Cover Letter Toolkit

Cover Letter Toolkit

Unlock the Art of Crafting the Perfect Cover Letter

Jumping into the tough world of job hunting? Dreaming of impressing big companies like Amazon or Google? Let us introduce you to the Ultimate Cover Letter Guide: everything you need to write a cover letter that stands out.

Instead of just giving basic tips, we dig into the details that make a cover letter really shine. Learn the key parts, from a catchy start to a strong finish, and get the inside scoop on what makes hiring managers take notice.

With this knowledge, you can craft your cover letter to show off what makes you special and different from everyone else.

Our guide is carefully made to give you a distinct picture of what works best in the current job scene. Boost your skills, fine-tune your approach, and dive into job applications with confidence, making sure your cover letter grabs attention and really speaks to employers.

Itinerary

1. Fundamentals of Cover Letters

2. First Look: Your Letter's Impression

3. Cover Letter Checklist

4. Do Your Research

5. Standing Out From the Crowd

6. Draw In The Reader

7. Tell Your Story

8. Finish With Conviction

Fundamentals of Cover Letters

Is a Cover Letter Necessary?

People often wonder if cover letters matter nowadays. Are they always wanted by companies? Not really. Do hiring managers always read them? Not always. So, why bother writing them?

Well, not "always" means sometimes they do matter. Many hiring managers still read cover letters. Why?

Cover letters allow you to:

• Share info not on your resume.

• Display your understanding of the company's needs.

• Highlight how you'd fit in with the company and its people.

• Reflect on what you bring to the table. This also preps you for interview questions!

• Show off your writing skills.

Even if a job ad doesn't ask for one, think about the advantages. A cover letter dives deeper into why you're right for the job. It speaks about your passion, ability to do the job, and how you'd align with the company's culture.

If you're unsure about what to add in your cover letter, think: Is this helpful for the hiring manager to know? Does this info boost my chances of landing the job?

Your cover letter delves deeper into your abilities, credentials, and enthusiasm, illustrating why you're ideal for the position in question.

• A cover letter unveils your aspirations and passions and showcases your communication finesse. It poses questions like:

• Are you equipped for the role? (Do you possess the requisite competencies?)

• Is this the position you're eager for? (What about the job appeals to you?)

• Do you resonate with the company's culture? (Is there an alignment in values and working methods?)

If you're contemplating adding certain details to your cover letter, reflect on its relevance to the recruiter. Will sharing such insights bolster your job prospects?

Presentation Matters

Your cover letter's look is as important as its content. Make sure:

Font is between 10-12pt.

There's a 2cm margin on all sides.

The layout is clean, not just a chunk of words.

If sent online, save as a PDF. This ensures it looks consistent on any device.

First Look: Your Letter's Impression

Re: Position Title, Job ID Number (If available)

Dear Mr./Ms. Recruiter’s Last Name OR Hiring Manager,

When starting off your cover letter, it's a great idea to dive right in with a captivating introduction. Perhaps share a brief personal story or experience that's relevant to the role you're applying for. This not only grabs attention, but also sets the stage for you to share why this particular job aligns with your passion and past experiences. Additionally, it's beneficial to highlight how your values resonate with the company's culture and mission. Mentioning any prior interactions or research about the company can further prove your genuine interest and dedication.

After the introduction, you'll want to delve deeper into your qualifications. Typically, one or two paragraphs work best. This section should spotlight your skills and experiences that make you an ideal fit for the position. Instead of just listing qualifications, try narrating instances where you put these skills into action. A helpful technique is the STAR approach, detailing the Situation, Task, Action, and Result. This method not only illustrates your capabilities but also gives a structured narrative of your achievements. You will find out more about the STAR approach below

To wrap things up, re-emphasize your enthusiasm for the role and the value you bring. A word of appreciation for the hiring team's time and consideration goes a long way. It's also a good strategy to encourage them to reach out for any further discussions or clarifications.

Sincerely, (OR Regards, OR Best,)

Your Name

Cover Letter Checklist

Structure & Heading

• Header should have: name, contact details, LinkedIn link (exactly the same as on resume with the same layout).

• Margins: 2-3 cm; make sure it's spaced out.

• Font: 10-11pt; use bold or italics wisely.

• Ensure correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

Self-Presentation

• Insert keywords from the job post, especially around skills and qualifications.

• Keep format, tone, and style professional: addressing, dating, etc.

• Use straightforward language: e.g., "I met the target" not "the target was met by me".

• Drop in industry-specific terms to show knowledge.

• Address CAN (job skills), WANT (interest in job), and FIT (aligning with company values).

Content: Introductory Section

• Start with an attention-grabbing story or question.

• Mention any company or job research you've done.

• Display genuine interest based on past experiences or likes.

• Emphasize alignment with company values and aims.

Content: Main Sections

• Discuss 2-3 job-matching skills; avoid repeating resume.

• Share short stories showcasing your character and past job achievements.

• Offer examples of how you'd be a valuable asset to the role.

Content: Final Section

• Reiterate crucial skills for the job.

• Express keen interest in the position and company.

• Propose a follow-up or meeting.

• Thank the reader for their time and consideration.

For more info on what to include in your header, check out the header section in our resume toolkit.

Do Your Research

Gather Your Information

Before you start penning your cover letter and resume, dedicate some time to delve into the industry, the hiring firm, and the role you're targeting.

Your application materials should show that you're informed about the entity more than just superficial details. Conducting this research indicates your commitment and adaptability, also offering you insights on what to infuse into your cover letter.

Where should your research efforts be directed? Here are some pointers:

Job Description

• Which specific abilities is the firm on the hunt for?

• Can you pick up the vibe of the job description? Is it formal? Welcoming? Light-hearted? Solemn?

• How do they portray the company's work environment?

• Based on your findings, what aspects draw you towards the position? (Note to self: Personalize this part - This reminder is for me as the author)

Company's Online Presence

• What's the guiding principle or mission of the firm?

• What principles or values guide them?

• How do they define themselves online?

• What's highlighted in the 'jobs' or 'careers' section on their portal?

• From your observations, what makes the firm appealing to you?

Company's Digital Footprint on Social Platforms

• Is their tone on social media platforms consistent with their official website?

• How do they engage with their audience online?

• What kind of content primarily dominates their social media channels?

Informational Dialogues

• Never overlook this! It's absolutely acceptable to arrange a chat with someone currently or previously affiliated with the firm before submitting your application. This hands-on approach can sometimes sway the balance in your favor when it's decision time for recruiters. Mentioning someone you've spoken with about the company in your cover letter can make a strong impression. It highlights your initiative to truly understand the company's culture and values. Just be sure to get their approval before using their name.

Standing Out From the Crowd

Making Your Case Persuasively

Your cover letter should be more than a mere repetition of your resume. Instead, it should delve into relevant details, showcasing how your background connects with the desired role. This is also your chance to exhibit your knack for presenting ideas lucidly. An effective cover letter paints a picture of the value you'd bring to a company.

Strategies to enhance persuasiveness:

Stay Genuine: While a cover letter should exude professionalism, steering too much towards formality can make you seem distant or impersonal. Integrate a touch of your personal flair into the content.

Incorporate Terminology: Embedding industry or role-specific jargon, when relevant, suggests that you're well-informed and familiar with the sector you're targeting.

Be Concise and Targeted: Maintain clarity in your language – envision explaining the position to an acquaintance. You wouldn't likely say, "I am profoundly honored to be considering this distinguished position". Such generalities lack potency. Test your specificity: if swapping out the company's name doesn't alter the meaning, you need to be more tailored. For instance:

• "The idea of becoming a part of a legacy like Tesla has always intrigued me."

• "Partnering with an innovator like Adobe is something I genuinely look forward to."

The interchangeable nature of these statements indicates a lack of specificity.

Lead with an Engaging Intro: A monolithic text block can deter readers. We advise initiating your cover letter with an engaging "hook" – be it a narrative, quote, or an intriguing fact that captivates the reader and compels them to read on. For illustrative hooks, refer to the subsequent section in this guide (Engaging the Audience). A point to remember: certain financial positions might not prefer hooks.

Emphasizing Your Strong Points: It's not always feasible to meet every criterion in the job listing. Rather than focusing on what you might lack, shine a light on your strengths. In instances where certain qualifications elude you, it's crucial to recognize them. But, more importantly, underscore your commitment to learning and evolving – a quality that's paramount for any intern.

Draw In The Reader

Starting Strong: The Initial Hook

Begin your opening with a captivating hook - a sentence or two that narrates a personal experience, poses an intriguing question, or shares an anecdote relevant to the job. Essentially, it should answer: Who are you? Can you resonate with the company’s values and culture? Can you articulate this connection compellingly?

Following the hook, delve into:

• Your motivation for wanting the job (stemming from your past experiences and passions)

• Your alignment with the company's ethos (reflecting shared principles, culture, or mission)

The opening also offers an avenue to highlight your prior research about the company or drop names of individuals you’ve connected with there, emphasizing your dedication and genuine interest in the role.

Here are some examples of opening paragraphs:

Tell Your Story

Body Paragraphs: Showcasing Your Expertise

Within the core segments of your cover letter, you have the opportunity to present the valuable skills you've acquired through past professional experiences – fundamentally, the main reasons why you are the ideal candidate for the role. It's your professional history and supplementary engagements that hiring managers and employers delve into to determine your fit for a vacancy. Their primary goal is to discern whether your repertoire of skills is in sync with the demands of the job.

Your past roles are clear indicators of the expertise you've cultivated, whether they're related to leadership, analytical thinking, proactive behavior, adaptability, client engagement, collaborative endeavors, or effective communication.

An imperative to bear in mind: The competencies you underline in your resume must resonate with those specified in the job announcement you are addressing.

This is where the STAR technique proves invaluable, illuminating your distinct professional stories:

Unleashing the Potential of STAR

S - Reflect on the situation. Was it a specific job, organization, module, or another context?

T - What task were you entrusted with? Were you the driving force behind an innovation? Did you address and resolve an issue?

A - Detail the specific actions you executed. What responsibility did you assume? Which skills were at the forefront?

R What was the result? What was the aftermath of your endeavors?

Ideally, outcomes should be quantifiable: like enhancing engagement rates by 20% or boosting turnover by $2000. However, results might also be non-numeric: such as ascending to a leadership position or obtaining commendable feedback from clientele.

If this structure rings a bell, it's because it mirrors the inverse technique, RATS, which is frequently adopted in resume drafting.

An interesting note to consider is that one STAR narrative can encapsulate more than one skill. For instance, a campaign you orchestrated might simultaneously put on display both your communication finesse and your collaborative prowess.

Here are some sample body paragraphs:

Finish With Conviction

Your concluding section encapsulates the core points of your cover letter, boiling down your message to a few succinct lines. In this section, ensure to:

• Express again your keen interest in the position

• Highlight your competencies (phrasing them differently adds depth)

• Prompt the employer with a call to action, encouraging them to reach out to you

• Offer sincere gratitude

• (Optional) Circle back to prior anecdotes or examples (linking back to the initial hook of your letter)

• (Optional) If there are gaps in your qualifications, such as a below-average GPA or missing certification, this is the spot to candidly address them and share the measures you're taking to rectify the situation.

Here are some sample closing paragraphs:

Sample Closing Paragraph Addressing Low GPA:

Continue reaching for the stars and remember, the best is yet to come.

Warm regards,

Intern Insiders Team