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What is a cover letter? How to write a cover letter and what you should include to stand out.

W hen applying for a job or internship, companies could ask you to send in several documents, such as a resume or work samples. In many cases, you may also have to include a cover letter for an application. 

According to Indeed, resumes are essentially "condensed fact sheets" about an applicant, including someone's education, previous work experiences, qualifications  and skills, among other personal information. 

But what about a cover letter? What is it, and what should be in a cover letter? 

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If you are looking to send out some applications and need to amp up your professional prowess, read on to learn more about cover letters and how to write one. 

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What is a cover letter?

A cover letter is a written document you send along with your resume to a company when you are applying for a job. This document contains additional information on your skills and experiences as they pertain to the job you applied for , according to Indeed. 

There are four types of cover letters, says Indeed: 

  • Application cover letter 
  • Referral cover letter 
  • Letter of interest
  • Value proposition letter

An application cover letter is often the standard when applying for jobs. This type expands on your previous professional experiences referenced on your resume and relates them to the requirements of the current job you are applying for. 

A referral cover letter is a deviation of the aforementioned but includes the names of a current employee who referred you to apply to the job opening. 

A letter of interest is a more general inquiry about any openings at a company where you are interested in working. In this type of cover letter, you are not applying for a specific position but are instead looking to learn more about a company's current hiring prospects.

A value proposition letter focuses on what you can add to a company and what makes you unique. This style of cover letter can often answer "tell me about yourself" type questions or personal essay prompts in applications. 

What should be in a cover letter?

The major component for a cover letter is personal information , says the University of Washington. 

Be sure to include your name and contact information, such as cell phone number and email, so the recruiter or hiring manager can easily identify your application and get in touch if they wish. 

As with any letter, add a greeting before you get into the main content, such as "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear (Insert name of contact)." You may also choose to include the company's name and address above your introduction. 

In the introduction paragraph, express your initial interest and name the advertised position you are applying for. You may also want to include how you learned of the opening, such as through LinkedIn or an employee referral. 

In the body paragraphs, outline how your previous experiences inform your work ethic. You may also want to feature your personal skills and provide specific examples to demonstrate your qualifications. 

In your closing, focus on why you fit the job opening and hone in on your capabilities. Make sure to thank the manager for their time and open the door to hear from the employer about the next steps.  

Cover letter tips: A simple guide for writing the perfect cover letter

Read more:  How to land a job with limited field experience

How necessary is a cover letter?

Cover letters are important when applying for a job since they show an employer a deeper view of your initiative and highlight your qualifications beyond what is already on your resume, says Indeed. Through a cover letter, hiring managers can gauge how your skills and experience are relevant for the opening. 

According to Indeed, cover letters are necessary when sending out a job application if: 

  • The employer specifies to send a cover letter 
  • The application asks for a submission 
  • You have been referred to a position and wish to identify the company referral 

If an application explicitly states you should not include a cover letter, then do not. 

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is a cover letter? How to write a cover letter and what you should include to stand out.

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  1. How to Format a Cover Letter (With Tips and Examples)

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  2. How To Write A Cover Letter For Indeed

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  3. Indeed Cover Letter Template Collection

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  4. How to Write a Cover Letter in 2024 + Examples

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  5. How To Write A Cover Letter For Indeed

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  6. How to Write a Cover Letter in 2021

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COMMENTS

  1. How To Write a Cover Letter (With Examples and Tips)

    If it's a personal contact, jot down the person's name and title. If it was an ad or job board, write down where and when you saw it and list any specific instructions noted in the job description. Think about the company you're writing to and what drew you to it. Do you admire its culture or brand? Are its reviews positive or negative?

  2. Cover Letter Samples and Templates

    A cover letter should include the following parts: Header Salutation Introduction Body paragraph Closing paragraph Letter ending and signature The following cover letter samples and examples will show you how to write a cover letter for many employment circumstances. Browse cover letters by job title for inspiration.

  3. How To Format a Cover Letter (With Outline and Examples)

    Jennifer Herrity Updated June 30, 2023 A cover letter is a one-page document that highlights your qualifications and often accompanies your resume when you apply for jobs. In this article, we discuss everything you need to know about creating a winning cover letter, including an outline and examples for you to follow.

  4. How To Write the Perfect Cover Letter (With Template and Example)

    Use a specific greeting. Hook the reader. Provide metrics. Have a call to action. Format appropriately. 1. Include contact information Begin by listing your contact information clearly and obviously.

  5. Free Cover Letter Templates

    Close the letter with a reference to the attachments you have included such as your resume, portfolio or writing samples. Related: How To Send an Email Cover Letter (With Example) Tailoring your cover letter Each cover letter you submit should be customized to its audience.

  6. Cover Letter Basics (With Helpful Tips)

    1. Avoid copying your resume You can gather inspiration from your resume, but a cover letter is your chance to go in-depth on elements of your work history. Rather than repeating bullet points, explain how you approached those responsibilities to create optimal results.

  7. How to write a cover letter in 5 steps

    1. Customise your header based on the format of your application If you're writing your cover letter directly within an online job application, there's no need to include your address or other contact information, as you've probably already typed that into other areas of the application form.

  8. How to Write the Best Cover Letter (With Template and Sample)

    1. Use the proper formatting There are several rules to follow when structuring your cover letter: Make sure everything is left-aligned. Use single line spaces within paragraphs and double spaces between sections or paragraphs. Include a one-inch margin on every side of your letter.

  9. How to Write a Powerful Cover Letter in 3 Simple Steps

    Download the Indeed mobile app: https://go.indeed.com/3XTKG3A powerful cover letter can make all the difference when submitting a job application. If you're ...

  10. FAQs: Writing Cover Letters (Career Guide Templates and Tips)

    Need a cover letter, a letter of interest, or a thank-you letter? Use Career Guide's letter-writing tips and templates to create the best cover letter and make a lasting first impression. Cover letter or application letter. Reference letter. Follow up letter. Thank you letter. Letter of resignation.

  11. How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter (With an Example)

    1. Include your contact information Start your cover letter by listing your contact information. Include, at a minimum, your first and last names, phone number, e-mail address, and the current date. You may also include your street address and links to your professional social media pages or website.

  12. How to write the perfect cover letter (With examples)

    1. Begin by introducing yourself To start your cover letter, introduce yourself. This means including your full name, your specific interest in the position and the reasons you've chosen to apply. If you got a referral to the job from another party, ensure to mention this in the first paragraph. 2. Mention your skills and qualifications

  13. How to Write a Cover Letter (With Tips and Examples)

    Include your name and address Include the recipient's name and address Introduce yourself Make your opening paragraph about your interest in the position Include your background Focus on your qualifications End with the things you believe distinguish you from other candidates Sign with an appropriate salutation, including your signature 1.

  14. How To Write a Cover Letter: Top 3 Tips, Format & Examples

    Download the Indeed mobile app: https://go.indeed.com/3XTKG3Wondering how to write a cover letter that stands out? Or even gets read?! Recruiters scan countl...

  15. How to Write a Cover Letter (Template and Example)

    1. Establish formatting Following a few guidelines can help you write an effective cover letter. It's common for a cover letter to use left-aligned paragraphs with equal breaks between them and double spacing between the paragraphs.

  16. 8 Powerful Ways to Start a Cover Letter (With Examples)

    8 ways to start your cover letter. Here's how you can start a cover letter in eight different ways: Show your enthusiasm. Highlight a mutual connection. Lead with an impressive accomplishment. Explain what you like about the company. Express passion for what you do. Tell a creative story. Include a belief statement.

  17. How to Write a Modern Cover Letter (Including a Template ...

    3. Begin with a header. Begin your cover letter with the same header you use for your resume. It's essential that you include your contact information so hiring managers can contact you for an interview. Include the following information in your header: first name. last name. degree or certification. phone number.

  18. How to use the best cover letter format (With examples)

    Related: How to Write a Sales Cover Letter (With Examples) 2. The hiring manager's address and date. The next section of your cover letter contains the letter's date, followed by the hiring manager's contact information. Add a space after the date and before the name of the hiring manager. You can use this structure:

  19. How To Write a Cover Letter

    1. Start by listing your name and address As with many standard business letters, you should include a few pieces of information at the top of your cover letter. Some people might centre their name and address at the top of the page, mirroring the way it looks on their resume. For example: Ali Mohammed

  20. How To Write a Cover Letter

    1. Include your and the recipient's contact information A cover letter always starts with both your and the recipient's contact information, followed by the date. Your contact information includes your first and last name, street address, phone number and email. Make sure the date is separated from your address and the recipient's address.

  21. How to write a cover letter

    1. Customise your header based on the format of your application If you're writing your cover letter directly within an online job application, there's no need to include your address or other contact information, as you've probably already typed that into other areas of the application form.

  22. How to Write a Cover Letter

    1. Customise your header based on the format of your application If you're writing your cover letter directly within an online job application, there's no need to include your address or other contact information, as you've probably already typed that into other areas of the application form.

  23. Cover letter examples and templates

    Salutation Introduction Body paragraph Closing paragraph Letter ending and signature The following cover letter samples and examples will show you how to write a cover letter for many employment circumstances. Browse cover letters by job title for inspiration. ( Get more cover letter tips and advice ).

  24. What is a cover letter? How to write a cover letter and what you ...

    Cover letter tips: A simple guide for writing the perfect cover letter. Read more: How to land a job with limited field experience. ... says Indeed. Through a cover letter, hiring managers can ...

  25. How to write a network engineer cover letter (with sample)

    5. Write the body of the cover letter. The body of your cover letter can contain two to three paragraphs. Introduce yourself and inform the reader of your interest in the position in the first paragraph. Explain why you want to work for the company and how it can help you achieve your career goals.