cover letter for university placement

8 September 2023

Writing a Placement & Work Experience Cover Letter

When you apply for a placement, you’ll need to send a cover letter along with your CV. A placement cover letter supports your application by explaining who you are and why you’re interested in the role.

The aim of your cover letter is to persuade an employer to read your CV, (over the fifty others they received), and eventually invite you for an interview.

Want to write the perfect one? Read on for the how…

• What goes into a work experience cover letter?

How to write a cover letter for a placement

Placement cover letter example.

• Things to remember

What goes into a work experience cover letter

Although you should always tailor your cover letter for each job you apply for, there are a couple of things that all cover letters must include.

On top of the usual letter niceties, these are…

• Your name and contact details
• The role you’re applying for
• Why you’re interested in the role
• Your skills and previous experience
• What you’ll bring to the company
• Your career goals

Step 1: Dear Sir / Madam?

The first three words of your cover letter are crucial. Make no mistake!

Recruiters and employers get itchy eyes when they read a work placement cover letter addressed to [Dear Sir/Madam]. And they really lose their minds when they see [To whom it may concern]. It’s best to address your letter to the reader directly. So…

Dear Full Name , e.g. Dear David Attenborough – this is ideal as it’s gender-inclusive and doesn’t rely on the use of ‘Mr’ or ‘Ms’

Dear Mr Surname , e.g. Dear Mr Attenborough

Dear Ms Surname , e.g. Dear Ms Attenborough – never presume marital status. Write Ms instead of Miss / Mrs.

Don’t know who to address your cover letter to? There’s a few things you can do.

1. Browse LinkedIn – Lots of companies have a profile that lists their employees

2. Contact the employer – Ask for the name of the person who is tasked with reading placement cover letters. You can do this by phone or email

3. Address your cover letter to the department manager

4. If you can’t locate the person who handles recruitment, address your placement cover letter to someone who works in HR .

Step 2:  Swift intro

Next, you need to disclose what placement you’re applying for. 

A company might be hiring placement students in a number of different departments. Be specific to make sure you’re being considered for the right role.

Write something like this –

“ I am writing regarding the vacancy for the marketing placement with IBM, as advertised on RateMyPlacement. Please find my attached CV. “

Let the recruiter know where you found the vacancy for the placement. Employers are always keen to know what channels students use to find jobs. It makes a good impression.

Step 3:  Why are you interested?

Now you’ve introduced yourself, it’s time to explain why you’re interested in the chosen placement or work experience scheme.

It’s important to do some research about the company you’re applying to and the content of the programme. Use it to give convincing reasons for your interest in the placement.

Step 4: What can YOU bring?

In this section, you want to explain what you’ll bring to the company as a placement student. There’s no need to mention everything.

Be specific and keep it relevant to the role. What unique skills will you bring to the organisation?

It’s also a chance to talk a little bit about your hobbies and interests – keeping them relevant to the role you’ve applied to.

“ I am halfway through a Marketing degree, and on course to achieve a 2:1. So far, I have focussed on digital marketing modules, which have imparted strong analytical and problem-solving skills. I am also now proficient in basic coding. My three years at Mecca Bingo have provided experience with customer service practices and other useful soft skills. “

Step 5: Final flourish

Aptly named the final flourish, you will end your placement cover letter in this section. Thank the recruiter for considering your application, and register your interest in attending an interview.

“Thank you for considering my application, I’m looking forward to the prospect of discussing the placement in greater detail in an interview. “

Step 6: Farewell

If you found the name of the recruiter/employer, end your placement cover letter with ‘Yours Sincerely’. If you rebelled and wrote “to whom it may concern”, put ‘ Yours Faithfully’.

Want to set yourself up for success with your work experience application? Sign up to our FREE Career Coaching Course, a four-day virtual programme in October, to upskill yourself on CVs, applications and interviews.

Here is an example of a placement cover letter. This is the structure and general length you should be aiming for (approx 250 words) …

Dear Mr Attenborough,

I am writing regarding the vacancy for the marketing placement with IBM, as advertised on RateMyPlacement. Please find my attached CV.

I am particularly interested in this placement at IBM because of the focus on different areas of digital marketing. IBM is at the forefront of the digital marketing industry, and I am fascinated by the cloud-based software IBM provides for companies on email, web and social media. 

I have been reading about IBM’s most recent project, which aimed to improve customer experience across the buyer journey. It links closely to a project I completed in the first year of my Marketing degree, which centred around optimising the user experience for online retail.

I am halfway through a Marketing degree, and on course to achieve a 2:1. So far, I have focussed on digital marketing modules, which have imparted strong analytical and problem-solving skills. I am also now proficient in basic coding. My three years at Mecca Bingo have provided experience with customer service practices and other useful soft skills.

Thank you for considering my application, I’m looking forward to the prospect of discussing the placement in greater detail in an interview.

Yours Sincerely,

Kevin McCloud.

Things to remember…

Now you have the tools needed to craft a superb piece of career prose, there are a few things to keep in mind…

Online Placement Applications

1 . If you’re applying for a placement online, you’ll need to write your cover letter in a text box. Write it in Microsoft Word or Pages first, then copy and paste it into the text box. That way you can check your grammar and spelling beforehand.

2. If you’re sending your cover letter via email or attaching it to an online application, save it as a .pdf rather than a Word/Pages file. All computers can read PDFs, so there’ll be no problem when an employer opens the file.

3 . Always save your cover letter as ‘[Your Name] Cover Letter ‘. It looks clean, and employers will be able to find you easier.

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Written by Conor

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Placement cover letter examples

Placements are a great way to gain valuable experience, but this is also the reason these roles are so competitive.

Your cover letter gives you a chance to expand on your CV and persuade the employer to invite you for an interview over the other 50 applicants. So it needs to be good!

Find out how to write an attention-grabbing application with our detailed guide and placement cover letter examples below.

CV templates 

Placement cover letter example 1

Placement cover letter example 2

Placement cover letter example 3

The example cover letters here should give you a good general idea on how your Placement cover letter should be formatted and written.

The rest of this guide gives more specific guidance on how to create your own cover letter in this format, and even includes some templates you can copy and paste.

How to write a Placement cover letter

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

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

You should write your cover letter in the body of the email (or messaging system if sending via a job board) and never attach it as a document.

The reason for this?

You want your cover letter to start connecting with the recruiter from the moment they open your application.

If they have to open a document to read it, it will slow things down and they may not even bother to open it.

Start with a friendly greeting

To kick your cover letter off, start with a friendly greeting to build rapport with the recruiter instantly.

Your greeting should be personable but professional. Not too casual, but not too formal either

Go with something like…

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

Avoid old-fashioned greetings like “Dear sir/madam ” unless applying to very formal companies.

How to find the contact’s name?

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

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

Identify the role you are applying for

Once you’ve opened up the cover letter with a warm greeting to start building a relationship, it is time to identify which role you want to apply for.

Recruiters are often managing multiple vacancies, so you need to ensure you apply to the correct one.

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

• I am interested in applying for the position of *Placement position* with your company.
• I would like to apply for the role of Sales assistant (Ref: 406f57393)
• I would like to express my interest in the customer service vacancy within your retail department
• I saw your advert for a junior project manager on Reed and would like to apply for the role.

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

Highlight your suitability

The sole objective of your cover letter is to motivate recruiters into to opening your CV. And you achieve this by quickly explaining your suitability to the roles you are applying for.

Take a look at the job descriptions you are applying to, and make note of the most important skills and qualifications being asked for.

Then, when crafting your cover letter, make your suitability the central focus.

Explain why you are the best qualified candidate, and why you are so well suited to carry out the job.

This will give recruiters all the encouragement they need to open your CV and consider you for the job.

Keep it short and sharp

It is best to keep your cover letter brief if you want to ensure you hold the attention of busy recruiters and hiring managers. A lengthy cover letter will probably not get read in full, so keep yours to around 3-6 sentences and save the real detail for your CV.

Remember the purpose of your cover letter is to quickly get recruiters to notice you and encourage them to open your CV, so it only needs to include the highlights of your experience.

Sign off professionally

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

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

Include the following points;

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

Here is an example signature;

Warm regards,

Gerald Baker Senior Accountant 07887500404 [email protected] LinkedIn

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

What to include in your Placement cover letter

Your Placement cover letter will be unique to your situation, but there are certain content guidelines you should stick to for best results.

To attract and entice recruiters, stick with the following key subjects in your cover letter – adapting them to fit your profession and target jobs.

• Your professional experience – Employers will be keen to know if your experience is suitable for the job you are applying to, so provide a good summary of it in your cover letter.
• Your qualifications and education – Highlight your most relevant and high-level of qualification, especially if they are essential to the job.
• The positive impact you have made – Employers love to hear about the benefits you can bring to them, so shout about anything impressive you have done, such as saving money or improving processes.
• Your reasons for leaving – Use a few words of your cover letter to explain why you are leaving your current job and ensure you avoid any negative reasons.
• Your availability – Let recruiters know when you can start a new job . Are you immediately available, or do you have a month notice period?

Placement cover letter templates

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

I hope you are well. I would like to apply for the Health and Social Care academic placement at Lifetime UK. With a heartfelt commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of individuals who require support, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute towards delivering success to organisation.

I am in my final year of my BSc in Social Psychology at the University of London, where have gained fundamental knowledge of how psychological principles apply to behavioural problems. In my current role as a volunteer at Ellesmere House Care Home, I treat each individual with dignity, respect, and kindness, as well as believe in tailoring care to people’s unique needs, preferences, and routines to promote comfort and well-being.

I maintain a safe environment and have played a role in helped conduct exercise sessions that increased residents’ physical health and mobility by 20% as measured by physicians. Additionally, I was pivotal in preparing nutritious meals which lowered obese lowered obese residents’ weight by 10%.

Enclosed is my CV, which provides further details about my skills and additional achievements. Please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience to schedule an interview.

Kind regards

James Goldstein

Good day Mark

I am writing to express my strong interest in the Accounting Placement opportunity at Jameson Stone LLP, as advertised on the company’s website. As a current BSc Finance student, I am excited about the opportunity to expand my knowledge by learning from my experienced team members.

During my academic tenure I have developed a solid understanding of accounting principles, financial reporting, and taxation. Alongside my studies I work part-time as a Retail Assistant at McColl’s Retail Group, where I have exceeded snack sales targets by 10% and helped boost CSAT score by 25% through offering outstanding customer service. Moreover, I played a key role in revamping the store’s visual merchandising layout, resulting in a 30% increase in the visibility of featured food products.

My bookkeeping and ledger management knowledge, commitment to professional growth, career aspirations, as well as attention to detail makes me the perfect candidate for the placement opportunity.

I welcome the opportunity of discussing my other achievements and competencies in an interview, at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Neil Stapleton

Good afternoon, Shannon

I would like to write to express my interest in the culinary placement opportunity at Accor Hotel. As a culinary arts student with a strong desire to learn/grow within a professional kitchen environment, I am excited about the opportunity to develop my competencies under your mentorship.

My culinary journey began as a volunteer at ND Care & Support, where I experimented with different flavours and techniques in the home’s kitchen. I had the privilege of honing my knife skills, and expanding my knowledge of cooking methods and food safety standards to ensure that all residents were served with nutritious meals, which is demonstrated by improving residents’ health outcomes by 15% on average through preparing well-balanced dishes, as well as supporting the implementation of ingredient inventory management processes that resulted in a 30% reduction in food waste.

This passion has only grown stronger over time, leading me to pursue formal culinary education, and I am now seeking a placement opportunity to further hone my skills and experiences.

Thank you for considering my application. I am immediately available for an interview and look forward to discussing the possibility of joining your esteemed hospitality company.

Harry Arnold

Writing an impressive cover letter is a crucial step in landing a Placement, so taking the time to perfect it is well worth while.

By following the tips and examples above you will be able to create an eye-catching cover letter that will wow recruiters and ensure your CV gets read – leading to more job interviews for you.

Good luck with your job search!

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Sample Cover letter for a placement

[email protected]

07777 777 777

XX September 20XX

Dear recruiter/recruitment team,

Application for 12-month Professional Placement, reference number GEN-11

I was made aware of your industrial placement scheme following discussions over LinkedIn with two of your current placement holders. As a 2 nd Year student of Chemical Engineering at the University of Manchester, I am looking to expand my professional horizons and I believe a placement in your firm would allow me to gain a better grasp of the industry and put my learning into practice. I can offer many of the skills you specify in your essential requirements, as outlined below.

Based on my LinkedIn research, I am conscious that your company puts great emphasis on safety and process efficiency. I feel this is a work ethic I can wholly embrace, as I have had to adjust to good lab practice and economical process design through my Year 1 studies. I was also very encouraged to read your online case study on addressing the ethical sourcing of feedstocks. My volunteer work with Engineers Without Borders has allowed me to see first-hand the societal damage done by processes which go around ethical guidelines, and I would be proud to work for a company which champions good practice in this area.

As mentioned above, I have carefully considered your essential and desirable requirements. Those which I feel are my strongest areas are analytical problem solving, innovative thinking and communicating across multiple levels. The first two were tested during my first year design project, which saw me selecting and rejecting different plant components based on design specifications. This included economic constraints, for which I designed a Pivot Table in Excel to compare and present options to my team. My outreach work as a STEM ambassador with local schools has meant adapting my communication style to fit my audience, be they A-level or primary school pupils. It has also taught me the value of good preparation and organisation, and the application of MS Office packages, also mentioned in your requirements.

Outside academia, I have had the opportunity to develop my team-working and self-motivation through volunteering, both as a class rep at university and with EWB (above). Though I have not yet secured full-time work experience in engineering, I have sought out opportunities to shadow process engineers in the industry. This had to move to online discussions during the COVID-19 pandemic, but I was still able to add to my experience during this time. This has given me valuable insight into the need to adopt more sustainable approaches, as well as needing to get up to speed with new concepts and processes quickly.

In summary, I hope I have shown that I meet the criteria you have set out in your Person Specification, particularly with regard to analytics, innovation and communication. I am confident that a placement in your company would give me the foundation to build my industrial career. I am available for interview online or in person at your convenience, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours faithfully,

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Careers Service, The University of Manchester

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Cover Letters

A cover letter is a document you send to an employer alongside your application. It helps to introduce you and outlines your interest in the role.

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On this page

Your CV should always be accompanied by a cover letter. This is unless the employer tells you otherwise.

It is a key part of your application. Your letter should:

• explain your motivation for applying
• show your suitability for the vacancy
• highlight the most important parts of your CV

Your letter should only be one side of A4 and you should use the same font style and size used in your CV.

We also run regular workshops on writing cover letters during the academic year.

What to write in your cover letter

We'd suggest the following structure for your cover letter.

The order for the second (why you) and third paragraph (why them) is flexible. You can swap these around if you prefer.

• Write to the correct person. It's important to get their name and job title right. If a name is not given, try to find out who you should address your letter to. You can do this by contacting the organisation or checking the website.
• If you are making a speculative application you should contact the organisation to ask for a key contact who can help with recruitment .
• Address your letter correctly. Use their title and last name only. If you're unsure about their gender, marital status, or preferred pronoun, you can use their full name. If you can't find out the name of the person, use a generic term such as ‘Dear Hiring Manager’ or ‘Dear Recruitment Team’.

First paragraph: Introduction

• Briefly explain what you are doing now and why you are writing. If the job or placement was advertised, include where you saw the advert.
• A strong, confident and positive opening statement makes a good first impression. For example: 'I believe I have the relevant skills, knowledge and experience to make a difference in this role and in your organisation.'
• If you are applying speculatively, be as specific as you can about what you are looking for. Consider giving the employer a range of options. If there are no vacancies available, you could get involved another way. This could be work experience, shadowing or even the chance to meet and ask questions.

Second paragraph: Why you? Summarise what you have to offer

• Summarise the most relevant skills from your CV. What can you bring that makes you attractive to the employer?
• Keep your summary concise, with specific examples from your experiences. Try to avoid highlighting generic skills and qualities in isolation. Instead, focus on how you developed your skills. For example, 'I am a reliable and trustworthy person with good communication skills' doesn't show how you developed your skills.
• If you’re not applying for a specific advertised post, you may not have a job description to help you. You’ll need to work out which skills are required. To help with this, look at the job profiles on the Prospects website.
• Convey your enthusiasm for the job and what you can bring to the company, rather than talking about yourself in a general way.
• Give reasons why the organisation should consider you. What have you got to offer them? Talk about any relevant experience, knowledge and skills and how you could contribute. Your examples could come from a variety of places. Your degree, internships, part-time jobs, volunteering or extra-curricular experience are all valuable.
• Try not to repeat phrases from your CV. Make sure that your CV clearly provides evidence for statements that you make in your letter.

You can split this paragraph into two, depending on how much you have written.

Third paragraph: Why them and why this role? Target the employer

• Each letter should be tailored to the organisation and role. Recruiters will not be impressed with a generic covering letter. This is especially important if you are applying speculatively. Find out as much as possible about the field of work, the company and the type of role you are interested in.
• Explain why you want to work for this organisation. This could be their ethos, training or product/services. Mention any contact you have had with the company.
• Show that you have researched the company and know what they do but don't just repeat what is on their website.

Optional paragraphs: Other relevant information

It may be relevant to include other information in your covering letter. This could be explaining the circumstances of disappointing academic grades. Come and talk to us if you have concerns about explaining these or other issues in your letter. To do this, b ook a CV appointmen t via MyCareer.

For advice on asking for adjustments from an employer, see these websites:

• asking for reasonable adjustments
• British Dyslexia Association: applying for jobs and promotions. This includes examples of reasonable adjustments employers could make during the application process.
• example of disclosing a disability in a cover letter
• Finish your letter in a polite and friendly way, saying when you would be available for interview. End on a positive note. 'Thank you for taking the time to consider my application. I look forward to hearing from you' is a good example.
• To end your letter, write ' Yours sincerely ' if you know the name of the person you're writing to. It is ' Yours faithfully ' if you don't know the name, followed by your signature.

How to follow up a speculative application

A speculative application involves contacting an employer to ask about opportunities. The employer may not be advertising a vacancy, but they may have opportunities that are not advertised . 

Follow up a speculative application with a polite phone call or email a week later. This shows you're proactive and motivated.

Reiterate your interest in working for the organisation and the reasons why you're a suitable candidate. Keep your call or email brief and thank the hiring manager for considering your application.

Example cover letters

See our example cover letters to help you think about structure and content. They can also give you ideas on how to demonstrate your skills. Compare your own draft and see if there’s anything you need to add or improve.

Cover letters for graduate and part-time jobs

• Graduate job cover letter example  (PDF: 72KB)
• Part time job cover letter example  (PDF: 118KB)
• Speculative graduate job cover letter example  (PDF: 120KB)

Advice about writing effective cover letters, with examples 

Find further advice about writing cover letters on these websites:

• Cover letter essentials for graduate vacancies
• How to write a cover letter - this includes advice and example cover letter endings
• Example cover letter for an internship .
• Cover letters - there are tips and example cover letters, including speculative cover letters. There is also a cover letter showcasing how to disclose a disability
• Academic cover letter template - this is a teaching-focused lectureship post.

CVs and Cover Letters workbook

For more advice on writing CVs and cover letters, see our  CV and covering letter workbook for students  (PDF: 384kb).

Additional tips

For more advice on writing an effective cover letter, see the following websites:

Get Feedback

Our online AI-generated checker, CareerSet gives you instant feedback 24/7.

CareerSet scores your cover letter on key skills that recruiters look for. It focuses on impact, brevity and style . You can use the feedback to edit your letter and re-submit it to CareerSet as many times as you like. You can also match your letter with a job description, to help you tailor it to a specific role.

You can access CareerSet directly or via MyCareer .

After using CareerSet, we recommend you book an online or in-person CV appointment to go through your cover letter. Alternatively, you can send your cover letter to us for written feedback via MyCareer. You don’t need to have achieved a specific score on CareerSet to do this.

If you would like any of the content in an accessible format , you can request this from CareerSet. See their accessibility statement  for details.

How to Use CareerSet

1. Log in to CareerSet

You can  access CareerSet directly  or via the  CV and Covering Letter Pathway .

Log into CareerSet with your  Newcastle University email address  to get an authentication link. This will log you in for the duration of one session. Your account will be created on your first login.

To access CareerSet you’ll need our Newcastle University  graduate voucher code . This is listed in the  CV and Covering Letter Pathway .

The Careers Service will have access to your scores and feedback reports. This helps us develop further support and advice, but your CV is not stored in CareerSet. All information is in line with the University’s  data protection policy .

2. Accept the:

• privacy policy
• terms of use

3. Click on Review my Covering Letter. 

Upload your cover letter. This takes about 30 seconds. Your cover letter must be in  PDF format:

• how to  convert a Word document to PDF

You can also copy and paste the job description you want to compare your cover letter to or choose an example. 

4. Review your score and work your way through the feedback and tips to help you improve your cover letter.

There’s no such thing as a perfect cover letter, so you don’t need to try to get to 100%. We’d suggest aiming for a score above 70%, but if you’re struggling to reach that, don’t worry.

You can book an online or in-person CV appointment to get help from a CV adviser. You can then upload your cover letter again to see if you’ve improved your score. 

The Careers Service will have access to your scores and feedback reports to help us develop further support and advice, but your cover letter is not stored in CareerSet. All information is in line with the University’s data protection policy .

What CareerSet can't do

CareerSet is a valuable tool for getting feedback on your cover letter, but there are certain things it can’t do. Instead, you can book an in-person or online appointment or submit a query via MyCareer if you:

• don’t have much work experience to add to your cover letter. Book a information appointment for help on how to find relevant opportunities and develop your skills
• want to discuss how to include reasonable adjustments or extenuating circumstances on your CV

Feedback from a CV adviser

Before you book a CV appointment or send us your cover letter for feedback, you need to complete the CV and Covering Letter Pathway on MyCareer first. This includes uploading your CV/cover letter to CareerSet.

Once you have completed the Pathway and made any changes suggested by CareerSet, you can then receive 1:1 feedback from a CV adviser. 

You can also send your cover letter (in Microsoft Word ) to us for written feedback. This can take up to 5 working days. Click on Queries/CV in MyCareer (top right hand corner) to submit your query and CV.

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How To Write A Cover Letter

• Introduction

Write top-notch cover letters with a proven process that makes them easy to write and incredibly impactful.

• 📗 When to Read

You’re ready to start applying for jobs. Cover letters are a crucial part of the job application process.

Always write a cover letter when applying for a job, even if it’s not required.

• ⌚ Time Required

Plan to spend about an hour on every cover letter you write. Cover letters are often the most time-consuming part of applying for a job.

• ✅ Done When

You found yourself an excellent job and don’t need to continue writing cover letters! 🙌 

A  cover letter  is a one-page document sent to an employer that accompanies your resume and helps you stand out from other applicants. Candidates often skip writing cover letters because they can be time-consuming to write and confuse what should be included.

This guide will give you everything you need to write great cover letters with ease. We’ll take the mystery out of what to write and how to write it. But first, let’s review why cover letters are so important. 

There are scenarios where you should write a cover letter. A few of those scenarios are:

You’re applying to a role that will get hundreds of qualified candidates, and you need to stand out. Ideally, you’d network your way into the company, but you’re moving fast to ensure you get your application in within the first hour the job is posted. 

The company’s mission truly means something to you - there’s an honest person connection you want to showcase.

You haven’t found a clear path to networking your way into the company. You don’t have second-degree connections on Linkedin nor a strong network in the industry.

It’s a job where writing a cover letter is essential such as a marketing manager, SDR, or Content Strategist.

This is one of your first jobs out of college, and you need to leverage any possible way to show why they should pick you.

You are an uncommonly good writer, and this is an opportunity for you to stand out positively.

You wrote a cover letter for a competitor, so re-using it would be easy and effective. 

If any of the following apply to you, it’s worthwhile to write a cover letter. 

Consider that there might be instances where you won’t have the option to include a cover letter when applying for a job via an online portal. Whenever you’re starting a job application, look through the application to see if a cover letter is required, requested, or emphasized in the application form. Sometimes, there will just be a text box instead. Read the cues and adapt accordingly to help you decide whether it’s worth your precious time.

• Why write a cover letter

Cover letters are one of the most time-efficient ways to stand out when you’re applying. Unlike networking, they’re entirely in your control, so you can use them to stand out within hours of the job posting going live.

In total, cover letters help you:

✅ Stand out from other applicants

✅ Show the hiring team you want this job and didn’t mass apply

✅ Prove you did your research on this opportunity

✅ Convey your personality and tell your story

✅ Include information that didn’t fit in your resume about why you’re a great candidate 

 Let’s start by getting a few common misconceptions out of the way:

❌  Machines are reading your application.  OK, so this is kind of a joke. But many people imagine that their cover letter is sent into a black hole. In reality, it’s sent into a big queue where it’s the job of the recruiting team or hiring manager to review. A real, live, breathing human being is on the other side, and they want to be treated well just like you do.

❌  Take up the whole page with your cover letter.  It’s 2021! This isn’t school. Brevity is best. Most companies are inundated with hundreds of applications so you need to get your value across most concisely and compellingly possible. Focus only on the most relevant information for that specific job.

❌  You can use the same cover letter for multiple jobs.  Cover letters must be customized to the specific company and role you’re applying for or they feel inauthentic. You can upcycle lots of the content, but it has to feel custom-tailored for the position. Using a highly generic template can hurt your chances of getting an interview. If you’re not going to put in the love, don’t even send it.

❌  Cover letters are like your resume in paragraph format.  Nope. That would be boring to read! Your cover letter should be exciting and unique. It should share context about why you’re the right candidate to interview that can’t be found in your resume. 

Considering all of the common misconceptions listed above, you can see many pitfalls to avoid. Good thing you’re reading this guide ;)

To make sure we are all on the same page about what a cover letter should NOT be, let’s take a look at an example of a poorly written cover letter: 

To Whom It May Concern: My name is Jane Doe and I’m writing you to apply for the Sales Team Leader job. As soon as I saw it posted on LinkedIn, I knew this would be the perfect role for me because I’ve always had a strong ability to build relationships with people and persuade them to take action. I’m confident that I’m a qualified candidate for the position. I started my career as a sales associate at a local retailer. In this role, I worked directly with customers to answer their questions about our products and make recommendations based on their needs. I learned that I’m a strong communicator and enjoy working with people. I know my sales experience makes me a great fit to become a team leader.  Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing about next steps. Sincerely, Jane Doe

See how that letter is boring, vague, and generic?

Ok, enough about what not to do! Let’s move on to what you should include in your cover letter 👌

• Anatomy of a Cover Letter

Cover letters should include three main sections, each with a specific purpose. Your cover letter should be ⅔ to ¾ of a page long (we’ll cover formatting later!). We’ll break down what to include in each paragraph and take a look at some examples.

At a high level, your cover letter will include:

Paragraph 1:  Reel them in 🧐

Strong hook that makes them smile

Research to show you know your stuff

Proof that you actively follow the happenings of the company 

Target to the specific role you’re applying for

Introduction of why you’re a great candidate

Paragraph 2: Sell yourself 💁

Align the job description to your experiences and transferable skills

Paragraph 3: Wrap it up 💝

Restate how you’ll add value

Express appreciation for their consideration

Include contact information

• Paragraph 1: Reel Them In 🧐

Start your cover letter with a good hook - something that makes them want to read more. Grab the reader’s attention and make them smile.  Earn  the right to be read. Say something like:

On July 19th, 2011, I became a premium member of Spotify. As someone just starting to explore their music taste, Spotify was a dream come true. Nine years later, music is a large part of what defines me. I’m a frequent concert-goer, my vinyl collection continues to grow, and I’ve even dabbled in making my tunes. I owe much of my interest in music to Spotify.

Show the reader you’re not just throwing in a resume. You’re highly interested in THIS job! Make it clear that you’ve  really  done your research. 

A couple of ways to do that are:

Explain how you learned about this job - and make it original. Writing you found the open position on LinkedIn doesn’t feel special. If you note that a current employee of the company suggested you apply, that’s really compelling. Best, of course, is that said employee talks to the hiring manager about your application! Please read about how to make that happen in our 

Show that you follow the company’s news. Mention you were reading TechCrunch and saw an article about their new beta product. To find articles or press about the company you’re applying for, you can simply Google “[Company Name] News.” Most companies have an “about us” or “press” page on their website. These pages are a gold mine of information to use. For lots more ideas about how to research a company, see our 

Next, include the role you’re applying for. You can hyperlink to the job posting, so there is no confusion, especially if the company has many of them.

Finally, end the paragraph with a segue into why you’re an excellent fit for this role. It’s just like your thesis statement in a grade school essay -- the most critical part of the whole page. Give the person a sneak-peek into why they should be excited you’re applying. Make them want to read more. 

• Paragraph 2: Sell Yourself 💁

The second paragraph is your time to ✨ shine ✨. Pull up the job description in a parallel window and review the key responsibilities again. Pull from your resume the most directly related experiences related to the role and highlight your transferable skills. Be sure to mention any places where you meet the “nice to haves” if those are listed.

It’s helpful to use bullet points in the second paragraph to break up your cover letter visually. Anything longer can look daunting and run the risk of not being read. Keep it short and sweet.

• Paragraph 3: Wrap It Up 💝

Finally, reiterate your excitement about the opportunity and make yourself available to be contacted! 

Summarize and reiterate the value you would add to this role. Emphasize why you absolutely need to be on the interview list. 

Next, thank the recruiting team for their consideration. Be appreciative of the time the team took to read your cover letter. Remember, companies are just people at the end of the day.

Finally, conclude with your contact information. Make it as easy as possible for the recruiting team to get you scheduled for an interview! 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all that goes into crafting a solid cover letter, we’ve got you covered. Check out Placement Plus to see all of the ways we can help you quickly write a top-notch cover letter. We’ve got experts on demand and proven templates that will grab the attention of recruiters. 

• Formatting Your Cover Letter

It’s not just what you say in your cover letter -- presentation matters. Once you’ve written the three short sections of your cover letter, it’s time to put on the finishing touches to make sure it looks professional. We’re talking about font size, spacing, and file format.

If you’re submitting your cover letter as an attachment, whether the attachment is to an email or an online application, include a header that details your contact information.

Don’t put this info in the actual “header” of your document. Just put it at the top of the page.

If you’re going the old-school approach: In the top left of your Word document, provide the following:

Date Your Name City, State Phone Number Email Address

If you’re going REALLY old-school and happen to be sending your cover letter as a printed document via mail, the heading should be formatted as such:

Date Your Name Your Address Your City, State, Zip Code Your Phone Number Your Email Address

Hiring Manager’s Name Company Name Company Address Company City, State, ZIP Code

Start with the greeting. Use the person’s name to assume gender or marital status. It’s peculiar to read, “Dear Sir,” when you’re a woman! Instead, you can say “Dear [First Name Last Name].” 

If possible, figure out the hiring manager’s name so you can put it on the document and figure out how to network your way to that person.

Now we know you’re thinking… what if I don’t know the name of the hiring manager?! Not to worry - we’ve got a few tricks up our sleeve.

Sometimes this information is listed in the job description or on the company website. Check there first.

If you still can’t find the right name, try searching LinkedIn. Spend some time looking at the people who work at the company and try to find the recruiter responsible for the division you’re applying to. If after a quick search you can’t find the recruiter’s name, stick with “{Company name} {Division you’re applying to} Team:” (e.g., Snapchat Accounting Team:)

Don’t say the old-fashioned “Dear Sir or Madam” or “To Whom It May Concern.” That sounds outdated and awkward. 

After the three paragraphs, at the end of your cover letter, is the closing. Strike a balance of friendly yet professional here. Pick one of these tried-and-true closings:

Respectfully

Then type your name below the closing. Include your last name if you wish.

A cover letter is a professional document just like your resume, so match your font and font size to your resume- a font that reflects that tone. A basic font such as Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, or Verdana are good options, and the font size should be 10- or 12- point. 

Intentional white space in your resume makes it more easy to read and digestible - both of which are helpful for the hiring manager as they make their way through dozens, if not hundreds, of applications.

Keep your cover letter single-spaced.

Add a space (using Enter on your keyboard) in between each section of your cover letter. There should be a paragraph space between the contact information, salutation, first paragraph, second paragraph, third paragraph, closing, and name.

There is no need to indent any of your paragraphs (this is true anytime you single space a document #learnsomethingeveryday).

Document margins should be 0.5 to 1-inch all the way around. Look to match the margins to your resume so that it feels consistent.

• File Format

Most of the time, you’ll be submitting your cover letter, resume, and job application online. If you’re sending your resume and cover letter to someone via email, both documents should be attachments and in PDF format. 

Check the name of your file before sending it. Aim to have as clear of a document name as possible and incorporate the company’s name into the document title. We recommend the following format: “First Name_Last Name__Company Name_Cover Letter.”

Suppose you’re sending your resume and cover letter via an online application. In that case, there will be specific instructions on if you should attach them in a particular file format or if there’s a text box for you to copy and paste into. 

Read any instructions carefully - you don’t want to disqualify yourself from an opportunity because of a silly file formatting mistake!

• Cover Letter Templates

Alright, now onto the main event! Let’s look at some templates that you can use.

Most people can use one of the following key messages as the basis for their cover letter. These are: 

You have a highly relevant past experience.

You have transferable skills.

You are passionate about the problem they’re solving.

You truly believe in the company’s mission. 

• Highly Relevant Past Experience

This go-to template is focused on clearly conveying that you can help address the key challenges that the team is facing. 

To leverage this template, you’ll need:

Your knowledge about the company

Identify something exciting or innovative that the company has recently done

An explanation of how you learned they were hiring

A statement on why you’re the right candidate

Three relevant skills or experiences to highlight that relate to the role

One skill/experience should include how this will help the company you’re interested in meeting its goals

Another skill experience should consist of what you learned and how that learning will benefit your future employer

The third experience should describe a challenge you know the company is facing and how you’ve handled a similar challenge in the past

A description of the problem the company is solving and why their solution to that problem is meaningful to you

Let’s take a look at the template!

Cover Letter Template: Highly Relevant Past Experience 💡

Dear {Hiring Manager First Name} and Team, 

Congratulations on {milestone you learned about in the press}! It’s clear that {Company Name} is a leader in {industry}. I learned about this role from {how?}, and I am excited to join your team as a {Job Title} potentially. 

It seems that {job function} at {Company Name} implies interesting challenges: {challenge 1, challenge 2, and challenge 3}. My career to date includes experience addressing each of these challenges:

At {previous organization}, I {thing you did} to {how it addressed challenge 1}. We successfully {achievement}. I imagine the approach we took there might work for your team, too.

At {previous organization}, I {thing you did to address challenge 2}. After {doing the thing you did}, we {achievement}. From this experience, I learned {thing you learned about how to address challenge 2}.

Most recently, I addressed {challenge 3} at {previous organization}. I led {thing that you led to address challenge3}. Together, we {did what?} that resulted in {quantifiable result}. 

What’s more, {company mission} is a longtime interest of mine. At {previous employer}, I {learned about the thing they’re working on}. Since then, I have continued to {how are you still involved in this?}. 

I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss how I might leverage these experiences to contribute to {Company Name}’s mission. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

{Your Name}

Example of Highly Relevant Past Experience Template In Action

Dear Alena and Team, 

Congratulations on the fundraiser led by Social Capital! Aclima is a true leader in global air quality. Victor Gustafson, a friend of my former close colleague, told me about this opportunity, and I am excited to join your team as a Senior Product Manager potentially. 

It seems that the product at Aclima has interesting challenges -- the platform is technical and scientific, it is the first bona fide product role, and the development of data products is inherently tricky. My career to date includes experience addressing each of these challenges: 

At DataSmart Academy, I developed offerings to train professionals in the highly technical field of data science. We successfully partnered with industry leaders to help us deeply understand needs and iterated on the course in response to feedback. This resulted in an offering that helped 85% of our students land jobs in data science. I imagine the iterative approach we took there might work for your team, too. 

At DataSmart Academy, I became the first product leader for our core business after years of operation. After taking stock of the diverse processes across seven offices nationwide, I implemented one common approach to streamline development. From this experience, I learned to introduce process changes incrementally to maintain team empowerment.

Most recently, I developed data products at Freightly. I led the first platform team, working alongside incredibly talented engineers to conceptualize data as a product in and of itself. Together, we crafted APIs and plug-ins to improve data accessibility and quality for a broad user base. 

What’s more, global air quality is a longtime interest of mine. While at the University of Minnesota, I majored in Environmental Studies. Early after college, I researched industrial air pollution at an academic research center. I remain curious and passionate about these topics.

I would love the opportunity to discuss in depth how I might leverage these experiences to contribute to your mission. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Warm Regards,

• Career Changer 🔄

You're really excited about a job and know you can excel in it, but you haven't done that exact work before. The company will hold you to a higher standard here -- you'll have to show that you're potentially better than someone who has done the job before. A tricky needle to thread! It's all about a hyper-clear correlation between your prior experience and the work you want to do, plus finding ways to stand out truly.

The key inputs for this template are:

An articulation of the problem they are trying to solve

An example of something interesting the company is doing, and why you find their work so important

Why you're the right candidate 

An experience that relates to the job you're applying to and makes you a good fit

A responsibility you had in a previous role and what you accomplished

A relevant prior experience and why it would help you succeed in this new job

A skill that's important for success in the position you're interested in, and experience you have related to that skill, and key learnings from your experience

Relate a favorite element of a previous role that relates to this one and what you would be able to help them do if you got the job 

Let's look at an example of a cover letter for someone targeting a career development opportunity or transition.

Cover Letter Template: Career Changer

Dear {Hiring manager first name}, 

{Insert relevant, customized, and interesting hook}. As a {Job Title} fascinated by {relevant functional topics}, I was thrilled to learn of the {Job Title} role at {Company Name}. I'm intrigued by {Company Name} 's approach to {problem they are solving}. {Interesting thing they are doing} seems really impactful because {why?}. 

I would be delighted to bring my experience in {what?} to help {specific problems they're facing}. 

Why should you consider me for the {Job Title} role? 

First, my experience in {relevant experience} enables me to {reason this makes you a good fit}. At {previous role}, I was responsible for {what things you were responsible for?} and I {achievement). This experience would set me up to {do something they want the role to do}. As a {Job Title}, it's vital to {critical for success in the role}. I would love to have the opportunity to contribute these skills as a {Job Title} role at {Company Name}. 

Why am I interested in the {Job Title} role? 

One of my favorite parts of my job at {previous organization} was {favorite element of your last role that relates to this job}. {Specific tasks you like or problems you want to solve} are what keep me up thinking at night and what get me up in the morning. This led me to accomplish {achievement}. {Things you've done before that they want you to do in this role}-- this is the stuff I love. 

I would be thrilled to {do the thing they want this role to do} at {Company Name}. I would love the opportunity to meet with you to discuss this. Thanks for your consideration. 

Example of Career Changer Template In Action

Dear Greg, 

Call me a geek, but technical, logical puzzles about software implementation are what keep me up thinking at night and what get me up in the morning. As a marketer fascinated by marketing automation, I was thrilled to learn about the Marketing Implementation Specialist role at DemandSource. I'm intrigued by your approach to highly targeted B2B marketing. In my experience, tailoring makes emails perform better -- wouldn't the same approach work for ads? 

I would be delighted to bring my online marketing programs and marketing automation implementation experience to help your clients leverage the new ad targeting product. 

Why should you consider me for the marketing implementation specialist role? 

My technical marketing experience enables me to empathize easily with the client's perspective. As a marketing coordinator at Greenhome, I built out email nurture campaigns in Marketo and optimized landing pages to increase qualified lead generation by 300% in 18 months. My in-house experience would set me up to clearly understand client goals and help clients leverage Marketo to achieve their goals. For a role like this, it's critical to solve a problem and understand what questions to ask. I would love to have the opportunity to build on these skills in a client-facing role at DemandSource. 

Why am I interested in the marketing implementation specialist role?  

One of my favorite parts of my job at GreenHome was marketing automation with Salesforce and Marketo. Improving attribution tracking, solving database sync inconsistencies, and establishing business rules for data cleanliness -- this is the stuff I love. I would be thrilled to have the opportunity to work with problems like this every day for various clients. 

From what I've learned so far, it seems that my background makes me a great fit! I would love the opportunity to meet with you and learn more about the DemandSource team. Thanks for your consideration.

• Passion for Disruption 💪

When you're genuinely pumped up about a company trying to solve a problem you really care about in a cool, differentiated way, use your cover letter to exude enthusiasm.

Your previous experience that ties into their mission

Two to three examples of the work they're currently doing and why you think those things matter

Insight into something you recently read about them and what you learned from reading it

Two relevant skills or experiences that make you a fantastic fit for the open position

One accomplishment with an explanation of how you accomplished it and how this shows you can help them meet their goal

Another achievement with a description of how you achieved it and what you learned from that experience that translates to how you can add value

A challenge they are facing and how you've faced that challenge before 

Cover Letter Template: Passion for Disruption

Dear {Hiring Manager First Name}, 

{Insert relevant, customized, and interesting hook}. Having {reference a thing you've done}, I know the importance of {Company Name} 's mission firsthand, and I love that you are {something you like about what they're doing}. I'm particularly impressed with {Company Name} 's {another cool thing they're doing} -- I've learned that {something that shows them why it matters}. I also really appreciate how {something unique they're doing} differentiates your organization from other players. After reading {something you read }, it's clear that {something you learned about them}. 

I'm very interested in contacting you about the prospect of joining your team as a {Job Title}. My extensive experience in {relevant experience 1, relevant experience 2, and relevant experience 3} seem like an excellent fit for your team. 

At {previous organization}, I {achievement related to experience 1} by {how did you achieve it?. I imagine that {the thing you previously did} would also help {Company Name}{achieve {a specific goal they have}. 

Before {previous organization}, I {relevant experience 2} where I {achievement}. Through this process, I learned {what?} and that's really helped me {way that you've improved or achieved even more}. 

I noticed that {challenge you think the company might be facing} and I'm curious how you're thinking about addressing this challenge. At {previous organization}, we encountered a similar problem -- {describe the challenge related to experience 3}. I approached it by first {first thing you did}, then {second thing you did}, and ultimately, {any last steps you took}. This process helped us {meet a specific goal}, and I wonder if a similar approach might be helpful at {Company Name}. 

I believe {thing you think} and I admire that {Company Name} {thing they do that shows they share this belief or that this belief applies to them}. It would be a joy to bring my skills and experience to an organization that resonates with my values. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss how I might contribute to {Company Name} 's goals. 

Thank you for your consideration,

Example of Passion for Disruption Template In Action

Dear Olivia, 

Having started a personal finance venture myself, I know the importance of Chime's mission firsthand. I love that you are building products that help consumers make better financial decisions. I'm particularly impressed with how Chime's thoughtful features make it easier to save money -- I've learned that reducing friction is a great way to drive behavior change. I also really appreciate that the product works to protect consumers against fees, which differentiates it from other banking spaces. After reading your reviews on the app store, it's clear that these features help and customers notice. 

I'm very interested in contacting you about the prospect of joining your team as a Sales Team Leader. My extensive experiences in sales for personal finance and B2C applications seem like a great fit for your team.

As a Sales Manager at AutoGenius, I was responsible for an increase in over $4 million within my first year. I developed our talking points for positioning the company's first consumer-facing product, which now serves more than 300 partners and well over 100K consumers. To do this, I worked closely with our product team to really understand the benefits of our product and how it far exceeded the competition. I imagine that these skills would also help Chime better address customer needs. 

Before AutoGenius, I started a personal finance app to help parents and children learn how to save money. I maintained a weekly feedback loop with 50 families to help hone our prototype. Through this process, I learned the importance of showing customers what we mean rather than telling them, and that's helped me position products to solve customers' needs directly. 

I noticed that you're selling into a new market with your B2B offering, and I'm curious how you're thinking about addressing this challenge. At AutoGenius, I faced a similar problem -- getting our partners to adopt our first-ever consumer-facing product. I approached it by first conducting initial interviews to understand our partners' values and concerns better, and then I provided a product demo tailored to what I learned. This process helped us sell the first $350K with an 80% win rate, and I wonder if a similar approach might be helpful at Chime. 

I believe the best products and companies have interests aligned with their customers, and I admire that Chime builds its success on the success of its customers, in contrast with competitors in the financial space who make their money by charging fees. It would be a joy to join an organization that so clearly resonates with my values and background. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss how I might contribute to Chime's goals.

• Passion For The Mission 💕

Hiring managers love candidates passionate about their company's mission and are excited about the opportunity to contribute. If you're applying to a role because you really, genuinely care about the work the company is doing, then highlight that in your cover letter. 

Describe the company mission and give an example of how they are making a positive difference

Share two relevant experiences- each having an impressive outcome that tie into goals the company has

Include an example of something you did in the past that relates to their mission and the insights you can bring to the table

Cover Letter Template: Passion for the Mission 

Ever since {pivotal life experience}, {topic the company is solving} has been significant to me. That's why {Company Name} 's mission to {summary of company mission} appeals to me so much. I especially appreciate that {thing they are doing to support this mission}. Not only am I thrilled about the chance to contribute to {Company Name} 's mission, but I am also excited about the opportunity to help {Company Name} {do the main thing the role will do} as a {Job Title}. 

As a {previous role} at {previous organization}, I gained experience {experience you gained} that led to {impressive outcome}. I would be delighted to apply this experience to help {Company Name} achieve its goal of {specific related goal you can help meet). 

A little bit more about me:

At {previous organization}, I also {thing you accomplished} by {thing that you did}. I imagine that some of the lessons I learned would help me {tackle related problems the team is facing} as part of {Company Name} 's {job function} team.

Before {previous organization}, my passion for {relevant passion} led me to {relevant thing that you did}. I would welcome the opportunity to bring {insights you would bring} to {Company Name}. 

 It would be a dream come true for me to contribute my {relevant skills or experience} as a {Job Title} at an organization that's so aligned with my values and background. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss how I might leverage these experiences to contribute to {Company Name} 's mission. Thank you for your consideration! 

Best regards,

Example of Passion for the Mission Template In Action

Dear Jessica, 

Ever since Hurricane Sandy struck NYC and I experienced the power of extreme weather firsthand, addressing climate change has been really important to me. That's why Resciencia's mission to empower communities to adapt to climate change appeals to me so much. I especially appreciate that you coordinate directly with local stakeholders to give voice to communities on the front lines of climate change. Not only am I thrilled about the chance to contribute to Resciencia's mission, but I am also excited about the opportunity to help Resciencia generate awareness about climate change adaptation as a content marketing manager. 

As a content marketing manager at Climadata, I gained experience producing content, managing a content calendar, and scaling a content team that led to a 400% lift in organic web traffic and increased our brand recognition to become the leader in the space. I would be delighted to apply this experience to help Resciencia achieve its goal of becoming a thought leader in climate change adaptation. 

A little bit more about me: 

At Climadata, I also helped the sales team pitch to new audiences by defining our positioning for different personas and developing sales training. I imagine that some of the lessons I learned would help me support the partnerships team as they seek to influence local governments.

Before Climadata, my passion for climate solutions led me to pursue my Master's degree in public policy at Berkeley, where I studied environmental and climate policy. I would welcome the opportunity to bring my knowledge of the latest innovations in climate adaptation and policy to Resciencia. 

It would be a dream come true for me to contribute my storytelling and project-management skills as a content marketing manager at an organization that's so aligned with my values and background. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss how I might leverage these experiences to contribute to Resciencia's mission. Thank you for your consideration!

Best Regards,

• The Finishing Touches ✨

Once you have a solid draft of your cover letter complete, it's time to take a break. Seriously, close your computer, go for a walk, go to bed, or do something else for a few hours. Give your brain some time to disconnect from what you wrote.

Once you've gotten some distance from your cover letter draft, you should do a final review. Taking a break from looking at it for a while will help you read through it with a fresh set of eyes. You'll be more likely to identify some awkward sentence structures, develop more creative hooks, and catch any grammatical errors.

Doing a final read-through of your cover letter is so, so important. You put a ton of time into drafting it and applying for a role, so don't lose out on an opportunity because there was a silly typo in your cover letter!

As a reminder, here's the three paragraphs you've drafted so far. Now's the time to make any tweaks after seeing a few templates.

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How to write a cover letter

Need help? Here's how we can support you with your cover letters. If you’ve struggled with cover letters in the past and you’re worried they’re holding you back, we can help. Step 1:  Use the information below to write your cover letter Step 2: Upload your cover letter to  CareerSet for immediate feedback Make sure you read the whole of the feedback report, not just the bullet point highlights Edit your cover letter and reupload - repeat as many times as you like Step 3:  If you have a specific question that CareerSet can’t help you with, upload your cover letter to your documents on  Handshake  and message the careers Information Team, requesting a review. We do not offer a repeat cover letter 'checking' service, so when you have applied the feedback, you should return to CareerSet to help further refine your cover letter.  Read the  Talk to Us  page for more information about our support. Postgraduate students should also visit the Graduate Research School's  Applications and interviews  page.

What is a cover letter?

A cover letter (or covering letter) is a document that accompanies your CV when you are applying for jobs. It’s a chance for you to expand on your CV and explain why you’re interested in and qualified for the job.

Letter or email?

It’s unlikely that you’ll actually post a job application, but even when emailing an application many employers still prefer you to attach a cover letter and CV, rather than put the content of your cover letter in the body of your email.

Saying that, don’t worry too much. Just do what the employer asks you to do. If they say to apply with a CV and cover letter, attach a CV and cover letter to your email. If you’re unsure, ask us.

How to lay it out

Set out your cover letter as a formal letter. That means your name and address on the top right and the address of the employer on the left. Include the job title and/or job application reference. Sign off your letter ‘Yours faithfully’ or ‘Yours sincerely’ depending on who you have addressed the letter to (‘Yours sincerely’ when your letter is addressed to a person, ‘Yours faithfully’ when your letter is addressed to the organisation or ‘Sir/Madam’).

What to include

Unless you’re told otherwise, keep your cover letter brief. One side of A4 is enough. Here’s a general structure:

• Paragraph One: Introduce yourself and explain what’s motivated you to apply for this role. Explain why you want to work for the employer and why you want that specific role.
• Paragraph Two/three: Explain why you are suited to the role. Highlight your strengths, skills and experiences that are relevant. You can refer to sections of your CV but don’t just repeat what’s on there.
• Final paragraph: Conclusion. Draw everything together and end on a positive note.
• If you’re given instructions, follow them. Sometimes you’ll be given a word count or be told to write a cover letter no longer than one page of A4.
• Remember that your cover letter is a chance to show off your writing style and your ability to be concise. Do not ramble or write your letter like an academic essay.
• When outlining your skills, refer back to the job description to make it clear how your skills are relevant.
• If you’re sending a speculative application (applying for a role that isn’t being advertised) try to address your cover letter to a specific person. Letters addressed to the company or to ‘Sir/Madam’ are easily ignored. Use LinkedIn or the company website to find the name of the best person to contact.
• Proofread, and consider asking a family member or friend to check it. We can give you feedback on your cover letter but we do not provide a proofreading service. Use  Texthelp tools to get your computer to read out your answers to help you spot mistakes.

Speculative applications

A lot of jobs are never advertised; sometimes a job may even be created for you if you are the right person. Read our advice on sending speculative applications:

• In order to write a good speculative letter/email you will first need to do some research into the organisation you are writing to. This way you will be able to target your application to their needs and demonstrate your passion for the company, role and industry
• Catch the attention of the person you are writing to. Give them a clear reason to want to contact you and take things further. For example, demonstrate that you have relevant skills, perhaps through extra-curricular activities and explain how offering you work experience will be of benefit to them (not just you!). Include a web link to your best work if possible. Also demonstrate that you understand what they do as an organisation - perhaps mention an interest in the clients they work with/your enjoyment of a documentary they made/an article you read that resonated with you – ie really tailor the application to that particular organisation
• Be explicit about what you are asking for and what you can offer
• It is a good idea to write to a specific named individual. If necessary phone to clarify who the best person to contact would be before sending your letter/email. Company websites, X/Twitter and LinkedIn profiles may also be useful for this
• Follow it up! It’s a good idea to contact the organisation a week or two after you have sent it. Ask if they’ve had a chance to read it and whether there will be any opportunities for you. If not, find out if they know of anyone else you could approach for work experience opportunities
• Create an online presence: use social or professional networking sites like Facebook and LinkedIn. Not only can you find out about companies in this way, they can find out about you! Use X/Twitter to follow individuals working in the roles you are interested in - this will help you keep up to date with their news, but could also lead to job opportunities (eg they could put out a last minute call for help if a runner lets them down). However, remember they can check you out online, so think about the impression you want to give and lock down your privacy settings of anything personal you wouldn’t want them to see.

Cover letter examples

• Sample cover letter  on Prospects
• Sample cover letter for a speculative application  on Prospects
• Sample cover letter and speculative work experience approach  on TARGETjobs
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Covering Letters

Produce positive and relevant cover letters and emails that directly relate to the job you're applying for.

What are they for?

Covering letters have 2 main jobs: to e xplain what you are applying for and why you are applying, and to explain how you meet the organisation’s criteria.

It also demonstrates your written communication skills, so a well-written covering letter will sell you to a potential employer and encourage them to read your CV.

Because every job is different, that means every covering letter needs to be created from scratch. You need to give enough information to spotlight the important and relevant details on your CV – the letter is not simply a list of your academic qualifications and skills.

What does a covering letter look like?

A covering letter has a standard format.  Make your paragraphs concise and well organised, ensuring that each paragraph addresses only one important factor e.g. your motivation or suitability.

Structuring a cover letter

1. Introduction

Tell them why you are writing (e.g. for work experience or to apply for a specific vacancy; if the latter, give the job title and where you saw it advertised). Establish any links with the individual or the company to whom you are writing, if relevant, e.g. ‘I spoke with Jane Smith, a consultant at Deloitte, at a careers evening and she suggested I apply for this role’.

2. Why this organisation/Career Path/Sector?

Show that you know something about the organisation and why you would like to work for them. Never just repeat what is on their website. Perhaps you met someone from the company at a careers event or attended a presentation? If so, name them and the event. Explain what motivates you to work in this sector, what you know about it and what is happening currently. This is your chance to show you have researched their organisation, the sector, and potentially the career path too.

3. Why this job role?

You need to show that you understand what the job involves and why it is of interest to you. Look at the information in the job advert which explains what you’ll do in the role, and pick out any task or activities that particularly appeal to you. If it’s a traineeship or a development programme then you can also talk about how it is structured, such as the training provided, or the chance to rotate into different departments.

4. How you meet their requirements

The job advert will also detail the combination of qualifications, knowledge, skills, and experience they are looking for. Make sure to mention these requirements and provide evidence of how you match to them. Briefly detail in which part of your life you demonstrated these requirements so that they can then look for more information on your CV. You can refer to any aspect of your life e.g. side hustle, part-time work, your course, or a role within a club or society.

5. Finishing the letter (one brief paragraph)

This section is just to show that you are polite & know how to end a letter, but if you need to, you can briefly mention any additional factors e.g. why your degree result/A-level grades were not as good as expected, or when you are available if you are requesting work experience.

Letter format guidelines

• Layout: use a formal business letter layout with your address in the top right-hand corner and the name and address of the person and organisation you are applying to below, on the left-hand side. Include the date and any job reference below this. Make sure all names are spelled correctly.
• Length: one side of A4.
• Contact: always try and write to a specific, named person. Use their correct title e.g. ‘Dear Mr Jones’ or ‘Dear Ms Smith’. If you can’t get a name, use Dear Hiring Manager or Dear Sir/Madam,
• Font: Use something simple like Calibri or Arial, but make sure that it matches your CV or it will look like they were written by two different people.
• End the letter correctly: if you address the letter to a named person i.e. ‘Dear Ms Smith,’ sign off with ‘Yours sincerely’. Use ‘Yours faithfully’ if the letter is addressed to ‘Dear Hiring Manager’ or ‘Dear Sir/Madam’. Then leave a few lines and type your name in full, leaving space for your signature.

Applying by email

Make sure that whatever you are sending out is professionally presented and error free. Use the same font type and size in both covering letter and CV.  If you have been asked to send your application by email, you can attach both letter and CV to a brief email as .pdfs.  Alternatively, you can use the covering letter as the text of the email and attach your CV as a .pdf.  Make sure you follow any instructions the employer has given.

Speculative letters

A speculative application is sent to an organisation to see if they have any opportunities which have not yet been advertised.  It might be a good way of sourcing work experience or work shadowing, as long as you are willing to send a lot of them.  Writing a good speculative letter requires you to:

Do your research: good research and careful thinking around the employer/organisation will help you to suggest the roles/areas you are interested in. Employers like to receive suggestions as to the type of work you can do.

Think about the employer’s point of view: do explain what you can bring to the organisation, whether this is relevant experience, or an interest in this area of work and lots of enthusiasm.

Top tips for a winning cover letter:

• If you a finding it difficult to write your first draft, try using text generative AI. If you upload the text of the advert into your favourite Gen AI application, and ask it to draft a covering letter it will produce a generic draft that you can build from. If you add in a de-personalised version of your CV, it will produced a more tailored version. Either way, these are only first attempts , so be ready to improve them with your own ideas and communication skills.
• Proofread the letter before sending it. Grammar and spelling mistakes are likely to result in your application being rejected
• Make it clear what you are looking for i.e. a meeting to discuss your CV further, an interview or work shadowing. If it is a speculative letter, explain that you will follow it up with a phone call in the near future
• Always keep a copy of the job advert together with the covering letter and CV which you sent in response to it

Remember: we can help!

Book an appointment via MyJobsOnline and bring in your draft CV and covering letter to be checked by a Careers Consultant before you send it off.

Cover letters

What to include.

You can include information like:

• competencies
• credentials
• types of experiences 
• demonstrated accomplishments

If you're responding to a job posting:

• identify the organization
• refer to the position you’re applying for
• address an individual who is hiring (if possible)
• describe how your experiences and skills match the requirements of the position and how this will be benefit the employer
• avoid just repeating information from your resume – this is your chance to provide some context

If you're sending a letter to an employer who isn't currently hiring:

• identify the type of position you’re interested in
• explain why you're contacting the organization or person
• outline how your experience and competencies will bring value
• indicate when and how you’re going to follow up

How to structure it

Every cover letter is different, so this is just a suggestion of what you may want to include.

Introductory paragraph

• state your purpose and why you are applying
• list the job title and organization name
• show that you’ve researched the organization, such as referencing its mission or vision statement
• indicate your enthusiasm and state what you’ll bring to the organization

Middle paragraph or paragraphs

• use an active voice
• group information around the job requirements (e.g., your organizational skills)
• avoid starting every sentence with “I”
• use transition phrases (e.g., additionally, also)
• give solid examples of your past experience and the skills you bring as a result

Closing paragraph

• thank the organization
• criminal record check, age limit, citizenship/residency, driver’s license
• provide your contact information, if applicable
• restate your interest in the position and express interest in an interview

Keep your cover letter to 1 page unless otherwise specified. Match the font and style of your résumé.

Here are a few examples of cover letters:

Standard cover letter

Student name 250-555-5555   [email protected]

November 1, 20XX

Employer name Employer job title Employer organization

Re: Position and competition number (if provided on the job posting)

Dear employer,

I am writing to apply for the Recreation Assistant Position with School Name as posted on the UVic job site. Throughout high school and university I have been involved in peer support and special needs assistance. I have a strong belief that recreation should be available to all members of our society.

While working as a counsellor at Camp Thunderbird, I gained experience leading groups of teenagers in outdoor activities. This experience also allowed me to work with teens with special needs, helping to accommodate them so that they could get the most out of the Camp Thunderbird environment. Additionally, I have been volunteering as a peer helper at UVic, where I counsel students who are having a difficult time. These experiences have opened my eyes to how important it is to be inclusive and supportive in all environments.

My volunteer background also includes coaching athletics at the high school level, where I worked mainly with girls’ basketball and volleyball teams. During my coaching experience, I developed the interpersonal communication and leadership skills that will help me excel as a recreation assistant. My enthusiasm and dedication are key attributes that I bring to everything I do. I also have a Class 4 driver’s license.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to meeting with you to discuss this position in greater detail.

Sincerely, UVic Student

• your contact information should match the information on your résumé
• include the address of the organization that is hiring
• address the cover letter to a person if possible
• use real and detailed examples to highlight your qualifications
• focus on why you’ll be an asset to the employer, not how you’ll benefit from the job
• tell the employer what other competencies you have to offer
• thank the employer for considering your application and request an interview

Job posting

This standard cover letter refers to the following job posting:

Job title: Recreation Assistant Job location: Victoria Region: Victoria (Capital Region) Salary/wage: 18.50 Hours per week: 37.5 Number of positions: 2

Job description:

The person in this position will facilitate the recreation inclusion of people with disabilities into community-based leisure and recreation opportunities. This occurs under the overall supervision of the employer name. Evaluates leisure and recreation needs of clients and the assistance they require in order to participate in community leisure and recreation opportunities. Provides assistance to individuals with disabilities while they pursue their leisure and recreation interests. Encourages relationship building by facilitating the inclusion of clients with their non-disabled peers.

Other related duties as assigned.

Skills required:

• commitment to the recreation inclusion process
• ability to work independently
• knowledge and/or experience working with people with disabilities
• good communication skills
• good organizational skills
• valid standard first aid and CPR certification
• no transcript required with your application

Special job requirements:

• Class 4 Driver’s license

Bulleted cover letter

Student name Phone: 250-555-5555    Email: [email protected]

May 1, 20XX

I recently attended a Co-op and Career Fair open to students in the Bachelor of Commerce program, and was impressed by the breadth of public services offered by your company name

After reviewing the key objectives of the bureau and learning of the GoProject initiative, I understand the need for innovation in marketing this project. I am excited to be considered for the marketing analyst position. I am a strong academic performer with comprehensive training in research and marketing and the high degree of professionalism and technical skills required to support your team in its goals.

As a student leader with more than three years’ experience in marketing, I can offer:

• familiarity with marketing principles and personal management, demonstrated by my success in several university-level marketing courses while working part-time
• ability to produce marketing materials, both online and in print
• creative and innovative thinking with experience running a small community-based arts collective
• strong research and analytical skills, developed through case competitions and volunteer experience with Researchers Ltd.
• significant experience with standard marketing tools (Adobe Creative Suite, HubSpot, Hootsuite) and statistical/database software (SPSS, Excel, Access)

As a self-motivated business student with a genuine interest in the GoProject, I look forward to sharing my strengths in an organization devoted to providing quality services to all the constituents in BC. I meet all of the funding criteria outlined in the position description and am available to begin immediately.

Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards, Student name

• state why the company interests you and how your skills and experience would be an asset

The bulleted cover letter refers to the following job posting:

Position: Marketing Analyst Employer: Employer name Address applications to: Employer name

This position reports to the senior marketing analyst with the employer name responsible for the GoProject Initiative and will provide general support to that role including such activities as:

• working with the team to develop a comprehensive marketing plan for the GoProject Initiative
• researching past marketing practices and best practices in other jurisdictions
• analysis of survey and test marketing results using database software (Excel/Access)
• development of marketing materials using a variety of media

Candidate qualifications:

• demonstrated interest in marketing field
• basic research skills
• strong Excel skills, familiarity with other statistical/database management software an asset
• familiarity with any marketing software would be an asset

Prospecting letter

A prospecting letter is also known as a letter of interest. It is sent to potential employers who may be hiring but who haven’t listed a specific job opening.

Employer name Employer title Employer organization

Dear Mr. Scott,

I could not pass up the opportunity to inquire about a potential employment opportunity at the National Judicial Institute. I am presently enrolled in the Master of Arts in Public Administration program at the University of Victoria. In my attached résumé, you will see I have a proven ability to design, plan and lead high-impact programs. I possess the organizational and administrative acumen needed to translate a strategic vision into a results-producing action plan. In addition, I am motivated and enthusiastic and would appreciate the opportunity to contribute to your organization’s success.

With strong communication skills and a dynamic presentation and public speaking style, let me note that one of my greatest strengths is my ability to build relationships within and outside an organization. My experience working with community groups is as extensive as it is diverse. As a consultant and program manager, I was often tasked with the administration, development and implementation of strategies to assist or improve various programs, using my natural ability to establish consensus among cross-functional lines.

Key competencies:

• proven ability to design, plan and lead high-impact training programs and curriculum and possess the necessary organizational and administrative acumen to translate a strategic vision into a results-producing action plan
• strong interpersonal skills including listening, communication and mediation skills
• manage the creation and development of training programs and materials and evaluation systems to meet the needs of internal and external stakeholders
• continuously capitalize on best practices and lessons learned in order to optimize use of available resources and ensure the key program objectives are met
• demonstrated ability to communicate at all levels of an organization
• advanced ability to think conceptually and strategically, through understanding and analyzing complex situations or problems, identifying patterns or connections and developing innovative solutions in an environment of change

I am goal oriented, driven and not afraid of hard work. I will follow up to see if we can arrange a meeting in the future.

Writing your cover letter

A general cover letter that doesn’t address the particular job posting won’t cut it. You need a cover letter that addresses the employer’s needs.

Steps to writing a cover letter

• Assess the needs of the organization and how you can bring value. For help with this, see how to deconstruct a job posting .
• Choose your format and write your first draft.
• Get feedback and make revisions.
• Proofread and submit your cover letter.

Cover letter tips

• Gather background research on the organization and address your letter to a specific person if possible (or use “Dear Hiring Committee” if you don’t have a contact name). You can do a web search for the employer to see if they've been in the news recently.
• Explain why you’re writing by mentioning the job and organization by name.
• Identify what interests you about the job and describe how you can add value.
• Use detailed examples to describe your accomplishments and qualifications. It’s not enough to say that you have the skills; employers want to know how and when you’ve used them.
• Tailor your cover letter to the job posting by addressing the specific responsibilities of the position and the skills you can bring.
• Use fewer words and make each statement count. 
• Use professional language, correct spelling, punctuation and grammar.
• Use the action verbs list  to find strong action words.
• Use a writing style that’s clear, straightforward and genuine.
• Thank the organization for considering your application and state that you're interested in learning about next steps.

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Cover Letter Examples And Tips

• Application Tips
• Cover Letter

Dear applicant, you are here because you are probably looking for ways to nail your job application. Well, you are in the right place because this is where we will talk about cover letters. Yes, a cover letter is a crucial part of your job application, and mastering it is essential. A well-written cover letter is your chance to link your rad skills and experiences right to what the employer is looking for, basically saying, “Hey, I'm the one you need!”

Down below, we've got a bunch of cover letter examples for all sorts of jobs, plus some super helpful tips for each. Not seeing your job on the list? No worries, you can just follow our tips for ‘How to Write a Cover Letter’ and nail any type of application letter!

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Related Cover Letter Articles

How to write a cover letter.

Best Tips to nail your cover letter.

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No Experience Example

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Sales Example

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Engineering Example

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Nursing Example

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Marketing Example

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Hospitality Example

Ace your hospitality cover letter with our tips and examples.

Basic Application Letter Tips

An application letter extends beyond your CV , letting you showcase your personality and enthusiasm for the role. The best cover letter tips emphasize personalization and research about the company. Writing a good cover letter starts by structuring your letter with an engaging opening, relevant body, and a strong closing.

Hints on how to write an outstanding application letter include maintaining professionalism and attention to detail. In this section, you can find more cover letter tips and examples that can guide you in aligning your skills with job requirements.

Utilize these expert cover letter tips, and make a lasting impression!

FAQ About Cover Letters

What comprises a cover letter?

A cover letter typically comprises your and company's contact information, an opening paragraph, 2-3 body paragraphs and a formal closing paragraph with a call to action.

What are the best cover letter tips that will make it stand out?

A standout cover letter is personalized, reflecting your understanding of the job and the company. It showcases your unique personality, links your skills directly to the job requirements. Professionalism and attention to detail are also crucial for making a lasting impression.

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Placement Officer Cover Letter Example

Get hired faster & learn to perfect your cover letter with this downloadable Placement Officer cover letter example. Use this cover letter sample free of charge or edit it directly using our easy-to-use cover letter builder.

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Placement Officer Cover Letter Example (Full Text Version)

Sophie Kirsch

Dear Recruiters,

This email is in regards to my interest in applying for the Placement Officer job within the University of Southern California recently posted and advertised on LinkedIn.com. As I have been following your institution for many years, it would be an honor for me to have a chance to join your team. Moreover, having more than three years of extensive industry experience, I believe I would successfully execute the role and all associated duties.

With a formal background in human resources, I am fully adept at all aspects of the job. At the University of Kansas, where I worked as a Placement Office for three years, I was known as an individual with a proactive approach, exceptional work ethic, and a strong determination to succeed and meet all assigned goals and objectives. Besides providing professional career counseling services to university students and building and maintaining strategic relationships with the HR Managers and Executives from various companies, I was also responsible for the organization and coordination of various networking events, creation of new career development materials, and serving as the first point of contact between employers and the university. Throughout the years, I have demonstrated multiple times that I excel at working both independently and in team environments. Moreover, I won the Employee of the Month Award for increasing the student satisfaction with provided university career services from 75% to 98% within three years.

On top of my experience, I am the Kansas State University graduate with a Human Resource Management degree which serves as an excellent evidence of my field knowledge and expertise. Offering exceptional analytical skills, well-developed communication abilities, and a proven track record of extraordinary achievements, I am confident that I am a perfect candidate for the role. Finally, I have enclosed my resume for your further review so please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any additional information on my qualifications. I would also appreciate the opportunity to meet with you in person to discuss the job in more detail. Thank you for your time and consideration and I look forward to speaking with you soon.

Kind regards,

Milan Šaržík, CPRW

Milan’s work-life has been centered around job search for the past three years. He is a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW™) as well as an active member of the Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Careers Coaches (PARWCC™). Milan holds a record for creating the most career document samples for our help center – until today, he has written more than 500 resumes and cover letters for positions across various industries. On top of that, Milan has completed studies at multiple well-known institutions, including Harvard University, University of Glasgow, and Frankfurt School of Finance and Management.

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