Library Assistant Cover Letter Examples

How to Write a Library Assistant Cover Letter

Writing your library assistant cover letter doesn’t have to be pure agony. Though it’s not exactly controversial to dislike writing cover letters, it’s worth bearing in mind that they fulfil an important role. From an employer’s point of view, cover letters are there to allow them to get a better understanding of what you’re like and whether you’re suitable for the role. After all, a CV offers a mere outline of you as an applicant given that it’s essentially just a list. Your covering letter, on the other hand, gives you a voice and allows you to make a case for why you should be hired.

To make sure you make your case convincingly, we now bring you a comprehensive guide on writing a cover letter for a library assistant. Keep reading to find out how to craft a cover letter that truly gets you noticed

Here’s your library assistant cover letter step by step:

Step 1: Get Researching

To give your cover letter that extra something, really familiarise yourself with the library you’re applying to. Consider things like: what are they like? What kinds of programmes do they run? What values do they lead by? Weave the answers to these questions into your cover letter and explain how that lines up with what you believe in, how you approach work and what you can bring to the role. Employers nowadays often look for people who can demonstrate fitness across many different areas, not simply work experience.

With that in mind, it’s probably becoming clear why using the same cover letter for multiple applications is not likely to offer great returns. It’s not hard for hiring managers to spot an untailored cover letter, but it’s very easy for them to dismiss it right away. Always tailor your library assistant cover letter; not just based on company characteristics, but also the content of the job description to get past applicant tracking systems (ATS).

Step 2: Add Your Contact Information and Date

Of course, you wouldn’t have sent off your application without your contact information. What would be the point? You’re obviously right on that one, but your cover letter format needs to adhere to some convention if it’s to look professional.

So, start your cover letter by writing down your full name, home address, phone number and email address in the top left corner. Add a space underneath, write today’s date, then add another space below. Now, write down the hiring manager’s contact information, i.e. their name and email address, followed by the company/library name and postcode.

In the end, you should end up with something like what you see below:

Step 3: Start with a Fitting Salutation

Ideally, you would start your cover letter by greeting your hiring manager by their surname. In some cases, the hiring manager’s name is provided in the job description, and you’re good to go. Of course that’s the best case scenario. Other times, you may need to go to some effort to find it, whether on LinkedIn or the company website. If you’re feeling extra brave, you may even contact the organisation by phone and ask for the name. Given that you’re applying for a library position, it wouldn’t be surprising if the person who picks up has an answer for you right away. In any case, the gesture is worth the time investment (within reason, of course).

However, if you aren’t able to get your hands on the hiring manager’s name despite your best attempts, it’s best to go with “Dear Hiring Manager”, and move on. There’s plenty more work and impressing to be done, after all.

Impersonal greetings such as “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir or Madam” are best kept clear of. While not a crime, they won’t help as far as endearing you to your reader.

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Step 4: Capture Your Reader’s Attention

A good opener can mean the difference between your reader staying focused and your reader remembering it’s almost time for lunch. First impressions aren’t reserved for in-person interactions, they can also take place in writing. And if the very first impression of you is as someone who’s boring, sloppy or chaotic, you don’t stand a chance.

So, be sure to invest a good chunk of time in writing a captivating cover letter opener. Apart from that, start by telling your reader why you’re contacting them, what position you are applying for and where you found it. Then, introduce yourself in a few words and explain why you believe you are the right fit for the advertised position. Also, see to it that your reader can feel your enthusiasm throughout.

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Step 5: Prove Your Suitability

Selling the hiring manager on your suitability is going to take some time, effort and savviness. After all, their job is to find someone who doesn’t just look good on paper but also has the qualities needed to excel in the role over the long haul. Some of these qualities are mentioned in the job description, some aren’t, which is why it’s important you cover all your bases. Work with the job description to ensure you address the most important criteria, but go beyond it when citing your achievements and past experiences.

To excel in any library assistant role, skills such as customer service skills, excellent communication, attention to detail, teamwork and great organisational skills are crucial. Make sure to demonstrate these in your library assistant cover letter to get the hiring manager’s consideration.

When citing your qualifications, experience, skills and so forth, always remember to extrapolate the ways in which these things align with the role requirements or demonstrate your capacity to offer value as a new employee. Be clear as to these things, even if it feels like you’re spelling them out to the hiring manager.

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Step 6: End on a Memorable Note

You’re probably wondering how to end your cover letter memorably. After all, this is your last opportunity to impress the hiring manager before you leave the rest to fate.

Start by mentioning what it is that has compelled you to apply for this role at this particular library. Whether it’s their reputation, their work, their values, or their services, make it as personal as you can, and state how that fits in with you and your skills and experience.

The tone is just as important here as the content of your words, so consider it carefully and make sure it’s consistent with the kind of person you proclaimed yourself to be.

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Step 7: Sign Off Appropriately

Signing off your cover letter in a way that speaks professionalism and tact also makes up a fraction of the impression you make. So, be sure to thank the hiring manager for their time and close with one of the following: “Yours sincerely” if you referred to them by their surname, or “Yours faithfully” if you didn’t. Other sign-offs such as “Kind regards” or “Best wishes” are also acceptable, particularly if you feel they match the tone of your cover letter better.

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Step 8: Scan for Errors

When writing your cover letter, errors are pretty much a given. Even if you feel like you learnt your cover letter off by heart as you wrote, there’s no good reason to take risks that could sabotage its reception. Rest your eyes and come back to give it a fresher look, or get someone else to read your cover letter for you – other people’s mistakes are far easier to catch than our own.

Remember to also scan for formatting errors, which can be just as harmful to the overall presentation of your library assistant cover letter. In case you’re wondering, the best font for your cover letter is something more conventional like Arial, Times New Roman or Calibri in size that ranges from 10 to 12 points. Other than that, ensure 1-inch margins and consistent spacing throughout to improve readability.