How To Start a Cover Letter
Not sure how to start your cover letter? Check out this guide for our advice.
Mastering how to start a cover letter is crucial when job hunting. While a professionally written resume is essential, a compelling cover letter is equally important.
This introductory letter should be customized for each role and employer, ensuring it includes key elements to capture attention.
A strong cover letter should:
- Explain why you’re applying to the specific company or position.
- Highlight how your skills and experiences benefit the organization.
- Convey enthusiasm and establish an emotional connection with the reader.
Your opening should succinctly introduce who you are, what you offer, and why you’re reaching out to this company.
Remember, the goal is to write a resume that’s irresistible to recruiters. Our cover letter guide will help you craft an engaging introduction that keeps recruiters interested!
What Should Go In a Cover Letter Opening?
The purpose of the first paragraph in a cover letter for a job is to let the employer know what position you are applying for and what your main strengths are. In contrast to your resume, it should only focus on a few key points.
The standard format for a cover letter opening is as follows:
To make your cover letter concise and engaging, focus on these key points:
- Cover letter length: Aim for 300-400 words, ideally one page.
- Structure: Space out sections for clarity.
- Email format: Include contact info in the signature to save space.
Write a powerful opening paragraph. Introduce yourself, state the position you’re applying for, and include your contact information.
Use a strong opening hook to capture attention and highlight why you’re the ideal candidate.
Convey genuine interest in the company and the role. Employers appreciate candidates who are enthusiastic about joining their team and contributing to their success.
Remember, if the opening does not engage, the rest will not be read.
Nail Your Cover Letter Greeting
How to start off a cover letter depends on the information about the recruiter/company you have available.
If you know the recruiter/hiring manager’s full name, then it sounds more professional if you use Mr./Mrs./Ms with a last name. If they have only contacted you with their first name, then there should be no issue in simply using that to address them.
If the recipient has a professional or academic title, such as “Dr.” or “Professor,” use it in your greeting. This demonstrates respect and attention to detail, and it avoids potential gender misidentification issues.
Alternatively, you can use their full name without a title to maintain professionalism.
If you don’t have any information so far about who you are dealing with or the person who’s responsible for your recruitment, then do some research. Don’t be afraid to look up the company website or LinkedIn to find you who will likely be receiving your application.
Nowadays, using phrases like ‘Dear Sir/Madam’ or ‘To whom it may concern’ sounds a little bit too formal and old-fashioned, so it’s best to steer clear of these outdated greetings.
If you can’t find out the names of individuals within the company with whom you will likely be dealing, you may just want to start with ‘Dear hiring manager for (company name)’. This is perfectly acceptable: to the point but not too specific.
Ensure that you do not confuse first names with last names, especially in multicultural contexts where naming conventions vary. Double-check spelling to avoid errors that could detract from your professionalism.
By incorporating these strategies, you can create a cover letter greeting that is both professional and tailored to the specific context of the job application.
Examples of cover letter opening lines
Starting a cover letter should be friendly. If you are writing to a hiring manager, use the person’s name, and if you are writing to someone at an organization, use the company’s name.
The first thing you should do is make sure that the greeting you use is appropriate for the job you are applying for. If you are not sure what to do, here are some tips:
- Avoid overly casual greetings like “Hey” or “Hi.” Opt for a professional tone unless the company culture is informal.
- Do not use personal or intimate greetings (e.g., “Dear Aunt Sally”). Keep it professional to avoid sounding overly familiar.
To begin a cover letter greeting, you can use a simple “Dear” followed by their name. For example, if you were writing to John Smith, your opening line would read:
Dear John,
If you are addressing them as “Mr.,” or “Mrs.,” then it is appropriate to use the salutation of Dear + “Mr.” or “Mrs.” followed by their last name (i.e., Mrs. Smith).
Dear Mrs. Smith,
Other examples of cover letter greetings based on industry:
Traditional Industries
For more conservative industries like finance, law, or government:
- “Dear Mr./Ms.,”
- “Dear [Full Name],”
- “Dear [Job Title] Hiring Manager,”
Creative Industries
For industries like advertising, design, or media:
- “Hello [First Name] [Last Name],”
- “Greetings [Company Name] Team,”
- “Dear [Department Name] Hiring Team,”
Tech Industry
For technology companies or startups:
- “Hello [First Name],”
- “Dear [Company Name] Recruiter,”
- “Hi [Department Name] Team,”
Healthcare
For medical or healthcare organizations:
- “Dear Dr. [Last Name],”
- “Dear [Hospital/Clinic Name] Hiring Manager,”
- “To the [Medical Department] Team,”
Education
For academic institutions:
- “Dear Professor [Last Name],”
- “Dear [School/University Name] Hiring Committee,”
- “To the [Department] Faculty,”
Writing a Cover Letter Opening Paragraph
To write an engaging opening paragraph for your cover letter, follow these steps:
- Introduce yourself: Begin by stating your name and the position you’re applying for. This sets the context for your application.
- Mention referral: If you learned about the job through a referral or specific source, mention it briefly to establish a connection.
- Use a strong hook: Start with a compelling statement or question that grabs attention. This could be a bold claim about your capabilities, a relevant accomplishment, or an interesting fact about yourself that relates to the job.
- Express interest: Clearly articulate why you’re interested in the company and the role. This shows your enthusiasm and understanding of the company’s mission.
- Highlight relevant experience: Share a concise sentence about your relevant skills or experiences that make you a strong candidate. This should align with the job requirements.
- Tailor to the job: Customize your introduction for each application, using keywords from the job description to demonstrate your fit for the role. Avoid repeating information that’s on your resume.
- Incorporate keywords from the job description: Use keywords from the job posting in your opening paragraph to demonstrate that you have carefully read and understood the job requirements.
- Maintain professionalism: Use professional language that conveys competence. Avoid slang unless it’s appropriate for the company culture.
Cover Letter Opening Examples
If you are still unsure how to open a cover letter, you can look at a template that has been used successfully by other candidates. Just remember to change the specifics before you send it to recruiters!
This example of a first paragraph in a cover letter can guide any job seeker in writing theirs:
Dear Janine,
I am thrilled to apply for the Project Lead position at Apple, recommended by your Product Manager, Robb Cohen. With 6 years of experience as a Mobile App Developer, I excel in programming languages like Python and have earned the Developer of the Year award. I am eager to bring my expertise and passion for innovation to Apple and contribute to your cutting-edge projects.
Remember, the first paragraph of your cover letter should be clear and concise and include information about you and your skills. Your opening paragraph should also include a statement about why you are writing, as well as what position or industry you are interested in.
If you feel like you’re not getting all of your accomplishments and experience into the first paragraph, don’t worry—this is what the second paragraph is for!
For example, the second paragraph for the applicant above could read:
As a recent Computer Science graduate, I interned at Google during my junior year, where I honed my skills in innovative technology. Since graduation, I’ve fueled my passion by developing mobile apps and tackling freelance projects. My dedication and innovative spirit drive me to excel in the tech industry.
The second paragraph is also an opportunity to elaborate on why exactly your experience and qualifications make you the right fit for the job. Therefore, you may also like to indicate more of the skills you think you could apply in the role.
Final Tips For Writing a Cover Letter Intro
Now you know how to start a cover letter, but let’s just refresh what we’ve learned to maximize your chances of landing that dream job.
Some final tips to keep in mind:
- Personalize your opening to grab attention.
- Clearly state why you’re interested in the role.
- Summarize your relevant skills and experience.
- Use action verbs to demonstrate your impact.
- Align your qualifications with the company’s goals.
With that in mind, don’t forget to check out our separate guide on how to end a cover letter so that you can ensure your introductory document doesn’t put a hiring manager off from discovering your beautifully written resume!
FAQs
A good opening sentence for a cover letter should immediately capture the reader’s attention and set the tone for your application. Start by expressing enthusiasm for the position and mentioning a key achievement or skill that aligns with the job.
For example: “As a passionate Digital Marketer with a proven track record of increasing paid traffic by 35%%, I am excited to apply for the Digital Marketer position at FinHipster.” This approach highlights your relevant experience and enthusiasm right from the start.
A good opening greeting for a cover letter sets a professional tone and personalizes your application. Start with “Dear” followed by the hiring manager’s full name if known, such as “Dear Mr. Smith” or “Dear Dr. Johnson.”
If the name is unavailable, use a specific title like “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear [Department] Team.” This approach shows respect and effort, making a positive first impression. Avoid generic greetings like “To Whom It May Concern” to maintain a personal touch.
To start the first paragraph of a cover letter effectively, begin by mentioning the job title and expressing enthusiasm for the role. Highlight a key achievement or skill that aligns with the position to capture the hiring manager’s attention immediately.
For instance, “As a data analyst with a proven track record of increasing efficiency by 20%, I am excited to apply for the Analyst position at TechCorp.” This approach sets a positive tone and demonstrates your relevant expertise from the outset.
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