When writing a cover letter, it is important to highlight your unique skills and experiences. Your letter should be formatted in a formal letter format, with your name, date, and contact information. It should be addressed to a specific person, rather than a generic “Hiring Manager.” Your opening paragraph should clearly state your purpose and state what kind of job you are looking for. This will give the employer an idea of what your letter is all about.
Change the font size
If you’re writing a cover letter, one of the first things you should do is check the font size. Standard letter fonts are 12 points, so they’re easy to scan and read in different formats. However, there are some fonts that look better at 10.5 or 11 points. So, before you start writing your cover letter, you should check the font size of each section. In particular, you should increase the font size of the heading, and make it bigger than the body text. This way, you’ll have more room to include important information.
To make it look more professional, you should make sure to use an 11-point font. While it may be tempting to use light or thin fonts, you’ll need to make sure that you can read your letter without difficulty. Aside from that, make sure to use more concise language. Use less words and keep the font size between ten and 12 points. A good cover letter should also have wide margins and use a font size of at least 12 points.
Include your full name
If you’re writing a cover letter, you should always include your full name. It’s easier for the hiring manager to distinguish you from other applicants. If your name is unusual, use your first name and last initial. Your full name will be more memorable, but it’s still okay to use your first and last names as well. Unless you’re applying for a job where your last name is not required, you may use your legal name and nickname. Both your first and last name should be included, but a nickname should not sound suggestive or inappropriate.
Your contact information should be included in the header of your cover letter. Your full name, email address, and phone number should be in large fonts, and your contact information should be clear and accurate. Include links to your LinkedIn account or professional website. In case you’re applying for a job out of state, you should not include your physical address, but instead mention your willingness to relocate. The first paragraph of your cover letter should grab the reader’s attention and state why you’re applying for the job.
Include your title
If you want a job, it’s important to include your title in your cover letter. Using your full name and title in your letter is also common. When addressing your cover letter, you’ll want to address it to the person who will ultimately make the decision whether or not to hire you. You can usually find this information by calling the company or looking up its address in the business directory. You should always address your cover letter to the “decision-maker” and not just the Human Resources Department. This is the most effective way to show your interest in the company and their hiring process.
If you don’t know the hiring manager’s first and last name, you can leave it out. However, if you do have the hiring manager’s first name, you should include the title with your cover letter. Also, if your title is professional, you should include the title in your salutation, even if it is abbreviated. For instance, “Dr.” instead of “Mr.” is a good choice.
Include your address
While the practice of including your address in a cover letter isn’t always wrong, you shouldn’t overdo it. This part of your letter should be as short as possible, and should be concise, so that the reader can easily find your information. Included addresses are typically obtrusive and take up space. It’s also not necessary to include a company address in a cover letter.
When writing a cover letter, always use the correct salutation. Your letter should be addressed to the person who is reviewing the letter, and include their name in the salutation. To avoid offending a female hiring manager, use Ms. rather than Mrs., and your address should be your full address, including city, state, and zip code. Don’t forget to include your contact information, such as your email address.
