Every employer knows that finding the right candidate for the job is no easy task. The amount of time and effort involved in recruiting for one position is significant. So, it needs to be worth it.
Often, your first chance to impress an employer or hiring manager will lie within your covering letter. If you’re job hunting, you need to remember that whoever is in charge will have seen plenty of job applications before they even get round to looking at yours.
Take a look at these cover letter examples and tips to ensure that yours makes the right impression.
Cover Letter Examples
The ‘perfect’ cover letter varies from person to person, and from job to job. Your cover letter, therefore, will need to change based on the position you are applying for. That being said, it’s always essential to use your cover letter as a platform to demonstrate why you could be the ideal candidate for the role.
Remember that there are no ultimate cover letter templates that will get you the job. While your cover letter needs to be well-structured, presented professionally, neat and grammatically sound, it’s what’s inside that counts.
Only include relevant information, such as your specific skills and experience that would lend themselves to the job in question. There’s no need to go into the full details of your work experience here, as it’s all going to be on your CV. If your cover letter is a good one, it’ll guarantee that your CV will get read!
These examples should give you some inspiration and an idea of how to create your own interview-winning cover letter.
Applying for an Advertised Vacancy
This is probably the most common context for a cover letter, whether you’re applying for an internal or external position. It lends itself to most sectors and industries.
“Dear Mr Lewis,
I am writing to you in order to submit my application for the Area Sales Manager position with Lewis Enterprises, as advertised on CV-Library. Please find enclosed my CV, application form and references for your consideration.
Having read the job description and knowing the strong reputation that your company has, this opportunity is of great interest to me. As you will see from my CV, I have extensive experience in B2B sales and a successful track record that I feel will make me a strong candidate for the role. My key strengths include:
- Consistently exceeding sales targets
- Turning losses or low turnover into significant profit
- Creating and maintaining lasting relationships with high-value key accounts
My previous work experience has given me the ability to communicate and influence people at all levels. I also have experience in leading sales teams, project management and strategic planning. I possess the drive, professionalism and high standards that are required to succeed within your company.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my application. Should you require any further information in support of my application, you are welcome to contact me directly.
I look forward to hearing from you and discussing this opportunity in more detail in the near future.
Yours Sincerely,”
Applying Speculatively
Your dream job may be with a particular company. There’s nothing wrong with reaching out to see if there are any jobs available at present or in the future.
“Dear Ms Bridge,
Bridge Business Consultancy is regularly referred to as one of the leading employers in the area and your professional and fun company culture is certainly refreshing. As such, I am writing to enquire if you have any vacancies available for an experienced and hard-working Marketing professional.
I appreciate it is likely that you will receive many similar enquiries, however, I feel that my particular skills and experience would be indispensable to your business.
I graduated from Manchester University in 2016 with a first-class degree in Business and French. Having spent a year abroad in Paris, working with business growth specialists, I have a unique insight into the French job market. This knowledge and experience, alongside my excellent language skills, would allow me to provide vital support to your clients based in France.
Since graduating, I have been working with a reputable marketing agency, where I have already made a tangible impact. Generally speaking, I am a friendly, creative and determined employee with the hunger to grow and develop.
Please find my CV enclosed for your perusal. I would be greatly appreciative of the opportunity to discuss my skills and experience with you further. If you do not have any vacancies available at present, please do keep my details on file for future job openings.
Yours Sincerely,”
General Advice
As you can see, cover letters need to be tailored to you and the job that you’re trying to bag. However, there are some general pointers worth bearing in mind when you write a cover letter, too. These include:
- Keep it to the point – don’t waffle
- Avoid common cover letter mistakes
- Read the job advert closely – what boxes do you need to tick?
- Get a friend or family member to give it a check
- Make sure it is structured correctly
- Proofread
- If you’re applying for a creative job, try to think outside of the box
Bringing it all together
There is no ‘holy grail cover letter template’, it’s all about making an impact, selling yourself and making employers want to read your CV. But you only have a few paragraphs to do it! Creating a well-presented, interesting cover letter that encompasses your unique selling points is vital.