Cover Letter for a Recent Graduate—How To Make Every Employer Want YOU

Congratulations—the agony of writing term papers is over! Now it’s time to take it up a notch. Rolling up your sleeves and composing an impressive cover letter for a recent graduate—this is a whole new circle of hell to explore. Now that you’re on the hunt for entry-level positions—having no previous work-related experience—you may find it hard to write a killer cover letter. Still, your ability to create an effective letter as a recent graduate will impact the number of job opportunities you get. This article will help you:

• Understand why a cover letter is important
• Structure and format your cover letter
• Determine the relevant skills and other information you should include

Why You Need a Cover Letter as a Recent Graduate

Source: vxdpics

Unless the job ad specifically says you don’t need a cover letter, it is absolutely necessary to send one. Even if the ad doesn’t mention anything regarding cover letters, know that more than half of hiring managers prefer to receive them and that a quarter of them base their hiring decisions on cover letters. Cover letters are important because they help companies understand who you are and what you can bring to the table. It is your first contact with a potential employer and an opportunity to make a great first impression. With a good cover letter, you will:

1. Highlight the knowledge you have acquired—emphasizing the courses you took and the most recent industry changes you have familiarized yourself with during your studies
2. Demonstrate your energy and enthusiasm for the role—showcasing your motivation and work ethic
3. Flaunt your writing skills—proving that you can write professional-looking, error-free documents

What To Consider When Writing Your Recent Graduate Cover Letters

When you begin working on the structure and the outline, think about what you will include in your cover letter. 

Being new to the job hunt squad, you already have to deal with that whole “never had a job before” issue. You don’t want to add any of the following mistakes to the mix:

Source: Mikhail Nilov

Tips for Writing a Strong Cover Letter for a New Graduate

Use the following tips to determine how to write your cover letter for a recent college graduate.

They will help you decide what information to include in each part of your cover letter and how to make it relevant to the role.

Address the Cover Letter Appropriately

If you know the hiring manager’s name, use it. A whole lot happens in the human brain once someone addresses us by our name, so doing that could win you some points.

If you don’t know their name, don’t panic! And don’t go down the Google rabbit hole looking for it. While it’s a nice addition, it won’t be a deal-breaker if you skip it.

Here are some options you can use:

• Dear Hiring Manager,
• To Whom It May Concern,
• Dear Sales Director,
• Dear Mr./Ms. Jackson,

When addressing your cover letter:

1. Always add a comma after the greeting
2. Begin the opening paragraph with an uppercase letter
3. Add a period after Mr. and Ms.
4. Don’t use Mrs. 

State the Exact Role You Are Applying For

Source: Tima Miroshnichenko

Mentioning the role and the company name in your cover letter personalizes the message. It also shows that you composed a cover letter for this role specifically. You can also include where you saw the job ad.  Explain why you are applying and what attracted you to the company. For example, mention the company’s values and how they align with yours. This will show the employer that you are genuinely interested in working there. 

Link the Skills, Courses, and Internships to the Role

Don’t focus on what you don’t have—most entry-level positions won’t require you to come out of college with a senior-level background. As a recent graduate, you should put an emphasis on:

• Courses you took during your studies
• Internships you did
• Projects you worked on
• Volunteer work you performed

Consider what the company does and what responsibilities the role entails and decide what the relevant points would be. Make sure to connect anything you mention to the job position. Explain how your skills, knowledge, and experience will help you perform well in the role. Highlight the fresh knowledge you can bring to the company. Employers will be happy to hire you if they see you can help them implement new practices or keep up with the latest technology trends.

End on a Positive Note

Summarize briefly why the company would benefit from hiring you and end by stating that you’re looking forward to hearing from them. When you conclude with a call to action saying that you would love to be invited for an interview, it boosts your chances of actually getting called in. Here are some examples of what you could write:

• I would be happy to discuss the position further
• I am eager to learn more about the role
• I would be happy to attend an interview at your earliest convenience

In the end, choose an appropriate complimentary closing:

Sing your full name after the closing and proofread everything a few times before sending the letter. 

A Way To Make Your Job Hunt Go Smoothly

Source: Karolina Grabowska

When you are fresh out of college, the whole world is your oyster. You are full of enthusiasm and eager to start browsing the job boards. Then you start looking for a job and realize—things are not that peachy.

According to December 2021 data compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics,  the average duration of unemployment that year was 12.9 weeks. Recent data shows that 23% of the unemployed people applied to over 30 jobs within only one year. Most people feel like job hunting is more stressful now than it used to be. There is also the question of how the pandemic has affected and will continue to impact the job market. It all seems pretty disheartening. 

But it doesn’t have to be so difficult. There is an easier and better way to look for a job—Lensa. Our AI platform will help you find a perfect job with little effort. Lensa takes into account your educational background, salary preferences, location, and personality before it presents you with job listings that might interest you. When you register with Lensa, you will have an opportunity to:

• Browse through job ads from many different job boards
• Play the Workstyle Game and learn more about your professional strengths, preferences, and soft skills
• Get customized job recommendations
• Receive notifications whenever there is a new job opening that fits your preferences

Kick Your Career Off the Right Way—Register With Lensa Today

Registering with Lensa demands a few minutes of your time and will provide you with a world of benefits. All you need to do is follow these simple steps:

1. Visit the Lensa website
2. Enter a job title and preferred location
3. Give us your email address
4. Press Submit

That’s all! Now you can start browsing job listings and play the Workstyle Game. You can also provide us with more information and help us send you more specific and valuable results. Include your desired salary, education level, and previous experience, and we will find suitable job openings for you. If you add your full name and phone number to your account, you’ll receive a notification whenever there is a new job opening suited to your preferences.

Featured image source: Karolina Grabowska