Recent Graduate Cover Letter Example

Recent Graduate Cover Letter Template

5 tips for writing a recent graduate cover letter

Putting together a cover letter for a job as a recent graduate can be tricky, especially if you don’t have any formal work or internship experience. Fortunately, it’s still possible to write a convincing cover letter that helps you land a job.

Here’s a breakdown of what to include in your recent graduate cover letter to impress employers and land your first job or internship out of college.

1. Write an impactful introduction

Your cover letter’s introduction is your first chance to make an impression on employers, so it’s important to make it count.

Include the following information:

• Your name
• Your degree
• The position you’re applying for
• Your most relevant skills

To make your introduction more compelling, instead of just stating the basics, frame it in a way that highlights something unique about you.

If someone referred you to the job, mention it in your introduction. A personal connection can build an immediate rapport with the hiring manager and set you apart from other candidates.

2. Connect your skills to the job

When applying for a job as a recent graduate, don’t worry about your lack of work experience. Instead, showcase the personality traits and soft skills you possess that make you an excellent match for the job.

First, think about all of your relevant interests and skills, or areas of work that you’re passionate about. Then, use your cover letter to connect them to the work being done at the company you want to work at.

Here’s an example of how one candidate uses their cover letter to advertise their language abilities and explain why they would be useful to the employer:

If you’re applying for a job directly in your field of academic expertise, you can also explain what drew you to the field in the first place.

3. Highlight internship or project work experience

Your second and third paragraphs should be the core of your recent grad cover letter.

This is where you highlight your relevant experience, whether it’s from internships, extracurricular activities, or coursework. Your objective is to highlight any experience that taught you skills that are valuable in your target industry (e.g., your ability to work on a team, solve problems, or learn quickly).

Note that the applicant provides specific examples of what they achieved during their internships to demonstrate the impact of their work.

Expressing your experience in terms of accomplishments rather than tasks or duties is more effective because it signals to hiring managers that you’re able to achieve results.

4. Show enthusiasm for the job

Employers understand that as a recent graduate, you’ll likely be writing a cover letter with no work experience. What they want to see is that you’re passionate about the work and are enthusiastic to learn.

That’s why in your fourth paragraph you should take the opportunity to explain what about the position excites you.

Be as specific as possible — if you’re interested in the product the company makes or even their work culture, be sure to mention it. Show that you’re interested in the specific job you’re applying to, and not just any job.

5. Finish with a clear call to action

Wrap up your new grad cover letter by restating your interest in the position. Additionally, encourage the hiring manager to contact you to discuss your qualifications further.

This not only shows that you’re enthusiastic about the job, but it also pushes the hiring manager to reach out to you.

Set a reminder on your phone to follow up on your job application if you don’t hear back within a week.