You’ve just sent the same cover letter to 60 different job roles, all beginning with “Dear Sir or Madam” and ending with 'Yours sincerely.'
Bad news: you may have just missed your chance to stand out, as generic cover letters are a very common pitfall in job applications.
Did you know recruiters typically shortlist candidates based on how well they meet the job criteria? Failing to address the key requirements can cost you the role.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to tailor your cover letter to align with the job advert or company, ensuring you showcase your value as a candidate.
Cover letter examples for human resources
Explore additional human resources cover letter samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
By Experience
Entry-Level Human Resources Professional
- Highlight Quantifiable Achievements: The cover letter effectively uses statistics to demonstrate the candidate's impact, such as a 20% increase in diversity hires and a 15% rise in employee satisfaction, which provides concrete evidence of success in HR initiatives.
- Relevant Professional Experience: The candidate outlines relevant job roles within reputable companies, showcasing a clear career progression in HR and aligning past experiences with the requirements of a HR professional role.
- Emphasis on Soft and Hard Skills: The applicant highlights a well-rounded skill set, from effective communication and decision-making to data analysis and HRIS proficiency, which are critical for success in HR management.
- Educational Credentials and Certifications: The cover letter mentions a Master's degree in Human Resource Management and specific courses like Advanced HR Analytics, aligning educational background with industry standards and expectations in human resources.
Senior Human Resources Professional
- Industry-Specific Experience: The cover letter effectively highlights Ruby Gibson's extensive experience in HR roles within leading companies like Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, and GKN Aerospace, which are highly relevant for a role focused on strategic HR management and talent development in industrial settings.
- Quantifiable Achievements: It smartly presents quantifiable results, such as boosting employee retention by 25% and increasing productivity by 20%, which demonstrate the candidate's proven track record and effectiveness in achieving HR objectives and impacting the company's bottom line.
- Continuous Professional Development: The inclusion of advanced HR courses like the 'Advanced HR Management Practices' and 'Strategic Talent Acquisition Certification' underscores a commitment to ongoing professional development, showcasing up-to-date expertise and value to potential employers.
- Focus on Diversity and Wellbeing: By expressing a passion for employee wellbeing and diversity and inclusion, the cover letter aligns with contemporary organisational values and trends, appealing to employers seeking to foster a supportive and inclusive work environment.
By Role
Human Resources Manager
- Highlighting specialised skills and certifications: The cover letter emphasises certifications relevant to the HR field, such as the Change Management Certification and the CIPD course, which enhances credibility and showcases expertise in managing organisational change and employee relations.
- Showcasing quantifiable achievements: It includes specific metrics to demonstrate the applicant's success, such as a 20% increase in case resolution efficiency and a 30% improvement in employee engagement scores, effectively illustrating the value they can bring to the role.
- Detailing relevant experience: The cover letter effectively outlines progressive HR roles, illustrating a clear career trajectory and experience in addressing complex HR challenges in well-known companies like GSK, Tesco, and Sainsbury's.
- Emphasising leadership and strategic capabilities: Descriptions of leading teams and strategic planning demonstrate leadership skills, strategic thinking, and problem-solving capabilities, which are crucial for a senior HR position.
Human Resources Assistant
- Relevant Experience: The cover letter highlights a variety of HR roles, demonstrating a solid career progression in HR with experience in notable companies such as Willis Towers Watson, HSBC, and Barclays. This shows a depth of industry knowledge and dedication to the HR field.
- Process Improvement Achievements: Quantifiable achievements, such as reducing onboarding time by 20% and increasing candidate satisfaction scores by 15%, provide tangible evidence of the applicant's ability to improve processes effectively and contribute to company success.
- Skill Prioritisation: Key skills and certifications relevant to the HR role, including a CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate and Advanced Excel for Business Reporting, are highlighted to affirm the candidate's proficiency in HR practices and data management.
- Passion for HR Innovation: Stating a passion for HR innovation and creating inclusive workplace environments underscores the applicant's alignment with contemporary HR values, making her well-suited for forward-thinking organisations.
Human Resources Coordinator
- Certifications and Courses: Highlighting the CIPD Level 5 Award in HR Management shows the candidate's dedication to ongoing professional development, which is crucial for a role focused on HR processes.
- Key Achievements: Mentioning specific results, like improving employee engagement through revamped onboarding processes, provides tangible evidence of the candidate's impact in previous roles.
- Relevant Experience: Detailing coordination of employee benefits and liaising with payroll departments showcases essential skills for an HR Coordinator role, emphasising the candidate's expertise in pivotal HR functions.
- Passions and Interests: Expressing interests such as 'Sustainability in Business Practices' and 'Cultural Diversity & Inclusion' aligns personal values with the modern workforce focus on sustainable and inclusive practices.
Human Resources Analyst
- Highlight Specific Experience: The cover letter effectively showcases EVA Fisher's experience in HR roles, such as their leadership in increasing qualified applicants by 25% and reducing hiring costs by 15%. These specific achievements demonstrate tangible improvements in recruitment and HR functions, relevant to a specialist role.
- Key Skills and Certifications: Mentioning the Advanced HR Practices Certification from CIPD shows potential employers that Eva possesses essential skills and knowledge in modern HR strategies, which is crucial for any HR specialist role.
- Use of Metrics: Eva effectively incorporates quantifiable results, such as enhancing employee productivity by 30% and resolving 95% of employee relations cases without escalation. This makes the achievements more compelling and impactful.
- Alignment with Organisational Goals: The cover letter aligns Eva's skills and past achievements, like reducing audit findings by 40% and improving leadership effectiveness by 30%, with the potential needs of the organisation, demonstrating their strategic approach.
Human Resources Generalist
- Quantifiable Achievements: The cover letter includes specific metrics, such as improving employee engagement by 30% and reducing recruitment time by 25%, which provide tangible proof of the applicant's effectiveness in HR roles.
- HRIS Proficiency: Highlighting skills and achievements related to HRIS systems, such as enhanced utilisation reducing paperwork errors by 50%, underscores the candidate's technical aptitude, valuable for modern HR functions.
- Employee Relations Expertise: Emphasising experience in conflict resolution and improving employee relations, including implementing programmes that decreased turnover by 12%, showcases core competencies essential for an HR role.
- Education and Professional Development: The mention of a Master's degree in Business Administration and specific courses, like 'Advanced Employee Relations,' indicates a strong educational foundation and ongoing professional improvement.
Human Resources Specialist
- Highlighting Relevant Experience: The cover letter effectively emphasises Ruby Gibson's experience in HR roles, especially at IQVIA, where she led recruitment drives and enhanced team productivity, which is crucial for the role of an HR Specialist.
- Showcasing Key Achievements: Notable achievements such as reducing hiring costs by 20% and increasing employee engagement scores by 25% are highlighted, illustrating Ruby's ability to drive organisational improvements.
- Relevant Certifications and Education: The inclusion of a Professional Recruitment Certification from CIPD and an Advanced HR Analytics Course demonstrate Ruby's commitment to staying informed about advanced recruitment strategies and data-driven HR decision-making.
- Passion and Interest Alignment: The mention of a keen interest in AI in HR demonstrates Ruby's forward-thinking approach, aligning with modern HR trends and the potential for innovating HR processes.
Human Resources Business Partner
- Highlighting expertise in HR Strategy: The cover letter effectively showcases Ruby's extensive experience in devising and executing HR strategies that align with organisational goals, citing specific achievements like a 15% increase in employee engagement and a 25% reduction in attrition rates.
- Emphasis on Organisational Design and Change Management: Ruby underscores her ability to lead change management initiatives and improve organisational performance by mentioning successful projects such as enhancing process efficiency by 20% and reducing redundancies by 10%.
- Certification Relevance: Mentioning courses like "Advanced Employment Law" demonstrates Ruby's commitment to staying current with essential HR legal frameworks, which is crucial for maintaining compliance and supporting employee relations in a strategic HR role.
- Results-Driven Approach: The cover letter details quantifiable outcomes from Ruby's initiatives, such as a 24% increase in employee productivity and effective leadership program implementation, which are essential for demonstrating impact and success in the HR Business Partner role.
Human Resources Advisor
- Highlighting CIPD accreditation demonstrates a recognised standard of HR expertise, relevant for professional growth in the HR sector.
- Emphasising experience in developing and implementing HR policies shows capability in creating impactful changes within legal or professional settings.
- Showcasing achievements, such as a 30% improvement in retention rates, illustrates result-driven strategies that enhance organisational performance.
- Detailing specific skills such as HRIS administration and performance review management positions the candidate as a meticulous and tech-savvy HR professional.
Human Resources Officer
- Highlight Relevant Experience: The cover letter effectively emphasises Jack Taylor's specific experience in HR roles, such as his current position as HR Officer and previous consultancy role at Deloitte, showcasing his extensive background in the field.
- Emphasise Key Achievements: The cover letter details significant achievements, such as reducing employee turnover by 35% and being awarded HR Team of the Year, which provides tangible evidence of Jack's impact in the organisations he has worked for.
- Focus on Relevant Skills and Certifications: The cover letter highlights Jack's HR compliance expertise, supported by his HR Legal Compliance Certification, demonstrating his capability and commitment to staying compliant with industry standards.
- Include Passion and Community Engagement: The inclusion of passions such as community engagement and educational equity provides a personal touch, aligning Jack's personal values with the values of potential employers seeking community-driven initiatives.
Human Resources Administrator
- Emphasising relevant experience, such as Ethan's 5 years in HR administration, which presents him as a seasoned professional well-acquainted with industry practices.
- Highlighting specific achievements, like the 40% decrease in new staff ramp-up time through streamlined onboarding, to demonstrate Ethan's impact and efficiency in HR processes.
- Articulating key skills aligned with the role's requirements, such as Employee Records Management and HR Compliance, to reinforce Ethan's capability to handle the job's responsibilities effectively.
- Including notable achievements, such as improving compliance rates to 97%, to showcase Ethan's proactive approach and ability to enhance company operations.
Human Resources Operations Manager
- Quantifiable achievements: The cover letter effectively highlights specific accomplishments, such as a 150% increase in operational productivity and a 25% increase in client acquisitions, providing tangible evidence of success and impact.
- Relevant experience: Emphasising the candidate's experience in managing and optimising financial and operational systems directly relates to the core requirements of the operations manager role.
- Targeted skills: The inclusion of key skills such as strategic planning, budgeting, and human resources management aligns well with the responsibilities expected of an operations manager in a dynamic environment.
- Relevant education: Holding an MBA in Business Administration and a Bachelor's degree in Business Management supports qualifications for senior operational roles, underlining academic commitment to the field.
Human Resources Project Manager
- Highlight Relevant Experience: Freya Richardson effectively showcases her 10 years of experience in HR change management and financial services, emphasising her proven track record in enhancing processes and improving stakeholder satisfaction, which aligns well with the role of Project Manager in HR change management.
- Specify Measurable Achievements: The cover letter includes quantifiable achievements, such as increasing efficiency by 20% in HR operations and improving compliance by 10%, demonstrating her ability to deliver tangible results.
- Notable Certifications: Highlighting certifications such as the Certified Change Management Professional and Workday Human Capital Management Certification showcases her specialised knowledge and commitment to furthering her expertise in HR change management.
- Emphasise Key Skills and Competencies: The letter mentions essential skills and competencies, like project management, stakeholder management, and system implementation, which are crucial for HR change initiatives, reinforcing her suitability for the role.
Human Resources Training Manager
- Emphasis on Strategy and Development: Highlight your strategic HR planning expertise, suggesting your suitability for roles requiring foresight and effective staff development initiatives.
- Quantifiable Achievements: Use metrics to illustrate your successes, such as increased staff retention and reduced hiring times, which demonstrate tangible contributions to organisational success.
- Professional Courses and Education: Mention industry-relevant courses and degrees that reinforce your theoretical and practical understanding of human resources, making you an attractive candidate for knowledge-intensive HR roles.
- Relationship and Negotiation Skills: Showcase experiences in advising executives and negotiating agreements, underlining your ability to manage complex interpersonal dynamics in a business setting.
Human Resources Development Manager
- Emphasise specific achievements using quantifiable metrics, such as a 25% increase in employee satisfaction or a 15% rise in diversity metrics, to demonstrate your impact in previous roles.
- Highlight relevant experience in change management and talent development, showcasing your ability to drive organisational improvements and support leadership growth effectively.
- Include certifications or courses completed, such as in advanced HR analytics or leadership and change project management, to showcase your continuous professional development and specialised knowledge.
- Mention language proficiency, especially in widely used languages like Spanish, to highlight your ability to operate in multicultural and diverse work environments.
Chief Human Resources Officer
- Highlight the Professional Administrative Certificate of Excellence as a solid foundation for enhancing organisational effectiveness and technology integration skills, critical for a Team Administrator role.
- Emphasise the demonstrated ability to improve organisational efficiency through strategic vendor negotiations and process improvements, as seen in their past achievements at Deloitte and HSBC.
- Underscore international event coordination experience, where logistics management skills improved attendee satisfaction, crucial for roles involving event planning and coordination.
- Showcase advanced proficiency in technologies like Microsoft Office Suite and digital filing systems, which are pivotal in managing modern administrative tasks effectively.
Human Resources cover letter example
Ruby Gibson
Liverpool, UK
+44 1234 567890
help@enhancv.com
To the Human Resources Department,
I am writing to express my interest in the Human Resources role at your company in Liverpool. With an extensive background in HR strategies and a proven track record at PwC and Accenture, I admire your innovative approach toward employee engagement and operational efficiency.
At PwC, I led a team to overhaul the onboarding process, reducing the procedure time by 30%, thereby driving quicker and more efficient employee assimilation into the company while maintaining compliance with all legal standards. This achievement underscores my ability to enhance processes through strategic planning and systems improvement, directly translating into increased productivity and satisfaction rates by 35%.
I believe my skills in managing complex HR projects and implementing cutting-edge engagement programs could significantly benefit your team. I welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience and insights can contribute to your company's continued success. Thank you for considering my application. Please feel free to contact me to arrange a convenient time for an interview.
Sincerely,
Ruby Gibson, Human Resources Professional
What sets this cover letter apart:
- Tangible Achievements: Highlight specific accomplishments, such as the 30% reduction in onboarding process time, to demonstrate your effectiveness and the positive impact you've had in previous roles.
- Skills in Process Improvement: Emphasize your ability to enhance operational efficiencies, which is crucial for HR roles focused on optimizing processes and boosting productivity.
- Experience with Employee Engagement Programs: Mention any involvement in successful engagement initiatives, as this is key for roles that require maintaining high employee motivation and satisfaction.
- Connection to Company Values: Tailor the cover letter to reflect the company's innovative approach towards employee engagement, showing alignment with their values and goals to establish cultural fit.
Importance of cover letters in the United Kingdom
Cover letters are a vital part of professional job applications, helping shape recruiters' first impression of your profile.
Here’s why they’re important:
- Indicates your genuine interest: A well-researched cover letter reflects your knowledge of the company and role.
- Professionalism from the outset: Employers expect your cover letter to be structured, polite, and formal. If you wish to add a more personalised touch, be sure to address your recipient directly.
- Capture the recruiters' attention: For most roles, candidates tend to have rather similar experience, which is why you should use your cover letter to explain what is unique about your profile.
What UK employers expect from a cover letter
Your UK employers will appreciate your application if you've taken the effort to tailor your cover letter to their job requirements.
Here’s how to ensure yours ticks all the right boxes:
- Research the company thoroughly: It's not enough to have only read the job advert. Look into the company's history, products, services, and recent achievements to demonstrate your genuine interest and knowledge.
- Connect with the company’s values: Every company has core principles that shape its culture and operations. Identify these values and use your cover letter to show how they align with your professional conduct and ethics.
- Emphasise your relevant skills: Highlight specific skills that match the job description and are most in demand. Use examples from your previous experience to support your claims and set yourself apart from other candidates.
How to format a human resources cover letter
Before diving into the content, the structure of your cover letter should include the following elements:
- Your address and contact details
- The employer’s name and address
- Date
- Salutation or greeting
- Opening or introductory paragraph
- Middle or body paragraphs
- Closing paragraph
- Sign-off and signature
When it comes to the best font choice, consider modern options like Lato, Rubik, Raleway, Volkhov, Chivo, or Bitter as alternatives to Arial or Times New Roman.
Your cover letter should be single-spaced, with approximately 1-inch (2.5 cm) margins all around (our templates are set up automatically with this spacing in mind).
Ensure your CV and cover letter use the same font for consistency, and always send them as a PDF to prevent edits and maintian formatting.
Lastly, while Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS—the software used to match your application to set requirements) won't read your cover letter, recruiters certainly will, so make sure it stands out.
How to write your human resources cover letter salutation
First impressions often start with the greeting and in the case of your job application, 'Dear Sir or Madam' simply won't suffice.
Find out who’s hiring for the role—by calling or emailing the company, searching online, or using LinkedIn—and address them correctly.
Generally, you should address them by their surname (e.g., 'Dear Mrs Weasley'), but if you've spoken to them before, you might use their first name (e.g., 'Dear Albus').
How to write your human resources cover letter intro
A great option to begin your cover letter is by showing recruiters you've done your homework or research.
If the company has won an award or made headlines, congratulate them in your opening sentence, or express how impressed you are.
Provide this achievement as a reason why you admire the company, ensuring your tone remains genuine, sincere, and authentic.
Cover Letter Intro
Having closely followed [Company Name]'s commitment to fostering inclusive work environments, I am drawn to the opportunity to contribute to your visionary team in the Human Resources role, where I can leverage my extensive experience in crafting tailored employee development programmes.
RIGHT
How to write your human resources cover letter body
Your cover letter body is the most spacious and vital part of this document—it highlights your true value and the impact you can bring as a candidate.
Remember, your cover letter serves a different purpose to your CV. Here, you need to show your skills in context by telling the story of one significant achievement, hinting at how you’ll help your future employer achieve their goals.
So, when writing your cover letter body:
- Use concrete achievements to demonstrate your personality and impact.
- Support your achievements with quantifiable data and metrics.
- Tell the story of a successful project you’ve worked on and explain how you contributed to the outcome.
- Highlight both hard and soft skills to make your story more engaging.
- Focus on skills that are most relevant to the role and align with the company’s needs.
Cover Letter Body
During my tenure at XYZ Corporation, I led a transformative project that revamped our employee onboarding process, which was pivotal in reducing staff turnover. By conducting comprehensive analyses and collecting feedback from both new hires and managers, I identified key areas for improvement. I implemented a structured onboarding programme that included enhanced training sessions and a mentorship scheme. As a result, we experienced a 40% reduction in first-year employee turnover over 18 months, significantly contributing to improved team stability and morale. This achievement showcases my strategic planning and interpersonal skills, enabling me to effectively align HR initiatives with broader organisational goals.
RIGHT
How to write a closing paragraph
When ending your cover letter, you have two options:
Option one is to promise how you’d contribute to the organisation—whether that’s improving a target or achieving a specific goal—or how the company could help you grow professionally. Always emphasise the tangible impact you can deliver.
The second option is to close by asking when you can expect to hear back from the hiring managers, whether for an update or to arrange an interview.
Cover Letter Closing
Thank you for considering my application for the Human Resources position at your esteemed company. I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute to your team and am confident that my skills and experiences align with your needs. I look forward to the possibility of discussing my application further and am eager to provide more insights into how I can add value to your organisation.
Please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience to schedule an interview. Once again, thank you for your time and consideration.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
RIGHT
Conclusion
Creating a compelling cover letter is vital in making a positive first impression on potential employers. Personalise your letter by addressing the hiring manager directly and ensuring your skills align with the job description.
Highlight specific achievements that demonstrate your suitability for the role, and express genuine enthusiasm for the opportunity. Finally, maintain a professional format that complements your CV for a cohesive application.
