How to Write a Skills-Based Cover Letter: 7 Tips

A skills-based cover letter highlights your relevant abilities that match job requirements. Here's a quick guide to writing one:

Analyze the job description
Choose the best format
Write a strong opening
Focus on key skills
Give specific examples
Address missing skills
End with clear next steps

Tip	Key Action
1	Extract core skills from job post
2	Use header, opening, skills section, examples, closing
3	Show company research and enthusiasm
4	List 3-5 top skills with brief examples
5	Use STAR method for achievements
6	Highlight related skills and learning efforts
7	Recap skills, show interest, request interview

This approach helps you stand out by directly addressing employer needs, especially useful for career changers or those with gaps in employment.

1. Read the Job Description Carefully

Reading job descriptions thoroughly is key to writing a strong skills-based cover letter. Here's how to break down a job posting effectively:

1. Analyze the Job Title and Overview

Check if the role matches your career goals
Understand the main purpose of the position

2. Identify Core Requirements

Focus on "required" or "minimum" qualifications
Note both technical skills and soft skills needed

3. Create a Skills List

Extract key skills from the job description
Match them with your own abilities

4. Research Company Culture

Look for clues about the company's values
Find ways to reflect these in your letter

Example: Breaking Down a Job Description

Job Description Element	What to Look For	How to Use It
Job Title	Level of responsibility	Tailor your application to the seniority
Required Skills	Technical and soft skills	Highlight matching skills in your letter
Qualifications	Education and experience	Show how you meet or exceed these
Company Values	Keywords like "teamwork" or "innovation"	Incorporate these themes in your letter

2. Pick the Best Format

When writing a skills-based cover letter, choosing the right format is key. Here's a breakdown of an effective structure:

Header: Your contact info, date, employer's details
Opening: Mention the job and your interest
Skills Section: List relevant skills, grouped by type
Examples: Show how you've used these skills
Closing: Restate interest and request an interview

Effective Skills-Based Cover Letter Format

Section	Content	Purpose
Header	Name, email, phone, date, employer info	Sets professional tone
Opening	Job title, how you found it, enthusiasm	Grabs attention
Skills	Relevant abilities, grouped (e.g. technical, soft)	Highlights key qualifications
Examples	Brief stories of skills in action	Proves your abilities
Closing	Interest recap, interview request, thank you	Encourages next steps

This format puts your skills front and center, making it easy for employers to see your fit. Remember to tailor each section to the specific job.

Tips for Using This Format:

Keep it to one page
Use bullet points in the skills section for easy scanning
Stick to 2-3 examples that best show your skills in action
Use action verbs to describe your accomplishments

3. Write a Strong Opening

The first few lines of your cover letter can make or break your application. Here's how to start strong:

Avoid Common Phrases

Skip overused openings like "I am writing this letter because I am interested in your position." Instead, show real interest in the company.

Highlight Your Skills

Start by mentioning your most relevant skills for the job. This grabs attention and shows your value right away.

Show You've Done Your Homework

Mention something specific about the company to show you've researched them.

Use Personal Connections

If someone referred you, mention their name early on.

Examples of Strong Openings

Type	Example	Why It Works
Skills-focused	"As a marketing manager with 5 years of experience leading teams and increasing brand visibility, I'm excited to apply for..."	Quickly shows relevant experience
Company research	"After reading about your recent award in Mogul Millennial for employee engagement tools, I felt compelled to apply for..."	Demonstrates knowledge of company achievements
Personal connection	"Jayne Peck mentioned you had an opening on your graphics team, and I couldn't be more excited to apply."	Uses a mutual contact to create a connection
Passion-driven	"When I saw that WILCO Services was praised in Business Magazine for being one of the most inclusive companies, I knew I had to apply for..."	Shows alignment with company values

Tips for a Strong Opening

Keep it short and clear
Show enthusiasm for the role
Tailor it to the specific job and company
Use active language
Avoid clichés and generic statements

4. Focus on Your Key Skills

When writing a skills-based cover letter, highlighting your most relevant abilities is crucial. Here's how to effectively showcase your key skills:

Choose Your Top Skills

Pick 3-5 skills that match the job requirements. These can include:

Technical skills (e.g., programming languages)
Soft skills (e.g., communication)
Industry-specific skills (e.g., financial analysis)

Use Clear Bullet Points

Present your skills using bullet points for easy reading. Each point should include:

The skill name
A brief example of how you've used it
Measurable results, if possible

Example Skills Section

Skill	Example
Data Analysis	Used SQL to analyze customer data, leading to a 15% increase in sales
Project Management	Led a team of 8 to complete a software upgrade 2 weeks ahead of schedule
Client Communication	Improved client satisfaction scores by 20% through clear, regular updates

Add Numbers Where Possible

Use specific figures to show the impact of your skills:

"Increased website traffic by 50% in 3 months"
"Managed a $500,000 budget, finishing 10% under target"

Match Skills to the Company

Research the company and tailor your skills section:

For a startup, highlight adaptability and problem-solving
For a large corporation, focus on teamwork and process improvement

Tips for Skill Selection

Read the job description carefully
Look at the company's website and social media
Check LinkedIn profiles of current employees in similar roles

5. Give Specific Examples

When writing a skills-based cover letter, using real examples from your work history can make your application stand out. Here's how to do it well:

Use the STAR Method

The STAR method helps you explain your achievements clearly:

Situation: Describe the context
Task: Explain what you needed to do
Action: Show the steps you took
Result: Share the outcome with numbers if possible

Example Using STAR:

STAR Element	Description
Situation	Company faced declining sales
Task	Increase revenue by 15% in 6 months
Action	Launched targeted email campaign
Result	Sales grew by 18%, adding $200,000 in revenue

Add Numbers to Your Achievements

Use specific figures to show your impact:

"Increased website traffic by 50% in 3 months"
"Managed a $500,000 budget, finishing 10% under target"

Match Your Examples to the Job

Pick examples that fit what the company is looking for:

Job Requirement	Matching Example
Leadership skills	"Led a team of 8 to finish a project 2 weeks early"
Customer service	"Improved customer satisfaction scores by 20%"

Tips for Choosing Good Examples

Read the job post carefully
Look at the company's website
Check LinkedIn profiles of people in similar roles

"I want to see the 3-4 juicy accomplishments from a candidate's career (that match my advertised need). These highlights must excite me to such a level that this candidate becomes a can't-miss prospect." - Ron Kubitz, Recruiting Manager, Brayman Construction Corp.

Make Your Examples Easy to Read

Use bullet points or a simple table to show your achievements:

Skill	Example
Project Management	Completed $2 million software project 3 weeks early, improving efficiency by 15%
Sales	Increased client base by 25%, adding $150,000 in new revenue over 6 months

6. Discuss Any Missing Skills

When writing a skills-based cover letter, it's important to address any skills you lack that are mentioned in the job listing. Here's how to handle this effectively:

If you're missing a specific skill, focus on related abilities you do have. For example:

Missing Skill	Related Skill to Highlight
Python programming	Experience with Java and C++
Social media marketing	Content creation and digital marketing
Project management certification	Team leadership and deadline management

Show You're Learning

Mention any steps you're taking to gain the missing skills:

"I'm currently enrolled in an online Python course on Coursera"
"I've been practicing social media strategies through volunteer work"
"I'm studying for the PMP certification exam next month"

Be Honest and Positive

Don't try to hide skill gaps. Instead, frame them as growth opportunities:

"While I haven't used Salesforce, I'm a quick learner with CRM systems"
"I'm excited to expand my skills in data analysis on the job"

Example: Addressing Missing Skills

Here's how you might address a missing skill in your cover letter:

"While I don't have direct experience with Tableau, I've used similar data visualization tools like Microsoft Power BI extensively in my current role. I've created over 50 dashboards that increased data-driven decision making by 30% in my department. I'm confident my analytical skills and quick learning ability will allow me to become proficient in Tableau within a short time frame."

7. End with Clear Next Steps

The last part of your cover letter is key. It should:

Sum up your skills
Show you're excited about the job
Ask for an interview

Here's how to do it well:

Recap Your Skills

Start by reminding the reader why you're a good fit. For example:

"My 5 years in digital marketing, where I grew social media followers by 40%, can help boost your brand."

Show You're Keen

Let them know you really want the job:

"I'm excited to use my skills to help [Company Name] reach more customers."

Ask for an Interview

End by asking to meet:

"I'd love to talk more about how I can help your team. Can we set up a time to chat?"

Keep It Short

Your last paragraph should be about 60 words. Don't add new info here.

Do	Don't
Thank them for their time	Apologize for lack of skills
Focus on what you can do for them	Talk about what they can do for you
Ask to meet	Assume you'll get an interview

Example of a Good Ending

Here's a solid way to wrap up:

"I'm eager to bring my sales skills to [Company Name] and help grow your client base. Thank you for considering me. I'm available to discuss how I can contribute to your team's success. When would be a good time to talk?"

Conclusion

Writing a skills-based cover letter can boost your job application by showing employers what you can do. Here's a quick recap of the seven tips we covered:

1. Read the Job Post Carefully

Look for:

Key skills the job needs
Company values and culture

2. Choose a Good Format

Use this structure:

Header with your info
Opening that grabs attention
Skills section with bullet points
Examples of your work
Closing that asks for an interview

3. Start Strong

In your opening:

Skip overused phrases
Show you know about the company
Mention your top skills

4. Focus on Key Skills

Do This	Don't Do This
Pick 3-5 skills that match the job	List every skill you have
Use bullet points	Write long paragraphs
Give brief examples	Be vague

5. Give Real Examples

Use the STAR method:

Situation
Task
Action
Result

6. Talk About Skills You're Missing

If you lack a skill:

Show related skills you have
Tell how you're learning it

7. End with Next Steps

In your closing:

Sum up your skills
Show you want the job
Ask for an interview