FREE Essential Elements of a Cover Letter [ With Samples ]

A cover letter is one of the most basic documents that is required during a job application and there is a need for it to be close to perfect. You want to be sure that your cover letter is equipped with the right information and that it is formatted properly. Checking out tips to writing a job-winning cover letter should help you come up with a cover letter that will have the employers saying that you are a candidate that is deemed to be job-ready.

If you are currently having a hard time trying to figure out what the essentials of a standout cover letter are, then today is your lucky day! We have compiled a few samples of cover letter formats. We will also reveal the essentials of your cover letter, so you better stay tuned and continue reading this article.

Basic Cover Letter Format

Cover Letter Outline

No Work Experience Sample Cover Letter

General Outline and Basic Elements of the Cover Letter

Cover Letter for Freshers Example

Key Elements of a Cover Letter

All the required information that needs to be shared about you should be reflected in your cover letter. You want to make sure that you do not miss anything, not even one. You should be able to let the hiring manager know that you are one of the best candidates to be considered for the position. You should also be able to highlight all of the items that are essential for the job position such as your skills, experiences, and other qualifications. In order to do so, you should first determine what the essential or key elements of an employment cover letter is. This way, you will be able to present all of these facts in a more orderly and professional manner. So what are these elements?

Basic Information

First and foremost, your cover letter should reflect a few basic information about you. This will include your

• name,
• home address, and
• primary contact number.

 

Since a cover letter is a type of formal business letter, a formal business letter format should also be followed. This means that the information should reflect on the left side of your cover letter. This would also be true for the rest of the essential elements. Take note, however, that should you be sending your cover letter via email, this information will be found after the signature.

Date

Just like any business letter, the date should be reflected on your letter. This is found one or two spaces after the letterhead. However, for email cover letters, the email time stamp would serve as the date for the cover letter.

Recipient’s Contact Information

Being able to get the recipient/contact person’s name and job title in the company would make it easier for the letter to be sent to the correct person. It also adds a personal touch to the letter and gives the impression that you have done your share of research about the company.

Letter Salutation

Greet the contact person appropriately. For business letters, it is advised that you use the contact person’s last name. However, if you cannot find any information about the hiring manager of the company, you may settle with using a generic “Dear Hiring Manager” salutation.

Opening Statements

Briefly introduce yourself and the position you are applying for. Your introduction should also contain information about how you got to know about the open position. You should state whether you knew about it through a job advertisement, social media posts, or through a referral.

Middle Paragraph/s

Your middle paragraph/s will be the place where you will let the hiring manager know what your skills are and how it makes you qualified for the position you are applying for. Stating a few concrete examples as to when these skills were demonstrated will also help to make your cover letter more solid.

Closing Paragraph

Your closing paragraph will be your call-to-action statements. Close on a positive note saying that you are looking forward to getting a call from them and that you would be willing to have a sit-down interview with them for any further clarifications that they may have.

Closing Greeting and Signature

Use the proper business closing and leave a few spaces where you will type your name. Above your typed name, you should affix your signature.

Cover Letter Template

Cover Letter for Internship

Basic Cover Letter Template Example

Anatomy of a Cover Letter Sample

Cover Letter Example Outline

Other Important Things to Consider

• Paper. Use a letter sized (8.5″ × 11″) 20–25lb paper. Make sure that there are no dirty ink marks on the paper and print on one side only.
• Proofread. Error-free cover letters are perfect for job applications. Misspellings and errors regarding grammar are common with cover letters and resumes, so it is best to review what you have written.
• Pen color. Consider using a black or blue pen when signing your cover letters.
• Keep it short. One of the common ways job applicants mess up their cover letters is by making a long cover letter. Hiring managers do not have the luxury to read through a two-page cover letter. Keeping it under one page is highly recommended.
• Do not sway away from what is needed. When you start finding yourself talking about other things aside from what is needed for the job, STOP! That is just unnecessary information and will definitely get your cover letters trashed. Keep it simple and stick to the requirements of the job.

 

That’s it! See, it was not that complicated. You just need to know the basics about cover letters and you should be good to go. Take it one application at a time. Sooner or later, you will find yourself sitting in the office of the hiring manager getting that job interview for your dream job. Have fun and good luck!