According to some experts, finding exciting job adverts is one of the most challenging problems job-seekers need to deal with.
But according to our own research, conveying your enthusiasm to a one-page cover letter might prove to be even more challenging.
After all, you don’t want a bland and boring cover letter to represent you, we get it.
But how can you make a strong first impression in just a few lines?
Below, you’ll find the best Entry Level cover letter tips and examples that will help you find out.
Professional entry level cover letter tips to help you stand out
The secret to making your Entry Level cover letter remarkable is to share your excitement about the company, the field, and the position.
It’s also a good idea to aim not to re-write your resume, but rather to build upon it and expand on your competencies.
Now, let's look at some other things that will make recruiters remember you.
Address your cover letter to the right person and make your introduction strong
Choosing the right salutation might be tough – we get it. After all, you don’t want to sound way too formal or too friendly.
There are some things that should definitely be taken into consideration when it comes to addressing your cover letter. First and foremost comes the recruiter’s name.
Even if you don’t know who the person reading your cover letter might be, try to find out. Check company websites or social media profiles or even media articles.
If this doesn’t help, you can go for traditional gender-neutral salutations that don’t require knowing the hiring manager’s name.
Here are some of our favorites:
- Dear Mr. John,
- Dear Ms. Petersen,
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear Dr. Todd,
- Dear Head of [team you're applying for]
The introduction of your Entry Level cover letter is without a doubt crucial for the first impression you’ll make as an applicant. But is there a way to make sure your opening line is good enough?
Yes, there is. You can start by sharing your enthusiasm for the job or the field (or why not both!). You could also share your reasons to find the company exciting.
Try to be original. Don’t go for phrases like “I want to apply for the position that I saw advertised on platform X”. They're outdated and sound like you’ve got nothing better to say
Emphasize your entry level soft skills and mention your hard skills
So you’ve listed all your hard skills on your resume, now what?
It’s time to think about the soft ones. But remember, it’s essential to not just list your soft skills but to link them to the actual ways they can help you do well in the future.
And what about hard skills, have we completely crossed them out? No, not at all. You still need to mention some of these if you want to pass applicant tracking systems that screen texts for certain keywords. Check the requirements section of the job advert for a complete list of phrases you need to include.
Prove that you're familiar with the company
How can you prove your excitement about the company? By showing that you’ve taken the time to research its issues, goals, and plans. You can also link them to your skills and experience if you want to show that you're really a strong candidate.
In addition to making a great impression, researching the company will help you find out if you really want to be part of this team or not. After all, interviewing is a two-way process.
End in an actionable way
Ending your Entry Level cover letter in a suitable way can help you land an interview. Why? Because strong endings portray applicants as considerate and, what’s even more important – passionate about the job.
Just make sure that your ending (just like your cover letter’s body) matches the company culture. If you prefer to be on the safe side, go for traditional closing lines such as “Looking forward to hearing from you”.