A cover letter is simply a letter that introduces you to a potential employer. It is defined as a one page document that is sent alongside with your resume when seeking or applying for a job. The basic function of a cover letter is to help you introduce yourself to the hiring manager, argue why you are a good fit for the job and explain things you can do inside your resume. There are lots of ways to write a cover letter, but there is just one way to write the one that lands you the job. In order to write a good cover letter for either a client or an employer, there are specific measures to observe. In this article, I will clearly show you how to write a cover letter that works.
Personalize Your Greeting: Like I explained in “HOW TO WRITE A GOOD SALES PITCH“, nothing gives you an edge like making sure your letter is being addressed to a specific person. Most advertised jobs always come with names in their mail addresses. Most of them that don’t have a name, you can take a step further by going through the company website and getting some information from there. It shows the hiring manager, that you are going an extra mile to get a job you desire.
Personalizing your introduction shows a certain level of seriousness. For example “Dear Mr Zukerberg” instead of “Dear Sir”. In most cases where you can’t find any reasonable information or a top name in the organization, you are free to put in an anonymous name like “Dear Sir”.
See also (FIVE STEPS TO WRITE A PERFECT CV)
Create a super introduction: Your introduction should answer the “Can I Know You” question. This first paragraph should answer the question, in relation to the job you are applying for. Simply write about what you wish to achieve with the letter, your qualifications if it is actually related to the job being applied for. If it isn’t related to the qualifications needed, do well to avoid inserting it into the cover letter.
E.g. “I have three years of cognitive experience in business development as a marketing executive in Facebook and Google+ firms. I believe I can be utilized as a marketing executive in Starbucks group of companies.”
In order to write a good cover letter, you should learn to keep your introduction short, simple and straight to the point. Writing your former job experience with respect to how it can help the company, will show the recruiter that you have the experience needed to do the job with ease.
Explain Your Abilities/Achievements: In the next paragraph, you are expected to list the abilities and skills that make you special. Be sure to list them all with respect to the skills that are in the job requirements. Just writing any ability you think you have might sound great to you, but sound off to the hiring manager. It is advisable to stick to the hiring manager’s skills requirements when listing out the skills you possess. In writing a good cover letter, it is also imperative to show some of the achievements you have made over the past few years or in life generally. If you are yet to achieve something, you can draw up a short life achievement that relates to the Job applied for.
“I have great coordination skills because over the past three years, I have been the social coordinator of my small group in church and together we have achieved a lot of things”. So for many skills you need to write about, always summarize it with examples. It helps to show that they aren’t just imaginary skills.
Create a call to action: Always tell the hiring manager your next move. Make him know you want the job, and it puts you in a great position for an invite.
“I will be pleased to have an interview, to enable me show you what I have to offer first-hand.” Then you thank them and end straight away.
Don’ts of a cover letter
Use a small font
Write anything outside job requirements
Submit without proofreading
Submit without a “call to action”
Do’s of a cover letter
Maintain a uniform alignment throughout
Describe how your previous experience will help in the current job and the company itself
List only your positive sides
Keep it short, simple and straight to the point.
Make sure your cover letter tallies with your resume.
- Learn when to use “I” and “WE”
Be boastful as much as possible. But always back it up with evidence.
A good cover letter puts you in a position of advantage. Learning how to write a good cover letter either as a freelance writer or a job seeker is what you need. For more sample cover letter, do well to comment below and request for one. Thanks.
Obinwanne Umunna
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latif suleiman
i need help on how to apply in a firm for technicien of phone in a company.i will be glad if i get more hints from u
Obinwanne Umunna
Please send a mail to umunnaobinwanne@yahoo.com. Tell me your qualifications and send your resume. I will draft out a Cover letter for you. Thanks for coming around.
Emmanuel
This is really an insight.. Thanks so much..
Please can you help me draft a good cover letter, and possibly help me put my C. V in order.
Thanks in anticipation for a positive responds soon.
Obinwanne Umunna
Send a mail to umunnaobinwanne@yahoo.com. I will treat your order as soon as possible. Thanks.
bolaji
This is quite helpful. Thank you
Obinwanne Umunna
Thank you too. You can also subscribe to our bog and like our Facebook page.
Ugo daniel
Can u help me with one n send it into box. Thanks.
Obinwanne Umunna
I will be Glad to help. Please expect it in your mail box anytime from now. Thanks. You can also subscribe to our blog and like our Facebook page.
Kunle Oduwole
hello,really appreciate your tips about the cover letters,can I forward you my resume ,I would like you to help out in editing it and give it a professional look..
Obinwanne Umunna
Absolutely. I will be so glad to help out. Send to umunnaobinwanne@yahoo.com.
Wilikie Efe
Good morning Sir, ur tips are quite helpful,
Wilikie Efe
Good morning Sir, ur tips are quite helpful, pls can u send me a sample of cover letter
hgusur
thank sir. indeed helpful to job seekers and the employed.
Obinwanne Umunna
Thanks alot. Hope you subscribe to our blog and get exciting updates.
PETERS DANIEL
Its really a great and very educating write-up. Kudos!!!
Obinwanne Umunna
Thank You so much. You can subscribe and get our newsletter delivered to your mail box. Thanks.
chinedu
good work, please i need a cover letter sample
william
Good job, please can you help me with CV re-write and a cover letter.
Obinwanne Umunna
Please send a mail to umunnaobinwanne@yahoo.com. Thanks for reading.
Osagie
Please can you send me a sample of a cover letter ? Sleekyhead @yahoo.com
Obinwanne Umunna
Thanks so much for your request. I will send you a sample. But do well to edit it in line with what you have read and learnt from this website. Recruiters are humans also… and they all have weak points. Expect it soon.
karl
Dear Obinwanne, thank you so much for post, it’s of great benefit to me. Please do me well by sending more samples of cover letters and letters of introduction to my box.
Thank you.
Obinwanne Umunna
I will construct one for you. You will receive it by tomorrow. Thanks for reading.
Fedrick
Well written article bro, kudos to you. I need your help on cover letter and i will be glad if you can edit my CV too.
Obinwanne Umunna
Thanks for the kind words. I have lots of orders from people already. In other not to disappoint… I will love to treat it in batches. so you will promise to be patient.
Send me a mail at umunnaobinwanne@yahoo.com
Fedrick
Of course i will be patient, who am i not to be.
precious
Good write-up, can u help me with cover letter and introduction letter? Need to forward them tomorrow. Thanks nwannem!
Obinwanne Umunna
Please send a mail to umunnaobinwanne@yahoo.com
Victor
Thank you for a job well done. Your tips are very essential to job seekers like me.
Please, I would love to get a sample cover letter from you. I am not certain about the best/right way to write the address in a cover letter, especially if the application is via e-mail. Thank you.
Ola Ridwan
it’s a pleasure seeing you helping others.I will not want to be exceeded. Please I’m applying for an “assistant revenue officer(tax audit / investigation)” I’m need of a killer cover letter. Thanks in anticipation as I forward my resume to you email above. Thanks man
Julianah
this is full of insight. I thump up to this
Julianah
whao. I thump up to this.
panden peter
This is very nice of you. Keep it up, I believed is helping many people to get job.
However, I am requesting for one simple example of the cover letter.
Thank you. GOD bless you.
Chuks
Thanks for the information you ve given, am so impressed cos I have learnt a lot from there. Pls i will also need ur help. Can u send me a copy of d cover letter and C V, I know u already have a lot of requests. Pls help me out. Thanks and God bless
Obinwanne Umunna
No probs. It is all for our benefits.
dewuzz
Am glad to come across this, wouldn’t mind if i could see samples sir
Kelvin
Great write up. This really an eye opener. I wouldn’t mind getting a sample cover letter and cv from you sir.
Olanrewaju Azeez
Hi bro!
I’d like U 2 help me with my c.v & cover letter.
How can i forward it 2 u?
Thanks.
Emmanuel Torosei
Nice one.
Thanks for the hint and I love to have more details on cover letter.
thank you
Famodimu Kehinde Ayomide
please help me with format of a cover letter and a resume letter
Ochasky
Hello sir, please can I send in my CV and cover letter for review as a new year gift from you?
Thanks for the cover letter enlightening.
johnelvis
Nice job. ..keep the good work