Part-Time Job Cover Letter Examples (21+ Free Templates)

A cover letter for a part-time job is an official document that highlights the contents of an applicant’s resume for application to a position that carries fewer working hours than a full-time job.

In addition, the letter acquaints the applicant with his/her potential employers by informing them on who he/she is and the contribution he/she can make if hired.

When writing a part-time job cover letter, an applicant should consider the following:

Why is a Cover Letter Needed in a Part-time Job?

An applicant for a part-time job should write a cover letter as it can assist an applicant in demonstrating why he/she is a strong candidate for a position. The cover letter tells the applicant’s story in a few paragraphs by highlighting specific relevant experiences. Therefore, an applicant should consider the cover letter for a part-time job for the following reasons:

• It encourages an employer to read an applicant’s resume.
• It identifies the applicant and states why he/she is the best person for the job
• It demonstrates an applicant’s writing ability
• It demonstrates that the applicant is serious about the opportunity to work in the company
• It sets up the follow-up
• It highlight’s an applicant’s strengths
• It can help boost a weak resume
• It can make an applicant stand out

A well-written cover letter could be the difference between an applicant who gets a part-time job and another who doesn’t.

Printed Letters vs. Email Message

An applicant should ensure that he/she reads the job submission requirements provided by an employer. The instructions provided direct an applicant on whether or not to send an email message or a printed cover letter for part-time jobs and other application documents. An applicant can choose which submission avenue to use if no directions are provided.

When a printed letter is required, the applicant should ensure that he/she has the employer’s correct mail address. A printed cover letter for a part-time job should be written in a readable font and font size. The date and the applicant’s contact information should be provided at the start, while the employer’s address information should follow.

When sending an email message, the applicant should ensure he/she attaches the cover letter for a part-time job as a word document, PDF, or writes directly into the email message.

Writing the cover letter for a part-time job as a direct email message will require the applicant to list his/her name and job title in the subject line. The message should start with a salutation, and the applicant’s contact information should be included in his/her email signature. The employer’s contact information is not required.

A cover letter for a part-time job increases an applicant’s chances for employment. The applicant should therefore strive to highlight his/her best attributes in the letter. Thus, the following information should be written in a cover letter for a part-time job:

Introduction

The introductory paragraph of the cover letter for a part-time job should introduce the applicant to the employer and state his/her interest in the position. The applicant should also indicate how he/she heard about the job and if it was a referral by someone else whose name should be mentioned in the cover letter for a part-time job. The information conveyed in the first paragraph will catch the employer’s attention and help create an interest in the applicant.

Skills and qualifications 

Next, the applicant should ensure that the second paragraph of the cover letter for a part-time job highlights his/her skills and qualifications.  The applicant should connect his/her skills to the job requirement to show the employer why he/she is best suited for the job. This information can also be conveyed in both the second and third paragraphs for more context. The applicant can provide practical examples of how his/her skill set was used in the previous capacity occupied.

Recommendation-if any

Afterward, the cover letter for a part-time job can include any recommendations that an applicant has received from a previous employer. In addition, the letter should convey the name of the referral, the relationship, and the referral’s familiarity with the applicant.

The applicant should provide a summary explaining the reason for the recommendation and how the experience qualifies him/her for the position.

Steps an applicant can follow to get a recommendation:

• Reaching out to a colleague or friend: First, to obtain a recommendation, an applicant can try asking someone at the company to refer him/her. It’s recommended that the person be higher in rank and well known to the hiring manager.

• Identify the referral’s reach: Next, the applicant should try and ensure that the individual recommending him/her has some connection to the hiring manager. The applicant can candidly ask the referral about the nature of the relationship he/she shares with the hiring manager. However, if a candid conversation is not an option, the applicant can learn about the company structure to determine how the hiring manager and the referral may have interacted.
  The applicant should exercise caution at this stage because if the relations between the referral and the hiring manager are hostile, having the recommendation on the cover letter for a part-time job can be harmful.

• Request the referral’s consent: Then the applicant should seek the referral’s consent to include his/her name in the cover letter for a part-time job. Seeking consent will ensure the referral is prepared for any question the hiring manager may pose if contacted about the recommendation. The referral can also provide the applicant with information that he/she has about the company and job.

• Give the referral a copy of the cover letter for a part-time job: Afterward, the applicant should thank and avail a copy of the cover letter for a part-time job to the referral. The copy will contain the same content as the original, which the hiring manager will receive

Follow-up plan

Suppose an applicant sends a cover letter for a part-time job and does not receive any communication from the employer for an extended period. Then, the applicant can send a follow-up email to enquire information concerning the status of his/her application.

The follow-up email has the following principles:

• It should be sent after two weeks
• It should be sent via email for record-keeping
• It should have a clear subject line
• It should be polite and professional
• It should be brief
• It should remind the employer of the applicant’s suitability for the job
• It should contain any questions the applicant has
• It should be thoroughly edited

Conclusion

The conclusion of the cover letter for the part-time job should restate the applicant’s belief in the value the company stands to gain by employing him/her. The applicant should also write his/her contact information in the final paragraph.

The applicant’s signature and name will mark the conclusion of the cover letter for a part-time job.

The following are samples of a cover letter for part-time job that can help an applicant formulate his /her letter:

Following are the free sample part-time job cover letter that can be customized as per requirements:

An applicant should consider the following tips when writing a cover letter for a part-time job:

Always write one

An applicant should always write a cover letter for the part-time job unless the employer strictly states otherwise. Taking the initiative to write a cover letter for a part-time job even when an employer does not state it as a requirement portrays an applicant’s proactive nature.

Give quick examples

An applicant should try and provide at least two examples of a situation that warranted the use of the skills required for the position stated in the cover letter for a part-time job. These examples will increase an applicant’s chances of employment.

Be brief

A cover letter for a part-time job is meant to introduce and highlight the applicant’s capabilities. Writing a short cover letter will motivate the employer to read it and increase the applicant’s chances of being short-listed for the job. The cover letter for a part-time job should be under one page.

The cover letter will also require proper spacing for a neat appearance.

Show flexibility

The applicant should demonstrate his/her ability to comfortably work flexible hours, especially if the job requires shift work.

 Edit and proofread

The applicant should read the cover letter for a part-time job and identify any grammatical mistakes. The cover letter for a part-time job is a first impression on the employer and should therefore be the best version of the applicant. A well-edited cover letter demonstrates an attention to detail and an applicant’s professionalism. An applicant can have a cover letter for a part-time job edited and proofread by another person willing to surrender a few minutes to the task.

A cover letter for a part-time job can go a long way in securing an applicant a job. The letter introduces an applicant to the employer and highlights what can be found in the resume. Therefore, an applicant should always write a cover letter for the part-time job unless the employer strictly states not to.

A well-written cover letter for a part-time job communicates professionalism and attention to detail. It represents an applicant’s character and even vouches for his/her skills and qualifications. An applicant should treat the part-time job application just as if it were full-time. Making an effort to write a cover letter for a part-time job will always make a good impression on the employer.