How To Create A Cover Letter For A Job - GOOD Cover Letter Example, by Professor Heather Austin on YouTube. 4 min 58 s.
- Video length
- 4 min 58 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Read the job posting and write down the three skills or results the employer cares about most. Keep the ad open while you write so every paragraph ties back to it.
Format the letter strategically. Keep it to one page with one-inch margins and a simple 10 to 12 point font like Calibri or Arial. Add a header with your name, phone and email.
Open with a strong first paragraph. Name the exact job title, say who you are, and add one line on why you fit. Skip the tired opener "I am writing to apply".
Show you are the solution. Take each requirement from the ad and answer it with a specific result, such as "cut order errors by 30 percent". Numbers beat adjectives.
Share a short story. In two or three sentences, explain why this company or role matters to you, using one real moment from your work or study.
End with a call to action. Ask for the interview, say you will follow up in a week, thank the reader, and sign off with your name.
Proofread before you send. Read it aloud, check the hiring manager's name and the company name, and save it as a PDF unless the application asks for Word.
Tips and common mistakes
Never paste the same letter into every application; swap in the job title, company and top requirement each time.
Do not repeat your resume line by line. Use the letter to explain the story behind one or two results.
Keep the whole letter to about 250 to 400 words so a busy recruiter can read it in under a minute.
Questions
Do I still need a cover letter?
Not for every job, but many hiring managers still read one before deciding who to interview. Keep a ready draft so you are not writing from scratch under a deadline.
How long should a cover letter be?
One page, around 250 to 400 words. Three to five short paragraphs is plenty.
Who should I address it to?
Use the hiring manager's name if you can find it on LinkedIn or the company website. If not, "Dear Hiring Manager" is fine.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
