How to Write a Cover Letter That Grabs Attention
To write a cover letter that grabs attention, you need to personalize your letter, and make it short and direct; one page is better. Start and end your letter confidently, emphasize your value, express your genuine interest in the firm’s growth, and provide practical ways your skills will benefit the firm. Don’t forget to proofread and edit.
Cover letters are boring! You are meant to sound professional, confident, and authentic, sell yourself in the most appealing manner yet maintain a balance so you don’t come off as being cocky, sassy, or cheeky.
Every job seeker knows how important a cover letter is. You are not just writing to express yourself or air your views, but describing your skills in a way that makes you valuable and irresistible to any firm.
No matter how good your resume is, your cover letter could determine if you will be invited for an interview. This sounds scary!
You might have the perfect skill set that the company needs, but end up with no invitation, simply because you didn’t string the right words in your cover letters. Whether you are writing a cover letter for a job application or an internship, you need to learn how to do it right.
Avoid having your letters tossed into the bin by learning the best ways to write a cover letter that grabs the reader's attention.
What is a Cover Letter?
A cover letter is a personalized document you accompany with your resume when applying for a job. This document briefly explains who you are, what you do, and why you should be considered the best choice for the job.
It is important to mention that while your resume lists your qualifications, a cover letter highlights your skills, and details your experiences and motivation for the job, in a way that explains why you are the perfect fit for the role you are applying for.
More importantly, a cover letter is incomplete until you explain how your skills can contribute to the company’s success. This implies connecting the dots between your achievements and the company’s needs, showcasing your value in a way that’s both professional and persuasive.
Cover letters are more than just first impression notes. Treat them as a personalized sales pitch that requires you to make a strong case why you should be invited for an interview.
How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?
A cover letter should be no longer one page, within the ideal length of 250 to 400 words. A good cover letter shouldn’t be bulky, but detailed enough to provide every key detail about your qualification without overwhelming the reader.
You must remember that most hiring managers scan through cover letters as there are too many letters to read. Hence, you must make your letter as brief as possible, ensuring that you capture the attention of the reader quickly while effectively communicating your skills, achievements, and values.
What is the Purpose of a Cover Letter?
The primary purpose of a cover letter is to introduce yourself to a potential employer, explaining why you are the best candidate for the job. A cover letter connects the gap between the listed qualifications on your resume, connecting them to the specific requirements of your intended role. This means that every good resume cover letter must;
1. Highlight your relevant skills, explaining how your experience aligns with the job description
2. Indicate that you are genuinely interested in the role, and you are optimistic about bringing growth to the company
3. Explain your value and demonstrate your communication skill
A cover letter is not just about listing qualifications. It is your opportunity to tell a professional story about yourself, connecting your background with the value that you are bringing to the company.
What to Include in a Cover Letter?
There are quite some important details that you must include in a cover letter, to present yourself as a strong candidate. These important details include;
1. Your Contact Information
Written at the top corner of the letter. You can align it to the top right corner of the letter or simply design it to fit in your header. Your contact information must include your full name, address, phone number, email address, and date (the letter was written and sent).
2. Recipient Contact Information
This is positioned below your contact information, but aligned to the top left corner. This is where you will add the hiring manager's name, title, company, and address if available.
3. Salutation
Depending on who you are addressing the letter to, the hiring manager, or sales manager, address the letter directly to them; “Dear John Doe”. If their name is not available, you can use Dear + “Job Title”. For instance; Dear Hiring Manager.
In some cases, you can simply use Dear Sir or Dear Ma. Do not ever use “To whom it may concern”
4. Application Heading
An application heading that read “Application for the role (or position) of [Job Title]” is the next thing you should add to your cover letter, just under your salutation.
You should include it in this manner:
Hiring Manager’s Name, Hiring Manager’s Title
Company Name
Company Address
Dear John Doe,
Application for the Role of the Marketing Manager
Application Headings are usually not compulsory for all job applications, but you can include them for clarity.
5. Opening Paragraph
After the application heading, your first paragraph should feature a strong introduction that grabs attention. Mention the role you’re applying for, how you discovered it, and a summary of why you’re an excellent fit.
At the end of the opening paragraph, don’t forget to mention how enthusiastic you are to contribute to the company’s growth or how you will leverage your skills to achieve great results for them. If you are writing a cover letter for an internship, your opening paragraph should indicate that and why you should be accepted as an intern.
6. Body Paragraph
This is where you should sell yourself as the best fit for the role. Start by highlighting your relevant skills and experiences. Mention previous roles that you have occupied in different firms, showing what you did for them and how you did it. Ensure that the skills and achievements you mention align with what your intended job requires.
End your body paragraph by explaining how passionate you are about the position, and how you believe in the company’s mission.
7. Closing Paragraph
In the closing paragraph, reiterate your interest in the role and how you can contribute to the company. Ensure you mention how your skills will address certain needs of the company and politely include a call to action (CTA). This can include offering to provide additional information on a free tip you offered the company, or being open to an interview.
8. Sign-off
Use a professional closing such as “Yours Sincerely” or “Yours Faithfully,” followed by your full name. Use “Yours Faithfully” if you do not personally know the person to whom the letter is addressed, or you used “Dear Sir/Madam” in your salutation.
You can use “Yours Sincerely” if you know the person, at least by name, or you used “Dear [name in the salutation]” like, Dear Mr. Joe in the salutation.
If you are submitting a physical copy, ensure to leave space for your signature above your printed name.
How to Write a Cover Letter that Stands Out
Always assume that there are hundreds of cover letters that the hiring manager will attend to, hence, you need to find a way to make your letter stand out from the crowd.
Here are ten practical ways to make your cover letter stand out from the crowd:
1. Personalize
One of the first ways to write a cover letter that stands out is to personalize your letter. Breathe life into the letter, and let the reader understand that you are addressing them personally.
Research who receives application letters for the company, get their names and address them by their names in your salutation. Personalization might sound too little a detail, but it shows that you did your homework about the firm and you are genuinely interested in the position and the company.
2. Start with a Strong Hook
The opening paragraph of your cover letter is your first chance to grab the attention of the reader. Instead of just focusing on explaining how you’re interested in the role, begin with a compelling statement about why you are excited about the role and how your skills align perfectly with the company’s needs. You need to make your opening paragraph engaging and specific to the company and industry.
3. Focus on Value, not just experience
The first step to writing a cover letter that stands out is understanding that it is not about explaining that you are the best, but proving that your unique experiences and strengths will contribute to the company’s success. You need to show that you are the candidate that the company has been looking for.
You can make it practical by mentioning some loopholes in the company’s system and suggesting impacts that you wish to make in those areas. To sound realistic, you need to use concrete examples of what you have done in your previous roles. If you have solved some problems in the past, there is a greater chance for them to believe that you can do it again.
4. Show enthusiasm and passion
Any smart recruiter can read enthusiasm and passion from texts, and they will always prefer hiring candidates who are genuinely excited about the role. Emphasize your passion for the job and how you believe in the company’s mission.
You need to do more than what any regular candidate will do; tell them that you are interested in the job. Let the company know how long you’ve studied their systems, and how much change you’re looking at bringing to them.
5. Keep it simple; less bulky texts, straight-to-the-point contexts
A good cover letter shouldn’t be more than one page, no longer than 400 words and you should be able to express your point in these few words. Be clear and straight to the point.
Focus on only the most important information. Avoid fluffy texts!
Don’t repeat words, avoid irrelevant details. Hiring managers appreciate clarity and brevity. Prove to them that you are articulate without being noisy.
6. More Active Voice than passive
Use strong action verbs to communicate your words. Instead of using “a content strategy that resulted in a 45% increase in website traffic in six months was developed and implemented by my team and me” use "I led a team of five to develop and implement a content strategy that increased website traffic by 45% in six months.”
This shows confidence and you will sound impactful.
7. Tailored to the job role
Do not use generic languages for your cover letters. Ensure that each cover letter is specific to an application.
Your qualifications must align with the company’s requirements, and your choice of words must align too. Speak the language of the company!
8. Prove not Tell
Every applicant will focus on telling the employer how good they are, you need to show them how good you are. You can do this in different ways.
Start by showing them specific examples of what you’ve done before. Make sure your achievements are verifiable and the claims are related to the needs of the role you are applying for.
Don’t just highlight your experience, also include challenges that you experienced while trying to accomplish those.
9. End with a Call to Action
Don’t end your cover letter just like that. Politely make a request. Indicate you will be interested in an interview.
If you mentioned some free tips for the company while selling your skills, like a social media campaign strategy, indicate that you are open to further discussion. Show the firm that you are eager to discuss ways to improve operations.
10. Proofread and edit
Proofread your cover letter to avoid spelling and grammar mistakes. Ensure that the letter is professional, not bulky and polished.
Finally, to write a cover letter that stands out, you have to divide your letter into three important segments; intro, body, and closure. Make sure that each of these sections is structured to capture the reader’s attention.
How to Start a Cover Letter
How you start your cover letter will determine if the hiring manager will read through all that you have to say.
Here are key points on how to start a cover letter, especially if you wish to stand out:
1. Personalize your letter greeting by addressing the hiring manager by name
2. Start your opening paragraph with a hook
3. Mention how you heard about the role. Referrals help too
4. Show enthusiasm about the role
5. Highlight how fit you are for the role
The Body of Your Cover Letter
The body of your cover letter is where you present a strong case, to prove that you are the best candidate for the job. You need to connect your skills, experience, and achievements to align with the employer’s needs, the job description, and the goals of the company.
These are key points that you should include in the body of your cover letter:
1. First Paragraph: Why you are interested in the role
2. Second Paragraph: Why you are qualified
3. Third paragraph: How you’ll contribute to the growth of the company
How to End a Cover Letter
How you end a cover letter is just as important as how you started it. You’ve captured the attention of the manager to this point, now is the time to leave some thoughts for action in the mind of the reader.
You can include a call to action, persuade them to invite you to an interview or they should reach out for clarity on some suggestions you made.
Here are key details that you must include when you are ending a cover letter:
1. Reaffirm your enthusiasm for the role
2. Include your CTAs
3. Express Gratitude
4. Sign-off Professionally
Cover Letter Format
So far, you’ve learned how to write great cover letters. We believe you will do better if you can see some good cover letter templates. Understanding the basic elements of a cover letter format will help you create better letters.
Here is a cover letter format that you can quickly edit for your next job offer:
Your full name
Address
Phone number
Email address
Date
Hiring manager’s name, Role
Company name
Company address
Salutation,
Application Heading (if Necessary)
Opening Paragraph
First Paragraph: Why you are interested in the role
Second Paragraph: Why you are qualified
Third paragraph: How you’ll contribute to the growth of the company
Body Paragraph
First Paragraph: Why you are interested in the role
Second Paragraph: Why you are qualified
Third paragraph: How you’ll contribute to the growth of the company
Closing Paragraph
“Thank you for considering my application. I would be delighted to discuss how my skills align with your needs. Please feel free to contact me anytime to discuss how I can help develop a content strategy for the firm, one that focuses on driving organic traffic through the keyword research strategy that I mentioned earlier.”
Closing Sign-Off
Yours Faithfully or Yours Sincerely,
Your Name.
[Space for Signature, if physical copy is needed]
Best Cover Letter Examples
Below is an example of a professional and engaging cover letter, highlighting all necessary elements that you need to consider to make your cover letter stand out.
Flora Benjamin
123 Milky Street
City, State, ZIP Code
flora.ben@bestexample.com
(123) 456-789
November 15, 2024
John Clark, Hiring Manager
DEX Industries
456 Washington Avenue
City, State, ZIP Code
Dear Clark,
I am excited to apply for the Marketing Specialist position at DEX Industries. With a strong background in digital marketing and a passion for creating impactful campaigns, I am eager to bring my skills and creativity to your innovative team.
In my previous role as a Digital Marketing Coordinator at HEXAFRIQUE LTD, I successfully increased our website's organic traffic by 40% within six months through a targeted content strategy and SEO optimization. I figured out how to identify keywords with low keyword difficulty and produce content around them, aiming to rank articles on Google's front page, knowing fully well that people would visit the website if those published articles could solve their problems. And, it worked!
Additionally, I spearheaded a social media campaign that boosted engagement by 60%, resulting in a 15% increase in lead conversions. While the results weren’t uniform across all social media platforms, I understood the algorithm of these systems, developing tailored strategies that worked for each of them.
Beyond my technical skills, I am drawn to DEX Industries’ commitment to sustainable marketing practices. Your recent campaign promoting eco-friendly packaging resonated with me, and I am excited about contributing to future projects that align with my values of environmental responsibility and innovation.
I am confident that my expertise in digital marketing, combined with my enthusiasm for your mission, will make me a valuable addition to your team. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my skills can contribute to ABC Corporation’s continued success. Please feel free to contact me at (123) 456-789 or flora.ben@bestexample.com to arrange an interview.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of joining your team and contributing to your exciting initiatives.
Sincerely,
Flora Benjamin
FAQs
What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is a personalized document that introduces you to an employer, explaining why you are interested in the job, your qualifications, and why you are the best fit for the job.
How long should a cover letter be?
The typical length for a cover letter is one page or 250 – 400 words.
What to include in a cover letter?
Some important details that you should include in a cover letter include your introduction, qualifications, intent, achievements, passion for the role, closing paragraph, and a sign-off.
How to start a cover letter?
You need to start a cover letter with your contact details (sender) and those of the company that you are sending to (recipient). Salutation follows, then your opening paragraph, body, and closing paragraph.
How to address a cover letter?
To address a cover letter, you need to use a formal salutation followed by the name of the hiring manager, Dear [Name of Hiring Manager]. Or, you can simply use Dear Sir/madam.
Who to address the cover letter to?
You address a cover letter to the person receiving it for the company. This could be the hiring manager, the recruiter, the sales manager, or anyone in charge of recruitment.
What does a cover letter look like?
A cover letter looks like a sales pitch, but in this sense, it follows the following format; Contact details, salutation, introduction, body, closing.
How to write a cover letter for an internship?
To write a cover letter for an internship, you need to highlight your relevant skills, academic experiences, or any volunteer work that you’ve done that aligns with the internship role that you are applying for. You don’t need to mention any prior work experience as an intern. Present yourself in a way that shows even though you are coming as an intern, you will still be valuable to the firm.
Conclusion
It is already clear that your resume is not the only thing you need to get a job. You need not just any “cover letter for resume” but one that speaks clearly to the mind of the recruiter, presenting you in a way that aligns with the company’s goals.
Writing a cover might sound a little too complex, but it all starts with a good command of the English Language. If you master the art of fluency with the language, coming up with cover letters that sells you in the most professional way wouldn’t be too much of a problem.
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