As a customer service representative, you’re no stranger to all kinds of interactions, many of which typically come your way on a daily basis. A customer service cover letter is yet another form of communication with other individuals where the end goal is getting the job of your dreams.
You’re already aware that the recipe for success in interpersonal relationships involves a combination of professionalism, modesty, and wit. That’s precisely how we’re going to approach writing a cover letter for this specific job position.
By the end of this article, you’ll learn how to convince hiring managers to go from “Hello” to “Welcome aboard!” So, dust off your keyboard, warm up your linguistic prowess, and let’s uncover the secrets of crafting a customer service cover letter that captivates, charms, and conquers!
Key Takeaways
Your customer service cover letter should have contact information, a formal greeting, the body text, and a formal sign-off.
Make sure to include the recipient’s name for the best chances of success.
You should tailor your cover letter to the job ad and ensure that it matches your resume.
Start the letter with a catchy paragraph containing some impressive achievements and finish it with a strong call to action.
Carefully proofread your cover letter to correct any mistakes and polish it to perfection
The Best Format For Your Customer Service Cover Letter
Writing a cover letter from scratch can be an intimidating endeavor if you’ve never done it before. Even for a simple customer service cover letter, you need to know which sections to include and in what order to arrange them.
The good news is that there’s a tried-and-tested format to follow, and it goes like this:
Customer Service Cover Letter Format
Contact information goes in the header of your customer service cover letter.
A formal greeting serves as a segue into the content of your letter.
The body text represents the centerpiece of the document. It should feature a catchy opening, an information-packed midsection, and a call-to-action finish.
A formal sign-off closes the letter.
Now that we have the structure of our cover letter, let’s see some tips on how to get a visually appealing layout for your document:
Make sure to fit everything on one page in a brief and concise manner.
Your cover letter should be 3–5 paragraphs (250–400 words) long.
You want a clean, professional, and readable cover letter font (e.g., Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri).
Set your margins to 1 inch, font size to 10–12 pts, and line spacing to 1.0.
Adjust the space between sections and paragraphs until your customer service cover letter looks neat and elegant.
You should follow these guidelines regardless of whether you’re using a Word template for a customer service cover letter or writing one from scratch. That way, you’ll know that you’ll end up with a professional document.
How to Write a Customer Service Cover Letter
Before we dive deeper into how to write each part of your cover letter, here’s a quick visual guide that you can follow while crafting your document:
Now, let’s see how you can get the most out of each section of your customer service cover letter.
#1. Add Contact Information in the Header
Contact information is a clear-cut section. Simply put the following details in the heading of your customer service cover letter:
Mandatory Sections
Name
Title
Phone number
Email address
Optionally, you can include:
Optional Sections
Mailing address
Relevant social media links (a LinkedIn profile is commonly used in a professional environment)
This is what that looks like in practice:
Good Example
Ruby Dry Customer Service Representative 1680 Monroe Avenue Port Charlotte, FL 33952 941-764-1732 rubydry@example.com
San Antonio, 11/04/2023
James Walters Hiring Manager Super Response 2887 Bell Street San Antonio, TX 78202
After adding your details, you should include a date of writing before inputting the information about the recipient.
One of the most important things to keep in mind when writing the recipient’s part is to include their name. Show that you’re willing to go the extra mile and do proper research to find out who you’re interacting with. That also helps you create a personal connection, increasing your chances of success.
#2. Greet the Hiring Manager
One of the best ways to greet the hiring manager is with a simple “Dear” followed by their name. It’s professional yet personable, and it's a perfect bridge between the technical contact information section and the creative body of the letter.
If you can’t find the recipient’s name, it’s acceptable to include their title. What you should try to avoid at any cost is “To whom it may concern,” as it’s rather broad and can feel too cold, even in a business setting.
#3. Emphasize Your Achievements in the Introduction
Picture this: you went through great efforts to write an amazing customer service cover letter. However, a busy hiring manager skimmed through it and moved on to the next candidate. How do you even prevent that from happening?
The answer is simple: you should write a compelling first paragraph that highlights your key strengths or most impressive accomplishments. Hook the hiring manager at the start with something remarkable, and they’ll read through the rest.
Here’s a good example:
Good Example
I am writing to express my sincere interest in the customer service representative position at Super Response. With more than 9 years of hands-on experience in the field, successfully handling an average of 50 inquiries and complaints per day, I am excited to contribute my expertise and proven track record of exceptional service to your organization.
#4. Elaborate on Why You’re the Right Fit
The purpose of your cover letter (and your customer service resume) isn’t just to show that you’re a competent individual. It should also present you as the right person for the specific job that you’re applying for.
That’s why you should read the job ad, research the company, and then include the skills and achievements that potential employers are looking for in your cover letter. Once you know what the requirements are, you’ll be able to match them with relevant accomplishments and results.
One way to make yourself stand out among the competition is to quantify your results. Include exact numbers to add measurable value to your performance, and you’ll make the information concrete in the eyes of hiring managers.
Let’s take a look at an example:
Good Example #1
I spearheaded a streamlined ticketing system, which resulted in a 27% reduction in response time and a 31% increase in customer satisfaction scores company-wide.
For bonus points, you can also highlight that the company is a good fit for you. Here’s how you can demonstrate that you’ve been following their work and that you’re eager to work with them in particular:
Good Example #2
I am eager to bring my skills and competence to your organization, as I know you’re focused on fostering lasting customer relationships.
#5. Add a Call to Action
A call to action is a marketing term that describes something designed to induce action. In the context of your customer service cover letter, the goal is to entice hiring managers to invite you for an interview.
Let’s see an example of how you can achieve that:
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I would welcome the opportunity to discuss in depth how my experience aligns with the vision of Super Response. Thank you for considering my application.
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#6. Write a Formal Closing
Much like a formal greeting, a formal closing should also be concise and professional. There are many ways to close a letter, including:
Sincerely
Kind regards
Warm regards
Thank you for your time
With appreciation
Here’s an example:
Good Example
Sincerely,
Ruby Dry
#7. Proofread the Cover Letter
One of the most important steps in the writing process doesn’t involve writing but rather proofreading and editing your customer service cover letter. It’s imperative to check the document for any potential mistakes. Even a single typo draws the wrong kind of attention and displays a lack of professionalism, care, and attention to detail.
Moreover, by taking the time to read an entire letter once you’ve finished it, you can:
Spot areas of improvement
Trim obsolete parts
Better match it with your resume
Further tailor it to the job that you’re applying for
Customer Service Cover Letter Example
Let’s check out an example of a cover letter for a customer service call center agent:
Entry-Level Customer Service Cover Letter Example
Now here’s a sample cover letter for a customer service representative with no experience:
Customer Service Cover Letter Writing Tips
Here are a few expert tips to finish this comprehensive guide on a high note:
It’s usually best to submit your customer service cover letter as a PDF file when sending a soft copy. This format is widely used, as it preserves the format and layout of the document, regardless of the device on which it’s viewed.
When writing a customer service cover letter with experience, you want to focus on your professional accomplishments. However, if you’re an entry-level candidate, you should emphasize your customer service skills, motivation, and career goals.
One of the easiest ways to tailor your cover letter to the job ad is to look for keywords. If you find out that potential employers want specific skills and experience in particular areas, be sure to mention them in your letter.
Closing Thoughts
As we reach the end of our journey with cover letters, let’s remember that they are more than mere introductions to potential employers. A well-written customer service cover letter represents the perfect blend of skills, experience, personality, and dedication to delivering premium service.
Armed with this newfound knowledge, you’re now able to infuse your information-packed document with just enough passion and authenticity to make it stand out among the competition.
So, feel free to leverage your skills to connect and inspire when writing a cover letter. That way, you’ll leave a lasting impression on hiring managers and be one step closer to the job that you’re after. Best of luck!