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How to write a killer cover letter: 6 fresh strategies for the new normal.

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It's time to create a killer cover letter.

With 28 million Americans receiving some form of unemployment compensation right now, job seekers are facing a difficult economic climate. It appears the $1200 stimulus check isn’t going to materialize in the immediate future , and only three states have agreed to $400 in extra unemployment benefits. So, if. you are out of work in Montana, Kentucky or West Virginia: Congratulations. You’re getting some good news that most Americans won’t receive. Meanwhile, the need to find meaningful work has never been greater. That’s why it’s crucial to concentrate on a killer cover letter. Some may say that a cover letter is a thing of the past - because your resumé speaks for itself. But the fact is, your resumé can’t talk, or write, and your LinkedIn profile is never the whole story. That’s why it’s a good idea for you to get going on the number one tool you need in the new normal: a killer cover letter.

• Cut the Cake - my writing coach turned me on to the work of Jack Grapes . His book, Method Writing , talks about how you have to cut out the “birthday cake” if you want your message to be clear. In Grapes’ world of words, “birthday cake” is the extra stuff you don’t need in any sentence or phrase. Are you ready to skip dessert? Look at all the adjectives and extras you’ve got in your cover letter: “As a dedicated self-starter, I know I can handle multitasking while staying professional.” What happens if you cut out the birthday cake at the front and the back? It’s counter-intuitive, but sometimes what you leave out actually makes your writing stronger, not weaker. Because the simplest message is the strongest: “I know I can handle multi-tasking. And here’s why....”
• But Don’t Stop with Why - does your cover letter contain the word “because”? This critical word can transform a sentence from the commonplace into the compelling. Example: “As a manager, it was my job to know everything about the restaurant, from health code violations to the ingredients of all the dishes.” Add a dash of because - does it get a little tastier? “Because I had to handle everything from health code violations to the ingredients of all the dishes, I understand the importance of delivering on the details. Because of my work with 30 or more employees on any given night, I learned how to communicate across generations. It’s because of this experience that I know I can help you in the following ways...” Don’t stop with why - it’s not enough. Not only is “because” the classic answer to any “why” question. That single word can transform your story from a first-person history lesson into a powerful way to create service, value and impact .
• Two for the Show - can you find an opportunity in your cover letter to include the words, “so that...”? These two words, like the word “because”, will help you to see the most valuable aspect of your cover letter (and the aspect that most amateurs dismiss): it ain’t all about you. Your experience enables you to be of service, so that you can create impact for your future employer. Ask yourself, is your cover letter about the past, or about your potential? Two small words - so that - can point you in the direction of powerful service, possibility and opportunity. “I’ve studied finance so that I can create market analysis at a deeper level...” “I became a counselor so that I could help troubled teens get back into school...” I wrote those examples so that you would see what I’m saying...did it work?
• Be That Thing - there are skills that your employer desires. Skills that perhaps you have developed in the restaurant industry. Or in retail. Travel. Tourism. Or some other market that has been punished in the coronavirus economy. Look beyond your title and see your skills. What is that thing - that one thing - that you can deliver? What’s that one thing that your employer wants and needs? Take off the label (the job title) and you’ll see the thing that really matters. Write down a list of your skills - your talents. Write out a list of characteristics that your employer wants. See any synergies? These high-level skills transcend your role or your previous company. Can you tell a story around that thing - that high-level skill that everyone wants and needs? If you can, you’re on track to transition into a new role (and maybe even a new industry). For more ideas, you might want to discover how to tell a one-word story .
• Seek to Serve - so many cover letters are written in the first person: I, me, my. Or, by extension, first person plural: we, us, our. A first person history isn’t compelling, it’s commonplace. “I did this, I did that, I bragged and I noticed you just fell asleep.” Top cover letters contain some verbal jujitsu that changes the conversation. What happens if you make the second person first? Second person, of course, is you . I’m not talking about you, dear reader. I mean the you that’s right in front of you: your potential hiring manager. How does your cover letter focus on their needs? Here’s a quick example that combines several of the elements I’ve shared so far: “It’s because of my experience in one of Manhattan’s busiest restaurants that I understand the importance of follow-through. In managing a team of 30 and serving over 900 plates a night, I understand service, commitment and persistence. It’s because of my experience I can bring that kind of clarity to the contact tracing team, and to your organization - no matter how many deadlines I have to face.” Do you see the shift to second person?
• From Conviction to Connection - does your cover letter reveal your passion, values and convictions? I’m not talking about declaring your religious beliefs or explaining how much you love your family. I’m talking about the professional skills that matter most to you. Skills like perseverance, creativity, innovation and communication. Knowing who you are is useful, but connecting your convictions to your career is priceless. That’s the place where work doesn’t feel like work anymore. When conviction connects, your career is merely an extension of your values. Your identity. Your unique talents and abilities. When what you care about most becomes what you do on a daily basis, you’ve discovered a role that isn’t really work. It’s an opportunity for you to express who you are - and serve at the highest possible level. Does that sound impossible right now? Read on, MacDuff.

Today, we’re faced with the toughest job market in anyone’s lifetime. It’s easy to get discouraged, falling into the mindset that your convictions can’t be a career. That choices don’t exist for you. But, I ask you: Is that true? I don’t mean, true like ‘do you believe it’? I mean true, as in the law of gravity or the fact that water boils at 100 degrees centigrade?

What’s true is that opportunities are all around us, even in a punishing economy. Those opportunities belong to those who can pivot and reinvent in the new normal. There’s never just one job that you can do, no matter who you are. You have capabilities and skills that are untapped. Because that’s how we are wired as human beings: resilience and reinvention are built into the system, like five fingers on a hand. We all have the ability to change, even though we may not always want to. Why not start small - with transforming your cover letter, and getting clear about the solutions you can provide?

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• Posted in in Learning And Development For Students

Your Guide To Writing A Killer Resume And Cover Letter

• Posted by by Rashi Maheshwari
• Updated September 27, 2023

A resume and a cover letter are like your personal cheerleaders during your job search. They are the reflection of your professional accomplishments, skills, and experience. But, if not crafted wisely, you can end up as just another face on the campus. And, if you make them stand out, you can be the star player ready to score your dream job during  campus placement —on the first try. So, read on and think about what you’ll prefer.

As someone who has been through the job-hunting process several times, I know firsthand how overwhelming it is. The endless search for the perfect designation, the awkward anxiety right before an interview, and the constant pressure to stand out from a sea of applicants—It’s too much to handle. 

But there is a scenario where you might feel different. 

This is the scenario where you get employers awestruck with your first impression, aka your resume and cover letter.

No job seeker would disagree that having a good resume or portfolio can make or break your chances of an interview. Yet, 

54% of our fellow job seekers often miss out on the perfect job role because they didn’t tailor their resume and portfolio. Moreover, 84% of these aspiring job seekers overlook the personal touch and get rejected for the perfect fit role.

Does knowing these stats give you a weird sense of relatability? Well, even if that’s not the case, you need to save these tips so that you don’t miss out on potential job opportunities today or tomorrow. 

First, let’s learn more about resumes and understand how they are crucial to the job hunt.

What is a resume with examples?

A resume is official and all-inclusive documentation of your professional qualifications, featuring your essential work experience, relevant skills, educational background, and remarkable achievements. Often accompanied by a cover letter, a resume enables you to present a compelling argument of your competence and suitability as a candidate to potential employers. 

Its primary objective is to highlight your competencies, exhibit your capabilities, and present a coherent overview of your career progression. Creating a well-crafted resume is critical in demonstrating your professionalism, aptitude, and potential in a fiercely competitive job market.

And trust me, having a top-notch resume can make all the difference in landing your dream job.

Also, look at: Elevate Your Resume Game With These Job-Winning Resume Samples. 

And, remember,

Don’t settle for mediocrity when you have what it takes to shine. 

Alright now! It’s time to discuss the must-have components of a killer resume.

What are the essential steps in writing a resume?

Creating an effective resume is the initial stride toward securing a job. Therefore, it is imperative to comprehend the indispensable elements that constitute this crucial document to initiate your career search on the right trajectory. So, let’s explore the essential steps to creating an effective resume.

1. Headline and summary statement

Think of a resume as a billboard for your skills and experience. But, like a billboard, you have limited space to grab the reader’s attention. That’s where the headline comes in; it needs to be short, catchy, and summarise what you bring.

Summary Statements—they’re like the background music of a movie. They don’t steal the show but provide context, give a little more detail, and set the right tone for the rest of your resume. 

2. Relevant work experience and education

Start by emphasizing the most relevant work experience and education you have. Highlight your college degrees, qualifications, and the positions you’ve held that are related to the job you’re applying for. Make sure to include any leadership roles or special recognition you’ve earned.

3. Skills and achievements

To showcase your skills and achievements, ensure they’re interesting and informative. Support them with instances like, 

If you’ve worked in customer service, you could talk about how you had a hand in helping hundreds of customers find the perfect product or solve their issues. 

4. Relevant certifications and awards

Writing about certifications and awards in a resume does not have to be a mundane task. Instead, you can make it fun using creative and descriptive language to emphasise your accomplishments. 

For example, suppose you were awarded a Certificate of Excellence for a specific project. In that case, you could write something like this:

Ecstatic to have been awarded the ‘Certificate of Excellence’ for my innovative project [name], which showcased my exceptional skills and dedication.

Remember to be honest and focus on presenting the accomplishments you have earned and don’t exaggerate or make false claims.

5. Use keywords related to the job posting

Listen up, people! The secret weapon to making your resume noticed by a potential employer is to have the right keywords in it.

Here’s why it’s important:

• Hiring managers often use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes and filter out unqualified candidates. By including relevant keywords, you increase your chances of getting past the ATS and into the hands of an actual human!
• Using keywords shows that you took the time to carefully read the job posting and understand the position’s responsibilities. This attention to detail can set you apart from other candidates and make a positive impression on the hiring manager.

6. Customize each resume for every job you apply to

It’s time to level up your job search game! Customizing your resume for each job you apply to shows you understand the position and the company’s needs. It shows that you’re a good match for the job and that you’re not just blasting out generic resumes to anyone who will listen.

You now have all the tips and tricks you need to create a resume that will make hiring managers do a double-take. 

Now, let’s talk about the Cover letter and understand the art of writing a creative cover letter. And, yes, you must send one.

How to write a cover letter for job applications?

A cover letter is another secret weapon on your job hunt journey! 

It’s your chance to let your personality shine, show off your skills, and convince a hiring manager that you’re the superhero they’ve been searching for. Think of it as a handshake through the screen, introducing yourself and why you’re the perfect fit for the job. 

Regrettably,

Approximately 45% of job applicants need to pay more attention to the significance of including a cover letter with their resume.

But I get it! Preparing a cover letter can be a mundane task but trust me; it’s worth the effort. I once applied for a job and thought my resume would speak for itself. Boy, was I wrong! When I got called in for an interview, the hiring manager pulled out my cover letter and said, 

“I was particularly intrigued by your reference to your love of 90s sitcoms in your cover letter. It displayed a genuine and authentic aspect of your personality and demonstrated your effort in crafting a standout application.” 

And that’s how I landed my dream job. So, put on your thinking cap, let your creativity run wild, and give that cover letter some love – you never know where it might take you!

To move forward, let’s discuss the must-have components of your cover letter.

1. Introduction of yourself

While a cover letter is an introduction to a resume, it should not be a copy of your resume. 

But wait! 41% of cover letters commit that mistake.

Well, you don’t have to do that. Instead, craft an introduction that sets you apart and grabs the hiring manager’s attention. Think of it as the opening act – make it memorable and leave the audience wanting more. 

2. Explanation of your interest in the position and company

By demonstrating your understanding of the role and the company’s mission, you show that you are not just any job applicant but a truly invested and motivated candidate. 

3. Address the letter to a specific person if possible

Put on your detective hat and dig to find out to whom you should address your CV. It shows that you have taken the time to research the company and make a more personal connection with the hiring manager. Using their name, you demonstrate a genuine interest in the role and the company and make a solid first impression. 

4. Tailor each cover letter to the specific job and company

Customizing your cover letter sets you apart from the crowd and shows that you are genuinely invested in the opportunity. So, don’t be a one-size-fits-all candidate; tailor your cover letter to each job and company for maximum impact.

5. Use a professional tone and avoid cliches

Your CV is like a business card – it should make a great impression and accurately reflect who you are. So avoid overused phrases and aim for clear, concise language that accurately highlights your skills and achievements.

6. Closing and follow-up information

A strong closing reiterates your interest in the opportunity and thanks the hiring manager for their time. In addition, providing follow-up information, such as your contact details and availability, shows you are proactive and eager to move forward.

And there you have it! The secret to crafting a resume and cover letter that will have hiring managers itching to meet you in person. 

A little bit of personality, and a lot of professionalism go a long way in making your application stand out. 

Now that recruiters are moving towards digitizing their hiring process, ATS is parsing resumes at lightning speed. It’s time to upskill yourself and grab the best opportunity on the first try.

So, put on your creative cap and prepare to land your dream job. It’s time to say goodbye to dull, generic resumes and hello to a world of limitless possibilities. 

Get hired, get inspired—and never settle for anything less than your best!

Rashi Maheshwari

Rashi started her journey with Axis Bank as an Assistant Manager and soon realized it was not her calling. She was adamant about changing her profession but had many doubts. Writing, debating, and journaling landed her first content writing job; the graph has been incredibly thrilling since then. She is currently working at Superset and climbing the ladder to enhance her journey with more freshly brewed ideas.

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10 Secrets to Writing a Killer Cover Letter

Writing a cover letter in today's competitive world has become an art form. While there are the established rules of keeping content tight and focused, and formatting well, there are some secrets you should know.

We'll look at 10 important tips that will help you write the perfect cover letter easily while achieving the best results possible.

in this guide we'll teach you:

• Formatting tips for writing a cover letter
• Who you should focus on in your writing
• The difference between a cover letter and a resume

Before we get into it, make sure that the other crucial component of your application is in place - the resume.

Head over to our resume builder for expert advice.

10 Tips for Writing a Killer Cover Letter

1. your cover letter should never, ever be longer than one page.

Recruiters are busy. They have lots of experience in making quick decisions based on the dozens of cover letters that they have to review daily.

If they see anything longer than one page, they are likely to toss it away. The worst thing you can do is hand in two or more pages stapled together.

It's normal to have lots to say regarding why you want the job or why you're qualified to do it, but this is why you have to think strategically and choose great examples of your career to talk about.

Save your big speech for the interview and if you want to land one, keep the cover letter a short page.

2. Use formatting in your favor

Following up on the single page cover letter secret - you can use your space wisely if you format correctly.

Stick to a letter size between 10 - 12 and got for a compact style such as Tahoma, Arial, or Calibri. Make sure not to leave spaces before or after any commas or periods.

Use 1.5 spacing . Double is too much, yet single will make your text hard to read. This way, you'll be able to fit more text on the page and keep it organized and easy to read.

3. Save your cover letter in the right format

One of the best-kept secrets is the power of PDF. You should always save your cover letter in PDF because it's the only way to make sure that it opens on every device and it keeps your formatting in place.

If you save the cover letter in a ".dox" format, you risk having it appear out of order on the recruiter's computer. Moreover, not every computer is able to open a ".dox" format and be sure that the recruiter won't take an extra five minutes to convert your files.

Play it safe and go with a PDF cover letter.

4. Show, don't tell

Your cover letter should be engaging and interesting to read. The resume is the serious part of the application where you establish all of your factual information.

The cover letter, on the other hand, is your chance to show your creativity and let your personality shine through.

Make your writing visual. Check out these two examples:

"I've worked in customer service for 5 years and know how to calm down an angry customer."

While this may be true, the statement above is plain boring. Here's a better way to let the hiring manager know about your customer service superpowers:

"During my time at Company X an angry customer whose account had been hacked came in. I managed to diffuse the situation by dropping everything I was working on and accompanying them in the entire process until we got it resolved. The client ended up being one of our most loyal users for the next 4 years."

The second example helps the hiring manager imagine how exactly you use the skills you keep saying you have. Make your cover letter visual and use the show vs tell method.

5. Make the cover letter all about the business

We know you care about landing a job, but put yourself in the company's shoes. They want to hire dedicated people who are serious about moving the business forward.

Make sure that your cover letter reflects this idea. There's nothing worse than a selfish applicant. Check out this example:

"Dear Hiring Manager,

• I feel like I could really learn and grow in your company. The pay is great too, so I will be happy being rewarded for my work."

While all of the above makes sense for the candidate, it looks bad from the recruiter's point of view.

It's okay to care about yourself, but show that you care about the business, too. Let's have a look at a better way to write a cover letter:

I want to be your next Sales Manager because Company X needs a strong leader who will take your team from good to great. I was impressed by the data that you published last quarter and especially the fact that you were able to increase your market reach and demonstrate an 8% increase of earnings.

I see a great potential in your product and the team, and strongly believe that with the right guidance, your earnings can hit the double digits as soon as the next quarter."

This candidate shows that they follow the company and have a clear plan in mind. This is what the hiring manager wants to see - someone coming in with determination, knowledge, and fresh ideas.

6. Show that you’re keeping up with the company’s work

This secret goes along with the previous tip. Follow the company you most like to work at and know what's happening at all times.

Keep in touch via Twitter, LinkedIn, and reading the company site. This will come in handy both while writing a cover letter and during your interview.

7. Proofread the right way

Proofreading is super important. Spelling or grammar mistakes will make you look careless.

The best way to proofread is to print out your cover letter and read it on a physical sheet of paper.

It helps a lot to have a second pair of eyes , so ask a friend to look it over for you. In order to identify grammar mistakes, use Grammarly .

8. Know the difference between a resume and a cover letter

Repeating information is a complete waste of time, especially for someone as busy as a hiring manager. Many candidates make the mistake of repeating their resume on the cover letter. In fact, the two are completely different and should be treated as such.

The resume presents the facts of your professional career. The cover letter, on the other hand, shows your motivation for wanting to do the job.

The cover letter should tell a story, be easy to read, and feel convincing. Focus on that and keep the facts on your resume.

9. Never open the cover letter by explaining what position you're applying for

Don't repeat information that's already on your application. Remember that the hiring manager will see your basic information and the position you're up for long before they even get to reading your cover letter.

Opening with "My name is__and I'm applying for__" is a big no-no. Instead begin with the standard "Dear Hiring Manager," and then get right into why you want the position.

10. Have a strong conclusion

Wrap up the cover letter as quickly as possible. Make sure that the one story you pick to demonstrate your relevant skills is exactly what the recruiter is looking for.

Once you hit them with the perfect example, you don't need to worry about explaining further or whether you've been persuasive enough throughout the letter.

Writing a cover letter is no science but it does take an extra effort to get it right. Always keep your letter down to a single page with persuasive content that tells a story, as opposed to repeating your resume.

Proofread and format well in order to keep things clear and organized. Make your cover letter all about the business and be careful of talking about your personal interests too much.

Finally, make sure to keep in touch with the company on social media and know what's happening at all times.

Knowing these 10 secrets for writing a cover letter, you can go ahead and apply confidently. Have one last look at your resume and make sure it looks perfect.

If you need some expert help with your resume, head over to our resume builder .

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How to Write a Killer Cover Letter

You’ve found the perfect job, your resume is ready to go, but there’s one last thing on your to-do list: the dreaded cover letter .

While it might seem easy to write a one-page letter touting your strengths, many job seekers struggle to understand what, exactly, an employer is looking for and how to translate that into a couple of paragraphs.

Cover letters are unavoidable, and many employers consider them the most important part of any job application. As much as you’d prefer to let your resume speak for itself, your cover letter is truly your chance to make the best first impression. This is your opportunity to showcase your talents, stand out from competing candidates, and help hiring managers get to know you outside of your resume.

It’s time to give that cover letter the TLC it deserves. Below are a few simple tips to help you write a cover letter that lands your dream job:

1. Always Submit a Cover Letter

This bit of advice might seem pretty obvious to you, but many people think cover letters are optional. Even if the job description doesn’t specifically ask for one, you should still include one.

Applicants who don’t take the time to write a cover letter are typically seen as less motivated, and most hiring managers won’t even look at an application that lacks one. Cover letters are a must! We all know the time and stress that goes into writing one, but by going the extra mile, you prove your interest in the job while showing you’re willing to put in the effort.

2. Don’t Regurgitate Your Resume

Yes, it’s okay to talk about the things listed on your resume, but don’t copy and paste them right from the document. Instead, elaborate on your previous experiences and highlight things that relate to the position you’re applying for. A cover letter lets you put your skills into full sentences rather than just bullet points. Use this time to share additional details you weren’t able to squeeze onto your single-page resume and tell a story about why you’re the perfect fit for the job.

3. Don’t Apologize for Skills You Don’t Have

This is one of the most common cover letter mistakes. For some reason, we all feel the need to apologize for our perceived shortfalls — but why? If you don’t meet all of the job requirements, don’t draw attention to that fact. Instead, stay positive and focus on the skills you do have. It’s better to highlight your strengths than to apologize for your weaknesses.

4. Don’t Be Too Formal — Show Some Personality

Remember the person receiving your cover letter is just that: a person. Spare the overly formal constructions and put some personality into it. Reading through cover letters can be exhausting, and employers often only skim them. Dare to get noticed. Make your cover letter stand out. Give employers a reason to stop and read your full letter. It just might be the thing that lands you an interview.

5. Pay Attention to the Details

The smallest grammar mistake will most likely land your application in the “no” stack. It doesn’t matter what job you’re applying for; hiring managers are always looking for smart, detail-oriented individuals. If you misspell a word or forget a comma, don’t think it will go unnoticed. Be sure to proofread thoroughly your cover letter before submitting it. Consider having a colleague or friend review it as well for added security.

6. Be Yourself

Last and most importantly, be yourself. There is nothing worse than someone trying to be something they’re not. If you land the interview after blatantly lying in your cover letter, the employer is going to find out, and you won’t get the job. Be confident in yourself and highlight your true strengths. An honest cover letter will go a long way.

While it can be stressful to write, a cover letter can make or break your chance of landing an interview. Be patient and give your letter the attention it needs. You’ll be happy you did.

Ahnaf Bashir is the vice president of human resources at Advance Financial .

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How To Write A Killer Cover Letter + Example + Free Template

We all know how important is it to have a top-class resume to deliver to your prospective employer or company recruitment officer, but many job seekers tend to forget how crucial it is to back up your resume with a solid cover letter .

A killer cover letter will also help you stand out from the crowd when employers are sorting through their list of prospectives. Many people also make the huge mistake of keeping a generic cover letter on file and sending it to multiple employers without a second thought. Big mistake!

It would come as no surprise to find most people have sent out the same cover letter to prospective employers at one point or another. This is especially true if you have been looking for work or trying to change career for some time. We all tend to get a bit weary of the constant application process over time.

Harsh as it may sound, the reality is that neglecting your cover letter can lose you that job , no matter how good your resume is. Many people think that your resume showing your skills, qualifications and work experience should be enough. Sadly this isn’t true.

Make sure you have an exceptional cover letter to back up your resume and you will be sure to stand out from all the other candidates. Employers have to wade through hundreds of applications to sort out their shortlist. Take your chance to show how perfect you are for the role and make it impossible for them to ignore you.

Watch our short video guide explaining how to write a cover letter that gets results

How to make writing your cover letter easier

If you are not a natural born writer, or even if you are, crafting a killer cover letter can seem hellishly difficult to achieve. Many people make the job more complicated than it actually is, so let’s take a look at how to simplify your cover letter writing.

Basically, a good cover letter needs to get across three important things:

• You have the necessary skills to fit the job at hand
• You have strong communication skills
• You will seamlessly fit in with their team

So how exactly do you convey these three points in your one page cover letter?

Start out strong and to the point. You need to grab the readers attention, so anything wishy-washy or too vague will be very boring to read and will see your letter consigned to the bin in the first 15 seconds of reading. The first sentences of your letter are the most valuable . Don’t beat around the bush here – launch straight into why you are perfect for the job.

Here is an example of an attention grabbing introduction:

“You are looking for a person who can communicate extremely well on all levels, someone who is self-assured and confident, and can be trusted to work independently or cooperatively within a team. I believe I am the person you need.”

Once you have your reader hooked, you can then move on to convincing them that your skills and experience are a perfect fit for the role.

Put the above advice into practice by using our free cover letter generator – a quick tool for creating an attractive cover letter in PDF.

Mirror the language of the job description

Most businesses will have their own company language and this is usually reflected in the chosen wording of their job advertisements. You can use this to your advantage by mirroring the language used in the advertisement as much as possible to show how your skills match perfectly with with their needs. For example, if you previously worked as a ‘content writer’ for a company, but this firm calls it ‘copywriting’, then you should also call it copywriting. You are more likely to get noticed if you already speak the same language as the company does!

Remember to inject some personality

Your killer cover letter serves the purpose of demonstrating why you are a good fit for the job in hand, but you don’t want to come across as some sort of unfeeling robot. Employers hire people on a combination of both their skills and their personality. They like to hire people that they can get along with and be able to work well with others. By making your letter conversational in tone and not overly formal, you can demonstrate that you are friendly and approachable. This will add a good feeling to your cover letter that will make it shine.

Never use a generic “To Whom it May Concern” salutation. If you know the hiring manager’s name, you may use Mr or Ms first and last name. If you are unsure, you can address it to the department hiring manager or the job title hiring manager.

Debi Douma-Herren HR Consultant & Career Strategist LinkedIn

The key to a killer cover letter is making the employer want to meet you. Steer-clear of those classically overused catchphrases that recruiters see over again in generic cover letters and you should easily stand out from the crowd. Try to avoid phrases like: “I am passionate about…”, “I am a team-player”, and “I am a fast learner.” Believe me, these phrases litter most cover letters and are so overused that employers can go cold at the sight of them.

If you see a job that is worth applying for, always thoughtfully tailor your cover letter to suit the language being used. Avoid boring the reader to death, and inject a bit of your personality to get yourself noticed in a sea of cover letter mediocrity.  You can do it!

Why do we need a cover letter?

While you think that adding a cover letter to your resume is an extra time-consuming task, you may wonder if you can get away with just sending your resume without one. However, in most cases, especially when you are applying for a job in a competitive industry, a good cover letter will greatly help to boost your chances of getting through to the interview stage.

Done correctly, your cover letter will help to highlight your most valuable skills and experience for the job in hand, and can make all the difference between making it to the ‘yes’ pile for short-listing for interview, or being rejected.

Your cover letter is a great opportunity to deliver key information to the employer without them having to search your resume for it.

What should I include?

What you should make sure to include in your cover letter is your previous experience that directly relates to the job that you are applying for. This instantly shows the employer that they have a candidate that can hit the ground running.

Remember to keep your cover letter short and sweet. You don’t want to overload the employer with too much information, especially if it repeats what they will find in your resume. Three to five paragraphs is sufficient, but make sure each paragraph is targeted to a different aspect of your application.

Go through the job description and search for key words and phrases. This is what the employer is looking for in a candidate, so you should make your cover letter answer their requests. If they want a candidate with sales experience, tell them in your cover letter that you have sales experience.

What to avoid with your cover letter

A well written cover letter can have a very positive influence on an employer – but don’t forget that the opposite is also true! A poorly constructed cover letter isn’t going to win you any friends, so keep it on point and relevant.

Avoid making your cover letter too long. An employer can be very put off when they see a very lengthy cover letter with huge blocks of text for them to wade through.

Cut any unnecessary waffle. Your cover letter is not the place to tell an employer that you are the president of the narrow-gage model railway society, or captain of you basketball team. Keep everything you include in your letter relevant for the job on offer.

An Example of a Cover Letter

Here we have prepared an example of a cover to give you an idea about how to write your letter. You can use this example to guide your writing, or you could choose to use the free cover letter template that is all ready for you to edit with your own information ( see below ).

Cover letter applying for the post of a Magazine Subscriptions Manager.

Name Title Organization Address City, State, Zip Code

Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name:

I am applying for the role of Magazine Subscriptions Manager as advertised by your company. My resume is attached for your review. With my previous related experience as a Subscriptions Administrator for XYZ Magazine, and my exemplary work ethic, I would appreciate your consideration for this management role. My skills are an ideal match for this position.

My related experience:

Responsible for managing the subscriptions database, solving customer payment and delivery issues, dealing with customer queries directly via telephone and email, following customer care procedures in accordance with departmental and company policies. Assisting with hiring, training, and management of junior staff and interns. Coordinating and collating statistics and sales reports. Experience in the supervision of staff as an active line manager.

I also possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills and work well as part of a team.

I appreciate your taking the time to review my resume and experience. Thank you for your consideration.

Your Signature

Cover Letter Template

To save you a lot of time with your cover letter preparation, we have created a well-balanced Cover Letter Template for you to use. This template has been created in MS Word and is completely customizable. Simply download and edit our professionally designed Cover Letter Template with your own personal information.

Download template (.docx)

Remember to tailor the text in your template to reflect why you should be selected for this job interview.

Need a matching resume design? Get the free Champagne & Wine resume template here .

Proofreading your Cover Letter

On a final note, take extra care to thoroughly proofread and edit your cover letter. Look for easy to miss typos and grammatical errors that can make your letter look sloppy. Wherever possible, get at least two other friends or family members to look over your cover letter for any minor mistakes that you may have missed.

If you don’t have anyone free that can look over your cover letter for you, then check out Grammarly.

Grammarly can be your second pair of eyes when you need to make sure your cover letter is absolutely perfect. It scans your text for common and complex grammatical mistakes, then offers accurate, context-specific suggestions to further help improve your text where necessary.

This post has been originally published on Oct 26, 2016 and has been extensively revised and updated on April 23, 2018.

Elena runs content operations at Freesumes since 2017. She works closely with copywriters, designers, and invited career experts to ensure that all content meets our highest editorial standards. Up to date, she wrote over 200 career-related pieces around resume writing, career advice... more

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How to Write a Killer Cover Letter: 6 Fresh Strategies for the New Normal

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The need to find meaningful work has never been greater. That’s why it’s crucial to concentrate on a killer cover letter. Some may say that a cover letter is a thing of the past – because your resume speaks for itself. But the fact is, your resume can’t talk, or write, and your LinkedIn profile is never the whole story. That’s why it’s a good idea for you to get going on the number one tool you need in the new normal: a killer cover letter.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/chriswestfall/2020/08/22/how-to-write-a-killer-cover-letter-fresh-strategies-new-normal-jobs-career/#cd5b0ae2919e

• Career Advice

How to write a killer cover Letter ?

Many job seekers nowadays put all their focus on creating a great resume but overlook the importance of a cover letter. However, if a cover letter is necessary for a job application, most jobseekers hurriedly and carelessly put together a cover letter without caring for detail. By doing that they miss out on almost all important details that should be included in a cover letter. 

Writing a great cover letter takes time and effort and it can make all the difference between you getting a call for an interview or not. However, writing a cover letter all by yourself without looking at any samples or without seeking any professional help will almost end up with you having a crappy cover letter that is missing all the important points. 

To ease your troubles, expert cover letter creators from ResumeThatWorks took the time to write down this article to help you create great cover letters. Please carefully read this article from start to finish to understand all the important details that should be included in your cover letter.

What is the Difference Between a Resume and a Cover Letter?

A resume only highlights your major achievements, experiences, accomplishments, and information about your certifications and education. A resume is nothing more than a showcase of the key highlights of your personal experiences and accomplishments throughout your professional career.

On the other hand, a cover letter adds a personal touch to your professional experience and expertise. A cover letter enables you to show a bit of your personality in your profession. A cover letter showcases how you were able to achieve all that for your previous employers and how diligent and hardworking you are. Unlike a resume, you can also explain why you are the best candidate for the role that you are applying for.

7 Pro Tips on How to Write a Perfect Cover Letter for Any Job 

Wondering how to write a killer cover letter that stands out? Well, you are not alone, many people struggle to write cover letters according to the job description. 

These are the reasons why expert career counselors and resume writing experts from ResumeThatWorks have prepared these pro tips and tricks for you to understand how to write a killer cover letter. 

Pro Tip # 1: Start With A Killer Opening Line

A wise man once said that your first impression is your last impression, I agree with him in this regard. Hiring managers go through a ton of resumes and cover letters from people every day. They can easily identify if you copy-pasted some crappy opening lines from the internet. Remember that you need to impress the hiring manager by showcasing your unique personality and talents. You need to bring something new to the table that makes the hiring manager say “this person looks better than the rest”. 

The worst of all cover letter opening lines there can ever be is to write “To Whom It May Concern”. This shows that you have sent the same cover letter to hundreds of other employers as well. This also shows that you did not do any research about the company and just sent a pre-written cover letter without any editing. Such types of job applications go straight to the dust bin, we know it’s harsh but it’s the reality. For a chance to stand out with your cover letter you need to follow these instructions.

• Try to know the name of the decision-maker or hiring manager. You can most probably find it in the job description or the Email that you receive, however, if it’s not listed there go to the company’s website and find it yourself. 
• Start your cover letter by addressing the hiring manager/ concerned person with his/her name.
• Addressing the hiring manager by his/her name will make a strong first impression. This indicates that you took the time to research the company, read the job description, and explored the company’s Linkedin profile.

Pro Tip # 2: Make it unique to the job 

Rather than sending a generic letter that could apply to any job at any company, your opening sentence should show that your letter was crafted in response to this specific job. For example, “I was thrilled to see your listing for a data entry specialist in the Cleveland office” says a lot more than “I am responding to your job opening.”   

Pro Tip # 3: Be Clear and Concise While Writing

Try to write in active voice tense and not passive voice. Use a conversational tone like the one you will use if you are standing right in front of the hiring manager. Avoid superlatives and pretentious language. Also, avoid small phrases that don’t give full meaning and avoid jargon.

Use simple words, however, write sentences through which you are able to give the most meaning from small words. Carefully proofread and edit your content before submission to ensure the highest quality. Here are some tips from our career experts :

• Always use an active voice tone.
• Use simple words and avoid jargon. 
• Stick to the point and stay relevant to the job description.
• Proofread and edit your document 3-4 times before submission
• Look for grammatical errors as well as punctuation errors.
• Ask a friend or a colleague to proofread the start of your cover letter before submission.

Pro Tip # 4: Only Include What’s Relevant

More like your resume you should only add relevant details that directly relate to the job role you are applying for. However, unlike your resume where you only highlight WHAT you have done in the past, your cover letter enables you to say HOW you were able to do all that. 

Also, make sure you directly respond to all the questions asked in the job description section that needs “what we are looking for”. For instance, if the job description says that they need a person with sales experience then mention your sales experience in your cover letter. 

Pro Tip # 5: Don’t just repeat what’s on your resume

Your cover letter is your chance to showcase a bit of your personality and not just highlights like in your CV. Instead of repeating what’s already listed in your resume, focus on adding a bit of a personal touch to your professional story. 

However, don’t try to tell them how that job will be so good for you, else, focus on why you are the best fit for that role. Focus on why hiring you would be so much better for the company and how are you better than the rest of the people who also applied for that role.  

Pro Tip # 6: Offer examples of what you’ve done in past

Unlike a resume, a cover letter is your chance to show examples of what you have done in the past. Just make sure you carefully read the job description before you start writing. For instance, if a company is looking for someone with great communication skills then elaborate on how your experience as a communications specialist will help them. 

Don’t focus on why you need this job and how this job can help you financially with your problems. Employers want to see what you can do for them and not what they can do for you. Even if you are a fresh graduate or only have a college degree you can still how what you did in your summer holidays. 

Pro Tip # 7: Finish on a Strong Note

Never ever say things like “you will be highly obliged if you get this opportunity and you will give your best” employers do really care about what benefits you get. Employers are more interested in what you can do for them and the company as a whole. 

However, we are not suggesting that you don’t show your enthusiasm for the job role. Sounding enthusiastic and optimistic that shows your genuine interest in the role will show that you are interested in the job role being offered. Add a thank you note for the hiring manager’s time and consideration. Also mention that you are always available for discussing more the role and you are looking forward to hearing back from the hiring manager. 

Killer Cover Letter Format

The format of a cover letter is generally very simple and flexible. The cover letter format can be adapted based on the job description and requirements. If you are not sure about drafting a unique cover letter format then you can use the following format:

• The Header Section: Start with your name and contact details and then add a blank line. Follow the blank line with the hiring manager’s name and company information. Don’t forget to include your Linkedin profile in the header section.
• Short, Concise, and to the Point: Don’t write an essay, try to keep your cover letter short. 3to 4 paragraphs are more than enough for a cover letter. Start with a hook statement and try to keep your content interesting and engaging for the hiring manager to read.
• The Middle Paragraphs: After the introductory paragraph, show how you are a great fit for the company and how you fulfill the job description. Also, share how you did everything for your previous employer. 
• Cover Letter Page Style: We recommend a 1-inch margin from the top, bottom, and two sides.
• Font Style of Cover Letter: There is no specific font style you can use whatever you like but make sure you don’t change your font. Only use one font style. 
• Cover Letter Line Spacing Format: The cover letter line spacing should either be 1 or 1.15 so that you can add as many words as you can without going to the next page. Cover letter margins. Stick to a full inch on the top, bottom, left, and right.
• Best font for cover letter. Use only one font, but make it a respected, easy-to-read one like Cambria, Calibri, or Didot.
• Line spacing. Cover letter line spacing should be 1 to 1.15. Don’t get creative with this part of it.

Cover Letter Examples

Writing cover letters is not an easy task and you should never write one without looking at any samples. Look at the different cover letter samples to see how to actually write a great cover letter. 

Written by Simon W

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Writing a Killer Cover Letter

Differentiate Yourself From Others

Too many job seekers focus on creating the perfect resume only to undermine their efforts with a slapdash cover letter that was put together as an afterthought. But writing a perfect cover letter takes time and effort and can make the difference between your application being passed over or moved on to the interview stage.  

A well-crafted cover letter is your chance to show a bit of personality and let the hiring manager know you’ve done your due diligence on the position and the company.   

• Make a good impression beginning with the opening. Out-of-date greetings like “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir or Madam” not only seem overly formal, they also show that you haven’t taken the initiative to unearth the name of the decision maker. It’s unlikely that the hiring manager’s name won’t be listed in the job description. So search on the company website, on LinkedIn or even Google to help find the right name. Addressing the hiring manager directly makes you stand out because it indicates that you have made the effort to track it down.
• Make it unique to the job. Rather than sending a generic letter that could apply to any job at any company, your opening sentence should show that your letter was crafted in response to this specific job. For example, “I was thrilled to see your listing for a data entry specialist in the Cleveland office” says a lot more than “I am responding to your job opening.”    
• Make sure to write clearly. Use active, not passive, voice and write simply and succinctly. Avoid pretentious words, phrases or jargon. Use short paragraphs and keep your letter to a single page. Make sure to proofread carefully, and then to ask someone to proofread again. Misspellings and grammar mistakes put a lot of job applicants in the no-go pile.  
• Include relevant experience. Your cover letter gives you a chance to show how you’ll handle the tasks you’ll have on the job. “When you read the job description, make sure you respond directly with examples,” says employment and career coach Anita Blanchard. “If a company say they need someone with sales experience, mention your sales experience and then refer to it your resume for more detail.”  
• Be careful not to just repeat what’s on your resume. Instead, aim to showcases your passion and interest in the specific job for which you’re applying. Instead of telling them why that job would be so good for you, tell them why you’ll be so good for that job and the organization. “Do not say things like ‘this would be a great opportunity to advance my career,’” says Blanchard. “They don’t care about that. They want to know that you are a good fit for their organization and this position.”   
• Offer specific examples of what you’ve done. Read the job description carefully and look for ways your experience aligns with the job requirements. For example, if a job description for a communications assistant calls for someone who can help copy editing presentations and scripts, don’t say you’re looking for a chance to hone your copy editing and proofing skills. Instead, describe the experience you gained doing that for the college newspaper or during a summer internship. Career coach Monique Betty suggests choosing three qualifications listed in the job description and then explaining what you’ve done to meet each of those requirements.  
• Finish strong. End your cover letter with a short paragraph reiterating your enthusiasm for the job and a sentence or two of why you think you’re the best fit. Add a quick thank you for being considered say you look forward to hearing back regarding next steps.  

– Melba Newsome

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Do you have an example of a killer cover letter

I hate writing cover letters and need a really good one. I've googled for examples but haven't found one that sounds just right. Does anyone have an example of a good cover letter that they've used that has gotten noticed?

60+ Cover Letter Examples in 2024 [For All Professions]

No matter where you are in your career, or what job you’re applying for, submitting a cover letter with your resume is a must . 

Done right, a cover letter will effectively complement your resume and explain to the hiring manager in more detail why you’re the right person for the job.

Writing a cover letter, however, is easier said than done. 

You have to effectively demonstrate that you’ll be able to perform the responsibilities listed in the job description and that you’d be a better fit for the company compared to other candidates. 

And unless you’re a professional writer, this can be a very hard task.

Fortunately, we created these cover letter examples to inspire you and help you get started with your own cover letter!

Let’s dive in!

21 Cover Letter Examples 

#1. career change cover letter example .

Here’s what this cover letter does right:

• Has an ideal length. This cover letter includes all the relevant information for the hiring manager without getting into too much detail.
• Relevant introduction. The candidate explains that they’re changing careers and why they want to work in this new field from the get-go.
• Explains their related experience. The candidate explains how their previous experience in retail sales can help them succeed in PR.

Check out our guide video guide to learn how to write a Cover Letter that gets you HIRED!

#2. Recent Graduate Cover Letter Example 

• Personally greets the hiring manager. The candidate has taken the time to find the hiring manager’s name and address them by it, which makes the opening of the cover letter much more personal.
• Wraps up with a call to action. The candidate wraps up the cover letter by suggesting a meeting with the hiring manager, which makes them more memorable.
• Explains why the candidate is the right person for the internship. In this cover letter for an internship , the candidate explains how they’ve previously interned in a different firm, which gives them the experience to succeed in this role.

Have you just graduated from college? Make sure to check out our guide on writing an entry-level cover letter from start to finish! 

#3. Middle Management Cover Letter Example

• Use of bullet points. The candidate presents the information in a concise and reader-friendly way, making it easy for the hiring manager to find their key achievements. 
• Formal closing. The candidate has used a formal and polite tone to conclude their cover letter, which combined with a call to action makes them look professional and passionate about getting the job. 
• Explains how the company would benefit from hiring them. The candidate outlines exactly what they could do for the company, which not only highlights their skills but also shows they’ve done their research on the company’s needs. 

#4. Business Manager Cover Letter Example

• Detailed header. In addition to the must-have contact details, this candidate has also included their professional Twitter and LinkedIn profiles, making it easy for the hiring manager to look more closely into their career. 
• Concise and to the point. This candidate has used short paragraphs and bullet points to make the cover letter easy to skim through. 
• Wraps up with a call to action. By letting the hiring manager know they’ll be contacting them soon, they’re more likely to make an impression.

Check out this article for a complete writing guide and an inspiring business manager resume sample. 

#5. Ph.D. Cover Letter Example

Here’s what this cover letter does right: 

• Attention-grabbing introduction. In the opening paragraph, this candidate explains why they’re passionate about pursuing a Ph.D. in great detail. 
• Explains the candidate’s qualifications in detail. The candidate builds on their passion by explaining how they’re also qualified for the degree because of their education history and academic achievements. 

#6. Senior Executive Cover Letter Example

• Professional and minimalistic template. This senior executive has used a professional but minimalistic template that lets their work experience do the talking. 
• Achievement-oriented opening paragraph. Right from the get-go, this candidate explains what makes them so good at their job, effectively grabbing the hiring manager’s attention.  
• Wraps up with a call to action. By suggesting to have a meeting and discussing how they can help the company meet its goals, the candidate stands more chance to make a positive lasting impression. 

#7. Architect Cover Letter Example 

• Modern resume template. This architect has picked a template that perfectly matches his industry, as it is professional and modern at the same time. 
• A personal greeting to the HR. They address the hiring manager by their first name, which helps make a better first impression. 
• Measurable achievements. By quantifying their achievements, the candidate proves their achievements instead of just claiming them.

Struggling with your architect resume ? Check out our full guide!

#8. Business Analyst Cover Letter Example 

• Detailed contact information. The candidate has listed both their LinkedIn and Twitter profiles, providing the HR manager an opportunity to learn more about the candidate.  
• Mentions what the candidate can do for the company. This cover letter doesn’t just explain why the job would be great for the candidate, but also how the candidate would benefit the company. Win-win, right? 
• Error-free and reader-friendly. It’s super important for the cover letter to have no spelling or grammatical errors and be reader-friendly. This candidate made sure they did both.

Need a resume alongside your cover letter? Check out our guide on how to write a business analyst resume . 

#9. Consultant Cover Letter Example 

• Professional cover letter template. Being an experienced consultant, this candidate has picked a professional template that doesn’t steal the spotlight from their achievements. 
• Experience and achievement-oriented. The candidate has effectively elaborated on their top achievements relevant to the job. 
• Highlights the candidate’s passion. To show they want the job, this candidate has also explained how passionate they are about their profession.

For more advice on landing a job as a consultant, check out our guide to writing a consultant resume .

#10. Digital Marketing Cover Letter Example

• Creative cover letter template. This digital marketer highlights their originality by picking a creative cover letter template. 
• Lists the candidate’s awards. The candidate has taken advantage of the cover letter to list their most noteworthy awards in the industry. 
• Concludes with a call to action. As they used a call to action to conclude their cover letter, the HR manager will be more likely to remember them.

Want to take your digital marketing resume to the next level? Check out our guide!

#11. Graphic Designer Cover Letter Example 

• Detailed contact information. The candidate has included additional contact information such as their website link, as well as their LinkedIn and Twitter profiles.  
• Ideal length. This cover letter is concise, which means that the HR manager is more likely to read it from start to finish.  
• Draws attention to the candidate’s strong points. Although this candidate is a recent college graduate, they’ve managed to effectively show that they have enough knowledge and experience to do the job right.

Read this guide to write a graphic designer resume that’s just as good as your cover letter!

#12. Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Example

• Minimalistic cover letter template. The candidate picked a well-designed but minimalistic template for their cover letter. 
• Focused on skills and achievements. This cover letter is packed with the candidate’s skills and achievements, proving he can be an excellent employee. 
• Formal closing. Politeness can go a long way and the candidate has used this to their advantage to make an impression. 

Our article on how to write an administrative assistant resume can help you take your job application to the next level.

#13. Front Desk Cover Letter Example

• Modern cover letter template. This template incorporates memorable colors and clear lines, which make the cover letter very visually appealing. 
• Attention-grabbing introduction. Using an attention-grabbing intro, the candidate is more likely to make an impression. 
• Calls the HR to action. By including a call to action, the candidate is reminding the HR of their immediate availability. 

#14. Human Resources Cover Letter Example

• It is concise and to the point. The candidate doesn’t dwell on unimportant details the HR won’t be interested in. 
• Uses a traditional cover letter template. The cover letter design is more on the conventional side, which fits the industry better. 
• Highlights the candidate’s strong points. The candidate has rich work experience and they use the cover letter to elaborate on it. 

This HR resume guide can help you get your resume just right.

#15. Sales Agent Cover Letter Example 

• Attention-grabbing cover letter template. As a salesperson, this candidate knows how important first impressions are, so they’ve picked a catchy cover letter template. 
• Has an ideal length. At the same time, they’ve also made sure to keep their cover letter at just the right length. 
• Lists the candidate’s career highlights. The candidate has made perfect use of the space by mentioning their most impressive professional achievements. 

Check out this sales agent resume guide to create an attention-grabbing sales resume .

#16. Receptionist Cover Letter Example

• Modern but minimalistic cover letter template. The template’s design hints the candidate is creative but professional at the same time. 
• Uses a catchy introduction. The candidate has used an attention-grabbing opening paragraph to catch HR’s attention. 
• Concludes the cover letter formally. The candidate proves that they’re polite and well-spoken, a quality very much important for the role they’re applying for. 

Take your receptionist resume to the next level with this receptionist resume guide .

#17. Information Technology Cover Letter Example

• Mentions measurable achievements. Numbers make an impact, which is why this candidate has included measurable achievements. 
• Lists both soft and hard skills. The candidate has mentioned a great mix of soft and hard skills, showing how well-rounded they are. 
• Contains relevant contact information. The candidate’s GitHub, website name, LinkedIn, and Twitter profiles are all great additions to the resume. 

Looking for tips to help you write a great IT resume ? Check out our guide!

#18. Real Estate Cover Letter Example

• Ideal length. Short and to the point, this cover letter is bound to get noticed by the HR manager. 
• Wraps up with a call to action. This candidate reinforces the HR to call them back through a final call to action. 
• Mentions the right skills. On top of their sales accomplishments, the candidate touch upon important soft skills such as customer service and communication . 

This real estate resume guide will help you take your resume from good to great.

#19. Teacher Cover Letter Example

• Mentions relevant contact information details. This candidate has included optional (but relevant) contact information details, such as their LinkedIn, Quora, and Medium profiles. 
• Achievement-oriented. The candidate has elaborated on their achievements in more detail throughout their cover letter. 
• Highlights the candidate’s passion. For some jobs, being passionate is much more important than for others. Teaching is one of these jobs, which is why this candidate explains their passion for the job. 

Our guide on how to write a teacher resume has all the tips you need to land the job.

#20. Project Manager Cover Letter Example

• Leverages a catchy introduction. Through a catchy introductory paragraph, this candidate is sure to grab the HR’s attention and get them to read the rest of their cover letter.
• Lists measurable accomplishments. This candidate explains exactly what they’ve achieved using numbers and hard data. 
• Personally greets the HR. A personal greeting sounds much better than “Dear Sir/Madam,” and the candidate knows this. 

This guide on how to write a project manager resume can help you perfect your appication.

#21. Paralegal Cover Letter Example

• Minimalistic cover letter template. This cover letter design looks good but doesn’t steal the show from the candidate’s abilities.
• Mentions the candidate’s academic achievements and extracurricular activities. Although the candidate is a recent graduate, they’ve used the cover letter to explain they have enough skills and achievements to do the job.
• Lists measurable achievements. The candidate proves they did well in their internship by mentioning quantifiable achievements.

Check out this paralegal resume guide to perfect yours.

40+ More Cover Letter Examples and Guides 

Couldn’t find a cover letter example for your field? Do not worry.

Below you can find a number of other cover letter examples for different fields and industries:

• Acting Cover Letter Examples
• Accounting Cover Letter Examples
• Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Architecture Cover Letter Examples
• Attorney Cover Letter Examples
• Barista Cover Letter Examples
• Bartender Cover Letter Examples
• Business Cover Letter Examples
• Business Analyst Cover Letter Examples
• College Student Cover Letter Examples
• Computer Science Cover Letter Examples
• Construction Cover Letter Examples
• Consultant Cover Letter Examples
• Customer Service Cover Letter Examples
• Data Analyst Cover Letter Examples
• Data Entry Cover Letter Examples
• Dental Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Digital Marketing Cover Letter Examples
• Elementary Teacher Cover Letter Examples
• Engineering Cover Letter Examples
• Executive Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Finance Cover Letter Examples
• Graphic Design Cover Letter Examples
• Healthcare Cover Letter Examples
• Human Resources Cover Letter Examples
• IT Cover Letter Examples
• Law Cover Letter Examples
• Management Cover Letter Examples
• Marketing Cover Letter Examples
• Mechanical Engineering Cover Letter Examples
• Medical Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Nurse Practitioner Cover Letter Examples
• Physician Cover Letter Examples
• Project Manager Cover Letter Examples
• Receptionist Cover Letter Examples
• Retail Cover Letter Examples
• Sales Cover Letter Examples
• Social Work Cover Letter Examples
• Software Engineer Cover Letter Examples
• Substitute Teacher Cover Letter Examples
• Teacher Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Team Leader Cover Letter Example

What is a Cover Letter? 

A cover letter is a one-page document that you submit as part of your job application, alongside your resume . 

Its purpose is to introduce you and briefly summarize your professional background. On average, your cover letter should be from 250 to 400 words long .

A good cover letter can give the hiring manager more insight into what makes you a good candidate and help them make up their mind about whether they should invite you for an interview. A bad cover letter, though, will get ignored (at best) and lose you the job (at worst).

So, to make sure this doesn’t happen, it’s essential to know how to write a convincing cover letter.

The first thing to remember is that a cover letter is a supplement to your resume, not a replacement. Meaning, you shouldn’t just repeat whatever is mentioned in your resume and call it a day. 

Optimally, you should use your cover letter to shed more light on your skills and qualifications, as well as explain anything you didn’t have space for in your resume (e.g. a career gap or why you’re changing careers).

If you’re writing a cover letter for the first time, though, putting all this together might seem pretty tough. 

Fortunately, you can follow our tried-and-tested format to make the experience much easier:

• Header - Input your contact information.
• Greeting the hiring manager - Open the cover letter with a “Dear Sir or Madam,” or use the hiring manager’s name if you know what that is.
• Opening paragraph - Grab the hiring manager’s attention by getting straight to the point. Mention what your professional experiences are, and what role you’re applying for.
• The second paragraph - Explain why you’re the perfect candidate for the job. Mention your top 2-3 achievements, your top skills, why you want to work in that specific industry, and whatever else is relevant.
• The third paragraph - End your cover letter with a call to action. E.g. “I would love to meet personally and discuss how I can help Company X.”
• Formal closing - Something like this: “Thank you for your consideration. Best, John Doe.”

Here’s what this looks like in practice:

9 Tips to Write a Cover Letter (the Right Way)

Now that we've covered the basics, let's talk about cover letter tips . Below, we'll give you all the knowledge you need to take your cover letter from "OK" to "great."

#1. Pick the right template

A good cover letter is all about leaving the right first impression.

And what’s a better way to leave a good impression than through a professional, well-formatted, and visual template?

You can simply pick one of our tried-and-tested cover letter templates and you’ll be all set!

#2. Add your contact details on the header

The best way to start your cover letter is through a header. 

Here’s what you want to include there:

• Phone Number
• Name of the hiring manager / their professional title
• Name of the company you’re applying to

Optionally, you can also include the following:

• Social Media Profiles - Any type of profile that’s relevant to your field. Social Profiles on websites like LinkedIn, GitHub (for developers), Medium (for writers), etc.
• Personal Website - If you have a personal website that somehow adds value to your application, you can mention it. Let’s say you’re a professional writer. In that case, you’d want to link to your content portfolio site or blog.

#3. Greet the hiring manager the right way

Once you’ve listed all your relevant contact information, it’s time to address the hiring manager reading your cover letter. 

A good practice here is to find the hiring manager’s name and address them directly instead of using the traditional “dear sir or madam.” This shows that you’re really invested in the company and that you took your time to do some research about the job.

So, how can you find out the hiring manager’s name?

One way to do this is by looking up the head of the company’s relevant department on LinkedIn. Let’s say you’re applying for the position of Communication Specialist at Novoresume. The hiring manager is probably the Head of Communications or the Chief Communications Office.

Or let’s say you’re applying for the position of server at a restaurant. In that case, you’d be looking to find out who the restaurant manager is.

If this doesn’t work, you can also check out the “Team” page on the company website; there’s a good chance you’ll at least find the right person there.

If you still can’t find out the hiring manager’s name, here are several other greetings you can use:

• Dear [Department] Hiring Manager
• Dear Hiring Manager
• To whom it may concern
• Dear [Department] Team

#4. Create an attention-grabbing introduction

Recruiters get hundreds, sometimes even thousands, of applications. Chances are, they’re not going to be reading every single cover letter end-to-end.

So, it’s essential to catch their attention from the very first paragraph.

The problem with most cover letter opening paragraphs, though, is that they’re usually extremely generic, often looking something like this: 

Hey, my name is Jonathan and I’d like to work as a Sales Manager at XYZ Inc. I’ve worked as a sales manager at MadeUpCompany Inc. for 5+ years, so I believe that I’d be a good fit for the position.

As you can probably tell, this opening paragraph doesn’t tell the hiring manager anything other than that you’ve worked the job before - and that’s not really helpful in setting you apart from other candidates. 

What you want to do, instead, is start off with 2-3 of your top achievements to really grab the reader’s attention. Preferably, the achievements should be as relevant as possible to the position. 

For example:

My name’s Michael and I’d like to help XYZ Inc. hit and exceed its sales goals as a Sales Manager. I’ve worked with Company X, a fin-tech company, for 3+ years. As a Sales Representative, I generated an average of $30,000+ in sales per month (beating the KPIs by around 40%). I believe that my previous industry experience, as well as my excellence in sales, makes me the right candidate for the role of X at Company Y.

The second example shows how the candidate is a top performer. The first just shows that they’ve worked a sales job before.

Which one are YOU more likely to invite for an interview?

#5. Show you’re the perfect person for the job

One great thing about cover letters is that they allow you to expand more on the top achievements from your resume and really show the hiring manager that you’re the right person for the job. 

A good way to do that is to first read the job ad and really understand what skills/experiences are required, and then to ensure that your cover letter touches upon the said skills or experiences.

In my previous role as a Facebook Marketing Expert at XYZ Inc. I handled customer acquisition through ads, managing a monthly Facebook ad budget of $20,000+. As the sole digital marketer at the company, I managed the ad creation and management process end-to-end. This means I created the ad copy and images, as well as picked the targeting, ran optimization trials, and so on.

Other than Facebook advertising, I’ve also delved into other online PPC channels, including:

• Google Search

#6. Explain why you’re a great company fit

The HR manager doesn’t only look at whether you’ll be good at the job or not. They’re looking for someone that’s also a good fit for the company culture.

After all, employees that don’t fit in are bound to quit, sooner or later. This ends up costing the company a ton of money, up to 50% of the employee’s annual salary . 

To convince the hiring manager that you’re a great company fit, do some research on the company and find out what it is you like about them, or about working there. You want to know things like:

• What’s the company’s business model?
• What’s the company's product or service? Have you used it?
• What’s the culture like? Will someone micro-manage your work, or will you have autonomy on how you get things done?

Then, turn your top reasons for liking to work there into text and add them to your cover letter! 

#7. Wrap up with a call to action

To make the end of your cover letter as memorable as possible, you want to:

• Wrap up any points you couldn't in the previous paragraphs. Mention anything you’ve left out that you think could help the hiring manager make up your mind.
• Thank the hiring manager for their time. After all, it never hurts to be polite. 
• Finish the cover letter with a call to action. A call to action is a great way to make your cover letter ending as memorable as possible. 

#8. Write a formal closing

Once you’re done with the final paragraph, all you have to do is write down a formal “goodbye” and you’re good to go.

Feel free to use one of the most popular conclusions in a cover letter:

• Best Regards,
• Kind Regards,

#9. Proofread your cover letter

Last but not least, make sure to always proofread each and every document that you’ll be including in your job application - cover letter included. 

The last thing you want is to be claiming you’re a great candidate for the job with a cover letter full of typos! 

For an even more comprehensive guide on how to write an impactful cover letter , check out our article ! 

Cover Letter Writing Checklist 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you still have some questions about cover letters? Check out the answers below:

1. How do I write a simple cover letter? 

To write a cover letter that’s simple but also professional, make sure to include a header with your personal information, a formal greeting to the hiring manager, an attention-grabbing opening paragraph, a second paragraph explaining why you’re a good candidate for the job, and a formal closing (preferably with a call to action). 

2. What are the 3 parts of a cover letter? 

The three parts of a cover letter are: 

• The introduction , namely the header, the greeting to the hiring manager, and the opening paragraph. 
• The sales pitch is usually the body of the cover letter. 
• The conclusion involves a formal closing and a signature line.

3. What makes a great cover letter?

A great cover letter should be personalized for each job you’re applying for, instead of being overly generic. It’s also preferable to address the hiring manager by their name and not use the overly-used “Dear Sir/Madam.”

To make a great first impression, you should mention 1-2 of your top achievements in your opening paragraph - the more job-specific they are, the better. Also, don’t stop at showing the hiring manager why you’re a great candidate for the job. Make sure to also talk about how you’re a good culture fit for the company.

Last but not least, wrap up your closing paragraph with a call to action to give the hiring manager a little extra something to remember you by. 

4. When is a cover letter necessary?

Unless the job ad specifically states otherwise, you should always include a cover letter with your job application .

Even if the hiring manager doesn’t read it, you will look more professional simply by including one.

And that’s a wrap! We hope our cover letter examples and writing tips will inspire you to write a cover letter that will land you your next job.

If you’re looking for more invaluable career advice and articles, make sure to check out our career blog , or any of these related articles: 

• How to Write a Resume
• Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid at All Costs
• Cover Letter Format (w/ Examples & Free Templates)

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How to write a killer cover letter as a bartender

Crafting the perfect bartender cover letter doesn't have to be a nightmare, even though it may seem daunting without a comprehensive step-by-step tutorial to lead you through the writing process. But don't worry, because we've got you covered! 

We've prepared this simple, yet effective guide that will answer all your questions. Inside, you'll discover valuable formatting tips, templates you can adjust to your liking, extensive examples, and cover letter samples submitted by actual bartenders.

Keep on reading to learn all about:

• Crafting a great cover letter header & headline as a bartender
• Personalizing the greeting & content of your bartender cover letter
• Writing an eye-catching introduction on your bartender cover letter
• Describing your top skills & accomplishments as a bartender
• Concluding your bartender cover letter effectively & persuasively
• Accessing top resources for job-seeking bartenders

1. Crafting a great cover letter header & headline as a bartender

The first step to take when writing a cover letter as a bartender is to create a beautifully formatted header and headline.

Your cover letter header resides at the top of the document and is the first information an employer will see. As such, your header should include:

• Your name and professional title (in a larger & bolded font)
• Your professional contact information
• The name of the bar or restaurant you are applying to

Here is an example of a well-formatted bartender header

Sam Castle , Bartender

(123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | linkedin.com/in/sam-castle

To: Mellow Mushroom 1234 Street Address Blowing Rock, NC, 28605

Once your header is squared away, your next step is to write a compelling cover letter headline – a short title statement used to  hook an employer’s attention. Strong bartender headlines include:

• A keyword related to the position
• An attention-grabbing number or trigger word
• A powerful adjective or verb
• A promise statement to the employer that indicates the letter is tailored for the job

Here is an example of a great headline from a bartender’s cover letter

In Need of a Talented Bartender? My Top 3 Bartending Skills & How They Can Benefit Your Restaurant

Trigger Word/Number: In Need of, Top 3 Skills Keyword: Bartender, Bartending Adjective/Verb: Talented, Benefit Promise: Your Restaurant

Still looking for a job?  These 100+ resources will tell you everything you need to get hired fast.

Create your cover letter fast with artificial intelligence.

2. personalizing the greeting & content of your bartender cover letter.

Any time you apply for a new job as a bartender, it's crucial to research the job beforehand to learn key details about the company and position . Using this research, you can personalize your cover letter to be highly specific and relevant to the job you're applying to, helping to impress employers.

As you research, one detail to keep a special eye out for is who at the company is in charge of hiring and interviewing. Using this information, you can create a personalized greeting that addresses this specific person by name – immediately revealing the level of research you have completed.

Here are 3 examples of personalized cover letter greetings

Dear Bar Manager Jane Doe,

• Dear Ms. Jane Doe,
• Dear Hiring Manager John Smith,

3. Writing an eye-catching introduction on your bartender cover letter

The first main paragraph of your cover letter is your introduction, where your main goal is to capture the employer’s attention and convince them to continue reading .

To accomplish this, your bartender introduction should include:

• A brief overview of your professional history
• A statement on why you are enthusiastic about applying to this company
• A mutual acquaintance (when possible)

Pro Tip: Mutual acquaintances can make a huge difference on a cover letter, as it provides the employer with a trusted professional reference right away. If you don't have a mutual acquaintance, try building your professional network using online tools like LinkedIn.

Here is an example of an eye-catching bartender introduction

I am a certified bartender with more than 4 years of experience working in the fast-paced environment of Broadway in Nashville. In bartending school, I was taught by Mr. Joe King who is now one of your assistant bar managers and drink specialists. Mr. King has expressed great confidence in my bartending abilities and strongly recommended I apply for this position.

Find out your resume score!

4. Describing your top skills & accomplishments as a bartender

Unlike a resume – where you're restricted by tight, highly-organized sections – a cover letter gives you ample opportunity to expand upon your best skills and accomplishments as a bartender.

As you describe these qualifications in the body paragraphs of your cover letter, make sure the information you include is highly relevant, contextual, and quantifiable. You want the employer to get an excellent overview of you as a professional, and these details will help you achieve this.

Here are 6 examples of bartending skills that are excellent to describe in a cover letter

• Knowledge of cocktails and mixology
• Operating keg and draught systems
• Measuring liquor and wine pours
• Payment and cash register management
• Knowledge of health code requirements and standards
• Excellent understanding of bartending terminology

Here is an example of how to describe an accomplishment in a bartender cover letter

As a bartender at [Former Employer], I participated with the other bartenders in developing new monthly drink recipes to feature as a special at the restaurant. My specialty recipes consistently performed the best, bringing in a 15% average increase in drink sales. Additionally, I helped manage the bar inventory, sourcing a new supplier for mix-ins that reduced supply expenses by 15%.

5. Concluding your bartender cover letter effectively & persuasively

The last step to writing your bartending cover letter is to write an effective conclusion that persuades the employer to get in contact with you. This closing statement should include:

• An enthusiastic sentence saying you are looking forward to hearing from them
• An additional sentence stating you will follow up, including how you will contact them or how they can contact you
• A formal sign-off

Here is an example of an excellent closing statement from a bartender’s cover letter

As your newest bartender, I will provide your customers will an exceptional experience and expertly crafted drinks. I am excited to learn more about this opportunity and am available for interviews any weekday between the hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. I plan to follow up with you on the phone next Wednesday regarding my application status if I have not heard back yet.

Many Thanks,

[Applicant Name]

If you've ever wondered how a cover letter differs from a resume,  this article will tell you everything about the key differences between the two .

6. Valuable job search resources for bartenders

Now that you know all the ins and outs of writing a persuasive bartender cover letter, it's time to talk about the next step — the job search. Finding a firm footing as a bartender isn't as simple of a process as we would wish it to be. But with the right online resources, even this hurdle can be overcome:

• Job boards for bartenders: You can begin your job hunt by exploring websites that aggregate job postings aimed at bartending exclusively, such as BarZone , Poached Jobs , and Caterer.com .
• General job search platforms: Or, you could sift through the wide selection of job postings listed on platforms like Indeed , Glassdoor , and Monster .
• Networking: If you don't have personal connections to facilitate your job search, you can create them using the powerhouse platform that is LinkedIn . Alternatively, you could discover job openings by following social media accounts ( Facebook , X , or Instagram ) of businesses that provide bartending services.
• Professional organizations: Besides job postings, organizations like the United States Bartenders' Guild (USBG), the Bartender Society , and the International Bartenders Association (IBA) can give you access to networking opportunities, training programs, and so much more. 
• Media for bartenders: Feeling overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information and recipes circulating around? Following media like “ Bartender Atlas ,” “ Liquor.com ,” or “ PUNCH ” can help you stay in the loop.
• Continuous education: Finally, you could boost your employability through upskilling with courses provided by online learning platforms such as Coursera , Udemy , or edX .

Before we part ways, let us remind you that it may take some time until you manage to land your ideal job. So, don't get discouraged by initial setbacks and stay persistent! 

Should I include references in my bartender cover letter?

Don't include references in your cover letter unless the job posting specifically requests them. Instead, focus on showcasing your qualifications, skills, and enthusiasm for the position. Put all your references in a separate document and be ready to present it when asked to by recruiters during the job interviews. You can then mention that references are available upon request in your cover letter.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when writing a bartender cover letter?

Always try to avoid generic cover letters that could apply to any job. Instead, customize your cover letter for each position and company you're applying to. Also, proofread your writing carefully to avoid typos, grammatical errors, or any other inconsistencies. Lastly, refrain from including irrelevant information or exaggerating your qualifications.

How long should my bartender cover letter be?

A good bartender cover letter should typically be concise, ideally one page long. Focus on highlighting your most relevant qualifications, skills, and experiences that make you a strong candidate for the position. Keep your paragraphs brief and to the point to maintain the reader's interest. Also, remember to use white space so your cover letter won't look cluttered and disorganized.

How can I demonstrate my passion for bartending in my cover letter?

For example, by sharing stories or experiences that illustrate your passion for mixology, hospitality, and creating memorable experiences for customers. Express genuine interest in the establishment where you're applying and explain why you're excited about the opportunity to contribute to its success.

Is it important to mention my certifications or training in my bartender cover letter?

Of course! It's essential to mention any relevant certifications or training you have obtained, such as TIPS (Training for Intervention ProcedureS), ServSafe Alcohol, or bartending courses. Highlighting your certifications demonstrates your commitment to professional development and your ability to adhere to industry standards for responsible alcohol service. Plus, it might be just the thing that sets you apart from the other job candidates!

Nikoleta Kuhejda

A journalist by trade, a writer by fate. Nikoleta went from writing for media outlets to exploring the world of content creation with Kickresume and helping people get closer to the job of their dreams. Her insights and career guides have been published by The Female Lead , College Recruiter , and ISIC, among others. When she’s not writing or (enthusiastically) pestering people with questions, you can find her traveling or sipping on a cup of coffee.

Hungry for more?

How to write a professional resume summary [+examples], how to put your education on a resume [+examples], how to describe your work experience on a resume [+examples], let your resume do the work..

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Our online cover letter instruments allow you to generate a detailed, passionate and informative appeal within minutes. No more agonizing over creative sentences, doubting your writing style or worrying about emotional perceptions. Powerful web tools and recruiter expertise are here to help!

Use our tech tools to write truly next-level cover letters and resumes . In a digital world, it’s important to stay competitive. Old-school methods have their place and charm, but if you want to land that dream job – it makes sense to get an edge over the other candidates.

Want to test out more beautiful designs? Quickly adjust the formatting? Easily generate multiple cover letters for several employers? This is now possible with our builder in record time and no technical knowledge required.

Our cover letter template designs and samples have been carefully crafted to maximize their visual and textual impact. You want recruiters to fall in love with your professional story before they even meet you. That’s what we aim to help you with.

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Why our cover letter builder helps you getting the ideal job.

Finally, you don’t have to build anything from scratch. That’s always the most difficult part. And now it’s the part you can just skip. Our free cover letter templates are ready to use and fill in with minimal effort. The attention-grabbing beautiful designs and organized structure have been tested and vetted. All our cover letter templates have been approved by recruitment experts.

Recruiters and hiring managers still emphasize poor grammar and typos as a dominant reason for rejecting applications. Don’t be a part of that statistic. We’ve taken care of combining all the tools you need in one place - including a spell-checker. No need to use multiple software or online tools - the perfect cover letter build unites them all!

Go beyond just files and documents. Actually control and analyze your application process in one powerful dashboard. Our job tracker helps you monitor every stage of the job hunt. It provides a bird’s eye view of your successful tactics, as well as possible improvements. Add jobs to your shortlist to pursue later. Keep tabs on your offers. Stay on top of scheduled interviews, follow up on completed ones and more.

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How to build a cover letter.

It used to be the case that you needed creative writing skills to build an amazing cover letter. And time. Lots of time. Now, all you need is the perfect online builder - and you’re good to go!

Go to our varied collection of beautifully designed cover letter templates and pick one that suits you! We have created templates and samples that align with jobs, industries and professional image goals. All you need to do is consider which one strikes your fancy and is appropriate for your potential employer.

Add your contact information, as well as any needed (and appropriate) personal data the employer requires. Our well-designed templates make sure your info won’t get overlooked and your documents don’t get lost due to boring visuals. After all, your cover letter is your ambassador.

Save tons of time, condensing the long journey of a convincing professional appeal to several minutes and keystrokes. You can use our free guiding samples that show mock-up cover letters, written by hiring professionals based on years of experience. With all the technical and guiding support - this won’t take long!

Tailor the design, structure and formatting of your cover letter in a couple of clicks. The template and other aspects of your document can be adjusted as you see fit. And what’s more, you can experiment as long as you want - our online and offline sync features mean you won’t lose any of your changes even if you lose your internet connection.

Whether your employer uses an Applicant Tracking System or prefers email, whether they use Mac or PC - we’ve got you covered. Make use of PDF files to perfectly preserve your beautiful cover letter formatting.

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By June 1944, Capt. Daniel Gallery and the escort carrier USS Guadalcanal were in the middle of their second hunter-killer mission. The Guadalcanal and its destroyer escorts USS Chatelain, USS Flaherty, USS Pillsbury and USS Pope had already taken out two German U-boats and were on the hunt for a third. This submarine, however, would have a different fate. Capt. Gallery wanted to capture one and was certain he could do it; he even had boarding parties at the ready.

When two of the Guadalcanal's F4F Wildcat aircraft spotted a U-505 off the coast of Cape Verde, Gallery knew he had his chance. Not only did he have boarding parties ready, he had a film crew standing by to capture the moment: the moment when the U.S. Navy captured its first enemy warship at sea since the War of 1812.

"Codename Nemo: The Hunt for a Nazi U-Boat and the Elusive Enigma Machine" is a new, exhaustively researched book from journalist Charles Lachman that tells the whole story of the capture of U-505, using records and interviews from both the American and German points of view.

"'Codename Nemo' is my first military-oriented book," Lachman, a former reporter for the New York Post, Fox and "Inside Edition," told Military.com. "I love reading and writing nonfiction thrillers. I felt this story had everything I was looking for in terms of this extraordinary military engagement. It had great characters, great villains, great American heroes, extraordinary action and great material that really told the story with a great fast-paced narrative."

U-505 is a museum ship in Chicago nowadays, having been restored and housed at the Museum of Science and Industry since 1954. During World War II, however, it was a fearsome enemy. The battle for control of Atlantic Ocean shipping lanes was the longest continuous military campaign of the war. In the early years, German U-boats wreaked havoc on Allied shipping. But as time went on, American escort carriers could provide cover for convoys on the Atlantic crossing, which devastated German U-boat operations. Still, an enemy submarine was a dangerous opponent.

Meanwhile, life aboard a German submarine was harsh. Some 50 men were crammed into a combined space, sharing two toilets and air made foul by their inability to shower or change clothes, and the constant diesel fumes from its engines.

To make matters worse, the war wasn't going well for Germany, and conditions were even more dire for submariners. Advances in radar, aircraft and convoy protection meant few successes for them, and a failure meant certain death. Allied anti-submarine tactics were so good, U-boat commanders would resurface only at night for fear of attracting attention.

With that in mind, capturing a German submarine might not seem like a great idea, but Capt. Gallery was convinced it was not only possible, but necessary. The U-boats contained a trove of valuable intelligence information, including the holy grail of Nazi Germany's secrets: the Enigma machine, the device used to encode secret military communications. Gallery felt as though capturing an Enigma device could be the key to winning the war.

"It shows you what a brilliant naval strategist he was," Lachman said. "He felt that once you engage a U-boat in battle, you didn't necessarily have to blow it up into pieces straight away. You could force it to the surface with depth charges and hedgehog mortar shells, and also aim enough small arms fire to force the crew to abandon ship. The whole point was to obtain the potential gold mine of intelligence the German sailors had."

It was June 4, 1944, when the Guadalcanal and its task force made sonar contact with U-505 off the coast of what is today Western Sahara. Within seven minutes, the sub was struck by depth charges and hedgehog mortars and forced to surface. Believing the U-boat was lost, its captain ordered the crew to abandon ship. They did, but in their haste failed to set the detonation charges that would scuttle the ship. They even left the engines running. Gallery saw his chance to capture it, and sent a boarding party.

"The boarding party fully expected to have a shootout with the German sailors on U-505," said Lachman. "They were told that even if everything went according to plan, there were likely German sailors still aboard. And not only that, naval intelligence informed them that there were 14 demolition charges that were scattered about and set within 15 minutes of the Germans abandoning ship. So it was really a suicide mission that they were facing."

Members of the American boarding party didn't face opposition, however. They took care of the demolition charges, captured the intelligence material and even plugged the leaks and prepared to tow U-505 back to a friendly port.

Capt. Gallery had just led the U.S. Navy's first successful capture of an enemy ship at sea since the USS Peacock took the HCS Nautilus in 1815. The Navy should have been overjoyed, but it wasn't; Adm. Ernest King thought the capture might alert the Germans their codes had been broken.

What Gallery didn't know is that the Allies not only already had an Enigma machine, but that they'd broken the code and were reading German communications, one of the Allies' most closely guarded secrets.

"Gallery told a handful of top-level people in the Navy about his plan," Lachman said. "He was taken to naval intelligence, who briefed him on what could be found inside a U-boat, but it never reached the level of Fleet Admiral Ernest King. He actually threatened to court-martial Captain Gallery. It was only when he calmed down that he realized this was a U.S. Navy triumph. And then Captain Gallery became a hero.

"I think this book provides a fuller understanding about the Battle of the Atlantic, the U-boat menace and how close the Nazi submarine fleet came to strangling the Allied war effort," Lachman continued. "I think it's great that the nine volunteers for the suicide mission were the sons of immigrants; that's a nice reminder of what this country's all about. It illustrates the Greatest Generation at its best. What I really like about these guys is how humble they were after the war. They didn't really want to talk about the experience. They were quiet men, and all they wanted to do was after the war was over, they wanted to get a good job and raise their families and live humbly. They showed a love of country that I think we could all learn from."

" Codename Nemo: The Hunt for a Nazi U-Boat and the Elusive Enigma Machine " is available now wherever books are sold.

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What We Know About the Karen Read Murder Trial

Ms. Read is accused of intentionally backing her vehicle into her boyfriend and then leaving him to die. The case has drawn outsize attention, fueled by her lawyers’ accusations of a police cover-up.

By Michael Levenson and Jenna Russell

Jury deliberations began on Tuesday in the murder trial of Karen Read, who is accused of intentionally backing her vehicle into her boyfriend, a Boston police officer, and then leaving him to die in the snow outside a house party. The case has drawn outsize attention, fueled by her lawyers’ accusations of a police cover-up.

It has also transfixed Boston, where a devoted band of supporters who believe Ms. Read was framed has galvanized a “Free Karen Read” movement. Dressed in pink, they have gathered outside Norfolk County Superior Court whenever her trial is in session, picking apart the evidence and the web of relationships involved. A Boston blogger known as Turtleboy, who also supports Ms. Read, has been charged with harassing and intimidating witnesses.

What happened?

In January 2022, Ms. Read and her boyfriend, John O’Keefe, a 46-year-old Boston police officer, had been out drinking with friends in Canton, Mass., a town about 20 miles south of Boston. At a bar, they ran into another Boston police officer and were invited to a late-night party at his house.

Shortly after midnight, they drove to the house, where Officer O’Keefe got out of Ms. Read’s black Lexus S.U.V. Prosecutors say that the couple had been fighting and that Ms. Read accelerated in reverse, intentionally striking her boyfriend before leaving him in the snow.

He was found unresponsive later that morning by Ms. Read, who said she had frantically searched for him after waking up on his couch around 4 a.m. and realizing he had not come home. Officer O’Keefe, who had severe head injuries and hypothermia, was pronounced dead on Jan. 29, 2022.

Ms. Read was arrested three days later. She has pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter.

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