Embarking on your return to the workforce, you've likely started the job application process and noticed the need for a compelling cover letter. This crucial document shouldn't mimic your resume. Instead, it should highlight a significant achievement—your professional pride and joy—in a captivating story. Aim for a formal tone, steering clear of overused clichés, and remember, brevity is key: your cover letter should make a strong impression on a single page.
- Step your best foot forward in the returning to workforce cover letter introduction;
- Be inspired by other professionals' certified cover letters;
- Structure your returning to workforce cover letter to feature what matters most;
- Close off your returning to workforce cover letter to make a memorable impression on recruiters.
But where to start writing? Upload your resume into Enhancv's AI, which will prepare your returning to workforce cover letter (all you need to do is personalize it, and you'll be good to go).
If the returning to workforce isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:
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Returning to workforce cover letter example
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- Highlighting tangible achievements, as with the example of the automated recruitment system implementation, is essential as it emphasizes the candidate's ability to deliver results that could directly benefit the potential employer.
- Expressing a strong understanding of the company's culture and values can set the candidate apart and show that they are a good fit not just professionally but also personally and culturally.
- Offering specifics, such as reducing hiring time by 40%, provides measurable evidence of the candidate's impact in previous roles, which is persuasive evidence of potential future contributions.
- Directly stating intent to discuss the alignment of experience with the prospective employer’s needs encourages the hiring manager to envision the candidate in the role and move forward to the interview stage.
Designing your returning to workforce cover letter: what is the best format
Let's start with the basics, your returning to workforce cover letter should include your:
- Header
- Greeting
- Introduction
- Body paragraph
- Closing statement
- Signature (that's not a must)
Next, we'll move to the spacing of your returning to workforce cover letter, and yes, it should be single-spaced (automatically formatted for you in our cover letter templates).
Don't go for a old-school font (e.g. Arial or Times New Roman), but instead, pick an ATS-favorite like Chivo, Volkhov, or Raleway, to stand out.
Our cover letter builder is also set up for you with the standard one-inch margin, all around the text.
Finally, ensure your returning to workforce resume and cover letter are in the same font and are submitted in PDF (to keep the formatting in place).
P.S. The Applicant Tracker System (or ATS) won't be assessing your [job] cover letter, it's solely for the recruiters' eyes.
The top sections on a returning to workforce cover letter
Header with Contact Information: This should include your full name, phone number, email, and the date, ensuring the recruiter knows how to quickly contact you and recognize the timeliness of your application.
Professional Greeting: Personalize your cover letter by addressing the hiring manager by name if possible; this shows you've done your research and are serious about the position.
Introduction: State your intent to rejoin the workforce, mention the specific job title you are applying for, and give a brief explanation of your career pause, setting the stage for your qualifications and eagerness to return.
Body Highlighting Relevant Experience and Skills: Focus on your previous experience and skills that are applicable to the job, emphasizing any activities during your career break that have kept your skills sharp or relevant volunteer work that demonstrates your commitment and knowledge.
Closing and Call to Action: Conclude by summarizing your enthusiasm for the role, why you would be a great fit, and include a proactive statement expressing your desire to discuss your qualifications further in an interview.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
You have not specified a particular job title for which to provide the key qualities, experiences, and traits unique to the role. Please provide the job title or industry in question for a tailored list.
How to address hiring managers in your returning to workforce cover letter greeting
Goodbye, "Dear Sir/Madam" or "To whom it may concern!"
The salutation of your returning to workforce cover letter is how you kick off your professional communication with the hiring managers.
And you want it to start off a bit more personalized and tailored, to catch the recruiters' attention.
Take the time to find out who's recruiting for the role (via LinkedIn or the company page).
If you have previously chatted or emailed the hiring managers, address them on a first or last name basis.
The alternative is a "Dear HR team" or "Dear Hiring Manger", but remember that a "Dear Ms. Simmons" or "Dear Simon," could get you farther ahead than an impersonal greeting.
List of salutations you can use
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear [Company Name] Team,
- Dear [Department Name] Hiring Team,
- Dear [Mr./Ms. Last Name],
- Dear Search Committee,
- Dear Talent Acquisition Team,
The returning to workforce cover letter introduction: focusing on your unique value, with a creative twist
You are not the only one wondering how to start your returning to workforce cover letter. Those first two sentences introduce your profile and should be memorable.
No pressure.
When beginning your returning to workforce cover letter, immediately point out the unique value of working with you. In other words, what you promise to bring to the role by using your past track record of success.
Start your returning to workforce cover letter with a creative twist by telling a joke or stating something relatable. Select this type of introduction only if it aligns with the company culture.
What to write in the middle or body of your returning to workforce cover letter
Here's where it gets tricky.
Your returning to workforce cover letter body should present you in the best light possible and, at the same time, differ from your resume.
Don't be stuck in making up new things or copy-pasting from your resume. Instead, select just one achievement from your experience.
Use it to succinctly tell a story of the job-crucial skills and knowledge this taught you.
Your returning to workforce cover letter is the magic card you need to further show how any organization or team would benefit from working with you.
Closing remarks to end your returning to workforce cover letter
Of course, you'll have to show gratitude to the recruiters, who have assessed your profile at the end of your returning to workforce cover letter .
A "Thank you for the consideration" would work wonders, instead of the standard "Sincerely yours".
Do you want to make an even better impression?
Close off your returning to workforce cover letter by promising how you see yourself excelling in the role and the positive impact you'd bring about.
A sentence that encourages some further action on the recruiter's end could also be a good way to close off the communication (e.g. provide your availability for an interview).
Lacking experience: here's how to write your returning to workforce cover letter
As a candidate with no experience, it's important to be honest from the get-go of your application.
Use your returning to workforce cover letter to sell your unique talents. Choose an accomplishment from your academic background or your volunteer work to show the skills that are relevant to the role.
Focus on your career objectives and how you see the job to align with them. Be specific and, at the same time, realistic about where you picture yourself in five years.
Key takeaways
Summarizing the most important aspects in writing your returning to workforce cover letter, remember to:
- Create a personalized returning to workforce cover letter for each role you apply for, that includes the recruiter's name in the salutation;
- Format your returning to workforce cover letter with single-spacing, one-inch margins, and a modern, yet ATS-friendly font;
- Always start off your returning to workforce cover letter with two sentences that reflect what is most important about your application;
- Your returning to workforce cover letter body should feature your biggest accomplishments and the job-relevant skills it has taught you;
- Instead of opting for the "Sincerely yours" ending, close your returning to workforce cover letter with a nod to the future with what you aim to achieve in this potential role.
