As much as we hate them, cover letters help us make a case, to summarize your career work and talk about anything you couldn’t put in your CV. It is a chance for you to connect with the recruiter as a human being, not a list of job places and descriptions. Most cover letters are 2-4 paragraphs long because you don’t want to take up a great deal of the recruiter’s time.
Here’s how you can write a cover letter for any job and maximize your chances at getting your dream job:
1. Start with a salutation. Your salutation depends on how much you know about the company:
If you know the name of the recruiting person, you should address them directly by saying “Dear Mr./Ms./Dr/etc [recruiting person’s name],”
If you don’t know the name of the recruiting manager, you can address your letter “Dear Recruiting Manager”, “Dear [company name] Team,” or "Dear Sir or Madam".
2. In one or two sentences, mention the job for which you’re applying and where you heard about it. You can write something like: “I’m interested in applying for the job opening of [name of job] at your esteemed company, which was advertised [on your website, in the newspaper, etc].
3. In one to two paragraphs, answer these three essential questions:
How do you qualify for this job? What is your work experience and how does it fit the job’s requirements? Why do you want to work for this company in particular?
4. In one sentence or two, summarize and explain why you feel you’re the best candidate for the job.
5. Inform the recruiter of your next action. For example, mention that you’re going to follow up in a week or two or say that you’re looking forward to the interviewing process.
6. End your letter with your contact information
7. Mention that you have attached your CV to your email (if applicable)
8. Thank your recruiter for their time.
Ed: This article has been edited from the source material
