How to Write an Interpreter Cover Letter

Employers still appreciate applicants who send in a cover letter alongside their resumes. Most of them see the effort of writing the cover letter as a strong desire to work for the company.

According to a 2009 study, 56% of recruiters value applications with cover letters.

But just writing the letter isn’t enough.

How you prepare it as an interpreter tells the hiring manager how well you’ll do the job. It allows you to introduce yourself and explain why you want to join the organization.

The letter can also provide context for your qualifications and achievements.

The interpreter cover letter traditionally accompanies the resume and formally introduces you to the HR manager.

Why is the Cover Letter Important?

Reading a resume is like going through an applicant's profile while reading the cover letter is like hearing from the candidate.

The cover letter also supplements the function of the resume by to increasinge your chances of success. It does that in the following ways:

1. Creates a First Impression

   The cover letter is an opportunity to create a great first impression on with the recruiter. And as you know, few things capture attention as fast as a good first impression.

   When your cover letter is well-written and highlights your skills and strengths as an interpreter, you're positioning yourself to stand out.

   You can use it to market your skills well enough to make the hiring manager want to see more of you.

2. Shows Personality

   The cover letter allows you to demonstrate your personality traits in ways you can't in the resume.

   This way, the hiring manager will be able to understand your motivations and get a sense of who you are.

   You can talk about how your personal qualities have proved helpful throughout your professional career.

   You'll become more memorable after showcasing your personality through the cover letter.

3. Elaborates on Your Skills

   Your resume normally restricts you to outlineing your skills in a list format. Most recruiters see those lists as mere claims that they must verify.

   The letter offers you an opportunity to elaborate on your translation skills. How you communicate your motivations, skills, and goals tells the recruiter if you have the qualities to handle the job.

   Executing the cover letter the right way convinces the recruiter a step further that you have the skills required for the job.

4. Exhibits Your Passion for the Position

   Writing a well-detailed interpreter cover letter that shows an in-depth understanding of the company tells the recruiter you mean business. Showcasing your profound understanding of the role will also let the hiring manager know how seriously you'll take the job.

   You also have the opportunity to exhibit your passion by tying it directly to your success. Explaining what drives you and how the company culture meets those factors will convince the recruiter about your enthusiasm for the new role.

How to Write an Interpreter Cover Letter

Now that you understand the reasons for writing a great cover letter, let's get down to the main business.

From writing your contact information to choosing a closing salutation, there are different ways to write the letter. We'll show you the best ways to implement each section.

You’ll also get an interpreter cover letter example after every explanation.

Listing Your Contact Information

You should add your contact address underneath your name at the top of your cover letter. It should be similar to your resume header. The contact information should include:

• Your city
• Phone number
• LinkedIn profile link
• Portfolio or website

Ensure your cover letter bears the same contact information across your resume and cover letter.

Tips on your email address:

• Use an email address that contains your first and last name and sounds professional. Don't use email addresses like keepingitreal@gmail.com.
• Use an email from a trusted provider like Yahoo or Gmail. You can also use your business or personal domain email if you have one.
• Avoid using your current work email address. It's unprofessional and disrespectful to your potential future and current employers and may make you lose out on the job.

Addressing the Hiring Manager

Underneath your header, add the date, followed by the address of the hiring manager you’re writing to.

The address should start with the person’s name or job position. Use their job title if you don’t know their name.

After that, start the letter by addressing the manager by name using a standard salutation. Ensure you use the relevant title. It could be Mr, Ms, or their professional title such as Dr.

Note: Avoid using greetings like “Dear Madam," "Dear sir," or “To whom it may concern.” These salutations are out of date.

Even if you’re tempted to use those outdated salutations because you can’t find the hiring manager’s name, don’t.

There are steps you can take to find information about the company’s hiring manager:

• Head to LinkedIn: Companies have LinkedIn profiles, with information about their staff. So, search for the company on LinkedIn and go to the “People” section.
• Company Website: You can head to the company's official website and check the "Our people" or "Meet the team" page. You can also check out the "About us" page.
• HR Department: You can contact the company's HR department to ask for the name of the hiring manager.

Using their names proves you've done your research. It also triggers an emotional response as studies have shown that some areas in the brain are activated whenever we hear our names or that of others.

You still have to do your research to confirm whether you should use their first or last name when addressing them. If you're writing to a company with a more relaxed and casual culture (their social media activity should give you an idea), then you can go with their first names. If it's a more corporate environment, however, use their last name.

If you still can't find the hiring manager's name after going through those steps, you can greet them using their job title.

For example, you can address them as:

• Dear hiring manager
• Dear recruitment head
• Dear recruitment manager
• Dear head of recruitment

Start with a Catchy Paragraph

How you start the cover letter sets the tone for the entire letter.

Your first paragraph will either invite the recruiter to continue reading or send them away.

You have to write it in a way that it hooks the hiring manager's attention and leads them to the rest of the letter.

The beginning of the cover letter should have useful information such as:

• How you learned about the opening
• The job position
• The name of the company
• Your profession

The opening paragraph should also express your interest in the position.

You should also use a direct tone and focus on the company's needs. Depending on your career position, you can base the paragraph on your passion or use it to showcase your experience and expertise.

Let's show you some examples:

Example 1 - for an experienced interpreter:

Example 2 - for a fresh graduate looking to land their first job:

Show How Your Skills Bring Value

So, you've mentioned your skills and highlighted some of the things that make you outstanding. You've told the hiring manager you'll be a blessing to their team.

Now they're eager to know how those skills will bring the value you've promised. Your second paragraph offers you that opportunity.

This time, you'll be using your work history and skills to show them you are what they need.

You should market yourself as best as you can, using relevant information that talks about what the company needs.

This way, you'll be showing the recruiter that you're confident about the promises you've made because you've achieved similar success.

Now, let's show you the suitable second paragraphs for the examples above statements:

Example 1:

Example 2:

Talk More About Your Success

Going further with your third paragraph, you can showcase the impact of your previous work. If you received positive feedback or any form of reward for exemplary work, you can add it to the letter.

Here are the examples:

Example 1:

Example 2:

State How Your Experience Makes You the Right Person for the Job

You've showcased how your skills and experience prove you're the right candidate for the position. Now's it's time to remind the recruiter that these skills are directly connected to the company's needs.

Remember that the recruiter is only willing to hire a candidate they believe will most likely fulfill the requirements of the interpreter position. So, you have to remind them that you're that candidate.

You can point back to what was mentioned in the job description and link it to the work history you've elaborated on.

Example 1:

Example 2:

Close Your Letter the Right Way

Yes, the recruiter wants to hire someone who has the skills and experience to succeed in the interpreter role.

That said, they also want to employ a professional who'll be happy to work with them.

They want to see that you'll find working with the company enjoyable and rewarding. That way, they'll be confident they're hiring you long-term.

Your closing paragraph should restate your excitement to work with the firm and your passion for interpreting.

Showing your passion and enthusiasm is all the more important when writing a cover letter for a junior role or entry-level position.

So, here are the examples:

Example 1:

I would be happy to hear from you regarding the next steps of my application, and I'm eager to start using my expertise to help the company meet its obligations.

Example 2:

Wrap Up with a Formal Salutation

Finally, end your letter with a professional closing greeting. While you can use the standard "Sincerely" closing salutation, you can go for others such as:

• Kind regards,
• Yours truly,
• Respectfully,
• Best regards,
• Cordially,
• Best wishes,
• Thank you,

Pointers for Writing an Effective Interpreter Cover Letter

You can use the examples above to form an interpreter cover letter template to write a great cover letter. But you can add your own tweaks to make your cover letter mirror your personality even better.

However, there are certain tenets that you must follow regardless of your variation in writing style. Let's walk you through them.

1. White Space is Sacred

   Recruiters always scan through application documents to find what they're looking for. So, you must make sure your cover letter is scannable.

   To do that, use lots of white space. That means using fewer sentences per paragraph.

   This style of writing makes your text readable and helps the hiring manager locate the information they want to find.

   Once they find it, they can continue reading your letter.

2. Always Go Straight to the Point

   You don't have the luxury of using superfluous words and over explaining because:

   • Your cover letter must be one page long and you don't have a lot of space.
   • Recruiters won't hesitate to toss out your application if they can't get your message after two sentences.
   • Dancing around ideas and not going straight to the point isn't a good look on an interpreter.

   So, use as few words as possible to convey a message. If you can remove a word or phrase from a sentence without jeopardizing the message, get rid of that word or phrase.

   Going straight to the point allows you to add more skills and details about your experience.

3. Use Only Relevant Information

   Never add any message or story that doesn't add value to your application.

   Since you're talking about your history as an interpreter, there's no point narrating how you saved a web design business in the past.

   So stick to accounts and details that show the recruiter you're the right applicant for the role.

   As the example above showed, if the recruiter is looking for a promising young interpreter, tell them how you've grown in a short time.

4. Your Cover Letter Must Complement Your Resume

   Most times, the recruiter opens your cover letter to see how you articulate the skills and experiences that caught their eye in your resume.

   They may want to see brief details about the time you spent at your previous workplace. They may also be on the lookout for practical examples about some of your listed skills.

   Imagine their disappointment if they find details about completely different things.

   So, ensure your cover letter elaborates on your:

   • Skills
   • Motivation and goals
   • Professional experience
   • Educational background

   Note that if you're an experienced professional, you don't necessarily have to talk about your educational background.

   You can put your resume beside you as you whip up your cover letter. This way, you get to pick points that you can elaborate on.

5. Proofread Multiple Times

   Mistakes such as grammar and spelling errors on your cover letter can ruin mar your application. Since the Interpreter role demands that you be detail-oriented, having one or more errors in your letter tells the recruiter the opposite about you.

   So, after completing the letter, read it again, then read it aloud. You can also tell your colleagues or peers to read the letter to you.

6. Ensure You Use Verifiable Information

   You're likely out of the race for the job if the recruiter realizes or suspects you're lying.

   You can't blame hiring managers for wanting to hire only honest interpreters.

   So, if you're narrating any story from your past work, make sure you recount the situation accurately.

   This way, you won't get blindsided during an interview, especially when asked a behavioral question that requires using the STAR technique.

Conclusion and Main Takeaways

That’s how to write a cover letter that captures a recruiter’s attention. Remember to use lots of white space, elaborate on the skills on your resume, and tell the recruiter how your skills and experience fit the interpreter role at their company.

You can check out our cover letter here.