Write a Cover Letter with No Experience

Not sure how to write your very first cover letter? Don’t worry. We will guide you through the process.

Writing a cover or simply applying for a new position with no experience in your career is a daunting task. But we are very happy that you are willing to put in the effort without giving up on a great opportunity. Employers are not always only looking for your work experience when they hire you for a position. Your transferable skills, your attributes, and your potential all play major roles when it comes to making hiring decisions.

When you are applying for a job without work experience, what you need is a compelling cover letter that can make a case for you. Your cover letter must show potential employers what you can do for their company and how you can fit in with the culture. Not only that, your cover letter should also show them that you have the necessary qualifications to perform well within the role.

What is a cover letter?

A cover letter is a short document that you create to go into detail about your career and relevant professional achievements when applying for a job. Cover letters are approximately one page long and carry information that is related to the new position that you are applying for. It’s important to attach a cover letter to your job applications because nearly half the employers prefer to receive one.

Is it possible to write a cover letter with no experience?

Of course, it is. However, we won’t deny that it won’t be a challenging task. The task of writing a cover letter without experience is not the only hurdle you must cross. You also have to consider the factor that you are writing a cover letter that can compete with those written by job seekers with several years of experience under their belts.

So, how can you write a cover letter with no experience?

The first step is to gather all the information you need, such as the job description, your resume, and relevant documents. Then, we will start going through each step of the process:

1. Carefully review the job description

Writing a cover letter comes with a fair share of employer research. First, you must review the employer’s job description for keywords and important information. Then, you should pay attention to the company website and social media channels. These sources will provide valuable information about the open position, employer, and company culture, giving you a clear idea of what to include in your cover letter.

2. Start with the header

Create a matching header for your cover letter to complement your resume. List your name, credentials, target job title, and contact information within the header. This makes it easier for the employer to know how to contact you and what you have applied for. Be sure to add links to your LinkedIn, social media, portfolio, or personal website if they are relevant to the role.

3. Greet the reader

Do a bit of research on LinkedIn to find out who will be reading your cover letter. Then, you can list their name, title, company name, and date. Start the cover letter with a formal greeting. You can use the hiring manager’s name to create a personalized greeting for the letter.

4. Introduce yourself

The introduction paragraph is the most important paragraph of your cover letter. If it takes a lukewarm start to your cover letter, no hiring manager will want to read it through. Briefly introduce yourself and mention how you heard about the open position. You can also mention a referral in your introduction to ensure that your cover letter does not go unnoticed by the hiring manager.

5. Highlight your skills

Use the body of your cover letter to emphasize skills related to the position. You can mention how you have achieved excellent results using your skills during your academic years. Use your extracurricular activities, volunteer work, or internships to bring out important skills.

6. Talk about achievements

Just like when writing a resume, you should pay a lot of attention to professional and academic achievements when writing your cover letter. Since you don’t have any paid work experience, you may have fewer achievements to emphasize here. However, you can dig deep into your college years to unearth professional accomplishments for your cover letter. Consider mentioning academic achievements, projects, publications, or competitions.

7. Mention your relevance

Start winding down your cover letter by emphasizing your relevance for the role. Reiterate important skills and achievements. Talk about how you will be a great cultural fit for the company. You can even mention common values you share with the employer or common interests. Also, don’t forget to mention how passionate and excited you are about getting a chance to work with the employer. Mention what you hope to achieve for the company if you get selected.

8. Add a call to action

The only thing you must do when closing your cover letter is to ask them for an interview. Tell the hiring manager clearly that you would like to receive a call to discuss the possibility of an interview. once you have added your call to action, you can formally close your cover letter. Sing your name after a formal greeting.

9. Proofread and edit

Ensure that your cover letter is reviewed for spelling and grammar mistakes before it is sent out. You must always strive to create and send a cover letter that is error-free to show employers that you pay attention to detail. Also, make sure that your cover letter is saved in the right file format before you send it out!

By Resume Mansion