A good cover letter can mean the difference between landing an interview and disappearing into the slush pile. We’ll show you how to write a compelling letter that makes a great first impression.
In this section
Preparing to write
A strong cover letter answers two key questions:
Without a cover letter, you’d have to rely solely on your resume to make an impact big enough for the hiring manager or recruiter to call you for an interview. Use your letter to highlight your abilities, show why you’d be a great fit for that particular job and, of course, demonstrate your excellent communication skills.
Just as chefs gather all of their ingredients before starting to cook, you’ll start by collecting information about the job, the company and your strengths as they relate to that role. Here’s how to get started:
Writing your first draft
Now that you have all the information you need, you can put together your first draft.
Structure
Your letter will fill two-thirds to three-quarters of one page, and it will include up to four paragraphs. The body of the letter should be around 400 words.
1. Header
2. Salutation
If no contact name is provided, use:
Dear Recruitment Manager,
Dear Hiring Manager,
If a contact name is provided, use:
Dear [first name],
You can also check LinkedIn to see if the person has indicated their preferred pronouns.
3. First paragraph
Your opening paragraph should demonstrate strong interest, passion, and knowledge about the company, role and/or company people you’ve met. Grab the reader’s attention by telling a compelling story, highlighting a detail about the company, or shining a spotlight on your qualifications. Show that you’re a great fit for the role by connecting your skills, interests and experiences to the company’s needs. Emphasize what you can do for them, not the other way around.
Don’ts
4. Middle paragraph(s)
In one or two paragraphs, demonstrate your strong fit for the role by connecting your experience to a few of the position’s most important skills. You can also mention extracurricular and professional development activities that differentiate you from other candidates, such as relevant industry/volunteer work, certifications, designations, etc.
Start with the facts
“My four years as an engineering consultant with [company] have helped me to develop a diverse skill set that will allow me to excel as a member of [target company]’s strategy group…”
“I am a licensed professional engineer with extensive experience in Ontario’s energy sector and have primarily worked as a client-facing nuclear consultant. In my previous engagement at [company], I managed a $7-million contract as the lead engineer. On this project, I developed…”
“Over the past year and a half, I have been working full-time, studying part-time and running a not-for-profit. I enjoy working hard and know that this is something that the position at [company] will demand of me…”
Summarize key skills with examples
“While at [company], I conducted a valuation for a mid-cap mining company, for which I prepared a financial model of the organization from scratch. I compiled the valuation findings with industry research and comparables into a deck and presented my research and recommendations to the Board of Directors. After extensive consultations with various stakeholders across the organization, I compiled our findings into a proposal that was eventually implemented by the client, resulting in an acquisition of a smaller competitor worth $10 million.”
You can also include one or two sentences that provide insight into items on your resume that employers might be curious about, such as gaps, career changes, etc.
5. Closing paragraph
Use this paragraph to reinforce your interest and desire to move to the next step.
“I am eager to tackle challenging problems using skills I have gained from my previous experience as a Project Lead, my Master’s degree in Engineering and my MBA. I believe that I have a lot to offer the [company] team.”
Follow that with a warm closing statement such as:
“I would very much appreciate the chance to connect with you at your earliest convenience should you feel that my education, skills and experience are a fit for this role. Thank you for your time and consideration.”
Don’t repeat your contact information (it’s already in the header).
6. Complimentary closing and signature
End with a formal closing, such as:
Formatting your letter
Your cover letter should look clean and professional. Follow these formatting tips:
Polishing your letter
Once you’ve written your letter, run through the steps below. Repeat until your letter is in the best possible shape.
Next steps
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