Cover Letter

An Unsolicited Application Letter: How to Write It

The way you write an unsolicited cover letter is very important: you have to do it well to get noticed. So here are some tips.

When you want to apply for a potential position, one way to get yourself noticed is to write a cover letter. But don’t use the standard format everyone could write. Your cover letter should be different to stand out in the tide of emails.

Whoever deals with the correspondence will already reject a lot of messages before directing yours to the person concerned. Creating a good letter of presentation is a crucial step towards getting the job of your dreams. We take a look at how to write it.

How to write an unsolicited application letter

  • Avoid the “spam” style: don’t start your letter of presentation with set phrases such as “Dear Company”. You should always personalise your letter of presentation. Find the name of the person to whom you are submitting your application, using resources like LinkedIn. This will enable the recipient to understand that this is not a generic email.
  • Concentrate on what they are looking for: always indicate if you have the skills that the company requires or which you know are important. Remember: you should always do this at the beginning of your letter of application. For example, if you are applying for a job as a web designer, you should first list all your skills and the design programmes you use.
  • Add some details about the company you are applying to. This will show the reader that you know who you are writing to, and know their field of business. In this way, you will be able to create a sense of empathy that is always missing in a generic letter.
  • Personalised ending: unsolicited cover letters often end with a classic phrase like “Hoping to hear from you” or “I look forward to your reply”. Avoid this option: write something more personal that sheds a little light on your character and what you could bring to the company (although be careful not to overdo it).

A letter of presentation is an important tool and should not to be underestimated. Whether you are a candidate without work experience or a creative person your letter of presentation will help recruiters notice and remember you.