Crafting a compelling volunteer cover letter can be a stumbling block, even for those well into their job search journey. You understand it's not to echo your resume, but rather to weave the narrative of your proudest professional moment. Striking that fine balance between formality and genuine passion, steering clear of overused clichés, all while fitting your story neatly on one page can feel like an uphill battle. It's time to tackle these challenges head-on and let your dedication shine through.
- Create a volunteer cover letter to persuade the recruiters you're the best candidate for the role;
- Use industry-leading volunteer cover letter templates and examples to save time;
- Dedicate your volunteer cover letter space to your best achievement;
- Make sure your volunteer cover letter meets recruiters' expectations and standards.
Avoid starting at the blank page for hours by using Enhancv's AI - just upload your resume and your volunteer cover letter will be ready for you to (tweak and) submit for your dream job.
If the volunteer 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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Volunteer cover letter example
MICHELLE SANDERS
New York, NY
+1-(234)-555-1234
help@enhancv.com
- Emphasis on alignment with the organization's mission showcases not only an understanding of the company's values but also a personal commitment to their cause, which is crucial for advocacy-based roles.
- Demonstration of relevant experience by citing specific achievements, such as leading a successful fundraising initiative, evidences the candidate's capability to contribute effectively to the organization's objectives—fundraising prowess is often essential for nonprofit work.
- Highlighting soft skills like empathy, organization, and proactive teamwork presents an image of a well-rounded candidate who can navigate the social complexities of work in the non-profit sector, especially when dealing with vulnerable populations.
- A clear call to action for an opportunity to further discuss the candidate's fit for the role, which conveys enthusiasm and initiative, may increase the chances of securing an interview.
What about your volunteer cover letter format: organizing and structuring your information
Here is one secret you should know about your volunteer cover letter assessment. The Applicant Tracker System (or ATS) won't analyze your cover letter.
You should thus focus on making an excellent impression on recruiters by writing consistent:
- Header
- Greeting
- Introduction
- Body paragraphs (and explanation)
- Promise or Call to action
- Signature (that's optional)
Now, let's talk about the design of your volunteer cover letter.
Ensure all of your paragraphs are single-spaced and have a one-inch margins on all sides (like in our cover letter templates).
Also, our cover letter builder automatically takes care of the format and comes along with some of the most popular (and modern) fonts like Volkhov, Chivo, and Bitter.
Speaking of fonts, professionals advise you to keep your volunteer cover letter and resume in the same typography and avoid the over-used Arial or Times New Roman.
When wondering whether you should submit your volunteer cover letter in Doc or PDF, select the second, as PDF keeps all of your information and design consistent.
The top sections on a volunteer cover letter
- Header: Include your contact information, the date, and the recipient's details to ensure the cover letter is addressed properly and to make it easy for the recruiter to reach out to you.
- Greeting: Use a formal salutation to address the hiring manager or volunteer coordinator, as it demonstrates professionalism and respect from the outset of your communication.
- Introduction: Highlight your enthusiasm for volunteering and mention the specific role you're applying for, as this section sets the tone and shows your genuine interest in contributing to the organization.
- Body: Detail your relevant skills, experiences, and motivations for wanting to volunteer, as recruiters look for candidates whose values align with their mission and who can bring valuable contributions to their team.
- Closing: Reiterate your interest in the role and thank the reader for considering your application, providing a polite and professional end to your cover letter that leaves a positive impression.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
- Passion for the cause: Demonstrates dedication and a personal connection to the mission of the organization.
- Proven commitment through previous volunteer work: Shows experience in and understanding of the nonprofit sector or similar volunteer roles.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills: Essential for interacting with various stakeholders and team collaboration.
- Flexibility and adaptability: Indicates the ability to handle diverse tasks and adjust to changing environments common in volunteer settings.
- Leadership and initiative: Ideal for taking charge of projects and showing the willingness to go beyond assigned tasks.
- Cultural sensitivity and inclusiveness: Important for organizations working with diverse communities or global outreach.
How to address hiring managers in your volunteer cover letter greeting
Goodbye, "Dear Sir/Madam" or "To whom it may concern!"
The salutation of your volunteer cover letter is how you kick off your professional communication with the hiring managers.
And you want it to start off a bit more personalized and tailored, to catch the recruiters' attention.
Take the time to find out who's recruiting for the role (via LinkedIn or the company page).
If you have previously chatted or emailed the hiring managers, address them on a first or last name basis.
The alternative is a "Dear HR team" or "Dear Hiring Manger", but remember that a "Dear Ms. Simmons" or "Dear Simon," could get you farther ahead than an impersonal greeting.
List of salutations you can use
- Dear [Organization Name] Team,
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear [Specific Contact Person's Title and Last Name],
- Dear Volunteer Coordinator,
- Dear [Department Name] Director,
- Dear Members of the [Committee or Department Name],
The volunteer cover letter intro: aligning your interest with the company culture
You only have one chance at making a memorable first impression on recruiters with your volunteer cover letter.
Structure your introduction to be precise and to include no more than two sentences.
Here are some ideas on how to write a job-winning volunteer cover letter introduction:
- get creative - show off your personality from the get-go (if this aligns with the company culture);
- focus on your motivation - be specific when you say what gets you excited about this opportunity.
How to select your best achievement for the middle, or the volunteer cover letter body
You probably feel exhausted by this point in your application: you've dived into all the details of your success and skills in your volunteer resume.
What else can you include in your volunteer cover letter body?
Well, for starters, the next three to six paragraphs should show you further value as a professional. Or, why should recruiters choose you?
Think back on a noteworthy achievement that answers key job requirements and dive deep.
Structure your volunteer cover letter middle as you'd a story: following chronological logic and highlighting outcomes, thanks to skills.
At the end of the day, you'd want recruiters to be able to see you as the best candidate for the role and understand more about who you are and what makes your success unique (and valuable to the role).
Time to wrap up your volunteer cover letter
Writing the closing paragraph of your volunteer cover letter is just as important as the salutation.
You have to make it personalized to the job advert and recruiter.
Experienced professionals advise candidates to end with a request or reminder for follow-up. Write that you're grateful for the opportunity, and, at the same time, hint that you're available for the next steps of the process.
Otherwise, you could also conclude your volunteer cover letter by facing the future. How do you see yourself, as part of the team? In particular, how would you settle in your new role in the first six months to a year?
What to write on your volunteer cover letter, when you have zero experience
The best advice for candidates, writing their volunteer cover letters with no experience, is this - be honest.
If you have no past professional roles in your portfolio, focus recruiters' attention on your strengths - like your unique, transferrable skill set (gained as a result of your whole life), backed up by one key achievement.
Or, maybe you dream big and have huge motivation to join the company. Use your volunteer cover letter to describe your career ambition - that one that keeps you up at night, dreaming about your future.
Finally, always ensure you've answered why employers should hire precisely you and how your skills would benefit their organization.
Key takeaways
Winning recruiters over shouldn't be difficult if you use your volunteer cover letter to tell a story that:
- Is personalized by greeting your readers and focusing on key job skills greets;
- Isn't spread all over the place, but instead focuses on one key achievement and selling your value as a professional;
- Introduces your enthusiasm for the role, passion for the job, or creativity in communication;
- Is also visually appealing - meeting the best HR practices;
- Ends with a nod to the future and how you envision your growth, as part of the company.
Volunteer cover letter examples
Explore additional volunteer cover letter samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
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