In the world of job applications, cover letters are an essential piece of the puzzle. A well-written cover letter can be the key to standing out from other applicants and getting noticed by potential employers.

Not only do cover letters give candidates the opportunity to introduce themselves and showcase their skills and qualifications, but they also provide insight into their personality, work ethic, and communication style. Employers use cover letters to gauge a candidate’s interest in the position and their willingness to go the extra mile.

In this article, we will explore various ways to start a cover letter effectively. We will provide you with ten examples and writing tips that can help you create a compelling first impression with potential employers. We will cover everything from addressing the employer and highlighting your relevant experiences to incorporating personal anecdotes and demonstrating an understanding of the company’s culture and values.

Whether you’re a recent college graduate looking to break into your chosen field or a seasoned professional seeking a new challenge, this article will provide you with everything you need to know to create a strong and effective cover letter. So, let’s dive in and learn how to start a cover letter like a pro!

Research the Company and Position

Before you begin crafting your cover letter, it’s essential to research the company and the position you’re applying for. This research allows you to tailor your cover letter to the company’s needs, demonstrate your knowledge and interest in the company, and highlight why you’re the perfect candidate for the job.

The Importance of Researching the Company and Position

Employers want to see that you’ve done your homework on their company and understand their goals, culture, and mission. This research shows that you’re not just applying for any job but are genuinely interested in working for their company. Additionally, having an understanding of the position you’re applying for allows you to write a more targeted cover letter, highlighting why you’d be the ideal candidate for the job.

Researching the company and position also helps you avoid potential red flags. For example, you may realize that the company culture doesn’t align with your values, or you may identify issues with the position that make it less desirable. By researching beforehand, you can avoid wasting your time on a job that isn’t a good fit.

Tips for Researching the Company and Position Effectively

Start with the company website: Most companies have a website that provides valuable information about their mission, history, products/services, and current job openings. Take note of anything that aligns with your values or relates to your experience.
Review the job description: Make sure that you have a strong understanding of the responsibilities and qualifications required for the position. Highlight any keywords or phrases that appear frequently and integrate them into your cover letter.
Use LinkedIn: LinkedIn is a powerful tool for researching a company’s employees, culture, and overall reputation. Find out who may be involved in the hiring process, including the hiring manager, and use this information to personalize your cover letter.
Check out other online resources: Use sources like Glassdoor, Indeed, and other online communities to learn more about the company’s reputation, culture, and work environment. This information can help you determine whether or not the company is a good fit for you.
Reach out to your network: If you know anyone who works at the company, reach out to them for information about the position and company culture. They may be able to offer valuable insights that you can use to personalize your cover letter.

By taking the time to research the company and the position you’re applying for, you’ll be able to write a more compelling and targeted cover letter. This research demonstrates your interest in the company and allows you to highlight why you’d be the best candidate for the job.

Format and Layout of a Cover Letter

When it comes to crafting a cover letter, the format and layout can either make or break your chances of landing a job interview. Here are some basic guidelines to follow:

Basic Guidelines of Cover Letter Format and Structure

Use a professional font and size, such as Arial or Times New Roman in 10-12 point size.
Align all text to the left and use single-spaced lines with double spaces in between paragraphs.
Include the date, your contact information, and the employer’s information at the beginning of your cover letter.
Start with a professional and personalized greeting that addresses the hiring manager directly, if possible.
Follow a clear and concise structure, with an introductory paragraph, body paragraphs highlighting your skills and qualifications, and a closing paragraph expressing your interest and gratitude.

Layout Tips for Different Types of Cover Letters

While the basic format and structure remain the same for most cover letters, there may be some variations depending on the specific job application. Here are some layout tips for different types of cover letters:

Email cover letter: Include your contact information in your email signature and attach your cover letter as a separate document. Keep your email brief and clear but still professional.
Referral cover letter: Mention the referral in the introductory paragraph and highlight how you are a good fit for the job based on the recommendation.
Career change cover letter: Emphasize your transferable skills and highlight how they can benefit the new role, as well as succinctly explain your reason for the career change.

Best Practices on How to Address the Hiring Manager

Addressing the hiring manager in your cover letter can be tricky, especially if you do not know their name or gender. Here are some best practices to follow:

Use professional titles, such as “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear [company name] Recruiter”.
Do your research and try to find the hiring manager’s name on the company’s website, LinkedIn, or through mutual connections.
If you are still unsure, call the company’s HR department and ask for the hiring manager’s information.

Remember, your cover letter is your first impression to potential employers, so take the time to ensure that your format, layout, and addressing of the hiring manager are professional and effective.

How to Start a Cover Letter

Your cover letter is your chance to make a great first impression on your potential employer. A strong opening line can set the tone for the entire letter and increase your chances of landing an interview. In this section, we will explore different techniques for starting a cover letter and provide examples and tips for crafting a strong opening.

Techniques for Starting a Cover Letter

Personalized greeting: Address the hiring manager by name to establish a personalized and professional tone. Avoid using generic greetings like “To whom it may concern.”
Attention-grabbing opening: Start your cover letter with a thought-provoking statement, a relevant anecdote, or an interesting fact about the company or industry.
Common ground: Find commonalities between you and the company or the job position. Highlight your mutual interests or experiences that would make you a great fit for the role.
Enthusiasm: Show your excitement for the job opportunity by expressing your admiration for the company or the industry. Let the hiring manager know why you are passionate about the role.
Value proposition: Make a bold statement about what you can offer the company. Use your opening to demonstrate your unique value proposition and establish yourself as a candidate worth considering.

Examples and Tips for Strong Opening Lines

Personalized greeting:
- Dear Ms. Smith, I was thrilled to see the opening for the Marketing Manager position at ABC Company.
- Hi John, I hope this email finds you well. I am excited to apply for the Sales Associate role at XYZ Inc.
Attention-grabbing opening:
- Did you know that the average person spends more time on their phone than with their loved ones? As a digital marketer with five years of experience, I understand the importance of reaching your target audience where they are most engaged.
- Two years ago, I attended a conference where your CEO gave a passionate keynote speech on the future of technology. After hearing her vision, I knew I wanted to be a part of your team.
Common ground:
- As a lifelong fan of eco-friendly products, I was thrilled to see that your company is committed to sustainability. I am confident that my passion for the environment and my background in marketing would make me a great fit for the Marketing Manager position.
- I noticed on your company’s website that you have a strong emphasis on employee diversity and inclusion. As a minority woman who has faced similar challenges, I believe my experiences would allow me to contribute unique perspectives to your team.
Enthusiasm:
- I have been following your company’s mission to revolutionize the healthcare industry through technology and innovation for several years. As a seasoned software engineer, I am excited to apply my skills and join your team in pursuit of this mission.
- After reading about your company’s recent success in expanding into international markets, I recognized the growth potential of your organization.

Highlight Your Value Proposition

Your value proposition statement is the foundation of your cover letter. It’s the statement that defines how hiring you will benefit the company. A great value proposition will catch the recruiter’s attention, and convince them to read your entire cover letter. In this section, we’ll discuss how to create a compelling value proposition statement.

Identifying Your Unique Selling Points

Your unique selling points are the reasons why you stand out from the competition. They’re the specific skills, experience, and achievements that make you a strong candidate for the position. To identify your unique selling points, you should:

Analyze the job description: Look for the required qualifications, skills, and experience listed in the job description. Then, compare them to your own skills and experience to identify your matches.
Evaluate your achievements: Think about your accomplishments in your previous jobs. What did you achieve that made a positive impact on the company? Can you quantify the results?
Ask for feedback: Ask your colleagues or former supervisors for feedback on your strengths and areas for improvement. They may provide insights that you haven’t considered before.

Writing a Compelling Value Proposition Statement

Your value proposition statement should answer the question, “Why should the company hire you?” Here are some tips on how to write a compelling statement:

Keep it concise: Your value proposition statement should be one or two sentences long. Avoid using complex jargon or buzzwords.
Make it impactful: Use action words and quantify your achievements. For example, “Increased sales revenue by 30% within the first year.”
Focus on the benefits: Don’t just list your skills and experience. Explain how they will benefit the company. For example, “As a skilled project manager, I can ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget, saving the company money and improving efficiencies.”
Customize it for each job: Tailor your value proposition statement to the specific job you’re applying for. Use the keywords from the job description to show that you’re a strong match.

A compelling value proposition statement can set you apart from the competition and show that you’re the right person for the job. Use these tips to create a statement that highlights your unique selling points and convinces the recruiter to read your entire cover letter.

Addressing Employment Gaps

When crafting a cover letter, addressing employment gaps can be a potential challenge. However, it’s crucial to address them in a professional and honest way instead of leaving them unexplained. Here are some tips on how to frame the reason for the gap in your cover letter.

How to Address Employment Gaps in Your Cover Letter

First and foremost, be upfront about the gap in employment. You don’t necessarily have to detail the reasons for the gap right away, but acknowledging its presence is vital. Once you’ve acknowledged it, the next step is to frame the gap in a way that focuses on the positive outcomes of the gap.

Tips on How to Frame the Reason for the Gap

1. Be Honest and Brief

It’s crucial to be honest about the reason for the gap without going into too much detail. Keep it brief, as you want to maintain the focus on your skills and qualifications relevant to the position.

2. Highlight the Benefits of the Gap

In your explanation, highlight what you achieved during your gap, such as learning new skills, volunteering or self-improvement, and how these skills can be relevant to the position you’re applying for.

3. Focus on Your Readiness to Get Back to Work

Lastly, assure your potential employer that you are ready and excited to get back to work. Explain how the gap has given you a fresh perspective and made you more motivated to excel in the role.

By taking a proactive and positive approach in addressing employment gaps in your cover letter, you can showcase your commitment to your career and highlight your willingness to grow and adapt.

Tailoring Your Cover Letter

One crucial aspect when writing a cover letter is to tailor it to the specific position and company you are applying to. This customization is crucial because it shows the employer that you are genuinely interested in the opportunity and have taken the time to research the company and the job requirements.

Here are some tips and examples to help you customize your cover letter effectively:

Tips for Customizing Your Cover Letter:

Research the company and the position thoroughly. This includes looking at the job description, checking their website, social media, and any recent news articles.
Highlight your relevant skills and experiences that align with the job description.
Address the hiring manager or recruiter by name, if possible.
Use industry-specific jargon to showcase your knowledge and understanding of the field.
Mention any connections you have to the company, such as a referral or previous work experience.
Personalize the cover letter by incorporating the company’s values or mission statement.

Examples of Customized Cover Letters:

For an entry-level marketing position: “[Company Name] stood out to me because of your innovative approach to social media marketing. As a recent graduate with a degree in marketing, I am excited about the opportunity to apply my knowledge and skills to help [Company Name] continue to grow its online presence.”
For an experienced sales position: “With my ten years of experience in sales, I am confident that I can hit the ground running in this role. I was excited to see that [Company Name] places a high value on building relationships with customers, as this aligns with my personal sales philosophy. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to [Company Name]’s team and drive sales growth.”
For a remote design position: “I was impressed by the work that [Company Name] has done in creating user-friendly digital designs. As a remote worker for the past five years, I have honed my design and collaboration skills in virtual environments, making me an excellent fit for this position.”

By customizing your cover letter to the specific job and company, you can increase your chances of standing out as a qualified candidate. Keep these tips and examples in mind when crafting your cover letter, and remember to showcase your skills and experiences in a way that aligns with the employer’s needs.

Showcasing Achievements

In today’s competitive job market, it’s crucial to showcase your achievements in your cover letter. Hiring managers need to see how you’ve contributed to past organizations or projects and how you can bring value to their team. Your achievements help demonstrate your skills, work ethic, and passion for the field.

Here are some tips on how to highlight achievements relevant to the position:

Research the Company: Before you start crafting your cover letter, research the company you’re applying to. Look at their mission statement, values, and recent achievements. This will help you tailor your cover letter to their organization and emphasize the skills and experiences that align with their goals.
Use Specific Examples: Be specific about your achievements, and use numbers to quantify your impact whenever possible. For instance, instead of saying “I increased sales at my previous company,” provide a specific number, such as “I increased sales by 20% in my first year.”
Focus on Relevant Achievements: Highlight achievements that are relevant to the position you’re applying for. If the job requires strong communication skills, share an example of how you improved team communication in your previous role.
Use Action Verbs: Use strong action verbs to describe your achievements such as increased, developed, managed, and implemented. Using active language helps bring your achievements to life and shows your potential new employer what you’re capable of.
Tell a Story: Use your achievements to tell a story about your skills and experience. Don’t just list achievements, but explain how you achieved them and what they taught you. By framing your achievements in a narrative, you show hiring managers that you’re a critical thinker and great communicator.

Showcasing your achievements in your cover letter is crucial to demonstrating your value as a candidate. Moreover, following the above tips will help you craft a compelling cover letter that will catch the attention of your potential employer.

Best Practices for Writing a Cover Letter

When it comes to writing a cover letter, there are several best practices that you should keep in mind to make sure that your application stands out from others. In this section, we’ll review some of the key practices that you should consider when crafting your cover letter.

Summary of Best Practices

Here are some of the most important best practices to keep in mind when writing your cover letter:

Personalization: Tailor your letter specifically to the job you’re applying for by highlighting relevant skills and experiences.
Professionalism: Keep your tone and language formal, so that you come across as a serious and capable candidate.
Clarity: Make sure to convey your message clearly, using simple and concise language that is free of jargon and unnecessary complexity.
Relevance: Focus on the skills and knowledge that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for, and avoid discussing irrelevant details or experiences.
Proofreading: Always proofread your cover letter carefully for typos, errors, and other mistakes that could reflect poorly on your attention to detail.

Tips for Standing Out

While following these best practices will help ensure that your cover letter is professional and well-written, there are also a few additional tips you can use to make your application stand out from the crowd:

Use Specific Examples: Rather than simply stating your qualifications, use specific examples of how you have put those skills to use in the past.
Address the Hiring Manager by Name: Whenever possible, address your cover letter to the hiring manager by name, rather than using a generic greeting.
Highlight Unique Skills and Experiences: If you have any particularly unique or impressive skills or experiences that are relevant to the job, make sure to highlight them in your cover letter.
Show Enthusiasm for the Job: Demonstrate your enthusiasm and passion for the opportunity by discussing what excites you about the position and the company.
Be Professional but Personable: While you should maintain a professional tone throughout your letter, you can also add a personal touch by sharing a little bit about yourself and your motivations.

By following these best practices and tips, you’ll be well on your way to crafting a strong and effective cover letter that will help you stand out from other applicants and land the job you want.

Sample Cover Letters

A cover letter is an essential document that provides an introduction to potential employers and highlights your qualifications for a specific job. However, not all cover letters are created equal, and it’s crucial to understand the different types of cover letters and how to personalize them to your advantage.

Examples of different types of cover letters

Traditional cover letter: A traditional cover letter is a standard document that provides an introduction, highlights your qualifications, and explains why you are the perfect fit for the job. It should be concise and to the point, while still showcasing your personality and enthusiasm for the role.
Career change cover letter: A career change cover letter is specifically designed for individuals who are changing careers. It should focus on transferable skills that can be applied to the new job, highlight your relevant experience, and explain your reasons for the career change.
Networking cover letter: A networking cover letter is a strategic document that provides an introduction and highlights your qualifications for potential job opportunities within your professional network. It can be used to request an informational interview or to inquire about available positions.
Referral cover letter: A referral cover letter is similar to a networking cover letter but specifically addresses a job opening that you’ve learned about through a referral. It should emphasize the connection you have to the referral and explain why you are the ideal candidate.

Tips on how to personalize each example

Research the company: Before starting your cover letter, research the company and understand the industry and role you are applying for. This information will allow you to tailor your cover letter to the specific job and company.
Customize the opening: Your opening should grab the attention of the employer and provide a unique introduction. Avoid generic openings like “Dear Sir/Madam” and consider addressing your letter to a specific person.
Highlight your qualifications: While highlighting your qualifications, use the job description as a guide and incorporate specific keywords and phrases. This will showcase your relevancy and make it easier for the employer to link your qualifications with the job requirements.
Show enthusiasm: Your cover letter should display your enthusiasm and passion for the role. Let the employer know why you are interested in the company and the position, and what makes you the ideal candidate.
Proofread: Always proofread your cover letter for spelling, grammar, and formatting errors. Your cover letter should be clean and error-free.

By following these tips and customizing each type of cover letter to the specific job and company, you can create an effective cover letter that highlights your qualifications, personality, and enthusiasm.

How to Start a Cover Letter: 10 Examples and Writing Tips