are cover letters necessary for part time jobs

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Part-Time Job Cover Letter Examples and Writing Tips

What to Include in a Cover Letter for a Part-Time Job

Tips for writing a cover letter for a part-time job, printed letters vs. email messages, sample cover letter for a part-time job, part-time job email cover letter examples.

When you are applying for  part-time positions , you should follow the same procedures as you would if the position was full-time. That means writing a thoughtful, well-crafted resume and cover letter.

While not all part-time jobs will require a cover letter, it is always a good idea to write one. A great cover letter will show the employer that you are very interested in the job and that you have what it takes to do the job well.

When writing a cover letter, use business letter format. In the top-left corner of your letter, include your name and address, the date, and the employer’s name and address. Start your letter with a polite salutation to the hiring manager. If you know the employer or hiring manager’s name, be sure to use it.

In your first paragraph , introduce yourself and express your interest in the position. Also, explain how you heard about the job. If someone recommended you for the job, mention this.

Your second paragraph  (and maybe a third paragraph as well) is where you specify your qualifications and make connections between your skills and the requirements of the job.

Provide examples of times you demonstrated various  skills  necessary for the job.

Include a final paragraph  with your follow-up plan. Explain when and how you will get in touch with them, or where they can reach you.

Then, end with a professional closing . Include a handwritten signature, followed by your typed signature.

(Almost) Always write one.  You should always write a cover letter unless you are specifically asked not to.

Even if an employer does not ask for a cover letter, it is a great way to take initiative and show how much you care about the position.

Keep it brief.  You always want to keep a cover letter concise. This is especially the case when applying for a part-time job, for which the employer might have many applicants. Keep your letter under one page. Include a lot of white space on the page too—add spaces between paragraphs and keep the margins at least one inch wide.

Emphasize your flexibility.  If the part-time job requires shift work, consider mentioning in your cover letter your ability to work flexible hours. Employers look for shift workers who can take multiple shifts and are willing to step up whenever needed.

Edit and proofread carefully.  Whether applying for a part-time or full-time job, you need to write a professional cover letter. This means thoroughly editing your cover letter to avoid any spelling or grammar errors. A well-written cover letter will show the employer your professionalism, communication skills, and attention to detail.

Thoroughly read through the job listing to see if there are instructions on whether to send your cover letter (and other job materials) via email or by mail. If there are no directions, you can choose.

If you decide to send your cover letter via email, you can either attach it to the email as a Word document or PDF or write the letter directly into the email message.

If you're sending your cover letter in an email message, list your name and the job title in the subject line of the message. Don't list any contact information or the date at the top. Instead, start your email message with the salutation. Then, include your contact information in your email signature. You don’t need to include the employer’s contact information.

This is a part-time job cover letter example. Download the part-time job cover letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word) or see below for more examples.

The Balance

Sample Cover Letter For a Part-Time Job (Text Version)

Eric Anderson 123 Main Street Anytown, CA, 12345 111-111-1111 eric.applicant@email.com

April 6, 2022

Jeremy Lee Manager Sarasota Saddlery 123 Business Rd. Business City, NY 54321

Dear Mr. Lee,

I am interested in the part-time position at Sarasota Saddlery, as advertised in The Sarasotian. I have extensive equine experience as I have worked with horses for over nine years. Not only have I shown and ridden horses, but I have also assisted in multiple barns. Through working with horses, I have acquired a thorough knowledge of horses, tack, and equine apparel for both horse and rider.

While I have equine experience, I also have excellent communication skills and an aptitude for customer service. My experience as a volunteer at Sarasota Hospital made it necessary for me to focus on providing quality customer service, and also enabled me to work with all types of people. I believe that my communication skills, partnered with my equine knowledge, would make me an asset to your company.

Thank you for your consideration. I can be reached at 111-111-1111 or eric.anderson@email.com. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Signature (hard copy letter)

Eric Anderson

Sample Email Cover Letter for a Part-Time Job #1

Subject:  Part-Time Position – Gerald Johnson

Dear Ms. Lee,

I am interested in the part-time sales associate position at XYZ Company. I read the posting on Monster.com with interest, and I feel that my experience would be valuable to your firm. My communication skills and attention to detail are assets that I have been able to utilize in my previous sales positions.

I have extensive retail experience, having worked at small boutiques as well as large department stores. In these jobs, I was often praised for my attention to detail. I was particularly skilled at spotting items that were out of place, and quickly returning them to their appropriate locations in the store.

I also have strong communication skills. I am able to interact with clients in a friendly, approachable manner. In my last position, I interacted with over 50 clients daily. I was named Employee of the Month for three months in a row and was recognized for my contribution to a 10% yearly increase in sales in my department.

I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you regarding this position. I am available flexible hours, and I believe that you would find me to be an asset to your company.

Gerald Johnson 555-555-5555 gerald.applicant@email.com

Sample Email Cover Letter for a Part-Time Job #2

Subject:  Office Assistant - April Chang

I am interested in applying for the office assistant position that was listed on CareerBuilder.

I have experience in scheduling appointments and communicating with clients, and I am familiar with a variety of phone systems. My communication skills are excellent; I have been praised for my ability to communicate with clients effectively on the phone, in person, and over email.

I also have training in a variety of software programs and systems, including Microsoft Excel, Adobe InDesign, DocuSign, and more. I recently led a workshop for office staff at my previous job on how to effectively use SharePoint. I am a fast learner who is skilled at mastering computer software.

My schedule is flexible, and I would be available to work at your convenience. I hope to schedule an interview at a mutually convenient time. I look forward to speaking with you.

Thank you for your consideration.

April Chang 37 Paper Street Baytown, CT 06061 Email: april.chang@gmail.com Cell: 806-555-1245

Part Time cover letter examples

Are you looking for the perfect part-time position?

Then you need to give yourself a competitive edge with an impressive cover letter.

If you’ve been guilty of ignoring these in the past, now’s the time to fix that. Find out how to write an interview-winning application with our part-time cover letter examples below.

CV templates 

Part Time cover letter example 1

Part Time cover letter example 2

Part Time cover letter example 3

These Part Time cover letter examples provide you with some guidance and inspiration for writing a cover letter that gets noticed and ensures your CV will get opened.

But if you really want to master the art of writing a winning cover letter , then follow our step-by-step cove letter writing guide below.

How to write a Part Time cover letter

A simple step-by-step guide to writing your very own winning cover letter.

Write your cover letter in the body of an email/message

When you send a cover letter with a job application, you should always write your message into the body of your email – or the body of the messaging system if you are sending via a job website.

Why do this?

Simply because you want to get your message seen as soon as the recruiter opens your application.

If you attach the cover letter as a separate item, this means the recipient will have to open it before they can read it – slowing down the process and potentially causing frustration along the way.

So, write your cover note in the body of your email/message to ensure you make an instant connection with the reader.

Start with a friendly greeting

To start building rapport with the recruiter or hiring manager right away, lead with a friendly greeting.

Try to strike a balance between professional and personable.

Go with something like…

• Hi [insert recruiter name]
• Hi [insert department/team name]

Stay away from old-fashioned greetings like “Dear sir/madam ” unless applying to very formal companies – they can come across as cold and robotic.

How to find the contact’s name?

Addressing the recruitment contact by name is an excellent way to start building a strong relationship. If it is not listed in the job advert, try to uncover it via these methods.

• Check out the company website and look at their  About page. If you see a hiring manager, HR person or internal recruiter, use their name. You could also try to figure out who would be your manager in the role and use their name.
• Head to LinkedIn , search for the company and scan through the list of employees. Most professionals are on LinkedIn these days, so this is a good bet.

Identify the role you are applying for

After you have greeted the recruiter, it’s important to state the job you are applying to.

Recruiters are often managing multiple vacancies, so they need to know exactly which job you are referring to.

Be as specific as possible and use a reference number if you can find one.

Here are some examples you can use;

• I am interested in applying for the role of admin assistant with your organisation.
• I would like to apply for the role of Sales assistant (Ref: 4057393)
• I would like to express my interest in the customer service vacancy within your retail department
• I saw your advertisement for a trainee project manager on Reed and would like to apply for the role.

See also: CV examples – how to write a CV – CV profiles

Highlight your suitability

The bulk of your cover letter should be focused around highlighting your suitability for the job you are applying to.

Doing this will show the recruiter that you are suitable candidate and encourage them to open your CV.

The best way to do this, is by studying the job advert you are applying to, and find out what the most important skills and knowledge are.

Once you know the most important requirements, you then need to highlight your matching skills to the recruiter. In a few sentences, tell them exactly why you are a good fit for the job and what you can offer the company.

Keep it short and sharp

A good cover letter is short and sharp, getting to the point quickly with just enough information to grab the attention of recruiters.

Ideally your cover letter should be around 4-8 sentences long – anything longer will risk losing the attention of time-strapped recruiters and hiring managers .

Essentially you need to include just enough information to persuade the reader to open up your CV, where the in-depth details will sit.

Sign off professionally

To round of your cover letter, add a professional signature to the bottom, giving recruiters your vital contact information.

This not only gives various means of contacting you, it also looks really professional and shows that you know how to communicate in the workplace.

Include the following points;

• A friendly sign off – e.g. “Warm regards”
• Your full name
• Phone number (one you can answer quickly)
• Email address
• Profession title
• Professional social network – e.g. LinkedIn

Here is an example signature;

Warm regards,

Gerald Baker Senior Accountant 07887500404 [email protected] LinkedIn

Quick tip : To save yourself from having to write your signature every time you send a job application email, you can save it within your email drafts, or on a separate document that you could copy in.

What to include in your Part Time cover letter

Here’s what kind of content you should include in your Part Time cover letter…

The exact info will obviously depend on your industry and experience level, but these are the essentials.

• Your relevant experience – Where have you worked and what type of jobs have you held?
• Your qualifications – Let recruiters know about your highest level of qualification to show them you have the credentials for the job.
• The impact you have made – Show how your actions have made a positive impact on previous employers; perhaps you’ve saved them money or helped them to acquire new customers?
• Your reasons for moving – Hiring managers will want to know why you are leaving your current or previous role, so give them a brief explanation.
• Your availability – When can you start a new job ? Recruiters will want to know how soon they can get you on board.

Don’t forget to tailor these points to the requirements of the job advert for best results.

Part Time cover letter templates

Copy and paste these Part Time cover letter templates to get a head start on your own.

Hi Gabriel,

I hope you’re well.

I am excited to apply for the Part-Time Business Development Consultant position at your prestigious organisation. As a strategic and results-driven professional with over 17 years of successful experience in B2B sales and business development for software companies across the UK and Europe, I am confident that my proven track record of identifying new opportunities, maximising profitability, and driving revenue growth aligns perfectly with the requirements of this role.

During my tenure at Bubble, I established new partnerships with two world-leading software companies, resulting in the development of innovative product offerings and significant market share expansion. Additionally, I successfully implemented a new inbound sales strategy that contributed to a remarkable 22% increase in the company’s customer base in just two years.

As a passionate ISP Level 6 Business Development Professional, I am eager to bring my expertise to your organisation and contribute to its continued success. I would be delighted to discuss my qualifications further during an interview at your convenience.

Kind regards,

Nathan Clark

I am excited to apply for the Part-Time Administrator position at your esteemed recruitment firm. As a highly competent Administrative Coordinator with five years of experience providing seamless support to council and corporate offices, I am confident that my data processing expertise, meeting coordination skills, and meticulous attention to detail make me an excellent fit for this role.

My administrative skills have been proven during my tenure at Lloyds TSB, where I successfully reorganised office supplies storage, reducing accidental overordering by 60%, and streamlined the expense reporting process which led to a 20% reduction in errors.

As an IAM-certified administrator, I have consistently developed and implemented improved reporting systems to enhance efficiency. During my tenure at Coventry City Council, I was appointed as the designated meeting coordinator after successfully organising five meetings with over 50 attendees each in one week, demonstrating my exceptional organisational capabilities.

I would be delighted to discuss my qualifications further during an interview at your convenience.

Simon Teller

I am thrilled to apply for the Part-Time Shop Assistant position at your esteemed store alongside my undergraduate studies in Business Administration. As a detail-oriented Checkout Operator with over 3 years of experience in fast-paced retail environments, I am confident that my exceptional customer service skills and proficiency in cash handling make me a perfect fit for this role.

Throughout my current role my ability to manage point-of-sale systems efficiently has resulted in seamless transaction processing, and my dedication to resolving customer complaints promptly has contributed to maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction. For example, I successfully identified and reported potential stock losses, reducing inventory discrepancies by 30% in 2021. During my role as a part time Sales Assistant, I consistently surpassed daily sales targets by 15% through effective communication with customers and skilful promotion of sales promotions.

I would love to discuss my suitability further during an interview at your convenience.

Carlos Arani

Writing a strong attention-grabbing cover letter is a vital step in landing a good Part Time job.

Use the tips, strategies and examples above to get more responses from you job applications and start lining job interview up.

Good luck with your job search!

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When Are Cover Letters Necessary (With Examples)

• How To Write A Cover Letter
• When Is A Cover Letter Necessary
• Free Cover Letter Templates
• Cover Letter Mistakes To Avoid
• Cover Letter Tips
• How To Sell Yourself In A Cover Letter

Find a Job You Really Want In

Summary. Cover letters can be necessary and important to clarify a confusing resume , fill in employment gaps, and to add information that doesn’t fit in your resume. You should avoid sending a cover letter if the employer doesn’t want it or you are not tailoring it to each specific job.

Job trends have changed over the past few years with working from home becoming common, large amounts of people unemployed due to covid-19, and companies overwhelmed with applicants. Your biggest concern is making a great impression and getting the job.

The first question you need answered — are cover letters necessary?

A recent study found that employers place a significant amount of importance on cover letters. If you feel like you’re suddenly being asked to perform for an empty auditorium — you’re right. Employers want you to submit a cover letter but they’re never going to read it — probably.

Add that little tidbit of data to your desire not to write a cover letter and your belief that they do little to advance your application and you come up even more confused than before. We’re going to help you understand why and when cover letters are important so you can make an informed decision based on your particular situation.

Key Takeaways:

Showing the effort to add a cover letter, even when they aren’t required, shows that you’re willing to put in extra work and that can push you over the top and make you stand out.

Make sure to check the employer’s application requirements on whether or not to include a cover letter and if they don’t specify, err on the side of adding one anyway.

Submitting a poorly written or uninformative cover letter won’t help you chances of getting a job it’ll make you look unprofessional.

Cover letters serve to introduce you to the company in a way that resumes can’t so it’s important to include reasons why you want the job, about accomplishments that are hard to put in a resume.

A cover letter is a great place explain any oddities in your resume, such as employment gaps and special projects

When a Cover Letter Is Important

When not to send a cover letter, why write a cover letter, is a cover letter necessary to get a job, submitting a cover letter and resume, parts of a cover letter (with examples), importance of a cover letter faq.

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Can you determine if a cover letter is needed or not?

Obviously, not all jobs are the same, so their requirements probably aren’t the same. This is an absolutely correct assumption. The problem is there aren’t any hard-and-fast rules about what industries require a cover letter. Let’s first look at when a cover letter is important.

To clarify a confusing resume. If you have something in your resume that needs clarification, a cover letter is where you get your chance to do that.

Fill in or explain gaps in employment history. If you have a gap in your employment history , you can explain it in your cover letter.

Show willingness to relocate. If you live in a different region but are willing to relocate, that’s also important information.

Bolster your credentials if your new to the field. If you’re an entry-level worker , a cover letter can showcase your non-professional, related experience and convey your enthusiasm.

Showcase key skills. If you have specific skills or experience that relates directly to the position, highlight it in a cover letter.

Personal connection. If you have a connection to the company that’s hiring, your cover letter is a good place to point it out.

If you’re applying for a higher-level position. If you’re applying for a job in mid-management or above, you should always include a cover letter as part of the formal process.

The employer may request it. If the employer asks for a cover letter, even if you don’t feel it’s necessary, you need to include one with your job application.

To add information doesn’t fit in your resume. If you feel you have something relevant to say that’s not covered in your resume, then a cover letter lets you do that.

Okay, we just told you that having a cover letter is all but imperative, but what about when it’s not? There are definitely some situations where a cover letter isn’t required and then some situations when it will do you more harm than good. The following times are when it’s probably best not to send a cover letter:

When the employer doesn’t want one. Whether they tell you not to write one in the job description or they have software that doesn’t allow for one — these people don’t want to see a cover letter. Note: if it says cover letter optional, you should write one.

Your cover letter is full of errors. If your cover letter is full of mistakes and makes you look like a bad job candidate. A cover letter needs to be proofread and edited by someone who is good with language and grammar. If that’s not your strong suit, then you need to find some help or skip the cover letter.

You’re not customizing each cover letter. If you’re using a generic, non-customized, cover letter template that doesn’t add any value to your application, you can go ahead and skip it altogether.

A cover letter is your introduction to the company. It’s a handshake and a hello on paper. Even if only half of all employers read cover letters, and even if they’re just skimming them, this is still your chance to shine and to highlight your achievements, special skills , and experience.

It may be a formality and, for many, it’s not a fun part of their job search , but it can be the one thing that makes you stand out as a professional, gets you noticed, and creates a good impression.

Some percentage of hiring managers and recruiters do find cover letters valuable. A good cover letter showcases how you intend to add value to the company, suggests solutions for the role, and contains pertinent information about how to contact you and your availability.

Just think of it this way: if a hiring manager is on the fence about deciding between which candidate to call in for an interview, a stellar cover letter could be just the thing to help you pull ahead.

A cover letter is probably not necessary to get a job in most situations, but there’s always a chance that it might be, meaning there’s no harm in sending one. Your resume should give the employer the basics of your experience and they can do the math to determine if your skills line up with their opening.

Add to that the fact that most employers don’t do more than peruse a cover letter, at best. It seems like a cover letter is a thing of the past, but it’s not.

Unless the job posting specifically states that a cover letter isn’t necessary or you’re completing an online application and there’s no spot for a cover letter, then you should consider it necessary.

It’s all about showing a prospective employer that you know how to follow the rules and you’re willing to do what’s asked of you. When you think about it, just that reason alone is enough to include a cover letter.

Going further than job etiquette, if you land one of those employers who actually read cover letters, you definitely want to use it to your advantage. In today’s job market, with competition running hot, you want to use everything you can to be a desirable candidate.

You not only want to include a cover letter but you want to fill it with everything that the employer wants to hear. You need to research cover letter tips so you can craft the best cover letter that employer has ever seen.

You want to see that letter framed and hanging on their wall when you go in for a job interview — well, not really of course, but that’s the mindset you should have when you’re writing it.

All this talk about cover letters, it seems like we’re forgetting about the resume. Don’t worry, we’re not.

Writing a great resume that gets you hired is such an important task that it’s a topic for another article. Just know that if you’re submitting a cover letter, you definitely need to include a resume because that’s something that’s not only going to get read, but also resonate with future employers.

Now that we’ve stressed the importance of a cover letter, you’ve got a task ahead of you — to write a knock-their-socks-off cover letter that gets you hired. Make sure all of the standard parts of a cover letter are present:

The header. Include all of the contact information for yourself and the employer. Also, include the current date between the two sets of addresses.

Bill Billson 22 Happy Court Marigold, TX, 10987 April 26, 2021 Alice Allison New Company 5225 East Park Ln. Austin, TX , 73301

The greeting. Always do your best to find the hiring manager’s name . Check the job posting, the company website, and the company’s LinkedIn page . If you strike out online, simply call the company and ask who you should address your cover letter to for whatever position you’re applying for.

Never use “Mrs.” as it is difficult to determine the marital status of the hiring manager . Stick with Ms./Mr./Dr. (or any other professional title) followed by the person’s last name. If their name is gender-neutral, play it safe and use their full name.

If you can’t find the hiring manager’s name, you can use “Dear Hiring Manager” or one of its alternatives . Never use “ Dear Sir or Madam ” or “ To Whom It May Concern ” — it’s not 1921 and the recruiter will assume you’ve copy/pasted the same cover letter all over town.

Dear Ms. Bickerly, Dear Pat Thompson, Dear Software Engineering Hiring Team,

Opening paragraph . Start by indicating the role you’re applying for and then grabbing the reader’s attention with an impressive and relevant accomplishment. You want to come across as enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and competent right off the bat.

When I saw a job posting for a Marketing Manager at ABC Inc., I knew I had to apply. I’ve long been a fan of ABC’s methodology of direct email campaigns alongside social media outreach and organic content marketing, and my 6+ years in Marketing have made me adept at each of these facets of an effective marketing strategy.

The body. Your cover letter’s body paragraph(s) should accomplish two things: explain why you’re a perfect candidate with all the right qualifications and experiences and explain why you’re attracted to this particular company. The first part is all about using the same important keywords from the job description.

The second part might involve a bit of research and creativity to determine the company’s values and show how they align with your own.

I have a special passion for content marketing that achieves big results. By strategizing a 6-month campaign that saw over 400 pieces of high-quality content produced, I got to watch XYZ’s organic traffic skyrocket by 569%. Even better, by streamlining our funnel with the sales and product teams, we were able to drive revenue by 36% YoY. My passion is helping customer’s find answers to questions, which is why your brand statement “Quality Solutions the First Time” really resonates with me.

Closing . Now all you have to do is close your cover letter with a reiteration of your excitement for the role and an invitation for follow-up steps. A call-to-action is the usual way to wrap things up; in practice, this simply looks like:

I look forward to discussing ABC’s marketing goals and helping achieve those goals. Thank you for considering me for the role.

Signature. If you’re sending a physical letter, add 4 spaces between your sign-off and your printed name. Then, put the signature between the two. If you’re emailing your cover letter, you can use an email signature or simply include your contact information after your typed name.

We recommend sticking with a classic like:

Sincerely, Best Regards, Thank you for your consideration,

When writing your cover letter, pay particular attention to the open because that’s where you’re going to get their attention and, hopefully, encourage them to keep reading. Then customize the letter so you really explain why you’re the perfect fit, brag a little if you can.

Finally, create a cover letter close that’s friendly and personal. Try not to concern yourself with wondering if they’ll read it or not, assume they will and do the best job you can.

How important is a cover letter?

A cover letter is very important. Including a cover letter with your resume will give hiring managers a complete picture of what you’d bring to the company than your resume can often provide. It will also often answer questions and alleviate concerns they may have after they read your resume.

If you have a gap in your work history, it’s difficult to communicate the reasons for that gap through your resume alone. In addition, it’s nearly impossible to share your enthusiasm for the job through resume bullet points, and employers want to see your passion for the position.

You can, however, include all of this information and more in your cover letter. Writing one lets you flesh out your resume and let your personality shine through, which can be an advantage when you’re competing for a job opening.

What happens if you don’t include a cover letter?

If you don’t include a cover letter, you risk getting passed up for another candidate who did. If you don’t include a cover letter for a company that specifically asked for one, your application will likely be thrown out immediately. (For the same reason, if the company specifically tells you not to include one, don’t include one.)

If the company doesn’t tell you what to do one way or another and you don’t write a cover letter, you risk losing your competitive edge.

Hiring managers have to narrow down the list of candidates one way or another. Suppose you and another candidate are similarly qualified, but they wrote a cover letter, and you didn’t. You’re generally more likely to be the one who gets eliminated.

This is because writing a cover letter when you weren’t asked shows that you’re willing to go the extra mile to do a job well, it helps hiring managers see that you’re passionate about the position, and it showcases your communication skills.

Not only that, but if hiring managers have a question or hesitation about your resume, your cover letter can often answer this for them, keeping you in the running.

Leaving out this extra communication channel lowers your chances of moving forward in the hiring process, especially if another candidate did write a cover letter that silences hiring managers’ concerns.

Should I include a cover letter if they don’t ask for one?

Yes, you should include a cover letter if they don’t ask for one. A cover letter allows employers to see your personality and passion for the job, and it allows you to truly sell yourself as a candidate.

You can do this by explaining why you’re interested in this particular position and how you and your skills would help further the organization.

This is important because if hiring managers are on the fence about offering you an interview based on your qualifications alone, your cover letter might be the piece that pushes your application over the edge to get to move forward to the next step in the hiring process.

There are some exceptions to this rule, however. Don’t include a cover letter if:

You can’t ensure it will be professionally written without typos or grammatical errors.

You’re going to use a template cover letter.

There isn’t a place on the online application to submit a cover letter.

Submitting a badly written or impersonal cover letter can do more harm than good, so if you can’t spend the time required to tailor it to the job or to have someone help you proofread it, it’s usually better to skip it entirely.

Do cover letters really make a difference?

Yes, cover letters really make a difference. When you apply for a job, hiring managers are looking for reasons to either move your application forward in the hiring process or to eliminate you as a candidate, and your resume, answers to application questions, and cover letter provide the only information they have on which to base this decision.

A cover letter can play a variety of roles in your efforts to sell yourself as a candidate, including:

Explaining any gaps in employment.

Highlighting your soft skills if you’re new to the industry and don’t have much relevant experience.

Demonstrating your personality to make a personal connection.

Showing how your skills and experience relate to the position.

Sharing why you want this particular position and what you would add to the company if hired.

It isn’t necessarily a given that you won’t get a job without a cover letter and will get the job with one, but if you don’t include one, you’ll certainly miss out on all of the benefits that a cover letter can give you.

To further understand the difference a cover letter can make, put yourself in the hiring manager’s shoes. You have a stack of similar resumes that needs to shrink.

Wouldn’t you be more likely to keep a candidate in the running if you could get a glimpse of their personality and passion for the job than someone with a similar list of accomplishments who didn’t provide that information?

What do employers look for in a cover letter?

Employers look for conciseness, professionalism, and personality in a cover letter. The technical details will change based on the job and requirements, but these three elements carry through no matter what content you put in your cover letter.

Hiring managers don’t have time to read through multiple pages of fluff about your every accomplishment and professional goal, and some don’t even read one full page. They want you to get to the point about what you’re trying to say, so make sure your letter is lean and to the point.

As you write, there is no need to be overly stuffy, but you should add a little more polish than you would to an email you’d write to a coworker.

Follow formatting guidelines for formal letters by including the recipient’s name and address as well as your own. Maintain a polite tone of voice and proofread your letter, getting someone else to check over it for you if possible.

Within the parameters of professionalism, though, you should let your personality shine through.

Hiring managers want to see what you’re passionate about in your work and why they should choose you for the position, so make sure you share how your values and skills line up with the organization’s and how you’d use them to help further the company.

Columbia University Center for Career Education – How and Why to Write a Great Cover Letter

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Kristin Kizer is an award-winning writer, television and documentary producer, and content specialist who has worked on a wide variety of written, broadcast, and electronic publications. A former writer/producer for The Discovery Channel, she is now a freelance writer and delighted to be sharing her talents and time with the wonderful Zippia audience.

Matt Warzel a President of a resume writing firm (MJW Careers, LLC) with 15+ years of recruitment, outplacement, career coaching and resume writing experience. Matt is also a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Certified Internet Recruiter (CIR) with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Marketing Focus) from John Carroll University.

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Part-Time Job Cover Letter Template

Get the job you've always wanted and find ideas for your own cover letter with our free, outstanding Part-Time Job cover letter template. Copy-paste this cover letter sample for free or rewrite it directly in our sleek cover letter creator.

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Part-Time Job Cover Letter Template (Full Text Version)

Charlie Brews

Dear Sir/Madam,

I was pleased to discover that you are looking to fulfill the Part-Time Marketing Assistant position within O&Y Group, LLC as I believe that I possess everything necessary to execute the role and all associated tasks successfully while coming to you with a pro-active approach, exceptional work ethic, and determination to meet and exceed all goals.

First of all, I am a performance-driven and results-oriented high school student offering excellent communication skills and the crucial ability to solve complex problems. Having served as a President of the Benjamin Banneker Academic High School Business Club for over 1 year, I excel at coordinating and supervising other students, planning and organizing various events, and developing and managing operational budgets. On top of that, I am skilled in:

• Producing original promotional content for multiple social media platforms.
• Representing the society at various school meetings and maintaining relevant files and records.
• Executing key administrative tasks and performing other duties as required.

Next, I am a native English speaker with a proficiency in French and a basic knowledge of Chinese. Possessing the experience with all software programs necessary for the job, including QuickBooks, Xero, and Slack, I am a dedicated individual and would appreciate the opportunity to come in for an interview to discuss the position and my qualifications in more detail in person. I can be contacted at any time at 555-555-5555 or via email at [email protected].

Thank you for your time and consideration and I look forward to speaking with you soon.

Kind regards,

Milan Šaržík, CPRW

Milan’s work-life has been centered around job search for the past three years. He is a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW™) as well as an active member of the Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Careers Coaches (PARWCC™). Milan holds a record for creating the most career document samples for our help center – until today, he has written more than 500 resumes and cover letters for positions across various industries. On top of that, Milan has completed studies at multiple well-known institutions, including Harvard University, University of Glasgow, and Frankfurt School of Finance and Management.

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Formal Sciences Student Student Internship High School Student Social Sciences Student Natural Sciences Student University Student Humanities Student Professions And Applied Sciences Student

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