Applying for a position with no experience can be challenging, especially when writing a cover letter.
Luckily, there are ways to feature relevant skills or achievements that capture the attention of the hiring manager.
Explaining how your skills can benefit the employee and provide value can make your cover letter stand out from other applicants.
In this article, you’ll typically learn how to write a cover letter with no experience.
Does Who Reads This Ends Up Reading: How To Write A Cover Letter For Internship
WHAT IS A COVER LETTER
When you’re searching for a job, a cover letter allows you to exhibit your personality and explain why hiring you would be a wise move.
Cover letters should be between three and five paragraphs in length and include specific examples from your previous experience that show your qualifications for the post.
Job seekers commonly include a cover letter with their curriculum vitae or applications for employment to introduce themselves to prospective employers and demonstrate their fit for desired roles.
Employers may look for personalized and intelligently written cover letters to weed out applicants who are not sufficiently invested in their positions and/or lack the requisite fundamental abilities.
Check Also: How to write an Entry Level Cover Letter| Sample Templates
REASONS FOR WRITING A COVER LETTER
If you possess the necessary credentials but have not taken the time to introduce yourself as a person in a cover letter, you risk being overlooked.
What is the worst-case scenario? It is set aside by the recruiter. What is the best-case scenario?
They examine it while determining whether it is worthwhile to bring you in for an interview. Therefore, unless an employer expressly requests that you do not submit a cover letter, it is prudent to submit one.
See Also: Career Change Cover Letter Guide in 2023
They provide a more pertinent explanation than a resume ever could.
Your CV can only do so much to explain employment gaps, promotions, or why you worked two jobs concurrently.
Many people attempt to over-explain themselves on their resumes in order to avoid submitting a cover letter. We recommend that most people write a cover letter, but you definitely need one if you fall into one of these groups!
There is no space on a CV for “I was laid off from my previous job, which is why I was only there for four months.” You may, however, briefly explain your cover letter as to why you were only at your previous employment for four months, while highlighting your relevant abilities and enthusiasm for the work you’re applying for.
Even if you do not believe your resume has any peculiar circumstances that require explanation, you still need a cover letter.
A resume is a fact-based document in which you offer the facts of your career, allowing a recruiter to determine the type of professional you are.
A cover letter enables you to expand on any abilities indicated in the resume and explain in your own words why you’re the ideal candidate for the position.
Your resume and cover letter work in tandem to form your marketing team, providing the facts but also injecting some personality. Without a cover letter, you’re merely providing recruiters with the facts, lacking the personalization that only a cover letter can bring.
Don’t Fail to Read: 3 Rules to Obey in Cover Letter Salutation
They demonstrate your communication style.
Even if your CV is flawless, recruiters should not be able to gauge your communication abilities just based on your resume. Between the third-person perspective and the succinct bullet points, there is little evidence that you are a natural communicator who can communicate well with others.
Then there’s the cover letter, which allows for more conversational and first-person writing. The cover letter provides a more accurate preview of how you’ll connect with coworkers and/or clients than a document produced by anyone.
A compelling cover letter provides recruiters with background information about you, highlights key aspects of your career, and establishes your interest in the position.
Your ability to articulate why you’re qualified for the role not only strengthens your candidacy, but also gives them insight into how you’ll communicate with others if you get the job.
They demonstrate that you are a serious candidate.
It’s true—some recruiters will skip over your cover letter entirely. That is the unpleasant reality of job hunting, where you will spend endless hours refining a résumé that will probably receive only a cursory scan.
However, the chance that someone will read it is still worthwhile, as there are many who will. For those who do read it, the fact that you took the time to compose a cover letter will differentiate you from those who did not.
Alternatively, it may not be read immediately, but as the applicant pool is narrowed, they may refer back to your application materials in order to make a final decision. At this point, they will consider your cover letter while making their decision.
While you cannot guarantee that your cover letter will be read, you can offer yourself a better chance with those organizations that do take the time to read cover letters by submitting one. After all, you do not require twenty job offers—you only require the right one.
Perhaps you’ve always known you required a cover letter, but have struggled to create one. Cover letters are necessary for the same reasons they’re difficult to write.
Many customers report that the most challenging part of drafting their cover letter is properly articulating their accomplishments while avoiding a “braggy” tone that creates a negative first impression.
If you’re having difficulty achieving that balance, our writers at Executive Drafts can assist you with communicating your expertise on paper.
KEY ELEMENTS OF A COVER LETTER
Personal data about you
Your cover letter should begin with your contact details. It should be in block format, near the top of the left margin of your paper.
- Name
- Current residence address
- Number of telephone
Date
As with every business letter, provide a date.
Name, title, employer, and address of the contact person
Incorporating a specific name will expedite the delivery of your letter and CV to the hiring manager and add an effective personal touch.
If you are applying for a position advertised but do not receive a contact name, contact the employer and request the name of the department manager.
Salutation
Choose a suitable method of communication with the contact person.
For instance:
- Respected Mr. Johns (if the contact is a male)
- To Ms. Smith: (if the contact is a female)
- To a Potential Employer (if there is no contact name)
Introduction Paragraph
Explain how you learned about the position in the opening paragraph. For instance, you may become aware of an employment opportunity through:
- advertisement in the classifieds
- uninvited mailing
- internet
- personal recommendations
Central paragraph
This paragraph summarizes your educational history and the important talents (hard skills) that qualify you for the role.
This paragraph is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate your persuasive abilities (soft skills).
Contact Information and Date of Closure
At the conclusion of the letter, address your availability for the job, your contact information, and when you will contact the recruiting person to schedule an interview to discuss your application.
If you do not have a contact name, you may wish to simply state your expectation for a response in this section of the letter.
We appreciate the time and thought given to your application by the individual to whom you are writing.
HOW TO WRITE A COVER LETTER WITH NO EXPERIENCE
When writing your cover letter, it’s critical to include pertinent information about the position that convinces the hiring manager that you’re a good fit for the position and company.
The steps below will walk you through the process of writing a cover letter with no experience.
1. Examine the job advertisement carefully and conduct research on the company’s website.
Prior to beginning your cover letter, double-check that your information corresponds to the desirable and required abilities specified on the job ad.
You can carefully study the job description and make a note of any talents indicated that you may already possess.
These abilities can be referenced throughout the text and used as keywords in the cover letter. You should describe how you intend to use these abilities in the position.
Additionally, you should invest time in researching the organization in order to demonstrate why you can be a beneficial addition.
Examine their website, social media accounts, and any other material that has information about their business. This enables you to gain an understanding of company beliefs, culture, and aspirations.
You may refer to any information you discover and explain how it relates to your own objectives or principles.
2. At the top of the document, include your contact information.
In the top left corner of your cover letter, you can include your name, phone number, and email address. Then, if you have the employer’s name and address, you can add the date. This gives your document a more formal, professional appearance.
Additionally, include a link to your online portfolio and social media outlets (if applicable) to educate them about you and your online presence.
3. Begin by addressing the reader and introducing yourself.
Begin with an official salutation such as “Dear Hiring Manager” or “To Whom It May Concern.” If you already know the recruiting manager’s name, include it in the salutation.
Following that, greet the reader by stating your name and expressing your excitement for the job offer. Mention the precise job title for which you’re applying, as well as where you saw the opportunity advertised or how you learned about it.
If a friend or colleague who previously or currently works for the company introduced you to the position, you may include their name in this box with their permission.
Your introduction should contain between two to three sentences.
4. Justify your qualifications and accomplishments in relation to the post.
This portion of your cover letter is where you can discuss your qualifications and how they relate to the post.
Due to your lack of prior work experience, you might discuss your educational background and how the courses you’ve attended have prepared you for this role.
Additionally, you might mention any honors or accomplishments you’ve won that may help the company.
For instance, if you served as president of an academic group at your university, make a point of mentioning it in your cover letter.
Justify how being elected president aided in the development and enhancement of your leadership abilities, which you may apply to the post for which you are applying.
5. Remind them why you’re the ideal candidate for the job.
You should explain why you are the best fit for the role and the company in your two body paragraphs. This is an excellent opportunity to express your shared values or aims with the organization by stating that you have read their website and agree with their unique beliefs.
Employers are frequently glad to learn about your commitment and desire in learning more about the firm, as well as the fact that your personality may mesh well with that of their staff.
This is also an excellent opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role and your eagerness to learn more. You might even summarize a handful of the responsibilities listed in the job description and discuss your motivation for acquiring those skills and experiences.
Employers frequently seek individuals who are enthusiastic about their roles and who will give their all to deliver outstanding work. Certain employers may place a higher premium on this than on experience, which can help you stand out from other candidates with experience.
6. Invite them to an interview.
The final paragraph should reiterate your interest in the role. Additionally, you might express your enthusiasm for the role and your desire to speak with them again.
Your chances of having an interview increase if you seek one in your cover letter, so include a request in your final paragraph. We appreciate the reader’s time.
To conclude your letter in a formal manner, you might write “Sincerely,” followed by your complete name at the bottom of the page.
7. Proofread for errors in spelling, grammar, and clarity.
Once the cover letter is complete, proofread it for spelling and punctuation errors.
Additionally, you should thoroughly analyze everything to verify that it is clear and logical.
You can either read the cover letter aloud or send it to friends or coworkers. They may discover an inaccuracy in your document that you were unaware of.
8. Make a PDF copy of the document and submit it to the recruiting manager.
After thoroughly reviewing your work and making any necessary changes, re-visit it for formatting. If the document appears to be ready to send, you can save it as a PDF.
Examine the job advertisement to see how they prefer to receive your cover letter. While the majority of companies prefer PDF cover letters, some want them in Word format.
Additionally, the job advertisement should include instructions on how to submit the cover letter. You may be requested to include it with your application file or send it straight to the hiring manager through email.
CONCLUSION
Though it may be difficult, writing a cover letter is feasible even if you lack relevant professional experience.
While a cover letter is frequently used to promote prior professional experience, you can also use it to highlight any soft talents you’ve developed through extracurricular activities, educational courses, or volunteer work.
It’s critical to emphasize any soft skills you possess, as many companies will value them due to their difficulty to teach. This is because soft talents are acquired naturally, but hard skills are frequently acquired through training.
REFERENCES
We Also Recommend
