lawns and pull weeds for your neighbors. These experiences are perfect to talk about when preparing your cover letter.

You might find it helpful to take notes about the experiences you have that you can refer to as you put your cover letter together. Ask yourself the following questions:

• What formal or informal experience or skills can I point out that show I would be successful at this job?
• What can I talk about in my cover letter that will help me stand out from other applicants?

The cover letter will be the first impression the employer has of you and you can utilize it to show why you should be interviewed for the position you are applying for. A well-written cover letter can make a difference in your application, pointing out things about you that may not be reflected in your resume. Click here and here for more on selling yourself in your cover letter.

Putting the Cover Letter Together

Now that you know about the employer and the position they are hiring for, and have thought about what it is that you can offer as an employee to fulfill their need, it is time to put your cover letter together. Remember that the cover letter is the first thing that the employer will see when they review your application. Your cover letter will make an impression and it is worth putting in the time to ensure the impression is a good one.  The following things are important when creating your cover letter:

• Use proper format. For more information on format, click here .
• You will want to create a cover letter for each job that you apply for. Employers are often turned off by generic cover letters that don’t focus on the particular job you are applying for. In the cover letter you will want to state the particular job opportunity, how you heard about it, why you are qualified and what you can offer that makes you a fit for the position.
• Make sure to edit your cover letter. Errors on your cover letter will be noticed by the employer and they will get the impression that you are not very detail oriented or applying for their job was not a priority to you.
• Be concise; your cover letter should not be more than one page and should clearly state what you have to offer and why you are a good candidate for the job.

Proper format includes a header, with the contact information of both the employer and yourself. If you have a specific contact person for the job, make sure to address the cover letter to that person.  Should you be unsure as to who the contact is for the job, you can start your cover letter with “Dear Hiring Manager”.

You will then introduce yourself, stating the job you are applying for and how you learned about it. If you heard about the job from someone, make sure to mention that here. A personal referral is one way that you can get your resume looked at by a hiring manager. Let’s say your friend Joe referred you for the job and Joe has been working for the employer for the past year. The employer is happy with Joe and may be open to Joe’s referrals due to his performance. You will then want to explain how your skills and/or experience are a fit for the open position.

Use the next paragraph or two to sell yourself. Pull out those notes you took earlier about your skills and experience. Think about how they relate to the job. This is the place where you will let the employer know in more detail why you are the right person for the job and would make a great employee.

Use this part of the cover letter to provide information that is not on your resume. Let’s say you did a lot of research on what type of soil is best for growing tomatoes. This would be a great thing to mention in your cover letter as it is applicable to the job and shows you are willing to take the time to find answers. While your gardening experience may be on your resume, you may not have mentioned the extra research that you did. When relevant to the job you are applying for you will want to include it.

In your final paragraph, briefly restate what you wrote and why you should be considered for the job. You will then sign the cover letter. For additional information regarding what to include in your cover letter, click here .

For examples of cover letters for a first job, click here and here .

Make sure to edit your cover letter. It may be helpful to have a friend or family member review it as well.

Remember that jobs that don’t ask for a lot of experience will usually have many applicants. A good cover letter will help you to get noticed among the applicants as well as give you the chance to point out all that you have to offer the employer.

Click here for more information on jobs for teens.

So, what do you think about how to write a cover letter for a first job? Do you agree with what was said above?  Comment below to let us know!

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Cover letters for high school students with no work experience, cover letters for camp counselors.

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How to Write a Cover Letter for a Job?: The Ultimate 2024 Guide

Imagine a scenario where you are able to find that one perfect job role that checks all your boxes but when you scroll down to apply you find the two words that fill you with instant dread, a cover letter. If you can relate to this scenario then don’t worry, you are not alone. Or even if you are new to the term and don’t understand what it means let alone know how to write a cover letter for a job, this blog is for you. In this blog, we will walk you through all the essential elements necessary for writing a cover letter. So, buckle up and get ready to explore all the sections that will help you write a cover letter to ace the application process effortlessly.

Table of Contents

How to Write a Cover Letter for a Job

A cover letter for job is a document that helps you explain your intent and motive for applying to a specific job role. It covers your extracurricular activities, skills, achievements, and experiences in the field.

Follow the cover letter format given below to get an idea about what you should include while writing an introduction of a cover letter:

1. Mention Your Name and Address

Imagine writing the perfect cover letter but never finding out whether they liked it because you forgot your contact details. So, write your name, email address, contact number, and date at the top left of the document. Make sure that your email address isn’t unprofessional.

Meena Joshi JD Colony, Vasant Vihar New Delhi (+91) 9867895046 [email protected]

2. Mention the Date

After you have written your personal details like name and address, it is important to mention the date.

3. List the Recipient’s Name and Address

It is the first essential step that must not be skipped under any circumstances. Who will the letter get to if it does not have the name and address of the recipient? Hence, it is mandatory to fill out this section by carefully examining the details through the job description or the website of that particular organization.

To Hiring Manager’s Full Name XYZ Pvt. Ltd. B-000, Business Zone West Country, New City 2, Delhi, India – 110076

Remember: If you have to write a cover letter by mail then you do not need to mention the recipient’s address, date, or your name and address.

4. Greeting

When you are starting a cover letter try addressing it to a specific individual. You can do this by scouring the official website of the company to find the name of the head of the department or the hiring manager. If the powers of the internet fail you, address it to the department you are applying to. Do not write ‘To Whom It May Concern’ unless you want to come off as a robot. Use ‘Dear ABC’ or simply start with ‘Hello ABC.’

5. Cover Letter Body

After adding all the relevant information, it’s time to move on to the main body of the letter. This section comprises the opening paragraph and the main body of the letter. Let’s understand them further.

Opening Paragraph

There are three ways you can approach the beginning of a cover letter. They are as mentioned below:

• I am thrilled to apply for the position of content writer at Buzzfeed India. Having completed a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and an internship of six months at The Indian Express, I am confident that I will bring valuable skills to the organization.
• At the age of 10, I went to the World Book Fair with my brother for the first time. While he was spending time reading the synopsis of books, I was picking up one book after another lured by the attractive covers. I finally settled on Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone then ended up devouring all books in the series.  I followed this interest in judging a book by its cover by pursuing a bachelor’s in Design. I am applying for the position of graphic designer at Scholastic following the creative side of mine which I have decided to pursue as my career.
• During my last internship in social media marketing at Otter Pvt. Limited, I conceptualized three marketing campaigns, which increased the engagement rate by 25% and led to a spike of 15% in website traffic. I believe that the skills I have gained in this role make me the right fit for the position of Social Media Marketing Associate at Orange. Make sure to change the tone according to the company that you apply to. If the company is more on the conservative side such as an accounting firm, maintain a formal tone. If you are applying to a startup, you can have some fun, and use the language that they have used in the job description.

6. Main Body

This is the part where you explain more about the roles you have mentioned in your resume. Always read the job description attentively and see if you have the key skills that the role requires. Now that you have a fair idea of the key requirements, think of your main accomplishments that demonstrate your skills. Let’s find out how we can make it less exhausting.

• I was a content writer at Times Tech and during my tenure, I experimented with various types of content like articles, blogs, FAQs, Q&As, and videos. I analyzed the performance of each type and made the required changes that brought about a 25% increase in readership and website engagement.
• As the Vice President for Enactus, I oversaw the annual inter-college meet. This included getting in touch with leaders in the social entrepreneurship industry for the speaker’s session, ideating competition ideas, marketing the event on social media, and making arrangements for 20 Enactus teams from across the state.
• As a content writer at your company, I would use my writing and researching skills to produce more interactive content. It will bring traffic to your website and increase engagement.

Now that you have told the hiring manager why the job should be yours, let’s learn about writing the parting note.

7. Conclusion

In this section, try to keep your content concise and straightforward. Do not include anything new, try summarizing what you have already talked about. You can also thank them for taking the time to review your application.

I would welcome the chance to speak more about this opportunity and share how I can contribute.

Thank you for your time. Sincerely/Best regards, Your Name

Also Read: How to Write Cover Letter for Internship

Cover Letter Example s

If you are required to write a cover letter for a job, you will have to read the job description attentively. After that, you will have to form the outline of your letter according to the components that are necessarily included in it. Based on those points, you will have to highlight your relevant skills and experience to shine brighter than the other candidates. Here are some best cover letter examples to help you understand how to do this better.

Example 1: Brand Copywriter Cover Letter Sample

Let’s take a look at a generic cover letter example for your reference:

Explore the latest copywriting jobs .

Example 2: Full-Stack Developer Cover Letter Sample

If you wish to apply for a full-stack developer job, you can refer to this resume sample. 

Now that you know how to write a cover letter, apply for full-stack developer jobs .

Example 3: Mental Health Counselor Cover Letter Sample

Here is a cover letter sample to apply for a mental health counselor job:

Check out the top jobs for psychologists .

Example 4: Graphic Designer Cover Letter Sample

Refer to this cover letter sample if you wish to apply for a graphic designer job. 

Looking to work in the graphic design sector? Check out the best graphic designer jobs .

Tips for Writing a Cover Letter

There are a lot of points that need to be kept in mind when writing a cover letter. The following section explains all the components as well as some cover letter writing tips:

• Call To Action (CTA)- While ending the cover letter, tell the hiring manager what you want them to do. You can request an interview or a meeting.
• Enthusiasm for the Job/Organization– Mention what aspects of the job make you feel eager to join. You may have all the requisite skills, but so might the other candidates. What can set you apart is your enthusiasm for the role or company.
• Customization– Each job description comes with a different set of requirements and each company has a different culture, so make sure you customize your cover letter. Try to avoid sending generic cover letters.
• Conciseness– Once you have written your cover letter, take some time to edit. Eliminate everything repetitive. Make sure that your cover letter length does not exceed one page and 250-300 words.

Things to Skip in the Cover Letter

It is equally important to know what not to write in a cover letter. It is good to know these things before you start writing one to reduce your chances of rejection. Some of these points are mentioned below:

• Clichéd Phrases– Avoid writing overused phrases like ‘fast learner’ and ‘hard-working.’ Instead use action words such as led, designed, developed, conceptualized, etc. that show these qualities in action.
• Overly Formal Tone– A very formal tone can give the impression that you picked out a cover sample off the internet. It can also make it difficult to read your letter. To find out which words or sentences can be rewritten for easier readability, you can use the Hemingway Editor.
• Narrating Your Resume– Make sure that your cover letter isn’t a longer version of your resume. Think about the highlights during your jobs, internships, or extracurricular activities that relate to the job and give insights about them.
• Improper Formatting– Use consistent formatting throughout the letter, and use a font that’s easy to read such as Arial size 12 or Calibri size 12.
• Typos and Common Grammatical Errors– Once you have done the lion’s share of the work by writing the letter, make sure that typos or bad grammar don’t ruin your masterpiece. Even if all seems in order, proofread it yourself or ask a friend to review it for you.

Now that we have covered how to write a cover letter for a job, go write one! If you are still looking for jobs, then you can check out fresher jobs on Internshala. You can also check out our blog on top cover letter examples .

Related Cover Letter for Different Job Roles:

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Kriti heads the content team at Internshala. She got her first writing job when she was 17 and has 8+ years of experience in the field. She has a passion for crafting engaging and impactful narratives. With a background in writing and digital marketing, Kriti excels at creating compelling content strategies and optimizing online platforms. Her expertise lies in driving audience engagement and brand awareness through powerful storytelling.

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More From Forbes

How to navigate career gaps on your resume during a job change.

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Career gaps, when done right, can actually advance your job search; hiring managers are interested ... [+] in what you learned during your time off.

Navigating employment gaps on a resume can feel like traversing a minefield, especially for career changers or those seeking to pivot later in their professional lives. However, the narrative you craft can turn what might look like a red flag to an employer or hiring manager into one of your most vital selling points.

For some people, it’s inevitable to take a career gap . Whether you stayed at home to raise a family, care for a loved one or needed a moment to address your mental health, these experiences shape who you are and what you can accomplish. All it takes is a little tweaking to craft a compelling story.

Why Career Gaps Are No Longer Seen As Red Flags

Compassionate and forward-thinking organizations now acknowledge the multifaceted nature of employee experience. They understand that career gaps and redirects often lead to diverse skill sets, fresh perspectives and a strong work ethic.

Employers are looking for stories that illustrate adaptability, resilience and a willingness to learn and grow—traits that are often hallmarks of individuals who have navigated career gaps. In a market plagued by talent shortages, job seekers with varied backgrounds are increasingly seen as valuable assets rather than liabilities.

One Of The Best Shows Of 2024 Lands On Netflix Today

Airtag 2024: iphone update reveals apple launching significant new feature, a psychologist explores the rise of hikikomori syndrome, 6 good reasons for an employment gap.

• Health or Wellness: Taking time off to focus on your own or a family member’s health is universally understood and respected.
• Personal Endeavors: Pursuing an individual project or a passion can reflect well on your entrepreneurial spirit.
• Education or Training: Furthering your education or gaining new skills shows your commitment to self-improvement.
• Relocation: Moving to a new city or country can require time to adjust and find new work opportunities.
• Economic Downturns: The market can be unpredictable, and downsizing or company closures can lead to unforeseen gaps.
• Reassessing Career Goals: Sometimes, taking a step back can clarify the next best move for your career.

Add A Career Break Placeholder On Your Resume

A functional resume that focuses on skills and experiences rather than a chronological work history can effectively de-emphasize employment gaps. Lead with your strongest and most relevant skills, then list jobs and educational experiences under each skill category. This approach also steers the narrative-planned career break towards the activities and skills you’ve built during this time.

An example:

Career Break

Travel and Personal Development

“During this period, I extensively traveled across Asia, broadening my horizons and engaging with diverse cultures. This experience honed my adaptability, language skills, and, most importantly, my ability to work effectively as part of a team.”

Your experiences make you interesting, don’t be afraid to share them on your cover letter and ... [+] resume.

How To Explain A Career Gap In A Cover Letter

The key to addressing career gaps in your cover letter is to focus on the narrative of work history gaps and how your experiences during the gap contribute to your suitability for the role. If you’ve engaged in freelance work, internships or volunteer positions during your career gap, highlight these areas.

3 Ways to Explain Employment Gaps in Cover Letters

• Describe Your Activities: In a few sentences, succinctly describe what you did during your gap, focusing on developmental activities.
• Highlight Transferable Skills: Discuss the skills you gained and how they could apply to your chosen role.
• Speak to Your Readiness for Work: Conclude with a statement that ties your experiences to your enthusiasm and readiness to return to the workforce.

“The months I spent volunteering abroad were a significant chapter in my life. They represent a time of personal and professional growth. I sharpened my communication skills and developed a keen understanding of what it means to connect with individuals from all walks of life. My ability to listen, adapt and learn are directly transferable to the open position, where engagement with various stakeholders is pivotal. This position aligns with my skills and values; I look forward to contributing to the team’s success.”

Example Job Interview Responses

Question: “I see you had a break in your employment history from 2018 to 2019. Can you tell me about that time?”

Response: “Yes, certainly. During that period, I took a sabbatical to focus on personal growth. I undertook a project to learn a new programming language and completed a course in project management, both of which have proved invaluable in refining my approach to work and productivity.”

Question: “I noticed a serious gap in employment of six months in your career history. What did you gain from that experience?”

Response: “Regarding skills, I sharpened my problem-solving abilities by managing a cross-functional team to renovate a local community space. This volunteer position taught me how to foster collaboration and achieve shared goals and skills that directly apply to this role.”

Consider Upskilling

During career gaps, invest time in upskilling. Online courses, certifications and industry-related learning can keep you competitive and pave the way to new opportunities.

Top upskilling platforms:

• FutureLearn

By accommodating career gaps into your professional story for job interviews, you’re creating a stronger, more authentic narrative that highlights your unique skills and experiences. Your path is rich with experiences, each deserving to be part of the story you share with potential employers.

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Jumping into the job hunt

By News@TheU 04-05-2024

There’s no time like the present.

For students graduating this spring, the job market is ripe with opportunity, experts at the University of Miami’s Toppel Career Center shared, but students who have yet to start applying need to set aside time and energy to be successful.

“From an early talent perspective, recruiting is robust,” said Christian Garcia, associate dean and executive director of Toppel Career Center. “While there may be some reductions in workforce happening, especially in tech, that tends to be at higher level positions, so that bodes well for students looking for entry-level jobs.” 

Garcia and his staff of career coaches encourage all ’Canes to take advantage of the many tools that are available at Toppel, both in person and on their website, to find jobs and internships.

“It has never been easier in the history of society to apply for a job,” Garcia said. “All you have to do is push a button, but often we take that for granted.”

Students must carve out time to look for a job or internship, and ideally, seniors looking to enter the workforce should have started the process by now.

“Students need to be in the driver’s seat,” Garcia added. “They need to have a plan, and be strategic, organized, and want to do it because this is one of those things no one can do for you.”

There are many tools he recommends taking advantage of during the job search process. First, search for jobs in your chosen industry using the University’s job search tool, Handshake . Then, Garcia said students can tailor their resume to the job descriptions they are interested in using AI tools such as Jobscan , available through the Toppel website . They can also use generative AI tools to help draft a cover letter. 

Once they have applied for a job, students should track their own progress with each position by using a spreadsheet, like this one , or others on Handshake, Garcia added. And when students start the interview process, there are practice programs available too.

But most of all, students looking for a job or internship this summer simply need to begin. 

“There are plenty of jobs out there, so if students haven’t started looking, they need to do it now,” he said. “You can’t get a job if you don’t apply for it.”

Here are some other tips about navigating the job search from Toppel staff:

What are the industries thriving the most today?

One of the best ways for students to identify the top industries for job opportunities is to take a look at internship and job postings. For example, Handshake has more than 8,000 positions currently posted for the health care industry, which is a very stable field for students to consider. Education, government, and internet and software are a few other industries with over 1,000 openings right now. Keep in mind that every industry offers a range of positions and requires a variety of skills. For example, health care needs accountants, IT professionals, communications specialists, and more.  —Carly Smith, Toppel’s director of career education

Look into employment trends across your preferred career paths. The  Job Market Data Tool  gives you an overview of the number of jobs in a career field for the past two years, the current year, and projections for the next 10 years. You can look into employment trends nationwide, by state, or by county. Lastly, to help identify the best industries for you, I recommend you explore your values, needs, and interests. Our  Career Explorer’s career test  can help you explore these topics and match them to careers. This assessment can be taken on your own or at Toppel.  —Keashla Marengo, Toppel’s associate director of career readiness

Which are the best job search sites?

Handshake and LinkedIn are the best job sites that I would recommend for students to find jobs, internships, or to just connect with their field of interest. With Handshake, Toppel can verify the kind of jobs and companies available to students and be able to meet with those employers throughout career fairs and events each semester. LinkedIn is also a great tool to connect with employers and to find opportunities that might not be available on Handshake.  —Valentina De Gennaro, Toppel career coach and biomedical engineering major

Get familiar with your career's industry-specific job sites and ask your peers or professors to get in that loop. For example, an education major will have more success finding a solid, high-paying position on the Chronicle of Higher Education, rather than a general Indeed search. —Peter James, career education graduate assistant, M.M. in Studio Jazz Writing

How can you help your resume move to the top of the digital “pile” or set yourself apart as a candidate?

Make sure that you are looking at the job description and using the same skills mentioned there on your own resume. Your resume should be customized to each individual job by using industry keywords. If a job says it wants strong communication skills, your resume should be referencing that also. —Joba Odediran, Toppel’s assistant director of coaching and outreach

Take extra steps beyond just submitting your resume online. Identify UM alumni at the organization by using LinkedIn or Cane2Cane. Then, initiate connections or request introductions with the goal of getting your resume in front of the hiring manager. —Ali Rodriguez, Toppel’s executive director of employer engagement

Are cover letters or cover emails necessary? And if so, can you offer some tips?

Yes! If you've ever avoided submitting a job application because it required a cover letter, you are not alone. Cover letters may seem tedious, but it's a great opportunity to connect the dots for employers, express your interest in the organization, and help you stand out. Stay prepared with a master cover letter and tailor it for specific applications. Be sure to include a short introduction, relate the position to your career goals, and leave your contact information.  —Marlon Bermudez, Toppel’s assistant director of internships

Definitely necessary! Your resume is a quick insight into your qualifications, but it's not what makes you stand out. You always want to put your best foot forward and market yourself as the perfect fit. Your resume says, 'Yes, I can do this job,' but your cover letter says, 'Not only can I do this job, but I want to do this job, and you should want me to work for you.' —Mary Gorski, Toppel career coach and architecture major

How can candidates elevate themselves to be noticed by recruiters?

Students should maintain a strong online presence by having updated and active professional profiles like on LinkedIn and Handshake. Messaging recruiters via email or through LinkedIn and Handshake also significantly increase a student's chances of getting noticed along with participation in networking events as often as possible. —Justin Vallardes, Toppel career coach majoring in philosophy, political science, and economics

Candidates should start by researching companies they're interested in to prepare ahead of career fairs, information sessions, interviews, etc. LinkedIn is also a powerful networking tool. It's important to create a strong profile and connect with professionals you meet. This is an easy way to stay updated and connected. Candidates can also utilize  Cane2Cane  to find a career mentor and connect with University alumni. It's estimated that over 85 percent of jobs are found through networking and the “hidden job market.” You never know who someone is connected to, so treat every conversation as an opportunity! —Bermudez, assistant director of internships

Are there specializations, certifications, or micro credentials that students should pursue?

Each discipline and industry has top specifications, so it depends on your career goals. However, some top specifications for 2024 include project management, data analytics, user experience (UX) design, digital marketing, and AI (artificial intelligence). A few resources to help you gain skills and certifications across these areas include Forage (free job simulations), LinkedIn Learning (free for all University of Miami students), and Google Certificates. I recommend you identify the top skills (technical skills and core competencies) associated with your career of interest by utilizing resources like the  Job Market Data  tool. —Marengo, Toppel’s associate director of career readiness

Specializations or skills will depend on the student's field of study as well as the field of interest. However, try to avoid basic skills such as Microsoft Word or Excel. Instead, programming languages such as C++, Java, and Python are encouraged as well as industry-specific skills, whether that'd be project/product management skills like risk management or budget planning. For marketing or design, you can include platforms like Photoshop, social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram), or Adobe.  —De Gennaro, Toppel career coach and biomedical engineering major

Should you include a headshot with your resume?

Unless you are asked to include one because it's related to the role, don’t do it. There are a good number of employers who frown upon using photographs on a resume. Besides, your resume is supposed to be a snapshot of your knowledge, skills, and accomplishments, so adding a photo wastes space you should really be using to sell your achievements. —Smith, Toppel’s director of career education

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• » Tips for Finding a First Job for Students in 2024

• 04 Apr 2024
• News archive

Tips for Finding a First Job for Students in 2024

Commencing employment as a fresh graduate can be a formidable challenge.

Many students wonder how to get a first job, particularly while they are still in school or have recently graduated. The goal of this article is to present practical recommendations on how to find a job as a student, handling commonly shared concerns such as contending to obtain a career after university and applying for an entry-level position. One useful tip is to seek homework assistance from https://assignmentpay.com/uk/ to refine your resume and cover letter, ensuring they stand out to potential employers.

Understanding the Job Market in 2024

Students need to become familiar with job market trends and understand how they can stand out from other candidates before they start looking for a job.

Research Industry Trends

It is helpful for students to start by researching industries that interest them. Comprehending the required abilities and credentials can help them better customize their job hunt and improve their probability of success. It is also essential to be knowledgeable about present industry trends in order to foresee market needs and refine your skills accordingly.

Identify Transferable Skills

Even if learners do not have a real work history, they usually have talents that they have gained through studying, some volunteer work, or after-school events. Unearthing and portraying these skills can be decisive when applying for a job with no experience. Accent lighting on a resume writing with helpful of assignmentpay.com  and during interviews can considerably boost a student's charm to HR officers.

Preparing for the Job Search

Preparation is key when looking for your first job. This includes creating a compelling resume, honing interview skills, and building a professional network.

Crafting a Strong Resume and Cover Letter

• Highlight Educational Achievements: Detail your degree, relevant coursework, and academic projects.
• Showcase Universal Skills: Include leadership roles, ability to work in a team, and troubleshooting skills attained through personal pursuits.
• Customize Your Application: Individualize your resume and cover letter for each job application, concentrating on how your talents ally with the job requirements.

Expanding Your Network

Networking can be a formidable tool in job search. Take part in industry events, join professional societies, and make use of professional networks like LinkedIn to link up with professionals in your aspired field.

Gaining Relevant Experience

Consider internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs related to your field of interest. This can provide valuable experience and make your application more attractive to potential employers.

Strategies for Job Hunting

Knowing how to get a job as a student requires a mix of proactive searching and utilizing available resources.

Utilize University Career Services

Many universities supply career support to help scholars prepare for the labor market. These services could consist of resume reviews, job expos, and classes on interview strategies.

Search on Multiple Platforms

Don't prefer one platform for your job search. Check out the job boards, company websites, and social media to find the opportunities. Refine your search by using filters to identify the job openings that are applicable to your qualifications and interests.

Consider Internships and Part-Time Work

Gaining experience through traineeships or temporary employment can be priceless. These roles can lead to full-time employment and help grow your professional relationships.

Applying for Jobs

The application process can be challenging, especially for those applying for a job with no experience. Here are some tips to increase your chances of success.

Tailor Your Applications

Readjust your previous resume and cover letter to fit each particular job you apply for. Present an overview of the categories of skills and experience that can be used as evidence to show that you are an ideal choice for the role. It's also a wise move to include a few keywords or phrases from the job specification in your resume to seize an employer's interest and raise your odds of getting hired.

Apply Even If You Don't Meet All Requirements

Don't lose hope if you don't meet each requirement listed in a job listing. Employers commonly specify preferred qualifications but are open to considering applicants who meet the main part of the criteria. Displaying a readiness to learn and industriousness can sometimes offset the absence of particular experiences.

Follow Application Instructions Carefully

Verify that you follow all application instructions, including delivering all necessary documents and information. Scrupulousness can make a favorable impression on future employers. Besides, a properly followed application procedure shows your proficiency in following instructions and your admiration for the employer's recruitment process.

Create your Europass CV

The Europass CV builder makes it easy to create your CV online. You can use it to apply for a job, education or training opportunities as well as volunteering.

The best-known CV format in Europe

The Europass CV is one of the best-known CV formats in Europe. It is easy-to-use and familiar to employers and education institutions.

You will first have to create your Europass profile with information on your education, training, work experience and skills. After you complete your Europass profile, you can create as many CVs as you want with just a few clicks. Just select which information you want to include, pick your favourite design and Europass will do the rest. 

You can create, store and share CVs in 31 languages . You can download your Europass CV, store it in your Europass Library share it with employers, with  EURES  or other job boards.

How to create a good CV

Remember that your CV is your first opportunity to communicate your skills and experiences to a future employer. It is a snapshot of who you are, your skills, your educational background, work experiences and other achievements.

Present your experience clearly

Highlight examples of your skills and experiences matching the job you are applying for. Pay close attention to the details published in the vacancy notice.

Tailor your CV

Make sure you update the ‘About Me’ section to highlight why you are the best person for the job. Do not include a full detailed history. Focus on facts and main points that match the job you have in mind.

Make it readable

Make sure your CV is easy to read. Use clear and simple language.  Use strong verbs (e.g. ‘managed’, ‘developed’, ‘increased’).

Use reverse chronological order

Always list the most recent experience on the top followed by previous ones. In case of long gaps in working or learning, include an explanation.

Polish and fine-tune

Check for spelling and grammar mistakes, provide a professional e-mail address, and add a professional photograph of yourself.

Your Europass profile

Your Europass profile is the place to keep a record of all your skills, qualifications and experiences. If you keep your Europass profile up-to-date then you will always have all the information you need to create tailored CVs and job applications quickly.

Good luck with your applications!

Find support through EU services

Eures the european job mobility portal, working abroad in other eu countries, education and training in other eu countries, you may be interested to read.

Create your Europass Cover Letter

Develop your skills through volunteering

Managing your personal information in Europass

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