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Part-Time Job Cover Letter Examples and Writing Tips

How Do I Write an Application Letter for a First-Time Job?

sample application letter for part time job

What to Include in a Cover Letter for a Part-Time Job

Tips for writing a cover letter for a part-time job, printed letters vs. email messages, sample cover letter for a part-time job, part-time job email cover letter examples.

When you are applying for part-time positions, you should follow the same procedures as you would if the position was full-time. That means writing a thoughtful, well-crafted resume and cover letter.

While not all part-time jobs will require a cover letter, it is always a good idea to write one. A great cover letter will show the employer you are very interested in the job and you have what it takes to do the job well. You can also use one of these letters to apply for your first job.

When writing a cover letter, use business letter format. In the top-left corner of your letter, include your name and address, the date, and the employer’s name and address. Start your letter with a polite salutation to the hiring manager. If you know the employer or hiring manager’s name, be sure to use it.

In your first paragraph , introduce yourself and express your interest in the position. Also, explain how you heard about the job. If someone recommended you for the job, mention this.

Your second paragraph  (and maybe a third paragraph as well) is where you specify your qualifications and make connections between your skills and the requirements of the job.

Provide examples of times you demonstrated various  skills  necessary for the job. You can draw from professional, academic, or extracurricular experiences.

Include a final paragraph  with your follow-up plan. Explain when and how you will get in touch with them, or where they can reach you.

Then, end with a professional closing . Include a handwritten signature, followed by your typed signature.

(Almost) Always write one.  You should always write a cover letter unless you are specifically asked not to.

Even if an employer does not ask for a cover letter, it is a great way to take initiative and show how much you care about the position.

Keep it brief.  You always want to keep a cover letter concise. This is especially the case when applying for a part-time job for which the employer might have many applicants. Keep your letter under one page. Include a lot of white space on the page too—add spaces between paragraphs and keep the margins at least one inch wide.

Emphasize your flexibility.  If the part-time job requires shift work, consider mentioning in your cover letter your ability to work flexible hours. Employers look for shift workers who can take multiple shifts and are willing to step up whenever needed.

Edit and proofread carefully.  Whether applying for a part-time or full-time job, you need to write a professional cover letter. This means thoroughly editing your cover letter to avoid any spelling or grammar errors. A well-written cover letter will show the employer your professionalism, communication skills, and attention to detail.

Thoroughly read through the job listing to see if there are instructions on whether to send your cover letter (and other job materials) via email or by mail. If there are no directions, you can choose.

If you decide to send your cover letter via email, you can either attach it to the email as a Word document or PDF or write the letter directly into the email message.

If you're sending your cover letter in an email message, list your name and the job title in the subject line of the message. Don't list any contact information or the date at the top. Instead, start your email message with the salutation. Then, include your contact information in your email signature. You don’t need to include the employer’s contact information.

This is a part-time job cover letter example. Download the part-time job cover letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word), or see below for more examples.

The Balance

Sample Cover Letter for a Part-Time Job (Text Version)

Eric Anderson 123 Main Street Anytown, CA, 12345 111-111-1111 eric.applicant@email.com

April 6, 2024

Jeremy Lee Manager Sarasota Saddlery 123 Business Rd. Business City, NY 54321

Dear Mr. Lee,

I am interested in the part-time position at Sarasota Saddlery, as advertised in The Sarasotian. I have extensive equine experience as I have worked with horses for over nine years. Not only have I shown and ridden horses, but I have also assisted in multiple barns. Through working with horses, I have acquired a thorough knowledge of horses, tack, and equine apparel for both horse and rider.

While I have equine experience, I also have excellent communication skills and an aptitude for customer service. My experience as a volunteer at Sarasota Hospital made it necessary for me to focus on providing quality customer service and also enabled me to work with all types of people. I believe my communication skills, partnered with my equine knowledge, would make me an asset to your company.

Thank you for your consideration. I can be reached at 111-111-1111 or eric.anderson@email.com. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Signature (hard copy letter)

Eric Anderson

Sample Email Cover Letter for a Part-Time Job #1

Subject:  Part-Time Position – Gerald Johnson

Dear Ms. Lee,

I am interested in the part-time sales associate position at XYZ Company. I read the posting on Monster.com with interest, and I feel that my experience would be valuable to your firm. My communication skills and attention to detail are assets that I have been able to utilize in my previous sales positions.

I have extensive retail experience, having worked at small boutiques as well as large department stores. In these jobs, I was often praised for my attention to detail. I was particularly skilled at spotting items that were out of place, and quickly returning them to their appropriate locations in the store.

I also have strong communication skills. I can interact with clients in a friendly, approachable manner. In my last position, I interacted with over 50 clients daily. I was named Employee of the Month for three months in a row and was recognized for my contribution to a 10% yearly increase in sales in my department.

I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you regarding this position. I am available for flexible hours, and I believe that you would find me to be an asset to your company.

Gerald Johnson 555-555-5555 gerald.applicant@email.com

Sample Email Cover Letter for a Part-Time Job #2

Subject:  Office Assistant - April Chang

I am interested in applying for the office assistant position that was listed on CareerBuilder.

I have training in a variety of software programs and systems, including Microsoft Excel, Adobe InDesign, and more. As president of the Business Club at my school, I recently led a workshop on how to effectively use SharePoint. I am also a fast learner who is skilled at mastering computer software.

Through my extracurricular involvement, I have experience in scheduling appointments, and I am familiar with a variety of phone systems. My communication skills are excellent; I have been praised for my ability to communicate effectively on the phone, in person, and over email.

My schedule is flexible, and I would be available to work at your convenience. I hope to schedule an interview at a mutually convenient time. I look forward to speaking with you.

Thank you for your consideration.

April Chang 37 Paper Street Baytown, CT 06061 Email: april.chang@gmail.com Cell: 806-555-1245

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Part Time cover letter examples

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Are you looking for the perfect part-time position?

Then you need to give yourself a competitive edge with an impressive cover letter.

If you’ve been guilty of ignoring these in the past, now’s the time to fix that. Find out how to write an interview-winning application with our part-time cover letter examples below.

CV templates 

Part Time cover letter example 1

Part Time cover letter 1

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Part Time cover letter example 2

Part Time cover letter 2

Part Time cover letter example 3

Part Time cover letter 3

These Part Time cover letter examples provide you with some guidance and inspiration for writing a cover letter that gets noticed and ensures your CV will get opened.

But if you really want to master the art of writing a winning cover letter , then follow our step-by-step cove letter writing guide below.

How to write a Part Time cover letter

A simple step-by-step guide to writing your very own winning cover letter.

How to write a cover letter

Write your cover letter in the body of an email/message

When you send a cover letter with a job application, you should always write your message into the body of your email – or the body of the messaging system if you are sending via a job website.

Why do this?

Simply because you want to get your message seen as soon as the recruiter opens your application.

If you attach the cover letter as a separate item, this means the recipient will have to open it before they can read it – slowing down the process and potentially causing frustration along the way.

So, write your cover note in the body of your email/message to ensure you make an instant connection with the reader.

Write cover letter in body of email

Start with a friendly greeting

Cover letter address

To start building rapport with the recruiter or hiring manager right away, lead with a friendly greeting.

Try to strike a balance between professional and personable.

Go with something like…

  • Hi [insert recruiter name]
  • Hi [insert department/team name]

Stay away from old-fashioned greetings like “Dear sir/madam ” unless applying to very formal companies – they can come across as cold and robotic.

How to find the contact’s name?

Addressing the recruitment contact by name is an excellent way to start building a strong relationship. If it is not listed in the job advert, try to uncover it via these methods.

  • Check out the company website and look at their  About page. If you see a hiring manager, HR person or internal recruiter, use their name. You could also try to figure out who would be your manager in the role and use their name.
  • Head to LinkedIn , search for the company and scan through the list of employees. Most professionals are on LinkedIn these days, so this is a good bet.

Identify the role you are applying for

After you have greeted the recruiter, it’s important to state the job you are applying to.

Recruiters are often managing multiple vacancies, so they need to know exactly which job you are referring to.

Be as specific as possible and use a reference number if you can find one.

Here are some examples you can use;

  • I am interested in applying for the role of admin assistant with your organisation.
  • I would like to apply for the role of Sales assistant (Ref: 4057393)
  • I would like to express my interest in the customer service vacancy within your retail department
  • I saw your advertisement for a trainee project manager on Reed and would like to apply for the role.

See also: CV examples – how to write a CV – CV profiles

Highlight your suitability

The bulk of your cover letter should be focused around highlighting your suitability for the job you are applying to.

Doing this will show the recruiter that you are suitable candidate and encourage them to open your CV.

The best way to do this, is by studying the job advert you are applying to, and find out what the most important skills and knowledge are.

Once you know the most important requirements, you then need to highlight your matching skills to the recruiter. In a few sentences, tell them exactly why you are a good fit for the job and what you can offer the company.

Cover letter tips

Keep it short and sharp

A good cover letter is short and sharp, getting to the point quickly with just enough information to grab the attention of recruiters.

Ideally your cover letter should be around 4-8 sentences long – anything longer will risk losing the attention of time-strapped recruiters and hiring managers .

Essentially you need to include just enough information to persuade the reader to open up your CV, where the in-depth details will sit.

Sign off professionally

To round of your cover letter, add a professional signature to the bottom, giving recruiters your vital contact information.

This not only gives various means of contacting you, it also looks really professional and shows that you know how to communicate in the workplace.

Include the following points;

  • A friendly sign off – e.g. “Warm regards”
  • Your full name
  • Phone number (one you can answer quickly)
  • Email address
  • Profession title
  • Professional social network – e.g. LinkedIn

Here is an example signature;

Warm regards,

Gerald Baker Senior Accountant 07887500404 [email protected] LinkedIn

Quick tip : To save yourself from having to write your signature every time you send a job application email, you can save it within your email drafts, or on a separate document that you could copy in.

Email signatures

What to include in your Part Time cover letter

Here’s what kind of content you should include in your Part Time cover letter…

The exact info will obviously depend on your industry and experience level, but these are the essentials.

  • Your relevant experience – Where have you worked and what type of jobs have you held?
  • Your qualifications – Let recruiters know about your highest level of qualification to show them you have the credentials for the job.
  • The impact you have made – Show how your actions have made a positive impact on previous employers; perhaps you’ve saved them money or helped them to acquire new customers?
  • Your reasons for moving – Hiring managers will want to know why you are leaving your current or previous role, so give them a brief explanation.
  • Your availability – When can you start a new job ? Recruiters will want to know how soon they can get you on board.

Don’t forget to tailor these points to the requirements of the job advert for best results.

Part Time cover letter templates

Copy and paste these Part Time cover letter templates to get a head start on your own.

Hi Gabriel,

I hope you’re well.

I am excited to apply for the Part-Time Business Development Consultant position at your prestigious organisation. As a strategic and results-driven professional with over 17 years of successful experience in B2B sales and business development for software companies across the UK and Europe, I am confident that my proven track record of identifying new opportunities, maximising profitability, and driving revenue growth aligns perfectly with the requirements of this role.

During my tenure at Bubble, I established new partnerships with two world-leading software companies, resulting in the development of innovative product offerings and significant market share expansion. Additionally, I successfully implemented a new inbound sales strategy that contributed to a remarkable 22% increase in the company’s customer base in just two years.

As a passionate ISP Level 6 Business Development Professional, I am eager to bring my expertise to your organisation and contribute to its continued success. I would be delighted to discuss my qualifications further during an interview at your convenience.

Kind regards,

Nathan Clark

I am excited to apply for the Part-Time Administrator position at your esteemed recruitment firm. As a highly competent Administrative Coordinator with five years of experience providing seamless support to council and corporate offices, I am confident that my data processing expertise, meeting coordination skills, and meticulous attention to detail make me an excellent fit for this role.

My administrative skills have been proven during my tenure at Lloyds TSB, where I successfully reorganised office supplies storage, reducing accidental overordering by 60%, and streamlined the expense reporting process which led to a 20% reduction in errors.

As an IAM-certified administrator, I have consistently developed and implemented improved reporting systems to enhance efficiency. During my tenure at Coventry City Council, I was appointed as the designated meeting coordinator after successfully organising five meetings with over 50 attendees each in one week, demonstrating my exceptional organisational capabilities.

I would be delighted to discuss my qualifications further during an interview at your convenience.

Simon Teller

I am thrilled to apply for the Part-Time Shop Assistant position at your esteemed store alongside my undergraduate studies in Business Administration. As a detail-oriented Checkout Operator with over 3 years of experience in fast-paced retail environments, I am confident that my exceptional customer service skills and proficiency in cash handling make me a perfect fit for this role.

Throughout my current role my ability to manage point-of-sale systems efficiently has resulted in seamless transaction processing, and my dedication to resolving customer complaints promptly has contributed to maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction. For example, I successfully identified and reported potential stock losses, reducing inventory discrepancies by 30% in 2021. During my role as a part time Sales Assistant, I consistently surpassed daily sales targets by 15% through effective communication with customers and skilful promotion of sales promotions.

I would love to discuss my suitability further during an interview at your convenience.

Carlos Arani

Writing a strong attention-grabbing cover letter is a vital step in landing a good Part Time job.

Use the tips, strategies and examples above to get more responses from you job applications and start lining job interview up.

Good luck with your job search!