Employers don’t just look for experience — they look for enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.
Your cover letter is your chance to showcase these qualities and make a great first impression. Here’s how to write a cover letter that highlights your strengths:
1. Read the job description and company website
Take time to carefully read the job description and explore the company’s website. Understanding the company’s values, mission, and job expectations will help you tailor your cover letter to what the company is looking for.
Think about how you can incorporate keywords from the job posting and connect them to your skills, education, or experiences. The more aligned your cover letter is with the employer’s needs, the better your chances of landing an interview.
2. Add your contact information to the header
Include the following in your cover letter’s header so the employer can easily reach you:
- First and last name: Use bigger and bolder text compared to the rest of your cover letter so your name looks more memorable to employers.
- Phone number
- Email address: Use a professional email address such as your.name@gmail.com.
- City and state (optional)
- Website or LinkedIn URL (optional)
To make sure your cover letter looks polished, try using a pre-formatted cover letter template that you can customize.
3. Greet the hiring manager
Start your cover letter by addressing the hiring manager by name (if possible).
If you can’t find a name, opt for “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear [Department] Team.” Avoid outdated phrases like “To Whom It May Concern.”
Use
Dear [First and Last Name],
Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. [Last Name], (Use Ms. unless you’re sure they prefer Mrs.)
Dear Hiring Manager,
Dear [Department] Hiring Team, (e.g., “Dear Marketing Team,”)
Dear [Department] Manager, (e.g., “Dear Finance Manager,”)
Avoid
To Whom It May Concern, (Too outdated and generic)
Dear Sir or Madam, (Feels impersonal and old-fashioned)
Hello, (Too casual for a cover letter)
4. Write an attention-grabbing opening paragraph
Hiring managers read through applications quickly, so starting your cover letter with an effective opening paragraph will make them want to keep reading.
Instead of starting with “I am applying for…” try leading with a compelling reason you’re excited about the role or a skill that makes you a great fit. Show enthusiasm and confidence right away to keep them interested in reading more. For example:
As a recent graduate passionate about environmental sustainability, I was immediately drawn to EarthWay’s commitment to green innovation.
You can use the opening paragraph to:
- express your passion or excitement for the role
- briefly state your top skills or achievements
- mention the company’s values and how they align with yours
- explain your purpose for applying
- demonstrate what you can do for the company
5. Highlight your relevant skills and achievements
Even if you don’t have formal work experience, you still have achievements and skills that make you a strong candidate.
In your body paragraphs, talk about academic projects, volunteer work, internships, leadership roles, or extracurricular activities that have helped you develop valuable skills.
Highlight transferable skills like research, presentation skills, teamwork, problem solving, and adaptability. Use specific examples to show how you’ve applied these skills in real situations.
Always try to connect your experiences back to the business’ goals and how you can help achieve them:
As the treasurer of my university’s marketing club, I managed budgets and organized fundraising events, skills that align with BrightStar’s focus on financial responsibility and event coordination.
6. Emphasize that you’re willing to learn
No one starts their career as an expert, and employers understand that. What sets strong candidates apart is curiosity and adaptability.
Show how you’ve taken on new challenges before, whether it’s mastering a subject in school, learning a new tool, or stepping into a leadership role, and express your eagerness to do the same in this job:
During my final year of college, I took on an independent research project that required me to learn data analysis tools like Excel and Tableau. I quickly adapted, and my findings were later presented at a student conference—an experience that reinforced my ability to learn new skills and apply them effectively.
7. Close with a call to action
A strong closing leaves a lasting impression and reinforces your enthusiasm for the role. End your cover letter with a confident, enthusiastic closing statement that encourages the employer to take the next step.
Express gratitude for their time and consideration, and indicate your interest in an interview to further discuss your qualifications:
I truly appreciate your time and consideration. I hope to have the chance to discuss my experience in customer service and relationship management further and explore how I can contribute to your team.
Finally, close your cover letter by using an appropriate sign off. Rather than sounding overly formal or too friendly, you want to end on a clear and professional note.
Here are examples of good and bad cover letter sign offs: Appropriate cover letter sign offs Inappropriate cover letter sign offs
Then, hit enter twice and type or sign your name.
8. Proofread your cover letter
Mistakes in your cover letter can hurt your chances of landing an interview. Double-check for typos, grammatical errors, and awkward phrasing before submitting your application. Reading it out loud or asking someone else to review it can help catch mistakes you might overlook.
9. Submit your cover letter as a PDF
Always submit your cover letter as a PDF unless the job posting asks for a different format. Using a PDF makes sure that your formatting stays intact, no matter what device or software the hiring manager uses to open it.
Give your file a professional name like “FirstName_LastName_CoverLetter.pdf” to make it easy for employers to identify.
@resumegenius Write a cover letter with no experience with this quick guide! Full article and in-depth video here: 🔸 resumegeniusDOTme/no-experience-cover-letter 🔸 #coverletter #noexperiencenoproblem #coverlettertips #coverletterexample #jobapplication ♬ original sound – Resume Genius | Career Advice
Cover letter examples for candidates with no experience
Need inspiration? These cover letter examples demonstrate how to make a great impression, even if you’re just starting your career.
High school student with no experience cover letter
Recent graduate with no experience cover letter
Cover letter for a candidate with no experience in that field
Lauren Mastroni
Digital Content Writer
Lauren Mastroni is a Digital Content Writer dedicated to creating engaging content and providing actionable advice that empowers people in their job searches. An enthusiastic contributor to the Resume Genius team, Lauren has a passion for developing valuable resources for job seekers. Lauren holds an M.S. in Psychology from University of Derby and currently lives in Taipei, Taiwan. She enjoys learning all she can about the career space, and is committed to helping job seekers of all experience levels navigate the job hunt and advance their careers. You can reach Lauren at lauren@resumegenius.com.
View Lauren's ProfileCover Letter With No Experience
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