how to make a cover letter for beginners

Write An Entry-Level Cover Letter (Examples, Tips & Template)

So, you’re applying to an entry-level job and wondering where a cover letter fits in the application package.

Is an entry-level cover letter a requirement? If so, what should you write in your entry-level cover letter to really improve your employment chances?

Should it be the same as a normal cover letter, or should it include some specific information that can serve an entry-level job? Yeah, there are quite a few questions on the topic—and for good reason. After all, who doesn’t want their application to be as perfect as possible?

In this article, we’re going to teach you everything you need to know about entry-level cover letters. 

• What’s an Entry-level Cover Letter and Why It Matters
• Entry-level Cover Letter Format
• Tips & Examples on Writing an Entry-Level Cover Letter

Entry-level Cover Letter Template

...and more! 

Ready? Let’s dive in!

What Is An Entry-Level Cover Letter?

An entry-level cover letter is a cover letter that you write when you’re applying for an entry-level job. 

As such, you will need to write an entry-level cover letter on these occasions: 

• As a college senior on a job hunt.
• As a recent college graduate looking to land his first job.
• As a professional who has changed industries/career paths.

In any of these cases, an entry-level cover letter is an essential part of the application.

One could even argue that entry-level cover letters are even more beneficial to your resume than your average cover letter.

Here’s why:

As a college senior/graduate or someone changing careers, chances are, your resume might not be that rich in terms of practical work experience.

So, in addition to your resume, your cover letter is your second-best chance to explain why you’re the perfect fit for the job!  

What Should an Entry-Level Cover Letter Include

Before we get into the specifics of writing an entry-level cover letter, let’s go over the basics.

Namely, the format . 

If you don’t know how to properly “set up” your letter, it will end up being disorganized and confusing .

Entry-Level Cover Letter Format

So, what should your entry-level cover letter contain? Here are all the details.

• Header with contact information. In addition to your name, your contact information should contain your email (a professional email, that is), your phone number, and (optionally) LinkedIn profile. Underneath your contact info comes the date and then the receiver’s information: manager’s name and title, company name, and the company’s street address.
• Addressing the hiring manager. How you address the cover letter is important. Preferably, you want to include the hiring manager’s name/professional title or the name of the department head doing the hiring.
• Opening statement. Your opening paragraph should be professional, but at the same time personal and attention-grabbing. The best way to achieve that is by tailoring your introduction to the job application.
• The body. The body of your entry-level cover letter should consist of 2-3 paragraphs highlighting your skills, accomplishments, and education.
• Closing paragraph. To end your cover letter, you need a professional closing paragraph. You can mention that you will be following up the cover letter, wrap up anything you couldn’t in the previous paragraphs, or just simply thank the recruiter for their time.
• Formal salutation. Formal closings include salutations such as “best regards,” “kind regards,” “sincerely,” and “thank you.”

How to Write an Entry-Level Cover Letter With No Experience (Tips & Examples)

Ready to get into the knits and grits of writing an entry-level cover letter? 

Great! Let’s get to it.

#1. Write a Strong (But Professional) Opening

The first thing you want to do is write an attention-grabbing opening paragraph. 

Recruiters receive hundreds of applications daily, so you can probably imagine how limited their time is. This leaves you with one goal—to make your cover letter worth reading, right from the get-go. 

One thing is for sure, you’ll never achieve this by writing a generic, one-fits-all kind of introduction, like the one below: 

My name is Samantha and I’d like to apply for the Sales Representative entry-level position at your company. I am a recent Marketing graduate, so I believe I would be a great fit for the role.

See, you could use this kind of introduction to apply for any entry-level position in sales. And though it’s not bad, per se, it’s not memorable either. 

Instead, you want your opening paragraph to be custom-made for the entry-level job you’re applying for. Bonus points if you can mention an achievement or two in the opening paragraph to show the recruiter how you stand out from the rest of the candidates.

Here’s what a well-written entry-level cover letter would look like:

My name is Samantha and I’d like to become part of XYZ Inc. by applying my newly acquired marketing knowledge to your Sales Representative position. I am confident that my excellent university results and the practical knowledge gained during my academic internship at Company X, where I was trained in sales, make me the right candidate for the job.

#2. Include Relevant Employee Skills

After you prepare the ground with an attention-grabbing introduction, you should use the body of your cover letter to show exactly how your skills, achievements , and education make you the right fit for the job. 

In light of your limited work experience, your skills are your second-best chance to prove your worth and showcase your strengths. 

Start by listing skills that are relevant to the job by doing the following:  

• Scan the job description to find what the required skills are for the position. 
• Explain how your skills can benefit the company. 
• Optionally, you can mention that you are eager to learn required skills that you may not have to get better at the job. 

For example, an entry-level journalism position may require that you:

• Know how to apply the AP Stylebook rules
• Are up to date with media law and ethics
• Are an effective communicator
• Can meet deadlines. 

Here’s how you could highlight those skills:

As a recent Journalism and Mass Communication graduate from X University, I am up to date with the 55th Edition of the Associated Press Stylebook and all media law and ethical reporting standards. Being Editor-in-Chief of the university’s newspaper taught me how to be an effective communicator while being in charge of publishing the newspaper each week improved my attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines. 

#3. Do Some Research

Research is one of your best friends when it comes to cover letters, as it can give you valuable information on what the recruiters are looking for in a candidate. 

After thoroughly researching the company’s history, products/services, goals, and even challenges, you can mention exactly how:

• You fit in the position
• You stand out from your competition 
• You can be of use to the company

Say, for example, that you’ve previously worked as a proofreader and you’re now going into magazine editing. After some research, you find out the magazine you’re applying to puts great attention to producing quality content. 

Here’s how you can work that to your advantage: 

I have read the content your magazine produces and I think it’s extremely well-researched, reader-friendly and grammatically correct.

During my 5-year experience as a proofreader, I have mastered editing and writing and I am confident that this experience can further improve your magazine quality. 

#4. Quantify Your Achievements (When Possible)

The best practice, whenever achievements are involved, is to quantify them and back them up with concrete examples. 

Imagine you’re a recruiter and you’re on the fence about two candidates for an entry-level customer service position. They have almost-identical resumes in terms of education and they claim to have customer support experience from past internships.

 So, you jump to their cover letter. This is how each candidate has described their achievements:

Candidate 1

As a Client Services intern, I was required to contact and ask clients for feedback daily, I supported the management team in improving customer services based on clients’ comments and I provided suggestions to teams from other departments to improve overall client satisfaction.

This is not horrible. However, compared with the second candidate’s much more detailed description, it lacks substance. Take a look for yourself. 

Candidate 2 As a Customer Services intern at Company X, I helped raise customer satisfaction by speaking to and collecting our clients’ feedback and working with teams from different departments to address their dissatisfaction and implement relevant suggestions. After one year, we ran a survey that showed customer experience had improved by 50%. This result was backed by a 30% increase in profit within that same year. 

Sure, the first candidate “improved customer services,” but this opens up a lot of questions:

• How well did they improve the customer services?
• Over what timeframe?
• What kind of impact did this have on the company’s bottom line?

The 2nd candidate, though, mentions all this information, and as such, their cover letter is a lot more impactful. 

#5. Highlight Your Education

Your education can very well replace what you lack in work experience when it comes to entry-level jobs. It can convincingly back up your skills and achievements, as well as help you demonstrate some of your strengths. 

Now, when we tell you to highlight your education, we don’t mean mentioning the title of your diploma and calling it a day. 

Instead, what you need to do to reinforce your skills and strengths is to mention relevant group projects and classwork, extracurricular activities and school clubs, published work, or independent research. 

Highlighting your education can be just as effective if you’re changing career paths. 

Did you take classes on your newly-found passion when you were in college? Or maybe you got to practice it as part of a club. No matter the case, make sure to highlight it, as this is exactly the part of your education that will make a difference in your cover letter. 

Now, let’s say you’re a college senior thinking ahead and looking for a graphic design job for when you graduate. To improve your chances of getting that entry-level job, here’s how you can highlight your education: 

My passion for visually communicating a message began alongside my work at InFocus Magazine, our university’s photography and graphic design magazine, where I am Head of Design. I mainly work with Adobe InDesign and Illustrator, but I am now also learning to use Canva and Crello in my Design & Illustration class. 

#6. Don’t Forget a Call to Action 

Finally, it’s time to wrap up your entry-level cover letter with a conclusion. 

For your entry-level cover letter’s final paragraph, you want to do the following: 

• Mention anything you couldn't during the previous paragraphs. If you think you left something important out (something that could help you get hired), this is your chance to say it. 
• Thank the recruiter. You can use the closing paragraph to thank them for their time. This is a chance to be formal, but make sure you don’t sound like you’re trying to get to the recruiters’ good side. 
• Include a call to action. As a call to action, you can mention to the recruiter that you will be following up (if they haven’t specified the interviewing procedure) to inquire about the application or ask them to take some action. 

And here’s what this would look like on a cover letter:

To conclude, let me first thank you for considering my application. I believe I can help your company improve its customer satisfaction by putting to use all the experience I’ve gained from my past jobs in customer service. I’d love to discuss in length how I can help you improve one-on-one customer service at your stores.

#7. Conclude with a Professional Closing

Once you’ve written your closing paragraph, all you have to do is sign off your cover letter.

Your “goodbye” should be formal and include only your name and signature. 

Any of the following is an acceptable way to sign off your cover letter:

• Best Regards,
• Kind Regards,
• Sincerely, 
• Thank you, 

Want to know other ways to conclude your cover letter memorably? Head over to our guide on how to end a cover letter for additional info! 

#8. Proofread Your Letter

And you’re finally done! 

Make sure to proofread your cover letter before attaching it to your job application. Any effort you might have put into it will lose value if your cover letter has mistakes. 

You can either give it to a friend to proofread it or use editing software like Grammarly and Hemingway .  

Want to Make Things Easy? Use a Cover Letter Builder

The way you design your cover letter matters!

Sure, you can go for a generic text in a Word Document, but having a well-designed cover letter that matches your resume in style will help you stand out much more in a sea of applicants. 

Well, Novoresume makes that easy for you! Just pick any of our matching cover letters and resume templates and leave a lasting impression!

[First Name and Last Name]

[Email Address]

[Phone Number]

[LinkedIn/Website]

[Date of Writing]

[Manager’s Name]

[Manager’s Job Title]

[Company Name]

[Company’s Street Address]

[City, State, ZIP Code]

[Addressing the hiring manager]

[Write your attention-grabbing opening paragraph]

[Write 2-3 paragraphs where you include skills that are relevant to the position you are applying for, where you quantify your achievements (when possible), and where you highlight your education.]

[Conclude by saying thank you and by making a call to action.]

[Sign off your letter professionally]

Key Takeaways 

And that’s a wrap! We hope that you feel more confident about your entry-level cover letter knowledge and writing after reading this article. 

Now let’s go over the main points we covered:

• An entry-level cover letter is a cover letter that you write for an entry-level job. You may need to use it as a college senior or recent college graduate or as a professional changing career path. 
• Your entry-level cover letter should follow the following format: header, addressing the recruiter/company, opening paragraph, body, closing paragraph, formal salutation. 
• To write a good entry-level cover letter you should write an attention-grabbing opening, include some relevant skills, highlight your education, and make a call to action.
• Use a cover letter builder to make sure your cover letter meets recruiters’ standards and to save your time.

Related Readings

• How to Write a Cover Letter
• How to Start a Cover Letter  
• Cover Letter for Internship  

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How to Write an Effective Cover Letter in 2023 | Beginner’s Guide

how to do a cover letter? or how to begin a cover letter? this is a query. Many people look for it Job hunting sucks. Perusing through online job listings, refining your…

Cover Letter Help - How to Write an Effective Cover Letter in 2023 | Beginner’s Guide

• Cover Letter Help

how to do a cover letter? or how to begin a cover letter? this is a query. Many people look for it Job hunting sucks. Perusing through online job listings, refining your resume, as well as preparing for grueling interviews—none of it is fun. For many, the most daunting part of the process is crafting…

Sarah Reynolds

Content specialist.

how to do a cover le t ter? or how to begin a cover letter? this is a query. Many people look for it

Job hunting sucks. Perusing through online job listings, refining your resume , as well as preparing for grueling interviews—none of it is fun. For many, the most daunting part of the process is crafting a cover letter. There’s so much conflicting advice out there; it’s difficult to know where to start.

Don’t fret, though. We’ve got your back. Writing a cover letter is not as hard as it sounds.

In this blog, we’re going to teach you how to write a cover letter that will land you the job of your dreams .

But first, the basics…

What Exactly is a Cover Letter? (and Why is it Important?)

A cover letter, or a covering letter as some might call it, is a one-page document that you send as part of your job application (alongside your CV or Resume).

Its core purpose is to expound on the information highlighted in your resume while infusing your personality. On average, your cover letter should be no more than 400 words .

A cover letter takes the reader on a guided journey of some of your greatest career and life achievements. But it doesn’t stop there. It also explains why you’d be a good fit for the company.

A well-written cover letter ignites the interest of the HR manager and gets them to read your resume.

On the other hand, a poorly crafted cover letter leaves the potential employer shaking their head in irk, cursing out loud for wasting their time, and eventually binning the resume that you poured your heart out to write.

You don’t want that happening, or do you? That’s why it’s important to learn how to write a cover letter—a convincing one.

If it’s your first time writing a covering letter, the whole thing can seem even more daunting. No need to freak out, though. Writing a good cover letter is as easy as spelling out A, B, C.

All you have to do is adopt the following proven format:

• Header – Provide contact details.
• Greetings – Exchange pleasantries with the hiring manager.
• Introduction – Pique the interest of the reader straight away with 2-3 of your top achievements.
• Middle paragraphs/Body – Explain why you’re the ideal candidate and the perfect fit.
• Concluding paragraph – Recap everything. Restate why you feel you deserve a shot at the company.
• Final formal salutations – End with a formal sign-off.

We’ll explain these in detail below (along with some cover letter examples). So keep reading.

How to Write a Convincing Cover Letter that Gets You the Job: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now that the basics are out of the way, we’re going to guide you through the process of writing the perfect cover letter, step by step.

There’re some cover letter examples in there too, so read on.

Step 1: Do Your Research First

Before you begin writing, find out more about the organization and the specific job you want.

Of course, you should carefully read the job description, but also scour through the firm’s website, employee LinkedIn profiles, as well as its executives’ Twitter feeds.

Why is this research important? You ask. Well, it helps you customize your cover letter since sending a generic one is a no-no.

The research will also help you decide on the tone. If it’s a conservative organization, like an insurance company, you might want to keep your covering letter’s tone formal. But if it’s a creative agency, like an art studio, you might take more risks.

Step 2: Begin Your Cover Letter with a Header

Once you’re done with the research, go ahead and craft your covering letter.

As with the resume, start by writing out your contact information. Ideally, this section should be left-aligned or centered.

Here, you want to include all the important personal information, including:

• Your full name
• Phone number
• Email address
• LinkedIn profile link (optional)
• Portfolio or website (optional)

Below your contact information and left-aligned, include the date as well as the company contact details, such as:

• Name of the hiring manager
• Company address
• Company phone number
• Hiring manager’s email address

And here’s what you shouldn’t include in this section:

• Your city of residence/ address: These details should appear in your resume, not the covering letter.
• Unpresentable email: Ensure your email is professional enough. An email address that reads something like “[email protected]” will get your cover letter (and resume) dumped straight away. To avoid such a scenario, stick to the “[first name] + [last name] @email provider.com format.”

Step 3: Greet the Recruiter/ HR Manager (By their Name)

Remember the research you did in Step 1? It’ll come in handy here.

It’s 2021. Greetings like “Dear Sir or Madam” and “To Whom It May Concern” no longer apply. Besides, you want to show your future boss that you did your research and are really looking forward to joining the company.

So, use greetings like Dear (Name of the Hiring Manager) .

If you can’t figure out who the hiring manager is, take a guess—a good guess. For instance, if you’re applying for a sales position, address the head of the sales department by name instead.

If you’ve scoured all over the internet and can’t find anyone’s name, address your cover letter to the department. For example, “Dear Sales Department” would be fine.

Here are more specific examples of Opening Salutations:

• Dear John Wick
• Dear Mr. Wick
• Dear Sales Department
• Dear [Department] Hiring Manager

Step 4: Open With an Eye-Catching Introduction

Job seekers typically write themselves into the covering letter with “I am applying for job Y that I saw in Z place.” That’s not the way to go.

Instead, start with an attention-grabbing introduction. Open with a punchline—why this job is exciting to you as well as what you bring to the table.

Chances are, the recruiter or hiring manager is reading hundreds, perhaps thousands of applications. So, you want to capture their attention from the word go.

That said, don’t try to be funny. Humor can often fall flat. Stay away from clichés, too. Once you state your name, say something direct as well as dynamic. Then complement it with 2-3 of your top achievements.

Here’s how a good introduction should look like:

“My name is John and I’d like to help Company Z hit and supersede their digital marketing goals. I’ve worked for Company X, a soft drinks company, for over 5 years. As the lead digital marketing specialist, I generated a 200% uplift in organic traffic to the website (beating the projections by 150%). I believe the combination of my experience, skillset, as well as industrious personality, make me the ideal candidate for the job.”

See the difference between this example and all the generic introductions you’ve written in the past?

Now that you know what to include in the introductory paragraph, let’s dive into the body. This part is divided into two sections: the first is for explaining why you’re the ideal candidate for the job, and the next is for proving that you’ve got what it takes to work for the company.

So, let’s do this thing…

Step 5: Prove That You’re the Right Person for the Job

Do you know who else has similar skills and work experience? All the other applicants you’re competing with. That’s why you need to set yourself apart.

Setting yourself (and your cover letter) apart doesn’t necessarily mean showing off more of your top achievements. Rather, it means explaining how you’ll fulfill the exact responsibilities posted in the job ad.

So, open up the ad as well as identify which of the requirements are the most important.

Assuming that you skim through the job ad and see that the top requirements for the digital marketing specialist position are:

• Experience in boosting conversion rates for social media ad campaigns
• Some skills in redesigning landing pages
• Excellent lead generation skills

Now, in this section, you need to discuss how you fulfill these requirements. So, here’s how that would look for our previous example:

“In my previous role as a lead digital marketing specialist at Company X, I created an effective paid Facebook advertising campaign which generated 2,000 website visits. In addition, I increased e-commerce sales by 20% in 3 months by redesigning all landing pages.

Other than social media advertising, I’ve also seen tremendous success in other aspects of digital marketing:

• Customer experience
• Lead generation
• Online spending
• Web traffic

Step 6: Explain Why You’re the Perfect Piece for the Company’s Jigsaw

Once you’re done with Step 5, you might be thinking—I’m the hot favorite for the job. I don’t really need to write anything else since I’ve already shown that I’m competent , skilled, as well as experienced. Now all that’s remaining is to wrap it all up and hit that SEND button.

Hold your horses, buddy. You’re not quite there yet.

The recruiter needs more than just job experience to draft you in. They’re also looking for an applicant who blends well with their corporate culture .

After all, someone who’s unhappy at their job is bound to quit sooner or later. This ends up costing the firm big time, especially in terms of recruitment as well as training. Some studies also estimate the average replacement cost of a salaried employee to be six to nine months’ salary . It’s a bullet most employers would want to avoid at all costs.

So, in short, convey enthusiasm. Enthusiasm brings out personality. Convince the hiring manager that you’re really passionate about working for them, and you can’t wait to get started.

How do you achieve this? Again, the research you did in Step 1 comes in handy. If you did your job well, this section should be a walk in the park.

But if you didn’t, here’s what you’d want to include:

• What’s the company vision and mission?
• What’s the business model?
• What do they sell? Have you bought it?
• What’s the corporate culture like?

Ultimately, you also need to find out what it is about the company that sets your heart on fire . Then put it down in words.

The end result should read something like:

“I’d love to work for your company. Who wouldn’t? You’re the industry leader, setting standards that others only follow. As a visionary, self-driven, industrious individual who likes to lead from the front, I truly believe I and Company Z will be a perfect match.”

One more thing…

Avoid sounding too generic. Do away with the fluff, as it’ll be a huge turn-off for the hiring manager.

Step 7: Wrap it All Up With a Short, Punchy Closing Paragraph

When crafting your cover letter closing, be courteous, confident, as well as continue to vouch for yourself.

It’s also important to finish up your cover letter in a strategic and thoughtful fashion, so be sure to:

• Thank the hiring manager for their time.
• Summarize why you’d be a good hire
• Reiterate your excitement about the job opportunity
• Finish with a CTA (call-to-action)

Here’s an excellent cover letter closing example:

“Thank you for spending time reviewing my application. I strongly believe that my skills, qualifications, as well as sheer zeal, make me an ideal candidate for the position of digital marketing specialist at Company Z. I’m extremely excited to join your vibrant team and look forward to discussing how I can help you achieve your digital marketing goals.”

Step 8: Sign-Off Formally

Once you’re done with the call to action, all you have to do is write down a formal “goodbye,’ and you’re all set.

You can use one of the many known formal salutations:

• Best regards,
• Respectfully,
• Kind regards,

You’ve done it! Against all odds, you’ve learned how to make a cover letter for a resume—so, congrats. But before hitting that SEND button, proofread with a tool like Grammarly just in case some errors slipped your eyes. Better yet, get a friend to read the letter out loud as you listen keenly for any blips, errors, as well as awkward phrases.

Principles to Remember: The Do’s and Don’ts When Writing a Cover Letter

Here’s a quick recap of things to remember when writing a cover letter.

• Be succinct – A hiring manager should be able to read your covering letter at a glance.
• Have a strong introduction that piques the reader’s attention straight away.
• Only share accomplishments that relate to the job ad. Anything else is fluff.

Don’t:

• Go overboard with the tone – Be mature and professional
• Try to be funny – too often, it comes back to bite you in the face
• Send a generic cover letter – make sure each section is customized to the core

1- how to address cover letter without name

For many hiring professionals, using the salutation “Dear Hiring Manager” is the best option when a name is not available. It is preferable to use this generic greeting rather than none at all, as it demonstrates adherence to cultural customs and professionalism.

2- should you introduce yourself in a cover letter

Yes, you should include a cover letter with your introduction. Declare your name, the position you’re looking for, and how you found out about it. For instance: In order to be considered for the open Account Manager position posted on LinkedIn, my name is Henry Applicant.

3- difference between cover letter and resume

The facts—who, what, when, and how—are stated in a resume. In contrast, a cover letter gives you the chance to discuss your qualifications for the position. To convince employers that you’re a good fit for the job at hand, this paper offers some color and personality.

So, What’s Next in Your Job Hunt? (Hint: It’s time to Craft a Killer Resume!)

You might know how to write a cover letter, but if your resume is whack, you might as well forget about ever landing a job—let alone your dream job.

Don’t let a mediocre resume shutter your dreams. Create a killer resume to accompany that excellent cover letter. If that sounds like a hard thing to do, we can help.

At StylingCV, we’re committed to helping you land the job of your dreams. Our cutting-edge resume builder works as smart as you do. What are you waiting for? Create your free resume now!

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How to Start a Cover Letter (Examples Included)

Mike Simpson 0 Comments

By Mike Simpson

When you’re writing a cover letter, nailing the opening is a must. Your cover letter introduction has to draw the hiring manager in, giving them a clear reason to keep reading. That’s why learning how to start a cover letter is so vital; it’s your doorway to success.

After all, more than eight-in-10 recruiters feel that an awesome cover letter is enough to land a candidate an interview even if their resume is only a partial fit for the job. Cool, right?

So, are you ready to make sure that your cover letter opening is everything it can be? Great! Here’s what you need to know.

What Is a Cover Letter?

Alright, let’s begin with the basics. Before you can learn how to start a letter to the hiring manager, it’s helpful to know what a cover letter is in the first place.

We’ve actually taken several deep dives into the world of cover letters, including how to address a cover letter , the best cover letter format , how to end a cover letter , and a full overview of how to write a cover letter .

But the basic gist is that a cover letter is a written elevator pitch. It acts as an introduction to what you have to offer, with a bit more flavor than you can put in a resume.

In many cases, your cover letter is the absolute first impression you’ll make on a hiring manager. As they read, they get a feel for who you are, as well as what you bring to the table.

Do cover letters really matter that much? Yes, they do. Overall, 49 percent of hiring managers think that receiving a cover letter is important to the hiring process, which is a pretty good indication that they value them.

So, what are the parts of a cover letter? In most cases, a cover letter has:

• Contact Information
• Opening Paragraph
• Body Paragraphs
• Closing Paragraph
• Closing Sentiment

While that seems like a lot, it really isn’t. In most cases, you end up with about a page or so of content. After all, a cover letter isn’t an autobiography of your life; it’s a concise, tailored introduction to who you are as a professional.

Generally, when you’re trying to figure out how to start a cover letter, what you need to focus on are the salutation and the opening paragraph. Those are what make the first impression and usually play a big role in whether the hiring manager reads the whole thing or not.

You may want to dig a little deeper, making sure your opening line really packs a punch. But, really, that’s all part of creating a great opening paragraph, isn’t it? Just keep in mind that your leading sentence needs to be an attention-grabber, and you’re in good shape.

Now, is your cover letter opening more important than the rest of the letter? Well, yes and no. If your start to your letter isn’t strong, there’s a chance the hiring manager won’t finish reading it. That means a fantastic cover letter introduction is essential.

But the rest matters, too. In the end, you want your first impression to be a doozy. It’s just that, if you don’t nail the opening to your cover letter, the rest may never get a glance.

Common Mistakes When Starting a Cover Letter

Before we dive into how to start a cover letter, let’s talk about some cover letter introduction mistakes you want to avoid. After all, a misstep at this early stage can cost you the job, so you really need to make sure you get it right.

First, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is not tailoring the content to the position. When you write a cover letter, you are speaking to one particular hiring manager, not everyone who may ever want to hire you. If you don’t focus the content on that specific job, you might not connect with that hiring manager, causing them to move onto a different candidate.

Second, being too generic can come back to bite you. You want to stand out from the crowd, so you need to make sure your cover letter introduction feels a bit unique.

Third, choosing the wrong salutation – or not including one at all – can potentially lead to some trouble. If you go the wrong way, you may not connect with the hiring manager as well or could even offend them a bit. That’s no good.

Finally, spelling and grammar mistakes are a huge deal. They make it look like you lack attention to detail, and that isn’t going to win you any fans.

How to Start a Cover Letter

In many cases, figuring out how to start a letter for your job application is much easier if you take it one step at a time. It lets you tackle everything in succession and gives you a chance to focus on each critical part, increasing the odds that you’ll genuinely nail it.

Here’s a quick step-by-step guide on how to start a letter when you’re trying o land a job:

1. Choose the Right Salutation

The salutation in your cover letter opening serves as a greeting. It’s a chance to acknowledge the reader directly, even if just for a brief second.

Ideally, you want to address the hiring manager by name, using an approach like:

Dear [Mr./Mrs./Ms./Dr.] [First Name] [Last Name]

Now, you can potentially add one more option to the list: Mx. This is a relatively new gender-neutral addition that’s favored by people who consider themselves nonbinary.

Generally speaking, you should only use “Mx.” if you are completely, 100 percent certain that it’s the hiring manager’s preferred title. You don’t want to go with it simply because you don’t know the hiring manager’s gender. Why? Well, since it’s a newer option, not everyone is familiar with it, so some hiring managers might think it’s a typo.

Additionally, people may have a variety of opinions about “Mx.,” and not all of them are positive. Since it’s a bit controversial in certain circles, you could offend a hiring manager by using it if that isn’t what they prefer.

So, what do you do if you know the hiring manager’s name but not their gender or preferred title? Worst case, go with “Dear [First Name] [Last Name]” instead. It’s a bit less formal, but it may be better than getting the title wrong.

If you genuinely don’t know the hiring manager’s name – and can’t figure it out with some research – you can try:

• Dear [Job Title/Role] – Dear Hiring Manager, Dear Operations Manager, Dear VP of Sales, etc.
• Dear [Department] – Dear IT Department, Dear Marketing Department, etc.

Those aren’t as personal, but they can do the trick. They at least speak to a particular individual, making it clear that you had a certain recipient in mind. As a result, they are much better than more generic alternatives.

What about “To Whom It May Concern?” Well, we’ve taken a deep dive into how to use to whom it may concern . But, in most cases, that isn’t your best. It feels outdated, for one. Plus, it doesn’t have a particular reader in mind, which isn’t ideal.

The same goes for “Dear Sir or Madam.” Along with being generic and incredibly old-school, it’s also a bit awkward. Plus, it makes it seem like you didn’t even try to come up with something better, and that’s never good.

2. Nail the Opening Sentence

Your opening sentence in your cover letter is what really needs to draw the hiring manager in. As a result, you want to make sure that it packs a wallop.

Usually, you have a few options that can pull this off. First, if you know someone at the company who referred you to the position, you can try name-dropping. Many hiring managers favor direct referrals, so it’s alright to make that connection clear from the beginning.

Second, you can lead off with a relevant accomplishment. This one can get a little tricky to do well. You really have to relate it to something in the role, and that isn’t always easy to manage without using a sentence or so to build in some context.

Finally, you can focus on your excitement. Hiring managers like people who seem passionate about the opportunity, so this route could let you start your cover letter on a great note.

With all of these, you want to make sure the opening sentence taps on the position you’re trying to land. It’s smart to mention the job title, department, and company, as that ensures the hiring manager knows why you’re writing. If it doesn’t fit in the first sentence, then it needs to come in on the second.

3. Round Out the First Paragraph

Generally, your cover letter opening paragraph is going to be two or four sentences long. If you didn’t get it into your opening sentence, use your second one to mention the job opening. That way, the hiring manager understands exactly why you reached out.

After that, it’s time to tap on some relevant skills. Use the job ad to identify high-priority capabilities. Next, treat them like keywords, using the exact same words and phrases to increase your odds of looking like a great match (and getting past an automated screener).

4. Quantify the Details

Numbers stand out visually in a cover letter. They actually draw the eye, as they aren’t as widely used as letters and most forms of punctuation.

By quantifying a detail or two, you create visual interest. Plus, you’re giving the hiring manager some helpful context about what you’ve achieved, something that can make you look like a stronger candidate.

3 Cover Letter Starting Samples

Sometimes, nothing helps bring some tips to life like a handy example or three. If you want to make sure you understand how to start a cover letter or are looking for some samples that you can use as a template, here are three cover letter introduction examples, each representing a different approach.

1. When You Were Referred

Dear Mr. John Doe:

During my 6 years as a sales professional, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with a number of amazing professionals, including Jane Smith, a member of your team who recommended I apply for the Account Manager opening at ABC Inc. In my last position, I managed a portfolio of 25 enterprise-level clients while also boosting sales by 15 percent year-over-year during my tenure. I believe that my penchant for strategic thinking, as well as my strong negotiation and communication skills, make me an exceptional fit for your position.

2. Leading with an Achievement

Dear IT Department:

Over the past 4 years, I’ve focused my career on the world of project management, recently earning by Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Additionally, I personally oversaw five $50k+ development projects concurrently, each of which was finished on time and within budget. I feel that my experience as a leader, as well as my expertise in risk assessment and cost management, makes me an ideal fit for the Project Manager position at XYZ Corp.

3. Going the Excitement Route

Dear Hiring Manager:

When I saw the administrative assistant opening at ABC Company, I immediately knew I wanted to apply. As an office assistant with 6 years of experience, I have honed many key skills you’re hoping to find, including scheduling, report writing, and customer service. Last year, among 50 nominated colleagues, I was even recognized as the Employee of the Year, largely because of my passion and dedication to my work, something that I would love to bring to ABC Company.

Putting It All Together

Ultimately, you should now understand how to start a cover letter off in the best way possible. Use all of the tips above, and turn to the cover letter opening samples to serve as guides. That way, you can create an introduction that captures the hiring manager’s attention and keeps them reading, giving you a chance to showcase even more about why you’re such an awesome candidate.

And as always, Good luck!

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com.

His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others.

Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

About The Author

Mike simpson.

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com. His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

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