How to Write a Cover Letter – Free Template for Job Seekers

You are about to send off your resume to your dream job when you notice with dismay that the advertisement says “must include cover letter”. Before you send your resume without a cover letter or, worse yet, a badly written cover letter, take a moment to check out the free cover letter template we have for you here. Plus enjoy these expert tips for writing a cover letter that will get you the results you need.

3 Tips for Writing a Better Cover Letter

Before you even attempt to write a cover letter, you will want to do some planning. Recruiters are out there waiting for a great candidate to come along. However, a cover letter that doesn’t serve the purpose of “selling you” to potential hiring companies is a complete waste of time. Use these tips for writing a better cover letter.

#1 – Know Your Strengths and Achievements

The main point of a cover letter is to provide a snapshot of your skills, achievements and credentials to the hiring manager. This means you have 10 seconds or less to make a positive impression. Make a list of the top 3 strengths you have, then link them to specific accomplishments you’ve had in your career. This will be used in your opening statement and in the bulleted list you will create just underneath.

#2 – Use Industry Power Keywords

As you browse your target jobs, note that the recruiter is using specific industry “power” words in each advertisement. You will integrate these key words and phrases into both your cover letter and your resume. Use them logically and with a specific goal in mind – to garner the attention of the recruiter who will be scanning your cover letter looking for these keywords.

#3 –Close with a Take Action Statement

Once you have created your opening sentences and your bulleted list for your cover letter, it’s time to do what the best marketing pros know – close out with a call to action statement. This essentially asks the recruiter to take a specific action, in a tactful and professional way. You can say something like: Thank you for taking the time to review my cover letter and qualifications. You may reach me by phone between the hours of such and such at the following number.”

Free Cover Letter Template

Now, get cracking! You can use the below example of a cover letter to write your own. Simply fill in each section with your information as we talked about in our tips section and you will be ready to “wow” the hiring managers at your target companies.

*************************************************************************************

Date

Dear <Hiring Managers Name or Title>,

I am applying for a < Name of Position > with your company and am including a copy of my professional resume for your review. I believe that my skills and credentials will be a great match for the <ASSIGNMENT> you are currently recruiting for and that I will be a valuable asset to your organization. Over the last < NUMBER > years, I have demonstrated above average <STRENGTH 1> and <STRENGTH 2> in the careers I have held in the <INDUSTRY TYPE> market, including:

  • Achievement one
  • Achievement two
  • Achievement three

Thank you for taking the time to review my cover letter and the attached resume in consideration of this assignment. I welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss the objectives and requirements of the job at your convenience.

<Closing call to action statement here>

Kindest Regards,

YOUR NAME

Contact information here

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