An applicant interested in getting a new job must not only be able to write a resume correctly. It is best if it is complemented by a good cover letter, also written competently, without unnecessary details. It will allow you to present yourself and your professional skills from the best side in a more free manner. In this article we will tell you how to write a cover letter correctly and demonstrate professionally written examples.
What is a letter accompanying a resume?
In Western countries, a cover letter has long been an integral part of a resume, and its absence is a sign of bad taste. In Russia, such a letter is not mandatory, but recently employers have begun to pay more attention to it.
Most recruiters in the Russian Federation have a positive attitude towards the cover letter. In it, you can contact your potential supervisor or HR manager and try to interest them. Thus, a cover letter not only becomes a sign of good manners, but can also be a significant advantage to your resume and yours personally if it is written logically, competently and contains important information.
Who is especially recommended to supplement their resume with a cover letter:
- students, graduates of higher educational institutions, job seekers without work experience. A cover letter for such applicants is a good opportunity to draw the employer’s attention to your resume and show your desire to work in this company;
- applicants who want to change their professional field of activity and do not have sufficient work experience in it. In this case, the letter will reflect the applicant’s existing skills and the possibility of using them in a new field, emphasize his motivation, and reveal the reasons for changing his field of work;
- applicants for a position in an international company. HR managers of large companies pay special attention to the candidate’s ability to present himself. A correctly written cover letter greatly increases the chances of an employer reading your resume and subsequently getting a job.
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Who shouldn't write a cover letter?
A well-written cover letter is a good way to stand out from a crowd of candidates and is an advertisement for your resume.
Recruiters receive hundreds of resumes a day, and the initial selection of resumes most often begins with a cover letter. Do you want your resume to be considered first? Don't neglect your cover letter. When looking for a job, this is a powerful and really working tool. And it is especially important to use it in cases where competition is high, when hundreds of people are applying for a vacancy, and you need to prove that you are the best. If you are a highly qualified/unique/rare candidate, if you can do something that others cannot do, then you can neglect writing such a letter. Whatever, in this case, most likely it won’t even come down to a resume: they will find you anyway. In all other cases, writing cover letters makes sense.
How to write a good letter
First, it should be noted that the cover letter must be written in the language in which the resume was written. For international companies, it is recommended to use English.
The letter should be concise and meaningful. It must be written in such a way that the employer has a clear idea of why his company should choose you.
Completing a cover letter does not take much time; its structure is quite simple.
Features of writing a cover letter
To be hired, your cover letter must follow a certain structure:
- Greetings . It can be impersonal or contain the name and patronymic of the recipient (you can additionally indicate the position).
- Main part. Contains information about what vacancy the resume was written for, what attracted you to it, and basic information about you that will be useful for this vacancy. The main points that attract the recruit's attention and are the most important for him:
- Motives and reasons for the candidate’s interest in the company or this vacancy
- How the candidate could be useful in the company and in this vacancy.
- Conclusion . In this part, say goodbye and indicate your contact information, duplicating them from your resume.
Some tips on the content of your resume cover letter:
- Small but informative. A cover letter for a resume should not be a repetition of the resume itself. The length of the text should be such that the hiring manager or recruiter does not have to spend a lot of time reading it. The cover letter should be sufficiently informative, high quality and short. Recruiters have a lot of experience reading resumes and cover letters, so it doesn't make sense to duplicate the same information. This may make them feel annoyed at wasted time.
- Literacy and business style. Any letter to the company must be subject to business etiquette. Therefore, the use of complex structures, informal expressions, etc. is not allowed here. Present the text simply and clearly. The cover letter must be written in accordance with all the rules of syntax and punctuation, as well as style. Don't forget to check the text of the letter for grammatical errors. Letters with errors often discourage people from reading resumes.
- Don't use clichés or templates. Remove any clichés or platitudes from the letter that do not convey any meaningful and specific information about you. For example, do not write that you are “responsible, sociable, efficient, hardworking, honest, etc.” Everyone writes this and it’s not even worth mentioning.
According to recruiters, the vast majority of resumes are not considered if the cover letter includes:
- contains grammatical errors;
- the rules of business correspondence are not followed (lack of greetings, familiarity, etc.);
- contains too much flattery;
- template text is used that does not give any idea whether the applicant is interested in getting this job;
- difficult to read, too large in volume;
- All work experience is listed, which is fully duplicated in the resume.
Therefore, it is recommended to adhere to the structure and follow the tips described above. And be sure to show your interest in getting this vacancy. Then your resume will most likely be considered.
Writing rules
- First you need to contact the addressee. Most often, vacancies posted on public Internet resources display information about a contact person - a recruiting manager or the head of a company. In this case, it is best to contact him directly: “Dear Andrei Ivanovich!”; “Hello, Anna Nikolaevna!” If there is no contact information for a company representative, you can get by with a general polite phrase: “Dear employer!” Informal contacts should be avoided.
- Indicate the source of information about the vacancy : “The website... contains information about the vacancy...”; “I was interested in a vacancy... published on your company’s page on a social network...” If you learned about the vacancy from a company employee, with his permission, you can indicate his full name.
- Tell us why you want to work for this company. For example: “An open vacancy in your company attracts me with the opportunity to work in a creative team and implement large-scale projects.” Here you can also focus on your professional experience, which corresponds to the chosen position: “My experience in the field of ... is more than ... years, so I am confident that I can cope with the tasks assigned to me.”
- Highlight your professional skills and achievements that will set you apart from other candidates. It is better to support your words with examples from professional experience gained at your previous place of work. There is no need to repeat the entire summary; emphasize the main points.
- Tailor your skills to your chosen position. Your best professional qualities, knowledge and skills must correspond to those that the company is looking for. Highlight the main ones and focus on them, perhaps using keywords that the company uses to describe the ideal applicant for this position.
- Don't forget the numbers. For example, if in the past you held the position of head of a department, indicate how many personnel you had under your supervision.
- Provide a list of recommendations. By including in your cover letter the contact information of people who can give you recommendations, you will certainly increase your chances of being noticed by the HR manager among other job candidates. Of course, we are talking exclusively about work contacts; personal phone numbers can only be provided with the permission of their owners.
- Avoid mentioning your career ambitions. Most often, a recruiter is looking for a specialist for a specific position, and your desire to quickly move up the career ladder may scare him away.
- Don't fantasize. Describe specific goals that you can realistically achieve in your chosen position, given your skills and abilities.
- Provide current contact information so that the employer can contact you. This data is in the resume, but according to the rules of business etiquette, it must be duplicated in the letter.
- Thank the employer for taking the time to read the cover letter and considering your application. This will reinforce the positive impression they have of you.
If you are writing a cover letter for a teacher's resume, be sure to indicate whether you have already worked with children or whether you have just graduated from college. If you need to write, for example, a cover letter for an administrator's resume, be sure to indicate your knowledge of programs and computer knowledge. It would be great if the letter indicated those companies where you have already worked as a system administrator.
Writing Instructions
The cover letter consists of three parts:
- Introduction.
- The main part is in the form of a statement of facts.
- Conclusion.
- First part. The introduction should include a greeting and address to the employer.
Carefully study the advertisement for the desired position, and do not forget about the target direction of your business message. Compile it for a specific organization. Important: in the subject line of the letter, be sure to indicate the title of the vacancy + your full name. This way you can attract the attention of the recruiter when viewing responses to the vacancy. - Second part. In this part, it is necessary to state the purpose of the letter itself: to write that you are interested in this vacancy.
Be sure to talk about your skills and experience, and back up your claim with an example. You can place a short excerpt from your resume directly in the body of the letter, and attach the resume itself as an attached document. Another option is to include the entire resume in the body of the letter, but it is more risky. Make sure that the attached file with your resume is signed with your first and last name! - The final part. Finally, please include your contact information – telephone and email for communication.
In this part, you can thank you in advance for considering your candidacy and add the phrase “With respect” at the end of the text. The letter should indicate your readiness to meet and answer all questions about your professional qualities.
We talked about how to write a cover letter for an accountant’s resume here, and you can learn about the rules for drafting the document in this article.
Sample letters
Short letter
Hello, Inna Alexandrovna!
I am interested in the vacancy of an advertising and PR manager posted on your company’s website. I have been working in the advertising field for 5 years and am convinced that my experience and professional skills will help me achieve high results in this position. Working in your company attracts me with the opportunity to use my skills on a large business scale.
I hope you will be interested in my resume (see attached). I would be grateful for an invitation to an interview.
Sincerely, Olga Petrova,
tel. +7 (***) ***-**-**
Expanded letter
Hello, Inna Alexandrovna!
I am interested in the vacancy of an advertising and PR manager posted on your company’s website. After reviewing the list of requirements for candidates, I came to the conclusion that my 5 years of experience in advertising and professional competencies allow me to apply for this position. Working in your company attracts me with the opportunity to realize my skills on a large business scale and work in a creative team.
At my previous job, I held the position of Marketing and Advertising Manager. I had a headquarters of 20 employees under my command. My responsibilities included organizing marketing events to promote products, developing and conducting advertising campaigns, establishing contacts and maintaining contact with the customer base and the media. Thanks to advertising campaigns conducted under my leadership, my sales level increased annually to 45%.
I also have a high level of computer skills, speak fluent English, and am currently studying German. At work I am responsible, punctual and sociable.
I look forward to your response and the opportunity to discuss working conditions and mutual expectations during the interview. Thank you for taking the time to review this application.
Sincerely, Olga Petrova,
tel. +7 (***) ***-**-**
For a lawyer
Hello!
Your company has published a vacancy for a lawyer position on the website (indicate the source). My legal experience is ... years, I have serious experience in jurisprudence, and I would like to offer you my professional assistance. I graduated from (specify) institute and am well versed in all branches of civil law. Worked as a lawyer (indicate specific specialization) in companies such as (list at least a few). Drafted attorney requests and statements of claim to the court, conducted office work, worked with documents (indicate your specific activities). He also had a successful practice and won several cases in court. I have good command of office programs and legal systems. I prefer a team method of work; my qualities include responsibility and the desire to get to the bottom of the next problem.
I hope you are interested in my resume. I would be grateful for an invitation to an interview.
For the bank
Good afternoon (it is better to indicate the person you are directly contacting)
A vacancy for a credit specialist at your bank was published on the website.... Perhaps my candidacy will interest you.
I already had to work in the banking industry as an employee in the credit department. I am familiar with the specifics of the work, and I am confident that I can cope with new responsibilities, and my skills can be useful to your organization. I have read a lot about your bank, and all the reviews about it have been extremely positive. I am very interested in the banking sector, I would like to continue my development in this segment. I am ready to come for an interview so that you can verify my experience and knowledge.
My phone number (specify).
For an accountant
Hello, … .
Your company has published on its website...a vacancy for an accountant. I am confident that my knowledge and qualifications will be suitable for your work.
My experience in the accounting field is ... years, so I have professional experience. I have a specialized higher education, I know how to do accounting, I work with all accounting programs (indicate other skills in your specialty). I have an analytical mind and am able to work in a team. You can learn as much as possible about my advantages from my resume (attached). Thank you for taking the time to write to me.
Key information that must be included in a resume for the position of an accountant + ready-made examples
A resume when looking for a job as an accountant has its own characteristics that must be taken into account when compiling it.
Professional knowledge and skills
The resume must indicate the accounting knowledge that the applicant has. Their list in summary form is as follows:
- experience in accounting and tax accounting;
- cash book preparation skills;
- maintaining warehouse records;
- accounting of mutual settlements with counterparties;
- calculation of wages, sick leave, compensation;
- work with primary documentation;
- registration of powers of attorney, invoices, incoming and outgoing cash orders;
- preparation and submission of reports to tax authorities and funds;
- carrying out inventories;
- preparation of advance reports;
- reconciliation of payments with buyers and suppliers;
- drawing up estimates;
- economic analysis of the enterprise's activities;
- knowledge of accounting and tax legislation;
- work in the “Client-Bank” system;
- knowledge of the provisions and instructions of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation;
- ability to work with MS Excel, Word, 1C or other accounting programs.
An accountant's resume must include a detailed description of your professional knowledge.
Of course, not every applicant has all of the listed skills. Therefore, it is advisable to indicate exactly which ones you have.
Personal qualities
In your resume, it is advisable to mention that you have those personal qualities that are especially valued when working in the accounting field. And this:
- accuracy;
- Analytical mind;
- fast learner;
- attentiveness;
- concentration of attention;
- performance;
- diligence;
- organization;
- responsibility;
- decency;
- stress resistance;
- honesty;
- ability to work with large amounts of information;
- perseverance.
It is mandatory to indicate the professional skills of a chief accountant in your resume.
For the manager
Dear (full name of the person you are addressing)!
I am interested in the vacancy of a manager for your company you offer on your website. I have carefully studied the requirements for the applicant you specified, and I am confident that I fully comply with them.
I have a higher education diploma in the profile of your company. I worked as a manager (specify where exactly) and I would like to propose my candidacy for your consideration.
My useful skills include the ability to work with clients and with documentation. Maintained a client database, provided consultations, and conducted telephone conversations with clients. I am proficient in all packaged computer programs. My experience in management is ... years.
Thank you for considering my resume (attached). I hope for good cooperation, I am ready to come for an interview at the time you specified.
Sincerely, …
When there is no work experience
It often happens that an applicant sees a vacancy that does not match his experience and skills. However, the person is confident that he will cope with the proposed work. Most often, this situation is faced by yesterday’s university graduates who, by definition, have no experience. Here's how to write a cover letter for your resume in this case, see an example below:
"Good afternoon!
I have become acquainted with the vacancy offered by your company to fill the position of.... I do not have the required experience in this specialty, but I have the determination to learn something new to me. I really want to develop professionally and improve my knowledge.
I can list my qualities as (indicate what, in your opinion, is most suitable for working in the company of your choice). I would be grateful if you invite me for an interview. My contact details (specify).
Thank you for your time."
Basic moments
When composing a letter, remember that it should be:
- brief;
- devoid of common phrases;
- understandable;
- answering several important questions.
It only takes a couple of minutes to read the letter, so a few short paragraphs of meaningful text will be enough. Write no more than half a page, even if you have dreamed of working in this company all your life.
Don’t use the banal phrase: “I am confident that my experience and professional skills meet your requirements.” It’s better to be more specific about your advantages. Your letter should be clear in both form and content.
Also, the cover letter for the chief accountant’s resume should answer three main questions:
- What can you do?
- How can you be useful to the company in this position?
- How much money are you willing to work for in this company (say a specific figure)?
Read more about what to write in such a letter here.
Letter in English (Cover Letter, CL)
A cover letter in English plays an important role in a foreign environment. According to its structure, it is divided into three parts. In the introduction, it is necessary to attract the attention of the employer - indicate where you learned about the vacancy, or emphasize your professional advantages. In the main part, tell us why you are interested in a position in this company, also briefly describe your experience and skills. In the final part, you can thank the employer for their attention and express your desire to personally communicate with the employer.
Example CL
Dear Sir or Madam,
I consider myself a strong candidate for your Manager position advertised on your website.
Please find my CV attached.
While studying Management I started to develop my organizational and business skills and collected comprehensive working experience in different working positions. This time was crucial for me. It proved that I was capable of much more. I have developed a wide range of applicable skills, including problem solving, organizational skills, excellent communications skills, delegating and allocating tasks, team working and IT skills.
Now I'm looking for a role which would adequately meet my skills and qualities. I'm ready for new challenges. And what is more I'm highly interested in a career which will provide me professional development, challenging opportunities and access to the best training facilities.
Please contact me via phone or e-mail. I hope I may be given the opportunity of an interview.
Yours sincerely, Ivan Ivanov Tel.: E-mail:
