A job seeker may seem to have limitless ways of introducing themselves during a job application. If you’re one of them who thinks that submitting a resume is enough, then you are definitely missing something here. Generally, hiring managers will initially ask for your resume, but some recruiters ask for a cover letter, too.
The ultimate goal is to leave a good impression on the recruiting manager and successfully get hired. With a well-constructed cover letter, your chances of landing an interview and being employed are enormously high.
What’s with general cover letters anyway? Will they immensely help you in your job application? Let’s find out in this article. It covers the definition of cover letters, why they are important, what they should contain, some samples, and tips on making a general cover letter. Read on.
What is a General Cover Letter?
A general cover letter, often referred to as a generic cover letter, is a multipurpose, universal document that is very helpful when you’re applying for several jobs at once or attending a job fair. A strong general cover letter summarizes the most important information on your resume and draws attention to your relevant talents and expertise. An excellent generic cover letter can be quickly reused several times when applying for jobs, thereby saving the applicant time and effort.
Why are Cover Letters Important?
In a nutshell, cover letters play an integral role in one’s job search in that they give the hiring manager more information about how an applicant’s skill set fits the role, what they can bring to the team, and why a job seeker is interested in the job.
Additionally, cover letters help the hiring manager and recruiter assess whether or not you are an appropriate candidate for the position. Here are other reasons cover letters are important:
It describes what you’ve experienced.
The employer finds out more about your existing condition. For example, you may have left a prior workplace and want to start a new career path, or you may be an entry-level employee who’s looking to obtain professional work experience.
It strengthens the connection with the employer.
You introduce yourself to a potential employer with a cover letter. It is strongly advised that you explain which professional achievements matter the most to you and why. You are highlighting what is meaningful to you in the workplace and why by outlining your successes.
A cover letter also provides you with the avenue to explain how your talents can be applied to your potential employment, especially if you’re new to the company or the sector. Make it apparent that you have transferrable abilities that can help you succeed at your employer’s organization, whether they were acquired in school or even through volunteer work.
What Should a General Cover Letter Contain?
In the opening paragraph of your cover letter, you should identify the position you are applying for. This should be followed by information outlining your qualifications for the role. Do not restate everything that is on your resume. Instead, emphasize or expound on your sections that are specifically relevant to the job you’re looking for.
To wit, your cover letter should contain the following details:
1. Information Concerning You
Include your contact information at the start of the cover letter. It should be written in block form toward the top of your paper’s left margin.
Name
Current Residence
Contact Number
Email Address
2. Date
Like you would in any business letter, provide a date.
3. Name, Title, Employer, and Address of the Person to Contact
The recruiting manager will receive your letter and resume more quickly if you include their name, and it adds a nice, personal touch. Call the company and request the name of the department manager if the listed position does not provide a name to contact.
4. Salutation
Pick the proper salutation for the contact person. For instance:
(If a man's name appears as the contact,) Dear Mr. Andrews
(If a woman's name appears as the contact,) Dear Ms. Jones
Dear (contact name if available) Potential Employer
5. Beginning Paragraph
Tell the employer how you found out about the position in the introduction. For instance, you might have learned about a job from a classified ad, through personal recommendations, or from browsing the internet.
6. Center Paragraph
The background information and essential (hard) skills that qualify you for the job are summarized in this paragraph.
7. Center, Second Paragraph
You can utilize this passage to show off your persuasion skills (soft skills).
8. Contact Details and Closing
Talk about your availability for the position, your contact information, and when you’ll get in touch with the hiring manager to set up a meeting to discuss your application at the conclusion of the letter. If you don’t know who to contact, you might just say in this section of the letter that you’re hoping for a positive response. You should express gratitude for the employer’s time and consideration of your application.
General Cover Letter Example
Here is a sample of a general cover letter that can serve as your basis, drive you, and motivate you to come up with your own:
Amy Brown 1111 RPW Street, Torrance, California 90503 123.456.7890 rpwresumesample@email.com Date Name Title Target Company Name Company Address Dear Hiring Manager, Please accept this letter and my resume as an expression of interest in joining your company as a [Job Title], with extensive experience in organizational management, operational streamlining, budget management, as well as shipping and receiving operations. Throughout my career, I have consistently demonstrated my exceptional skills in strategic planning and implementation, plant administration, and vendor relations. One of the greatest assets that I could offer your organization is my proven ability to develop and implement unique plans and programs designed to yield a profitable outcome. For several years, I have exemplified a lead-by-example approach to effectively directing teams to meet and surpass common goals and objectives. I consistently thrived in challenges characterized by high pressure, extreme competence, and ever-changing environments. The skills and expertise that I gained from these experiences have impelled me to continue providing significant contributions to a dynamic and growth-oriented company. I believe that my qualifications would be valuable to a company looking for effective leadership and direction. My goal is to help you meet your overall objectives in any way I can. I believe that a personal meeting is an excellent opportunity for us to have a more detailed discussion about the benefits that I could bring to your organization. Please contact me at your earliest convenience to schedule a time and place to meet. Thank you very much for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Amy Brown Enclosure: Resume
Tips on Making a General Cover Letter
Now that you have a sample template, you need to know some tactics for writing an effective general cover letter. The following are tips from our writing experts:
1. Correctly address your cover letter.
It will be clear that you studied completely and are enthusiastic about the employment opportunity if you format the hiring manager’s contact information properly and include the appropriate salutation.
Expert Tip:
The four steps to addressing a cover letter are as follows:
- List your contact information, including your home and business addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses.
- Be sure to use the recruiting manager’s name.
- If you don’t know the recruiting manager’s name, look it up on LinkedIn, on the business website, or by calling the front desk or office manager.
- If all else fails, you may begin your cover letter with “Dear Hiring Manager,” but it should only be a last resort.
2. Align your CV and general cover letter.
To improve your chances of success, customize your cover letter for the position by incorporating abilities or requirements from the job posting into the body paragraphs.
Additionally, it’s crucial to match the cover letter and resume styles while composing your general cover letter. Otherwise, the hiring manager may think your application is unprofessional and find it upsetting to read. This will make a huge difference in how polished, organized, and professional your application will appear.
3. Start with a powerful introductory paragraph.
To get invited for an interview, your general cover letter must have a strong introduction. The opening paragraph of your cover letter does not need to be lengthy. However, you should give a brief personal introduction, describe how you discovered the post, and express your excitement about the chance.
4. Incorporate your soft skills.
Employers are constantly seeking employees with excellent interpersonal, communication, flexibility, creative, and leadership abilities, regardless of the field they work in. Soft skills are great supplements to your general cover letter and are likely to impress hiring managers, regardless of the position.
5. Customize your general cover letter.
The easiest strategy to tailor your general cover letter is to divide it into sections so you can quickly add information specific to the position you’re looking for. Examine the job description and include details that show you’re a good fit for that position. Hiring managers are looking for information that illustrates why you believe you’re the best fit for their company.
Having that said, it’s critical to understand what experience you have that the company is looking for because every organization has different requirements.
Create Your General Cover Letter with the Help of Expert Resume Writers
Cover letters are absolutely significant in the job application process. Certainly, it is one way of presenting yourself, but it could also go beyond the introduction as it allows the hiring manager to further decide and understand whether you are a truly good fit for a job.
Think of it this way: A general cover letter is like a door that needs to be opened, and you are the key to that. If you don’t open the door, you won’t be able to prove that you are capable, worthy, and deserving of the position.
What now? You need to land that interview and get the job. Start by drafting your resume or CV. With our resume writing services, you can create a gripping cover letter that will emphasize your competitive edge. Everyone, from professionals to those looking for work but lacking years of experience, can benefit from our writers’ industry expertise. Have your old job search tools reviewed by a career expert now!
