
Are Cover Letters Necessary in 2023? Do You Need One?
Your resume is perfect and ready to be sent. But what about your cover letter? Is a cover letter necessary? We have the answer!
How can you sell yourself in a cover letter? What’s the right way to convince employers you’re the right candidate for the job? This guide has the clear, simple steps to do it.
“Hi, you should hire me. I’m the best. Blah, blah, blah” Yuck. How do you sell yourself in a cover letter without sounding salesy or braggy? And how do you write a letter without being boring? It seems like such a fine line, and if you’re not a cover letter expert, it can feel impossible.
But if you get it right, you’ll be a breath of fresh air to hiring teams and recruiters. They’ll read your letter and think, “finally, a job candidate who understands us. Someone we can hire with confidence.”
Take heart. It’s not so hard to write a cover letter that convinces. There are about five or six pieces of clear, simple advice that can make your cover letter stand out like a beacon. The first step? Understand the company’s needs for the position. It’s so simple, but so many miss it.
This guide will show you:
Want to write your cover letter fast? Use our cover letter builder. Choose from 20+ professional cover letter templates that match your resume. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.
Sample cover letter for a resume—See more cover letter samples and create your cover letter here.
Here's a few shortcuts before be begin:
First, let’s smoke the competition with a template letter you can copy and adapt:
Jason Howe
HVAC Technician
3098 Allen Avenue
Vision, Connecticut 06071
203-524-1550
jasonzhowe@gmail.com
linkedin.com/in/jasonzhowe
7/30/20
Mary Ellen Moffat
Personnel Director
Tri City HVAC & Electric
4813 Cherubim Street
Vision, Connecticut, 06071
Dear Ms. Moffat,
As a licensed HVAC technician with 6+ years of experience working extensively on residential and commercial systems, I was encouraged to see your ad for an HVAC tech at Tri City HVAC & Electric. I’d like to work for you because I’ve interacted with your crews during several jobs over the past six years, and I’ve always been impressed by their professionalism, cleanliness, and proficiency, and with the excellent condition of your vehicles and equipment. I know you’re seeking an HVAC tech who can clean and repair single-split and multi-split commercial systems and residential systems including split, hybrid, and duct-free. I think my resume will interest you, based on the following achievements:
I’ve serviced more than 400 single and multi-split HVAC systems for hundreds of commercial clients, including routine filter replacement, coolant replacement, leak location and repair, and chiller plant overhaul. I’ve also installed, repaired, and serviced over 1,000 residential systems, with a 95% approval rating in exit surveys from customers. I know a large part of HVAC is building relationships, which is where my interpersonal skills come in. I work to understand where the customer is coming from, to ensure they understand the service we’re performing, and to do the work according to their needs. That’s why my previous supervisor at Iverco Air & Care awarded me the Service Tech of the Month citation not once but three times.
Because of the professionalism and attention to detail at Tri City HVAC & Electric, I’m very interested in this role. Working as an HVAC technician at your firm would give me the tools I need to help more customers enjoy a higher level of comfort and service. Could we set up a time next week to talk about how my interpersonal, technical, and customer service skills would fit into and elevate the Tri City HVAC & Electric mission?
Best regards,
Jason Howe
HVAC Technician
3098 Allen Avenue
Vision, Connecticut 06071
203-524-1550
jasonzhowe@gmail.com
Now that's what a cover letter should look like!
Why does that cover letter sample sell your skills better than any other? Because it hits the all-important target of employer needs with your own existing skills.
To sell yourself in a cover letter, first picture the company’s perfect employee. You can’t do that based on raw imagination. You need data. Look closely at the job ad and do a little quick online research. Then tell your story in a way that shows you are that ideal new hire.
Sound complicated? It’s not. I’ll show how below.
Here’s how to sell yourself in a cover letter:
Ugh—I know—research. It sounds deadly dull. But it’s the #1 way to sell yourself in a cover letter without sounding like a huckster. If you do it, you’ll get 10x more interviews. Why? Because your cover letter will show listening skills and you’ll fit the job ad like a plug into a socket.
You could spend all day on this, but don’t. Stick to about 15 minutes or your job search will get stuck in the mud.
To research a company for a cover letter, see:
The first and best place to look? The job posting.
Here’s a sample job ad for a sales manager, with the important parts in yellow:
Now you have a picture of the company’s perfect new hire. You’ll sell yourself in your cover letter so much better because you know what they’re looking for.
Here are two more research tips:
Pro Tip: Spend 5 minutes finding people on LinkedIn at the company who already have the job you want. Send them a short email asking about their job. It’s called an informational interview.
“This applicant just isn’t a good fit.” Oh no! That’s the death knell. Avoid it like the plague. How? By using what you learned during your research. Once you have a picture of their perfect employee, find three ways that’s you. The key strategy is to find past job achievements that fit the abilities they want.
Here’s an example:
Say the hiring manager wants an HVAC technician skilled in servicing multi-split and residential systems. Brainstorm your past work accomplishments like this:
See that? The achievements in green exactly fit their best employee. We’ll save the others for your resume. But—what if you don’t have exact-match achievements like that? Don’t panic. Use your most eye-popping past achievements that fit best.
Okay, so you’ve dug up some ways you fit. Now let’s write your letter so it sells your skills.
The real key to selling yourself in a cover letter is targeting it to the job. See our guide: What to Include in a Cover Letter
“Yes, you did the job, but were you good at it? Or awful?” To sell yourself in a cover letter, don’t just tell them what you did. To get the job, you have to show results. Let’s say you designed ships for ten years. Okay, fine. But was it the Titanic? Or the Oasis of the Seas?
Here are some examples of duties vs achievements:
You get the idea. Selling yourself in a cover letter isn’t about saying what you did. It’s about how well you did it.
Pro Tip: Aspiring comedians have a saying — it’s not you, it’s your material. It’s the same with cover letters. Sell yourself by showing the side of you that will impress them.
“Wow, your cover letter knocked our socks off!” Can’t wait to make the hiring team say that? You can—if you use numbers. Numbers help you sell yourself in a cover letter by putting a ruler next to your accomplishments. Without numbers, you might look like small potatoes.
Take some time to think how to quantify your past achievements. How much did you grow revenue? How big was the company you worked for? Sure, you were a project manager. But were the projects things like putting up shelves in a home office? Or did they have budgets of $3M?
Here’s an example of how to sell yourself in a cover letter with numbers:
Right |
---|
I’ve serviced more than 400 single and multi-split HVAC systems for hundreds of commercial clients, including routine filter replacement, coolant replacement, leak location and repair, and chiller plant overhaul. I’ve also installed, repaired, and serviced over 1,000 residential systems, with a 95% approval rating in exit surveys from customers. I know a large part of HVAC is building relationships, which is where my interpersonal skills come in. I work to understand where the customer is coming from, to ensure they understand the service we’re performing, and to do the work according to their needs. That’s why my previous supervisor at Iverco Air & Care awarded me the Service Tech of the Month citation not once but three times. |
Wrong |
---|
I’ve serviced commercial systems, including routine filter replacement, coolant replacement, leak location and repair, and chiller plant overhaul. I’ve also installed, repaired, and serviced residential systems, with extremely high approval ratings. I know a large part of HVAC is building relationships, which is where my interpersonal skills come in. I work to understand where the customer is coming from, to ensure they understand the service we’re performing, and to do the work according to their needs. That’s why my previous supervisor at Iverco Air & Care awarded me the Service Tech of the Month citation many times. |
Wow. What a difference. Both are excellent, but which one is better? The first example sells your skills in a cover letter best because it’s got numbers. Numbers show you’re not just bragging. You’ve got data to back up your claims.
“Yes, but can’t people just make up numbers?”
They can, but if they lie, the hiring manager will smell it in the interview.
If you don’t know exact numbers, use terms like this:
The “~” symbol means “about.” You’ll find it on the upper left side of your keyboard. It’s called a tilde.
Not sure how to get all your ducks in a row? See our guide: What Should a Cover Letter Say
“I skimmed your cover letter.” That’s the worst! But it happens all the time. Why? Because too many applicants start out like, “I’m writing to you about your opening for blah blah blah.” That’s boring! The hiring manager is thinking about that documentary on ultra-runners she saw last night!
To sell yourself in a cover letter, you’ve got to make them read it first.
Include:
Let’s see this elevator pitch in action:
Right |
---|
Dear Ms. Moffat,
As a licensed HVAC technician with 6+ years of experience working extensively on residential and commercial systems, I was encouraged to see your ad for an HVAC tech at Tri City HVAC & Electric. I’d like to work for you because I’ve interacted with your crews during several jobs over the past six years, and I’ve always been impressed by their professionalism, cleanliness, and proficiency, and with the excellent condition of your vehicles and equipment. I know you’re seeking an HVAC tech who can clean and repair single-split and multi-split commercial systems and residential systems including split, hybrid, and duct-free. I think my resume will interest you, based on the following achievements: |
Wrong |
---|
I’m writing this letter about your HVAC technician job opening. I found it on Indeed. I’m an experienced HVAC technician who works hard to get the job done. I show up on time and I’ve always taken pride in my work... |
Ouch, right?
That first example has all the right moves—experience, something you like about them, and your understanding of their needs. The hiring manager is very interested in your letter, your resume, and your application. She knows you care about her and her company. That’s great!
The second letter fizzles. It’s a generic cover letter that makes empty claims.
Read more: How to Start a Cover Letter
Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:
See more cover letter templates and start writing.
“We can tell you’d be a good employee. But will you quit after three months? Why this job? Will you desert us for a higher-paying gig?” Hiring managers worry about how long you’ll last. Reassure them by showing why they matter to you. To do it, join your story with their story.
To prove you care, think about:
Let’s see how that can work:
Right |
---|
Because of the professionalism and attention to detail at Tri City HVAC & Electric, I’m very interested in this role. Working as an HVAC technician at your firm would give me the tools I need to help more customers enjoy a higher level of comfort and service. |
Wrong |
---|
I hope you understand how much I want this job. I pay attention to every detail, and I hardly ever miss a day of work. I’m an excellent HVAC technician who works hard to make sure the customer is satisfied before I move on to the next job. I’ve done installs, repair, regular service, and commercial and residential refurbishments. |
Night and day.
That first example of how to sell yourself in a cover letter merges your story with theirs. It shows you have the same goals. That’s huge. But the second misses the point. It talks all about you. That will interest nobody.
“These other applicants are great, but Candace vouches for this one.” Referrals are job-search magic. Why? Because the hiring process is all about clearing away doubts. A single referral replaces a mountain of interviewing, background-checking, and reading resumes and cover letters.
So, how to sell yourself in a cover letter with a referral? Drop the name in your strong first paragraph. The referral can be the hook that keeps them reading to the end.
Check out this example:
Right |
---|
Dear Mr. Wiltse,
I’m a manufacturing engineer with 2 years of experience, writing about the manufacturing engineer opening at Clanaco-Wythe Global. I was excited when Andrea Gregg, your head of sales, told me about the position, because she explained that your commitment to Kaizen has created a deep culture of continuous improvement. As a devotee of Kaizen, I...
|
Don’t have a referral in the company? It takes time, but you can get them. Do it with a little career networking. Reach out to employees in the organization on LinkedIn. But don’t ask for the referral outright. Instead, tell them you’re interested in what they do.
Why does that work?
Because nobody has five spare seconds to talk to you about your needs. But everyone has two hours to talk about how cool their life is. After the conversation, tell them you’re applying. You’ve got a decent chance they’ll mention you to the boss.
Got employment gaps? They’re tough, but you can beat them. See our guide: How to Explain Gaps in Employment (Resume & Cover Letter)
Do you feel awkward at the end of your cover letter? To sell yourself in a cover letter, ask for the interview—but do it right. To ask with confidence, offer something in return. Namely, propose a conversation they’ll actually want to have.
Here’s how it works:
Right |
---|
Could we set up a time next week to talk about how my interpersonal, technical, and customer service skills would fit into and elevate the Tri City HVAC & Electric mission? |
Wrong |
---|
Thank you for reading my cover letter and resume. I sincerely hope to speak with you soon. |
Massive difference. The first of those samples promises a fun chat about how your skills can fit their needs. The second is dull boilerplate. They won’t even notice it.
Read more: Best Ways to End a Cover Letter
Yes, we have to say it. Formatting in a cover letter matters if you want to sell yourself. Botch your cover letter layout and they won’t notice your great argument for why they ought to hire you. Instead, they’ll think, “Huh. Weird-looking letter.”
Follow correct cover letter structure:
Read more: Professional Cover Letter Design
Here’s how to sell yourself in a cover letter:
When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building a professional resume template here for free.
When you’re done, our professional resume builder will score your resume and our resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.
Questions? Concerns? We’re here for you. If you still have questions about how to sell yourself in a cover letter, drop me a line in the comments.
This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.
Your resume is perfect and ready to be sent. But what about your cover letter? Is a cover letter necessary? We have the answer!
Everyone has heard of one, but what is a cover letter for a job and what does it do? Here’s a simple explanation plus a full toolbox of cover letter advice.
The difference between a CV and cover letter is like that between PB & J. And just like PB & J, they form an epic pairing.