The thing is that resumes can be quite dull. It’s quite an achievement to captivate readers with short, factual statements, especially if you cannot fill up the pages with shining achievements and impressive qualifications. Yet, the following Cover Letter Outline might turn out to be what you need to write a captivating cover letter.
That’s where cover letters come in. The purpose of one extends far beyond the obligatory ‘, please find my resume enclosed’ sentence.
They give you the platform to showcase your winning personality and let you tell potential employers in your own words why you’re the right person for the job.
Suppose you can convince the person reading your cover letter that you have the proper knowledge and skills for the job, a likable personality, and work well with others. In that case, your application is sure to be forwarded to the next round.
How To Write A Cover Letter Outline?
The first thing you should do when writing a cover letter is to find the job ad you are applying to.
Look for keywords that describe the position you are applying for and fill in the gaps with more relevant keywords.
Then, write a brief introduction that explains your interest in the job, why you would be a good fit for it, and why you want to apply.
An effective cover letter outline will include a clear introduction and strong body paragraphs. The introduction should provide an overview of your experience, skills, and qualities that the employer will want to see before they decide whether to hire you.
The body paragraphs should highlight your skillset, experiences, and qualifications to make a case for why you are qualified for the position—stress how they will help the company achieve its goals.
In conclusion, you’ll need to summarize what makes you the perfect fit for this job opportunity, as well as mention anything else important that might have been covered on your resume.
What Do You Include On A Cover Letter Outline?
The cover letter is not the place to sell yourself. Instead, you should highlight your relevant skills and experience that would make you a good fit for the position.
A cover letter is an excellent opportunity to show why you're the best candidate for the position. It should be concise and to the point, laying out why you're perfect for the job and why the company should hire you.
Depending on the type of position, you may want to highlight specific skills or experiences that will make you a great fit. If you know someone working at the company, you can send them a copy of your cover letter so that they can recommend you to their boss.
A cover letter is one of the most important documents you will ever write for your job hunt. It is meant to put forward your vision for a particular position and give it some extra attention.
A well-written cover letter can help you stand out from the rest and grab the hiring manager's attention.
A cover letter should be short (2-3 paragraphs), but it still has to be persuasive in its way. You need to introduce yourself and give a brief overview of your skills and why you are a good fit for the role.
Then, explain why this particular position is a great fit for you and what makes it special. You should also include any relevant references or endorsements.
Finally, leave some room for the person reading your letter to reach out if he or she has any questions about the position or anything else. A good cover letter will get you noticed, regardless of whether or not an application is actually favorited or even opened.
How Long Should A Cover Letter Be?
A cover letter should be about one page.
As with resumes, your cover letter should also be tailored to the specific job you are applying for.
In other words, if you're applying for a job as a grocery store manager, your cover letter should discuss your experience with managing a team of employees and how that experience would help make you an effective manager.
Here's a template you can use to make sure your cover letter is perfect.
Cover Letter Outline
When writing a cover letter, you'll want to start with a short introduction that gives some context for who you are and why your cover letter is relevant. Next, describe the three things you're looking for in an employer; these are your goals and should be specific enough so employers can easily understand what you're after from the company.
Once your goals have been established, it’s time to discuss how you'll meet them. Focus on the skills and experience you have that will benefit this position. Finally, close by summarizing what makes you stand out among other candidates – this is where you show your personality and prove why they should consider hiring you.
1) First Paragraph: Show Them The Reason You’re Writing And Your Interest
# 1 Tell them About Your Passion
One of the best ways to start your letter is to explain why you’re passionate about the job. It would be best if you translated your energy and zeal into words. In your opening sentences, explain why you’re particularly interested in working in the industry or task you’re applying to.
HR managers want to hire people willing to stay long-term and are passionate about what they do. Studies show that recruiters are 22 times more likely to recall a story over a fact. Hence, intriguing stories are an indispensable part of any Cover Letter Outline. Tell a specific story from your past or work history which best portrays your enthusiasm.
For example, if you’re applying to be on a sales team, talk about when you made over $40K selling to this client you just opened a few weeks earlier.
Remember that there’s no need to outline a list of relevant places or projects you worked on in the past. This is because that will all be covered in your resume.
However, feel free to mention your contribution to a project you performed in a previous position that best highlights your dedication and interest. Be specific.
#2 Profess Your Love For the Organization
Another unique way to open up your cover letter is by telling them how much you love the organization. This might sound a bit excessive, but it has to be a part of every Cover Letter Outline. Companies want to hire people loyal to their brand and already familiar with its values and culture.
Be genuine and discuss how specific business qualities appeal to you. Mention specifics that draw you to the company. If you have had a positive experience that inspired you to work for them, mention it. Don’t be heavy with the flattery, or it’ll sound fake.
If you hadn’t heard of the company before seeing its ad in the job openings section in the newspaper, do a little googling before starting your cover letter. If there is any chance of attending an event or taking a tour of the office, then sure do it. You can discover whether the company is a place you want to work for. You will also know what values are essential to it, which you can mention in your cover letter.
2) Second Paragraph: Show Them What You Can Bring To The Table
Scrutinize the job description. Make a list of skills and qualities from the job post and your company observations.
It would help if you clearly communicated to the potential employer that you can deliver their requirements as soon as you walk through the door.
Be confident and let them know you can perform the job without difficulty. A tinge of confidence is essential to your Cover Letter Outline.
3) Third Paragraph: Present Some Accomplishments Related To The Position You're Applying To
In this section, you will have to start by pointing out the accomplishments that make you eligible for the profile you’re applying for. This is a vital part of your cover letter, and the employer goes through it with much more concentration.
If your list of accomplishments concerning teamwork and leadership is long enough, this part of your cover letter might be the deciding factor. It is for this reason that this Cover Letter Outline lays much emphasis on it.
Apart from the fact that you wish to become a part of the company, this portion of your cover letter outlines if you’re capable enough. It ensures that all your achievements come to the fore, and if they’re relevant to the job profile, you’re sure to get a nod.
Our Cover Letter Outline cannot reiterate the importance of this part enough to be sufficient; such is its importance.
4) Fourth Paragraph: Conclude Your Cover Letter
Towards the end of your cover letter, make sure you don’t wind up abruptly. Summarize the points you’ve made above and emphasize the topics that you’ve already mentioned above. To help you conclude your cover letter is an ideal way, below are some ideas:
- Summarize paragraph #1 and reiterate what you bring to the position
- Thank the person for their consideration and tell them that you look forward to hearing from them soon
Now that you’ve understood the basics of our Cover Letter Outline, what follows is an example of a cover letter.
Standing Out From the Crowd
Recruiters have to go through a pile of applications. Give them something to smile about and instantly make yours memorable. This is what this particular Cover Letter Outline was all about, making your letter look different.
If your risk pays off, your application can be boosted to the top of the pile and will most likely stay on the recruiter’s mind for the rest of the day.
Most cover letters will be filled with cliché sentences and are essentially copies of each other. Some recruiters and HR managers often skim through it and don’t read too much. If you have a strong opening and follow the other vital tips given in this Cover Letter Outline, which help capture the reader’s attention, you’ve got a good chance of scoring the job.
A good cover letter, which is different and fills all the job description requirements, will instantly make a recruiter’s day.
Christian has over ten years of experience in marketing agencies. Currently, he has been dedicating his time to a tech startup and also writing for major publications. He loves podcasts and reading to keep up with the latest trends in marketing.