How to Write the First Paragraph of the Cover Letter?

Keep the first paragraph to just two sentences.

1. First sentence - where do you see the job ad?
2. Second sentence - why are you applying to this position?

NO MORE!

1st, Where

The recruiters are willing to know where you see the job ad.

They may have noticed it from the applicant tracking system - job board, third party, social media (LinkedIn), employment website, etc.

Think about the last time you heard them asking you this question during your interview. It’s rare. Time is limited. They want to focus more on getting to know the applicant than unnecessary questions.

But if you say it, they would appreciate it.

Where is the best spot to mention “I saw your posting in/on/at…"?

What about in the very first question, “Tell us about yourself?"

As I’ve discussed cover letter is a short version of “tell me about yourself”, that emphasize it in the cover letter is the best choice.

I always start my cover letter like this. You can use my template if you like it.

I read with great interest to your posting for a job position/title name at company name on where.

I read with great interest to you porting for a Customer Service Technician at XYZ Public Library on LinkedIn.

Bold or italicize the job title to catch attention.

2nd, Why

Why you are applying to this position, here’s tips for how to show your WHYs

Overall

For example: I have over 10 years of library working experience.
Or to be specific: I have over 10 years of experience working in library circulation service.

Write to match

If you are applying to a public library position, there’s no point to emphasize that you have over 3 years working in a legal library.

Unique ability

This unique ability must be work-related.

1. It could be your education, degree/certificate that can qualify you for this position;
2. It could be your specialty with cataloging experience over a position which requires cataloguing knowledge;
3. It could be a highlight of your past working experience that makes you standout. For example
   1. a successful and well-done project,
   2. an impactful decision,
   3. a percentage of materials been weeded,
   4. a committee you been a member of
   5. etc.

Numbers counts a lot!

Don’t hesitate to specify a number - 10% of collection, 50+ colleagues, etc.

Numbers are eye-catching!

One requirement from job ad

Grab one sentence from the job description that best describes you.

The Job ad normally includes the following sections (recruiters may label them differently)

• Position summary
• Responsibilities and duties
• Education summary
• Required knowledge/skills
• About the company

How to:

1. Exclude Position summary and About the company
2. Pick one sentence from Responsibilities and duties, Education summary and -Required knowledge/skills, that best describes you
3. Combine yourself with that sentence by adding “I” in the front

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2 Don’t❌

Don’t write soft skills

Don’t start the second sentence of the first paragraph with soft skills.

"I have unique communication/work under pressure/problem solving/research/professionalism/teamwork/attention to detail/ skills"

Don’t write that!

You can mention it in the 2nd or 3rd paragraph but don’t emphasize it here.

Let them get to the conclusion about how great your communication is!

Don’t write, “I’m the best candidate!”

Let them decide if you are the best qualified or best fit.

"I am the best qualified for this position" or "I am the best fit" - sentences like these should be avoided in all cover letter writing and interview process.

Remove the following:
My qualifications make me the perfect fit for this job
I’m highly suited for this position
I’m uniquely qualified for this role
My professional experience positions me as the best choice for this job
I am the most suitable candidate for this position

Instead, you can write it in a humble way:

I am confident that my education background and professional working experience make me competitive for this position

Much better to say I’m the perfect fit.