When I finished school, it took me a while to get my first job. It wasn’t like I wasn’t trying: I was sending applications off every day.
But, no matter how many resumes I sent, I just wasn’t hearing back. Annoying, right?
Then, one day, my luck changed. You see, my friend gave me some sound advice: ‘You never get a second chance to make a first impression.’
And then I realized, that’s exactly what a cover letter is: it’s the first impression.
It’s the first chance an employer has to get to know you.
So, instead of firing off lots of applications, I started concentrating on writing the best cover letters possible. And soon I had a job!
Why is My Cover Letter Important
You see, too often, people underestimate the importance of a good cover letter. But, that is a mistake.
A cover letter is your first opportunity to catch a recruiter’s attention. Especially when you’re applying to work at a smaller business, like a salon. And that means that it’s the first step towards landing an interview and getting your dream job.
But where do you start? How exactly do you write a cover letter that will make you stand out? As a newly qualified cosmetologist, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
And that’s where we come in. We’re here to help you every step of the way in your cosmetology career. So sit back, grab a notebook, and let’s look at how to write the ideal entry-level cosmetology letter to help you land your dream job!
Let’s start with the basics:
What is a cover letter?
OK, so we’ve said that a cover letter is the first impression you make on an employer, but what exactly is it?
Don’t worry, lots of people find cover letters confusing to start with. Luckily, the concept is quite straightforward…
A cover letter is a brief and professional letter of introduction. It tells the reader:
- Who you are
- What job you’re applying for
- And, why they should invite you for an interview
Many people struggle to see the point of a cover letter. Won’t your resume tell your prospective employer everything they need to know?
Well, not really.
What is The Point of a Cover Letter?
Whilst your resume is designed to lay out the facts, your cover letter is more personal. It explains how you meet the requirements of the job you’re applying for, and it gives the employer a glimpse of your personality.
Plus, when you’re first starting out, your work experience can be a little thin on the ground. You don’t have years of experience in top salons to make you stand out, so you need a different way to catch the recruiter’s attention.
Think about it, your prospective employer probably has lots of applications to sort through. And they can’t invite everyone in for an interview… So, how do they choose between candidates?
Well, would you prefer to employ someone whose passion and dedication is obvious through their cover letter or someone who has just submitted a standard resume?
Exactly.
Right, so we’ve established that cover letters are important. What’s next?
What makes the ideal entry-level cosmetology cover letter?
The ideal entry-level cosmetology cover letter shows the employer why you’d be a great addition to their team. And, it doesn’t let a lack of professional salon experience hold the applicant back.
Instead, an ideal entry-level cosmetology cover letter:
- Is professional and well-formatted
- Is positive and show the employer how you meet the requirements of the role
- And makes a fantastic first impression
So, how do I make a great first impression with my cover letter?
Of course, knowing what makes an entry-level cosmetology cover letter ideal is only part of the battle. To make a fantastic first impression, you need to know how to sell yourself.
So, how do you do this?
Well, the first step is to create a new cover letter for every application. I know that this can feel like a lot of work, but a generic cover letter is unlikely to be successful… it just doesn’t stand out.
So, start by doing your research.
Read the job advert carefully, and pinpoint what they are looking for in a candidate.
If they’ve included a personal specification in their advert, this process will be fairly straightforward. Simply take each requirement individually and think about how you meet it.
But, if the advert doesn’t include a list of skills and requirements, you will need to do a little more detective work:
- What services does the salon offer?
- Do they serve a specific type of clientele?
- What skills are important in every salon?
With some careful thought, you can easily tailor your cover letter to perfectly for the job you are applying for.
And don’t be put off if you have no professional experience in a salon. You will have gained lots of transferrable skills at cosmetology school and in previous jobs. And you can even draw on your personal life if necessary.
Next, think of some examples of how you’ve demonstrated the skills they are looking for.
You see, it’s not always enough to tell your potential employer that you have fantastic customer service skills: you need to show them that you understand what makes good service.
So, instead of writing:
‘I have good customer service skills’
Say something like:
‘I have fantastic customer service skills which I was able to demonstrate during my time at school.
For example, as part of my program, we had the opportunity to style real clients’ hair. When I was with a client, I was friendly, professional, and ensured that they were comfortable at all times.
Because of this, I regularly received positive feedback from both clients and my supervisor.’
Remember to be positive:
If you don’t sound confident in your abilities, your prospective employer is unlikely to be impressed.
Why should they believe in you, if you don’t believe in yourself?
It’s hard, I get it. This is your first job out of school… But don’t downplay your talents. Tell the recruiter what you do well, and don’t dwell on areas that you’re less confident in.
Remember, there will be lots of time to develop once you’re in your dream job.
What else?
Include any details specifically asked for in the job advert:
Sometimes, employers will ask you to state your availability or confirm the dates you are available for interview in your cover letter.
If you forget to do this, it shows the employer that you’re not great at following instructions. So, double-check that you have answered any questions, and included any requested details before you submit your application.
And don’t forget to proofread!
Typos are annoying. You think you’ve written something great, but when you read back through your work, you notice lots of little mistakes.
To avoid embarrassment, take the time to proofread your work.
But proofreading our own writing isn’t always enough. So, to catch any mistakes you might not have noticed, have a friend or family member do a final check before you hit send.
How do you format the ideal entry-level cover letter?
OK, so you know what you need to include in your cover letter. And you know how to sell yourself.
But, not everyone knows how to format a cover letter. That’s OK, it’s easy once you get the hang of it!
So, the first thing to remember is that a cover letter is a professional letter.
That means that you should start by putting your contact details in the top right corner like this:
A. Cosmo Tologist
44 Awesome Street
Salon town, XX 44444
Phone:
Email:
Instagram:
Pinterest:
Then, you should list the date and the salon’s address below on the left:
Today’s date
Employer’s name
Employer’s title
Salon’s name
Salon’s address
Now it’s time for the greeting. Keep it professional with:
‘Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms’ and their surname.
But, make sure you get the pronoun right! You don’t want to inadvertently offend anyone. So, if you aren’t sure whether your prospective employer identifies as male or female, stay safe by writing:
Dear ‘First Name’ ‘Last Name’,
Now it’s time to introduce yourself and tell the reader what position you are applying for. For example:
I am writing in response to the advert placed in (insert job board here). As a fully qualified and passionate cosmetologist, I believe I will be a great fit for your team.
Next, briefly tell the employer why you would like to work in their salon. For example, you could write:
When researching (salon name), I was incredibly impressed by your (insert something you like about their work), and I believe that my values align well with your own.
Next, it’s time for a paragraph or two about you. What relevant experience do you have, and how do you meet the requirements for the role?
For example, you could write something like:
I recently graduated from (insert your school), where I trained in (list accomplishments here). If successful, I believe that these skills will be incredibly useful whilst working at (insert salon name).
During my studies, I regularly received positive feedback about my (insert specific skills here).
And don’t forget to include examples of how you’ve demonstrated the skills they’re looking for!
Then, answer any questions asked in the job advert:
I am available every day, except on Mondays.
Next, include a call for action:
Thank you for taking the time to consider my application. I have enclosed my resume and look forward to hearing from you soon.
And finally, sign off professionally:
Sincerely,
Your full name
So, there you have it. You’re all set to write the ideal entry-level cosmetology cover letter.
Before you know it you’ll have interviews lined up and it will be time to start practicing our free practice test.
We know you got this…
Good luck!
Is your cosmetology state board exam coming soon? Make it easy with the ultimate cosmetology state board exam cheat sheet!
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