How to Write a Cover Letter

Summary

This video provides a practical guide to writing an effective cover letter. It covers key elements such as the greeting, opening paragraph, middle section detailing relevant experience, and a professional closing. The speaker emphasizes personalizing the letter, using job-specific keywords, and avoiding repetition of resume content. The tone is friendly and approachable, encouraging viewers to be concise and engaging, while ensuring that their cover letter aligns with their career goals and highlights their qualifications effectively.

Takeaways

• 😀 Start your cover letter with a greeting to the hiring manager, addressing them by name if possible.
• 😀 Express enthusiasm about the job in the opening paragraph and explain why you’re excited about the position.
• 😀 Align the job with your career goals to show that this role is a good fit for your professional aspirations.
• 😀 Use keywords from the job posting to personalize the letter and avoid sounding formulaic.
• 😀 In the middle paragraph, highlight your most relevant experience and skills that make you a strong candidate.
• 😀 Avoid repeating your resume bullet points—illustrate your achievements in greater detail.
• 😀 Focus on the connections between your previous work and the job you're applying for to add depth to your application.
• 😀 If needed, explain any employment gaps in a clear and positive manner.
• 😀 End the cover letter with a courteous thank you and a formal yet friendly closing statement.
• 😀 Sign off with your name after the closing to leave a professional impression.
• 😀 Keep your cover letter concise—employers should be able to read it in around 10 seconds or less.

Q & A

Why is a cover letter important?

A cover letter is important because it sets up the resume by highlighting why you are a great fit for the job. It showcases your personality and gives a glimpse into your enthusiasm and qualifications.

What should the cover letter include in the opening paragraph?

In the opening paragraph, you should introduce yourself and enthusiastically explain why you're applying for the job. Include why you're excited about the role and how it aligns with your career goals.

How can you avoid sounding formulaic in a cover letter?

To avoid sounding formulaic, incorporate keywords from the job posting into your cover letter and tailor the content to reflect your genuine interest and excitement for the role.

What should you focus on in the middle paragraph of a cover letter?

In the middle paragraph, you should delve into your most relevant experience, highlighting specific qualifications and skills that make you the ideal candidate for the job.

What’s the key difference between a resume and a cover letter?

While a resume lists your qualifications in bullet points, a cover letter provides a narrative that connects your experiences, showing your personality and explaining why you're a strong fit for the position.

How should you conclude a cover letter?

You should conclude a cover letter by thanking the employer, providing any clarifications (such as gaps in employment history), and ending with a formal yet friendly complimentary close followed by your name.

How can you ensure your cover letter stands out to an employer?

To ensure your cover letter stands out, avoid repeating your resume's bullet points. Instead, deeply illustrate your accomplishments and make a personal connection to the job, demonstrating why you're the right fit.

What role does the greeting play in the cover letter?

The greeting in a cover letter plays an important role in setting a professional yet approachable tone. It’s best to address the hiring manager by name if possible; otherwise, a general greeting like 'Dear Hiring Manager' can be used.

What are some tips for writing a successful cover letter?

Some tips for writing a successful cover letter include keeping it concise, avoiding repetition from your resume, highlighting your most relevant skills and experience, and expressing your excitement about the job.

What should be avoided in a cover letter?

You should avoid sounding too generic, using overly formal or stiff language, or repeating information directly from your resume. Instead, aim for a personalized and engaging tone.