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How to Write a Good Cover Letter for an Entry level Job

Good and bad cover letters: whats the difference.

Just as when you meet someone for the first time, you want to make a good first impression, so it is with a cover letter. A cover letter is your introduction to a prospective employer, a chance for you to sell yourself. A good cover letter will make a good impression on that employer, and possibly get you an interview, if not get you hired, for the job that you want. Of course, the opposite is true if you have a cover letter that is bad. A bad cover letter is an unfortunate waste of time for everyone concerned.

Formatting A good cover letter will be formatted properly, using a business block style. It should have the date on it, your name and return address, and be addressed to the company you are applying to work at. Whenever possible, use the name and title of the person who does the hiring for the company, and use their name in the salutation. Salutations like, To Whom It May Concern or Dear Sir or Madam should be avoided.

Your cover letter should be typed using traditional or contemporary fonts like, Times New Roman or Arial. The font should not be more than 10 to 12 points. These fonts and font sizes are professional looking and easy to read. You should make sure that your spelling and grammar are correct, and that the tone of the letter is a positive one. A good cover letter should be no longer than one page in length, and printed on white bond paper. Nothing will get your cover letter ignored more than one that has a negative tone, that does not look or sound professional, and that is riddled with misspelling, bad grammar and slang terms. Also, a cover letter that is lengthy, and printed on colored paper will not make a good impression.

Relevance It is not good to send a cover letter that has little or no substance to it. It must contain concise details pertinent to the job that you are applying for. You should not send a cover letter that only states that your resume is enclosed. A good cover letter should contain coherent information organized into several paragraphs. It should start out by referring to the position that you are applying for, and how you came to know that the position was available. The employer will be interested in why you would like to work for the company, in the position that you are applying for, and he will be impressed when he reads your cover letter giving him some details about the business and position. This shows that you have done your research about the company, and that you are truly interested in the job.

Skill Sets In addition, a good cover letter will highlight your skill set. Take some the skills that you have listed on your resume that match up with the skills that the employer is looking for, and explain how the qualifications that you have can benefit the company and/or the department. It would also be advantageous for your cover letter to list a few of the good qualities you may have; for example, you might mention things like you are punctual, customer service oriented, or that you have a positive attitude. If your cover letter does not catch the eye of its reader by showing the skills or qualities that an employer is looking for, your resume may never be looked at.

Interview In the last paragraph of a good cover letter you will want to express that you are looking forward to an interview, and indicate that you will call to follow-up in a specific amount of time. This should be done in a way that does not sound too pushy. You should also conclude your letter thanking the prospective employer for their time and consideration. Use a professional and proper closing such as, Sincerely, to end your letter. It would not be looked upon with favor to use a closing like, hope to hear from you soon, best wishes or be good.

Still Necessary? The difference between a good and bad cover letter can mean getting an interview for the position you are applying for, or finding yourself applying for other positions.

You might wonder if a cover letter is necessary when you submit a resume. Unless otherwise instructed, a cover letter should accompany every resume, as a cover letter compels your reader to review your resume.

Your resume presents factual information about your qualifications, experience, and educational credentials, which present you as a good match for a position based on the content in a job posting. It is common for job seekers to use one resume for several employment contacts. While this is a customary practice for job postings with similar job responsibilities, a cover letter lets you personalize your resume package for a specific job opportunity.

You no doubt have value-added skills that are above and beyond those listed as the fundamental job requirements. These skills can distinguish you from other candidates. A cover letter lets you present this information and add value to your marketability.

In your resume package, your cover letter is an informative and even fun way to demonstrate that you can communicate in a clear and concise fashion. You do this with the words you use, the tone of the letter, and the visual presentation.

Although there are no set rules to creating cover letters, the following are some guidelines:

Be brief. Cover letters are not essays. Use one page to communicate who you are, what you can do for your potential employer, and why you are the best candidate for the position.

Be professional, yet personal. Avoid using the same tone and language you use in your resume. Address your reader as if you were speaking to him or her in person. Your cover letter should add to whatever is in your resume, not repeat it.

Tell who you are. Open the letter with a clear statement of who you are and what you do. Don’t make your reader search for that information in the body of the letter or worse, have to interpret the content of the letter to figure it out.

Maintain consistency. Use the same heading format on all documents within your resume package (resume, cover letter, references, follow-up letters, thank you letters).

Highlight your value-added skills. Spotlight your skills that do not appear in your resume such as your work ethics, teamwork ability, and skills that are not listed as requirements for the job but are useful to the organization.

Explain why you want to work for the company. Do you like their product or service, their financial standing, their position in the industry, or their direction for the future? Companies like to know that you have interest in their organization, not that you simply need a new job.

Proof, proof, proof. Make sure that your letter is clear, concise, and error free. Make a checklist that addresses grammar, punctuation, and words that are spelled correctly but are out of context (form instead of from, you instead of your, etc.). Use this checklist for your own proofreading, and have someone else read your letter as well, if possible.

A cover letter can make the difference between getting an interview and getting passed over. Use a cover letter to help boost your chances of getting the job offer.

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Professional Entry Level IT Cover Letter Example for 2023

Read for inspiration or use it as a base to improve your own Entry Level IT cover letter. Just replace personal information, company application data and achievements with your own.

How to write the perfect entry level IT cover letter

According to some experts, finding exciting job adverts is one of the most challenging problems job-seekers need to deal with.

But according to our own research, conveying your enthusiasm to a one-page cover letter might prove to be even more challenging.

After all, you don’t want a bland and boring cover letter to represent you, we get it.

But how can you make a strong first impression in just a few lines?

Below, you’ll find the best Entry Level IT cover letter tips and examples that will help you find out.

entry level it coverletter.png

There are several things you need to do if you want to make your cover letter stand out.

First and foremost, make sure to stick to a tone of voice that is either formal and more on the traditional side or completely matches the company culture.

Second, make sure you’re not just re-writing your resume. Rather, build upon it.

And third, focus on achievements and motivations, rather than plainly listing your hard skills.

Now, if you want to stay on top of your cover letter game, we’ve got some additional tips for you.

Choose the right salutation and craft a strong introduction

In general, the salutation you use depends on the tone of voice you’ve decided to go for but also on the company culture.

However, it’s always a good idea to address your letter to the person responsible for the recruitment process. If you don’t know their name, try to find it out. And only if that proves to be impossible, choose a generic salutation.

Here are some phrases you can use (note that some of them require you to know the hiring manager's name):

Coming up with a good introduction is your chance to make the right impression and give the hiring manager a solid reason to remember you.

So instead of going for popular opening lines such as “I found your job advert on website X”, prove that you are actually passionate about the position. Share why you would like to grow in this field and what makes the company exciting.

Link your hard and soft skills to your achievements

While the resume is considered the best place to showcase your hard skills and achievements, the cover letter should tell a story and prove your enthusiasm for the field.

This is why we advise you to focus on soft skills and results. Think about all your soft skills and how they have helped you grow as a professional and crush your goals. Then turn this into your own very short success story.

Make sure to include some hard skills too, especially the ones listed as part of the requirements section of the job advert. This will guarantee that you pass applicant tracking systems (ATS) that screen applicant documents for keywords.

And remember – the cover letter should include new information without repeating your whole resume. It needs to offer additional value to the recruiter.

Prove that you're familiar with the company

Proving that you are familiar with the company, its problems, and its goals is without a doubt one of the best ways to stand out.

If you want to show your passion for the company, mention how your skills and previous achievements can help the team grow.

It’s also worth mentioning how your experience can help resolve some of the most common industry issues.

Finish your cover letter with a call to action

The last part of your cover letter should briefly sum up everything you’ve said so far. It should also express your gratitude for the hiring manager’s time and consideration.

The tone of the closing line depends on two things – your personal preference and the company culture. Don’t go for overly creative phrases if the company you’re applying for relies on strictly corporate language.

Traditional lines such as “Looking forward to your reply” are usually considered a safe bet. So when in doubt, stick to them.

Entry Level IT cover letter

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Check out more winning cover letter examples for inspiration

Learn from people who have succeeded in their job hunt.

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Pair your cover letter with a Entry Level IT resume that beats luck

If you want to make sure that the hiring manager will remember you, pair your cover letter with a matching resume.

Check out our Entry Level IT resume examples and job-winning templates for some additional inspiration.

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How to Write a Cover Letter for an Entry Level Position

Cover letters can make or break a job application

Whenever you apply for a job, your written application and cover letter will be the first point of contact with a prospective employer. That means that your cover letter should be a polished and professional as possible, so as to make a positive impression. Imagine the letter being read in Human Resources , passed along to the hiring manager and shared with the team you'd like to join. If the letter doesn't put you in the best possible light, it's not doing its job.

Why Is the Cover Letter Important?

Every employer will ask you to send along your resume; the cover letter literally "covers" the resume. It's also a tool for expressing your personality, enthusiasm, and knowledge to your prospective employer. Even if your resume is short, your cover letter can make up for that and earn you an interview.

Cover letters can also provide an employer with information about your basic skills and preparation for the workplace. How literate are you? Do you know how to format and proofread? More importantly, do you take the time to be sure your letter is perfect before sending it off?

Tips for Writing a Cover Letter for an Entry Level Job

Sample Cover Letter: Entry Level Position

This is an example of a cover letter for an entry level position. Download the entry level cover letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more cover letter examples.

Sample Cover Letter: Entry Level Position (Text Version)

John Jones 123 Main Street Anytown, CA 12345 555-555-5555 john.jones@email.com

September 1, 2018

April Lee Director, Human Resources Acme Electronics 123 Business Rd. Business City, NY 54321

I read with interest your advertisement for engineering positions at Acme Electronics. Your company is one of the leaders in the electronics industry, and I am interested in being employed by a company with your background. I was excited to see, in last week's news, that Acme Electronics was named one of the top cybersecurity companies in America.

Enclosed is a copy of my resume that details my academic qualifications and practical experience gained through the cooperative education program. As you can see from my resume, I have a firm foundation in electrical engineering. My internship with CBI International also provided me with opportunities to learn first hand about the importance of cybersecurity, and gave me a good grounding in the nuts and bolts of the field.

Thank you for taking your time to review my resume. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my education, practical skills, and background would qualify me to be a member of the Acme Electronics. My references are available upon request.

Please contact me at 555-555-5555 or john.jones@email.com to set up a time for an interview. I look forward to hearing from you.

Use “Enclosure” at the end if you are submitting your cover letter and resume via hard copy. If you are submitting via email, change this word to “Attachment” instead.

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COMMENTS

Cover Letter for an Entry-Level Banking Job
Your cover letter for an entry-level banking job should focus more on your knowledge than experience. For reference purposes, take a look at the cover letter sample for an entry-level banking position below
How to Write a Good Cover Letter for an Entry level Job
A cover letter is your introduction to a prospective employer, a chance for you to sell yourself. A good cover letter will make a good impression on that employer, and possibly get you an interview, if not get you hired
Real Entry Level IT Cover Letter Example for 2023
Read for inspiration or use it as a base to improve your own Entry Level IT cover letter. But according to our own research, conveying your enthusiasm to a one-page cover letter might prove to be even more challenging
Entry Level Cover Letter
For a fresh college graduate with limited experience, an entry-level cover letter is a great tool because it can make finding a job easier. An ideal entry-level cover letter comprises any skills you may have
Graphic Design Cover Letter Examples & Templates For 2023
I love your cover letter. Patrick I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work!
Cover Letter Tips for an Entry Level Job
Whenever you apply for a job, your written application and cover letter will be the first point of contact with a prospective employer. Download the entry level cover letter template
Cover Letter for Entry-Level Jobs (Template and Examples)
I am writing to express my interest in the position of [name of job title] within [company name]. I believe I am a good candidate for the role because [provide a reason]