Guide to Writing a Cover Letter in 2023

If this is your reaction to seeing an upload section for a cover letter on the application, you're not alone. Why do companies request a cover letter after the applicant has already filled out the resume? Why do they need both? The reality is that some employers read cover letters, and some do not. But if you are tired of dreading that section of the application and want to build a cover letter so entertaining that you grin from ear to ear when a letter is requested, this article will teach you how to write one.

The Purpose of the Cover Letter

The cover letter exists to story-tell what your resume says in plain words. The cover letter is structured as a narrative to tell the story of your professional brand and how your most recent experience makes you the right candidate for a specific role.

It’s not a summary of all your experience but a deep dive into a few job-specific skills and how your professional journey has prepared you to thrive in the role you are applying for.

Structure of a Cover Letter

1. Introduction

2. How you learned about the position

3. How this role will contribute to your overall career goals

4. An inside look into one professional triumph that highlights your strengths

5. Why you want to work at their company specifically, how your values align, and what you hope to gain from this employment.

Writing the Introduction

For data purposes, hiring managers prefer to know how a candidate found out about the position. So make sure to include “I’m applying for the [insert title] at [company] found on [job board, social media site, or wherever you found the job at].

Writing the Body

Pay close attention to the required skills in the job post. Identify which of those skills you’ve had practice with at your previous jobs. Think about how you can show your dexterity or recent growth in the skills listed in the job description.

In the next few sentences, pick one story from your professional career that paints you as a leader, innovator, collaborator, or excellent communicator. Maybe it was a long-standing issue that you helped work on, a program you helped launch, or a mistake that transformed you into a rockstar professional. Just ensure it’s related to the demands of the role.

For the last section in the body paragraph, make sure to explain how your values align with the company, why you specifically want to work?there?(because they are going to ask, so you may as well get ahead of the game), and how this role will contribute to your long-term professional aspirations.

Writing the Conclusion

Express gratitude for their consideration and include a call to action.

You can say something like, “thank you for your consideration. I would like to set up a time to meet to talk more about how my sales background can advance the team.” Or you can say something like, “I appreciate the consideration, and I will follow up in the next few days.

I look forward to meeting with you soon.”

Letting the hiring manager know what you plan to do, demonstrates confidence and initiative—two traits in an employee everyone wants in their department.

For more career advancement visit our website https://www.wmjobs.com/