What Should Be Included in a Cover Letter?
Writing a cover letter becomes simple once you realize that it’s actually a structured document that has a clear format and distinct sections. All our cover letter examples follow this format, so let’s see what it should look like.
#1. Your Contact Details
Your contact details should go in the header of your cover letter. You should add your name and job title, along with your phone number and professional email address. Optionally, you can include your location, a link to your LinkedIn profile, a personal website, a portfolio, etc.
#2. Hiring Manager’s Contact Details
You should make an effort to find out who the hiring manager is and address them personally in your cover letter. That way, you’ll make a strong connection right off the bat and personalize the document for maximum effect.
#3. Body of the Cover Letter
The main portion of your cover letter should be 3–5 paragraphs long and structured as follows:
The opening paragraph should grab the reader’s attention with a couple of your most prominent accomplishments.
The middle section should contain more information on your role-related skills and achievements and help you show what makes you perfect for the job.
The final paragraph should feature a call to action and a formal closing.
Job-Winning Cover Letter Checklist
Should You Send a Cover Letter with Your Resume?
A cover letter is supplementary to your resume and has the purpose of expanding on your skills and accomplishments, further portraying you as a dedicated and capable candidate. It’s usually an optional document, with some instances of employers making it necessary and others not accepting it at all during the application process.
Regardless, there are many good reasons to submit one, which is why you should always make an effort to do so when you have the chance. Let’s see what those reasons are:
By writing and submitting an additional document along with your resume, you instantly show that you’re willing to go the extra mile to get the job.
You get to show skills and achievements that didn’t fit your resume.
You can create a personal connection with hiring managers by addressing them correctly and including a call to action.
Cover Letter Examples FAQ
#1. What should a cover letter look like?
A cover letter should be an easy-to-read document with a simple layout. It should start with your name, job title, and contact details, and also contain the hiring manager’s personal details. Lastly, you should have a body of text consisting of 3–5 paragraphs.
#2. How do I write a simple cover letter?
To write a simple and effective cover letter, you should follow a proven formula. The best way to do it is to grab the reader’s attention with a couple of your prominent achievements in the first paragraph and use the following few paragraphs to explain what makes you perfect for the job in more detail. Finally, you should include a call to action and a formal closing.
#3. Should I use a cover letter template?
You should use a cover letter template if it’s your first time writing one or you’re not sure what it should look like. A template will ensure you’ve created a professional document and included everything it needs to contain. Even if you’re a cover letter expert, a template can help you save a lot of time.
#4. Who created these cover letter examples?
All of our cover letter examples were created by HR professionals, which is why they are of the highest quality and up to industry standards. More precisely, every cover letter example is developed by a tailored cross-functional team consisting of recruiters, hiring managers, and specialists from the industry.
#5. What is a good first sentence for a cover letter?
The very first sentence of your cover letter should be a simple but incredibly important formal greeting where you address the hiring manager by name. “Dear [hiring manager’s name],” is more than enough. If you can’t find their name, you can use a universal opening, such as “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear [company name] Hiring Team.”
#6. Can a cover letter help you land a job?
A cover letter can be the deciding factor between landing an interview and having your resume discarded by the hiring manager. Whether you decide to use one of our cover letter examples or write a cover letter from scratch, you should make an effort to submit one with your resume.
#7. Should I write a different cover letter for each job I apply to?
You should always write a position-specific cover letter that matches your resume for each new job that you’re applying to. Hiring managers will likely appreciate that you’ve gone the extra mile to address them by name, research their company, show strong interest in the specific position, and highlight your key strengths that can set you apart from the competition.
#8. How long should a cover letter be?
Ideally, a cover letter should be a one-page document with a body of text consisting of 3–5 paragraphs. You want it to be brief and concise and demonstrate your competence in 250 to 400 words.
#9. How to format a cover letter?
You should format your cover letter so that it fits on one page and contains all the necessary information. You should use a professional font that is easy to read, include spacious margins of at least 1-inch on all sides, and utilize white space between sections and paragraphs to make the letter readable and presentable. Put your name and contact details in the header, continue by adding the hiring manager’s personal information, and then write a body letter.
