sample cover letter without college degree

Professional No Degree Cover Letter Examples for 2024

When crafting your no degree cover letter, it's crucial to not apologize for your lack of formal education. Be bold and showcase your practical skills and experience instead. Focus on your accomplishments and how they align with the job requirements. Your cover letter should highlight your unique value, painting a picture of success without traditional credentials.

Cover Letter Guide

No Degree Cover Letter Sample

Cover Letter Format

Cover Letter Salutation

Cover Letter Introduction

Cover Letter Body

Cover Letter Closing

No Experience No Degree Cover Letter

Key Takeaways

Embarking on your job search, you've hit a snag: the cover letter. It's a hurdle, especially without a degree to highlight. This letter isn't a resume echo but a spotlight on your proudest professional moment, told with passion and precision. Straying from clichés and keeping it to a single page, you’ll learn to craft a cover letter that holds attention without overstepping formal boundaries. Let’s dive into writing a no degree cover letter that stands out, just like your unique skills.

• Including all the must-have paragraphs in your structure for an excellent first impression;
• Learning how to write individual sections from industry-leading cover letter examples;
• Selecting the best accomplishment to tell an interesting and authority-building professional story;
• Introducing your profile with personality, while meeting industry standards.

And, if you want to save some time, drag and drop your no degree resume into Enhancv's AI, which will assess your profile and write your job-winning cover letter for you.

If the no degree isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:

• No Degree resume guide and example
• Military to Civilian cover letter example
• Stay at Home Mom cover letter example
• Campus Director cover letter example
• Returning to Work cover letter example
• Work from Home cover letter example
• Spanish Translator cover letter example
• Site Manager cover letter example
• Volunteer cover letter example
• US cover letter example
• Career Change cover letter example

No Degree cover letter example

MARCUS HALL

Symbolic City, State

+1-(234)-555-1234

[email protected]

• Reference to specific experience that aligns with the company's values (e.g., experience at Tesla related to sustainable practices).
• Quantifiable achievements that demonstrate impact on efficiency and profitability (e.g., enhancing efficiency by 25%, increasing revenue by $300,000).
• Highlighting specialized methodologies and certifications (e.g., Lean Six Sigma) that are relevant to the role.
• Mention of adaptability and leadership skills (e.g., spearheading cross-functional initiatives) to demonstrate the capability to drive projects.

Five tips on formatting your no degree cover letter

Do you want to make a good impression on recruiters and, at the same time, follow the best industry advice on writing your no degree cover letter?

Make sure to include the following:

• Header and Salutation;
• Introductory paragraph;
• Body paragraph;
• Closing paragraph;
• Signature (this one is up to you).

Remember to use the same modern, simple font for your no degree cover letter as you did for your resume (e.g. Lato, Rubik, etc.)

Ensure your no degree cover letter is single-spaced and is wrapped around a one-inch margin, like in our cover letter templates .

Once completed, use our cover letter builder to export your no degree cover letter in the best format to keep your information intact - PDF.

At the end of the day, your no degree cover letter won't be assessed by the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) software, but by the recruiters. Your information should thus be legible, organized, and follow a structured logic.

The top sections on a no degree cover letter

Header: This section includes your contact information and the date, which is essential for the recruiter to know who you are and how to reach you for further discussions or to schedule an interview.

Greeting: A personalized greeting addresses the hiring manager or the recruitment team directly, showing that you have done your research and are genuinely interested in the position.

Opening Paragraph: Your opening should capture the recruiter's attention by conveying enthusiasm for the role and briefly highlighting your most relevant skills or experiences that compensate for the lack of a degree.

Body: In the body of your cover letter, expand on your relevant skills, accomplishments, and work experiences, providing concrete examples that demonstrate your suitability and potential value to the organization despite not having a formal degree.

Closing: Your closing paragraph is the opportunity to reiterate your interest in the role, thank the recruiter for considering your application, and include a call to action, such as expressing your desire for a personal interview or discussing how you can contribute to the company.

Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter

Since you didn't specify a job title, I'll provide a general list. Please provide a job title for a more targeted list.

• Relevant work experience: Demonstrates practical skills and knowledge acquired through hands-on roles.
• Transferable skills: Highlights abilities such as communication, leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork.
• Continual learning: Shows commitment to self-improvement and professional development despite the absence of formal education.
• Industry knowledge: Exemplifies awareness and understanding of the sector or field pertinent to the job.
• Work ethic: Emphasizes dedication, reliability, and the willingness to go above and beyond in previous roles.
• Adaptability: Indicates the ability to quickly learn and effectively respond to changing work environments or demands.

How to address hiring managers in your no degree cover letter greeting

Goodbye, "Dear Sir/Madam" or "To whom it may concern!"

The salutation of your no degree cover letter is how you kick off your professional communication with the hiring managers.

And you want it to start off a bit more personalized and tailored, to catch the recruiters' attention.

Take the time to find out who's recruiting for the role (via LinkedIn or the company page).

If you have previously chatted or emailed the hiring managers, address them on a first or last name basis.

The alternative is a "Dear HR team" or "Dear Hiring Manger", but remember that a "Dear Ms. Simmons" or "Dear Simon," could get you farther ahead than an impersonal greeting.

List of salutations you can use

• Dear Hiring Manager,
• Dear [Specific Department] Team,
• Dear [Company Name] Recruiter,
• Dear [Mr./Ms./Dr.] [Last Name],
• Dear Search Committee,
• Dear Talent Acquisition Team,

Introducing your profile to catch recruiters' attention in no more than two sentences

The introduction of your no degree cover letter is a whole Catch 22 .

You have an allocated space of no more than just a paragraph (of up to two sentences). With your introduction, you have to stand out and show why you're the best candidate out there.

Set out on a journey with your no degree cover letter by focusing on why you're passionate about the job. Match your personal skills and interests to the role.

Another option for your no degree cover letter introduction is to show you're the ideal candidate. Write about how your achievements and skills are precisely what the company is looking for.

However you decide to start your no degree cover letter, always remember to write about the value you'd bring about. Making it both tangible (with your metrics of success) and highly sought out.

What to write in the body of your no degree cover letter

Now that you've got your intro covered, here comes the heart and soul of your no degree cover letter.

It's time to write the middle or body paragraphs . This is the space where you talk about your relevant talent in terms of hard skills (or technologies) and soft (or people and communication) skills.

Keep in mind that the cover letter has a different purpose from your no degree resume.

Yes, you still have to be able to show recruiters what makes your experience unique (and applicable) to the role.

But, instead of just listing skills, aim to tell a story of your one, greatest accomplishment.

Select your achievement that:

• covers job-crucial skills;
• can be measured with tangible metrics;
• shows you in the best light.

Use the next three to six paragraphs to detail what this success has taught you, and also to sell your profile.

Closing paragraph basics: choose between a promise and a call to action

You've done all the hard work - congratulations! You've almost reached the end of your no degree cover letter .

But how do you ensure recruiters, who have read your application this far, remember you?

Most no degree professionals end their cover letter with a promise - hinting at their potential and what they plan on achieving if they're hired.

Another option would be to include a call for follow-up, where you remind recruiters that you're very interested in the opportunity (and look forward to hearing from them, soon).

Choose to close your no degree cover letter in the way that best fits your personality.

What could you write about in your no degree cover letter when you have no experience

Candidates with zero professional experience often struggle to write their no degree cover letter .

You may lack experience, but your application could still be impressive when you focus on your strengths.

Consider your most relevant talents (and/or one achievement) that align with the role and help you stand out.

Perhaps you spent every summer volunteering at your local dog pound - think of the job-relevant skills this experience taught you.

Sharing your tangible career goals is another good strategy to stand out.

Key takeaways

Writing your no degree cover letter doesn't need to turn into an endless quest, but instead:

• Create an individual no degree cover letter for each role you apply to, based on job criteria (use our builder to transform your resume into a cover letter, which you could edit to match the job);
• Stick with the same font you've used in your resume (e.g. Raleway) and ensure your no degree cover letter is single-spaced and has a one-inch margin all around;
• Introduce your enthusiasm for the role or the company at the beginning of your no degree cover letter to make a good first impression;
• Align what matters most to the company by selecting just one achievement from your experience, that has taught you valuable skills and knowledge for the job;
• End your no degree cover letter like any good story - with a promise for greatness or follow-up for an interview.

Cover letter examples by industry

AI cover letter writer, powered by ChatGPT

Enhancv harnesses the capabilities of ChatGPT to provide a streamlined interface designed specifically focused on composing a compelling cover letter without the hassle of thinking about formatting and wording.

• Content tailored to the job posting you're applying for
• ChatGPT model specifically trained by Enhancv
• Lightning-fast responses

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Resume With no College Degree Example + Writing Tips

No degree? No problems. History knows plenty of highly successful college dropouts who banked on practical experience over formal credentials. Besides, enrolling in a university isn’t the only way to obtain a quality education — you’ve got online courses, professional certification programs, and coaching programs! 

Employers also increasingly recognize that screening out applicants based on their degree doesn’t work in their favor. Almost half of US companies have already eliminated (or plan to remove) degree requirements for most positions. Among them are large employers like Walmart , IBM , and Dell Technologies among others. 

Yet, you’re still required to provide a coherent resume as part of the job application. So do you best address your lack of a degree in a resume?

This post provides several working resumes without college degree examples, alongside actionable writing and formatting tips for each section.

Resume With no College Degree: Example (Word)

Download resume example (.docx)

No College Degree Resume Example (plain text)

Creative growth manager in the SaaS domain, delivering user base growth of up to 35% YoY and churn reduction of 20%. Specializes in growth hacking, social media user acquisition, and PR.

Key Skills 

Social Media Marketing｜Paid Media｜Influencer Outreach｜Digital PR ｜Community Management

Work Experience

SaaS Subscription Company,   Superstition, Arizona

Growth Manager (Nov. 2017 – Present)

• Worked with the data science team to gather and analyze customer sentiment around products in our niche and develop targeted social media campaigns.
• Secured 15 endorsements from industry thought leaders, resulting in reviews on blogs with 100K+ monthly audience.
• Cultivated and established relationships with journalists, resulting in product reviews on Forbes, Fast Company and Inc Magazine.
• Increased the total user base by 35% within one year.

Food Mobile App, Phoenix, Arizona

Social Media Marketing Manager (July 2015 – October 2017)

• Developed a communication strategy for the company’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts.
• Created a regular publishing schedule, maintained high engagement with users. Follower account growth on Twitter +5,000 followers in 1 year; on Instagram +13,000 followers in 1 year.
• Managed the collaborated with industry influencers on seasonal marketing campaigns. Reported on budgets and key KPIs.

Professional Certificates and Training 

Certifications: 

HubSpot Social Media Certification 2016-2019. Google Analytics Certification Facebook Ad Certification

Content Strategy for Professionals: Engaging Audiences completed in December 2017 at coursera.org. Offered by Northwestern University. Influencer Marketing Strategy completed in April 2018 at coursera.org. Offered by Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content completed in June 2018 at coursera.org. Offered by Wharton School of Business.

Sample Resume Without College Degree But Credits

Lydia Price

Customer Success Manager for FinTech & EdTech Brands

Proactive CSM with strong people skills and a proven track record of improving business metrics. Reduced customer churn rates by 15% in one quarter for the personal finance management app. Maintained a 98% CSAT for managed customer accounts for a corporate learning platform. 

Skills & Competencies 

• Relationship management 
• Digital community building 
• Customer onboarding
• Customer retention 
• Sales demos and presentations 
• Deal management and negotiation 
• Business analysis with Power BI 
• Salesforce, HubSpot, Zendesk

Work Experience 

Customer Success Manager FinTech Company Atlanta, GA May 2021-present 

Joined as the first CSM hire to a Series B startup, offering personal finance and wealth management services to Millennial consumers. During the first year in the role, focused primarily on customer retention and churn reduction. Performed customer surveys and did sentiment and statistic analysis of responses. Conducted 1:1 user interviews to elicit new insights and pitch personalized service offers. Collaborated with the product management team on implementing new user retention features (investment goal tracking, automated savings, and round-ups, personalized market analysis digests). Achieved a 15% churn reduction in 12 months. 

Junior CSM  EdTech Company  Atlanta, GA July 2019-April 2021

Worked with a roster of corporate eLearning clients (primarily in the manufacturing sector). Facilitated with preparation of product presentations, demos, and sales decks. Took an active part in negotiating B2B contracts through a 12-month sales cycle. Developed and pitched up-sell opportunities with a 25% conversion rate. After a year, was appointed to run the annual CSAT program.  

Customer Support Specialist  Ecommerce Business  Atlanta, GA Sep 2018-June 2019

Handled customer support tickets via Zendesk for an online fashion retailer. Provided assistance with shipping tracking, product returns, and refund processing. Helped troubleshoot common payment and online ordering issues. Maintained an average customer review score of 95%. 

Education: 

University of Atlanta (2017-2018) Atlanta, GA BA: Business Administration  Completed 45 credit hours in 2017-18 before dropping out. 

Professional certifications: 

• Customer Success Association – Certified Customer Success Manager (CCSM), issued in 2018. 
• HubSpot – Inbound Sales Certification, issued in 2020. 

Pro Tip: How to Put Education on a Resume Without a Degree

When it comes to listing education on a resume without a degree, several scenarios are possible. 

First, you may have an unfinished degree . You’re still either pursuing it or decided that formal education isn’t for you. In this case, here’s how to style your education entry on a resume: 

University of Toronto (2022 – 2023) Toronto, CA BS: Accounting — Completed 25 Hours Passed Grade 1 Certification Examination

An alternative scenario is that you’ve never even gone to college or a trade school (which is fine!). But it doesn’t mean the education section on your resume has to be blank. 

In place of a formal degree, you can mention the following:

• Professional certifications and licenses: List all the credentials you have obtained to develop your skill set. Make sure to add the year and validity status if applicable. 
• Professional training and courses: Create a curated list of programs, workshops, or masterclasses (online and in-person) that you’ve completed to show your competencies. 
• On-the-job training: Mention relevant training your former employer(s) have administered. 

Here’s how a sample education section on a resume may look like in this case:

• Professional Certificate in Content Design by UX Design Institute, issued in 2021. 
• Google UX Design Professional Certificate, issued in 2022
• Online courses from Interaction Design Foundation: “Mobile UI Design”, “Design Thinking”, and “Information Visualization”. 

How to Have a Great Resume Without a College Degree

For hiring managers, degrees are often a quick proof point of the candidate’s competency. Your goal is to emphasize your qualifications through other means: On-the-job experiences, skills, and work accomplishments. Focus on showing what you can do in practice, rather than just stating that you know the “theory”. Below are step-by-step tips for writing a resume without a college degree. 

Open With a Compelling Resume Summary

Open your resume with a succinct and memorable resume summary pitching the value you can bring to the company. Think of it as a quick “punch line” that immediately grabs attention and brands you as an experienced and promising candidate.

Here are a few tips to help you brainstorm a solid summary statement:

• Attempt to write it after the work experience section.
• Create a quick list of 3-5 top achievements in your career based on what you wrote in the experience section.
• Re-read the job posting once again to determine which ones will be the most relevant to the employer.
• Don’t pitch what you “can do”. Instead, tell what you have already accomplished.
• Avoid vague, generic statements like these will make you sound like every other candidate applying for the job.

Read more about writing and styling a winning resume header . 

Keep The Focus On Your Accomplishments And Experience

In the chronological resume format , the “Work Experience” section comes first. Thus, you’ll have plenty of room to make a solid impression before the HR scans to the bottom education part. Make this section the focal point of your resume. Speak to your accomplishments at every position you have held, quantifying them with relevant numbers whenever possible. 

Showcase that you have solid hard and soft skills , highly relevant to the role. Prove that you are a solid performer that can bring a tangible impact to the new organization. Here’s a quick template you can use for that:

Position Name 

Employer 

Dates of employment 

• List key skills and the results they helped achieve for the company
• Quantify your impact with numbers if possible to add extra weight 
• Describe your growth and extra skills/experiences you’ve acquired. 

Emphasize Alternative Education And Courses

Today formal education can be easily replaced with alternative training, offered by e-learning providers and MOOCs. Prestigious universities like Harvard , Stanford , Yale , and others offer free online courses and issue certificates of completion. Moreover, there are plenty of niche credentials you can obtain to complement your work experience and demonstrate that you have an up-to-date, hands-on skill set.  

Add these to your education section to make it more authoritative. Also, you can list all the professional training you have obtained on the job, plus add masterclasses, conferences, industry certifications, and so on. 

Finally, you can also list hobbies and interests if these are relevant to the job and help demonstrate your skill sets. For example, saying that you’re an avid marathon runner can strengthen your profile as a potential personal trainer. 

Edit Your Resume for Impact 

Once you are done with the initial writing, change gears for a while and then sit down to review your resume once again. Specifically, look for any gaps or vagueness that may leave the employer wondering about your expertise.

Sprinkle in additional power words and keywords (taken from the job description) to better articulate your competencies. Beef up your accomplishments and duties and re-check the texts for any grammar and formatting mistakes.

Pro tip: Use our free resume builder to create a well-formatted resume 2X faster. The app automatically guides you through each section and then generates a recruiter-friendly resume in Word or PDF format in one click. 

Final Tip: Apply Even If Your Feel Underqualified

A lot of job posts come with specific education requirements in terms of BA/MA. Don’t skip on these if you feel that you are otherwise a strong fit. A lot of employers prefer candidates with strong hands-on experience to those with a less diverse background, but the said degree.

Thus, emphasize your skills and career progression to showcase what results you can drive for this particular company. The best way to do so is by writing a strong resume summary/career statement and placing a stronger accent on your skills.

Elena runs content operations at Freesumes since 2017. She works closely with copywriters, designers, and invited career experts to ensure that all content meets our highest editorial standards. Up to date, she wrote over 200 career-related pieces around resume writing, career advice... more

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Sample Cover Letter With No Experience in Field (And How to Write Yours)

By Biron Clark

Published: November 10, 2023

Cover Letters | Recent Grads

Biron Clark

Writer & Career Coach

Writing an articulate cover letter is challenging for all job seekers. But if you have little or no work experience in a field, the stakes are higher. It’s more challenging to prove your value when you don’t have a series of professional accomplishments to back up your assertions. On the bright side, you probably have more to offer an employer than you realize. You just have to package your strengths the right way.

In this article, you’re going to learn how to write a cover letter for a job with no experience in that field. And we’ll look at a full sample after going through the steps.

Let’s get started…

How to Write a Cover Letter With No Experience

1. the main purpose of your cover letter with no experience.

The purpose of a cover letter is to complement your resume and convince more employers to interview you. You may refer to your resume when writing a cover letter for a job application, but you must expand upon points made in the resume when writing the cover letter.

The cover letter should breathe life into the points made in the resume, and create a compelling—or even emotional—narrative around your career hopes and aspirations . It’s your chance to tell your story and show that you have the passion and the drive to come into a job and make a difference.

And at the end, it should ASK for the interview. We’ll talk about that coming up. Let’s get started by going through how to write a cover letter with no experience, step-by-step…

2. Cover Letter Contact Information

When beginning a cover letter for a job application, start with your contact details in the top left-hand corner of the page. Include your name, city of residence, phone number, and email address. (To preserve your privacy, do not include your physical address). You should also include your LinkedIn URL. Next, write the name of the company you’re applying to, and its city of residence.

3. Your Salutation

Ideally, you address your reader by name in your salutation. Internet sleuthing may reveal the name of the hiring manager. If you can’t find a name, you have two options: call the organization and ask to learn more about the position, or write “Dear ” or “Dear Hiring Manager.”

This isn’t ideal, though. You should really only be sending a cover letter if you know the hiring manager’s name and have some specific information about the position. So if you know nothing specific about the hiring manager or job, and the company hasn’t asked for a cover letter specifically, then you probably don’t need to send it .

4. Cover Letter Introduction

Use this section of your cover letter to introduce yourself and share your enthusiasm and why you applied for the position .

Start with your name and provide some background on your strengths. Always identify the position you’re seeking and how you learned about it. If someone at the company told you about the job, then mention that person’s name (only after asking their permission, though). Aim for one to two sentences in your Introduction—keep it short, sweet, and precise.

Example Cover Letter Introduction with No Experience in the Field:

“Hello, my name is Grace Addington, and I’m a goal- and detail-oriented civil engineering graduate from Petaluma College. I was excited to learn about the Junior Engineer internship at Bay Area Rapid Transportation through my former classmate Katie Heinz.”

5. Body Paragraphs

Here comes the most critical part of writing a cover letter with no experience. The purpose of your body paragraphs (one to two brief paragraphs, tops) is to prove that you’re the best candidate for the position. Seeing as how you have little or no previous professional work experience to fall back on, you’ll want to place emphasis on soft skills —attributes of a personal nature that say a lot about your work ethic and ability to work in sync with others. Or, if you have job-related skills (AKA hard skills) from another type of role, point out how those skills will help you transition into this next job and succeed quickly.

That’s what hiring managers are looking for! So while it’s great to write about soft skills and put together a cover letter talking about how you’re willing to learn their job… it’s much better to point out any hands-on experience that you have. So if you’re able, always highlight that first and foremost.

For example, if you had an internship, worked in an unrelated field, did a few academic projects while studying, gave a presentation, etc., those are still valuable pieces to put on your resume AND in your cover letter.

Your resume likely already consists of part-time jobs or school activities or memberships in school associations that maybe aren’t 100% related to the job you’re going after.

Look closer, though—you’ve probably garnered skills in these experiences that can carry over to the job you’re applying for. Below are two examples of cover letter body paragraphs that hone in on two key phrases noted in a job advertisement as requirements: “strong interpersonal skills” and “positive work ethic.” You should be able to figure out pretty quickly which example hits the mark.

Let’s look at two sample paragraphs now from cover letters with no experience in a field:

“I am Twig & Twine’s ideal office manager. As my resume states, I served as an RA at my dorm. I know how to manage an array of things.”

“You’re looking for a candidate with strong interpersonal skills and a positive work ethic. While serving as an RA at Porter College’s main dormitory, I planned monthly social events for over 200 students, settled two to five student disputes per week, and mentored a select group of students in Composition. The experience taught me, rather quickly, how to efficiently multi-task, and how to effectively settle conflicts of all types in a calm, level-headed manner. I feel confident stating that I can bring these talents to Twig & Twine’s office manager position.”

The second example takes the duties that likely appeared in the RA position on the resume and then digs deep, illustrating how the tackling of those duties turned into accomplishments, and led the applicant to grow the crucial skills needed for the office manager position.

One last thing about body paragraphs—remember to frame your message around the employer’s needs, and not yours. Focus on what you can bring to the job, and how your talents will translate into success for the company. That’s important in any cover letter, and becomes even more crucial in a cover letter with no previous work experience.

6. Concluding Your Cover Letter

End your cover letter by reiterating why you’re the best candidate and express your interest once again in the position. And ask them for the interview! It’s surprising but most job seekers don’t do this, and it’s been shown to improve your chances of getting a call to come in for an interview!

So conclude your cover letter by thanking the reader for the time they took to review your application, and tell them you’d like to find a time to meet for an interview to see if it might be a good fit to work together. To close, sign off formally. Try “Respectfully yours” or “Sincerely.”

7. Proofread Everything

Before sending out your new cover letter, read it out loud to catch errors quickly. Ask a trustworthy person to read it as well. Nothing stops you from getting interviews faster than an obvious typo or error in your cover letter or resume, and you only have to check once, but make sure you’re checking it thoroughly!

8. Save it as a PDF

Once the content is finalized, save it as a PDF and title it “ Cover Letter” to prevent confusion. Voila! You’re done. If you follow the tips above, you’ll have a great cover letter with no experience so you can get interviews and job offers in this new field!

Sample Cover Letter With No Experience in Field:

Next, let’s look at a full sample of a cover letter that explains why you’d fit well in a role ( and why you chose to apply for this type of role ):

Dear Name, I’m writing to you regarding the Sales Associate job posting, which I believe reports to you. I can offer 5+ years of experience working directly with customers over the phone and in person, primarily in customer support. Although I haven’t worked directly in sales, my customer support experience has helped me build skills in communication, persuasion, and problem-solving, which I believe will translate well into selling software subscriptions for your firm. I’m motivated to transition into sales to continue challenging myself and growing in my career, and I’ve always enjoyed a challenge, which I think working in sales will provide me. I’ve attached my resume for your review. If any of the above sounds interesting, I’d welcome the chance to talk on the phone this week. Thanks for considering my note today. Best regards, Your Name

This cover letter is upfront and clear that you have no experience in the field of sales, but shows that you’re willing to learn and excited to learn this new job. That’s essential!

You don’t JUST want to say you’re willing to learn, though. You want to PROVE that you’ll be able to learn. That’s why this letter also mentions the experience you have that is most similar. In the case of the example above, it’s the customer service experience and communication skills.

While this person may not have sold anything to customers, they still interacted with customers directly, which will be seen as a plus.

One other thing you should always point out if possible: Experience working in the same industry. So if you’ve never done sales, but you did customer support in the exact same industry as the employer, that’s a huge plus… because it means you’ll have less learning needed on the job!

Other Articles That May Help You:

• 3 more tips for writing a cover letter that stands out.
• General tips for how to get a job with no experience.
• How to write the perfect resume “Summary” section with no experience.

About the Author

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This really helped me

Thanks for this! Really helpful for me as a new graduate and non native English speaker. I’ve started using the steps here and am planning on sending a lot of applications this week to see how it works.

Thank you for the examples. I hav ea little bit of experience so I’m not writing the cover letter with absolutely no work experience but this still is helpful and seems to work for me.

One hiring manager told me that the reason they chose to call me was my cover letter.

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How to Get a Good Job Without a College Degree

Ask: Can I Do the Job?

Consider taking courses, connect your skills to the job listing, network as much as possible, stay positive, tips for the job interview.

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Sometimes, you will see a job that seems like an ideal fit for you —with one major exception. What do you do when the job listing says, “College degree recommended” or “College degree required” and you don’t have that degree?

The good news is that there are ways to get a good job without a college degree, even if the job listing says it is a requirement. In fact, some hiring managers simply say this because it’s easier to ask for a college degree than to dig down into which skills are most valuable for the job.   If you can demonstrate that you have the skills and experience needed for the job, some employers will overlook your lack of a degree.  

There are some things you can do throughout the job search process to get a good job that pays well without a college degree.

Before applying for the job, look carefully at the job listing. Read the job description, looking in particular at any “required” skills or experiences. Then ask yourself the question, “Can I do the job?” If you have most of the skills and abilities needed for the job, but are only lacking the required degree, go for it.

Keep in mind that if the degree is listed as “recommended” or “desired” instead of “required,” the hiring manager will be more likely to look at an applicant without the degree.

However, if you lack the degree and you don’t have many of the required skills and work experience, you might not want to apply. There is no sense in wasting your time and energy applying for a job that is not right for you.

Even if you are unable to get a four-year bachelor’s degree (or a two-year associate’s degree), you can always take small steps in your education that would impress a hiring manager:

• Consider taking courses in your industry at a local college. You could then include these courses in the “ Education ” section of your resume.
• You can also complete certificate programs related to the job and include those on your resume. Many certificate programs have flexible schedules, and some are even online.

All of these things would show a hiring manager that, while you don’t have a college degree, you are working toward developing a strong academic background.

Similarly, include any education that you do have . If you have some college experience, you can say “Bachelor’s studies” on your resume or list the related courses (or certificate programs) that you have taken.

Whatever you do, don’t lie. Don’t say you have a bachelor’s degree if you only completed part of your studies. Employers will check your background during the hiring process, and if you lie, they can rescind an offer or even fire you.

When you don’t have the educational requirements, be sure to show how you are a good fit for the job in every other way. The best way to do this is to connect your skills and experiences to the job listing .

Include any keywords from the job listing, particularly skill words. For example, if the job listing says applicants need to have “Experience in data analytics,” you might mention your years of work in data analytics in your resume summary or in your summaries of previous jobs.

Networking is a good way to get an interview when you are applying for a job and lack the required degree. When you apply, reach out to anyone you know at the company . Let them know you are applying for the job, and see if they are willing to write you a recommendation , or tell the hiring manager about you . In your cover letter , mention that you spoke to this person about the job.

You can also do this if you have not found a specific job opening. Reach out to any contacts and ask if you can talk to them about the industry or about your current job search. This might lead to information about a job opening.

In your cover letter , avoid focusing on your lack of a degree. Sentences like, “I know I don’t have a bachelor’s degree, but…” only highlight your lack of a degree. Instead, focus on the skills that you do have, and explain how your job experiences make you a strong fit for the job.

If you get the job interview , great! Here are a few tips to help you impress the hiring manager, even if you don’t have the required bachelor’s degree.

Project confidence. Like your cover letter, avoid defensive statements like, “I know I don’t have a bachelor’s degree, but…” Only address your lack of a degree if they ask.

If you focus too much on the qualifications you don’t have, the employer won’t see what qualifications you do have.

Focus on your skills and experience. When answering questions, try to mention any keywords from the job listing. Make sure to highlight your skills and experiences that make you a good fit for the job.

Show how you will add value. Because you don’t have the required degree, you have to go above and beyond to show that you are the right person for the job. One way to do this is to focus on how you will add value to the company . Perhaps you have helped reduce costs or increased efficiency at other companies. Highlight these experiences and explain that you would like to add value to this company too.

Prepare an answer to the likely question. While you do not want to emphasize your lack of a bachelor’s degree, the hiring manager might ask you about it. You might get a question like, “I see you don’t have a bachelor’s degree. Do you think this will hinder you on the job?” Be sure to have an answer prepared. When you answer, again try to emphasize your qualifications (rather than focusing on the drawbacks to not having the degree).

The Washington Post. “ Wanted for Any Job: A Bachelor’s Degree. Is That Smart ?” Accessed Nov. 15, 2020.

Glassdoor. “ 15 More Companies That No Longer Require a Degree—Apply Now .” Accessed Nov. 13, 2020.

Sample Cover Letter With No Experience in The Field

When looking for a job, you may soon realize that there’s a Catch-22. You need to prove that you have the skills and experience for the announced position, but you cannot possibly obtain those without having worked in the field. 

You may feel as if you are facing an uphill battle when you try to get a job without having any experience in the field. Fret not! To help you out, we’ve provided some important career tips below. Then, we offer an example cover letter with no experience in the field that you can use to style your application.

Focus on Soft Skills

Soft skills are important. They make you a better coworker, employee, and customer service provider. Even better, these skills are transferable. They’re needed in nearly every position. If you can work as a team player, solve problems, empathise with others, negotiate, and manage your time well, let the hiring manager know about this. Shifting the focus from the lack of hard skills (domain expertise) to soft skills can make your application more attractive. 

Show You Understand The Company and The Industry

You may not have experience in this field, but you can show an overall understanding of the industry in general, and the specific company to which you are applying.  Your best tool is knowledge. Subscribe to industry-related blogs and publications. Explore company websites, and read their press releases. Get to know some relevant terms, and use them (correctly) in your cover letter.

Emphasize Internships, Education and Volunteer Work

Since you don’t have work experience, you can use internships and volunteer work to show that you have some relevant experience. What you want to do is identify necessary skills, and show how your participation as an intern or volunteer aligns with that. 

For example, if you know the job you want requires accounting skills, you might emphasize that you do volunteer work that involves keeping spreadsheets for a local charitable organization and keeping their books.

Alternatively, complete a quick upskilling program in the domain. There are plenty of free and paid courses and workshops you can attentend both in-person and online. A lot of them also offer certificates that you can use as a “brag right”. 

Demonstrate Your Seriousness

Not too long ago celebrity chefs soared in popularity. Nearly every network has some show that featured regular people trying to make it in the kitchen. The result was a surge in interest in culinary fields. Unfortunately, for many people, this was more flight of fancy than a well-thought-out career choice. Many people entered this field who weren’t prepared for the work involved.

In your case, your potential employer will have to invest in your training and development too. This can be worthwhile for them if you have the aptitude, and are serious about seeing things through. What you will want to do is use your cover letter to demonstrate that you are serious about entering the field.

Talk about how you became interested in this field. If you have a compelling backstory, that can help. Stick to things that are concrete. Avoid abstractions such as ‘to help people’ or ‘making the world a better place’. Be specific, and give examples.

Speaking of examples: you can get more ideas from a bunch of other compelling cover letter samples our team has created for pretty much any industry imaginable. Use the search function on top of the page to find examples for the industry you are aiming at.

Show Your Connections

Who you know matters. If it doesn’t, sites like LinkedIn wouldn’t exist. If you have a connection in common with the hiring manager, that can only benefit you. Do not be hesitant to drop a name if you can do it in a way that is relevant to your letter.

Cover Letter Example When You Have No Experience in The Field – .docx Format

Download example (Word version)

Sample Cover Letter With No Experience in The Field – Text Format

Dear Lorraine,

I am sending this letter along with my resume to apply for the position of Digital Marketing Associate. I am a recent graduate of Cooper College with a dual Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Business Administration. A mutual acquaintance, Michael Williams, told me about this position. I interned with his company as a social media assistant just before graduation.

As a marketing graduate, and member of Gen Z I know that traditional advertising simply doesn’t work. That’s why I am so enthusiastic about using digital marketing in new ways to reach customers. I followed your Foodie Friends social media blitz last year, and realized that this is the kind of forward thinking marketing that I would love to be a part of.

In addition to interning with Mr. Williams, I have also spent the last several years working as an administrative assistant at Corporative Hive. This is a startup incubator created to help low-income women launch their own companies. As an assistant here, I often helped manage the company’s social media marketing activities and email communication. As well, I was free to attend educational workshops, organized for the participants, and gained additional knowledge in web design, e-commerce and content marketing. 

I am available for an interview at your convenience. I would enjoy meeting with you.

Final Tip: Focus on What You Can Bring To The Table

Yes, you may feel that you are underqualified for the position, but don’t let that doubt show off in your letter. Use the first paragraphs to clearly describe what you can bring to the employer – some key skills and past experiences. 

Other Cover Letter Samples

Bartender cover letter example: on-point & memorable, sample cover letter with salary requirements, icu nurse cover letter example, postdoctoral cover letter example and job hunting tips.

A huge collection of cover letters created by a ninja team of writers and career advisors. Learn how to write, style and file cover letters that employers actually enjoy reading.

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60+ Cover Letter Examples in 2024 [For All Professions]

No matter where you are in your career, or what job you’re applying for, submitting a cover letter with your resume is a must . 

Done right, a cover letter will effectively complement your resume and explain to the hiring manager in more detail why you’re the right person for the job.

Writing a cover letter, however, is easier said than done. 

You have to effectively demonstrate that you’ll be able to perform the responsibilities listed in the job description and that you’d be a better fit for the company compared to other candidates. 

And unless you’re a professional writer, this can be a very hard task.

Fortunately, we created these cover letter examples to inspire you and help you get started with your own cover letter!

Let’s dive in!

21 Cover Letter Examples 

#1. career change cover letter example .

Here’s what this cover letter does right:

• Has an ideal length. This cover letter includes all the relevant information for the hiring manager without getting into too much detail.
• Relevant introduction. The candidate explains that they’re changing careers and why they want to work in this new field from the get-go.
• Explains their related experience. The candidate explains how their previous experience in retail sales can help them succeed in PR.

Check out our guide video guide to learn how to write a Cover Letter that gets you HIRED!

#2. Recent Graduate Cover Letter Example 

• Personally greets the hiring manager. The candidate has taken the time to find the hiring manager’s name and address them by it, which makes the opening of the cover letter much more personal.
• Wraps up with a call to action. The candidate wraps up the cover letter by suggesting a meeting with the hiring manager, which makes them more memorable.
• Explains why the candidate is the right person for the internship. In this cover letter for an internship , the candidate explains how they’ve previously interned in a different firm, which gives them the experience to succeed in this role.

Have you just graduated from college? Make sure to check out our guide on writing an entry-level cover letter from start to finish! 

#3. Middle Management Cover Letter Example

• Use of bullet points. The candidate presents the information in a concise and reader-friendly way, making it easy for the hiring manager to find their key achievements. 
• Formal closing. The candidate has used a formal and polite tone to conclude their cover letter, which combined with a call to action makes them look professional and passionate about getting the job. 
• Explains how the company would benefit from hiring them. The candidate outlines exactly what they could do for the company, which not only highlights their skills but also shows they’ve done their research on the company’s needs. 

#4. Business Manager Cover Letter Example

• Detailed header. In addition to the must-have contact details, this candidate has also included their professional Twitter and LinkedIn profiles, making it easy for the hiring manager to look more closely into their career. 
• Concise and to the point. This candidate has used short paragraphs and bullet points to make the cover letter easy to skim through. 
• Wraps up with a call to action. By letting the hiring manager know they’ll be contacting them soon, they’re more likely to make an impression.

Check out this article for a complete writing guide and an inspiring business manager resume sample. 

#5. Ph.D. Cover Letter Example

Here’s what this cover letter does right: 

• Attention-grabbing introduction. In the opening paragraph, this candidate explains why they’re passionate about pursuing a Ph.D. in great detail. 
• Explains the candidate’s qualifications in detail. The candidate builds on their passion by explaining how they’re also qualified for the degree because of their education history and academic achievements. 

#6. Senior Executive Cover Letter Example

• Professional and minimalistic template. This senior executive has used a professional but minimalistic template that lets their work experience do the talking. 
• Achievement-oriented opening paragraph. Right from the get-go, this candidate explains what makes them so good at their job, effectively grabbing the hiring manager’s attention.  
• Wraps up with a call to action. By suggesting to have a meeting and discussing how they can help the company meet its goals, the candidate stands more chance to make a positive lasting impression. 

#7. Architect Cover Letter Example 

• Modern resume template. This architect has picked a template that perfectly matches his industry, as it is professional and modern at the same time. 
• A personal greeting to the HR. They address the hiring manager by their first name, which helps make a better first impression. 
• Measurable achievements. By quantifying their achievements, the candidate proves their achievements instead of just claiming them.

Struggling with your architect resume ? Check out our full guide!

#8. Business Analyst Cover Letter Example 

• Detailed contact information. The candidate has listed both their LinkedIn and Twitter profiles, providing the HR manager an opportunity to learn more about the candidate.  
• Mentions what the candidate can do for the company. This cover letter doesn’t just explain why the job would be great for the candidate, but also how the candidate would benefit the company. Win-win, right? 
• Error-free and reader-friendly. It’s super important for the cover letter to have no spelling or grammatical errors and be reader-friendly. This candidate made sure they did both.

Need a resume alongside your cover letter? Check out our guide on how to write a business analyst resume . 

#9. Consultant Cover Letter Example 

• Professional cover letter template. Being an experienced consultant, this candidate has picked a professional template that doesn’t steal the spotlight from their achievements. 
• Experience and achievement-oriented. The candidate has effectively elaborated on their top achievements relevant to the job. 
• Highlights the candidate’s passion. To show they want the job, this candidate has also explained how passionate they are about their profession.

For more advice on landing a job as a consultant, check out our guide to writing a consultant resume .

#10. Digital Marketing Cover Letter Example

• Creative cover letter template. This digital marketer highlights their originality by picking a creative cover letter template. 
• Lists the candidate’s awards. The candidate has taken advantage of the cover letter to list their most noteworthy awards in the industry. 
• Concludes with a call to action. As they used a call to action to conclude their cover letter, the HR manager will be more likely to remember them.

Want to take your digital marketing resume to the next level? Check out our guide!

#11. Graphic Designer Cover Letter Example 

• Detailed contact information. The candidate has included additional contact information such as their website link, as well as their LinkedIn and Twitter profiles.  
• Ideal length. This cover letter is concise, which means that the HR manager is more likely to read it from start to finish.  
• Draws attention to the candidate’s strong points. Although this candidate is a recent college graduate, they’ve managed to effectively show that they have enough knowledge and experience to do the job right.

Read this guide to write a graphic designer resume that’s just as good as your cover letter!

#12. Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Example

• Minimalistic cover letter template. The candidate picked a well-designed but minimalistic template for their cover letter. 
• Focused on skills and achievements. This cover letter is packed with the candidate’s skills and achievements, proving he can be an excellent employee. 
• Formal closing. Politeness can go a long way and the candidate has used this to their advantage to make an impression. 

Our article on how to write an administrative assistant resume can help you take your job application to the next level.

#13. Front Desk Cover Letter Example

• Modern cover letter template. This template incorporates memorable colors and clear lines, which make the cover letter very visually appealing. 
• Attention-grabbing introduction. Using an attention-grabbing intro, the candidate is more likely to make an impression. 
• Calls the HR to action. By including a call to action, the candidate is reminding the HR of their immediate availability. 

#14. Human Resources Cover Letter Example

• It is concise and to the point. The candidate doesn’t dwell on unimportant details the HR won’t be interested in. 
• Uses a traditional cover letter template. The cover letter design is more on the conventional side, which fits the industry better. 
• Highlights the candidate’s strong points. The candidate has rich work experience and they use the cover letter to elaborate on it. 

This HR resume guide can help you get your resume just right.

#15. Sales Agent Cover Letter Example 

• Attention-grabbing cover letter template. As a salesperson, this candidate knows how important first impressions are, so they’ve picked a catchy cover letter template. 
• Has an ideal length. At the same time, they’ve also made sure to keep their cover letter at just the right length. 
• Lists the candidate’s career highlights. The candidate has made perfect use of the space by mentioning their most impressive professional achievements. 

Check out this sales agent resume guide to create an attention-grabbing sales resume .

#16. Receptionist Cover Letter Example

• Modern but minimalistic cover letter template. The template’s design hints the candidate is creative but professional at the same time. 
• Uses a catchy introduction. The candidate has used an attention-grabbing opening paragraph to catch HR’s attention. 
• Concludes the cover letter formally. The candidate proves that they’re polite and well-spoken, a quality very much important for the role they’re applying for. 

Take your receptionist resume to the next level with this receptionist resume guide .

#17. Information Technology Cover Letter Example

• Mentions measurable achievements. Numbers make an impact, which is why this candidate has included measurable achievements. 
• Lists both soft and hard skills. The candidate has mentioned a great mix of soft and hard skills, showing how well-rounded they are. 
• Contains relevant contact information. The candidate’s GitHub, website name, LinkedIn, and Twitter profiles are all great additions to the resume. 

Looking for tips to help you write a great IT resume ? Check out our guide!

#18. Real Estate Cover Letter Example

• Ideal length. Short and to the point, this cover letter is bound to get noticed by the HR manager. 
• Wraps up with a call to action. This candidate reinforces the HR to call them back through a final call to action. 
• Mentions the right skills. On top of their sales accomplishments, the candidate touch upon important soft skills such as customer service and communication . 

This real estate resume guide will help you take your resume from good to great.

#19. Teacher Cover Letter Example

• Mentions relevant contact information details. This candidate has included optional (but relevant) contact information details, such as their LinkedIn, Quora, and Medium profiles. 
• Achievement-oriented. The candidate has elaborated on their achievements in more detail throughout their cover letter. 
• Highlights the candidate’s passion. For some jobs, being passionate is much more important than for others. Teaching is one of these jobs, which is why this candidate explains their passion for the job. 

Our guide on how to write a teacher resume has all the tips you need to land the job.

#20. Project Manager Cover Letter Example

• Leverages a catchy introduction. Through a catchy introductory paragraph, this candidate is sure to grab the HR’s attention and get them to read the rest of their cover letter.
• Lists measurable accomplishments. This candidate explains exactly what they’ve achieved using numbers and hard data. 
• Personally greets the HR. A personal greeting sounds much better than “Dear Sir/Madam,” and the candidate knows this. 

This guide on how to write a project manager resume can help you perfect your appication.

#21. Paralegal Cover Letter Example

• Minimalistic cover letter template. This cover letter design looks good but doesn’t steal the show from the candidate’s abilities.
• Mentions the candidate’s academic achievements and extracurricular activities. Although the candidate is a recent graduate, they’ve used the cover letter to explain they have enough skills and achievements to do the job.
• Lists measurable achievements. The candidate proves they did well in their internship by mentioning quantifiable achievements.

Check out this paralegal resume guide to perfect yours.

40+ More Cover Letter Examples and Guides 

Couldn’t find a cover letter example for your field? Do not worry.

Below you can find a number of other cover letter examples for different fields and industries:

• Acting Cover Letter Examples
• Accounting Cover Letter Examples
• Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Architecture Cover Letter Examples
• Attorney Cover Letter Examples
• Barista Cover Letter Examples
• Bartender Cover Letter Examples
• Business Cover Letter Examples
• Business Analyst Cover Letter Examples
• College Student Cover Letter Examples
• Computer Science Cover Letter Examples
• Construction Cover Letter Examples
• Consultant Cover Letter Examples
• Customer Service Cover Letter Examples
• Data Analyst Cover Letter Examples
• Data Entry Cover Letter Examples
• Dental Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Digital Marketing Cover Letter Examples
• Elementary Teacher Cover Letter Examples
• Engineering Cover Letter Examples
• Executive Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Finance Cover Letter Examples
• Graphic Design Cover Letter Examples
• Healthcare Cover Letter Examples
• Human Resources Cover Letter Examples
• IT Cover Letter Examples
• Law Cover Letter Examples
• Management Cover Letter Examples
• Marketing Cover Letter Examples
• Mechanical Engineering Cover Letter Examples
• Medical Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Nurse Practitioner Cover Letter Examples
• Physician Cover Letter Examples
• Project Manager Cover Letter Examples
• Receptionist Cover Letter Examples
• Retail Cover Letter Examples
• Sales Cover Letter Examples
• Social Work Cover Letter Examples
• Software Engineer Cover Letter Examples
• Substitute Teacher Cover Letter Examples
• Teacher Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Team Leader Cover Letter Example

What is a Cover Letter? 

A cover letter is a one-page document that you submit as part of your job application, alongside your resume . 

Its purpose is to introduce you and briefly summarize your professional background. On average, your cover letter should be from 250 to 400 words long .

A good cover letter can give the hiring manager more insight into what makes you a good candidate and help them make up their mind about whether they should invite you for an interview. A bad cover letter, though, will get ignored (at best) and lose you the job (at worst).

So, to make sure this doesn’t happen, it’s essential to know how to write a convincing cover letter.

The first thing to remember is that a cover letter is a supplement to your resume, not a replacement. Meaning, you shouldn’t just repeat whatever is mentioned in your resume and call it a day. 

Optimally, you should use your cover letter to shed more light on your skills and qualifications, as well as explain anything you didn’t have space for in your resume (e.g. a career gap or why you’re changing careers).

If you’re writing a cover letter for the first time, though, putting all this together might seem pretty tough. 

Fortunately, you can follow our tried-and-tested format to make the experience much easier:

• Header - Input your contact information.
• Greeting the hiring manager - Open the cover letter with a “Dear Sir or Madam,” or use the hiring manager’s name if you know what that is.
• Opening paragraph - Grab the hiring manager’s attention by getting straight to the point. Mention what your professional experiences are, and what role you’re applying for.
• The second paragraph - Explain why you’re the perfect candidate for the job. Mention your top 2-3 achievements, your top skills, why you want to work in that specific industry, and whatever else is relevant.
• The third paragraph - End your cover letter with a call to action. E.g. “I would love to meet personally and discuss how I can help Company X.”
• Formal closing - Something like this: “Thank you for your consideration. Best, John Doe.”

Here’s what this looks like in practice:

9 Tips to Write a Cover Letter (the Right Way)

Now that we've covered the basics, let's talk about cover letter tips . Below, we'll give you all the knowledge you need to take your cover letter from "OK" to "great."

#1. Pick the right template

A good cover letter is all about leaving the right first impression.

And what’s a better way to leave a good impression than through a professional, well-formatted, and visual template?

You can simply pick one of our tried-and-tested cover letter templates and you’ll be all set!

#2. Add your contact details on the header

The best way to start your cover letter is through a header. 

Here’s what you want to include there:

• Phone Number
• Name of the hiring manager / their professional title
• Name of the company you’re applying to

Optionally, you can also include the following:

• Social Media Profiles - Any type of profile that’s relevant to your field. Social Profiles on websites like LinkedIn, GitHub (for developers), Medium (for writers), etc.
• Personal Website - If you have a personal website that somehow adds value to your application, you can mention it. Let’s say you’re a professional writer. In that case, you’d want to link to your content portfolio site or blog.

#3. Greet the hiring manager the right way

Once you’ve listed all your relevant contact information, it’s time to address the hiring manager reading your cover letter. 

A good practice here is to find the hiring manager’s name and address them directly instead of using the traditional “dear sir or madam.” This shows that you’re really invested in the company and that you took your time to do some research about the job.

So, how can you find out the hiring manager’s name?

One way to do this is by looking up the head of the company’s relevant department on LinkedIn. Let’s say you’re applying for the position of Communication Specialist at Novoresume. The hiring manager is probably the Head of Communications or the Chief Communications Office.

Or let’s say you’re applying for the position of server at a restaurant. In that case, you’d be looking to find out who the restaurant manager is.

If this doesn’t work, you can also check out the “Team” page on the company website; there’s a good chance you’ll at least find the right person there.

If you still can’t find out the hiring manager’s name, here are several other greetings you can use:

• Dear [Department] Hiring Manager
• Dear Hiring Manager
• To whom it may concern
• Dear [Department] Team

#4. Create an attention-grabbing introduction

Recruiters get hundreds, sometimes even thousands, of applications. Chances are, they’re not going to be reading every single cover letter end-to-end.

So, it’s essential to catch their attention from the very first paragraph.

The problem with most cover letter opening paragraphs, though, is that they’re usually extremely generic, often looking something like this: 

Hey, my name is Jonathan and I’d like to work as a Sales Manager at XYZ Inc. I’ve worked as a sales manager at MadeUpCompany Inc. for 5+ years, so I believe that I’d be a good fit for the position.

As you can probably tell, this opening paragraph doesn’t tell the hiring manager anything other than that you’ve worked the job before - and that’s not really helpful in setting you apart from other candidates. 

What you want to do, instead, is start off with 2-3 of your top achievements to really grab the reader’s attention. Preferably, the achievements should be as relevant as possible to the position. 

For example:

My name’s Michael and I’d like to help XYZ Inc. hit and exceed its sales goals as a Sales Manager. I’ve worked with Company X, a fin-tech company, for 3+ years. As a Sales Representative, I generated an average of $30,000+ in sales per month (beating the KPIs by around 40%). I believe that my previous industry experience, as well as my excellence in sales, makes me the right candidate for the role of X at Company Y.

The second example shows how the candidate is a top performer. The first just shows that they’ve worked a sales job before.

Which one are YOU more likely to invite for an interview?

#5. Show you’re the perfect person for the job

One great thing about cover letters is that they allow you to expand more on the top achievements from your resume and really show the hiring manager that you’re the right person for the job. 

A good way to do that is to first read the job ad and really understand what skills/experiences are required, and then to ensure that your cover letter touches upon the said skills or experiences.

In my previous role as a Facebook Marketing Expert at XYZ Inc. I handled customer acquisition through ads, managing a monthly Facebook ad budget of $20,000+. As the sole digital marketer at the company, I managed the ad creation and management process end-to-end. This means I created the ad copy and images, as well as picked the targeting, ran optimization trials, and so on.

Other than Facebook advertising, I’ve also delved into other online PPC channels, including:

• Google Search

#6. Explain why you’re a great company fit

The HR manager doesn’t only look at whether you’ll be good at the job or not. They’re looking for someone that’s also a good fit for the company culture.

After all, employees that don’t fit in are bound to quit, sooner or later. This ends up costing the company a ton of money, up to 50% of the employee’s annual salary . 

To convince the hiring manager that you’re a great company fit, do some research on the company and find out what it is you like about them, or about working there. You want to know things like:

• What’s the company’s business model?
• What’s the company's product or service? Have you used it?
• What’s the culture like? Will someone micro-manage your work, or will you have autonomy on how you get things done?

Then, turn your top reasons for liking to work there into text and add them to your cover letter! 

#7. Wrap up with a call to action

To make the end of your cover letter as memorable as possible, you want to:

• Wrap up any points you couldn't in the previous paragraphs. Mention anything you’ve left out that you think could help the hiring manager make up your mind.
• Thank the hiring manager for their time. After all, it never hurts to be polite. 
• Finish the cover letter with a call to action. A call to action is a great way to make your cover letter ending as memorable as possible. 

#8. Write a formal closing

Once you’re done with the final paragraph, all you have to do is write down a formal “goodbye” and you’re good to go.

Feel free to use one of the most popular conclusions in a cover letter:

• Best Regards,
• Kind Regards,

#9. Proofread your cover letter

Last but not least, make sure to always proofread each and every document that you’ll be including in your job application - cover letter included. 

The last thing you want is to be claiming you’re a great candidate for the job with a cover letter full of typos! 

For an even more comprehensive guide on how to write an impactful cover letter , check out our article ! 

Cover Letter Writing Checklist 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you still have some questions about cover letters? Check out the answers below:

1. How do I write a simple cover letter? 

To write a cover letter that’s simple but also professional, make sure to include a header with your personal information, a formal greeting to the hiring manager, an attention-grabbing opening paragraph, a second paragraph explaining why you’re a good candidate for the job, and a formal closing (preferably with a call to action). 

2. What are the 3 parts of a cover letter? 

The three parts of a cover letter are: 

• The introduction , namely the header, the greeting to the hiring manager, and the opening paragraph. 
• The sales pitch is usually the body of the cover letter. 
• The conclusion involves a formal closing and a signature line.

3. What makes a great cover letter?

A great cover letter should be personalized for each job you’re applying for, instead of being overly generic. It’s also preferable to address the hiring manager by their name and not use the overly-used “Dear Sir/Madam.”

To make a great first impression, you should mention 1-2 of your top achievements in your opening paragraph - the more job-specific they are, the better. Also, don’t stop at showing the hiring manager why you’re a great candidate for the job. Make sure to also talk about how you’re a good culture fit for the company.

Last but not least, wrap up your closing paragraph with a call to action to give the hiring manager a little extra something to remember you by. 

4. When is a cover letter necessary?

Unless the job ad specifically states otherwise, you should always include a cover letter with your job application .

Even if the hiring manager doesn’t read it, you will look more professional simply by including one.

And that’s a wrap! We hope our cover letter examples and writing tips will inspire you to write a cover letter that will land you your next job.

If you’re looking for more invaluable career advice and articles, make sure to check out our career blog , or any of these related articles: 

• How to Write a Resume
• Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid at All Costs
• Cover Letter Format (w/ Examples & Free Templates)

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