If you're new to the workforce and looking for your first job, we'll let you in on a secret: the most underutilized tool in many jobseeker's toolboxes is the cover letter.
Many jobseekers falsely believe that recruiters and hiring managers don't read cover letters. While that may be true in the beginning stages of sourcing a role or if the company uses an automated screening software (ATS), at the end of the day, the cover letter may ultimately be a key reason you get hired for the job.
The average corporate job opening receives 250 applications. With so much competition in the workforce, when recruiters receive applications from similarly qualified candidates, the cover letter can often serve as a tiebreaker. If you and another candidate both went to Ivy League schools, graduated with high GPAs, and had prestigious internships, how would the hiring manager choose which person to bring in for an interview?
The answer often comes down to which candidate has included a well-written cover letter with their application materials. Since 45 percent of job applicants don't write a cover letter at all, just by writing a cover letter for a first job you'll jump ahead of almost half of the competition. Long story short: if you can write a stand-out cover letter for a first job, you'll dramatically improve your odds of getting an offer.
In a previous article, we provided jobseekers with tips for writing a first resume. Read on for step-by-step tips for writing a winning cover letter for a first job that will get noticed.
Cover Letter for a First Job: The 5 Critical Sections
When you're learning how to write a cover letter, start by writing an outline and then filling in the information from there. Here are the five essential sections that every first cover letter needs:
1. Greeting: Whenever possible, address your cover letter to the recruiter or hiring manager by name. Ideally, you'll address the cover letter to whoever will be evaluating your resume. This information can often be found in a quick search on LinkedIn or by perusing the company's website.
Avoid using the salutation, "To Whom It May Concern" at all costs. It's too generic. If you can't find the correct name, address the letter to the company's head recruiter or address it to "Dear Hiring Manager."
2. Opening Paragraph: Your opening paragraph should be thought of as your mission statement. It is a few sentences that explain why you are attracted to the company or role. If you have a personal connection at the company –if, for example, a former classmate referred you to the position – this is where you'd mention it.
3. Second Paragraph: In the second paragraph of your cover letter, you outline your "value proposition," or what it is about you that makes you perfect for the role. This paragraph should describe what you have to offer the company and what you'll bring to the table if you're hired. Make sure this relatively short paragraph connects your skills to the information outlined in the job ad.
For example, you might write:
"As an intern at San Francisco Magazine, I spent two summers immersed in learning about ad sales. Combined with my double major in communications and business from the University of Maryland, I think that my experience will make me an asset as an entry-level advertising sales associate at the company."
If you include the name of the company, be sure to spell it correctly.
4. Body Paragraph(s): Your cover letter's main section should be one or two short paragraphs or a bulleted list of your qualifications, a more detailed value proposition, or examples of your accomplishments. Since most jobseekers who are writing a cover letter for a first job have little to no work experience, you'll have to draw on your achievements in school and internships to make the case that you're the perfect fit for the job.
Here are some examples of achievements you might consider emulating in your cover letter:
- Graduated in the top 10% of my class with a degree in marketing
- Awarded a coveted internship at Google in the summer of 2017
- Experienced in the use of JIRA and a variety of content management systems
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
The average corporate job opening receives 250 applications. With so much competition in the workforce, when recruiters receive applications from similarly qualified candidates, the cover letter can often serve as a tiebreaker. If you and another candidate both went to Ivy League schools, graduated with high GPAs, and had prestigious internships, how would the hiring manager choose which person to bring in for an interview?
5. Compelling Closing Paragraph: If your opening paragraph is your hook, your closing paragraph is the bow on top of your application. This last paragraph should tie up loose ends by reiterating why you are excited about the role, what kind of employee you will be, and what you have to offer the company.
Your closing paragraph should be a few succinct sentences. At the very end of the letter, be sure to thank the recruiter for taking time to consider your application materials and provide your contact information.
Need more help with writing a cover letter? LiveCareer's professional cover letter builder is here to help. With a wide variety of letter designs and suggested text to help you along the way, LiveCareer can help you write a stand-out cover letter in a matter of minutes.
