How To Write A Cover Letter: For Freshers

When you’re a fresher, writing a cover letter can feel a bit anxiety-inducing.

After all, what should you write? How long should a cover letter be? What should you definitely not write? How to make a cover letter actually work?

Also, let's talk about the format and language.

You might feel overwhelmed with so many do’s and don’ts out there.

Use this format, don't say that, keep it formal, but not too formal, show your personality... and the list goes on!

Finally, there's the one aspect that's often underestimated - the fear of sounding cliché. How do you come off as a sincere candidate and not just someone who repurposed a cover letter template?

Let’s go through all these questions and then some

What is the point of a cover letter?

A resume is a document. It objectively states what you’ve done. It’s essentially a list. A chronological list of everything you’ve done as far as your professional life is concerned. It’s a great way for recruiters to get some basic idea about you.

A cover letter, on the other hand, isn’t all that objective. It’s more of a narration. It’s a way for you to pitch yourself to the role. You write a cover letter to let the recruiters know why they should hire you.

The cover letter is usually the second thing that a recruiter looks at. So, once they’re happy with the resume, they look at the cover letter, to know more about you.

So, that’s what your cover letter should do. It should tell the recruiters more about you and why you’re a good fit for the role.

But as a fresher, how does it matter?

Actually, it matters more than you might think.

Let’s say you’re a developer with ten years of experience. The most important parts of your professional life are covered in your resume. The programming languages you know, the important projects you’ve worked on, certifications you’ve picked up over the years — you get the idea.

But when you’re a fresher, your resume is a bit lean.

The cover letter is the perfect place to inject a bit of personality into your application. It also helps you show the recruiter how much you really want the job.

How to write a cover letter as a fresher?

Start with your name and contact details:

A cover letter is not just any letter. It's a professional document, so it begins with a professional header.

Start with your contact information at the top left corner of the page. That includes your full name, address, phone number, and professional email address. If you have a LinkedIn profile (and you really, really should), include its link here.

Below this, add the date (not your birthday. The date of sending your application). This will give the recruiter some context about when you’ve applied.

Salutations are important:

Next, you need to add the hiring manager's contact information, if you have it. Their name, title, company name, and company address should do. If you're unsure who to address it to, a little research can go a long way.

Speaking of addressing, we're at the salutation. Salutations, however old-fashioned they may seem, matter.

You’re showing the oldies that you are a professional or you can be a professional. This is your opportunity to do that. Simply saying “Hi” comes off as casual and non-professional.

Irrespective of how good you are, when you’re a fresher, following age-old conventions do matter. So, use the right salutations.

It's best to address the hiring manager by their name. For example, "Dear Ms. Thompson," or "Dear Mr. Kapoor," always works.

If you don't know their name, go with a general, "Dear Hiring Manager,". Another tip, "To whom it may concern", is not a great salutation. It comes off as a bit rude. So, skip it.

Introduce yourself quickly and get to the body:

Remember, the recruiter already knows a bit about you. They’ve seen your resume. So, don’t spend too much time introducing yourself.

Just mention your name, the job you’re applying for, and where you saw the job listing. Again, it’s just there to give some context to your recruiter.

The second paragraph is about your skills, qualifications, and experiences. Try not to spend too much time here, either.

But there’s one important thing to remember.

Read the job description. Again and again. The job description is the single most important document when you’re applying for a job. It literally tells you exactly what they’re looking for.

Now, it’s just a question of positioning yourself as that person. Obviously, this doesn’t mean that you lie. Instead, it’s about highlighting what matters and ignoring what doesn’t.

So, when you’re writing about certifications you’ve done, or projects you did in your college, or your internships, highlight relevant details.

Look at the example below:

Now, why is this good?

First off, there’s the degree. The description asks for one and the candidate provides one. Next, look at the programming languages. You might know other languages, too. But make sure you definitely don’t miss the ones listed in the job description.

“Strong problem-solving skills” is one of the things mentioned. The cover letter talks about it, too. There’s no point in just telling the recruiters that you have absolutely amazing problem-solving skills.

Instead, make it relevant. The candidate mentions how they did a project, faced issues, collaborated with a team, and solved problems.

You have to remember that the recruiters know nothing about you. So, it’s on you to give them all the information they need.

Lastly, the candidate also mentions that they’re excited about being in a team where learning and adapting to new technologies happens all the time. Again, this is something that’s mentioned in the job description.

Nowhere in this cover letter does the candidate come off as generic or fake or insincere.

It’s just an honest story told intelligently.

We’ve skipped ahead a bit.

Now, once you’ve written your qualifications and skills, it’s time to pitch. This is the body of the cover letter and the heart of it, as well.

Align your skills and experiences with the job requirements. Use specific examples and results wherever possible.

The body of your cover letter isn't just about what you've done. It's also about what you could do for the company. Express your enthusiasm about bringing your skills to the table.

Show them you've done your research about the company and understand its values, mission, and recent projects.

One last thing, while the body of your cover letter is your chance to elaborate, don't write a novel. Keep it concise and relevant. Two or three short paragraphs should do the trick.

Sign-off professionally

The conclusion of your cover letter is your closing argument. So, reiterate your interest in the role and the company without just repeating the same things.

Then, include a “Call To Action” (CTA).

It’s literally a call for the recruiter to take some action. In our previous example, you can see that the candidate says “I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my background and passion make me an excellent fit for the Junior Software Developer role at XYZ Tech Solutions”.

That’s the Call To Action.

It’s a way to politely nudge the recruiter to go ahead with your application.

You’ll find lots of examples for all of these in a downloadable Word document at the end of this article.

Once you’ve written your CTA, thank the hiring manager for considering your application.

A little politeness goes a long way in leaving a positive impression.

Something along the lines of, "Thank you for considering my application. I appreciate the time you have taken to review my qualifications."

And finally, the sign-off. This is more than just a formality - it's a way to end your cover letter on a professional note. Use formal closings like "Sincerely" or "Best regards," followed by your full name.

And that’s about it!

Suggested: How to match your resume to a job description

Few extra tips for writing a cover letter as a fresher:

Research the company:

An informed candidate is an impressive candidate. So, your first step is to do your homework about the company and the role you're applying for.

Start by diving into the company's website.

What are their values? What projects are they working on? What's their culture like?

Having a clear understanding of the company's ethos will help you tailor your cover letter to their needs and show them that you're a perfect cultural fit.

Now, shift your focus to the role.

Read the job description carefully.

Understand what skills and qualifications they are seeking. Think about how your background aligns with these requirements. The more you know about the role, the better you can pitch yourself as the ideal candidate in your cover letter.

Your cover letter is your opportunity to show the hiring manager that you understand their company and their needs, and that you're the solution they're looking for.

Your language shouldn’t be too professional:

Your cover letter is a professional document, but that doesn't mean it has to sound robotic.

The tone you strike can make the difference between appearing as a real, relatable person or coming off as an impersonal list of qualifications.

Always keep your language professional, but try to maintain a conversational tone.

Imagine you're talking to the hiring manager over a cup of coffee, discussing why you're a great fit for the role.

Avoid jargon or overly complex words that might confuse the reader or sound pretentious. At the same time, stay away from overly casual language or slang.

Remember, you're not texting a friend, you're speaking to a potential employer.

Use the active voice as much as possible. Phrases like "I wrote this code..." or "I developed a strategy..." are more impactful than the passive equivalents.

They show that you are a doer, not just an observer.

Also, remember that your cover letter isn't just about what you say, but also how you say it. Variety is key here. Don't start every sentence with "I". Mix it up to keep the reader's attention.

And lastly, let your personality shine through. Yes, you're selling your skills and qualifications, but you're also selling yourself as a person. Don't be afraid to let your enthusiasm for the role and the company show.

What makes you unique?

Your cover letter is more than a summary of your resume - it's your personal sales pitch. It's your chance to highlight what makes you unique.

So, don't shy away from bringing your individuality to the table. Maybe you have a unique hobby that has honed your leadership skills, or perhaps your multicultural background gives you a unique perspective.

Whatever it is, find a way to weave it into your cover letter if it adds value to your application.

Proofread your cover letter. Now do it again:

Typos, grammatical errors, or awkward phrasing can be a big turn-off for hiring managers. It not only shows a lack of attention to detail but also can make your cover letter difficult to read.

So, once you've written your cover letter, set it aside for a while. Come back to it with fresh eyes and proofread it meticulously.

But don't stop at self-proofreading. Get a second opinion. Have someone else read your cover letter, preferably someone who knows you well and someone who doesn't.

The person who knows you can ensure you've highlighted your skills and experiences effectively, while the person who doesn't know you can ensure your cover letter makes sense to someone unfamiliar with your background.

Suggested: How to write a cover letter for any job?

Conclusion:

There you have it — a simple guide to writing a cover letter as a fresher.

Good cover letters aren’t just a list of things you’ve done but a letter that tells the recruiter exactly why they move ahead with your application. Write great cover letters and good job opportunities shouldn’t be too far away.

On that front, if you’re looking for remote jobs, check out Simple Job Listings. We only list verified, fully-remote jobs that pay really well. What’s more, most of the jobs that we list aren’t posted anywhere else.

Visit Simple Job Listings and find amazing remote jobs. Good luck!

Also, the Word document is below. Feel free to use the contents of that document.

Simple Job Listings — Cover Letter Examples_

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