What to Include in a Cover Letter What Goes Where

What to Include in a Cover Letter What Goes Where You're about to learn what to include in a cover letter, but first:Whew! Weeks spent looking for a job have finally paid off.You found a position that has your name written all over it.You know you need a cover letter But what goes in a cover letter besides blood, sweat, and tears?Worried you might miss something?If you dont include the right things in your cover letter, your dream job will slip by.Cheer up!If you know what to put in a cover letter, writing one will be a breeze. Not only thatyoull actually write an attention-grabbing cover letter that will get employers on the phone ASAP.This brief cover letter guide will show you:What should be in a cover letter to start getting interviews.What goes in a cover letter introduction that makes managers read on.A great hack you have to put in a cover letter to make sure employers respond.Plus, what to include in a cover letterexamples from career experts.Heres an infographic showing you what to put ona cover letter:Want to save time and have your cover letter ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder, which doubles as a great cover letter builder. Its fast, easy-to-use, and you'll get tips and right-vs-wrong examples while writing it. See 10+ cover letter templates and create your cover letter here.See what to include in a cover letter:1. Your Personal Info, Contact Details Date2. The Details of the Company You're Applying to3. A Professional Salutation (Formal Greeting)4. An Introduction with Your Skills and Professional Wins to Grab the Recruiter's Attention5. Reasons Youre a Perfect Fit for the Job6. Reasons the Company is a Perfect Fit for You7. A Strong Closing Paragraph with a Compelling Call to Action8. A Professional Closing Sentiment Your Name9.A Postscript at the Bottom of Your Cover Letter to Seal the DealRead on for a detailed explanation of what to put in a cover letter in individual sections:1Your Personal Info, Contact Details DateFirst up when putting together a cover letter is the heading area , as it was when you were starting your resume. The heading area is where youll put your personal information, and its look (cover letter fonts and cover letter design) may vary depending on the cover letter template that you use.Heres what it may look like:Must-haves include your name, email address, and phone number. Nice-to-haves are your mailing address, branding statement, and a LinkedIn profile. End your cover letter header by inserting the date of writing before moving on.Pro Tip: Dont add the rest of your social links, profile URLs, and portfolio information with your contact details as you did on your resume, unless the cover letter template you choose includes an area for them.2The Details of the Company You're Applying toImmediately after the date, its time to add the addressee. In your case, its a company, but try to find the specific name of the hiring manager or HR director to insert at the top of the company address. This will make it feel more personalized and will b e much more compelling.Pro Tip: Research on the company website, or a site like Glassdoor, to locate the name of the hiring manager. This gives it that personalized touch, and it will help in the following sections of your cover letter, as well.Want to write your cover letter fast?Use our cover letter builder. Choose from20+ professional cover letter templatesthat match your resume. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.Sample Cover Letter for a ResumeSee more cover letter templates and create your cover letter here.One of our users, Nikos, had this to say:[I used] a nice template I found on Zety. My resume is now one page long, not three. With the same stuff.Create your resume nowDont address your cover letter the right way, and you could jeopardize your entire job application. To get it right, see this: How to Address a Cover Letter: Sample Guide [20+ Examples]3A Professional Salutation (Formal Greeting)Youd scowl if the barista at Starbucks called out, Hey, y ou! when handing over your mocha frap, right? Well, the same thing goes for cover letters when the hiring manager reads it, as well.One of the best cover letter tips out there is to call them by name. Something like, Dear Ms. Srivastava, will work just perfectly. Using a title and their last name is formal and fine, but you can also grab their attention by calling them by their first name: Dear Jacqueline,.Now, what about that Dear part? Dear is regarded as one of the best cover letter salutations out there, as it is useful whether the letter is formal or informal, and whether you know their name or not.Not satisfied with Dear? Cant find a name? Weve got other options for various scenarios on starting a cover letter: How to Start a Cover Letter: Sample Complete Guide [20+ Examples]4An Introduction with Your Skills and Professioanl Wins to Grabs the Recruiter's AttentionNow we get to the good stuff: the opening statement. Like with the compelling first line in a great novel, the ope ning paragraph on a cover letter should hook them immediately in a way that makes them want to read further.There are different ways to go about this. As long as they grab the hiring managers attention, you wont go wrong. Lets look at an example of a great cover letter opening:As a longtime fan of United Airlines peerless flying experience, I was excited to see the opening for long-haul flight attendants. With my experience as an award-winning flight attendant for Lufthansa, I know I can use my skill set and knowledge to become a valuable member of the United Airlines team.This one is written about the company, and it gives some compelling arguments of why they would be a great addition to the companys team. This makes a great opening, and it will make them want to read more.Pro Tip: As you called out their name in the greeting, mention the companys name in the opening paragraph, as well. It feel more personalized, and it ensures the recruiter that this is a dedicated cover letter, not one you mass-emailed all over the continent.Listing responsibilities without achievements wont fly on your resume, and it wont work on your cover letter, either: Achievements to Put on a Resume - Complete Guide (+30 Examples)5ReasonsYoure a Perfect Fit for the JobYouve got them hooked, now start reeling them in with your second paragraph. In the second paragraph of a cover letter, show them how you are the perfect fit for the company and team.Heres an example of what a future barista might say in their second paragraph:In my current position as a residential painter, Ive had many responsibilities and achievements that would serve me well as a future Koffee Konsultants barista. Completing painting jobs all around Manhattan gives me a unique sense of speedy work under high pressure while maintaining quality, something that can translate easily into the fast-paced positions at your cafes. On top of that, my numerous clients have always maintained that I exuded a sense of profession alism while remaining warm and friendly in conversation during jobs, which would be useful in the cozy and inviting atmosphere of the Koffee Konsultants cafe.See that? With that paragraph, you show that even though you have no barista experience, your acquired skills from painting gigs and inherent attitude and friendliness would make you the ideal new hire.Pro Tip: As the items in this middle paragraph are of significant importance to the company and hiring manager, dont afraid to make this one longer than the rest.Weve got more where that came from. Check out our ultimate guide: How To Write A Resume Cover Letter in 8 Simple Steps6Reasonsthe Company is a Perfect Fit for YouNow youre over the hump, but you still got a little ways to go before the end. For the third paragraph, explain to them why their company and this position in particular is perfect for you.Lets look at an example for a future chef of Greek cuisine:Obtaining the head chef position would be my dream come true. Ive long been a fan of the seafood dishes you serve and the wines you suggest. In fact, Baharis peerless menu is what caused me to study Greek cuisine to begin with. Though I love cooking with all my heart, there is no other restaurant that would make me as happy to work for. I know, should I be honored with the position, that Id be the envy of the neighborhood as Baharis head chef!How about that one? You praised the restaurant and showed them just how great a position there would be for you. You gave specific examples of what attracted you to apply, and just you wait, this attitude will not go unnoticed!Pro Tip: Let your hair down and wear your heart on your sleeve. Skip the robotic tone for the resume, and convey your enthusiasm and excitement for the position here in this third paragraph!Weve got a wealth of tips on writing a cover letter that will let you stand out: 35+ Successful Cover Letter Tips, Advice Guidelines7A Strong Closing Paragraph with a Compelling Call to ActionJust about there! Youve grabbed their attention in the opening paragraph, showed them that you will only benefit their company and any team youre a part of, and told them why this position is just so damn perfect for you.Now go for a strong finish with an impressive closing paragraph by briefly summing up:I would welcome the chance to discuss your digital marketing objectives and show you how my successes at ABC can translate into digital and online marketing growth for XYZ.See that? You bring it to a satisfying end by summarizing your letter and then leaving the ball in their court.Pro Tip: How long should a cover letter be? Keep it down to no more than the areas weve talked about here. It shouldnt near a page in length and definitely not a 2-page cover letter!Closing strong on a cover letter is just as critical as an attention-grabbing beginning. Read this for more examples: How to End a Cover Letter: Sample Complete Guide [+20 Examples]8A Professional Closing Sentiment Your NameNow youre there! Its time to just add a closing sentiment followed by your name and you can let out a sigh of contentment at your accomplishment. Heres what that could look like:Sincerely,John SmithNot much to it, right? That closing sentiment is often called a complimentary close (or complimentary closing), which is then followed by your name to end the cover letter.Remember to add a cover letter enclosure to make sure the hiring manager knows you sent through a complete application.Pro Tip: You can let loose a bit in your cover letter, but just as with the formal header, where you structured your address and theirs, keep the closing sentiment more formal.9A Postscript at the Bottom of Your Cover Letter to Seal the DealWait a minute, I thought you said we were done!Though not at all a necessary section on your cover letter, adding a P.S. is a great hack when writing a cover letter. Every great cover letter contains a postscript.Let me show you what I mean:P.S. Id love the opportunity t o sit down with you and go over how I can bring similar results (12% productivity increase) to your office, as well.A P.S. (postscript) at the bottom of your cover letter always draws the attention of the reader, even if they dont care to read the rest of it.Key TakeawayYou may notice that what to include in a cover letter has a similar formula to the business letters you may have learned to write in school - and thats right. Cover letters are formal letters, so they should follow the standard lettering structure. Cover letters for internships follow the same rules.In a nutshell, here's what a job-winning cover letter should consist of:Start with a bang. Your opening sentence and introductory paragraph on your cover letter are important because itll determine if the hiring manager continues reading. Mention your relevant skills and work achievements to grab their attention.Show you belong together. Use the second and third paragraphs to show that you are a perfect fit for the positi on on offer and the company, but also that they are the ideal place youd love to work at.Finish strong. You kept their attention that far, but have a compelling ending and an attention-grabbing postscript so that theyll be sure to move on to your resume.Do you have any questions on what to put in a cover letter? Not sure about cover letter structure or the basic cover letter parts? Get at us in the comments below and we will answer your question. Thanks for reading!