Short cover letter for customer service! Imagine a hiring manager with a huge stack of job applications. They want someone who gets things done and is great with people. That’s where a short, awesome cover letter helps you stand out!
The Perfect Start
Grab their attention right away! Open with something strong:
- Did you smash a goal? “In my last job, I increased customer satisfaction by 15%!”
- Love the company? “I’ve been a loyal [Company Name] customer for years, and your team is the reason why.”
- Have a connection? “Your employee, [Name], said this job would be a perfect fit for me!”
Then, say you want the customer service job and briefly explain why you’re the best person for it.
Showcase Your Skills
Pick 2-3 of your top customer service skills. Think about these:
- Super-friendly and great at explaining things
- Problem-solving whiz
- Staying calm when things get crazy
Then, tell tiny stories about how you used those skills to help someone (even if it wasn’t an official customer service job).
Show You Care About THIS Company
Why do you want to work for them specifically? Do some research!
- Do they promise fast help? Tell them you’re known for finishing tasks quickly.
- Great at training new employees? Mention how you love teaching others.
Finishing Strong
Say you’re excited about the job and confidently ask for an interview. Thank them for their time, and you’re finished!
What’s the best format for a short cover letter?
The standard business letter format is always professional (Your contact info, date, company contact info, greeting, etc.).
Here’s how to set it up:
- Your Info: Name, address, phone number, and email go at the top.
- Date: Put today’s date under your info.
- Company Info: Company name, address, and if you can find it, the hiring manager’s name.
- Greeting: “Dear Mr./Ms. [Hiring Manager’s Last Name]” is always safe. If you can’t find their name, “Dear Hiring Manager” works too.
It shows you pay attention to detail and know how to follow directions. Plus, it’s easier for the company to contact you if they love your letter!
How to Write a Winning Customer Service Cover Letter
- Make it Match! Don’t send the same letter to every job. Read what the company wants in an employee and show them you have those skills!
- Grab Their Attention! Start with something interesting – a cool thing you did in a past job, how much you love the company, or that a current employee recommended you.
- Prove You’ve Got What it Takes! Think about what makes a great customer service person: talking to people, solving problems, staying calm under pressure. Tell short stories about times you did those things well, even if not in a “customer service job.”
- Show You Did Your Homework Learn a bit about the company. Do they promise super-fast help? Tell them how you always finish tasks quickly.
- Numbers are Powerful! Did you help 20 customers in an hour? Get 5-star reviews? Numbers make your skills seem more real.
- Short and Sweet Wins! A short letter shows you can get to the point – important in customer service!
- Ask for the Interview! Say you’re excited about the job and would love the chance to talk more.
- Check for Mistakes! Typos make you look sloppy, and nobody wants a sloppy customer service rep!
What are some common mistakes to avoid in a customer service cover letter?
Here’s a of common cover letter mistakes:
- Typos and Bad Grammar: A customer service rep needs to be careful. Sloppy writing makes you look like you don’t pay attention to details. Proofread extra carefully!
- Too Much “Me, Me, Me”: Companies want to know what YOU can do for THEM. Instead of “I need a job,” focus on how your skills will help their customers.
- Sounding Like a Robot: It’s okay to be professional, but too formal is boring! Show some personality (Imagine explaining these mistakes to a friend to help find your natural voice).
- Sending the Same Letter Everywhere: It’s obvious when you don’t tailor your letter to the job. Take the extra time to make it fit!
- Rehashing Your Resume: Your cover letter should highlight a few awesome things about you, not repeat everything they’ll already see in your resume.
What if You Never Had a ‘Customer Service’ Job?
Don’t worry, you probably have more experience than you think! Think about these skills important to customer service:
- Talking to people: Do you help classmates with homework, give great presentations, work in a store? That shows communication skills!
- Solving problems: Ever fix a friend’s broken gadget or settle an argument at school? That’s problem-solving!
- Staying calm: Do you handle stressful game situations or deal with a cranky younger sibling? That’s patience, a superpower in customer service!
Think of short stories about times you used those skills, even if it wasn’t an official job.
How to Make Your Skills Sound Amazing
Numbers make things real! Try to add them whenever possible:
- Instead of: “I was a friendly cashier.”
- Try: “Kept a 95% customer satisfaction rating while helping over 100 customers each day.”
Sample Short Cover Letters for Customer Service
What to Leave Out of Your Customer Service Cover Letter
- Your Entire Resume: Your cover letter shouldn’t just repeat everything they’ll see on your resume. Pick a few key highlights instead.
- “Salary Please!”: It’s too early to talk money. A cover letter is about showing why they should hire you. Save salary discussions for the interview.
- Why YOU Need the Job: Focus on how you’ll help THEM, not how much you need a paycheck.
- Super Personal Stuff: Hobbies, family info, etc., are usually irrelevant. Keep it focused on your work skills.
- Negative Vibes: Never complain about past jobs! It makes you look like a difficult person to work with, a big no-no in customer service.
How to follow up after submitting cover letter and resume?
Here’s how to do it right:
- Wait a Little While: Don’t follow up the next day. Give them a week or so to read through all the applications.
- Check the Job Ad: Did they say “no calls”? Then stick to email. If they don’t mention it, a quick phone call can be more noticeable, especially for customer service jobs where phone skills matter.
- Email or Phone? Think about the company. Super modern and techy? Email might be best. More traditional place? A phone call might be a good fit.
What to Say (Email Version):
Subject: Following Up – Customer Service Position – [Your Name]
Dear [Hiring Manager Name if you have it],
I hope this email finds you well.
I submitted my application for the Customer Service position on [date] and wanted to express my continued interest in the role. I’m excited about the opportunity to join [Company Name] and believe my skills in [mention 1-2 top skills] would be a great asset to your team.
I’m happy to answer any questions you may have. Thank you again for your time and consideration.
Sincerely, [Your Name]
What to Say (Phone Version):
- Be Prepared: Have your resume in front of you, just in case!
- Short & Sweet: “Hi [Hiring Manager Name if you have it]. This is [Your Name]. I recently applied for the Customer Service position and wanted to follow up and express my interest. Is there any additional information I can provide?”
FAQs
How long should my customer service cover letter be?
Aim for about half a page. This forces you to focus on your absolute best selling points.
Should I use a cover letter template?
Templates can be a good starting point, but personalize them! Don’t sound like everyone else.
Should I include a list of my skills?
A brief list can be helpful, but only if it directly relates to the job ad’s requirements. Don’t just list generic “customer service skills.”
What tone should I use in my cover letter?
Be professional but let your personality shine! Show that you’re a real person who’s excited about the job.
