Savanna Hoffman
A cover letter is a document that accompanies your resume when applying for a job. It is your opportunity to showcase your knowledge of the organization and highlight relevant skills. It is important to research the company and position you are applying for in order to tailor your cover letter accordingly. This will help you stand out from other applicants and demonstrate your interest in the role. When writing a cover letter, it is crucial to include your most pertinent information, such as your name, the role you are applying for, and your relevant experience. Additionally, you should emphasize your strongest characteristics and provide specific examples of your accomplishments. The cover letter should also be well-formatted and free of errors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Format | Use a standard format like a professional letter. Most word processing programs have templates for this. |
| Length | Aim for one page. |
| File type | Save as a PDF to ensure formatting consistency. |
| File name | Keep it professional, including your name and the position you're applying for. |
| Address the hiring manager | Address the hiring manager by name. |
| Introduction | Introduce yourself, the role you're applying for, and why you want it. |
| Research | Show that you've researched the company and the role, and explain how your skills and background relate to the company and role. |
| Unique selling points | Describe your unique abilities, experiences, and qualifications, and how they make you a great fit for the role. |
| Achievements | Include your achievements and qualifications, using specific examples. |
| Call to action | Include a call to action. |
| Signature | Include your signature. |
| Contact details | Include contact details that match your resume. |
| Service work | Include any service work, such as serving on committees or doing community outreach. |
| Examples of your work | Include examples of your work, such as articles or multimedia projects. |
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What You'll Learn
Understanding the company and role
Paragraph 1: Understanding the Company
Firstly, it is essential to research the company thoroughly. Visit their website, social media pages, and LinkedIn profile to gather information about their mission, values, and recent projects or achievements. This demonstrates your interest in the company and shows that you have gone beyond merely responding to a job advertisement. Understanding the company's culture and values will also help you articulate why you are a good fit for their team.
Paragraph 2: Analysing the Job Description
Carefully read and analyse the job description to identify the specific skills, qualifications, and traits the employer is seeking. Highlight any keywords or phrases that are repeatedly mentioned, as these are likely to be considered important by the hiring manager. For example, if the job description emphasises "strong communication skills," be sure to showcase your communication abilities in your cover letter.
Paragraph 3: Understanding the Role
Beyond understanding the company, delve into the specific role you are applying for. What are the day-to-day responsibilities? What challenges might you face in this position? Understanding the role will help you tailor your cover letter to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the job's requirements.
Paragraph 4: Company Needs and Trajectory
Consider the company's immediate needs and future trajectory. Are they expanding into new markets? Are they facing specific industry challenges? Understanding their current situation will allow you to position yourself as a solution to their problems. For example, if the company is emphasising sustainability initiatives, highlight how your research or academic projects have contributed to environmental causes.
Paragraph 5: Company Culture
Learn about the company's culture and values. Is it a formal, corporate environment, or do they foster a more casual and creative atmosphere? Understanding the company culture will help you determine how to present your skills and experiences in a way that aligns with their values. It will also give you insight into whether this is a workplace where you will thrive and be happy.
Paragraph 6: Ask Questions
If you have connections or know anyone within the company, reach out and ask questions about their experiences working there. This insider perspective can provide valuable insights into the company's culture, expectations, and whether it is a good fit for your career goals.
Remember, the key to this section is to demonstrate your knowledge of the company and the role, showing that you have gone beyond a superficial application and are genuinely interested in contributing to their organisation.
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Researching the company
Understand the Company's Culture and Values:
Go beyond the company's website and explore other sources such as LinkedIn, alumni networks, or even personal contacts who may have insights into the company's culture. This will help you gain a deeper understanding of the company's values, work environment, and employee expectations.
Identify the Company's Objectives and Needs:
Review the job description carefully to identify the specific skills, qualifications, and traits the company is seeking. Consider how your background, experiences, and abilities can contribute to the company's goals and help address their current needs. Look for any keywords or phrases that the company emphasizes and ensure your letter reflects a clear understanding of these.
Analyze the Company's Products/Services and Industry:
Familiarize yourself with the company's products, services, and market position. Understand the industry trends and challenges the company may be facing. This knowledge will demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm for the company and the specific role.
Evaluate Company Size and Structure:
Consider the size of the company and its organizational structure. A small startup may offer different opportunities and expectations than a large corporation. Understanding the company's size can help you tailor your letter to highlight relevant experiences, whether it's working in a collaborative team environment or adapting to dynamic startup cultures.
Research Company Achievements and Recent News:
Stay up to date with the company's recent achievements, awards, or milestones. This demonstrates your keen interest in the company and may provide valuable insights into their current projects and future direction. Additionally, being aware of any recent news or developments can help you better articulate how you can contribute to their continued success.
Remember, researching the company is essential to tailoring your cover letter effectively. It shows your enthusiasm and commitment and helps you highlight specific reasons why you are a strong fit for the role and the organization.
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Showcasing your skills and experiences
When writing a cover letter as a university student, it's essential to showcase your skills and experiences relevant to the position you're applying for. This section of your cover letter should be detailed and persuasive, demonstrating your unique ability to contribute to the organisation. Here are some tips to help you effectively showcase your skills and experiences:
Understand the Position and Organisation:
Before writing about your skills and experiences, thoroughly research the company and the specific job you're applying for. Understand the organisation's culture and objectives, and any challenges they may be facing. By demonstrating your knowledge of the company and the role, you can better articulate how your skills and experiences align with their needs.
Highlight Relevant Skills:
Review the job listing carefully and identify the specific skills and qualifications they are seeking. Highlight the skills you possess that are most relevant to the position. For example, if they emphasise "strong research skills" in the job description, be sure to emphasise your research capabilities and provide specific examples or achievements related to research.
Tell Your Story:
Use your cover letter as an opportunity to tell your story and describe how your academic, work, volunteer, or co-curricular experiences have equipped you with the skills needed for the role. Share brief but specific anecdotes or stories that showcase your abilities. For instance, if you're applying for a teaching position, share an anecdote about a time you successfully navigated a challenging concept in the classroom and the strategies you employed.
Emphasise Transferable Skills:
As a university student, you may have limited work experience, but that doesn't mean you lack valuable skills. Emphasise transferable skills gained through your academic pursuits, extracurricular activities, or volunteer work. For example, highlight your written and verbal communication skills, analytical abilities, problem-solving capabilities, or teamwork experiences.
Provide Concrete Examples:
Instead of simply listing your skills, provide concrete examples that illustrate your capabilities. For instance, if you're applying for a position that requires strong organisational skills, share an example of how you successfully organised a campus event or managed multiple deadlines during a busy semester.
Include Academic Achievements:
If you have a high GPA (generally above 3.5) or are a member of honour societies, include this information in your cover letter. Additionally, mention any academic achievements, such as awards, scholarships, or publications that enhance your application.
Remember, the goal is to showcase how your unique set of skills and experiences make you a strong candidate for the position. By providing concrete examples and telling your story, you can effectively demonstrate your ability to contribute to the organisation and increase your chances of standing out to hiring managers.
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Formatting and submitting
A cover letter is a document that accompanies your resume when applying for a position. It is your opportunity to showcase your knowledge of the organisation and highlight relevant skills. The formatting of your cover letter is important, as it is one of the first impressions you will give to your future employer.
Most computer word processing programs, such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs, offer templates to help format your cover letter. The standard format is similar to a professional letter, with a few key differences. Your cover letter should be saved as a PDF file to ensure consistent formatting across different programs and computers. The file name should be professional and include your first and last name, along with the position title.
Cover letters typically follow a similar layout, with a few variations depending on the field. Aim for one full page, but check the norms in your field to see if a longer letter is appropriate. The first paragraph is the most important, as it will determine whether the recruiter will continue reading. Be sure to include your name, the role you are applying for, and why you want the job.
Before submitting your cover letter, re-read it for any errors and ask someone else to proofread it as well. This is especially important for international students or non-native English speakers, who can seek help from a Career Services advisor or their university's Career Center. Following the employer's instructions for submission, whether via email, online application, or traditional mail, is also crucial.
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Including a call to action
A cover letter is a great way to introduce yourself to employers and explain why you are the right candidate for the job. It is also an opportunity to showcase your strengths, experiences, and personality. As a university student, your cover letter should highlight your academic background, skills, and any relevant experiences that make you a strong candidate for the position.
When writing a cover letter, it is important to include a call to action (CTA). A CTA is a powerful way to end your cover letter and leave a strong impression on the hiring manager. It is a clear and concise statement that invites the hiring manager to take action and follow up with you regarding the job opportunity.
- Express enthusiasm and confidence: Use the CTA to showcase your enthusiasm for the role and your confidence in your abilities. This can impress the hiring manager and make them more inclined to consider you for the position.
- Align with the company's values: Visit the company's website to learn about their values, vision, and goals. In your CTA, mention how your values align with theirs. This will help you stand out as a candidate who is a perfect fit for the company culture.
- Include keywords: Review the job description again and identify keywords that describe the required skills and expertise. Try to incorporate these keywords into your CTA to remind the hiring manager that you possess the qualifications they are seeking.
- Suggest a follow-up: Your CTA should politely and assertively suggest a follow-up or an interview. Instead of simply waiting for their response, take the initiative and express your interest in further discussions. For example, you can say, "I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my skills can contribute to your team."
- Provide a reason to follow up: Make your CTA more impactful by giving the hiring manager something to look forward to. For instance, you can mention that you would like to discuss a specific strategy or idea that you previously outlined in your cover letter. This will intrigue them and increase their interest in learning more about your qualifications in person.
Remember, the call to action is your chance to make a lasting impression and motivate the hiring manager to take the next step in considering you for the job. Keep it professional, confident, and aligned with the company's and role's requirements.
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Frequently asked questions
A cover letter is a document that accompanies your resume when applying for a position. It is a form of self-introduction to the employer and an explanation of why you are a good fit for the role.
A cover letter should include an introduction, your relevant skills and experiences, and a call to action. It should showcase your knowledge of the organisation and role, and how your background relates to the position.
The standard format is similar to a professional letter. Most word processing programs have templates to assist with this. It should be well-written, designed, and formatted to attract positive attention. It should also be saved as a PDF to maintain consistency across different programs.
Most cover letters should be around one page in length. It should be long enough to include all the necessary information but also concise and succinct.
A cover letter should be personalised and creative. It should also be formal and professional. It is important to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role and your written communication skills.
