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If you've worked in human resources before, there's a good chance you will have encountered cover letters from job applicants. When it comes to writing a HR cover letter of your own, this gives you a great platform to build upon.
Whether you have experience or not, in this guide we'll work through the process of writing a human resources cover letter, including some samples and HR cover letter examples. By the end, you should have a clearer idea of how to write a HR cover letter, as well as a human resources cover letter sample that's a good match for the role you are applying to.
Don't neglect your cover letter - it is as much a part of your job application as your CV and interview are. In fact, because it's the first thing the hiring manager reads when they receive your application, it's your chance to make a strong first impression.
Read our guide to why cover letters are important and you'll have a good overall understanding of why employers value a well written cover letter so much, and why you might be asked to write a cover letter as part of your application.
Writing a HR cover letter is a similar process to writing any job application cover letter. Your letter should summarise why you are applying for the role, without going into unnecessary duplication of the kind of information you've included in your CV.
Knowing how to divide information between the two is a crucial skill in putting together the strongest possible application, and you can learn more in our article writing a great CV and cover letter.
It's a good idea to keep your cover letter in mind when tweaking or updating your CV to apply for a new role. If something needs more explanation than a bullet point can offer, it could be a good candidate to save for your cover letter.
Use our cover letter template to structure your page. As you'll be writing your cover letter on a computer, rather than by hand, you can leave placeholders to go back and fill in more detail later.
When you're done, always thoroughly proofread your cover letter - don't just hit save and send it off. Check for typos, grammatical errors, formatting issues, and any template placeholder text or highlighting that you've forgotten to take out.
Just starting in your job search? Keep your eye out for new HR roles added to the Michael Page website everyday.
With all of the above in mind, let's look at some sample cover letters for HR jobs.
As with any letter, include the date, the recipient's full name and contact details, and your full name and contact details. Choose an appropriate greeting - if in doubt, opt for ‘To whom it may concern' as a polite and professional catch-all.
Experience counts in HR job applications, so be specific. Say how many years you have worked in HR, the abilities you have gained, and give examples of how you have excelled in the role in the past.
Finish your letter politely and suggest a course of further action, whether that's a desire to interview for the role, or you want more information from the recruiter. Choose a suitable sign-off and remember to say thank you.
In a HR assistant cover letter, you may want to prioritise your organisational skills. If you've worked in a similar role before, give specific examples of how you helped the HR manager to carry out their duties efficiently.
HR assistants take on a lot of responsibility, and while it may not be the decision-making role officially, you will often be involved in hiring, training and terminating employees, as well as dealing with employee benefits, disciplinary actions and grievances.
Make sure that your cover letter shows you appreciate the high expectations and standards that will be required of you, and that you are ready to rise to the challenge.
If you're writing a HR cover letter with no experience, don't worry - everybody's career started somewhere.
Luckily, HR is one profession where transferable skills count for a lot.
Follow the same general structure as outlined above, with a formal and polite greeting and sign-off, along with all the information you'd normally expect to see in a letter, such as the sender and recipient's names and addresses, and the date.
But instead of providing examples of your HR experience, instead give details of transferable skills and relevant education. You can also talk about your hopes and ambitions for the future, but keep it HR-specific and avoid cliches.
You can get more top tips for cover letters from our article how to write a cover letter: 10 things to remember. We also sat down with resident Senior Consultant, Amy Bowman for her expert advice. She said:
When writing a HR cover letter I have two very important tips. Tip one: it’s important to personalise your cover letter for the job you are applying for. Copy and paste is your worst enemy here! This is often the first impression that the hiring manager or recruiter will have of you before they see your experience, so making sure you are referring to the correct job, person and/or organisation is extremely important. Tip two: be personable! Don’t just repeat what’s on your CV – this is your chance to put some personality behind the application and give the hiring manager(s) a sense of you. Remember to tell them why you have applied and why they should choose you amongst the other applicants they have received.
If you'd like to benefit from one-on-one advice, whether on writing a HR cover letter, how to grow your career in HR or any other aspect of your job application, contact Michael Page today and our recruitment consultants will be happy to help.
We work closely with our candidates over the long term to help you find the HR role of your dreams, and to ensure you make the strongest possible application for the job. If you are ready for your next role, submit your CV below and start exploring new opportunities.
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