You’re the HR specialist who finds the top talent for any open positions. Show those hiring managers why you’re a gem with an impressive human resources cover letter.
You recruit, screen, interview, place, and onboard candidates in top positions. You know better than anyone else that a basic resume won’t suffice—you need something extra. A jaw-dropping human resources cover letter revealing the true HR superstar you are!
No problem—make your cover letter for HR jobs shine with this guide.
In this article, you’ll find:
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Looking for other cover letter examples for office and administrative positions? See:
First, let’s look at two cover letter examples for human resources jobs.
Our first candidate is Rebecca. She’s been in the HR game for several years and leads cross-departmental implementation plans for new hires. She highlights how her experience makes her a great candidate to fulfill this role in her HR cover letter:
Rebecca Stanton
Phone: +1-301-528-2474
415 Ridge St NW
Washington, DC 20001
Email: rebecca.stanton@gmail.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/reb-stanton
Germantown, September 16, 2019
Kimberly Coughlin
Head of Customer Experience
Dignari
2509 E Randolph Ave.
Washington, D.C. 20001
Dear Ms. Coughlin,
As a human resource professional with 5+ years of experience, I was thrilled to come across the opening for a Human Resources Manager at Dignari. I optimized the recruitment process by implementing a new applicant tracking system, reducing the time-to-hire by 25%, and enhancing the quality of candidates. I am confident in my abilities to manage employee relations, conduct onboarding processes for new hires, and instill data-driven solutions at your company.
In your job posting, you state you’re looking for a proactive human resource manager who can provide all aspects of HR support to managers and employees. In my current position at La Clinica Del Pueblo, I developed and executed strategic HR plans, contributing to a 15% increase in overall organizational efficiency. I also negotiated and implemented a secondary medical plan, which increased employee benefit participation by 15%.
In addition, I sourced over 25 employees at La Clinica Del Pueblo while increasing the internal promotion rate by 20% through bi-monthly succession planning and staffing planning meetings with District Managers. Although HR is a department where many unknowns should be accounted for, I implemented a SMART Goal Initiative, helping coach and mentor employees in managing their goal-setting processes. I’m sure this experience will result in similar results for Dignari.
I am applying to Dignari over other companies due to your values and principles. I’m impressed with the ethic promoted by Dignari, a woman-owned small business that embraces transformation and maximizes effectiveness. Being part of your team would be a dream opportunity to continue my career development.
May we schedule a meeting or a call to discuss solutions for improving your onboarding, recruiting strategy, and talent management?
Sincerely,
Rebecca Stanton
It’s clear Rebecca knows how to improve processes for the HR team and the hiring manager would be crazy not to take her up on her offer to meet.
But—what if you don’t have the same level of experience? Are you worried your cover letter for human resources will fall flat?
Let’s check out the second sample. This time, our candidate is applying for a junior human resource specialist job. Let’s see how she tackles her HR assistant cover letter.
Sandra Lynn
3877 Highland View Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90041
sandra.s.lynn@google.com
linkedin.com/in/sandraslynn
Sacramento, 15 September 2019
Marian Murkowski
Head of Human Resources
Savvee Consulting, Inc.
2379 Prospect Valley Road
Los Angeles, CA, 90017
Dear Mr. Murkowski:
Having recently graduated from UCDC with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management, I was thrilled to come across an opening for a Junior Human Resource Specialist at Savee Consulting. With my excellent decision-making, interpersonal communication, and attention to detail, I am positive my skills will be beneficial for this position. I’m excited to start my career at Savee Consulting and am committed to providing excellent administrative support for senior HR team members.
The post on LinkedIn states you’re looking for a candidate who can demonstrate outstanding writing and communication skills and strong administrative skills relevant to HR operations. During my time as a student, I worked part-time as an administrative assistant in the Student Life office. We organized several annual drives for our students, such as a Blood Drive and Food Pantry Drive, where collections increased by over 20% yearly. I was tasked with screening applicant resumes and interviews for those who wished to volunteer for these drives. The number of new volunteers increased by 13% in the first year and 27% in the second. This experience helped me gain knowledgeable skills applicable to the Junior Human Resource Specialist position at Savvee Consulting.
In addition to recruiting volunteers, I also helped compile a database of our volunteers to call upon when the need arose for specific events hosted by the Student Life Office. This helped lower the amount of time we spent searching for new volunteers. I also collected, reviewed, and analyzed qualitative data through surveys related to particular events and feedback given by our volunteers to improve administrative processes for future events.
As I look to begin a career in the HR world, this position at your company spoke directly to my own values. I would cherish the opportunity to work for a data-driven team like the one at Savvee Consulting. Can we schedule a time to discuss how I can help assist the human resources support functions for Savvee Consulting?
Yours sincerely,
Sandra Lynn
351-277-8784
sandra.s.lynn@google.com
Now it’s time to make your own fantastic HR cover letter. Use our step-by-step guide as a walkthrough. You’ll be ready for anything.
Human resources specialists manage various aspects of the employee lifecycle within an organization. They coordinate hiring processes, salary and compensation structures, and maintain employee records, among other tasks. They need good communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
Here’s how to write a cover letter for HR jobs that covers all of these points:
First impressions matter, and you know it. You know how much badly formatted applications turn you off. Ensure your cover letter is formatted in an organized, detail-oriented way to show you have great business etiquette.
Use this checklist for formatting your cover letter:
Expert Hint: If you’re curious about the stats, cover letters are still very important. This is why you need to ensure your HR cover letter looks professional.
The header of your HR cover letter has the basic information in this order—your full name, job title, and contact details. On top of that, you need to put your address on a cover letter (while you don’t usually address your resume.)
Below the header of your HR cover letter, list the hiring company’s address. Use this template:
[Your Full Name]
[Your Job Title]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
[LinkedIn Profile] (optional)
[City and Date]
[Hiring Manager’s Full Name]
[Hiring Manager’s Position]
[Company Name]
[Company Street Address]
[City and Zip Code]
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In the greeting, address the hiring manager by name. Take the time to find out who they are. Go on LinkedIn or the company’s website to find this information. It’s going to show your dedication to get this job.
Next, start your cover letter by specifying the position you’re applying for and showing how your relevant skills will be put to good use in your new position. Tease them with an impressive professional achievement so they know what you can do from the start.
See the template below:
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
When I came across the position of [target position name] with [target company name], I was ecstatic. With [a number of years] of professional experience as a [current job title], I am highly skilled in [relevant HR skills], which can be proven by [a great professional achievement]. I’m certain I will meet and exceed your company’s expectations.
Expert Hint: Are you feeling motivated for the position? Show it by attaching a motivation letter to your resume!
Not all strengths are created equal in the eyes of an HR hiring manager. There are specific requirements you need to meet in order to land that HR gig. It’s what the main body of your human resources cover letter should deliver.
Specify how you’ll succeed in the new position by selecting a few key requirements listed in the job ad. Find specific examples of how your past duties and achievements link to these skills. Presenting your relevant work experiences is a sure way to show how you’ll solve any upcoming challenges in your new role.
See this fill-in-the-blank example:
In your job ad, you clarify that you need a [target position name] who is experienced in [refer to the requirements of the job]. In my most recent position with [name of your current or most recent company] I have succeeded in [responsibilities, duties, or projects you’ve successfully completed, supported by metrics, if possible]. I strongly believe my expertise will translate into similar results for [target company name].
If you feel like you need to polish up on some HR-related subjects, there are great resources online to do so. There are organizations you can join and certifications that can prove your HR skills.
Speaking of skill, here’s a Rasmussen report on the most sought-after human resources skills you might want to mention. You can also consider sharing your expertise in some emerging technologies that will impact the recruiting world.
You’re locked into applying to this company for a reason. Now is the time to tell them why you choose them over others. Give a compliment or two in this section. Tell them what you admire about the company. That’s how you should highlight the third paragraph of your HR cover letter.
Try out this template:
I wish to apply at [target company name] as I genuinely admire [something you genuinely admire about the company]. My professional beliefs matter greatly, and it’s great to see how your values and mission reflect mine. It would be fulfilling both personally and professionally to have the opportunity to grow at [target company name] and develop my skills further.
You want to end your cover letter with a bang. Ask them to meet you in person or have a chat on the phone. Show them you’re proactive by offering a time to discuss your specific thoughts on how you’ll improve processes at their company.
See this sample human resources cover letter closing:
Can we discuss how my skills will help [target company name] achieve your deliverables over an in-person meeting or call?
Yours sincerely,
[Digital Copy of Your Handwritten Signature] (optional)
[Your Full Name]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
Expert Hint: Still haven’t written your HR resume? Or maybe you want to see if you wrote your resume correctly? Check out the embedded guides.
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Remember to follow these steps when writing a cover letter for human resources jobs:
Got any questions? Need further help with writing your human resources cover letter? Let me know in the comments, I’ll be more than happy to help!
At ResumeLab, quality is at the crux of our values, supporting our commitment to delivering top-notch career resources. The editorial team of career experts carefully reviews every article in accordance with editorial guidelines, ensuring the high quality and reliability of our content. We actively conduct original research, shedding light on the job market's intricacies and earning recognition from numerous influential news outlets. Our dedication to delivering expert career advice attracts millions of readers to our blog each year.
Mariusz is a career expert with a background in quality control & economics. With work experience in FinTech and a passion for self-development, Mariusz brings a unique perspective to his role. He’s dedicated to providing the most effective advice on resume and cover letter writing techniques to help his readers secure the jobs of their dreams.
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