When you start applying to jobs, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the process of putting together a cover letter. Unlike your resume, you should be sending out a different or slightly modified version of your cover letter for each separate role. After all, a tailored cover letter can be what separates you from your competition for the role!

However, having to constantly write a new cover letter can feel tedious over time. This is where having a cover letter template to refer to can be helpful. By having one, you’ll be able to act more efficiently during the application process. Here are 3 elements of a cover letter template that can make a difference:

Have a tailored opening statement

When putting together your cover letter template, you’ll want to reserve space for an enticing opening statement. This could be the first impression a hiring manager will have of you, so the hiring manager might not even make it to your resume if your letter isn’t compelling enough. To get their attention, put your company research to use and make a connection between yourself and the organization. This way, the hiring manager will know you’ve taken the time to learn about the company and that you’re genuinely interested in the position.

Make a clear pitch

Since your resume is where you’ll be highlighting your technical skills, you should use your cover letter template to pitch your soft skills. In other words, this is the part of your job application where you can make a case for yourself as the best fit for the role. To do this, reference back to the job posting and see what the company is looking for in the job description. If they say they’re looking for a good problem-solver, use your cover letter to talk about past experiences where you had to address an issue, how you approached it, and what the end results were.

End with a strong closing statement

As you finish putting together a cover letter template you can always refer to, it’s important to show your commitment to and desire for the role. To do this, be sure to include your intention of pursuing next steps by saying you look forward to scheduling a time to interview, further discuss the opportunity, and how you can contribute to the role.