Guide: How To Write A Business Cover Letter (With Tips)

When applying for a job, you require a resume and cover letter highlighting your qualifications for the position you seek. A cover letter is one of the first impressions an employer has of you, so it is important to create an excellent one. An effective cover letter can help you accurately represent who you are as a business professional and how you can contribute to a new position. In this article, we discuss the importance of a business cover letter, describe the steps to write one, provide a template and example and list tips to consider while writing your own.

Importance Of A Business Cover Letter

When you apply for a job, you may send a business cover letter with your resume. Your cover letter allows you to elaborate on the various experiences and skills listed in your resume. If your cover letter and resume are compelling, a hiring manager is more likely to contact you and schedule an interview.

Related: Professional Resume Samples To Help You Land A Job

How To Create A Business Cover Letter?

Consider the following steps when creating a professional cover letter:

1. Review the job description

Before writing a cover letter, it is important to refer to the job description of the position you are applying for. Note any skills, experience or educational prerequisites the employer has specified. It is necessary that you meet these requirements and also articulate them in your cover letter.

Related: 9 Skills To Include In A Cover Letter (With Examples)

2. Create a list of skills and keywords

It is important to consider any keywords mentioned in the job description. Shortlist the ones you intend to use in your cover letter. For instance, if the job posting says data analysis skills, you may highlight your experience with it in your cover letter.

Related: What Is Relevant Experience? (With Examples And Tips)

3. Include all contact details

Include your contact information in your cover letter so the hiring manager can communicate with you. It is not mandatory to include your home address but include a professional email address and phone number. Place this information at the start of a printed cover letter and just below your signature in an email cover letter.

Additionally, include the hiring manager's contact information. Include their name, title and contact details or just their company's name. If you do not have this information, you can contact the company to find out to whom your cover letter shall address.

4. Mention a salutation

You directly address the hiring manager in this section of your cover letter. A good way to address them is with dear followed by their name. For example, Dear Mr Rohan or Dear Ms Raksha. When writing a salutation, avoid the phrase to whom it may concern.

5. Add an introduction

Mention the position you are applying for at the start of your introduction. For example, you may write, I am applying for the business analyst position at Samadard Consultancy. In the following sentences, emphasise your qualifications for the position you are applying for and describe your skills.

Related: Self-Introduction Sample: Overview, How To And Tips

6. Draft the body of your cover letter

In this section of your cover letter, go into more detail about your work history. It can be beneficial to share a story from your last job to further illustrate your skills are important at work. This can help the hiring manager know your personality and how you act at work. In the body of your cover letter, you may highlight why you are the most qualified candidate for the position.

7. Write a closing paragraph

Use the last paragraph to convey your interest in the position to the hiring manager. Write the closing statement in a tone that is both professional and enthusiastic. For instance, you may state, I think my qualifications make me a good fit for this role. I am excited to learn more about this position and the business.

8. Sign off your cover letter

Maintain a professional and respectful tone as you sign off your cover letter. It is important to use a formal closing when addressing someone you do not know. If you are writing to a colleague or another individual you know, you can sign off in a little casual tone. Some examples of how to close a cover letter include the following:

• Yours truly

• Regards

• Sincerely

• Cordially

• Yours respectfully

Cover Letter Template

Though a cover letter may differ depending on the specific job you are applying for, some elements are typical to all cover letters. The following is a template to help you ensure your next cover letter contains all the important details:

[First name] [Last name], [Degree or certification if applicable]

[Phone number] | [Email address] | [City], [State] [Pin code]

[Date]

[Company name]

Dear [Hiring manager's first name] [Hiring manager's last name],

[Express excitement for the position, including the role title and the company name]. [Introduce yourself by explaining why you are applying for the job, how the job aligns with your career goals and what specifically draws you to the company].

[Explain your relevant experience and qualifications without repeating what is in your resume]. [Highlight one to two relevant achievements with facts and data when possible]. [Explain why you may be a good fit for the company]. [Optional – address employment gap or career transition].

[Express gratitude]. [Summarise qualifications]. [Restate interest in the role]. [Call to action + availability and preferred contact method].

[Complimentary close],
[Signature]

Related: How To Format A Cover Letter (With Example)

Cover Letter Sample

You might find it helpful to look at examples of cover letters as you write your own. Review the following example of a cover letter to better understand how to write one:

Abhishek Kumar

+91 9999 888 777 | abhishek.kumar@email.com | Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001

26 March 2022

Samadard Consultancy

Dear Pranav Seth,

I am excited to apply for the executive assistant role at Samadard Consultancy. With more than four years of experience as an office assistant, I have developed strong skills for managing office communication and organisation, all while providing support to the workplace. I admire your client-centric values, which reflect through the great client base, amasing testimonials and leading industry awards.

In my previous executive assistant role at Wavewood, I managed all company travel arrangements, reduced travel costs by 40% and consistently looked for ways to better organise the company's files and reports. When problems arose, I addressed them promptly and looked for the probable course of action, which ultimately benefited the business.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I am excited about the opportunity to continue growing personally and professionally in this role at Samadard. With a history of successful office management, I am well-positioned to exceed your expectations for this role and considerably benefit the organisation. I look forward to hearing from you so that I may provide additional details of my past work and elaborate on how my skills may help reach the organisation's objectives.

Sincerely,
Abhishek Kumar

Related: Short Cover Letter Sample (With Helpful Steps And Tips)

Tips For Creating A Cover Letter

It is important to highlight your various qualifications in your cover letter, as these help employers decide if you are a good fit for the role. Consider the following tips while writing a cover letter:

Customise the cover letter

Personalise your cover letter to the particular role to make a strong impression on the recruiter. By doing this, the employer may perceive you as genuinely enthusiastic about the position. Create a master template and customise it by changing important details as needed to make it simpler to add your flair to a cover letter.

Related: How To Write A Cover Letter

Use standard formatting

When writing a cover letter, following the proper formatting guidelines is necessary. Always format your documents according to industry standards, with margins between three-quarters and one inch and font size between 10 and 12 points. Use simple fonts, such as Times New Roman, Arial or Verdana and align the content to the left.

Keep it brief

Employers often receive many applications for the same job and hiring managers may spend much less time reviewing each application. Keep your cover letter to one page and around 200 to 300 words to ensure it is concise and easy to read. Be careful to include only necessary details so your cover letter appears uncluttered.

Check contact details

The hiring manager may use this information to communicate with you for further discussion. It is important that you provide accurate contact information, including your name, email address and phone number, at the start of the cover letter. Include the same contact details as your resume to maintain information consistency.

Proofread

Before submitting, proofread your cover letter for spelling and grammatical errors and complex sentence construction. You can find and correct mistakes by reading your cover letter aloud or having a friend review it. Before sending your cover letter when applying for a job via email, verify that all file attachments and links are functional.

Please note that none of the companies, institutions or organisations mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.