Recruiter cover letter example & writing guide

A recruiter is someone who finds the right people to fill job openings by screening resumes, conducting interviews, and making sure that a candidate is the right fit for both the company and the candidate. But what if you’re the candidate looking for that great new recruiter job?

Recruiters can work for staffing companies or as in-house recruiters for one particular company. But beyond finding people to fill jobs, recruiters are skilled HR professionals who also determine a department’s staffing needs, give candidate assessments, support diversity and inclusion initiatives, and perform background checks, among other tasks. 

When it comes to putting yourself out there for a new recruiter position, writing a cover letter that puts your own skills front and center might feel like a challenge. We’ve got you covered. 

In this cover letter guide, along with the corresponding recruiter cover letter example, we’ll examine how to best create a cover letter that grabs the attention of your fellow recruiters, including:

• What your recruiter cover letter should include

• What to write in the introduction of the cover letter

• What information you can give in the body of the cover letter

• How to write a cover letter closing

What should your recruiter cover letter include?

Much like a well-crafted resume, your recruiter cover letter should be constructed so that your fellow recruiter’s eye is guided to your career highlights. As you probably know, a professional cover letter starts with a header that provides your contact information and the information of the company at which you’re applying, such as the recipient’s name, title, and company name. Then, you’ll greet your reader. If you need more guidance, we provide more details in our article on how to address a cover letter. In addition, your recruiter cover letter should also have an introduction, a body, and a closing. We will go over these elements in detail in the following paragraphs.

What can you write in the introduction of your recruiter cover letter?

Recruiters see hundreds of cover letters every week, so the introduction of your cover letter needs to stand out from the beginning. Start with your biggest “selling point” right up front to catch the reader’s attention and motivate them to keep reading.

You don’t have to waste any time with pleasantries. State your objective right away. After that, you can “wow” them with your accomplishments, such as your recruiting track record, or a brief overview about how you streamlined the onboarding process for a previous employer. 

If you have a referral or have met the reader at a job fair, for example, mention that in the introduction of your cover letter. The most important aspect of the introduction, however, is to ensure that the reader understands your enthusiasm for the role. That is what will make them think, “This is a great candidate!”

What should be mentioned in the cover letter body for a recruiter vacancy?

The body is the “meat and potatoes” of your recruiter cover letter, where you provide more details about your qualifications as a recruiter, your background, skills, achievements, and your unique selling point (USPs).

This can be a tall order in a limited amount of space, so a good way to approach it is to break it down into three different sections that answer the following questions:

1. Why you? Briefly outline your background and skills, including your education, achievements, and relevant work history. Mention your SHRM or other relevant recruiting certifications, segueing into your experience. Incorporate quantifiable achievements in your description when possible. Did you help the company reduce hiring costs or improve candidate screening accuracy? As you’re well aware, potential employers want to hire recruiters who can get things done, and the cover letter is a great place to demonstrate your skills.

2. Why here? What drew you to this opportunity? Have you been looking to move from a staffing agency to an in-house team? Are you intrigued by this company? Does their mission and values align with yours? You want to explain what you like about the company, while also letting them know why you’d be a great fit for their HR team.

3. Why now? Why are you applying for this position at this point in time? Is this a step on your way to Vice President of Human Resources? Do you want to work for a big corporation? Don’t be shy. Talk about your goals, career path, and how you’ve developed the track record and top-notch skills that make you the right person for this job.

Need more information? Check out our article on writing in a cover letter body.

How to write a recruiter cover letter closing

In the last few lines of your recruiter cover letter, you want to encourage the hiring recruiter to call you for an interview. You’ve probably read enough cover letters to know that you should keep this part concise—no more than two sentences—and thank them for their time and attention. 

Did any of those cover letters “seal the deal” and motivate you to get in touch with that applicant? That’s what you want to do! 

Let’s break down this closing into two parts:

• Connect your skills and experience to the position. Reiterate why you’d make a great addition to the team: “With my knack for identifying top talent, coupled with my strong networking skills and experience successfully implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives, I believe I would be an asset to your company.”

• Don’t forget a call to action (CTA). Encourage them to take your application to the next level: “I look forward to discussing how my skills and experience can benefit [Company name] and contribute to its ongoing talent acquisition.”

Need more help sealing the deal? Learn more here with our article on how to close a cover letter.

If you're looking for your next recruiter position, check out career.io’s state-of-the-art job board with advanced tracking metrics!