Summary:
In this article, I show you what a well-written cover letter should be. I show how to write a cover letter in Nigeria that gets you more interviews.
Then, provide you with the most important cover letter tips. And show winning cover letter examples that have proven effective for many job seekers.
Your cover letter should instantly capture the recruiter’s attention. It should compel them to desire to meet you. This guide covers everything you need to nail it.
Ready to ace your next job application? Let’s get started.
How to Write A Cover Letter in Nigeria: The Art That Gets You More Interviews
When writing your cover letter, present yourself as the best fit for the job. Here’s a simple process that works all the time, and for every job:
-
Decide on what cover letter style to use selecting from CVJury’s different approaches. For example, those for ‘Graduates, Young Professionals, and Entry-Level Workers.’ Or those for ‘Mid-Career Professionals,’ and ‘Experienced Professionals, Managers, and Executives.’
-
Begin with a heading section that includes your contact information and official title.
-
Move on to a warm salutation and a caption (e.g., Software Engineer Vacancy − Ref. #346563H)
-
Start strong with an engaging and non-generic introduction.
-
Follow up with the main body where you showcase your qualifications and unique selling point.
-
Wrap it up with a clear call to action.
-
Finish with a formal sign-off.
-
Use free Grammarly to fix grammar and spelling issues. The Hemingway app can also help you improve your texts’ readability.
As you read on, I will break down how to structure the key sections of your cover letter, along with real examples to inspire you.
Key Takeaways
Tailor your cover letter to the specific job and company you’re applying for.
Address the recruiter by name in your salutation to create a personal connection right from the start.
Grab the recruiter’s attention with a compelling introduction that expresses genuine enthusiasm for the role and the company.
In the body of your cover letter, highlight 2 or 3 quantifiable accomplishments. Showcase your value. Then link them to how you can contribute to the position.
Close with a confident call to action that encourages the recruiter to contact you.
Your cover letter should be concise (one-page long) and carefully proofread.
Want to save time and have your cover letter ready in minutes? Try the CVJury cover letter builder. It’s fast, personalised, and easy to use.
What is a Cover Letter?
A cover letter is a formal document that gives extra details about your skills and experience, typically sent along with a resume or CV.
It is often the first thing a potential employer notices about a job candidate. Thus, it is important to make a good impression.
A cover letter is not a copy of your resume, but rather a sales pitch that will help you get an interview.
Understanding the Basics of a Cover Letter
Research shows that job seekers who customise their cover letters for each position are about 40% more likely to land an interview. This is compared to those who use generic letters or skip them altogether.
Plus, hiring managers recommend that cover letters should be one page long, as they are quick and easy to scan.
In other words, when you write an application letter, you need to impress the recruiter enough on that one page to make them want to meet you in person.
So, what basic elements must you include in this important one-page to make it count?
Your cover letter should have the following sections:
a professional header: your name and contact information (phone number and email).
personalised salutation: address the hiring manager by name. If unavailable, direct your greeting to the department team.
a compelling introduction: since it’s your first paragraph, make sure to start with a strong and impactful statement of intent.
body: 2-3 paragraphs that talk about your skills and achievements, and why you’re the best candidate for the job.
a strong call to action: as your closing paragraph, should prompt the hiring manager or recruiter to invite you in for an interview.
Preparing to Write Your Cover Letter
“If I had 10 hours to cut down a tree, I’d spend the first 9 sharpening my axe,” says Abraham Lincoln. Well, the same idea applies to crafting a great cover letter.
The more time you invest in preparing—researching the company, understanding the job description, using relevant keywords, and organizing your ideas—the more polished and effective your cover letter will be when you start writing.
Research and Understand the Company and Job Role
Researching the company is something you should do before writing a cover letter.
The essence is to know the organisation and job role you’re applying for, ensuring that your prospective employer notices your application amongst others.
Use specific language and examples from your research to show how your qualifications and years of experience position you as a good fit for the job and the company.
Research the company to see if you agree with its values.
Structuring and Formatting Your Cover Letter
With the right structure and formatting, your cover letter will look official. It will communicate your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role spot on.
A well-organised cover letter makes it easier for the recruiter to read. It also helps you present your ideas with clarity and presents you as a thoughtful person.
Format and Lay Out Your Cover Letter
When writing an effective cover letter in Nigeria, it is important to consider how it is formatted and laid out.
A letter with good formatting is easy to read and looks nice, which can help make a good impression on the employer.
Use a professional font, such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman, and a font size of 10-12 points.
Using standard 1-inch margins and aligning your text to the left is better.
Use good spacing so that your cover letter is easy to read.
Writing Your Cover Letter
This is where you can showcase your personality and make a memorable impression that makes you stand out from the crowd.
Avoid the temptation of sounding generic. Nothing is interesting about sounding like everyone else.
Every sentence and paragraph should give the recruiter a deeper insight into your personality and how you’d fit into their team.
Address the Heading of Your Letter
It’s vital to include a proper header in your cover letter, with your name, contact information, and address on the right side. The hiring manager’s name, title, company name, and company address on the left side are the other items to add.
Use a formal greeting, addressing the hiring manager or recruiter by name and title if possible.
Introduction: Describe Your Interest
Your introduction should describe your interests, but it must be brief, giving your prospective employers reasons why you are the most suitable candidate for the role.
Introduce yourself and state the position you are applying for.
Describe Your Relevant Experiences and Qualifications
The next few paragraphs of your letter should highlight your experience, qualifications, and skills, and how they align with the company’s goals and mission.
Showcase your relevant skills and experiences, and explain how they position you as a good fit for the role and the culture of the hiring company.
Include Key Aspects that Will Make You Stand Out
When writing your cover letter, consider how you’ll be able to combine some aspects of your personality in relation to the position to make you stand out.
Tell the hiring manager what fuels your interest in the job and how you can help the company achieve its goals.
Express Gratitude
Before you close your letter, appreciate the hiring manager for reviewing your letter and considering you for the position.
Thank the employer for giving you the chance to apply and for taking the time to read it.
Tips and Best Practices for Writing a Cover Letter
First, have confidence in your worth and believe that you are the best fit for the role. Then, craft your cover letter in a way that clearly conveys this conviction to the hiring manager.
Avoid clichés as much as possible. There’s nothing more underwhelming than using terms or phrases that have been over-flogged.
The average recruiter has sifted through thousands of job applications, so you can bet they’re tired of encountering buzzwords like “hardworking,” “team player,” “motivated,” and “results-driven,” or phrases like “dear hiring manager”, “thank you for considering me”, or “I’m writing to apply,” etc.
Be enthusiastic by using positive language and power words. But be careful not to come across as desperate.
Don’t make it all about you. Your cover letter shouldn’t be based on what ‘‘you’ want. It’s all about what the company wants.
Dos and Don’ts of Writing a Cover Letter in Nigeria
Research the company and the hiring manager before writing your cover letter.
Address the letter to the right person and tailor it to the specific position and company.
Use a formal and business-like tone.
Pay attention to Nigeria’s culture and habits.
Avoid duplicating your resume, focusing on weaknesses, and making grammatical errors.
Cover Letter Examples and Templates
Ready to browse some effective cover letter examples and templates? See various samples and styles that might just give you the inspiration you need to get started.
Job-Specific Cover Letters
Browse our cover letter examples library, listed by job title and categorized by industry.
Find the perfect cover letter example for your job search needs.
Use our job-specific cover letters to tailor your application and increase your chances of getting noticed.
3 Professional Cover Letter Examples (For Graduates, Young Professionals, and Entry-Level Workers)
Below are real-life examples of entry-level cover letters that you can use for inspiration as you craft your own.
Example 1*: University graduate cover letter
*(Download Word version of the 9 best cover letter examples for job seekers in Nigeria)
Why it’s an excellent cover letter template
Olumide presented himself as a smart, rising young PR professional, making the employer see his current and future value. His letter is enthusiastic, mentions a pertinent internship, and effectively outlines 4 skill sets that align with the position.
Example 2: An Entry-Level Worker (Word file download)
Why it’s an excellent cover letter
The “T-style” letter has been used for years. This letter includes 3 specific and compelling reasons why hiring him should be a wise choice. The formatting is crisp, and clean, and directs attention to the correlation between what the employer needs and what the candidate can offer. It’s also an effective way of promising a follow-up phone call.
Example 3: Young Professional Cover Letter (Word file download)
Why it’s an excellent cover letter template
This letter presents Faɗimatu as a capable and enthusiastic candidate, highlighting her management skills, community engagement, and alignment with Jollof Mart’s values.
3 Effective Cover Letter Examples (For Mid-Career Professionals)
Take a look at these cover letter examples created for mid-career professionals who get results in Nigeria.
Example 4: Mid-Career Professional Cover Letter (Word file download)
Why it’s an excellent cover letter
The letter format captures immediate attention with a bold and relevant headline at the top. The letter itself is short and powerful, highlighting exceptional achievements that demonstrate consistent success in sales, the #1 qualification for the advertised position. Note the assertive closing—entirely appropriate for a salesperson.
Example 5: Mid-Career Professional Cover Letter (Word file download)
Why it’s an excellent cover letter
The story of Hadiza’s prior position is compelling: She helped grow a small business into a ₦10M company that was successfully sold. For certain, that story will capture the interest of the employer. Notice how each paragraph and bullet point is tightly written to make the entire letter very easy to read.
Example 6: Mid-Career Professional Cover Letter (Word file download)
Why it’s an excellent cover letter
The letter beautifully balances content, structure, and design to create an inviting message that is sure to catch the recruiter’s attention. Note the P.S. that promises something unique and valuable if the recruiter takes the time to meet with this candidate.
3 Professional Cover Letter Examples (For Experienced Professionals, Managers, and Executives)
Here are three quality cover letter examples to help you create your own. Check them out for some inspiration.
Example 7: Experienced Professionals, Managers, and Executives Cover Letter (Word file download)
Why it’s an excellent cover letter
The theme of “challenges and opportunities” specific to the hospitality industry is introduced in the first paragraph and carried through the entire letter. Four strong bullet points provide specific examples that will greatly interest the reader and demonstrate what this job seeker, Kola, can deliver.
Example 8: Experienced Professionals, Managers, and Executives Cover Letter (Word file download)
Why it’s an excellent cover letter
The chart showing sales results is the most striking feature of this letter. The reader can see that Usman has increased sales every year for 5 consecutive years. The remaining content clearly emphasises additional value in customer relations and marketing—both extremely important.
Example 9: Experienced Professionals, Managers, and Executives Cover Letter
Why it’s an excellent cover letter
The side-by-side comparison instantly shows how this candidate has performed relevant to very specific expectations in the job posting. The letter is easy to skim and communicates value and success.
Finalising and Submitting Your Application Letter
Congrats! You’ve made it to the final step in the cover letter writing process.
Now it’s just about pulling everything together and putting on those finishing touches.
Choosing the Right Font and Format
PDF – Portable document format.
This is a file format for capturing and sending electronic documents in exactly the intended format.
Use a simple, professional font, such as Arial or Helvetica, 10 to 12 points in size.
Submitting Your Application Letter
If the job posting says to include your application letter and CV as an attachment, you can easily attach PDF files to your email message.
Use a formal and professional email address and subject line.
Always save and submit your cover letter as a PDF to make sure it looks the same no matter who downloads it. This way, the formatting stays intact.
How to Write an Effective Cover Letter for Fresh Graduates
As a fresh graduate with limited work experience, you can still write a standout cover letter that presents you as a strong candidate.
Here are the top 5 tips to make a positive and memorable first impression of you to the hiring manager even as a fresh graduate:
1. Focus on transferable skills you’ve gained through internships, volunteer work, or class projects. You probably have more to offer than you realise.
2. Show genuine enthusiasm for the role and your eagerness to learn. Employers appreciate someone excited to grow and develop the skills or knowledge needed to excel.
3. Start strong by mentioning your degree and why you’re passionate about this job or company. A confident and engaging opening can make a big difference.
4. Don’t be shy about mentioning your academic achievements. Whether it’s a specific project, an award, or a leadership role, these show you’re ready to contribute.
5. Tailor your letter to the company by connecting its values or mission to your own goals. This shows you’ve done your homework and genuinely expressed your interest in the company.
What Experiences Can a Fresh Graduate Reference in Their Application Letter?
As a fresh graduate, you may not have much experience in the workforce to write an application.
This can make building a CV and writing an application letter challenging.
Highlight any relevant coursework, projects, or internships that demonstrate your skills and potential for the job.
It’s Your Time To Shine: Ace Your Next Cover Letter
You now have an effective cover letter formula that catches the recruiter’s eye. It’s time to put it into action.
Whether you’re a fresh graduate, an experienced professional, or somewhere in between, the steps in this article are straightforward. They are proven to work for every job application.
Start with a header that contains your contact information. Greet the hiring manager warmly. Include a caption that references the position you’re applying for.
Then, create an engaging introduction that grabs attention right away.
In the body of your letter, showcase your qualifications and highlight what makes you unique. Don’t forget to finish strong with a clear, confident call to action, followed by a professional sign-off.
That’s it! You now have the roadmap to write a killer cover letter that will get you noticed. And one to bring you a step closer to landing your dream job.
So go ahead. Take a deep breath, and make it happen.
Still Not Sure Where to Start?
Let’s not pretend that writing a great cover letter doesn’t feel overwhelming at first, but the good news is you don’t have to tackle it alone.
Whether you need a little inspiration or a guiding hand, there are plenty of tools and resources available.
If you’re short on time or feeling stuck, don’t worry. You can use the CVJury best cover letter generator to create a standout cover letter for any job quickly.
It’s a fast, easy way to finish it and still make a great impression.
References
- Wendy Enelow and Louise Kursmark (2017). Modernize Your Job Search Letters Get, Noticed… Get Hired. Emerald Career Publishing, USA.
- How To Be More Memorable In Your Next Job Interview
- CEO shares the make-or-break interview question he always asks: Candidates ‘don’t get the job’ if they answer wrong.
