Yes, we know that writing a cover letter can be time-consuming. Sure, you may be tempted to skip if it’s not explicitly required. In fact, a recent poll we conducted shows that applicants are unlikely to provide a cover letter unless one is specifically requested in the job announcement.
However, we encourage you to write a cover letter, because it’s a way to tell the story of why you’re a good fit for the job, with details your resume doesn’t have room to explain. If your resume is a portrait of your qualifications and experience, your cover letter can be the frame.
To make the process a little easier on you, though, we’re here to offer you a simple template to follow that will help set you up for cover letter success.
Part 1: The opening
The goal with your opening should be to set up the information you’re about to share in the body section, so keep your intro tidy and focused.
Simply enough, start off with a greeting. If a hiring manager’s name is included in the job description (it will be found under the “How to Apply” section), address your cover letter to them. If it isn’t, a generic statement of address like “Dear hiring team” is fine.
From there, be direct. At VA, our recruiters may see dozens, if not hundreds, of applications, so there’s no point in wasting time or giving them a reason to put your letter down. Introduce yourself, remind them which job you’re applying for, and say why you think you would be an excellent fit.
Part 2: The body
This is where you’re going to really get down to the business of explaining yourself to the hiring team, but in the interest of keeping your cover letter to 1 page or less, we recommend limiting the body of your cover letter to 3 paragraphs.
- In your first paragraph, discuss why you’re interested in VA and in this specific position, which will show our team that you’ve done your research. Do you love working with Veterans? Are you a Veteran yourself?
- In your second paragraph, highlight your relevant experience or skills, but don’t just repeat what we can read on your resume. Use a specific example of success to explain what you bring to the table. What have you done that makes you stand out?
- In your third paragraph, include any additional information that may strengthen your case, or use the space to explain anything that may not be clear in your resume. Do you have a gap in your resume? Experience that wasn’t from a job? A humorous story?
You may wish to shuffle the paragraphs around to better tell your story, which is fine. However, remember that anything you include here shouldn’t be something we can find on your resume, but should be something that shows us why you’re a great fit for the job.
Part 3: The closing
Now that you’ve made your case to the hiring team, it’s time to wrap it up. Just like your opening, keep this short and sweet. Again, this could be one of dozens of cover letters on the table, so there’s no reason to slow things down now.
As you write your closing, be sure to reiterate your enthusiasm for the job, then encourage the team to reach out to you with any further questions (or even suggest an interview). Your goal here is to be forward thinking, and to show that you’re ready to take the next steps.
Finally, thank them for taking the time to read your cover letter and review your application. Acknowledging their time is valuable is a common courtesy that won’t go unnoticed.
Work at VA
While we can’t guarantee a cover letter will get you a job at VA, offering one alongside your resume demonstrates both your interest in the job and your ability to succeed.
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