How Do You Begin a Cover Letter?
Publié le 23 March 2023
Take the time to ask how do you begin a cover letter which will make a strong impression on a hiring manager and boost your chances of getting hired for the job you want.
Are you looking to improve your hiring odds and get a job interview? You need a cover letter that immediately stands out among other candidates to maximize the chances of getting hired.
83% of hiring managers said cover letters are essential to hiring decisions. Great CVs highlight the candidate’s strengths relevant to the role, and can even make up for lack of experience or perceived resume flaws.
However, recruiters get hundreds of applications for every available position. The truth is that they are likely only spending a few seconds scanning your application.
You need to grab their attention quickly. So here are 6 ways to deliver a powerful opening line on your cover letter to create a great first impression on any hiring manager.
1. Lead with achievement and experience
If this is not your first rodeo in the work marketplace, speaking through experience and results is an effective opener you can use to begin a cover letter.
For example, let’s say you have a professional experience of more than three years in a similar position. You can highlight this important fact by starting with:
“As a cybersecurity expert with 3 years of experience in Web3 systems, I am confident that I have the skillset needed to make a difference in your company as a Cybersecurity Consultant.”
Your opening can get better still if you write a professional summary that emphasizes your professional achievement or the impact you made at your previous job, like:
“For the past 5 years at ReachOut Agency, I’ve managed a sales team that has led the company to grow from $500k to $2M in annual revenue.”
2. Mention a mutual contact
If you received a referral to the available job role by a colleague, classmate, or friend, mentioning their name in the opening sentence of your cover letter can also be helpful.
Hiring managers will take your application more seriously if you’ve been recommended by a connection already working at the company.
It is one of the best ways to distinguish yourself from other candidates and boost your chances of getting the job. Here’s how you can go about it:
“I was excited to hear about the opening position of Marketing Lead at ReachOut Agency from my ex-colleague, Amy Winters. I’ve only heard great things about the company, and I’m excited to become an asset to your team with my experience as a full-stack marketer.”
3. Start with passion and commitment
Demonstrating passion at work can also help your cover letter stand out in the opening lines.
After all, committed and engaged employees who are enthusiastic about their work are valuable employees as they are likely to perform better, stay longer, and contribute more to the company.
Start your cover letter by showing recruiters how your passions align with the responsibilities associated with the role. For example:
“It was just a robot designed to grip a balloon, but I’ve been obsessed since building my first robot. The amount of stuff to learn is amazing, and that’s why I’m excited for the opportunity as an Engineering Intern at Robo Corp.”
This opening line is an excellent option for those starting a career without experience, emphasizing your desire to use your passion to learn and grow as part of a long professional career.
4. Show interest in the company
Thoroughly researching the company can also help you write a more personalized and enticing cover letter. Be sure to check out their website, social media, and PR coverage before applying.
The goal is to relate and connect with the company. Identify any problems they are facing or elements they can improve. You can then craft your cover letter to emphasize how your skill set can help with the company’s immediate and long-term needs.
So let’s say you are applying as a UX designer; start your cover letter by saying:
“I have always admired your company’s work connecting rural farmers with their consumers for better quality and price. However, a better navigational experience on your website can help you engage and retain users. I believe my experience as a UX designer at Dribble can bring more value to your mission.”
This will show the recruiter that you are interested in the specific company and their mission to help their clients, instead of just sending random job applications.
It also makes an excellent tactic for new graduates and entry-level sales resumes.
5. Get straight to the point
While using unique opening lines to begin your cover letter can be tempting, this can be a double-edged sword.
It can quickly become a cover letter mistake coming across to the company as unprofessional or gimmicky. That’s why using direct and informative opening lines can be more practical.
Sometimes the best way to begin by introducing yourself, the job you are applying for, and your relevant experience and qualifications, such as:
“I am Daniel Brauns, and I would like to apply for the Digital Marketing position at ReachOut. I have over five years of experience in inbound and paid marketing, working at….”
These informative details in the first sentence immediately give employees a good idea that you are an ideal candidate who meets the requirements, and this will encourage them to keep reading.
6. Use power words and cover letter keywords
Employers are attracted by those who show self-confidence in their abilities. Be bold and demonstrate the value that you can offer the company.
Additionally, this extends to using the right cover letter keywords employers search for when screening the applicant pool for viable job candidates. Many companies now use software programs and applications to scan and short resumes, cover letters and job applications before they are seen by a hiring manager. If you do not include enough keywords from the job description in your application, there is a chance that an HR manager won’t even have the chance to read it.
For example, highlighting your independence and adaptability to remote or hybrid work models can be helpful when creating a freelancing cover letter.
The key is to look at the job description and find out what kind of candidate the company is looking for. Then, craft your cover letter utilizing specific experiences from your professional career to demonstrate that you are the right candidate for this job.
Conclusion
Your CV opening is only a hook. Remember that it is equally crucial to put the same effort into the rest of your cover letter so that your hiring manager will call you in for an interview. If you find yourself asking how to begin your cover letter, the answer is with a strong opening line that displays your credential and will get an HR manager’s attention.
