A great cover letter for an entry-level position should touch all the necessary points to make a good first impression on the hiring manager for a job posting, even when you have limited or no work experience. Our cover letter builder and career advice will help you write a perfect cover letter for an entry-level position.
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If you are looking for an entry-level position, how can you make your job application appealing and effectively demonstrate your communication skills? Use our cover letter tips and cover letter sample below, along with an updated resume template and an entry-level cover letter template, to stand out to hiring managers and help you to get the position you want.
The cover letter must begin with your name, along with the job position you are applying for and your contact information below the name. The contact information should include your phone number, your professional email address, and professional links (if available), such as your LinkedIn profile.
The second section for job seekers should have the date, followed by another section that contains the receiver’s information, such as the name and title of the hiring manager, the company's name, and street address. This requires you to do a little research on the company you’re applying to.
In the salutation, add the name of the hiring manager or the name of the head of human resources. If you don’t know their name, then you can use “Dear Hiring Manager” as a placeholder instead.
The first paragraph should contain some kind of hook that tells the hiring recruiter about a particular skill you have that fits the job, or an explanation of your interest in the company. In case a person referred you for this job position, you should mention that here.
The middle paragraph(s) should highlight your educational qualifications, any previous work experience, including details on accomplishments and skills from those experiences that show you’re the right fit for the job. You can also include any relevant extracurricular activities here.
You should end your cover letter with a professional final paragraph where you thank the hiring manager for their time, and suggest a follow-up conversation or job interview. You can cap it off with a formal closing such as "Kind Regards," "Best Regards," or "Sincerely." Include a enclosure notification, where appropriate, to alert the recipient to any other documents or items enclosed with your correspondence.
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When you’re applying for an entry-level job, your cover letter should be tailored to the company and position you’re applying for. Research the company and find out what they value in their employees. Then, highlight how your skills and experiences match those values. This shows that you’re right for the job, even if you don’t have much experience.
This type of cover letter is typically called a letter of interest, and it’s a unique option for anyone who has a very specific set of skills that they want to advertise directly to a company. If you’re planning to write a letter of interest, look at the company’s website to see whether they have any cover letter guidelines. If they don’t have guidelines, keep it short and sweet, typically around half a page. Introduce yourself, explain why you’re interested in the company, giving details on the skills and qualifications you can bring to the table. Finish the letter by asking for an opportunity to speak with someone about the position.
Your cover letter shouldn’t just go over all the information in your resume. It should instead be a great added component. In your cover letter, you can go into more detail about elements of your resume that you didn’t get a chance to talk much about, including what made you interested in this position, some of your biggest achievements, and why you’re a great fit for this specific company. Additionally, overlapping design elements can be a great way to tie together the cover letter and resume.
