The Pros and Cons of Using Cover Letter Templates

How to Customize a Cover Letter Template

Once you have used a professional cover letter template to create a basic cover letter, you will still need to make changes for each job application. Each job application you submit should have a unique cover letter to impress a potential employer. When tailoring your cover letter, you should keep these factors in mind:

• Contact information

  Ensure that your phone number, email address, and professional portfolio link details are up to date. Update your LinkedIn profile when you start a new job search.

• Salutation

  You should update your cover letter to address the hiring manager by name. If you cannot do that ( for example, the hiring manager’s name is not listed or there is no single recruiter in charge of the hiring process), use a professional, generic salutation like “Dear Sir/ Dear Madam” or “Dear Hiring Manager.” While it is preferable to use the hiring manager’s name, these professional alternatives can be an acceptable last resort.

• Job details

  Consider the job description that you want to apply for and use the company name and the precise job title that you have applied for. Give the reason that you want this job, if you can. If it is your dream job, don’t be afraid to say so.

• Relevant skills and achievements

  The skills, qualifications, and achievements you discuss in your cover letter should be relevant to the job description you are applying for. Ask yourself what the best experiences you have that you can draw on are.

• Call to action

  Your call-to-action statement may not need to change much between drafts, but you should still review it. Something simple like “I look forward to speaking with you further” can prompt a recruiter to reach out to you.

• Sign-off

  Ensure that you sign off with an appropriate statement and your full name. Closings like “Yours sincerely” or “Warm regards” are appropriate in most cases.

If you want to make the best possible first impression on a hiring manager, use a resume template that matches your cover letter. Even if it is a minimalist template, recruiters will notice the similarities.