Cover letter for an older applicant (4 samples)

This blog post will show samples of “cover letters for an older applicant.”

How to write a cover letter for an older applicant

Applying to jobs when you’re 50 years and above brings with it some unique challenges; thus, you need a well-written cover letter that showcases your passion for and dedication to the industry. When writing a cover letter as an old applicant, these are some of the essential things to include in your letter:

• Address the employer with a formal salutation. For example, “Dear/Hello (name of the recipient or hiring manager).”

• The next step is to state the position you are applying for and how you found the opening. 

• Write a short sentence about why you’re interested in the position.

• State your skills and work experience; ensure they are similar to the job position. When stating your skills, provide the accomplishment you have achieved. 

• Conclude your letter with a forward-looking statement. For example, “I look forward to discussing the position further.”

Sample 1: “cover letter for an older applicant”

“February 25, 2021

Ms. Catherine Collins

Director

Helping Hands Nonprofit Organization

1234 Sunset Way

Tampa, FL 33605

Dear Ms. Collins:

It was with much interest that I learned, through Indeed.com, about the Executive Assistant position that has opened with Helping Hands Nonprofit Organization.

Your position announcement intrigued me, since many of the qualifications you list are ones I’ve developed as an Executive Assistant to four C-level officers of ABC Enterprises, a global development group. Examples of my skills and experience that align with your requirements include:

• Demonstrated efficiency and accuracy in calendaring and appointment scheduling, travel planning, and in drafting correspondence to project stakeholders.
• Well-versed in coordinating all venue, catering, travel, and entertainment details for large-scale events including fundraisers, stakeholder meetings, and conferences.
• Effectiveness scheduling and supervising office teams of ~5 administrative assistants and receptionists.
• A proactive stance in learning rising administrative and office management technologies, as evidenced by my recent transition of the ABC Enterprises office to a cloud-based communications system.

As part of ABC Enterprises’ community outreach program, I’ve had the privilege of working with Jason Edwards, one of your trustees, and have found him to be a passionate advocate of the good that Helping Hands Nonprofit Organization does for underrepresented groups in Tampa. I would thus welcome the opportunity to use my administrative talents to ensure the smooth running of your initiatives.

Thank you for your time and consideration; I look forward to your response and hope to meet with you soon to learn more about the great work you do.

Best regards,

Signature (hard copy letter)

Annabel Elder”

Sample 2: “cover letter for an older applicant”

“Dear Mr. Andrew,

While I’ve spent the last five years working as an executive assistant developing exceptional time management, communication skills, and professional discretion, I believe my background will provide valuable and diverse skills to your HR department. Pursuing a role within HR is a professional goal of mine, and I believe the role of Human Resources Officer is a great opportunity to begin my career path in this new field.

[state your relevant skills, accomplishment, and experience].

I would like to thank you for reading my application, and I look forward to hearing from you. I am available for a phone call or meeting any time to answer any questions you may have for me.

Sincerely,

Tom Smith”

Sample 3: “cover letter for an older applicant”

“Dear Ms. Jessica Sanchez,

In my five-year career as a paralegal, I have honed my legal research and writing skills, and the attorneys I’ve worked with have complimented me on my command of case law and litigation support. Spiegel Law Firm’s 20 years in practice proves that the firm has strong values and excellent attorneys, and I’d be eager to join such a talented team.

I currently serve as a paralegal for Chandler, Chandler, and Greene, where I work closely with the partners on a number of high-priority cases. During my time here, I implemented a new calendar system that ensures timely filing of court papers. This system has prevented missed deadlines and allowed for better organization of internal and client meetings.

Previously, as a paralegal for the Neuerburg Law Firm, I received praise for my overall support of the legal team and my positive attitude. While working there, I came up with and implemented a plan for digitizing their old files while still ensuring security and privacy. This led to more efficiency when preparing for client meetings and legal proceedings.

My further qualifications include a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University, a paralegal certificate, and training in LexisNexis, Westlaw, and Microsoft Office Suite.

I would love the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to your legal team. Thank you in advance for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Chase Broadstein

chasebroadstein@email.com

(222) 222-2222”

Sample 4: “cover letter for an older applicant”

“Dear Maria Russo,

The head of sales at Sunshine Inc. was in a bind. She needed six client meetings scheduled, 18 service transactions processed, and a summary of the team’s new lead generation campaign drafted before getting on a flight to Austin—in three hours. So she turned to her cool-headed, sales-savvy administrative assistant for help. That assistant was me. Not only did I execute everything on her to-do list, I did it all before her plane left the ground.

For twenty years, I worked in lockstep with a busy, growth-oriented sales leader to support the business development team. As the sole administrative assistant in the department, I balanced a swath of competing priorities, ranging from coordinating meetings and inputting data to contacting customers, finalizing transactions, and creating promotional materials. This role helped me develop a comprehensive understanding of the sales cycle, sales strategy, and pipeline growth.

Like many others, my career path hasn’t been entirely straightforward. After leaving Crabapple Media, I enrolled in a local coding bootcamp. Six months later, I emerged with a certificate in computer programming and a certainty that I did not want to be a coder. But education is never wasted. I’m now an aspiring sales representative with experience supporting a thriving sales team and extensive knowledge of the tech space.

Here’s a little bit more about how my experience would translate into this role:

• At Crabapple Media, I assisted in coordinating three annual sales strategy rollouts, yielding an average increase in the pipeline of 26% YoY.
• At Sunshine Inc., I supported 12 independent team members in their lead-generation efforts. I also assisted in processing an average of 300 sales transactions every quarter.
• I thrive in busy, ever-changing environments that require me to communicate clearly and concisely. Supporting a high-volume team and a busy executive helped me to hone these skills—I typically sent more than 200 emails a day!

I would, of course, love to schedule a time for us to discuss this role and my experience, and I truly want to thank you for considering me.

All the best,

Olu Abiola

oabiola@inbox.net

(123) 456-789”

Frequently Asked Questions: How to write a cover letter for an older applicant

Is it hard to find a job at 55?

Yes, it can be challenging to find a new job in your 50s and 60s. When out of work, older workers seem to have greater difficulties landing a new position.

What are transferable skills?

Examples of transferable skills include:

• Communication skills.
• Creative thinking.
• Leadership skills.
• Conflict resolution.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving.
• Time management
• Organizational skills.

If you like this blog post, please leave your comments and questions below.

Citations

https://www.thebalancemoney.com/cover-letters-tips-for-older-job-seekers-2064045

https://www.livecareer.com/resources/cover-letters/basics/older-worker-strategies

https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/cover-letter-older-workers-v2/

https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/cover-letters-for-50-plus-workers