The Art of writing a Stellar Cover Letter

Writing a cover letter?

Below is the outline for what headspace Work & Study would consider a STELLAR cover letter. Feel free to use this as a guide for starting your first cover letter, editing a current one, or re-framing a new one that you would like to tailor for a specific job.

Purpose of a cover letter: An introduction-your chance to present to the employer who you are as a person, why you think you would be a good fit for the position and what you value as an employee.

• The #1 Key for a successful cover letter -USE the exact words in the position description

Formatting

• Just like any letter, your cover letter should be formatted like a formal letter. This includes:
  • the recipient’s (the employer/hiring manager) name, job title, and contact information in the top left-hand corner.
  • Starting the letter “dear (employer/hiring manager’s name) [try to avoid “to whom it may concern”, take some time to research who the letter needs to go to]
  • The body of your letter
  • Sign the letter with something like “Sincerely, (your name)”

Introduction Paragraph

• Introduce yourself with a focus on why you would be a good fit for the job, why you would be passionate about fulfilling this role, why you ARE passionate about this position (what you would like about doing this job at this company)
• Demonstrate who you are as a person and what you bring to the table

Body paragraph:

• Direct examples of why you would be good for this position linked into what you demonstrated in the introduction
• The breadth of experience-what have you done that has led you to where you are now? How does what you have done/experienced in the past relate to this position?
• Summing up resume-ensuring that your resume is being interpreted in the way that you want it to be

Conclusion:

• Tie together the introduction and body paragraphs. i.e. “as I have demonstrated above…”
• Make sure to include the WHY-“I am applying for this position because…”
• Add why you would not only be a great fit for the work team/environment but also for the organization as a whole.
• End with gratitude-“Thank you for this consideration and for taking the time to read this…I would be honoured to be a part of this organization…”
• Ensure you end with how best to contact you-leave phone number as well as an email address: “You can contact me at….or send me an email…”
• Great to end the letter with “I look forward to hearing from you soon,” This is respectful and timely.
• At its end, your cover letter should not be longer than one page in total.

Final Tips: See your cover letter as a pre-interview, a chance for them to get to know you outside of an interview or resume. Consider how do you want to be seen by the employer? What is most important for them to know about you?

Good Luck with your next steps!