How To Write A Great Cover Letter For Job Application & Internship

How To Write A Great Cover letter For Job Application & Internship

A cover letter is a single-page letter that describes your skills, experiences and potentials for a job or program. A great cover letter conveys your personality through the information provided in your resume. It states some of your greatest career and life achievements and it is normally included with your application letter.

How to write a great cover letter for job application

A cover letter is a document which demonstrates your experience for a job. Though most job advertisements don’t always ask for a cover letter but it is necessary to include your cover letter with your application letter when applying for the job. Here are a few tips to consider when writing your cover letter.

• Include your name and contact details at the top of the cover letter.
• Use an email address that would create a professional impression: This is, the email address should contain your first and last name and not your nicknames. For example, use [email protected] instead of [email protected]
• State the position you are applying for: This should be in the opening paragraph. It helps the employer to understand the context of your letter.
• Be specific about your qualities: In a brief summary show that your experience and skills match what is needed for the job. It has to convince the employer that you are the best candidate for the job.
• Write the date the letter was written.
• Use a reference line which states what you are applying for: It should be something like, ‘Application for A Sales Clerk Position’.
• Make it short and simple: Since a cover letter is a summary of your resume, it should not be more than one page. Don’t fit your whole career or life experience into the letter.
• Find out who to address the letter to: This is if it is not included in the vacancy.
• Research about the job to know if you are capable to handle such a position.
• Avoid using ‘I’ too much: Try to spice up your words.
• Your cover letter should capture the interest of the employer from the beginning till the end.
• The format of the letter should match the company you are applying to.
• Use fresh cover letter for each job position you are applying for: This is because the content of a cover letter is normally based on the requirement of the job you are applying for.
• Let your qualifications show who you are as an individual.
• Cite the newspaper or magazine where you saw the job listing.
• When addressing the recipient use either Mr. or Ms with their last name. Don’t address the letter with their first name or as ‘To whom it may concern’.
• Find out more about what the company represents: This will give you a better idea on how to sell yourself to the company.
• Don’t use the same words you used in your resume or CV because it will make the letter look scattered and too much.
• Don’t include things that are not relevant to the job: This will make the employer miss the important points in the letter.
• Avoid overused phrases. Use something that is new and refreshing.
• For any skill you state in the letter you have to mention the job where you applied it: This shows that you are resourceful.
• Instead of telling them that you possess good problem solving skills, you can state how you used a skill to resolve an issue in your previous workplace.
• Avoid misspelling words or making errors in your letter: Try to double check what you have written before sending the letter.
• Try to be honest: Don’t imply that you have a skill when you don’t actually have it.
• Explain how in your last employment, you used your position to impact the progress of the company: You can also state how you trained others to be competent.
• Ask them to contact you: You can write something like; ‘I have attached a copy of my resume. I look forward to hearing from you about the job’.
• End the letter with ‘Yours Sincerely, your signature at the bottom and your name.

How to write a great cover letter when no resume is needed

A cover letter is a tool you can use to introduce yourself during a job application. When you are asked for a cover letter without a resume, it is best to link your experience and skills to the requirements of the job. Here are a few things to include in your letter:

• Write your name, email address and phone number at the top of the page.
• Write the recipient’s contact address appropriately: Use proper salutation like Dear Sir/Madam. Avoid using ‘To whom it may concern’.
• Write the date the letter was written.
• Use an email address that contains your first and last name..
• Put in a reference line which states what you are applying for. Example, ‘Application For The Position Of A Marketer’.
• State teamwork skills that show you can work with other people.
• Mention your strengths and contributions that can make you stand out more than other applicants.
• Your cover letter should be highly related to the job you are applying to.
• For the first paragraph you can give a brief introduction of yourself: You can state the school you attended and where you are from.
• Summarize your experience and skills and how they show that you meet the requirements.
• Avoid using ‘I’ too much: It makes the letter boring to read.
• Be honest about what you write in the letter: Don’t state what you don’t have or what you never did.
• Research the company where you want to apply: This gives you an idea of what the company stands for.
• Use simple and correct English for your letter: Avoid the use of big words, mistakes and bad spellings.
• Mention some of your qualities that show that you can learn on the job.
• State any past extra-curricular activities that are relevant to the job.
• Don’t copy and paste the letter from another source: Write it afresh so it will be unique.
• Your letter should be presentable and orderly arranged.
• Describe how you used a skill to excel in your previous work.
• Cite the platform where you saw the vacancy.
• Use the requirement of the job to dictate the content of your cover letter.
• Proofread your letter for any errors before sending it.
• End the letter with a reason for them to contact you.
• Write your name and also put in your signature at the end of the letter.

How to write a great cover letter for internship

An internship is an opportunity offered to students or potential employees to gain practical experience in an occupation. When applying for an internship program, you might be asked to submit a cover letter with your resume and other relevant documents. The cover letter is one of the best ways to show that you are the right candidate for the program because it highlights the skills and experience that make you fit for the role. Here are a few tips to help you craft a great cover letter for internship application.

• Put your contact information at the top of the letter.
• Write the date and the contact information of the organization.
• Use a proper salutation for the recipient.
• State the exact position you have interest in.
• Include the keywords stated in the advert. For example if the advert for the internship program says they are looking for someone with a particular grade or someone who has good leadership skills then you have to mention it with examples of where you used the skill.
• Use an email address which has a professional outlook.
• State school work or volunteer work that demonstrates your strengths.
• Make it specific and concise: Avoid writing things that are not needed for the internship program.
• Use a variety of words to make your letter unique.
• Cite where you heard about the internship program.
• State the courses you have completed that are related or relevant to the program.
• Mention the skills you possess: Even if you have no work experience, you can mention any extracurricular work you’ve done in school that is relevant for the internship.
• Don’t put any skill or experience you don’t have.
• Your cover letter should be visually organized.
• Avoid using the same cover letter for different applications: This is because the requirements for a particular job differ from that of another job.
• Don’t mention other sources where you have submitted an application.
• State any volunteer experience that is related to the program.
• In a brief manner explain how your skills will benefit the organization: This should state how it can be used to move the organization forward.
• State what you will gain from your participation in the program.
• Ask for them to contact you: This will help in case of an interview.
• Review the letter and make corrections where needed before sending it.
• End the letter with your name and signature at the bottom.