How to Write a Cover Letter in 2024 | Your Ultimate Cover Letter Guide

“The job description says it’s optional to submit a cover letter. But do I really need to submit one? I’ve already said so much in my CV – that’s enough, right?”

Trust us, many jobseekers think this way. Unfortunately, they’re wrong.

Not submitting a cover letter is a lost opportunity to differentiate yourself.

Our advice?

Always submit a cover letter.

Why?

While your CV or resume talks about what you’ve done previously, it doesn’t mention the value you can continue to bring to your new company.

This is what hiring managers REALLY care about.

Use the cover letter to talk about the value you can bring!

Now let’s dive right in.

What is a Cover Letter?

Most people think the job selection process goes like this:

Here’s the problem though – every other job seeker is already doing this.

When Hiring Managers read a CV, they often think: “Yes this person is qualified, but so is everyone else who applied.”

So, how do you STAND OUT?

Easy.

By talking about what you can do for your new company:

It’s not just a piece of paper.

Your cover letter is your golden ticket of opportunity!

Simply put, a cover letter is a one-page letter addressed directly to the hiring manager.

It grants you a chance to tell recruiters more about yourself on a personal level – something that cannot be done on your resume.

Unlike your resume, which is a formal, factual document, you can afford to be creative with your cover letter format and content.

It should contain 3 essential sections:

• A brief career narrative and overall experience
• A paragraph about your current or most recent role, and one or 2 achievements from this role
• A passage convincing the hiring manager you are the right fit and how you can solve their pain points

How long should a cover letter be? A maximum of 1 page. Strive to hit between 250 and 400 words.

Cover Letter vs Resume vs CV: What’s the Difference?

A cover letter is NOT an opportunity for you to copy and paste your resume or CV.

(We talk about the difference between a resume and CV here).

Think of the job hunting process as a two-piece puzzle.

Your CV is the first piece, while the Cover Letter is the second piece. Both pieces are essential for you to succeed in your job hunt!

It tells potential employers your career narrative and your competitive advantage.

It sells you to potential employers: “Yes I’m very experienced and/or have the skills, but here’s a few ideas on how I’m going to apply that to benefit your company. So, hire me!”

Hiring managers receive cold emails from strangers everyday.

When a particular email addresses them personally, it is bound to stand out.

One way to find out who you are writing to would be to search online for their contact information. LinkedIn‘s great for this!

Some companies or government websites also display information of their heads of departments online. The Singapore Government Directory is a good place to look if you are interested in jobs in the civil service.

Tip: Some job ads on LinkedIn display the names of the hiring managers who put up these ads. Alternatively, use LinkedIn’s Advanced People Search tool to narrow down your digging or call the company directly to ask.

How to Write a Cover Letter

What to Include in Your Cover Letter

We’ll walk you through this step-by-step, starting from the very top.

First, let’s get a fuller picture by looking at an example of a winning cover letter:

Begin with a professional Heading, with your name, email and contact details.

Next, use the Rule of 3 to guide the structure for the body of your letter. Divide your cover letter into 3 paragraphs:

Paragraph 1: Brief career narrative and overall experience

Purpose: Grab the hiring manager’s attention. Make this so good that he can’t help but finish reading it!

Paragraph 2: Explain your current or most recent role, and your achievements in this role

Purpose: Impress the hiring manager with your most recent achievements.

Paragraph 3: Convince Hiring Manager you’re the right fit

Purpose: Integrate how your present role of achievements can solve the new company’s pain points. This is the decision-maker; end your cover letter on an optimistic and promising note!

Finally, end the cover letter with a call-to-action for the Hiring Manager at the end.

Let us break each section of the cover letter down further.

You can download a free, editable cover letter sample right here and follow us through this guide.

How to Start a Cover Letter

Use a Professional and Appropriate Header

Include only your name, email and contact details.

Do:

• Keep your header short and sweet
• Follow the Rule of 3: Name, email, contact number

Don’t:

• Include your address
• Include your nationality (In fact, your nationality might be disadvantageous if you’re applying for a role outside of your current country!)

Address the Hiring Manager by Name

Examples include:

• Dear Mr. Lee,
• Dear Ms. Lim,
• Dear Mdm. Tan,
• Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],

The Cover Letter Body

Paragraph 1: Brief Career Narrative and Overall Experience

Write a memorable, personable opening line

Cut over-formalities. Be personable instead.

Correct:

I am delighted to submit my application for the position of Vice President of Investments at XYZ Investment Co.

If you have an opportunity to present yourself directly to the hiring manager before he even sees your face, what first impression would you want to leave?

Nobody wants to read a long-winded opener consisting of only fluff. Keep it short and sweet.

Wrong:

Thank you for very kindly extending the position of Vice President of Investments at XYZ Investment Co, of which I am extremely honoured to submit my application for.

Of course, don’t be too informal too! The hiring manager is not your friend.

Wrong:

Hey there! Please find my application for Vice Presidents of Investments at your company attached.

Do:

• Be personable
• Demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role

Don’t:

• Be too formal
• Be pretentious
• Extend the first sentence into three or more lines

Hook from Line One

Intrigue the hiring manager from the first line! Show that you’re the perfect candidate:

Through my 5-year career, I’ve come to specialise in mergers and acquisitions, and have led a wide range of M&A projects across multiple industries. Indeed, I’m highly familiar with the entire M&A process from pre-deal due diligence to negotiation through to post-deal operations. I’ve been able to leverage on my experience, generating close to USD500M in total revenue throughout my tenure in various MNCs and boutique funds alike, and I am confident that I will be able to continue securing and leading lucrative deals for XYZ Investment Co.

In this example, the candidate dives right into his areas of expertise, which he takes particular care to align very closely with XYZ Investment Co.’s core businesses.

At the end of the paragraph, he already signals how his experience can add value to XYZ Investment Co. from day one. Remember, your cover letter should be about what value you can bring to your new company!

 

Do:

• Present yourself as somebody who others want to work with
• Keep your sentences concise and to the point

Don’t:

• Focus only on yourself! Include how you will add value to your new company too
• Extend your opening sentence into 3 or more lines

Paragraph 2: Elaborate Your Most Recent Achievements

Here is a sample middle paragraph:

Presently, I am a Senior Manager of Investments with JP Morgan Chase, where I am responsible for managing all financial-related matters within the Group, with an emphasis on the analysis and monitoring of our financial results. In addition, I led the development and implementation of our corporate business strategy, advising the Managing Director on long-term strategic plans for the development of the Group. Amongst my various achievements during my tenure, I am most proud of having spearheaded negotiations for the acquisition of several key companies (which are now our subsidiaries) and securing marine asset financing worth a combined total of USD 370M amidst a regional financial downturn.

Highlight only Relevant Experience

In the example above, he does not explain all of his responsibilities at JP Morgan Chase in detail. He drills down to only the key points.

Likewise, you probably had the opportunity to do a lot at your current job. But not every task will be relevant to your new role.

When writing your cover letter, highlight only experience and skillsets that are relevant to your new employer.

Do:

• Include relevant experiences that are aligned with the new role

Don’t:

• Forget to embed target keywords into your experience!

Focus on Specific Achievements

In the example, this job applicant drills down to specific achievements.

In fact, take note how specific achievements are intentionally placed on the last line. This placement imprints the key achievement as the last thing on the Hiring Manager’s mind before he moves on to the next paragraph.

Do:

• Explain and elaborate your Achievements
• Support your Achievements with Metrics

Don’t:

• Forget to align your Achievements with the new company’s pain points
• Speak too much about yourself only!

Use Target Keywords

As with your CV, always massage target keywords throughout your cover letter. Thoroughly examine the job posting and input relevant keywords into your cover letter. This reflects your acute attention to detail, leaving a very positive impression on the Hiring Manager that you really want the role.

As an example, the relevant target keywords for the candidate’s cover letter have been bolded below.

Presently, I am a Senior Manager of Investments with JP Morgan Chase, where I am responsible for managing all financial-related matters within the Group, with an emphasis on the analysis and monitoring of our financial results. In addition, I led the development and implementation of our corporate business strategy, advising the Managing Director on long-term strategic plans for the development of the Group. Amongst my various achievements during my tenure, I am most proud of having spearheaded negotiations for the acquisition of several key companies (which are now our subsidiaries) and securing marine asset financing worth a combined total of USD 370M amidst a regional financial downturn.

Include as many Relevant Numbers or Metrics as you can!

I admit, I’ve “stolen” this tactic from our Ultimate CV Guide.

But, nothing gives Hiring Managers more information than numbers.

Numbers add a sense of scale to your achievements.

For example:

“A 50% increase” is more impactful than“An increase”.

As a general rule of thumb, the more numbers, the better.

“10% increase in sales from $1M to $1.1M” beats  “10% increase in sales”.

But, bigger numbers do not always mean they are better.

“10% increase in sales from $1M to $1.1M in 3 months” beats“100% increase in sales from $50K to $100K in 2 years”.

Finally, numbers must be relevant to the new role!

“100% increase in Instagram followers from 1000 followers to 2000 followers in 3 days” is an impressive metric, but means nothing in a cover letter for a Bank Analyst position.

How to End a Cover Letter

Paragraph 3: Convince the Hiring Manager You’re the Right Fit

Demonstrate Your Value-Add and Fit

Now, having shared your Achievements in the second paragraph, it’s time for you to write the final paragraph of your cover letter.

The final paragraph is your last chance to impress the Hiring Manager.

If you have one last chance, what would you do?

Would you continue telling them how awesome you are?

Most people would.

This is why most people don’t get the job.

You see, while this seems like it might be helpful for hiring managers, for them, it’s actually a red flag!

Remember: It’s not about what you’ve done, but what value you can continue to bring to your new company.

Here is a stellar example of how to end a cover letter.

XYZ Investment Co. is regionally known for its XYZ Fund, which has outperformed the STI benchmark by over 10% every year to date. My background in finance, trading, and portfolio management, coupled with my practical experience in macroeconomic analysis and strategic development will allow me to contribute effectively to XYZ Fund’s continued growth and performance, particularly by designing new investment strategies and generating new investment theses that will thrive amidst the rapidly changing investment climate we are facing today.

Notice how the candidate starts this paragraph.

“XYZ Investment Co. is regionally known for its XYZ Fund, which has outperformed the STI benchmark by over 10% every year to date.”

He begins his final paragraph by complimenting his new company. This informs the Hiring Manager two points:

1. He has done his background research on our company (Strong sign of interest!)
2. He admires our current results (Strong sign of interest!) and is willing to help us grow. (Value-add by him).

past companies anymore! Signal to the Hiring Manager that your future lies with their company.

In summary, when writing the final paragraph:

Do:

• Clearly explain how you can add value to the new company
• Explain how you can fit into the role
• Align your background and relevant skillsets as solutions to the new company’s pain points

Don’t:

• Only talk about yourself
• Mention your existing company (or past companies) at all!

Include a Decisive Call-to-Action

Now, having extended your bait, it would be extremely rude to leave the Hiring Manager hanging when they bite.

To end your cover letter, include a decisive call-to-action for the Hiring Manager.

This is how John does it:

I am thrilled at the possibility of being part of such a renowned firm, and would love the opportunity to meet with you and discuss the value that I can bring to the XYZ Group and its XYZ Fund. I appreciate your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you. Please feel free to contact me at any time via mobile at +65 91234567 or by email at exampleemail@gmail.com.

He reiterates his enthusiasm to join this new company, and leaves his contact details for the Hiring Manager to reach out to him.

Do:

• Be courteous
• Provide your contact details only at the end (last sentence)
• Show your enthusiasm – end your cover letter with an optimistic note!

Don’t:

• Come off as desperate
• Threaten the Hiring Manager

Use the Right Formal Closing

Finally, close the cover letter professionally.

Cover Letter Examples: Cover Letter Templates

Congratulations, now you know how to write a cover letter like our team of expert resume writers! Try your hand at writing your own cover letter with these free cover letter templates, which you can download and use.

Conclusion

Do also check out some of our favourites – these winning Cover Letter examples that have actually netted our clients interviews at the likes of Facebook, Airbnb, IKEA, and more!

Phew, it’s been a lot to take in, we know. But a good cover letter is an important part of any job application, so making sure it’s perfect is key to getting your dream job.

If you have further questions, or would like our career consultants to do a resume review and provide feedback on your CV, just fill in the form below for free CV feedback. Speak with professional resume writers for a executive resume writing experience.

You’ll lose nothing, yet gain so much more! If you’ve found this guide useful, you might also like our Singapore Salary Guide for all industries, which can help you to determine how much you should be earning.

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