How to write an eye-catching graphic designer cover letter
Graphic designers are behind almost every piece of functional visual art – from billboards and advertisements to logos and product mock-ups. To earn a position as a graphic designer, you will need not only a stunning portfolio but also a cover letter that captures your best professional strengths that qualify you for the job.
In this guide, we will teach you everything you need to know about writing a cover letter as a graphic designer. Keep reading to learn all about:
- Formatting your graphic designer cover letter header & headline
- Creating a personalized greeting on graphic designer your cover letter
- Writing a compelling graphic designer cover letter introduction
- Showing accomplishments and professional value as a graphic designer
- Crafting a strong closing statement on your graphic designer cover letter
Still looking for a job? These 100+ resources will tell you everything you need to get hired fast.
1. How to format your graphic designer cover letter header & headline
Before you begin writing the introduction and body text of your cover letter, you must first create a well-formatted header and headline.
A cover letter header refers to the block of text detailing the company you are applying to and your professional information. This header is most commonly placed in the top left corner of the document.
The cover letter headline is a short title that leads into the rest of the letter, helping to hook the attention of the employer and encourage them to continue reading.
Formatting the header
The header of your cover letter can vary in style and format, but should always contain the following information:
- The name of the company you are applying for (& the name of the department, when applicable)
- Your name and professional title
- Your contact information (phone number, email address, website, etc.)
Here is an example of what a well-planned header on a copywriter cover letter should look like
To: Mast General Store, Advertising Department
From: Jane Smith, Graphic Designer
(123) 456-7890 | janesmith@email.com | janesmithart.com
Writing the headline
When writing the headline of your graphic designer cover letter, you want to create a statement that grabs the reader’s attention.
To format this headline effectively, you should always use a keyword related to the position, an eye-catching number or trigger word, a powerful adjective or verb, and a promise.
Here is an example of a well-written headline on a graphic designer cover letter
My 3 Best Accomplishments as a Graphic Designer & How I Can Achieve Them at Your Company
Trigger Word/Number: 3 Best Accomplishments
Keyword: Graphic Designer
Adjective: Best, Achieve
Promise: At Your Company – this kind of promise statement shows the person reading your cover letter that you will be relating your achievements back to their company’s needs.
2. How to create a personalized greeting on graphic designer your cover letter
Whenever you write a greeting on a cover letter, you want it to be as personalized as possible.
Unlike vague greetings – such as “To Whom It May Concern” – personalized greetings show employers that you are serious about the position and have great attention to detail. To write a personalized greeting, you will need to research the company beforehand to discover the exact person who will review your application.
If this information is not publicly available, then you may opt for one of the following alternatives:
To the [Company Name] Team
Or
To the [Company Name] Hiring Manager
3. How to write a compelling graphic designer cover letter introduction
By the time an employer reaches the introductory paragraph of your cover letter, their attention should already be hooked by the headline and greeting. To keep them interested, you will need an introduction that contains the following information:
- A brief overview of your professional history and goals
- A statement on why you are enthusiastic about applying to this company
- A mutual acquaintance (when possible)
Here is an example to help demonstrate how to write a graphic designer cover letter introduction
To the [Company Name] Hiring Manager,
I am a Graphic Designer with 4+ years of specialized experience creating compelling advertisement spreads and revamping company logos. After speaking with our mutual acquaintance and your Head of Human Resources, Jack Doe, Mr.Doe recommended I apply for this position.
4. How to show accomplishments and professional value as a graphic designer
Following the introduction of your cover letter are the body paragraphs. A good cover letter will typically contain between 2 to 4 body paragraphs that answer each of these questions:
- What excites you about working at this company?
- What do you hope to learn from working at this company?
- What accomplishments or qualifications make you stand out as an applicant?
- What key skills do you possess that are relevant to the position?
Including accomplishments within your cover letter is particularly important, as it helps to show employers the real-life value you can offer to their company.
Here is an example of how to describe an accomplishment in a graphic designer cover letter
As a Graphic Designer for a major brand, I created an advertisement spread and campaign that went viral across 4 different social media platforms. This spread earned a total of more than 4 million views over a one-week period.
5. How to craft a strong closing statement on your graphic designer cover letter
To conclude your cover letter, you need a strong closing statement that includes:
- An enthusiastic sentence saying you are looking forward to hearing from them
- An additional sentence stating you will follow up, including how you will contact them or how they can contact you
- A formal sign-off
Here is an example of a well-written closing statement on a graphic designer cover letter
By bringing my years of experience designing social media graphics to the table, I am confident I can boost your company’s brand awareness and grow your audience significantly. I would love to connect in person or over the phone within the next week to further discuss this opportunity. You may reach me any weekday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at (123) 456-7890.
Best Regards,
[Applicant Name]
Follow this cover letter outline for maximum success.