how to write a cover letter customer service

Customer Service Cover Letter Tips & Examples to Land Your Ideal Role

Published: August 10, 2022

The best cover letters  highlight your skills and abilities and leave recruiters and hiring managers interested in and eager to learn more about you, your skillset, and your ability to succeed in the role they’re hiring for.

In this post, discover everything you need to include in a customer service cover letter to leave a lasting impression, including:

What to Include in a Customer Service Cover Letter

Customer service cover letter example, entry-level customer service cover letter.

• Entry-Level Customer Service Cover Letter Example

Best Practices for Writing a Customer Service Cover Letter

When writing a customer service cover letter, it’s essential to include information highlighting your skills and abilities in the customer service industry.

Some key information to include is:

• Your interest in the role you’re applying for and why you’re interested in it.
• Relevant customer service experience you have and the responsibilities you’ve held in your previous related roles.
• The specific skills you’ve developed and perfected that make you an excellent fit for the roles you apply to. It’s important to get as specific as possible for each position, as a generic cover letter not relevant to the role won’t help you stand out.
• Any awards or recognitions you’ve received for your customer service skills as they demonstrate your ability to be successful at the job and that you possess the qualifications hiring managers are looking for.
• The qualities you have that make you an excellent team player.
• The passion you have for customer experience.

It’s mentioned above, but it’s worth driving home that anything you include in your customer service cover letter should be specific and related to the role you’re applying for. Aim to create a new cover letter for each position so you can call attention to your skills that will help you fulfill the role expectations for each job.

Let’s go over an example of a high-quality customer service letter.

Dear [Hiring Manager Name],

My name is [Your name], and I am a seasoned [Industry] professional with over [Number] experience. I am very interested in [Position] at [Company name], and my experience in [Previous customer service experience] makes me an excellent candidate. I believe my [Insert role-relevant skills] can help [Company Name] achieve [Desired goals for role].

In my current role as a [Your current role] at [Current company], I’ve achieved results with [Insert achievements or data that shows expertise]. I’m eager to bring these skills to [Insert position] and help customers achieve success.

Additionally, [Insert other relevant experience or skills related to the role].

I look forward to further discussing my past achievements and how they will help me succeed as [Insert role title].

Thank you for your time and consideration.

[Your Name Here]

If you’re applying for a customer service position and haven’t yet held any customer service roles, not to worry. Below we’ll explain why.

If you’re applying for an entry-level customer service position but you don’t have significant customer service experience, you can still write a cover letter that highlights you as a standout candidate.

Take care to mention:

• The transferable skills you have that relate to the customer service role you’re applying for. For example, you’re a skilled communicator, which can come in handy when talking to customers over the phone or in person.
• Any customer service or related training you’ve received, even if it’s minimal. This shows a commitment and genuine interest in the role you’re applying for.
• Any relevant coursework or extracurriculars that have helped you develop the necessary skills for the role.
• Your passion for helping others and resolving issues, which are key qualities in any customer service professional.
• The qualifications that make you a good team member because, regardless of experience, you’ll be working with people.

Overall, highlighting any of your strengths, even if you don’t have direct experience, shows recruiters and hiring managers that you’d be an excellent fit for the role and what you can contribute to their company. Let’s go over a sample entry-level customer service cover level that you can use for inspiration.

Entry Level Customer Service Cover Letter Example

Dear [Hiring manager name],

My name is [Your name], and I am writing to express my interest in the [Role title] position at [Company name]. I am drawn to the role because [Insert interest] and my skills with [Insert relevant skills] make me an excellent candidate.

My relevant customer service experience is with [Explain applicable or transferable experience], and I believe this would allow me to excel at [Insert role requirements]. I’ve been recognized for [Insert data or achievements that demonstrate skill set], and I’m eager to achieve the same results for [Company name].

As I look forward to my next chapter, I hope to apply my experience and perspective to help the [Company Name] team hit and exceed goals. I admire [Company Name]’s commitment to [Business Priority] and feel passionate about your mission to [Company Mission Here].

Attached is my resume for further review, and I look forward to further discussing my experience and how my background fits [Company name] needs.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

[Your Name]

Above, we’ve outlined key elements to include in your customer service cover letter, whether you have years of experience or are just getting started in the field. Regardless of the type of letter you’re writing, though, there are always best practices to keep in mind.

• Always address the letter to a specific person, if possible. If you can’t find a hiring manager's name , you can say something like “Dear [company name] recruiter” or Dear [position title] Hiring Manager.”
• Use a professional tone throughout the letter, but you can also display your unique personality without being informal.
• Keep the letter short and to the point — recruiters and hiring managers are busy and might be reading through a lot of applications, so they’ll be appreciative of a concise letter that stays on track.
• Always highlight your relevant skills, experience, and qualities.
• Use concrete examples to back up your claims.
• Edit carefully for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.

A bonus tip and a unique way to leave a lasting impression with your cover letter is to tell a story. You can call out an experience that makes you uniquely qualified for the role, a story that expresses your interest in the company and what led you to them, or a story about a significant customer service-related experience you excelled at.

An excellent customer service cover letter gets you hired.

An excellent customer service letter leaves an impression on hiring managers and recruiters and can get you hired. Follow the tips and best practices we’ve mentioned above, and you’ll likely find yourself getting interviews that land you new customer service roles.

Don't forget to share this post!

Related articles.

The Chief Customer Officer: Responsibilities and How to Become One

Customer Service Managers — What Do They Do?

CXO: The Customer Service Leader You Probably Haven't Hired Yet (Including Insights from Experts)

Call Center Resume Examples & The Skills to Include [+Templates]

Lunch and Learns: How to Host One That Your Team Will Want to Attend

25 Email Management Tips To Claim Back Your Time

A Customer Service Career Path Guide for Every Personality Type

Best Customer Service Resume: How to Make Yours Stand Out [with Examples]

How to Write a Customer Service Job Description to Attract the Best Candidates [Template]

The Top 21 Customer Service Certifications & Courses You Need to Take

Five fill-in-the-blank cover letter templates to help you impress recruiters.

Service Hub provides everything you need to delight and retain customers while supporting the success of your whole front office

• See All Courses >
• SUCCESS STORIES

• GET YOUR FREE LINKEDIN HEADLINE SCORE >>

• GET YOUR FREE RESUME SCORE >>

• GENERATE YOUR JOB-WINNING COVER LETTER >>

• FIND ANY CONTACT’S EMAIL ADDRESS >>

• ResyMatch.io Scan and score your resume vs. any target job.
• ResyBuild.io Build a job-winning resume using proven templates and advice.
• CoverBuild.io Have AI generate a personalized, job-winning cover letter in
• HeadlineAnalyzer.io Transform your LinkedIn headline into a job-generating machine.
• ResyBullet.io Scan, score, and upgrade your resume bullets.
• Mailscoop.io Find anyone’s professional email address in seconds.
• The Job Search Email Playbook Our 100+ page guide to writing job-winning emails.
• Value Validation Project Starter Kit Everything you need to create a job-winning VVP.
• No Experience, No Problem Learn how to change careers with no experience.
• The Interview Preparation System A proven system for job-winning interview prep.
• The LinkedIn Launch Formula A proven system for six-figure success on LinkedIn.
• See All Blog Posts Check out all of our job search articles & posts.
• HeadlineAnalyzer.io Scan your LinkedIn Headline and turn it into a job-generating machine.
• LinkedIn Profile Optimization Our comprehensive guide to optimizing your LinkedIn profile.
• LinkedIn Headlines Learn how to write a crazy-effective LinkedIn headline.
• LinkedIn Profile Picture Learn how to create a job-winning LinkedIn profile picture.
• LinkedIn About Section Write a job-winning About section (with examples!)
• LinkedIn Cover Photos Learn how to create a job-winning LinkedIn cover photo.
• GET YOUR FREE LINKEDIN HEADLINE SCORE >>
• ResyMatch.io Scan your resume and turn it into a job-generating machine.
• ResyBuild.io Build a beautiful, job-winning resume using recruiter-approved templates.
• Resume Examples Check out example resumes for a range of job titles and industries.
• How To Write A Resume Learn how to write a resume that actually wins job offers.
• Resume Summaries Our guide on writing a job-winning resume summary.
• Resume Tips & Action Words 175+ tips & examples to supercharge your resume.
• GET YOUR FREE RESUME SCORE >>
• CoverBuild.io Use our tool to generate a personalized, job-winning cover letter in
• Cover Letter Examples Check out example cover letters for a range of job titles and industries.
• How To Write A Cover Letter Learn how to write a cover letter that actually wins job offers.
• Cover Letter Templates Check out our proven, job-winning cover letter templates.
• Addressing A Cover Letter Learn how to start a cover letter the right way.
• GENERATE YOUR JOB-WINNING COVER LETTER >>
• Mailscoop.io A tool to help you find anyone’s professional email in seconds.
• How To Get A Job Without Applying Online Our flagship guide for effective job searching in today’s market.
• How To Network Our comprehensive guide on learning how to network.
• Tips For Better Networking Emails 6 tips for writing networking emails that actually get results.
• What To Ask In An Informational Interview 10 great questions to ask during a networking conversation.
• FIND ANY CONTACT’S EMAIL ADDRESS >>
• How To Prepare For Interviews Our proven preparation framework for turning more interviews into offers.
• How To Create A Job-Winning Interview Presentation Learn our “silver bullet” Value Validation Project presentation strategy.
• Interview Questions & Answer Examples Job-winning example answers for common interview questions.
• What To Wear To An Interview A simple guide to dressing for the job you want.
• How To Write A Job-Winning Thank You Note Learn how to write a post-interview thank you that wins job offers.

Customer Service Cover Letter Examples For 2024 (20+ Skills & Templates)

• Pinterest 0

Are you looking  to land more job offers in Customer Service?

A great cover letter will be key. This guide will cover everything you need for writing a job-winning Customer Service cover letter (including proven strategies, skills, templates, & examples).

All of the content in this guide is based on data from coaching thousands of job seekers (just like you!) who went on to land offers at the world's best companies.

If you want to maximize your chances of landing that Customer Service role, I recommend reading this piece from top to bottom. But if you're just looking for something specific, here's what's included in this guide:

• What To Know About Writing A Job-Winning Customer Service Cover Letter
• The Best Skills To Include On An Customer Service Cover Letter

How To Address A Customer Service Cover Letter

• 3 Customer Service Cover Letter Examples

The 8 Best Customer Service Cover Letter Templates

• 3 Tips For Writing A Job-Winning Cover Letter

Here's the step-by-step breakdown:

Customer Service Cover Letter Overview: What To Know To Write A Cover Letter That Wins More Job Offers

What do companies look for when they're hiring for a Customer Service role?

When hiring for a customer service role, companies are looking for someone with strong communication skills, who is an active listener and is able to both understand customer needs and provide clear and effective solutions. They need someone who possesses empathy and patience, as they may often be dealing with customers who are upset, angry or frustrated.

In addition to these personality traits, companies are looking for specific experience and technical skills, such as proficiency in certain software and data management tools. Overall, companies want to hire someone who is customer-focused, service-oriented, and able to work effectively in a team.

Candidates should be able to handle a high volume of calls or requests, multitask, and prioritize tasks effectively to provide the best possible customer experience.

Your cover letter should show the company that your personality and your experience encompasses all of these things.

Additionally, there are a few best practices you want to follow to write a job-winning Customer Service cover letter:

• Address the job requirements: Review the job posting and identify the key skills and requirements the employer is looking for. Incorporate these into your cover letter by giving specific examples of how you have demonstrated these skills in previous roles.
• Highlight your customer service experience: If you have previous experience in customer service, highlight this in your cover letter. Share specific examples of how you have resolved customer issues, demonstrated empathy, or provided exceptional service.
• Use a professional tone: Your cover letter should be written in a professional tone, with correct grammar and spelling. Avoid slang, jargon, or informal language.
• Customize your letter: Avoid using a generic cover letter that can be sent to multiple employers. Instead, customize your letter for each job you apply for by tailoring your language to the specific company and job requirements. Add an extra personal touch by addressing the letter to the hiring manager, if their name is available to you.
• Demonstrate your enthusiasm: Show the employer that you are excited about the opportunity to work for their company and in the customer service role. Use language that conveys your enthusiasm and interest in the position.
• Use metrics and numbers: Whenever possible, use metrics or numbers to demonstrate your achievements in previous roles. For example, if you increased customer satisfaction ratings or reduced wait times for customers, use specific numbers to illustrate this.
• Close with a call to action: End your cover letter by expressing your interest in an interview and providing your contact information. This shows your eagerness to move forward in the application process and makes it easy for the employer to get in touch with you.
• Proofread: Make sure to thoroughly proofread your cover letter for any grammatical errors or typos. A well-written, error-free letter can make a strong first impression. I recommend using Hemingway App to do this.

Let's dive deeper into each of these so you have the exact blueprint you need to see success.

The Best Customer Service Skills To Include On Your Cover Letter

Keywords are one of the most important factors in your cover letter. They show employers that your skills align with the role and they also help format your cover letter for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

If you're not familiar with ATS systems, they are pieces of software used by employers to manage job applications. They scan cover letters for keywords and qualifications and make it easier for the employers to filter and search for candidates whose qualifications match the role.

If you want to win more interviews and job offers, you need to have a keyword-optimized cover letter. There are two ways to find the right keywords:

1. Leverage The 20 Best Customer Service Keywords

The first way to find the right keywords is to leverage our list of the best keywords and skills for an Customer Service cover letter.

These keywords were selected from an analysis of  real Customer Service  job descriptions sourced from actual job boards. Here they are:

• Customer Service
• Communication
• Flexibility
• Organization
• Team Member
• Microsoft Office

2. Use ResyMatch.io To Find The Best Keywords That Are Specific To Your Cover Letter And Target Role

The second method is the one I recommend because it's personalized to your specific cover letter and target job.

• Open a copy of your target job description
• Head over to  ResyMatch.io
• Select the “Job Description Scan” from the scan type selector in the upper right corner of the tool
• Copy and paste the job description into the field on the left
• Hit scan and review the results

ResyMatch is going to scan the target job description and show you the exact keywords and skills that are relevant for the role and that you should weave into your cover letter.

Here's a video walking through this whole process:

Personalization is what makes a cover letter stand out. That starts from the very first sentence where you greet the person reading your cover letter! There are two ways to do this well:

1. Use The Hiring Manager's Name

The first, and best, is by including the hiring manager's name. Let's say that you discovered the hiring manager's name from a post on LinkedIn or via an informational interview.

This is the jackpot! All you need to do is use their name in the introduction, like this:

2. Use This Formula: To The [Department] Team at [Company]

If you don't have the hiring manager's name, no problem! You can address your cover letter to the team that you're applying to.

For example, if you're applying to for a Product Marketing Manager role at Discovery Education, you might start you cover letter like this:

This shows the reader that this letter has been written specifically for them and the content inside of it will support that.

It's much more relevant and personal than  “To Whom It May Concern!”

For more advice on writing a strong opening to your cover letter, check out this guide.

3 Customer Service Cover Letter Examples For 2023

Now let's take a look at all of these best practices in action. Here are three cover letter examples for different situations from people with different backgrounds that are all applying for Customer Service roles:

Customer Service Cover Letter Example #1: A Traditional Background

Our first example is a cover letter written by a candidate with traditional Customer Service experience. Here is what an example of their cover letter might look like:

Customer Service Cover Letter Example #2: A Non-Traditional Background

Our second cover letter example comes from a candidate looking to transition from marketing into Customer Service. This cover letter illustrates how they identify and speak to their transferable skills:

Customer Service Cover Letter Example #3: Landing A Customer Service Role In Spite Of A Career Gap and Non-Traditional Experience

Our third example highlights a candidate with Marketing and Events Management experience who, after a layoff, is looking to transition into Customer Service. Here is what their cover letter might look like:

At this point, you know all of the basics you'll need to write a Customer Service cover letter that wins you more interviews and offers. The only thing left is to take all of that information and apply it to a template that's going to help you get results.

We made that easy with  our CoverBuild tool . It has 8 proven templates that were created with the help of recruiters and hiring managers at the world's best companies. These templates also bake in thousands of data points we have from the job seekers in our audience who have used them to land job offers.

3 Tips For Writing A Job-Winning Customer ServiceCover Letter

You're off to a strong start! But I've got a few more tips to help you take your cover letter to the next level:

1. Use ChatGPT To Write Your Cover Letter In <30 Seconds

All of these tips and best practices work, but you still have to implement them. Normally, that'd mean you sitting down and spending hours brainstorming ideas, typing, deleting, and typing again, and then feeling absolutely drained.

Now there's a way to work around all of that so you save your best energy for the writing and edits that matter most. Here's how it works:

• Head to ChatGPT (you'll need to create an account – it's free)
• Ask ChatGPT,  “Please write me a cover letter for an Customer Service role. The role I'm applying for is [Job Title] role at [Company]. Here is the job description: [Paste Job Description]. And here is my resume: [Paste Resume].
• Watch ChatGPT write up a pretty darn good cover letter base!

Here's a video of me doing this with a real cover letter if you want to see the steps in action:

Note:  I  do not recommend or advise that you simply copy and paste the content from ChatGPT into your cover letter and submit your application. ChatGPT is great for doing 80% of the baseline work, but you still need to review, revise, and personalize the content yourself.

2. Include Measurable Metrics And Outcomes

Too many job seekers only focus on the actions that they took and not the outcomes that resulted from those actions. As a hiring manager, it's impossible to differentiate between a dozen candidates who were all “Responsible For Increasing Customer Satisfaction Rates.” 

If you want to win, your cover letter should speak to the specific outcomes that you drove in previous roles. That could be:

• The percentage by which customer complaints decreased
• The average reduction in wait times for your calls
• The retention rate of your clients
• The rate at which you provided first-contact resolutions to customer issues

These numbers will show hiring teams what you're capable of and make your value crystal clear!

3. Match Your Cover Letter And Resume Design

They're the exact same car, down to the year, make, and model. The only difference is the way the product was presented. Like I said, quality impacts perceived value.

One of the best ways to boost the quality of your cover letter is to make it look clean, professional, and have it match your resume. That's why the resume templates in our resume builder tool match the cover letter templates in our cover letter builder:

If you use both tools to create your cover letter and your resume, your entire application is going to be top notch.

Key Takeaways To Wrap Up Your Job-Winning Cover Letter

You made it! We packed a lot of information into this post so I wanted to distill the key points for you and lay out next steps so you know exactly where to from here.

Here are the 5 steps for writing a job-winning Customer Service cover letter:

• Start with a proven cover letter template from CoverBuild.io
• Use  ResyMatch.io to find the right keywords and optimize your cover letter for each role you apply to
• Start your cover letter with a personalized greeting for the hiring manager or team name
• Emphasize the measurable outcomes and value you drove in previous roles (include metrics!)
• Compare the draft of your cover letter to the examples on this page to make sure you're on the right path
• Use a tool like  Hemingway App to proofread your cover letter before you submit it

If you follow those steps, you're going to be well on your way to landing more Customer Service interviews and job offers.

Now that your cover letter is taking care of, be sure to check out our guide on writing a job-winning Customer Service resume (with examples!) .

Laura Lorta

Laura is an Editor at Cultivated Culture. She transitioned from teaching into the world of content so she's no stranger to career pivots. She also has a bachelors in Entrepreneurship and a Masters in Curriculum & Instruction / Bilingual Education. She currently shares job search advice to help people like you land jobs they love without applying online.

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Most Popular Posts

YOU’VE SEEN AUSTIN IN

WHAT CAN I HELP WITH?

Welcome Back To Cultivated Culture!

Log into your Cultivated Culture account using one of the options below:

Forgot your password? Click here to reset.

Need a free acount? Click Here To Sign Up

By logging in, you agree to Cultivated Culture's Terms of Use , Privacy Policy , and agree to receive email updates.

One Free Account, Four Job-Winning Tools

Sign up for a free Cultivated Culture account and get access to all of our job search tools:

Your Bullet Score is:

Sign up for a free Cultivated Culture account to get the full breakdown of your bullet along with suggestions for improving it:

Sign Up To Save & Export Your Resume

Sign up to create, save, and export your resume and get access to our suite of job search tools!

Sign Up To Get More Free Email Searches

Create a free account to unlock more email searches and get access to all four of our job-winning tools:

Your Headline Score is:

Sign up for a free Cultivated Culture account to get the full breakdown of your headline along with suggestions for improving it:

Already have an acount? Click Here To Log In

We Just Need You To Verify Your Email.

We just emailed you a 6-digit code. Please check your email and enter it below.

Note: Your progress will not be saved until your email is verified. Closing this pop up or window might cause you to lose your progress.

Invalid Code

Choose one of the options below to get the verification code we sent you!

We'll need you to verify your email address before you're able to unlock free scans.

We'll need you to verify your email address before you're able to unlock free templates, saves, and exports.

We'll need you to verify your email address before you're able to unlock free email searches.

We sent a verification code to your email, all you have to do is paste that code here and submit to get full access!

Looks Like You Still Need To Verify Your Email Address!

Whoops! Looks like you still haven't verified your email address. We'll need you to do that before granting free, unlimited access to our tools.

If you can't find the original verification email, click the link below and we'll send a new one:

Sent! Please check your email.

Oops you've hit your credit limit..

Looks like you've used all 10 of your free credits for the month. Your credit limit will refresh in days. You can learn more about your credit limit here.

Want to stop worrying about credits?

Sign up for our Unlimited plan to get instance unlimited access to all of our jon search tools for one low price. Click below to learn more:

Go Unlimited!

Change plan.

Upgrade your plan to get unlimited access to all 5 of our offer-winning job search tools and 200 email searches / week:

Go Unlimited (& Save 10%)!

Upgrade to get unlimited access to our resume tools, 200 email searches / week, and 10% off our regular pricing thanks to your friend :

Your Unlimited plan comes with...

Unlimited access to all 5 of our resume tools

200 Mailscoop searches per week

No obligations - cancel any time

By clicking "Upgrade My Plan," you agree to Cultivated Culture's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

By clicking "Change Plan," you agree to Cultivated Culture's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Confirm Your Plan Change

Here is a summary of your plan change:

Current Plan:

Please note the following for plan changes:

Your new plan and rebill date will be effective immediately

The number above depict retail plan pricing, any adjustments or credits will be available in the Invoices section of your Billing tab

If you're moving to a lower cost plan, the difference will be credited to your account and applied towards your next payment

By clicking "Confirm Plan Change," you agree to Cultivated Culture's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Unlimited Plan Upgrade

Change payment method.

Promo code has been applied to your purchase!

Note: This is a monthly subscription, your card will be automatically charged every month until you cancel your plan.

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

(C) 2024 Cultivated Culture

Note: You will not be charged for updating your credit card using this form. After your new card is added, you will be billed on the date of your next billing cycle.

Upgrade Complete!

You are officially a

Unlimited Member

Invoice Details

Paid Today:

Start Date:

Subscription:

Next Bill Date (Est.):

Note: This receipt and future invoices will be available in the Billing Tab of your Account Dashboard .

Do You Want To Secure Your Account?

Increase your account security with one of our multi-factor authentication options:

Choose An Authentication Method

Awesome! Let's make your account more secure.

Choose your preferred authentication method:

Text Message Authentication

Enter the phone number that you want to use to set up text-based authentication for your account:

Text Message Verification Code Sent!

Please check your phone for verification code and enter below:

Email Verification Code Sent!

Please check your email for verification code and enter below:

No problem, we'll skip this for now. Do you want us to remind you to secure your account?

Customer Service Cover Letter Example (+ Full Guide for 2024)

You’re a professional problem-solver with a knack for keeping customers happy.

As a customer service professional, you know just how important saying the right thing is, whether it’s face-to-face or by chat, email, or phone call.

Yet, when it comes to your cover letter, you’re stumped.

You just can’t seem to write one that conveys your expertise.

Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered.

In this article, we’re going to show you:

• What a Perfect Customer Service Cover Letter Looks Like
• 5 Steps to Writing the Best Customer Service Cover Letter

3 Essential Cover Letter Tips for Customer Service Workers

Let’s dive in!

Customer Service Cover Letter Example

5 Steps to Writing a Customer Service Cover Letter

You’ve seen what a great customer service cover letter looks like, and now it’s time to write your own.

All you have to do is follow these simple steps to nail it:

#1. Put Contact Information in the Header

You should always start your customer service cover letter with your contact information. This should be placed in your cover letter’s header, just like on your resume .

Here’s what you should include:

• First and Last Name. Your full name should always be at the top of the page.
• Professional Title. Match the professional title on your cover letter to the exact job you're applying for. The hiring manager is probably sifting through hundreds of applications for different positions, so when you’re clear about the exact position you’re writing about, it makes the process easier for everyone.
• Email Address. Choose an email address that’s both professional and simple, like some combination of your first and last name. The quirky email address you created in high school won’t do. (e.g.: [email protected] doesn’t belong on your cover letter, but [email protected] is fine.)
• Phone Number. Make sure the number you provide is accurate so that the hiring manager can easily reach you. If you’re applying for a job abroad, make sure to add the dial code in front of your phone number.
• Location. Your city and state or country are usually enough information. But if you’re applying for a remote job or looking to relocate, specify so on your customer service resume .
• Relevant links (optional). You can add links to any relevant websites or social media, such as your LinkedIn profile.

Once you’re ready with your own contact information , it’s time to add the hiring manager’s.

Here’s what you should list:

• Company Name. Write down the name of the company you’re applying to.
• Hiring Manager’s Name. If possible, write down the name of the hiring manager for the department you’re applying for. Check the job ad, the company’s website, and their LinkedIn page to find out who it is.
• Hiring Manager’s Title. If you find the hiring manager for this specific job ad, and you see they’re the head of the department, write that as their title instead of “Hiring Manager.”
• Location. The city and state or country are the most vital information here, especially for companies that operate globally. You can optionally add the exact street name and number of the company if you want to be more specific.
• Email address (optional). If possible, find the hiring manager’s email address and add it here.
• Date of Writing (optional). Add the exact date you wrote your cover letter for a professional touch.

#2. Address the Hiring Manager

After adding all the relevant contact information, you should specifically address your cover letter to the person who’ll be reading it.

And we don’t recommend using the generic “To Whom It May Concern."

The way you address your cover letter can leave a positive impression on the hiring manager—if you do it right, that is.

So first, do some research. Check the job listing, company website, or LinkedIn profile and find the hiring manager for the department you’re applying to. This way, you can find their name and email address.

Then address them formally. We recommend using Ms. or Mr. , followed by their last name. But if you aren’t sure about their gender or marital status, you can just use their full name instead. For example:

• Dear Ms. Salgado
• Dear Juana Salgado

If you can’t find any information about the hiring manager or head of the customer service department, you can just address your letter to the department or the company in general:

• Dear Customer Service Department
• Dear Customer Service Hiring Team
• Dear Human Resources Team
• Dear Head of Customer Service

#3. Write an Eye-Catching Opening Statement

Hiring managers spend an average of seven seconds looking at a candidate’s application before deciding if it’s worth reading all the way through. 

So making a good impression from the get-go is crucial to a successful customer service cover letter.

Your opening paragraph should always include your name and exactly why you’re interested in the role. Showing your passion for the industry or specific job is a great way to make hiring managers want to know more about you.

Researching the company goes a long way here. The more you know about the employer, the more you can highlight what a good culture fit you are for them. This shows the hiring manager you aren’t just randomly applying everywhere - you’re really interested in this specific position.

Depending on your level of experience, you can also start your cover letter with a notable achievement or the skills that make you a perfect fit for the role.

Just make sure this paragraph isn’t too detailed. What you want to do here is pique the hiring manager’s curiosity and get them to delve deeper into your cover letter’s details.

#4. Use the Cover Letter Body for the Details

The main body of your customer service cover letter is where you can go into detail about what really makes you a qualified candidate for the position.

The trick here is to not just repeat everything from your resume. This is the place to truly show off your professional skills and qualifications, so you have to really make this section count. Your job is to convince the hiring manager that you’re a better fit than the other applicants, so mention any achievements related to the field and use the job advertisement as a reference.

You can tailor your cover letter to the job advertisement by mentioning specific skills the company is looking for or how exactly you can contribute to their team. For example, if you’re applying for a tech-related customer service position, you should mention skills related to that instead of, say, your e-commerce experience.

Showing your knowledge about the company, their business model, or their industry can be a great plus. So, if you’re familiar with the company’s products or services, make sure to mention that on your cover letter to show them how and why you align with their mission statement or company culture.

Finally, remember to be enthusiastic. Specifically, try to convey your excitement for the role and how confident you are that you can contribute to their company with your specific skills and experience.

#5. Wrap It Up Professionally

Knowing how to end your cover letter is the cherry on top.

You want to make sure you’re leaving the hiring manager on a good note and that your conclusion won’t make them doubt everything you said so far.

The conclusion is where you should confidently recap why you’re a great fit for the role or summarize the skills that make you stand out from other candidates.

Then, after your conclusion, it’s time to include a call to action. Inviting the hiring manager to take action , such as discussing your application further, can leave a lasting impression and increase your chances of getting an interview.

Finally, make sure to sign off on your letter professionally. Choose an appropriate signature line, followed by your full name. Here’s what it looks like:

Please don’t hesitate to contact me at the provided email or phone number so that we may arrange an interview. I look forward to discussing my application in greater depth at your earliest convenience.

Best wishes,

But if you think “Best wishes” is overused, here are some other lines you can choose from:

• Kind regards,
• Respectfully yours,
• Thank you for your consideration,

You now know the drill with writing cover letters, so we’ve got some specialized cover letter tips to take your customer service cover letter to the next level.

#1. Match Your Resume

In the customer service industry, consistency is key.

You want your cover letter’s formatting and layout to match your resume as much as possible; otherwise, you might look sloppy and disorganized.

Your text and contact information should be aligned neatly on the page, and the font styles and sizes should be consistent throughout. On top of that, you have to set the margins and line spacing, all while making sure your cover letter never spills over to page two.

Or Use A Cover Letter Template Instead

But why not just skip all the hassle?

Just use our resume builder by selecting a resume template and cover letter templates to create a matching pair in minutes.

Our professional templates are created in collaboration with HR professionals from around the world, making sure your application meets all industry standards and looks beautiful.

#2. Mention Skills And Other Keywords

While you can do a great job describing your enthusiasm for the role and how your experience makes you a great fit, none of that matters if your customer service cover letter doesn’t mention enough keywords .

If you’re familiar with popular customer service software like ZenDesk or have specific skills the job ad might be looking for, like troubleshooting, make sure to add them. The hiring manager is going to be even more impressed by how much you want the job if you mention the right customer service skills.

#3. Proofread The Final Draft

You can have the perfect cover letter and still get rejected because of one slip.

One of the biggest cover letter mistakes you can make is not proofreading your cover letter before sending it.

Almost any recruiter out there will reject an applicant with typos in their cover letter. That’s a huge risk to take just because you’re too lazy to proofread.

Try using a spellchecking tool like QuillBot or Grammarly . Run the text of your cover letter through it several times, then check it one more time yourself.

You worked hard to get to this final step, so don’t risk letting a typo ruin your chances of getting an interview.

Key Takeaways

And that’s all there is to writing a great customer service cover letter!

Hopefully, now you feel more confident, and you’ll land your next customer service gig in no time.

But before we finish this article, let’s recap everything we talked about so far:

• Your cover letter should have a header where the contact information is clearly visible. Make sure everything you list is factually correct, or else you might miss an opportunity.
• Researching the company goes a long way since you can personalize the letter according to their company culture and address the hiring manager by name for a stronger first impression.
• Match your cover letter to your resume so your application looks neat and professional. This also makes the hiring manager’s life easier since they can distinguish your application’s documents from the rest.
• Always proofread your cover letter before sending it. Sloppy grammar and spelling are some of the biggest mistakes that candidates can make, which gets their applications tossed into the ‘no’ pile.

To provide a safer experience, the best content and great communication, we use cookies. Learn how we use them for non-authenticated users.

Crafting an Effective Customer Service Cover Letter: Examples and Tips

After doing a fair bit of online research, you’ve found a customer service job that meets all your requirements. You’re pretty confident you’re a good fit, your customer support resume is on point, and you’re ready to apply.

Then, as you fill in the online form, you realize you can add a cover letter.

You might wonder whether you really need it. After all, skipping this step will save you time and effort. Plus, it’s not mandatory, right?

The truth is that a cover letter, while it might seem like a demanding last step, will help you stand out over other candidates.

A good cover letter gives you the ability to showcase how your experience and skills relate to the customer service role you’re applying for in a way that a resume might fall short. Since it’s not mandatory, it’s also a great way to separate yourself from other applicants who aren’t willing to do the extra work involved.

The good news is that it doesn’t need to be complicated. Follow these tips and examples to create an attention-grabbing cover letter for your next customer service role that will convince the recruiter you’re definitely worth interviewing.

Why you need a cover letter for customer service roles

If you have a great customer support resume with relevant skills and experience, that’s the core of your application. It’s the ice cream scoop in your sundae.

But your cover letter is the cherry and sprinkles you put on top — it’s a chance to show your personality and make yourself stand out.

With a cover letter, you’re doing two crucial things for the recruiter or hiring manager:

You’re showing them you care enough about the job to spend extra time crafting a cover letter.

You’re making it extra easy for them to connect the dots between your skills and experience and the job’s requirements.

Those are both solid arguments for spending time on a cover letter, but there are other reasons, too.

Customer service is a competitive job market. Many roles — especially in today’s job market — receive hundreds of applicants (or more!).

Put yourself in a recruiter’s shoes for a moment. When you’re skimming dozens or hundreds of resumes, you’re likely seeing similar things over and over — bullet points of similar experiences, similar roles, and so on. With so much of the same, how do you make a choice?

When there are two (or twenty) similar candidates, the applications with strong cover letters will stand out. It’s a chance to demonstrate the value you can bring to the company by expanding on the bullets in your resume. Since writing and communication skills are two of the key customer service skills , it’s also a chance to put your abilities on display.

Recommended Reading

How to Hire for Customer Service: A Step-by-Step Guide

What to include in a cover letter for a position in customer service.

OK, you’re going to write a cover letter for your customer service role. Now what do you include in it ?

Here are a few things that a solid cover letter should contain.

An attention-grabbing introduction

In journalism, a good lead is everything. In his famous book “ On Writing Well ,” editor and writer William Zinsser wrote that, “The most important sentence in any article is the first one. If it doesn’t induce the reader to proceed to the second sentence, your article is dead.”

Replace “article” with “cover letter,” and you’ll understand why your introduction is so important.

Remember, a recruiter or hiring manager might be sifting through hundreds of applications. A strong introduction that grabs their attention can be the difference between being ignored and being asked for an interview.

A highlight of relevant customer service skills and experience

Highlighting your relevant customer service experience in a personable and engaging way is the number one thing to focus on when writing a cover letter. Your cover letter shouldn’t be a novel, so you need to be brief and carefully choose what to share, but this is how you make your job application come alive.

Let’s use an example.

Imagine you’re applying for a job where one of the required skills is the “Ability to learn quickly and under pressure.”

Your cover letter is the perfect chance to highlight how you’ve used this skill. For example, you could explain how, in your last role, you successfully learned to use a complex new internal tool and how, after a few weeks, you were helping other colleagues who struggled with the new system.

Brevity is key, but make sure you pick a few required skills to show your relevant experience. If you’ve held unique roles in your past — like the time you trained dolphins at SeaWorld — it’s also a chance to highlight how those unique experiences make you the best possible candidate.

An address to the hiring manager and company

By addressing the company and, if possible, the hiring manager, you’ll show that you took the time to research the company you’re applying to. When many people take a “spray-and-pray” approach to applying for jobs — applying for hundreds of jobs with barely a thought — this is how you demonstrate your genuine interest.

This doesn’t have to be long — even just including the hiring manager’s name is more than most — but it’s a prime chance to personalize your cover letter.

Customization of your cover letter for each application

Adapting your cover letter to each job application can bring a big return on your time investment, but it can seem the most demanding.

This doesn’t mean you need to start from scratch every single time.

Instead, craft a cover letter “template” that works for you and that you can tweak based on the role and job description. For example, if you’re applying for a role focused on phone support, you’ll address your experience with that channel. If the company only offers live chat support, you’ll pull out the phone support snippet and add in something more relevant. Just be sure you change all the relevant information (company name, who it’s addressed to, exact job title or position) on each iteration!

How to Snag (and Succeed at) a Remote Customer Service Job

Structuring a customer service cover letter that stands out.

A cover letter is like a story about you. Like all good stories, they have an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.

Introduction: Start by expressing your enthusiasm and interest in the role. What made you excited when you read the job post? Maybe you’re particularly interested in the product or you’ve followed the company (or used their product!) for years. Perhaps you enjoy writing and managing knowledge bases.

Your introduction should include:

Your personal details (name, address, email, phone number).

The hiring manager or recruiter’s details (if possible).

The role you’re applying to.

An opening paragraph.

Main body: The bulk of your cover letter is about highlighting relevant customer service skills and experiences. As we’ve mentioned, you need to connect the job requirements and responsibilities with your previous experience, ideally by providing real-life examples. The main body should contain:

Experience.

Qualifications.

Don’t write it in bullet points. Write in personable, conversational paragraphs. Imagine it’s your first, super-brief conversation with the hiring manager.

Conclusion: The last section of the cover letter is for you to reiterate your interest and thank the reader for reviewing your application. The conclusion is made of:

A closing paragraph.

Your signature.

7 Customer Service Resume Examples + Best Practices

Tips for writing an effective customer service cover letter.

What are the key elements that make the perfect cover letter? The best practices below are a good place to start:

Use a tone and style that matches the company: The language, tone, and style you would use when applying for a customer service position at a bank are not the same as if you were applying for a role at a tech startup. Startups tend to be more laid back and informal while banks are traditionally more formal. Be sure to research the company you’re applying to, paying attention to how they communicate. Matching your tone to your audience is an important customer service skill, and this is your chance to show it off.

Address specific job requirements with real examples: Your cover letter should provide plenty of real-life examples that show how you uniquely meet the requirements from the job description. Don’t overwhelm the reader with details, but make it obvious that your skill set fits what they’re looking for.

Demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills: Your cover letter should prove that you have great communication skills, which is the cornerstone of fantastic customer service. Don’t forget that the way you express yourself says as much (or more) than the specific words you use.

Be clear and concise in your writing: Use language that’s easy to understand. This isn’t the time to use fancy words or attempt to be too clever. Prioritize clarity and aim to highlight your relevance in as few words as necessary.

How to write a customer service cover letter with no prior support experience

What if you’re a total newcomer to the customer support industry and have no experience at all? Or perhaps you have support experience but want to break into the SaaS customer support industry ?

First, don’t be discouraged! Key customer service skills like empathy, adaptability, clear communication, and patience are transferable. They’re skills you develop in other fields — as a barista, teacher, salesperson, and even as a parent or caregiver — or through activities like volunteering or athletics.

If you have no experience in customer support, your cover letter is even more critical. Without it, your resume might not be enough to showcase those skills and how they’ll apply to the role you’re applying to.

On top of that, your cover letter is a great place to express your eagerness to learn and your customer-focused attitude.

Customer Support Job Description: Examples and Best Practices

Customer service cover letter examples.

Writing your first cover letter can feel daunting. Below are some examples based on experience level that might spark your creative juices.

#1: Entry-level customer service representative

Hampton, VA 23666

(343) 222-5555

[email protected]

March 10, 2024

Healthcare Inc.

Role: Customer Service Representative 

Dear Jessica Smith,

I’m interested in applying for the Customer Service Representative role at Healthcare Inc. As a former barista at a large coffee shop, I made sure customers felt consistently cared for, turning visitors into regulars. Because of my customer service skills and friendly attitude, I was promoted within six months. 

In my current position, I’ve become an expert in various aspects of customer service, like using clear communication, being attentive to detail, and having a problem-solving mindset. In the job description, you mentioned that you're looking for a candidate who learns quickly. While working at my current position, I had to learn a new cash management system, and within a few days, I was training others.

My colleagues (and customers!) would say I'm friendly, patient, and hardworking. I'm always trying to get better at what I do, picking up new things on the job and ensuring customers have a great experience. My passion for delivering a consistently great customer experience encouraged me to apply for this role at Healthcare Inc.

I understand how important it is to boost a company's mission through every customer interaction to create long-lasting loyalty. That's precisely the approach I'm excited to bring to Healthcare Inc., and it’s why I'm eager to grow with your team and work as a Customer Service Representative. 

I look forward to discussing my experience with you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need additional information. 

Thank you for your consideration.

Best regards,

#2: Customer service representative

Role: Customer Service Representative

I recently came across the Customer Service Representative position at Healthcare Inc. in one of my favorite customer support communities. I’m excited to express my interest in joining your team!

With two years of experience in customer service, I’m confident in my ability to contribute positively to your organization. 

In my current position at ACME Company, I've honed my communication skills by handling a diverse range of customer inquiries. Whether through email, phone, or chat support, I consistently prioritize clear and concise communication, resulting in a team-leading customer satisfaction score of 98% over the last two quarters. 

I also see that you’re looking for someone who can build customer relationships. I take pride in developing rapport with clients at ACME Company, resulting in a 10% increase in repeat customers. By actively listening to their needs and providing personalized solutions, I've cultivated a positive customer experience that contributes to ongoing loyalty. In fact, sometimes customers ask for me by name. While I try to discourage that, I do love how it signals that they trust me to get the job done. 

Based on the details I've provided, I think it’s clear that I have a genuine passion for customer service. I'm thrilled about the prospect of advancing my career at Healthcare Inc. 

Thank you for considering my application. I’m looking forward to hearing from you about the customer service representative position. 

#3: Customer service manager

Role: Customer Service Manager

I saw your job posting for a Customer Service Manager on the company’s website and immediately had to apply. With four years of experience in customer service, I’m confident in my ability to build and lead a successful support team. 

Here are three key reasons why I believe I’m a strong candidate for this role:

Leadership skills: In my current position at ACME Company, I’ve been entrusted with leading a team of customer service representatives. I successfully implemented new training protocols that resulted in a 15% improvement in customer satisfaction scores within six months.

Problem-solving abilities: I pride myself on resolving customer issues efficiently. For instance, during my time at ACME Company, I encountered a challenging situation where a customer had a complex billing problem. Through asking good questions and collaborating with various departments, I was able to resolve the issue to the customer's satisfaction. I also identified and implemented a process improvement that reduced similar errors by 40%.

Adaptability and continuous improvement: In the fast-paced environment at ACME Company, I actively sought and implemented feedback from both customers and team members about how we could improve. One project I initiated led to a streamlined workflow and a 10% reduction in average handling time.

I am so excited about the opportunity to bring my skills and experience to Healthcare Inc. and to contribute to the achievements of your customer service team. 

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to hearing from you to learn more about the customer service manager position.

Cover letters are worth the time

Writing a thoughtful, personalized cover letter takes a lot more time than simply filling out a bunch of fields on a job application form, but it’s one of the single best ways to make your application stand out from the crowd, especially when you’re applying for popular roles in the competitive customer service job market.

By leveraging the tips and tactics shared here, you’ll be able to create a compelling cover letter that increases your likelihood of landing the customer service job you have your eye on — whether it’s your first role or you’re looking to advance your customer service career.

Like what you see? Share with a friend.

Larry barker.

Larry has spent over a decade leading CX teams at tech companies of various sizes. He also currently operates Supported Content , a niche content marketing company that helps CX brands attract and retain customers.

We've got more to share

The Supportive Weekly

For the customer service obsessed

In the Works

For founders and growing companies

Your privacy matters! Help Scout only uses this info to send content and updates. You may unsubscribe anytime. View our privacy policy for more.

• Resume Templates
• Resume Examples
• Free Resume Builder
• How to Write a Resume
• Resume Format
• Resume Packs
• Cover Letter Templates
• Cover Letter Examples
• Free Cover Letter Generator
• How To Write a Cover Letter
• CV Templates
• CV Examples
• Free CV Maker
• Resume Help
• Cover Letter Help
• Job Interview
• Career Advice

The Finest Cover Letter Examples For Customer Service

The first step in landing an interview for a great job in the customer service industry is submitting an impressive resume and cover letter .

How do you define “impressive”? Well, your cover letter should instantly grab the attention of the hiring manager by demonstrating that you are a good fit for the position and are enthusiastic about pursuing the opportunity.

This guide will teach you how you can project that impression with your writing, plus share a couple more tips to help you land the coveted interview! 

What Should a Customer Service Cover Letter Include?

Your customer service cover letter should contain all of the standard elements expected in a well-written business letter. This includes your contact information, a proper salutation using the name of the contact person (research this!), a catchy introductory paragraph, a powerful summary statement, and a professional-sounding closing.

More specifically, a convincing customer service letter should communicate three major points:

• Your level of experience and most marketable skills 
• Past achievements and accomplishments
• Personal tidbits, showing why you are a great cultural fit 

If you nail the above, you’d likely get a green light to the next hiring round!

Customer Service Cover Letter Examples

Download cover letter (.docx)

Customer Service Manager Cover Letter Example (text version)

Dear Mr. Bryant,

I read your job listing for a customer service supervisor with great interest. I understand that creating great customer service experiences is absolutely necessary for any company to remain competitive. I understand that hiring the right customer service representatives is extraordinarily important and that hiring the right supervisors is even more.

I believe that my decade of experience in the customer service and hospitality fields makes me uniquely qualified to take on the challenges of this position. I have worked in multiple positions where I have employed my customer service skills both face to face, online, and over the phone. I have always succeeded in meeting the highest standards when it comes to delivering skilled assistance while showing empathy to the customer. I believe that customer service and support plays an integral role in sales and customer retention.

In my most recent position as evening supervisor of the customer support team at Major Retailer, I oversee a team of 10 on-site representative and 15 remote employees. We deliver both online and telephone support services. I also act as the administrator of our automated telephone support system the XYZ telephony 3000.

In the five years that I have worked for Major Retailer, I have been promoted from customer service agent to supervisor. I have also received two commendations for increasing the speed of which customer service calls are resolved by 5% overall, and for achieving the highest rate of support agent retention in the midwest. I am proud of what I have been able to accomplish working with the wonderful team I have over the past several years, but also look forward to exploring future challenges with ABC Corporation.

Prior to my work at Major Retailer, I held several positions that required customer service skills. These were largely in the hospitality industry where I worked as a concierge at both Hotel Chain A and Hotel Chain B. It was in these positions that I learned the power of creating amazing experiences for customers.

In closing, I believe I have the skills and experience needed to execute the duties of this position. I am committed to customer service, and providing support to your valued customers. I am confident that my proven leadership position will enable me to move seamlessly into a supervisory position at your firm. I would love to meet with you.

Sincerely, Margaret O’Brien

Entry-Level Customer Service Cover Letter Example

Dear, Ms. Adeline Schmidt,

I am writing to you in regards to the job position for customer service representative that is currently open at Paramounts Inc. I’d be delighted to be considered for this position and strongly believe that your company will benefit from my strong interpersonal skills and commitment to high standards of customer service. 

My past experiences include but are not limited to working in a warehouse environment where I would consistently deliver packaged goods to consumers in a friendly and time-efficient manner. Working behind the counter of a local neighborhood deli, where I would communicate with customers to determine the needs of their order. As well as working for a customer service phone line, where I was able to help customers solve issues that they were unable to work out on their own. 

In addition to these experiences, I am also highly capable of recordkeeping and transactions’ organization, communicating with others, and showing a consistent and professional demeanor in the workplace. 

With all of these aspects considered, I have high hopes that you can consider me for a position with your company. If required, please feel free to contact me at any point in time to discuss my potential employment. I hope that the enclosed resume that I have included with this letter will bring to light any requirements I hold that you may be looking for. 

Sincerely Adelaide Kemp

Customer Service Rep Cover Letter Example 

To the desk of Ms. Adrianna Blake,

I wish to take a moment to thank you for considering me for the position of customer service representative. For the last two years, I have been working as a specialist in customer care for the satellite office of Diamond Internet and Television services. During the time I spent working for this company, I have managed to develop a wide range of skills that I believe will make me suitable for the position that had been advertised. 

During my time at my previous job, I have developed the following skills:

• Live Chat support (using ZenDesk software)
• Real-time phone support 
• Lead qualifications and cold calling 
• Cross-sells and upsells to existing customers 

I was also responsible for conducting phone customer satisfaction surveys of Diamond Telecom customer base, conducting assessments, and inquiring into the reasons for lower ratings. Then, I completed detailed reports for the company’s Customer Success teams. 

My experience at Diamond has also allowed me to develop my interpersonal skills and develop a high level of emotional intelligence and resilience. 

I hope that this letter and enclosed resume will assure you that I will be an excellent fit for your company. I look forward to discussing the potential of my employment in the future. Once again, thank you for the opportunity. 

Sincerely, Alexander Lyman

How to Write a Customer Service Cover Letter

Okay, you now have an idea of how a great customer service cover letter looks like. Now’s your turn to churn out one, or better several! 

Here are step-by-step instructions for writing a compelling customer service cover letter:  

• Start from the middle — the cover letter body. This is the main part of your letter, so give it the most thought first. 
• Briefly explain your background and core skills. Use the job posting as your guide and incorporate the “keywords” from it to describe your main skills and experiences. Years of experience, the names of customer service related computer systems, and industry-recognized training programs are useful keywords that often get a positive response.
• Add “ power words ” to your narrative. Use strong verbs and adjectives to describe your duties, accomplishments, and personal traits.
• Don’t forget about soft skills . Keep in mind that a good customer service professional has empathy, great listening skills, the ability to resolve conflict, and the ability to deal with angry customers without taking things personally. A customer service professional seeking a management or supervisor position must also show that they can motivate others, provide constructive criticism, and coaching.
• Round up with a call-to-action. Close your cover letter with a short statement, prompting further action such as reaching out to you for further information. Alternatively, you can state your availability for the interview. Then thank the reader and sign off.
• Work on your opening paragraph.  Get back to the beginning and add a compelling opening for your cover letter. State the position you are after, as it is written in the job description, and share your elevator pitch .  
• Edit and polish. Give your cover letter another unemotional read. Trim some sentences, check for typos, and verify that you’ve addressed all the instructions from the job posting. 

What Are 3 Important Qualities of Customer Service?

The top three most important qualities for a great customer service representative are:

• Strong listening and communication skills
• Empathy and compassion 
• Mental resilience 

Yes, these are all soft skills. But the truth is that many companies are willing to train you to use their customer support software and phone systems for example, but they don’t have the time or willingness to nurture the soft skills that you may or may not possess. 

Final Thoughts

You’ll notice that the first customer service letter above does several things. It outlines technical experience, shows that Margaret has many of the soft skills required in customer service, demonstrates that she is technically proficient, and quantifies her achievements.

You can use this sample as a reference as you write your letter replacing the details here with your own information. Feel free to combine our letter with a resume you can create from one of our many free templates the next time you apply for a customer support position!

Updated on September 2021.

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

you might also like

CNA Cover Letter Example (+Writing Tips)

Firefighter Cover Letter Example (+Tips)

Production Manager Cover Letter Example And Tips

Compelling Cover Letter For Research Internship: Example & Tips

Veterinarian Assistant Cover Letter: Examples and Tips

its one of the best cover letter

Leave a Response Cancel reply

How to Write a Cover Letter That Will Get You a Job

I ’ve read thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of cover letters in my career. If you’re thinking that sounds like really boring reading, you’re right. What I can tell you from enduring that experience is that most cover letters are terrible — and not only that, but squandered opportunities. When a cover letter is done well, it can significantly increase your chances of getting an interview, but the vast majority fail that test.

So let’s talk about how to do cover letters right.

First, understand the point of a cover letter.

The whole idea of a cover letter is that it can help the employer see you as more than just your résumé. Managers generally aren’t hiring based solely on your work history; your experience is crucial, yes, but they’re also looking for someone who will be easy to work with, shows good judgment, communicates well, possesses strong critical thinking skills and a drive to get things done, complements their current team, and all the other things you yourself probably want from your co-workers. It’s tough to learn much about those things from job history alone, and that’s where your cover letter comes in.

Because of that …

Whatever you do, don’t just summarize your résumé.

The No. 1 mistake people make with cover letters is that they simply use them to summarize their résumé. This makes no sense — hiring managers don’t need a summary of your résumé! It’s on the very next page! They’re about to see it as soon as they scroll down. And if you think about it, your entire application is only a few pages (in most cases, a one- or two-page résumé and a one-page cover letter) — why would you squander one of those pages by repeating the content of the others? And yet, probably 95 percent of the cover letters I see don’t add anything new beyond the résumé itself (and that’s a conservative estimate).

Instead, your cover letter should go beyond your work history to talk about things that make you especially well-suited for the job. For example, if you’re applying for an assistant job that requires being highly organized and you neurotically track your household finances in a detailed, color-coded spreadsheet, most hiring managers would love to know that because it says something about the kind of attention to detail you’d bring to the job. That’s not something you could put on your résumé, but it can go in your cover letter.

Or maybe your last boss told you that you were the most accurate data processor she’d ever seen, or came to rely on you as her go-to person whenever a lightning-fast rewrite was needed. Maybe your co-workers called you “the client whisperer” because of your skill in calming upset clients. Maybe you’re regularly sought out by more senior staff to help problem-solve, or you find immense satisfaction in bringing order to chaos. Those sorts of details illustrate what you bring to the job in a different way than your résumé does, and they belong in your cover letter.

If you’re still stumped, pretend you’re writing an email to a friend about why you’d be great at the job. You probably wouldn’t do that by stiffly reciting your work history, right? You’d talk about what you’re good at and how you’d approach the work. That’s what you want here.

You don’t need a creative opening line.

If you think you need to open the letter with something creative or catchy, I am here to tell you that you don’t. Just be simple and straightforward:

• “I’m writing to apply for your X position.”

• “I’d love to be considered for your X position.”

• “I’m interested in your X position because …”

• “I’m excited to apply for your X position.”

That’s it! Straightforward is fine — better, even, if the alternative is sounding like an aggressive salesperson.

Show, don’t tell.

A lot of cover letters assert that the person who wrote it would excel at the job or announce that the applicant is a skillful engineer or a great communicator or all sorts of other subjective superlatives. That’s wasted space — the hiring manager has no reason to believe it, and so many candidates claim those things about themselves that most managers ignore that sort of self-assessment entirely. So instead of simply declaring that you’re great at X (whatever X is), your letter should demonstrate that. And the way you do that is by describing accomplishments and experiences that illustrate it.

Here’s a concrete example taken from one extraordinarily effective cover-letter makeover that I saw. The candidate had originally written, “I offer exceptional attention to detail, highly developed communication skills, and a talent for managing complex projects with a demonstrated ability to prioritize and multitask.” That’s pretty boring and not especially convincing, right? (This is also exactly how most people’s cover letters read.)

In her revised version, she wrote this instead:

“In addition to being flexible and responsive, I’m also a fanatic for details — particularly when it comes to presentation. One of my recent projects involved coordinating a 200-page grant proposal: I proofed and edited the narratives provided by the division head, formatted spreadsheets, and generally made sure that every line was letter-perfect and that the entire finished product conformed to the specific guidelines of the RFP. (The result? A five-year, $1.5 million grant award.) I believe in applying this same level of attention to detail to tasks as visible as prepping the materials for a top-level meeting and as mundane as making sure the copier never runs out of paper.”

That second version is so much more compelling and interesting — and makes me believe that she really is great with details.

If there’s anything unusual or confusing about your candidacy, address it in the letter.

Your cover letter is your chance to provide context for things that otherwise might seem confusing or less than ideal to a hiring manager. For example, if you’re overqualified for the position but are excited about it anyway, or if you’re a bit underqualified but have reason to think you could excel at the job, address that up front. Or if your background is in a different field but you’re actively working to move into this one, say so, talk about why, and explain how your experience will translate. Or if you’re applying for a job across the country from where you live because you’re hoping to relocate to be closer to your family, let them know that.

If you don’t provide that kind of context, it’s too easy for a hiring manager to decide you’re the wrong fit or applying to everything you see or don’t understand the job description and put you in the “no” pile. A cover letter gives you a chance to say, “No, wait — here’s why this could be a good match.”

Keep the tone warm and conversational.

While there are some industries that prize formal-sounding cover letters — like law — in most fields, yours will stand out if it’s warm and conversational. Aim for the tone you’d use if you were writing to a co-worker whom you liked a lot but didn’t know especially well. It’s okay to show some personality or even use humor; as long as you don’t go overboard, your letter will be stronger for it.

Don’t use a form letter.

You don’t need to write every cover letter completely from scratch, but if you’re not customizing it to each job, you’re doing it wrong. Form letters tend to read like form letters, and they waste the chance to speak to the specifics of what this employer is looking for and what it will take to thrive in this particular job.

If you’re applying for a lot of similar jobs, of course you’ll end up reusing language from one letter to the next. But you shouldn’t have a single cover letter that you wrote once and then use every time you apply; whatever you send should sound like you wrote it with the nuances of this one job in mind.

A good litmus test is this: Could you imagine other applicants for this job sending in the same letter? If so, that’s a sign that you haven’t made it individualized enough to you and are probably leaning too heavily on reciting your work history.

No, you don’t need to hunt down the hiring manager’s name.

If you read much job-search advice, at some point you’ll come across the idea that you need to do Woodward and Bernstein–level research to hunt down the hiring manager’s name in order to open your letter with “Dear Matilda Jones.” You don’t need to do this; no reasonable hiring manager will care. If the name is easily available, by all means, feel free to use it, but otherwise “Dear Hiring Manager” is absolutely fine. Take the hour you just freed up and do something more enjoyable with it.

Keep it under one page.

If your cover letters are longer than a page, you’re writing too much, and you risk annoying hiring managers who are likely sifting through hundreds of applications and don’t have time to read lengthy tomes. On the other hand, if you only write one paragraph, it’s unlikely that you’re making a compelling case for yourself as a candidate — not impossible, but unlikely. For most people, something close to a page is about right.

Don’t agonize over the small details.

What matters most about your cover letter is its content. You should of course ensure that it’s well-written and thoroughly proofread, but many job seekers agonize over elements of the letter that really don’t matter. I get tons of  questions from job seekers  about whether they should attach their cover letter or put it in the body of the email (answer: No one cares, but attaching it makes it easier to share and will preserve your formatting), or what to name the file (again, no one really cares as long as it’s reasonably professional, but when people are dealing with hundreds of files named “resume,” it’s courteous to name it with your full name).

Approaching your cover letter like this can make a huge difference in your job search. It can be the thing that moves your application from the “maybe” pile (or even the “no” pile) to the “yes” pile. Of course, writing cover letters like this will take more time than sending out the same templated letter summarizing your résumé — but 10 personalized, compelling cover letters are likely to get you more  interview invitations  than 50 generic ones will.

• ‘I Had a Great Job Interview — Why Haven’t I Heard Back?’
• How to Answer ‘Tell Me About Yourself’ in a Job Interview

How to Write A Cover Letter That Stands Out self.__wrap_b=(t,n,e)=>{e=e||document.querySelector(`[data-br="${t}"]`);let s=e.parentElement,r=R=>e.style.maxWidth=R+"px";e.style.maxWidth="";let o=s.clientWidth,i=s.clientHeight,c=o/2-.25,l=o+.5,u;if(o){for(;c+1 {self.__wrap_b(0,+e.dataset.brr,e)})).observe(s)};self.__wrap_b(":Rcaha6:",1)

On the long list of hard things we all have to do, writing a cover letter falls somewhere between paying rent and scheduling doctor appointments . But cover letters are a necessary part of the job search , especially since writing one is a great way to show you’re serious about the role you’re going for. A cover letter can also help boost your resume to the top of the candidate list, which improves your odds of landing an interview . And while what you put on your resume is important, it’s limited — and a cover letter can cover for that.  

What’s a cover letter?

It’s your shot to expand on your resume (usually via an attachment sent along with your application or resume). A good cover letter also explains why you’re the best fit for the role. Even if a cover letter is listed ‘optional’ during the application process, just making the effort to write one could be enough to make you stand out from the crowd. 

What should a cover letter include?

Start with an introduction to the hiring manager before you move on to your skills and experience. Then, touch on what makes you different from other applicants. Here’s what your cover letter should look like by the time you hit ‘send’:

Header: Include your contact details here, like your name, phone number, and email address.

Greeting: This is where you’ll address the cover letter. If you can find the hiring manager’s name (which you can typically do through some friendly LinkedIn sleuthing), address them directly. You can also use “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Hiring Manager” if you don’t know their name. 

Opening paragraph: This is where you introduce yourself, and show your enthusiasm for the role you’re applying for. All in a non-boring, non-generic way (see below for examples). 

Body: This includes one or two paragraphs detailing your most relevant previous experience and skills. Basically, why you’re a good match for the company. 

Conclusion: In one last paragraph, end your cover letter with a summary of why you are the best person for the job. As well as a call to action to set up an interview or phone call. 

Here are a few more ways to make your cover letter stand out from the job applicant crowd:

Make sure you tailor each cover letter to the specific job you’re applying for — this isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation.

Don’t repeat everything you include in your resume.

Don’t be too modest. Yes, you are good at what you do. So let them know.

Remember to reread your cover letter before submitting it. Just like you don’t want mistakes on your resume , you definitely don’t want the wrong “your” in your cover letter or to include a misspelled word. Pro tip: Read your cover letter out loud to yourself before submitting the application.

How long should a cover letter be? 

Keep your cover letter to no more than one page, between 250-400 words. Just stick to the information that is most relevant for this role.

Can you give me a cover letter example?

Here’s one: 

Dear [HIRING MANAGER NAME],

With [EDUCATION] and [YEARS] of experience in [INDUSTRY], I’m excited to apply for the [ROLE] position at [COMPANY]. 

As a [POSITION] in my current role, my primary focus has been [TOP THREE MAJOR COMPONENTS OF YOUR JOB]. My work requires [TOP THREE QUALITIES THAT MAKE YOU GOOD AT YOUR JOB]. It’s given me a deep understanding of [SOMETHING IMPORTANT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO EXCEL IN YOUR INDUSTRY]. 

Outside of that, I have also been responsible for [AN ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITY OR TWO YOU HAVEN’T MENTIONED] which has been incredibly rewarding while helping me grow as a [YOUR CURRENT ROLE]. Prior to this role, I [BASIC INFO ABOUT YOUR PAST JOB OR TWO]. 

My experience in both [TOP TWO SKILLS YOU WANT THEM TO REMEMBER ABOUT YOU] has given me the skills and experience to excel on your team. I’m a [TWO QUALITIES YOU HAVEN’T MENTIONED YET THAT ARE RELEVANT TO THE ROLE YOU’RE APPLYING FOR], and I believe my skills will be valuable at [COMPANY]. I would love the opportunity to speak further about this role, and you can contact me anytime at [PHONE NUMBER] or [EMAIL ADDRESS]. I’m looking forward to hearing from you. 

[YOUR NAME]

…And if you prefer to keep yours even shorter, try this cover letter example:

As a [YOUR CURRENT ROLE] with experience [TOP THREE MAJOR COMPONENTS OF YOUR JOB], I was excited to see your open posting for [POSITION] at [COMPANY]. My [TOP THREE QUALITIES THAT MAKE YOU GOOD AT YOUR JOB] have served me well in this and previous roles and make me uniquely qualified for this particular position.

Your job listing mentions a need for a candidate with specific experience in [SOMETHING THEY’RE LOOKING FOR]. I have worked in [THAT THING] on many occasions in my current and previous roles. One of my strongest skills is [A SKILL THAT RELATES TO WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR]. Past projects have also utilized my skills in [AN ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITY OR TWO YOU HAVEN’T MENTIONED YET], which would be valuable in this role. 

I am excited to bring my experience in [TOP TWO SKILLS YOU WANT THEM TO REMEMBER ABOUT YOU] to your team. I look forward to discussing the role in detail and finding the ways I can contribute to achieving your goals. Thank you for considering my application.

Writing a cover letter is a tedious but crucial part of applying for jobs. The good news? Recruiters actually read and use them. Plus, it gives you an opportunity to stand out against other candidates.

Updated on Feb. 16 to reflect new information.

Live Smarter

Sign up for the Daily Skimm email newsletter. Delivered to your inbox every morning and prepares you for your day in minutes.

• State of Women
• PFL #ShowUsYourLeave
• newsletter Newsletters
• daily-skimm Daily Skimm
• audio Skimm This
• audio 9 to 5ish
• phone theSkimm App

© 2024 theSkimm, All rights reserved

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Welcome to the Purdue Online Writing Lab

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

The Online Writing Lab at Purdue University houses writing resources and instructional material, and we provide these as a free service of the Writing Lab at Purdue. Students, members of the community, and users worldwide will find information to assist with many writing projects. Teachers and trainers may use this material for in-class and out-of-class instruction.

The Purdue On-Campus Writing Lab and Purdue Online Writing Lab assist clients in their development as writers—no matter what their skill level—with on-campus consultations, online participation, and community engagement. The Purdue Writing Lab serves the Purdue, West Lafayette, campus and coordinates with local literacy initiatives. The Purdue OWL offers global support through online reference materials and services.

A Message From the Assistant Director of Content Development 

The Purdue OWL® is committed to supporting  students, instructors, and writers by offering a wide range of resources that are developed and revised with them in mind. To do this, the OWL team is always exploring possibilties for a better design, allowing accessibility and user experience to guide our process. As the OWL undergoes some changes, we welcome your feedback and suggestions by email at any time.

Please don't hesitate to contact us via our contact page  if you have any questions or comments.

All the best,

Social Media

Facebook twitter.