What is The Purpose of a Cover Letter?

If you’re in the midst of applying to jobs, you may be wondering how to write a cover letter and what to actually include. A cover letter should be the place where you highlight your personal motivation for a job and illustrate what makes you a good fit for the position. It is a way to “speak” to the employer in a way that your CV can’t. 

Therefore, you want to ensure you hit the right criteria in your cover letter. In this article, we will cover exactly that. We will explore how to write a cover letter, including the dos and don’ts of a cover letter, and how to format the perfect cover letter.

Cover Letter vs. CV: What’s the Difference?

When applying to a job or internship, there are various documents that you may need to include. For example, a Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume and a cover letter. While they may seem similar, they serve different functions.

A CV is a concise overview of your qualifications, skills, education, and previous work experience. An optimized CV presents your information in a clear, bullet point format to organize your education and work experience chronologically.

On the other hand, a cover letter should tell the story behind your CV. It should have a more persuasive and narrative-like style of writing. It should bring your CV to life and give your application a personalized edge.

Together, your CV and cover letter should showcase a holistic overview of who you are.

A Few Golden Rules: How To Write a Cover Letter 101

Writing a cover letter for a job application takes some nuance. Doing your research on the company or organization can give you a better idea of who they are and whether you are a good fit for their team. From there, you can start to write a compelling cover letter. 

Here are a few pointers to keep in mind:

  • Address it to the hiring manager: Do not start your letter with “to whom it may concern”. Make sure that you have read the job description and know who is hiring for the position. Address your cover letter to them and keep the tone professional and polite.
  • Make it specific: Highlight transferable skills and relevant previous experience. Discuss how these specifically align with the job and organization. For best results, be specific in how you can assist them in ongoing or upcoming projects or fill gaps.
  • Keep the focus on the company: Avoid writing a list about how the job will help you. Instead, focus on how you can help the company and why you are passionate about working with them. Avoid generic statements that could apply to any organization. Refer to how you align with their mission and values to showcase both personal and professional fit.
  • Start and end strong: Include an impactful opening statement and conclusion. Both should showcase your enthusiasm and highlight why you are applying. Keep these concise and crisp with relevant information and eye-catching vocabulary. Avoid complex jargon or irrelevant information that will distract from your main narrative.

Use these tips when writing your cover letter to make it impactful and effective.

How To Write a Cover Letter for an Internship

Internships are a valuable way to gain experience for master’s students or recent graduates who are making their way into the job market. Because of this, cover letters for internships can vary in style. For instance, you may be wondering, “What if I don’t have experience?”

Not to worry, you can focus on your education, relevant coursework or projects you’ve completed, volunteer work, or previous internships.

In a cover letter for an internship, include examples of the following:

  • Mindset matters: What you may lack in work experience, you can make up for in work ethic. Convey your enthusiasm, a proactive attitude, and the capacity to learn quickly. Highlight instances where you overcame challenges and displayed adaptability to give employers an idea of your work ethic.
  • Showcase skills: Demonstrate the soft skills you gained from volunteer work, internships, coursework, or extracurricular activities. Use specific examples to illustrate your abilities. For example, if you were the leader of a student club, write about how that shaped your leadership style.

What Is the Best Format?

The best cover letter format is simple, professional, and easy to read. It should follow standard formatting: one page, a standard font like Arial, font size 12, left-aligned text, with clean margins.

A Cover Letter Outline

  1. Name & contact details: Include your full name and any relevant contact information, such as your email address, in the header at the top.
  2. A personalized greeting: Address your cover letter to the hiring manager.
  3. An introduction stating your purpose: Clearly state in the introduction which role you are applying for, where you saw the job posting, or who referred you. You do not need to start by stating your name again, as it is at the top and also on your CV.
  4. A body text that demonstrates fit and experience: Use 3-4 paragraphs to explain your skills, achievements, and fit for the role. Be concise and to the point.
  5. A closing paragraph & sign off: Round up your cover letter with something memorable. Avoid repeating what’s on your CV or what you’ve already said. Use a professional sign-off, as you would in a letter or email.

Make sure the format of the cover letter aligns with the outline in the job description. Oftentimes, you must send your cover letter as a PDF. Make sure the document is clearly titled using your full name and the role and company you are applying to. Avoid calling it “Cover Letter Draft #5”, as it will make it difficult for the employer to keep track of which is yours.

What Not to Include in a Cover Letter

Avoiding common mistakes can instantly make your letter more effective. Many applicants lose opportunities due to careless errors that leave a bad first impression.

Do not include:

  • Vague greetings such as “To whom it may concern”
  • Typos or grammatical errors
  • Informal or impolite language
  • Ovelry long or irrelevant text, quotes, or anecdotes
  • Jargon, clichés, or generic statements

Review your letter several times before sending it to catch typos or unclear sentences. Allow yourself enough time to review it, gather feedback, and make any necessary edits before sending it.

Write Your Story with Purpose

Now that you know how to write a cover letter, give it a try. Remember, a great cover letter should tell your story in a relevant and engaging way. Whether you are applying for an internship or your dream job, your letter should reveal who you are. The reader should get a sense of what drives you and how you can make a meaningful contribution within that position. With an easy-to-read structure, a thoughtful tone, and a focus on tangible skills, you can create a strong impression that opens doors to new opportunities.

Learn more about what kind of jobs you can pursue with a master’s on our Careers page.