Embarking on the job search journey, many graphic design students like you quickly learn that a compelling cover letter is a must-have. Yet, it's easy to stumble into the common trap of echoing your resume rather than showcasing your proudest professional triumph. Remember, while your cover letter should maintain a formal tone, dodging clichés will help you stand out. Here's the key: keep it concise, no longer than one page, and craft a narrative that sets you apart.
- Write a graphic design student cover letter that helps you stand out (and get the job);
- Understand how to start and end your graphic design student cover letter with the appropriate greeting;
- What to include in the body of your graphic design student cover letter to put your best foot forward;
- Your most important achievements - how to present them as part of your graphic design student cover letter.
And if you want to make your life even easier, simply drag and drop your graphic design student resume into Enhancv's AI cover letter generator, and it will write your cover letter for you in just a few moments.
If the graphic design student isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:
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Graphic design student cover letter example
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- Emphasize relevant experience - The cover letter highlights the candidate's previous success in a similar role at Adobe Systems, showcasing relevant experience and a proven ability to enhance user engagement through graphic design.
- Align with company values - By expressing admiration for the company's commitment to engaging audiences and showcasing a desire to contribute to these objectives, the candidate demonstrates a good fit with the company culture and values.
- Showcase specific achievements - Mentioning a successful project that resulted in a 30% increase in social media engagement serves as concrete evidence of the candidate's potential impact and ability to achieve tangible results.
- Express eagerness to contribute - The candidate's eagerness to bring their skill set to the company and discuss how it aligns with the organization's goals invites further discussion and demonstrates enthusiasm for the opportunity.
The format of your graphic design student cover letter: structure, fonts, margins, and more
Your graphic design student cover letter should include a header (with your name, position, and date); a greeting and introductory paragraph; a body and closing paragraphs; and an optional signature.
Remember that you're writing your graphic design student cover letter for recruiters - as the Applicant Tracker System won't scan this content.
Here are a few more tips and tricks to keep in mind when formatting your graphic design student cover letter:
- Use the same font in your graphic design student cover letter and resume. We recommend modern fonts, e.g. Lato and Rubik, to help you stand out, instead of the stereotypical Arial and Times New Roman.
- Each paragraph should have single spacing, which is already set up for you in our cover letter templates.
- Our cover letter builder follows industry standards for your graphic design student cover letter formatting - with a one-inch margin, surrounding your content.
- Always export your graphic design student cover letter in PDF to ensure the image or text quality stays the same and your writing isn't moved about.
The top sections on a graphic design student cover letter
- Header: Include your contact information, date, and the employer's contact details; this establishes professionalism and makes it easy for recruiters to reach out to you.
- Creative Opening: Start with a compelling hook that showcases your creativity and keen interest in graphic design, as this will capture the recruiter's attention and differentiate you from other candidates.
- Design Skills and Portfolio Highlight: In the body of the cover letter, emphasize your most relevant design skills and provide a brief description of your portfolio, giving recruiters a quick insight into your capabilities.
- Industry Awareness and Software Proficiency: Mention your familiarity with design trends, and highlight your proficiency with industry-standard software like Adobe Creative Suite, as this shows you're well-equipped to start working on projects.
- Purposeful Closing: Conclude with a strong closing statement that reiterates your enthusiasm for the position and includes a call to action, prompting the recruiter to view your portfolio or arrange an interview.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
- Proficiency in design software: Recruiters prioritize applicants who are skilled in essential graphic design software like Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), as these are the primary tools of the trade.
- Strong portfolio: A robust and diverse portfolio demonstrates the range of a candidate’s abilities, creativity, and experience—a vital aspect recruiters assess to gauge job-fit.
- Creativity and artistic flair: Recruiters look for candidates who can think outside the box, develop original concepts, and have a strong aesthetic sense to create visually compelling designs.
- Understanding of design principles: Knowledge of color theory, typography, layout, and branding is crucial for creating effective designs, which recruiters seek for their relevance in real-world projects.
- Communication skills: The ability to interpret briefs, present ideas clearly, and collaborate effectively with team members and clients is key, as graphic design is often a collaborative and client-facing role.
- Time management and ability to meet deadlines: Recruiters prioritize candidates who can demonstrate the ability to manage their workload efficiently and deliver projects on time, as timeliness is critical in the fast-paced design industry.
Kick off your graphic design student cover letter: the salutation or greeting
When writing your graphic design student cover letter, remember that you're not writing for some complex AI or robot, but for actual human beings.
And recruiters, while on the lookout to understand your experience, would enjoy seeing a cover letter that is tailored to the role and addresses them. Personally.
So, if you haven't done so, invest some time in finding out who's the hiring manager for the role you're applying to. A good place to start would be LinkedIn and the corporate website.
Alternatively, you could also get in touch with the company to find out more information about the role and the name of the recruiter.
If you haven't met the hiring manager, yet, your graphic design student cover letter salutation should be on a last-name basis (e.g. "Dear Mr. Donaldson" or "Dear Ms. Estephan").
A good old, "Dear HR Professional" (or something along those lines) could work as your last resort if you're struggling to find out the recruiter's name.
List of salutations you can use
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear [Name of the Supervisor or Hiring Committee],
- Dear [Department Name] Team,
- Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name],
- Dear [Company Name] Recruiter,
- Dear [Job Title] Search Committee,
How to start your graphic design student cover letter introduction
The opening paragraph of your graphic design student cover letter can seem like a real enigma.
Where do you start writing?
In your graphic design student cover letter introduction, focus on yourself by stating what:
- gets you motivated and excited about the role;
- you like best about the company, from culture to awards.
Write no more than two sentences, which are both authentic and show your enthusiasm for the opportunity.
What comes next: your graphic design student cover letter middle paragraphs
In the next three to six paragraphs (or the body of your graphic design student cover letter) you have to prove your unique value.
Most candidates tend to mess up at this stage. They tend to just copy-paste information from their resume.
That's one big no-no.
Remember that when writing your graphic design student cover letter, it has to be personalized. And, your ultimate aim is to catch the recruiter's eye.
So, look back on key job requirements and write down a list that includes the ones you cover.
Next, select just one key achievement from your professional (or personal) history that meets those advert keywords.
Narrate a story around how you've grown your skill set and knowledge. Also, aim to show the unique understanding or soft skills you bring about, thanks to your past success.
Finishing off your graphic design student cover letter with what matters most
So far, you've done a fantastic job in tailoring your graphic design student cover letter for the role and recruiter.
Your final opportunity to make a good impression is your closing paragraph.
And, no, a "Sincerely yours" just won't do, as it sounds too vague and impersonal.
End your graphic design student cover letter with the future in mind.
So, if you get this opportunity, what do you plan to achieve? Be as specific, as possible, of what value you'd bring to the organization.
You could also thank recruiters for their interest in your profile and prompt for follow-up actions (and organizing your first interview).
Addressing limited to no experience in the graphic design student cover letter
There's nothing to worry about if you lack professional experience.
Your graphic design student cover letter could bridge the gaps in your professional history by focusing on what matters most to recruiters, that's either:
- skills - focusing on transferable ones you've gained, thanks to your life experience (e.g. volunteering, certificates, etc.);
- achievements - select the most relevant and noteworthy one from your history (e.g. education, projects, etc.);
- motivation - describe how you envision your professional growth in the next up to five years, thanks to this opportunity.
Key takeaways
Your graphic design student cover letter is your best shot at standing out by showing your motivation and the unique skills you'd bring to the job:
- Chose no more than one achievement, which you'd be talking about in the body of your graphic design student cover letter, by focusing on skills and outcomes;
- Address recruiters with their first or last name, or "Dear Hiring Manager" in your graphic design student cover letter greeting;
- Introduce in no more than two sentences what makes your profile unique (perhaps it's your motivation, enthusiasm, or appreciation of the company you're applying for);
- Select the same font you have used in your resume (avoid Times New Roman and Arial, as most candidates tend to invest in them);
- Close your graphic design student cover letter with a promise of how you see yourself growing in the company and the benefits you'd bring about.
