cold resume cover letter sample

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Learn How to Write Cold Contact Cover Letters

Find out What to Include and See Examples

Cold Contact Cover Letter Example

Sending an email cold contact letter.

• What to Include in the Letter
• Before You Send a Cold Contact Letter

More Cold Contact Letter Examples

What is a cold contact cover letter, and how can it help your job search? A cold contact cover letter is a document sent with your resume to companies that have not advertised job openings .  

Sending a cold contact cover letter provides you with an opportunity to be considered by the company for employment. Because writing this type of letter takes time, it's a good idea to only send cold contact cover letters to companies that you are very interested in working for.

The following is an example of a cold contact cover letter sent to an employer that hasn't advertised job openings. Download the cold contact cover letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples.

Cold Contact Cover Letter Example (Text Version)

Susan Sharpe 123 Main Street New York, NY 11111 555-555-5555 susan.sharpe@email.com

August 17, 2020

Mr. David Paulin Greenwood Elementary Principal 1390 Broadway New York, NY 11111

Dear Mr. Paulin,

Independent schools such as Greenwood Elementary require a hardworking, organized administrative staff to ensure that the school runs successfully and efficiently. My administrative experience and organizational skills would help contribute to the long history of success at Greenwood School.

I have extensive administrative experience in an academic setting. For the past two years I have worked at the Early Childhood Center at XYZ College, where I alternated between running activities for the children and answering phones, scheduling parent-teacher meetings, and performing other organizational tasks.

I also served as an intern for the principal of 123 Elementary School, undertaking a variety of office assignments while also observing firsthand the day-to-day duties of an academic administrator.

I have attached my resume, and would love to speak with you regarding how I could make a significant contribution to Greenwood School's daily operations. I will call you within the next week to discuss arranging an interview. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Susan Sharpe (signature hard copy letter)

Susan Sharpe

When you are sending your cover letter via email, include your name and the job title in the subject line of your message:

Subject: Inquiry From Susan Sharpe

List your contact information in your signature, rather than in the body of the letter:

Susan Sharpe 123 Main Street XYZ Town, NY 11111 Email: susan.sharp@mail.com Cell: 555-555-5555

What Information You Should Include in the Letter

As with an ordinary cover letter, your goal is to get the company's attention and show that you're a great candidate. Writing a cold contact cover letter is harder, however, since you cannot base your pitch off of the information provided in the job description.

In your letter, convey your interest in the organization, identify your most relevant skills and experience , and explain what you would offer the organization. Particularly since you're sending unsolicited correspondence, you should have a strong pitch or thesis statement for why you're worth considering.

For instance, you might say:

From the awards your company has received, it's clear that you make the very best of Widget X. However, the directions on how to assemble Widget X aren't as praised. That's where I can help: As an award-winning technical writer, I excel at explaining complex things in clear, simple language.

Here are the basic elements you'll want to include in your cold contact cover letter:

A Good Hook

Start with a strong subject line—this will help ensure that the recipient will open the email, despite not recognizing the sender. You can try aggressive subject lines like "Why you need a better event planner" or "Increase your sales 10%." Or, try more subtle approaches, such as "Quick request—marketing positions" or "Experienced marketer interested in company X."

If you know someone in common, include the person's name in the subject line.

As well, you'll want to have an attention-getting first sentence that conveys both what you want (a job; an informational interview) and what you can offer.

What You Would Offer

Be clear about why you'd be an asset. This is where research comes in: You want to connect the company's needs and goals with your skills and abilities. Show how you're well-suited to help the company achieve its mission, whether that's selling more widgets or making on-time deliveries.

If You're Connected, Mention It

If you have a connection that you can mention, make sure to include that information in the first few sentences of the letter. (Always check beforehand to make sure the c onnection is comfortable with you including their name and prepared to recommend you.)

Provide Evidence

It's great to say you have a proven track record launching PR campaigns; even better to send a link to an article or press release about the campaign's success. Include a link or attachments to your portfolio, writing clips, and any other relevant evidence of your work.

Include Next Steps

Conclude your email by offering next steps, such as a potential time for a follow-up call or a request for an interview or conversation. While your goal may ultimately be a job interview, smaller requests, such as an informational interview , tour of the company, or request for information on the next job fair, may more readily be granted.

Before You Send a Cold Contact Cover Letter

Is it worth it to send cold contact letters? That's a tricky question to answer. As you can see, crafting a strong cold contact cover letter involves as much time—or even more—than a cover letter written in response to a posted job description. And even with a strong, targeted letter, there's no guarantee that the company will be receptive to your overture.

However, that doesn't mean that cold contact letters and emails never get results.

If you email persuasively and convey clearly why the company needs someone like you, it can be far more attention-getting than one of many emails in a pile of cover letters responding to a posted offer.

Much of the success of a cold cover letter depends on timing, your understanding of the company, and the quality of your letter. This technique is most likely to be successful when you're truly passionate about a company and believe you'd be an asset.

Before sending a cold contact cover letter, do your research. As well as knowing the company, you'll want to send your letter to the most appropriate person. Use LinkedIn to find out the names of managers or employees in the department where you'd like to work.

• Inquiry Letters
• Letters of Interest
• Personal Value Proposition Letters

CareerOneStop. " Inquiry Letters ." Accessed Aug. 17, 2020.

LinkedIn.com/in/KimIsaacs

Cold Cover Letters

Most positions are never advertised. A cold cover letter is an uninvited inquiry to an employer, recruiter or other hiring manager regarding possible job opportunities. Cold cover letters’ potential advantages include creating a job that didn’t previously exist, gaining early consideration for a position that hasn’t yet been advertised and expanding your network of contacts. By sending a letter to an employer who’s not soliciting candidates, your resume will not be buried in a pile of hundreds of others.

Success Stories

• Heather secured a marketing director position after sending a cold cover letter. She read about the company’s expansion goals in a trade magazine and sent a letter that outlined how she would help the company achieve its objectives. The company was impressed by Heather’s enthusiasm, knowledge of the company’s mission and ideas for successful expansion.
• Stuart compiled a list of his dream companies and contacted them directly. His letter arrived at the right time at one of the companies — a network engineer had just given her notice and a position became available. The company benefited from hiring Stuart and saving on recruitment costs.
• Mark is a salesperson with a passion for sporting goods. His favorite retailer did not have a presence in his local market, so Mark sent a cover letter outlining how he would establish a local presence. After reading the letter, the company flew Mark in for an interview and hired him on the spot.

Before You Write

• Know Yourself: You are contacting a company that hasn’t asked to be contacted. So what do you offer? Why should the company take an interest in you? What skills, abilities and credentials would be desirable to the organization?
• Research the Employer: Find out as much as you can about your target company, including past performance, goals and competitors so you can knowledgeably write about how you would help the operation.

Components of Your Letter

• The Salutation: Since you are writing an unsolicited letter, it’s crucial that you address a particular person. Do some research so you can get your resume in the hands of the manager most likely to be interested in hiring you.
• The Opener: You can use a number of different techniques to open your letter. Here are two examples:
• The Value Proposition: “If you have identified goal-surpassing revenue and market-share growth among your goals for this year, my credentials will be of interest. Allow me to introduce myself: A marketing executive with 15 years of experience within Fortune 500 environments…”
• The News Angle: “After reading of your consulting-services expansion in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal, I am eager to join your team as an accounting manager. You will benefit from my top credentials, including CPA with Big Four experience and multilingual fluency (Spanish, Portuguese, Italian)…”
• The Body: Summarize the key strengths you bring to the table. A great strategy is to include a bulleted list of achievements and qualifications that would benefit the company. Provide an overview of your main selling points and examples of how you have contributed to your current or former employers.
• The Close: End your letter with an action statement, promising to follow up to explore the possibility of an interview. This is a much stronger closing than, “I hope to hear from you soon.”

This article was written by Kim Isaacs, director of ResumePower.com and author of The Career Change Resume book. Visit ResumePower.com to learn more about resume services to jump-start your career.

Copyright 2011 – Monster Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved. You may not copy, reproduce or distribute this article without the prior written permission of Monster Worldwide. This article first appeared on Monster, the leading online global network for careers. To see other career-related articles visit http://content.monster.com.

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• Cold Cover Letter

Job-Winning Cold Cover Letter

Sample cold cover letter that effectively powers your job search. Use this type of cover letter when you are sending out your resume to network for possible employment opportunities.

Many job opportunities are found through networking, this type of approach to a job search has a higher success rate than other methods of finding a job.

Your cover letter should clearly state why you are interested in the company and what you can bring to the organization. Adapt this excellent cover letter example for your own use.

How do you address a cold cover letter?

• When you send a cover letter cold it is essential to have a specific contact person to address and send your email to.
• Go to the company website to find out the name of the relevant person.
• Alternatively contact the company and find out the correct name and email address of the person you should send your email to.

For sample cold cover letters go here. Or use this cold cover email if you want to rather send an email.

Sample cold cover letter email

Subject Line:   Introducing a Top Performing Customer Service Professional

Dear Mr Smith

As a Customer Service Specialist with a track record of achieving excellent results in the XYZ industry, I am enthusiastic about bringing my experience and expertise to your dynamic company.

ABC Company has opened 2 new branches in the last 18 months, significantly expanding your customer base. Some of the key capabilities that I can deliver to meet your increasing customer service needs include:

• 8 years experience servicing a large, diverse and demanding customer base
• consistent achievement of performance bench marks in all areas
• efficient in-depth tracking, analyzing and processing of market-related data
• excellent verbal and written communication skills
• a team player who achieves results through co-ordination with all stakeholders

As a hard working and results-driven customer service professional I am confident that I can make a positive contribution to ABC company. My resume is attached for your review and I look forward to meeting with you to further discuss my qualifications and experience.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Andrew Candidate

Contact Numbers

How do you write a cover letter for a job that is not advertised?

Use these 5 top cold contact cover letter tips to maximize your chances of success.

• Address a person, not a title. Find out the name of the person responsible for the hiring decision by contacting the company.
• Write a subject line that grabs the reader's attention and ensure your cold cover email or letter is opened and read.
• Customize the cover letter to the job and company. Show that you have done your homework.
• Highlight your most relevant skills and experience and clearly articulate what you would contribute to the organization and why you would be an asset.
• Close your cover letter strongly and motivate the reader to take action.

Cold contact cover letters

Use these cold cover letter examples to get the interview.

Cold Cover Letter Examples

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Cold Caller Cover Letter Example

Making uninvited calls to prospective clients in order to advertise and sell a good or service is known as cold calling. A salesperson known as a Cold Caller contacts prospective clients without their consent in an effort to advertise and sell a good or service. They are often in charge of generating leads and cultivating telephone interactions with prospects.

You must demonstrate in your application/cover letter for the Cold Caller role that you have the knowledge and experience necessary to flourish in this position. Understand how to compose a cover letter that can help you get the job by referring to our Cold Caller Cover Letter Sample and advice.

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• Marketing & Sales

What to Include in a Cold Caller Cover Letter?

Roles and responsibilities.

• Using a provided phone directory, make cold calls to individuals to advertise products or ask for money.
• Respond to incoming calls from potential clients.
• Use scripts to describe the features, costs, and other aspects of the product and to highlight its advantages.
• Pose key questions to have a deeper understanding of the client’s demands.
• Show the buyer how the goods or services will suit their demands in order to convince them to make a purchase .
• Enter the client’s personal data precisely into a computer system.
• To protect the reputation of the business, address grievances or questions.
• To surpass sales targets and encourage additional purchases, go that extra mile.
• Keep a record of your phone calls, product sales, and other pertinent information.
• Perform market research to find leads and future customers.
• Locate and screen the sales leads.
• Set up meetings for sales personnel to interact with prospective clients.
• Use a CRM system to track and record phone calls and sales prospects.
• Contact clients who have shown a willingness to invest in services or products.

Education & Skills

Cold caller skills:.

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication abilities.
• Strong negotiating and sales abilities.
• Perseverance and fortitude.
• Flexibility in one’s approach to teamwork and individual work.
• Excellent organizational and time management abilities.
• Precision and mindfulness of details.
• Ability to easily establish relationships with customers.
• Proficiency with sales monitoring and CRM programs.
• Understanding of sales tactics and methods.
• The capacity to remain composed under duress.

Cold Caller Education Requirements:

• A bachelor’s or a master’s degree in a pertinent field like marketing, or business.
• 3-5 years of demonstrable work expertise in a pertinent field.
• A CSP Certification.

Cold Caller Cover Letter Example (Text Version)

Dear Mr./Ms.,

I’m writing to convey my keenness in the Cold Caller post that your esteemed organization is now hiring for. I think I’m a strong contender for this job based on my degree and professional expertise. I’ve worked in sales for several years, and I’ve honed excellent persuasive and communication abilities that would make me successful in the role of Cold Caller. I’m an ambitious person who feels at ease making cold calls, producing leads, and setting up appointments. I’ve been successful in meeting and exceeding sales goals in the past.

Here are some of my professional highlights:

• Generated more than 150 leads till now while working at (company name).
• Surpassed the sales target every time, by overperforming the sales goals by almost 200%
• Built a good rapport with customers, which led to a high percentage of client retention.
• Skilled at managing leads and monitoring progress utilizing a variety of digital tools and platforms.
• I can swiftly pick up new information and am versatile.
• I am adept at multitasking and I also feel at ease functioning in a fast-paced atmosphere.
• I can quickly and easily build relationships with clients because of my strong interpersonal abilities.

I am thrilled about the chance to contribute my knowledge and abilities to your business and support the expansion of sales. I want to express my gratitude for contemplating me for this job. I would appreciate the chance to speak with you and learn more about how my qualifications for the Cold Caller role correspond to your requirements.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

When writing a cover letter for the Cold Caller job, it’s crucial to highlight your qualifications and experience. The most successful methods for doing this are as follows:

• Display your knowledge.
• Display outcomes that you can contribute.
• Personalize the cover letter to the demands of the post.
• Edit your cover letter for errors.

Check out our Cold Caller Resume Sample for more help with your resumes.

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• How to Send a Cold Email That...

How to Send a Cold Email That Gets You a Job

5 min read · Updated on April 05, 2022

Done well and consistently, cold emailing for a job can open the door to your next great position.

For many of us, emailing someone we don't know to ask for help with our job search can generate some anxiety — but there are worthwhile benefits if you risk it.

Cold emailing for a job shows that you're willing to take the initiative and extra effort required to reach your next career goal, which will impress many of the people you reach. This in turn can generate long-lasting connections, new career opportunities , informational interviews, additional clients, funding for your business , and much more.

Here are the general steps to successfully cold email for a job — and for your career as a whole.

Following these steps will increase your chances of standing out from others in a very crowded inbox.

Find the best person to contact

Your goal is to send your email directly to the person who makes the hiring decisions for the role you want, and good places to begin are LinkedIn, the company website, or even your alma mater's career office.

Use a specific keyword, such as a department name or job title, to search for people at your desired company. You might not always reach the decision-maker, but you may get someone in a similar role who will forward your email to the right person.

If you find names but not emails, you can either use this method to find emails or take your best guess. Many email naming conventions include:

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

You may need to experiment until you get an email that doesn't bounce back.

Use a strong, relevant subject line

Make it short and creative, but practical enough to give the reader a strong reason to actually open and read your email. Once you know what the company wants and what you hope to gain from this email, build your subject line on those areas. 

For example: "Marketing Manager with Medical Expertise Ready to Build Your Team."

Other subject line examples include:

Mentioning a common connection: "Carol Baker recommended I contact you"

Complimenting the business: "I loved your LinkedIn article on marketing"

Asking a pertinent question: "Any advice for someone fascinated by the research results you're getting at Company X?"

Be concise and specific

You have only a few seconds to generate interest once your email is opened, which is similar to the 6 seconds (or less) resume test . State who you are, where you work, how you found their information, and why you'd be a great fit for their job. What makes you stand out so they'd want to hire you?

Provide enough details about your relevant skills and experience to pique their interest, but not so many that they quickly move on. This is a good place to put your elevator pitch in writing. If appropriate, you can also briefly mention a shared interest that connects you to the reader.

In the end, focus on what you can do for the company rather than what they can do for you.

Have a reasonable request

Asking for the job is a little too direct and will more than likely turn the reader off, effectively ending your opportunity to make a connection.

Instead, suggest a phone call or virtual coffee date in order to learn more about the company, explore the reader's role in the organization, and get their advice on how to succeed in a specific career. You're more likely to get a response and an actual meeting, potentially leading to a job discussion.

Make connecting easy

Give the reader specific instructions on how to respond to you. If you've asked for a time to meet, include your available dates and times.

Follow up with reasonable expectations

Wait one to two weeks for a response before following up with another email. 

Don't demand a quick reply, but rather acknowledge that they must be busy and ask if they've seen your email or need any additional information. Experts suggest replying to your original email so both messages are in the same thread.

Sample of how to write a cold email for a job

Here is a good example to help you get started on writing a cold email .

Dear/Hello/Greetings [First Name or Mr./Ms. Last Name],

My name is [your name], and I am interested in finding out more about the [position/role] listed on [company website/job board/LinkedIn]. Your assistant provided me with this email so I could get in touch with you [or state the specific way you located the person's name and email].

I noticed that your company won [award name] for four consecutive years, and I also saw you mentioned in an article regarding [subject]. I would enjoy meeting with you because of our shared interest in [career area, business strategy, etc.]. 

I'd love to schedule a time to discuss my suitability for the [position/role] within the next couple of weeks. I will follow up with you next week if I haven't received a reply from you before then.

[Your Name]

You can add a paragraph that includes your elevator speech, related skills/experience, or anything that would catch the reader's attention, or you can modify the second paragraph with that information. Remember there is no “one size fits all” template.

Once you know how to write and send a cold email for a job, commit to sending as many as necessary until they open the door to your future success.

Before you send that email, make sure your resume is ready. Our free resume review can point you in the right direction.

Recommended Reading:

How to Write the Perfect Subject Line When Emailing Your Resume

4 Smart Tactics for Sending Emails to Recruiters

Best Practices for Professional Email Etiquette in Every Situation

Related Articles:

8 Tips to Stand Out in a Competitive Job Market

There's Nothing Wrong With Having a Gap Between Jobs

7 Signs Your Resume is Making You Look Old

See how your resume stacks up.

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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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