Written properly, a good cover letter can land you a job.

A bad cover letter will ensure you don’t get an interview.

Here’s how to write an interview landing cover letter in 4 steps. (with 0 experience).

P.S there is no such thing as having zero experience.

Let’s go

Now, before you start writing you must research.

Basics like website/mission will only get you so far.

Have they posted on LinkedIn?
Is there a campaign they’re running?
Passionate about a social issue?
Win an award?
Release a new product/service?

You need to know.

Then look at the job description.

What problem are they trying to get you to solve?

Why are they hiring?

What are the core competencies they need you to have in order to get the role?

This should be the themes you address in your CL.

Structure:

1. Hook
2. Why you’re a fit for the role
3. Why the company is a fit for you
4. Call to action

1. Personal cover letters are best.

Hooks make recruiters keep reading.

Start with a personal connection.

• personal story.

• value or belief system connection.

• how you came to discover the company.

• first time you used or discovered their product/service.

“Dear [name],

As someone who has been/is [connection with the company], I can relate to being as obsessed with [niche] as [company name] customers are.

However what really gets me excited about the [role name] position is [reason]”.

2. Why you’re a fit is all about the connection between your achievements and the competencies of the role.

In one paragraph you want to:

• Intro yourself in a short sentence.

• give 2 impact statements and relate them to the role you’re applying for.

• quantify.

“I am a [graduate/X professional] with a background in [X]. I help companies [problem that the company needs solving] by [methodology]”.

“Given the opportunity I would love to take [company]’s [X team] to the next level. I am extremely passionate about [industry niche] and currently [create content online with 300 weekly views and a 15% increase in engagement month on month]”.

“As a volunteer for [company]...”.

“After following your company’s LinkedIn Profile for the last few months, I understand you’re looking for [competency] to help with [issue].

During my time at [university/part time experience], I [example of this competency + quantified achievement.]”.

Some experience ideas you can draw on:

• Public speaking
• Research capabilities
• Collaboration
• Time/team management
• Problem solving
• Creativity

• Courses you’ve completed
• Volunteering
• Extra curricular experiences
• Side hustles
• Part time work

3. Why the company is a fit.

Now flip it round and speak about the company more broadly.

Why do you want to work there?

Is it the mission or what they stand for?

Give your why first and then say how that led you to apply.

“[Company]’s mission to [direct quote from mission] has appealed to me more in recent years as I have focused on [topic of alignment]”.

Expand further here from your research or conversations with current members of the team.

4. Call to action close.

Close out strong.

“I look forward to hearing from you”.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to be a part of the continued growth at [company]. I’d love to discuss the role in more detail - feel free to reach out to me on [email + no.]”

• Every sentence needs to be relevant to the company/role and not generic.

• Read every sentence with a ‘so what?’, filter. Why does what you’ve written matter?

• Write no more than 1 page/ 4 paragraphs.

• Address them by name OR “hiring team/manager”.

Now you know how to write your cover letter, use this full guide to transform your job search https://bit.ly/3taIyLF