Best cover letter outline to stand out

🤔 What is a cover letter, and why do we need one in the first place?

A cover letter is a document that accompanies a resume or job application and provides more information about your qualifications and interest in a particular job. It serves as an introduction to the employer and gives you an opportunity to showcase your skills, experience, and personality.

It’s the element that allows you to stand out from the crowd when you’re sending an application. As it allows you to explain why you are a good fit for the job and how you can contribute to the organization.

Sometimes companies won’t require them, but if you have the option we always encourage you to write one! As you will be demonstrating your enthusiasm and interest in the position, increasing your chances of getting an interview and eventually landing the job.

Alternatively, you can always email the person responsible ;)

🛠How to structure a cover letter

There’s no specific way to structure a cover letter, but here are some key points to keep in mind:

• Put yourself in the manager’s shoes - what is their pain point? What would they like to see?
• Keep it short and to the point. 1 page and 4 paragraphs maximum.
• Make it personal. Each cover letter should be completely unique.
• Be authentic. Be yourself and don’t be scared to be unconventional! That’s what makes you stand out.
• If possible, build a connection with the person you connected with or someone you know in the company.

If you absolutely need a structure, here’s an example of one that works for us:

1. Short introduction - Explain who you are and what you want.
2. Establish a link between what they’re looking for and what you can offer them - Why are you a match for their company? What challenges do they face that you can help solve?
3. About you - Top skills you bring o the table? What can you do?
4. Call to action.

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💡Here’s an example:

Dear Tom,

I recently started looking for an opportunity to join the sales team of a young startup in the healthcare industry. Your job description really caught my attention, and after talking to Laura Enever from your team I was convinced to apply.

I’m fully aware of the importance SDRs have for companies like [company name] which are aiming to revolutionize the healthcare industry through software. I believe my experience as a [x]/my studies in [y] give me a unique perspective of your industry, and I'm fully convinced I have the right tools to impact sales for your company from day one.

I consider myself an intelligent and articulate person with great potential for learning. In fact, you can see some of my best sales work in my portfolio here. I have just the right balance between competitive ambition and teamwork skills, which I believe is crucial for any sales team to succeed.

I recently completed my sales training at Hyrise Academy where I engaged in more than 300h of training covering the whole sales process spectrum, from cold-calling, emails and social selling to discovery calls, demos and closing deals. This also shows how determined I am in launching my tech sales career.

I would love an opportunity to interview and continue the conversation in person.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Alvaro.

🎨Bonus - Get creative

If you’ve ever had to hire someone, you know how important it is for a candidate to stand out. Nowadays, it’s completely ok to be unconventional and creative to apply to a job.

Don’t believe us? Look at how companies are changing their recruitment processes:

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We challenge you to think outside of the box.🧠

• What if you create a personal 1-minute application video instead of a cover letter?
• What if you cold call the hiring manager or sales team lead?
• What if you create a graphic or picture that serves as a cover letter?

🎨Need inspiration?

Here are some examples of great video CV’s!

We’ve seen these things succeed many times before 😉

“Bold efforts get bold results!”

That’s it, folks! We hope this framework helps you to write a standout cover letter that lands you your dream job.

Remember, there are no set rules for writing a cover letter. The most important thing is to be authentic, show your personality, and demonstrate how you can add value to the company. Don’t be afraid to be creative and think outside the box. Good luck with your job search! 🚀

This article belongs to the ultimate guide to securing your dream job in 2023! Join us as we embark on a journey of exploration and discovery, diving into the secrets of building and promoting a standout professional identity, mastering the art of crafting a winning CV, LinkedIn profile, and networking strategy, and learning the best strategies for finding opportunities, acing interviews, and making the right career choices. Check the complete series here out!

Keep an eye out for our next article, where we'll share some tips on how to prepare yourself for your interview!

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