- Search Search Please fill out this field.
- Career Planning
- Finding a Job
- Cover Letters

Cover Letter Sample for a Resume
Alison Doyle is one of the nation’s foremost career experts.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/ADHeadshot-Cropped-b80e40469d5b4852a68f94ad69d6e8bd.jpg)
When to Write a Cover Letter
How to write a cover letter for a job, customize your cover letters.
- Explain What's On Your Resume
- Review Examples and Templates
Sample Cover Letter for a Resume
Sending an email cover letter, more cover letter examples.
The Balance / Alex Dos Diaz
Do you need to write a cover letter (also known as a job application letter ) for a job? You may feel as though the document is unnecessary since you are already providing a resume with plenty of information.
Not so! A cover letter serves an important purpose: it presents the case for why you should be hired and distinguishes you from other candidates. Your cover letter is where you can show your passion for the position and the company, and highlight your most relevant qualifications. A well-written cover letter will supplement your resume by focusing on why you're a well-qualified candidate for the job.
Many employers require cover letters as part of the job application process . However, even when an employer does not explicitly ask for a cover letter, you should send one. A Robert Half survey reports that 58% of employers prefer to receive a cover letter and find them to be valuable.
A strong cover letter can make your application stand out from the crowd.
Review these tips for writing and sending a cover letter. Then, use the cover letter sample below as a guide for when you write your own cover letter.
Even when an employer does not directly ask for one, be sure to always send a cover letter . When shouldn’t you send a cover letter?
The only time you should avoid sending a cover letter is when a job listing explicitly says not to send one. In that situation, it's more important to follow the directions on the job listing.
Make a Match
In your cover letter, address the top skills and abilities you have that match the job description . Ideally, you should select the qualifications that are most relevant to the position for which you are applying:
- Review the job description and try to determine which qualifications seem to add the most value to the position.
- Provide a specific example of a time you demonstrated each of these qualifications.
Consider Using Bullets
One great way to showcase your skills and achievements is to include a bulleted list of your most impressive qualifications in the body of your cover letter. Using four or five bulleted items helps this information to “pop” on the page.
Quantify Your Achievements
When describing significant professional successes, make this information even more impressive by quantifying your contributions with numbers, percentages, or dollar amounts in boldface.
While it might seem tedious, you should always customize each letter to fit the specific job for which you are applying. After all, an effective cover letter must illustrate how your experience matches up to the requirements outlined in the job listing. Failing to do so can quickly get your application eliminated from the pool.
Echo the keyword phrases that are emphasized on the job announcement in your cover letter.
Employers often now use sophisticated applicant tracking systems to provide a first review of the cover letters and resumes they receive. The more industry-specific keywords your cover letter includes, the more likely it is that your application will be advanced for a deeper review.
Explain What's On Your Resume
You can use your cover letter to go into detail about something in your resume that needs explaining.
For example, a cover letter is a great place to talk about a career shift , a career break , or to explain an extended gap in employment .
Proof and Edit Your Cover Letter
A CareerBuilder survey reports that typos and grammatical errors can cost you an interview, as can not including a cover letter.
Be sure to thoroughly proofread each cover letter before sending it, looking for grammar and spelling errors. Consider asking a friend or family member, or even a career counselor , to read over your cover letter. It can be helpful to print a copy of your cover letter and edit it with a pen in hand. Reading it out loud is another good way to catch mistakes.
Review Examples and Templates
For help writing your cover letter, read samples like the one below, as well as cover letter templates . Remember to tailor any example or template to fit your own experiences and the job for which you are applying.
Want more tips? Review the top 10 cover letter writing tips for more details on how to craft a successful cover letter. It’s smart to familiarize yourself with what it takes to write an effective cover letter before you get started writing. That way, you can spend less time on editing and more time on getting it right from the start.
You can also use a cover letter sample, like the one below, for inspiration.
Be sure to tailor any samples you use to match your own background and the job for which you are applying.
As a reminder, always rework your cover letter to fit each specific position that you apply for. In addition to tweaking the content, don’t forget to update the salutation, the job title, and the company name.
This is a cover letter sample for a resume. Download the cover letter template (compatible with Google Docs or Word Online) or read the example below.
Sample Cover Letter for a Resume (Text Version)
Joseph Q. Applicant 123 Main Street Anytown, USA 12345 555-212-1234 josephq@email.com
August 17, 2020
Jane Smith Director, Human Resources Acme Company 123 Business Rd. Business City, NY 54321
Dear Ms. Smith,
I am interested in the author's assistant position at Acme Company, as advertised on LinkedIn. I am currently employed as legislative director for Assemblywoman Nora Kiel, Chairperson of the NYS Assembly. I believe that the skills and experiences I have gained at this position make me an ideal candidate for the job of author’s assistant.
As legislative director, I have developed strong writing and editing skills. For example, one of my main duties is to prepare Assemblywoman Nora Kiel’s personal legislation, which deals with issues related to her position as Senior Member of the NYS Assembly Standing Committee.
This duty requires meticulous writing and editing skills, and an ability to convey complex legal ideas clearly. I have prepared dozens of pieces of legislation and received praise for the clarity of my writing.
I have also gained extensive experience in legal and policy research – fields that you state the author’s assistant must be familiar with. My experience in the NYS Assembly has afforded me the opportunity to become familiar with the consolidated and unconsolidated laws of the State of New York. In particular, through my work with Assemblywoman Nora Kiel, I have become heavily involved in the current welfare and Medicaid reform movement. I am always eager to learn more about state legislation, reading up on these topics on my own time to become more knowledgeable. I would love to bring this passion for policy and law to your company.
I am confident that my experience in the Legislature and my research and writing skills qualify me for consideration. If you would like, I can provide you with current samples of my work. I have also enclosed my resume. I look forward to meeting with you and discussing my qualifications in more detail.
Joseph Q. Applicant (signature hard copy letter)
Joseph Q. Applicant
If you're sending your cover letter via email , list your name and the job title in the subject line of the email message . Include your contact information in your email signature, but don't list the employer's contact information. Skip the date, and start your email message with the salutation.
Ready to get started? You can review 100+ free cover letter examples for more inspiration. Or, follow this guide on how to write a cover letter in 5 easy steps .
Robert Half. " How to Write a Cover Letter That Will Stand Out ." Accessed March 17, 2021.
CareerOneStop. " How Do I Write a Cover Letter? " Accessed March 17, 2021.
CareerBuilder. " Employers Share Their Most Outrageous Resume Mistakes and Instant Deal Breakers ." Accessed March 17, 2021.
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
- Skip to main content
- Skip to footer
Resume Genius
The World's Smartest Resume Builder
Home Cover Letter Help How to Write a Cover Letter
How to Write a Cover Letter for a Job

Unsure what to write in your cover letter, or how to make a cover letter that pairs well with your resume? Our cover letter writing guide explains these details in-depth, and shows you how to write a good cover letter for a job application that lands you an interview.

Picture this : you’ve already made a resume that highlights your experience and you’re about to submit a job application. But before you can continue you see the phrase that every job seeker dreads: “ cover letter required .”
Nobody likes writing cover letters, but if you’re job hunting in 2023, you’ll need to write a cover letter .
We’re here to help. In this article, we break down what a cover letter is, provide some proven examples, and guide you through every step of making a cover letter for a job. Let’s get started.
What is a cover letter for a job?
Not quite clear on what a cover letter is exactly? Here’s a quick definition:
A cover letter is an application document you pair with your resume that explains why you want a particular job, and why you think you’re the right person for that job.
But seeing an example is always better than just reading a definition. So here’s an example of a cover letter to show you what a good cover letter looks like in 2023:
Download Cover Letter Example
Cover Letter Template (Text Version)
December 3, 2022
Mrs. Connie Finnegan
24 Federal Ave.
Atlanta, GA, 30308
(404) 987-6543
[email protected]
Dear Mrs. Finnegan,
I’m writing to apply for the Restaurant Manager opening at Cool Bistro. I have more than three years of experience managing successful restaurants and bars, delivering excellent customer service, and creating unique dining experiences. I’m confident my professional expertise would make me a great addition to the team at Cool Bistro.
In my role as Restaurant Manager for Bar Louie, I proved to be an efficient, enthusiastic, and strong leader. My value quickly became apparent to Bar Louie’s owners after I trained and prepared the entire waitstaff for opening night. Not only did our team meet sales goals each month for the first year, but we received glowing reviews in the local papers as well.
I’m confident Cool Bistro would benefit from my skills in the following areas:
- Eye for excellence and high level of standards
- Strong work ethic and leadership skills
- Positive attitude even under pressure
I believe Cool Bistro will be a great success for many years to come, and my extensive expertise will help ensure your establishment succeeds well into the future. My time spent in this industry has prepared me for such an opportunity, and I sincerely hope I can contribute soon as a member of your team.
I’d appreciate the opportunity to discuss the Restaurant Manager position in more detail soon. I’m happy to come by whenever is most convenient for you. Thank you for your time, and I’m looking forward to hearing from you.
[Your Name]
To maximize your chances of getting an interview, you need to write a cover letter that makes a strong positive first impression on employers. And if you don’t have time to write one, no worries — you can also make a cover letter quickly using online tools or a cover letter template .
Writing a cover letter for a job with no experience ? Watch the video below to get started. Or keep scrolling to learn everything you need to know about how to write a good cover letter that gets you hired regardless of your background.
How to write a cover letter for a job application
Not sure what to write in a cover letter? Follow the seven simple steps below to make a cover letter that leaves a lasting impression on employers:
1. List your contact details

Underneath your name in your cover letter header , list the following contact information:
- Email address
- Phone number
- Mailing address (optional)
- Linkedin profile link (optional)
- Portfolio or website (optional)
- Pronouns (optional)
2. Address the hiring manager by name

Here’s how the top half of your cover letter should look.
After your header, include the date and the company contact information in this format:
Cover Letter Address Format
Name or job title of the person or team you’re writing to Company name Company’s street address Company’s phone number Hiring manager’s email address
Next, address your cover letter to the hiring manager — by name if possible.
A standard cover letter salutation includes the hiring manager’s last name, and begins with “Mr.”, “Ms.”, or another relevant professional title.
If you don’t see the hiring manager’s name listed in the job ad, don’t worry. You can still easily find out who to address your cover letter to:
Ways to find the hiring manager’s name
- Search the company on LinkedIn and click on “People”
- Explore the company’s website (specifically their “About Us” or “Team” page)
- As a last resort, contact their human resources department and ask
However, if you can’t find the hiring manager’s name, using their job title or something like Dear [Department Name] Director is okay.
Here are some example cover letter greetings:
Ways to open your cover letter
- Dear Jane Smith
- Dear Ms. Smith
- Dear Accounting Department
- Dear [Company Name] Recruiter
3. Write an attention-grabbing opening paragraph

Start your cover letter with an informative, direct introduction.
In the first one or two sentences, mention the position and organization you’re applying for, where you found the position, and why you’re excited about the opportunity. Check out this example of an effective cover letter introduction:
Example of a good cover letter introduction

Your opening paragraph should encourage the employer to read the rest of your cover letter.
Highlight your passion
You can make your introduction even more attention-grabbing by adding some personality, or by including a career highlight. Here’s a sample cover letter for a job application highlighting the jobseeker’s passion for the role.
Displaying your passion for a job
As a teenager, I would cut my friends’ hair because of my passion for haircare. Eventually, many of my friends and family would come exclusively to me when they needed their hair cut. Today, if anything, I’m even more passionate about hair care, which is why I’m applying for the open Stylist role at Grateful Dreads.
Showing personality in your cover letter helps employers understand what motivates you.
Just be sure to strike the right tone for your industry or field. For instance, if you’re applying for a job in law or finance, keep your writing formal.
Mention any referrals or contacts you have at the job
If you received a referral to the job by a current employee, your introduction is the place to mention it. Include a referral in your cover letter by quickly stating their name and your connection to them. This is a great way to quickly win over a hiring manager.
Adding a referral for a role
Your Personal Trainer, Augusta Maine, informed me about your open Executive Diary Secretary role and encouraged me to apply.
4. Explain why you’re qualified for the job

Your second and third paragraphs should convince employers that you’re the right person for the job. Use these paragraphs to best market yourself by discussing your relevant work experience, skills, and achievements.
Some things to include in your cover letter that highlight your value to employers include achievements , awards , and expertise . Here’s how you can add these elements:

If you’ve received compliments from management or colleagues for your work, you can add them to your cover letter:
Showcasing success on a cover letter
The managing partner of the law firm, Olympia Washington — one of my references — informed me that without my research skills, we wouldn’t have been able to guarantee such a good result for our clients in a class-action suit against an eldercare facility that had been overcharging its residents.
5. Relate your experience to the company’s needs

Begin to close your cover letter by restating your interest in the job and explaining how your experience fits into the needs of the company.
For example, if you’re applying to work at a company that’s seeking to break into a new market that you have experience in, you should highlight this experience in your writing.
Showing prior experience on a cover letter
I noticed in The San Antonio Express-News that you’re expanding Los Pollos Sobrinos into neighboring New Mexico. As a supervisor at Big Kahuna Burger, I’ve onboarded 20+ new employees, and I’m sure I could help you rapidly grow and train your team.
If you’re not sure what the goals or needs of the company are, find out by doing some research online. Take note of the products or services they offer, what their work culture is like, and if they have any future goals.
The job ad is also an excellent place to find out what the company is seeking.
6. Finish with a concise closing paragraph and sign-off

When writing a cover letter closing , be polite, confident, and continue to market yourself as the best candidate for the job.
First, restate your excitement about the job opportunity. Then, encourage the hiring manager to interview you (remember to mention when you’re available), and thank them for their time:

Finally, wrap up your cover letter with a professional closing salutation. The standard closing is “Sincerely” but here are some more options:
6 more sign offs for a cover letter
- Best wishes,
- Respectfully,
- Kind regards,
- Best regards,
- Yours truly,
Then, make two spaces below the salutation, and type your full name.
7. Check your cover letter’s content and formatting
After creating your cover letter, you need to review it before you send it off. Here are a few things to consider when reviewing your cover letter:
Double-check your cover letter formatting
A professional cover letter is normally:
- 200–350 words
- single-spaced
- US Letter (USA) or A4 (elsewhere) page size
- Left-aligned (except for your contact details, which can be centered)
Take a look at the checklist below before you submit your application to make sure your cover letter is formatted correctly.

Simplify your writing
The trick to writing a good cover letter that gives employers an easy overview of your qualifications is to use direct language.
Ideally, a cover letter for a resume should be easy to read, confident, and friendly.
To instantly improve your writing tone:
- Use contractions like “don’t” instead of “do not”
- Avoid overused buzzwords and phrases like “dynamic,” “think outside the box,” and “go-getter”
- Choose simple words like “helpful” instead of “advantageous”
Here’s a comparison between a friendly writing style and an overly formal one:
Excited and professional
I’m thrilled to apply for the customer service position at [Company Name]. Having been a customer service representative for 5+ years at Walmart, I’m confident I can quickly apply my experience using Zendesk and Salesforce to make a positive impact on [Company Name]’s bottom line.
It is with great interest that I apply for the open customer service position posted by your company on Indeed. I possess the requisite skill set to ably perform the customer service duties described in the job requirements.
Proofread carefully
Typos and grammatical errors in your cover letter will leave a negative impression on employers.
Here are two quick tricks professional editors use to catch mistakes:
- Read your writing out loud : Reading your letter aloud forces you to consider every word, sentence, paragraph, and punctuation mark. Plus, you’ll more easily notice hard-to-read sentences, and can then simplify them.
- Change the font : A new font forces your brain to process something that seems new. Switching your cover letter to a different font and font size can help you notice mistakes you’d otherwise miss.
After you’ve read your cover letter out loud, have someone else read it over. They can provide helpful feedback like whether your letter is clear and well-argued, or vague and filled with cliches. They’ll also (hopefully) notice any small grammar and spelling errors you missed.
How to make a cover letter using online software
If you’re short on time, try using a web application to quickly make a convincing cover letter.
There are several powerful cover letter builders online that you can try out. We’ll walk you through our own cover letter generator , so you can create your own letter in a few quick steps.
Step 1: Fill in your personal information

This information is what the software uses to generate your cover letter, and includes your:
Work experience
- Educational background
- Skills and personal qualities

Additionally, you’ll need to list the job title and company that you’re applying for so that the builder knows how to address your cover letter.

Depending on your educational status and how much relevant work experience you have, the software will highlight different information to help put the focus on your strengths as a candidate.
For example, if you already have several years of relevant work experience, the builder won’t mention your college education because your degree is no longer your most relevant qualification.

The last question asks you to explain how your coworkers might describe you (the answer ultimately being a soft skill you’ve developed over time). The builder then uses this detail in your cover letter to help further market you as the best candidate for the job.
Step 2: Select your template

But before you download your cover letter, make sure it looks appropriate for the job you’re applying for and matches the design of your resume.
Click on the left or right side of your cover letter to swap between the many HR-approved templates available in our builder. We offer a variety of templates designed for different industries and levels of formality, so you’ll soon find a design that works for you:

Step 3: Download your completed cover letter
With your cover letter written and neatly formatted, you’re ready to download your finished document.
Once you click “Proceed to Download”, you’ll be prompted to download your file in either PDF or .docx format.
In most situations, you should save your cover letter as a PDF because it’s easy for employers to open and ensures the reader doesn’t accidentally edit your cover letter when viewing it.
However, if a company specifically asks you to send your job application in .docx format, you should save your cover letter as a docx.
Frequently asked questions about how to write a cover letter
Still unsure about something? Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about writing a cover letter:
What makes a good cover letter?
A good cover letter expands upon the information in your resume, providing context for your skills and accomplishments. It also gives employers insight into your personality so they can determine if you’d be a good cultural fit for the company.
What should you not say in a cover letter?
What you shouldn’t say in a cover letter is anything that makes you seem negative . For example, avoid talking about why you hate your job , or complaining about your current employer.
Instead, focus on what you learned in your current position that will help you succeed in your next role.
Should you include salary requirements in a cover letter?
No, you shouldn’t include salary requirements in your cover letter unless the company requests it.
If the salary you state is too high, the employer might reject your application before you get the opportunity to explain why your skill set and experience warrant a higher salary.
How do you write a general cover letter for a resume?
You write a general cover letter for a resume by highlighting the skills that make you a competitive candidate in your target industry without including any specific details about the job you’re applying for.
However, keep in mind that tailoring your cover letter to each position you apply for will increase your chances of landing a job. We recommend against using a general cover letter unless you really need to save time.
Additional cover letter FAQs:
Still have some questions that haven’t been answered? Here are some of our other cover letter FAQs:
- Does a resume need a cover letter?
- How do I include a referral in a cover letter?
- How do you write salary requirements in a cover letter?
- What is an enclosure in a cover letter?
- Should you use a template for a cover letter?
- Does a CV include a cover letter?
- Can a cover letter be two pages?
- Do cover letters need an address?
- Do I need to sign a cover letter submitted electronically?
- Should you put a photo on a cover letter?
- What does a cover letter look like?
We also have the answers to many more frequently asked questions about cover letters if you don’t see your question above.
Click to rate this article

Written by Ida Pettersson
Ida is a Content Writer at Resume Genius, where she assists job seekers as they plan their next career moves. She graduated from New College of Florida with a double major... more
Related Articles

Cover Letter Examples for All Job Applications in 2023
February 2, 2023 | By Conrad Benz

Cover Letter Statistics for 2023
January 12, 2023 | By Rebecca Tay, Ph.D.

- Cover Letter Templates
September 18, 2022 | By Pauline Delaney

Are Cover Letters Necessary in 2023?
January 11, 2023 | By Corissa Peterson

Best Cover Letter Examples of 2022 & Why They’re So Good
May 18, 2022 | By Aaron Case, CPRW

How to Write a Cover Letter With No Experience
July 26, 2022 | By Eva Chan, CPRW

Cover Letter Format: How to Format Your Cover Letter in 2023
December 8, 2022 | By Emily Crowley

What Is a Cover Letter?
June 28, 2022 | By Conrad Benz
Resume Tools
- Resume Builder
- Resume Templates
- Resume Examples
- How to Make a Resume
- Resume Format
- Resume Summary Generator
- Resume Help
Cover Letter Tools
- Cover Letter Builder
- Cover Letter Examples
- How to Write a Cover Letter
- Cover Letter Format
- Cover Letter Help
- What Is a CV?
- How to Write a CV
- CV Templates
- CV Examples
Career Tools
- Thank You Note Samples & Templates
- Resignation Letter Samples
- Letter of Recommendation Templates
- Business Letter Formats
- Career Advice
- Forgot Password
- Terms & Conditions
- Privacy Policy
- Accessibility
© 2023, Sonaga Tech Limited. All rights reserved
ResumeGenius.com is owned and operated by Sonaga Tech Limited, Hamilton, Zweigniederlassung Luzern with offices in Luzern Switzerland.
How to Write Cover Letter for Resume [Complete Guide]
“Are you stuck and not sure how to write a cover letter for the job you’re applying for?” Writing a Resume - What's Impor... Please enable JavaScript
Together with a strong resume , an effective cover letter is a one-page application letter that brings your interviewer on a guided journey of your greatest career achievements making you an ideal candidate for the job.
How to Write a Great Cover Letter For a Resume
A good cover letter helps you stand out from the other candidates and show your potential employer what you can do and why you are the perfect candidate for the job.
Cover letters are an important part of the job application process and using the right action words can help enhance your writing to be more engaging and interesting. Including some soft skills and hard skills required by the job will further enhance your cover letter.
1. Resume Cover Letter Heading
2. introducing yourself, 3. body paragraph, 4. closing paragraph.
Give your employer the reason to call you for interview and not other candidates.
5. Call-To-Action
Lastly, you want your reader to go ahead and process your application by inviting them to contact you for the interview.
6. Closing Salutation
7. review your cover letter, cover letter template for job application.
To help make the process easier, we’ve created a free cover letter template for you to serve as a great starting point to guide you create a cover letter for a job.
Cover Letter Template For Jobs Application
I am confident that my proven track record of [ Skills Required By The Job Position ] will make me an immediate asset at [ Company Name ], and allow me to contribute to the team’s success.
Good Cover Letter Examples
Cover letter example for jobs application.
As a programmer for UX design with over seven years of professional experience in building beautiful interactive UX websites. I am confident that I would be a valuable asset to the team at New York XYZ Fashion Store.
Cover Letter Example for Internship
Jane Q. Smith 567 Home Street | Bronx, CA 12345 | Phone: 555-111-2222 | [email protected]
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to speaking with you again.
Cover Letter FAQs
Similar posts, how to write a professional email at work (with examples), what is metaverse and why it matters to you (future of work), how to write resignation letter by email [examples + template], 7 smart networking tips for introverts of today, how to tell your boss you are not working on weekends (with examples), 9 reasons why gap in employment is “ok”.
Cover Letter - speaking to gaming being an interest?

I’m planning on applying for a Client Manager position for a company that organizes Esport tournaments. I have 8 years experience in a Client Management role but in completely different industries - Risk Management & Corporate Social Responsibility. Is it appropriate to add in my cover letter that I have an interest in gaming? At the moment, one of my favorite games is Valorant. The creator, Riot Games, is one of their clients. I’m trying to figure out an elegant way to sprinkle that in - or should I avoid it all together?
Any insight is appreciated. Thanks!
no comments yet
Be the first to share what you think!
About Community

How to Write a Cover Letter in 2023 | Beginner's Guide

After weeks of heavy job search, you’re almost there!
You’ve perfected your resume.
You’ve short-listed the coolest jobs you want to apply for.
You’ve even had a friend train you for every single interview question out there.
But then, before you can send your application and call it a day, you remember that the job ad requires a cover letter.
Now you’re stuck wondering how to write a cover letter ...
Don’t panic! We’ve got you covered. Writing a cover letter is a lot simpler than you might think.
In this guide, we’re going to teach you how to write a cover letter that gets you the job you deserve.
- What’s a cover letter & why it’s important for your job search
- How to write a convincing cover letter that gets you the job (step-by-step!)
- How to perfect your cover letter with the Novoresume free checklist
- What excellent cover letter examples look like
So, let’s get started with the basics!
What is a Cover Letter? (and Why It’s Important)
A cover letter is a one-page document that you submit as part of your job application (alongside your CV or Resume).
Its purpose is to introduce you and briefly summarize your professional background. On average, your cover letter should be from 250 to 400 words long .
A good cover letter can spark the HR manager’s interest and get them to read your resume.
A bad cover letter, on the other hand, might mean that your application is going directly to the paper shredder. So, to make sure this doesn’t happen, it’s essential to know how to write a convincing cover letter.
How does a good cover letter look, you might ask. Well, here’s an example:

Keep in mind, though, that a cover letter is a supplement to your resume, not a replacement. Meaning, you don’t just repeat whatever is mentioned in your resume.
If you’re writing a cover letter for the first time, writing all this might seem pretty tough. After all, you’re probably not a professional writer.

The thing is, though, you don’t need to be creative, or even any good at writing. All you have to do is follow a tried-and-tested format:
- Header - Input contact information
- Greeting the hiring manager
- Opening paragraph - Grab the reader’s attention with 2-3 of your top achievements
- Second paragraph - Explain why you’re the perfect candidate for the job
- Third paragraph - Explain why you’re a good match for the company
- Formal closing
Or, here’s what this looks like in practice:

How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter (And Get Hired!)
Now that we’ve got the basics out of the way, we’re going to guide you through the process of writing a cover letter step by step.
Step #1 - Pick the Right Cover Letter Template
A good cover letter is all about leaving the right first impression.
So, what’s a better way to leave a good impression than a well-formatted, visual template?

You can simply pick one of our hand-picked cover letter templates , and you’ll be all set in a jiffy!
As a bonus, our AI will even give you suggestions on how to improve your cover letter on the go.
Step #2 - Start the Cover Letter with a Header
As with a resume, it’s important to start your cover letter with a Contact Information section:

Here, you want to include all essential information, including:
- Phone Number
- Name of the hiring manager / their professional title
- Name of the company you’re applying to
In certain cases, you might also consider adding:
- Social Media Profiles - Any type of profile that’s relevant to your field. Social Profiles on websites like LinkedIn, GitHub (for developers), Medium (for writers), etc.
- Personal Website - If you have a personal website that somehow adds value to your application, you can mention it. Let’s say you’re a professional writer. In that case, you’d want to link to your blog.
And here’s what you shouldn’t mention in your header:
- Your Full Address
- Unprofessional Email - Make sure your email is presentable. It’s pretty hard for a hiring manager to take you seriously if your email address is “[email protected]” Whenever applying for jobs, stick to the “[first name] + [last name] @ email provider.com” format.

Step #3 - Greet the Hiring Manager
Once you’ve properly listed your contact information, you need to start writing the cover letter contents.
The first thing to do here is to address the cover letter to the hiring manager .
That’s right, the hiring manager! Not the overly popular “Dear Sir or Madam.” You want to show your future boss that you did your research and are really passionate about working with their team.
No one wants to hire a job seeker who just spams 20+ companies and hopes to get hired in any of them.
So, how do you find out who’s the hiring manager? There are several ways to do this.
The simplest option is to look up the head of the relevant department on LinkedIn. Let’s say you’re applying for the position of a Communication Specialist at Novoresume. The hiring manager is probably Head of Communications or Chief Communications Office.
So, you do a quick lookup on LinkedIn:

And voila! You have your hiring manager.
Or let’s say you’re applying for the position of a server. In that case, you’d be looking for the “restaurant manager.”
If this doesn’t work, you can also check out the “Team” page on the company website; there’s a good chance you’ll at least find the right person there.
Here are several other greetings you could use:
- Dear [Department] Hiring Manager
- Dear Hiring Manager
- To whom it may concern
- Dear [Department] Team
Step #4 - Write an Attention-Grabbing Introduction
First impressions matter, especially when it comes to your job search.
Recruiters get hundreds, sometimes even thousands, of applications. Chances are, they’re not going to be reading every single cover letter end-to-end.
So, it’s essential to catch their attention from the very first paragraph .
The #1 problem we see with most cover letter opening paragraphs is that they’re usually extremely generic. Most of them look something like this..
- Hey, my name is Jonathan and I’d like to work as a Sales Manager at XYZ Inc. I’ve worked as a sales manager at MadeUpCompany Inc. for 5+ years, so I believe that I’d be a good fit for the position.
See the issue here? This opening paragraph doesn’t say pretty much anything except the fact that you’ve worked the job before.
Do you know who else has similar work experience? All the other applicants you’re competing with.
Instead, you want to start off with 2-3 of your top achievements to really grab the reader’s attention. Preferably, the achievements should be as relevant as possible to the position.
So now, let’s make our previous example shine:
My name’s Michael and I’d like to help XYZ Inc. hit and exceed their sales goals as a Sales Manager. I’ve worked with Company X, a fin-tech company, for 3+ years. As a Sales Representative, I generated an average of $30,000+ in sales per month (beating the KPIs by around 40%). I believe that my previous industry experience, as well as excellence in sales, makes me the right candidate for the job.
See the difference between the two examples? If you were the hiring manager, which sales manager would you hire, Jonathan or Michael?
Now that we’ve covered the introduction, let’s talk about the body of your cover letter. This part is split into two paragraphs: the first is for explaining why you’re the perfect person for the job, and the latter is for proving that you’re a good fit for the company.
So, let’s get started...
Step #5 - Explain why you’re the perfect person for the job
This is where you show off your professional skills and convince the HR manager that you’re a better fit for the job than all the other applicants.
But first things first - before you even write anything, you need to learn what the most important requirements for the role are. So, open up the job ad and identify which of the responsibilities are the most critical.
For the sake of the example, let’s say you’re applying for the position of a Facebook Advertiser. You scan the job ad and see that the top requirements are:
- Experience managing a Facebook ad budget of $10,000+ / month
- Some skills in advertising on other platforms (Google Search + Twitter)
- Excellent copywriting skills
Now, in this section, you need to discuss how you fulfill these requirements. So, here’s how that would look for our example:
In my previous role as a Facebook Marketing Expert at XYZ Inc. I handled customer acquisition through ads, managing a monthly Facebook ad budget of $20,000+ . As the sole digital marketer at the company, I managed the ad creation & management process end-to-end. Meaning, I created the ad copy , images, picked the targeting, ran optimization trials, and so on.
Other than Facebook advertising, I’ve also delved into other online PPC channels, including:
- Google Search
Are you a student applying for your first internship? You probably don’t have a lot of work experience to show off in this section. Learn how to write an internship cover letter here.
Step #6 - Explain why you’re a good fit for the company
Once you’ve written the last paragraph, you might be thinking - I’m a shoo-in for the job! What else do I need to write? I’ll just wrap up the cover letter and hit that sweet SEND button.
Well, no. You’re not quite there yet.
The HR manager doesn’t only look at whether you’ll be good at the job or not. They’re looking for someone that’s also a good fit for the company culture.
After all, employees that don’t fit in are bound to quit, sooner or later. This ends up costing the company a ton of money, up to 50% of the employee’s annual salary .
Meaning, you also need to convince the HR manager that you’re really passionate about working with them.
How do you do this? Well, as a start, you want to do some research about the company. You want to know things like:
- What’s the company’s business model?
- What’s the company product or service? Have you used it?
- What’s the culture like? Will someone micro-manage your work, or will you have autonomy on how you get things done?
So, get to Googling. Chances are, you’ll find all the information you need either on the company website or somewhere around the web.
Then, you need to figure out what you like about the company and turn that into text.
Let’s say, for example, you’re passionate about their product and you like the culture of innovation / independent work in the organization.
You’d write something like:
I’ve personally used the XYZ Smartphone, and I believe that it’s the most innovative tech I’ve used in years. The features such as Made-Up-Feature #1 and Made-Up-Feature #2 were real game changers for the device.
I really admire how Company XYZ thrives for excellence for all its product lines, creating market-leading tech. As someone that thrives in a self-driven environment, I truly believe that I and Company XYZ will be a great match.
What you don’t want to do here is be super generic for the sake of having something to write. Most job seekers tend to mess this one up. Let’s take a look at a very common example we tend to see (way too often):
I’d love to work for Company XYZ because of its culture of innovation. I believe that since I’m super creative, I’d be a good fit for the company. The company values of integrity and transparency really vibe with me.
See what’s wrong here? The example doesn’t really say anything about the company. “Culture of Innovation” is something most companies claim to have.
The same goes for “values of integrity and transparency” - the writer just googled what the values for the organization are, and said that they like them.
Any hiring manager that reads this will see through the fluff.
So, make sure to do a lot of research and come up with good reasons why you're applying.
Step #7 - Wrap up with a call to action
Finally, it’s time to finish up your cover letter and write the conclusion.
In the final paragraph, you want to:
- Wrap up any points you couldn't in the previous paragraphs. Do you have anything left to say? Any other information that could help the hiring manager make their decision? Mention it here.
- Thank the hiring manager for their time. It never hurts to be courteous, as long as you don’t come off as too needy.
- Finish the cover letter with a call to action. The very last sentence in your cover letter should be a call to action. You should ask the hiring manager to take some sort of action.
And now, let’s turn this into a practical example:
So to wrap it all up, thanks for looking into my application. I hope I can help Company X make the most out of their Facebook marketing initiatives. I'd love to further discuss how my previous success at XYZ Inc. can help you achieve your facebook marketing goals.
Step #8 - Use the right formal closing
Once you’re done with the final paragraph, all you have to do is write down a formal “goodbye” and you’re good to go.
Feel free to use one of the most popular conclusions to a cover letter:
- Best Regards,
- Kind Regards,
And we’re finally done! Before sending off the cover letter, make sure to proofread it with software like Grammarly, or maybe even get a friend to review it for you.
Does your cover letter heading include all essential information?
- Professional email
- Relevant Social Media Profiles
Do you address the right person? I.e. hiring manager in the company / your future direct supervisor
Does your introductory paragraph grab the reader's attention?
- Did you mention 2-3 of your top achievements?
- Did you use numbers and facts to back up your experience?
Do you successfully convey that you’re the right pro for the job?
- Did you identify the core requirements?
- Did you successfully convey how your experiences help you fit the requirements perfectly?
Do you convince the hiring manager that you’re passionate about the company you’re applying to?
- Did you identify the top 3 things that you like about the company?
- Did you avoid generic reasons for explaining your interest in the company?
Did you finalize the conclusion with a call to action?
Did you use the right formal closure for the cover letter?
5+ Cover Letter Examples
Need some inspiration? Read on to learn about some of the best cover letter examples we’ve seen (for different fields).
College Student Cover Letter Example


Middle Management Cover Letter Example

Career Change Cover Letter Example

Management Cover Letter Example

Senior Executive Cover Letter Example

Want to discover more examples AND learn what makes them stand out? Check out our guide to cover letter examples .
Next Steps in Your Job Search - Creating a Killer Resume
Your cover letter is only as good as your resume. If either one is weak, your entire application is for naught.
After all, a cover letter is just an introduction. Imagine going through all this effort to leave an amazing first impression, but flopping at the end because of a mediocre resume.
...But don’t you worry, we’ve got you covered on that end, too.
If you want to learn more about Resumes & CVs, we have a dedicated FREE guide for that. Check out our complete guide on how to make a resume , as well as how to write a CV - our experts will teach you everything you need to know in order to land your dream job.
Or, if you’re already an expert, just pick one of our resume templates and get started.

Key Takeaways
Now that we’ve walked you through all the steps of writing a cover letter, let’s summarize everything we’ve learned:
- A cover letter is a 250 - 400 word document that convinces the hiring manager of your competence
- A cover letter goes in your job application alongside your resume
- Your introduction to the cover letter should grab the hiring manager’s attention and keep it all the way until the conclusion
- There are 2 main topics you need to include in your cover letter: why you’re the perfect candidate for the job & why you’re passionate about working in the company you’re applying to
- Most of the content of your cover letter should be factual , without any fluff or generalizations
At Novorésumé, we’re committed to helping you get the job you deserve, every step of the way! Follow our blog to stay up to date with the industry-leading advice. Or, check out some of our top guides…
- How to Write a Motivational Letter
- How to Write a Resume with No Work Experience
- Most Common Interview Questions and Answers

To provide a safer experience, the best content and great communication, we use cookies. Learn how we use them for non-authenticated users.
What should I put as the reason for leaving if I was fired? Read our expert guide now
When your boss calls you into their office and asks you to shut the door behind you, you know that the writing's on the wall. Being fired hurts — it knocks your ego and may leave you feeling worried about your professional future. However, it’s not always the disaster you imagine. Hiring managers don’t look as unfavorably on candidates who were let go as they do on those who jump ship. Yes, with the right advice, you can get back on board.
Understanding what to say when you get fired from a job is the first step in this process. Luckily, we’ve got you covered. Here at Resume.io, we have everything you need to boost your career. In the following expert guide, we will be covering these topics:
- What to put on an application for the reason for leaving the job if fired
- How to say you’ve been fired in your cover letter
- What to say at a job interview if you’ve been fired
How to say you were fired on an application
Getting let go isn't the end of the world… or the end of your career!
If you were fired, what do you put on applications? That’s a good question. Chances are, the form will include a short previous employment section. You may simply want to give the dates of employment and leave out any reason for your departure.
That’s one way to go about it. However, if you feel that you want to share that you’ve been fired, this is your first opportunity to do so. Steering clear of the word may help. Pick a better way to say “fired”. For example, you may want to go with “laid off” or “terminated.”
Don’t worry about being vague here. Your application is only your first interaction with the potential employer. If you manage to progress in the process, you will have other chances to speak to them about your last role. Plus, you can explain more in your cover letter.
How to say you were fired on your cover letter
As the most freeform part of any application, your cover letter is the smartest place to explain why you were let go. You can go into as much or as little detail as you need here. Whether you get down to the nitty-gritty details will depend on the job posting. Has the employer specifically asked you to include a reason? If not, you can likely breeze over this point. Should they have stated that you need to include this detail, it’s time to go at it.
As always, honesty is the best policy. Trying to disguise the fact that you’ve been fired will get you nowhere fast. Once you’ve written a strong cover letter introduction and led with your strengths, openly state that you were “let go” or “laid off” from your previous role.
You don’t need to go into too much detail. However, you should include a short and sweet reason for the termination. For example, if you were fired because you didn’t meet your monthly targets, you may want to say that in the most straightforward way. To put a positive spin on this experience, you may also wish to include what you learned from it.
Once you have covered that tricky topic, be sure to leave things on an optimistic note. You may want to highlight why you’re drawn to this new company specifically or say what you hope to achieve in the future with them. Your cover letter gives you the chance to showcase your enthusiasm for the job at hand. Make sure you don’t waste the opportunity.
How to say you were fired in an interview scenario
You’ve made it to the interview stage . Whether or not you’ve disclosed that you were fired yet, the interviewer may want more details. When you’re sitting face-to-face with the hiring manager and they ask why you left your previous role, you need to know what to say.
Chances are, your stomach drops when you think about uttering the words “I got fired from my job”. That’s natural and, frankly, it sounds overly dramatic. To help you side-step this potentially awkward conversation, here are some simple approaches that you can use:
Don’t say the F-word
Think of a better way to say “fired”. You might want to go in softer by saying that you were “let go” or “laid off”. The words you use have real power. “Fired” is an inherently negative word and will stick out in an interviewer’s mind.
Keep your explanation short
If you’re panicking about what to say, you might end up rambling on. Don’t make that mistake. Stick to the facts and explain what happened in the least emotionally-charged way. For example, if you were let go because the company downsized, just say that.
Look toward the future!
As you did in your cover letter, you want to put things in a positive light. Talk about what the experience taught you, how you have adapted your behavior or approach since, and what you want from the future of your career. Hiring managers know that people fail from time to time. That in itself doesn’t matter. It’s what you decide to do next that matters.
Move the conversation on
You don’t want to dwell on this topic for too long. Think of ways that you can move the conversation on. You might decide to ask the interviewer a question or talk about what you hope to achieve in your next role. Make sure that you only do this after you have answered the interviewer's question. You don’t want to act like a politician and deflect here.
Key takeaways
- Getting fired can knock your confidence but it’s not the end of your professional life.
- You don’t always have to put a reason for leaving a role on your application. However, if you choose to do so, there are ways to soften the blow.
- If you make it to the interview stage, you may find that the hiring manager asks you about your last role. Plan ahead and figure out what you want to say.
- Follow our expert advice and you might just land your next job in no time!

- The A.V. Club
- The Takeout
- The Inventory
Should ChatGPT write your resume?
Applying to jobs can often feel like a full-time job. Reading up on a company, tailoring a resume for a specific position within that organization, and writing a cover letter for just one role can take hours. By contrast, the average recruiter spends just seven seconds scanning a resume, according to one estimate .
Enter one tool that could change job applications entirely: ChatGPT , the AI-powered chatbot launched by OpenAI in November. Using a chatbot like ChatGPT (along with emerging competitors like Microsoft’s Bing AI and Google’s Bard) could give job-seekers an edge by substantially speeding up the application process. But is it the best solution?
On social media, it’s not uncommon these days to see a career influencer extol the value of ChatGPT, which they say can help you write a cover letter in two minutes, become “insanely prepared” for your next job interview, or submit 200 job applications in two days. At the very least, it can take an old resume and rewrite it fairly quickly so it’s relevant to a certain job description. Teal, a personal career growth platform, has been promoting ChatGPT for cover letters and resumes .
The new tool is great for a job-seeker, said Todd Mitchem, executive vice president of AMP Learning and Development, who advises HR professionals on using technologies like AI in their work. “They’ve got 15 different resumes that they had ChatGPT write within seconds,” he said.
If you’re concerned that using ChatGPT to write your resume feels a bit like cheating, consider that similar tools have been put to work on the recruiting side for years. Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to automatically scan resumes for certain keywords, ranking candidates based on the content in their CV. Now that applicants are using ChatGPT to tailor their job applications, the two systems are basically “talking to each other,” said Mitchem.
Research suggests AI can be an effective tool for job applicants. A recent study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research, which hasn’t yet been peer-reviewed, found job candidates who used algorithmic writing assistance to help write their resumes had an 8% higher probability of getting hired than those who didn’t.
Still, career coaches and human resources consultants stress ChatGPT is just a tool, and there are limits to what it can do for job-seekers.
“If you want a draft of something really fast, that is a good head start, it’s really amazing at that,” said Rania Stewart, an analyst with the consulting firm Gartner who advises clients on recruiting technologies. But she cautioned that while ChatGPT will give you a decent resume, it’s liable to stretch the truth, and should be carefully edited. What’s more, she added, the privacy implications of the chatbot aren’t yet clear: Candidates should be wary of giving too much personal information to ChatGPT.
As candidates and companies alike examine the benefits—and limitations—of using AI in the hiring process, it may be worth exploring what chatbots can do for your next application. Here’s how you can experiment with ChatGPT as you apply and interview for jobs.
How to use ChatGPT to tailor your resume
The success of any conversation with ChatGPT will hinge on the prompts you provide, according to Michael Dillon, a data analyst based in Manchester, England, who has been sharing tips for using the tool on LinkedIn.
“You have to be very good at giving instructions,” said Dillon of the prompts, which essentially tell ChatGPT what to do. “The more specific you are and the more information you give it,” he added, the better it will perform.
Dillon, who recently published a guide on the subject, recommends taking a job description on LinkedIn, then prompting ChatGPT to summarize the job role by entering a prompt like, “Summarize this job role. Explain the top 5 skills and top 5 experience required.” You can even dictate the way you want ChatGPT to format the summary by entering, “use line breaks and bullet points.”
From there, you can give ChatGPT your resume and ask it to identify how your skills and experience align with those listed in the job description. You can then prompt ChatGPT to expand on these skills and experiences in bullet points that could easily be inserted into a re-tailored resume. A simple search on TikTok or LinkedIn is likely to turn up plenty of similar prompts for job-seekers who want to use ChatGPT for their resumes.
Again, be wary of allowing ChatGPT to insert errors into your resume, Dillon cautioned (currently, its data ends at 2021), or turning in a job application that reads as if it was written by a bot . Still, ChatGPT can provide you with a launching point for crafting a resume that has a good chance of catching the eye of recruiters—or the systems tracking candidates for them.
How AI chatbots can help write your cover letter
ChatGPT also lends itself well to drafting a cover letter for a job. A candidate can enter a job description and their resume, then tell ChatGPT to write a cover letter using those two pieces of information.
On Instagram Jerry Lee, co-founder of the job search service Wonsulting, shared prompts for creating a cover letter in just 45 seconds using ChatGPT. Lee has said such tips might allow applicants to apply for as many as 200 jobs in just two days.
But while applying to jobs at a breakneck pace with the help of ChatGPT may be tempting for job-seekers looking to land something quickly, Lynda Spiegel, a resume coach based in New York City, is skeptical this is the best approach. She said she typically recommends people on the hunt for a job apply to no more than three open roles each week. A “ spray and pray ” method, she added, can hurt a candidate strategically. If a job-seeker is focused on applying to as many jobs as possible, they might not take the time to connect with the hiring manager for a position, or find a second-degree connection who can open the door for them more quickly at the company. What’s more, it’s unclear how many recruiters read cover letters carefully, so if there’s something about your career background you want potential employers to know, you should make sure it’s included in your resume as well, Spiegel said.
As tools like ChatGPT make it quicker and easier to apply for jobs, companies could see a “sharp increase” in the volume of applications, said Stewart, of Gartner.
The likelihood your application is competing against a bigger pool of candidates makes it all the more important to submit a resume and cover letter that stands out from the rest, Dillon said. Your best bet, he added, is to use ChatGPT to jumpstart your thinking process, and get straight to writing job applications that “sound like you.”
How ChatGPT can help you prepare for an interview
Experts say ChatGPT can also be helpful in preparing for interviews. When testing out ChatGPT, Dillon asked the bot to take a job description and create 10 potential interview questions, sorted by competencies required for the role. Even if it doesn’t predict exactly what a recruiter will ask , “it gives you a lot to think about,” Dillon said.
If you prompt ChatGPT to act as a recruiter, “it’s basically gonna put you through a verbal written mock interview, and it’s very good at that,” Mitchem said.
Don’t be surprised if you start to notice companies’ approach to interviewing change in the coming years thanks to AI. HR professionals will be challenged to rethink the way they evaluate candidates with the advent of AI tools like ChatGPT, Mitchem predicted. “Where we’re headed is, how does HR and recruitment get more personalized?” he said. Recruiters will need to focus more on identifying skills that differentiate candidates, and Mitchem said he wouldn’t be surprised if more companies start asking for video resumes in the future.
Even as ChatGPT greatly speeds up the job application process, don’t discount the value of good old-fashioned networking, Spiegel and Dillon said. If you reach out to a secondhand connection at a company you’re applying for, or email a recruiter directly, these human interactions can help bypass any sort of automated tracking system where your resume might still get lost.
🖋 Sign up for The Memo from Quartz at Work
A dispatch from the world of modern work. Learn how you can help create a productive, creative, and compassionate work culture.
You control your data
We use cookies to tailor the experience of creating resumes and cover letters. For these reasons, we may share your usage data with third parties. You can find more information about how we use cookies on our Cookies Policy . If you would like to set your cookies preferences, click the Settings button below. To accept all cookies, click Accept.
Cookie settings
Click on the types of cookies below to learn more about them and customize your experience on our Site. You may freely give, refuse or withdraw your consent. Keep in mind that disabling cookies may affect your experience on the Site. For more information, please visit our Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy .
Choose type of cookies to accept
These cookies allow us to analyze our performance to offer you a better experience of creating resumes and cover letters. Analytics related cookies used on our Site are not used by Us for the purpose of identifying who you are or to send you targeted advertising. For example, we may use cookies/tracking technologies for analytics related purposes to determine the number of visitors to our Site, identify how visitors move around the Site and, in particular, which pages they visit. This allows us to improve our Site and our services.
These cookies give you access to a customized experience of our products. Personalization cookies are also used to deliver content, including ads, relevant to your interests on our Site and third-party sites based on how you interact with our advertisements or content as well as track the content you access (including video viewing). We may also collect password information from you when you log in, as well as computer and/or connection information. During some visits, we may use software tools to measure and collect session information, including page response times, download errors, time spent on certain pages and page interaction information.
These cookies are placed by third-party companies to deliver targeted content based on relevant topics that are of interest to you. And allow you to better interact with social media platforms such as Facebook.
These cookies are essential for the Site's performance and for you to be able to use its features. For example, essential cookies include: cookies dropped to provide the service, maintain your account, provide builder access, payment pages, create IDs for your documents and store your consents.
To see a detailed list of cookies, click here .
This site uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. To learn more visit our Privacy Policy
Cover Letter Templates
Click on a cover letter template, fill it online, and download in seconds. Build a professional cover letter in a few clicks . Just pick one of 18+ cover letter templates below, add ready-made content, and get the job.

Professional cover letter template with a column for contact information

Modern cover letter template with delicate icons for contact information.

Creative cover letter template with graphic elements and two columns

Perfect cover letter template with a dash of color and a structured layout

Sleek cover letter template with a light feel and color accents

Classic cover letter template in a one column layout

Two column cover letter template with contact information highlighted on the right

Clean cover letter template with plenty of whitespace and a layout that feels complete

Elegant cover letter template with a single column classic feel

Unique cover letter template with your initials on top and icons on the left

Elegant cover letter template with great readability

Two column cover letter template with a neat structure

Modern cover letter template with a clean-cut layout and two columns

Elegant cover letter template with a top-bottom structure and clean sections.

Elegant cover letter template with appealing typography and flow

Creative cover letter template with initials as the logo and delicate graphic accents

Simple cover letter template that draws attention to your title and personal story

Traditional cover letter template with minimal design, but a finished feel
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot
Need text samples of cover letter templates, free cover letter template to copy and use.
Your Name Your Address Your City, State Zip Code Your Phone Number Your Email Date Hiring Manager’s/Recruiter’s Name Hiring Manager’s/Recruiter’s Title Organization/Company Name Address City, State Zip Code Dear Mr./Ms. [Hiring Manager’s/Recruiter’s Last Name]
When I found the opening for the [Position] with [Organization/Company Name] I felt as if it was addressed to me. In my current position as [Position] at [Organization/Company Name], I’ve improved [achievement] by [%] in [months/years] which resulted in [Number + Result]. I’m sure I can use my expertise to bring similar results for [Organization/Company Name].
In my current position as a [Position] with [Current Organization/Company Name], my key challenge has been [Main Responsibility]. Here are some of my recent results:
- Succeeded at expanding [Achievement] by [%] since [Year].
- Skyrocketed [Achievement] scores by [%].
- Optimized [Achievement], saving the company [$/hours] a [month/quarter/year].
- Led a team of [Number] employees to increase [Organization/Company Name] revenue by [%] in [Number] years.
- My team has scored [Achievement] [Number] months/years in a row
I know that [Organization/Company Name]’s current plans involve [Company’s Plans]. It would be an exciting opportunity for me to use [Your Skill] developing [Company’s Project].
Can we schedule a meeting [Date] to discuss my solutions for boosting [Organization/Company Name]’s [Revenue/Traffic/Customer Satisfaction] by [%] in the next quarter?
Sincerely/Best regards, Your Full Name Your Phone Number Your Email Address Your LinkedIn Account
Best cover letter templates for any situation
A cover letter for a resume or application is a brief presentation of your experience and skills in narrative form. The purpose of a cover letter is to highlight the most important information from your resume and add extra reasons why you should be hired. It’s about looks and contents. And Zety will help with both—

Professional design
These resume cover letter templates match Zety’s resume templates and give your documents a polished look. Highlight key achievements in bullet points, use color and style to draw attention to what matters to employers. Writing a cover letter feels like doing homework assignments, but not with Zety—

Ease of use
Fill in any of these professional cover letter format templates with help from our app. Simply tell the wizard a few things about yourself, and get a ready cover letter sample in a few clicks. Stop worrying about every single word you use and focus on what matters: your future job.

These user-friendly cover letter templates will save you hours of painful work. Remember the last cover letter sample you downloaded and got stuck filling out? This won't happen again. Choose between different sample cover letter layouts, click a few buttons, and you're done. Download your cover letter template in pdf or Word format.

Confidence boost
Don’t ignore your cover letter. About 20-50% recruiters expect you to write one even if they don’t read it . Writing a cover letter from scratch feels like a chore, but it doesn’t have to. You can create a cover letter for a job of your dreams in minutes. Employers will recognize you for who you are: the ideal candidate.

Proven effectiveness
A Zety resume and a cover letter is your one-two punch that will help you beat the competition. Only 20% of all applications contain cover letters and with Zety you’ll stand out as the best candidate. Creating a cover letter can be simple, fast, and is proven to get jobs. It’s surprising how little effort you need.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cover Letter Templates
What is a cover letter for a resume.
A cover letter for a resume is a document attached to your job application that will support your resume, by explaining your motivation and providing more details about the past jobs and skills that are listed on your resume. It is strongly advised to use a cover letter template matching your resume template for an optimal application. Get a professional resume template here , to go with your cover letter. Note that a cover letter for a resume can also work for a CV – here's a selection of professional CV templates (and here's the difference between a resume and a CV ).
What is the best cover letter template in 2023?
All our covering letter templates are equally adapted to modern HR trends and will appeal to recruiters. The best cover letter template is one that will allow you to write your personal details and list your strongest skills, while looking professional and simple . To pick the best cover letter template, focus on what will look perfect based on your industry, experience level, and preferences. Here's more on what a cover letter should look like in 2023.
How to format a cover letter?
While formatting a cover letter is not as complicated as finding the best resume format , you still need to follow the expected cover letter etiquette . Typically, cover letters are formatted with a lot of empty space on the page (double spaces between paragraphs), left-aligned text, and sufficient margins. For more tips, read our guide on how to format a cover letter the right way .
Do I really need a cover letter for a job in 2023?
Although resumes can be sent without a covering letter, every recruiter prefers receiving one, to have more options and details . Cover letters are not always necessary and read , but they are a serious advantage in case other candidates didn't send one.Besides, a professional cover letter shows your motivation, and allows you to say more about your projects and abilities.By sending a cover letter with your resume in 2023, you gain the lead over your competitors.
What to include in my cover letter?
A cover letter is made of several parts . The main ones are the cover letter header and the body . In the cover letter header, list the following information:
- Your phone number
- Your email address
- The name of the hiring manager
In the cover letter body, here's what should be available:
- Cover letter greetings
- Catchy cover letter opening paragraph
- Main strength and skills
- Motivation to join the company
- Closing cover letter paragraph and sign off
Those lists are not exhaustive; you can add more information for a better chance of success, such as your title or a post-scriptum. Read more about all the important things to include in a cover letter here .
How long should a cover letter be?
A cover letter should be one-page long , on a single-page cover letter template, and composed of around 4 paragraphs, along with contact information in the header. 400 words is a good limit, as more could mean no recruiter will read your document, and not enough will not make it seem worth the attempt. Depending on your experience, industry, and circumstances, the amount of information to write can vary. We encourage you to read our post on the ideal cover letter length in 2023 .
Do I need a unique cover letter for every job?
While writing a different cover letter for each job may sound tedious, it is a necessary step to increase your chances of being hired . A cover letter is impactful only when it is not generic, and when it surprises the recruiters with important and interesting details about you and your reasons to apply. Each cover letter must therefore be unique . However, you can save precious time by using our online cover letter builder , which allows you to duplicate, modify, save, and download your cover letters with just a few clicks. Besides, it offers pre-written content that you can use to write different application letters in no time.
Should I use a PDF or a Word cover letter template?
Just like your resume should be sent in PDF format , it is best to download your cover letter in PDF, too. The PDF format allows your cover letter layout to remain unchanged, whatever the device used by recruiters. Our cover letter templates all match our resume templates, and can be exported in Docx (Word), for you to modify them later, or in PDF for you to send them immediately.
Can I email my cover letter instead of sending a cover letter template?
For job offers that don't request a cover letter, and when you don't have time to write one, you can write a short cover letter directly in your email's body .Before choosing that option, we'd like to point out that our online cover letter application can generate a cover letter template with pre-written content for you, making the process faster and easier. If you still prefer to send a letter in text form rather than a cover letter template, here are all our tips on how to email a cover letter successfully.
Do you have cover letter examples for my template?
Our cover letter templates can be filled online using pre-written content. You'll only have to input your job title and generate content quickly and conveniently.Adapt what matters, and copy the rest to save time and speed up your job hunt.To help you adapt your cover letter and make it perfectly targeted, we have written hundreds of cover letter examples that you can find here .
How to make a cover letter with no experience?
A cover letter template can seem hard to fill with useful information when your resume itself is quite light on job experience and hard skills . But it is in those cases that your cover letter is even more important. Entry-level candidates can't rely on experience, and must therefore make the most of their soft skills , projects and original ideas. To start with, we encourage you to make a resume with no experience , and then write an entry-level cover letter that will complement it.
Are Zety cover letter templates free?
All our cover letter templates are free-to-use, and entirely customizable online. You don't have to pay to create as many cover letters as you want, until you are satisfied with the result.Zety follows the 'try before you buy' rule, and will never ask you for payment until you are 100% certain your cover letter template is pixel-perfect and ready to be sent to employers.
Try Zety's professional cover letter builder now
Writing A Perfect Cover Letter (Samples Included)
Your potential employers will take around six seconds to look at your CV or resume. That means in order to attract them, you need something extra to serve as the opening act.
This is where a cover letter comes in. A cover letter is an introductory letter that should be to the point and precise about what exactly you are looking for in your job. A good cover letter can help the employers pick out the most suitable candidate for the job.
These cover letters samples can help you write that perfect cover letter and get the employer's attention.
Cover letter sample 1
Sub: Cover Letter
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing this letter to you to apply for the position of (desired position) in your company (company name). I came across the position via (mention job portal source) and wanted to apply for the same.
I have a degree in (the degree relevant to the desired position), and I have worked in the field before for over (number of months/years of experience) at (current or company name). During my time as (current or last position), I have learned valuable skills that appear relevant to the position desired by your company.
In my current position as (current position), I have achieved an exponential growth in the field by increasing overall (sales or marketing) statistics by at least (percentage).
I have learned that I enjoy working in this field and that I can prove to be a valuable asset with my present skill set. I enjoy working with like-minded people, and I am a team player. The challenges that the (desired position) offers is big, and I am sure that with an expert team I can take these challenges head-on.
Thank you for your time and for considering me as a candidate. I have mentioned my contact number and email id in my resume and will send a follow-up email next week if further information is required.
Yours sincerely, (Name)
Click to download the sample cover letter 1
Cover letter sample 2
Dear Mr./Ms./Mrs. (Manager’s name),
I am writing this letter to you regarding the (desired position) that has recently opened up in your company. I came across this position on (website name) and was pleasantly surprised to find that I have all the required qualifications for this job.
I have studied (degree name) from (university name). During my time there I had taken up courses related to (insert three to four relevant courses that you have taken at the university). Currently, I hold a total (percentage or GPA) and have been a good student the entire term of my study in the University. I have also been ranked (mention your rank in class, if any) in a class of (mention the approximate number of students).
While attending classes, I focused my attention towards the following areas: 1.(mention first area of interest) 2.(mention second area of interest) 3.(mention third area of interest)
My focused study helped me develop (university project that you have completed). It has helped me secure a prominent internship in (mention internship company) and I was placed (mention rank obtained due to the project) overall.
I would be grateful to have an interview session with you. Please have a look at the resume that I have enclosed with this letter as per your convenience. I have provided my email id and contact number should you be interested in knowing more things about me.
Sincerely, (Name)
Click to download the sample cover letter 2
Cover letter sample 3
The amount of energy and enthusiasm that is associated with your (company name) has always interested me in applying for a position of (desired position) at your company. As an ambitious (desired position), with a healthy amount of interest in (field of the desired position), I truly believe that working at your company will be an exciting and enriching experience.
I have more than (insert number of months/years) of work dedicated to the field of (field related to the job) and have developed the experience of my own in handling the heavy but interesting and rewarding work that this position requires. I have, in all these years, gained experience in (insert skills related to the job description), concentrating on (insert one field you are particularly good at).
The main achievements that I have managed to complete in my previous job, which might help in handling the job of (desired position) in your company are: 1.(mention a successful project that you have completed under your previous company) 2.(mention growth in sales, marketing, engagement, shares, customer satisfaction, etc. as desired) 3.(mention one particular project that you have improved in relation with your team)
I am a good communicator, so I enjoy working in a team and producing results as a part of the team. I also enjoy working independently as and when required of me. Additionally, my previous job has prepared me for arranging my workload schedule in a way so that it doesn’t hamper my ability to finish deadlines.
I will contact you next week at your convenient time to follow up with the application. I hope you will consider arranging an interview with me.
Thanking you, (Name)
Click to download the sample cover letter 3
Cover letter sample 4
I am writing to you regarding the recent job opening for (mention job position). I am very interested in working for (mention company name).
I believe that I meet a majority of the required qualifications and skills and that my experience in this field will make me a strong candidate for the position.
I believe in being professional in the workspace and have no problem in meeting the tight deadlines as and when required of me. I believe that with my skills in (mention skills relevant to the position) I can be a valuable asset to your company.
I have enclosed with this letter my resume which I hope is satisfactory and meets all your expectations. My resume contains a more in-depth detail about my education and previous work experience. You will find from the resume that I am capable of (mention how you can handle the job because you have the skills necessary for it).
I look forward to your call for a personal interview with regards to this position.
Thank you in advance for this opportunity.
Warm regards, (Name)
Click to download the sample cover letter 4
Cover letter sample 5
Dear Sir/Madam (Manager’s name),
I have been researching your company (company name) with regards to a job opening in (desired field) and have an interest in working under your leadership. My friend and former colleague, (insert referenced colleague’s name) have been working as (mention colleague’s job role) in your organization. She has given her kind recommendation letter to you beforehand.
As a person who held the role of (mention previous job title) for (mention months/years), I feel that I can be a great asset to your company. I have experience in (mention skill relevant to the role you are applying for) and I believe that it is an important skill to master in order to perform the job properly.
My career highlights include: 1.(mention one project you have successfully completed). 2.(mention one significant change that you brought about in your company). 3.(insert one achievement that you are proud of).
I am eagerly waiting for your response, and I have enclosed my resume for more details about my personal work and educational qualifications.
Please feel free to contact me to discuss the job opportunity further. My contact details are mentioned in my cover letter and resume.
Kind regards, (Name)
Click to download the sample cover letter 5
Cover letter sample 6
My name is (mention your name). I am writing this letter to remind you about our conversation held at (mention previous meeting) about (mention the topic you discussed). I am writing to you because I feel that I can add value to your company as a (job position).
During my work in (current company), I have learned many valuable skills that helped me in all my endeavors in the company. Some of the skills that I learned are (mention the most important skills that you have learned). If given a chance, I can prove to be a valuable asset with my present skill set.
I am hoping to hear from you soon. All my contact details are listed with the resume that I have attached with this cover letter.
Best wishes, (Name)
Click to download the sample cover letter 6
Cover letter sample 7
Dear Ms/Mr./Mrs. (Insert name),
I came across your advertisement in (website/newspaper) searching for a candidate that can take up the position of a (position name) and I believe that the role describes me perfectly.
Even though my resume may primarily appear about academic achievements, I have also been active in extra-curricular activities (mention activities).
Not just this, I have been an active intern at (mention internship company name), filling the role of (mention internship position). The internship prepared me to handle the responsibilities that are present in the (desired field). I also developed numerous skills such as (mention relevant skills) during the internship.
More details are present in my resume which is attached to the letter. I look forward to your response.
Thanks and regards, (Name)
Click to download the sample cover letter 7
Cover letter sample 8
I have been looking for a company that values quality over quantity and cares for employees’ growth and development. I am glad to have come across your company. I was drawn to the position of (job position) as I have experience in this field, under (mention last company's name).
My position at the company can be defined as (mention job role) with responsibilities which include (define your job role). I have managed to carry forward (mention a successful project that you have completed under your previous company). This endeavour has turned out to be successful, with (mention growth in sales, marketing, engagement, shares, customer satisfaction, etc. as desired).
I also have taken up courses such as (mention a course) as well as (mention another course) that taught me valuable skills in the (name of the field). In the future, I plan to complete (mention another course) for better understanding about the field of (job position).
My resume mentions the full extent of my career growth. I hope you will take a look at it and give me a call soon.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Click to download the sample cover letter 8
Cover letter sample 9
Dear Sir/Madam (Name),
My name is (insert name) and I recently spoke to (insert name) of the (mention department) of your company on the (mention date and time). He/she was kind enough to let me know that there is a job opening at your company, and I was attracted to the position of a (mention desired position).
I have always been interested in the workspace that your company is known to have in the market. I am highly interested in the fast-paced, competitive yet friendly environment, and my previous employment at (mention company's name) has taught me how to handle such challenges.
Some of my career highlights include:
- (mention one project you have successfully completed)
- (mention one significant change that you brought about in your company)
- (insert one achievement that you are proud of)
The full details of my career path is present in my curriculum vitae, which is attached with this letter. I hope you would like to take a look at it and give me a call back soon.
Click to download the sample cover letter 9
Cover letter sample 10
My status as a (study year) (graduate/postgraduate) student make me an ideal candidate for the (job position), as advertised in the (website name). (Company name) is known for being interested in fresher candidates such as myself and hence, I am interested in securing the position advertised.
Additionally, I have also taken up an internship at (mention internship company) in order to learn and expand my knowledge in (field of work). It has also provided me an idea of the type of work that is expected from the employees in this field, the work ethics that must be maintained, and the deadlines that need to be followed.
I have attached my CV with this letter, which contains further details you might be interested in. I shall give a call to your office next week for further clarification. I have also provided my contact details in the CV.

The employees have spoken. See the Best Places to Work 2023!
Resume & Cover Letter
How to write a cover letter in 2022 (6 tips and 3 templates).
Posted by Dominique Fluker
Content Marketing Manager, Editorial
Last Updated June 9, 2022
Guide Overview
A guide to writing a cover letter that impresses your reader.
The cover letter is a tool to help introduce yourself in a memorable, personal way during a job application. A well-crafted cover letter goes over information on your resume and expands this information for the reader, taking them on a guided journey of some of your greatest career and life achievements . Its purpose is to elaborate on the information contained in your resume while infusing your personality. Unlike a resume, a cover letter lets you introduce yourself to the hiring manager, provide context for your achievements and qualifications, and explain your motivation for joining the company. So how do you pique the interest of your future employer and hiring manager all while highlighting your truest self?
When starting to write any cover letter, it is always best to plan the content of your letter based on the requirements of the job you’re applying for.
We’re here to help you! This guide will cover:
- The essential elements of a successful cover letter
- How to write a unique cover letter,
- What to include in a cover letter
- What not to include and how you should submit your cover letter
What is a Cover Letter?
Your resume is intended to lay out the facts, but your cover letter is meant to convey more personality. The cover letter is your first introduction to the person who may hire you, and its goal should be to make you as memorable as possible , in a good way.
That means writing a unique cover letter for every job you apply to. No templates. No pre-written nonsense. The format of your cover letter should also match the company and the industry you’re applying to.
There is no “official format” for your cover letter or the information you include in it, but your cover letter should be visually organized , and orderly in its presentation of information.
Successful cover letters go something like this:
- Memorable introduction
- Specific, organized examples of relevant work done and problems solved
- Concise conclusion with a call to action
The rest is up to you. As we’ll go over in the next section, “What to Include in Your Cover Letter,” successful cover letters prove that you are qualified for the job by telling stories that demonstrate your skills and experience .

What to Include in Your Cover Letter?
You shouldn’t try to fit your whole career and life into the space of a cover letter.
Your cover letter should be a carefully curated selection of stories f rom your career that gives the reader a clear idea of who you are and how you can add value to their company.
The Society for Human Resources surveyed organizations on resumes , cover letters , and interviews and found the top three things that must be included in a cover letter are:
- How a candidate’s work experience meets job requirements.
- How a candidate’s skills meet job requirements.
- Why a candidate wants to work at the organization.
Your cover letter needs to provide this information and leave the reader convinced that you are the right person for the job .
To accomplish this, you should be using the requirements of the job to dictate the content of your cover letter and following these best practices.
Show how you can solve specific problems
Saying you’re a ‘problem-solver’ is about as helpful as explaining your preference for chocolate croissants over regular croissants. Don’t tell them about your amazing problem-solving skills . Explain the details of a particular problem you were key in solving and how exactly you employed your skills to solve it. Better yet, if you know the company has a particular problem you could help solve, outline how you can help solve it.
Pick an appropriate voice and tone
You should write like yourself, but you should also pick the appropriate voice and tone for the company you’re applying to.
Researching the company will help dictate the tone you want to use, which may differ greatly, depending on where you apply. For example, the tone of your letter for a legal consulting firm will likely differ from a tech startup .
Tell your story
Telling stories from your career is a great way to demonstrate your skills and give hiring managers some insight into your personality and work style .
When looking for the right stories to tell, always look to the requirements for the position in the job description .
It is also helpful to research the company further online to get a sense for the company’s culture. Before drafting your cover letter, compare your skills with the requirements for the position.
It can be helpful to use Venn diagrams to brainstorm and find what competencies you want to highlight and what specific experiences you want to share. After you create this diagram and identify what falls into both circles, overlapping subjects will direct and inspire the content of your cover letter.
Let’s say you’re applying for a marketing director position. Among other aspects in the description, the job requires several years of marketing experience, a deep knowledge of lead generation, and strong communication skills . Describe how, in your previous role as a marketing manager, you ran several campaigns for your clients and exceeded their expectations of lead generation (with specific numbers, if possible), and how you also trained and mentored new associates on how to manage their own accounts, which improved client retention rates.
Your anecdote is accomplishing a lot at once—it’s demonstrating one of your top hard skills, lead nurturing, and showcasing how you can collaborate with trainees, communicate effectively , and educate new employees on processes and client relations. You’re proving that you can meet the communication standards and marketing knowledge they’re seeking.
Honesty is the only policy
Dishonesty on your cover letter isn’t in your best interest.
Implying or stating that you have a skill that you don’t actually have will come back to bite you upon being asked to use that skill in the interview or on the job.
Don’t sound like everyone else
“Hi, I’m ___. I’m a detail-oriented, multi-tasking, natural-born leader and I am perfect for your company.”
Hiring managers are going to read the same basic cover letter repeatedly, and you don’t want to be the last template email the hiring manager discounts before lunch. Adding a little word variation helps you stand out against other applicants .
Instead of describing yourself as creative, try imaginative. You’re inventive, not innovative. You’re not determined, you’re tenacious. These word variations at least show that you can think beyond what the average applicant is willing to do.
End with a call to action
End your letter with a reason for them to contact you . But don’t add remarks like, “I’ll call to schedule an interview.” This doesn’t make you a go-getter, it crosses a boundary.
Instead, let the call to action be polite and open ended, suggesting that you are excited to offer more information and that you’re looking forward to talking with them.
Proof your cover letter
Always proofread your cover letter for errors and have friends and family read through the cover letter.
How to Make Your Cover Letter Unique?
When thinking about how to make your cover letter unique , keep the following statements in mind:
- You should make your cover letter unique and show the reader who you are as an individual.
- You should include experience and skills that relate directly to the job posting.
These might sound like opposing statements, but they’re equally important for writing a successful cover letter.
Your cover letter needs to be highly related to the job you’re applying to, but the way that you prove your qualifications should show who you are as an individual.
Tell a compelling story
Everyone loves a good story, and recruiters and hiring managers are no exception. Telling compelling stories from your career will make your cover letter unique and memorable for whoever reads it.
Just be sure that the stories you choose demonstrate proficiency with the skills, tools and concepts that are required by the job you’re applying for.
What makes this company your go-to choice? Why is this company special to you? Perhaps you’re attracted to the workplace culture , or perhaps you’ve always admired the business philosophy that the company lives by.
Address the recruiter or hiring manager by name
Now it’s fine to just use “Dear Sir/Madam” or “To Whom It May Concern” when addressing the recruiter. In fact, I can tell you from experience that most people use precisely these words. However, I can also tell you that most people don’t get the job. If you want to make a strong impression, take time to research who you’re addressing .
You may have to make a few phone calls or try several searches before you find the right name, but, the harder they are to find, the less likely other applicants are to do it and the more impressed they will be with you.
Give your cover letter a unique visual format
A unique visual format for your cover letter can help you stand out from other candidates in a positive way. Just be sure that the unique format you use is appropriate for the company you’re applying to and their industry.
Here’s a good example of an eye-catching cover letter format :

What to Leave Off a Cover Letter?
Recruiters and hiring managers read thousands of cover letters and resumes, so make sure that you avoid these cover letter errors :
Avoid overused phrases
The average cover letter is going to be extremely generic and contain overused expressions such as “Thank you for taking the time to look at my resume” or “I believe that my set of skills make me a great fit for the job.” While none of these lines hurt your chance of getting the job, they certainly don’t help either.
Career coach Angela Copeland says, “stay away from phrases that are known to annoy hiring managers, such as ‘heavy lifting’ or ‘think outside the box’ or ‘game-changer.’”
Here are some more phrases that make recruiters and hiring managers groan :
- “To Whom It May Concern”
- “I’m not sure if you know”
- “Please feel free”
- “Significant”
- “Self-Starter,” “Detail-Oriented,” and “Forward-Thinker”
- “Really, truly, deeply”
Recruiters and hiring managers go through hundreds of cover letters and get tired of these clichés . They’re waiting for something new and refreshing to come along and it’s in your best interest to do so.
Never include irrelevant information
Never include irrelevant information in your cover letter. Irrelevant information can confuse or bore the reader, causing them to miss important points in your cover letter.
How to Submit a Cover Letter?
The longer you “sit on” a cover letter to edit and re-write it , the longer you prolong the opportunity for someone else to get the attention of the hiring manager you want to impress.
You should submit your cover letter as soon as you are certain that:
- Your cover letter, resume and portfolio work are free from errors.
- Your cover letter is written in a way that balances professionalism with personality.
- Your cover letter catches the reader’s interest from the first sentence and maintains it throughout.
- Your cover letter uses the requirements for the job and information on the company as a guide for its content.
- Your cover letter tells stories that are filled with examples that satisfy job requirements and make you stand out positively as an individual and a potential employee.
Submitting your cover letter
Always follow the submission instructions laid out in the job description when submitting your cover letter.
If you are submitting the letter though a website with fillable fields, be sure that no formatting or content errors have occurred.
Be Very Specific
Do not send a generic cover letter. Repeat: DO NOT send a generic cover letter. They can be spotted a mile away and are as fun to read as they are to write. Try your very best to find a name you can address your letter to. A name is one of the most effective ways to make the letter feel more personal.

Visually Match Your Resumé
The heading of your letter should correlate with your resumé, the font should be the same and the paper (if you’re printing it) should also be the same. Along with your resume, your cover letter is part of a pair, and this pair should be visually consistent.

Consider Using a Template
This is an especially good idea if you’re already using a template for your resume. In fact, if your resume is templated, your cover letter absolutely should be too. A template is a great way to get some structure going. It can help make a big, blank, white page a little less intimidating.

Learn More!
If you have any more questions about how to write a successful cover letter, here are some related articles we’ve written on crafting cover letters that make you stand out from other applicants.
- Get Noticed: Write A Cover Letter That Makes You Stand Out
- How To Write An Entry Level Cover Letter
- 9 Attention-Grabbing Cover Letter Examples
- 4 Cover Letter Blunders and How To Fix Them
- How To Write a Cover Letter & Resume That’ll Guarantee a Job Offer
Related Career Guides
How to find the perfect company.
A Guide to Identifying the Perfect Company for Your Next Job You may think it’s impossible to know whether a company is perfect with...
How to Find a Remote Job
Find Out Whether Remote Work is Right for You A remote job can blend the best of all worlds for many U.S. workers: The...
Resumes and cover letters

Explore premium templates

Land your dream job with free resume and cover letter templates from Office
Make your resume or curriculum vitae (CV) stand out with one of these free, eye-catching templates and matching cover letters in Word that showcase your skills and work history.

IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
What is a cover letter? A cover letter, also known as an application letter, is a three- to four-paragraph memo to employers explaining your interest in the job and company and your fitness for the role. It's typically submitted along with your resume in a job application.
The cover letter template below describes how to write each of these key sections: Salutation Dear [Hiring Manager's Name], Opening Paragraph (Introduction) Your cover letter opening should contain a self introduction. Write about who you are, where your expertise lies, where you found the job posting, and why you want to apply for the job.
Cover letters should be around three paragraphs long and include specific examples from your past experience that make you qualified for the position. A cover letter should include the following parts: Header Salutation Introduction Body paragraph Closing paragraph Letter ending and signature
Your cover letter is where you can show your passion for the position and the company, and highlight your most relevant qualifications. A well-written cover letter will supplement your resume by focusing on why you're a well-qualified candidate for the job. Many employers require cover letters as part of the job application process.
A cover letter is an application document you pair with your resume that explains why you want a particular job, and why you think you're the right person for that job. But seeing an example is always better than just reading a definition. So here's an example of a cover letter to show you what a good cover letter looks like in 2023:
Top ↑ 21 Cover Letter Examples #1. Career Change Cover Letter Example #2. Recent Graduate Cover Letter Example #3. Middle Management Cover Letter Example #4. Business Manager Cover Letter Example #5. Ph.D. Cover Letter Example #6. Senior Executive Cover Letter Example #7. Architect Cover Letter Example #8. Business Analyst Cover Letter Example #9.
Cover Letter Template For An Optometrist Role. Examine the following cover letter for an optometrist role you can use to guide you: Dear [ Hiring manager's first name] [ Hiring manager's last name], [ Express excitement for the position, including the role title and the company name.]
Professional Cover Letter Sign-off examples: Best Best regards Kind regards Regards Yours Sincerely Sincerely Respectfully Thank you 7. Review Your Cover Letter The last and final step of crafting the perfect cover letter for a resume is to review your cover letter. Free from errors. Written professionally with your personality.
2. Create a header for contact information. Provide your contact details, including your first and last name, phone number, email address and location at the top of your cover letter. This helps the hiring manager to immediately know how they may contact you. In the next line after your contact information, specify the day, month and year to ...
What's a Cover Letter? Cover letters tell your story. Their purpose is to introduce you to employers as a potential candidate for the job opening you're applying for. On a fundamental level, cover letters actually explain to employers why they should hire you.
When writing a cover letter or resume, choose a simple format and font. Lead with your accomplishments, rather than just the things you've done. Include details of the work that's related to what you want to do next, and always proofread your resume and cover letter before submitting a job application.
I'm planning on applying for a Client Manager position for a company that organizes Esport tournaments. I have 8 years experience in a Client Management role but in completely different industries - Risk Management & Corporate Social Responsibility. Is it appropriate to add in my cover letter that I have an interest in gaming?
Here are the steps you can follow to write your cover letter: Note the date Include your name and address Include the recipient's name and address Introduce yourself Make your opening paragraph about your interest in the position Include your background Focus on your qualifications
Header - Input contact information. Greeting the hiring manager. Opening paragraph - Grab the reader's attention with 2-3 of your top achievements. Second paragraph - Explain why you're the perfect candidate for the job. Third paragraph - Explain why you're a good match for the company. Formal closing.
Sample cover letter for a resume—See more cover letter samples here. What Is a Cover Letter? A cover letter is a document attached to a job application designed to introduce the candidate in a more personal way. It should complement the information from a resume or CV, expanding on the skills and achievements and highlighting a selection of the most relevant accomplishments.
As always, honesty is the best policy. Trying to disguise the fact that you've been fired will get you nowhere fast. Once you've written a strong cover letter introduction and led with your strengths, openly state that you were "let go" or "laid off" from your previous role. You don't need to go into too much detail.
Land your dream job with free resume and cover letter templates from Office Make your resume or curriculum vitae (CV) stand out with one of these free, eye-catching templates and matching cover letters in Word that showcase your skills and work history.
Teal, a personal career growth platform, has been promoting ChatGPT for cover letters and resumes. The new tool is great for a job-seeker, said Todd Mitchem, executive vice president of AMP ...
A cover letter for a resume or application is a brief presentation of your experience and skills in narrative form. The purpose of a cover letter is to highlight the most important information from your resume and add extra reasons why you should be hired. It's about looks and contents. And Zety will help with both—. Create a Cover Letter Now.
Cover letter sample 1 Sub: Cover Letter Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing this letter to you to apply for the position of (desired position) in your company (company name). I came across the position via (mention job portal source) and wanted to apply for the same.
The cover letter is a tool to help introduce yourself in a memorable, personal way during a job application. A well-crafted cover letter goes over information on your resume and expands this information for the reader, taking them on a guided journey of some of your greatest career and life achievements.. Its purpose is to elaborate on the information contained in your resume while infusing ...
Resume cover letter (green) Word Basic modern cover letter Word Chronological resume Word Resume for internal company transfer Word Resume (Executive design) Word Polished resume, designed by MOO Word 1 2 3 4 Next Land your dream job with free resume and cover letter templates from Office