brilliant cover letters pdf

In an increasingly digitized world, where customer-centric strategies are vital for business success, I am thrilled to apply for the [Job Title] position at HubSpot."

Unhelpful Cover Letter Introduction:

"To Whom it May Concern,

I am applying for the [Job Title] position at HubSpot. I have some experience in marketing and can help your clients grow their businesses."

Relevant Professional Experience

It can be tempting to use the same cover letter for every job. After all, it‘s about your experience, isn’t it? But it's not enough to rephrase the work history in your resume.

Recruiters and hiring managers are looking to fill a specific role, so you need to show how your experience translates to their unique needs.

So, the body of a great cover letter should showcase the specific professional experiences that are relevant to the job you're applying for. Emphasize your accomplishments and skills that directly relate to what the job needs.

To speed up this part of the cover letter writing process, start by creating a list of your transferable skills . Drafting this list can help you quickly focus on the skills to highlight in your cover letter.

Then, use AI tools to summarize job descriptions and narrow in on where your experience and the needs of the role you're applying for overlap. This post is full of useful AI assistant tools if you're new to AI.

Helpful Cover Letter Experience:

“At [Company Name], I had the opportunity to assist a global ecommerce retailer in enhancing their online customer experience. By conducting in-depth market research and customer journey mapping, I identified pain points and areas of improvement in their website navigation and user interface.”

Unhelpful Cover Letter Experience:

“I also worked with an ecommerce retailer to improve the customer experience. We did some surveys and training, and they were happy with the results.”

Useful Examples

To make your cover letter stand out, add specific examples that show how you've solved problems or gotten results in past roles.

Quantify your accomplishments whenever possible, using data to give the reader a clear understanding of your impact.

Helpful Cover Letter Example:

“I lead a team of five content writers while increasing website traffic by 18% year-over-year.”

Unhelpful Cover Letter Example:

“I have a great track record of leadership and achieving fantastic results.”

Research and Company Knowledge

Hiring teams aren‘t hiring anyone with the skills to do the job. They’re hiring a person they'll work alongside at their specific company.

So, to show that you‘re not just looking for any job anywhere, share your knowledge of the company’s industry, values, and culture in your cover letter.

Spend some time on the company website and take notes on what makes this business interesting to you and why you would want to work there.

Then, explain how your skills align with the company's mission and goals and explain how you could add to their chances of success. This will showcase your interest in the company and help them see if you are a good cultural fit.

Helpful Cover Letter Research:

“I was particularly drawn to HubSpot not only for its industry-leading solutions but also for its exceptional company culture. HubSpot's commitment to employee development and fostering a collaborative environment is evident in its recognition as a top workplace consistently. I strongly believe that my passion for continuous learning, self-motivation, and dedication to contributing to a team will make me a valuable asset to HubSpot.”

Unhelpful Cover Letter Research:

“I have been inspired by HubSpot's commitment to inbound marketing and its comprehensive suite of solutions. HubSpot's dedication to providing valuable content and fostering meaningful relationships aligns with my own values and aspirations.”

Clear Writing

Your cover letter needs to pack in a lot of important information. But it's also important that your cover letter is clear and concise.

To accomplish this, use professional but easy-to-understand language. Be sure to remove any grammar or spelling errors and avoid lengthy paragraphs and avoid jargon or overly technical language.

You may also want to use bullet points to make your letter easier to skim. Then, proofread your cover letter for clarity or ask a friend to proofread it for you.

• Guide to Becoming a Better Writer
• Tips for Simplifying Your Writing

Helpful Cover Letter Writing:

"In addition to my academic accomplishments, I gained valuable practical experience through internships at respected law firms.

Working alongside experienced attorneys, I assisted in providing legal support to clients. This hands-on experience helped me develop a deep understanding of client needs and enhanced my ability to effectively communicate complex legal concepts in a straightforward manner."

Unhelpful Cover Letter Writing:

"Furthermore, as a complement to my academic accomplishments, I have garnered invaluable practical experience through internships at esteemed law firms.

Throughout these placements, I actively collaborated with seasoned attorneys to conduct due diligence and furnish clients with comprehensive legal support. Notably, these experiences fostered a profound comprehension of client necessities, whilst honing my legal acumen to articulately convey intricate legal principles within a lucid and concise framework, adhering to applicable precedents and statutes of limitations."

Genuine Interest and Enthusiasm

Find ways to convey your passion for the role and how excited you are to contribute to the company you're applying to. At the same time, make sure your interest feels authentic and outline how it aligns with your career goals.

Your ultimate goal is an enthusiastic letter that feels honest and leaves a lasting positive impression.

Showing excitement in writing doesn't come naturally for everyone. A few tips that can help you boost the genuine enthusiasm in your letter:

• Record audio of yourself speaking about the role, then use voice-to-text technology to transcribe and add these sections to your letter.
• Choose your words carefully .
• Write in active voice.

Helpful Cover Letter Tone:

“I am genuinely enthusiastic about the prospect of joining [Company/Organization Name] as an accountant. My combination of technical proficiency, eagerness to learn, and strong attention to detail make me an ideal candidate for this role. I am confident that my dedication, reliability, and passion for accounting will contribute to the continued success of your organization.”

Unhelpful Cover Letter Tone:

“Honestly, I can hardly contain my excitement when it comes to reconciliations, financial statement analysis, and tax regulations! Engaging in spirited discussions with professors and classmates has allowed me to foster an unbreakable bond with the fascinating world of accounting, and I'm positively bursting with enthusiasm at the prospect of applying my skills in a professional setting.”

Memorable Conclusion

End your cover letter on a strong note. Summarize your top qualifications, restate your interest in the position, and express your interest in future communication.

Then, thank your reader for their time and consideration and include your contact information for easy follow-up.

To make your conclusion memorable, think about what parts of your letter you‘d most like the hiring manager to keep top of mind. Then, consider your word choice and phrasing. If you’re feeling stuck, this list of ways to close an email can help.

Helpful Cover Letter Conclusion:

"Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the opportunity to further discuss how my qualifications align with the needs of Greenpeace. Please feel free to contact me at your convenience to arrange an interview.

Together, let's make a lasting impact on our planet.

[Your Name]"

Unhelpful Cover Letter Conclusion:

"Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of discussing my qualifications further and how I can contribute to Greenpeace's mission. Please feel free to contact me at your convenience to arrange an interview.

I’d like to add another stage to the job search: experimentation.

In today’s competitive landscape, it’s so easy to feel defeated, less-than-good-enough, or like giving up your job search.

But don’t let the process become so monotonous. Have fun discovering the qualitative data I’ve discussed here — then, have even more by getting creative with your cover letter composition.

I certainly can’t guarantee that every prospective employer will respond positively — or at all — to even the most unique, compelling cover letter. But the one that’s right for you will.

So, get inspired by these examples and templates. Write an incredible cover letter that shows the hiring team at your dream job exactly who you are.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in October 2020 and has been updated for comprehensiveness. This article was written by a human, but our team uses AI in our editorial process. Check out our full disclosure to learn more about how we use AI.

Don't forget to share this post!

Related articles.

How to Write an Internship Cover Letter [Expert Advice & Examples]

How to Start a Cover Letter That Gets You Your Dream Job

General Cover Letter: 15 Cover Letter Templates to Perfect Your Next Job Application

Is a Cover Letter Necessary in 2024?

Letter of Interest Tips, Templates & Examples [A 2023 Guide]

The Ultimate Guide to Writing a Cover Letter

Eight Cover Letter Greetings for Every Situation

7 Expert Cover Letter Tips to Get the Job

Marketing software that helps you drive revenue, save time and resources, and measure and optimize your investments — all on one easy-to-use platform

Ask the publishers to restore access to 500,000+ books.

Send me an email reminder

By submitting, you agree to receive donor-related emails from the Internet Archive. Your privacy is important to us. We do not sell or trade your information with anyone.

Internet Archive Audio

• Grateful Dead
• Old Time Radio
• 78 RPMs and Cylinder Recordings
• Audio Books & Poetry
• Computers, Technology and Science
• Music, Arts & Culture
• News & Public Affairs
• Spirituality & Religion
• Radio News Archive

• Flickr Commons
• Occupy Wall Street Flickr
• NASA Images
• Solar System Collection
• Ames Research Center

• All Software
• Old School Emulation
• MS-DOS Games
• Historical Software
• Classic PC Games
• Software Library
• Kodi Archive and Support File
• Vintage Software
• CD-ROM Software
• CD-ROM Software Library
• Software Sites
• Tucows Software Library
• Shareware CD-ROMs
• Software Capsules Compilation
• CD-ROM Images
• ZX Spectrum
• DOOM Level CD

• Smithsonian Libraries
• FEDLINK (US)
• Lincoln Collection
• American Libraries
• Canadian Libraries
• Universal Library
• Project Gutenberg
• Children's Library
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• Books by Language
• Additional Collections

• Prelinger Archives
• Democracy Now!
• Occupy Wall Street
• TV NSA Clip Library
• Animation & Cartoons
• Arts & Music
• Computers & Technology
• Cultural & Academic Films
• Ephemeral Films
• Sports Videos
• Videogame Videos
• Youth Media

Search the history of over 866 billion web pages on the Internet.

Mobile Apps

• Wayback Machine (iOS)
• Wayback Machine (Android)

Browser Extensions

Archive-it subscription.

• Explore the Collections
• Build Collections

Save Page Now

Capture a web page as it appears now for use as a trusted citation in the future.

Please enter a valid web address

• Donate Donate icon An illustration of a heart shape

The CV book : what you need to know to write a truly brilliant cover letter

Bookreader item preview, share or embed this item, flag this item for.

• Graphic Violence
• Explicit Sexual Content
• Hate Speech
• Misinformation/Disinformation
• Marketing/Phishing/Advertising
• Misleading/Inaccurate/Missing Metadata

inherent obscured text

plus-circle Add Review comment Reviews

Better World Books

DOWNLOAD OPTIONS

No suitable files to display here.

IN COLLECTIONS

Uploaded by station48.cebu on June 10, 2020

SIMILAR ITEMS (based on metadata)

Brilliant Cover Letters by James Innes

Get full access to Brilliant Cover Letters and 60K+ other titles, with a free 10-day trial of O'Reilly.

There are also live events, courses curated by job role, and more.

This space intentionally left blank.

Get Brilliant Cover Letters now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.

Don’t leave empty-handed

Get Mark Richards’s Software Architecture Patterns ebook to better understand how to design components—and how they should interact.

It’s yours, free.

Check it out now on O’Reilly

Dive in for free with a 10-day trial of the O’Reilly learning platform—then explore all the other resources our members count on to build skills and solve problems every day.

• Business & Money
• Job Hunting & Careers

Sorry, there was a problem.

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required .

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

Image Unavailable

• To view this video download Flash Player

Follow the author

Brilliant Cover Letters: What You Need to Know to Write a Truly Brilliant Cover Letter Paperback – January 1, 2009

• Print length 214 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Ft Pr
• Publication date January 1, 2009
• Dimensions 6 x 0.75 x 9.25 inches
• ISBN-10 0273724630
• ISBN-13 978-0273724636
• See all details

Editorial Reviews

From the back cover.

Make your cover letter stand out from the rest.

The competition is tougher than ever. With so many qualified and experienced candidates out there, how do you make sure your cover letter makes an outstanding impression?

Based on years of experience writing and reviewing successful cover letters, recruitment expert James Innes guides you through the essential rules for writing brilliant cover letters. Discover the 15 most common cover letter mistakes ? and how to avoid them ? and the top five things you can do to guarantee your cover letter is seen by the right people.

Brilliant Cover Letters has full, free online support ? cover letter templates, tools and reader offers ? all available through The CV Centre online.

BRILLIANT OUTCOMES:

* Understand what employers really want to read

* Discover what makes a brilliant cover letter stand out

* Secure a job interview from your cover letter alone

About the Author

James Innes is the Founder and Managing Director of The CV Centre ? the UK?s leading CV consultancy.

Following more than a decade of experience heading up The CV Centre, James is widely considered to be one of the UK?s leading careers experts.

James regularly participates at recruitment fairs and conferences as a sought-after guest speaker, as well as being interviewed on TV and radio.

Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ft Pr; 1st edition (January 1, 2009)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 214 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0273724630
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0273724636
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.4 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.75 x 9.25 inches

About the author

James innes.

James Innes is the Founder and Chairman of TheResumeCenter.com (USA), The Resume Centre (Canada and Australia), The CV Centre (UK, Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa) and CV Center (Germany, Austria, France and Belgium) - the world's leading CV and resume consultancies.

With nearly two decades of experience heading up these organizations, James is widely considered to be one of the world's leading careers experts.

James regularly participates at recruitment fairs and conferences as a guest speaker, as well as working on TV and radio.

He is the author of five best-selling careers books. His current works are: 'The Interview Book', 'The Interview Question & Answer Book', 'The CV Book', 'The Cover Letter Book' and 'Ultimate New Job'.

Customer reviews

• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 5 star 57% 16% 11% 5% 11% 57%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 4 star 57% 16% 11% 5% 11% 16%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 3 star 57% 16% 11% 5% 11% 11%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 2 star 57% 16% 11% 5% 11% 5%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 1 star 57% 16% 11% 5% 11% 11%

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

• Sort reviews by Top reviews Most recent Top reviews

Top reviews from the United States

Top reviews from other countries.

• About Amazon
• Investor Relations
• Amazon Devices
• Amazon Science
• Sell products on Amazon
• Sell on Amazon Business
• Sell apps on Amazon
• Become an Affiliate
• Advertise Your Products
• Self-Publish with Us
• Host an Amazon Hub
• › See More Make Money with Us
• Amazon Business Card
• Shop with Points
• Reload Your Balance
• Amazon Currency Converter
• Amazon and COVID-19
• Your Account
• Your Orders
• Shipping Rates & Policies
• Returns & Replacements
• Manage Your Content and Devices

• Conditions of Use
• Privacy Notice
• Consumer Health Data Privacy Disclosure
• Your Ads Privacy Choices

Skip navigation

• Fall Updates
• For Employers
• In the Know
• Make An Appointment
• Internships
• Employer Connections
• CCE Programs
• Funding Programs
• Drop-in Hours
• Career Counseling Appointments
• Practice Interviews
• Programs & Services
• Design Your Next Steps
• Resumes & CVs
• Cover Letters
• Negotiating
• Career Advancement
• Graduate School
• Premium Resources
• Communications & Media
• Engineering & Technology
• Environment & Sustainability
• Financial Services
• International Affairs
• Non-Profits & Social Justice
• Psychology, Counseling, & Social Work
• Ways to Gain Experience
• Career Assessments
• Connect With Alumni
• Student Experiences
• First-Generation/Low-Income Students
• International Students
• Students with Disabilities
• Veteran Students
• LGBTQ+ Students
• Visiting Students
• Students of Color

How and Why to Write a Great Cover Letter

A cover letter is a one-page business letter that you submit when applying to a job, along with your resume. As a piece of persuasive writing, your cover letter will aim to convey to the employer why you’re a great candidate for the role.

What is the purpose of a cover letter?

Your cover letter complements your resume by making it easy for the employer to see how your experience and interest connect to the position. Your goal is to convince the employer to interview you.

With your cover letter, you’ll aim to:

• Highlight your qualifications:  You’ll show how your skills and experience relate to the employer’s needs for a specific position.
• Showcase your motivation: You’ll demonstrate your enthusiasm for the specific position and the organization.
• Reflect your voice and written communication skills: You’ll give the employer a sense of your personality and writing style.

When should I write a cover letter?

Not all jobs require cover letters. So, how do you decide whether to submit one?

Submit a Cover Letter when…

• The posting explicitly requests that you do so
• You’re applying to an opportunity at a mission-driven organization
• You think that doing so could provide important information to the employer that they wouldn’t get from your resume

Consider Submitting a Cover Letter when…

• It’s marked “optional” in an application, and you have the bandwidth to do so
• You have content that you can easily recycle or repurpose into a tailored cover letter

No Need to Submit a Cover Letter when…

• A posting specifically tells you not to submit one
• There’s no way to submit one in an application portal, and doing so would require a serious workaround

If you’re applying to several similar opportunities, creating a draft cover letter in advance, geared toward that type of opportunity, can be a helpful way to save time in your actual application process.

How do I write a cover letter?

Your cover letter should articulate your qualifications and motivation for the position. Read the job description closely and research the organization. As you craft your cover letter, use examples that demonstrate your relevant skills, knowledge, and interests. The cover letter should be concise, clear, and well-organized.

Before Writing

Research the employer.

Learn enough about the organization to articulate why you are a strong fit for that firm. 

• Review the firm’s website and LinkedIn page.
• Speak with current or previous employees.
• Read articles and social media for current news.

Analyze the job description

Look for skills, duties, and qualifications of the job so you can design your letter to match these as much as possible.

Reflect on your experience and motivation

Identify skills and personal qualities you have developed which will be useful in this role. Ask yourself:

• What attracts you about this role/company/industry?
• What have you have done in your work experiences, classes, internships, activities, projects, volunteer work, travel, etc., that is similar to the duties required of the job? 

Cover Letter Structure

As a business letter, the cover letter should include:

• Heading: Include your name and contact information in the same format as your resume
• Salutation: Address your letter to the specific individual who can hire you, if this is known. If the name is not included in the job description, address the letter to the Hiring Manager or title mentioned in the job description.
• Body Paragraphs:  Discuss your experiences, interests, and skills to show the employer how you can add value to their team. See the section below for more guidance.
• Signature Line: Include a closing and your name.

The cover letter should be one page, about three or four paragraphs, and single spaced. Use 10-12 point font and one inch margins. 

When applying online, upload your cover letter as a PDF file, unless another format is specified. When sending your resume and cover letter by email, you may write a short note or paste your cover letter in the body of your email (without the address header) and also attach the PDF file.

Cover Letter Content

Your cover letter should answer who, what, when, where and why you are applying for the opportunity. 

Introduction

State the position for which you are applying. If you have a referral or spoke with someone from the company, you can mention it in the introduction. Provide some basic information about yourself; this can include your class year and what you’re studying at Columbia. Briefly outline why you’re interested in the organization and what you bring in terms of relevant experience and skills. 

Body Paragraphs

These paragraphs will highlight your qualifications and strengths that are most relevant to the organization and position. Use the job posting and your research as clues to determine what the employer is seeking in a candidate. Have your resume beside you and reflect on what you want the employer to know about you. Are there experiences you want to expand upon that demonstrate your understanding of the role and ability to do the job requirements?

Structure the paragraphs based on relevance, not chronology. Lead with your most relevant skill or strongest experience.

Start each body paragraph with a clear topic sentence.  This can highlight a key skill set, a transferable experience, or a core area of knowledge you’ve built through your studies. Walk the reader through a project or experience, integrating the relevant skills you used and qualities you demonstrated. Provide details about your accomplishments and impact. Connect how these experiences have prepared you for this role and why you are motivated to do this job. There is no need to apologize if you feel you lack experience; focus on the accomplishments that you have.

Recap what you would bring to the organization and your interest in the position. Thank the employer for their consideration. Keep your tone positive and enthusiastic. 

Check out our example of how to structure your cover letter content . 

Editing Tips

Use our  Cover Letter Checklist to make sure your format and content is in line with best practices. 

• Ensure that the content reflects the requirements in the job description
• Keep the cover letter concise, at one page or less
• Correct any errors in grammar, sentence structure, and spelling
• Use the active voice
• Avoid beginning too many sentences with “I”

Privacy Policy Accessibility Notice of Non-Discrimination Terms of Use

We're using cookies on this site. Cookies store information that is necessary for this site to work well. More about cookies

Skip to main content

• Skip to main menu
• Skip to user menu
• Frequently asked questions (6)
• CV & Cover Letter (63)
• Job Interview (39)
• Career paths (165)
• Job Hunting (171)
• Progress your career (351)
• Videos & Podcasts (71)
• Internships & volunteering (23)
• Why accountancy? (11)
• Recruiter Advice (66)
• Skills builder (73)
• Wellbeing (24)

How to write a brilliant cover letter

Published: 17 Oct 2019

A cover letter, when sent together with your CV, gives you an opportunity to further tell the reader exactly why you should be considered for interview.

Although not all job applications require a cover letter, it is always a good idea to provide one. Why miss out on a further chance to market your expertise and convince the employer you have what it takes?

Focus your letter for each application

Some job seekers use the same cover letter for every application. Whilst you may have the core content, the more you can align the letter to the specific requirements of a post, the better the letter will resonate with the reader. Even jobs with the same job title can have quite different requirements so read the person specification and use this as the basis for showing the reader how you meet these requirements.

Keep your cover letter short

Just as most recruiters will scan read a CV, the same is true for your cover letter. So, there is little point including lots of detail. Keep your cover letter to three or four short paragraphs. At the beginning introduce yourself and summarise why you are applying for the role. The rest of the letter should be used to support your application using specific examples of experience and highlighting the necessary financial qualifications, technical accounting expertise and personal qualities.

Your cover letter should complement your CV

Occasionally when we review a customer’s CV they might say ‘I didn’t put any achievements in the CV as I included them all in the cover letter’. Your CV and cover letter need to act both independently as well as together. Always include examples of achievements in your CV. However, you can pick your two or three most impressive achievements and cite these in the cover letter too. As long as you don’t repeat verbatim what is in the CV, repeating an important message can help to hammer your strengths home. This is the process by how all advertising works after all.

Presentation and formatting

Ensure your cover letter contains three or four coherent paragraphs where there is a set theme for each paragraph. Address the respondent by name if you can and include a heading at the top with the job title and reference number. It goes without saying your cover letter should be proof-read carefully to make sure there are no spelling mistakes or typos. Sign off with a warm and positive message along the lines of ‘I believe I have all the attributes to succeed in this role and would warmly welcome being invited to interview’.

This article is written by Neville Rose, Director of CV Writers.

CV Writers are the official CV partner to ACCA Careers.

In addition to a  CV writing service  they can help with LinkedIn profiles, cover letters and interview coaching. You can get things started with a  Free CV Review .

Related links

• Free CV review This will open in a new window
• 6 ways to focus your job-hunt for new graduates and career starters This will open in a new window
• CV writing for early carers This will open in a new window

Back to listing

• Search for your interview... ×
• HOW IT WORKS
• TESTIMONIALS
• INTERVIEW MENTORING PROGRAM
• ACCESS ALL PRODUCTS
• ONE-TO-ONE COACHING

Cover Letters , Resume

How to write a cover letter a step-by-step guide (examples included).

DOWNLOAD RICHARD MCMUNN’S 9 BRILLIANT COVER LETTER TEMPLATES! (PLUS 30-days free access to our online interview training course to help you PASS YOUR INTERVIEW!)

ADD TO CART BELOW:

PLUS FREE BONUS!

Get all 9 cover letter templates, plus FREE bonus access to our bestselling online interview training course, which contains over 50 powerful video modules to quickly get you interview ready (and they work for ANY interview). This online course will instantly be free for you to access for 30-days. Thereafter, it’s just £27+vat per month. No minimum term. You can cancel anytime by contacting us via our contact page or email. If you cancel before the 30-day trial ends, you will not be charged.

In this blog, career and recruitment expert, Richard McMunn, shows you the fastest way to create a brilliant cover letter for any job application!

Read on to find out what it takes to write the perfect cover letter:

TIP 1 – Keep it short, concise and positive

The first important step is to make sure you keep the cover letter relatively short, concise and positive in nature. It does not need to be lengthy, simply because the hiring manager does not have time to read through reams of text of pages. The best cover letters are short and powerful – no longer than one-side of A4.

TIP 2 – Load your cover letter with powerful keywords and phrases

Think about it, the Hiring Manager who reads your cover letter will have read many of these before. Therefore, we need to make sure your letter stands out from the crowd! To achieve this, make it unique by inserting a number of positive keywords and phrases that will resonate positively with the person reading it. Words such as professional , self-motivated, determined, confident and team worker will all help to demonstrate key qualities that are attract to every employer.

TIP 3 – Do not make any spelling, grammar or punctuation mistakes!

You’d be surprised at how many cover letters contain grammar and spelling errors. If you do make any mistakes, your application will most probably end up in the bin. It is important to make sure your cover letter has zero mistakes, as this shows you are conscious, can communicate effectively, and that you have great attention to detail.

WHAT TO INCLUDE IN A COVER LETTER

So, to help you write and submit the perfect cover letter, here are the 6 core elements we recommend you include to make it match the job and stand out from the rest of the applicants:

#1 – A professional introduction is a must!

When you start off your cover letter/email, make sure you start off with “Dear sir/madam,” This is important, as sets a formal tone for your introduction and demonstrates you are professional in your communication. Do not say: “To whom it may concern.”

#2 – The job you are applying for

Provide an introduction that tells the hiring manager the name/position you are applying for. Here’s an example:

#3 – Who you are and why you are applying for the job

This aspect of the cover letter should only be a few lines long, but it needs to include details of you as a potential employee, and the reasons why you have applied for this job. Here’s a great example:

#4 – Details of the skills and qualities you possess relevant to the role

During the next stage of your cover letter, include any skills and qualities you have gained in life so far that are a match for the job description and person specification. Again, here’s an example to demonstrate what we mean:

#5 – A powerful closing statement

At the end of your cover letter, include a powerful and positive closing statement that explains why you are the best person for the role!

#6 – The correct ‘sign-off’ and your contact details

The final aspect of your cover letter is to sign off correctly. If you have used ‘ Dear sir/madam’ at the start of your covering letter, make sure you sign off with ‘ Yours faithfully’ .  You should also include your contact details, so they can get in touch with you if they decide to invite you along for interview.

To save you the hassle of having to write a cover letter yourself, we have created 7 BRILLIANT COVER LETTERS that can be used for all job applications across a variety of sectors. Download this pack now and simply use the cover letter that is applicable to your situation:

Richard McMunn

29 thoughts on “ how to write a cover letter a step-by-step guide (examples included) ”.

Great article thank you for sharing this article.

Incredibly helpful to me

Happy to hear this has helped you Chinda. Let me know if you need any more help or what other guides would be helpful for you 🙂

I have learnt Soo much from this site and I believe its the best site for anyone wanting to learn more about interview questions , cover letters and much more

Thanks Maryam! Really glad to have helped! 🙂

Nice,,,,,,,Nice!!

It’s really so helpful and make good direction for the recruiters or hiring managers to you so happy for all of you contents

Thank you for your kind words and I am glad it is helpful!

Wow!! Mind blowing. I really need a new job and hope this will get me there.

I am glad my covering letter tips could help, let me know if there I can assist with anything else 🙂

This is so good covering letter and this is so helpful for me but Now in my country a lot of employer ( special NGO ) is does not see cover letter any more and they hire their family member only . That why so sad to apply for any job

Am glad for this wonderful cover letter am on a serious job search this year

Wow!! Mind blowing

Can i get cover letter for accountant

Your cover letter number two is good , and how about application letter for driver

It is beautiful cover better the one’s read before. Thank you.

I really Don’t know what is cover letter before see this cover. I’m from Bangladesh. Thanks a lot sir ❤️🇧🇩

Hi sir it really a good one here I have learn a lots in your program and I wish I could have one cover letter for an airline staff thanks in advance

Sir, when I put after my phone number like this “If I didn’t answer please drop a whatsapp msg” is it a disadvantage for me?

I must admit I have been greatly helped by your videos and not been able to thank you. Continue the great work

Sir, i found so helpful because, i was in half way through creating my cover letter and so it guided me alot.

Thank for this great tutorial, you are indeed a great teacher with great delivery method, am of good benefit to this

Sp grateful for your generosity to share these stuff ;)) Blessings

Thank you very much, sir. I am very glad to receive your information. I really needed your information at the last moment. I hope that you will always extend a helping hand to people in this way.

Hi Richard, What should I include in my cover letter for an entry level global management graduate program?

Feel free to use the contact form or connect with me via LinkedIn 🙂

wahooo splendid , i really appreciate

Glad it helps! What role are you applying for? 🙂

You are one exceptional teacher and presenter. Listening to your presentations actually fine-tuned my approach to applying for a job and also boosted my confidence in writing a CV and Cover letters and preparing for an interview. Thank you.

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• View Careers
• How It Works
• Testimonials
• Interview Mentoring Program
• One-to-One Coaching
• Access All Products

Username or email address  *

Password  *

Remember me Log in

Lost your password?

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies
• Cookie Policy

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

More information about our Cookie Policy

• SUGGESTED TOPICS
• The Magazine
• Newsletters
• Managing Yourself
• Managing Teams
• Work-life Balance
• The Big Idea
• Data & Visuals
• Case Selections
• HBR Learning
• Topic Feeds
• Account Settings
• Email Preferences

How to Write a Cover Letter That Sounds Like You (and Gets Noticed)

• Elainy Mata

Do the research, start off strong, and emphasize your value.

• EM Elainy Mata is a Multimedia Producer at Harvard Business Review. ElainyMata

Partner Center

• Resume Templates
• CV Templates
• Career Blogs
• Build For Free

Brilliant Cover Letter Examples: How to Write Guide

8 Minutes read

“Why, a cover letter? My resume will speak for itself!” may be the thought running through your mind right now. 

Well, the best way to help you understand the vital role played by a great cover letter, in ensuring your resume actually gets an opportunity to speak for itself, is through an analogy.

Picture this: It is the festive season and gifts from friends and acquaintances have started pouring in. While opening these gifts, which are the ones that you would automatically reach out for first? 

The ones which have personal handwritten notes, right! 

Well, that is exactly the role played by a cover letter.

Amidst the hundreds of resumes which are received by the hiring manager of an organization, a personally addressed cover letter is just what might make the difference between your resume getting to the ‘To be Read’ pile rather than being rejected outright.

Here we will take you through the entire process of writing a cover letter with examples; starting with understanding exactly what a cover letter is, right up to creating a brilliant cover letter.

What is a Cover Letter?

A ‘Cover Letter’ in the simplest terms, is a one-page letter which is sent along with any document (in this case, your resume), in order to explain its contents. 

A cover letter, also known as an application letter, is a document that you send together with your resume to provide additional information about your relevant abilities and experiences. 

It normally consists of three to four paragraphs that emphasize your relevant abilities, expertise, and accomplishments.

Because resumes are condensed fact sheets, submitting a cover letter with your resume can help hiring managers understand more about you, your accomplishments, and how you can benefit their organisation. 

Employers frequently utilise cover letters to screen job candidates prior to moving on with the recruiting process.

Importance of Cover Letter

A cover letter is vital since it expands on the information in your resume and serves as the hiring manager's initial impression of you. Employers use cover letters to whittle down the applicant pool and choose the applicants for an interview. 

Some positions demand a cover letter, while others do not, to determine whether candidates will make the extra effort.

Cover Letter Format for Job Applications

When it comes to job applications, the correct cover letter format should contain the following 6 mandatory segments:

Personal Details – Personal Details in your cover letter will contain your name, email id etc.

Addressee – Addressee in the cover letter will include the name and designation of the person who is the hiring manager/in-charge, for the role you are applying for.

Opening Paragraph -    Opening Paragraph in cover letter is a couple of lines to catch the attention of the hiring manager and make them want to read more. 

Main Body – Main Body in the cover letter should be c onvincing the hiring manager that, you are the right person for the job.

Closing CTA (Call To Action) – Call CTA (Call To Action) in a cover letter is a closing paragraph which should be a call to action like asking for an opportunity to be interviewed.

Formal Salutation – Formal Salutation in the cover letter is the words like pointed out in the Example: Sincerely, sincerely yours, Yours sincerely or Yours truly.

Using this correct format in cover letter will certainly make your resume good enough to cross the first hurdle and get on to that ‘To be Read’ pile, we mentioned. However, in that very same pile, will be a long line of other applicants (around 40%), having cover letters following the very same, correct format! 

You most certainly do not want to be stuck in this generic pile, indefinitely. The sooner your cover letter catches the attention of the hiring manager, the better your chances of impressing them and ensuring you get that interview call. 

For this your cover letter needs to be better than good, it needs to be brilliant! 

The AIDA Technique Of Cover Letter

Now, this is where the popular marketing model AIDA comes into play. An acronym for:

A – Attention

I – Interest

It is the perfect tool to ensure your cover letter grabs the attention of the hiring manager. Once you have their attention, you then work to impress them with your credentials and professional accomplishments. 

As they keep reading more about you, the desire to hire you increases and converts into an interview call.

Let us now take a relook at the cover letter format and see how incorporating the AIDA technique into it gives you a winning combination. 

Relevant Personal Details Within Cover Letter

There are certain details like your name, email, LinkedIn profile and maybe even links which showcase your work, which should go on the cover letter. Adding your photo, hobbies, legal declaration etc in cover letter is a big no-no. 

Correct and Incorrect Examples of Cover Letter:

Now comes the part where you get the ‘Attention’ of the hiring manager.

Cover Letter: The Right Way of Addressing

While salutations like ‘Dear Sir/Madam’ or ‘To Whomsoever it may Concern’ were the norm before the onslaught of social media networking, it does not hold good now. 

In the current scenario, it is far better to address the hiring manager by name, for not only does it ensure that their attention is grabbed at the very onset, but also goes to show that you have gone the extra mile, by reading up all about the organization and the advertised position. 

To get the hiring manager’s name you can either look up the job posting details on the company website/LinkedIn careers or even use your friends/colleagues network to access the information.  

Correct and Incorrect Examples in a Cover Letter:

Grabbing Attention via the Opening Paragraph

To generate interest in you as a potential candidate, you would first need to show the hiring manager, how interested you are in joining the organization. So go ahead and personalize your opening paragraph of your cover letter, by:

Strategically incorporating keywords from the organization’s mission statement (which will be readily available online)

Showing that you have the core skill required for the advertised position.

Simultaneously highlighting how your core skill will be in keeping with the organization’s mission.   

Let us go through a cover letter example, to help you better understand this process.

This is the mission statement of ‘Aflac – An American insurance company’. 

 Here the keywords in the above cover letter are:

Strategic Marketing, Quality Products, Quality Services, Competitive Prices, Best Insurance Value, Consumers 

Now imagine you are applying for the post of Customer Service Representative, in this company. For you the relevant keywords to be added in this cover letter would be ‘Quality services’ and ‘Best insurance value’. 

So, let us look at an opening paragraph in the cover letter, which will incorporate the two aspects, namely these keywords and your core skill:

Here in the above cover letter, you are indicating how your core skill, namely ‘Top-notch customer communication’ will definitely ensure that the company delivers on its mission of providing ‘Quality services’ and the ‘Best insurance value’. Now, what better way, to catch the interest of the hiring manager! You are off to a good start.

Now that you have got the hiring manager interested in reading more about you, here comes the part, where you invoke the desire to hire you.

Establishing Interest via the Main Body:

Here you need to convince the hiring manager that you are the right candidate for the advertised job. To do this:

First check the job description and find out the top 3 skills required by you for this job

For each skill give proof from your past work experience or academic qualifications

Closing CTA (Call To Action) In Cover Letter

End the cover letter by asking for an opportunity to be interviewed. An example of the appropriate closing statement to be used is given below, a couple of outdated closing examples are also provided.

Correct and Incorrect Examples CTA in Cover Letter:

Including the final salutation, these are the mandatory segments your cover letter should have. However there is one additional segment you will need to add, and that is when there has been a gap in your career.  

Let your resume do the work.

Join 1,300,000 job seekers worldwide and get hired faster with your best resume yet.

Job Seekers

• Cover Letter Templates
• Experienced

Our Company

• Help Center

Career Resources

• Universities
• Interview Blogs
• ATS Compatible Resume
• Resume for Fresher
• Professional Resume
• Terms of Service
• Privacy Policy
• Cookies Policy
• Refund Policy