What is a Cover Letter?
A cover letter is a way to show your skills and experience, but do you really need one?
Cover Letter Basics
A cover letter is a way to showcase your skills and align them to the job needs. Most entry-level jobs will not require you to have a cover letter but it's good to know about them.
- Start strong: In the first paragraph, introduce yourself, state the specific job you're applying for, and mention how you learned about it.
- Your skills: Read the Job Description (*Job Description definition below) advertised and pick 2-3 relevant skills that you have
An example of skills you may have:
Did you organize a bake sale that raised money for charity? = Teamwork! Aced a science project requiring research and data analysis? = Problem- solving pro!
Briefly explain how these experiences demonstrate your skills.
- Enthusiasm Matters: Let your excitement for the opportunity show! Briefly mention what interests you about the company or the role itself.
- Be Confident: Thank the reader for their time and consideration. Express your interest in an interview and mention your availability. Proofread carefully – check grammar and punctuation – it shows your professionalism.
*A job description is a document outlining the duties, skills, and experience needed for a specific job.
My First Job doesn’t require you to submit a cover letter, but you can submit a video message to your employer, use the points above to nail your video message.
Related resources
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