What should be included in a covering letter

Key Elements of a Cover Letter Printer-friendly version. Information about you Begin your cover letter with your contact information.

Name Current home address Telephone number. Including a specific name can get your letter and resume to the hiring manager more quickly and can be an effective personal touch. If you are applying for an advertised position that does not give a name to contact, call the company and ask for the department manager's name.

Choose the appropriate way to address the contact person. For example: Dear Mr. Consider salutation examples that are appropriate for cover letters and other employment-related correspondence.

For example:. The body is the most important part of a cover letter or an email message applying for employment. The body of a cover letter includes the paragraphs where you explain why you are interested in and qualified for the posted job :.

Be specific by referencing the employer's job requirements as listed in the job posting in this part of your cover letter. Including keywords related to the jobs for which you are applying in your cover letters can help you get selected for a job interview. These are specific words hiring managers look for when considering applications. As hiring processes have become automated, online applicant tracking systems are programmed to search for keywords.

Make sure to close your letter in a professional manner. Casual closings as you would write to a friend or a family member are not appropriate in a letter to a potential employer. What is included in a cover letter signature depends on whether you are sending or uploading a cover letter document or using an email message as your cover letter. Hard copies of letters should be signed by hand. Scanning your signature to include on PDFs can be a nice touch, while emails should include a professional electronic signature that includes your contact information.

Here's an example of the final product, including information on why the applicant would be an excellent candidate with a summary of his qualifications for the job. Download the template for a cover letter here and also review more cover letter samples with free templates you can download to use as a starting point for your own letter.

I am writing to state my interest in the position of Assistant to the Director of Goodspring. I believe that my work experience and education have equipped me with the skills necessary to be a successful candidate for this position. During my years with XYZ Wellness, I have been responsible for everything from accounting, bookkeeping, marketing and maintaining records to scheduling appointments and greeting clients and their families at the door.

I have proudly overseen our growth from a startup business to a well-respected contributor to the community. I have also been in charge of organizing our very successful annual golf fundraiser and dinner.

Your mission is an important one, and I would very much appreciate the opportunity to speak with you about how I can contribute to your team and help you continue to provide the services so vital to our community. Thank you for your consideration. When you're sending an email cover letter see below your contact information should be listed after your signature. The body of an email cover letter should contain the same information as a document cover letter, but two big differences are the subject line and your contact information.

Many employers ask that specific information is included in the subject line , and you must follow those instructions carefully. Contact information should be included with your electronic signature. Want to write your cover letter fast? Use our cover letter builder. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way. Sample Cover Letter for a Resume— See more cover letter templates and create your cover letter here.

Well, the same thing goes for cover letters when the hiring manager reads it, as well. One of the best cover letter tips out there is to call them by name. Dear is regarded as one of the best cover letter salutations out there, as it is useful whether the letter is formal or informal, and whether you know their name or not. Not satisfied with Dear? Now we get to the good stuff: the opening statement. Like with the compelling first line in a great novel, the opening paragraph on a cover letter should hook them immediately in a way that makes them want to read further.

There are different ways to go about this. With my experience as an award-winning flight attendant for Lufthansa, I know I can use my skill set and knowledge to become a valuable member of the United Airlines team. This makes a great opening, and it will make them want to read more. It feel more personalized, and it ensures the recruiter that this is a dedicated cover letter, not one you mass-emailed all over the continent. In the second paragraph of a cover letter, show them how you are the perfect fit for the company and team.

Completing painting jobs all around Manhattan gives me a unique sense of speedy work under high pressure while maintaining quality, something that can translate easily into the fast-paced positions at your cafes. On top of that, my numerous clients have always maintained that I exuded a sense of professionalism while remaining warm and friendly in conversation during jobs, which would be useful in the cozy and inviting atmosphere of the Koffee Konsultants cafe.

See that? With that paragraph, you show that even though you have no barista experience, your acquired skills from painting gigs and inherent attitude and friendliness would make you the ideal new hire.

For the third paragraph, explain to them why their company and this position in particular is perfect for you. Obtaining the head chef position would be my dream come true. Though I love cooking with all my heart, there is no other restaurant that would make me as happy to work for. How about that one? You praised the restaurant and showed them just how great a position there would be for you.

You gave specific examples of what attracted you to apply, and just you wait, this attitude will not go unnoticed! Pro Tip : Let your hair down and wear your heart on your sleeve.

Skip the robotic tone for the resume, and convey your enthusiasm and excitement for the position here in this third paragraph! Just about there! Now go for a strong finish with an impressive closing paragraph by briefly summing up:. I would welcome the chance to discuss your digital marketing objectives and show you how my successes at ABC can translate into digital and online marketing growth for XYZ. You bring it to a satisfying end by summarizing your letter and then leaving the ball in their court.

Pro Tip : How long should a cover letter be? Closing strong on a cover letter is just as critical as an attention-grabbing beginning.