Human Resource (HR) Cover Letter Examples + Tips

HR departments across organizations handle a wide range of processes. They are in charge of a variety of tasks, making this job position one of the most engaging. Therefore, your cover letter must include all the essential things to get hired as an Human Resources professional.

You might find it quite challenging if you do not have experience writing cover letters. However, with the proper instructions, you can create a professional one and increase your chances of getting hired.

All of the information you need to know about writing a cover letter for the position of Human Resources professional is provided below.

Cover Letter Examples

Free Editable Human Resource Manager Cover Letter Example 01 for Word File

Great Printable Human Resource Representative Cover Letter Example for Word File

Great Printable Human Resource Generalist Cover Letter Example for Word File

Free Editable Human Resource Manager Cover Letter Example 02 for Word File

Great Printable Human Resource Assistant Cover Letter Example for Word File

Free Editable Human Resource Manager Cover Letter Example 03 for Word File

    Responsibilities of HR Professionals

    Professionals in human resources have a variety of duties that vary depending on a number of factors, including their position in the organization’s hierarchy and place on the team.

    The responsibilities can range from planning and managing new recruitment and hiring to providing orientation to new employees. In addition, they oversee identifying and managing employees’ training and development needs.

    They also need to develop and implement human resources policies and procedures. Before administering compensation and benefits, they must also ensure that they align with the company’s policies and legislation.

    They are also in charge of benchmarking compensation and benefits and implementing and monitoring performance management systems. In addition, they are responsible for handling employee complaints, grievances, and disputes; administering employee discipline processes and conducting exit interviews.

    Finally, they need to maintain knowledge of legal requirements and government reporting regulations relevant to labor laws.

    Writing Steps for an HR Cover Letter

    Here are the steps you need to complete to produce a compelling and professional cover letter for the human resources position:

    It must be your aim to improve your letter’s readability and visual experience while ensuring that it looks professional. Its readability and appearance can be enhanced by giving it a proper structure. 

    The first step is to include a professional header. The role of the header is to provide essential details about you to the potential employer. A well-structured header should contain the following:

    • Your name and professional title
    • Your business phone number, email address, and link to your LinkedIn profile
    • Date of the letter
    • The name of the company and the department you are applying to
    • If you send a printed HR cover letter, include the company’s physical address.

    Here is an example of a professional header:

    EXAMPLE

    John Smith, Human Resource Generalist
    (123) 456-7890
    john.smith@gmail..com
    linkedin.com/in/john-smith

    05 July 2022

    Whole Foods, Inc.
    Human Resources Department
    1234 Street Address
    New York City, 10001

    Personalize the greetings

    The next step includes making the letter more personal. To do it, you need to address the person who will be reading your letter. It sends a strong message that you are a person who pays attention to detail and is willing to do extensive research.

    Personalized human resources cover letter greetings can start with “Dear,” whether a potential employer is a business acquaintance or someone you do not know.

    The word ‘Dear’ has become a standard way for starting personalized and formal greetings:

    • Dear Hiring Manager,
    • Dear Human Resources Department Team,
    • Dear Mr./Ms. [Name], (if you are uncertain of the gender, you can start with Dear [Name],)

    Write a compelling introduction

    Your goal is to write an introduction that can grab the employer’s attention. The letter’s introduction should be brief. It should be no longer than 2 or 3 sentences. It would be best to use it to outline your professional history and why you are applying for the opening. You should mention any mutual acquaintances.

    EXAMPLE

    I am an HR professional with more than five years of experience working in a mid-level corporate environment. I met John Doe, a manager in your sales department, at the HR Strategy Forum, and he recommended that I apply for this position. I took John Doe’s advice seriously because I think my unique skill set is exactly what your company needs. 

    Showcase your skills

    Given that every company has unique hiring objectives and goals to improve its culture, you should highlight all the relevant skills you have. You should proceed to this section after finishing the introduction. Job-specific skills include both hard and soft skills.

    Hard skills are technical skills that can give employers a better understanding of your educational background and technical competence.

    Recruiters often seek the following hard skills in:

    • Recruiting
    • Data analysis
    • Applicant screening
    • Labor laws
    • Employee relations
    • Performance management
    • Employee onboarding
    • Clerical procedures
    • Payroll
    • Accounting software
    • Background checks
    • Human Resources Information System

    Some soft skills are critical to becoming a distinguished HR professional. Here are some job-specific soft skills that you should include in the letter:

    • Interpersonal skills
    • People skills
    • Discretion
    • Empathy
    • Ethics
    • Negotiation
    • Critical thinking
    • Active listening
    • Conflict management
    • Approachability
    • Collaboration
    • Critical thinking

    note

    You should not mention all your hard and soft skills. Instead, after carefully reading the job advertisement, you should only highlight your most vital abilities relevant to the job.

    Here’s an example of how to demonstrate your professional expertise in a casual yet professional manner:

    EXAMPLE

    To date, I find that my most vital abilities are:

    ●       Developing customized outreach recruitment programs to source and recruit top talent
    ●       Building a positive work environment to increase employee retention
    ●       Standardizing the recruitment process by creating questionnaires and application forms
    ●       Collaborating with the legal department to improve arbitration of labor disputes.

    Explain your motivation for the job

    There is a reason you chose to apply for a job position with this company. You must mention your motivation right after highlighting your skills. Giving a compliment will make your letter more personal.

    Giving an explanation of why you want to work for the organization will demonstrate your understanding of the values it upholds for its employees. In addition, it will help them understand why you chose to apply for this job and that your values align with the company’s goals.

    Here is what it would look like in practice:

    I appreciate your effort in building a supportive and diverse operational culture and creating a safe workplace. I believe that my experience and qualifications make me a suitable candidate for your HR position to help you achieve your company’s cultural goals and optimize your hiring strategies to succeed in sourcing top talent.

    Close with a proper conclusion

    A memorable closing statement can help your cover letter get noticed. In addition, you can leverage it to show your enthusiasm and level of professionalism.

    If writing a conclusion is difficult for you, consider adding the following to help you:

    • A positive statement about your position
    • Your follow-up plans
    • The best way for the employer to reach you
    • Formal sign-off (include a digital copy of your handwritten signature if possible).

    Here is what a proper conclusion should look like:

    sample

    I want to express my gratitude that you took the time to read my letter. I am keen to learn more about the position you are offering and look forward to your follow-up next week. The best time to reach me is any workday between 9 a.m. and 5 a.m. at my given contact number.

    Sincerely,
    [Digital copy of your handwritten signature]

    Template for a Human Resources Cover Letter

    Here is a sample letter that you can use to help you write one professionally to make the process even simpler for you:

    note

    [Applicant’s Name]

    [Current Job Title]

    [Professional Phone Number]

    [Professional Email Address]

    [Link to LinkedIn Profile]

    [Date]

    [Company Name]

    [Department Name]

    [Street and Number]

    [City and Zip Code]

    Dear [Recruiter’s Name]

    I was thrilled when I discovered that [target company name] has an opening for a Human Resources Generalist. I have [number of years] of professional experience working as a Human Resource Generalist. Given that I am highly skilled in [a couple of relevant hard and soft skills], this will help me meet and exceed your requirements and expectations.

    Your job ad clearly outlines that you want to hire a Human Resource Generalist experienced in [critical requirements for the job]. While working at [current or most recent company you worked for] in [job position], I excelled at [project completion, duties, and responsibilities supported by KPIs and other relevant metrics]. Therefore, I am confident that my expertise will help [target company name] achieve similar, if not better, results.

    I have become interested in applying to [target company name] because of [a couple of things you admire about the target company]. First, I am always driven by my professional beliefs, and it was exciting to see that we share the same core values and mission. Second, I would be honored to receive an opportunity to grow professionally and develop at [target company name].

    It would be great if we could schedule an in-person meeting or a call so we could further discuss how my skills can help [target company name] achieve better results.

    Yours sincerely,

    [Digital copy of your handwritten signature]

    Sample Letter

    Presented below is a sample cover letter for an HR position to help you understand how to write one yourself. 

    sample

    Dear Hiring Manager,

    I am writing to express my earnest interest in the Human Resources position at Zenith Corporation. My educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management, complemented by a rich professional experience of over five years in diverse HR roles. In my current position at Innovate Tech, a leading software development firm, I have played a pivotal role in revamping our recruitment process, leading to a 25% reduction in time-to-hire and a 30% improvement in employee retention rates over the past two years.

    My tenure at Innovate Tech has also allowed me to develop and implement an employee relations program that has significantly enhanced workplace satisfaction. I led a team that conducted comprehensive annual surveys, the results of which contributed to a 40% increase in overall employee satisfaction. Furthermore, I successfully managed the performance evaluation process for a workforce of over 300 employees, focusing on transparent and effective communication, and goal alignment with corporate objectives.

    What excites me about the opportunity at Zenith Corporation is your dedication to creating an inclusive and forward-thinking workplace. I am particularly adept at integrating diversity and inclusion initiatives into HR practices. At Innovate Tech, I spearheaded a diversity program that increased the representation of underrepresented groups in our workforce by 20%. Additionally, my experience in facilitating over 50 training workshops has been crucial in enhancing staff skills, leading to a 15% increase in productivity.

    I am confident that my proven track record in strategic HR management, coupled with my commitment to fostering a positive and productive work environment, makes me a strong candidate for this role. I am eager to bring my blend of experience and passion for human resources to Zenith Corporation, contributing significantly to your team’s success and the company’s broader goals.

    Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my expertise and vision align with the unique needs of Zenith Corporation.

    Sincerely,

    Stella Jones

    Analysis

    This cover letter is a useful example for readers, primarily because of its key technical features that align with best practices in job applications. First and foremost, the writer has adopted a clear and structured format, dividing the content into four distinct paragraphs. This organization makes the letter easy to read and understand, guiding applicants on how to structure their cover letters.

    One of the most notable aspects of this letter is the use of specific, quantitative achievements, like a “25% reduction in time-to-hire” and a “30% improvement in employee retention rates.” This approach showcases the writer’s success in measurable terms, teaching applicants the importance of quantifying their accomplishments to make a stronger impact.

    The writer mentions relevant experiences and skills that directly relate to the job description. This level of customization is a key aspect of effective cover letters, as it demonstrates the applicant’s suitability for the role and their understanding of the job’s requirements.

    The writer also strategically highlights essential soft skills and values, such as fostering a positive work environment and prioritizing diversity. This is crucial in HR roles, where interpersonal skills and company culture fit are often as important as technical abilities.

    Finally, the writer maintains a professional yet enthusiastic tone, especially in the concluding paragraph. This balance shows applicants how to express their interest and eagerness for the position without sacrificing professionalism. The inclusion of a personalization placeholder is a practical reminder to customize the letter, reinforcing the importance of making each application unique and relevant to the job and the company.

    In summary, the sample letter is a useful guide on how to craft effective and impactful job application letters.

    Some Professional Tips

    You can write your human resources cover letter with the help of a few useful suggestions while maintaining professionalism and relevance.

    Here are a few tips that you should follow:

    Use a proper format

    You should use a proper format for the letter to demonstrate your professionalism and understanding of the job requirements. An easily readable and neat letter will reflect a remarkable level of professionalism.

    The most crucial formatting tips would be to use a conventional font, choose a font size between 10.5 and 12 points, and set the margins to 1–1.5 inches. You should also finish with a formal sign-off that includes words such as “Appreciatively,” “Sincerely,” and “Best Regards,” followed by a digital copy of your handwritten signature if possible.

    Finally, if you are applying for a job online, convert your letter from DOCX to PDF format, to ensure that the formatting and layout are preserved. 

    Personalize the content

    Some applicants find it difficult to personalize official letters. However, personalizing the letter for the job is not challenging when you know what to do. The first step is to research the potential employer thoroughly. You should find the hiring manager’s name, who will most likely read your letter.

    You should also research the potential employer’s projects, as they can tell you how your skill set and experience can benefit the company.

    You should also read the target company’s mission, vision, values, and goals. They are often readily available on the company’s official website. This can assist you in determining what the company values and what qualities it seeks in its employees. With this information, you can modify your letter accordingly. 

    Do not write a lengthy letter

    Nobody wants to spend more than a few minutes reading an HR cover letter. That is why your letter should be straightforward and brief. You are not writing an essay, but rather a letter that must keep the hiring managers’ attention until the end. The most optimal letter length is between 250 and 400 words.

    Include relevant information

    Hiring managers want to learn only relevant information regarding the applicant’s educational background, work experience, and skills. Therefore, the best tip is to only include relevant details in your letter.

    There is no need to go in-depth when talking about yourself. Instead, ensure that you include job-specific skills and experience. It will make you appear as a candidate who is aware of the recruitment goals and objectives.

    Carefully proofread the letter before submitting

    An HR cover letter is a professional document, so it should be free of grammar and spelling errors. Make sure to proofread your letter before finally submitting it. There are many free online tools that you can use to check your letter for errors.

    Key Takeaways

    • Human resources is an essential department of every company. So, when applying for a position in that department, you must draft an HR cover letter that should be professional and align with the hiring manager’s needs.
    • Structure your letter by using a professional greeting, writing short paragraphs, and ending with a signoff to improve readability and enhance the visual appearance.
    • Include hard and soft skills that are relevant to the position you are applying for to show that you have read and understood the job advertisement.
    • Avoid including irrelevant information in your letter, as this might leave a negative impression on the hiring manager.
    • Outline why you chose this company over others to send a strong message that your personal goals align with those of the company.
    •  Keep the copy below 400 words and free of spelling and grammar errors to ensure you appear professional in the eyes of the recruiter.
    • With these tips and templates, you can write a compelling letter and increase your chances of getting hired for the position you are applying for.

    About This Article

    Megan V.
    Authored by:
    Award-Winning Resume Writing, Cover Letters, Executive Bios, Public Relations
    Megan V. is an acclaimed resume writing professional, celebrated repeatedly as one of the "Top Ten Best Resume Writers in the Bay Area," a title she proudly reclaimed in 2023. Transitioning from her extensive experience owning and steering a public relations agency since 2009, Megan has tailored her writing prowess to cater to individuals seeking standout resumes, compelling cover letters, and detailed executive bios.

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