After innumerable weeks of heavy job search, you're almost there! You've perfected your resume and shortlisted the most amazing jobs you desire to apply for. Your best buddy even trained you for every single interview question out there.

But then, before you can send in your job application and call it a day, you remember that the job ad requires you to turn in a cover letter. Now, you're stuck wondering, does anyone read cover letters? Or is including one necessary?

Yes, we can assure you that cover letters do get read. To certain hiring managers, they’re the most important part of your job application. A cover letter is an impeccable tool that will help you introduce yourself in a memorable and personal way during your job application. A well-crafted cover letter goes over information on your resume, taking hiring managers on a guided journey of some of your greatest career and life accomplishments.

Do this right, and your job application will be a giant flashing sign that says loudly, 'Hire Me!'

Ready to know how to write a cover letter for a job application? Let’s dive right in!

Effective Guidelines to Craft an Excellent Cover Letter

1. Start By Listing Your Contact Details

If you are eager to know how to write a good cover letter for a job application, it is wise to know that you must start with a contact information section. Here, you must incorporate all essential information, like-

  • Full name
  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • Date
  • Name or professional title of recruiter
  • Name of the organisation  

In certain cases, you might also consider including-

  • Social media profiles- Any profile relevant to the field, like LinkedIn, GitHub, Medium, etc.
  • Personal website- If you have a personal website that somehow adds value to your application, you can also mention it. Like, if you're a blogger, you can add blog links.

2. Use A Proper Greeting To Open Your Letter

The greeting of your cover letter is the first thing that your hiring managers will come across. Thus, this makes it one of the most important parts of your cover letter. So, try to use their name in the salutation.

Studies indicate that when we tend to see or hear our name, we react positively and concentrate on what comes next. Seeing their name in your cover letter will make your recruiter feel like they've found something tailored just for them.

Let's say you want to apply for the Communication Specialist position. The hiring manager will probably be the Head of Communications or the Chief Communications Office. So, conduct a good search on LinkedIn. Voila! You will have your hiring manager.

3. Write An Attention-Hooking Introduction

According to the best minds who answer whenever you say ‘how to write a cover letter for a resume’, first impressions hugely matter, especially regarding your job search. Recruiters receive hundreds, sometimes even thousands, of applications. Chances are, they're not going to go through every single cover letter end-to-end. Thus, catching their attention from the first paragraph is important.

Start with 2-3 of your top accomplishments to hook the reader's attention. Preferably, the accomplishments must be as relevant as possible to the position. You can also exhibit how well you know the company’s needs. If you’re a fresher, try to base the intro on your enthusiasm and transferable skills.

4. Tell Why You’re Perfect Person For The Position

A close look at ‘how to write a cover letter for a job’ examples will help you understand this is the segment where you need to show off your professional skills and persuade the recruiter that you’re a remarkable fit for the position in compared to other applicants.

Open up the job ad and determine which responsibilities are the most critical. Try to include them when you start drafting your cover letter to show your hiring managers that you do not only possess the right skills, but you're also going to use them to meet the specific needs of a company.

5. Demonstrate To Them Why You’re Eager To Join

Mark Richardson, an eminent stalwart who often caters to requests ‘how to write a good cover letter for a job application’, strongly asserts that your future employer will have needs. They would be willing to hire you if they think you’ll help them fulfil those needs.

In the third paragraph of your cover letter, express to your recruiters why you chose to apply for this specific job, not just any job. This is especially crucial when crafting an entry-level cover letter.

Here's the most remarkable and easiest ways to do it-

  • Begin with a compact fact, like an upcoming project
  • Explain what makes it intriguing for you
  • Restate that your experience and knowledge will help you succeed with the project

6. End With A Concise Closing Paragraph and Sign-Off

When drafting a cover letter closing, try to be polite, confident, and continue to market yourself as the best candidate for the job. Firstly, restate your excitement about the job opportunity, ask the recruiter to interview you (explaining when you're available), and thank them for their time.

Ending your cover letter confidently helps you push closer to the interview stage. However, don’t include remarks like ‘I’ll call to schedule an interview’. This doesn’t make you a go-getter; it crosses the boundary. Finally, wrap up the cover letter with a professional closing salutation, like- best wishes, warmly, respectfully, best regards, sincerely, etc.

7. Double -Check The Cover Letter Formatting

A professional cover letter should generally include 200-350 words, be single-spaced, and have US letters (USA) or A4 (elsewhere) page size.

It must be typed in a standard letter font like Calibri or Arial. The font size must be between 10.5 and 12 points. Additionally, your cover letter margins must be between 1" and .5" on every side to ensure your letter is easy to read. The content must also be left-aligned except for your contact details, which can be centred. Undeniably, your cover letter won’t win you the job, but it can make you look like an amateur if it looks bad.

Wrapping Up,

For jobs that require turning in a cover letter, remember that you are getting a golden chance to illustrate your abilities and share a glimpse of your authentic personality. Go through this post on ‘how to write a cover letter for a job’ diligently and implement the above-mentioned guidelines to make the most of this opportunity. Let your greatest strengths shine while also demonstrating that you respect your recruiter’s time and attention to improve your chances of securing the dream job you want.

If you find it still difficult to craft an impressive cover letter, ensure to avail the unmatched guidance of Hireadnerd.net. We have an eminent team of 500+ professional experts who, with 10+ years of experience, can make everything fall into place. They ensure to draft a personalised resume by focusing on major accomplishments of your career and preparing a brilliant personal statement highlighting your profile in the best ways.

So, what are you waiting for? Send in your details, and we will leave no stone unturned to boost your career endeavours in the best possible ways.