top of page
Studentosity

Writing a Cover Letter

Applying for a job position can be quite demanding, with all the documents like a resume to prepare for. However, besides submitting a resume, some hiring employers may also ask for a cover letter. Essentially, a cover letter is a three to four paragraph letter that explains your interest in the job and company as well as your suitability for the role. In fact, writing an effective cover letter can really make a difference. It allows you to go into detail with your skills, experiences and achievements that your resume cannot fully express, and can even share a glimpse of your own personality to your employers!


Written by Jiesi Zhang


The key to writing a good cover letter:

  • Keep the cover letter 1 page long and use a simple professional font, like Arial or Helvetica with a 10-12 font size

  • Follow the format:

    • Header with the date and contact information

    • Salutation or greeting

    • Opening paragraph

    • Middle paragraph(s)

    • Closing paragraph

    • Letter ending and signature

  • Summarize who you are and your background with the first few sentences.

  • Highlight your relevant skills and why you would be the best fit for the role.

    • Make sure to meaningfully connect your skills and demonstrate examples of them in action so that you can show impact.

  • Explain your purpose and what you seek from this opportunity (e.g. Do you want to learn more? Grow the company long-term?)

  • Use professional language and don’t forget to concisely communicate your experiences

  • Do some in-depth research on the company! This way, you can avoid writing a generic cover letter and have yours specifically tailored to the expectations, goals, and culture of the company.

  • Proofread your cover letter before you submit. Rereading it can help you notice errors of grammar, spelling and punctuation that you may have overlooked.


Therefore, a well-written cover letter can certainly make an impression on your employers and set you apart from other applicants!



16 views

Comments


bottom of page