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How to Write a Cover Letter for an Unadvertised Job

Cover Letter Sample and Writing Tips for a Job That's Not Advertised

• Tips for Writing Your Cover Letter

What to Include in Your Cover Letter

• Cover Letter Example and Template

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Not all companies advertise job openings. Some companies get plenty of applicants without advertising. Other companies may not be in hiring mode but will consider applications from qualified candidates if they anticipate an opening in the near future.

Sending a resume and cover letter to an employer, even though you aren't sure if there are available jobs, is a way to get your candidacy noticed. It may also get you advance consideration for positions that have just opened up. If you have skills the company is in need of, it may even get you considered for a brand-new position.

When you know an employer has an opening, don't hesitate to apply.

If you have a company you'd love to work for , consider taking the time to reach out and connect regardless of whether the organization is currently hiring.

Tips for Writing a Cover Letter for an Unadvertised Job

What's the best way to apply for unadvertised job openings? It depends on whether you know there is a position available, but the company hasn't listed it, or if there's a company you want to work for and you don't know if there are open jobs.

Kelly Miller / The Balance

When You Know There is a Job Opening

If you know the company is hiring but hasn't advertised the position, write a traditional   cover letter  expressing your interest in the open position at the company. Be sure to specifically relate your qualifications for the job.

When You Don't Know if the Company is Hiring

Writing a cover letter for an unadvertised opening (also known as a   cold contact cover letter  or  letter of interest ) is a little different than writing a cover letter for a job that you know is available.

With this type of letter, you will need to make a strong pitch for yourself and how you can help the company. Below are some tips on how to write a cover letter for an unadvertised opening.

• Mention your contacts.  If you know someone at the organization, mention this at the beginning of the cover letter. Having a contact at the company is a great way to get your foot in the door, even if the company isn’t actively hiring.
• Use paper or email.  You can send your letter via paper or  email . Sending an old-fashioned paper letter works well  for this type of letter , because it may have a better chance of being read than an email, which could be deleted without even being opened.
• Include a resume.  Whether you send your cover letter via paper or email, be sure to include a copy of your resume. Make sure you  tailor your resume  to the company and the type of job you are looking for.

Below is detailed information on what to include in your cover letter, along with links to example cover letters.

Your Contact Information Name Address City, State Zip Code Phone Number Email Address

• Cover Letter Contact Section Examples

Greeting If you can find a contact person at the company, direct your letter or email message to them. Here's how to find  contacts at companies .

If you can't locate a contact person, address your letter to "Dear Hiring Manager" or leave out this section and start with the first  paragraph  of your letter.

• Cover Letter Greeting Examples

Body of Cover Letter The goal of your letter is to get noticed as a prospective employee even if the company isn't hiring immediately. Your letter should explain the reason for your interest in the organization, and identify your most relevant skills or experiences and explain why you would be an asset to the company.

First Paragraph: The first paragraph of your letter should include information on why you are writing. If you know someone at the company, mention it now. Be specific as to why you are interested in this particular company.

Middle Paragraph(s): The next section of your cover letter should describe what you have to offer the employer. Again, be specific as to how you can help the organization.

Final Paragraph:  Conclude your cover letter by thanking the employer for considering you for employment.

• What to Include in the Body Section of a Cover Letter

Closing Best Regards,  (or choose another closing from the examples below)

• Cover Letter Closing Examples

Signature Handwritten Signature  (for a mailed letter)

Typed Signature When you are   sending an email letter,  be sure to include all your contact information in your signature.

• Signature Examples

Cover Letter Example for a Job That's Not Advertised

You can use this sample as a model to write a cover letter. Download the template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online), or read the text version below.

Cover Letter for a Job That's Not Advertised (Text Version)

Your Name Your Address City, State Zip Code Your Phone Number Your Email Address

Contact Name Title Company Address City, State Zip Code

Dear Mr./Ms. LastName,

As an Information Technology professional with high-level management experience in the IT industry, I learned that the best way to achieve success was to motivate the resources I had with well-defined objectives and empowerment.

A management belief based on integrity, quality, and service, along with a positive attitude, an aptitude for strategic thought and planning, and the ability to adapt quickly to new ideas and situations allows me to achieve consistent and significant successes in multiple industries.

My personality profile says:

• A confident, driven individual who reacts quickly to change.
• A self-starter with a strong sense of urgency who responds positively to challenge and pressure.
• A fast learner who is a practical and ingenious problem solver.
• A fluent and articulate communicator, flexible and responsive. A self-directed, goal-oriented doer.

My former managers' say:

"…The Information Technology Analysis will serve as a guideline for making positive contributions …your management style provided a footprint for younger members of our organization… a very positive impression of the contributions you made to our business and its growth." Gregory Hines, President and CEO, Information Data Technology.

"…the most important source of growth in our data technology business …able to focus the team and manage the product to a successful introduction …due in large part to his own personal commitment ...excellent IT project management and operational management skills." Pauline Hallenback, CTO at Information Systems.

"…your strengths as a manager are many and varied …all issues are confronted in a timely manner …management by objectives comes as a second nature to you…" Jackson Brownell, Director of Operations, Denver Technologies.

ABC Company is a company that would provide me with the opportunity to put my personality, skills, and successes to work. At a personal meeting, I would like to discuss with you how I will contribute to the continued growth of your company.

Best regards,

Carefully proofread both your resume and cover letter before you send them. Here are proofreading tips for job seekers.

When sending your letter via email, write your letter in the email message and attach your resume to the message. In the subject line, put your name and the reason for writing (Your Name - Introduction).

• Email Subject Lines

How to Send Your Resume With Your Cover Letter

Here's how to send your resume with your cover letter:

• How to Email Your Resume
• How to Send Your Resume as an Attachment
• How to Mail a Resume and Cover Letter

Key Takeaways

TAKE INITIATIVE: Not all companies immediately advertise opening positions. Taking the initiative to send a cover letter of introduction “on spec” may garner you an interview for either an existing or a newly developed job role.

APPLY TO YOUR DREAM COMPANY: Nothing ventured, nothing gained. If there is a company you’ve always wanted to work for, reach out to their hiring department with a strategic letter that presents your qualifications and interest in their organization.

BUILD UPON YOUR CONTACTS: A good way to get your foot into the door at a company is to begin your letter of introduction by mentioning the contacts you know who work there. Take this to the next level by proactively asking these contacts – before you send your cover letter – if they would be willing to put in a good word on your behalf with their employer. 

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minute read

How to apply for unadvertised jobs: the cover letter that opens doors

Found your perfect company but they are not currently hiring? Apply for unadvertised jobs with this cover letter so you can land your dream role.

When you find that rare company that you really want to work for its a big deal. Whether it is perfect for your first big break or its the ideal organisation to take you up that next rung in your career, the right company can ignite a passion for your future and motivate you to be the best you can be.

But this can all come crashing down when you find that all their positions are filled and there are no current job openings.

So what should you do about this? Sit tight and wait for a position to come available or something else?

In this post we will explore that ‘something else’ you need to do – plus how to make it happen.

Let’s start by tackling the first big question.

Is it worth your time reaching out to an organisation when they don't have any job postings?

The answer to this is a resounding yes and there are three main reasons for this.

Most positions aren’t advertised

It is estimated that 70% of positions are never advertised . This may seem hard to believe at first but when you think a little deeper it becomes obvious why this is the case.

To the outside world it may look like there are no opportunities within a company if their vacancies page is empty but on the inside any or all of these things will actually be happening.

• People are taking retirement or resigning due to factors such as taking a new job elsewhere, moving to another location, or making a career change.
• Some will unfortunately be struggling with their role and are about to lose their job or be deployed elsewhere in the organisation.
• Others will be flying high and are about to be promoted, leaving a gap to be filled behind them.
• Then there is organisational change that will involve recruitment such as new projects and business being won, products ready to be taken to market, services that need developing, or restructuring of departments and or teams.

Can you see how a timely application from a qualified candidate could be warmly welcomed, eliminating the need to advertise or instruct recruitment consultants and pay their high fees? 

There’s far less competition when you apply for unadvertised jobs

Despite the fact that most jobs never get advertised, most people don’t send speculative applications to companies.

Think about that for a minute.

Your application could be the only one or just one of a handful for a particular opening.

You won’t get lost in the crowd and you will have a much better chance of being considered in the absence of high competition.

You can bypass Applicant Tracking Systems

Most advertised positions will involve adding your details to a company’s Applicant Tracking System.

Whilst these are necessary due to the high volume of applications companies receive today, they can cause serious issues for both the jobseeker and the employer.

Jobseekers need to ensure they submit an ATS friendly resume so they don’t get rejected. If they don’t, employers and recruiters can miss out the best talent just because of design issues.

A speculative application bypasses this and gets straight to the decision makers instead.

Before you rush off though and start reaching out to loads of companies directly, I do have a word of caution.

Don’t apply for unadvertised jobs until you have done this

Whilst a timely application from a qualified candidate will be warmly welcomed, the reverse is also true.

Sending out generic approaches with little thought or research will not get the results that you want and will definitely work against  you.

At best you will be ignored but at worst, they may get irritated which will not help you when there is an advertised vacancy in the future.

Remember, you’re being proactive and trying to ‘sell yourself’ to the company.

To do this effectively you will need to have a good understanding of what the company needs now and provide an answer for a problem they might not currently have (or know they have), but are likely to have in the future.

This all comes down to putting in some research.  Check out their company website, their LinkedIn page, and set up Google alerts for their latest press releases. And don’t forget to reach out to your contacts that may have inside knowledge or even better, a name of someone that could be a mutual acquaintance.

Once you have completed your research, you will be ready to put your killer cover letter together.

The 7 sentence cover letter to use when you apply for unadvertised jobs

The trick to getting this right is having a great balance between selling yourself and using the right tone.

This can be achieved if you follow this formula.

Start with why you are writing to them

These are busy people so you need to get straight to the point to enable them to speed read your application.

Tell them why you want to work specifically for their company 

You need to let them know that you are not desperately sending your resume out to ‘anyone that will have you. ’

“The reasons I want to work here are…” This is where your research is crucial because it proves that you are serious about their company.

Explain what you can offer and why you’re a great fit.

"I offer X years of experience in this particular industry/sector, performing these particular jobs which makes me a great fit to support your organisation and the products/services it delivers."

Give a significant relevant achievement

Be careful to keep this relevant. It doesn't matter how impressive an achievement is, it will have little impact if they can’t see how it could benefit their organisation.

“In particular, one of my biggest achievements to date has been ….. [explain] and I would relish the opportunity to deliver the same results for [their company name].

Point them to your resume

“To gain a quick overview of what my contribution could be, please take a look at my profile on my attached resume.”

You are telling them that your resume has a profile they can speed read plus it will make them curious to take a look.

Add a call to action

“I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you about any current or upcoming positions that may be a great fit for my experience.”

Thank them 

“Thank you for your time and consideration and I look forward to talking with you soon.”

Cover letter sample for how to apply to a company when they are not hiring

So what does this look like in practice then?

To help you put yours together, here is an example of what this looks like as a complete cover letter.

This is based on a Project Manager but you can see how easy it is to adapt to any industry or skill set.

Dear [hiring manager/recruiter’s name]  - you will have gleaned this from your research.

I am writing to enquire about any potential opportunities at [company name] that may fit my skills and experience.

The reason for contacting you specifically is that my research showed that you mainly deal with X projects, which is my main area of interest and expertise.

I offer [insert number of years] years of experience within [name your industry/sector] underpinned by [name specific skills or qualifications].

For example, one of my biggest achievements to date has been the X project where I successfully ….. [explain] and I would relish the opportunity to deliver the same results for [their company name].

To gain a quick overview of what my contribution could be, please take a look at the profile on my attached resume.

I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you about any current or upcoming positions that I could make a positive contribution to.

I appreciate how busy you must be so thank you so much for your time and consideration and I look forward to talking with you soon.

Key Takeaways

Companies are constantly recruiting but typically just a few positions actually make it out on to their career pages or get promoted on job sites.

This means that it is a great idea to reach out to potential employers and apply for unadvertised jobs.

However, you must put in the research so that you can explain why you want to work for them and why you would be a great fit, otherwise you may come across as looking desperate.

If you use this cover letter formula, they will want to snap you up before their competition gets the chance to hire you

Mark Daniel

About the Author

A global resume writer and career coach, Mark is known for his honest, direct, and hard-hitting advice, helping people manage job applications and succeed at interviews. Now based on the Sunshine Coast in Australia, he is the co-founder of Real Life Career Advice and a prolific publisher, contributing to several industry magazines and his daily career advice blog to his 45,000 LinkedIn followers.

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Crafting a compelling cover letter for hidden job opportunities

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The company is perfect. The team members are experienced and dynamic. You agree with the company mission and can see yourself sitting behind a desk in the office, putting your expertise to terrific use and helping the business to succeed. But there’s no job for you there. At least, not yet.

Unfortunately, this is often the reality of job hunting. But if you feel strongly drawn towards a particular company, and you believe that you could be a great employee there, don’t give up and move on. You can, and should get in touch to express your passion, your experience, and how you believe you can contribute. Submit a spontaneous application. While it’s unlikely to result in a job straight away, a spontaneous application is a strong way to make yourself known, either for positions that may be available but not advertised, or for any future openings.

When you’re sending a spontaneous application, how you present yourself is more important than ever. And that means customizing your cover letter and resume for the occasion. But before we get to that…

Why bother with a spontaneous application?

The odds that a perfect role for you is just an email away are slim but a spontaneous application can be well worth your while.

The number of job vacancies never publicly advertised makes up such a large percentage of openings that there is even a name for this sector: the hidden job market . Certain companies, and even entire industries, are more likely to lean on private networks or referrals to fill available roles quickly, rather than going through a public job posting process. So there’s a high likelihood that the perfect role for you is out there, but not advertised.

More significantly, a spontaneous application is useful for making a positive introduction to a hiring manager for potential roles in the future. It gets your foot in the door, so to speak. It may also be an opportunity for you to sell yourself, your experience, and your knowledge of the company and its vision by suggesting to an employer that they need a role they simply haven’t yet thought of.

When should you send one?

If you’re applying for a position that is unlikely to exist yet, consider sending a spontaneous application in the discovery phase of a job search . This is when you’re interested in a new position but not actively in need of one. This way, you’re not placing too much faith in the application, and have plenty of time to create a long-lead introduction to the company .

It can also be helpful to pay attention to tech and business news , noting startup companies that have recently completed fundraising rounds. This is likely to mean that they will be hiring very soon.

How to write an accompanying cover letter

When you’re writing a cover letter for a spontaneous application, you won’t have a specific job description to guide you. This can be frustrating because it’s more difficult to clearly explain how your experience and skills fit a particular set of requirements without a framework. However, it can also be liberating, allowing you to be broader in your personal pitch.

The main idea, as with any cover letter, is to sell your expertise, your knowledge of the company and your belief that you have what it takes to help their business succeed. While the body of your email should be crisp and digestible, your cover letter is where you can make the most compelling case for your candidacy.

Even though there is no bullet list of job duties that you can reference, you can infer from the company’s products and services what your work there might involve. After, you can elaborate on how you would excel by using specific examples from your past experience as a reference.

Here are a few tips specific to spontaneous cover letters:

Be as concise as possible while still clearly detailing your experience and ambitions. Because your application is spontaneous, a manager’s attention span when reviewing it will probably be even shorter than normal.

Be specific in describing how you could help the company, and what kind of position you would like. The narrower your goal, the more convincing it will be that you are a focused applicant, and not someone fishing for any available job.

Include examples of your past work , if relevant to your industry. Do this either in the form of a link to a professional portfolio website or as a separate attachment that you can reference in your email.

Email a specific person by searching through Welcome to the Jungle, or other recruitment websites and tools such as LinkedIn. This will make sure that your message reaches the right person and is (hopefully) read.

Ask for a recommendation , if you happen to have anyone in your social or professional networks who works, has worked, or knows anyone at the company to which you’re applying. Having a personal introduction can make all the difference, especially if said person is able to vouch for your abilities and your work ethic.

The waiting game

Next comes the hard part: being patient . It’s best not to expect any news, and certainly not straight away. You may not hear back after sending a spontaneous application at all. The company might simply not respond to unsolicited applications. Even if you made a good impression, it may be months before a role is open that fits your experience. In such cases, you can follow up with a friendly email.

Give it at least two weeks before following up on your first email, and then leave any subsequent unsolicited contact to once every few months . Any more than that, and you risk seeming less like an interested and passionate candidate, and more like a nuisance.

Despite the uncertainty, a spontaneous application is still an exercise well worth doing. Jobs, as with life, are uncertain—a unique combination of the right place, the right time, and more than a little bit of luck. Your application may not lead anywhere productive. But whereas the downside is nonexistent, the upside holds huge untold potential. Who knows? It might just end up with you landing your dream job.

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How to Write a Cover Letter for an Unadvertised Job

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How to Write a Letter to Reject an Interview

How to write a cover letter to a company that does not have a job opening, what is a blind cover letter.

• Email Format for a Follow-Up Resume
• The Best Career Objectives to List on a Resume

Cover letters introduce you and your enclosed resume to prospective employers. The one-page cover letter has distinct components that help you organize the information for the best presentation. Normally, you have a job announcement and job description to help write your cover letter.

The cover letter for an unadvertised job, also called a cold contact or inquiry letter, requires work to locate the information you need and finesse to encourage review of your submission. Use the same high-quality paper for the resume and letter when sending an application for an unadvertised job. Carefully proofread your final draft before sending.

Companies of Interest

Career One Stop explains that the purpose of a cold inquiry letter is to express interest in an employer and nicely request follow-up communication. An effective letter points out how your background matches the needs of the company and the requirements for the unadvertised job. You can start by researching the company and the position that interests you. In the absence of a job announcement, you will need information for your letter that demonstrates your efforts to learn about the company and the industry. and how your background matches the needs of the company and the requirements for the unadvertised job.

Business Letter Format

Inquiry letters begin with a heading that includes the date and an address block for the company, Include the specific name and title of the personnel manager or other appropriate contact at the company. Write the first paragraph as your introduction and disclose your reason for sending the letter and resume, including the job title and how you learned of the vacancy.

If you are inquiring about future vacancies, explain how your research led you to the company and why you are interested in a position. For example, explain that you researched the top financial management companies in the region or that a colleague recommended that you contact the company. State that you are employed as a service technician and are interested in a full-time job with the company.

Matching Skills and Qualifications

Include one or two paragraphs for the body of the cover letter to discuss your resume and your experience, education and training. Use short sentences and a positive, confident tone. Talk about the company and the department in which you would like to work. Although the cover letter discusses your value to the company, it is important to highlight the company’s needs and your knowledge of its operations.

Where possible, match specific items from your resume to the needs of the company. For example, explain how your many years of sales experience match the company’s need for a sales manager with a verifiable track record. You might explain how your completion of a medical coding program fits with the company’s need for accurate data entry for billing. Or you could possibly connect your three years of experience as an administrative assistant to the company’s job requirement.

Follow-Up Steps

Indeed Career Guide suggests following up on a cold inquiry with an email if no response is received after one week of waiting. You can request an interview or contact in your final paragraph and thank the reader for taking time to review your cover letter and resume. Let the contact know if you intend to make a follow-up call in the near future. The closing paragraph is your chance to conclude with a show of initiative and appropriate job search etiquette.

• Indeed Career Guide: How to Write Effective Cold Emails for Jobs
• Use standard cover letter tips: Use the same high-quality paper for the resume and letter, speak positively about a current job and proofread before sending.

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How to write a cover letter for an unadvertised job?

Writing cover letters is hard enough, but what about when you need to write a cover letter for an unadvertised job? These are also called “open applications” and you basically reach out to a company even though they have no visible, active openings. You can simply like a company or get an inside tip to get in touch.

However, is that a good idea? And how should you approach the situation? Find out below!

Should I apply for an unadvertised job?

First, let’s get one thing straight: you can definitely reach out to companies and recruiters even if there are no active openings.

It doesn’t cost you a thing, and you can gain a lot! An opportunity to have a chat with someone at best or you can be ignored at worst.

So, if you are actively looking for a job and there’s a company you like, write a cover letter for an unadvertised job and get in touch.

What should a cover letter for an unadvertised job look like?

Of course, this will depend on your situation and profession. But the general rule of thumb is to keep it business casual. Express your interest for the company and briefly introduce yourself. Use up to 200 words maximum because this is not an advertised job so you don’t want to bore the reader.

Even though we’ve developed a formula, it’ll really depend on your situation. You can use what we suggest and tweak it so it fits your needs.

Here it goes:

#1 Opening line

Start with something like “I was wondering if you’re looking to hire an XXXX” or “I came across your site and was wondering if you’d be interested in a quick chat.”

Why? It’s short, to the point, and very honest!

#2 First paragraph

In a sentence or two explain why they should talk to you. Tell them what qualifications you have or what experience you’ve accumulated.

Go with something along the lines of “I earned my degree/certificate in XXXX last year and I have been working in the field ever since.”

If the above is not applicable, you can say something like “I’ve been wanting to get into this field and your company seems like the perfect environment to do so.”

#3 Third paragraph

You can mention something just a bit personal, but what is related to your profession. For example, if you are a gym instructor, say you love rock climbing, if you’re a veterinarian, say you love animals, etc.

Definitely mention a trait that’s desirable. Here’s a list to help you out:

• Hard-working nature / dedicated / results-oriented / diligent
• Self-starter / motivated/interested in learning and development
• Enthusiastic/energetic / friendly/welcoming / eager to help
• Meticulous / well organised / analytical / problem-solver

So, your third paragraph would look something like “I really enjoy rock climbing, I am meticulous, and I enjoy helping people achieve their fitness goals. Thanks to my outgoing nature, I build and sustain professional relationships with ease.”

#4 Signing off

Your last paragraph and sign off when writing a cover letter for an unadvertised job should also be short & sweet. Keep it simple and go with something like “If you do need an extra person, please get in touch.” or “I would love to present myself in more detail in case you’re hiring.”

For the actual sign use the usual “Thank you very much. Kind regards”.

Should I attach my CV when applying for an unadvertised job?

Another valid question when writing a cover letter for an unadvertised job is – should I attach my CV.

This really depends on you.

Are you comfortable sending your personal info via email when no one’s asking for it? If you are, you can go ahead and attach it. In that case, add the “Please see my CV attached.” or “In case you do need someone, please see my CV attached”, or something along those lines.

If you don’t want to send in your CV straight away, you can write “If you are hiring, I can submit my CV for further consideration”.

What are the next steps?

Well, you will either get a rejection or an interview invitation or you’ll be ignored. Whatever the case may be, you’re not losing a thing! Keep your head up and keep trying. You never know – maybe this will be your breakthrough!

For more advice on job search, cover letters, and CV writing, we invite you to read our other  blogs .

Make sure you have a solid CV. This is easy now with our step-by-step guide, which you can order here . Follow the principles outlined here and get more replies to job applications.

Lastly, you can always get in touch and get our help.

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60+ Cover Letter Examples in 2024 [For All Professions]

No matter where you are in your career, or what job you’re applying for, submitting a cover letter with your resume is a must . 

Done right, a cover letter will effectively complement your resume and explain to the hiring manager in more detail why you’re the right person for the job.

Writing a cover letter, however, is easier said than done. 

You have to effectively demonstrate that you’ll be able to perform the responsibilities listed in the job description and that you’d be a better fit for the company compared to other candidates. 

And unless you’re a professional writer, this can be a very hard task.

Fortunately, we created these cover letter examples to inspire you and help you get started with your own cover letter!

Let’s dive in!

21 Cover Letter Examples 

#1. career change cover letter example .

Here’s what this cover letter does right:

• Has an ideal length. This cover letter includes all the relevant information for the hiring manager without getting into too much detail.
• Relevant introduction. The candidate explains that they’re changing careers and why they want to work in this new field from the get-go.
• Explains their related experience. The candidate explains how their previous experience in retail sales can help them succeed in PR.

Check out our guide video guide to learn how to write a Cover Letter that gets you HIRED!

#2. Recent Graduate Cover Letter Example 

• Personally greets the hiring manager. The candidate has taken the time to find the hiring manager’s name and address them by it, which makes the opening of the cover letter much more personal.
• Wraps up with a call to action. The candidate wraps up the cover letter by suggesting a meeting with the hiring manager, which makes them more memorable.
• Explains why the candidate is the right person for the internship. In this cover letter for an internship , the candidate explains how they’ve previously interned in a different firm, which gives them the experience to succeed in this role.

Have you just graduated from college? Make sure to check out our guide on writing an entry-level cover letter from start to finish! 

#3. Middle Management Cover Letter Example

• Use of bullet points. The candidate presents the information in a concise and reader-friendly way, making it easy for the hiring manager to find their key achievements. 
• Formal closing. The candidate has used a formal and polite tone to conclude their cover letter, which combined with a call to action makes them look professional and passionate about getting the job. 
• Explains how the company would benefit from hiring them. The candidate outlines exactly what they could do for the company, which not only highlights their skills but also shows they’ve done their research on the company’s needs. 

#4. Business Manager Cover Letter Example

• Detailed header. In addition to the must-have contact details, this candidate has also included their professional Twitter and LinkedIn profiles, making it easy for the hiring manager to look more closely into their career. 
• Concise and to the point. This candidate has used short paragraphs and bullet points to make the cover letter easy to skim through. 
• Wraps up with a call to action. By letting the hiring manager know they’ll be contacting them soon, they’re more likely to make an impression.

Check out this article for a complete writing guide and an inspiring business manager resume sample. 

#5. Ph.D. Cover Letter Example

Here’s what this cover letter does right: 

• Attention-grabbing introduction. In the opening paragraph, this candidate explains why they’re passionate about pursuing a Ph.D. in great detail. 
• Explains the candidate’s qualifications in detail. The candidate builds on their passion by explaining how they’re also qualified for the degree because of their education history and academic achievements. 

#6. Senior Executive Cover Letter Example

• Professional and minimalistic template. This senior executive has used a professional but minimalistic template that lets their work experience do the talking. 
• Achievement-oriented opening paragraph. Right from the get-go, this candidate explains what makes them so good at their job, effectively grabbing the hiring manager’s attention.  
• Wraps up with a call to action. By suggesting to have a meeting and discussing how they can help the company meet its goals, the candidate stands more chance to make a positive lasting impression. 

#7. Architect Cover Letter Example 

• Modern resume template. This architect has picked a template that perfectly matches his industry, as it is professional and modern at the same time. 
• A personal greeting to the HR. They address the hiring manager by their first name, which helps make a better first impression. 
• Measurable achievements. By quantifying their achievements, the candidate proves their achievements instead of just claiming them.

Struggling with your architect resume ? Check out our full guide!

#8. Business Analyst Cover Letter Example 

• Detailed contact information. The candidate has listed both their LinkedIn and Twitter profiles, providing the HR manager an opportunity to learn more about the candidate.  
• Mentions what the candidate can do for the company. This cover letter doesn’t just explain why the job would be great for the candidate, but also how the candidate would benefit the company. Win-win, right? 
• Error-free and reader-friendly. It’s super important for the cover letter to have no spelling or grammatical errors and be reader-friendly. This candidate made sure they did both.

Need a resume alongside your cover letter? Check out our guide on how to write a business analyst resume . 

#9. Consultant Cover Letter Example 

• Professional cover letter template. Being an experienced consultant, this candidate has picked a professional template that doesn’t steal the spotlight from their achievements. 
• Experience and achievement-oriented. The candidate has effectively elaborated on their top achievements relevant to the job. 
• Highlights the candidate’s passion. To show they want the job, this candidate has also explained how passionate they are about their profession.

For more advice on landing a job as a consultant, check out our guide to writing a consultant resume .

#10. Digital Marketing Cover Letter Example

• Creative cover letter template. This digital marketer highlights their originality by picking a creative cover letter template. 
• Lists the candidate’s awards. The candidate has taken advantage of the cover letter to list their most noteworthy awards in the industry. 
• Concludes with a call to action. As they used a call to action to conclude their cover letter, the HR manager will be more likely to remember them.

Want to take your digital marketing resume to the next level? Check out our guide!

#11. Graphic Designer Cover Letter Example 

• Detailed contact information. The candidate has included additional contact information such as their website link, as well as their LinkedIn and Twitter profiles.  
• Ideal length. This cover letter is concise, which means that the HR manager is more likely to read it from start to finish.  
• Draws attention to the candidate’s strong points. Although this candidate is a recent college graduate, they’ve managed to effectively show that they have enough knowledge and experience to do the job right.

Read this guide to write a graphic designer resume that’s just as good as your cover letter!

#12. Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Example

• Minimalistic cover letter template. The candidate picked a well-designed but minimalistic template for their cover letter. 
• Focused on skills and achievements. This cover letter is packed with the candidate’s skills and achievements, proving he can be an excellent employee. 
• Formal closing. Politeness can go a long way and the candidate has used this to their advantage to make an impression. 

Our article on how to write an administrative assistant resume can help you take your job application to the next level.

#13. Front Desk Cover Letter Example

• Modern cover letter template. This template incorporates memorable colors and clear lines, which make the cover letter very visually appealing. 
• Attention-grabbing introduction. Using an attention-grabbing intro, the candidate is more likely to make an impression. 
• Calls the HR to action. By including a call to action, the candidate is reminding the HR of their immediate availability. 

#14. Human Resources Cover Letter Example

• It is concise and to the point. The candidate doesn’t dwell on unimportant details the HR won’t be interested in. 
• Uses a traditional cover letter template. The cover letter design is more on the conventional side, which fits the industry better. 
• Highlights the candidate’s strong points. The candidate has rich work experience and they use the cover letter to elaborate on it. 

This HR resume guide can help you get your resume just right.

#15. Sales Agent Cover Letter Example 

• Attention-grabbing cover letter template. As a salesperson, this candidate knows how important first impressions are, so they’ve picked a catchy cover letter template. 
• Has an ideal length. At the same time, they’ve also made sure to keep their cover letter at just the right length. 
• Lists the candidate’s career highlights. The candidate has made perfect use of the space by mentioning their most impressive professional achievements. 

Check out this sales agent resume guide to create an attention-grabbing sales resume .

#16. Receptionist Cover Letter Example

• Modern but minimalistic cover letter template. The template’s design hints the candidate is creative but professional at the same time. 
• Uses a catchy introduction. The candidate has used an attention-grabbing opening paragraph to catch HR’s attention. 
• Concludes the cover letter formally. The candidate proves that they’re polite and well-spoken, a quality very much important for the role they’re applying for. 

Take your receptionist resume to the next level with this receptionist resume guide .

#17. Information Technology Cover Letter Example

• Mentions measurable achievements. Numbers make an impact, which is why this candidate has included measurable achievements. 
• Lists both soft and hard skills. The candidate has mentioned a great mix of soft and hard skills, showing how well-rounded they are. 
• Contains relevant contact information. The candidate’s GitHub, website name, LinkedIn, and Twitter profiles are all great additions to the resume. 

Looking for tips to help you write a great IT resume ? Check out our guide!

#18. Real Estate Cover Letter Example

• Ideal length. Short and to the point, this cover letter is bound to get noticed by the HR manager. 
• Wraps up with a call to action. This candidate reinforces the HR to call them back through a final call to action. 
• Mentions the right skills. On top of their sales accomplishments, the candidate touch upon important soft skills such as customer service and communication . 

This real estate resume guide will help you take your resume from good to great.

#19. Teacher Cover Letter Example

• Mentions relevant contact information details. This candidate has included optional (but relevant) contact information details, such as their LinkedIn, Quora, and Medium profiles. 
• Achievement-oriented. The candidate has elaborated on their achievements in more detail throughout their cover letter. 
• Highlights the candidate’s passion. For some jobs, being passionate is much more important than for others. Teaching is one of these jobs, which is why this candidate explains their passion for the job. 

Our guide on how to write a teacher resume has all the tips you need to land the job.

#20. Project Manager Cover Letter Example

• Leverages a catchy introduction. Through a catchy introductory paragraph, this candidate is sure to grab the HR’s attention and get them to read the rest of their cover letter.
• Lists measurable accomplishments. This candidate explains exactly what they’ve achieved using numbers and hard data. 
• Personally greets the HR. A personal greeting sounds much better than “Dear Sir/Madam,” and the candidate knows this. 

This guide on how to write a project manager resume can help you perfect your appication.

#21. Paralegal Cover Letter Example

• Minimalistic cover letter template. This cover letter design looks good but doesn’t steal the show from the candidate’s abilities.
• Mentions the candidate’s academic achievements and extracurricular activities. Although the candidate is a recent graduate, they’ve used the cover letter to explain they have enough skills and achievements to do the job.
• Lists measurable achievements. The candidate proves they did well in their internship by mentioning quantifiable achievements.

Check out this paralegal resume guide to perfect yours.

40+ More Cover Letter Examples and Guides 

Couldn’t find a cover letter example for your field? Do not worry.

Below you can find a number of other cover letter examples for different fields and industries:

• Acting Cover Letter Examples
• Accounting Cover Letter Examples
• Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Architecture Cover Letter Examples
• Attorney Cover Letter Examples
• Barista Cover Letter Examples
• Bartender Cover Letter Examples
• Business Cover Letter Examples
• Business Analyst Cover Letter Examples
• College Student Cover Letter Examples
• Computer Science Cover Letter Examples
• Construction Cover Letter Examples
• Consultant Cover Letter Examples
• Customer Service Cover Letter Examples
• Data Analyst Cover Letter Examples
• Data Entry Cover Letter Examples
• Dental Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Digital Marketing Cover Letter Examples
• Elementary Teacher Cover Letter Examples
• Engineering Cover Letter Examples
• Executive Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Finance Cover Letter Examples
• Graphic Design Cover Letter Examples
• Healthcare Cover Letter Examples
• Human Resources Cover Letter Examples
• IT Cover Letter Examples
• Law Cover Letter Examples
• Management Cover Letter Examples
• Marketing Cover Letter Examples
• Mechanical Engineering Cover Letter Examples
• Medical Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Nurse Practitioner Cover Letter Examples
• Physician Cover Letter Examples
• Project Manager Cover Letter Examples
• Receptionist Cover Letter Examples
• Retail Cover Letter Examples
• Sales Cover Letter Examples
• Social Work Cover Letter Examples
• Software Engineer Cover Letter Examples
• Substitute Teacher Cover Letter Examples
• Teacher Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Team Leader Cover Letter Example

What is a Cover Letter? 

A cover letter is a one-page document that you submit as part of your job application, alongside your resume . 

Its purpose is to introduce you and briefly summarize your professional background. On average, your cover letter should be from 250 to 400 words long .

A good cover letter can give the hiring manager more insight into what makes you a good candidate and help them make up their mind about whether they should invite you for an interview. A bad cover letter, though, will get ignored (at best) and lose you the job (at worst).

So, to make sure this doesn’t happen, it’s essential to know how to write a convincing cover letter.

The first thing to remember is that a cover letter is a supplement to your resume, not a replacement. Meaning, you shouldn’t just repeat whatever is mentioned in your resume and call it a day. 

Optimally, you should use your cover letter to shed more light on your skills and qualifications, as well as explain anything you didn’t have space for in your resume (e.g. a career gap or why you’re changing careers).

If you’re writing a cover letter for the first time, though, putting all this together might seem pretty tough. 

Fortunately, you can follow our tried-and-tested format to make the experience much easier:

• Header - Input your contact information.
• Greeting the hiring manager - Open the cover letter with a “Dear Sir or Madam,” or use the hiring manager’s name if you know what that is.
• Opening paragraph - Grab the hiring manager’s attention by getting straight to the point. Mention what your professional experiences are, and what role you’re applying for.
• The second paragraph - Explain why you’re the perfect candidate for the job. Mention your top 2-3 achievements, your top skills, why you want to work in that specific industry, and whatever else is relevant.
• The third paragraph - End your cover letter with a call to action. E.g. “I would love to meet personally and discuss how I can help Company X.”
• Formal closing - Something like this: “Thank you for your consideration. Best, John Doe.”

Here’s what this looks like in practice:

9 Tips to Write a Cover Letter (the Right Way)

Now that we've covered the basics, let's talk about cover letter tips . Below, we'll give you all the knowledge you need to take your cover letter from "OK" to "great."

#1. Pick the right template

A good cover letter is all about leaving the right first impression.

And what’s a better way to leave a good impression than through a professional, well-formatted, and visual template?

You can simply pick one of our tried-and-tested cover letter templates and you’ll be all set!

#2. Add your contact details on the header

The best way to start your cover letter is through a header. 

Here’s what you want to include there:

• Phone Number
• Name of the hiring manager / their professional title
• Name of the company you’re applying to

Optionally, you can also include the following:

• Social Media Profiles - Any type of profile that’s relevant to your field. Social Profiles on websites like LinkedIn, GitHub (for developers), Medium (for writers), etc.
• Personal Website - If you have a personal website that somehow adds value to your application, you can mention it. Let’s say you’re a professional writer. In that case, you’d want to link to your content portfolio site or blog.

#3. Greet the hiring manager the right way

Once you’ve listed all your relevant contact information, it’s time to address the hiring manager reading your cover letter. 

A good practice here is to find the hiring manager’s name and address them directly instead of using the traditional “dear sir or madam.” This shows that you’re really invested in the company and that you took your time to do some research about the job.

So, how can you find out the hiring manager’s name?

One way to do this is by looking up the head of the company’s relevant department on LinkedIn. Let’s say you’re applying for the position of Communication Specialist at Novoresume. The hiring manager is probably the Head of Communications or the Chief Communications Office.

Or let’s say you’re applying for the position of server at a restaurant. In that case, you’d be looking to find out who the restaurant manager is.

If this doesn’t work, you can also check out the “Team” page on the company website; there’s a good chance you’ll at least find the right person there.

If you still can’t find out the hiring manager’s name, here are several other greetings you can use:

• Dear [Department] Hiring Manager
• Dear Hiring Manager
• To whom it may concern
• Dear [Department] Team

#4. Create an attention-grabbing introduction

Recruiters get hundreds, sometimes even thousands, of applications. Chances are, they’re not going to be reading every single cover letter end-to-end.

So, it’s essential to catch their attention from the very first paragraph.

The problem with most cover letter opening paragraphs, though, is that they’re usually extremely generic, often looking something like this: 

Hey, my name is Jonathan and I’d like to work as a Sales Manager at XYZ Inc. I’ve worked as a sales manager at MadeUpCompany Inc. for 5+ years, so I believe that I’d be a good fit for the position.

As you can probably tell, this opening paragraph doesn’t tell the hiring manager anything other than that you’ve worked the job before - and that’s not really helpful in setting you apart from other candidates. 

What you want to do, instead, is start off with 2-3 of your top achievements to really grab the reader’s attention. Preferably, the achievements should be as relevant as possible to the position. 

For example:

My name’s Michael and I’d like to help XYZ Inc. hit and exceed its sales goals as a Sales Manager. I’ve worked with Company X, a fin-tech company, for 3+ years. As a Sales Representative, I generated an average of $30,000+ in sales per month (beating the KPIs by around 40%). I believe that my previous industry experience, as well as my excellence in sales, makes me the right candidate for the role of X at Company Y.

The second example shows how the candidate is a top performer. The first just shows that they’ve worked a sales job before.

Which one are YOU more likely to invite for an interview?

#5. Show you’re the perfect person for the job

One great thing about cover letters is that they allow you to expand more on the top achievements from your resume and really show the hiring manager that you’re the right person for the job. 

A good way to do that is to first read the job ad and really understand what skills/experiences are required, and then to ensure that your cover letter touches upon the said skills or experiences.

In my previous role as a Facebook Marketing Expert at XYZ Inc. I handled customer acquisition through ads, managing a monthly Facebook ad budget of $20,000+. As the sole digital marketer at the company, I managed the ad creation and management process end-to-end. This means I created the ad copy and images, as well as picked the targeting, ran optimization trials, and so on.

Other than Facebook advertising, I’ve also delved into other online PPC channels, including:

• Google Search

#6. Explain why you’re a great company fit

The HR manager doesn’t only look at whether you’ll be good at the job or not. They’re looking for someone that’s also a good fit for the company culture.

After all, employees that don’t fit in are bound to quit, sooner or later. This ends up costing the company a ton of money, up to 50% of the employee’s annual salary . 

To convince the hiring manager that you’re a great company fit, do some research on the company and find out what it is you like about them, or about working there. You want to know things like:

• What’s the company’s business model?
• What’s the company's product or service? Have you used it?
• What’s the culture like? Will someone micro-manage your work, or will you have autonomy on how you get things done?

Then, turn your top reasons for liking to work there into text and add them to your cover letter! 

#7. Wrap up with a call to action

To make the end of your cover letter as memorable as possible, you want to:

• Wrap up any points you couldn't in the previous paragraphs. Mention anything you’ve left out that you think could help the hiring manager make up your mind.
• Thank the hiring manager for their time. After all, it never hurts to be polite. 
• Finish the cover letter with a call to action. A call to action is a great way to make your cover letter ending as memorable as possible. 

#8. Write a formal closing

Once you’re done with the final paragraph, all you have to do is write down a formal “goodbye” and you’re good to go.

Feel free to use one of the most popular conclusions in a cover letter:

• Best Regards,
• Kind Regards,

#9. Proofread your cover letter

Last but not least, make sure to always proofread each and every document that you’ll be including in your job application - cover letter included. 

The last thing you want is to be claiming you’re a great candidate for the job with a cover letter full of typos! 

For an even more comprehensive guide on how to write an impactful cover letter , check out our article ! 

Cover Letter Writing Checklist 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you still have some questions about cover letters? Check out the answers below:

1. How do I write a simple cover letter? 

To write a cover letter that’s simple but also professional, make sure to include a header with your personal information, a formal greeting to the hiring manager, an attention-grabbing opening paragraph, a second paragraph explaining why you’re a good candidate for the job, and a formal closing (preferably with a call to action). 

2. What are the 3 parts of a cover letter? 

The three parts of a cover letter are: 

• The introduction , namely the header, the greeting to the hiring manager, and the opening paragraph. 
• The sales pitch is usually the body of the cover letter. 
• The conclusion involves a formal closing and a signature line.

3. What makes a great cover letter?

A great cover letter should be personalized for each job you’re applying for, instead of being overly generic. It’s also preferable to address the hiring manager by their name and not use the overly-used “Dear Sir/Madam.”

To make a great first impression, you should mention 1-2 of your top achievements in your opening paragraph - the more job-specific they are, the better. Also, don’t stop at showing the hiring manager why you’re a great candidate for the job. Make sure to also talk about how you’re a good culture fit for the company.

Last but not least, wrap up your closing paragraph with a call to action to give the hiring manager a little extra something to remember you by. 

4. When is a cover letter necessary?

Unless the job ad specifically states otherwise, you should always include a cover letter with your job application .

Even if the hiring manager doesn’t read it, you will look more professional simply by including one.

And that’s a wrap! We hope our cover letter examples and writing tips will inspire you to write a cover letter that will land you your next job.

If you’re looking for more invaluable career advice and articles, make sure to check out our career blog , or any of these related articles: 

• How to Write a Resume
• Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid at All Costs
• Cover Letter Format (w/ Examples & Free Templates)

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Cover letter example for unadvertised job openings.

If you have heard on the grapevine that there is a position at a company, you may either work for the company already or you may have a friend who has informed you of a position and you would very much be interested.

A n employer may want to know where you have heard about their future recruitment plans and this is where you need to be careful so that you do not get anyone into trouble. If it is a friend who has advised you to apply, would your friend consider approaching the manager and telling them that they have a friend interested in the role so that you can freely apply? If not then it may be a case of you applying on a speculative basis and maybe referring to your friend as someone who recommended the company to you. A lot of companies operate a recommend a friend system for vacancies so it will all depend on the company type.

If you are loo king for an example of how to write a cover letter to apply for a role that has not yet been advertised, please see the below example which you can use as a guide.

Cover Letter for Unadvertised Job Openings

Mr. A. Employee 1, My House Any Street This Town PO57 3DE

Mrs. A. Manager The Company Employment Street That Town PO57 3DE

Dear Sir/Madam,

Speculative Application – JOB TYPE

I have been referred to your company by a friend of mine who works for you (NAME OF FRIEND) and I wanted to send in my CV as I am experienced [INERT JOB TITLE] looking for a fresh challenge and your company comes highly recommended.

Having done my research into your company I particularly like your vision for your services/products/future and would very much like to be a part of that.

My skills and experiences come from WHERE – give a brief synopsis of your CV including any qualifications that could be relevant or specific to the area they are looking to recruit in. Thank you for reading my letter and CV, I very much appreciate the time you have given me and should you have any questions for me, please do not hesitate to contact me.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

NAME SURNAME

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How to Write a Cold Email for an Unadvertised Job

It’s estimated that between 60 and 80 percent of open jobs are never publicly advertised. This means that you could be scouring every job board and following dozens of employers on LinkedIn and never hearing about your dream job. 

The good news is it’s possible to learn about unadvertised positions even if you don’t have an “in” with the company. You can do it by writing a cold email to the hiring manager. 

If you don’t do it correctly, a cold email can backfire. However, if you do your homework and prepare a properly written message, it could help you discover a great position that fits your skills without any competition from public job sites. We’ll explain how to do it. 

What is an unadvertised job?

An unadvertised job is a position that’s not publicly announced via traditional job posting channels like job boards and social media platforms. Unadvertised positions might be jobs that the company intends to fill internally, niche roles that are best filled via a specialized search, or leadership positions where the company doesn’t want to publicize that there’s about to be a vacancy.

What is a cold email?

A cold email is one that’s sent without a prior relationship to the recipient. Cold emails are most often used in a sales setting to pursue new business leads, but they can be useful in any situation where you’re looking to make inroads without a preexisting personal connection. 

Why it’s important to send cold emails when job searching

The average job posting receives anywhere from 100 to 200 applications. If you only apply to publicly posted jobs, you’re up against some stiff competition. 

Even if you’re a very strong candidate, you’re at a disadvantage sheerly from a numbers standpoint. If there are 200 applications on the table, it’s impossible for a hiring manager to give every single one of them equal consideration. 

You open a new range of possibilities by sending cold emails about potential jobs. There’s a chance you’ll hear about an upcoming position and have the opportunity to be considered first before other candidates apply. 

If there aren’t any positions available, you might strike up a relationship with a hiring manager that could lead to an opportunity down the road. There’s even a chance that your especially strong resume will prompt a manager to hire you even if they don’t have a specific job opening because of what you could bring to the table for the company. 

When should you send a cold email about a job

When you’ve received advance notice about an opening.

Your cold email might not be 100% cold. Sometimes, you’ll have a good idea that a position is about to become available because you heard about it from someone in your network. 

Sending a cold email is a great way to get a jump on being considered and potentially even get the company to interview you before posting the job anywhere.

When you’re especially interested in the company

Most people have a few ‘dream employers’–companies where they’d take any job just to be part of the team. If you have a dream employer or two, writing a cold email is a way to get your foot in the door, if even just to begin building rapport and put your name on their radar. 

When you can make a strong case for your skills

Top employers always look for standout talent even when they don’t have a position. It’s not unheard of for a company to create a position specifically for an amazing candidate that they want to pin down. 

For this to happen, you need to be able to sell your skills and make a strong case for how they’d benefit the company. 

What to include in a cold email for an unadvertised job

A concise introduction.

Tell the recipient who you are and why you’re writing to them. If you have a mutual connection with the recipient, mention that person at the top of your letter.

Your elevator pitch

Summarize your skills and where you see yourself fitting in at the company.

Your professional highlights

Share one to two of your top career accomplishments, making them as relevant to this employer as possible.

What’s in it for the company

Give specific examples of the positive impacts you could make.

How to learn more

Help the reader take the next step if they’re interested in getting to know you better, like attaching your resume, linking to your online portfolio, or inviting them to call you.

What you should omit

A long-winded message

You should be appreciative of the fact that the recipient is reading an unsolicited email. Be respectful of their time by keeping your message brief and to-the-point.

Sample cold emails to inquire about a job

Mr. Oxford, 

My name is Beatrice Greene and I’m reaching out because I think my PR skills could be an asset for Hunter College. Marjorie Smith gave me your contact information; she and I know each other through a local young professionals group. 

I’m a seasoned publicist with extensive experience driving positive media coverage for educational organizations. My work for Nassau Community College and Brooklyn Day School has resulted in placements with news outlets like The New York Times, New York Magazine, and Forbes. 

Hunter College has a long history of expanding educational opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds. I believe my professional experience coupled with my personal experience as an alumna of a public city college make me uniquely qualified to highlight the school’s accomplishments on a national stage. 

My resume is attached, and you can view my coverage portfolio here. I’d welcome the opportunity to discuss employment with you further. I can be reached at 212-222-1111

Sincerely, 

Beatrice Greene

If you’re not sure who to direct your email to, LinkedIn is a good starting point–search for ‘[company name] hiring manager.’ You can also direct your email to an internal recruiter or a manager within the department you’re interested in. 

It doesn’t hurt to include a line at the top of your message asking to be forwarded to the correct recipient, i.e. ‘If you’re not the appropriate recipient for this inquiry, would you mind pointing me to the right person?’

As long as the rest of your message is professional and relevant, most people will be happy to pass it along. 

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How to write a Japanese Cover Letter – Ultimate Guide

Coming to Japan to look for a job? Or you just finished taking one of our Japanese language courses and would want to apply for a job in Japan? Stay tuned as this would be your ultimate guide to give your boss a first good impression through black and white! First and foremost, before your employer decides to read your resume, he or she always goes through your cover letter first. Writing a good cover letter is a stepping stone for you to get your employer to read more about you. With that said, how do you write a good cover letter? Writing a good cover letter is an important aspect of job hunting. The motive of writing a good cover letter is to persuade or convince your employer to spend time interviewing you. Your cover letter should be a very detailed biography or just a recommendation letter full of praises. Some key information to include in your cover letter would be:

• Introduction
• Name of position and expressing interest
• Reasons for leaving your current job
• Reasons for wanting to join
• Request for response

There are a total of 4 sections you would need to remember!

First Section – Introductions

Second section – reasons for leaving current job, third section – qualifications/skillset, fourth section – closing.

An introduction is normally made in Japanese with  採用ご担当様 (saiyou go tantou sama) which means Dear Hiring Manager. After you have greeted your hiring employer, you introduce yourself by giving your name, the name of the position you are applying to and express your interest. When doing so, include phrases such as ぜひ一度、お話を伺える 機会をいただければ幸いです。 (I’d really appreciate being given the chance to speak to you further about this.) or something like “・・・・新聞で貴社の募集広告を拝見し、応募いたしました.” (I wish to apply for the post of…which you advertised in…on…)

To end your first section, give reasons why you are interested in this job. Include phrases such as “私は特にこの仕事に興味があります。なぜなら・・・・” (I am particularly interested in this job, as…)

or “・・・・として御社に勤務したいと考えております。” (I would like to work for you, in order to…)

Second Section – Reason for Leaving Current Job

In your second section, you would need to give or tell your employer the reason for leaving your current job. As you are giving the reason for leaving your current job, you should sound positive instead of negative. Even though your employer would want you to be honest about this part, this would reflect you as a person if you would backstab people. Your reason should sound like you have learned something from your previous job. For example, you can add in a phrase which goes  “現在の○○の経験を活かし、さらに規模の大きいプロジェクトを担当したいと考えたためです。”  which means “I would like to make the most of my experience in….., and take charge of larger-scale projects.”

Or an opening sentence like “現在私は・・・・で・・・・の担当として勤務しております。” which means “Currently I am working for… and my responsibilities include…”

After you mentioned the reason why you had left your previous job, you would want to give the reason why you want to join the company you are applying for. You would want to describe your related work experience and skillsets and explain why you are qualified for the job you are applying for. Phrases for your skills would be like  “・・・・として・・・・年働いてきた経験があります.” (I have …years experience of working…) or “・・・・を使いこなすことができます。” (I am an experienced user of…) Here a tip for you! Try and match your skillsets required by the company for the job opening. You would increase your chances.

To help you, here are some skill-related vocabulary that you can incorporate into your cover letter! Excellent Communication Skills:  コミュニケーション能力・komyunikeshon nouryoku Deductive reasoning:  演繹的推理力・えんえきてきすいりりょく・Enekiteki suiriryoku Logical thinking:  論理的思考能力・ろんりてきしこうのうりょく・Ronriteki shikou nouryoku Good interpersonal skills:  対人能力・たいじんのうりょく・Taijin nouryoku Analytical skills:  分析能力・ぶんせきのうりょく・Bunseki nouryoku Negotiation skills:  交渉能力・こうしょうのうりょく・Koushou nouryoku Presentation skills:  プレゼンテーション能力・Porezenteshion nouryoku

Not only that but also talk about the company and your career objectives! Include phrases such as 貴社の○○の実績を拝見し、○○の分野において、今までの○○のスキルを活かした仕事が可能だと考えました。また、○○という社風にも大変魅力を感じております。 (Having seen the achievements of your company, I thought that I would be able to take up a position in the field of ○○ which utilises my ○○ skills.)

This is the section where you sign-off politely but also reiterate your interest in the position you apply for and also the company. Here is a phrase commonly used in Japanese when it comes to signing off お忙しいなか恐縮ですが、どうぞ宜しくお願いいたします。 (Sorry to bother you when you are busy and thank you for your consideration.) Common phrases such as “貴社の一員となり、思う存分自分の力を発揮したいと考えております。 (I am highly motivated and look forward to the varied work which a position in your company would offer me.) or お時間を割いていただいてありがとうございました。お目にかかれる日を楽しみにしております。私には・・・・を通してご連絡ください。 (Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the opportunity to personally discuss why I am particularly suited to this position. Please contact me via…) Depending on how you started your cover letter, you would have to pair your opening with the closing. For example,  拝啓 (opening) is paired with 敬具 (closing). 前略 (opening) is paired with 早々 (closing). You must not mix and match the words! Yours faithfully, (Formal, used when the recipient name is unknown): 敬具・けいぐ・Keigu Yours sincerely, (Formal, widely used, used when the recipient name is known): 敬具・けいぐ・Keigu Respectfully yours, (Formal, not widely used, used when the recipient name is known): 敬具・けいぐ・Keigu Kind/Best regards, (Informal, between business partners who are on first-name basis, not recommended for a cover letter):   敬具・けいぐ・Keigu The final step is to end your cover letter with a short and simple closing by thanking them for their time and consideration when reviewing your application or cover letter. Do include a follow-up note such as will call or would be expecting a call. After sending your resume for about 2-3 weeks in, you are able to do a follow-up by letter, email or phone.

Things to be mindful of when you write your cover letter! Things to Do:

• Write clearly and accurately
• Use full sentences
• Use correct grammar
• Be confident
• Keep the length of cover letter to 1 page or lesser (it is a summary of your resume)
• Let a native Japanese or a Japanese of yours read your letter and give you feedback on how to improve
• Use correct industry jargon, but do not overuse it
• Show that you have done a little research about the job which you are applying for

Things not to Do:

• Do not use haughty words, this would give the impression of being arrogant or prideful.
• Do not start all your sentences with “I”. Makes you look like a one-man show
• Do not use contractions such as I’m, don’t, He’s or she’s. You are writing a formal letter, not casual.
• Do not try to be overly funny. It’s a job application letter…
• Do not use exclamation marks.
• Do not say negative things or backstab about your previous employer. It does not leave a good impression on you.
• Do not use short forms or text speak. It would reflect a lazy or sloppy behavior on yourself.

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