Submitting numerous cover letters for job applications can be a tedious and sometimes disheartening task, especially if you don’t receive any response other than an automatic confirmation. However, it’s important to recognize that a well-crafted cover letter can be a powerful tool for showcasing why you are the ideal candidate for the position if it’s read by the hiring manager. With the right approach and attention to detail, the cover letter can offer an excellent opportunity to make a strong impression and stand out from the competition. Here’s the trick to decreasing the time spent crafting these single-paged cover letters but still providing unique quality for every job submission!
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The Body of the Cover Letter
The structure of a cover letter can be divided into the following components:
- Introduction – To begin your cover letter, address the hiring manager or team and briefly mention the position you’re applying for. You should also demonstrate your understanding of the company’s mission and explain how your skills and experience align with the position and company culture.
- 3-5 Benefits – After carefully reviewing the job description, select three to five key skills or qualifications that you possess and briefly explain how you can leverage them to add value to the company in this role.
- Closing – In closing your cover letter, it’s important to reiterate some of the company’s goals and express your enthusiasm for contributing to the company’s success. You can also highlight how your specific skills and experience make you the ideal candidate to help the company achieve these goals in the position you are applying for.
- Contact Info – Thank the reader and let them know how to contact you: Name, phone number, email, LinkedIn profile (if you have one)
The introduction and closing should be personalized to address the company directly, while the middle benefits section should focus on how your skills and experience can meet the specific needs of the company. This is where we can begin creating our templated pieces.
Introduction Template
Good day to you, [HIRING MANAGER] OR Good day to the team at [COMPANY NAME]
Thank you for this opportunity to apply for this [POSITION NAME] position. From your website, I see that the company strives to [COMPANY MISSION]. Here are some skills I can bring to guarantee [POSITION REQUIREMENT/GOAL]!
Use this opportunity to visit the company’s website and conduct research on their areas of specialization and the challenges they are addressing. You can typically find the company’s mission statement on their “About Us” page, but it’s worth exploring the site to gain a deeper understanding of their goals and objectives. In the introduction of your cover letter, express your knowledge of the company’s mission and lead into how your skills and experience can contribute to their overall vision.
Benefits Template
This will be the most time-consuming section at first, but the more skill summaries you create, the faster it’ll be to customize your cover letters afterward. In a separate document, identify skills that you can summarize within a single paragraph, preferably three to five sentences. Create a separate document to keep these skill summaries together and to pull from when needed. Some popular skills to consider templating:
- Conflict Resolution
- Customer Service
- Data Entry/Analytics
- Team Management
- Technical Support
For your cover letter, explore the job description and identify three to five skills that the company needs. Only choose the top skills that you can fit onto one page. Pay attention to the keywords they use (customer service vs customer support) and match them in your cover letter. Below is an example for your skill summary. Note that it might feel uncomfortable trying to add value to your skills for the first time. You’re not alone. Remember this: It’s not gloating; you’re adding a description of how you can provide a needed solution for this company through the position they’re hiring for.
Drawing from my past role as a Data Entry Clerk, I have gained a strong understanding of the need for timely and effective problem-solving. Additionally, I am trained for adhering to security protocols, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring consistent communication with clients.
As a contracted Field Technician, I gained invaluable experience in fast-paced, time-sensitive troubleshooting across multiple locations. This role required me to quickly learn and understand complex technology and software, and effectively explain them to clients. This experience gives me confidence in my ability to quickly attain expertise in [COMPANY NAME]’s platform and services, and provide top-notch support to all clients.
Closing Template
This is to reiterate that you understand what the company is about, what they are striving for, and how those goals tie into what you can provide for the position. Indicate the relation of your skills and relevant interests to what the company is striving for.
Overall, I am dedicated to [MISSION/SKILL 01], [MISSION/SKILL 02], and [MISSION/SKILL 03]. This company combines all these together! If the [POSITION NAME] position is still available, I would be honored to gain more insight into [COMPANY NAME]’s vision and collaborate on ideas to [SUMMARIZE COMPANY/POSITION GOAL]!
Contact Info
Thank the reader and ensure they know how to contact you.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
First and Last Name
Phone Number
Professional Email (preferably YourName@gmail.com)
LinkedIn Profile Link (optional)
What’s Next?
Hopefully, this quick breakdown has provided you with a clearer understanding of how to write a cover letter and ways to craft them faster while still maintaining a professionally customized look. If you would enjoy more career tips on ways to use your transferable skills to get the job you want, consider checking out our bookstore on Amazon at this link here!
Thank you for swinging by, and remember to just live your life one story at a time!
Take care,
Kyndall Bennett from Kyrabe Stories
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