An entry-level cover letter is a document you should write and submit when looking for your first job in the industry. It gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your motivation and potential to the employer, emphasizing that you’ll evolve into a competent professional who can contribute to their goals should they hire you.
In this article, we’ll teach you how to create an exceptional entry-level cover letter. You’ll learn how to write a catchy intro, an information-packed middle, and a memorable ending. On top of that, we’ll give you specific examples, so let’s get started!
Key Takeaways
You should write an entry-level cover letter when you’re starting your career and applying for your first job in the profession.
The business letter format is the best one to follow for all cover letters, entry-level ones included.
The introductory paragraph should state the role that you’re after and highlight your biggest strengths to hook the reader.
Adding a call to action in the final paragraph significantly improves the chances of getting called for an interview.
Mention specific reasons for applying to the company to demonstrate commitment and set yourself apart from the competition.
What Is an Entry-Level Cover Letter?
An entry-level cover letter is a vital document sent alongside your resume when you’re starting your professional career. For instance, you can write and submit this letter alongside your student resume or your resume with no experience.
The purpose of an entry-level cover letter is the same as that of a regular one. You want to emphasize your passion and motivation, knowledge of the company, and relevant qualifications that make you the right person for the job you’re applying for.
The similarities with typical cover letters don’t end there. Your entry-level cover letter should follow the same rules when it comes to structure and layout, and you should write it with the same level of gravity.
The biggest difference is that an entry-level cover letter will likely focus on skills rather than professional experiences. It should show that you possess the necessary hard skills required for the role and also the soft skills that will make you thrive as part of their team.
Finally, displaying your adaptability and willingness to learn in such a document is vital, as it helps you show potential and stand out from the crowd of similarly skilled candidates.
Entry-Level Cover Letter: The Best Format to Use
A conventional cover letter format is the best one to use for your entry-level cover letter as well. This means you should follow the established rules for writing a business letter.
Here’s what that means and how you should arrange the sections of your cover letter:
Cover Letter Mandatory Sections
Contact information goes in the header.
A salutation greets the reader and opens your cover letter.
An introductory paragraph acts as an elevator pitch.
The middle portion should be all about your notable and relevant qualifications.
The final paragraph should include a call to action and a thank-you note.
A sign-off with a conclusion at the end closes the letter.
Next up, you want a strong layout for your cover letter to ensure its visual fidelity. Here are the guidelines to follow to achieve that:
Cover Letter Layout Guidelines
Your cover letter should be one page long.
The writing should be 250–400 words or 3–5 paragraphs.
You should choose a professional font for your cover letter, like Calibri or Times New Roman.
The font size should be 10–12 pt.
Line spacing should be 1.0, with an extra line between paragraphs.
Margins should be 1 inch.
By following these guidelines, you’ll create an outstanding entry-level cover letter, even if it’s your first time doing it. Still, if you want additional help, you’re welcome to use our cover letter builder.
We designed a robust software solution filled with professional templates that you can customize to your liking. That way, you can focus on the writing while being sure that you’ll have an impeccable format and layout.
Entry-Level Cover Letter Overview
Here’s a step-by-step tutorial on how to write an entry-level cover letter, and to help with that, we’ve designed a visual guide that outlines all the sections:
#1. Heading
The heading of your cover letter should contain contact information and a date.
You should start with your details and include the following:
Heading Mandatory Details
Your name
Job title
Phone number
Email address
Depending on your profession and job requirements, you can also add your mailing address, LinkedIn profile, personal website or portfolio, and more. However, you should avoid including sensitive information, such as your gender, religious and political affiliations, your photo, etc.
After listing your details, you want to date the letter and include the recipient's information as follows:
Recipient's Information Mandatory Details
Their name
Job title
Company name
Company location
Let’s see all that in an example:
Heading Example
Kristi Cleveland Administrative Assistant 4682 Michael Street Houston, TX 77063 713-824-4919 kristicleveland@example.com
Houston, 06/12/2024
Lance Carnes HR Manager Solid Line Enterprises 3846 Woodrow Way Houston, TX 77032
#2. Greeting
A greeting should be brief and polite. However, there’s one trick here that can get you ahead of the competition, and that is to address the recipient by their name. This builds the connection right from the get-go by personalizing your cover letter. Furthermore, it shows that you went the extra mile to research the company.
Here’s an example:
Greeting Example
Dear Mr. Carnes,
If you can’t find the name of the hiring manager or employer, you can address them by their title or department. You should avoid blanket greetings like “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir/Madam,” as they are too generic.
#3. Introduction
The main goal of your introduction paragraph is to specify the position that you’re applying for and to emphasize your key strengths relevant to the role. That way, the start of your cover letter will grab the reader’s attention and ensure they focus on the rest of your writing.
Let’s see a good example:
Introduction Example
I am writing to express my keen interest in the administrative assistant position at Solid Line Enterprises, as advertised on your website. As a graduate with a BSc in Business Administration, a GPA of 3.8, and proven communication and organization skills, I believe I can bring my strong work ethic to contribute to your esteemed organization.
#4. Skills, Qualifications, & Experiences
By highlighting all your impressive skills and qualifications in the central part of your entry-level cover letter, you demonstrate why you’re the right person for the job.
If you’re writing an entry-level cover letter with no experience whatsoever, you should highlight all the relevant hard skills and your most prominent soft skills. However, even if you’re writing an entry-level cover letter for freshers, you likely have some experience you can use, whether it’s internships, academic accomplishments, volunteer work, or more.
Here’s an example:
Skills, Qualifications, & Experiences Example
During my academic career, I was actively involved in the college’s Business Club, having organized multiple events with more than 250 attendees. My proven ability to handle logistics and coordinate large groups of people resulted in one event obtaining 15% more funds than usual for a local non-profit organization.
In my recent internship at Bright Sky, I gained practical experience in office management. Some of the many administrative tasks I performed daily included organizing meetings, managing schedules for senior employees, and maintaining records. I was commended by supervisors for reducing scheduling conflicts by 45% and boosting document retrieval times by 17%.
#5. Reasons for Applying
When you specify your exact reasons for applying to the company, you demonstrate a level of commitment and involvement that extends beyond mere job seeking. That tells hiring managers that you already have knowledge of their organization, implying you’ll be a good cultural fit for it. The more specific your reason for applying, the better.
Let’s see it in an example:
Reasons for Applying Example
I am particularly excited to apply at Solid Line Enterprises due to your reputation for putting your team first. Your commitment to fostering a collaborative work environment and emphasizing continuous professional development for your employees aligns with my values and long-term career goals.
#6. Call to Action
The final paragraph should include a call to action to capitalize on the impact your entry-level cover letter has on hiring managers. You can use this part to draw attention to your resume or portfolio, suggest an interview, and more.
Here’s a good example:
Call to Action Example
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to discussing how my qualifications make me the right candidate for the role during an interview. For more information, you can also check out my resume, which I attached to this email.
#7. Conclusion & Sign-Off
A conclusion and sign-off—much like a greeting—should be short and polite. You should include a simple and courteous parting remark, followed by your name.
Here is what that looks like:
Conclusion & Sign-Off Example
Sincerely, Kristi Cleveland
Here’s a complete example of an entry-level cover letter for an administrative assistant:
Cover letter templates
Create a cover letter by filling in a free template and sharing it for freeTo end on a high note, here are several expert tips that will elevate your entry-level cover letter:
5 Expert Tips for Writing an Entry-Level Cover Letter
You should use numbers to quantify your accomplishments. This adds concrete and measurable value to your efforts and further enhances the credibility of your skills.
Your entry-level cover letter should be tailored to the job that you’re applying for. This means mentioning specific qualifications that you know hiring managers want to see. As a result, it’s best to write a new cover letter every time you apply for a new role.
For optimal results, your cover letter and resume should match. A visually cohesive application package has the best chance of grabbing the hiring manager’s attention. Also, the contents of the two documents should be in harmony and without repeated information.
Make sure to meticulously proofread your cover letter before submitting it. A spotless document demonstrates professionalism and attention to detail.
Don’t forget to follow up. If you don’t get a response after a few days or a week, you can send a polite follow-up email to get back on the hiring manager’s radar and improve your chances of getting a response.
Final Thoughts
Entry-level jobs can feel hard to get, especially if you have no experience in the field. However, breaking into an industry is all about putting your best foot forward and highlighting your key strengths, motivation, and willingness to learn. And that’s precisely the purpose of an entry-level cover letter.
You can use the knowledge you have gained in this article to write an outstanding document, whether you’re writing an entry-level cover letter for a research assistant, a nurse practitioner, an IT specialist, or more.
Follow the guidelines, use an example of an entry-level cover letter we provided for inspiration, and don’t forget to check out our software builder. Good luck landing your first job!
