GO GET THAT JOB!
The Cover Letter, also commonly called a Letter of Application (LOA), Letter of Introduction (LOI), and Letter of Interest (LOI), is used on a regular basis to accompany documents submitted as part of the job application process (such as resumes, curriculum vitae, etc.).
Some call the same letter a Letter of Motivation (LOM) since it is expected to include content presenting the job-candidate’s motivation to hold the position/job at hand. There are multiple ways to write and structure a cover letter, yet most of them eventually follow a standard structure with slight variations.
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The standard cover letter has 4-6 sections (depending on how you regard the one before last in a six-section cover letter). Other versions do not include the first section, thus also ending having 4-5 sections to it.
The first section suggested (is optional) is your contact information, indicated in a similar or identical way to that in your resume or curriculum vitae. It commonly includes your name, email address, and phone number. You may choose to include you mailing address, pronouns, a link to your portfolio or personal website, or any other link you are sure serves you well. For example, some people include their LinkedIn profile.
The second section of a cover letter is actually a salutation. The salutation may change according to changing circumstances such as a cover letter addressing a single person vs multiple people (a search committee comprised of more than one person). When addressing a single person, it is advised to address them by name. When addressing a team or committee, use the term they chose to use in their job ad or in previous communications with you (when relevant). You may also choose to address them as the “search team” or “search committee”. Afterwards, it is custom to indicate the following information: company name, company’s address, company’s phone number, and it is optional to include the hiring manager’s email.
The body of the cover letter includes a flexible number of paragraphs that depend on the applicants experience and the employer’s requirements of the cover letter (some employers will indicate what they require a cover letter to include). These paragraphs are often regarded as three stand-alone sections of the cover letter. The first paragraph is regarded as the third section of the cover letter and is called the “opening paragraph”.
It is important that your cover letter’s opening paragraph be an “attention catcher”. It is meant to be written as if it determines if the employer/reader will choose to read the entire cover letter or simply stop. Thus, you must make it count by showing motivation, attraction, or passion for this specific position and employer. Remember, the number one question asked by employers in the USA is “why us?”. Make sure to answer this question in your opening paragraph of your cover letter.
Within the same opening paragraph, continue to address employers’ number two question, which is “how do you qualify for this specific position”. It is advised to briefly survey your credentials, qualifications, and experiences that make you confident that you are the right person for the job. Phrase this part with confidence yet without coming across as arrogant.
The fourth section of a cover letter includes several paragraphs meant to further convince the employer/reader that you are the right person for the job. The number of paragraphs included will differ from one applicant to another.
The next paragraph (second overall) should go into details even more than the opening paragraph. One after the other, address the job requirements as indicated by the employer in their job posting and address their vision, mission, or values as indicated in the job posting and/or website. Make sure to use their language and their phrases as much as possible.
The paragraphs that make-up section four of your cover letter should follow a simple pattern where you indicate one of the company’s needs, indicate that you have such experience, give at least one example of relevant experience for that specific need, and then make sure they understand that you were successful. Repeat this as many times as needed until all the employer’s requirements have been covered. Be sure to find the shortest way to describe these points otherwise your cover letter will become too long.
The fifth section is your closing paragraph. It is advised to “close the loop” by very briefly reminding the employer of your passion for the position and working for them as an employer. Immediately after make sure to indicates the following:
A) You look forward to meeting with them in the near future
B) You look forward to further discussing your qualifications for the job/position
C) Your availability
D) Your intention to follow-up with them in a few weeks
E) You are grateful and appreciative of this great opportunity
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The sixth section is your sign-off. These vary from including another short salutation such as “best”, “respectfully”, or “sincerely” to including your title and credentials such as “Dr. John Smith, Expert Cardiologist”, “John Smith, Electrical Engineer”, “John Smith, CPA”. Your sign-off may include a personal signature and be used to further establish your expertise. Be careful to not come across as arrogant or condescending.
Last, but not at all least – good luck!
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