Firefighter Cover Letter Example
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When you’re fighting a fire, you give it all you’ve got. The same should apply to job applications. That means submitting not just a well-written resume, but also a persuasive cover letter that illustrates your fit for the job. This guide to writing an effective cover letter for a firefighter position will help you put the spotlight on your experience in emergency services and your quick decision-making skills to improve your chances of getting an interview.
Firefighter cover letter (text)
Alex Garey
San Diego, CA 92111
(555) 555-5555
example@example.com
May 31, 2024
Casey Smith,
City Fire Department
San Diego, CA 92108
Phone: 555-555-5555
E-Mail: example@example.com
Dear ,
I have always wanted to help people in whatever way I can. Being a firefighter is a great way to do that, and I know that I am the perfect person for the job. My passion, education and experience make me the ideal candidate for the position.
Once I knew that I wanted to go into the service industry, I decided on emergency services. I attended school to become a certified firefighter and EMT and graduated with excellent grades. I passed both my written and physical tests with flying colors.
After receiving my EMT certification, I volunteered with a small, local fire department to gain valuable on-the-job training. During my year with the fire department, I also worked for a private ambulance company. I responded to 103 calls between the two jobs. All of my work experience has prepared me to be a firefighter with the City Fire Department.
I am passionate about using my talent and experience to help fight fires and save lives, which makes me the perfect fit for your fire department. Thank you for considering me for the firefighter position, and please contact me to discuss my qualifications further and schedule an interview.
Sincerely,
Alex Garey
How to format a firefighter cover letter
A cover letter is your chance to connect with a potential employer. It allows you to expand on your resume, introduce yourself to the hiring manager, call attention to your qualifications and showcase why you’re the right person for the job. That’s a lot for one page, but as you can see from our cover letter example for a firefighter job, it can be done!
The first step is picking the correct cover letter format.
Use the business letter format for your firefighter cover letter
A cover letter is a business letter, so use the layout of a standard business letter to guide your firefighter cover letter format.
As our firefighter cover letter sample shows, your cover letter must include:
- A header with your name, city, state, ZIP code and telephone number.
- The recipient’s address and contact information.
- A greeting, like “Dear Anthony Johnson,” “Dear Hiring Manager,” or “Dear Fire Chief.”
- A simple closing, like “Kind regards” or “Sincerely.”
In addition, it’s best practice to use 1 and ¼ inch margins on all sides, single spacing and left alignment on your one-page document.
Using a cover letter template is the best way to ensure your cover letter is formatted correctly and won’t be rejected by applicant tracking systems (ATS). Plug your letter into our Cover Letter Builder and we’ll give you step-by-step guidance and job-specific phrases to use. You’ll have a professional firefighter cover letter to attach to your resume in no time.
How to write a cover letter for a firefighter position
Start with a compelling introduction
Employers don’t want to waste time reading boring, generic job applications, so you must draw them in immediately with your firefighter cover letter opening. Think of your cover letter introduction like an elevator pitch and be as clear and convincing as possible. Mention why you’re interested in the job and highlight why you’re the best candidate for it. Convey enthusiasm and confidence in your abilities.
Use accomplishments to showcase why you’re an excellent fit for the role
If you review some of the best cover letter examples for a firefighter position, you’ll see that the letter’s body paragraphs are used to paint an in-depth picture of the applicant’s career history, while offering insight into their passions and values. In one or two paragraphs, you should do the same to give potential employers a sense of who you are and what you’re capable of. Use strong action verbs like “Improved” and “Optimized,” as well as numbers, to describe your past work hard and soft skills.
Close with an invitation
Use the final paragraph of your cover letter to thank the hiring manager for their time and reiterate your passion for the field and eagerness to be considered. Do what our firefighter cover letter examples do and close with a call to action that invites the reader to get in touch with you to set up an interview and discuss your suitability for the job.
Pair your firefighter cover letter with a matching resume
Firefighter cover letter FAQ
1. How do you write a firefighter cover letter with no experience?
Even if you’ve never held a formal firefighting position, you can still write a compelling firefighter cover letter. The key is to not dwell on your lack of experience; rather, focus on your training and the various skills that you acquired through this process. Mention notable accomplishments from your training period, quantifying them whenever possible, and be sure to detail relevant volunteer work and extracurricular activities too. Exude confidence in your abilities; show the reader that you’re passionate about the field and make it clear that you are ready and willing to learn on the job. To increase the likelihood of your cover letter being read by the hiring manager, remember to also include keywords from the job description – doing so will help ensure that your letter gets past an ATS and into human hands. For more guidance on what makes a strong cover letter, have a look at firefighter cover letter samples.
2. To whom should you address a cover letter for a firefighter position?
Your cover letter should be addressed directly to whoever is managing the hiring process (i.e., the hiring manager). This could be the fire chief or fire commissioner, or a member of an HR team. Write out their name in full, for example, “Dear Carlos Perez,” and only use titles like “Mr” or “Ms” if you are certain of the person’s gender. If you don’t know the hiring manager’s name, do the work to try to find it. If your research turns up nothing, then use “Dear Hiring Manager” or the person’s official job title; for instance, “Dear Fire Commissioner.” As our sample cover letter for a firefighter shows, it’s best to be as personal and specific as possible. Never use impersonal salutations like “To Whom It May Concern.”
3. When should I send my cover letter when applying for a firefighter job?
Your firefighter cover letter should be sent at the same time as your firefighter resume. The two documents go together as a pair, with your cover letter doing the job of expanding on the details you’ve included in your resume. It’s important that hiring managers receive your cover letter right at the start of the application process so that they have additional context about you and your skills to consider when making interview decisions.
4. How long should a firefighter cover letter be?
As you can see from our example of a cover letter for a firefighter job, your cover letter doesn’t have to be very long. In fact, it’s better to keep this document fairly short, while still covering the key details. Ideally, it should be no more than one-page long and no shorter than half a page. Aim for about 250-500 words in total.
Do’s and don’ts for building a firefighter cover letter
- Address the recruiter or hiring manager directly.
- Explain what attracted you to the position in one or two sentences.
- Customize your firefighter cover letter for the job.
- Include keywords from the job description throughout.
- End with a clear call to action.
- Proofread your cover letter more than once.
- Write a generic firefighter cover letter.
- Write more than one page.
- Use generic salutations, like “To Whom It May Concern.”
- Regurgitate your firefighter resume.
- Rely on automatic grammar or spell-checkers.
- Write a fan letter, even if it is your dream job.
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Firefighter Cover Letter Example
Dayle Kavonic is a professional online writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience in digital content creation. She has written extensively on the topics of resume and cover letter writing, job hunting and career development.