Writing a great cover letter

You don’t have to be Hemingway to write a good cover letter. In just a few simple steps, you can introduce yourself and highlight the most important and relevant points of your skills and experience, to stand out and make an impact.

A cover letter is almost always read before the resume when you apply for a job, so the time you spend getting it right will be very well spent. Remember that this will tell the hiring manager or team about your personality too, and they’ll probably be using it to work out if you’re a good fit for their business. For some, this is even more important than your resume!

Here are our Supreme Tips for writing a cover letter that makes you look your best:

1. Keep it brief

One page is the absolute maximum.
Many companies will stipulate that they only want one or two paragraphs in a cover letter, so check their instructions carefully.
Do they ask for any specific details to be included in the cover letter, such as qualifications or professional memberships?

2. Structure it professionally

If you’re using an online form, you often won’t be able to change the formatting, but if you’re sending an email, Word doc or PDF, you can show your professionalism and attention to detail at first glance.
Use an appropriate greeting too, such as “Dear Hiring Manager” or use their name if it has been provided.
Sign off appropriately too – choose something like “Sincerely” or “Kind regards” if you’re feeling unsure.

Here’s how to structure a basic business letter:

Your address goes first
123 Acacia Lane

October 1, 2023

(Recipient’s name & address)
Mr Jay Smith
Company Name
456 Brand Street
Springfield OR, 97477


Dear Mr Smith

APPLICATION FOR ___

Write your intro paragraph here.

Additional details that you want to include…

Closing paragraph


Yours sincerely
(your name)
(telephone/email address)

3. Do your research

Read the job requirements, the company website and social media, and any other relevant information before you get started.

Then, when you’re writing your cover letter, you can refer to the most important points. This will show that you’re paying attention, that you’re interested in the company and genuinely want to work with them (i.e. you aren’t simply copying and pasting your application) and that you meet the criteria they’re looking for.

4. Write clearly and check your spelling

Shorter sentences are more effective than long, rambling ones. Imagine you have to say it all in one breath?

Don’t go overboard with the thesaurus. Bigger words only sound smart if they’re used correctly, and if they fit with your style and the rest of your resume and cover letter.

When you’re done writing your resume and cover letter, always run a spellcheck. This is such a simple task, but even one or two typos can look like you simply haven’t bothered… and that’s never a good look!

5. Include an example rather than listing skills

Your resume can list more skills that you want to highlight, but a cover letter should focus on the most important aspects.

Why are you right for the job and a good fit for the company? This is your chance to tell a quick story that really shows who you are and what you can do.

Instead of saying you have good customer service skills, for example, talk about a real situation.

EXAMPLE

“Last month I encountered a customer complaining about ___ and I helped them by finding the source of the problem, putting them in touch with the best technician for the job, and followed up to make sure they were happy with the result. I’m pleased to say I received another 5-star review.”

Above all, your cover letter should be an accurate and meaningful representation of you: who you are, and what you can offer. It should be consistent with your resume, from the style and language you use, to the design and formatting.
Being yourself is the key to finding your best matches, after all!