‘Cover Letter’, also termed as a ‘Job Application Letter’, is a basic requirement when applying for a new job. But the situation becomes quite challenging when you are a fresher because there’s no information to highlight in comparison to an experienced person applying for a change of position in another company. In that way, writing a cover letter is the best way to make your job application stand out.

What is a Cover Letter?

First of all, you need to get to know what is a cover letter and why is it written. 

A cover letter is a documentation highlighting your qualifications, skills, achievements, career goals, projects, and experience. If you are a fresher, you should mention all the others except the experience part. For a fresher, the cover letter is an introductory document that tells about your knowledge and why you are fit for the position you are applying for. 

It serves as the starting point for an employer to decide whether you possess the necessary attributes to call you in person for an interview or reject you right away. So remember that a cover letter acts as a gateway for your dream and this implies that you should be more careful in drafting it.

Why is a Cover Letter written?

Now let us come to the part where you need to know why is a cover letter written. 

The reason is simple, a cover letter lets your employer decide whether you are a suitable person to be called for the next level of recruitment or not. It also makes you stand out from other job applicants who have applied for the same position.

It tells your side of the story and allows you to establish a good impression before your first interview. Also, a good cover letter lets you have a good relationship with your employer. It lays the foundation for your employer to know how strong is your communication skills. It also gives a good impression to the person who referred you to this job. 

Consider taking this as an advantage to show your employer why you are the perfect fit for this position, as it gives a first view of you, your personality and your qualifications. 

How to Write a Cover Letter

By this time, you would have gained some basic knowledge of the importance of cover letters. As said earlier, your cover letter is the first introduction about you to your employer. Follow these steps to learn how to write a cover letter. 

 1. Follow a Professional Format & Tone

While writing a cover letter, always start and end with a systematic chronology, language, and tone. Start by giving your name, address, telephone number, and email address. Then, mention the name of the employer or the organization, their address, and contact number. 

If you know the recruiter's name, write his/her name. If you do not know the name, you can simply mention the HR division’s name. The date on which your cover letter is also important as it shows how responsible you are.

Then comes the reference line or the subject. Write the subject as ‘Applying for the position of —--------’ and the recruiter will come to know the purpose of the letter. Greet them by their name or the HR Division instead of writing “To whomsoever it may concern”.  

2. Introduce Yourself & Inform About Your Interest

Start the body of the letter by giving a brief introduction about yourself. Highlight your educational qualifications, internships, projects, skills, and qualities, and explain how you learned about this job. If you can, you can quantify your accomplishments and achievements as much as possible.

Describe why you want this job and how it will help you in fulfilling your career goals. When you are a fresher, it is necessary for you to stress why you are the best fit for this role. All this information should be crisp and on the point. 

3. Describe Your Skills & Abilities

The body of the letter should be about your best qualities and how you align with the company’s goals and values. Project your strengths and weaknesses and how you can overcome them and cultivate them. 

Mention your soft skills such as teamwork, strong communication, problem-solving ability, and adaptability. Tell them why your addition to their company is a value to them. 

4. Sign-off & Give Your Contact Information

Lastly, end your letter with a thank you note for the time the recruiter spent reading your cover letter and the necessary call-to-actions. Repeat your interest and how much you are looking forward to working in their company. Tell them you will be available whenever they call for an interview or whenever it is possible. 

Sign off with a formal salutation like “Sincere Regards” or “Yours Sincerely” and end the letter. Repeat your contact details and finish it with your full name.

5. Check For Possible Errors

Before sending the letter, check for grammatical errors and spelling mistakes. This will show how verbally strong you are and it will also describe your personality. On re-examining, check whether the cover letter is concise and if it is an email, it does not involve much scrolling. There are many free tools available online and you can use any of them according to your convenience.

A precise and well-formatted cover letter may increase your chances of getting a call from a recruiter for an interview in a short time. 

When should you submit a cover letter?

The following instincts describe when should you submit or include a cover letter.

Consider submitting a cover letter when

1. You are specifically asked to submit along with your resume.
2. You want to give in-depth details that are not mentioned in your resume.
3. You are applying for a post in a mission-driven organization.
4. It is mentioned as ‘optional’ and you have the opportunity to do so.
5. You know the details or the name of the hiring employer.
6. If someone has referred you already.

Consider not submitting a cover letter when

1. You are specifically asked not to submit.
2. If there’s no way to submit a cover letter. For example, some organizations will have a form to be filled in with your details along with the option for attaching your resume alone. In such cases, you may not require a cover letter.

What are some of the common mistakes to be avoided?

Know some of the common mistakes that you should avoid while writing a cover letter.

1. Repeating the contents of your resume.
2. Mentioning irrelevant details.
3. Writing it too long.
4. Giving excess information.
5. Visible grammatical errors.
6. Focussing too much on yourself.
7. Discussing your salary details.

Try to avoid these mistakes and this will make a great difference in the quality of your cover letter.

Sample cover letters for Freshers 

A professionally composed cover letter for freshers can assist employers in selecting the most qualified candidate for the position. As a result, we've created certain samples to help you write the ideal cover letter and capture the interest of the employer.

Sample For Freshers

24/05/22

G. Judy Ajay,

31, Ramanathapuram, Coimbatore

Mobile: +91 ********

Email Address: judyajayy@gmail.com 

Mr. Raj;

Good Reads,

42, Anna Nagar, Chennai.

Mobile: +91 **********

Email Address:rajrecruiter@gmail.com

Subject: Applying for the position of Content Writer

Dear Mr. Raj,

I am glad to write to express my interest in the position of Content Writer at Good Reads. I came across your company's vacancy on LinkedIn and, after reviewing the requirements, I am confident that I meet them. 

I received my M.A. in English Literature from XYZ College in Coimbatore, and I have also done certificate courses in Social Media Content Strategy and Creative Content Formulation, which expand my field of knowledge. I have an 8.0 CGPA and have continuously scored above average throughout my master's. Being passionate about my field, I also spent a significant amount of time aiding senior editors and writers as a trainee and learning from them at every stage. 

I've also attached my résumé, and I believe that my knowledge and educational background qualify me for the post of Content Writer. I assure you that I will put out my best effort and comply with the team. 

I am glad for this opportunity and look forward to discussing the role in greater detail. My contact information is provided above for your convenience and reference.

Thank You

Sincerely,

Judy Ajay.

Sample Cover Letter for an Engineering Graduate: Fresher

Naveen

33, Indira Nagar, Trichy.

Mobile: +91 **********

Email Address: naveenravi@gmail.com

15/03/21

Mr. Kavin

Techzone

50, Marine Drive, Mumbai.

Mobile: +91 **********

Email Address: kavintechie@gmail.com

Subject: Application for the Junior Engineer Position at Techzone

Dear Mr. Kavin

I am quite keen to apply for the Junior Engineer position at Techzone. This role encompasses all I hoped to accomplish as an engineer when I started my career. Your company's work is motivating and I've read a lot about the latest developments in technology being used. This job would set me on the right route toward reaching my career goals.

During my last internship at ABC Model Tech, I learned how to collaborate in diverse teams that included both the technical and non-technical sectors. Here, I was able to grow as a strong communicator, ensuring that all customers' demands were appropriately communicated to the team and met to the highest level of customer satisfaction.

I was able to implement a new testing process that decreased our beta testing duration by up to 15%, enabling our clients to view the completed prototype ahead of our competitors. In addition, I am currently preparing for my Fundamentals of Engineering exam, which will put me on track to become a Professional Engineer. I hope to grow as a TechZone colleague and succeed in this role. In my new role, I am eager to work hard to meet the firm's demands and become a productive member of the team as quickly as feasible.

Thank you for your thoughts and valuable time. I'm excited to learn more about the Junior Engineer position and TechZone. My expertise qualifies me for this position, and I want to demonstrate to the entire team what a vital contribution I can make. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank You

Best Regards,

Naveen

Sample Cover Letter for an MBA Graduate: Fresher

Dhayananth

25, Anna Salai, Chennai.

Mobile: +91 **********

Email Address: dhayawalayar@gmail.com 

10/09/23

Mr. Anand

ABC Consultancy Services

20, East Coast Road, Kochini.

Mobile: +91 **********

Email Address: kavintechie@gmail.com

Subject: Application for the position of Recruitment Assistant.

Dear Mr. Anand

I'm writing to express my interest in the position of Recruitment Assistant at your respected organization. I recently received my Master's Degree in Business Administration with a major in Human Resource Management at ZXY University and would like to contribute my knowledge, skills, and commitment to excellence to your company's creative environment.

Throughout my education, I learned about manpower recruitment, workforce organization, personnel training, and remuneration, as well as constitutional and other labor issues.

The internship I did at JP Brothers & Firm also gave me great experience working with some of the most knowledgeable people in the recruiting and administrative fields. During my four-month internship, I developed an enthusiasm and love for HR, and the learning process persuaded me that human resource management is indeed my calling.

My achievement during my internship was becoming the project lead for the company's sports engagement plan. I also worked with other interns to plan an outing for 100 teammates, for which we received a 90 percent 'excellent to outstanding' grade in post-event survey responses.

Kindly check my résumé, which has been attached to this letter, for more information about my qualifications and experience. Thank you for considering my application; I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank You

Best Regards,

Dhayananth

Sample Email Cover Letter for a Fresher

A cover letter through email is similar to the normal cover letter that includes all the above-discussed information but in a reduced format. Here’s an example of an email cover letter. 

Subject: Application for the Role of Junior Editor (Job Role) at Sweet Bees (Company Name) 

Dear Mr./Miss (Name of the Recruiter or Manager),

I recently saw the job for Junior Editor - Content at Sweet Bees on LinkedIn and wanted to apply. The employment role matches my qualifications and skills, making me an ideal candidate for this position.

I recently received a first-class honors degree in Journalism from the University of Bangalore and worked as an editor of magazines for my college magazine during my undergraduate studies. In addition, I spent more than 6 months working as an editorial intern at Mango Publications, aiding the team of senior editors and managing editors. I believe I have the necessary qualifications and skills required for this role.

Kindly see my CV and cover letter attached to this email. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks and Regards,

Sowmiya

Key Takeaways- Tips & Tricks for the Best Cover Letter

Some tips & tricks to remember while drafting your best cover letter,

1. Your cover letter should be short, precise, and concise covering all your details to a maximum of 3 paragraphs.
2. Always address the cover letter to a specific person instead of mentioning ‘to whomsoever it may concern’.
3. Customize your applications according to the job description.
4. Remember to monitor & refine your social media. Sometimes recruiters may check your social media. This is rare but can be a happening thing. Don’t let it go out of your hands.
5. Submit after proofreading and proper analysis. Check for grammatical errors, and spelling mistakes, whether it is easy to read & review, and whether the relevant details are written or not.

Regardless of your level of skill, writing areas of strength for a letter is essential when applying for a job anywhere. 

By using the step-by-step instructions in this article with the sample introductory letters, you may cultivate areas of strength for a cover letter that highlights your abilities, credentials, and enthusiasm for the position.

Frequently Asked Questions

• I'm applying for multiple jobs. Can I use the same cover letter for each one?

While it might be tempting to use the same cover letter for all your job applications, it's important to draft each cover letter for the specific position and employer you are targeting. This shows your genuine interest and effort.

• Are there any other types of cover letters?

Yes. There are three types of cover letters: the application cover letter, the prospecting cover letter, and the networking cover letter.

• Which cover letter format should be used and sent?

Your cover letter should be single-spaced. Place a space between each section: contact information, salutation, opening paragraph, middle paragraphs, concluding paragraph, and complimenting closure.  No need to indent your paragraphs.

• What are the other names of a cover letter?

A cover letter is also called a covering letter, motivation letter, motivational letter, or an introductory letter attached along with your resume.

• Should the cover letter be sent separately or with an email?

Unless specifically required by the company (which is unusual), always submit your cover letter as an attached file rather than in the body of the email.