cover letter resume designs

How to Write a Cover Letter [Full Guide & Examples for 2024]

After weeks of heavy job searching, you’re almost there!

You’ve perfected your resume.

You’ve short-listed the coolest jobs you want to apply for.

You’ve even had a friend train you for every single interview question out there.

But then, before you can send in your application and call it a day, you remember that you need to write a cover letter too.

So now, you’re stuck staring at a blank page, wondering where to start...

Don’t panic! We’ve got you covered. Writing a cover letter is a lot simpler than you might think. 

In this guide, we’re going to teach you how to write a cover letter that gets you the job you deserve.

We're going to cover:

What Is a Cover Letter?

• How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter, Step by Step
• 15+ Job-Winning Cover Letter Examples

Let’s get started.

A cover letter is a document that you submit as part of your job application, alongside your resume or CV.

The purpose of a cover letter is to introduce you and briefly summarize your professional background. On average, it should be around 250 to 400 words long .

A good cover letter is supposed to impress the hiring manager and convince them you’re worth interviewing as a candidate.

So, how can your cover letter achieve this?

First of all, it should complement your resume, not copy it. Your cover letter is your chance to elaborate on important achievements, skills, or anything else that your resume doesn’t give you the space to cover. 

For example, if you have an employment gap on your resume, the cover letter is a great place to explain why it happened and how it helped you grow as a person. 

If this is your first time writing a cover letter, writing about yourself might seem complicated. But don’t worry—you don’t need to be super creative or even a good writer .

All you have to do is follow this tried and tested cover letter structure:

• Header. Add all the necessary contact information at the top of your cover letter.
• Formal greeting. Choose an appropriate way to greet your target audience.
• Introduction. Introduce yourself in the opening paragraph and explain your interest in the role.
• Body. Elaborate on why you’re the best candidate for the job and a good match for the company. Focus on “selling” your skills, achievements, and relevant professional experiences.
• Conclusion. Summarize your key points and wrap it up professionally.

Now, let’s take a look at an example of a cover letter that follows our structure perfectly:

New to cover letter writing? Give our cover letter video a watch before diving into the article!

When Should You Write a Cover Letter?

You should always include a cover letter in your job application, even if the hiring manager never reads it. Submitting a cover letter is as important as submitting a resume if you want to look like a serious candidate.

If the employer requests a cover letter as part of the screening process, not sending one is a huge red flag and will probably get your application tossed into the “no” pile immediately.

On the other hand, if the job advertisement doesn’t require a cover letter from the candidates, adding one shows you went the extra mile.

Putting in the effort to write a cover letter can set you apart from other candidates with similar professional experience and skills, and it could even sway the hiring manager to call you for an interview if you do it right.

Need to write a letter to help get you into a good school or volunteer program? Check out our guide to learn how to write a motivation letter !

How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter

Now that you know what a cover letter is, it’s time to learn how to write one!

We’ll go through the process in detail, step by step.

#1. Choose the Right Cover Letter Template

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

So, what’s a better way to leave a good impression than a well-formatted, stylish template?

Just choose one of our hand-picked cover letter templates , and you’ll be all set in no time!

As a bonus, our intuitive AI will even give you suggestions on how to improve your cover letter as you write it. You’ll have the perfect cover letter done in minutes!

#2. Put Contact Information in the Header

As with a resume, it’s important to 

start your cover letter

 with your contact details at the top. These should be in your cover letter’s header, separated neatly from the bulk of your text.

Here, you want to include all the essential contact information , including:

• Full Name. Your first and last name should stand out at the top.
• Job Title. Match the professional title underneath your name to the exact job title of the position you’re applying for. Hiring managers often hire for several roles at once, so giving them this cue about what role you’re after helps things go smoother.
• Email Address. Always use a professional and easy-to-spell email address. Ideally, it should combine your first and last names.
• Phone Number. Add a number where the hiring manager can easily reach you.
• Location. Add your city and state/country, no need for more details.
• Relevant Links (optional). You can add links to websites or social media profiles that are relevant to your field. Examples include a LinkedIn profile , Github, or an online portfolio.

Then it’s time to add the recipient’s contact details, such as:

• Hiring Manager's Name. If you can find the name of the hiring manager, add it.
• Hiring Manager's Title. While there’s no harm in writing “hiring manager,” if they’re the head of the department, we recommend you use that title accordingly.
• Company Name. Make sure to write the name of the company you're applying to.
• Location. The city and state/country are usually enough information here, too.
• Date of Writing (Optional). You can include the date you wrote your cover letter for an extra professional touch.

#3. Address the Hiring Manager

Once you’ve properly listed all the contact information, it’s time to start writing the content of the cover letter.

The first thing you need to do here is to address your cover letter directly to the hiring manager.

In fact, you want to address the hiring manager personally .

Forget the old “Dear Sir or Madam” or the impersonal “To Whom It May Concern.” You want to give your future boss a good impression and show them that you did your research before sending in your application.

No one wants to hire a job seeker who just spams 20+ companies and hopes something sticks with their generic approach

So, how do you find out who’s the hiring manager?

First, check the job ad. The hiring manager’s name might be listed somewhere in it.

If that doesn’t work, check the company’s LinkedIn page. You just need to look up the head of the relevant department you’re applying to, and you’re all set.

For example, if you’re applying for the position of Communication Specialist at Novorésumé. The hiring manager is probably the Head of Communications or the Chief Communications Officer.

Here’s what you should look for on LinkedIn:

And there you go! You have your hiring manager.

But let’s say you’re applying for a position as a server . In that case, you’d be looking for the “restaurant manager” or “food and beverage manager.”

If the results don’t come up with anything, try checking out the “Team” page on the company website; there’s a good chance you’ll at least find the right person there.

Make sure to address them as Mr. or Ms., followed by their last name. If you’re not sure about their gender or marital status, you can just stick to their full name, like so:

• Dear Mr. Kurtuy,
• Dear Andrei Kurtuy,

But what if you still can’t find the hiring manager’s name, no matter where you look?

No worries. You can direct your cover letter to the company, department, or team as a whole, or just skip the hiring manager’s name.

• Dear [Department] Hiring Manager
• Dear Hiring Manager
• Dear [Department] Team
• Dear [Company Name]

Are you applying for a research position? Learn how to write an academic personal statement .

#4. Write an Eye-Catching Introduction

First impressions matter, especially when it comes to your job search.

Hiring managers 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 biggest problem with most opening paragraphs is that they’re usually extremely generic. Here’s an example:

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

See the issue here? This opening paragraph doesn’t say anything except the fact that you’ve worked the job before.

And do you know who else has similar work experience? All the other applicants you’re competing with.

Instead, you want to start with some of your top achievements to grab the reader’s attention. And to get the point across, the achievements should be as relevant as possible to the position.

Your opening paragraph should also show the hiring manager a bit about why you want this specific job. For example, mention how the job relates to your plans for the future or how it can help you grow professionally. This will show the hiring manager that you’re not just applying left and right—you’re actually enthusiastic about getting this particular role.

Now, let’s make our previous example shine:

Dear Mr. Smith,

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 as a Sales Representative with Company X, another fin-tech company , for 3+ years, where I generated an average of $30,000+ in sales per month and beat the KPIs by around 40%. I believe that my previous industry experience, passion for finance , and excellence in sales make me the right candidate for the job.

The second candidate starts with what they can do for the company in the future and immediately lists an impressive and relevant achievement. Since they’re experienced in the same industry and interested in finance, the hiring manager can see they’re not just a random applicant.

From this introduction, it’s safe to say that the hiring manager would read the rest of this candidate’s cover letter.

#5. Use the Cover Letter Body for Details

The next part of your cover letter is where you can go into detail about what sets you apart as a qualified candidate for the job.

The main thing you need to remember here is that you shouldn’t make it all about yourself . Your cover letter is supposed to show the hiring manager how you relate to the job and the company you’re applying to.

No matter how cool you make yourself sound in your cover letter, if you don’t tailor it to match what the hiring manager is looking for, you’re not getting an interview.

To get this right, use the job ad as a reference when writing your cover letter. Make sure to highlight skills and achievements that match the job requirements, and you’re good to go.

Since this part of your cover letter is by far the longest, you should split it into at least two paragraphs.

Here’s what each paragraph should cover:

Explain Why You’re the Perfect Candidate for the Role

Before you can show the hiring manager that you’re exactly what they’ve been looking for, you need to know what it is they’re looking for.

Start by doing a bit of research. Learn what the most important skills and responsibilities of the role are according to the job ad, and focus on any relevant experience you have that matches them.

For example, if you’re applying for the position of a Facebook Advertiser. The top requirements on the job ad are:

• Experience managing a Facebook ad budget of $10,000+ / month
• Some skills in advertising on other platforms (Google Search + Twitter)
• Excellent copywriting skills

So, in the body of your cover letter, you need to show how you meet these requirements. Here’s an example of what that can look like:

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 $40,000+ . As the sole digital marketer at the company, I managed the ad creation and management process end-to-end. I created the ad copy and images, picked the targeting, ran optimization trials, and so on.

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

• Google Search

Our example addresses all the necessary requirements and shows off the candidate’s relevant skills.

Are you a student applying for your first internship? Learn how to write an internship cover letter with our dedicated guide.

Explain Why You’re a Good Fit for the Company

As skilled and experienced as you may be, that’s not all the hiring manager is looking for.

They also want someone who’s a good fit for their company and who actually wants to work there.

Employees who don’t fit in with the company culture are likely to quit sooner or later. This ends up costing the company a ton of money, up to 50% of the employee’s annual salary , so hiring managers vet candidates very carefully to avoid this scenario.

So, you have to convince the hiring manager that you’re passionate about working with them.

Start by doing some research about the company. 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 company’s culture like?

Chances are, you’ll find all the information you need either on the company website or on job-search websites like Jobscan or Glassdoor.

Then, pick your favorite thing about the company and talk about it in your cover letter.

But don’t just describe the company in its own words just to flatter them. Be super specific—the hiring manager can see through any fluff.

For example, if you’re passionate about their product and you like the company’s culture of innovation and independent work model, you can write something like:

I’ve personally used the XYZ Smartphone, and I believe that it’s the most innovative tech I’ve used in years. The features, such as Made-Up-Feature #1 and Made-Up-Feature #2, were real game changers for the device.

I really admire how Company XYZ strives for excellence in all its product lines, creating market-leading tech. As someone who thrives in a self-driven environment, I truly believe that I’ll be a great match for your Product Design team.

So, make sure to do your fair share of research and come up with good reasons why you're applying to that specific company.

Is the company you want to work for not hiring at the moment? Check out our guide to writing a letter of interest .

#6. Wrap It Up and Sign It

Finally, it’s time to conclude your cover letter.

In the final paragraph, you want to:

• Wrap up any points you couldn't make in the previous paragraphs. Do you have anything left to say? If there’s any other information that could help the hiring manager make their decision, mention it here. If not, just recap your key selling points so far, such as key skills and expertise.
• Express gratitude. Politely thanking the hiring manager for their time is always a good idea.
• Finish the cover letter with a call to action. The very last sentence in your cover letter should be a call to action. This means you should ask the hiring manager to do something, like call you and discuss your application or arrange an interview.
• Remember to sign your cover letter. Just add a formal closing line and sign your name at the bottom.

Here’s an example of how to end your cover letter :

I hope to help Company X make the most of their Facebook marketing initiatives. I'd love to further discuss how my previous success at XYZ Inc. can help you achieve your Facebook marketing goals. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at the provided email address or phone number so that we may arrange an interview.

Thank you for your consideration,

Alice Richards

Feel free to use one of these other popular closing lines for your cover letter:

• Best Regards,
• Kind Regards,

Cover Letter Writing Checklist

Once you’re done with your cover letter, it’s time to check if it meets all industry requirements. 

Give our handy cover letter writing checklist a look to make sure:

Does your cover letter heading include all essential information?

• Professional Email
• Phone Number
• Relevant Links

Do you address the right person? 

• The hiring manager in the company
• Your future direct supervisor
• The company/department in general

Does your introductory paragraph grab the reader's attention?

• Did you mention some of your top achievements?
• Did you use numbers and facts to back up your experience?
• Did you convey enthusiasm for the specific role?

Do you show that you’re the right candidate for the job?

• Did you identify the core requirements for the role?
• Did you show how your experiences helped you fit the requirements perfectly?

Do you convince the hiring manager that you’re passionate about the company you’re applying to?

• Did you identify the top 3 things that you like about the company?
• Did you avoid generic reasons for explaining your interest in the company?

Did you conclude your cover letter properly?

• Did you recap your key selling points in the conclusion?
• Did you end your cover letter with a call to action?
• Did you use the right formal closing line and sign your name?

15 Cover Letter Tips

Now you’re all set to write your cover letter! 

Before you start typing, here are some cover letter tips to help take your cover letter to the next level:

• Customize Your Cover Letter for Each Job. Make sure your cover letter is tailored to the job you're applying for. This shows you're not just sending generic applications left and right, and it tells the hiring manager you’re the right person for the job.
• Showcase Your Skills. Talk about how your skills meet the company’s needs. And while your hard skills should be front and center, you shouldn’t underestimate your soft skills in your cover letter either.
• Avoid Fluff. Don’t make any generic statements you can’t back up. The hiring manager can tell when you’re just throwing words around, and it doesn’t make your cover letter look good.
• Use Specific Examples. Instead of saying you're great at something, give an actual example to back up your claim. Any data you can provide makes you sound more credible, so quantify your achievements. For example, give numbers such as percentages related to your performance and the timeframe it took to accomplish certain achievements.
• Research the Company. Always take time to learn about the company you're applying to. Make sure to mention something about them in your cover letter to show the hiring manager that you're interested.
• Follow the Application Instructions. If the job posting asks for something specific in your cover letter or requires a certain format, make sure you include it. Not following instructions can come off as unattentive or signal to the hiring manager that you’re not taking the job seriously.
• Use the Right Template and Format. Choose the right cover letter format and adapt your cover letter’s look to the industry you’re applying for. For example, if you’re aiming for a job in Law or Finance, you should go for a cleaner, more professional look. But if you’re applying for a field that values innovation, like IT or Design, you have more room for creativity.
• Express Your Enthusiasm. Let the hiring manager know why you're excited about the job. Your passion for the specific role or the field in general can be a big selling point, and show them that you’re genuinely interested, not just applying left and right.
• Address Any Gaps. If there are any employment gaps in your resume , your cover letter is a great place to mention why. Your resume doesn’t give you enough space to elaborate on an employment gap, so addressing it here can set hiring managers at ease—life happens, and employers understand.
• Avoid Quirky Emails. Your email address should be presentable. It’s hard for a hiring manager to take you seriously if your email address is “[email protected].” Just use a [email protected] format.
• Check Your Contact Information. Typos in your email address or phone number can mean a missed opportunity. Double-check these before sending your application.
• Mention if You Want to Relocate. If you’re looking for a job that lets you move somewhere else, specify this in your cover letter.
• Keep It Brief. You want to keep your cover letter short and sweet. Hiring managers don’t have time to read a novel, so if you go over one page, they simply won’t read it at all.
• Use a Professional Tone. Even though a conversational tone isn’t a bad thing, remember that it's still a formal document. Show professionalism in your cover letter by keeping slang, jargon, and emojis out of it.
• Proofread Carefully. Typos and grammar mistakes are a huge deal-breaker. Use a tool like Grammarly or QuillBot to double-check your spelling and grammar, or even get a friend to check it for you.

15+ Cover Letter Examples

Need some inspiration? Check out some perfect cover letter examples for different experience levels and various professions.

5+ Cover Letter Examples by Experience

#1. college student cover letter example.

Check out our full guide to writing a college student cover letter here.

#2. Middle Management Cover Letter Example

Check out our full guide to writing a project manager cover letter here.

#3. Team Leader Cover Letter Example

Check out our full guide to writing a team leader cover letter here.

#4. Career Change Cover Letter Example

Check out our full guide to a career change resume and cover letter here.

#5. Management Cover Letter Example

Check out our full guide to writing a management cover letter here.

#6. Senior Executive Cover Letter Example

Check out our full guide to writing an executive resume here.

9+ Cover Letter Examples by Profession

#1. it cover letter example.

Check out our full guide to writing an IT cover letter here.

#2. Consultant Cover Letter Example

Check out our full guide to writing a consultant cover letter here.

#3. Human Resources Cover Letter

Check out our full guide to writing a human resources cover letter here.

#4. Business Cover Letter Example

Check out our full guide to writing a business cover letter here.

#5. Sales Cover Letter Example

Check out our full guide to writing a sales cover letter here.

#6. Social Worker Cover Letter

Check out our full guide to writing a social worker cover letter here.

#7. Lawyer Cover Letter

Check out our full guide to writing a lawyer cover letter here.

#8. Administrative Assistant Cover Letter

Check out our full guide to writing an administrative assistant cover letter here.

#9. Engineering Cover Letter Example

Check out our full guide to writing an engineer cover letter here.

#10. Receptionist Cover Letter Example

Check out our full guide to writing a receptionist cover letter here.

Need more inspiration? Check out these cover letter examples to learn what makes them stand out.

Plug & Play Cover Letter Template

Not sure how to start your cover letter? Don’t worry!

Just copy and paste our free cover letter template into the cover letter builder, and swap out the blanks for your details.

[Your Full Name]

[Your Profession]

[Your Phone Number]

[Your Email Address]

[Your Location]

[Your LinkedIn Profile URL (optional)]

[Your Personal Website URL (optional)]

[Recipient's Name, e.g., Jane Doe],

[Recipient's Position, e.g., Hiring Manager]

[Company Name, e.g., ABC Corporation]

[Company Address]

[City, State/Country]

Dear [Recipient's Name],

As a seasoned [Your Profession] with [Number of Years of Experience] years of industry experience, I am eager to express my interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. With my experience in [Your Industry/Sector] and the successes I've achieved throughout my education and career, I believe I can bring unique value and creativity to your team.

In my current role as [Your Current Job Title], I've taken the lead on more than [Number of Projects/Assignments] projects, some valued up to $[Highest Project Value]. I pride myself on consistently exceeding client expectations and have successfully [Mention a Key Achievement] in just a [Amount of Time] through [Skill] and [Skill].

I've collaborated with various professionals, such as [List Roles], ensuring that all [projects/tasks] meet [relevant standards or objectives]. This hands-on experience, coupled with my dedication to understanding each [client's/customer's] vision, has equipped me to navigate and deliver on complex projects.

My key strengths include:

• Improving [Achievement] by [%] over [Amount of Time] which resulted in [Quantified Result].
• Optimizing [Work Process/Responsibility] which saved [Previous Employer] [Amount of Time/Budget/Other Metric] over [Weeks/Months/Years]
• Spearheading team of [Number of People] to [Task] and achieving [Quantified Result].

Alongside this letter, I've attached my resume. My educational background, a [Your Degree] with a concentration in [Your Specialization], complements the practical skills that I'm particularly eager to share with [Company Name].

I'm excited about the possibility of contributing to [Something Notable About the Company or Its Mission]. I'd be grateful for the chance to delve deeper into how my expertise aligns with your needs.

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

The Heart of Your Job Search - Creating a Killer Resume

Your cover letter is only as good as your resume. If either one is weak, your entire application falls through.

After all, your cover letter is meant to complement your resume. Imagine going through all this effort to leave an amazing first impression in your cover letter, only for the hiring manager to never read it because your resume was mediocre.

But don’t worry; we’ve got you covered here, too.

Check out our dedicated guide on how to make a resume and learn everything you need to know to land your dream job!

Just pick one of our resume templates and start writing your own job-winning resume.

Key Takeaways

Now that we’ve walked you through all the steps of writing a cover letter, let’s summarize everything we’ve learned:

• A cover letter is a 250 - 400 word document that’s meant to convince the hiring manager that you’re the best candidate for the job.
• Your job application should always include a cover letter alongside your resume.
• To grab the hiring manager’s attention, write a strong opening paragraph. Mention who you are, why you’re applying, and a standout achievement to pique their interest.
• Your cover letter should focus on why you’re the perfect candidate for the job and why you’re passionate about working in this specific company.
• Use the body of your cover letter to provide details on your skills, achievements, and qualifications, as well as make sure to convey your enthusiasm throughout your whole cover letter.
• Recap your key selling points towards the end of your cover letter, and end it with a formal closing line and your full name signed underneath.

At Novorésumé, we’re committed to helping you get the job you deserve every step of the way! 

Follow our career blog for more valuable advice, or check out some of our top guides, such as:

• How to Make a Resume in 2024 | Beginner's Guide
• How to Write a CV (Curriculum Vitae) in 2024 [31+ Examples]
• 35+ Job Interview Questions and Answers [Full List]

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How to Write an Effective Graphic Design Cover Letter and Resume

Landing a job in graphic design requires more than just skills in Adobe Creative Suite. To win over the recruiting team, you will need an excellent graphic designer cover letter and resume. If well-curated, these documents can cast a wide net of opportunities to help you become a graphic designer and land the best graphic designer jobs.

A cover letter or resume is the first point of contact between you and the recruiting team. Therefore, you will need proficient writing skills to help you create the best documents for your job application. Read below for expert tips, templates, and samples to guide you in writing your graphic design cover letter and resume.

Find your bootcamp match

Graphic design cover letter guide.

Learning how to write a proper graphic design cover letter is key for landing your ideal job. Recruiting teams are keen to find the best candidate for their company. Moreover, a cover letter and resume will also help you in your technical interview , which is also important. 

Whether you want to write an entry-level graphic design cover letter, design internship cover letters, or a late-career cover letter and portfolio, this guide can help you. You can use your design knowledge and previous positions to put your best foot forward. Read this graphic design cover letter guide to help you jumpstart your career.

Why Does Your Graphic Design Cover Letter Matter? 

Your graphic design cover letter matters because it gives you the opportunity to impress the recruiting team. Recruiters tend to prioritize job applications that feature a cover letter because it shows that you’ve put in the effort and care about the job. Therefore, attaching a professional cover letter to your resume might be the thing you need to get your foot in the door. 

Use your cover letter to showcase additional technical skills and experiences. Through your cover letter, you will be able to stand out among other strong candidates if it’s well-curated. Highlight relevant skills and expertise that will grab the recruiting team’s attention. Listing a good combination of skills, experience, and abilities can help you get shortlisted. 

A well-organized resume can give insight into your expertise, but you will provide a more personal touch through a cover letter. You can rely on your cover letter to showcase your enthusiasm and passion for joining the company you are applying for. For graphic design positions, your cover letter formatting can showcase your design skills.

Essential Components of Your Graphic Design Cover Letter

A perfect cover letter has specific features that hiring managers check during recruitment. Without including these features in your cover letter, you may fail to land your dream job. Below we have listed some of the essential components of your graphic design cover letter.

• Greetings. It is crucial to include a greeting in a formal letter. You should use professional terms to address the person you’re writing to. You should also do your research and figure out who the hiring manager at that company is so you can address them appropriately. This helps highlight your interpersonal skills.
• Opening, middle, and closing paragraphs. Start your first paragraph by mentioning how you found out about the job vacancy. The following paragraph should feature the skills you will bring to the table, including soft skills. Close the cover letter by expressing gratitude for the opportunity and indicating your availability for an appointment.
• Date. Include a date in your cover letter. As much as it may seem like a factor that is not essential, when you are writing the graphic design cover letter, it will play a key role in showcasing your attention to detail. 
• Recipient’s name. As mentioned above, adding the hiring manager’s name will add a personal touch to your cover letter. You should also feature a title and an address. If you do not know the hiring manager’s name, you can substitute it with the name of the head of the department. 
• Personal information. You cannot write a cover letter without including your contact details. You should place your contact info on the top left corner of your graphic design cover letter. You should include your name, email, and phone number in block format. You don’t need to include your home address if you don’t want to.

5 Tips for Writing a Strong Graphic Design Cover Letter

Many job applicants do not make it through the first cut because of poorly curated documents. It is crucial for you to design your cover letter with the features listed above to ensure you make it to the first screening. As much as including the components listed might help increase your chances of getting shortlisted, you still need to polish your cover letter. 

• Include the hiring manager’s name. This may not seem important, but indicating your hiring manager’s name can influence your chances of landing a job. Avoid writing generalized statements. If you are unable to get access to the name, you can substitute it with the title. 
• Write a catchy opening line. How you start your graphic design cover letter determines if the recruiting team will read it. Make sure your cover letter starts with a strong opening line and that the entire document reflects your passion and commitment. Your opening line should express what you can do for the company. 
• Highlight achievements. Before you start writing your cover letter, you should go through the job description. The job description will provide you with information regarding the skills the hiring company is seeking. Through it, you can outline any achievements that align with the company’s needs.
• Demonstrate your skills. Often, recruiters indicate the level of experience job applicants need. However, this does not mean that you will only get the job if you have a certain number of years of experience. To submit a competitive graphic design cover letter, you can include a wide range of relevant skills instead.
• Write a job-specific cover letter. Most job applicants tend to reuse old cover letters for different job applications. This is the easiest way to miss out on a job opportunity, and instead, you should write a cover letter that aligns with the job you are seeking. Use keywords from the job description to show that you’re the right person for the job.

Graphic Design Cover Letter Example

Graphic design cover letter examples will help you create a winning cover letter. Use the example below as a guideline for your own cover letter. Often, professionals rely on a graphic design cover letter template to curate their document. However, it is still important to write an effective cover letter from scratch. 

We featured a sample cover letter to help you jumpstart your writing process for your job application. Take notice of the cover letter writing tips when creating your own application, and tailor the template to your needs. You can omit things that don’t apply to you and add any other relevant achievements.

Graphic Design Cover Letter Sample

[Full name]

[Phone number]

[Email address]

[Digital portfolio link]

[LinkedIn profile]

Dear [Hiring manager’s name],

I am excited to apply for the graphic designer position at [company]. With your current trajectory in the market, I believe my prowess in design tools, processes, and techniques would provide significant value to your company. I have a keen interest in your company’s line of products, and I would like to bring on a fresh perspective to your already existing top-tier products and services. 

In my previous roles at [company] and [company], I was in charge of designing new technological products from scratch. I handled the entire product development process and also was in charge of marketing. Through my responsibilities, I developed a global perspective in managing different products and their marketability. This exposed me to a well-rounded approach to delivering top-notch products that fit client needs. Through my work, I was able to achieve high sales projections of [specific statistic]. My design for this project also won [award] for the company.

Moreover, I explored my graphic design skills by working on a number of successful projects. This also helped me enhance my skills in digital marketing. To name a few, I created a [project name] that teaches beginners and experts the ins and outs of graphic design and some best practices. In order to provide value to my audience, I pursued [certification], and I am now proficient in multiple tools, such as Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Photoshop. 

Thank you for taking the time to read my cover letter and for considering me for the position. I am eager to join your impressive graphic design creative team and work on [company]’s innovative projects. I hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely, 

Graphic Design Resume Guide

Just like other skills, the more you practice writing an award-winning resume, the better you become. However, before you begin working on your graphic design resume, you must familiarize yourself with what recruiters are looking for from candidates. This is why we developed a graphic design resume guide to help you increase your chances of landing a job.

Why Does Your Graphic Design Resume Matter?

A graphic design resume matters because it offers recruiters more information regarding your best qualities and skills. Recruiters and hiring managers can then gauge if you will be a good fit for the company. Therefore, you should use your resume to showcase your relevant skills and education to grab the attention of recruiters. 

If you want to prove that you are capable of adding value to the hiring company, a graphic design resume is the best document to have. You can showcase how the company will benefit once they hire you for the graphic design position. Always include statistics in the resume to validate your skill level. 

The graphic design resume also matters because it can address different needs of the companies. One of the most important sections is the cover letter header, which can include your logo or headshot to grab the attention of the recruiter. You can also check out the New York Department of Labor‘s guide to different types of resumes to see which one applies to you.

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Last but not least, a resume acts as the first point of contact between you and your potential employer. You should use it to create the best first impression. Your level of education, accomplishments, and experience will help you gain traction toward your dream job. The hiring team will determine your eligibility through your resume. 

Essential Components of Your Graphic Design Resume

Writing a winning resume may come easily to some job applicants. However, many professionals still find it challenging to develop the perfect resume. A well-written resume has multiple features, and they play a key role during shortlisting. If you want to get through the first screening round, ensure you include these essential components.

• Introduction. A well-curated graphic design resume features an introduction. The introduction can have a resume summary, profile, or objective. If you have relevant experience in graphic design, you can use the resume summary to indicate this. If you are a beginner in the field, go for a resume objective. 
• Contact information. You should list your name, phone number, email address, and location if it’s relevant. You can also take it a step further and include your professional social media account, such as LinkedIn. Since it’s a graphic design resume, consider adding links to your portfolio or previous graphic design projects. 
• Job experience. As you list your work experience, ensure it follows a reverse chronological order, which goes from most recent to least recent. This section includes the employer’s name, responsibilities or achievements, and dates that you were employed. A great way to showcase your job experience is by using statistics. 
• Skills. Use this section to convince the recruiting team that you have the artistic capabilities to take on the digital design projects of a graphic designer. Before you start this section, revisit the graphic design job description and find out the hiring company’s expectations. You can also include any award-winning campaigns that you worked on.
• Education. Often, recruiting managers require a four-year degree, but there are some companies that look into hiring visual design bootcamp graduates. You should list the name of the institution, dates you attended, and degree you acquired. You can also include your GPA score if it’s above 3.5. 

5 Tips for Writing a Strong Graphic Design Resume

Writing a convincing graphic design resume might seem easy, but there are many applicants who struggle with writing one. You should take a look at these tips for writing a strong resume . These actionable resume tips will help you avoid mistakes and land you the graphic design position you are chasing. 

• Research prior resumes. Going through resume examples online will give you a sense of what you should include in yours. Research the best graphic design resume templates and try to find well-written samples to avoid submitting a monotonous letter. This will give you the inspiration to curate a winning document for your upcoming job opportunity. 
• Keep it relevant. The best way to ensure your resume aligns with the advertised job position is by reading through the job description. The job description will give you an inside view of the company’s expectations. Use it to guide you in adding relevant design skills that will increase your chances of employment.
• Include experiences. All professional graphic design resumes feature a section on job experience. Use this section to address the needs of the position. You can add any voluntary work, training program, or workshop that contributed to your skill level. Real-world experience can significantly improve your chances of landing a job interview.
• Polish the layout. It’s important that your resume has a consistent layout throughout. One of the factors recruiters check is the general layout of the document and whether it features a similar font type or size. Always use a consistent layout for uniformity and general aesthetics.
• Proofread. Before you submit your graphic design resume, ensure you go through the entire document. This will help pinpoint any grammatical or spelling errors. It’s also an excellent opportunity to add missing details and fine-tune the general document. As a friend to help because a fresh pair of eyes will go a long way in polishing your document. 

Graphic Design Resume Examples

It can be difficult to write your graphic design resume template from scratch. This is why we’ve included a complete guide to writing a resume for a creative agency or advertising agency. Along with the right resume content, you can include a bit of color and other small elements to showcase your graphic designer skills.

Below, you will find a sample of a strong professional experience resume section as well as a template that includes all the sections you should put in your resume. You can change the template according to the job and your needs, but it should be a good way to make sure you include relevant details.

Graphic Design Resume Sample: The Professional Experience Section

Work Experience

Graphic Designer | Digital Nomads Co. | July 2019 – Present

• Designed websites for desktop and mobile platforms for different companies
• Revamped the user experience for Daring Limited Company
• Redesigned Digital Nomads website according to client needs
• Used Adobe Photoshop to create marketing materials for clients

Graphic Design Assistant | Color Scheme, Inc. | November 2017 – June 2019

• Organized client schedules and helped delegate tasks
• Contributed to design brainstorm sessions
• Designed marketing materials for clients in collaboration with the graphic design manager
• Communicated with clients and partners in a clear and timely manner

Sample Graphic Design Resume Template

[Portfolio link]

Summary/Objective 

[One or two sentences about your career goals and what you’re seeking from the job you’re applying for]

[Position] | [Company] | [Dates]

• [Responsibility]

Education, Certifications, and Certificates

[Degree and major] | [School] | [Dates]

[Certification name] | [Organization] | [Date conferred] 

[Certificate] | [Bootcamp or online course provider] | [Dates]

Graphic Design Resume Template Resources

• Canva . Canva provides a resume template to help showcase your design skills so you can land your dream job. There are multiple design templates that give a diverse outlook of your skills. You can also add your own design elements on the platform.
• Big Interview . Given that graphic design has become an integral part of every company, there is a need to curate resumes that are competitive and professional. Big Interview is one of the best resources to find polished resume templates.
• LiveCareer. This is another graphic design template provider that offers professionals an easier time curating winning graphic design templates. 

Importance of a Graphic Design Cover Letter and Resume

The importance of a graphic designer’s cover letter and resume cannot be underestimated. These documents hold the key to whether you will achieve your career goals or not. Through them, hiring managers determine if you have the right combination of skills and education to take on the advertised position.

Graphic Design Cover Letter and Resume FAQ

Yes, your graphic design cover letter must match your resume. It is important to maintain a similar font size and type across your application documents. This adds to the general aesthetics of the documents and shows uniformity. It’s also a great way to showcase your attention to detail.

Yes, you can add attachments to your graphic design resume. As a graphic designer, you will have multiple visual documents to prove your abilities and skills. It is essential to add these attachments as you submit your application as it will be a great way to validate your capabilities. You can also add links to any previous work. 

Yes, there are some companies that allow applicants to submit a cover letter instead of a resume. This is usually the case for entry-level positions. However, it’s not a common practice during recruitment.

No, graphic design resumes are given precedence to cover letters. Recruiters go through resumes to determine the qualifications prior to reading the cover letters. 

About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication .

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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.

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