Understanding the Purpose of a Cover Letter

Are you still wondering,”What is the purpose of a cover letter?” Think of it as the first thing an admissions committee, recruiter, or potential employer sees whenever they look at a candidate’s application. Therefore, it is important this letter clearly highlights your credentials – skills, qualifications, and experience – in respect of the place or position being applied for.

A good cover letter has the power to determine whether the applicant gets called to interview or not.

How to Write an Excellent Cover Letter with No Experience

Format

 So,cover letter vs resume – what is the difference? In truth, both documents are much the same and the terms are often used interchangeably. Cover letters are professionally-written documents sent along with a resume or CV. Hence, they should be written in the style and format of a business letter.

Make sure the font in your cover letter is legible and corresponds with the font used in your CV to enable potential employers to quickly see the information they are looking for. The best fonts are Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman or Verdana. Word art or images are not recommended in this type of letter.

Length of a Cover Letter

 It is true indeed cover letter applications should not put an employer looking at a whole block of text when scanning an application. Therefore, stick to a page while three to five brief paragraphs are perfect. A survey of employers recently found:

• One full page was preferred by19%
• A half-page was preferred by 46%
• Shorter letters were preferred by 24%
• 11% expressed no particular preference.

So, as this shows shorter cover letters are clearly preferred!

What a cover letter should include

 Heading: Begin by providing the following contact information for both yourself and the person/company you are addressing:

• First Name and Surname
• Address (Street Name)
• Name of Town/City
• Post or Zip code
• Telephone Number
• Email Address(es)

Opening salutation: Dear Sir/Madam/Mr/Mrs/Ms and the person’s surname.

Introductory section: Whether writing a cover letter with no experience or with experience, use this paragraph to let readers know the purpose of your letter i.e. introduce yourself, say what the application is for, and state your aim/objective.

Paragraph two: Say what makes you want to work for the business or company you are applying for and mention any passion or knowledge you possess for this type of business/industry.

Paragraph three: Draw attention to any relevant qualifications, skills, or experience you have (described on your attached CV). List any other qualifications or strengths that might be relevant.

Conclude or close your letter: Use this last paragraph to bring your letter to a smooth end by reminding the reader about your main qualifications and skills and say how these fit the job description. Thank the reader for giving you their valuable time and say you are looking forward to their reply.

Write Your Cover Letter Fast

Writing a cover letter is usually perceived as a daunting and time-consuming task because it is the type of paper, which students barely understand how to complete. A good cover letter will help you get the desired job and salary. If you do not know how to get started, you are definitely in the right place. We will help you manage cover letter writing, without wasting much time and energy.

Every resume cover letter should be based on a specific format. No matter which template you try to follow, the beginning should be the same. Include valid details about your location (address) and phone number. If you are going to send your letter in the electronic form, there is no need to put a signature at the end of the document.

The beginning of your cover letter should grab readers’ attention, so it is vital to include some interesting details. If you check any cover letter format, you will see the same pieces of advice on how to begin your writing. Our recommendation will be to be different. Your opening paragraph should include something new and fresh, so that your employer will see that you are not afraid to experiment and are committed to success. Be creative and think about possible ideas that will surprise your potential employer.

Introduction

Writing a cover letter is similar to writing an essay because the structure basically remains the same. In your introduction, you should briefly describe your intentions (why you want to apply for this job position). You should also mention a couple of facts about the company, which will show that you carried out your own research about the possible place of employment. If you prove that you are well-aware of how an organization works, the employer will definitely think that you stand out from the rest of applicants.

Main Body

A good cover letter should have an extraordinary main body section. Your goal is to carefully explain that you are better than others, be it one candidate or hundreds. While writing about an open job position, employers usually write about key qualifications that a candidate should have. Check carefully all information on the company website and determine the keywords, which will be the basis of your paper. You should indicate your abilities and skills, as well as hands-on experience that will help you cope with work responsibilities.

Conclusion

Any cover letter tips will state the same – your conclusion should not enumerate the same key points from the discussion, but focus on your intention to arrange a meeting with a company representative for an interview. Finish your cover letter with words like “Looking forward to…” or “Sincerely…” that will show your willingness to cooperate in future.

Main Difference between Cover Letter and Resume

Why are cover letters needed and how many words should a cover letter be?

Cover letters give potential employers a quick overview of why the writer is suited to a particular role. It is a chance to show why and how you match the described criteria without the reader having to look at your enclosed CV.

The different parts of a cover letter are important and should be used prudently. This is because the vetting process is usually extremely competitive so these letters are a chance to get the reader’s attention straightaway. In the absence of a cover letter, potential employers and recruiters often discard unaccompanied resumes or CVs.

Should the same cover letter be used for all applications?

While there is a difference between cover letter and resume documents, cover letters are quite special and should not be used generically for numerous applications. Avoid such phrases as “I am Mr/Ms ___, and I would like to apply for the role of ___.”This just bores the reader and they are more likely to choose a more exciting and original-sounding applicant.

Tips from Original-Essays.org for Writing Cover Letters

Here is a type of cover letter template for you to use:

1. Keep your letter short and to the point, be brief and concise. You need not create an autobiography since potential employers prefer a skills and experience summary. Leave out fancy language and surplus detail. Keep to what readers want e.g.:

• What makes you want a particular position/place
• Your qualifications for the position/place.

2. Cover letters should be tailored. When you sit down to create cover letter documents,do not be afraid to leave out qualifications or experience that are not relevant to a specific role. Tailor your letter. Emphasize any skills, qualifications, and/or experience that fit with a particular position e.g. if you are targeting an editorial or retail position. Just remember that instead of writing a standard cover letter, it is essential to tailor your writing for each position and to mention any previous relevant achievements.
3. Write unique cover letters. This point about a cover letter for resume or application purposes is similar to tailoring a letter but goes a bit further. Avoid the generic opening lines described earlier. Readers just find this boring and it can get you overlooked. Therefore, your aim should be to show you have put effort into your letter, which will be appreciated. Write in an assertive manner. Do not just write about you, talk about the company and the role e.g. show you know about the company, the position, why it appeals to you, etc.
4. Use professional language. If you already know how to write a great cover letter, you will know that an overly-casual tone is best avoided. Do not use local slang, jargon, colloquialisms. Your language should be appealing, not confusing. Use terms that are concise and clear and keep the tone professional and formal (without being overly-formal to the point of hiding your enthusiastic personality). Choose appropriate vocabulary that will not reflect your lack of confidence. Do not use such words as “possibly, presumably, I suppose,” etc.
5. Make sure there are no mistakes. Whether you ask someone else to”make my cover letter” or write your own, be sure to proofread it over carefully. Get someone else to read it too since they might find something you have missed. An application can be harmed by obvious grammar and spelling mistakes where the writer might otherwise be an ideal candidate.
6. Cover the basics. If you do not know how to format a cover letter, ask for help. In addition, while it might seem obvious, make sure you include correct contact information, e.g., your phone number, postal address, and email address. It is, however, recommended you leave out gender, marital status, and age. These details should not influence an application.
7. Do not send an unclear and boring cover letter.
8. Do not stress out what salary you would like to get and what office location is the best for you.
9. Mention details, like advantages, that will company get from your employment.
10. State your career expectations. If you do not do it, your potential employer will put back your cover letter.
11. Do not talk much about your weaknesses (or do not talk about them at all). Your task is to prove that you are a better candidate than others.
12. Your cover letter should not include details like your race, religious background, weight, age, height, etc. Do not write about your hobbies as well.

Cover Letter Example 

Advantages of Our Cover Letter Writing Service

These articles can also be useful:

“About Me Essay” Tips500-Word Essay GuideHow to Write a MemoCapstone Project