Writing a cover letter isn’t always easy, yet it’s a necessary step in the application process for job seekers operating in today’s competitive job market.
In 2020, a convincing cover letter is often the difference maker between getting called in for an interview and being “Choice B” for a company. To give yourself the best chance to be a business’s first choice, write your cover letter carefully.
Types of Cover Letters
With so many people looking for work, it’s no surprise that there are also many types of cover letters, as well as strategies for writing one.
Before you sit down and write your own cover letter, ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I have relevant work experience that can be applied to my desired job?
- Is the job I’m applying for in a traditional industry?
- Are there details I left out of my resume that could strengthen my application?
If you don’t have work experience, it’s okay to write a short cover letter that focuses on your motivation to work for the company. But if you do have some relevant experience, your cover letter should be longer — giving you space to explain how that experience can be applied to the new position.
Applying to a formal company? Make sure you have a traditional cover letter printed out on 32lb, 100% cotton paper, and attach it to your physical application. Applying to a tech company or somewhere more casual? An email cover letter will be just fine, or a creative cover letter if you’re artistically inclined.
Learn more by checking out examples of various cover letter types, and discover which cover letter writing strategy and format is best suited for you.
