Knowing how to write a cover letter that can showcase your strengths and experience can help you get your dream job. It can help give a personal touch to your application. A cover letter is a short piece of writing with up to 5 paragraphs and up to 400-500 words. It can help you present yourself as the best candidate for the job. Therefore, following these guidelines with an outstanding cover letter example can contribute to the development of your professional writing skills.

Table of Contents

• What Makes a Great Cover Letter
• Structure of a Good Cover Letter
• Tips How to Write an Outstanding Cover Letter

1. What Makes a Great Cover Letter

A cover letter is an additional piece of writing to your resume. In other words, when applying for the job, you can send it as an email letter with the resume attached. It serves as an explanation of your intentions to apply and why you are the best candidate for the position with reference to the attached CV.

A great cover letter should just serve the following purposes:

• Show your interest in the job,
• Demonstrate qualifications, skills, and experience that make you the best candidate,
• Match your interest and qualifications with job requirements.

COVER LETTER = INTEREST + QUALIFICATIONS and SKILLS + JOB REQUIREMENTS

2. Structure of a Good Cover Letter

Overall, a cover letter contains the following parts:

• Header
• Salutation or greeting
• Introduction
• Body
• Conclusion
• Closing statement
• Signature

Header

To know how to write a cover letter, first start with writing a header containing your name, address, date, and recipient’s information:

FROM: Your name
ADDRESS:
EMAIL:
PHONE:
DATE:
TO: Company manager's name, Company
ADDRESS:

Salutation or Greeting

Then add a salutation or greeting:

• Addressing a manager at the company where you want to work by name: Dear Mr./Ms./Mrs.,
• Addressing by position: Dear HR Manager,
• Directing the letter to a specific department at the company: To the HR department,
• Avoiding To whom it may concern.

TIP: LinkedIn or social media can help you find the specific person to whom you want to address the letter.

Introduction

Start with expressing your interest in the position (a hook to attract attention) and actually state what is this position. Add where you have found the job advertisement. End introduction with a sentence, stating that you are the best fit for the position and enumerating reasons why (qualifications, skills, education, and experience you will discuss in the body).

INTRODUCTION: HOOK + BACKGROUND INFORMATION + REASONS FOR BEING THE BEST FIT FOR THE POSITION = CONTRIBUTION + Information on CV attached.

Introduction: 
I am writing to express my interest in the job of a marketing specialist at Company X
I am excited to become part of the marketing team at Company X. 
I am writing in response to the marketing specialist job advertisement on the website.

I have necessary hard and soft skills to become part of the marketing team at your company and contribute to its growth. My CV is attached.

Body

In the body of the cover letter, discuss your skills and knowledge that make you the best fit for the position.

It is important to add examples that can strengthen your words. Present situations in which you displayed your best traits.

Do not just repeat facts from your CV. Add specific examples or context for your resume.

Recommended questions to answer:

• How did you help the company (your previous place of work) achieve its goals and strategy?
• How did your knowledge contribute to this growth?
• What skills did you apply in specific situations?
• What were specific results and outcomes of your work?
• What value can your experience bring to the company you want to be part of?
• What gaps did you deal with in your work?
• How did you address these gaps?
• What did you learn from these weaknesses?

BODY: EXPERIENCE + EXAMPLES + GAPS + LEARNING + OUTCOMES.

Body: 
As a student at University X, I developed my teamwork skills and learned how to achieve goals through communication and collaboration. Although at first I faced challenges like difficulty maintaining focus, later I worked on prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines.
As a marketer at Company X, I launched marketing campaigns and worked on increasing sales. As a result, the company's customer base expanded by 20%.

Conclusion and Closing Statement

Emphasize your interest in the position and end with a closing statement.

Conclusion:
I am inspired by the opportunity to become part of Company X, its innovative solutions, sustainability, and excellence. I look forward to contributing to its growth. Please feel free to contact me for discussing how I can become part of Company X. I hope to get your response soon (or I look forward to hearing from you). Thank you for considering my application. 

Signature

Include a formal closing like “Sincerely,” “Best regards,” or “Regards” followed by your name. According to the UK National Career Service (n.d.), use “Sincerely” (“Yours sincerely”) in case you address the letter to a specific person. If the name is unknown, use “Yours faithfully.”

Sincerely,  
Full Name

Tips How to Write an Outstanding Cover Letter

1. Customize for Each Job

Always adjust your ready-made cover letter for a new job for which you want to apply. Emphasize skills and knowledge that fit specifically for this job.

2. Show, Don’t Tell

Instead of just writing that you have strong hard and soft skills, add examples of situations in which you displayed them.

3. Highlight Transferable Skills

In case of your first job or a new career path, discuss how you can transfer skills you have developed previously (at university or your previous job) to this new position.

4. Keep it Concise

Limit the size of the cover to not more than 400-500 words or not more than 4 paragraphs plus a header, salutation, and a signature. Try to showcase your experience in detail without general expressions and phrases.

5. Proofread

Always reread and proofread any piece of writing. Fix any grammatical and spelling mistakes.

6. A Good Cover Letter Example

FROM: Full Name
ADDRESS:
EMAIL:
PHONE:
DATE:
TO: Mr. Johns, HR Manager at Company X
ADDRESS:

Dear Mr. Johns,
I am writing in response to the marketing specialist job advertisement on the website of Company X. I have a five-year work experience in this field. My hard and soft skills can be a valuable contribution to company's strategic growth. Please find my CV attached.

As a student at Harvard Business School, I developed communication and leadership skills. Although at first I faced challenges like difficulty leading diverse teams, later I learned how to make strategic decisions and unite team members under common goals. Working as a marketer at Company Z for 5 years, I led the marketing team, developed a marketing plan, and implemented it considering company's budget. As a result, I managed to increase company's revenue through attracting more clients.

I am excited to become part of Company X marketing team to contribute to its growth. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for considering my application.

Sincerely,
Full Name

Conclusion

Use a cover letter to present your own story of challenges, experience, and growth despite weaknesses and all life and work hurdles. Think of it as a way to show your strengths and competitiveness. It can help you secure the job if there are numerous applicants.

Reference

National Careers Service. (n.d.). How to write a cover letter. https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice/covering-letter