The Cover Letter Format That Will Make You Stand Out

By Joan Igamba

When you are applying for a job, your cover letter format is important because the letter is how you show how good your communication skills and style are to your potential employer.

A cover letter that is formatted incorrectly, or is difficult to read, can disqualify you from the hiring process.

It is important therefore to pay just as much attention to the formatting of your letter as you do the content of your cover letter.

Cover Letter Format To Use

Organize the body of your cover letter into the following format, using three paragraphs as shown here.

Name Of Applicant

Address

Date

Name Of Employer

Title

Company

Address

Dear Mr. /Ms. Last Name,

Or,

Dear Hiring Manager,

Or,

To Whom It May Concern,

First Paragraph

When formatting the first paragraph of your cover letter include what is drawing you to the company. Why is the organization special? Why is the role exciting based on your experience? How could you contribute? This intro paragraph is the one that is going to change the most for each letter. Mention the position you are applying for and where you found the job listing.

Middle Paragraph(s)

The next section of your cover letter should move the focus from the company to you, the applicant. In this section highlight your key skills, the ones that are relevant to the role. Explain what value you can add to the company based on the requirements or qualifications section of the job description.

Do not rewrite everything on your CV, instead format this second paragraph to provide additional information on what you have to offer the employer. Mention specifically how your qualifications match the job you are applying for. Show what makes you a great candidate.

Final Paragraph

You can conclude your cover letter by saying that you feel the role is the right fit for you and that you are excited to contribute to their team.

Also, thank the employer for considering you for the position. Two strong closing lines to use are: I look forward to meeting with you to discuss my qualifications further. Thank you for your consideration.

Respectfully yours,

Name

Keep In Mind,

The secret behind a great cover letter format is understanding it’s not all about you! Help the employer understand how your skills could help the company succeed.

The cover letter shows the value you will bring to the organization. The employer could care that you want to work for their company or they could want to know what skills you have, but specifically, they want to know how you could solve their problems.

In Conclusion,

The format you choose for your cover letter will determine the first impression you make. If you’re not sure of what cover letter format to use, you can reach out to a CV writing professional. You can do this by emailing brenda@corporatestaffing.co.ke. She will help you take your cover letter to the next level with professional editing.