Tips for Writing Your Entry-level Cover Letter

Even for an entry-level job, you will still need to submit a cover letter for your CV. How can you make your job application shine when you don’t have much work experience?

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Entry-level cover letter example

Entry-level cover letter sample

When preparing a job application, there are many facets to consider. If you’re writing a cover letter for an entry-level position, it’s likely that you don’t have much experience in the field yet. How can you ensure your job application still gets the attention it deserves? Use cover letter tips to build a great entry-level cover letter.

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Best entry-level cover letter example

Here’s an example of an entry-level cover letter you can use.

Dear Mr. Smith,

I discovered my passion for human resources in college. While getting my sociology degree, I realised how much I enjoyed talking to people and helping them communicate with others. And for me, that naturally led into human resources. Now that I’ve graduated, I’m looking to share my passion in the entry-level HR assistant position at [Company Name].

My communication skills are what I really pride myself on.I find that I’m able to talk to people who are having a difficult time with someone else and get to the core of what they’re concerned about. Plus, I pick up on subtleties in conversation, often helping other people understand what they’re really upset about even when they don’t know.

I would be happy to assist your current human resources expert and help make your workplace even more comfortable for everyone involved. Let me know when I can come in and talk about how I can help your company through this job opening.

Sincerely,

Glenn Newton

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The structure of an entry-level cover letter

At the beginning of every cover letter is always a header. This includes contact information like your phone number, often your address, and social media links, including your LinkedIn profile. Include a salutation that uses the hiring manager’s name. A greeting like, “To Whom It May Concern” sounds stuffy and old-fashioned, and “Dear Hiring Manager” often comes off as overly generic. Make the best first impression with a great introduction.

First paragraph: Introduce yourself with a hook and list your best achievements.

You need to start your cover letter with some kind of hook. This hook tells a recruiter about your job search and makes them want to keep reading a bit more. In this letter, the applicant mentions his college experience and how he came to find his love of human resources. You should also mention the exact job title you’re applying for at the end of this paragraph.

Second paragraph: Provide more information about why you’re perfect for the job.

Next, you need to explain what makes you different from all the other job seekers who are applying to this job. Typically, in an entry-level cover letter, you’re going to be drawing on your skills above all else to show that you’re the ideal candidate. However, you can also include details about your education, training, and any extracurricular activities or internships you’ve had in the past. If you want to include these in their own bullet points, you’ll do so underneath this second paragraph.

Third paragraph: Call to action

The closing paragraph is your call to action where you can request a job interview. Note how the applicant states, “Let me know when I can come in.” This puts the ball back in the recruiter’s court to reach out to you.

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FAQ: Statement of Qualifications

Q: Do I need a cover letter for an entry-level job?

Yes. Unless the job description specifically says that you shouldn’t include one, typical career advice is to include a cover letter for every job. If you’re not comfortable writing your own cover letter from scratch, consider using the CVHelp cover letter builder. It can help you build the perfect cover letter without having to do it on your own.

Q: Can I include information from volunteering and internships?

Absolutely. This is considered past relevant experience and can be a major stepping stone to getting your first job. If you have a skill set that you built from activities like volunteering and internships, you should include them as you write your cover letter.

Q: Can I use a cover letter to help with ATS when I don’t have a lot of experience?

An applicant tracking system (ATS) is a tool that many hiring managers use to screen potential candidates automatically before the hiring manager actually looks at them. A cover letter can significantly help people without experience because it allows you to pack CV keywords into your application. By relying on your skill set and addressing skills that the hiring manager wants to see, you’re more likely to make it through an ATS scan.

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