Cover letter articles

Learn About ATS Cover Letters

A staggering 99% of Fortune 500 companies and 70% of large businesses use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to pre-screen and manage job candidates (1). These automated tools help hiring managers sort through piles of resumes and cover letters, but they also mean your application must meet specific criteria to pass through. Crafting an ATS cover letter is your first step toward landing an interview.

The Best Tips on How to Start a Cover Letter

Busy hiring managers often read hundreds of cover letters for every job opening. If you want to impress them, you’ve only got a few seconds to grab their attention. For this reason, a strong and compelling cover letter introduction is vital if you want your application to make its way to the top of the pile. Learn how to start off a cover letter in a way that makes the hiring manager excited to read the rest of it.

How to Craft the Perfect Creative Cover Letter

When you’re applying for certain positions, you may want to craft a cover letter that is outside the norm. Creative cover letters can be an excellent way to showcase your inventiveness and stand out in the hiring process — especially when applying for a creative role. Learn the crucial elements and practices you should keep in mind when breaking the mold with your cover letter.

Top Cover Letter Fonts to Make a Big Impression

The font you select for your cover letter can make a big difference to the overall tone of your job applications. It’s important to choose a font that’s suitable for the industry you’re applying to work in, as well as one that reflects your personal style. In this article, we discuss the top fonts to pick from for your cover letter, and provide cover letter formatting tips that can help you make a strong impression on recruiters and hiring managers.

How to Name-Drop in a Cover Letter, with Tips

Referrals are a powerful way to get ahead in the job market. Name-dropping an employee who works at the company you’re applying to, or revealing a mutual associate or acquaintance in your cover letter can help you shoot up the list of viable candidates. But how can you name-drop in your cover letter, while remaining professional? In this article, we discuss the advantages of cover letter name-dropping and provide tips to make your name-dropping more effective.

Leveraging Cover Letter References

A cover letter is your first opportunity to make a great impression on your prospective employer. While your resume showcases your qualifications and work history, a cover letter adds personality to your application. Cover letter references are particularly useful for showcasing who you are and the experiences you’ve gained. Here’s how to incorporate them into your job application.

Write a Cover Letter German Companies Will Love

When it comes to job searching in Germany, your cover letter is considered a crucial part of your application. Knowing how to properly craft one can help your application stand out and prove why you are the right person for the role. Discover the keys to creating a professional German cover letter that will put you one step closer to landing the job of your dreams.

How to Create a Cover Letter in Spanish

Understanding the cultural and professional nuances of crafting a cover letter in Spanish is crucial when navigating the job market in Spanish-speaking countries. The “carta de presentación” isn’t just a translation of your English cover letter. When writing a cover letter, Spanish speakers like yourself should pay attention to specific cultural expectations and formatting differences. Here’s what you need to know.

Cover Letter vs. Resume: A Direct Comparison

Understanding the difference between a cover letter and a resume is essential. While both cover letters and resumes play a crucial role in your job application, they serve distinct purposes and convey different information. So is a resume a cover letter? Learn everything you need to know in our cover letter vs. resume breakdown.

Writing an Effective Unsolicited Cover Letter

An unsolicited cover letter is one the hiring manager didn’t explicitly ask for through a verbal or written request. While many people send cover letters in response to job postings or referrals, unsolicited cover letters can help you show initiative and land jobs that aren’t advertised. Learning to write one of these letters in a way that positions you as an attractive candidate is the key to success.

How to Create a Great Career Change Cover Letter

Applying for a new job is both exciting and nerve-racking. However, the entire process can be overwhelming when you’re switching career paths altogether. If you want to navigate this process successfully and land a job in your new field, you'll need a great career change cover letter. With that in mind, here are a few tips for writing a career change cover letter that will get you noticed.

The Secret to a Well-Received Fax Cover Letter

As the first sheet of a fax transmission, a fax cover letter identifies the fax’s sender and purpose, which is helpful when a document is unexpected. They also help to maintain confidentiality with shared machines. Many companies rely on fax machines, especially for sensitive documents that are risky to email.

Who to address cover letter when recipient is unknown

Imagine that you’ve found a position you want to apply for and are working through your cover letter. There’s just one problem — you’re not sure how to address your cover letter. Unknown recipients can complicate the application process, especially when you want to set a great first impression. If you’re wondering who to address cover letter to if unknown, it’s important to find an alternative solution that is professional and respectful. Here’s what you need to know.

Creating a Europass Cover Letter

The Europass cover letter is the most popular CV template in Western Europe, as it was designed by the European Union in order to promote accessibility and transparency across member nations. If you intend to apply for jobs in an EU nation, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the Europass cover letter. Here’s what you need to know.

Cover Letter Enclosures: What You Need to Know

Adding a cover letter enclosure to your next letter might seem like a small detail, but it can help your application stand out. An enclosure, cover letter, and supporting documents like resumes and certifications make up a powerful combination that can demonstrate what you bring to the table. So what does “enclosure” mean on a cover letter? Here’s everything you need to know.

How to Write a Strong Relocation Cover Letter

Trying to find a job while relocating can be daunting. Employers in your new area will likely be curious about why you’re moving and what value you’re bringing with you. Discover the keys to answering their questions accurately while highlighting how your big move can benefit their business.

ChatGPT Cover Letters: Are They Worth It?

Artificial intelligence is a branch of computer science concerned with using machines to simulate human cognitive abilities. Popular tools like ChatGPT, which generates content based on human prompts, have become increasingly common in many professions. These applications can be useful for handling many professional tasks, including creating job application materials like AI cover letters.

Watch Out for These 10 Cover Letter Mistakes

Your cover letter is the most important document during your job hunt. It’s your chance to show prospective employers what you bring to the table. However, simple cover letter mistakes can derail your job hunt. Our list of common mistakes can help. The first 4 common cover letter mistakes and solutions focus on the most egregious mishaps. The remaining topics address more subtle errors. If you want your cover letter to make an impact, steer clear of the following mistakes.

How to Sign a Cover Letter: A Guide with Tips

In a competitive job market, every element of your applications matter. Every small detail combines with others to make a strong impression on recruiters and hiring managers. When it comes to your cover letter, the way you finish and sign it can say a lot about your personal qualities. In this article, we’ll discuss how to sign a cover letter, with tips for digital and handwritten cover letter signatures.

The Importance of a Good Cover Letter Structure

A solid cover letter can make or break a job application. It’s what helps a hiring manager understand how the work experience, skills, and personal traits on your resume make you a good fit for the job. In this article, you’ll learn the ins and outs of devising a professional cover letter structure that highlights your strengths and makes you stand out.

Email cover letter: subject, writing and tips

If you’re applying for a job, you’ll probably need to submit your application using an online portal, or via email. For email job applications, it’s essential to write a polite and professional email accompanying your CV and cover letter, which you’ll include as attachments to the email. In this article, we discuss how to write an email cover letter that makes a positive impression with employers, including tips and examples you can use in your job applications.

Cover letter explaining gaps in employment (examples)

Having gaps in your cover letter and resume won’t automatically disqualify you from your dream job. However, you’ll need to acknowledge those gaps and frame them in a positive light so employers can look past them and see the value you bring. Here’s a look at cover letter explaining gap in employment examples, as well as some tips to help you address stretches when you weren’t working.

How to Nail Your Cover Letter Call to Action

Many people understand that the purpose of a call to action in marketing is to encourage a consumer to make a move and take action on something specific. However, you may not know that a cover letter CTA serves the same purpose. After you’ve marketed yourself and your skills to the hiring manager or recruiter, the closing CTA is your chance to boldly ask for what you want. Here’s how to craft the perfect CTA that’s both authentic and professional.

How to End a Cover Letter With Confidence

A strong cover letter introduction makes a hiring manager want to know more about you. However, a strong conclusion is what compels them to call you in for an interview. Ending your cover letter with confidence is essential if you’re looking to make a great impression and have a chance at getting the job you want. Learn a few tips to balance poise and tenacity in your cover letter ending.

Cover Letter Tips for the Perfect Application

A cover letter is an essential part of any job application. Its purpose is to supplement your resume, giving potential employers more information about your background and interests. This guide offers tips for writing a cover letter that will grab hiring managers’ attention and make your application stand out in a sea of competitors.

How to Write a Cover Letter With No Experience

Whether you just graduated or are switching careers, searching for jobs without experience can be challenging. If you don’t have prior experience in the field, how will employers know what you’re capable of? In these situations, it’s crucial to be able to explain your skill set and why you’re equipped for the role. Learn how to write a cover letter with no experience and land the job you want.

How to Write an Effective Academic Cover Letter

The purpose of an academic cover letter is to express your interest in a particular position and introduce you to the hiring committee. It should answer the questions those on the committee will likely have, like how your academic background, experience, and achievements in teaching and research make you a good fit for the role.

Including Salary Requirements in Cover Letters

Talking about salaries at any point in the hiring process can bring about feelings of confusion or discomfort. Still, some think it’s a good idea to face these emotions head-on by mentioning their salary requirements in cover letters. Could this strategy be helpful when applying for a role, or is it a mistake? This article will help you navigate this murky territory and plan your next steps.

Video Cover Letters

If you are seeking a new career or looking for a fresh start with a different company, you might be surprised to learn of an emerging trend in the hiring process: video cover letters. Some businesses are asking applicants to submit these videos along with the usual documents, which can put a face with your resume, making for a more personalized hiring process. If you get asked to submit a cover letter video, here’s everything you need to know.

Writing Short Cover Letters: With Samples

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a two to three-page literary masterpiece to land a job interview. Sometimes, less is more when applying for a job. A basic cover letter conveys what you bring to the table, makes a strong first impression, and shows respect for the hiring manager's time. Below, you’ll see short cover letter samples for various situations so that you can identify when to keep your letter short and impactful.

Personal Statement vs Cover Letter: A Guide

Personal statements and cover letters are both valuable documents for your job applications. Either document can accompany your CV and help to convince the recruiter or hiring manager that you’re right for the job. In this article, we’ll discuss personal statements vs cover letters, comparing the differences between each document, outlining their uses and providing a guide to writing a strong example of each.

Is Google Docs a Good Choice for Cover Letters?

There are many software tools you can use to write a cover letter. One option is Google Docs. While this word-processing program is highly popular, is it a good idea to use it for something as important as a cover letter? Will hiring managers respond well to a Google Docs cover letter? Discover the keys to making this type of cover letter work for you.

A Complete Guide to Handwritten Cover Letters

The digital age has made applying for jobs easier than ever. However, it can also make it tough to stand out from other applicants. In a time when most job applications are submitted online, a handwritten cover letter can be a refreshing change for hiring managers, and it can demonstrate your commitment to landing an interview. Here’s everything you need to know about creating a handwritten cover letter.

Writing a Cover Letter for Internal Positions

Writing a cover letter for internal positions is a unique experience. The company already knows your background, current level of performance, and how you fit in with company culture, yet you must still be able to prove you’re the right person for the job. Learn how to write an internal cover letter to stand out and gain an edge over external applicants when applying for a new role in your current company.

Letter of Interest vs. Cover Letter: A 101 Guide

Landing your dream job can be tough, especially in highly competitive fields. Knowing when to use a letter of interest vs. cover letter can help differentiate you as a candidate and catch a hiring manager’s eye as they sort through applicant information. So when should you use a letter of intent vs. cover letter? Find out in this comprehensive guide.

A Guide to The Perfect Cover Letter Heading

Your cover letters form a critical part of your job applications. It’s likely to be the first thing a hiring manager reads upon receiving your application. First impressions count for a lot, so it’s important to make sure your cover letter heading looks professional and includes all the necessary information. In this article, we discuss how to make an impact with your cover letter heading, and provide some other useful general tips for a great cover letter.

How to Write a Standout LinkedIn Cover Letter

LinkedIn is a popular professional social network that allows employers to post open positions and receive applications. In some cases, these applications require a cover letter submitted directly through the platform. While a LinkedIn cover letter is similar to a standard one, being on the platform allows you to leverage certain personalization features to impress recruiters and give you the best chance of landing the job you want.

Strengths and Weaknesses in Cover Letters

Since hiring managers are trained to perform thorough evaluations during the application and interview phases, your competencies and areas of improvement are bound to come up. Is it therefore a good idea to mention them in your cover letter? This article will provide you with sound advice on how to navigate this complex practice.

How to Write an Effective Cover Letter in French

A well-crafted cover letter is an essential component of your job application — especially in French-speaking markets, where a personalized letter can make a significant difference. In a competitive job market, an impressive cover letter highlights your qualifications and communicates your enthusiasm in a way that resonates with French-speaking employers. Understanding how to present your skills in a French cover letter can be the key to standing out.

Writing a UK Work Experience Cover Letter that Stands

Completing a work experience placement is one of the best ways to gain valuable industry experience and stand out from other candidates in the UK job market. You might take part in a work placement as part of a university degree, or you could apply for work experience after graduating. In this article, we discuss how to write a work experience cover letter that makes a strong impression on employers, with tips for what to include for maximum impact.

Skills for Cover Letter to Impress Hiring Managers

Your cover letter provides a perfect opportunity to make a positive first impression on employers. It acts as a formal introduction to your application, and gives you space to emphasize key skills and career achievements. The skills you mention in your cover letter can play a key role in helping hiring managers form an opinion on you. In this article, we look at the key skills for cover letters, with tips for how to include them for maximum impact.

Get Noticed With Powerful Cover Letter Keywords

If you want to score an interview and land your dream job, you need a great cover letter and resume. Crafting an engaging cover letter involves much more than highlighting what you do well and why you want to work there. You’ve also got to use the right cover letter keywords. Here’s what you need to know.

Achieving the Ideal Cover Letter Length

A cover letter is your opportunity to go beyond your resume and show how your skills, experience, and personal traits make you the ideal candidate for the job you’re applying for. Jobseeker offers guidance to help you decode employer preferences and guidelines so you can ensure that you get the length and content just right.