• Social Media

How to View Your Resume on LinkedIn

how do i find my cover letter on linkedin

Dave Johnson Dave Johnson is a dedicated writer with a strong focus on the ever-evolving social media landscape. Leveraging his comprehensive understanding of these platforms, he breaks down the complexities of social media apps to provide engaging and insightful content. Read more June 20, 2022

LinkedIn now makes it simpler and faster than ever to apply to positions you are interested in with its “Easy Apply” option. You just have to upload your resume on LinkedIn, and you can leverage new opportunities.

How to View Your Resume on LinkedIn

But what if you don’t remember if you’ve already uploaded your resume? Or if you want to check that your resume on LinkedIn is still up-to-date? View your resume on LinkedIn by following this guide and stick around until the end for helpful upload tips.

To view your previously uploaded resume(s) on LinkedIn, you will need to go into your settings.

how do i find my cover letter on linkedin

These are the resumes ready to be used with your job applications. To view the resume you want, click the three horizontal dots and select “Download.” You can also delete any outdated files.

How to View Your Resume for a Job Application on LinkedIn

You can also view the resume you’ve submitted for a job application on LinkedIn. This is a great way to check that you submitted the right file. Follow these steps:

how do i find my cover letter on linkedin

  • Select the application you want to view.
  • You will find “Submitted resume” in the corner of the first card. Download your resume to view it.

How to View Your Resume Drafts on LinkedIn

LinkedIn also allows you to build your resume on-site. To access your previously created LinkedIn resumes or edit your drafts, do the following:

how do i find my cover letter on linkedin

You can also access this option differently:

how do i find my cover letter on linkedin

A new window will open to see a list of all the resumes you have previously uploaded in the Resume Builder. You can preview, edit, copy and delete them by pressing the three horizontal dots next to each draft.

How to Upload Your Resume on LinkedIn

If your resume list on LinkedIn is empty, you can fix this by uploading your resume.

To save your resume for future job applications, here’s what you should do:

how do i find my cover letter on linkedin

  • Browse your resume and open the file.

On the other hand, if you want to add your resume to your profile, a different method will be necessary:

how do i find my cover letter on linkedin

The resume you upload to your profile this way will be visible to other users, but you won’t be able to use it for job applications.

How to Create a Resume on LinkedIn

If you have yet to create your resume, you can do that directly on LinkedIn.

If you already have a resume prepared in DOCX or PDF format, you’ll be able to upload and edit it later. You can also get started without uploading a document by clicking “Create from profile” and following the instructions on your screen.

Creating your resume directly on LinkedIn gives you access to several useful tools. For instance, you can get keyword suggestions to optimize your resume. You don’t have to worry about formatting either, as LinkedIn resumes are compatible with recruiters’ screening software.

Once you’re done, you can download your LinkedIn resume as a PDF by clicking “More” in the top right corner and then “Download as PDF.” Upload this PDF to your job application settings, and you’ll be able to use it for your future applications.

Additional FAQs

Is my resume public on linkedin.

There are two ways to upload a resume on LinkedIn: adding it to your profile and uploading it for job applications. The former method will make your resume visible to network members. The latter approach will store your resume privately, and only the recruiters you submit it to will be able to see it. Make sure you upload your resume correctly, depending on your goal.

Can I add more than one resume to my LinkedIn?

Yes, LinkedIn will allow you to store up to four resumes in your account.

Keep Your Resumes on LinkedIn Up-to-Date

Your LinkedIn profile is like a resume in itself, but you’ll want to put your best face forward when the time comes for a job application. Check your currently uploaded resumes and remove any that are no longer relevant. You can also upload a new document or create a professional resume directly on the website.

Which method of viewing your resume were you looking for? Did you already know you can also build your resume on LinkedIn? Tell us in the comments section below.

Related Posts

how do i find my cover letter on linkedin

Disclaimer: Some pages on this site may include an affiliate link. This does not effect our editorial in any way.

The LinkedIn logo with a black background.

Aman Kumar February 15, 2024

Aman Kumar January 24, 2024

how do i find my cover letter on linkedin

Dave Johnson September 1, 2023

Send To Someone

Missing device.

Please enable JavaScript to submit this form.

how do i find my cover letter on linkedin

Lee Stanton April 1, 2023

How to See Google Search History

Steve Larner March 7, 2023

how do i find my cover letter on linkedin

Lee Stanton August 23, 2022

how do i find my cover letter on linkedin

Lee Stanton August 16, 2022

how to download photos from google photos

Cassandra McBride December 3, 2022

how do i find my cover letter on linkedin

Lee Stanton February 20, 2023

site logo

How To Add Or Update Your Resume On LinkedIn

Have it ready to go, just in case

Author avatar

LinkedIn is one of the largest professional networks and one of the best job search sites . While its main purpose is connecting recruiters and people searching for jobs, you can also use it to track someone down or to find out who’s looking for you online . 

If you’re using this network to find a new job, you might run across some issues, like how to add or update your resume on LinkedIn. Although, the question you should ask yourself first is whether you should be uploading your resume on LinkedIn at all. 

How To Add Or Update Your Resume On LinkedIn image 1

Should You Add Your Resume To LinkedIn?

At first, the answer seems obvious – of course, you should attach your resume to your LinkedIn profile. The sole purpose of your profile on the network is to land you a job . 

Adding your resume to LinkedIn can help in more ways than one:

  • Your future employer doesn’t need to scroll through your LinkedIn profile to find the information they’re after. It’s all condensed in a one-page summary that is your resume.
  • It gives the employer quick access to your contact details. If they’re interested, they can contact you directly avoiding long conversations on the network.
  • Your LinkedIn profile is probably rather broad, displaying all your past professional skills and experience in different work spheres. But your resume can be a narrowed-down version of that, tailored to the job you’re searching for. 
  • Finally, you already put so much effort into creating an attractive resume that speaks about your talents and accomplishments. Why not show it off to your potential future employers? 

However, there can be some downsides to attaching your resume to your LinkedIn profile that you shouldn’t ignore. 

How To Add Or Update Your Resume On LinkedIn image 2

The biggest one of them is risking your personal data being shared publicly online. Once you upload your resume, you will no longer have any control over who downloads it and gets access to your private information, like your email address, phone number, maybe even your physical address. It also means that everyone on LinkedIn can now download, copy, and use your resume as they wish. 

One more thing you should consider before you add your resume to LinkedIn is what it will look like to your current employer if you have one. When you upload your resume, your job search status on LinkedIn becomes active. That may send the wrong message to your colleagues at your current place of employment. 

All in all, once you upload your resume, it sends a message that you’re actively looking for a job. Some recruiters might find it handy (that you have your resume right on your LinkedIn page), while others might find it desperate. In the end of the day, it’s up to you what you think works best for building your LinkedIn presence. 

How To Add Your Resume To LinkedIn

If, after you consider all the pros and cons of adding your resume to your LinkedIn profile, you still want to do it, here is how to upload your resume. 

Before, you used to be able to add your resume to the summary section of your LinkedIn profile. Now the layout has changed, and you have to add your resume to the Featured section to have it displayed on your profile. 

How To Add Or Update Your Resume On LinkedIn image 3

  • On your profile, either scroll down to the Featured section or tap the Add profile section button. 

How To Add Or Update Your Resume On LinkedIn image 4

  • From the pop-up menu, choose Media . 

How To Add Or Update Your Resume On LinkedIn image 5

  • Find your latest resume on your computer, and select Open . Make sure your document has a clear name like your name + resume . 
  • After you click save, your resume will be featured on your LinkedIn profile.

How To Upload Your Resume For Easy Apply Applications

LinkedIn offers a second (and less obvious) option for adding your resume to your profile. You can save up to three different resumes when applying for jobs on LinkedIn using the Easy Apply function. 

To save your resume when applying for a job on LinkedIn, follow the steps:

How To Add Or Update Your Resume On LinkedIn image 6

  • From LinkedIn’s navigation bar, select Jobs . 

How To Add Or Update Your Resume On LinkedIn image 7

  • From the positions offered, find one that has the Easy Apply icon on it. Those are the jobs that you can quickly apply to using a saved resume on LinkedIn. 

How To Add Or Update Your Resume On LinkedIn image 8

  • When prompted, click Upload Resume and attach your latest resume to the application. If you’re using different resumes for different positions, make sure to use distinctive names for each of your saved resumes. 

How To Update Your Resume On LinkedIn

One thing you want to look out for when having your resume on your LinkedIn profile is making sure it’s always up to date. You don’t want to seem sloppy to your future employers with a resume that’s a few years (or few jobs) old. 

How To Add Or Update Your Resume On LinkedIn image 9

To update your resume on LinkedIn, you’ll have to delete your old one and upload a new document. Once you have your updated resume ready, go to the Featured section of your profile. 

How To Add Or Update Your Resume On LinkedIn image 10

Click on the resume you’d like to replace, and select Delete . Once you delete the item, follow the steps described under the How To Upload Your Resume On LinkedIn section of this article. 

To avoid any confusion from potential recruiters, keep an eye on your resume on LinkedIn and make sure it’s always fresh and up to date. 

Build Up Your LinkedIn Profile 

LinkedIn is a great network for anyone looking to further their career. Even the basic free version allows you to showcase your professional skills and accomplishments, paint the best picture of yourself for any potential employers, and apply for as many positions as you like. That of course though takes time and effort.

If you’re looking to jump over a few steps straight to the top of the career ladder, consider investing in LinkedIn Premium . The Career tier comes with a lot of useful perks like applicant statistics and visibility insights that will help you upgrade your LinkedIn profile. 

Did you add your resume to your LinkedIn profile page? Do you think it helps your job search or hurts it instead? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below. 

' src=

Anya is a freelance technology writer. Originally from Russia, she is currently a full-time Remote Worker and Digital Nomad. With a background in Journalism, Language Studies, and Technical Translation, Anya couldn't imagine her life and work without using modern technology on a daily basis. Always looking out for new ways to make her life and location-independent lifestyle easier, she hopes to share her experiences as a tech- and internet-addict through her writing. Read Anya's Full Bio

Read More Posts:

how do i find my cover letter on linkedin

How-To Geek

How to quickly generate a resume from your linkedin profile.

It's so easy that it almost feels like cheating.

Quick Links

How to generate a resume from your linkedin profile, generate a customized resume from your linkedin profile, bonus tip: download other linkedin members' resumes.

If you already have your work experience listed on your LinkedIn profile, it's easy to get the site to automatically generate a resume for you. Here's how to do it.

All LinkedIn profiles include a button to download the profile as a PDF . This PDF is basically your resume, containing all the experiences you've listed on LinkedIn. This includes your academics, work experiences, and everything else that you have on your profile.

Related: What Is a PDF File (and How Do I Open One)?

To download this quick resume, first, open LinkedIn in a web browser on your computer. When LinkedIn opens, click your profile icon at the top of the site and select "View Profile."

Click

On the profile page, right beneath your profile picture, click the "More" option, and select "Save to PDF."

Select

In a few moments, your browser will start downloading your resume PDF from LinkedIn.

Downloaded LinkedIn resume in a web browser

That's all there is to generating a quick automatic resume from LinkedIn, but you might not want to send it exactly as it is to potential employers. In that case, check out the section below.

The resume that you downloaded above includes all the information that you have on your LinkedIn profile. If you want to add, edit, or delete certain sections of the resume, use LinkedIn's resume creation tool. It lets you choose what sections you want to include in or exclude from your resume. When you're happy with the result, you can download it as a PDF to your computer.

To start building your custom resume, open LinkedIn in your web browser. On LinkedIn, click your profile icon at the top-right corner and select "View Profile."

On the profile page, in the section at the top, select "More," and then click "Build a resume." This launches LinkedIn's resume creation tool in your browser.

Select

In the "Select a Resume" pop-up that appears, click the "Create From Profile" button at the bottom.

Click

In the following box that says "Choose your desired job title," click the "Job Title" box, and then enter your current job title. Then, select a title from the suggested options and click "Apply" at the bottom.

Enter a job title on LinkedIn's

You're now on LinkedIn's resume creation tool screen. Here, you can add and exclude whatever information you want in your resume. To add or remove a section in your resume, click the pencil icon next to a section on the page.

Click the pencil icon next to a section on LinkedIn's resume creation tool screen

The site will open a box with your selected section in it. Here, you can modify the contents of your section and click "Save" at the bottom of the box to save your changes. Or, you can click "Delete" to remove this section from your resume altogether.

Select

When you've finished editing your resume, click "Preview" at the top of the LinkedIn site to preview your resume.

Click

If you're happy with the result, click "More" at the top of the LinkedIn site, and then select "Download as PDF." This will download your resume as a PDF to your computer.

Select

You're all set.

In addition to the ability to download your own resume, you can also download other LinkedIn members' resumes. You don't need to be connected with a member to be able to download their resume, but there's a limit of 200 downloads for others' resumes. (You can download your own resume an unlimited number of times, though.)

To download someone's profile, first, open their profile on LinkedIn . On the profile page, right beneath the cover image (the large image at the top of the page), click the "More" option, and then select "Save to PDF."

Click

Your browser will start downloading a PDF resume of your selected LinkedIn member.

Related: How to Use the LinkedIn Resume Assistant in Microsoft Word

  • Resume Writing
  • Resume Examples
  • Cover Letter
  • Remote Work
  • Famous Resumes
  • Try Kickresume

The Only Cover Letter Guide You’ll Need in 2024 (+Examples)

  • Kaja Jurcisinova , 
  • Updated January 16, 2024 13 min read

Oh, the dreaded cover letter. Job seekers hate writing it and nobody knows if anybody even reads cover letters anymore. And yet, not attaching one to your application would be a terrible mistake. This cover letter guide will tell you not only why to write one, but also how to write a really good one.

But first , why does everyone hate writing cover letters so much?   After all, a cover letter gives you a unique opportunity to distinguish yourself from others.

In comparison with a resume, the cover letter allows you to provide details that didn’t fit in on your resume and demonstrate your passion.

All the negativity that surrounds the cover letter probably comes down to the fact that good cover letters require a bit of alchemy. They also take time to write.

This guide will help you avoid any mistakes and write a strong cover letter that will catch the recruiter’s attention. We also include cover letter examples.

Generally speaking, you want to make your cover letter:

  • easy to read for the recruiter;
  • well-structured;
  • max 4 paragraphs/1 page long;
  • professional in both tone and greetings;
  • tailored for the specific opening.

Let's get to it!

Table of Contents

Click on a section to skip

Why should you write a cover letter?

How do recruiters read cover letters, how to write a great cover letter in 9 simple steps.

  • What if you're told to NOT submit a cover letter? 

Final cover letter tips and hacks

Cover letter examples.

So, how exactly is the cover letter important for your job application? 

Some may argue that the cover letter in 2024 isn't really relevant anymore. In fact, one study stated that only 18 percent of hiring managers think cover letters are a key part of an application.

However, don’t get fooled by these statistics. While your resume may be considered more important during the hiring process, including a well-written cover letter can increase your chances of landing a job. 

For instance, 83% of hiring managers would be convinced by a really good cover letter — even if the resume wasn’t good enough, according to this study .

And there's more to it.

Some of the key advantages of the cover letter are:

  • It’s much less structured than the resume and lets you develop a story. 
  • It gives you space to get a little more creative. 
  • Your personality can shine through thanks to it.
  • You can elaborate on key achievements mentioned in your resume.
  • It helps explain a lack of experience, career change, or an employment gap.

In other words, the cover letter is a perfect chance to bridge the distance between you and a recruiter even before the actual job interview . 

Pro tip: Before writing a cover letter, make sure that you have a powerful resume that matches the job description. Because if your resume doesn’t fit a desired profile, your cover letter probably won’t get read at all. To learn more, you may want to check out our  Ultimate Resume Guide .

First, they read them to decide if you’re the right fit for a position. For this reason, avoid generic write-ups at all costs. What recruiters love to see is a short persuasive argument of why you fit the role and the company. Something like this: 

“I was happy to hear about this job opening from my former manager, Jane Anne. She and I have worked together on many projects throughout the years and she thought that I would be the perfect match for this position.“

Second, recruiters are looking for inconsistencies . For instance, if your resume shows attention to detail but your cover letter is addressed to the wrong person, wrong company, and is filled with typos, it's inconsistent. You want to ensure the number of inconsistencies is kept to a minimum.

Third, they're trying to get a hint of your personality . Cultural fit is important to many companies.

So, throughout the process of cover letter writing, it's essential to keep in mind the recruiter who's going to be the recipient of your letter. 

Because at the end of a day, a good cover letter shouldn't be solely about you — it's supposed to be written with the hiring manager in mind. 

So ask yourself:  

  • Is my cover letter easy to read?
  • Have I addressed the right person in the opening?  
  • Will it help them decide if I'm the right fit?
  • Did I use the right tone of voice that fits their company culture?

If you answered “no” to any of these questions, our cover letter guide is exactly for you.

Writing a cover letter may seem like a challenging task at first but if you know a few key cover letter rules, the process can become much easier. 

Before you start writing your cover letter, find out more about the company you're applying for. Look at their website and LinkedIn . The research also includes looking at the job description very closely and identifying any recurring keywords. Also, search for specific cover letter examples for the role online.

Placed at the very beginning of your cover letter, the header is where you include your contact information (i.e. your full name, email address, phone number) and the company's contact information (i.e. the manager’s or recruiter’s name, job title, department, the name of the company, company’s address). 

When in doubt, try to use this formula: Number or Trigger word + Adjective + Keyword + Promise.  The result can look something like this: 5 Ways I Can Help You Improve Your Company’s [insert a position-related keyword]

If the name of the hiring manager isn't written in the job posting, research their name and contact information online. For example, look at the company's page or LinkedIn. Then, greet them by saying "Dear [first name]" . If, however, the company culture is very formal, go for the classic "Dear Hiring Manager" .

The first paragraph is the perfect place to shortly explain why the job seems exciting to you and why you’re the right person for it .  You can also compliment the company or name a mutual acquaintance who referred you.

Try to answer these questions: 1. What did you do at a previous position that gave you relevant experience?  2. How could this experience help the new company grow? 3. Which of the projects you have worked on would benefit their business? 4. Which of your skills make you well-equipped for the position?  5. Do any of these skills give you an edge over other candidates?

The following questions should help you : What excites you about the idea of working at this company? How do the company goals align with your own? What do you hope to gain and learn from working there?

In the cover letter closing paragraph : reiterate that your experience and enthusiasm make you a great candidate, add a confident call to action, express gratitude, and always use a formal sign-off.

You can either attach the cover letter as a separate document in the email when sending your resume , or send it directly in the body of the email (that way they can't ignore it).

In the following chapters we look at each step more closely and include specific examples you can copy and paste.

Step 1: Prepare and do some research 

Knowledge is power. Before you begin writing:

  • Find out more about the company and the position you're applying for. Spend some time on the company’s website, its executives’ Twitter feeds, and employee profiles on LinkedIn. It will also help you decide on the tone of your cover letter. For example, if it’s a company like Kickresume , you can easily get away with more unusual approaches. But if it’s a conservative institution, like a bank or a lawyer's office, you should probably keep it formal.
  • Search for specific cover letter examples for your role online . Pick some examples that fit your role and use these for inspiration. (By the way, that link just now will take you to our database of successful cover letters from real people who got hired. Totally worth checking out.)
  • Look at the job descriptions of the roles you’re applying for . Identify major experience and hard skill keywords, so you can insert them in your letter in the relevant sections.

Once you've done this basic research, you can finally start thinking about the structure of your cover letter. 

This short infographic will show you that writing a cover letter is a lot simpler than you might have thought: 

Step 2: Include a header with basic info rmation

Placed at the very beginning of your cover letter, the header is the place where you should include your contact information and the contact information of the company. 

A cover letter is still a letter, after all. 

At the left side of the page include the information based on which you can be reached by the recruiter. 

Here, make sure to include: 

  • your full name
  • your email address
  • phone number

Optionally, you can also add:

  • your professional title
  • address (if it vaguely matches the location of the job offer)
  • current date
  • personal website/LinkedIn

The top right side of the page is reserved for company-related information. Here, you should put: 

  • the manager’s or recruiter’s name (if available)
  • job title 
  • the name of the company
  • company’s address

Not a fan of writing?

Our AI writer will write the first draft of your cover letter for you.

Step 3: Write a strong cover letter headline

When you’re browsing the web, what articles usually catch your attention? Those with great headlines, of course! 

The same applies to cover letter headlines.

Start by paying attention to the headlines around you — especially in tabloids and websites like Buzzfeed (Is Buzzfeed still a thing? How very 2010s of me). These are usually designed to stir up your interest and make it impossible to not click through. 

Notice how they use numbers, questions, and interesting adjectives to promise the reader to learn something valuable.

And you can do the same in your cover letter.

When in doubt, try to use this formula: Number or Trigger word + Adjective + Keyword + Promise. 

The result can look something like this: 

  • 3 Reasons Why I’m An Excellent Fit For [Job Position]
  • Are You Still Looking To Fill The Position Of [Job Position]? This Is Why I Believe I’m Exactly Who You’re Looking For
  • 5 Ways I Can Help You Improve Your Company’s [insert a position-related keyword]

Finally, don’t forget to adjust your header to the company’s level of formality and put your headline in the subject of the email.

Step 4: Use the correct form of greeting

In this time and age, there’s no excuse for using “To Whom It May Concern.”  

If the name of the hiring manager isn't written in the job posting, you’re expected to research their name and contact information online. For example, look at the company's page or LinkedIn. 

Once you have their name, feel free to go for a personalized greeting: 

“Dear [first name]” or “Dear Mr./Mrs. [last name]” 

Honorifics (e.g. Mr., Mrs., Ms .) are more appropriate if the company’s culture is formal. 

And if you cannot find the recruiter’s name, it's okay to go for a generic: 

“Dear Hiring Manager”, or “Dear Recruitment Officer”

Alternatively, you can address the letter to the whole company team or the HR department. In this case, your greeting should look like this: 

“Dear [name of the company/department] Team” or “Dear Human Resources”

Step 5: First paragraph: Introduce yourself with a BANG!

The best way to start a cover letter is to open strong. The first impression matters the most and busy recruiters often have a chance to properly dive into only a few selected cover letters. 

So if you make your first paragraph captivating, chances are that your letter will be one of the lucky ones that actually end up being read. 

In fact, the first paragraph is the perfect place to shortly explain why the job seems exciting to you and why you’re the right person for it. 

While most people begin their letters with “I’m applying for the position X I saw in Y place,” it's a waste of space. 

Instead, open with a sentence like this:

“I’m a content marketing professional with more than 5 years of experience and I’d love to bring my ability and passion to your team.”

In the first paragraph, you can also:

  • Compliment the company. Show that you know details about the company and you’re approaching it for a reason. For example, demonstrate appreciation for what the company does. Not only will this flatter them, but it will also provide them with insight into who you are.
  • Name a mutual acquaintance if you can. This is sometimes called a “magic bullet,” as it’s the one thing that will assure the hiring manager reads your cover letter until the end. 

However, limit the introduction to 1-3 sentences. This isn’t the place to go into detail about what makes you ideal for the role — save that for the second and third paragraphs. 

Step 6: Second paragraph: Explain why you’re a great fit for the company

The second paragraph is the place where you should sell yourself and your experience.  

Here, write a short summary of your career, skills and accomplishments, tailored to fit what the company is looking for. 

You already did your research, so now it's time to ask yourself these questions and try to address them in your cover letter:

  • What did you do at a previous position that gave you relevant experience? 
  • How could this experience help the new company grow?
  • Which of the projects you have worked on would benefit their business?
  • Which of your skills make you well-equipped for the position? 
  • Do any of these skills give you an edge over other candidates?

After you’ve picked the most relevant accomplishments, put them at the start of your letter. 

However, when talking about them, avoid sounding like you’re bragging. The best way of doing this is to focus on your experiences rather than yourself . Ideally, support your claims with concrete examples.

Also, mention any other additional relevant hard skills or knowledge areas they’re looking for, as well as any qualifications.

Finally, the second paragraph is the perfect place for showing that you’ve done your research. Demonstrate that you’re familiar with some of the challenges that the company faces and present how you can help them.

Pro tip: Don’t simply repeat the same things you’ve already put on your resume. You want to go beyond that (this applies to every other section of your cover letter). 

Step 7: Third paragraph: Explain why the company is a great fit for you 

In this paragraph, you want to show that you’re serious about developing your career at this new company. And good companies want to know why they appeal to you and how will your professional relationship be mutually beneficial. 

Consider addressing the following questions:

  • What excites you about the idea of working at this company?
  • How do the company goals align with your own?
  • What do you hope to gain and learn from working there?

For example, you can say something like this: “I've seen on your website that you heavily focus on cryptocurrency projects. As a cryptocurrency enthusiast, I would love to join your team”.  

However, don’t go overboard with flattery and stay professional. 

Also, don’t say anything that isn't true or you don’t mean it, as it will probably come up again in the later stages of the application process.

Step 8: Closing paragraph: Finish strong and stay in touch

Now that you’ve nailed the main part of your cover letter, you also want to finish strong. This way, the recruiter will remember you in a good light. But how do you achieve that? 

  • Reiterate that your experience and enthusiasm make you a great candidate. This is to emphasize the two main points from the previous paragraphs. Do this in one or two sentences, not more. 
  • Add a confident call to action. In a sentence or two, you should suggest the next steps. Something like “ I would love the opportunity to meet with you and discuss the value I can bring to [company]."
  • Express gratitude. Simply thank them for their time and for considering your application.
  • Always use a formal sign-off. Something like “ Sincerely , Best wishes , or Respectfully” . Finish by typing out your full name. 

Step 9: How do you send a cover letter?

I can’t stress this enough — unless it's specifically required to attach the cover letter to the body of the email,  consider not sending your cover letter as a document attached to your email. 

Instead, put it inside the body of the email . The email itself is now your cover letter! This way the recruiter won't ignore it.

However, remember that hiring managers receive hundreds of emails a day. So if you want your email to get read, it's the subject line that's likely to play the most important part. 

As we've advised before, if you have a good resume headline, simply put it in the email subject. 

However, if you’re unhappy with the result, you have other options, too. 

For instance, if you have a reference, include it already in your email subject line: 

Referral from Jose Nachos: Pedro Tacos, candidate for a senior software analyst position

If you don't have a reference or a catchy headline, check out more tips on how to write the best subject line for your email .

Finished writing your cover letter?

Make it stand out with an eye-catching design.

What if you're told to NOT submit a cover letter? 

Today, many companies are using online application systems that discourage applicants from attaching a cover letter. 

Instead, they have their own application systems where in different sections you're required to fill in the information you would normally place in your cover letter.  

If this is the case, just work with the format they gave you.

In other words, include the same information that you'd normally have in your cover letter but place it in the correct sections. 

And don’t forget to follow the cover letter principles: 

  • explain why you're the right candidate;
  • make it clear that you've researched the company well;
  • indicate in what way you'd be an asset;
  • mention your biggest past achievements.

Because no matter the format, you're still expected to present your skills and convey enthusiasm about the job.

Alternatively, you can also try to find a relevant manager or a recruiter online (either on the company pages or LinkedIn) to whom you can send a brief follow-up email with an attached cover letter. 

Now that we've covered the basics, there are several other tips that you should keep in mind to elevate your cover letter to the next level: 

  • Keep it short. Limit your cover letter to three to four paragraphs and a maximum of one page. Hiring managers are busy people who often don't have time for reading long texts.
  • Keep it clean and easy on the eye. Take a look at how this article is written. It’s replete with short paragraphs, sentences typed in bold letters, bullet points, and numbers. All of these make reading and searching for specific information easier. So, never send a letter that looks like an unreadable wall of text. The easiest way to achieve a sleek cover letter design is to use a pre-formatted cover letter template . 
  • Don’t risk being funny if it ’ s a company with a formal work culture. Poorly executed humor will hurt your chances rather than help. Being direct and dynamic is a much surer way to catch the recruiter’s attention than a number of jokes. On the other, if the company is smaller or known for its creative products, being original may in fact help your chances! 
  • Show, don’t tell. Usually, there’s no point in saying you’re “a dependable hard worker” or “a creative thinker.” Why should anyone believe such generic statements? Instead, offer an example of how these qualities helped you achieve something in the past.
  • Never write the same letter twice. A cover letter should always be tailored to a specific job application. Remember the previous sections? You’ve made a great effort to research the company and its hiring managers, so you’ve written your cover letter accordingly. This is a process you need to repeat with every application (ugh, I know). 
  • Check for typos. This goes without saying but make 100% sure your cover letter is without typos. There’s no reason to believe you're competent if you can't even type without errors. Moreover, typos automatically reveal almost criminal carelessness on your part, since every text editor nowadays has a spellchecking feature. 
  • Don't use any buzzwords. Your cover letter needs to be authentic and persuasive — and buzzwords are neither. If anything, they simply give the impression of you being someone who's just trying to fit a skewed idea of what an ideal corporate employee should be. Instead, focus on using relevant keywords from job descriptions.

Now, if you have no experience yet because you're just starting out or you're changing careers, writing a cover letter can be scary. However, a well-written letter can actually be your best friend.

And this is how you write the perfect cover letter with no experience .

In the end, there are many different ways to write a great cover letter. And even if you follow the cover letter guide above, you’ll end up with a cover letter that's invariably your own. 

It all depends on your own personality, the position you’re applying for, and the hiring manager’s preferences. 

And that's good, actually! 

Still, there's a lot to learn from cover letters written by other people. That's why we've selected five cover letter samples that deserve your attention. 

Each of these helped real job seekers find real jobs in real companies. They'll teach you valuable lessons you can use in your own cover letter.

1. Norwegian — Cabin Crew Cover Letter Example

This cover letter sample was provided by a real person who got hired with Kickresume’s help.

2. Volvo — Machine Learning Intern Cover Letter Example

3. tory burch — account executive cover letter example, 4. lush — sales associate cover letter example, 5. romeo — social media officer cover letter example.

Do you still need some more inspiration? You can find more examples in our cover letter library

FAQ: How to write a cover letter

250 to 400 words is the standard cover letter length range. A cover letter should never exceed one page.

Yes! Show that you can go that extra mile and stand out from the crowd of applicants.

Ideally, use a pre-formatted cover letter template. Then use a simple and professional font, such as Times New Roman. The font size should be between 10-12.

If you have the name of the hiring manager, try to find their contact on the company page or LinkedIn. If you still can't find the right person, you can address it to the whole team or HR.

This article was recently updated. The original article was written by Martin Poduska in 201 7.

Kaja Jurcisinova is a junior copywriter at Kickresume. Kaja completed her undergraduate degree in Art History at the University of St Andrews in 2018 and graduated with a Master’s in Arts and Culture from the University of Groningen in 2021. She was an intern at multiple cultural institutions across Europe, including the Dutch Museum Association in Amsterdam, the Matter of Art Biennale in Prague, and the European Cultural Centre in Venice. At the moment, she resides in Visby on the Swedish island of Gotland.

Related Posts

10+ best resume templates for 2024: minimalistic, creative & universal.

  • 11 min read

How to Write the Perfect “No Experience” Resume?

Share this article, join our newsletter.

Every month, we’ll send you resume advice, job search tips, career hacks and more in pithy, bite-sized chunks. Sounds good?

  • Certification Program

how do i find my cover letter on linkedin

  • Cover Letters
  • LinkedIn Profiles
  • Interview Coaching
  • Outplacements
  • Entry Level
  • Experienced

banner-blog

  • All updates
  • Cover letters
  • Interview master
  • New Immigrants
  • Socially networked
  • Uncategorized

Adding the LinkedIn Profile Link to your Resume

how do i find my cover letter on linkedin

Most of us know that LinkedIn is a great tool to network and to find great jobs, but how do we add the profile link to our resume and cover letter without the extremely long profile tag. Be the first to find out how we do this.

Hi there fellow readers! We updated this page with 2017 content:

Adding the LinkedIn Profile Link to your Resume (Revised for 2017)!

We found a great a way to add the profile link and included some easy-to-follow-steps. If all else fails, send us an email and we can help (or if you do not know how to set up an account, we can help as well).

Get Resume Help Today

Step 1 Log in to your profile and click on the Profile menu option (top left of the screen, next to Home).

Step 2 Below your LinkedIn picture, you will see a small ‘in’ logo and next to that is your LinkedIn address. It will appear as “ca.linkedin.com/in/(and your name). I used an example from my profile, and you can see from the orange arrow the location of the data. Make sure to use your address, or else prospective employers will see my profile instead of your profile.

Step 3 Copy this information by highlighting and using the Control-C command.

Step 4 Open your resume and next to your email address, type your name or “LinkedIn Profile”, or however you wish to present this, and highlight the word. Once you finish this exercise, the word you typed, and linked to your profile will look like your email address (underlined and in blue).

Step 5 With the word highlighted, left right click or use the secondary mouse option button to bring up a menu and locate Hyperlink. Place your cursor in the Link To: box and use the  Control-V command to paste your LinkedIn address.

Step 6 In the Anchor box below, type this “overviewsite” and then click Okay.

Step 7 Try it out and ensure that all is linked up. It may take some time for the LinkedIn profile to load when you click on the hyperlink.

Unsure if your LinkedIn profile will pass the professional test? Contact us to find out how we can help improve your profile hit rate and secure more jobs.

1.855.544.5627 or [email protected] today!

how do i find my cover letter on linkedin

The Evolution of Job References: Are Companies Still Requesting Them?

how do i find my cover letter on linkedin

Should you include your phone number on LinkedIn?

how do i find my cover letter on linkedin

When is the best time to apply for jobs?

Great comment! I will go ahead and book mark this one for future research. Terrific!

When using LinkedIn and responding to a job, they provide the ability to upload either a resume or cover letter. The system has changed from years ago when they made it easy and databased both, but how can I upload a coverletter together with my resume?

Hi Debra, Thank you for your question. We would recommend inserting the cover letter into the resume to make a single fluid document. If you have some questions on how to do this, please email us at [email protected] . Thank you and have a great day.

When I add the link to LinkedIn on my cover letter, the page that is displayed does not include people who have given me written recommendations. It does though, list recommendations I have given. Is there any way these recommendations that people have given me can be on the linked page?

Hello and thank you for your question. I can take a look at your resume and try the link out if you can send it through to [email protected] If I can see what is entered and where it’s pointed, I should be able to offer some advice. Thanks and looking forward to assisting. Josh

Thank you for your valuable information

I followed your steps, however, I’m receiving a message that Word is “Unable to open (URL address). Cannot download the information you requested.” Can you explain why this is occurring?

Hello, I can try to help with this. Are you able to take a screen shot of the input details and send through to [email protected]

Thanks Josh

Hello to all: As promised, I tried to find a better way of including a LinkedIn URL to the resume. As you know, the URLs can be lengthy, and generally do not fit well on the resume and cover letter document. I found a solution: a) go to https://goo.gl/ (this is a Google site that shortens URLs) b) copy the URL from LinkedIn, and paste into the window c) copy the shortened URL, and paste or type on the resume

Although, a hyperlink will not work as there is some issues with Word and security, one can bypass this issue with a shortened URL. Let me know how it works, or if you have a better fix, please advise!

My partner and I stumbled over here by a different page and thought I might as well check things out. I like what I see so now i am following you. Look forward to going over your web page repeatedly.

Aside from the above fix, we had a viewer recently provide a workaround. You can save the document in PDF and it seems to work through that route.

Let me know if that works, and if anyone has found a good solution using Word 2011, please post, and hope we can find a solution.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

How to Write a Cover Letter in 2024 + Examples

Background Image

After weeks of heavy job search, you’re almost there!

You’ve perfected your resume. 

You’ve short-listed the coolest jobs you want to apply for.

You’ve even had a friend train you for every single interview question out there.

But then, before you can send your application and call it a day, you remember that the job ad requires a cover letter.

Now you’re stuck wondering how to write a cover letter ...

Don’t panic! We’ve got you covered. Writing a cover letter is a lot simpler than you might think. 

In this guide, we’re going to teach you how to write a cover letter that gets you the job you deserve.

  • What’s a cover letter & why it’s important for your job search
  • How to write a convincing cover letter that gets you the job (step-by-step!)
  • How to perfect your cover letter with the Novoresume free checklist
  • What excellent cover letter examples look like

New to cover letter writing? Give our resumes 101 video a watch before diving into the article!

So, let’s get started with the basics!

What is a Cover Letter? (and Why It’s Important)

A cover letter is a one-page document that you submit as part of your job application (alongside your CV or Resume). 

Its purpose is to introduce you and briefly summarize your professional background. On average, your cover letter should be from 250 to 400 words long .

A good cover letter can spark the HR manager’s interest and get them to read your resume. 

A bad cover letter, on the other hand, might mean that your application is going directly to the paper shredder. So, to make sure this doesn’t happen, it’s essential to know how to write a convincing cover letter.

How does a good cover letter look, you might ask. Well, here’s an example:

how to write cover letter

Keep in mind, though, that a cover letter is a supplement to your resume, not a replacement. Meaning, you don’t just repeat whatever is mentioned in your resume.

If you’re writing a cover letter for the first time, writing all this might seem pretty tough. After all, you’re probably not a professional writer.

The thing is, though, you don’t need to be creative, or even any good at writing. All you have to do is follow a tried-and-tested format:

  • Header - Input contact information
  • Greeting the hiring manager
  • Opening paragraph - Grab the reader’s attention with 2-3 of your top achievements
  • Second paragraph - Explain why you’re the perfect candidate for the job
  • Third paragraph - Explain why you’re a good match for the company
  • Formal closing

Or, here’s what this looks like in practice:

structure of a cover letter

How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter (And Get Hired!)

Now that we’ve got the basics out of the way, we’re going to guide you through the process of writing a cover letter step by step. 

Step #1 - Pick the Right Cover Letter Template

A good cover letter is all about leaving the right first impression.

So, what’s a better way to leave a good impression than a well-formatted, visual template?

cover letter templates

You can simply pick one of our hand-picked cover letter templates , and you’ll be all set in a jiffy!

As a bonus, our AI will even give you suggestions on how to improve your cover letter on the go.

Step #2 - Start the Cover Letter with a Header

As with a resume, it’s important to start your cover letter with a Contact Information section:

contact information on a cover letter

Here, you want to include all essential information, including:

  • Phone Number
  • Name of the hiring manager / their professional title
  • Name of the company you’re applying to

In certain cases, you might also consider adding:

  • Social Media Profiles - Any type of profile that’s relevant to your field. Social Profiles on websites like LinkedIn, GitHub (for developers), Medium (for writers), etc.
  • Personal Website - If you have a personal website that somehow adds value to your application, you can mention it. Let’s say you’re a professional writer. In that case, you’d want to link to your blog.

And here’s what you shouldn’t mention in your header:

  • Your Full Address 
  • Unprofessional Email - Make sure your email is presentable. It’s pretty hard for a hiring manager to take you seriously if your email address is “[email protected].” Whenever applying for jobs, stick to the “[first name] + [last name] @ email provider.com” format.

matching resume and cover letter

Step #3 - Greet the Hiring Manager

Once you’ve properly listed your contact information, you need to start writing the cover letter contents.

The first thing to do here is to address the cover letter to the hiring manager .

That’s right, the hiring manager! Not the overly popular “Dear Sir or Madam.” You want to show your future boss that you did your research and are really passionate about working with their team.

No one wants to hire a job seeker who just spams 20+ companies and hopes to get hired in any of them.

So, how do you find out who’s the hiring manager? There are several ways to do this. 

The simplest option is to look up the head of the relevant department on LinkedIn. Let’s say you’re applying for the position of a Communication Specialist at Novoresume. The hiring manager is probably Head of Communications or Chief Communications Office.

So, you do a quick lookup on LinkedIn:

linkedin search cco

And voila! You have your hiring manager.

Or let’s say you’re applying for the position of a server. In that case, you’d be looking for the “restaurant manager.”

If this doesn’t work, you can also check out the “Team” page on the company website; there’s a good chance you’ll at least find the right person there.

Here are several other greetings you could use:

  • Dear [Department] Hiring Manager
  • Dear Hiring Manager
  • To whom it may concern
  • Dear [Department] Team

Step #4 - Write an Attention-Grabbing Introduction

First impressions matter, especially when it comes to your job search.

Recruiters get hundreds, sometimes even thousands, of applications. Chances are, they’re not going to be reading every single cover letter end-to-end.

So, it’s essential to catch their attention from the very first paragraph .

The #1 problem we see with most cover letter opening paragraphs is that they’re usually extremely generic. Most of them look something like this..

  • Hey, my name is Jonathan and I’d like to work as a Sales Manager at XYZ Inc. I’ve worked as a sales manager at MadeUpCompany Inc. for 5+ years, so I believe that I’d be a good fit for the position.

See the issue here? This opening paragraph doesn’t say pretty much anything except the fact that you’ve worked the job before.

Do you know who else has similar work experience? All the other applicants you’re competing with.

Instead, you want to start off with 2-3 of your top achievements to really grab the reader’s attention. Preferably, the achievements should be as relevant as possible to the position.

So now, let’s make our previous example shine:

My name’s Michael and I’d like to help XYZ Inc. hit and exceed their sales goals as a Sales Manager. I’ve worked with Company X, a fin-tech company, for 3+ years. As a Sales Representative, I generated an average of $30,000+ in sales per month (beating the KPIs by around 40%). I believe that my previous industry experience, as well as excellence in sales, makes me the right candidate for the job.

See the difference between the two examples? If you were the hiring manager, which sales manager would you hire, Jonathan or Michael?

Now that we’ve covered the introduction, let’s talk about the body of your cover letter. This part is split into two paragraphs: the first is for explaining why you’re the perfect person for the job, and the latter is for proving that you’re a good fit for the company.

So, let’s get started...

Step #5 - Explain why you’re the perfect person for the job

This is where you show off your professional skills and convince the HR manager that you’re a better fit for the job than all the other applicants.

But first things first - before you even write anything, you need to learn what the most important requirements for the role are. So, open up the job ad and identify which of the responsibilities are the most critical.

For the sake of the example, let’s say you’re applying for the position of a Facebook Advertiser. You scan the job ad and see that the top requirements are:

  • Experience managing a Facebook ad budget of $10,000+ / month
  • Some skills in advertising on other platforms (Google Search + Twitter)
  • Excellent copywriting skills

Now, in this section, you need to discuss how you fulfill these requirements. So, here’s how that would look for our example:

In my previous role as a Facebook Marketing Expert at XYZ Inc. I handled customer acquisition through ads, managing a monthly Facebook ad budget of $20,000+ . As the sole digital marketer at the company, I managed the ad creation & management process end-to-end. Meaning, I created the ad copy , images, picked the targeting, ran optimization trials, and so on.

Other than Facebook advertising, I’ve also delved into other online PPC channels, including:

  • Google Search

Are you a student applying for your first internship? You probably don’t have a lot of work experience to show off in this section. Learn how to write an internship cover letter here.

Step #6 - Explain why you’re a good fit for the company

Once you’ve written the last paragraph, you might be thinking - I’m a shoo-in for the job! What else do I need to write? I’ll just wrap up the cover letter and hit that sweet SEND button.

Well, no. You’re not quite there yet.

The HR manager doesn’t only look at whether you’ll be good at the job or not. They’re looking for someone that’s also a good fit for the company culture.

After all, employees that don’t fit in are bound to quit, sooner or later. This ends up costing the company a ton of money, up to 50% of the employee’s annual salary . 

Meaning, you also need to convince the HR manager that you’re really passionate about working with them.

How do you do this? Well, as a start, you want to do some research about the company. You want to know things like:

  • What’s the company’s business model?
  • What’s the company product or service? Have you used it?
  • What’s the culture like? Will someone micro-manage your work, or will you have autonomy on how you get things done?

So, get to Googling. Chances are, you’ll find all the information you need either on the company website or somewhere around the web.

Then, you need to figure out what you like about the company and turn that into text.

Let’s say, for example, you’re passionate about their product and you like the culture of innovation / independent work in the organization.

You’d write something like:

I’ve personally used the XYZ Smartphone, and I believe that it’s the most innovative tech I’ve used in years. The features such as Made-Up-Feature #1 and Made-Up-Feature #2 were real game changers for the device. 

I really admire how Company XYZ thrives for excellence for all its product lines, creating market-leading tech. As someone that thrives in a self-driven environment, I truly believe that I and Company XYZ will be a great match.

What you don’t want to do here is be super generic for the sake of having something to write. Most job seekers tend to mess this one up. Let’s take a look at a very common example we tend to see (way too often):

I’d love to work for Company XYZ because of its culture of innovation. I believe that since I’m super creative, I’d be a good fit for the company. The company values of integrity and transparency really vibe with me.

See what’s wrong here? The example doesn’t really say anything about the company. “Culture of Innovation” is something most companies claim to have. 

The same goes for “values of integrity and transparency” - the writer just googled what the values for the organization are, and said that they like them.

Any hiring manager that reads this will see through the fluff.

So, make sure to do a lot of research and come up with good reasons why you're applying.

Step #7 - Wrap up with a call to action

Finally, it’s time to finish up your cover letter and write the conclusion.

In the final paragraph, you want to:

  • Wrap up any points you couldn't in the previous paragraphs. Do you have anything left to say? Any other information that could help the hiring manager make their decision? Mention it here.
  • Thank the hiring manager for their time. It never hurts to be courteous, as long as you don’t come off as too needy.
  • Finish the cover letter with a call to action. The very last sentence in your cover letter should be a call to action. You should ask the hiring manager to take some sort of action.

And now, let’s turn this into a practical example:

So to wrap it all up, thanks for looking into my application. I hope I can help Company X make the most out of their Facebook marketing initiatives. I'd love to further discuss how my previous success at XYZ Inc. can help you achieve your facebook marketing goals.

Step #8 - Use the right formal closing

Once you’re done with the final paragraph, all you have to do is write down a formal “goodbye” and you’re good to go.

Feel free to use one of the most popular conclusions to a cover letter:

  • Best Regards,
  • Kind Regards,

And we’re finally done! Before sending off the cover letter, make sure to proofread it with software like Grammarly, or maybe even get a friend to review it for you.

Does your cover letter heading include all essential information?

  • Professional email
  • Relevant Social Media Profiles

Do you address the right person? I.e. hiring manager in the company / your future direct supervisor

Does your introductory paragraph grab the reader's attention?

  • Did you mention 2-3 of your top achievements?
  • Did you use numbers and facts to back up your experience?

Do you successfully convey that you’re the right pro for the job?

  • Did you identify the core requirements?
  • Did you successfully convey how your experiences help you fit the requirements perfectly?

Do you convince the hiring manager that you’re passionate about the company you’re applying to?

  • Did you identify the top 3 things that you like about the company?
  • Did you avoid generic reasons for explaining your interest in the company?

Did you finalize the conclusion with a call to action?

Did you use the right formal closure for the cover letter?

5+ Cover Letter Examples

Need some inspiration? Read on to learn about some of the best cover letter examples we’ve seen (for different fields).

College Student Cover Letter Example

college or student cover letter example

Middle Management Cover Letter Example

Middle Management Cover Letter

Career Change Cover Letter Example

Career Change Cover Letter

Management Cover Letter Example

Management Cover Letter Example

Senior Executive Cover Letter Example

Senior Executive Cover Letter Example

Want to discover more examples AND learn what makes them stand out? Check out our guide to cover letter examples .

Next Steps in Your Job Search - Creating a Killer Resume

Your cover letter is only as good as your resume. If either one is weak, your entire application is for naught. 

After all, a cover letter is just an introduction. Imagine going through all this effort to leave an amazing first impression, but flopping at the end because of a mediocre resume.

...But don’t you worry, we’ve got you covered on that end, too.

If you want to learn more about Resumes & CVs, we have a dedicated FREE guide for that. Check out our complete guide on how to make a resume , as well as how to write a CV - our experts will teach you everything you need to know in order to land your dream job.

Or, if you’re already an expert, just pick one of our resume templates and get started.

resume examples for cover letter

Key Takeaways

Now that we’ve walked you through all the steps of writing a cover letter, let’s summarize everything we’ve learned:

  • A cover letter is a 250 - 400 word document that convinces the hiring manager of your competence
  • A cover letter goes in your job application alongside your resume
  • Your introduction to the cover letter should grab the hiring manager’s attention and keep it all the way until the conclusion
  • There are 2 main topics you need to include in your cover letter: why you’re the perfect candidate for the job & why you’re passionate about working in the company you’re applying to
  • Most of the content of your cover letter should be factual , without any fluff or generalizations

At Novorésumé, we’re committed to helping you get the job you deserve, every step of the way! Follow our blog to stay up to date with the industry-leading advice. Or, check out some of our top guides…

  • How to Write a Motivational Letter
  • How to Write a Resume with No Work Experience
  • Most Common Interview Questions and Answers

cookies image

To provide a safer experience, the best content and great communication, we use cookies. Learn how we use them for non-authenticated users.

how do i find my cover letter on linkedin

  • SUGGESTED TOPICS
  • The Magazine
  • Newsletters
  • Managing Yourself
  • Managing Teams
  • Work-life Balance
  • The Big Idea
  • Data & Visuals
  • Reading Lists
  • Case Selections
  • HBR Learning
  • Topic Feeds
  • Account Settings
  • Email Preferences

How to Write a Cover Letter That Sounds Like You (and Gets Noticed)

  • Elainy Mata

Do the research, start off strong, and emphasize your value.

  • EM Elainy Mata is a Multimedia Producer at Harvard Business Review. ElainyMata

Partner Center

Student Affairs

The Career Center

Career pathways ⌄, professional development advice ⌄, jobs and internships ⌄, pre-health at illinois ⌄, resources for international students ⌄, how to write a cover letter, purpose of your cover letter.

Your cover letter is an important component of the application process. It serves as a way for you to summarize your qualifications, state your interest in a position, and stand out from other applicants.

Cover letters typically accompany each resume you submit, unless otherwise specified. It is customized to each opportunity you are pursuing.

Tips for Writing Your Cover Letter

How to ensure your content is concise, relevant, and appealing to potential employers.

  • While every cover letter is different, effective cover letters demonstrate you are a good fit for the position.
  • Convey your enthusiasm for the position and knowledge of the company.
  • Provide support and examples that showcase the skills and competencies that are being sought.
  • Focus on your accomplishments and measurable results.
  • Address your cover letter to a specific person whenever possible. It may take some resourcefulness on your part to identify the appropriate person, but the letter will be better received.  
  • Write clearly and concisely.
  • Use proper grammar and check for misspelled words.
  • Limit your letter to one page.
  • Be sure to include the date, an appropriate salutation, and close with your signature.
  • Mass produced cover letters are a common mistake, and easy to detect. Be sure to relate your specific skills and experiences to each individual position.   
  • Incorporate information that reflects your knowledge of the company, the industry, or the position. 
  • Consider that employers are seeking to fill specific roles and are looking for applicants that have the skills and qualities to succeed in that role. 

Structuring Your Cover Letter

Paragraph 1: capture attention .

  • In your first paragraph, capture the reader's attention.
  • Indicate the position you are applying for and how you learned of the vacancy, i.e. Did someone tell you about it?  Did you see an ad or website? 
  • Outline the specific reasons why you are ideal for the position.  
  • Sell yourself in paragraph 1. Do not wait until the second paragraph to articulate why you are well qualified for the position.

Paragraph 2 & 3: Create Desire 

  • Describe yourself as a serious candidate and one worth inviting for an interview. State the hard details including your specific skills, history of responsibility, success, etc. 
  • Think about ways to reinforce an image of yourself that includes as many of the desired qualities as possible. 
  • Show, don’t tell. Remember, your goal is to set yourself apart from other applicants. Do not just tell the employer you have a skill, provide evidence. For example, do not just state you are “detail oriented”. Give the reader an example of something in your work history that proves that you are detail oriented. 
  • Refer to your resume, but do not simply list the contents of it. 
  • Emphasize how your variety of experiences are connected to the position and will benefit the company. 

Paragraph 4: Call for Action 

  • Use a few lines to express your strong interest in the position and your desire to discuss your application further in an interview. 
  • Give a brief summary of the key points in the letter, but avoid repetition.

Title Related Resources

  • Resume/Cover Letter/LinkedIn Review Services
  • Sample Cover Letter (pdf)

An official website of the United States Government

  • Kreyòl ayisyen
  • Search Toggle search Search Include Historical Content - Any - No Include Historical Content - Any - No Search
  • Menu Toggle menu
  • INFORMATION FOR…
  • Individuals
  • Business & Self Employed
  • Charities and Nonprofits
  • International Taxpayers
  • Federal State and Local Governments
  • Indian Tribal Governments
  • Tax Exempt Bonds
  • FILING FOR INDIVIDUALS
  • How to File
  • When to File
  • Where to File
  • Update Your Information
  • Get Your Tax Record
  • Apply for an Employer ID Number (EIN)
  • Check Your Amended Return Status
  • Get an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN)
  • File Your Taxes for Free
  • Bank Account (Direct Pay)
  • Debit or Credit Card
  • Payment Plan (Installment Agreement)
  • Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS)
  • Your Online Account
  • Tax Withholding Estimator
  • Estimated Taxes
  • Where's My Refund
  • What to Expect
  • Direct Deposit
  • Reduced Refunds
  • Amend Return

Credits & Deductions

  • INFORMATION FOR...
  • Businesses & Self-Employed
  • Earned Income Credit (EITC)
  • Child Tax Credit
  • Clean Energy and Vehicle Credits
  • Standard Deduction
  • Retirement Plans

Forms & Instructions

  • POPULAR FORMS & INSTRUCTIONS
  • Form 1040 Instructions
  • Form 4506-T
  • POPULAR FOR TAX PROS
  • Form 1040-X
  • Circular 230

Tax Time Guide: IRS enhances Where’s My Refund? tool for 2024 filing season

More in news.

  • Topics in the News
  • News Releases for Frequently Asked Questions
  • Multimedia Center
  • Tax Relief in Disaster Situations
  • Inflation Reduction Act
  • Taxpayer First Act
  • Tax Scams/Consumer Alerts
  • The Tax Gap
  • Fact Sheets
  • IRS Tax Tips
  • e-News Subscriptions
  • IRS Guidance
  • Media Contacts
  • IRS Statements and Announcements

IR-2024-53, Feb. 28, 2024

WASHINGTON — With millions of tax refunds going out each week, the Internal Revenue Service reminded taxpayers today that recent improvements to Where's My Refund? on IRS.gov provide more information and remains the best way to check the status of a refund.

The Where’s My Refund? tool provides taxpayers with three key pieces of information: IRS confirmation of receiving a federal tax return, approval of the tax refund and issuing date of the approved tax refund. Information for returns from tax years 2023, 2022 and 2021 is available.

During this busy part of filing season, millions of taxpayers are anticipating refunds. In the second of the weekly Tax Time Guide series, the IRS highlights important details about Where’s My Refund? that can help taxpayers quickly get the information they need without calling the IRS.

The improvements to the heavily used tool follow Inflation Reduction Act funding, which is providing for a variety of IRS technological advances and upgrades designed to help taxpayers and transform agency operations.

Where’s My Refund? enhancements

In filing season 2024, taxpayers will benefit from important updates that reduce the need for many taxpayers to call the IRS and include:

  • Messages with detailed refund status in plain language.
  • Seamless access on mobile devices and with the IRS2Go app.
  • Notifications indicating whether the IRS needs additional information.

How to use Where’s My Refund?

To use Where’s My Refund?, taxpayers must enter their Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification number, filing status and the exact whole dollar amount of their expected refund from the original tax return for the year they're checking.

Once the IRS acknowledges receipt of a return, refund status information is typically available within:

  • 24 hours after receipt of a taxpayer's e-filed tax year 2023 return.
  • Three to four days after receipt of an e-filed tax year 2022 or 2021 return.
  • Four weeks after mailing a paper return.

Taxpayers should note that the IRS updates the tool once a day, usually overnight, so there's no need to check more often. The IRS reminds taxpayers that the fastest way to get a refund is by filing electronically and using direct deposit .

Refund delivery

Many different factors may affect the timing of refund delivery:

  • The tax return has errors, requires additional review or is incomplete.
  • The return needs a correction to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit .
  • The time between the IRS issuing the refund and the bank posting it to an account may vary since processing times fluctuate.

The IRS will contact taxpayers by mail if more information is needed to process a return. IRS phone and walk-in representatives can only research the status of a refund if:

  • 21 days or more have passed since a return was filed electronically.
  • Six weeks or more have passed since a return was mailed.
  • Where’s My Refund? tells the taxpayer to contact the IRS.

If a taxpayer refund isn't what is expected, it may be due to changes made by the IRS. These changes could include corrections to the Child Tax Credit or EITC amounts or an offset from all or part of the refund amount to pay past-due tax or debts. More information about reduced refunds is available on IRS.gov.

F iling season reminders

Taxpayers should make IRS.gov their first stop to get information on filing a tax return. There is information on Choosing a tax professional , IRS Free File , Answers to tax questions and Tips on filing a return .

Taxpayers who file electronically and choose direct deposit typically get their refund in less than 21 days. Taxpayers who don't have a bank account can find out how to open a bank account at a FDIC-insured bank or the National Credit Union Locator Tool .

Refund information for amended tax returns is not available on Where’s My Refund? Use Where’s My Amended Return?  to get the status of an amended return.

The deadline for most taxpayers to file a tax return, pay any tax due or request an extension to file is Monday, April 15.

This news release is part of a series called the Tax Time Guide , a resource designed to help taxpayers file an accurate tax return. Additional help is available in Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax (For Individuals) PDF .

More resources

  • About Where’s My Refund?
  • Tax season refund FAQs
  • Direct deposit
  •  Facebook
  •  Twitter
  •  Linkedin

I'm an employment lawyer. Here are the first 3 questions to ask HR if you're laid off or fired.

  • Craig Levey, an employment-law attorney, shares insights into HR's role in termination meetings.
  • Levey advises employees to ask about the reason for termination, benefits end date, and severance.
  • He suggests consulting an attorney to understand separation agreements and potential legal claims.

Insider Today

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Craig Levey, an employment law attorney and partner at Bennett & Belfort, P.C., a law firm based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

I've been an employment-law attorney for 12 years. My firm represents individuals, and we specialize in discrimination , sexual harassment, wage and hour disputes , and whistleblower claims.

People need to understand that HR works for the company. The company issues their paychecks, and, at the end of the day, they're most interested in ensuring that the company isn't liable for anything.

Here's how HR professionals are trained to conduct terminations.

HR has 3 main objectives when conducting terminations

From the HR professional's standpoint, there are three main objectives when terminating someone.

1. They don't want the employee to have notice of the termination meeting.

The typical scenario is that the employee's supervisor will notify them of this meeting the same day that it happens — in some cases, mere minutes beforehand, because they don't want the employee to prepare for the meeting. They don't want them to prepare a list of questions, send out any emails, or download documents.

And then there's the "HR ambush," in which an employee has been notified of a meeting with their supervisor, but when they show up to the meeting — whether it's virtually or in person — they see HR there. They're obviously shocked.

2. They want the meeting itself to go as fast as possible.

They want it to be a quick-and-dirty meeting. In their ideal scenario, it would only last a few minutes.

During the meeting, the company will inform the employee that they've been terminated, when their final day is, and when their benefits end. They don't want to get into much more detail than that.

3. They want to make sure they don't say anything that will make the company liable.

HR doesn't want employees to ask questions during this meeting, which is one of the reasons they don't give them notice: They don't want employees to prepare for it.

In the US, most employees are at-will employees , which means companies don't need to give them a reason for termination. But the more questions employees ask, the more it opens the company up to liability if HR or the supervisor doesn't answer them correctly.

Videos have gone viral on TikTok and elsewhere of employees asking their employers questions, and it's led to terrible press for various companies.

What to do if you find yourself in a termination meeting

Some employees have a tendency not to ask any questions because they're shocked — they freeze, which makes sense.

But you should take advantage of the one to two minutes that you have with HR or the supervisor to get as much information as possible.

What I suggest employees do is ask three questions:

1. Why am I being fired?

If you're an at-will employee, the company doesn't need to provide you with a reason you're being fired. But it doesn't hurt to ask — in the worst-case scenario, they'll say, "We're not telling you."

But sometimes they'll inadvertently provide you with pieces of information that can be beneficial if you have legal claims against the company .

2. When do my benefits end?

For most terminations, benefits usually end immediately or at the end of the month. But you want to know when they end so you can cover health insurance and other needs — and you need to know how fast to act.

3. Am I being offered severance?

You should try to learn if the company is offering you a severance package. Then you can consider whether you're in a position to potentially hire an employment-law attorney. At the very least, you can more effectively plan your next steps.

I understand that lawyers aren't cheap. Of course, I'm biased because I'm a plaintiff's-side employment-law attorney, but I think it makes sense to spend at least one hour on an attorney to understand your rights. If you've been offered a severance agreement, there may be room for negotiation.

The employment attorney can explain to you what you're signing because the agreements are often very hard to understand. You'll get value from that knowledge, and if you sign it, you're getting money from the company.

On the flip side, a lawyer may tell you, "You should not sign that because you've got really good legal claims," which could lead to additional money for the employee.

Companies take a different approach to layoffs

Layoffs are a bit different.

Because there are several individuals involved, the company will plan this ahead of time and, depending on how many people are being laid off, decide if they're going to offer them severance or other compensation.

Companies — particularly larger ones — are more concerned with the press coverage they're going to receive after conducting layoffs. When a business lays off 15% of its workforce, it knows the media is going to catch wind of it.

That's why the CEO often calls an all-hands meeting at 9 a.m. and reads a carefully crafted script where they discuss the layoffs and why they had to happen.

It is a very different situation than when HR is terminating just one person for cause.

What to do if you're laid off

Individual employees usually don't get an opportunity in real time to ask questions about a large layoff. The CEO will go on Zoom but you rarely have the chance to comment.

The company is likely to have prepared separation agreements beforehand — it's going to be a very planned process.

They'll often say to contact someone in benefits or HR if you have any questions. So you can email questions, but it's not the same real-time back-and-forth.

I think from a strategy standpoint, an employee should still approach their next steps the same way. If you're offered a severance agreement , I think it's best to meet with an attorney to review it, because you want to make sure you understand what you're signing. And you still need to assess whether you have legal claims against the company, just like you would if you were the only person fired.

A potential issue is that when you're one of a hundred people laid off, it's often harder to prove your legal claim because the company's going to say, "Oh no, we terminated him because he was part of the layoff. He and 99 others got laid off. It had nothing to do with discrimination."

HR is not your friend

I don't think every HR professional is a bad person, but people need to understand that at the end of the day, one of HR's duties is to look out for the company and to prevent it from liability.

Their allegiance is to the company, not to the employee. Employees need to understand that HR is not your friend.

If you're a former HR executive or professional who has insight into HR practices and would like to share your story, email Jane Zhang at [email protected] .

how do i find my cover letter on linkedin

Watch: Filing for unemployment? Here's how to get started.

how do i find my cover letter on linkedin

  • Main content

IMAGES

  1. 13+ Best Linkedin Cover Letter Samples

    how do i find my cover letter on linkedin

  2. Cover Letter for Photography Job Elegant How to Write A Great Cover

    how do i find my cover letter on linkedin

  3. Cover letter sample for an administrative assistant Cover Letter

    how do i find my cover letter on linkedin

  4. How to Write a Cover Letter for a Job in 2021 (12+ Examples)

    how do i find my cover letter on linkedin

  5. How to Write a Cover Letter in 2023 (Layout, Template and Examples

    how do i find my cover letter on linkedin

  6. How To Write A Cover Letter On Indeed

    how do i find my cover letter on linkedin

VIDEO

  1. Indeed saw my cover letter?! (PART 2)

  2. Indeed saw my cover letter?! (PART 1)

  3. How Do You Write a LinkedIn Headline for Two Different Jobs

  4. How To Post A Job On Linkedin 2023

  5. Quoting Jake in my cover letter because I don’t have experience 😂

  6. video1200430115 online video cutter com

COMMENTS

  1. View resume used for job application

    To view the resume used for a job application: Navigate to your list of Applied jobs. Click the job application you're interested in to view the job details page. Click Submitted resume to see ...

  2. How to view your LinkedIn resume

    Step 1. Go to your LinkedIn profile. Select the More button on your profile dashboard. This will open up a drop down menu. See below. How to view your LinkedIn profile - Picture one. Step 2 ...

  3. The Only Cover Letter Guide You'll Need in 2024 ...

    Chapter 2: Cover letter tips and hacks. The framework from our cover letter guide gives you a pretty strong foundation for writing a decent cover letter. Still, there are several tips you can ...

  4. How to View Your Resume on LinkedIn

    Open the LinkedIn website and log in. Click the "Me" icon at the top and choose "View Profile.". Find the "More" button on your profile. Navigate to "Build a resume" in the ...

  5. How to Add Your Resume to LinkedIn in 2022

    On your LinkedIn profile, click the "Add profile section" button at the bottom of the first profile block. Click on "Recommended.". From the expanded list, click on "Add featured.". On the "Featured" page, click on the plus (+) sign. Select "Add media.". Select your resume using the file picker that appears.

  6. How to Add Your Resume on LinkedIn

    To begin adding your resume to your profile, launch your preferred web browser on your desktop and open LinkedIn. Sign in to your account on the site. Then, in the site's top-right corner, click Me > View Profile. On your profile page, beneath your name, click "Add Profile Section." On the "Add to Profile" window, select Recommended > Add Featured.

  7. How To Add Or Update Your Resume On LinkedIn

    From LinkedIn's navigation bar, select Jobs . From the positions offered, find one that has the Easy Apply icon on it. Those are the jobs that you can quickly apply to using a saved resume on LinkedIn. When prompted, click Upload Resume and attach your latest resume to the application. If you're using different resumes for different ...

  8. How do you manage your cover letter submissions?

    2 Keep a spreadsheet. A spreadsheet can help you organize your cover letter submissions and monitor your results. You can use a spreadsheet to record the date, company, position, contact, and ...

  9. Make Your Case: Tips for Writing a Cover Letter That's ...

    Ah, cover letters. You know, the COVER you staple to the top of your résumé. The physical, paper résumé you mail to companies and hiring managers.

  10. How to Quickly Generate a Resume from Your LinkedIn Profile

    On LinkedIn, click your profile icon at the top-right corner and select "View Profile." On the profile page, in the section at the top, select "More," and then click "Build a resume." This launches LinkedIn's resume creation tool in your browser. In the "Select a Resume" pop-up that appears, click the "Create From Profile" button at the bottom.

  11. How to Add Your Resume to LinkedIn

    Click the "Start a Post" button at the top of your LinkedIn feed. Click the icon that looks like a note. Click "Choose File" and upload your resume. Once those steps are complete, click "Done" at the bottom right of the window. With this method, people can now download your resume directly from the post.

  12. Resume, Cover Letter, and LinkedIn Writing Resources

    Resume, Cover Letter, and LinkedIn Writing Services: If you are looking for end-to-end support, hire one of our professional resume writers to rewrite your documents from the ground up. Executive Resume Template Downloads : If you plan to prepare your own resume, consider using one of our classic, ATS-friendly resume templates for Microsoft Word.

  13. The Only Cover Letter Guide You'll Need in 2024 (+Examples)

    Before you start writing your cover letter, find out more about the company you're applying for. Look at their website and LinkedIn. The research also includes looking at the job description very closely and identifying any recurring keywords. Also, search for specific cover letter examples for the role online. Include a header with basic ...

  14. Glassdoor Guide: How to Write a Cover Letter

    The cover letter is a tool to help introduce yourself in a memorable, personal way during a job application. A well-crafted cover letter goes over information on your resume and expands this information for the reader, taking them on a guided journey of some of your greatest career and life achievements.. Its purpose is to elaborate on the information contained in your resume while infusing ...

  15. How to Write a Cover Letter for Any Job [2024 Guide]

    Here's how to write a successful cover letter: 1. Stick to the Proper Cover Letter Format. Your cover letter should follow the best practices for writing business letters. Keep your cover letter short and to the point—in fact, your entire cover letter shouldn't be longer than 350 words.

  16. How to Put LinkedIn on a Resume (Examples & Guide)

    Here's how to customize your public profile URL using the desktop version of LinkedIn: Log into your LinkedIn account. Click on the Me icon in the top bar. Click on View profile in the menu. Click on Edit public profile & URL in the top right corner. Click the pencil icon. Customize your LinkedIn URL and click Save.

  17. Adding LinkedIn Profile Link to Resume and Cover Letter

    Place your cursor in the Link To: box and use the Control-V command to paste your LinkedIn address. Step 6. In the Anchor box below, type this "overviewsite" and then click Okay. Step 7. Try it out and ensure that all is linked up. It may take some time for the LinkedIn profile to load when you click on the hyperlink.

  18. How To Write a Cover Letter (With Examples and Tips)

    Middle paragraph (s) Closing paragraph. Letter ending and signature. Your cover letter should be one page long and use a simple, professional font, such as Arial or Helvetica, 10 to 12 points in size. Your letter should be left-aligned with single spacing and one-inch margins. Show Transcript.

  19. How to Write a Cover Letter in 2024 + Examples

    Header - Input contact information. Greeting the hiring manager. Opening paragraph - Grab the reader's attention with 2-3 of your top achievements. Second paragraph - Explain why you're the perfect candidate for the job. Third paragraph - Explain why you're a good match for the company.

  20. How to Add LinkedIn to Your Resume

    Here's how: Paste your URL (but still leave off the "https://www." portion to save space) onto your resume. Highlight the link, right-click on it, and select "Hyperlink…" from the dropdown menu. Paste the entire URL (including the "https://www." part) Click "OK". Test the link out to make sure it goes to your profile.

  21. How to Write a Cover Letter That Sounds Like You (and Gets Noticed)

    Do the research, start off strong, and emphasize your value.

  22. How to Write a Cover Letter

    Refer to your resume, but do not simply list the contents of it. Emphasize how your variety of experiences are connected to the position and will benefit the company. Paragraph 4: Call for Action Use a few lines to express your strong interest in the position and your desire to discuss your application further in an interview.

  23. Tax Time Guide: IRS enhances Where's My Refund? tool for 2024 filing

    IR-2024-53, Feb. 28, 2024. WASHINGTON — With millions of tax refunds going out each week, the Internal Revenue Service reminded taxpayers today that recent improvements to Where's My Refund? on IRS.gov provide more information and remains the best way to check the status of a refund.. The Where's My Refund? tool provides taxpayers with three key pieces of information: IRS confirmation of ...

  24. Car Insurance Rates Are Rising Faster Than Inflation. Here's What You

    2. Repair costs are up. There isn't any one reason repair costs are higher, but parts and labor shortages during the pandemic made repairing vehicles more expensive.There's also a shortage of ...

  25. What to do if you find yourself in a termination meeting

    This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Craig Levey, an employment law attorney and partner at Bennett & Belfort, P.C., a law firm based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The following ...