how to write a cover letter when you are underqualified

Clinical psychology

Anxiety disorders
Feeding and eating disorders
Mood disorders
Neuro-developmental disorders
Personality disorders
Affirmations
Cover Letters
Relationships
Resignation & Leave letters

Psychotherapy

Personality.

Table of Contents

Cover letter for underqualified(4 samples)

As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.

The Optimistminds editorial team is made up of psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health professionals. Each article is written by a team member with exposure to and experience in the subject matter. The article then gets reviewed by a more senior editorial member. This is someone with extensive knowledge of the subject matter and highly cited published material.

This article will list samples of “cover letters for underqualified.”

How to write a cover letter when you are underqualified

The best format for writing a cover letter when you are underqualified is as follows:

Address the employer with a formal salutation. For example, “Dear/Hello (name of the recipient).” If you do not know the recipient’s name, you can refer to them as the hiring manager.
The next step is to state the position you are applying for and how you found the opening.
Be Honest About Your Chances.
Talk about the qualifications you have and highlight your achievements.
Share what makes you unique.
Conclude your letter with a forward-looking statement. For example, “I look forward to discussing the position with you further.”

Phone Number

Email Address

Dear Mr/Ms./Mrs. (Last name),

I am writing this letter in response to your advertisement, seeking application for the post of XXX (post you are applying for) with your organization.

I understand the position demands XXX, XXX,XXX (a few key skills mentioned in the advertisement) and to address those demands, I will humbly share the following experience of mine that I feel makes me suitable for this position:

(List a few of your experiences that are relevant to key skills advertised for the job)

Following are few of my achievements that I would like to share with you

(List a few of your professional achievements and rewards that you have been conferred)

As an individual, I always have a passion to learn new things and am constantly driven by new challenges. To me, a successful professional is one who is ready to move out of his/her comfort zone and this attribute perfectly suits my personality.

I have always aspired to take up a profile that you have mentioned in the advertisement and I am excited for being a part of your esteemed organization.

I am attaching my curriculum vitae along with for your kind perusal. I shall look forward for a meeting with you to discuss more about my suitability with your open position.

Thanking You

(Signature)”

Authority name/Position name…

Institute Name…

Institute Address…

Respected Sir,

As a hardworking and keen person, I am writing this letter to apply for a job in your company. It came to my knowledge through an advertisement in the newspaper (Job news source) that you require skilled recruits for this position. I have all skills and required experience for the job. I am able to meet deadlines, perform tasks in the team or as an individual and adapt myself to any given situation.

Unfortunately, despite having a professional suitability for the mentioned job, I do not own a proper qualification as demanded in the advertisement. Therefore, I humbly request for a chance to prove my capability in person. I am sure I can convince you of my skills and change your mind about the required qualifications because I know as much as anyone with that qualification would.

I am looking forward to an interview as that is the only way for me to present you with my talents. I will call soon to inquire about the status of my candidacy.

Yours obediently,

Contact no…

“Dear Mr. Hennessy,

My name is John Young, and I’m applying for a software engineering position at your company. I’m excited about your organization’s mission to change the world, and I’m passionate about your tech stack that includes Scala, Java, React, and Python, all languages I’ve used in the past.

Recently, I took a year-long hiatus to aid my friend who launched a startup accelerator. During that time, I learned quite a bit about business strategy and going from zero to one hundred while working on a very limited budget. I’m confident that I can turn those skills into new products for your company.

I’m prepared to get back into the game and restart my career as a software engineer in your beautiful city. I’m positive that I’m the perfect person to lead your middle-out engineering team. I would love to schedule a meeting and discuss this further.”

“Dear Ms. Garcia,

Blending a formal background in marketing with proven success in retail sales and customer service roles, I am looking to transition into public relations and believe I would make a great fit for the advertised position of Public Relations Specialist at your company.

Having both used and sold your products, I am already well versed in your brand and both present and past years’ offerings. I have followed with excitement as you launched in European and Asian markets and incorporated an international feel into your product line. I would bring both passion and expertise to championing your company with the press and public.

I am already trained in creating buzz and awareness through social media channels including Twitter and Facebook. When my sales team decided to participate in Walk for a Cure three years ago, we used social media to heighten our sponsorship support and raised more than $20K for the event.

Confident my transferable skills make me a solid candidate for this opening, I respectfully submit my resume for your review and request a meeting to discuss the opportunity further. I will make myself available at your convenience and look forward to your call to arrange a time. Thank you for your time and consideration.”

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do you need a cover letter when applying for a job.

Yes. A cover letter showcases how well you communicate and provides more information about who you are as a person.

What should a cover letter contain?

The main purpose of a cover letter is to introduce yourself, mention the job you’re applying for and show that your skills and experience match the needed skills and experience for the job.

If you like this blog post, please leave your comments and questions below.

Here’s How To Write a Cover Letter When You’re Not Fully Qualified

Was this helpful?

Related posts, cover letter for hse position (5 samples), cover letter for lunch monitor (5 samples), cover letter for dnata equipment operator(5 samples).

Protect your data

This site uses cookies and related technologies for site operation, and analytics as described in our Privacy Policy . You may choose to consent to our use of these technologies, reject non-essential technologies, or further manage your preferences.

Resume and Cover Letter
How to Be a Great Candidate...

How to Be a Great Candidate Even If You're Under-Qualified for the Job

8 min read · Updated on June 15, 2022

Think a position is out of reach? Not so fast.

Have you ever found a position description that looked fantastic – except that the experience it required was a little out of your reach? There are many reasons why that “perfect match” position is sometimes tricky to find. Whether you're searching for an opening that represents a promotion, changing industries, or trying something new, sometimes your skills and past experience do not quite meet the opportunity's stated requirements. But don't let yourself give up. Applying for a job with no experience or not quite the experience on the job description is okay!

From someone who has been in this situation (and has seen countless professionals do the same), I have good news. The lack of a perfect match is not necessarily a verdict. This may sound counter-intuitive, but not all listed job requirements are 100 percent required. To be more precise, any job description is a mix of must-haves and nice-to-have qualifications. That makes your position as a candidate a little more challenging, but also gives you more options to explore.

So, let's say you came across a job opening that has you really excited, even though it does represent a bit of a stretch in terms of experiences and skills. What do you do?

To apply or not to apply?

Your first order of business is to decide whether you want to throw your hat in the ring. Consider the position carefully, and ask yourself how close of a match you have between the requirements and your experience. Are you applying for a job with no experience ? Or do you have some of the skills necessary? Your chances are better if the position is just a little out of your reach on paper. If you notice a significant skill and experience gap, making your case will be more difficult.

Let's say you have one year of relevant experience. A position that requires three to five years of experience may not be completely out of your reach. However, getting interviews for an opening that calls for 10+ years of experience will be tougher. Similarly, if a position requires a Master's degree and all you have is a Bachelor's, you may not be out of the running yet. In some cases, your experience or professional certifications might make up for the lack of an MBA. On the other hand, hiring managers that are looking for a candidate with a Ph.D. may not give someone with a Bachelor's a second look.

As you measure the gap between the position description and your resume, consider whether you have what it takes to do the job well. If you feel that you would be out of your depth in a way that could compromise your career, the timing may not be right. However, if you know you can be effective in the role, it may be time to move into strategic preparation.

Pre-interview strategy.

Your pre-interview strategy can be summarized in one short phrase: do more homework than all other candidates. Here are three preparation steps to consider, with a fourth one for extra credit.

Step 1: Understand what you're stepping into.

In order to get an offer, you must understand this position as well as someone who has been in it. This is particularly important if you are a bit underqualified. You will need to do a lot of research, which can include industry magazines and blogs, as well as informational interviews with professionals who can offer advice and share insights. Reach out to your professional network. You can also use LinkedIn to make new connections and ask for introductions if needed.

During the informational interviews, focus on the biggest challenges of the position. What does it take to be effective? Ask for advice, insider tips and interview questions to anticipate. Your goal is to gather the information that will impress the hiring manager and convince him or her that you have what it takes to succeed, even if your resume does not directly back that up.

Step 2: Dig deep.

As you remap your resume and work on your cover letter, go beyond your obvious job duties and accomplishments. Your first area of focus is transferrable skills. From project management to working with difficult personalities, think about your overall talent build and experience, and package it all in a way that highlights your qualifications.

I also encourage you to think of the unique perspectives you would bring to the position. Sometimes you don't have the necessary experience for a reason that actually makes you a great candidate! Having worked in a different industry or country means that you have experienced a range of tools, approaches, and techniques that are broader than those of a candidate who chose to homestead within the traditional career path. As a result, you have the potential to enhance the department and bring a fresh perspective.

Step 3: Get really good recommendations.

With the core experience just shy of the mark, you will need strong recommendations to bridge the gap. Be strategic about who you ask – a letter from a manager carries more weight than one from a co-worker. You want to select the person who is in a position to write a strong recommendation, complete with examples and a powerful endorsement. I recommend taking the time to speak with the recommendation-writer over the phone or in person, so that you can share an overview of the position and mention specific skills that make you a great candidate. Your tips and ideas will make writing the recommendation easier.

Step 4 (extra-credit): Complete a pre-interview project.

I know that this step is ambitious and time-consuming. However, when done right, it has the potential to elevate your candidacy and get the hiring manager to look beyond the missing qualification (or three). The idea is to prove to the company that you understand the challenges of the position and can solve them.

Depending on your target company, the pre-interview project could involve performing a product positioning assessment, building a website, or conducting interviews and proposing improvements to anything from packaging to software user experience. Your creativity, understanding of the industry and genuine interest in the company can boost your credibility and make you stand out among the applicants.

Interview strategy.

Congratulations – your hard work has paid off! The hiring manager is intrigued enough to offer you a chance to interview for a “stretch” position. Now is your chance to show him or her that you have more than just the potential to do the job well.

Strategy 1: Ask really good questions.

If your goal is to set yourself apart from other candidates, you must do some extra preparation to ensure you're asking great questions during the interview .

How do you ask great questions? Imagine that you already have the job, and are in conversation with your manager about the challenges ahead and the strategies to overcome them. This is where your prep work, particularly the informational interviews, has the potential to set you apart. Be sure your questions are open-ended and genuinely thought-provoking.

Strategy 2: Connect with the hiring manager.

Creating a strong personal connection with the hiring manager is a powerful way to elevate your interview. Working together isn't all about technical qualifications! If you are able to demonstrate that you are a loyal team player and a dedicated professional who is committed to doing the right thing, the hiring manager will be more likely to take the leap of faith.

Strategy 3: Tell the truth.

In everything from your resume to your interview, be honest about your skillset and experience. However, that does not mean that you should resign yourself to starting your sentences with “I know I am not qualified…”

Tell the truth, but do it in a way that is positive. Instead of saying “I understand that I don't have any experience in the healthcare industry,” open with “My experience in the professional services industry has taught me …” Remember: your experience is highly valuable, even if it is not an exact natural match for the job description.

In closing, I encourage you to use your networking muscles – for every job opportunity, and particularly those that are just outside your reach. An introduction and an endorsement by a company insider is a powerful way to skip the experience match-up exercise and get you in the door. However, even if you don't have an insider introduction, “stretch” positions are often worth applying for. At the very minimum they give you an opportunity to learn more about the industry, meet new people, and test your readiness for the next level in your career. If you get the job, it will be a fantastic growth opportunity. So, be strategic, prepare well, and go for it!

Want to see how your resume stacks up? Try out our free critique today!

How to Maximize Your Resume Action Words to Wow the Employer

Ask Amanda: Do I Really Need a Cover Letter?

7 Signs Your Resume is Making You Look Old

See how your resume stacks up.

Career Advice Newsletter

Our experts gather the best career & resume tips weekly. Delivered weekly, always free.

Thanks! Career advice is on its way.

Share this article:

Let's stay in touch.

Subscribe today to get job tips and career advice that will come in handy.

Your information is secure. Please read our privacy policy for more information.

Things you buy through our links may earn Vox Media a commission

How to Write a Cover Letter That Will Get You a Job

I’ve read thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of cover letters in my career. If you’re thinking that sounds like really boring reading, you’re right. What I can tell you from enduring that experience is that most cover letters are terrible — and not only that, but squandered opportunities. When a cover letter is done well, it can significantly increase your chances of getting an interview, but the vast majority fail that test.

So let’s talk about how to do cover letters right.

1. First, understand the point of a cover letter.

The whole idea of a cover letter is that it can help the employer see you as more than just your résumé. Managers generally aren’t hiring based solely on your work history; your experience is crucial, yes, but they’re also looking for someone who will be easy to work with, shows good judgment, communicates well, possesses strong critical thinking skills and a drive to get things done, complements their current team, and all the other things you yourself probably want from your co-workers. It’s tough to learn much about those things from job history alone, and that’s where your cover letter comes in.

Because of that …

2. Whatever you do, don’t just summarize your résumé.

The No. 1 mistake people make with cover letters is that they simply use them to summarize their résumé. This makes no sense — hiring managers don’t need a summary of your résumé! It’s on the very next page! They’re about to see it as soon as they scroll down. And if you think about it, your entire application is only a few pages (in most cases, a one- or two-page résumé and a one-page cover letter) — why would you squander one of those pages by repeating the content of the others? And yet, probably 95 percent of the cover letters I see don’t add anything new beyond the résumé itself (and that’s a conservative estimate).

Instead, your cover letter should go beyond your work history to talk about things that make you especially well-suited for the job. For example, if you’re applying for an assistant job that requires being highly organized and you neurotically track your household finances in a detailed, color-coded spreadsheet, most hiring managers would love to know that because it says something about the kind of attention to detail you’d bring to the job. That’s not something you could put on your résumé, but it can go in your cover letter.

Or maybe your last boss told you that you were the most accurate data processor she’d ever seen, or came to rely on you as her go-to person whenever a lightning-fast rewrite was needed. Maybe your co-workers called you “the client whisperer” because of your skill in calming upset clients. Maybe you’re regularly sought out by more senior staff to help problem-solve, or you find immense satisfaction in bringing order to chaos. Those sorts of details illustrate what you bring to the job in a different way than your résumé does, and they belong in your cover letter.

If you’re still stumped, pretend you’re writing an email to a friend about why you’d be great at the job. You probably wouldn’t do that by stiffly reciting your work history, right? You’d talk about what you’re good at and how you’d approach the work. That’s what you want here.

3. You don’t need a creative opening line.

If you think you need to open the letter with something creative or catchy, I am here to tell you that you don’t. Just be simple and straightforward:

• “I’m writing to apply for your X position.”

• “I’d love to be considered for your X position.”

• “I’m interested in your X position because …”

• “I’m excited to apply for your X position.”

That’s it! Straightforward is fine — better, even, if the alternative is sounding like an aggressive salesperson.

4. Show, don’t tell.

A lot of cover letters assert that the person who wrote it would excel at the job or announce that the applicant is a skillful engineer or a great communicator or all sorts of other subjective superlatives. That’s wasted space — the hiring manager has no reason to believe it, and so many candidates claim those things about themselves that most managers ignore that sort of self-assessment entirely. So instead of simply declaring that you’re great at X (whatever X is), your letter should demonstrate that. And the way you do that is by describing accomplishments and experiences that illustrate it.

Here’s a concrete example taken from one extraordinarily effective cover-letter makeover that I saw. The candidate had originally written, “I offer exceptional attention to detail, highly developed communication skills, and a talent for managing complex projects with a demonstrated ability to prioritize and multitask.” That’s pretty boring and not especially convincing, right? (This is also exactly how most people’s cover letters read.)

In her revised version, she wrote this instead:

“In addition to being flexible and responsive, I’m also a fanatic for details — particularly when it comes to presentation. One of my recent projects involved coordinating a 200-page grant proposal: I proofed and edited the narratives provided by the division head, formatted spreadsheets, and generally made sure that every line was letter-perfect and that the entire finished product conformed to the specific guidelines of the RFP. (The result? A five-year, $1.5 million grant award.) I believe in applying this same level of attention to detail to tasks as visible as prepping the materials for a top-level meeting and as mundane as making sure the copier never runs out of paper.”

That second version is so much more compelling and interesting — and makes me believe that she really is great with details.

how to write a cover letter when you are underqualified

5. If there’s anything unusual or confusing about your candidacy, address it in the letter.

Your cover letter is your chance to provide context for things that otherwise might seem confusing or less than ideal to a hiring manager. For example, if you’re overqualified for the position but are excited about it anyway, or if you’re a bit underqualified but have reason to think you could excel at the job, address that up front. Or if your background is in a different field but you’re actively working to move into this one, say so, talk about why, and explain how your experience will translate. Or if you’re applying for a job across the country from where you live because you’re hoping to relocate to be closer to your family, let them know that.

If you don’t provide that kind of context, it’s too easy for a hiring manager to decide you’re the wrong fit or applying to everything you see or don’t understand the job description and put you in the “no” pile. A cover letter gives you a chance to say, “No, wait — here’s why this could be a good match.”

6. Keep the tone warm and conversational.

While there are some industries that prize formal-sounding cover letters — like law — in most fields, yours will stand out if it’s warm and conversational. Aim for the tone you’d use if you were writing to a co-worker whom you liked a lot but didn’t know especially well. It’s okay to show some personality or even use humor; as long as you don’t go overboard, your letter will be stronger for it.

7. Don’t use a form letter.

You don’t need to write every cover letter completely from scratch, but if you’re not customizing it to each job, you’re doing it wrong. Form letters tend to read like form letters, and they waste the chance to speak to the specifics of what this employer is looking for and what it will take to thrive in this particular job.

If you’re applying for a lot of similar jobs, of course you’ll end up reusing language from one letter to the next. But you shouldn’t have a single cover letter that you wrote once and then use every time you apply; whatever you send should sound like you wrote it with the nuances of this one job in mind.

A good litmus test is this: Could you imagine other applicants for this job sending in the same letter? If so, that’s a sign that you haven’t made it individualized enough to you and are probably leaning too heavily on reciting your work history.

8. No, you don’t need to hunt down the hiring manager’s name.

If you read much job-search advice, at some point you’ll come across the idea that you need to do Woodward and Bernstein–level research to hunt down the hiring manager’s name in order to open your letter with “Dear Matilda Jones.” You don’t need to do this; no reasonable hiring manager will care. If the name is easily available, by all means, feel free to use it, but otherwise “Dear Hiring Manager” is absolutely fine. Take the hour you just freed up and do something more enjoyable with it.

9. Keep it under one page.

If your cover letters are longer than a page, you’re writing too much, and you risk annoying hiring managers who are likely sifting through hundreds of applications and don’t have time to read lengthy tomes. On the other hand, if you only write one paragraph, it’s unlikely that you’re making a compelling case for yourself as a candidate — not impossible, but unlikely. For most people, something close to a page is about right.

10. Don’t agonize over the small details.

What matters most about your cover letter is its content. You should of course ensure that it’s well-written and thoroughly proofread, but many job seekers agonize over elements of the letter that really don’t matter. I get tons of questions from job seekers about whether they should attach their cover letter or put it in the body of the email (answer: No one cares, but attaching it makes it easier to share and will preserve your formatting), or what to name the file (again, no one really cares as long as it’s reasonably professional, but when people are dealing with hundreds of files named “resume,” it’s courteous to name it with your full name).

Approaching your cover letter like this can make a huge difference in your job search. It can be the thing that moves your application from the “maybe” pile (or even the “no” pile) to the “yes” pile. Of course, writing cover letters like this will take more time than sending out the same templated letter summarizing your résumé — but 10 personalized, compelling cover letters are likely to get you more interview invitations than 50 generic ones will.

Find even more career advice from Alison Green on her website, Ask a Manager . Got a question for her? Email [email protected] .

job interviews

The Cut Shop

Editor’s Picks

Most Popular

What is your email.

This email will be used to sign into all New York sites. By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive email correspondence from us.

Sign In To Continue Reading

Create your free account.

Password must be at least 8 characters and contain:

Lower case letters (a-z)
Upper case letters (A-Z)
Numbers (0-9)
Special Characters (!@#$%^&*)

As part of your account, you’ll receive occasional updates and offers from New York , which you can opt out of anytime.

How to Apply for a Job When You Are Underqualified

You found the perfect job, but it requires four years of experience and you only have two. Give up? No way. Hiring managers are looking for someone who is going to be a good long-term fit for their company and amount experience isn’t a make or break factor in that decision. However, if you don’t meet the minimum requirements, you will have to work a little harder. Go out of your way to explain why you will do well in the position. Take a look at these tips on how to apply for a position you may be underqualified for.

Although cover letters are optional for some applications— I once had an interviewer tell me she had never seen and didn’t care about my cover letter — be sure to write one if you don’t meet the minimum requirements. Whether or not you specifically mention your lack of _______ or not is up to you, but definitely don’t lie. Focus on transferable skills and past success in your cover letter.

If the position calls for proficiency in Adobe Dreamweaver and you’ve used Publisher and WordPress, be sure to include that. Follow up that information with an example of a time when you learned a new skill quickly. Showing that you have transferable skills, and that you know how to apply those to new situations, will go a long way towards making up for the requirements you’re missing.

Be sure to highlight your past accomplishments. The position requires four years of experience and you only have two? If you had a record of success in those two years, it stands to reason that you will continue having success for the next two- and more. Did you exceed your sales quota? Did you head up a major project by yourself or supervise others? Most importantly, did you have success in something that will be one of your duties for this job? Talk about your most pertinent successes and how you will use those experiences to meet— and exceed— the expectations of this new position.

Are there times when you shouldn’t apply for a job if you don’t meet the minimum requirements? Yes. Be realistic about your job search goals. Applying for jobs that you’re underqualified for— especially if you have to answer a questionnaire in the application and admit that you’re underqualified— is a riskier business than applying for jobs where you meet all the requirements. If you have a job and are simply leisurely looking for a better one, apply to “reach” jobs all you like. If you need to be employed yesterday, remember that jobs where you meet all the requirements will probably be the most efficient use of your time. Best of luck in your job search, and tell us about your experiences in the comments below! Or send me a tweet: @ithinkther4iamb

SOURCE: The Daily Muse IMAGE: Courtesy of Careerealism

Kristin Anderson

Kristin has a B.A. in English from the University of Iowa, with an emphasis in creative writing. In her free time she enjoys long walks, kitchen adventures, and making puns.

Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Coming Back from a Layoff

As the world advances, positions, departments, even whole companies and industries are replaced with new, more technologically advanced businesses. Getting laid off is a natural consequence of progress; you’re not to...

Job Search 12
Job Seeker 231
Video Interviews 26

How to Land an Interview if You’re Underqualified

Do you want a job that’s bigger than your experience is your dream job open, but a stretch given your lack of relevant experience.

Last week, we shared strategies on how to apply for a job at which you are overqualified. Today, we’re focusing on the reverse side of the hiring equation: How to apply for jobs if you are underqualified.

The traditional rule of thumb in reviewing job descriptions is to apply if you have 75% – 80% of the skills and qualifications asked for. While it is futile to apply for the job of a Cardiothoracic Surgeon without a medical degree, many individuals who have experience that’s “close enough” get hired and trained all the time for jobs outside of operating rooms!

Here are five strategies you can employ to reach for that dream job.

Before you apply, do your homework.

One of the best ways to prepare yourself for an ambitious career transition is to study the career paths of people who’ve made similar moves before — and ask them for advice. Just as you may ask for a trail map and seek out “someone who has made the trip before” prior to setting off on an ambitious hiking adventure, it pays to learn from the mistakes of others and get advice on how to apply. How to do this:Conduct an “Advanced Search” and use the Company Pages on LinkedIn to study the career paths of people you admire. If they are approachable, reach out and ask for an interview. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice on what “to do and what not to do.”You’ll find that many people are open to sharing expertise and suggestions — especially if they have a job they love or which others are rarely interested in.(Note: If you connect your StartWire account to your LinkedIn account, you will get some of these recommendations automatically.)

Plan your approach.

While it may not seem apparent, hiring managers are often just as challenged to find the right candidate as you are to find the right job. While recruiters and hiring managers are often put off by applications from candidates who are clearly not qualified for the job, if you meet at least 75% of the job qualifications — there’s no reason why you should not apply. Go for it, but isolate the skills and experience you want to market — fast!

Anticipate employer questions.

Missing experience in a key software application? A certification or training that is essential for the job but which you haven’t finished? Be prepared to say what you have, what you need, and how you could acquire the skills and experience to get started — fast! If you have an obvious deficit, don’t cover it up — address it!Example: “I understand you are looking for X, Y, and Z. I have X and Y. To gain certification in Z, I would need ________ which would require ___ time and an investment of $___. If hired, I would be happy to pursue this further.”

Share your “bonus gifts.

“ If you have skills not mentioned in the job description — but ones that are important and could be useful in your field or to the employer — bring them out.Let’s say you are applying for a job as a Publicist. You know the job description involves Sales and Client Relations, but these skills aren’t mentioned. In your cover letter, you could say, “While your job requirement does not specify previous experience in Sales or Client Relations, I have deep experience in both. If hired, I would be happy to assist with sales and client development initiatives as you see fit.”

Let other people know you’ve applied.

One common mistake job applicants often make is not asking for help from others. As we’ve noted before, if you can get referred for a job, you increase your chances of getting hired from 1 in 30 to 1 in 4. (We like those odds.) Don’t be afraid to ask for a referral and get help in the application process.

Use these strategies to apply for the next job you feel a little underqualified for and — tell us how they work!

No comments yet.
No trackbacks yet.

How To Address Being Overqualified On A Cover Letter

In This Guide:

An example of how to address you’re overqualified in your cover letter.

One way to address being overqualified on a cover letter is to emphasize your passion for the industry or specific company you are applying to, and explain how your qualifications will make you a valuable asset to the team.

Additionally, you can highlight how your skills and experience can be transferable to the role you are applying for, and how you are open to learning new things and taking on new challenges.

It is also important to express your understanding that you may be taking a step back in your career, and explain how this change aligns with your career goals.

Upload & Check Your Resume

Drop your resume here or choose a file . PDF & DOCX only. Max 2MB file size.

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to express my interest in the [Position] role at [Company]. I have over [Number] years of experience in [Industry/Field], and I am excited about the opportunity to bring my skills and experience to your team.

Although I am highly qualified for this role, I am passionate about the work that [Company] does, and I believe that my qualifications will make me a valuable asset to the team. I understand that this position may be a step back in my career, but I am excited about the opportunity to learn new things and take on new challenges.

My experience in [Industry/Field] has given me a strong background in [specific skills or experience relevant to the role], and I am confident that my skills are transferable to the [Position] role. Additionally, I am eager to learn more about [specific aspect of the company or industry relevant to the role] and how I can contribute to [Company]'s mission.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further and how they can benefit [Company].

[Your Name]

Please bear in mind that this is an example, you should always tailor your cover letter to the specific role and company you are applying for.

The Success Journey: Mark Zuckerberg's Pre-Facebook Resume

What should a student put on a resume, resume addendum, how to tell a story in a cover letter, the one time seth godin got it wrong, are photos on your resume unprofessional [expert advice].

Create Resume
Terms of Service
Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences
Resume Examples
Resume Templates
AI Resume Builder
Resume Summary Generator
Resume Formats
Resume Checker
Resume Skills
How to Write a Resume
Modern Resume Templates
Simple Resume Templates
Cover Letter Builder
Cover Letter Examples
Cover Letter Templates
Cover Letter Formats
How to Write a Cover Letter
Resume Guides
Cover Letter Guides
Job Interview Guides
Job Interview Questions
Career Resources
Meet our customers
Career resources
English (UK)
French (FR)
German (DE)
Spanish (ES)
Swedish (SE)

Made with love by people who care.

How to Write a Cover Letter That Will Get You a Job

I ’ve read thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of cover letters in my career. If you’re thinking that sounds like really boring reading, you’re right. What I can tell you from enduring that experience is that most cover letters are terrible — and not only that, but squandered opportunities. When a cover letter is done well, it can significantly increase your chances of getting an interview, but the vast majority fail that test.

So let’s talk about how to do cover letters right.

First, understand the point of a cover letter.

Because of that …

Whatever you do, don’t just summarize your résumé.

You don’t need a creative opening line.

If you think you need to open the letter with something creative or catchy, I am here to tell you that you don’t. Just be simple and straightforward:

• “I’m writing to apply for your X position.”

• “I’d love to be considered for your X position.”

• “I’m interested in your X position because …”

• “I’m excited to apply for your X position.”

That’s it! Straightforward is fine — better, even, if the alternative is sounding like an aggressive salesperson.

Show, don’t tell.

In her revised version, she wrote this instead:

That second version is so much more compelling and interesting — and makes me believe that she really is great with details.

If there’s anything unusual or confusing about your candidacy, address it in the letter.

Keep the tone warm and conversational.

Don’t use a form letter.

No, you don’t need to hunt down the hiring manager’s name.

Keep it under one page.

Don’t agonize over the small details.

‘I Had a Great Job Interview — Why Haven’t I Heard Back?’
How to Answer ‘Tell Me About Yourself’ in a Job Interview

Search Search Please fill out this field.
Career Planning
Finding a Job
Cover Letters

Cover Letter for When You Are Overqualified for a Position

Applying as an Overqualified Candidate

Explain how you enjoyed similar jobs, write a targeted letter.

Your work experience or education could make you appear overqualified for an open position. This is why it is important to construct your cover letter and resume to counteract the perception that you would be unhappy in the position and only hold it for a short period.

There may be times when you are overqualified for a job but would still like to apply. This happens frequently when you are an older and experienced worker who is changing career fields or reentering the market. Also, when the job market is slow, there may be a shortage of jobs for which you are qualified. Even when unemployment is low, you might have personal reasons that make the move seem appealing. For example, you might be starting a family or want a shorter commute.

But regardless of why you want the position, if you appear overqualified for a job, you'll need to carefully craft a cover letter so that your application will be considered. Employers are notorious for discarding overqualified candidates. That's because they're afraid that the person will be bored or unmotivated and might move on to another job in short order. Employers are most eager to hire people who will stay with the company for a while, since it’s expensive to hire, train, and onboard new employees.

A key factor in getting your cover letter noticed is to highlight any similar jobs you have held even if the position was not your most recent. You will need to point out why those comparable jobs were satisfying and successful experiences for you. This will show potential employers that despite being overqualified, you don't necessarily plan to move on to a more challenging role in the near future.

For example, take the case of someone who is applying for a sales assistant job, but has worked most recently as an account manager or salesperson. If they have had enjoyable jobs as an assistant in the past and excelled in that role, it will be critical to highlight those experiences.

You can also consider acknowledging that you are overqualified for the position, and explaining why you're still interested.

Don't Dwell on Your Qualifications

Being honest, and not letting your qualifications become the elephant in the interview room, can be helpful.

In the example above, the candidate might point out that they prefer organization and detail to persuasion, and then focus on their successes as a sales assistant.

As much as possible in your letter, seek to assuage potential employer concerns about how long you'd be with the company. If you've always been at jobs for several years, for instance, you can mention your loyalty and that you are eager for a long-term relationship with your next employer.

A one-size-fits-all cover letter will not do in this instance. If you appear overqualified in your resume, use your cover letter to make it clear why you are actually a good match for the position. For example, maybe your experience at some high-level positions will still help and inform your day-to-day work in the current position (or can be an add-on that you provide).

It will be critical to analyze the skills, interests, and assets that an individual would need to possess in order to excel in the target role. Then, in your cover letter, use concrete examples to show how you possess these assets and have achieved success in past jobs, volunteer work, or course projects. Finding the right job will require you to know how to write a targeted cover letter and how to match your qualifications for a job.

If you're unsure of where to start writing a cover letter, using an example cover letter from your industry or based on your level of experience is a great place to start.

During your interview, be prepared to answer questions about being overqualified — as in your cover letter, use this as an opportunity to tell a story that shows you're a candidate who plans to stick around in the position long-term.

Follow-up communications after the interview should show enthusiasm for the actual content of the job. If possible, ask a former colleague who supervised you in a similar role to make an unsolicited recommendation call (or send an email) to decision-makers. Having a clear strategy about how to follow up after your interviews is important, so plan one out before you walk into the meeting. When possible, adjust your follow-up to include details from your interview itself.

The Extra Effort Can Pay Off

Showing your enthusiasm for the role will help convince the interviewer that this isn't a desperate measure and that you really do want the job. The unsolicited recommendation call or email will also demonstrate your interest in the role.

It's easy to be overlooked when you're overqualified for a position but by putting a little extra effort into your application, you can show the interviewer that your interest is sincere and not fleeting or desperate.

Sample Cover Letter When You’re Overqualified for a Position

Jonathan Smith 1 Chestnut Street Middle City, CA 98765 555-212-1234 me@mywebsite.com

November 2, 2019

Rosemarie Johnson Recruiter, Human Resources Brainy Toys, Inc. 7 Main Street Middle City, CA 98765

Dear Ms. Johnson,

I was excited to see your advertisement for the position of administrative assistant and would like to apply for the job. I’ve been a big fan of Brainy Toys ever since my favorite uncle bought me my first Junior Chemistry Set for my 10 th birthday. (He was my favorite uncle for a reason!)

Even today, in my current job as Executive Assistant to the Director at ABC Corp, I have a Pocket Herb Garden and an Abracadabra Abacus on my desk. I’d love to come to work every day and know that I was using my skills and experience in support of products I love.

In terms of the requirements outlined in your ad, I have:

Excellent phone and interpersonal skills
Extensive experience maintaining filing systems, organizing and scheduling meetings, booking travel arrangements, and ordering office supplies
Attention to detail and organizational skills
Facility with the most popular office and project management software programs, including Microsoft Office, Trello, and Asana – plus a high level of comfort with new platforms and a willingness to learn
A commitment to working as a team and achieving our goals

I’m confident that my skills and passion for your products and company make me a good choice for this role. I’m happy to provide you with references or any additional materials that might be useful. I’ve included my resume and hope to hear from you soon to discuss the job in more detail.

Signature (hard copy letter)

Jonathan Smith

How to Address being Overqualified for a Job

By Biron Clark

Published: October 26, 2023

Cover Letters | Resume/CV

Biron Clark

Writer & Career Coach

One of the toughest obstacles to getting hired: Being overqualified, or being told you’re overqualified by employers.

You might hear it in rejection emails after applying for a job, in an interview question, or when you get feedback after your interview .

No matter what, it’s frustrating, demoralizing and difficult to overcome!

Don’t worry though, in this article, I’m going to walk you through:

What it means to be overqualified
Why employers think being overqualified is bad
How to overcome being overqualified in cover letters, resumes, interviews and more

What Does Being Overqualified for a Job Mean?

Before discussing how to get hired while being overqualified, we need to define what “overqualified” really means…

Employers have a few big fears and concerns when hiring someone.

One of the biggest is the fear that you’ll leave within the first year. You see, it costs a lot of time, energy and resources to hire you, train you, etc.

It’s often weeks or months before you really start producing results for the employer, yet they’re paying your salary starting from day one. They’re also paying people to train you, supervise you, set up benefits/payroll with you, etc.

It’s a big process and when they hire a full-time, permanent employee, they don’t want to have to repeat that process again soon.

So often, when they ask “aren’t you overqualified?” they’re concerned that you may not truly want this job for the right reasons, and are unlikely to stay for long.

Along with that, they may worry your salary expectations are too high for what they’re willing to pay.

When employers say you’re overqualified, they usually mean one of the following:

They’re concerned you don’t really want this specific job, and you just need something for the short term while you look for something better
They are concerned you won’t be satisfied in this job and will leave soon after joining
They’re afraid you’re going to want too high of a salary
They want to hire somebody younger (yes, age discrimination happens, unfortunately)

Now, we can’t do a lot about that last one unfortunately… the only solution is apply to many companies, like any job seeker should do, and accept that a few might not want to hire somebody your age if you’re job hunting at age 50+ .

That’s okay! You only need to find one job, right?

For all the other obstacles listed above, there are simple ways to put an employer’s mind at ease and quickly answer any questions about you being overqualified.

How to Get Hired While Being Overqualified for a Job

The best way to get hired even if you seem overqualified is to address these issues upfront.

If you think salary might be their concern, tell them that you understand that this position might not pay as well as some of the positions you’ve held in the past, and you’re okay with that.

If you think they’d look at your resume’s employment history and be concerned about why you want this job, explain it in a cover letter and be ready to answer questions in your interview about this.

For example, here’s one common scenario I see a lot as a Recruiter :

Any time you’ve been a Manager or Supervisor in the past, and then you apply for an individual-contributor position where you won’t manage anyone, employers are going to be concerned about why you seem to want to take a step back in your career.

You’ll often hear questions like, “aren’t you overqualified?” in scenarios like this.

The key is to show them that this work is what you want to be doing, and that you’ve put a lot of thought into it.

Explain WHY you’ve made the decision to move into an individual contributor role.

If you explain yourself well, they’ll be thrilled to have someone with your experience in that type of role! But you have to explain yourself.

One great way to demonstrate that you want their job is to show the employer that you’re applying for multiple jobs of this same type.

You might end your explanation by saying:

“… in fact, all of the positions I’m applying for now are individual contributor roles. This is the exact type of role I want, after putting a lot of thought into it.”

Writing a Cover Letter if You’re Overqualified

Once you’ve decided to apply, it’s a good idea to address the fact you’re overqualified in your cover letter.

Explain what you’re looking for, why their position caught your attention, and how you’d help their organization succeed. Make sure to spend extra time/effort showing them you’ve thought a lot about your job search, and why this job is the exact type of job you’re looking for.

Here’s an article on how to write a great cover letter .

Writing a Resume if You’re Overqualified

Next, you’ll need a great resume. If you’re overqualified, you’re probably wondering, “should I remove some experience from my resume?”

You don’t always need to, but if you’ve been working for 20+ years, it can help curb age discrimination and get you more interviews.

However, the most important thing is to tailor your recent resume experience to be as relevant as possible for the jobs you’re applying for.

For example, if you’re a former manager looking to move into an individual-contributor role, you really want to emphasize the hands-on, direct work you’ve done recently, if any.

Don’t emphasize management, leadership, and delegation because you won’t be doing any of that in your next job.

You need to show employers what’s most relevant to THEM. And you figure this out by studying their job posting.

If you want help writing a great resume, here are some resources to get you started:

How to write a great resume summary section
Resume bullet examples that will impress employers
Examples of full resume “employment history” sections

Answering Interview Questions About Being Overqualified

Next up is the interview. If you’ve written a great resume and cover letter, you should start getting interviews even if you seem overqualified for the position you applied for.

But the employer is still going to ask you about it in the interview, so be ready to answer questions about being overqualified.

Here’s how to answer interview questions about being overqualified:

Explain exactly why you want this job
If possible, tell them you’re applying for many jobs similar to theirs
Show them you’ve put a lot of thought into your career and job search so they don’t worry you’ll change your mind and leave
Tell them salary isn’t the most important factor to you, and you’re willing to discuss and negotiate to make it work
If you’re taking a “step back” in your career (e.g. moving from Manager to individual contributor), be ready to explain why

Here are a few very common interview questions you should be ready for:

Why did you apply for this position?
Tell me about yourself
What other companies are you interviewing with?
What motivates you?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Being Overqualified – You Can’t Win Them All

The tips and resources above will give you the best chance of getting a job while being overqualified.

But nothing works 100% of the time. Some employers out there just will not want to hire you for their job, no matter how persuasive you are.

They have a certain type of person in mind, and your background doesn’t quite fit that.

But that’s okay. There are so many employers, and you only need one job, right?

So don’t get discouraged.

If you follow these steps, focus on doing things the right way, and keep repeating… you will find a job.

So… Should You Apply for a Job Even if You’re Overqualified?

Yes, absolutely. As long as it’s a job you want! Never let someone discourage you from applying for a position you think you’d perform well in.

This is true whether you’re overqualified, or a tiny bit underqualified (missing one or two specific areas of experience, but qualified otherwise).

You never know unless you apply. The only surefire way to NOT get the job is to not apply.

Getting a Job While Being Overqualified – Quick Instructions

Use your cover letter to explain why you want their specific job, and why you want this type of job in general
Tailor your resume to highlight the most relevant pieces of your recent work for their job duties (using the job description)
In the interview, be ready to explain why this is the specific type of job you want (just like on your cover letter)
If possible, tell them you’re applying for many jobs similar to theirs. This will make them feel more “safe” in hiring you
If you’re taking a “step back” in your career (e.g. moving from Manager to individual contributor), be ready to explain why you’ve chosen to make this move
If you think salary is a concern of theirs, consider telling them salary is negotiable and you understand this job might not pay as much as some jobs you’ve held in the past
Apply to a lot of jobs. Not every employer will hire someone who’s overqualified, but some will
Don’t get discouraged, and don’t let anyone convince you not to apply for a job just because you’re a bit overqualified. You CAN get hired if you follow these steps

About the Author

How to Write a Graphic Designer Cover Letter (3 Examples)

How to write a paralegal cover letter (2 examples), how to write a medical assistant cover letter (3 examples), how to write a research assistant cover letter (3 examples), how to write a software engineer cover letter (3 examples), how to write a hr cover letter (4 examples), how to write a data analyst cover letter (3 examples), how to write a bartender cover letter (3 examples), 1 thought on “how to address being overqualified for a job”.

Excellent material – Thank you

Comments are closed.

Recruiting Solutions
Job Descriptions
Career knowledge
Find Marketing Agencies
Submit a Marketing Agency
Marketing Knowledge
Latest Articles

What Is Underqualified? How To Get A Job When You’re Underqualified?

by Christian T.

Three people holding the word NO! over their faces

Job hunting can get hectic at times . Weeks upon weeks of applying for jobs can take a toll on you. Then you come across a job opening that you find perfect. It is an opening at the company you have wanted to work in. But wait, you find out that you are underqualified for the job!

What should you do in such a situation? Many people might advise you against applying for the job. But you can become a good candidate even when you are not qualified for the job.

How can you do that? We will talk about that and much more in this article. The way you write your CV (or resume) and cover letter is also important, and your preparation also comes into play. A lot of factors will combine to increase your chances.

We will talk about those factors in this article. But before that, let’s understand what underqualified is.

First, we will try and understand what underqualified means. Is there a difference between underqualified and unqualified? We will answer similar questions in this article. So, let’s get to it right away!

What Is Underqualified?

Every job opening has some requirements. These can be anything from skills to years of experience. Some of these requirements are necessary for candidates to have, and at the same time, some don’t carry the same weightage.

Say a job opening has ten requirements, and you lack most of them; you are unqualified for that job. But if you lack only a couple of requirements, you are underqualified.

In cases when you don’t have only a couple of skills, you can still apply. But you have to approach it differently. We will talk all about it and much more in the next section. But what happens if you don’t tick most of the boxes? Then you are unqualified for the job.

And if you lack most of the required skills, you should not apply for the job. It would be best if you first worked on acquiring those skills as fast as you could. But in this article, we will share tips to help you get a job you are underqualified for! So, let’s move on to them right away!

Tips To Get A Job When You're Underqualified

Chart representation of Tips to get a job you are underqualified

Most people will tell you not to send your resume for jobs you are not qualified for. But as we said above, you can ignore them and move on. So, are you planning to apply for jobs you are underqualified for? Here are some tips to help you get those jobs!

Focus On What You Have

It sounds like motivational stuff you often come across, doesn't it? You must have heard similar lines from motivational speakers on YouTube. But here, we mean it in a practical sense.

We are talking about approaching a career situation with the right attitude. After all, when you are not qualified for a job, you need a little bit extra.

Make sure you analyze your skillset and showcase skills that can help you in that job. Explain in the cover letter why your skills match the job requirements. You can convince the recruiters that your skillset is better suited for the job! But you will need good persuasion skills to do that.

Make a list of your skills and move on from there. Try writing down how your skills suit that job. It will also give you a bit more confidence in your skills! And it is always good to take a bit of confidence when you are at a slight disadvantage.

Show Them You Are A Quick Learner

Companies love employees who are quick to learn. Even if you are underqualified for a job, you can be a contender if you are a fast learner. You can also tell them how driven you are to work in the industry and give them reasons why you love the work.

You may also give them examples of your fast learning in previous jobs, and you may present job references that can attest to it. Make sure these examples are not too long. Try to be as clear and concise as possible when explaining anything.

There is a connection between motivation and fast learning. And you have to make the recruiters believe that you have both qualities!

Showcase Your Transferrable Skills

Some skills that you learn from a job, you can carry into another industry. These are known as transferrable skills. When applying for a job you are not qualified for, these skills can tilt the situation in your favor.

Say you have five years' experience in customer service. It means that you are a good listener, and it also means that you have good problem-solving skills. Now, you are suited to every job that asks for these two skills.

So, make sure you make good use of these skills. Remember, transferrable skills alone are not enough. But they contribute to increasing your chances of getting a job you are not qualified for!

Say A Resounding “No” To Negative Language

Here, we are talking about the interview stage. The recruiters will know that you lack the qualifications by looking at your resume. Make sure you do not remind them.

You have to avoid phrases like "I have never done" or "I don't know." The worst is saying "I'm not qualified" about something.

When you are underqualified, it is already a challenging task to get that job. Replace all the negativity with positivity. Use phrases like “I’m willing to learn” and “I’ll love to explore.” You will see for yourself how these minor changes can help you!

Good Recommendations Can Make The Difference

Recommendations are always helpful when looking for a job . When it comes to recommendations, you need to opt for quality over quantity. Walking into an interview with a bunch of interviews won’t cut it.

Try asking your former manager for a recommendation letter. Remember, a manager’s recommendation will carry more weight.

Discuss the job position with your manager before she writes the recommendation letter. Tell them about the specific skills you need to get that job. It will also make it easier for them to write letters.

Be Honest About Your Skills And Experience

Now, don’t get us wrong with this one. You have to be honest about your skills and experience. It does not mean that you have to mention your lack of experience all the time.

All you need to do is avoid lying. Do not make efforts to prove somehow experience that you do not have. Remember, even when you are underqualified, you can get that job. As we said above, use positive language at all times.

Wear a confident smile on your face. And make sure you maintain composure even when your lack of qualification comes up!

Asking Questions Is Vital

When going through job requirements, we all end up getting a little confused. For example, you might ask what the recruiter means by “proficient” in something. What level of expertise are they expecting from candidates?

Make sure to ask the recruiters if you are not sure about anything. It would be best if you didn’t shy away from clearing up your queries. It can save you a lot of time and energy. You can also reassess the situation and make an informed decision.

Even during the interview, make sure you have plenty of good questions. They can help you stand out apart from other candidates. And when you are not qualified for a job, you should pounce at every opportunity to stand out.

Asking questions is also taken as a sign of your dedication to the job. And employers love to work with employees who have drive and passion. When you ask questions about the company, it is a sign that you have done some excellent research.

When you are underqualified, you have to portray yourself as a hard worker. It is a sure-shot way of getting that job!

Make That Dream Job Yours

As you grow as a professional, you must learn new skills. But for the time being, you don’t have to stop yourself from getting that dream job. Make sure to follow the steps we discussed above. Remember, it is all about being positive.

Right from the time when you write your cover letter, focus on what you have. Explain how the skills on your resume will suit the job. And if you get an interview, make sure you walk in with confidence.

After all, interviews give you an excellent opportunity to stand out from the crowd. Qualifications aside, employers are searching all the time for hard-working people. And if you can show how driven you are, that job is yours to take!

Also, you might beat a fellow candidate who is more qualified than you; who knows! Ignore the people who advise you not to apply for that job. Work hard, try to stand apart, and become a good candidate even when you are underqualified.

Christian has over ten years of experience in marketing agencies. Currently, he has been dedicating his time to a tech startup and also writing for major publications. He loves podcasts and reading to keep up with the latest trends in marketing.

Join the conversation Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Is a Cover Letter Necessary in 2024?

Published: April 03, 2024

Writing a cover letter can be daunting.

woman searches if a cover letter is necessary

I’ll never forget my college career coach, who made writing a cover letter look easy. Even with her tips, I’ve always found it incredibly difficult to talk about myself and hype up my accomplishments.

While it acts as a letter of introduction, I’ve wondered if a cover letter is necessary in 2024. To find out, I spoke with two recruiters and gained insights on how to write the best cover letter for any job application.

How important is a cover letter?

Is a cover letter necessary, when to skip a cover letter, when to include a cover letter, tips for writing a cover letter, what if the cover letter is optional.

Cover letters are short letters of introduction that you include with job applications.

Typically, they are your chance to go into deeper details about your accomplishments that you might not have highlighted or had room to mention on your resume.

Tiffany Hall, a professional resume writer and founder of Resume911 , says cover letters are an important part of the job application process.

Hall says, “Cover letters can be very important. It’s supposed to sell why you, of all applicants, should get the job. The issue is that applicants use them to regurgitate what’s on their resume, and that’s not what it’s for. It should speak to what isn’t easily explained with your resume.”

5 Free Cover Letter Templates

Five fill-in-the-blank cover letter templates to help you impress recruiters.

Standard Cover Letter Template
Entry-Level Cover Letter Template
Data-Driven Cover Letter Template

You're all set!

Click this link to access this resource at any time.

For example, if your resume says you’re skilled at building web pages, your cover letter is a great place to name-drop companies that you’ve worked for to create their websites.

Matthew Muehleisen, a corporate recruiter , thinks a cover letter is also a great place to show you’ve done your homework and researched a company.

Muehleisen says, “It can be what sets you apart from other candidates and applicants and is a good opportunity to show that you’ve done research on the position and company to further showcase your interest in the role.”

Knowing the importance of a cover letter still begs the question: Is a cover letter necessary in 2024?

is a cover letter necessary, definition of a cover letter

Image Source

While a cover letter can help demonstrate your knowledge of the company you’re applying to and highlight more of your achievements, both Hall and Muehleisen agree that a cover letter isn’t entirely necessary.

Muehleisen says, “Unless it’s a requirement of the application, I wouldn’t say it’s necessary to include a cover letter. There are some roles (usually in content creation and marketing) that will ask for a cover letter as a form of a writing sample. In these instances, make sure your letter is polished and focused.”

If Hall had her way, she would eliminate the cover letter entirely, focus more on the resume, and ask for a link to an applicant’s LinkedIn profile.

According to Hall, “Most cover letters either repeat the resume or they speak to why the applicant isn’t a good fit. Neither is the purpose of a cover letter.”

Nevertheless, 74% of hiring managers still prefer applications to include a cover letter. So, it is definitely worth considering including one — even if the application says it’s optional.

If you’re looking for a new role, writing a cover letter can be time-consuming — especially if you take the time to personalize every letter you send to a hiring manager.

Although a cover letter does serve a legitimate purpose, and 83% of hiring managers read it, there are a few situations where you shouldn’t include a cover letter. Let’s take a look at those scenarios.

If You Only Have a Template of a Cover Letter

I get it. Writing an effective cover letter takes a significant amount of time.

But consider not sending one if you only have time to plug your information into a cover letter template without personalizing it before hitting submit on an application.

Don’t get me wrong. A cover letter template is a great starting point to write your cover letter. Templates often remind you to include pertinent information like the hiring manager’s title, name, and your contact information.

However, if you don’t take the time to edit the body of the cover letter and personalize it with research and your relevant experience, you risk sending the same letter as another candidate.

And considering that 48% of hiring managers spend anywhere from 30 seconds to two full minutes reading each cover letter, the chances are high that your hiring manager can spot a form letter a mile away.

Don’t send it if you don’t have the time to personalize a cover letter.

If Your Cover Letter Is Full of Critique

A cover letter is meant to explain why you’re the best candidate for the open position. However, a cover letter is not a place for you to share your ideas of how the company can improve.

Sure, every company likely has areas of improvement, and the job you’re applying for might be the role that gets a say in that, but a list of improvements might read as a critique.

You don’t want to potentially offend a hiring manager before you even get an interview. A bad cover letter can hurt a strong candidate, according to 33% of hiring managers .

Before you submit your cover letter, read through it several times to make sure it’s not a critique. If it does sound like a critique, throw it out.

If It’s Not Required

There are other instances where you shouldn’t send a cover letter. For example, if the application’s instructions specifically state that you do not need to submit a cover letter for consideration for the job.

In fact, sending a cover letter anyway can signal to the hiring manager that you don’t follow instructions. Not following instructions is also a great way to land your application in the trash bin.

The bottom line is this: If the application specifically states not to send a cover letter, don’t send it.

Of hiring managers, 74% prefer to see job applications with a cover letter apart from the resume. Knowing this, if you have the time to include a cover letter with your job application, don’t skip it.

Here are three instances when you should send a cover letter with your application.

Send a cover letter if you’re very interested in the role.

Think of your cover letter as your time to shine. Use it as a place to highlight your experiences and the qualifications that make you a great fit for the position.

Hall says, “If you can speak to why you’re a good candidate without copying your resume in paragraph form, include a cover letter.”

In other words, don’t use bullet points in your cover letter to describe your previous employment history.

Instead, talk about what you learned on the job and how your skills will help you excel in the role you’re applying for.

Send a cover letter when there’s a gap in your resume or you’re transitioning industries.

If you’re looking to transition to another industry, you should definitely include a cover letter with your application.

Speaking from personal experience, if I had only submitted a resume to my school district when I applied to be a Spanish teacher, the hiring manager would have just seen my experience in Public Health and would not have known about my skills and success in tutoring students in Spanish.

Muehleisen puts it this way, “If you’re looking to transition to a new industry or if there is a position and company you’re really excited about pursuing as an opportunity, these are the best instances to include a cover letter so that you can possibly give yourself an advantage.”

A cover letter can also help explain any gaps in your resume — especially if the gap in your employment history is beneficial to the role you’re applying for.

For example, maybe you volunteered in South America, and the role you’re applying for is for a position in Global Operations.

It never hurts to include positive, pertinent information in your cover letter.

Send a cover letter when it’s required.

The most obvious time to include a cover letter with your application is when it is required. Just like not including a cover letter when it’s not required, it shows you can follow directions.

Include a cover letter when the application asks you to submit one, which shows you can follow directions.

Plus, if the application asks for a cover letter, you can bet the hiring manager will look for it. If no cover letter is included, well, you’re sabotaging your chances of getting an interview.

Only 13% of hiring managers will consider giving a candidate an interview if they don’t attach a required cover letter to an application.

Writing a cover letter is not as painful as it sounds. There are great templates you can use as a starting point for your cover letter.

The trick with a template, though, is to make sure you always personalize the letter to your own experiences and qualifications.

Here are five expert tips to write a winning cover letter.

1. Tailor your cover letter to the job description.

When writing a cover letter, especially if you use a cover letter template, you should tailor the letter to match the job description and meet the requirements of the application.

For example, if the application asks you to attach a short cover letter, keep it brief. Your best bet is one to two short paragraphs detailing why you’re a great fit for the position.

You’ll also want to reference keywords from the job description in your cover letter. Many recruiters use applicant tracking systems that scan application packets for the best fit.

Often, hiring managers review the applications that match the keywords first.

Now, that doesn’t mean to stuff your cover letter with keywords. Instead, use them in a natural way as you discuss your qualifications.

2. Be personable with your greeting.

You might have seen the advice telling you to use “To Whom It May Concern” instead of the hiring manager’s name. This is good advice, but only if you do not know the hiring manager.

Before resorting to a generic greeting to start your cover letter, take the time to look on the company’s website and LinkedIn to find out who makes hiring decisions.

If you have contacts in your network who are familiar with the company, ask them. Taking the time to research the hiring manager and the company shows you care about the details — a quality many hiring managers look for in a candidate!

If you’re still unsure after researching the company, consider using “Dear Sir or Madam” as your greeting.

3. Be yourself.

While a cover letter is a formal introduction of yourself to a potential employer, it doesn’t need to be lacking in personality. Hall suggests sprinkling your personality in your cover letter to spark connections with the hiring manager.

Hall says, “Be your best professional self. I’m a foodie and will include references to food on my LinkedIn, and I’ve done it in a cover letter. I’ve had managers reference them, and we had a chuckle. I am also very clear about aligning myself with companies whose mission and goals I respect and can contribute to. I make sure to speak to that in the cover letter.”

Take Hall’s advice. Showcasing your vibrant personality in your cover letter can help break the ice in your interview!

4. Proofread your cover letter.

Once you’ve written your cover letter and before you hit “send,” double-check that it is free from spelling and grammar errors and that the company you referenced is the company you are applying to.

Muehleisen says skipping proofreading your cover letter is a big mistake — and it could cost you the job!

Muehleisen says, “Make sure that you are proofreading prior to sending. If the cover letter feels like it is a simple cut/paste or if the job title and company name are incorrect, it may do more harm than good. So, be sure that what you’re sending is pertinent.”

5. Be cautious of AI.

AI tools, like ChatGPT or Claude, are great for helping draft content. You might be tempted to ask generative AI to write your cover letter for you. However, both Hall and Muehleisen say to proceed with caution when it comes to AI.

Hall says, “AI is coming along in amazing ways, so it may come as a surprise that my best tip didn’t include AI. I tell my clients when they’re stuck to look to their peers. You can search people by job title on LinkedIn. See how they describe themselves and pull from there. Or, hire a resume writer or career strategist to help you.”

Muehleisen agrees with her. He says, “I would hesitate to use a tool or service for a cover letter as the point should be to show your authenticity. If you are going to use AI for assistance, make sure to put your own words in as well.”

However, when you write your cover letter, whether using a template or generative AI, personalizing it is key to standing out from the competition.

If the job description says a cover letter is optional, should you send one, or can you get by without it?

That can be tricky, considering 72% of recruiters still expect a cover, even if it’s optional.

According to Muehleisen, sending a cover letter is not a bad idea. He says, “I’ve never heard of a cover letter hurting an applicant’s chances; just make sure the one you’re including is specific to the job description and posting.”

Check out these cover letter examples for more inspiration.

Experiment With Your Cover Letters

Writing a cover letter is a breeze once you get the hang of it. With today’s challenging job market, sending a cover letter with your application can make a difference in whether you get called for an interview.

I can’t make promises that your cover letter will dazzle hiring managers each time, but for the right position for you, it will.

Remember Hall and Muehleisen’s advice when you craft your cover letter. Personalization is key to success!

Don't forget to share this post!

General Cover Letter: 15 Cover Letter Templates to Perfect Your Next Job Application

The 23 Best Cover Letter Examples: What They Got Right

How to Write a Cover Letter for an Internship [Examples & Template]

Letter of Interest Tips, Templates & Examples [A 2023 Guide]

The Ultimate Guide to Writing a Cover Letter

How to Start a Cover Letter to Impress Employers [+ 14 Examples]

Eight Cover Letter Greetings for Every Situation

7 Expert Cover Letter Tips to Get the Job

Marketing software that helps you drive revenue, save time and resources, and measure and optimize your investments — all on one easy-to-use platform

COMMENTS

How To Write a Cover Letter When You Are Under-Qualified
How to write a cover letter for a job you're underqualified for to make a positive impression. If you're applying to a position you are underqualified for based on formal credentials and experience, follow these steps to write your cover letter: 1. Assess your qualifications. Performing an honest self-reflection can be beneficial when applying ...
Cover Letter For Underqualified(4 Samples)
How to write a cover letter when you are underqualified. The best format for writing a cover letter when you are underqualified is as follows: Address the employer with a formal salutation. For example, "Dear/Hello (name of the recipient).". If you do not know the recipient's name, you can refer to them as the hiring manager.
Here's What to Say in a Cover Letter When You're Not Totally Qualified
Here is a sample of how you may want to conclude your cover letter: "I look forward to talking with you about how my diverse skills and experience can benefit your organization.". Nobody ever ...
5 Ways to Stand Out When Underqualified
2. Focus On Relevancy First. Start off by talking about the experience you do have, rather than what you lack. When you're already feeling a little self-conscious and underqualified, it can be tempting to start your cover letter off with something like, "I know I'm not at all what you're looking for, but…".
How to Write a Cover Letter When Over or Underqualified
2 Address the gap or the surplus. Don't ignore or hide the fact that you're over or underqualified for the job. Instead, address it directly and honestly in your cover letter, and explain why you ...
How To Get Hired While Underqualified (With Steps and Tips)
Customize the cover letter to address the company's mission statement and core values. Aligning your overall persona with the business shows that you can grow long term as a leader within the organization, which may encourage a hiring manager to consider the long-term investment of hiring and training you. 7. Research your qualification gaps
How to Be a Great Candidate Even If You're Under-Qualified for the Job
Here are three preparation steps to consider, with a fourth one for extra credit. Step 1: Understand what you're stepping into. In order to get an offer, you must understand this position as well as someone who has been in it. This is particularly important if you are a bit underqualified.
How to Write a Cover Letter if You are Over or Underqualified
Here's how to do it: Start by reading the job description and making a list of what's needed for the job. If you want to do this electronically, list out all of the requirements in the first column of a spreadsheet. Then add a column for "exceeds requirements," another for "meets requirements," and where you "fall short.".
Use These Skills When You're Under-Qualified for a Job
First, in your cover letter, you can use both transferable and additive skills to tell a two-line story. For example, let's say you're a project manager who loves to write, applying for a job as a company recruiter: ... "A big part of writing persuasively is understanding your audience, and I'd call upon those same skills to connect ...
How to Write a Cover Letter That Will Get You a Job
If you think you need to open the letter with something creative or catchy, I am here to tell you that you don't. Just be simple and straightforward: • "I'm writing to apply for your X position.". • "I'd love to be considered for your X position.". • "I'm interested in your X position because …".
Underqualified Job-Seeker? Tips to Inspire Employers
The format clearly demonstrates that you are qualified in so many areas that the employer may overlook the areas in which you lack the exact qualifications. Use LiveCareer's Cover Letter Builder, and get assistance with building a two-column cover letter. 6. Indicate your flexibility and willingness to learn.
How to Apply for a Job When You Are Underqualified
Be realistic about your job search goals. Applying for jobs that you're underqualified for— especially if you have to answer a questionnaire in the application and admit that you're underqualified— is a riskier business than applying for jobs where you meet all the requirements. If you have a job and are simply leisurely looking for a ...
Under-Qualified? Here's How to Snag an Interview Anyway
Read on to find out, according to our career experts, how you can avoid the slush pile and snag an interview. 1. Use keywords to your advantage. "When it comes to job postings," Perron says, "most employers use a software that collects the applications and uses an algorithm to analyze which applications are the most relevant to the job ...
Want a Better Cover Letter? Avoid These Extremes
First, write the best cover letter you can—down to proofreading and spell-checking—or dig up the last one you wrote for review. (Trust me, having something to work with is way easier than staring at a blank page and thinking about balance). Then, review the letter and see where it falls on the spectrum for each of the points below—and ...
How To Write a Cover Letter (With Examples and Tips)
Middle paragraph (s) Closing paragraph. Letter ending and signature. Your cover letter should be one page long and use a simple, professional font, such as Arial or Helvetica, 10 to 12 points in size. Your letter should be left-aligned with single spacing and one-inch margins. Show Transcript.
How to write an effective cover letter when you're overqualified for a
Spend some time reviewing the company's website and social pages to learn more about their core values. This will help you identify keywords you can use in your cover letter and focus on the right type of skills needed for the job. 2. Think about the concerns involving your overqualification.
How to Handle Being Labeled 'Overqualified' With a Cover Letter
The cover letter explains the why, the resume explains the what and the how. The important thing to remember when it comes to the cover letter, is that it tells a story that your resume can't tell on its own. Your resume can tell what you achieved and how you achieved it: "Saved the company $$ by re-negotiating vendor contracts."
How to Land an Interview if You're Underqualified
In your cover letter, you could say, "While your job requirement does not specify previous experience in Sales or Client Relations, I have deep experience in both. If hired, I would be happy to assist with sales and client development initiatives as you see fit."
How To Address Being Overqualified On A Cover Letter
Apr 13, 2023 • 1 min read. One way to address being overqualified on a cover letter is to emphasize your passion for the industry or specific company you are applying to, and explain how your qualifications will make you a valuable asset to the team. Additionally, you can highlight how your skills and experience can be transferable to the ...
How to Write a Cover Letter That Will Get You a Job
You don't need a creative opening line. , If you think you need to open the letter with something creative or catchy, I am here to tell you that you don't. Just be simple and straightforward ...
How to Write a Resume for a Mismatched Job
2 Highlight your relevant skills. The first step is to focus on the skills that are most relevant to the job you are applying for. You can use a skills-based resume format, which emphasizes your ...
Writing a Cover Letter When You're Overqualified
Extensive experience maintaining filing systems, organizing and scheduling meetings, booking travel arrangements, and ordering office supplies. Attention to detail and organizational skills. Facility with the most popular office and project management software programs, including Microsoft Office, Trello, and Asana - plus a high level of ...
How to Address being Overqualified for a Job
Here's an article on how to write a great cover letter. Writing a Resume if You're Overqualified. ... This is true whether you're overqualified, or a tiny bit underqualified (missing one or two specific areas of experience, but qualified otherwise). You never know unless you apply. The only surefire way to NOT get the job is to not apply.
What Is Underqualified? How To Get A Job As Underqualified?
Right from the time when you write your cover letter, focus on what you have. Explain how the skills on your resume will suit the job. And if you get an interview, make sure you walk in with confidence. After all, interviews give you an excellent opportunity to stand out from the crowd.
How to Write a Cover Letter When You're Overqualified
Here are some steps you can take when writing your cover letter to minimize the chance of being rejected for the position because you're too qualified: 1. Research. Before you write your cover letter , get as much information about the employer and position for which you are applying as possible. Understanding the mission of the company and the ...
Is a Cover Letter Necessary in 2024?
Here are five expert tips to write a winning cover letter. 1. Tailor your cover letter to the job description. When writing a cover letter, especially if you use a cover letter template, you should tailor the letter to match the job description and meet the requirements of the application.
How To Write a Field Engineer Cover Letter (With Examples)
Field engineer cover letter template. Here is a cover letter template you can use to create your own cover letter: [Your Name] [City, State] [Your Phone Number] [Your Email] [Today's Date] [Recipient's Name] [Company's Name] Dear [Recipient's Name], I am writing to express my interest in the open field engineer position at [Company's Name].
How to Write an Accounts Payable Specialist Cover Letter (with ...
Here is a cover letter template you can use to craft your personal letter. [Your Name] [City, State] [Your Phone Number] [Your Email] [Today's Date] [Recipient's Name] [Recipient's Company's] Dear [Recipient's Name], I am writing to express my interest in the accounts payable specialist position at [recipient company].
How To Write a Family Medicine Physician Cover Letter (With ...
Family medicine physician cover letter template. Here is a cover letter template you can use to create your own cover letter: [Your Name] [City, State] [Your Phone Number] [Your Email] [Today's Date] [Recipient's Name] [Recipient's Company] Dear [Hiring Manager's Full Name], I am writing to apply for the position of family medicine physician at ...
How To Write an Estimator Cover Letter (With Examples)
End your cover letter with a professional closing. Thank the hiring manager for their time and express willingness to discuss further. Tips for writing an estimator cover letter A well-written estimator cover letter could catch the hiring manager's eye. Focus on these tips as you write: Clear and concise Keep your cover letter clear and concise.

Clinical psychology

Psychotherapy

Cover letter for underqualified(4 samples)

How to write a cover letter when you are underqualified

Frequently Asked Questions:

What should a cover letter contain?

Was this helpful?

How to Be a Great Candidate Even If You're Under-Qualified for the Job

To apply or not to apply?

Pre-interview strategy.

Interview strategy.

Related Articles:

Career Advice Newsletter

How to Write a Cover Letter That Will Get You a Job

1. First, understand the point of a cover letter.

2. Whatever you do, don’t just summarize your résumé.

3. You don’t need a creative opening line.

4. Show, don’t tell.

5. If there’s anything unusual or confusing about your candidacy, address it in the letter.

6. Keep the tone warm and conversational.

7. Don’t use a form letter.

8. No, you don’t need to hunt down the hiring manager’s name.

9. Keep it under one page.

10. Don’t agonize over the small details.

The Cut Shop

Editor’s Picks

Most Popular

Sign In To Continue Reading

How to Apply for a Job When You Are Underqualified

Kristin Anderson

Cancel reply

You may also like

Coming Back from a Layoff

Recent Posts

How to Land an Interview if You’re Underqualified

How To Address Being Overqualified On A Cover Letter

In This Guide:

Upload & Check Your Resume

The Success Journey: Mark Zuckerberg's Pre-Facebook Resume

How to Write a Cover Letter That Will Get You a Job

First, understand the point of a cover letter.

Whatever you do, don’t just summarize your résumé.

You don’t need a creative opening line.

Show, don’t tell.

If there’s anything unusual or confusing about your candidacy, address it in the letter.

Keep the tone warm and conversational.

Don’t use a form letter.

No, you don’t need to hunt down the hiring manager’s name.

Keep it under one page.

Don’t agonize over the small details.

Cover Letter for When You Are Overqualified for a Position

Applying as an Overqualified Candidate

Don't Dwell on Your Qualifications

The Extra Effort Can Pay Off

Sample Cover Letter When You’re Overqualified for a Position

How to Address being Overqualified for a Job

What Does Being Overqualified for a Job Mean?

When employers say you’re overqualified, they usually mean one of the following:

How to Get Hired While Being Overqualified for a Job

Writing a Cover Letter if You’re Overqualified

Writing a Resume if You’re Overqualified

Answering Interview Questions About Being Overqualified

Here’s how to answer interview questions about being overqualified:

Here are a few very common interview questions you should be ready for:

Being Overqualified – You Can’t Win Them All

So… Should You Apply for a Job Even if You’re Overqualified?

Getting a Job While Being Overqualified – Quick Instructions

How to Write a Graphic Designer Cover Letter (3 Examples)

What Is Underqualified? How To Get A Job When You’re Underqualified?

What Is Underqualified?

Tips To Get A Job When You're Underqualified

Focus On What You Have

Show Them You Are A Quick Learner

Showcase Your Transferrable Skills

Say A Resounding “No” To Negative Language

Good Recommendations Can Make The Difference

Be Honest About Your Skills And Experience

Asking Questions Is Vital

Make That Dream Job Yours

Related posts: