
<p>Writing a<a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/what-to-include-in-a-cover-letter/?id=433"> <strong>cover letter</strong></a> is a great way to make your job application stand out. They give you the opportunity to add extra information. The stuff that you couldn’t fit in your CV. Sometimes employers can&#8217;t make a decision based on your CV. So they use cover letters to help them decide whether to invite you to an interview.</p>



<p>But to really write an effective cover letter, you need to make sure you end it strongly. This will leave a lasting impression and bag yourself an<a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/how-to-stand-out-in-an-interview/?id=423"> <strong>interview</strong></a>.</p>



<h2>How to end your cover letter</h2>



<p>The first part of your cover letter will talk about your <strong>achievements</strong>, <strong>skills, background</strong> and <strong>qualities</strong>. In the main body of your cover letter, you give specific examples of your success. This includes some impressive facts and figures to wow the hiring manager.</p>



<p>But don’t make the mistake of letting the final part of your cover letter fizzle out. Avoid any and all generic or cliche endings.</p>



<h3>Examples of generic cover letter endings</h3>



<p><em>“Thank you for taking the time to consider my application and I hope to hear from you soon.”</em></p>



<p><em>“I appreciate your consideration of my application and welcome any further questions you may have relating to my experience.”</em></p>



<h2>Best way to end a cover letter</h2>



<p>Your final lines of your cover letter should stand out from the crowd. It should show the hiring manager that you’ve poured a lot of effort into the letter. This is your final chance to impress and land an interview.</p>



<ul><li>Make reference to the specific company</li><li>Be enthusiastic</li><li>Show vision&nbsp;</li><li>Drop in a final wow moment</li></ul>



<h3>Make reference to the specific company</h3>



<p>Your final lines should talk about this specific company or opportunity. For example, talking about the company&#8217;s achievements or plans. This is your chance to show the hiring manager that you want to work for their company specifically.</p>



<h3>Be enthusiastic</h3>



<p>Don’t let the end of your cover letter fall flat. Make sure it conveys a strong sense of enthusiasm and passion. You want the hiring manager to know how badly you want the role.</p>



<h3>Show vision</h3>



<p>Paint a picture for the hiring manager about what you can bring to the company. Envision yourself flourishing in the role &#8211; what would success look like?</p>



<h3>Drop in a final wow moment</h3>



<p>The main body of your cover letter will contain most of the juicy details. But you want to save one final nugget for the end of the letter. This makes sure you leave a lasting impression.</p>



<h2>Example of cover letter ending</h2>



<p><em>“Having played a key role in growing our team from 3 to 30 members in the last 3 years, I am extremely confident that I can bring about new levels of growth to Green Motive as you enter your fifth year in business. Furthermore, I am excited by the prospect of working with a company that is setting itself apart with its innovations, and would cherish the opportunity to be a key player in propelling this business into its next phase of growth.”</em></p>



<h2>Finish strong</h2>



<p>Just remember, the end of your cover letter isn’t a time for generic cliches. This adds no value to the letter and employers read many generic endings that all blur into one. If you really want to stand out, you need to make sure the ending is tailored to the company. And be sure to show bags of enthusiasm too!</p>



<p><em>Need help writing a CV? The </em><a href="http://www.sonicjobs.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong><em>SonicJobs app</em></strong></a><em> can build a professional CV for you in minutes, saving you the time and headache!</em></p>


How to end a cover letter


<p>One of the biggest questions on jobseekers’ minds is whether to write a cover letter. Should you spend hours doting over your cover letter or are they a waste of time? In a recent survey, <a href="https://www.livecareer.com/resources/special-reports/stats/resume-and-cover-letter-stats" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>49%</strong></a> of hiring managers said that including a cover letter will boost your chance of landing a new role. Whilst this is a decent number, it still shows that a large portion of hiring managers don’t value a cover letter.</p>



<p>So how do you know when to include a cover letter? Is there a way of identifying which jobs you should send one to and which jobs you shouldn’t? Read on to find out whether you should include a cover letter with your job application.</p>



<ul><li>What is a cover letter?</li><li>Does anyone read cover letters?</li><li>When should you include a cover letter?</li><li>Cover letter benefits</li></ul>



<h2>What is a cover letter?</h2>



<p>A cover letter is a short letter addressed to the hiring manager that accompanies your CV. It goes into more detail about your achievements and skills. The point of a cover letter is to convince the hiring manager they should invite you in for an interview.</p>



<h2>Does anyone read cover letters?</h2>



<p>Truthfully, not everyone will care to read your cover letter. Those least likely to read your cover letter are large companies who receive hundreds of applications and who have several screening stages before face to face interviews. On the other hand, cover letters can be very impactful when applying for a job with a smaller business that doesn’t hire mass volumes of people. These kinds of employers tend to have a more personable approach to hiring (especially during the early stages) and are more likely to read your cover letter.</p>



<h2>When should you include a cover letter?</h2>



<h3>When asked for one</h3>



<p>This one’s a no brainer. If an employer specifically asks you to provide a cover letter as part of your application, include a cover letter!</p>



<h3>When given an option</h3>



<p>Sometimes employers won’t specifically ask for a cover letter, but they give you the opportunity to upload any additional documentation/information. You could use this as an opportunity to upload a cover letter… especially if it’s a small business!</p>



<h3>When it’s a small company</h3>



<p>When applying for jobs with smaller companies, always include a cover letter. Smaller businesses tend to hire less frequently and receive fewer applications. So sending a cover letter will make more of an impact as it won’t get drowned out amongst an ocean of other applications.</p>



<h2>Cover letter benefits</h2>



<h3>Strengthens your case</h3>



<p>One of the biggest benefits to writing a cover letter is that you get to go into more detail about yourself and include information that didn’t fit into your CV.&nbsp;</p>



<h3>Shows keen interest</h3>



<p>Writing a cover letter automatically shows the employer you have a keen interest in the role. Where some candidates may just submit their CV, you’ve actually taken the time to craft a tailored cover letter.</p>



<h3>Explains unemployment gaps</h3>



<p>Unemployment gaps over 3-6 months can sometimes be a concern for employers if left unexplained. In your cover letter, you have the opportunity to explain any lengthy unemployment gaps in your CV.&nbsp;</p>



<h3>Makes an impact on smaller businesses</h3>



<p>Again, writing a cover letter for a role at a smaller company is a great way to elevate your application. It will likely be read by the hiring manager and, as a result, create a very strong first impression.</p>



<h2>To cover or not to cover?</h2>



<p>When it comes to including cover letters, it’s clear there’s no hard and fast rule. In some cases a cover letter will really strengthen your application, whereas in others it’s pretty much guaranteed to be a waste of time. So approach each job opportunity individually and use your own discernment to decide whether a cover letter will be effective.</p>



<p class="has-text-align-center">Need help with your cover letter? Don’t miss our tips on <a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/what-to-include-in-a-cover-letter/?id=433"><strong>how to write a cover letter</strong></a>!</p>


Do employers read your cover letter?


<p>Is it really necessary to write a cover letter with every job application? Cover letters can be a time-consuming task and when you’re applying for dozens of jobs everyday, it can feel as though writing cover letters is holding back your job search. But we would argue that taking the time to write a cover letter will help accelerate your job search in the long-run as you stand out from other candidates and gain more interviews.</p>



<h2>What is a cover letter?</h2>



<p>A cover letter is a one page document intended for a prospective employer to accompany your CV or job application. The purpose of a cover letter is to provide additional information about your professional background that’s not on your CV &#8211; information that will convince the hiring manager they need to invite you in for an interview.</p>



<h2>When NOT to include a cover letter</h2>



<p>Whilst we would love to say it’s best to include a cover letter with every application, we know it’s not always necessary or possible. Here’s when you can skip the cover letter:</p>



<ul><li>When you can’t upload one</li><li>When the employer isn’t accepting them</li><li>When you’re strapped for time</li><li>When you’re applying for jobs just for the interview practice</li></ul>



<h2>How to write a cover letter that gets noticed</h2>



<h3>Address it to the hiring manager</h3>



<p>One of the best ways to get your cover letter noticed is to ensure it’s addressed to the hiring manager by name instead of just &#8216;<em>Sir/Madam&#8217;</em>. You may need to do a little digging if you’re not sure of their name. This can be done by calling the company and asking who is in charge of this vacancy.</p>



<h3>Keep it short</h3>



<p>Don’t overdo it in the cover letter. Hiring managers are short on time so they will only want to read your cover letter if it looks easy to digest. <a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/how-long-should-a-cover-letter-be/?id=429"><strong>Keep it to one A4 page</strong></a> and use 3-4 paragraphs to break up the text.</p>



<h3>Don’t repeat your CV</h3>



<p>You don’t want to waste the hiring manager’s time by repeating what’s written in your CV. Bring some new information to the table that will help support your CV.</p>



<h3>Tailor your cover letter</h3>



<p>Just like we recommend tailoring your CV to each job application, you should also tailor your cover letter too so the hiring manager knows you’ve written it especially for them.</p>



<h3>Create a template</h3>



<p>Although we want you to tailor each cover letter, there’s nothing stopping you from creating a customisable template. This will save you time but still allow you to personalise your cover letter to the employer.</p>



<h3>Use the job description</h3>



<p>When it comes to writing cover letters, the job description is your best friend. You need to understand all the key skills the employer is looking for, and center your cover letter around some of those key skills using keywords from the job ad. This is a sure way to stop the hiring manager in their tracks!</p>



<h3>Provide examples</h3>



<p>Although it’s a good idea to incorporate keywords from the job description into your cover letter, don’t just leave it there. Go one step further by providing tangible examples of when you’ve used these skills in the workplace.</p>



<h3>Proofread</h3>



<p>As with your CV, make sure you proofread your cover letter too. One typo has the ability to undo all your hard work, so don’t fall at this simple step. Double-check it yourself, use online spell checker and grammar tools, and ask a friend or family member to read it through.</p>



<h3>Send as an attachment</h3>



<p>Although you might be submitting your CV by email, never write your cover letter into the body of the email. Always attach it as a separate file that the hiring manager can download and easily print.</p>



<h2>Cover your back</h2>



<p>You can never go wrong by including a cover letter &#8211; it will only ever strengthen your application. If you’re applying for jobs in a competitive field, there’s no doubt you’ll want to create a standout cover letter to push your application through to the interview stages. Just be sure to <a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/how-to-start-a-cover-letter-sonicjobs/?id=530"><strong>write a strong opening paragraph</strong></a> to grab the hiring manager’s attention!</p>


Are cover letters important?


<p>What&#8217;s the best way to start a cover letter in the UK? Those opening lines of your cover letter can mean the difference between receiving an interview invitation and getting rejected. Your cover letter is really your chance to stand out against the crowd, and those opening lines must grab the hiring manager’s attention.</p>



<p>So read on to discover the best ways to begin your cover letter!</p>



<ul><li>Address the hiring manager by name</li><li>Show enthusiasm</li><li>Use keywords</li><li>Be original</li><li>Name drop</li><li>Get to the point</li><li>Highlight selling points</li></ul>



<h2>What’s the best way to start a cover letter?</h2>



<h3>1. Address the hiring manager by name</h3>



<p>People start their cover letters by writing ‘Dear sir/madam’. You can stand out by going the extra mile to find out the hiring manager’s name, and addressing them directly in the salutation.&nbsp;</p>



<h3>2. Show enthusiasm</h3>



<p>The most important thing to convey in your opening lines is your excitement for the role. Avoid using dull and lifeless language. Instead, choose words that convey your personality and express excitement.</p>



<h3>3. Use keywords</h3>



<p>Most of the time hiring managers will scan your cover letter. So it’s the keywords that are going to capture their attention and make them want to read on. Scan the job advert for all the key skills and implement some of those words into your opening lines.</p>



<h3>4. Be original</h3>



<p>The best cover letters are ones that reflect you as an individual. Avoid being rigid and following generic cover letter templates. Give the hiring manager something different to read!</p>



<h3>5. Name drop</h3>



<p>Do you know somebody within the organisation? Perhaps you recently read an article with the company’s CEO? Mentioning someone’s name from the company is a great way to grab the hiring manager’s attention.</p>



<h3>6. Get to the point</h3>



<p>Those opening lines are precious so use every word carefully. Avoid being long-winded and be as direct as possible. Make it clear which position you’re applying for, and in which office.</p>



<h3>7. Highlight selling points</h3>



<p>If you have any achievements or relevant work experience to shout about, it’s a good idea to drop one of these into your first few lines. Whether you were the top salesperson, or you’re an expert at using a particular software, make this known at the start of your cover letter!</p>



<h2>3 examples of how to start your cover letter</h2>



<h3>Opening lines example 1</h3>



<p><em>“Dear Mrs. Taylor,</em></p>



<p><em>After reading your CEO, Dave Williams, impressive interview in Time Magazine, it is with great pleasure that I&#8217;m writing to apply for the position of Software Developer in your London office. With 3 years’ experience working as a Python developer, I believe I make a strong candidate for this position.”</em></p>



<h3>Opening lines example 2</h3>



<p><em>“Dear Mr. Smith,</em></p>



<p><em>As the top car salesperson in my current role at Ford, I am excited to apply for the position of Senior Sales Associate at Toyota’s new Manchester office. With a track record of successfully conducting face-to-face consultations, I am greatly interested in the opportunity to assist Toyota in expanding its client base in its new location.”</em></p>



<h3>Opening lines example 3</h3>



<p><em>“Dear Mr. Walford,</em></p>



<p><em>It is with great enthusiasm that I write to apply for the position of Carer in Hartland’s Birmingham branch. As a naturally empathic person who has 2 years’ experience working in elderly care, I feel I would make an excellent addition to the Hartland team.”</em></p>



<h2>Cover letters for the win!</h2>



<p>Cover letters are a fantastic way to make your application stand out, but only if you take the time to do it right! For more help writing yours, check out our guide on <a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/what-to-include-in-a-cover-letter/?id=433">how to write a cover letter</a> or check out our post on <a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/how-long-should-a-cover-letter-be/?id=429">keeping your cover letter to one page</a>.</p>


How to start a cover letter


<p>When done right, cover letters can play a vital role in the success of your job application. But let’s be honest, it’s not exactly everyone’s favourite job to do, is it? When you’re writing a cover letter, you’ve probably got a thousand questions spinning round in your head like <em>‘What should I include?’ </em>and <em>‘How long should it be?’</em>.</p>



<p>As a rule of thumb, cover letters in the UK should be no more than a page long, and should include 3-4 paragraphs. Hiring managers lead busy lives, so you want your cover letter to be short but concise. Your cover letter should expand on the main points from your CV, and provide more examples and detail about your most important achievements.&nbsp;</p>



<h2>How to keep your cover letter to one page</h2>



<h3>Only talk about your most relevant experience</h3>



<p>You might have a lot you want to highlight from your experience but cover letters aren’t the place for that. Cover letters should include only the most relevant and impressive parts of your background and experience in relation to the job description. Everything else should wait until the interview. You want to get across your point as quickly as possible &#8211; and only the most relevant experience is going to grab the hiring manager’s attention.</p>



<h3>Don’t use lengthy sentences</h3>



<p>Your cover letter isn’t the place to write descriptively. Keep it simple and use as few words as possible. Yes, use sophisticated and professional language, but don’t mistake sophistication for long sentences.</p>



<h3>Get the right font size and spacing</h3>



<p>One of the most practical ways to save space in your cover letter is to make sure you’re typing in a size 11 font (Times New Roman or Arial) with just single spacing between lines.&nbsp;</p>



<h3>Use 3-4 paragraphs</h3>



<p>A good rule is to only use 3-4 paragraphs in your cover letter. Each paragraph could contain somewhere between 2-5 sentences, but try not to write any more than that.</p>



<h4>Cover letter layout</h4>



<ul><li><strong>Paragraph 1:</strong> Introduce your reason for writing the letter, which position you’re applying for and where you found the vacancy.</li><li><strong>Paragraph 2: </strong>Give a brief overview of your most relevant skills and experience. Create a compelling argument as to why you’d made a great candidate for the position by drawing on your past achievements.</li><li><strong>Paragraph 3:</strong> Talk about why you want to work for them specifically and what draws you to the role.</li><li><strong>Paragraph 4: </strong>Thank them for their time and let them know you look forward to hearing a response.</li></ul>



<h2>What NOT to include in your cover letter</h2>



<h3>Duplicate information</h3>



<p>Make sure your cover letter isn’t simply echoing your CV. You want to provide new and persuasive information in your cover letter that supports the information in your CV, but doesn’t duplicate it.</p>



<h3>Images</h3>



<p>Your cover letter should include text only. There should never be any images of you in your cover letter (or your CV for that matter!)</p>



<h3>Word art</h3>



<p>Don’t use any fancy word art in your cover letter. This looks unprofessional, takes up space, and makes the page look more busy. Just stick to classic black font text!&nbsp;</p>



<h2>Short and simple does the trick</h2>



<p>It’s important not to over-complicate the cover letter process. In a nutshell, you want your cover letter to prove that you have the key skills and experience listed in the job description, and to convince the hiring manager that you deserve an interview. Don’t run away with the writing &#8211; hiring managers don’t have time to read long essays. Keep it short and to the point to maximise your chance of getting an interview!</p>



<p>If you’re writing a cover letter, make sure you head over to our article on <a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/what-to-include-in-a-cover-letter/?id=433">what to include in a cover letter</a>.</p>



<p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>Bagged yourself an interview? Don’t miss our <a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/how-to-stand-out-in-an-interview/?id=423">tips</a> for standing out in an interview!</strong></p>


How-long-should-a-cover-letter-be

How long should a cover letter be?


<p>Writing a cover letter is one of the most powerful ways of propelling your job application into the interview process. When you take the time to thoughtfully craft your letter, you can bump yourself up to the front of the interview line.</p>



<p>But how do you write a cover letter? What’s the winning formula? Allow us to take you through all the steps you need to take to grab the hiring manager’s attention:</p>



<ul><li>What is a cover letter?</li><li>How to write a cover letter</li><li>What are the 4 parts to a cover letter?</li></ul>



<h2>What is a cover letter?</h2>



<p>A cover letter is a document addressed to the hiring manager that supports your CV and job application. The aim of the cover letter is to capture the hiring manager’s attention, and show them why you deserve an interview in as few words as possible. You don’t want to duplicate what’s written in your CV, but instead provide additional information and detail that helps support your application &#8211; information that perhaps didn’t fit into your CV.</p>



<h2>How to write a cover letter</h2>



<h3>Use the hiring manager’s name</h3>



<p>Ideally, you’ll find out the hiring manager’s name and address your cover letter to them directly. You may have to do a bit of digging on the company website or call reception to find out, but taking this step shows you’ve put a bit of extra care into the letter instead of just addressing it to ‘Sir/Madam’.</p>



<h3>Send as a PDF document</h3>



<p>Cover letters should be written up as a separate document, rather than as part of an email. To make life easier for the hiring manager, attach the cover letter as a PDF. This way, the hiring manager doesn’t have to worry about converting the document into a different format for readability. They can simply download the attachment and read your letter!</p>



<h3>Follow a format letter layout</h3>



<p>You want your cover letter to be as professional as possible so remember to follow the layout of a formal letter.</p>



<h4>Aspects of a formal cover letter</h4>



<ul><li>Hiring manager’s name and address</li><li>Your name and address</li><li>Date</li><li>Subject</li><li>Letter signed off with ‘Yours faithfully’ if you know the hiring manager’s name</li><li>Signed with your full name</li><li>Stick to one A4 page (check out our blog on <a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/how-long-should-a-cover-letter-be/?id=429">how to keep your cover letter to one page</a>!)</li></ul>



<h2>What are the 4 parts of a cover letter?</h2>



<p>Generally speaking, your cover letter should contain 4 parts or paragraphs: the first paragraph lets them know your reason for writing; the second introduces your background and skills; the third states why you want to work for them and feel you’re a strong candidate; and the fourth thanks them for their time.</p>



<ul><li><strong>Paragraph 1</strong> &#8211; introduction</li><li><strong>Paragraph 2 </strong>&#8211; key skills and experience</li><li><strong>Paragraph 3 </strong>&#8211; why you want the position</li><li><strong>Paragraph 4 </strong>&#8211; close with a thanks</li></ul>



<h3>Paragraph 1</h3>



<p>The opening paragraph should be no longer than 2 sentences. It should state why you’re writing (to apply for a position), what position you’re applying for, and where you found the vacancy advertised.</p>



<h3>Paragraph 2</h3>



<p>In this paragraph, you’ll want to dive straight into your key skills and experience. This isn’t about listing all of your skills &#8211; remember to keep it relevant to the role. If you’re not sure which skills are relevant to the role, scan the job advert to find out.</p>



<h3>Paragraph 3</h3>



<p>So now that you’ve demonstrated your key skills and experience in the previous paragraph, you can use the fourth paragraph to explain why you want to work for this company specifically, and in this particular role. Perhaps the company is a market leader, or their values and mission align with yours. Either way, this is an opportunity to really tailor your cover letter and let the hiring manager know you’re talking specifically to them.</p>



<h3>Paragraph 4</h3>



<p>The final paragraph should round off your letter, thanking the hiring manager for considering your application. Leave them with a call to action, and let them know you look forward to hearing from them soon.</p>



<h2>Prepare for takeoff!</h2>



<p>Each cover letter you write will be different for each job you apply to. Yes, this means more work for you &#8211; but this is what you need to do to land that dream role and stand out from the other candidates! Just remember to make your cover letter stand out with impressive examples of your achievements.<br></p>



<p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>Once you’ve landed yourself an interview, don’t forget to practise the <a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/most-common-interview-questions-and-answers/?id=400">most common interview questions</a>!</strong></p>


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