What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is a personalized note that accompanies your resume when applying for a job.
What a cover letter achieves
A cover letter can achieve a few things:
- Introduces yourself to the hiring manager
- Explains why you’re interested in a position
- Highlights key achievements that make you a strong candidate
- Makes a personal connection
- Addresses potential concerns
Writing a cover letter for each job application can be tedious. You can generate a cover letter for any role with Type, an advanced AI document editor. Include a link to the job description and upload your resume to create a standout cover letter that resonates with hiring managers.
What to include in a (good) cover letter
Crafting a good cover letter involves more than just summarizing your resume. Here are some key elements that can elevate our cover letter:
Showcasing your unique value proposition
Highlight key achievements.
What are you most proud of in your career so far? Mention a few of your top accomplishments that are most relevant to what the employer is looking for. Use numbers to quantify your impact where possible.
Convey enthusiasm.
Let your passion for your work and interest in this particular job opportunity shine through. Employers are looking for candidates who are excited about the role and motivated to perform at a high level.
Tell your story.
What inspired you to pursue this line of work? How do your personal values align with the company's mission? Briefly touching on this can help create an emotional connection and make you more memorable.
Tailored to the job posting
Echo keywords from the job posting.
Carefully read through the job description and mirror some of the key phrases in your cover letter where applicable. This shows the hiring manager at a glance that you're a good fit.
Give specific examples.
Don't just say you have the skills they're looking for - prove it. Mention accomplishments and experiences that directly relate to the requirements outlined in the job description. Concrete specifics are more impactful than generic statements.
Showcase your personality and passion.
Express genuine excitement about the role and the company. Let your passion for the industry come across in your writing. Consider including a brief story or personal anecdote that demonstrates your connection to the field or how you've gone above and beyond in a previous role.
Clarity and conciseness
Aim for half a page to one full page in length.
Three to four paragraphs is usually sufficient to get your main points across without excessive rambling. Remember, this is meant to be a brief introduction to pique their interest, not an exhaustive detailing of your entire work history.
Make every word count.
With such limited space, every sentence needs to serve a purpose. Cut out any generic filler that could apply to anyone. Make sure each statement is compelling and relevant to the job at hand.
How to write a cover letter in 5 steps
1. Research the company
Start by researching the company you're applying to. Understanding their values, culture, and recent projects is crucial in preparing your application. Dive deep into their website, explore their social media presence, and read up on any recent news articles or press releases related to the company.
Type can help you collect all the relevant details about the job you're applying for, including the job description, the company's mission and values, and any specific requirements mentioned in the posting. When generating a document, you can upload a resume or link to the job description to create a more custom cover letter. It’s perfect for when you need to generate multiple cover letters quickly.
2. Structure your cover letter
Begin with a strong opening paragraph that immediately captivates the reader's attention and leaves a lasting impression. Your opening should be engaging and set the tone for the rest of your application.
Follow this with detailed body paragraphs that meticulously showcase your unique skills, experiences, and accomplishments, ensuring they are perfectly tailored to align with the specific job requirements outlined. Provide concrete examples and metrics wherever possible to demonstrate your expertise effectively.
Conclude with a compelling closing paragraph that not only reaffirms your qualifications but also conveys your genuine enthusiasm and passion for the role and the opportunity to contribute to the team's success.
Type offers a structured cover letter template you can use to build out your cover letter. Just add your information to give it our personal touch, and our writing AI will do the rest.
3. Use a professional tone
While it's crucial to showcase your personality in a way that aligns with the company culture, it is equally important to maintain a professional tone throughout your cover letter. Avoid using slang, overly casual language, or emojis.
Remember, this document serves as a formal representation of yourself as a potential employee, so ensure that your language reflects your professionalism and readiness for the role.
You can use Type to easily maintain a professional tone. Type provides real-time suggestions and corrections. It helps you identify and replace casual language, slang, and other informal elements, ensuring that your cover letter remains polished and professional.
4. Quantify your achievements
Where possible, quantify your achievements to provide concrete evidence of your capabilities.
Use numbers, percentages, or other metrics to demonstrate the impact you've had in previous roles. This helps hiring managers understand the value you can bring to their team. For example, instead of saying "increased sales," you could say "boosted sales by 30% in the first quarter." Adding specific numbers and data points gives a clearer picture of your accomplishments and showcases your ability to drive results effectively.
Remember, numbers speak volumes in showcasing your professional success!
5. Proofread
Proofread it carefully to ensure there are no errors before submitting it along with your resume. This attention to detail and personalization can significantly enhance your chances of landing the job you desire.
Type easily proofreads your cover letter. Just highlight the text you want reviewed and ask Type Chat to take a look, or select the “Fix Grammar” Brush for a quick editing shortcut.
Examples
Start closer to “done” with Type’s template library. Select our cover letter template when generating your document and include any relevant knowledge you want to personalize the result. Save time and effort in your job hunt.
Pattern
Here's how we recommend structuring your cover letter.
[Your first and last name]
[Your email address]
[Your contact information]
Dear [hiring manager name, if possible] / To the [department] team at [company],
[Opening paragraph: 1-2 sentences with your name, stating your interest for (INSERT ROLE HERE) at (COMPANY), and why]
[First paragraph: 2-3 sentences about your career as a whole, overall themes, what you’re interested in next]
[Second paragraph: 3-5 sentences about past relevant experience, with specific examples and concrete numbers]
[Third paragraph: 3-5 sentences specific to the company and role you’re applying for, how it aligns with your goals, experience, etc]
[Closing paragraph: 1-2 sentences thanking the hiring manager for their time, leaving your contact information, and asking for the interview]
[Professional sign-off]
[Your name]
Template
This is what an example cover letter would look like, following the previous pattern.
Aniyah Johnson
aniyah.johnson@email.com
+1(620) 412-2134
Dear Alex,
My name is Aniyah, and I’m interested in the Brand Copywriter role at Airbnb on the Online Experiences team. While I’m a passionate wordsmith with a love for storytelling, I also enjoy traveling and was even an Airbnb host briefly in 2018.
Storytelling is at the heart of human connection and communication. Some of my writing principles include:
- There’s no such thing as a synonym. Every word has a specific meaning and connotation.
- Avoid violent language, such as “shot in the dark” and “killing time.”
- Use the Oxford comma, of course.
Moving forward in my career, I’m eager to explore new opportunities that allow me to continue honing my craft and creating impactful narratives that resonate with audiences on a deeper level.
In my current role as a copywriter at A&B Agency, I spearheaded written content across multiple campaigns. For one client, I developed product descriptions that led to a 30% increase in conversion rates in the span of a few months. Another project I led was a social media campaign that resulted in a 50% growth in engagement within the first week. As a writer, I specialize in digital campaigns with a focus on experiences, which fits neatly into the projects that this role entails.
What sets me apart is my deep understanding of Airbnb’s brand ethos and the ability to capture the essence of the company’s unique offerings. I’m an avid Airbnb user myself, as both a host and a guest—I love how the platform empowers travelers to experience the world in a more authentic and meaningful way. In fact, I met my wife through an Airbnb experience on a trip to Portugal! All to say, I’m confident the combination of both my personal and professional experience makes me a perfect fit for Airbnb’s Online Experiences team as a Brand Copywriter.
Thank you for your time and consideration. You can check out samples of my work at https://yahyahaniyah.com/projects. I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Best regards,
Aniyah
FAQs
Who should you address your cover letter to?
When writing a cover letter, it is essential to address it to the right person. If possible, try to find out the name of the hiring manager or recruiter who will be reviewing your application. This personal touch can demonstrate your attention to detail and show that you have taken the time to research the company.
If the job posting does not include a contact name, you can address your cover letter using generic salutations such as "Dear Hiring Manager" or "To Whom It May Concern." While it is always best to address your cover letter to a specific individual, using these alternatives is acceptable when a name is not provided.
By addressing your cover letter to the appropriate person, you can create a more personalized connection with the reader and make a positive first impression. This small gesture shows that you are invested in the application process and are committed to presenting yourself in the best possible light.
Type’s writing AI analyzes job descriptions and suggests keywords to optimize your cover letter for applicant tracking systems (ATS). This can increase your chances of getting noticed by recruiters and landing interviews.
How long should a cover letter be?
When it comes to the length of a cover letter, it's essential to strike a balance between providing enough information to showcase your qualifications and keeping it concise and to the point. Ideally, a cover letter should be around three-quarters of a page to one full page in length. This length allows you to introduce yourself, highlight your most relevant experiences and skills, and explain why you are the perfect fit for the position. Remember that hiring managers often have many applications to review, so keeping your cover letter succinct yet impactful is key to grabbing their attention.
Need help keeping your cover letter concise? Type offers a Brushes that can Shorten your overall cover letter or improve its readability.
Do people still read cover letters?
In today's competitive job market, the debate over whether hiring managers still read cover letters rages on. While some recruiters may prioritize resumes over cover letters due to time constraints, many hiring managers still value this additional document as a way to gain insight into a candidate's personality, communication skills, and genuine interest in the position. A well-crafted cover letter can provide context to your resume and showcase your enthusiasm for the role, potentially setting you apart from other applicants.
Type suggests relevant keywords to optimize your cover letter for ATS compatibility. You can also upload your resume or link the job description to help you stand out from the crowd.
Best of luck with your application!
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