When applying for an entry-level position, writing an entry-level cover letter can be a challenge as you may not have a lot of work experience. However, it’s okay to highlight your non-employment experiences in your cover letter if they are relevant to the position.
After all, entry-level interviewers know this can be your first position.
Cover letters are a helpful tool for graduates looking for entry-level positions with limited experience. An entry-level cover letter is important as it can make you stand out from potential employers and help you get your first job offer after graduation.
In this article, we’ll discuss what an Entry-level Cover Letter is, how to write one and provide a template and example of a completed one.
Table of contents
What is an Entry-Level Cover Letter?
An entry-level cover letter is a document that you can add to your work portfolio that identifies your knowledge and skills and how to use them to become the best candidate for a position.
When looking for a job, you should use an entry-level cover letter together with your résumé to make an effective first impression.
The hiring manager will likely use your resume and cover letter to form an opinion about you as a candidate before they ever meet you. Your cover letter should do four things:
- Introduce yourself to the potential employer as a strong candidate.
- State your reasons why the employer should consider you for the position.
- Leave the employer with a positive and memorable first impression of you as a candidate.
- Have the hiring manager contact you for an interview.
The cover letter is your chance to highlight the relevant skills, experience, knowledge, and work qualities that will make you the best candidate for the position you are applying for.
Why a cover letter is important
Writing cover letters is difficult for almost all candidates – not just for entry-level applicants. So don’t be discouraged if you feel overwhelmed by the process.
In order for the hiring manager to inspire you for an interview, you not only have to convey your skills and qualifications but also your passion for the company and your suitability for the respective position.
This means you are writing a cover letter that compliments your resume rather than duplicating that information.
A good cover letter also shows your communication and writing skills. It proves that you know how to tell a compelling story – a bonus in almost any job, even if the job description doesn’t include writing as a requirement.
Writing a cover letter proves that you know how things are done professionally and that you are willing to follow the rules.
This may sound obvious, but when applying for an entry-level position, it’s important to show the hiring manager that you know what to expect and that you don’t need training in the basics of everyday office life.
What to include in your Entry-level cover letter
The good news is that there is basically a level playing field when applying for entry-level jobs. Your competitors are unlikely to have much work experience either.
Mention volunteer experiences, internships, related courses, projects, leadership experience, extracurricular activities, and skills related to the position.
Providing these details about the relevant experience will help make your application stand out from the crowd:
How do I write an entry-level cover letter with minimal experience?
You can think of your cover letter as the hiring manager’s first meeting with you. Here are six steps to help you write a strong Entry-level cover letter:
1. Do your research
One of the best ways to make your entry-level cover letter stand out is to tailor it to the position you are applying for by doing thorough research on the company.
First, find out about the history of the company, its products, goals, and challenges. This will give you a better understanding of the qualities the hiring manager seeks in their newest hires.
Then use your cover letter to provide details about the position, such as: why you think you are suitable for this and what role it plays in your long-term goals.
Not only do you seem excited and ready to be successful in your new position, but your cover letter makes you look like you were made to fill the position.
2. Address your letter professionally
Since your cover letter is part of your candidate portfolio, use a professional format to address the cover letter. Start with your contact information in the top left corner.
Your contact information should include your name, address, city, state and zip code, phone number, and email address. Write the date under your contact details.
After the date, write the employer’s contact details. The employer’s contact information should include the hiring manager’s name, company name, company address, and city, state, and zip code.
Then open your letter with a professional salutation to the HR manager. Before writing your cover letter, you should always do your best to find out about the company and the person you will be interviewing.
Your greeting should address the hiring manager or recruiter by their last name if possible.
Place a space between your contact details and the date, between the date and the employer’s contact details, between the employer’s contact information and the greeting, and between the greeting and the first paragraph.
The first part of your cover letter should look like this:
Mackenzie Smith
Tampa, Florida 33626
(813) 555-1234
August 28, 2021
Director Johnathon Carrington
Elementary school for spring students
555 Early Learners Way
Tampa, Florida 33635
Dear Headmaster Carrington:
3. Open with a strong introduction
Your introduction is the first part of your cover letter a hiring manager reads. Hence, it is important that you know how to start a cover letter in a way that gets their attention.
A good introduction to the entry-level cover letter should include:
- Expression of your enthusiasm for the company’s work
- The position you are applying for
- A short blurb about your background
- A brief introduction to your achievements or talents
4. Express your interest
Start your first paragraph by introducing yourself briefly and expressing your interest and enthusiasm for the position. Your cover letter should relate to both the position and the company you are applying for.
This shows the reader that you have researched the company and position and explains why you are interested in that particular position or company.
If someone referred you to the company’s position, include their name. Briefly explain why you are the perfect candidate for this particular position.
End the first paragraph with a statement about how this position aligns with your career goals.
Example: My name is Mackenzie Smith and I am writing to express my interest in the third grade English / Language Teacher position at Early Learners Elementary School.
I am excited about the opportunity to teach at the Early Learners Elementary School because it would be a pleasure to return to my own elementary school as a teacher.
I would be the perfect candidate for the third-grade English / Language Teacher position because I have the education, skills, and personality to provide children with a solid foundation for a lifelong love of learning.
This position fits perfectly with my goal of taking an active role in the classroom as I prepare for my promotion to administration.
5. Describe your specific knowledge and skills
Your second paragraph should describe how your knowledge, education, skills, experience, and strengths make you the ideal candidate for the position.
Use the job description to find keywords that you can associate with the specific characteristics you are highlighting.
If you have limited work experience, this section is more important as it shows how with no prior work experience; you will have the knowledge and skills required for the position.
In this area, you will focus on your strengths and relevant experiences, even if your experience is not directly related to work.
For example, you can highlight relevant academic performance, good grades and awards, volunteering, and organizations you’re a member of.
For example, as a recent graduate from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, I am qualified to be a third-grade English / Language Teacher at Early Learners Elementary School.
Relevant coursework included Emergent Literacy Strategies and Assessment, Learning and Development in a School Context, and Creation and Differentiating Learning Environments.
I graduated with honors and was a member of the SunCoast Area Teacher Training and Educational Research Program (SCATTER), Kappa Delta Pi, and Educare.
My previous experience in customer service in retail has also given me the patience and skills needed to effectively manage classes.
6. Include Important Skills for an Entry-Level Employee
Whether you have great interpersonal skills, attention to detail, or the ability to program, every company has its requirements and preferences for the ideal candidate.
If you don’t have work experience, it’s a great way to highlight your skills and make yourself more attractive to employers.
First, scan the job posting to find the key skills for your target industry. Then include them in your cover letter to show you have the basic knowledge necessary to excel.
If you don’t have certain skills that seem important to the position, use your cover letter to underscore your enthusiasm for learning those skills.
7. End your letter with a call to action
Start your third paragraph by saying something that interested you in that particular employer.
In doing so, you again underline that you have researched the company but also convey how your values match the company’s convictions.
After this statement, close your letter with a specific call to action, e.g. With the request for an interview. After asking for an interview, thank the hiring manager or recruiter for their time and attention.
Example: One of the things that interested me most about the Early Learners Elementary School is the school’s volunteer work to give back to our disadvantaged youth.
I’m also passionate about empowering any student with a love of learning and regularly enroll as a tutor for my local YMCA club.
I look forward to meeting you in person during an interview to discuss my qualifications and how I can complement the teaching team at Early Learners Elementary School.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
8. Add a signature line
The last thing to include in your cover letter is a professionally formatted signature line. Choose a standard form of address such as “Sincerely”.
You must physically sign the letter if you pass it on in the mail or directly to a hiring manager or recruiter. You can leave out your physical signature if you send your cover letter electronically.
Below is the physical signature. Print your name and complete the signature line by including any attachments or attachments to your cover letter.
Here is an example of a completed signature line:
Sincere,
{Your physical signature}
Mackenzie Smith
Enclosed: CV
9. Proofread and check the length
Before sending your completed cover letter to the employer, proofread the document and check the length of your cover letter.
This step is important to ensure you make a professional impression on the hiring manager. Your cover letter should not be over one page when you print it out.
If you need to upload or send your cover letter electronically, try to keep the cover letter as short as possible to minimize reader scrolling.
Your cover letter should be specific but short enough to encourage the hiring manager to double-check your resume for more details. You should also proofread your cover letter to check for grammatical or spelling mistakes.
Before doing this, it is a good idea to take a break so that you can return to the letter with a fresh perspective. You can also ask a friend, family member, or professor to review and edit the letter.
Template for an Entry-level cover letter
You can use this template as a guide for writing your entry-level cover letter:
[Your name]
[Your full address]
[Your city, state and zip code]
[Your phone number]
[Your email address]
Date: _________________
[Name of the hiring manager]
[Company Name]
[Company address]
[Company’s city, state, and zip code]
Dear HR Manager [use your name if you know it]:
My name is [your name] and I am typing to express my interest in [position name] with [company name].
I’m excited about the opportunity to work for [Company Name] because [state specific reason]. I would be the perfect candidate for [position name] because [give a reason].
This position fits my goal [your career goal] perfectly.
As a recent graduate from [name of university or college] with a [type of degree], I have the necessary training for [name of position] at [company name].
Relevant study achievements contain [names of study programs]. I graduated with honors and as a member of [name of associations].
My previous experience in [Name of Position] in [Name of Industry] also gave me the [Relevant Skills / Experience] I need for [Specific job responsibility from job posting].
One of the things that interested me most about [company name] is [specialty what you like about the company]. I’m also interested in [Related Skills] and regularly register for [List Relevant Volunteer Experiences].
I look forward to meeting you face-to-face during an interview to discuss my qualifications and benefits for [company name]. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincere,
[Your physical signature]
[Your name printed]
[Enclosure / attachments]
If you are sending your cover letter by email or electronically, you can omit your full address, company name and address, and your physical signature.
Common mistakes in entry-level cover letters
And after all that you should be doing, here is a great list of things not to do – because I don’t want to teach you, but hiring managers usually have so many applicants that they look for reasons not to have that Opacity to get out letters.
Do not send general cover letters: You shouldn’t give employers a simple reason to move you to the committee. It’s not your fault that you don’t have much experience, but if you don’t look like you’re trying.
Don’t forget the reader: It may be your cover letter, but it is your job to fill it out. Make it clear how you are doing the job well.
Don’t use too much jargon or difficult vocabulary: Give them something they can read naturally and easily.
Don’t be too humble: This is not the time to sell you.
Don’t exceed 400 words: Ideally, your cover letter should be 200-300 words. Remember, keep it short, honest, and – of course – real.
Grammar and/or spelling mistakes are to be avoided: If you want the employer to come across your resume, you first must convince them with your cover letter.
Use the spell checker, but remember – the spell checker doesn’t capture everything. Read your letter aloud! See how it flows.
Consider asking a grammatical friend to read it before sending it out, or use an online grammar checker like Grammarly.
Don’t send a general letter: You must be specific about the job, requirements, and related skills. If you write a general letter, you risk being addressed to the wrong person or pointing to the wrong company.
Employers can spot a generic cover letter in seconds – the chances of your application ending up in the trash will skyrocket as you send it out.
Do not undercut yourself: Sure, you go for an entry-level job, which likely means you’re a bit green in terms of work experience. However, this does not mean that your entry-level cover letter should be too humble or negative.
Do not start sentences with “I can’t do this yet” or “I’ve never done this before”. You always need to be moving in a positive direction when selling yourself in an entry-level cover letter.
The effect of an entry-level cover letter cannot be emphasized enough, but writing can cause its own kind of stress. You only have one chance to make a great first impression.
Conclusion
Writing a cover letter without much experience can be difficult. Remember that everyone has skills, passions, and success stories. The important part is to put these things together in one half-page document that depicts you as the ideal candidate for a job.
Follow these cover letter tips, and you will be interviewed by hiring managers and recruiters in no time.
References
- Entry-Level Cover Letter: Examples & Guide – Resume Genius
- How To Write an Entry Level Cover Letter (With Examples)|indeed
- Entry-Level Cover Letter Examples and Writing Tips – The balancecareers
- How to Write an Entry Level Cover Letter | Glassdoor Blog
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