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Do we really need to write cover letters in 2023.

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The earliest record of the cover letter for employment dates back to the 1950s according to The Atlantic, and has been used ever since as an addition to resumes, for candidates to prove to potential employers their desire and eligibility for posted roles. In recent years, however, especially since the post-pandemic unemployment upheaval, the choice of whether or not to include cover letters as part of the job application process has been a topic of contentious debate, and has left most candidates confused as to whether or not to include them, especially if the employer has not specifically requested them.

In a recent LinkedIn poll I conducted, more than 70% of respondents (a mix of recruiters, hiring managers, and candidates) voted that cover letters are no longer necessary as part of the shortlisting process. However, across the Internet, there were others who advocated its use, provided the right conditions were met.

The question remains, Should we write cover letters for jobs, even if they're not mandated in the application process?

When cover letters are needed

Emily Meekins , CEO and Founder of talent consultancy Workstrat, points out that she rarely reviews cover letters. "85% of the time, I can learn enough from your resume and LinkedIn profile. The application/interview process is time-consuming enough without a cover letter. I'd prefer candidates save their time and reapply it to other areas of their search." However, Meekins adds that she would look at a cover letter if she is on the fence and needs more information to help make an informed decision, or to check for quality of writing and communication skills.

I spoke with Yulia Saf , Founder and CEO of MissTourist.com, who has hired and led a team of up to 12 employees remotely, and asked her to share her experiences and insights on this topic. Saf revealed that cover letters have significantly impacted her decision to hire candidates on several occasions, noting that "candidates who include a persuasive cover letter often stand out during the shortlisting phase, as it provides insight into their passion and determination for the role."

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Writing with laptop

Maurizio Petrone , founder of the remote-first digital media start-up MustReadQuotes.com, has been hiring talent for over 15 years, and highlights that from his experience, "cover letters have played an essential element in hiring decisions, even when we didn't specifically request them. Out of the hundreds of candidates we shortlisted over the past five years, about 70% included cover letters in their applications. These letters helped shed light on their motivations and gave a better insight into their soft skills - things often not immediately evident in resumes."

Cover letters are a fantastic way to explore beyond the confines of one's resume and tell a compelling narrative about your career journey, motivations and aspirations for the job, and even transferable skills, especially for those facing perceived barriers in the workplace. This makes it an excellent choice for those making a career pivot or transition.

As Thomas Codevilla , business attorney, Co-Founder and hiring manager at SK&S Law Group points out, "A well-written cover letter allows candidates to tell a compelling narrative about their experiences and how they can uniquely contribute to our organization. On the hiring side, I know that ATS often play a role in screening applications. What many candidates might not realize is that incorporating relevant keywords from the job posting into their cover letters can significantly improve their chances of getting past this initial screening stage.

"As a recruiter, I appreciate it when candidates address their cover letters to a specific individual or mention a mutual connection within the company. It not only shows that they've done their research but also increases the likelihood that their application will catch my attention.

"A cover letter gives candidates the opportunity to address any potential red flags in their resume, such as employment gaps or career changes. When a candidate proactively explains these issues, it shows their transparency and willingness to provide context, which can positively influence my perception of their application."

Best practice when crafting your cover letter

While cover letters are a great way to demonstrate your value to a potential employer, you should always ensure that it actually delivers real value and is not a mere repetition of your resume, HR generalist Mary Pizana of personal injury law firm Herrman and Herrman cautions.

Man applying for a job on the internet

Kirsty Barden , Head of Business Development at MDS, a talent acquisition company with 37 years in the business, highlights some best practices to remember when writing up a cover letter:

Customise each cover letter

"Tailor your cover letter for each specific application and company. Address the hiring manager or recruiter by name if possible and demonstrate your knowledge of the company and the role you're applying for."

Highlight relevant experiences and skills

"Emphasise the experiences and skills from your CV that directly relate to the job description and requirements. Use specific examples to demonstrate your capabilities."

Showcase your passion

"Express genuine enthusiasm for the company and the opportunity. Explain why you are interested in the role and how it aligns with your career goals."

Keep it concise and focused

"A cover letter should be concise, typically one page. Avoid unnecessary details and maintain a clear focus on the key points you want to convey."

Be professional and error-free

"Pay close attention to grammar, spelling, and formatting. A well-written and error-free cover letter demonstrates attention to detail and professionalism."

Demonstrate cultural fit

"Highlight your alignment with the company's values and culture. Show that you are a team player and can thrive within the organization's environment."

End with a call to action

"Conclude the cover letter by expressing your interest in further discussing your qualifications and expressing gratitude for the opportunity to apply."

SKILL CONCEPT

Executive Cleaning Services Vice President Thomas Giarraputo recommends candidates use Venn diagrams when beginning to craft their cover letter. "Telling stories from your career is an excellent way to demonstrate your skills and give hiring managers a glimpse of your demeanor and work style.

"Always refer to the position's requirements in the job description when searching for appropriate anecdotes to share. It is also beneficial to conduct additional online investigation on the company to gain a sense of its culture. Before writing your cover letter, compare your talents to the position's requirements.

"Utilizing Venn diagrams can be useful for generating ideas and determining which competencies and experiences to highlight. After creating this diagram and identifying what belongs in both circles, overlapping topics will guide and inspire the content of your cover letter."

When cover letters should not be used

On the flip side, Sam Greinetz , Recruiting Partner at Signed Talent, points out that the recruitment industry has witnessed a significant shift over the past decade, with hundreds of candidates applying for one position where there were only 10-15 a few years ago, and certain industries which rely more on hard skills, such as the tech industry, do not have the capacity for hiring managers and recruiters to read every cover letter sent through.

Recruiter screening interview

Greinetz recommends trying a different approach to sending in your cover letter. "Rather than a cover letter, if someone is especially interested in a role, they are better off reaching out to the recruiter or hiring manager directly either via email or on Linkedin to reiterate their excitement. That message can be similar to what a cover letter would include and will allow them to stick out in a crowded applicant pool. Show that you've done some homework, personalize it, talk about the team, product, etc. and don't be afraid to follow-up after a few days if you haven't heard anything."

Anthony Allen , VP of Recruiting at Supply Chain Talent Advisors, states that while he agrees that most recruiters don't have the time to read cover letters, if one is to be written, "the candidate must personalize and tailor the cover letter. A generic, one-size-fits-all cover letter is easy to spot and often disregarded. To stand out, research the company and the role, and tailor your cover letter accordingly. Mention how your skills and experiences align with the job requirements and the company's goals. By doing this, you show the hiring manager that you understand their needs and can bring specific value to the position. This level of personalization is what can make a cover letter impactful, even in situations where its importance might be diminishing."

So what does all of this mean for job seekers?

In a nutshell:

• When applying for a job directly to an employer, use a cover letter that is well-personalized, tells impactful career stories, conveys your motivations for the role, and speaks to why you want to work for that particular employer. Demonstrate that you understand their pain-points, clients, and values, and that their mission and values align with yours.
• Think creatively of other ways to include a cover letter approach, such as sending an email or LinkedIn InMail to the hiring manager directly.
• Ensure your cover letter is not a repetition of your resume.
• Cover letters are best used when facing barriers such as career gaps, career transitions, lack of experience, or to increase competitive edge, especially for senior level roles.
• If applying for technical roles or applying directly through recruitment agencies, consider leaving the cover letter out altogether so as not to waste your time. Also take time to research if the industry you are entering or applying for roles in, typically reviews cover letters. After all, you don't want to waste your time or that of the recruiter/hiring manager.

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The entry-level job cover letter that will get you noticed

A guide, with examples, to writing a cover letter for your first job.

Despite the minimal experience required, entry level positions can be quite competitive. You won’t be the only one applying. There’s a good chance that many students with similar experiences and educational backgrounds will apply to the same position(s) you’re considering. Additionally, the nature of the position predisposes the company to some risk. It’s as new of a venture for the company as it is for you.

Your cover letter needs to go beyond simply persuading the hiring manager. It needs to speak to their need of a candidate ready for a smooth transition. It needs to assuage any doubts they may have about you as an outside hire. A cover letter that hooks and satisfies the reader’s needs will go a long way in differentiating you as a prospect.

Format is crucial when writing a strong entry level job cover letter. It should be in business letter format , which means:

• All text is left justified
• The top should include your name, phone number, and email
• Then the date of application
• Then the information for the job you’re applying to
• Every body of text that follows should be separated by one line
• Your end closure and signature should be separated by four lines

Your intro format should look like:

Mark Étienne

(xxx) xxx-xxx

[email protected]

June 6, 2019

Marketing Assistant

Job ID: 5467382

NTN Marketing

Take the time to find out who the hiring manager for the role is. While listing the position as the recipient in this letter is sufficient, you’ll score bonus points for your diligence if you can cater the letter to that person. It’s worth the effort when you can include recipient information.

If there’s one portion of the cover letter that shouldn’t stand out, it’s the greeting. Keep it simple. Keep it professional. Dear Emily, is ideal. If the hiring manager has a doctorate (PhD or equivalent) address them respectively (i.e., “Dear Dr. Simmons,”). If you don’t have a name, you can use “ Dear Hiring Manager .”

You may have heard the common datum on attention span, that the average is no more than 8 seconds. You should assume the same for hiring managers sifting through hundreds of applications. If your opener isn’t compelling enough, your cover letter may end up in the wrong pile. Stick to a style that garners attention, such as:

My previous internship experience taught me that a marketing assistant is more involved than just analyzing and compiling customer data. Coffee and breakfast in hand, I spent my mornings compiling comprehensive competitive analyses based on our available data. My afternoons, looking for supplemental data to provide a stronger analysis. Every deliverable contained the necessary information to help the marketing team develop a better product for their clients. I took pride in my work, knowing that I was a part of the team that helped the company retain 80% of its clientele.

You’ll notice several elements in this paragraph that help keep the reader engaged, and also add value to the application.

• The narrative is written in a conversational, yet formal tone
• It contains some imagery and strategically paints a scenario
• There is data; something that reflects the writer’s involvement in their past internship’s success

Your next task is to garner interest from the reader. Give them an idea of your potential and what you may be capable of while working for them.

One year of internship experience at XYZ Branding has granted me the skills necessary to hit the ground running on day one. If given the opportunity, your company can benefit from the intern who previously:

• Provided written marketing ad materials boasting a minimum 11% conversion rate
• Helped design focus group environments that maximize accuracy and data reliability
• Helped conduct the in-depth market research in the industry

Data is everything. Be specific in any projects you worked in that led to any significant results. Use detailed percentages wherever possible. Also notice the lack of I statements . This is the easiest section to fall into an “I” trap. The more you say “you” and express how you can benefit the company, the less you have to try to convince them with the things “I” did.

Simply put, your hiring manager will want to know how you fit in their company. They want to know that you will be intrinsically motivated in doing your work , without needing significant direction. Research the company, really understand their needs, and take the following approach to instill desire in your talent:

As a passionate, results-driven individual, I am as dedicated as a company needs their best employee to be. I am aware that NTN Marketing is one of the leading marketing brands in the North East. And a company like yours can help create a mutually beneficial relationship with an employee who is ready for any undertaking.

If the job description goes out of its way to request hard-working, reliable candidates, then don’t sell yourself short. Let them know that you’ll be a great fit for the unique working environment they provide.

The call to action

Always end your cover letter with a strong call to action. Reminding the reader to reach out to you is crucial to ending up on the shortlist.

I would love to have the opportunity to further discuss my potential in working at NTN Marketing. Can we schedule a future date to discuss how I can help with your clients X Imaging, Y Tiling, and Z Construction?

The call to action is also a great space to namedrop on any specific information you may have researched about the company. Letting them know how you can benefit them in one of their existing projects, for example, shows that you are ready to start right away.

Gratitude is powerful and can go a long way. Thank the reader for taking the time to read the 100th cover letter for the day. They’ll remember that. It can be similar to:

I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Kind regards,

Mike Étienne

Full example:

See below for the cover letter example you can use when starting your own from scratch.

Dear Dr. Rojas,

Find the right jobs for you. Get hired.

Related stories, most recent stories.

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 Entry-Level Cover Letter (With Examples)

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Find a Job You Really Want In

If you’re an entry-level jobseeker, your cover letter is your best friend.

Your cover letter is an opportunity to stand out as an entry-level candidate – because sadly, your resume probably won’t. Most people applying for the position will have fairly similar resumes, trying to make the best out of their limited experience .

And like their similarly limited work experience and resumes, many of those other entry-level candidates make a lot of the same mistakes in their cover letters.

But a cover letter that’s tailored to the specific position you’re looking for will open doors for you – even when your resume alone won’t.

Key Takeaways:

Entry-level cover letters should be between 250 and 300 words. Do not go over 400 words.

Entry-level cover letters should be crafted for a specific position.

Address what position you’re applying for, how you will fulfill the job’s responsibilities, and a bit of your personality.

Specifically address your cover letter if you can and avoid generalizations in your opening.

Make your cover easy to read and quantify your accomplishments.

What Is an Entry-Level Cover Letter?

How to structure an entry-level cover letter, elements of an entry-level cover letter, common mistakes in entry-level cover letters, entry-level cover letter tips, examples of entry-level cover letters, entry-level cover letter faq, final thoughts.

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An entry-level cover letter is a document expressing your interest and qualifications for a job that qualifies as “entry-level.” Entry-level jobs typically don’t require much (if any) prior experience, so job-seekers can be at a loss for how to summarize their suitability for a job they have no background in.

Alongside your resume , your cover letter is the first impression a hiring manager or recruiter will have of you. Unlike a resume, a cover letter gives you a chance to explain why you’re interested in the role and how you’ll perform it.

The best cover letters will land you interview requests , so make sure you’re hitting your most impressive skills , experiences, and qualities.

Even without formal experience, everyone has a background that served to prepare them for success. The trick is understanding how your background fits into what the employer wants .

The average amount of time hiring managers spend reading cover letters is six seconds. That means that they’ll spend as much time reading your cover letter as you spent reading this two-sentence introduction.

We’re even giving you the benefit of the doubt here on your reading speed.

You want to get their attention quickly and spend 250 words – but no more than 400 – showing the hiring manager:

What position you’re applying for

How you will fulfill the job’s responsibilities

A bit of your personality

Meanwhile the structure of a cover letter should be:

Contact information

Closing and signature

Contact Information

There’s not too much to say here, except don’t get it wrong. You wouldn’t be the first person to accidentally leave old company information and dates on a reworked cover letter.

Your contact information goes near the top left margin. Put a space between theirs, space then the date, and then a space and the salutation. That’s how to address your cover letter :

City, state, zip code

Phone number

Break it up with a space, then:

A big caveat here is that if you’re sending an email cover letter, you put your personal contact info in the email signature. Also, remove the contact information for the person you’re contacting.

You should make your subject line informative and brief, something like “Bilingual Creative Writer seeks content creation position.” Or just use your name and the position title.

Salutations

Keep in mind that they’ll be skimming, so anything that screams “this is from a template” gets the boot pretty quickly.

No “Dear Sir or Madam:” and no “To Whom It May Concern:” – this just shows that you didn’t figure out who you’ll be addressing the letter to .

You may have forgotten, but “Mrs.” indicates marriage, so play it safe on the title – “Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name]”

If you can’t figure out someone’s gender based off of their name, don’t guess. “Dear [Full Name]” is the safest road

You can use either a comma or colon – we prefer commas.

Do what you can to figure out who will be reading your letter. If it’s not in the posting, try searching the company website and LinkedIn . You might have success calling and asking the human resources department .

But if you’ve truly exhausted your search options, don’t fret. Some companies keep it on the down-low to keep people like you from spamming their inboxes with follow-up emails – “Dear Hiring Manager” or one of its variations will do.

The Opening Sentence(s)

Hiring managers read a lot of cover letters, and plenty of those are from people who don’t care much about landing that particular job.

So don’t open with “My name is [name] and I am applying for the [position] at [company] because [I need money].” You’ve given them your contact info and you’re applying for a job – they already know all of that. Start your cover letter off right.

Remember that you’re fighting to get noticed at this stage, so anything that they’ve already read from you – and other applications – makes their eyes glaze over.

Examples of Opening Sentence(s)

A solid opening statement can accomplish the three goals from earlier in one move:

Tell them what you want

How you’ll do it

Show them personality

Let’s look at some examples:

“I’ve wanted to work in broadcast journalism since a reporter interviewed me for winning my third grade spelling bee. The realization that I’m responsible for thousands of people’s “truths” resonated with me then, even if the truths were just how to spell prestidigitation.”

Why it works: So here the writer has announced that she wants a job as a broadcast reporter, she was an academic achiever (sort of), and that she has an appreciation for the solemnity of the profession. And it’s kinda cute.

Cute’s good; just don’t be too cute.

‌“My approach to management was drilled into me during my military training: be the kind of leader you want to follow.”

Why it works: This example identifies the job, obliquely mentions military experience , and also tells the reader that the writer knows what separates good bosses from bad ones.

“It didn’t land me on the cover of Forbes, but my college laundry delivery startup did teach me this: in sales, if you don’t measure it with reliable data, you can’t manage it reliably. Also, raise your prices before student loan checks arrive.”

Why it works: And here we know the writer is applying for a sales position, appreciates the value of metrics, is entrepreneurial, and has a sense of humor.

Be careful with the jokes though. You don’t have any idea what your hiring manager’s sense of humor is going to be like. If your joke doesn’t land, you’ll waste precious space and seem nonsensical – or worse, you’ll be deemed unfunny.

These examples have two important things in common: you don’t need experience to write them and they don’t explicitly state the job title.

Describing the job in the first sentence is a convention that can be done without — odds are that the reader will know what position you’re applying for, and if they don’t then you can more or less tell them in the introduction .

The Cover Letter Body

The biggest offense entry-level candidates make is handing over another version of your resume minus the bullets. Think of your resume as the “who-what-where-when” and the cover letter as the “how and why.”

The goal in the body of your cover letter isn’t just to tell them that you’re qualified; it’s to tell them that you’re the most qualified. And like the introductory statement, implication is a key element to the rest of the body. You’ll presumably have done research on the company and the job description – resist the urge to list them off in paragraph form.

The goal is to connect the dots for the reader without writing a sentence that sounds like this: “I’m a recent graduate of [your university] with [skill from posting #1], [skill from posting #2], and [skill from posting #3] skills.”

If the job posting describes someone who is a multi-tasker that meets deadlines, mention your time writing for your school paper while balancing a part-time job and schoolwork.

If they want someone who’s detail-oriented and a team player , bring up that fundraiser you organized for your fraternity. If they want someone who takes the initiative, tell them you unplug the thing and plug it back in before you call IT.

Volunteer experiences , internships , related classes , projects, leadership experience, extracurricular activities, and your skills that pertain to the position you’re applying for all can be mentioned in your cover letter. Just make sure to relate them to the job.

Don’t beg and don’t be overly effusive in your thanks. Even if it’s your dream job , you still want to make it seem like they’re offering you a business deal, not charity.

We’re fans of a standard closing :

I’d love to discuss the role with you further, and I appreciate the opportunity to tell you how my skills and ideas can benefit [company]. Thanks again for your consideration and I hope to hear from you soon. Many thanks, [Sign here if it’s a hard copy] [Name]

If it’s an email, just close with your email signature that includes contact information.

And after all of that stuff that you should do, here’s a big list of things you shouldn’t do – because I hate to break it to you, but hiring managers normally have so many applicants that they look for reasons not to advance past cover letters.

Don’t send generic cover letters. You shouldn’t give employers an easy reason to move you into the reject pile. It’s not your fault that you don’t have much experience, but it is if you don’t look like you’re even trying.

Don’t forget about the reader. It might be your cover letter, but it’s their job to fill. Make it about how you’ll do the job well.

Don’t use too much jargon or difficult vocabulary. Give them something that they can read naturally and easily.

Don’t be too modest. This isn’t the time to sell yourself short .

Don’t go over 400 words. Ideally, your cover letter should be between 200-300 words. Just remember, keep it short , honest, and ­– of course – real.

Now that we’ve got the basic cover letter formatting down, let’s turn to some tips that apply to every entry-level cover letter:

Include universally-important skills. It’s good practice to incorporate skills from the job description into your cover letter. However, you should also take time to note your strongest transferable skills . These are mostly soft skills , like your interpersonal abilities, communication skills , and attention to detail.

You can also incorporate skills you’re learning or discuss areas where you have a baseline knowledge but wish to develop further.

Research the company. While you’re researching to find the hiring manager’s name, also look into the company. Identify their values, their way of doing things, their competition, and their primary short and long-term goals . Then, you can use that information to make your cover letter pop by showcasing what a great cultural fit you are.

Emphasize education. This one holds more true for recent college graduates than career-changers, but it’s important nonetheless. Without much formal, professional experience, you’ll need to rely on your educational excellence to carry your application.

You can mention relevant coursework, but it’s even better if you can discuss specific projects you worked on and had an impact on. Group projects, research, and any relevant extracurriculars are all fair game, as long as they tie into the job’s duties somehow.

Quanitfy accomplishments . This goes for school and any professional experience you have. If you don’t think you can quantify your achievements, try harder; think of things like frequency, scale, time, money, percentage changes, time saved, etc.

For example, instead of saying “answered phones,” say “responded to an average of 25 customer inquiries each day.”

Proofread. This is probably the most important tip for all of your professional correspondence. Use a spell-check tool, read your cover letter aloud, and have a trusted friend look it over for you. If you have the time, let your cover letter sit for a day so you can read it with fresh eyes.

A cover letter with even a single error tells recruiters and hiring managers that you don’t care very much about this job prospect.

John Brown 123 Brook Ln. Towne, MD 123-456-7890 [email protected] 08/24/2020 Ashley Smith Senior Analyst 456 Technology Way Landon, MD Dear Ms. Smith, As a senior sports management student at Roothers State College, I was excited to see your posting for equipment interns. Within my degree program, I have been able to gain experience working with athletes across football, basketball, and baseball. I have been one of only four students to successfully complete rotations in all three sports in four semesters. I have maintained a 3.8 cumulative G.P.A throughout my academic career, while also being active in several campus recreational leagues. I have found that participating in sports gives operations staff a unique perspective when it comes to working with athletes. This has also helped me to interact with diverse groups of people and maintain a working knowledge of each sport. I know how to organize, coordinate, and assist with all aspects of equipment management due to my experience. It has been a dream to work for a professional sports team, but the Maryland Tigers is a franchise that I truly believe in. I have watched as the organization supports young players and always gives back to the local community. Being that I have also volunteered with little league teams, I know that the core values of the organization align with my own. I am confident that I would make an ideal candidate for the equipment intern role. Whether assisting coaches with drills or maintaining inventory, I can be an asset to the team. I look forward to learning more about the internship and discussing my qualifications in detail. I have provided my contact details for your convenience. Best regards, John Brown

Subject Line: Amy Grant – Junior Copywriter Dear Mr. Jones, At a recent Job Fair, I had a great conversation with ABC’s recruiter Doris Kelly about the Junior Copywriter positions opening up. As a graduating student of English, I was ecstatic to learn more about the content marketing strategy ABC is currently implementing. As an English student at UVM, I have strong written communication skills that I have developed through writing 10 undergraduate research papers for the Honor’s program, including my 20,000-word undergraduate thesis that won an award for excellence. I’ve also worked as a team to develop marketing for three different English-department-sponsored fundraising drives. Additionally, I’ve mentored fellow students by working at UVM’s writing center since my sophomore year. Since the Junior Copywriter position involves working together with the product, design, and marketing teams, my background working with people from different backgrounds would be an asset. I also know the importance of deadlines, and never missed an assignment deadline in my undergraduate experience. I’m proficient with Microsoft Office and Google Suites and have a working knowledge of WordPress developed from working on my personal blog and UVM’s writing center website. I appreciate you considering me for the role of Junior Copywriter at ABC, and I look forward to speaking more with you about the position. Sincerely, Beverly Brown [email protected] 555-654-3210 www.bevbrownwrites.com

Do entry-level jobs require cover letters?

Yes, entry-level jobs require cover letters. Crafting a cover letter for an entry-level job is especially important because it can help you stand out to your potential employers and help you land your first job after school.

What do you write in a cover letter if you have no experience?

When writing a cover letter with no experience, be sure to highlight the soft skills you may have acquired through hobbies, educational courses, or volunteer work. Soft skills are especially important to discuss in your cover letter with no experience because they can be difficult to teach.

These skills are typically naturally developed throughout your life, whereas hard skills can be taught on the job. Additionally, it’s a good idea to include how passionate you may be to learn new skills for the job you’re applying for.

Do employers read cover letters?

Yes, employers read cover letters. This is especially true when a cover letter is specifically required for your application.

A recent Career Builder study suggests that almost half of HR managers consider a cover letter the second best thing to give your resume a boost during the candidate selection process.

How do you start an entry-level cover letter?

Start an entry-level cover letter by enthusiastically describing why you’re interested in the role. The first paragraph of your cover letter is your opportunity to make a strong impression on the hiring manager.

Writing a cover letter without much experience can be difficult. Just remember that everyone has skills, passions, and success stories. The important part is distilling those things down into a half-page document that paints you as the ideal candidate for a job.

Follow these cover letter tips, and you’ll have hiring managers and recruiters calling you for interviews in no time.

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David Luther was the Content Marketing Editor for the Zippia Advice blog. He developed partnerships with external reporting agencies in addition to generating original research and reporting for the Zippia Career Advice blog. David obtained his BA from UNC Chapel Hill.

Matt Warzel a President of a resume writing firm (MJW Careers, LLC) with 15+ years of recruitment, outplacement, career coaching and resume writing experience. Matt is also a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Certified Internet Recruiter (CIR) with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Marketing Focus) from John Carroll University.

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How to Write an Effective Entry-Level Cover Letter and Resume

Looking for a job can be a stressful task. Your technical skills and relevant experience are the tools you need to be successful in your search. For a fresh college graduate with limited experience, an entry-level cover letter is a great tool because it can make finding a job easier. 

Writing your entry-level cover letter and resume might be difficult, but we will break down the basic steps and elements and show you how to create both documents. With the samples below, we will model the details of these documents so that you can understand and use these principles to write your own.

Find your bootcamp match

Entry-level cover letter guide.

An ideal entry-level cover letter comprises any skills you may have, relevant achievements, and volunteer experience. It should present you as the perfect candidate for the job. Your cover letter might be your first impression on the recruiter.

Why Does Your Entry-Level Cover Letter Matter?

As a recent graduate, you might have minimal work experience. Your cover letter helps supplement and expand on your experience by showcasing your skills and enthusiasm to work in a professional environment. It introduces you as an ideal candidate and proposes reasons why the recruiter should consider you. Also, it creates a lasting first impression and compels the recruiter to invite you for a job interview.

In addition, Glassdoor’s findings on where new grads want to work during the Covid-19 crisis say that fresh graduates’ job openings dropped by 68 percent from the previous year. It means that with few job openings available, there is more competition.

Essential Components of Your Entry-Level Cover Letter

Below are the essential components of any entry-level cover letter. The aim is to have good structure and flow. Since recruiters don’t spend a lot of time scanning through letters, you have to make sure you deliver the right information correctly so that they can have a favorable opinion of you.

• The Header. This component of your letter is crucial because it includes your name, email address, and other contact details. Also, the date of writing the letter appears in this section. You can align the header to the left or right, but it should match the same layout as your resume.
• The Salutation. A formal salutation is necessary and should come after your header. Before writing your letter, you should find out the hiring manager’s name and address the letter to them. If you can’t get their name, however, use something like “Dear Hiring Manager” or even the company’s name.
• The Introduction. Your introduction is meant to captivate the recruiter. With your first paragraph, you should introduce yourself and include a brief explanation of your work experience and your desire to join their team.  
• The Body. This is your opportunity to show them why you are the perfect candidate for the job. Use the job listing and your skills from any internships, volunteer experiences, and extracurricular activities to market yourself. For brevity, use a minimum of two or three paragraphs for this section, depending on your experiences.
• The Conclusion. Your closing paragraph should summarize your cover letter, include a call-to-action, and express appreciation to the recruiter for reviewing your letter. Use formal phrases like “Sincerely,” or “Kind Regards” to close your letter. Afterward, include your name and signature. If you are submitting via email you don’t need a signature. 

5 Tips for Writing a Strong Entry-Level Cover Letter

Apart from the essential components that you must include in your letter, there are other factors you need to consider when constructing it. As an entry-level candidate, your letter must be up to standard regardless of your amount of expertise in the professional space. Before you start writing your cover letter, consider the tips below.

• Do your research. You should research the company before submitting your job application and cover letter. You should familiarize yourself with the company’s culture, values, business objectives, and core areas of specialization and operation. The information you find will help you tailor your letter to fit the company’s standards and business models.
• Include relevant skills and accomplishments. With limited work experience, you want to market yourself with whatever skills you have. All your included skills need to relate to the job listing. Also, when stating your accomplishments, quantify them with numbers if possible. It helps the hiring manager measure the value you have to offer. 
• Use simple sentences. Avoid words that you wouldn’t use when having a conversation. While you maintain a formal tone, try to be as simple as possible in your sentence construction so that the recruiter will not have any difficulty reading your letter.
• Focus on what you have to offer. Writing a cover letter is like making a business proposal. Don’t focus on what you have to gain. Instead, focus on the merits of the company potentially employing you. 
• Proofread your letter. Avoid pressing the send button immediately after finishing your letter. Mistakes are inevitable so proofread your letter before submitting it. In addition, ensure that your letter is fairly brief. If your letter is too long, it could discourage the hiring manager from reviewing it. 

Entry-Level Cover Letter Example

At this point, you should be able to craft an effective letter. But to show you how to use the points we have discussed so far, consider the entry-level cover letter sample we have provided below. You can use this sample letter to help you write your own. 

Entry-Level Cover Letter Sample

[Phone Number]

[Email Address]

[Month Day, Year]

Dear [Hiring Manager’s name], 

As an advocate for renewable energy and its continuous usage, I am thrilled to submit my application for the Materials Specialist position advertised by [Company Name]. Considering my degree in Materials Engineering and my expertise testing various materials for industrial applications, I believe I would be a perfect addition to your materials selection team at [Company Name]. 

While working as a student at the [University] department, I was responsible for testing specimens for defects, assisting with forensic metallurgy, and preparing arc furnaces for experiments. In addition, I coordinated and helped in the testing of materials for strength which reduced material failure during service by 12 percent.

From my research, I understand that [Company Name] is promoting the usage of renewable energy for materials processing. During my time at [University], the operations exposed me to the utilization of renewable energy for furnace heat generation. [Company Name] would provide the perfect opportunity to contribute my expertise in harnessing renewable energy resources and learning more about this profitable energy source.

Attached is my resume, which details my technical and transferable skills. I look forward to speaking with you on details concerning the Materials Specialist position and learning more about the industry operations of [Company Name]. Thank you for your consideration.

Kind Regards,

[Your Name]

Entry-Level Resume Guide

Your resume as a recent college graduate might not be sufficient to land you an interview, hence the need for a cover letter. However, you still have to develop a professional resume to help strengthen your application and increase your chances of getting entry-level jobs .

Why Does Your Entry-Level Resume Matter?

Your minimal experience could seem like an obstacle when developing your resume. But still, the resume helps to highlight your technical and soft skills and display any experience you have. The recruiter is not focusing on your years of experience, but on what you have to offer. Your resume is the perfect platform to highlight your skills, educational background, and achievements.

Essential Components of Your Entry-Level Resume

There are different styles and formats for entry-level resumes. Regardless of the type you use, there are essential components that you must capture in your resume. We have listed some of these key elements below.

• Header. Similar to your cover letter, the header includes your name and contact info. It is located at the top of the resume and helps to give an identity to the document. Your header should consist of your name, contact information, LinkedIn profile, and date. 
• Professional Summary. Depending on your level of professional experience, you can either use a summary or an objective. A summary is perfect when you have tangible experience and should not be more than four sentences. An objective statement, on the other hand, is ideal when you have no work experience. In both cases, ensure the statements are not generic. 
• Education. Unlike experienced candidates’ resumes, the education section should be listed before the experience. Your degree as a recent graduate is technically your most significant achievement and should come first. If you have a high GPA, you can include it. 
• Work experience. You can gain work experience from volunteer work, projects, or previous internship experiences, your resume should include any relevant experience. 
• Skills and Qualifications. This is an opportunity to distinguish yourself from other entry-level applicants. While you need to include technical skills, your interpersonal skills are equally important. In addition, your qualifications and certifications are useful to employers.

5 Tips for Writing a Strong Entry-Level Resume

Depending on the company and position you’re applying to, there could be hundreds of applications competing with yours. It’s important to craft your resume in a way that will impress your potential employer. The following tips will help you create a strong entry-level resume.

• Use relevant keywords. Most organizations use the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to screen resumes. This technology works with keywords in the job listing. The terms you use in your resume should align with the keywords in the job posting so that you can have a high score with the ATS. 
• List your skills. The skills you have are likely to be transferable skills . You should list them in bullet format to allow recruiters to see them in a clear and concise way. Include skills that portray you as a strong candidate, such as leadership skills.
• Use simple font formats. Your resume is not a document to show extensive creativity. While you can add some style to the layout of your resume, maintain a legible font that will be easy to read. Use font styles like Times New Roman or Arial with a font size of 11 or 12.
• Highlight relevant qualifications. Your education and qualifications are vital factors that can determine whether or not you get the job. If they are related to the job, recruiters could see it as relevant work experience. Include certifications, as well. 
• Check for errors. A slight error can disqualify you from the hiring process. Before you submit it, proofread your resume to find any mistake you may have made. 

Entry-Level Resume Examples 

The entry-level resume examples below will help you to understand and apply the tips discussed in this article. These samples can help you to write your own.

Entry-Level Resume Sample: The Professional Summary Section

I am a focused and personable graduate assistant currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Materials Engineering at the University of Waterloo, Ontario (GPA 3.75). I am enthusiastic about joining BlastSteel Industries as an Operations Coordinator to contribute to the manufacture of reliable structural rods and materials, and help plan and implement automated systems. I have sound knowledge of metal casting, conflict resolution, and strong time management skills.

Sample Entry-Level Resume Template

[ Your Name ]

[ Email address, phone number, and links to respective profiles ]

"Career Karma entered my life when I needed it most and quickly helped me match with a bootcamp. Two months after graduating, I found my dream job that aligned with my values and goals in life!"

Venus, Software Engineer at Rockbot

Professional Summary

Nullam congue ipsum a lacus aliquam, quis mollis magna mattis. Nunc bibendum purus mi, in malesuada lectus sagittis at. Donec vestibulum risus non nulla aliquet, vitae pellentesque purus lobortis. Aliquam sagittis vestibulum ligula vitae convallis.

• [Type of Degree with GPA]           [ Graduation date ]

[University, Location]

Work Experience

• [Position Held]           [ Start date – end date ]

[Company Name, Location]

• Responsibility 
• Responsibility

Entry-Level Resume Template Resources

• Zety Template . Zety offers a resume builder that allows you to personalize each field and customize the aesthetics. 
• DayJob Template. If you are targeting an entry-level accounts clerk position, consider this template. With its editable fields, you can construct a solid resume that will display your most relevant skills and accomplishments.
• ResumeLab Template. Apart from the customizable features of this template, it has a lot of space to accommodate a plethora of skills, expertise, and certifications. If you have many details to highlight, this template might be a good fit.

Importance of an Entry-Level Cover Letter and Resume

Being a qualified candidate for any entry-level position goes beyond your basic skills, academic experiences, and certifications. It requires showcasing your candidacy to recruiters, and your entry-level cover letter and resume provide you with an opportunity to do that. It is your chance to show the employer that you have the required skill set and offer the best value to their organization.

Entry-Level Cover Letter and Resume FAQ

Yes. If you have limited work experience, you should pull resources from anywhere you can. Transferable skills come in handy and will supplement any work experience deficit. If you have good communication skills and some leadership experience from previous work, it can boost your resume.

No. Every job application requires you to design a new cover letter to fit the job requirements. Generic cover letters are ineffective and can prevent you from getting invitations for interviews. In order to successfully end your job hunt, personalize each cover letter, include relevant keywords, and refer to their specific work and mission.

It is not necessary. Since you are likely to send your letter via email, you can leave out your mailing address. The necessities are your phone number and email address.

Your cover letter should not be more than a page. Try to be straightforward and concise so that it does not exceed a page. When your letter is lengthy, it tends to discourage the recruiter from reading it. In about four paragraphs, try to compel the recruiter to invite you for an interview.

About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication .

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Best Performed Entry Level Cover Letter

Recent college graduates struggle to find their first job. For those who have little experience in the field, seeking an entry level job is the best choice. Knowing how to write a cover letter is key to stand out from other applicants and get hired. The mission of a cover letter is to help the hiring manager understand the profile of an applicant to choose the strongest candidate. 

In this article, we set the following goals: 

• Highlight the secrets for making an outstanding application
• Explain how to impress employers 
• Provide an entry level cover letter example. 

Luckily, college graduates can find the tool to write an effective cover letter where they can get tips from cover letter writing service experts and choose +20 templates to make the best first impression to every hiring manager. 

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Cover Letter for an Entry Level Example

In this cover letter, the applicant has to show the hiring manager how their skills are fit enough for the job position she is applying for. Having the proper format and strong writing is important to look professional and impress the employer.  Let's take a look at this cover letter entry level example:  

Diana King 

Jacksonville, Florida 55678

053 443-5561

[email protected]  

Dianakingsblog.com 

January 23, 2021

Andrew White

Human Resources Manager

The Daily Times

Jacksonville, Florida 43478 

Dear Mr. White, 

As a major in Communication, I always felt passionate about writing, since I love to tell new stories. I'm always delighted by the stories you publish every day at The Daily Times. Recently, you posted on LinkedIn you were hiring a Jr. Multimedia Journalist. Now I'm taking this as an opportunity to become part of your team.  

While I was a student at The University of Cordoba, I had the honor to lead the student journal. In this project I learned the importance of writing correctly, making interviews, proofreading, and editing. All those skills are strongly important for every journalist. Thus I understand the importance of leadership and working in teams. 

My technical skills include Microsoft Office Suite, Google Drive Services, and Adobe Creative Studio. Those tools are crucial to edit, format, and create new pieces like videos, infographics, and magazines.      

Along with graduating with honors, my thesis about Fake News was awarded as the Best Research of 2020 at my school. Right now, I am volunteering at the NGO Girls For the World creating content and news for their web page. For me, this is an important experience because I'm helping to make an impact in the world while I improve my skills as a journalist. 

My professional goal is to keep improving as a journalist. I'm sure that at The Daily Times I will find the tools to do an excellent job. I am excited to tell new stories with you. I hope to have an interview with you. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely, 

Cover Letter Template

Every modern cover letter should have an introduction that explains why you’re applying, a body text where the applicants speak about their relevant skills for the job application, and some final greetings. 

Also, it’s good to take into account these formatting rules:

• Use from 3 to 4 paragraphs 
• Respect the margins
• Use a legible font. Georgia, Helvetica, or Calibri are the most recommended. 

A good first impression is always important, even if you’re not interviewing face-to-face. So having a compelling cover letter template is a sign of a professional candidate. 

Ultimate Guide to Write a Cover Letter in an Entry Level

Not everybody can master writing a cover letter for an entry-level job at first. The good news is that we have a group of writers to support college graduates to help them make their best application. These writers have the knowledge to make outstanding texts that will impress any hiring manager.

They’re available to help anyone to shine on their application at any time and deliver a great cover letter in record time. Now it's easier to make a compelling job application that will lead anyone to a first interview. 

Use the proper Cover Letter Formatting 

To make an excellent application, candidates should follow the Cover Letter Formatting, taking into account they have between 3 to 4 paragraphs to show why they are the best fit for the job position. In those lines college graduates should take into account the following information:

• Heading with the basic personal information;
• Company Details;
• Some greetings introducing yourself;
• A body explaining your goals and skills;
• A strong closing.

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Cover Letter Heading

The heading is the perfect opportunity for candidates to address themselves. It’s the first thing the employer sees. Here, it’s crucial to clarify personal information, such as the phone number, the email, where they are writing from, including the zip code. If they have an online portfolio or a webpage, it must be added too. 

Check how we do it in the following cover letter sample: 

Cover Letter Sample for Entry level [Heading]

Diana King is a young journalist from Florida. She just finished college so has little experience in the field. In this cover letter sample, she is addressing herself by writing the contact information and adding her web page so the employer can check her portfolio and writing style. Diana King 

[email protected]

Date and company details on Cover Letter

Now that you introduced yourself, it’s time to clarify who you are writing to. In this part, applicants must specify the date and some basic company details. Before writing the letter it's good to check the social media (LinkedIn) or the official web page of the company to check their ZIP code and to look for the hiring manager. This part will add formality.  

Let's take a look at the cover letter example for entry level. 

Example Cover Letter Entry level [Date and Company Details]

Here our candidate is addressing the date she’s sending the letter, along with the information of the company, including, the name of the hiring manager and the ZIP code of the enterprise.  

Cover Letter Greeting 

In the greeting, candidates should introduce themselves and why they are applying. The secret of a good introduction is to make it enthusiastic and use a little bit of storytelling to make it more interesting. Showing passion is key when it comes to developing a cover letter for an entry level job. 

Cover Letter Example for Entry level [Greeting]

In this cover letter sample, the candidate starts talking about her passion and how this relates to the company. Then, she shows interest in being on their team. 

What to include in an Entry level cover letter [Body]

The body is the perfect part to sell yourself. Job seekers should talk about their skills and achievements related to the job they are applying for. Here you can add your volunteering projects and what you learned about them. Try to let them know how those skills are relevant to your profession. 

Entry level Cover Letter Sample [Body] 

In this example, our candidate is talking about the project she led when she was in college and explaining the skills she developed. Also, she is making mention of her achievements, volunteering, and technical skills.  ‍

My technical skills include Microsoft Office Suite, Google Drive Services, and Adobe Creative Studio. Those tools are crucial to edit, format, and create new pieces like videos, infographics, and magazines.

Along with graduating with honors, my thesis about Fake News was awarded as the Best Research of 2020 at my school. Right Now, I am volunteering at the NGO Girls For the World creating content and news for their web page. For me, this is an important experience because I'm helping to make an impact in the world while I improve my skills as a journalist. 

Closing Paragraph for Cover letter

In the closing paragraph, candidates should let companies know they're looking for an interview. Make sure to convey what you expect to learn by working in that specific company, also, thank the reader for their time and taking you into consideration. Keep it simple but entertaining. 

Entry level cover letter example [Closing]

In this sample, the applicant finishes her letter by emphasizing her desire to grow as a journalist and learn new things at the company. She ends by making a call to action and thanking the reader.  ‍

Highlight your skills 

In a job description, employers always specify what kind of profile they are looking for. They also mention the skills and requirements needed for that job. The reason why applicants should emphasize their skills is to help the recruiters organize their applicant tracking system so they can have an easier time determining who is the best fit. 

Soft skills are as important as hard skills. Those should be perfectly mentioned in your cover letter. Remember, the closer you are to the job description, the more likely they will want to have an interview with you. So try to sell all the skills you have that are related to the job. 

Need help with your resume? Just let us know you need help with a simple write my resume for me message. Our resume writing experts are here 24/7 to cover for you!

Research the Company 

A good cover letter writer knows that before starting to write, candidates should know who they’re talking to. Researching the company is one of the best pieces of advice when someone is looking for a new job. It lets you know what kind of word could call the attention of the hiring manager. It allows them to speak in the same language as the company and helps the candidates to demonstrate they are a good fit. 

Key Takeaway

A good cover letter can make a difference when going through a job-seeking process. Candidates must remember this is the first impression recruiters will have about you before going to an interview. Want to impress any hiring manager? Don't forget to follow these tips:

• Choose good formatting and template for your cover letter, this will help you look professional.
• Introduce yourself with passion, showing enthusiasm. 
• Talk about your skills related to the job position and some of your achievements. 
• Add your personal information, including your online portfolio. 
• Research the company to have more inside information.
• Proofread your letter and edit it before sending it. 

Still got any questions about writing a cover letter for an entry level? Don't worry! Trust in our cover letter writing services and get ready to shine in your next job application. In case you are in need of well-written edited resume, our professional resume editing services are at your disposal!

For more on what is a resume, click here . Our professional writers covered long story short over there!

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Is a Cover Letter Necessary in 2024?

Published: April 03, 2024

Writing a cover letter can be daunting.

I’ll never forget my college career coach, who made writing a cover letter look easy. Even with her tips, I’ve always found it incredibly difficult to talk about myself and hype up my accomplishments.

While it acts as a letter of introduction, I’ve wondered if a cover letter is necessary in 2024. To find out, I spoke with two recruiters and gained insights on how to write the best cover letter for any job application.

How important is a cover letter?

Is a cover letter necessary, when to skip a cover letter, when to include a cover letter, tips for writing a cover letter, what if the cover letter is optional.

Cover letters are short letters of introduction that you include with job applications.

Typically, they are your chance to go into deeper details about your accomplishments that you might not have highlighted or had room to mention on your resume.

Tiffany Hall, a professional resume writer and founder of Resume911 , says cover letters are an important part of the job application process.

Hall says, “Cover letters can be very important. It’s supposed to sell why you, of all applicants, should get the job. The issue is that applicants use them to regurgitate what’s on their resume, and that’s not what it’s for. It should speak to what isn’t easily explained with your resume.”

5 Free Cover Letter Templates

Five fill-in-the-blank cover letter templates to help you impress recruiters.

• Standard Cover Letter Template
• Entry-Level Cover Letter Template
• Data-Driven Cover Letter Template

You're all set!

Click this link to access this resource at any time.

For example, if your resume says you’re skilled at building web pages, your cover letter is a great place to name-drop companies that you’ve worked for to create their websites.

Matthew Muehleisen, a corporate recruiter , thinks a cover letter is also a great place to show you’ve done your homework and researched a company.

Muehleisen says, “It can be what sets you apart from other candidates and applicants and is a good opportunity to show that you’ve done research on the position and company to further showcase your interest in the role.”

Knowing the importance of a cover letter still begs the question: Is a cover letter necessary in 2024?

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While a cover letter can help demonstrate your knowledge of the company you’re applying to and highlight more of your achievements, both Hall and Muehleisen agree that a cover letter isn’t entirely necessary.

Muehleisen says, “Unless it’s a requirement of the application, I wouldn’t say it’s necessary to include a cover letter. There are some roles (usually in content creation and marketing) that will ask for a cover letter as a form of a writing sample. In these instances, make sure your letter is polished and focused.”

If Hall had her way, she would eliminate the cover letter entirely, focus more on the resume, and ask for a link to an applicant’s LinkedIn profile.

According to Hall, “Most cover letters either repeat the resume or they speak to why the applicant isn’t a good fit. Neither is the purpose of a cover letter.”

Nevertheless, 74% of hiring managers still prefer applications to include a cover letter. So, it is definitely worth considering including one — even if the application says it’s optional.

If you’re looking for a new role, writing a cover letter can be time-consuming — especially if you take the time to personalize every letter you send to a hiring manager.

Although a cover letter does serve a legitimate purpose, and 83% of hiring managers read it, there are a few situations where you shouldn’t include a cover letter. Let’s take a look at those scenarios.

If You Only Have a Template of a Cover Letter

I get it. Writing an effective cover letter takes a significant amount of time.

But consider not sending one if you only have time to plug your information into a cover letter template without personalizing it before hitting submit on an application.

Don’t get me wrong. A cover letter template is a great starting point to write your cover letter. Templates often remind you to include pertinent information like the hiring manager’s title, name, and your contact information.

However, if you don’t take the time to edit the body of the cover letter and personalize it with research and your relevant experience, you risk sending the same letter as another candidate.

And considering that 48% of hiring managers spend anywhere from 30 seconds to two full minutes reading each cover letter, the chances are high that your hiring manager can spot a form letter a mile away.

Don’t send it if you don’t have the time to personalize a cover letter.

If Your Cover Letter Is Full of Critique

A cover letter is meant to explain why you’re the best candidate for the open position. However, a cover letter is not a place for you to share your ideas of how the company can improve.

Sure, every company likely has areas of improvement, and the job you’re applying for might be the role that gets a say in that, but a list of improvements might read as a critique.

You don’t want to potentially offend a hiring manager before you even get an interview. A bad cover letter can hurt a strong candidate, according to 33% of hiring managers .

Before you submit your cover letter, read through it several times to make sure it’s not a critique. If it does sound like a critique, throw it out.

If It’s Not Required

There are other instances where you shouldn’t send a cover letter. For example, if the application’s instructions specifically state that you do not need to submit a cover letter for consideration for the job.

In fact, sending a cover letter anyway can signal to the hiring manager that you don’t follow instructions. Not following instructions is also a great way to land your application in the trash bin.

The bottom line is this: If the application specifically states not to send a cover letter, don’t send it.

Of hiring managers, 74% prefer to see job applications with a cover letter apart from the resume. Knowing this, if you have the time to include a cover letter with your job application, don’t skip it.

Here are three instances when you should send a cover letter with your application.

Send a cover letter if you’re very interested in the role.

Think of your cover letter as your time to shine. Use it as a place to highlight your experiences and the qualifications that make you a great fit for the position.

Hall says, “If you can speak to why you’re a good candidate without copying your resume in paragraph form, include a cover letter.”

In other words, don’t use bullet points in your cover letter to describe your previous employment history.

Instead, talk about what you learned on the job and how your skills will help you excel in the role you’re applying for.

Send a cover letter when there’s a gap in your resume or you’re transitioning industries.

If you’re looking to transition to another industry, you should definitely include a cover letter with your application.

Speaking from personal experience, if I had only submitted a resume to my school district when I applied to be a Spanish teacher, the hiring manager would have just seen my experience in Public Health and would not have known about my skills and success in tutoring students in Spanish.

Muehleisen puts it this way, “If you’re looking to transition to a new industry or if there is a position and company you’re really excited about pursuing as an opportunity, these are the best instances to include a cover letter so that you can possibly give yourself an advantage.”

A cover letter can also help explain any gaps in your resume — especially if the gap in your employment history is beneficial to the role you’re applying for.

For example, maybe you volunteered in South America, and the role you’re applying for is for a position in Global Operations.

It never hurts to include positive, pertinent information in your cover letter.

Send a cover letter when it’s required.

The most obvious time to include a cover letter with your application is when it is required. Just like not including a cover letter when it’s not required, it shows you can follow directions.

Include a cover letter when the application asks you to submit one, which shows you can follow directions.

Plus, if the application asks for a cover letter, you can bet the hiring manager will look for it. If no cover letter is included, well, you’re sabotaging your chances of getting an interview.

Only 13% of hiring managers will consider giving a candidate an interview if they don’t attach a required cover letter to an application.

Writing a cover letter is not as painful as it sounds. There are great templates you can use as a starting point for your cover letter.

The trick with a template, though, is to make sure you always personalize the letter to your own experiences and qualifications.

Here are five expert tips to write a winning cover letter.

1. Tailor your cover letter to the job description.

When writing a cover letter, especially if you use a cover letter template, you should tailor the letter to match the job description and meet the requirements of the application.

For example, if the application asks you to attach a short cover letter, keep it brief. Your best bet is one to two short paragraphs detailing why you’re a great fit for the position.

You’ll also want to reference keywords from the job description in your cover letter. Many recruiters use applicant tracking systems that scan application packets for the best fit.

Often, hiring managers review the applications that match the keywords first.

Now, that doesn’t mean to stuff your cover letter with keywords. Instead, use them in a natural way as you discuss your qualifications.

2. Be personable with your greeting.

You might have seen the advice telling you to use “To Whom It May Concern” instead of the hiring manager’s name. This is good advice, but only if you do not know the hiring manager.

Before resorting to a generic greeting to start your cover letter, take the time to look on the company’s website and LinkedIn to find out who makes hiring decisions.

If you have contacts in your network who are familiar with the company, ask them. Taking the time to research the hiring manager and the company shows you care about the details — a quality many hiring managers look for in a candidate!

If you’re still unsure after researching the company, consider using “Dear Sir or Madam” as your greeting.

3. Be yourself.

While a cover letter is a formal introduction of yourself to a potential employer, it doesn’t need to be lacking in personality. Hall suggests sprinkling your personality in your cover letter to spark connections with the hiring manager.

Hall says, “Be your best professional self. I’m a foodie and will include references to food on my LinkedIn, and I’ve done it in a cover letter. I’ve had managers reference them, and we had a chuckle. I am also very clear about aligning myself with companies whose mission and goals I respect and can contribute to. I make sure to speak to that in the cover letter.”

Take Hall’s advice. Showcasing your vibrant personality in your cover letter can help break the ice in your interview!

4. Proofread your cover letter.

Once you’ve written your cover letter and before you hit “send,” double-check that it is free from spelling and grammar errors and that the company you referenced is the company you are applying to.

Muehleisen says skipping proofreading your cover letter is a big mistake — and it could cost you the job!

Muehleisen says, “Make sure that you are proofreading prior to sending. If the cover letter feels like it is a simple cut/paste or if the job title and company name are incorrect, it may do more harm than good. So, be sure that what you’re sending is pertinent.”

5. Be cautious of AI.

AI tools, like ChatGPT or Claude, are great for helping draft content. You might be tempted to ask generative AI to write your cover letter for you. However, both Hall and Muehleisen say to proceed with caution when it comes to AI.

Hall says, “AI is coming along in amazing ways, so it may come as a surprise that my best tip didn’t include AI. I tell my clients when they’re stuck to look to their peers. You can search people by job title on LinkedIn. See how they describe themselves and pull from there. Or, hire a resume writer or career strategist to help you.”

Muehleisen agrees with her. He says, “I would hesitate to use a tool or service for a cover letter as the point should be to show your authenticity. If you are going to use AI for assistance, make sure to put your own words in as well.”

However, when you write your cover letter, whether using a template or generative AI, personalizing it is key to standing out from the competition.

If the job description says a cover letter is optional, should you send one, or can you get by without it?

That can be tricky, considering 72% of recruiters still expect a cover, even if it’s optional.

According to Muehleisen, sending a cover letter is not a bad idea. He says, “I’ve never heard of a cover letter hurting an applicant’s chances; just make sure the one you’re including is specific to the job description and posting.”

Check out these cover letter examples for more inspiration.

Experiment With Your Cover Letters

Writing a cover letter is a breeze once you get the hang of it. With today’s challenging job market, sending a cover letter with your application can make a difference in whether you get called for an interview.

I can’t make promises that your cover letter will dazzle hiring managers each time, but for the right position for you, it will.

Remember Hall and Muehleisen’s advice when you craft your cover letter. Personalization is key to success!

Don't forget to share this post!

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Entry-Level Cover Letter Examples & Writing Tips

Landing an interview is hard. If you’re a recent graduate or entering the workforce for the first time, you face even more obstacles. How can you convince employers to take a chance on you when you don’t have tons of experience? The key to success is communicating that you are hardworking, enthusiastic, and ready to learn — and that’s what a cover letter is for. 

Never treat cover letters as optional (they aren’t). Instead, view it as another medium you can leverage to your advantage — that is present extra information to complement your resume, showcase your personality, and explain your rationale for applying for this role. 

In this post, you’ll find a set of cover letter examples for entry-level jobs you can easily swipe and customize to your profile, plus some extra writing tips.

Entry Level Cover Letter Sample (Word)

Download cover letter (.docx)

Entry Level Cover Letter Example (Text Version)

Dear Marilyn Voss,

My name is Katelyn Williams, and I am applying for the position of Pharmacy Technician Trainee. We met last week at the Madison job fair. You told me that my experience as a retail clerk would help me qualify for the on-the-job training program offered at Russell Drugs. After our conversation, I was very excited about this opportunity. So I’m sending this letter to express my intent to apply.

As you know, I worked at Mike’s grocery store while I attended high school. There, I bagged groceries, helped customers find needed items, stocked shelves, and assisted in the floral department. I also learned to use the POS 2000 which is the same system used at Russell Drugs. I have received praise from my manager on my attention to detail, and customer service skills.

I plan to attend Rogers University in the spring to study nursing. I believe that my interest in inpatient care will help me to understand the needs of customers filling their prescriptions. In addition to that, I’m a regular volunteer at the local senior center where I help plan recreational activities.

Once again, I am very excited about this opportunity. I’ve included my resume, and hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely, Katelyn Williams

Entry Level Engineering Cover Letter Example

Dear Rocallo Engineering team,

The subject of my bachelor’s dissertation at Irwin & Joan Jacobs School of Engineering was “Novel approaches to energy and water conservation for agricultural irrigation systems”. That is why when I saw an open position of Junior Electrical Engineer in your company, I was quick to apply. 

My academic background and past internships have equipped me with a solid knowledge of best practices for control system logic and computer LAN design. During a summer internship in 2022 with Waterworks LLCs, I got to apply my theoretical knowledge to real-world problems by assisting with the design of a new wastewater system for a farming cooperative in Ohio. Specifically, I took part in creating new control schematics for a brine treatment water system. 

Apart from understanding the key principles of engineering system design, I’m also well aware of the “business” aspects of new systems design. When working on possible solutions, I try to always balance the practicality and feasibility of design implementation against parameters like budget, timelines, and use cases. 

I am particularly drawn to this position as Rocallo Engineering is well-known for its mentorship-oriented culture and professional development opportunities. In addition, I’m excited about the opportunity to work on critical water reuse projects for the regional Agro producers.

As a recent graduate, I am eager to learn from experienced electrical engineering professionals at Rocallo and make my contribution to the wider adoption of sustainable farming practices. 

 Please find my resume attached and don’t hesitate to contact me for more information. Thank you for your consideration.

Best, Livy Kitton 

Entry-Level Customer Service Cover Letter Example

Hi Pedro Gonsalez, 

As a proactive problem-solver, bilingual in Spanish and English, with a passion for digital banking products, I couldn’t pass by your job offer. My high energy levels and extroverted personality naturally drive me towards customer-facing roles. In the past, I have worked as a receptionist at Colorado Springs State Bank, host at Riverside Restaurant, and Spanish customer support rep for a local staffing agency. I’m comfortable with offering in-person, over-the-phone, and chat-based support, ensuring a fast and pleasant issue resolution. 

One of my key strengths is my fast typing speed (200 CPM), which allows me to quickly respond to customer inquiries. I’m also familiar with Zendesk software as it was used in the previous company I worked for, plus can expertly handle PBX phone systems. 

My ability to work both independently and as a part of the team should also make me well-positioned to excel in this role (as it’s mostly remote). Since I am still a full-time undergraduate student at Colorado College, flexible shift scheduling is a major advantage for me. I’m open to covering late evening hours, as well as early morning ones. 

Finally, I shouldn’t deny that I am really excited about this opportunity because I am a MoneyWallet user. In fact, I was even selected for a Beta Test during the launch year of 2018. I already know the product well enough and thus would be able to quickly get up to speed in this role and deliver exceptional customer care. Look forward to hearing back from you, Jose Rodriguez

Cover Letter Examples Administrative Assistant Entry-Level

Dear Faculty Members,

I am writing to express my strong interest in the Administrative Assistant position at San Janito College, which was shared with me by your Head of Staff, Marry Collins during an on-campus event. With two years of experience in clerical and administrative support roles, good public relations skills, and a keen eye for details, I believe I could be a valuable addition to your staff bench. Presently, I am working in a similar role at the Tomson & Tiles Legal office. My duties include proactive support with care recordkeeping, schedule coordination, and meeting planning with the firm’s clients. The new card indexing system I have implemented in the firm has received great praise from paralegals and junior attorneys, who are tasked with extensive file research. 

Before that, I worked as an Event Planning Assistant with Condy Event Agency, specializing in corporate event planning. In this part-time role, I have demonstrated strong proficiency in supplier management, travel plan coordination, and proactive on-the-ground support with miscellaneous tasks (from fixing projectors to finding a photographer at the last moment). 

I am well-accustomed to working in a fast-paced environment and can remain highly accurate even when juggling multiple tasks. By nature, I am calm, adaptable, and slightly pedantic, which helps me effectively perform duties like invoice processing, receipt management, supply ordering, and budget planning. 

Currently, I am also pursuing an online degree in Business Management at Hudson County Community College as I would like to develop further business acumen and develop new project management skills. My classes at the evening or pre-recorded, so these shouldn’t affect my duties during the day. 

Look forward to learning more about the position during an interview. Best, Emilia Ngue 

How to Write an Entry-Level Cover Letter (with More Examples!)

You’ve got some general ideas of how a persuasive entry-level cover letter should sound. Now it’s time to work on your own version! Go to our free cover letter generator and follow the prompts to create the first draft. Then polish things up by applying the following tips. 

1. Make an Inventory of Your Experience

It’s easy to get stuck, staring at a blank page when you’re an entry-level candidate. “What can I bring to the table? Not much” — you may be thinking. 

But entry-level doesn’t always mean a complete lack of experience. If you think hard enough, you’ll surely find some work that can communicate your skill sets such as:

• Research work
• Internships
• Community and volunteer work
• Coursework and at-school events

All of these have helped you obtain some valuable soft and hard skills . Your goal is to communicate these to a potential employer. 

Imagine you were applying for an entry-level position as a sales clerk at a bookstore. Here’s how you’d frame your “pitch”:

“At  Madison High School, I was the captain of the Reading Club for 4 years and was responsible for selecting the best titles for monthly reading, curating a newsletter of interesting literature reviews, and moderating the meetings. Also, I volunteered at the local library and my duties included stocking shelves, and assisting students looking for school textbooks and leisure reading.”

2. Highlight Valuable Soft Skills 

Since you don’t have much experience, you’ll need to sell your personality. So forget about vague platitudes. It’s a waste of time to state that you’re a “people person”, or that you’re a hard worker. Instead, focus on traits that are specific, and relevant to the job.

For example, if you’re going for a customer service role , put the spotlight on interpersonal skills:

“I am very good at dealing with angry or frustrated customers diplomatically. As an annual volunteer at Crafts Fair, I know exactly how to moderate customer’s expectations and provide quick and effective resolution to any issues they may have”. 

3. Bring Up A Connection If You Have One

Use the opening paragraph of a cover letter to introduce yourself, and indicate the job you’re interested in. This is also the perfect place to mention any connection to the place of business or hiring manager. 

For example:

• Were you referred to the job by a current employee?
• Have you interned at the company previously?
• Did you meet a company representative at a job fair?
• Do you have an alumni connection with someone at the company?
• Have you participated in any company-sponsored programs or volunteer events?

Here’s an example of a sample entry-level cover letter for an interior designer: 

“My name is Beth, and I am a recent graduate from The Art Institute with a BFA in Interior Design. I recently volunteered at the Applied Arts Expo and worked with your Head of Residential Design And Aesthetics. They informed me that you had an opening for an interior designer trainee, and encouraged me to apply. I would be a great fit, and I’m excited to share my qualifications.”

4. Don’t Be Too Formal

Inexperienced job seekers often make the mistake of writing in an overly formal, stilted style. That’s seldom necessary and can work against you. If you’re seeking a job in an environment that’s fun and laid-back, words like ‘whom’ and ‘therefore’ can be off-putting. 

Just like your interview attire, keep your letter business casual . That is more formal than when you speak to your friends, but not like you are holding court with royalty. 

For example, use a slightly less formal email greeting like “hi” or “hello”, which most HRs prefer these days. Also, keep your language professional, but simple. Avoid overly complex jargon or superfluous buzzwords. Instead of saying that you’re “excited to work with an esteemed organizations, offering cutting-edge capabilities for the FIs”, state that you “interested in applying your data analytics skills in FinTech”.  

Final Tip: Be Sincere

The entry-level job you land will probably not be the job of your dreams. You know that. The hiring manager knows this as well. There’s no need to carry on as if this is the ideal job, and that you plan to stay with the employer for years. For example, “I look forward to learning about web design, and working with the team at Harris Digital” is much better than, “It is my dream to work as a help desk technician. I look forward to a long career at Big Box Computers.”

Elena runs content operations at Freesumes since 2017. She works closely with copywriters, designers, and invited career experts to ensure that all content meets our highest editorial standards. Up to date, she wrote over 200 career-related pieces around resume writing, career advice... more

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