6 Easy Steps to Write a Professional Cover Letter That Will Get You Noticed

Are you looking to write a professional cover letter that will get you noticed by recruiters and hiring managers so you can land your next job? 

Well, look no further!

In this article, I am going to breakdown the 6 key areas of any good cover letter to make you stand out and land that next interview.

Let’s get started!

Cover Letter Breakdown

There are 6 elements that make up the structure of a thoughtful and easy-to-read cover letter. Each section serves a unique purpose, and together they help paint the picture of who you are, your skillsets, and why you’re a great match for the position you are applying to.

Ok, let’s get into the specifics.

Section 1. Your Contact Information

This section of your cover letter should contain your name, city/state, zip code, phone number, and email address. This reminds the recruiter they are reading your cover letter and how they can contact you.  You should always include this section regardless of the information on your resume.

Section 2. The Date and Salutation

The next section should contain the date you submit the cover letter and a friendly greeting. It’s best practice to use the date you submit the cover letter rather than the date you initially drafted it because you may want to spend a few days working on your letter before turning it in.

When writing the salutation, you can address it to the hiring manager or HR representative if you know their name. Otherwise, you can try out one of the more generic salutations listed below.

 

1. 1. Dear Sir/Madam

1. 1. Dear Human Resource Manager

1. 1. To The [name of team or department you’re applying for a position in]

1. 1. Dear [company name] Recruiter

Don’t forget to download my FREE cover letter template so you can see the structure and so you can start drafting yours today!

Section 3. The Introduction

It’s time to get writing! After you have your contact information, the date you plan to submit your letter, and you’re greeting, it’s time to start drafting the introduction. The first sentence should contain the reason why you’re writing the company; aka the position you’re applying to. So you could say something like, “I’m writing to express my interest in the [title of the job you’re applying to] role with your company.” After that, write 2-3 more sentences summarizing your job experience but ensure it aligns with what they have posted in the job description. The easiest way to do this is to open the job listing and choose a few keywords or phrases they have listed. Then, include those exact words or phrases in your introduction. This will catch their attention and let them know you’re an excellent candidate for the position.

Section 4. The Body Paragraphs

Next up are the 2 body paragraphs. The purpose of these is to further summarize your skills and provide more detail about job experiences. This should be no more than 3-4 sentences in total. Discuss the skills you’ve acquired at your current employer and reference specific metrics or outcomes of your work. I have included an example cover letter that I’ve written for one of my career development clients below so you can get an idea of how to structure this and what to write about.

The second body paragraph should be no more than 4-5 sentences and should reference your experience at previous employers to show your variety. A great way to structure this paragraph is to take 3 requirements from the job listing and then describe your experience in those areas.

If you don’t have a lot of work experience yet, try writing about the skills you gained while leading a project in school, volunteering at a local organization, or working as a team.

Section 5. Conclusion Paragraph

Your conclusion should be short and sweet. I find that 3-4 short sentences are enough to summarize everything and thank them for their time. Use the first sentence to reiterate the skills you have that make you a great candidate for this position and why you would be an asset to the organization. Then provide them with your phone number and email. Lastly, thank them for the time they took to review your cover letter and resume too.

Section 6. Closing Salutation

The final element of your cover letter is your closing salutation. This section is quick and easy. You can choose from the list below or create one of your own.

 

1. 1. Sincerely,

1. 1. Best Regards,

1. 1. Kind Regards,

1. 1. Best,

The Do’s and Don’ts of Cover Letters

There are a few things to keep in mind as your write your cover letter that I would like to address. Below you’ll find a list of Do’s and Don’ts to help keep you on the right track while you’re writing.

The Do’s

 

• • Address the cover letter to the hiring manager by name if possible

• • Use pronouns like “I” “Me” and “My”

• • Make the font size either 11 or 12

• • Take up at least ¾ of the page

• • Use the company name in the introduction and/or conclusion

The Don’ts

 

• • Include your full residential address

• • Use bullet points

• • Use words like “We” or “They”

• • Write more than one page

• • Double space

• • Make the font larger than 12

Conclusion

Writing a great cover letter will take time. You have to include your contact information, the date, a greeting, an introduction, 2 well-written body paragraphs, a conclusion, and your closing salutation to have a complete letter.

Each of these sections serves a purpose to help paint the picture of who you are, your background, and why you’re an excellent fit for the position.

Don’t forget to print your final draft as a PDF before submitting it! You can also download my FREE cover letter template to get started on your journey today!

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