- Should cover letters have a header?
- What goes in the header of a cover letter?
- Should a resume and cover letter have the same header?
- Is a letterhead the same as a header?
- What are some great cover letter header examples?
- What else do you include in a cover letter?
- Key takeaways
The goal of a cover letter is to attract the attention of a hiring manager. Writing a spectacular cover letter header can help accomplish that right from the get-go. In this guide, we take a look at some of the ways you can write a header for a cover letter that makes you stand out.
A great cover letter can accomplish many things. It can introduce you to your potential employer, highlight some of your accomplishments, and showcase your dedication as a future employee. To be effective, it is important to catch the attention of a hiring manager right from the beginning by writing a spectacular cover letter header.
In this guide, we will cover what to include in your header and see some examples of what an eye-catching header for a cover letter looks like. Here’s what we will be examining in this post:
Should cover letters have a header?
What goes in the header of a cover letter?
Should a cover letter and resume have the same header?
What are some great cover letter header examples?
Should cover letters have a header?
It’s natural to believe a header for your cover letter is unnecessary. You may even think that the header will distract from the accomplishments and skills you have listed in the body of your cover letter. However, a header has many benefits and you won’t want to miss including it when you write your cover letter. Here are some of the things a cover letter header can offer you.
Professionalism: A cover letter should portray your professionalism, and that is something you can begin right from the start with your header. Your cover letter’s header helps promote you as a serious candidate from the moment a hiring manager picks up your resume and takes their first look.
Organization: Another great benefit of adding a header is that it helps to keep the information organized and easy to read. With your contact information right at the start, the hiring manager will not need to search for your information to call you for an interview.
Good first impression: Your header also has the potential of providing you with a great first impression opportunity. Having a professional cover letter that is organized and customized around a specific jobs lets you show exactly what skills you bring to the table that make you the best applicant for the job.
Easy access to important information: A cover letter is valuable because it provides a hiring manager with easy access to your portfolios, achievements, and skills. Some of that information, such as links to your portfolio, LinkedIn page, and other relevant information, can even be placed in the header so that it is easy to find and easy to digest.
Expert Tip
When writing your cover letter header, use a font that is easy to see and read. You should also keep the information you include in your header to a minimum so that it doesn’t distract from other areas of your cover letter. Stick with your contact information and important links.
What goes in the header of a cover letter?
While the information included in your cover letter header is important, the structure of it should be kept fairly simple. Here are the items you will want to include in your header.
Name: Your full name or legal name is the best option to choose.
Job Title: Beneath your name, list your current job title or the title that most closely relates to the position you are applying for if you are changing industries.
Address: It’s not necessary to include your full physical address, but you should state what city, state, or country you are from.
Email address: Use an email address that has a professional name and that you check regularly so that you can be sure you don’t miss important emails from your potential hiring manager.
Phone number: Whether a cell phone or a home phone, adding your phone number will allow the hiring manager to contact you. When you are searching for a job, make sure your voicemail message is professional and appropriate.
LinkedIn profile link: If you haven’t already set up a LinkedIn profile, it’s a good idea to have one while you are searching for work. This is a great place to include relevant work experience and skills that might not make it onto your resume.
Links to your portfolio: In some industries, adding a link to your portfolio or personal website in the header of your cover letter is appropriate
Should a resume and cover letter have the same header?
Consistency is important when it comes to creating an application package. For this reason, you will want your resume and cover letter to have the same header. Not only does this make your application look organized and professional, but it can help ensure your cover letter and resume aren’t separated from one another.
When it comes to designing a cover letter header and a resume header, here are a few things to keep in mind.
- Keep the same font, color, and font size
- Keep contact information identical
- Use a readable font
- Change the format or design of the header between documents
- Use graphics or images
- Use distracting colors or fonts
Is a letterhead the same as a header?
While some of the same information you will see in a cover letter header may be found on a letterhead, they have slightly different designs and purposes. A letterhead is a professional piece of stationery that is often tied to an organization. At the top, a letterhead includes the contact information of the company and the company’s logo.
Personalized stationery and letterheads can also include this information, but having a specific document designed for your cover letter is not necessary. Instead, typing the information directly into your cover letter itself is an effective option. You should use high-quality resume paper to print both your resume and your cover letter, but forgo personalized stationery or letterhead with distracting designs and colors.
What are some great cover letter header examples?
Now that we’ve learned why a header is important and what should be included in them, let’s take a look at some examples of eye-catching headers. Feel free to copy any one of the cover letter header templates below.
Name Job title
Location Phone number Email address LinkedIn
Name Email address ▪ Phone number Job title LinkedIn ▪ Location
Name Email address ▪ Phone number ▪ LinkedIn ▪ Location
What else do you include in a cover letter?
Once you have included your personal information in the header, you will need to carry out your professional and formal format throughout the remainder of the cover letter. You should also avoid making simple cover letter mistakes, such as using generic greetings, not using the company’s name, and not using professional language. This is what your finished cover letter might look like.
Name Email address ▪ Phone number Job title LinkedIn ▪ Location
Date:
Dear [Contact Name] or Dear Hiring Manager,
With expertise in [industry], I am excited to apply to the [Position Title]. I see that [Company Name] is seeking a knowledgeable professional to [describe the main role at your desired position.] The skills I have demonstrated over my career are a great balance for this role.
Throughout my career and in my current role as [Current Title] with [Current Employer], I have grown my experience in [Skill 1], [Skill 2], and [Skill 3]. These skills have enabled me to reach the following achievements.
A major achievement from your resume reworded as a complete sentence.
A major achievement from your resume reworded as a complete sentence.
A major achievement from your resume reworded as a complete sentence.
I look forward to scheduling an interview to further discuss my skills, background, and experience and how it aligns with the needs of [Company Name]. With my dedication, eagerness to learn, and history of success within the [industry name] industry, I am certain I will be an instant asset to your team.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
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Key takeaways
The goal of your cover letter header is to present your contact information in a professional manner that is easy to read.
Keep the header you place on your cover letter the same as the one you add to your resume. Avoid changing contact information between the two documents.
Don’t forget to keep things simple. Too much information can confuse a hiring manager and make it difficult for them to focus on your skills and resume.
Above all, remember to keep everything professional. That includes your email address itself, your name, and any other information you include in your cover letter header.
