1. How to Write a Cover Letter for a Job [2024 ready]

How to Write a Cover Letter for a Job [2024 ready]

LiveCareer Editorial Team
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Writing a cover letter may seem like an easy thing to do… Until you sit down to writing it. All of a sudden your mind goes blank. Or—You just repeat whatever you’ve written on your resume. And once you’re done (if you haven’t given up halfway through), you don’t even know how to format this thing as a letter.

Steady on.

In this guide, you will see you how to write a cover letter for a job in eight easy steps. You will also learn tips on how to make your cover letter illustrate your skills and wow the recruiter.

Save time and have a cover letter ready in no time. Pick a cover letter template, use pre-written suggestions, and have your cover letter ready in minutes.

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Seeking more guidance on cover letter writing? These guides might help:

How to write a cover letter example

Cindy Rowland

Administrative Assistant

4783 Jewell Road

Minneapolis, Minnesota (MN), 55402

+1 123 456 7890

your-name@email.com

linkedin.com/in/hermandrovvland

21 November 2019

Peter H. Watson

Human Resources Director

Digital I Creative Agency

2134 Crimson Street

Minneapolis, Minnesota (MN), 55402

Dear Peter:

I am a CAA certified administrative assistant who would love to bring in 5+ years of experience working in a fast-paced environment to Digital I Creative Agency as Office Manager.

According to the job ad you put on LinkedIn, you’re searching for an office manager able to juggle multiple tasks in a fast-paced and time-sensitive environment. At my last position with Smart Marketing Ventures, I had quite a few wins I’m proud of, including:

  • Saved $2,000 per year after renegotiating contract with the office supply vendor.
  • Flawlessly calendared for 3 executives and 5 teams.
  • Named Employee of the Year twice in a row in 2017 and 2018.

All the above show I take my work seriously and care about the results I deliver on behalf of my company. Were you to hire me at Digital I, I would bring that same drive and commitment with me each and every day.

I’ve always been drawn to your company's firm belief in empowering employees to make complicated decisions on their own when needed. In my previous job, my strong decision-making and negotiation skills allowed me to make big annual savings. I would be incredibly fortunate to be considered for the position at a company whose work and culture I admire.

Would you have time for a quick phone call or meeting next week? I’d love to discuss how I could bring similar results to your company.

Sincerely,

Cindy Rowland

P.S. I’d love to tell you how I dealt with a particularly sensitive situation with integrity that helped the company avoid a lawsuit from a former employee.

Now that you know how a cover letter looks like, see the below step by step guide on how to write a cover letter:

1. Know who you’re writing to

Addressing your cover letter may seem an easy task, but if you don’t know who you’re writing to, your covering letter is as good as none at all. Starting a cover letter with the phrase to whom it may concern only shows your laziness. And this isn’t exactly what you want to show, is it? Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name] looks much better and sets you apart from the other candidates instantly.

So check out the company’s website, LinkedIn, or other social media profiles to find out who to address your cover letter to. If your efforts at finding the addressee are futile, write Dear Hiring Manager or, better yet, Dear IT/Marketing/Customer Service Team Manager. These options aren’t perfect, but still better than to whom it may concern.

If pursuing a more traditional career, e.g. at a law firm or at a university, go with their title (e.g., Mr., Ms., Mrs., Dr.) and their last name to be on the safe side. Otherwise, using their first name is a great way to grab the reader’s attention.

You can adjust every cover letter created in the builder to meet the job requirements. Choose the name of your profession and the company to which you’re applying, and the builder will automatically adapt the content for you. Create a cover letter faster than you ever thought possible and apply for the job in record time.

Create your cover letter nowcover letter builder

Create your cover letter now

2. Introduce yourself

The purpose of writing a cover letter, or, in other words, a motivation letter for a job, is to introduce yourself to the hiring manager, no matter if you're writing a cover letter for an administrator or a cover letter for a sales assistant. So, why not do it in the very first sentence? Like in this sample cover letter opening for an administrative assistant:

Example opening of a cover letter for a job

I am a CAA certified administrative assistant who would love to bring in 5+ years of experience working in a fast-paced environment to [company name] as Office Manager.

Remember: Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Having this in the back of your mind will help you write a simple cover letter with uncomplicated yet impactful sentences. Concise writing will work well for a short cover letter, too.

The example above is spun around this straightforward formula:

  • Who you are
  • What you can offer
  • What position you’re seeking

That’s all you really need to tell your reader at this point.

3. Show what you can do

Next come your professional experience and skills. In fact, they are what will (or won’t) land you an interview. Period. The key to writing this section of your perfect cover letter is relevance. Learning this rule by heart will help you write a great cover letter:

Relevance is key.

The example below will show you how you can present your skills on a cover letter for a job application:

Example of skills on a cover letter for a job application

According to the job ad you put on LinkedIn, you’re searching for an office manager able to juggle multiple tasks in a fast-paced and time-sensitive environment. At my last position with Smart Marketing Ventures, I had quite a few wins I’m proud of, including:

Saved $2,000 per year after renegotiating contract with the office supply vendor.

Flawlessly calendared for 3 executives and 5 teams.

Named Employee of the Year twice in a row in 2017 and 2018.

All the above show I take my work seriously and care about the results I deliver on behalf of my company. Were you to hire me at [company name], I would bring that same drive and commitment each and every day.

Why is this so effective?

First and foremost, every single thing is relevant to the job offer (so double- or triple-check the job ad before you write anything). Plus:

  • The very first sentence shows you’ve done your research and know exactly what kind of skills the company is looking for.
  • Key achievements are grouped into bullet points, which makes them stand out from the rest of the text.
  • There are numbers that demonstrate your skills’ real-life impact.
  • The section is personalized by mentioning the name of the employer.

Pay attention to these points when writing your cover letter, and you’re bound to make a lasting impression on the reader.

You don’t have to create any content yourself. The LiveCareer cover letter maker will automatically suggest the best content for your cover letter with ready-made examples and expert tips.

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Create your cover letter

4. Prove you’re a great fit

Your skills are of the utmost importance—but so is your personality. After all, you’ll be spending the better part of the week at work. So, when writing a CV cover letter, show the hiring manager you’re a great cultural fit and a cool person to hang out with. Use this opportunity to your advantage because there’s no room for anything like this on your resume.

As you’re writing this section of your cover letter, focus on—

  • What you like about the company (be specific).
  • How your personality and working style fit the company culture.
  • Why you want to work for this particular employer.

Look at the example below to get you inspired:

How to show you fit the company culture on a professional cover letter

I’ve always been drawn to your company's firm belief in empowering employees to make complicated decisions on their own when needed. In my previous job, my strong decision-making and negotiation skills allowed me to make big annual savings. I would be incredibly fortunate to be considered for the position at a company whose work and culture I admire.

5. Close your cover letter with a call to action

People need to be reminded what to do. It may sound unorthodox in the context of writing a cover letter (after all, it should be obvious what you want, shouldn’t it?) but… it works. So, see to it that the final paragraph of your covering letter includes a call to action. Something along these lines will do the job:

Closing paragraph of a cover letter

Would you have time for a quick phone call or meeting next week? I’d love to discuss how I could bring similar results to your company.

When you’re writing your version of the closing of a cover letter, make sure you:

  • Propose how you’d like to meet and talk (e.g. phone call, video chat, face-to-face meeting, lunch, etc.).
  • Suggest a specific time to meet (e.g. this week, next week, etc.) to make your offer seem more urgent.
  • Say what you’d like to discuss (you can mention a specific issue if you know what the current challenges for the company are).

6. Sign off in a professional manner

What does a professional manner even mean? In short—Stick to good old Sincerely. Semi-formal options, such as Regards, Yours Truly, or Thank You are perfectly fine as well. Avoid anything like Cheers, Peace, Love, XOXO, etc. Even if you're writing a cover letter for an informal position, such as a cover letter for bar staff.

Here’s what the ending of your cover letter can look like:

Example of a formal cover letter closing

Sincerely,

Cindy Rowland

If you’re handing in a physical copy of your cover letter, leave a few extra spaces between the complimentary closing and your name. Then, add a handwritten signature for a stylish and professional flourish.

7. Add a postscript

This is an optional thing you can do to grab the hiring manager’s attention once more. The whole idea behind the P.S. section is to include something that’s relevant, but you had no option to write it in any part of your application letter.

What can this be?

An achievement of yours you weren’t able to fit in elsewhere, a comment on the company's recent success, a fun fact about you that proves you’re a fit. Whatever. As long as it’s relevant and necessary. If you don’t have an idea on what to put in the postscript, you most likely don’t need it at all.

Here’s an example of what the P.S. section can look like:

Example of the postscript in a cover letter

P.S. I’d love to tell you how I dealt with a particularly sensitive situation with integrity that helped the company avoid a lawsuit from a former employee.

8. Format your cover letter

So, your cover letter is ready but—does it have a proper cover letter layout? Make sure you format your cover letter the right way:

  • Align everything to the left side. Don’t use text justification.
  • Single line space all text (or use 1.15 line spacing).
  • Use a double space between each cover letter section and paragraph.
  • Include a 1-inch margin on all sides of the cover letter.
  • Choose a great cover letter font. Select the font by how legible it is over how pretty it looks.
  • When in doubt, a cover letter is a business document, so follow formal letter formatting rules.
  • Keep your cover letter length between half and one A4 page.
  • Pick a cover letter template that matches your resume template to give the employer one unified job application package.
  • Unless otherwise instructed, send your cover letter as a PDF rather than Microsoft Word .doc file. PDFs formatting will stay intact regardless of the device used.

Too many details to remember? Rest assured that this checklist will do you a favour and get you through writing a cover letter very easily:

checklist for writing the perfect cover letter

There you have it! Did you like our covering letter guide? If you’ve got any additional questions on how to write a cover letter for a job, we’d be happy to answer them below in the comment area. Thanks for reading!

How we review the content at LiveCareer

Our editorial team has reviewed this article for compliance with Livecareer’s editorial guidelines. It’s to ensure that our expert advice and recommendations are consistent across all our career guides and align with current CV and cover letter writing standards and trends. We’re trusted by over 10 million job seekers, supporting them on their way to finding their dream job. Each article is preceded by research and scrutiny to ensure our content responds to current market trends and demand.

Frequently asked questions about how to write a cover letter

What is a cover letter?

A cover letter, also called a letter of application, is a formal letter that usually accompanies a CV when applying for a job. Its goal is to introduce yourself to an employer, explain your motivation, and provide a detailed insight into the skills and accomplishments that you listed in your CV.

Furthermore, an effective cover letter explains how an employer can benefit from your experience and unique traits. Sometimes, a cover letter may also help to discuss employment gaps or unusual circumstances.

How to write a cover letter in the UK?

Writing a cover letter in the UK falls under the same principles as in other countries. A letter of application in the UK has a typical cover letter structure and contains essential cover letter parts. It advocates for your candidature and explains why you’re a good fit for a given role. A well-written cover letter emphasizes your strong points and underscores your sincere interest in joining and helping the company.

How long should a cover letter be?

Ideally, a cover letter doesn’t exceed one page. A perfect cover letter length fits between 3 and 5 paragraphs and 250 to 400 words. Limiting your cover letter to a single page helps to maintain its brevity and readability.

Employers in the UK prefer short cover letters that showcase your qualifications and skills concisely. It enables them to grasp your candidature quickly while not losing focus and engagement.

What should a cover letter include?

When preparing a cover letter for a specific job, you should include these three main sections:

  1. Cover letter opening, in which you recall the position you’re applying for and explain why you’re interested in it.
  2. Cover letter body, where you highlight your qualifications and skills that are relevant to the job and express how your professional background aligns with the company’s expectations and goals.
  3. Cover letter closing, in which you mention your strongest points twice and summarise your interest in the position. It’s also where you provide your ability for further contact.

Besides these key elements, a well-structured cover letter contains properly written contact information (both yours and an employer’s), which enables easy identification and communication.

How to write a simple cover letter?

A simple cover letter is a brief document containing the most essential information about you as a candidate. While a traditional cover letter usually spans one page, a short cover letter is more condensed and focused. A simple cover letter might be limited to two paragraphs, and it serves as a very quick yet entertaining overview of your key accomplishments and abilities. To write a simplified cover letter, choose one of the basic cover letter templates.

How to write a cover letter for an internship?

A cover letter for an internship doesn’t differ that much from a typical cover letter. Its main goal is to present you in the best possible light, despite being a career starter with little work experience. Here are some tips to write a successful cover letter for an internship:

  • State your interest in the position clearly and confidently.
  • Mentioning how you learned about the internship opportunity.
  • Show that you made an effort to research the company and learn about its culture, values, and goals.
  • Highlight your transferable skills and explain how the employer will benefit from them.
  • Mention any relevant coursework, projects, or extracurricular activities that make you a strong candidate.
  • Explain your career plans and how they align with the company’s vision.
  • Say what you can bring to the internship program and what makes you unique.

A well-crafted cover letter plays a significant role when applying for an internship. It differentiates you from other applicants and conveys your motivation and enthusiasm to grow in a particular field and environment.

Is a cover letter necessary?

While a cover letter is not always strictly required, it is recommended that you send it along with a CV that you wrote earlier. It shows your sincere interest in the position and the company you want to join. Furthermore, a well-prepared cover letter enables you to highlight some of your key achievements and strengths and provide more details about your work experience and qualifications. If you’re applying for a highly competitive position, a perfectly crafted cover letter works in your favour and boosts your chances of being shortlisted for further recruitment steps.

About the author

LiveCareer Editorial Team
LiveCareer Editorial Team

Since 2005, the LiveCareer Team has been helping job seekers advance their careers. In our in-depth guides, we share insider tips and the most effective CV and cover letter writing techniques so that you can beat recruiters in the hiring game and land your next job fast. Also, make sure to check out our state-of-the-art CV and cover letter builder—professional, intuitive, and fully in line with modern HR standards. Trusted by 10 million users worldwide.

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