Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Prepare yourself
• Part 2 of 2: Writing your motivation letter
• Tips
• Warnings

Recruiters work with companies to match job seekers with vacancies. When they think a particular candidate fits a specific job opening, they forward the applicant's information to the company for further assessment. Writing a cover letter is therefore your first step in finding a job. Follow a few steps to make sure your cover letter is perfect.

To step

Part 1 of 2: Prepare yourself

1. Determine what type of job you are looking for. Recruiters usually specialize in a particular segment of the job market, so you should know what you are looking for before reaching out. If you are struggling to determine what to look for, keep the following in mind.
   • What is your education?
   • What is your experience?
   • Have you had a job in the past that you liked?
   • Think about whether you want this as a career or as a temporary job. You may be more willing to compromise for a temporary job than for a lifelong career.
2. Find out what kind of jobs the recruiter often holds. When approaching a recruiter, you need to make sure you are applying for positions that suit you. For example, if you're looking for a job as a salesperson, don't approach a recruiter who normally matches people with security jobs.
   • Recruiters typically indicate whether or not they are looking for someone for certain jobs and positions, so make sure to keep a close eye on their website or blog.
3. Compile your own CV. You should never send a cover letter to a recruiter without your resume. Since the two go hand in hand, you should prepare your resume along with your cover letter at the same time. It helps to do your resume first. This lets you focus on your experience and gives you points to expand on in your cover letter.
   • Read more about creating a resume for tips on how to make a strong resume.
4. Check your resume. Your resume briefly states your experience and normally does not contain much explanation. Your cover letter is an opportunity to elaborate on certain points on your resume. Read your resume carefully before writing your letter. Mark the points you want to use and see if anything needs more explanation. That way, you can coordinate your cover letter and resume, instead of one repeating the other.
5. View the format of a business letter. All cover letters should be considered business letters. This applies to e-mails as well as letters by post. View this format and use it for all your cover letters. Become familiar with the following format and use it when writing your letter.
   • Place your name, title and address in the top left corner of the document.
   • Place the date below.
   • Place the person's name, title and address below.
   • Address the person correctly. Start with "Dear Sir" or "Dear Madam".
   • Use an inch margin and single line spacing. Don't indent the paragraphs, just use an extra blank line between the paragraphs.
   • Use an easy to read font such as Times New Roman or Arial of 12 points.
   • End with "Sincerely yours" and then leave 4 lines so that you can sign by hand. Below you type your name and title.

Part 2 of 2: Writing your motivation letter

1. Address the recipient correctly. Remember this is a formal business letter. You must address the recipient as sir or madam. Also use "Dear" as a salutation; "Hi" or "Hello" are not suitable for a business letter.
   • If you don't know the gender of the recipient, use the person's full name after "Dear".
2. State why you are writing the letter. Application letters are letters to which you come directly to the point. A long salutation is unnecessary. The first paragraph is to declare your purpose, so you should say why you are writing this letter right at the beginning.
   • The opening line could be something like, "I am writing this letter because I am interested in a job in sales and customer service".
3. Introduce yourself to the recipient. After the first sentence, you should give a short introduction about yourself in the first paragraph. This need not be longer than two sentences; just give the recipient an idea of ​​who you are.
   • A good introduction could be: "I recently graduated from Leiden University and have a degree in Psychology."
4. State the position you are interested in. Since the recruiter matches you with a position based on your cover letter and resume, you should mention if there is a specific job or company that you are interested in. That way, the recruiter knows what you are looking for and is better equipped to help you find a job.
   • Recruiters may or may not promote the companies they work with. If the recruiter you are contacting has made this information public, please list the specific companies you are interested in and want to work for. This shows that you are a serious candidate who has researched the job you want.
5. State your skills and interests. After letting the recruiter know what type of job you are looking for, you should show why you are qualified for that particular job. In a new paragraph, state all your relevant experience and why it fits you well with the job you are looking for.
   • Remember, this section shouldn't just repeat your resume; the recruiter has already seen your resume. What you should do is elaborate on some of the points that were not fully covered on your resume. For example, you could have done an internship in one semester. This is just one line on your resume, but you can elaborate on how it has given you the indispensable skills and experience for the job you are looking for.
   • You can also mention experience that is not on your resume. Tutoring your neighbor may not be appropriate for your resume, but you can share how this experience has given you a sense of responsibility that will help you find the job you are looking for.
6. State how your skills and interests are related to the job you want. Remember, the purpose of the letter is to show the recruiter that you are a good fit for the job you want. Therefore, it is not enough to just list your skills. You should also show why your skills and experience make you a good candidate for the job.
   • Look at the transferable skills you have been given. For example, if you're looking for a job in sales, you may not think that your stockbroker job in a store has given you a lot of experience. But if you've had to work with customers, that means you've gained customer service experience. These skills are easy to apply to dealing with potential clients in your company.
   • If you've never had a job, things you did for school may also apply. You may have had to give a presentation to the class. That means you have experience with public speaking. Other experience from school that you can use is your ability to meet deadlines, to multitask, and to work under pressure.
7. Repeat your enthusiasm in the conclusion. After listing all of your relevant experience, write a conclusion. In this section, you should reiterate your job preference and state that you are a qualified candidate. Also, thank the recipient for their time in handling your application.
   • Your closing should be something like this: "As you can see from my qualifications, I am an ideal candidate for a position in sales and marketing. I look forward to your response and to continue speaking with you. Thank you for your time and your consideration. "
8. Reread your letter. Never send a cover letter without rereading it first. Any spelling and grammar mistakes will damage your application and make you appear unprofessional. Always read your letter at least twice before sending it. If possible, have someone else look at it too. A fresh pair of eyes can spot the mistakes you have missed.
9. Send your resume along with your cover letter. Don't forget to attach your resume when you send your cover letter. If you don't submit your resume, it is almost certain that the recruiter will not answer your application and get you a position.

Tips

• Always use standard fonts, margins and paper when writing a cover letter. Your originality should show through in the content, not in the form of your letter.

Warnings

• Don't use an overly conversational tone. While your letter should sound good when you read it out loud, it should be professional and polite.