How to Write a Cover Letter That Gets Noticed

Last Modified

Aug 30, 2024

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You’ve finally found it: the perfect job. Your skills and experience align perfectly with the job description’s responsibilities and qualifications, and you’re excited about the company. You’ve already optimized your resume, but now it’s time to write your cover letter.

You want it to sound confident but not arrogant—personal, but not too personal—and striking the right balance can be tricky. Fortunately, this article will give you all the guidance, tips, and examples you need to craft a compelling cover letter that showcases your skills and helps you stand out from the other applicants.

What Is a Cover Letter?

Before writing a solid cover letter, you first need to understand what it is and why it’s important. Let’s break it down.

Cover Letter Definition

A cover letter is a document that applicants submit along with their resume as part of their job application. While your resume provides an overview of your skills and work experience, a cover letter offers a more complete picture of who you are and why you would be a good candidate for the role.

Did you know?

The Atlantic reports that the first job posting to ask for a cover letter appeared in a 1956 edition of the New York Times. The job? Industrial paint chemist at Dutch Boy Paints and applicants had to mail in their résumés.

What is the Purpose of a Cover Letter?

The ultimate goal of a cover letter is to get the hiring manager to move you forward in the hiring process and interview you. It helps accomplish these objectives by:

Providing additional information and context. You can share extra details in a cover letter that don’t fit neatly on your resume, such as explaining gaps in your employment, highlighting specific achievements, or elaborating on particularly relevant skills, interests, or experiences.
Showing your personality. Your resume is all facts and figures, but a cover letter lets your personality shine through. You can share stories and express yourself more conversationally, giving the employer a more well-rounded picture of you.
Conveying your enthusiasm. A resume doesn’t convey a lot of emotion. With a cover letter, you can explain why you’re passionate about the role, what attracts you to the company, and how much you look forward to the opportunity.

Why Is a Cover Letter Important?

They may seem old-school, but cover letters are very beneficial in the hiring process. They can help you:

Set yourself apart from other applicants. In a sea of generic, cookie-cutter cover letters, a personalized cover letter shows a potential employer that you go the extra mile and are genuinely interested in the role.
Show off your writing and communication skills. A well-written cover letter demonstrates to hiring managers that you can express your thoughts clearly and professionally. Communication is a valuable skill in almost any job, but particularly for writing-heavy fields like marketing, public relations, or education.
Make a strong case for yourself. If your resume doesn’t quite match all the job requirements, a cover letter is an opportunity to convince the employer to still give you a shot. For example, maybe you’re not proficient with the software the role requires. In your cover letter, you can share that you’ve enrolled in a course to build your skills.

Cover Letter Examples

What does an effective cover letter look like? The tone and voice of your cover letter should match the brand of the organization to which you’re applying. The following are examples of formal and casual cover letters.

Formal Cover Letter Template

Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],

I was thrilled to discover the Executive Director position at Rising Tides when I heard about your recent fundraising campaign on LinkedIn. My name is [Your Name], and I have spent the past six years leading initiatives to support the education of BIPOC youth. For instance, at The Noah Project, I oversaw our partnership with National Bank, which lead to a 3x increase in registrations. This experience aligns closely with your need for someone who can build and nurture relationships with corporate partners.

In my previous role, I spearheaded a clothing drive initiative with local schools that engaged over 5,000 youth across the city. This directly connects with your goal of improving community outreach. I know my community building and organizational skills would be an asset to Rising Tides and help the organization achieve its objectives.

I’m excited to bring my expertise in project management and partnerships to Rising Tides. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to discussing how my background and passion align with your vision and support your mission.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Casual Cover Letter Template

Hi [Hiring Manager’s Name],

I was excited to see the opening for a Business Development Representative at Stoopio after reading about your recent product launch in Tech Crunch. I’m [Your Name], and I’ve been driving growth at Stoopio by connecting with small business owners across the tri-state area. In just six months, I’ve helped grow our client base by 40%, with a 95% retention rate.

I also helped streamline our customer relationship management system, which helped us follow-up with leads 30% faster and improve our closing rate by 6%. I believe I could apply what I learned through this project to help Stoopio continually improve customer satisfaction.

However, what really piqued my interest in the role was your focus on supporting women entrepreneurs. My mom runs a hair salon and her passion and commitment has always inspired me.

I’d love to chat about how my experience and enthusiasm can help take Stoopio to new heights. Thank you for considering my application. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to connect!

Best,

Sarah

P.S. My mom’s salon is The Elle Spot on Culver Street. if you stop by, tell her Sarah sent you!

Cover Letter Sample (Downloadable Template)

Section

Example

Tips

Greeting

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]

[Hiring Manager’s Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]

Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],

Address your cover letter to a specific person instead of using something generic like, “To whom it may concern.”

Lead Paragraph

I heard about the [Job Title] position at [Company Name] from [Referral’s Name] and couldn’t wait to apply. My name is [Your Name], and I’ve spent the last [number] years honing my [industry] skills, including a project at [Previous Company] where I [share a brief, engaging story about a notable achievement, like launching a successful campaign or driving significant engagement]. Your recent [mention a specific campaign or initiative by the company] caught my eye and aligns perfectly with my experience in [related field or skill].

Start with something that will grab their attention. This could be the name of the person who referred you, an interesting fact or anecdote about your experience, expertise, or an impact you made in a previous role.

Closing Paragraph

At [Previous Company], I led a [describe a relevant project or accomplishment], which resulted in [briefly explain the impact or outcome]. While I may not have [specific qualification or experience listed in the job description, like experience with a particular tool or managing a very large team], my [mention a relevant skill or attribute, like adaptability or a strong track record in related areas] means I know how to tackle similar challenges. For example, [provide a brief anecdote about overcoming a related challenge or learning a new skill quickly].

My ability to [specific skill or approach relevant to the job description, like analyzing market trends or driving brand awareness] would be a great asset to your team. My background and enthusiasm make me a strong candidate for this role. I am eager to bring my expertise in [mention a relevant area] to [Company Name] and contribute to [specific goal or project mentioned in the job posting].

Make a strong case for why you’re the right person for the job, even if your resume doesn’t check all the boxes.

Highlight your most significant and relevant achievements.

Show that you understand their challenges and goals and identify how you would help them.

Levels

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to discussing further how my skills and experiences align with your needs and help drive your [industry] efforts forward.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

Reiterate your interest and enthusiasm for the role.

Download Here

How To Write a Cover Letter

Whether it’s your first cover letter or your fiftieth, here are some important tips and guidelines to keep in mind to optimize your cover letter.

Tips for Writing an Effective Cover Letter

Do your homework. Research your prospective employer and the role itself. In your cover letter, reference interesting updates, campaigns, or facts to show the hiring manager that you’ve done your due diligence.
Don’t be afraid to name-drop. Do you have a friend or former colleague in common with the hiring manager? Mention them. Just ask them for permission first and confirm that they would vouch for you, as the employer may use them as professional references.
Connect the dots. Clarify how your skills and experiences would directly translate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description. For example, if they’re looking for an experienced team leader, share an anecdote about how you led a team to achieve a successful result.
Be genuine. Don’t be afraid to be yourself. Have a good sense of humor? Use it. Are you a fan of the company’s founder? Share a meaningful quote from them that resonated with you.
Show, don’t tell. Stories will show more of your personality than a list of job duties or empty adjectives. Don’t just say you’re a ‘creative problem-solver.’ Share a story of how you solved a problem in an innovative way.

Do's and Don'ts

DO keep it specific and concise. Include specific details from your past jobs and experiences, but keep it on the shorter side. A ResumeLab survey found that 82% of HR pros prefer cover letters that are less than one page long.
Don’t downplay your weaknesses. For example, if there are long employment gaps or frequent job changes on your resume, you could explain what happened in your cover letter.
DO work on your storytelling skills. A strong hook will grab the hiring manager’s attention and make your cover letter more memorable. For example, instead of starting with “I am writing to apply for...”, you could try something like, “Ever since I taught myself HTML at age 13, I’ve been passionate about web development...”

Customization Tips

Use language and keywords from the job posting. You can use a template as a starting point, but tailor it to the role by peppering in language and keywords from the job posting.
Match the brand’s tone and voice. You wouldn’t wear formalwear to an interview at a casual startup, right? The same rule applies to your cover letter. If the company is more formal, use a more formal tone and voice for your cover letter and vice versa.
Share personal anecdotes. This is the time to share any unique connections to the company, industry, or role. These personal touches will help your cover letter stand out.

Do hiring managers actually read cover letters?

According to a 2023 ResumeGenius survey, the answer is a resounding yes. The survey found that 83% of hiring managers read the majority that they receive.

Proofreading Tips

Double-check names, dates, and facts. Nothing is worse than spending time and effort crafting a top-notch cover letter—only to misspell the hiring manager’s or company’s name.
Review your spelling and grammar. Use your writing software’s spellcheck features or an external tool like Grammarly to catch any grammar, spelling, punctuation, or spacing errors.
Read it out loud. This step will help you catch minor issues, repetitive language, and awkward phrasing that spelling and grammar software might miss.
Edit with fresh eyes. When you read something too many times, your brain starts to skim over it. Take a break and return to your cover letter in a few hours or the next day if you have the time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using cliches and meaningless words. Everyone says that they’re a ‘hard worker’ who’s ‘excited to apply.’ But what do those words really mean to you? Instead, use specific examples, stories, or statistics that illustrate the characteristic or emotion you want to convey.
Repeating your resume. Your cover letter should support your resume by adding context and personality—not duplicate it.
Ignoring the job description. Using the same cover letter for every application may save you time, but it will hurt your chances of getting hired. To impress a hiring manager, customize your cover letter for every job application.

Use Cover Letters to Your Advantage

In a competitive job market, a well-crafted cover letter could be the difference between landing an interview or getting ignored. But the pressure to get this important piece right can be overwhelming.

Our advice? Don’t overthink it. Treat your cover letter like a conversation. Share why you’re excited about the role and how your experiences align. Include your most relevant career highlights, but most importantly, be yourself. This approach will help you craft a cover letter that’s confident and true to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does a Cover Letter Usually Explain?

A cover letter should explain why you’re interested in the job and why you would be the best candidate. It’s a tool to help you stand out from other applicants by giving the hiring manager more insight into your personality and life experiences.

What’s the Difference Between a Cover Letter and a Resume?

A resume covers what you’ve done (e.g., work experience, education, skills, accomplishments, etc.). A cover letter should explain why you’re a great fit for the job. It’s also an opportunity to give recruiters more of a sense of who you are, outside of your education and work experience.

Do You Need a Cover Letter?

It depends. Not all job applications or employers require a cover letter. Still, including one (even if it’s not needed) will show that you’re genuinely interested in the role and willing to go the extra mile.

BEST PRACTICES + TRENDS