Data Entry Cover Letter Sample and Advice from HR Pros

Do I need to write a cover letter? Are cover letters still important? These are some of the frequently asked questions by job applicants today. You may think that in 2022 recruiters no longer require candidates to accompany their resumes with a cover letter.

We are sorry to break it to you that a cover letter is still crucial to landing a job.

Here are some statistical facts that support the importance of cover letters:

• 56 percent of employers prefer that applicants attach a cover letter to their resumes.
• 49 percent of HR managers consider a cover letter key to boosting your chance of getting a job (another one being customizing your resume).

In this article, you’ll learn:

• how best to structure your data entry cover letter
• step-by-step guide on how to write a data entry cover letter
• useful tips for effective cover letter writing

What Does a Cover Letter Look Like?

A cover letter is an important document that most job offers require to accompany a resume. It tells your story in a way that you can't on a resume. Cover letters give the employer, recruiter, or hiring manager a clear idea of who you really are, what you have achieved, and what you can do.

Experts recommend that the cover letter should match your resume in terms of style and format. Consistency is key when working with cover letters and resumes since it makes it easier to correlate the two documents.

Worked on your resume yet? If not, get inspiration from our article: Data Entry Resume Sample and Tips from HR Pros

This data entry cover letter example is a good foundation for creating your own professional application.

The best format for a data entry cover letter should contain the following sections:

• Cover letter header
• Cover letter greeting/salutation
• Cover letter introduction
• Main cover letter paragraph
• Cover letter conclusion and sign off

In our data entry cover letter template, we show you how to design your cover letter so that it looks prominent and grabs the interviewer's attention.

How to Format Your Cover Letter

Here’s a detailed description of what to include in each element of your cover letter:

Cover letter header

The header, which is at the top of your cover letter, should contain your contact details. Usually, you must indicate:

• Your name
• Job title
• Phone
• Professional email address
• Address
• A link to your professional social media accounts like LinkedIn or GitHub
• Date

Cover letter greeting/salutation

It’s always best to stick to the standard “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear Hiring Team” salutation. Some variations, such as "Greetings” or "Hello" may be acceptable. However, adopting a style that’s too casual can be risky.

Always try to find the name of the hiring manager and address them by name. Addressing the HR manager by name makes your cover letter feel more personal and shows them that you did your homework well (especially if they didn't provide their details).

Cover letter introduction

The introduction – which is the first paragraph – should be a catchy opening statement that will push the interviewer to read the rest of the letter. Recruiters spend less than 10 seconds scanning a cover letter and will quickly toss yours away if they don’t find it compelling enough.

A strong and straight-to-the-point opening paragraph is essential here. So, mention:

• The position you're applying for
• Your experience summary and best achievements
• Your top skills

Whenever possible, use actual data to show what you accomplished in your previous employment. Remember, the cover letter is a short document. Therefore, be factual and avoid unnecessary details.

Main cover letter paragraph (body)

The body of your cover letter delves deep into your professional background. In 2-3 paragraphs, build a convincing case that shows you're the candidate more fit for the role. Start with your work experience in data entry or relevant experience (if you don’t have any work experience).

If you haven’t worked in any other company, mention internships or volunteer jobs, and the corresponding companies where you worked.

Like in the introduction, use figures and facts to show your achievements and accomplishments. You don’t need a college degree to work as a data entry specialist. But if you have one, indicate so in the cover letter.

Take our cover letter example. It demonstrates the abilities of the applicant, highlighting their achievements in their previous career. It also illustrates their top skills (which happen to be relevant to the data entry job).

Other points to mention here include:

• Why you’d want to work for the company
• What you find attractive about the company culture
• If you’ve worked in a similar position or industry

Cover letter conclusion and sign off

The closing paragraph is where you wrap things up and add any points you missed in the body paragraph. Thank the hiring manager for their time and propose some kind of call to action.

Mention something about looking forward to hearing back from them, you're eager to discuss further how you can benefit the company, or how you can help the company with specific challenges.

Close your cover letter with a formal closing like “Sincerely”, “Best regards”, “Thank you” or similar phrases, followed by your full name.

It's advisable to repeat your basic information, such as the phone number and email address below your sign-off.

Need more inspiration? Read our step-by-step guide on:

Useful Tips When Writing a Cover Letter

• Use short descriptive paragraphs and put space between them.
• The text should be aligned to the left, not justified from margin to margin.
• Use a one-inch margin on all sides to create white space.
• Choose a font that’s easy to read. Avoid cramming a wordy letter onto one page by reducing the font size.
• Keep your cover letter short. It should not be less than 200 words or more than 400 words long.