Applying for jobs on LinkedIn has become one of the most effective ways to connect with recruiters and land your next opportunity. While LinkedIn allows you to apply for positions with just a few clicks, including a cover letter can greatly enhance your chances of standing out from the competition. A well-crafted cover letter highlights your enthusiasm, showcases your qualifications, and gives hiring managers a clearer picture of who you are beyond your resume.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to write a compelling cover letter tailored specifically for your LinkedIn application.
Why Include a Cover Letter with Your LinkedIn Application?
When applying via LinkedIn, many candidates skip the cover letter, focusing solely on their resume or LinkedIn profile. However, including a cover letter can give you a distinct advantage. Here’s why:
- Personalization: It allows you to tailor your message to the specific job and company, showing that you’ve done your research.
- Humanizes Your Application: Cover letters provide an opportunity to showcase your personality, work ethic, and enthusiasm, which can be hard to convey through a resume alone.
- Clarifies Your Intent: It can explain any gaps in your employment, changes in your career direction, or why you’re specifically interested in that company or role.
- Sets You Apart: With fewer candidates submitting cover letters on LinkedIn, yours will stand out and leave a lasting impression on recruiters.
Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Your Cover Letter
Here’s how you can write a strong cover letter for your LinkedIn application, step by step:
1. Research the Company and Role
Before you begin writing, research the company and position you’re applying for. Understand the company’s values, goals, and culture. Familiarize yourself with the job description and identify key skills and qualifications that are highlighted. This research will enable you to customize your cover letter, showing that you are a perfect match for the role and that you’ve taken the time to learn about the company.
Tip: If possible, find out the name of the hiring manager and address the cover letter directly to them. Personalizing your salutation ("Dear [Hiring Manager's Name]") shows that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the role.
2. Start with a Strong Opening
The first sentence of your cover letter should grab the recruiter’s attention. Start by introducing yourself and stating the position you’re applying for. Be clear, concise, and to the point. Rather than simply stating, "I am applying for the [Job Title] role," try to make the opening engaging and personalized. For instance:
Example:
"With over five years of experience in digital marketing and a proven track record of increasing brand engagement, I am excited to apply for the Digital Marketing Manager role at [Company Name]. Your company's innovative approach to marketing aligns perfectly with my passion for driving successful campaigns."
3. Explain Why You’re a Great Fit
In the next section, outline why you’re the ideal candidate for the role. Highlight your skills, experiences, and achievements that directly relate to the job. This is your opportunity to match your qualifications with the key requirements in the job description. Mention your most relevant professional experiences, focusing on achievements that showcase your value.
Example:
"In my previous role at [Previous Company], I led a team that increased social media engagement by 35% within six months, resulting in a significant boost in customer acquisition. My expertise in data-driven marketing strategies, coupled with my ability to lead cross-functional teams, makes me confident that I can bring similar success to [Company Name]."
4. Show Enthusiasm for the Company
Recruiters want to hire people who are not just qualified but also passionate about the company and its mission. In this part of the letter, express why you’re excited about the opportunity to work with this particular company. This can be based on their company culture, products, services, or something you admire about them.
Example:
"What excites me most about this opportunity is [Company Name]’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. I’ve followed your recent campaign on eco-friendly products, and I admire how you combine creativity with a strong social purpose—values that resonate with my own professional goals."
5. Close with Confidence
As you wrap up your cover letter, thank the hiring manager for considering your application. Reaffirm your interest in the position and express your willingness to discuss how you can contribute to the company's success. Make sure to keep the closing professional but confident.
Example:
"Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the possibility of contributing to [Company Name]'s continued growth and would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience and skills align with your needs. I look forward to hearing from you soon."
6. Keep It Concise and Professional
Cover letters should ideally be no longer than one page. Keep the tone professional, avoid overly formal or casual language, and proofread thoroughly for grammar and spelling mistakes. A concise, well-organized cover letter can have a much bigger impact than a long, drawn-out one.
Sample Cover Letter for LinkedIn Application
Here’s a sample cover letter tailored for a LinkedIn job application:
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
[Date]
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
I am writing to express my interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name], as advertised on LinkedIn. With over [X years] of experience in [your field], I have developed a strong skill set in [key skills relevant to the role], and I am excited about the opportunity to bring my expertise to your team.
In my previous role at [Previous Company], I successfully [mention key achievements that are relevant to the role you’re applying for]. My ability to [specific skills, e.g., manage projects, lead teams, develop strategies] has consistently resulted in [mention results, e.g., increased revenue, improved efficiency]. I am confident that my background and experience will enable me to make an immediate impact at [Company Name].
I am particularly drawn to this opportunity because of [mention something specific about the company, such as its culture, mission, or products]. I am eager to contribute to your continued success and innovation in the [industry name] industry.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of discussing how I can contribute to the success of [Company Name]. Please feel free to contact me at [Your Phone Number] or [Your Email Address] to arrange an interview.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Final Tips for Your LinkedIn Cover Letter
- Customize for Each Job: Tailor each cover letter to the job and company. Avoid using generic templates.
- Attach or Paste: Some job postings on LinkedIn allow you to attach a cover letter as a separate file, while others may require you to paste it directly into the message box.
- Professional Formatting: If attaching the cover letter, use a professional font and format it cleanly. If pasting, ensure the text flows well and is free from formatting errors.
A thoughtfully written cover letter can significantly improve your chances of standing out when applying for jobs on LinkedIn. By personalizing your cover letter to the job and company, demonstrating your qualifications and enthusiasm, and maintaining a professional tone, you’ll show recruiters that you’re not just another applicant—you’re the perfect fit for the role.
Further Reading
1. "The Cover Letter Book: How to write a winning cover letter that really gets noticed" by James Innes
2. "Cover Letter Magic: Trade Secrets of Professional Resume Writers" by Wendy S. Enelow and Louise M. Kursmark