Googling “cover letter” and copy & pasting the same results as...
Shay Loko@jobswithshay
29 views
Feb 27, 2025
~3 min read
Advertisement
1
Googling “cover letter” and copy & pasting the same results as everyone else
is a complete waste of time.
And will not land you a job.
Here’s a 4-step guide to writing the best cover letter of your career.
(Can be used with no experience too)
is a complete waste of time.
And will not land you a job.
Here’s a 4-step guide to writing the best cover letter of your career.
(Can be used with no experience too)
2
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.
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.
3
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.
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.
4
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. Hook
2. Why you’re a fit for the role
3. Why the company is a fit for you
4. Call to action
5
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.
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.
6
“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]”.
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]”.
7
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.
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.
8
“I am a [graduate/X professional] with a background in [X]. I help companies [problem that the company needs solving] by [methodology]”.
9
“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]...”.
“As a volunteer for [company]...”.
10
“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.]”.
During my time at [university/part time experience], I [example of this competency + quantified achievement.]”.
11
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
• Public speaking
• Research capabilities
• Collaboration
• Time/team management
• Problem solving
• Creativity
• Courses you’ve completed
• Volunteering
• Extra curricular experiences
• Side hustles
• Part time work
12
*quick break*
If you’re finding this valuable so far follow @jobswithshay & download my new job search checklist. It’s only £2!
jobswithshay.gumroad.com/l/jsc
If you’re finding this valuable so far follow @jobswithshay & download my new job search checklist. It’s only £2!
jobswithshay.gumroad.com/l/jsc
13
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.
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.
14
“[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.
Expand further here from your research or conversations with current members of the team.
15
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.]”
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.]”
16
Additional tip:
• 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”.
• 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”.
17
👋🏾 hey! Shay here. I help people land their next jobs, specifically if you’re transitioning industries. @jobswithshay
If you’re currently landing interviews and feel 🤏🏾 close, but are still getting rejections
Drop me a DM, as I’m opening up some very limited interview slots.
If you’re currently landing interviews and feel 🤏🏾 close, but are still getting rejections
Drop me a DM, as I’m opening up some very limited interview slots.
