Writing a U.S. cover letter can feel like a stumbling block even after polishing your resume. You've hit the apply button, only to be faced with the task of crafting a letter that tells your story without echoing your resume. It's about highlighting that one gleaming achievement you're immensely proud of in a professional yet unique tone. Remember to keep it concise; a single page is your stage to shine, free of clichés and packed with personality.
- Writing the essential us cover letter sections: balancing your professionalism and personality;
- Mixing storytelling, your unique skill set, and your greatest achievement;
- Providing relevant (and interesting) information with your us cover letter, despite your lack of professional experience;
- Finding the perfect format for your[ us cover letter, using templates from industry experts.
Leverage the power of Enhancv's AI: upload your resume and our platform will map out how your us cover letter should look, in mere moments.
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US cover letter example
Michelle Sanders
New York City, NY
+1-(234)-555-1234
help@enhancv.com
- Experience relevance: Illustrating direct experience through past roles (Unit Director at Altalife Limited) to establish expertise and a proven track record in product development and team leadership, which are core to the Product Manager role.
- Achievement quantification: Citing specific outcomes such as the successful overhaul of a media library solution and the expansion of market share helps quantify achievements and demonstrates the ability to deliver results which is crucial for the Product Manager role.
- Team management: Mentioning the leadership of a 16-engineer team showcases experience with cross-functional team management and resource orchestration, a key skill set for a Product Manager responsible for aligning various departments towards common goals.
- Strategic vision alignment: Expressing eagerness to contribute strategic vision and confidence in spearheading growth initiatives connects personal goals with the company's objectives, showing a Product Manager's role as a strategic leader within the organization.
What should your us cover letter look like - formatting and organizing your information
Have you ever wondered what are the must-have sections you need to include in your us cover letter? Our builder sets those up for you with:
- Header - dedicated to your contact information, the role you're applying for, and the date (don't forget to include your name);
- Greeting and opening paragraph - to create a personalized and memorable experience for recruiters;
- Body paragraph - emphasizing your skill set and knowledge that aligns with the role and helps you to stand out;
- Closing paragraph - leaving a great impression and ending with an optional signature.
Use a cover letter template to discover the best formatting for your us cover letter: that is single-spaced paragraphs and wrapping your content in a one-inch margin.
Ensure that both your resume and us cover letter are in the same font. Stand apart from the crowd by using modern, yet simple fonts, like Chivo and Rubik, instead of the overused Arial and Times New Roman.
Did you know that the Applicant Tracker System (or ATS) won't be assessing your us cover letter? Instead, submit your profile in PDF to recruiters to keep the same formatting and the design intact.
The top sections on a us cover letter
- Header: Include your contact information, the date, and the employer's contact details to ensure the recruiter can easily reach out to you and knows when the letter was drafted.
- Opening Greeting: Start with a professional salutation that addresses the hiring manager directly, if you know their name, as this personalizes the cover letter and shows attention to detail.
- Introduction: Clearly state the role you're applying for and provide a succinct overview of why you are the ideal candidate, grabbing the recruiter's attention and encouraging them to read further.
- Body: In one or two paragraphs, highlight relevant experience, skills, and achievements that demonstrate your suitability for the specific role you are applying for, using examples to provide evidence of your capabilities.
- Closing: End with a strong concluding statement that reiterates your interest in the position, thanks the recruiter for considering your application, and includes a call to action, such as requesting an interview.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
As the job title was not provided in the initial request, I will use the example of a Software Engineer for this response:
- Proficiency in relevant programming languages (e.g., Java, Python, C++): Establishes a foundational skill set necessary for code development and problem-solving.
- Experience with software development methodologies (e.g., Agile, Scrum, DevOps): Indicates understanding of collaborative and iterative processes which are essential for modern software development.
- Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git): Demonstrates ability to manage and collaborate on codebases effectively, an important aspect of team-based software projects.
- Knowledge of software testing and quality assurance: Emphasizes a commitment to producing reliable and functional code, which is critical for maintaining a positive user experience.
- Ability to work in a team and communicate effectively: Shows that the candidate can collaborate with other professionals, which is vital in the highly interactive environment of software engineering.
- Problem-solving skills and attention to detail: Essential for diagnosing and fixing bugs, as well as writing code that is efficient and free of errors.
How to greet recruiters in your us cover letter salutation
As the saying goes, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression."
Write your us cover letter salutation to be more personalized to the actual hiring manager, who is set to assess your profile by:
- greeting them on a first-name basis, if you have previously communicated with them (e.g. "Dear Sam,");
- using their last name, if you have more formal communication or haven't spoken to them (e.g. "Dear Mr. Harrows" or "Dear Ms. Marshall");
- writing "Dear HR Team" or "Dear Hiring Manager", if you have no clue about who's recruiting for the role.
Search on LinkedIn, Google, or the company website to find information as to the recruiter's name.
In any case, avoid the impersonal "Dear Sir or Madam".
List of salutations you can use
- Dear [Hiring Manager's Name],
- Dear [First Name Last Name],
- Dear [Mr./Ms./Dr.] [Last Name],
- Dear Hiring Committee,
- Dear [Department] Team,
- Dear [Job Title] Search Committee,
Your us cover letter intro: showing your interest in the role
On to the actual content of your us cover letter and the introductory paragraph.
The intro should be no more than two sentences long and presents you in the best light possible.
Use your us cover letter introduction to prove exactly what interests you in the role or organization. Is it the:
- Company culture;
- Growth opportunities;
- Projects and awards the team worked on/won in the past year;
- Specific technologies the department uses.
When writing your us cover letter intro, be precise and sound enthusiastic about the role.
Your introduction should hint to recruiters that you're excited about the opportunity and that you possess an array of soft skills, e.g. motivation, determination, work ethic, etc.
How to write an achievement-focused us cover letter body
We've got the intro and greeting covered. Now, comes the most definitive part of your us cover letter - the body.
In the next three to six paragraphs, you'd have to answer why should recruiters hire you.
What better way to do this than by storytelling?
And, no, you don't need a "Once upon a time" or "I started from the bottom and made it to the top" career-climbing format to tell a compelling narrative.
Instead, select up to three most relevant skills for the job and look back on your resume.
Find an achievement, that you're proud of, which has taught you these three job-crucial skills.
Quantify your accomplishment, using metrics, and be succinct in the way you describe it.
The ultimate aim would be to show recruiters how this particular success has built up your experience to become an invaluable candidate.
Ending your us cover letter to avoid "sincerely yours"
Yes, this sort of closing statement may work best before your signature.
But you want to give recruiters something more with your us cover letter ending.
Some professionals choose to go down the path of promises. In a single sentence, they map out what they'd bring about to the role (whether that's a particular technical skill set or personal traits).
Others, decide to be more concrete by thanking recruiters for their time and prompting for their next interview.
Whatever path you choose, remember to always be polite and respectful of the opportunity you've had. Good manners go a long way.
What to write on your us cover letter, when you have zero experience
The best advice for candidates, writing their us cover letters with no experience, is this - be honest.
If you have no past professional roles in your portfolio, focus recruiters' attention on your strengths - like your unique, transferrable skill set (gained as a result of your whole life), backed up by one key achievement.
Or, maybe you dream big and have huge motivation to join the company. Use your us cover letter to describe your career ambition - that one that keeps you up at night, dreaming about your future.
Finally, always ensure you've answered why employers should hire precisely you and how your skills would benefit their organization.
Key takeaways
Winning at your job application game starts with a clear and concise us cover letter that:
- Has single-spaced paragraphs, is wrapped in a one-inch margin, and uses the same font as the us resume;
- Is personalized to the recruiter (using their name in the greeting) and the role (focusing on your one key achievement that answers job requirements);
- Includes an introduction that helps you stand out and show what value you'd bring to the company;
- Substitutes your lack of experience with an outside-of-work success, that has taught you valuable skills;
- Ends with a call for follow-up or hints at how you'd improve the organization, team, or role.
