Along with your CV, a general cover letter is frequently requested when applying for a new job. Including a cover letter with your application is a terrific way to attract prospective employers, even though not all positions specifically specify that one is required. Your chance to give recruiters a succinct overview of your professional experience and achievements that make you a fantastic fit for the position is in the cover letter. In this post, we’ll explain the goal of a general cover letter, walk you through the process of writing one, and help you sell yourself to potential employers.
What exactly is a general cover letter?
A generic cover letter, also known as an all-purpose or generic cover letter, is a helpful document that may be used when submitting applications to numerous job postings in a related industry or going to job fairs. Even while a general cover letter doesn’t need to be customized for a particular company, be careful that it doesn’t sound too generic or like it was copied and pasted from one form to another. If you wish to wow prospective employers without having to spend hours on different documents, making your personal general cover letter template is a great time-saver.
Recruiters’ top priorities are summed up in a general cover letter as follows:
- Details about your credentials
- What essential abilities qualify you for the position?
- Relevant professional achievements
- Why you’re interested in the position
How to draft a general cover letter
You might be thinking about how to draft a general cover letter when applying for jobs. You have the chance to highlight what makes you stand out from the competition in your cover letter. How to create a general cover letter that nonetheless makes an impression on potential employers is outlined in the steps below:
1. Prepare your cover letter
A standard cover letter is one page in length and contains the following information:
- Date and contact details
- Greeting/Salutation
- Introduction
- Body paragraph
- Closing sentence
- Complimentary closing and signature
Using this approach, you may organize a succinct general cover letter that has all the details a hiring manager is searching for without just restating your resume.
2. Start with the header
Even if the majority of job applications are now made online or by email, it’s still helpful to have a professional header with your primary contact details for hiring managers. This is especially crucial if you are handing out printed copies of your resume at a job fair. Include your home and work addresses, email, and mobile numbers. You might also wish to put the URL to your online corporate profile in your header so that future employers can access it.
3. Begin with a greeting.
Next, extend a friendly welcome to the cover letter reader. Use the salutation “to whom it may concern” if you’re unsure of who to write the general cover letter to or want it to be as wide as possible. Finding the recruiter’s name will allow you to approach them specifically. This is a really easy technique to make sure that your cover letter isn’t viewed as being overly generic. It doesn’t take long to add a customized greeting to your cover letter template, and it shows that you pay attentive attention to detail.
4. Identify yourself
You have the chance to make a fantastic first impression on a prospective employer with your introduction paragraph. Introduce yourself with enthusiasm and state your motivation for applying for the job. Keep the information on your motives for applying for that job as general as you can to ensure your CV’s versatility. To catch the recruiter’s eye, highlight one of your latest accomplishments and describe why this makes you an outstanding prospect for the position.
5. Compose your general cover letter’s body.
The body of your cover letter is made up of the middle paragraphs, which normally provide an overview of your professional background and your top qualifications for the position. Employ bullet points to highlight some of your most important talents, achievements, and certifications in this part, and try to keep it brief. Don’t forget that the details you include in your general cover letter should be read in conjunction with your resume; don’t just duplicate them. Expand on your qualifications for the position and include concrete examples that highlight your skills and drive for success.
6. Compose the conclusion.
You have the chance to briefly summarize why the employer should choose you for the job in your conclusion paragraph. During the next phase of the hiring process, you can express your want to know more about the position and put a call to action in this area. Before closing your letter, thank the reader for their attention and consideration and indicate that you are available to go over your application in more depth.
Advice on how to draft a general cover letter
Now that you understand how to compose a general cover letter, use these hints to make sure your writing wows employers:
Proofread
Your official documents should be proofread before submission. It’s even more crucial to accomplish this if you intend to use your general cover letter as a template for all future employment applications. Before sending it, make sure it is free of grammar and spelling issues. A flawless cover letter demonstrates to potential employers your attention to detail.
Determine your selling points (USP)
Your differentiators from other candidates are your unique selling propositions (USPs). Try to determine the value you could add to the job position when creating a general cover letter, regardless of the organization. List the main qualities or skills you possess that would make you a valuable asset to the firm. When you can, give the employer specific instances of significant successes that show these traits.
Think about presentation
Ensure your cover letter is presented simply and clearly to give it a professional appearance. Instead of using something fancy, choose a simple font in a 10 or 12-point size. By doing this, you can make the document simpler to read for the employer and any automated applicant tracking tools that companies might employ to scan your application. Generally speaking, it’s ideal to utilize the same font on your cover letter that you did on your resume. It can be easier for the recruiter to scan your cover letter swiftly if you use single-spaced lines altogether.
Read the guidelines for the application.
When you have a lot of applications to do, using a basic cover letter might save you time. However, you should be careful and thoroughly study the job posting or application for each posting. In some cases, employers can ask you to respond to specific questions in your cover letter. To avoid losing out on the chance to move on to the next step of the recruiting process, make sure to edit your cover letter as necessary to include every piece of information the company has requested.
Template for a general cover letter
Make your all-purpose cover letter using the sample provided below:
Your name
Your address
Your mobile number
Your email address
Your business networking link
Date
Dear [Hiring managers Name] or To whom it may concern,
[Your prospective employer will be introduced in the opening paragraph of your cover letter. Inform the recruiter about your background and the reasons you are applying for the job. Use a compelling example of a professional accomplishment to highlight your qualifications for the position. Include pertinent information and findings to support your claims.]
[Your cover letter’s main body should go into detail about any applicable experience that makes you a strong match for the position. When composing a generic cover letter, you can decide to compile a list of outcomes and achievements that are pertinent to your industry but not particular to each employer to which you are applying. On your list, you might put:
- One specific objective you achieved and how
- Any technical expertise, competencies, or applicable credentials
- Management or executive ability
- Innovations or concepts that improved the company
- One or two of your strongest strength[s]]
[In your concluding paragraph, briefly summarize your most important achievements and reiterate what makes you the best candidate for the position. Declare your desire to move on to the employment process’s following steps and add a call to action to entice the recruiter to respond. Before closing your letter, let the recipient know that you are available to talk about your application further and that you look forward to hearing from them.]
Yours sincerely,
[Your name]
Conclusion
Information pertinent to the position you’re applying for can be readily swapped in.
Examine the job description and include details that show you’re a perfect match for that position particularly. Hiring managers are looking for material that illustrates why you believe you’re the greatest fit for their business.
It’s critical to understand what experience you possess that the business is looking for because every organization has different requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions about general cover letters
- How should a generic cover letter be introduced?
“Dear” and the recruiting manager’s name come first; “Dear Recruitment Manager” should only be used as a last resort. To avoid it sounding generic, use the firm name within your cover letter. Include accomplishments, experience, and abilities that are pertinent to the position.
- Is it possible to have a generic cover letter?
A general cover letter, also known as a generic cover letter, concentrates on the key components of your CV, such as your talents, accomplishments, and experience. While you do not have sufficient time to compose a focused cover letter, as when attending a job fair, it might be a helpful tool.
- How should a general cover letter be concluded?
A professional ending salutation, like “Sincerely,” “Warm regards,” or “Thank you for your attention,” should be used after expressing gratitude for their consideration and time. Stay away from overused words and phrases like “Yours,” “Cheers,” and “Take care.”
- What Is a General Cover Letter, and When Should I Use One?”
- A general cover letter is a cover letter that is not tailored to a specific job posting or company. Instead, it is a more generic cover letter that can be used for multiple job applications. Job seekers often wonder when it’s appropriate to use a general cover letter.
- General cover letters are typically used when you are conducting a broad job search, applying to multiple positions with similar job requirements, or attending job fairs where you may not have detailed information about each employer. They can save you time when applying to multiple jobs.
- However, it’s important to note that while general cover letters can be convenient, they are less effective than tailored cover letters when it comes to making a strong impression on potential employers. A tailored cover letter that addresses the specific job and company is generally more likely to grab the employer’s attention.
- “What Should I Include in a General Cover Letter?”
- When crafting a general cover letter, it’s essential to include certain key elements to make it effective and adaptable to various job applications. These elements often include:
- Contact Information: Include your name, address, phone number, and email address at the top of the letter.
- Salutation: Use a generic salutation such as “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Hiring Manager.”
- Introduction: Begin with a brief introduction that mentions the type of position you’re seeking and how you learned about the company or job opportunity.
- Body of the Letter: Highlight your skills, experiences, and qualifications that make you a valuable candidate. Focus on transferable skills and achievements that are relevant to a wide range of jobs.
- Closing Paragraph: Express your enthusiasm for the opportunity and your desire to discuss how your skills can benefit the company. End with a call to action, such as expressing your interest in an interview.
- Complimentary Close: Use a professional closing, such as “Sincerely” or “Best regards.”
- Signature: Sign your name (if the cover letter is in hard copy) or include a digital signature (if submitting electronically).