cover letter to get hired

The Cover Letter Template that Will Get You Hired

Table of contents.

Key components of a great cover letter template
A cover letter template example

Writing a cover letter isn't easy. While the resume is a formal document that doesn't leave much room for creativity, the point of the cover letter is to wow the recruiter and convince them that you're the perfect candidate for the job. If this seems like a hard task, that's because it is, but don't worry - we're here to give you the cover letter template that will get you hired.

in this guide we'll teach you:

The process of writing a cover letter step-by-step
Key strategies for a successful cover letter

Before we get into the secrets of writing a killer cover letter, make sure that your resume is completed with all the necessary information and formatted well.

If you need some expert help, head over to our resume builder .

The Cover Letter Template that Gets You the Job

Cover letters are all about being persuasive, descriptive, and to the point. The best cover letter is that which shows your relevant skills . tells a story , and is no longer than one page .

The main components of the cover letter are:

A story showing your relevant skills

An explanation of your motivation for wanting the job

A strong conclusion

A quick closing.

Let's have a look at each of these elements.

The Opening

The opening of your cover letter should be targeted directly to the person you're speaking to. Ideally, you'd know who the hiring manager is and address them by name.

If not, use "Dear Hiring Manager," but never, EVER say: "To Whom it may concern." It's simply too impersonal and shows a lack of preparation.

For more tips on how to find out who the hiring manager is and how to open the cover letter, check out 5 Key Rules of Addressing a Cover Letter [Examples] .

The "show and not tell" method is crucial in a good cover letter template. The recruiter always looks at the resume first.

Once they've determined that you have the necessary skills, they'd want to see why you want the job. Instead of boring the recruiter to death with more facts, tell a story.

For example, don't say:

"I'm really good at customer service."

Use a story that conveys this message instead, such as:

"During my time as a Personal Banker at Bank X, I helped turn around an important customer who was really unhappy with the service. Her account had been compromised and I managed to calm her down and guide her through every step of the way while we resolved the case.

She ended up getting all of their $50,000 that had been stolen, and remained one of our most loyal customers."

The story is much more interesting to read and will catch the hiring manager's attention because it shows how the candidate puts their skills to work in real life.

An explanation of why you want the job

It's important to show motivation and state the reasons for wanting the job. Don't just say:

"I think this would be a great opportunity for me to learn and grow."

This is a generic statement and shows no personality. Instead say:

"Hotel X stands for treating all guests as family, and doing whatever it takes in order to make them feel comfortable.

Your values closely align with my own. Over the past 6 years of my career as a concierge for a boutique hotel, I've learned how to identify what makes each guest happy, create personal connections, and resolve any and all issues quickly and with empathy.

This is why I'd be happy to join your team and continue to provide the high-quality care and attention to guests that Hotel X is known for."

The second example goes as far as talking about values which firstly, means that the candidate is well-aware of the hotel's mission.

Secondly, it explains why the candidate would be happy to be a part of the hotel and which aspects of the job they enjoy in particular. This is the type of explanation that gets you the job.

The best cover letter template has a short and direct conclusion. There's no need to repeat everything you already said in terms of why you want the job and how you're qualified.

Finish your letter in a straightforward way. You can say:

"I look forward to bringing the Hotel X experience to your guests with care and understanding, and being an ambassador for the unique form of hospitality you stand for. and hope to have the opportunity to speak to you regarding joining the family/ team."

Touching on the values of the company in the conclusion is always a good idea, as is making it clear that you want to help the company improve as opposed to applying only for the money or benefits of the job.

The closing is very simple - you can finish your cover letter by saying:

"Sincerely,

(your name)."

You don't need to mention your email address or phone number because this information is already on your application file.

A Cover Letter Template Example

Now let's put all of the above to practice. Fill in the missing information with your own experiences and skills.

Sticking to this cover letter template will help you show the hiring manager that you've got the necessary skills and passion for the position.

Make sure you've got a good opening, show that you've done research on the values and mission of the company, and tell relevant stories about your accomplishments.

The perfect cover letter template conveys your skills and relevant qualifications in a straightforward way and in a single page.

Follow our template and you'll get it right. Make sure to revise your resume as it is the first thing recruiters look at long before reading your cover letter.

Need some expert help with your resume? Head over to our resume builder !

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How to Write a Cover Letter

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What is a cover letter?

How to write a cover letter, cover letter template, cover letter example.

Writing a cover letter is an important step in the application process. What you include in your cover letter can give a potential employer insight into your personality, skills and abilities that you would bring to their company. As you create a cover letter to include in your next application, consider some of these examples and how they can impact the reader. This article will show you how to write a cover letter to get

A cover letter is a tool that helps you introduce yourself as a person rather than a list of qualifications, education and experience. You can express your personality in an engaging, professional way, as well as convey some of the reasons you think you would be a good fit for an open position. When crafted well, your cover letter will expand upon some of the information on your resume, guiding a hiring manager through your professional and personal achievements.

Follow these steps to write a cover letter to help you get hired:

1. First, start the cover letter with the basics

Every cover letter should include some basic information about you, including your name, phone number and email address. You may also choose to include your title, your home address and links to your social media accounts and/or professional websites. For example, if you’re applying to a position as a social media manager, it makes sense to include links to your own social media accounts.

2. Second, address the letter to the hiring manager

If you don’t know who will be reviewing it, do some research to find out and include their name and title. When that person reads a letter that is addressed to them, rather than ‘To whom it may concern,’ they are more likely to feel like it’s been tailored to them. You can address it to Mr./Ms. [Last Name] if the company culture is more formal, or just include the manager’s first name in a casual, relaxed atmosphere.

3. Next, make your opening paragraph stand out

To make your opening paragraph appeal to the reader, you can explain why you are interested in the company and why you would be a good fit for the role.

Example:

I have been passionate about ABC Marketing’s campaigns and initiatives since I saw the commercial that featured singing goats in the back of a truck. I was thrilled to see the position of Digital Marketing Director open up at this company, and I am confident in my ability to contribute to this innovative and vibrant marketing team. My experience has included managing national marketing campaigns through both online and print mediums with budgets of more than $250,000. I have also successfully increased my current company’s client base by 14% in the last 18 months.

4. Then, explain your abilities and achievements

Your resume will outline your past responsibilities and roles, so use the next paragraphs of your cover letter to expand on your professional achievements in a unique, engaging way.

I worked on 10 websites for various clients in a six-month period. Of those 10 websites, I was able to optimize eight of them to secure them in the top five hits on a Google search. I am continuing to work on the other two to further optimize them and increase their ranking in an online search.

5. Next, outline your research

When you apply for a job, it shows initiative if you’re willing to research the company and talk more about how your goals and vision align with the company values and growth strategy.

The position describes the plan to expand ABC Marketing’s online portal focused on health care marketing. This project matches well with my abilities and past experience as I previously built an online portal for a client who was looking to expand their marketing efforts. My knowledge of SEO and digital marketing campaigns will certainly benefit ABC Marketing, which is why I feel I would be an excellent fit for this role.

6. Last, write a strong closing statement

In the final paragraph, express appreciation to the person who has taken the time to read your cover letter. You may also choose to highlight any additional skills that apply to the position you are applying for. Include a call to action, such as contacting you or following up with additional information. Finally, close with a friendly word or phrase, such as ‘Thank you,’ ‘Sincerely,’ or ‘Regards.’

I appreciate your time in reviewing my application for this position. I look forward to hearing from you regarding the job, and I am available to answer any questions you may have or provide further clarification.

Sincerely, Jason Jones

A cover letter template can give you an idea of how to formulate your letter. You can use this template to help you plan:

Your name Your address Your phone number

Hiring manager’s name Their title Company name Address

Dear [Hiring manager’s name],

Body of the letter explaining your qualifications and experience that make you a good candidate.

Thank the employer for reading your cover letter and considering you for the role.

State that you will follow up.

Closing, Your signature

Add your own details that will customize the document for the position. Here is an example:

Dear Mr. Peterson,

As an enthusiast of EA Gaming and the innovative games that your company has brought to the market, I was excited to see a position become available for a Senior Developer. I feel I would be an excellent candidate for this position because of my past experience working for a video game company as a developer. During my six years in this role, I have come up with new concepts for games, as well as developed these games and fixed bugs as they moved through the development phase.

I also participate in an online gaming community where I have released some of the games that I developed on my own time. These games have been met with great enthusiasm and excitement among some of the top gamers across the world. My creativity has helped me to create games that are unique and appealing, while my experience in the gaming world has given me insights into the trends and desires of fellow gamers. In my past roles, I have worked closely with other members of development teams, showcasing my ability to be a strong team player. I am also proficient in C++ and C#.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my application for the position of Senior Developer. I look forward to the next steps in the process. I feel confident that I could bring my strong creative, analytical and development skills to this role, helping to create games that millions of people would enjoy playing.

Sincerely, Alex Martinez Junior Developer

As you write your cover letter, consider what information you’d like to learn about a candidate if you were the hiring manager for an open position. Use this insight to decide what you want to include in your own letter to help identify yourself as a capable, experienced and appealing candidate.

4 Cover Letter Examples (Plus Tips on How to Write Yours)

We love having examples. It’s so much easier to decorate a cake, build a model, or yes, even write a cover letter when you know what the end product could look like. So that’s what we’re going to give you—all the cover letter examples and tips you need to make yours shine (unfortunately we’re not experts in cake decorating or model building).

You'll see that writing a cover letter is all about highlighting your relevant skills, professional experience, and accomplishments, while emphasizing your interest for the role in an engaging manner.

Want to get right down to business? Skip ahead to:

1. The traditional cover letter example

2. the impact cover letter example, 3. the writing sample cover letter example, 4. the career change cover letter example, bonus cover letter examples, a few more cover letter tips, why bother with a cover letter at all.

We bet when you see a job listing that says “ cover letter optional ,” you breathe a sigh of relief, gleefully submit your resume, and move on. But you’re truly doing yourself a disservice by not including a cover letter (or by writing one that’s super generic or formulaic).

“When you’re writing a resume you’re oftentimes confined by space, by resume speak, by keywords—you’re up against a lot of technical requirements,” says Melody Godfred, a career coach and the founder of Write in Color who’s read thousands of cover letters over the course of her career. “In a cover letter you have an opportunity to craft a narrative that aligns you not only with the position you’re applying to but also the company you’re applying to.”

Whether you’re writing a cover letter for a data scientist or marketing manager position, an internship or a senior-level role, a startup or a Fortune 500 company, you’re going to want to tailor it to the role, company, and culture. A strong, customized cover letter will help you explain your value proposition and stand out from the stack of applicants.

If there’s a gap in your resume , you have the opportunity to explain why it’s there. If you’re changing careers, you have the chance to describe why you’re making the switch. If your resume is pretty dull, a cover letter helps you show some personality . And yes, cover letters still get read.

Deep in the job search, or just browsing? These open jobs on The Muse could be your ideal next step »

What do I write in a cover letter? The 3 basic elements

You'll notice from our cover letter examples that the body of your text can vary a lot depending on factors like the position you're applying for, your career stage, and the type of cover letter requested by the hiring manager. For instance, a writing sample cover letter is different from a traditional professional cover letter (we'll get there soon.)

However, there is some information that you can't leave out. It's important to highlight your most relevant experience, skills, and qualifications for the role in any type of cover letter. Plus, make sure to write an engaging first paragraph to grab the reader's attention, and an effective final paragraph, ideally followed by a call to action, in order to leave a lasting positive impression.

You could say that cover letters are a little like puzzles. When you put each component in its proper place (and remove any parts that don’t fit), you create a complete picture. Even though that picture is always different, the types of pieces are basically the same. We've broken down these three key elements for you:

1. An engaging opener

How you start a cover letter is everything. Your opening lines influence whether someone keeps reading—and you want them to, right? “Starting with something that immediately connects you to the company is essential—something that tells the company that this is not a generic cover letter,” Godfred says. “You have to say something that tells the employer, ‘I wrote this just for you.’”

It can be a childhood memory tying you back to the company’s mission. It can be a story about the time you fell in love with the company’s product. It can be an anecdote from another job or experience showing how hard of a worker you are. Whatever you decide to open with, make it memorable.

2. A clear pitch

Use the next few paragraphs of your cover letter to “hit them with the strongest results you have that are aligned with the opportunity,” Godfred says. Ryan Kahn , Muse career coach and founder of The Hired Group , calls this your pitch. In other words, the part where you’re “selling yourself for the position and why you’re qualified for it.”

Additionally, Godfred says, “If you’re someone who’s transitioning careers, and you need to explain that transition, you do it there.”

This section should have a balance of soft and hard skills . Talk about your experience using Salesforce or doing SEO work, but also highlight your ability to lead teams and communicate effectively.

“Companies are embracing authenticity, they’re embracing humanity, they’re looking for people who are going to fit their culture,” says Godfred. “So what are your values? What do you stand for? These values should be as much a part of your cover letter as the super specialized hard skills.

3. A great closing line

Your closing line could include your next steps or a call to action, Kahn says, such as “ I welcome the opportunity to speak with you more about how I can contribute to the team ,” or, “ I would love to schedule a time for us to discuss this role and my experience. ” But more importantly, “You want to make sure that you’re gracious and thanking them,” he says. While seemingly cliché , it never hurts to end on a simple, “ Thank you for your consideration. ”

Does that sound a bit overwhelming? Don’t panic! We’ve got examples of four types of cover letters below: a traditional cover letter , an impact cover letter , a writing sample cover letter , and a career change cover letter . So let’s take a look at these examples, why they work, and how you can use them to craft your own.

A traditional cover letter is similar to what you’d come up with using position-based cover letter templates . It moves in reverse chronological order through your career history, highlighting parts of your past jobs that make you well suited for this position.

You might want to use this type of cover letter if:

You’re applying to a more formal company (like a law firm or major healthcare company ) or a more conventional role (like a lawyer or accountant).
You want to play it safe and conservative with your application materials.

What does the job description say?

Imagine you’re applying to a paralegal job opening at a law firm. The job description might include:

Responsibilities

Draft routine legal documents for review and use by attorneys
Coordinate and organize materials and presentations for legal proceedings
Research legal and related issues and report findings and conclusions to team
Provide overall legal administrative support to the legal team
Maintain calendars and ensure timely filings

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent of relevant education and work experience
Strong communication skills (oral and written)
Strong organizational , multitasking, and prioritization skills
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and LexisNexis
Trustworthy, positive, energetic, and optimistic attitude with a willingness to roll up your sleeves

The cover letter example

Here’s an example of a traditional cover letter you could write for this role—keeping things strictly professional but without sounding too boring or jargon-y:

Dear Ms. Jessica Sanchez,

In my five-year career as a paralegal, I have honed my legal research and writing skills, and the attorneys I’ve worked with have complimented me on my command of case law and litigation support. Spiegel Law Firm’s 20 years in practice proves that the firm has strong values and excellent attorneys, and I’d be eager to join such a talented team.

I currently serve as a paralegal for Chandler, Chandler, and Greene, where I work closely with the partners on a number of high-priority cases. During my time here, I implemented a new calendar system that ensures timely filing of court papers. This system has prevented missed deadlines and allowed for better organization of internal and client meetings.

Previously, as a paralegal for the Neuerburg Law Firm, I received praise for my overall support of the legal team and my positive attitude. While working there, I came up with and implemented a plan for digitizing their old files while still ensuring security and privacy. This led to more efficiency when preparing for client meetings and legal proceedings.

My further qualifications include a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University, a paralegal certificate, and training in LexisNexis, Westlaw, and Microsoft Office Suite.

I would love the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to your legal team. Thank you in advance for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Chase Broadstein [email protected] (222) 222-2222

Download this example

Why this works

This cover letter example is short, sweet, and to the point. It shows the candidate has a knack for getting things done in a thorough and timely manner and a track record for helping out wherever needed. The opening lines also express a genuine interest in this specific firm. Plus, there are some important keywords in there like “calendar system,” “bachelor’s degree,” “paralegal certificate,” and “LexisNexis.”

The impact cover letter puts your accomplishments front and center rather than organizing your paragraphs by past roles. You might use a cover letter like this if:

You’re applying for roles where you’re expected to deliver on certain goals or results (for example, if the jobs involve sales quotas or marketing metrics).
You haven’t followed a straightforward career path and your past job titles don’t show the extent of your qualifications.
You want your personality to stand out a bit more than it might in a traditional cover letter.

What does the job description say

Imagine you’ve come across an opening for an email marketing manager . Part of the job description states:

Manage email marketing strategy and calendar, including copywriting, optimization, monitoring, analyzing, and reporting on campaigns
Improve campaign success through conversion optimization, A/B testing, and other experiments
Collaborate with the design team to ensure brand guidelines are followed in emails
Partner and collaborate cross-functionally with sales, product, product marketing, and data teams
3+ years in email marketing
Experience with Constant Contact, Google Analytics, HTML, CSS, Photoshop, and Microsoft Excel, a plus
Excellent communication skills (oral and written) and an eye for copyediting
Strong interpersonal , relationship-building, and stakeholder management skills
Excellent project management, problem-solving , and time management skills, with the ability to multitask effectively

Here’s an example of an impact cover letter where the writer’s hard skills and successes stand out:

Dear Russ Roman,

I have a problem. See, my inbox currently (and embarrassingly) hosts 1,500 unread emails—including newsletters from at least 50 different brands.

But this problem only fuels my passion for creating emails that are worth opening. Because from my perspective, as someone who can barely get through their own stack of mail, that’s a true win.

I’ve been following Vitabe for years, and can proudly say that I open every single email you send to me. I’m a sucker for a good subject line—“Take a Vitamin-ute—We’ll A-B-C You Soon” being my favorite—and the way your email content feels both fun and expert-backed really speaks to me. This is why I’m thrilled to submit my application for a role as email marketing manager at your company.

I have over four years of experience working in the email marketing space. In my current role at Westside Bank, I was able to implement new email campaigns centered around reengaging churned clients. By analyzing data around the types of clients who churn and the engagement of our current email subscribers, as well as A/B testing headlines and newsletter layouts, we were able to increase email subscribers by 15% and convert 30% of those subscribers to purchase our product, a significant increase from the previous year.

I also launched a “Your Credit Matters” newsletter focused on educating our clients on how they spend and manage their credit—which became our highest performing campaign in terms of open-rates and click-through to date.

Previously, as a member of the marketing team at Dream Diary Mattresses, I collaborated with the sales and product team to understand how I could best support them in hitting their quarterly goals. One specific project involving creating personalized emails for customers drew more people to come back to our site after 30 days than direct paid ad campaigns, leading to a 112% increase in revenue from the last quarter.

I take the content I write and the calendars I manage seriously, editing and refining beyond detail-oriented and into meticulous territory, and I feel my experience and drive would greatly help Vitabe further develop their email program for success.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.

Lad Miller [email protected] (987) 654-3210

This sample cover letter concisely highlights the applicant’s most significant, relevant achievements. By adding context to how their projects were created, monitored, and completed, they’re able to show just how results-driven they are and how they’ve successfully leveraged some of the skills the company is looking for.

One thing worth noting: This person didn’t include keywords such as Constant Contact, Google Analytics, HTML, CSS, Photoshop, or Microsoft Excel—all of which are listed in the job description. But those skills are most likely in their resume already, and leaving them out gives them the space to discuss specific projects and tell a story not visible on other parts of their job application.

For roles where written communication is key, such as PR, copywriting , or journalism jobs, your cover letter will likely be the first writing sample your future employer sees. So it’s just as important to show your skill set in action through eloquent writing.

Writing or editing is a key component of the role you’re applying to.
You want to show off your creativity.

Here’s part of a job description for a staff writer position:

Pitch and write articles, reporting on timely issues and trends
Collaborate with editorial and other teams to launch each digital issue and other special projects on schedule
Evaluate content performance and digital trends on a daily basis to constantly adjust pitches and packaging
Utilize CMS tools, strategically select photos and videos, and request original graphics to optimize all written content for maximum engagement
At least 2-3 years of experience creating content at a digital-first outlet
Strong writing and reporting skills, and the ability to write clearly and quickly
Familiarity working in a CMS and with analytics tools such as Google Analytics
Deadline-driven, strategic thinker with a knack for crafting click-y headlines
Strong collaborator who thrives in fast-paced environments

Have fun with this one, but triple-check for spelling and grammar mistakes, and make sure you’re showing off your best writing. Here's the cover letter sample:

Dear Tai Chen,

Since I could walk, I’ve been dancing. And since I could read, I’ve been glued to Arabesque Weekly. At one point, you featured one of my local heroes—a ballerina who struggled with an injury early in her career and went on to become a principal dancer at Pacific Northwest Ballet—and I plastered the article above my childhood bed. It’s still there today.

That article—and so many others you’ve published—taught me that dancing was about more than just pirouettes and arabesques and that the right kind of writer can shed light on aspects of the art that make it surprising, impactful, and universal. I can be that writer.

As an editorial assistant at TheImprovGroup.com for the past two and a half years, my main responsibility was to get all of our content ready to go live on the site. This included fact-checking, proofreading, adding in HTML where necessary, and finding photos, videos, and GIFs that would complement the content and optimize audience engagement.

As I tinkered with each post, I became intimately familiar with our internal CMS. Reviewing every single article we published and following reactions and engagement helped me gain a deep understanding of what makes a piece really land with our audience.

But by far my favorite aspect of this role has been writing. Each week, I pitch and write at least one article, from 250-word news items to 900-word advice pieces to even longer profiles, features, and personal essays. I love the challenge of developing pitches that align with the trends we see in the data, reflect with the company’s brand and mission, and allow me to flex my creative muscles.

Collaborating with my team to form the best content library we can has been a dream come true. I would be so excited to use my experience to help Arabesque Weekly achieve its goals. And I hope to one day write a story that another little dance lover tapes to their wall forever.

It would be an honor to be a part of your editorial team, and I look forward to the possibility of discussing the opportunity with you.

Hoping to be your next staff writer,

Marlee Wood [email protected] (555) 666-4433

This candidate is clearly passionate about this specific publication and leads with a unique personal anecdote tied to the company’s mission that demonstrates their ability to tell stories in a compelling way. There are relevant keywords and phrases, sure, but they’re not just thrown in there. Their voice comes through in every sentence, proving this person knows how to communicate effectively and creatively.

Cover letters can play a big part in helping career changers prove their qualifications—especially when it’s unclear how their skills transfer over to this new field.

You might write a career change cover letter if:

You want to highlight the transferable skills you have that relate to the job description.
You want to explain why you’re making the switch and what’s driving you toward this specific industry, company, or position.

Imagine you’re someone who has experience supporting a sales team as an administrative assistant , and you’re now looking to become a sales representative. You come across a job posting that includes:

Develop new sales techniques and strategies to build pipeline and hit team goals
Coordinate with other teams to increase lead-generation efforts
Assist in the processing of new business, including contacting customers to finalize sales and service transactions
1-3 years of successful sales experience
Strong communication skills
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment
Ability to work independently to plan, set priorities, and effectively organize work
Proven ability to be persuasive, persistent, and confident in closing a sale

Typically, this type of cover letter should include a compelling narrative about your career change and how you can transfer your past experiences to this new role. Here’s how you might translate your past experience over to this new (and exciting) prospect:

Dear Maria Russo,

The head of sales at Sunshine Inc. was in a bind. She needed six client meetings scheduled, 18 service transactions processed, and a summary of the team’s new lead generation campaign drafted before getting on a flight to Austin—in three hours. So she turned to her cool-headed, sales-savvy administrative assistant for help. That assistant was me. Not only did I execute everything on her to-do list, I did it all before her plane left the ground.

For three years, I worked in lockstep with a busy, growth-oriented sales leader to support the business development team. As the sole administrative assistant in the department, I balanced a swath of competing priorities, ranging from coordinating meetings and inputting data to contacting customers, finalizing transactions, and creating promotional materials. This role helped me develop a comprehensive understanding of the sales cycle, sales strategy, and pipeline growth.

Like many others, my career path hasn’t been entirely straightforward. After leaving Crabapple Media, I enrolled in a local coding bootcamp. Six months later, I emerged with a certificate in computer programming and a certainty that I did not want to be a coder. But education is never wasted. I’m now an aspiring sales representative with experience supporting a thriving sales team and extensive knowledge of the tech space.

Here’s a little bit more about how my experience would translate into this role:

At Crabapple Media, I assisted in coordinating three annual sales strategy rollouts, yielding an average increase in pipeline of 26% YoY.
At Sunshine Inc., I supported 12 independent team members in their lead-generation efforts. I also assisted in processing an average of 300 sales transactions every quarter.
I thrive in busy, ever-changing environments that require me to communicate clearly and concisely. Supporting a high-volume team and a busy executive helped me to hone these skills—I typically sent more than 200 emails a day!

I would, of course, love to schedule a time for us to discuss this role and my experience, and I truly want to thank you for considering me.

All the best,

Olu Abiola [email protected] (123) 456-789

The opener draws you in and makes you want to learn more. It toots the person’s horn, but in a way that’s substantiated. Then, the next couple sections explain their experience in the sales space and other relevant qualifications, before eventually tying that back to why they’re applying to this specific job.

Similar to the impact cover letter, the author lists some of the more important qualities they bring to the table, doing a bit of keyword inclusion and resume gap explaining along the way.

To further guide you, check out some more cover letter examples:

Pain point cover letter example
Internship cover letter example
Recent graduate cover letter example
(Another) career changer cover letter example
Stay-at-home parent returning to work cover letter example
Sales cover letter example
Email marketing manager cover letter example
No job description or position cover letter example (a.k.a., a letter of intent or interest)
Example cover letter with no experience

Let’s break down one of our example cover letters real quick

All three professional cover letter examples have some key elements that make them great and able to grab the hiring manager's attention. Check out this handy infographic that breaks down our impact cover letter:

infographic of impact cover letter example pointing out different elements of cover letter

Here are a few more tips to help the cover letter process:

Start with a “brain dump”

If you’re staring at a blank page, Godfred always recommends that her clients start by getting all their ideas on the page without paying attention to length. Then “ask yourself how you can cut half of it,” she says. You’ll likely find that repeated information and very generic phrases are the first to go. (If it’s still too long, here are some tips for getting your cover letter down to one page .)

Don’t just repeat your resume

You only have so much space to get your point across, so focus on the information that isn’t stated elsewhere rather than simply regurgitating your resume. A good cover letter should complement your resume, so use the opportunity to elaborate your skills and qualifications further, as well as your accomplishments and why you're a good fit for that position.

Focus on quality over quantity

Target the jobs you’re most closely drawn to and qualified for and give them all your energy, rather than trying to churn out hundreds of cover letters, Kahn says. You may not be able to apply to as many jobs, but you’ll have a better response rate.

Remember the ATS

Much like your resume, an applicant tracking systems, or ATS , will be sifting through your cover letter. So you’ll want to scatter relevant keywords from the job description throughout your pitch where it makes sense.

Don’t stress over formatting

You may see flashy cover letter examples across the internet, but for the most part, it just isn’t necessary. An ATS can’t read text that has been formatted beyond using bold, italics, underline, and color, so keep your font and layout simple—especially if you’re submitting your cover letter through an online portal.

Don't forget your contact information

Include your contact information on every page, including your name, phone number, and email. “Imagine you come across a cover letter and you print it out with a bunch of applications to review and it doesn’t have the person’s contact information on it,” Godfred says. “You never want to put yourself in a situation where you’re the right person and they can’t find you.”

Edit your cover letter before submitting

Never submit a cover letter right after you finish writing it—there could be critical errors that you didn't notice while typing. Take some time away from your text, then revisit it like you're reading someone else's letter. Be sure to double-check all the information you've included, paying special attention to:

The company's name
The hiring manager's name
The job title
Your contact information
Basic grammar and spelling

You're ready to go

If you've come this far, you're equipped with all the information you need to craft a great cover letter. Hopefully these cover letter examples help as you go to tackle your own. Remember: This is just one small step in the process! Take your time, but learn to move on when you’ve given it your all.

Amanda Cardoso contributed to the latest version of this article.

How To Write An Amazing Cover Letter That Will Get You Hired (Template Included)

Writing a cover letter can be one of the most stress inducing aspects of the job search.

The reason writing them is so difficult is because we don’t have a defined framework to follow.

If you need to update your resume, you download a template and fill in the blanks. When you’re applying to jobs, the employer lays out the fields you need to complete right there in the application.

But when you’re writing a cover letter, you probably find yourself staring at a blank Word document wishing the right words would will themselves onto the page.

Most of us don’t consider ourselves to be the next Walter Isaacson, and the task of crafting the perfect story sits well outside of our comfort zone. It doesn’t help that most of the advice out there on the subject is vague at best.

I did a quick Google search for “How To Write A Cover Letter.” Here are a few things the “experts” recommend:

Assess the employer’s needs and your skills. Then try to match them in the letter in a way that will appeal to the employer’s self-interest.
Arrange the points in a logical sequence; organize each paragraph around a main point.
Basic fonts like Arial, Calibri, Helvetica , Verdana, and Open Sans work well. A font size of 10 or 12 points is easy to read. Standard margins are 1” on the top, bottom, and left and right sides of the page.
Be sure to include positive traits like “Focused,” “Hard Working,” and “Results Oriented”

While all of this advice is technically correct, did you feel your confidence skyrocket when you went back to type out that first sentence?

Yeah, me neither…

Infographic - Breakdown of Writing A Cover Letter That Gets Results

Writing A Cover Letter That Actually Gets You Hired

Here’s the thing – most career “experts” out there give vague advice that they’ve seen work in their corner of the market. It doesn’t get too specific because many career coaches (even recruiters) have never been through the application process at a world class company. They don’t know the nitty gritty.

When they do give specific advice, it’s usually tailored to a niche – software development, tech sales, finance, etc. But what works for one person in one industry or role might not work for a similar person in a different situation.

I’m hoping to change things with this article.

Over the course of this post, I’m going to lay out the cover letter strategies that thousands of my clients have used to land jobs across industries and at companies like Apple, Amazon, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Deloitte, ESPN, American Express, and more.

If you’re not getting the results you want from your resume or cover letter, check out my free resume builder . It lets you create a recruiter-approve, ATS-friendly resume in minutes and it’s 100% free (no fees, subscriptions or limits!).

The Truth About Cover Letters

Before we dive into the actionable stuff, I want to provide some context on where cover letters fit in the hiring process.

Cover letters are a strange animal. People seem to think that they are the missing link that will suddenly skyrocket the response rates of potential employers.

When I asked my audience to choose between a guide on cover letters, resumes or LinkedIn profiles, cover letters won out by a significant margin.

The truth is, in the mind of a recruiter/hiring manager, your cover letter is a tie breaker that is only read after the rest of your application has been reviewed. 90% of hiring managers don’t even read cover letters. However, over half of employers noted that they prefer candidates who submit a cover letter:

This leaves us in an interesting place.

We need to craft a good cover letter to help boost our chances, but we don’t want to spend several hours doing so because there are far better ways to spend our time to get results during the job search. If you follow the networking and value-add strategies in my other articles , those strategies are going to be far more effective at breaking ties than a 3-5 paragraph document.

My hope is that this guide will give you a framework that enables you to efficiently craft cover letters that are more likely to get you hired.

The 7 Cover Letter Mistakes That Cost People Jobs

If we want our cover letter to be as effective as possible we need to make sure we avoid the mistakes that employers hate to see, yet most people still make.

In order to be as accurate as possible, I went out and spoke to recruiters from Google, Microsoft, and a few Wall Street firms on top of my own research. Then I cross referenced that information with the several hundred cover letters that have come across my desk at Cultivated Culture.

After all was said and done, here are the 7 most common mistakes people make on cover letters that will cause recruiters to throw out their application:

1. Typos, grammatical errors, and general sloppiness

This is the most obvious and most common issue. Over 70% of recruiters noted that they would automatically toss a cover letter with some type of spelling or grammatical error. The good news is that it’s also the easiest mistake to fix.

Before you submit your cover letter, make sure it’s reviewed by at least two other parties. You might want to consider hiring a professional editor/proofreader as they’re not too expensive for a short document and they will pick up on things most people would miss. It’s easy enough to find one on Upwork .

Another trick you can use is including an obvious mistake about 75% of the way through. If you have “catching Justin Beiber’s sweaty t shirt at a concert” sitting in there and someone doesn’t call you out, you know they probably didn’t read it very carefully.

2. Going over a single page

99% of the resumes and cover letters I receive are over a single page. Funnily enough, 99% of the recruiters I speak to tell me that they absolutely hate resumes and cover letters that are more than one page.

The ideal length for a cover letter is 3-5 paragraphs. Changing the margins, font, and font size are all fair game – just keep things on one page, ok?

3. Regurgitating your resume in a slightly different format

Your cover letter is a space for you to truly differentiate yourself. If you’re just taking the bullets on your resume and turning them into full sentences, you’re missing out on a HUGE opportunity.

Use the cover letter to show a little personality and share something that people wouldn’t know if they just scanned through your resume (more on that in a sec).

Remember, this is a tie breaker. If your cover letter isn’t holding people’s attention it’s probably going to lose out.

4. Focusing on training or arbitrary credentials instead of results

Many of us feel unqualified for the jobs we want. As a result, we try to twist our experience to match the traditional qualifications for our target role.

The problem with this approach is that you are competing against people who qualify for the traditional credentials, no matter what role you’re applying for. If you try to beat them at their own game, you’re going to lose 9 times out of 10.

Am I saying you should forget about trying to spin your experience to position yourself well? Absolutely not. However, adding that business class on your resume when you’re 4-5 years out of college isn’t going to help much.

Instead, focus your time outside of work on building tangible results that you can showcase in your cover letter (and resume). If you want to be a developer, take a few coding courses and build something cool. If you want to be in digital marketing, land a few clients and run their ads for them.

Telling a story about how you took proactive steps to build experience in a field will beat traditional credentials in most cases. Companies love to see that you’re hungry to learn.

5. Not addressing your cover letter to an actual person

I die a little bit inside when I see cover letters addressed as “Dear Hiring Manager” or “To Whom It May Concern.”

Anyone who reads that is immediately going to mentally bucket it as impersonal. It’s far better to address your cover letter to an actual human, even if it doesn’t end up in their hands. Here is my strategy.

Let’s say I’m applying for an Account Manager role at Google:

Writing Effective Cover Letters - Google Account Manager Role Screenshot

I’m going to head over to LinkedIn and start by working to find the specific person who would manage the role I’m applying for. If I can’t find them, or I’m unsure, then I’ll aim for the most senior person that my target role would fall under.

The ladder for Account Managers typically follows with Senior Account Manager, Account Director, and VP. I’m going plug in “Account Director” under LinkedIn’s title filter to cover all of the bases there. Then I’m going to add “Google” in the company filter and “Greater New York Area” in the location filter:

Writing Effective Cover Letters - LinkedIn Search Filters For Identifying Contacts

That search is going to bring up a slew of people that I could address directly in my cover letter:

Screenshot of Account Directors in LinkedIn Search for Cover Letter

Regardless of who reads your cover letter, they’ll know that you did your research. On top of that, your cover letter might even make it into the hands of the person you addressed it to!

6. Failing to showcase any personality

As mentioned earlier, your cover letter is one of the few opportunities for you to truly differentiate yourself from the competition. If you’re applying for jobs online (which I don’t recommend), the only thing you have to sell yourself is your resume, your cover letter, and your application.

Instead of rehashing the experience on your resume, tell a story about how you got that experience. Make it unique and personable. I had the most success when I talked about how I transitioned from a job in medicine to the tech world by starting a side business generating leads for real estate agents. I’d speak openly about the challenges I faced, the mistakes I made, and why I went through it all in the first place.

Use this space to tell your story. Remember, people don’t buy what you do – they buy you why you do it.

7. Writing about an uncomfortable situation

While we’re on the topic of telling stories, there is one thing you want to avoid – talking about something extremely uncomfortable. What might have worked for your college essay isn’t going to work here.

You want to keep things professional. It’s okay to talk about business-related mistakes and challenges, but try to steer away from deeply personal stories. They are far more likely to hurt than help.

If your cover letter doesn’t violate any of the rules above, you’re off to a good start!

The Anatomy Of A Highly Effective Cover Letter

When I was job searching, one of the most frustrating things was trying to get a clear picture of what to include in my resume/cover letter/application. There is so much conflicting “expert” advice online it makes you feel like you’re shooting in the dark.

When I started Cultivated Culture, I began tracking how different factors influenced the success of my students. After working with hundreds of job seekers over the past few years, I’ve found a strong correlation between the following factors and a high rate of successfully landing interviews:

1. Capitalize On Your Cover Letter’s Header

Most people don’t realize that when they hit “submit” on their app, their cover letter gets scanned by a robot that’s looking for specific words and phrases.

One of the major keywords the look for is a matching or relevant job title. If you’re applying for a Project Manager role, are you including Project Manager, Project Management, PMP, or something similar in your cover letter? That’s what the robot is looking for and the header is a great place to inject it. I recommend dropping it in right below your name.

Once you get past the robots, your cover letter is going to end up in the hands of a real human.

We want to make it as easy as possible for this person to learn more about us and get in contact if they want. I always recommend that you include the following right at the top of your cover letter:

Email Address – Make sure it’s simple and professional. 76% of applications are rejected for having unprofessional email addresses. Also, don’t forget to hyperlink it! You want the employer to be able to click and get in touch.

Examples of good and bad email formatting for cover letters

LinkedIn Profile – A recent study showed that applications that include a link to a comprehensive LinkedIn profile increase their chances of hearing back by 71%!

Phone Number – If they like what they read, make it easy for them to pick up the phone and dial.

Relevant Links – Your header is also a great place to share links to things like Github, relevant social profiles, personal websites, your blog, etc.

Finally, a lot of people ask me about including a location. I don’t recommend adding your location when writing a cover letter unless the application requires it.

Your address and location are private, personal information and putting them on a resume or cover letter that you're upload across the internet is a major risk. You're putting yourself at the mercy of the company's data practices and, if they don't follow good data security practices , you could end up doing your best Jason Bateman impression chasing down data thieves in Florida.

2. Tell A Story In Your Opening Paragraph

This is an overarching theme that you want to include in each section of your cover letter.

Science has proven that people are more likely to remember information (or candidates in this case) when it’s delivered in the form of a story. Stories also help build a positive psychological association with the reader (or recruiter/hiring manger here).

Remember Dan Brown’s book The Da Vinci Code ?

It was a novel about cryptic clues in some of Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous paintings leading to to holy grail. While the book itself is fictitious, the artists, pieces, and much of the history behind them is accurate.

Now, if you asked most people about their opinion on art history, they’d tell you it was boring. They’d also groan in disappointment if you tried to get them to read a book on the subject. However, Dan Brown’s novel skyrocketed to the top of the New York Times bestseller list and became an international sensation. In fact, it caused applications for art history degrees to jump up 25% in the years following its publication.

Why were all of these people suddenly interested in field previously considered to be “boring?” Because Dan Brown fed historical facts in the context of an interesting story!

We’re aiming to do the same in our cover letter – specific examples below.

2. Talk About Why You’re Interested In The Company

In the first section of your cover letter, you want to briefly talk about why you are interested in the role and the company. Remember, we want to drive the message through a story.

When I was applying at Google, I wanted to work there because they were a household name that was focused on cutting edge technology, but they also cared about impacting lives. Here is the story I used to drive that point home:

I wanted to recount a story from my referral [Name]. He’s in the education vertical and spends a significant amount of time at rural schools. When he was down in South Carolina, a teacher asked him about the possibility of getting wifi for the town and its students. [Name] said he would do his best and upon returning he asked around. He sent an email to Astro Teller who responded and they discussed the feasibility of implementing project Loon in the area. I don’t think it panned out but the fact that the communication took place over a tiny town in South Carolina sold me. That’s the kind of stuff I want to be doing.

If you don’t have a story that immediately jumps to mind, the best way to get one is by talking to people who work at the company. Look up the company’s mission or their core values beforehand and ask that person to tell you about the best example they’ve personally experienced.

You can check out this article if you want to know how to find someone’s corporate email address.

3. Highlight What You Bring To The Role

The second section of your cover letter should showcase what you’re going to bring to the role by talking about your past achievements. Be sure to use measurable metrics (actual numbers and quantitative results) to support your points.

If you’re coming from a non-traditional background (and don’t feel like you’re “qualified”) this is the time to address that objection. Here is another excerpt from my Google cover letter that addresses my background using measurable results:

You might notice that there isn’t much “traditional” digital experience on my resume. That is because, coming from a scientific background, I needed to take a different path. In an effort to gain experience, I created my own agency called OpenWater Analytics. I specialized in using AdWords to generate real estate leads for private communities. I managed the entire sales process from cold outreach, to closing, to servicing the accounts on your platform.

Most recently, I helped a community in South Carolina sell every listing on their site (about 15 homes) in less than 6 months. Our cost per lead was half of the competition and we did it all for less than the commission the realtor would have made on a single house (including ad spend).

When I wrote this, I didn’t have much digital experience to speak to. Rather than trying to spin what I had, I went out and built the experience myself by starting a digital marketing firm. Again, if you feel like your experience is lacking, get out there are create your own!

4. Reference Your “Value Validation” Project

If you’ve read my article on How To Get A Job Anywhere With No Connections , you know that I always advocate for creating what I like to call a “Value Validation Project.”

This consists of having a conversation with someone at the company you want to work for and identifying their largest challenge or upcoming initiative. You then use that information to research on your own and come up with several solutions/suggestions for your contact.

In the final section of your cover letter you want to mention this project and include a call to action to discuss it. It could look something like this:

In hopes of learning more about [Company], I had a meeting with [Name]. She told me that her team’s largest challenge was upselling customers into the company’s new, complementary platform. She noted that, despite the platform increasing retention and lowering costs for clients, the upfront cost to onboard was a major obstacle.

In my previous role, we dealt with a similar situation. Our clients were receptive to adopting a new platform despite the data showing that it would be beneficial for all parties. I spearheaded an initiative where we tested and analyzed several revenue models that maximized adoption rates and profit margins. In the end, we increased adoption rates by 30% without impacting revenue.

Using the information that [Name] gave me, I outlined the process in detail as it relates to your platform. I believe that your team could implement these strategies immediately and see similar results. If you’d like me to send it to you, please let me know! My email is [email protected].

This section is incredibly powerful because it shows that you are not only interested, you went ahead and proved out the value you could bring to the team. Additionally, the call to action can lead to conversations with the very people who will make the decision to hire you!

Cover Letter Templates – Steal The Exact Cover Letter I Used At Google, Microsoft, & Twitter

At this point you should have a solid understanding of the science behind writing a killer cover letter. You should also have a good handle on what mistakes to avoid so your cover letter makes an awesome first impression.

Now we need to apply all of that to ink on paper! In order to make that easy for you, I’m including a copy of the cover letter templates that I used to land an interview at Google so you can see exactly how I wrote it.

Context For The Template

Before we dive into the exact cover letter template, I want to give you some context so you can better understand the content of the letter.

I was applying for a Digital Advertising Sales Account Manager at Google’s offices in New York. I started by doing some research on LinkedIn to find who I believed to be the hiring manager (her name was Emmy).

I knew that my non-traditional background was a big red flag for most employers so my goal was to proactively address it in my cover letter by calling it out, talking through what I’d done to build the right skills, and highlight the results I’d achieved from those efforts.

Finally, I had spoken to several Google employees who all told me that “Googliness” (cultural fit) was a huge factor in the company’s hiring decisions. If I wanted to have a chance, I needed a compelling narrative around why I wanted to work for them and why I was a good fit.

With all of that in mind, here’s the cover letter I wrote:

Austin’s Cover Letter Template

Dear Emmy Anlyan,

I grew up with Google. When I was seven years old, I used to sneak down to my Dad’s office at five in the morning to play video games. I still remember opening the browser and seeing the bright, multi-colored letters above the search box for the first time. I’ve always been interested in the tech space and, while my background has mainly been in the sciences, I’m ready to dive head first into the digital world.

I believe I would be a great fit for the Digital Advertising Sales Account Manager role because I have a deep understanding of the businesses that partner with Google and how they define success.

Understanding how these small businesses worked was critical to my success, and I believe those skills will help Google acquire happier, more successful customers who are inclined to spend. In addition, I’ve done some research on your team and have come to understand that your largest challenge is around successfully growing smaller accounts at scale. Based on my experience, I’ve put together a few suggestions below this letter – I’m happy to chat through them in more detail if you’d like.

I wanted to close with a quick story about Google that solidified my choice to apply. My referral, [Name of Referral] , works in the education vertical. He services the southeast and many of his accounts are rural. On his last visit down there, in a South Carolina town of 1,500 with no wifi, a teacher asked him if Google could help bring the internet to them.

When [Name of Referral] made it back to the office, he emailed Astro Teller asking about the potential for Project Loon to help bring this town in the 21st century. To his surprise, Astro wrote him back within the week mentioning that he’d look into it.

While things didn’t pan out, the fact that director of Google’s moonshot project division wrote back an employee about an elementary school in South Carolina blew me away. That is the kind of work I want to be doing.

Thank you for taking the time to read my note, I’m incredibly excited to have the opportunity to be considered for this position.

Best, Austin

Download A Free Copy Of Austin’s Cover Letter Template

If you want a copy of that cover letter template with the header included and everything formatted, here’s a link to a copy on my Google Drive.

After you click through the link, just hit File > Make A Copy > Organize to add it to your own Google Drive! You can also download it in a variety of formats.

If you still have questions or thoughts about writing an awesome cover letter, drop a comment below — I’m happy to reply with an answer!

Want the inside info on landing a dream job regardless of your background and without applying online?

Click here to get the 5 free strategies that my students have used to land jobs at Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and more without applying online.

I teach people how to land jobs they love without traditional experience and without applying online. Connect with me and follow along on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abelcak/

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The 46 Best Cover Letter Examples: What They Got Right

Published: May 22, 2024

I’ve sent plenty of cover letters throughout my career, so I know it isn’t usually fun to write one. Fortunately, the cover letter examples I painstakingly gathered below show that it’s possible to have a little fun with your job search — and maybe even make yourself a better candidate in the process.

I was shocked upon learning 45% of job seekers don’t include a cover letter when applying for a job. I definitely don’t recommend following the crowd on this matter because your cover letter is a chance to tell the stories your resume only outlines.

It’s an opportunity for you to highlight your creativity at the earliest stage of the recruitment process.

Are you ready to showcase your unique skills and experience? Or are you looking for more tips and cover letter inspiration?

Keep reading for 40+ cover letter examples, then check out tips for cover letter formatting and what makes a cover letter great.

Table of Contents

Customizable Cover Letter Examples

Best cover letter examples, short cover letter examples, creative cover letter examples, job cover letter examples, career cover letter examples, what is a good cover letter, what’s on a cover letter, what makes a great cover letter.

In a hurry for a cover letter example you can download and customize? Check out the ones below from HubSpot’s cover letter template kit .

1. Standard Cover Letter Example

5 Free Cover Letter Templates

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

Standard Cover Letter Template
Entry-Level Cover Letter Template
Data-Driven Cover Letter Template

Download Free

All fields are required.

You're all set!

Click this link to access this resource at any time.

What does a good cover letter look like in practice, and how can you make yours stand out? I found six examples from job seekers who decided to do things a bit differently.

Note: Some of these cover letters include real company names and NSFW language that I've covered up.

4 . The Cover Letter That Explains ‘Why,’ Not Just ‘How’

You may already know how to talk about how you’ll best execute a certain role in your cover letter. But there’s another question you might want to answer: Why the heck do you want to work here?

The Muse , a career guidance site, says that it’s often best to lead with the why — especially if it makes a good story.

I advise against blathering on and on, but a brief tale that illuminates your desire to work for that particular employer can really make you stand out.

good cover letter examples, explains why

good cover letter examples, short and sweet

44. Photography Cover Letter Example

In an increasingly digitized world, where customer-centric strategies are vital for business success, I am thrilled to apply for the [Job Title] position at HubSpot."

Unhelpful Cover Letter Introduction:

"To Whom it May Concern,

I am applying for the [Job Title] position at HubSpot. I have some experience in marketing and can help your clients grow their businesses."

Relevant Professional Experience

It can be tempting to use the same cover letter for every job. After all, it‘s about your experience, isn’t it? But it's not enough to rephrase the work history in your resume.

Recruiters and hiring managers are looking to fill a specific role, so you need to show how your experience translates to their unique needs.

So, the body of a great cover letter should showcase the specific professional experiences that are relevant to the job you're applying for. Emphasize your accomplishments and skills that directly relate to what the job needs.

To speed up this part of the cover letter writing process, start by creating a list of your transferable skills . Drafting this list can help you quickly focus on the skills to highlight in your cover letter.

Then, use AI tools to summarize job descriptions and narrow in on where your experience and the needs of the role you're applying for overlap. This post is full of useful AI assistant tools if you're new to AI.

Helpful Cover Letter Experience:

“At [Company Name], I had the opportunity to assist a global ecommerce retailer in enhancing their online customer experience. By conducting in-depth market research and customer journey mapping, I identified pain points and areas of improvement in their website navigation and user interface.”

Unhelpful Cover Letter Experience:

“I also worked with an ecommerce retailer to improve the customer experience. We did some surveys and training, and they were happy with the results.”

Useful Examples

To make your cover letter stand out, add specific examples that show how you've solved problems or gotten results in past roles.

Quantify your accomplishments whenever possible, using data to give the reader a clear understanding of your impact.

Helpful Cover Letter Example:

“I lead a team of five content writers while increasing website traffic by 18% year-over-year.”

Unhelpful Cover Letter Example:

“I have a great track record of leadership and achieving fantastic results.”

Research and Company Knowledge

Hiring teams aren‘t hiring anyone with the skills to do the job. They’re hiring a person they'll work alongside at their specific company.

So, to show that you‘re not just looking for any job anywhere, share your knowledge of the company’s industry, values, and culture in your cover letter.

Spend some time on the company website and take notes on what makes this business interesting to you and why you would want to work there.

Then, explain how your skills align with the company's mission and goals and explain how you could add to their chances of success. This will showcase your interest in the company and help them see if you are a good cultural fit.

Helpful Cover Letter Research:

“I was particularly drawn to HubSpot not only for its industry-leading solutions but also for its exceptional company culture. HubSpot's commitment to employee development and fostering a collaborative environment is evident in its recognition as a top workplace consistently. I strongly believe that my passion for continuous learning, self-motivation, and dedication to contributing to a team will make me a valuable asset to HubSpot.”

Unhelpful Cover Letter Research:

“I have been inspired by HubSpot's commitment to inbound marketing and its comprehensive suite of solutions. HubSpot's dedication to providing valuable content and fostering meaningful relationships aligns with my own values and aspirations.”

Clear Writing

Your cover letter needs to pack in a lot of important information. But it's also important that your cover letter is clear and concise.

To accomplish this, use professional but easy-to-understand language. Be sure to remove any grammar or spelling errors and avoid lengthy paragraphs and avoid jargon or overly technical language.

You may also want to use bullet points to make your letter easier to skim. Then, proofread your cover letter for clarity or ask a friend to proofread it for you.

Guide to Becoming a Better Writer
Tips for Simplifying Your Writing

Helpful Cover Letter Writing:

"In addition to my academic accomplishments, I gained valuable practical experience through internships at respected law firms.

Working alongside experienced attorneys, I assisted in providing legal support to clients. This hands-on experience helped me develop a deep understanding of client needs and enhanced my ability to effectively communicate complex legal concepts in a straightforward manner."

Unhelpful Cover Letter Writing:

"Furthermore, as a complement to my academic accomplishments, I have garnered invaluable practical experience through internships at esteemed law firms.

Throughout these placements, I actively collaborated with seasoned attorneys to conduct due diligence and furnish clients with comprehensive legal support. Notably, these experiences fostered a profound comprehension of client necessities, whilst honing my legal acumen to articulately convey intricate legal principles within a lucid and concise framework, adhering to applicable precedents and statutes of limitations."

Genuine Interest and Enthusiasm

Find ways to convey your passion for the role and how excited you are to contribute to the company you're applying to. At the same time, make sure your interest feels authentic and outline how it aligns with your career goals.

Your ultimate goal is an enthusiastic letter that feels honest and leaves a lasting positive impression.

Showing excitement in writing doesn't come naturally for everyone. A few tips that can help you boost the genuine enthusiasm in your letter:

Record audio of yourself speaking about the role, then use voice-to-text technology to transcribe and add these sections to your letter.
Choose your words carefully .
Write in active voice.

Helpful Cover Letter Tone:

“I am genuinely enthusiastic about the prospect of joining [Company/Organization Name] as an accountant. My combination of technical proficiency, eagerness to learn, and strong attention to detail make me an ideal candidate for this role. I am confident that my dedication, reliability, and passion for accounting will contribute to the continued success of your organization.”

Unhelpful Cover Letter Tone:

“Honestly, I can hardly contain my excitement when it comes to reconciliations, financial statement analysis, and tax regulations! Engaging in spirited discussions with professors and classmates has allowed me to foster an unbreakable bond with the fascinating world of accounting, and I'm positively bursting with enthusiasm at the prospect of applying my skills in a professional setting.”

Memorable Conclusion

End your cover letter on a strong note. Summarize your top qualifications, restate your interest in the position, and express your interest in future communication.

Then, thank your reader for their time and consideration and include your contact information for easy follow-up.

To make your conclusion memorable, think about what parts of your letter you‘d most like the hiring manager to keep top of mind. Then, consider your word choice and phrasing. If you’re feeling stuck, this list of ways to close an email can help.

Helpful Cover Letter Conclusion:

"Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the opportunity to further discuss how my qualifications align with the needs of Greenpeace. Please feel free to contact me at your convenience to arrange an interview.

Together, let's make a lasting impact on our planet.

[Your Name]"

Unhelpful Cover Letter Conclusion:

"Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of discussing my qualifications further and how I can contribute to Greenpeace's mission. Please feel free to contact me at your convenience to arrange an interview.

I’d like to add another stage to the job search: experimentation.

In today’s competitive landscape, it’s so easy to feel defeated, less-than-good-enough, or like giving up your job search.

But don’t let the process become so monotonous. Have fun discovering the qualitative data I’ve discussed here — then, have even more by getting creative with your cover letter composition.

I certainly can’t guarantee that every prospective employer will respond positively — or at all — to even the most unique, compelling cover letter. But the one that’s right for you will.

So, get inspired by these examples and templates. Write an incredible cover letter that shows the hiring team at your dream job exactly who you are.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in October 2020 and has been updated for comprehensiveness. This article was written by a human, but our team uses AI in our editorial process. Check out our full disclosure to learn more about how we use AI.

Don't forget to share this post!

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Cover Letter Examples

Learn from real professional cover letter examples for 1200+ different job titles. These cover letter samples will guide you through writing your own cover letter for your dream job.

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Writing a cover letter doesn’t have to be hard. It can be as easy as choosing the right greeting, telling your experience through results, and following a proven cover letter example.

What is a cover letter and what does it contain

A cover letter is a letter of introduction that you attach to your resume when you apply for a job. Oftentimes, job ads call it a covering letter, letter of motivation, or a letter of introduction – it’s all the same thing.

Ideally, you should aim at half-page to full-page . Its purpose is to introduce you to a potential employer and tell an inspiring story of your career and why you should be their next hire. Here’s a full guide on cover letter length that we’ve prepared.

A good cover letter can be separated into five different segments : salutation, opener, body, call to action, and closer . When appropriate, you can cover any gaps in employment, your availability, and if you’re ready to relocate.

Now, let’s dig deeper into the sections that a good cover letter includes .

Share your own contact details along with the recipient's contact information.

Introduce yourself and state the purpose of your letter. The salutation shows respect to the recipient and is tailored to the individual, if possible, to add a personal touch.

Elaborate on your qualifications, experience, and skills related to the job. This section is the core of your cover letter, offering compelling evidence of why you're the ideal candidate for the position.

Reiterate your interest, sign-off and request a follow-up.

Accounting and Finance

Sum up your skills and experience and show employers your character with a professional cover letter. Just follow one of the examples below and you’ll be on your way to a new job.

Accounting Analyst
Chief Financial Officer
Director of Finance
Staff Accountant
Compliance Officer
Oracle Project Accounting
Financial Analyst
Accounts Payable
Construction Accounting
External Auditor
Audit Manager
Credit Analyst
Senior Accountant
Account Executive
Entry Level Financial Analyst
Financial Consultant
Government Accounting
Billing Specialist
Risk Manager
Purchase Accounting
Audit Director
Payroll Manager
Accounting Assistant
Management Accounting
VP of Finance
Financial Accountant
Accounts Clerk
Fund Accountant
Director of Accounting
Lending manager
Financial Advisor
Cost Accounting
Senior Financial Analyst
Business Analyst Accounting
Public Accounting
Hotel Accounting
Financial Accounting
Accounts Payable Specialist
Finance Director
Payroll Director
Compliance Analyst
Night Auditor
Hotel Night Auditor
Project Accounting
Financial Controller
Financial Professional
Tax Manager
Big 4 Accounting
Public Accounting Auditor
Credit Manager
Commercial Banking
Entry Level Actuary
Forensic Accounting
Compensation Analyst
General Ledger Accounting
Accounting Supervisor
Financial Risk Analyst
Phone Banking
Collections Specialist
Treasury Analyst
Compensation Manager
Senior Tax Accountant
Corporate Accounting
Full Cycle Accounting
Loan Officer
Personal Banker
Internal Audit Manager
Revenue Accountant
Financial Auditor
Finance Manager
Functional Accounting
Payroll Admin
Bank Manager
Payroll Analyst
Stock Broker
Purchase Manager
Big 4 Auditor
Accounts Payable Manager
Private Equity
Pricing Analyst
Bank Branch Manager
Corporate Banking
Treasury Manager
Accounts Payable Clerk
Bid Manager
Loan Processor
Portfolio Manager
Investment Banking Associate
Finance Intern
Investment Banking Analyst
Senior Auditor
Accounts Receivable
Finance Business Analyst
Tax Director
Financial Counselor
Certified Financial Planner
Financial Reporting Analyst
Tax Accountant
Finance Officer
Financial Data Analyst
Financial Reporting Manager
Financial Project Manager
Financial Assistant
Financial Management Analyst
Financial Planning Analyst
Financial Representative
Assistant Finance Manager
Financial Management Specialist
Financial Administrator
Budget Analyst
Staff Auditor
Finance Clerk
Corporate Financial Analyst
Finance Coordinator
Finance Associate
Junior Financial Analyst
Billing Manager
Financial Operations Manager
Finance Specialist
Finance Executive
Bank Teller
Senior Finance Manager
Purchasing Director

Business and Management

Your expertise is everything when it comes to business positions. Focus on your skills and tie them in with your accomplishments – just pick a cover letter example that suits your position.

Business Analyst
Business Development
Business Intelligence
Director of Business Development
Digital Director
Market Research
IT Business Analyst
VP Business Development
Construction General Manager
Business System Analyst
Practice Manager
Business Systems Analyst
Business Data Analyst
Business Development Manager
Tableau Business Analyst
Safety Manager
Asset Manager
Entry Level Business Analyst
Senior Business Analyst
Category Manager
Technical Manager
Innovation Specialist
Business Manager
Shift Manager
Business Intelligence Analyst
Strategy Consultant
Relationship Manager
Junior Business Analyst
Fedex Operations Manager
Market Analyst
Investment Manager
Operations Associate
Business Development Analyst
Banking Business Analyst
Supply Chain Business Analyst
Online Business Owner
Business Operations Analyst
Library Director
Compliance Manager
Agile Business Analyst
Branch Manager
Business Development Consultant
Self Employed Business Owner
Strategic Account Manager
Hotel General Manager
Business Planning Manager
Business Project Manager
Environmental Manager
Product Analyst
Financial Business Analyst
Business Relationship Manager
Business Development Executive
Construction Business Owner
Strategy Manager
Revenue Manager
Business Unit Manager
Business Director
Division Manager
Solution Manager
Deputy Manager
Sales Operations Manager
Innovation Manager
Planning Manager
Club Manager
Commodity Manager
Management Consultant
Cleaning Business Owner
Casino Manager
Warehouse Operations Manager
Business Operations Manager
Rpa Business Analyst
Revenue Cycle Manager
Marketing Account Manager
Proposal Manager
Business Process Manager
Branch Operations Manager
Strategic Sourcing Manager
Resource Manager
Environmental Consultant
Fitness General Manager
Configuration Manager
Demand Planning Manager
Operations Analyst
Business Intelligence Director
Business Continuity Manager
Venue Manager
Mortgage Operations Manager
Strategic Planning Manager
Small Business Owner
Servicenow Business Analyst
Service Delivery Manager
Stock Manager
Escape Room
Small Business Manager
Alliance Manager
Hotel Operations Manager
Rooms Division Manager
Administrative General Manager
Floor Manager
Claims Manager
Library Manager
Logistics Account Manager
Center Manager
Marketing Operations Manager
Assistant Business Manager
Sourcing Manager
Healthcare Operations Manager
Business Consultant
Healthcare Business Analyst
SAP Business Analyst
Implementation Manager
Business Owner

Creative and Cultural Fields

Display your unique talents and flair in the creative and cultural industries. Choose from our examples to weave your artistic skills and cultural knowledge into a cover letter that truly represents you.

Production Assistant
Wedding Photographer
Cinematographer
Fashion Stylist
Technical Theatre
Film Production
Voice Actor
Stage Manager
Video Producer
Photographer
Videographer
Music Director
Artist Manager
Commercial Actor
Fine Artist
Gallery Director
Band Director
Background Actor
Ballet Dancer
Artistic Director
Creative Producer
Makeup Artist
Professional Theatre
Musical Theatre
Performing Arts
Photographer Assistant

Data Science

Your ability to work with data is valuable to most modern companies. Show them a story-driven cover letter and get the hiring manager’s attention by simply following one of the guides below.

Data Scientist
Entry-Level Data Analyst
Big Data Engineer
Data Mining
Data Entry Specialist
AWS Data Engineer
SQL Data Analyst
Azure Data Engineer
Data Entry Clerk
Data Center Technician
Senior Data Engineer
Data Architect
Senior Data Scientist
GCP Data Engineer
Clinical Data Analyst
Data Warehouse Consultant
Senior Data Analyst
Entry-Level Data Scientist
Oracle Database Administrator
Data Analytics Manager
Lead Data Engineer
Junior Data Engineer
Analytics Engineer
Data Manager
Junior Data Analyst
Enterprise Data Architect
Statistical Data Analyst
Data Specialist
Data Warehouse Architect
Database Assistant
Data Science Manager
Database Architect
Data Entry Analyst
Data Entry Operator
Healthcare Data Analyst
Data Center Engineer
Data Management Analyst
Marketing Data Analyst
Database Manager
Data Reporting Analyst
Data Warehouse Engineer
Excel Data Analyst
Database Engineer
Python Data Scientist

Emphasize your eye for aesthetics and functionality with a well-crafted cover letter. Select from our design-focused examples to highlight your creative process and success stories in a way that resonates with employers.

UX Designer
Video Editor
Interior Designer
Fashion Designer
Architectural Designer
Web Designer
Illustrator
Industrial Design
Instructional Designer
Product Designer
Motion Graphics
Plumbing Designer
Senior Graphic Designer
Retail Designer
Game Designer
Print Designer
Interactive Designer
UX Researcher
Costume Designer
Magazine Designer
Mold Designer
Creative Director
Creative Graphic Designer
Set Designer
Footwear Designer
Jewelry Designer
Packaging Designer
Curriculum Designer
Junior Interior Designer
Lighting Designer
Character Animator
Apparel Designer
Visual Designer
Art Director
Multimedia Designer
Kitchen Designer
Floral Designer
Production Designer
UX UI Designer
Associate Creative Director
Sound Designer
Cad Designer
Mechanical Designer
Digital Designer
Electrical Designer
Creative Services Manager
Design Director
Character Designer
Graphic Artist
Senior Art Director
Logo Designer
3D Animator
App Designer
Junior Graphic Designer
User Researcher
Video Production Manager
Design Manager
Narrative Designer
Concept Art
Brand Designer
Senior UX Designer
Assistant Video Editor
Presentation Designer
Junior UX Designer

Engineering

Present your love for making concepts a reality. Click on an engineering cover letter example that’s made for your position and follow the guide. You’ll be sure to build a cover letter that makes you stand out.

Chemical Engineer
Systems Engineer
Construction Superintendent
Construction Manager
Aerospace Engineering
Design Engineer
Engineering Manager
Project Engineer
Structural Engineer
Mechanical Design Engineer
Quality Engineer
Senior Engineer
Product Engineer
Audio Engineer
Energy Manager
Manufacturing Engineer
Engineer In Training
Director of Engineering
Infrastructure Engineer
Entry Level Mechanical Engineer
Construction Worker
Electrical Engineering
Entry level Civil Engineer
Industrial Engineer
Landscape Architect
Geotechnical Engineering
Biomedical Engineer
Petroleum Engineer
Automotive Engineering
Electrical Project Manager
VP of Engineering
Engineering Intern
Architectural Project Manager
Electrical Manager
Senior Electrical Engineer
Senior Mechanical Engineer
Engineering Program Manager
Engineering Project Manager
Reliability Engineer
Mechanical Engineer
Controls Engineer

Executive and Management

Cover letters are a great way to communicate the way you think and how you see the future. Pick a template that’s made for your position and use our cover letter builder to make yours shine.

General Manager
Assistant Manager
IT Director
Managing Director
Chief Executive Officer
Account Director
Chief Marketing Officer
Executive Assistant
Chief Operational Officer
Operations Manager
Program Director
Department Manager
Team Manager
Manager In Training
Senior Executive Assistant
Executive Director
Department Head
Board of Directors
Entry-Level Operations Manager
Assistant General Manager
Assistant Director
Assistant Branch Manager
Head of Product
Associate Director
Deputy Director
Senior Director
Operations Supervisor
Regional Director
Chief Human Resources Officer
Senior Operations Manager
Fractional CEO
Vice President
Executive Manager
Functional Manager

Federal and Government

Convey your dedication to public service and your understanding of governmental operations. Our examples guide you in crafting a cover letter that speaks to the specifics of federal and government roles.

Grant Writer
Regulatory Affairs
Customs Broker
Policy Analyst

Food Service

Illustrate your passion for culinary arts and customer service. Use our examples to serve up a cover letter that showcases your experience in the food industry and your commitment to quality service.

Restaurant Manager
Bartender Server
Cocktail Server
Fine Dining
Server Bartender
Cocktail Waitress
Restaurant General Manager
Hospitality
Kitchen Manager
Assistant Restaurant Manager
Food Service Manager
Food and Beverage Manager
Food Server
Coffee Shop
Restaurant Server
Pastry Chef
Banquet Server
Fine Dining Server
Nightclub Bartender
Banquet Bartender
Head Server
Ice Cream Server
Cocktail Bartender
Restaurant Operations Manager
Head Bartender
Reservations Manager
Bartender Waitress
Event Bartender
Hotel Bartender
High Volume Bartender
Front of House Manager
Fine Dining Bartender
Lead Server
Catering Server
Restaurant Assistant Manager
Hospitality Manager
Guest Relations Manager
Executive Chef
Bar Manager

Demonstrate your adaptability and skill set as a freelancer. With our examples, you can create a cover letter that highlights your independence and successful project completions across various industries.

Freelance Writer
Freelance Translator
Freelance Photographer
Freelance Journalist
Freelance Reporter
Freelance Artist
Freelance Trainer
Freelance Makeup Artist
Freelance Architect
Freelance IT Consultant
Freelance Interpreter
Freelance Consultant
Freelance Fashion Designer
Freelance Tutor
Freelance Video Editor
Freelance Producer
Freelance Filmmaker
Freelance Videographer
Freelance Illustrator
Freelance Designer
Freelance Production Assistant
Freelance Stylist
Freelance Editor
Freelance Project Manager
Freelance Copy Editor
Freelance Programmer
Freelance Marketing Consultant
Freelance Content Writer
Freelance Social Media Manager

Human Resources

Spend time communicating your HR skills and experience. Just pick a cover letter example that matches your job and follow the instructions in the article.

Chief of Staff
Change Management
HR Director
Director Of Operations
District Manager
Training Manager
HR Assistant
Recruiting Coordinator
HR Business Partner
HR Recruiter
Recruitment Manager
Human Resources Specialist
Contracts Manager
Senior Recruiter
Benefits Specialist
Talent Acquisition Manager
HR Generalist
Human Resources Coordinator
Technical Recruiter
People Manager
Problem Manager
Knowledge Manager
Benefits Analyst
Transition Manager
Corporate Recruiter
Benefits Manager
Continuous Improvement Manager
Contract Analyst
Diversity And Inclusion Manager
People Operations Manager
HR Program Manager
HR Project Manager
Training Director
Talent Manager
Assistant Operations Manager
Human Resources Consultant
Staffing Manager

Information Technology

Show how serious you are about your future and career growth with a well-written cover letter. Pick one of the job-matching examples below and just follow our guidelines.

Front-End Developer
Python Developer
Full-Stack Developer
System Administrator
PhP Developer
Computer Engineer
Desktop Support
QA Automation
Entry Level System Administrator
Software Tester
Network Administrator
Entry Level Software Engineer
AWS Testing
System And Network Engineer
Software Engineer Intern
IT Specialist
UI Designer
Entry Level Network Engineer
Windows System Administrator
Junior Salesforce Admin
ETL Developer
IT Support Analyst
Engineering Student
Database Developer
Salesforce Developer
UI Developer
Informatica
Cloud Architect
SQL Developer
Security Analyst
Site Reliability Engineer
Network Security Engineer
Javascript Developer
Entry Level It
Tableau Developer
Salesforce Consultant
Enterprise Architect
Wordpress Developer
Machine Learning
Voip Network Engineer
Technical Consultant
Database Analyst
AWS Cloud Engineer
Social Engineering
SAS Clinical Programmer
Junior Software Developer
IT Technician
Entry-Level Computer Science
Game Developer
Cyber Security Analyst
Solutions Architect
Salesforce Business Analyst
Entry Level Software Developer
System Analyst
Sophomore Engineering
Technical Writer
AWS Solutions Architect
IT Support Manager
Computer Support Specialist
Junior System Administrator
Technical Support Manager
IT System Administrator
Wireless Network Engineer
Application Security Engineer
AWS Cloud Practitioner
Hardware Engineer
Administrator
Java Full Stack Developer
Senior System Administrator
Linux System Administrator
Service Desk Analyst
Product Support Specialist
Cnc Programmer
Computer Technician
Service Desk Manager
Junior Front-End Developer
AWS Developer
Senior Software Developer
IT Operations Manager
Blockchain Developer
Cloud Network Engineer
.Net Developer
Help Desk Manager
IT Infrastructure Manager
Application Support Analyst
Application Support Specialist
IT Security Manager
Penetration Tester
Application Support Manager
Data Center Network Engineer
IT Infrastructure Project Manager
Assistant IT Manager
Security Director
Development Manager
Node Js Developer
Solutions Engineer
React Full Stack Developer
Python Programmer
Silicon Valley
Splunk Developer
PLC Programmer
F5 Network Engineer
Cloud Security Engineer
Application Engineer
Ethical Hacker
Ccna Network Engineer
IT Project Manager
Salesforce Admin
Platform Engineer
Implementation Analyst
Senior IT Manager
Junior Cyber Security Analyst
Senior Network Engineer
Web Developer
Network Engineer
Cmm Programmer
Cisco Network Engineer
Snowflake Developer
Python Full Stack Developer
Statistical Programmer
IT Service Manager
Devsecops Engineer
Junior Network Engineer
Information Security Engineer
Aws Network Engineer
Angular Full Stack Developer
.Net Full Stack Developer
IT Delivery Manager
Computer Science
Entry-Level Programmer
IT Service Delivery Manager
Technology Manager
Microservices
L2 Network Engineer
Implementation Consultant
IT Audit Manager
Control Systems Engineer
Web Project Manager
Cybersecurity Engineer

Intern and Entry Level

Launch your career with a compelling cover letter that showcases your potential. Our intern and entry-level examples are designed to highlight your educational background and any practical experience.

Entry Level
Marketing Intern
Entry Level Sales
Entry Level Engineering
Data Science Intern
Nurse Practitioner Student
Undergraduate
Accounting Intern
MBA Application
Physical Therapy Student
Computer Science Internship
Architecture Student
Beginner Nursing Student
MBA Graduate
Design Intern
Nursing Student Clinical Experience
Graphic Design Student
MBA Student
Product Manager Intern
Social Work Intern
Financial Analyst Intern
Actuary Internship
Human Resources Intern
Architecture Intern

Law Enforcement and Emergency Services

Showcase your commitment to safety and public service. Choose from our examples tailored for law enforcement and emergency services to highlight your readiness and situational responsiveness.

Incident Manager
Police Officer
Law Enforcement
Security Guard
Security Officer
Firefighter
Case Manager
Investigator
911 Dispatcher
Security Dispatcher
Security Manager
Wildland Firefighter
Armed Security Guard
Unarmed Security Guard
Entry-Level Police Officer
Public Safety Officer
Emergency Dispatcher
Volunteer Firefighter
Fraud Investigator
Retired Police Officer

Applying for a job in the legal industry with a cover letter is almost always a must. Pick a cover letter example that fits your needs and get to writing.

Legal Assistant
Personal Injury Paralegal
Trial Lawyer
General Counsel
Real Estate Attorney
Associate Attorney
Litigation Paralegal
Immigration Paralegal
Senior Attorney
Patent Lawyer
Senior Paralegal
In House Counsel
Real Estate Legal Assistant
Immigration Lawyer
Personal Injury Legal Assistant
Corporate Lawyer
Trademark Attorney
Litigation Attorney
Entry-Level Attorney
Litigation Lawyer
Employment Lawyer
M&A Lawyer
Real Estate Lawyer
Criminal Lawyer
Contract Attorney
Corporate Counsel
Personal Injury Lawyer

Maintenance and Repair

Build your cover letter using one of our cover letter templates around the maintenance and repair industry. Focus on your strengths and let our cover letter builder do the job.

Maintenance Manager
Electrician
Housekeeper
Facility Manager
Resident Assistant
Landscaping
Hospital Housekeeping
Cable Technician
Hotel Housekeeping
Maintenance Mechanic
Regional Property Manager
Diesel Mechanic
Electronic Technician
Industrial Electrician
Housekeeping Supervisor
Journeyman Electrician
Maintenance Technician
Electrician Apprentice
Residential Property Manager
Housekeeping Manager
Maintenance Electrician
Facilities Coordinator
Pest Control
Cleaning Manager

Manufacturing and Warehousing

Detail your capabilities in manufacturing and warehousing environments. Our cover letter examples help you emphasize your operational knowledge and efficiency in managing logistics and production lines.

Manual Tester
Procurement Manager
Supply Chain Manager
Manufacturing Manager
Forklift Operator
Machine Operator
Production Manager
Warehouse Worker
Inventory Manager
Plant Manager
Material Handler
Logistic Manager
Factory Worker
Warehouse Manager
Warehouse Supervisor
Automotive Technician
Cnc Machinist
Production Planner
Logistics Coordinator
Production Coordinator
Procurement Specialist
Vendor Manager
Production Technician
Distributor
Distribution Manager
Delivery Manager
Import Export Manager
Assembly Technician
Structural Welder
Parts Manager
Export Manager
Factory Manager
Packaging Manager
Inventory Coordinator
Manufacturing Technician
Inventory Control Manager
Fleet Manager
Warehouse Associate
Regional Operations Manager
Supply Chain Analyst
Welder Fabricator
Warehouse Clerk
Field Manager
Field Service Manager
Farm Manager
Inventory Supervisor
Assistant Production Manager

Move up the ladder in your marketing career with a cover letter that grabs the recruiting manager’s heart. Find your position below and take a closer look into how you should build your marketing cover letter with an example below.

Digital Marketing
Marketing Director
Social Media Manager
Creative Marketing
Creative Digital Marketing
Brand Ambassador
Marketing Assistant
Social Media Coordinator
Digital Marketing Specialist
Creative Manager
Content Marketing
Content Strategist
Marketing Associate
Email Marketing
Brand Manager
Digital Marketing Manager
Email Marketing Manager
Associate Marketing Manager
Marketing Specialist
Digital Marketing Analyst
Sales And Marketing
Social Media Intern
Digital Marketing Executive
Marketing Coordinator
PPC Specialist
Communications Specialist
Campaign Manager
Influencer Marketing
Product Marketing
SEO Manager
Content Writer
Public Relations Specialist
VP Marketing
Telemarketing
VP Digital Marketing
Ecommerce Marketing
Marketing Project Manager
Community Manager
Branding Manager
Director of Communications
Senior Marketing Manager
Product Marketing Manager
Social Media Specialist
Growth Marketing
Marketing Executive
Digital Marketing Consultant
Social Media Marketing
Content Creator
Social Media Influencer
Associate Brand Manager
Assistant Brand Manager
Web Content Manager
Brand Marketing Manager
Advertising
SEO Specialist
Media Manager
PPC Manager
Social Media Director
Communications Coordinator
Commercial Director
Experiential Marketing
Public Relations Manager
International Marketing Manager
Communication Manager
Content Manager
Business Marketing
Sports Marketing
Affiliate Marketing
Brand Director
Public Relations Director
Membership Manager
Fashion Marketing
Content Designer
Assistant Community Manager
Communications Officer
Channel Marketing Manager
Affiliate Marketing Manager
Ad Operations Manager
Internal Communications
Content Editor
Event Marketing
Field Marketing Manager
Regional Marketing Manager
News Director
Engagement Manager
Brand Marketing
Digital Marketing Intern
Trade Marketing Manager
Digital Marketing Account Manager
Analytics Manager
Advertising Agency
Advertising Manager
Digital Advertising
Entry Level Digital Marketing
Assistant Marketing Manager
Digital Account Manager
Marketing Manager

Nursing and Healthcare

Show your true medical potential with the power of a well-structured, professional cover letter. Choose from one of our custom-made examples and make a cover letter that gets you the job.

Psychologist
Physical Therapist
Medical Receptionist
Critical Care Nurse
General Dentist
Medical Scribe
Dental Assistant
Infection Control Nurse
Licensed Practical Nurse
Registered Nurse
General Nurse
Respiratory Therapist
Occupational Therapist
Nursing Assistant
Veterinary Nurse
Physician Assistant
Massage Therapist
Medical Assistant
Medical Technologist
Clinical Social Worker
Dental Hygienist
Certified Medical Assistant
Retail Pharmacist
Pediatric Nurse
Public Health
In Home Caregiver
Telemetry Nurse
Dietary Aide
Physical Therapist Assistant
Pharmacy Manager
School Nurse
Nurse Practitioner
School Social Worker
Medical Surgical Nurse
Child Care Provider
Nurse Educator
Surgical Tech
Professional Nanny
Travel Nurse
Charge Nurse
Hospital Volunteer
Patient Service Representative
Nursing Student
Health Coach
Speech Pathologist
Veterinary Technician
Hospital Pharmacist
Entry Level Dental Assistant
Aesthetic Nurse
Private Caregiver
Cardiology Medical Assistant
Pediatric Medical Assistant
Hospital Pharmacy Technician
Nurse Manager
Pediatric Dental Assistant
Company Nurse
Clinical Director
CVS Pharmacy Technician
Nursing Home Social Worker
Social Work Student
Elderly Caregiver
Ob Gyn Medical Assistant
CVS Pharmacist
Staff Pharmacist
Clinical Medical Assistant
Psychiatrist
Senior Pharmacy Technician
Clinical Pharmacist
Front Office Medical Assistant
Associate Dentist
Dermatology Medical Assistant
Pediatric Dentist
Special Needs Nanny
Long Term Care Pharmacist
Agency Nurse
Clinical Research Nurse
Occupational Health Nurse
Home Health Aide
Orthodontic Dental Assistant
Clinical Nurse
Nurse Recruiter
Expanded Functions Dental Assistant
Surgical Nurse
Clinical Nurse Manager
Nurse Anesthetist
Legal Nurse Consultant
Certified Dental Assistant
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Nursery Worker
Oral Surgery Assistant
Dental Nurse
Community Pharmacist
New Dentist
Mental Health Coach
Assistant Nurse
Certified Nurse Aide
Child Caregiver
Practice Nurse
Perioperative Nurse
Clinical Trial Manager
Child Care Worker
Staff Nurse
Hemodialysis Nurse
Infant Nanny
Child Care Director
Social Worker
Nurse Extern
Phlebotomist
Pharmacy Technician
Care Worker
Care Manager
Professional Nurse

Office and Administration

The world goes around thanks to office and administration specialists. Communicate your vision for the future with potential employers and focus on how you can help the company you’re applying to grow.

Administrative Assistant
Administrative Manager
Office Assistant
Office Manager
Office Administrator
Office Manager Assistant
School Administrative Assistant
Tax Preparer
Personal Assistant
Administrative Secretary
Sales Administrative Assistant
Front Desk Agent
Front Office Manager
Executive Administrative Assistant
Medical Interpreter
Dental Office Manager
Medical Office Assistant
Medical Administrative Assistant
Legal Secretary
Assistant Front Office Manager
Front Desk Medical Receptionist
School Secretary
Administrative Coordinator
Temporary Administrative Assistant
Medical Office Administrator
Front Desk Manager
Business Office Manager
Construction Administrative Assistant
HR Administrative Assistant
Legal Translator
Hotel Assistant Manager
Sign Language Interpreter
Guest Services Manager
Chiropractic Office Manager
Interpreter
Real Estate Administrative Assistant
Executive Assistant to CEO
Construction Office Manager
Executive Personal Assistant
Administrative Associate
Dental Administrative Assistant
Senior Administrative Assistant
Medical Office Manager
Hotel Front Desk Receptionist
Front Desk Supervisor
Front Desk Coordinator
Front Office Assistant
Records Manager
Front Desk Receptionist
Household Personal Assistant
French Translator

For roles that don't fit conventional categories, our diverse range of cover letter examples provides a starting point to express your unique skill set and professional experiences.

Career Change
Site Manager
Returning to Work
Spanish Translator
Stay at Home Mom
Work from Home
Returning to Workforce
Military to Civilian

Project Management

Tell the story of how you make ideas into real-life products thanks to your project management skills. Choose an example that’s made for your job position and build your cover letter.

Project Coordinator
Process Manager
Program Analyst
Project Manager
Program Coordinator
Technical Product Manager
Tech Product Manager
IT Product Manager
Api Product Manager
Principal Program Manager
Mental Health Program Manager
Project Analyst
Process Engineer
Agile Project Manager
Technical Program Manager
Healthcare Project Manager
Aerospace Program Manager
Public Health Program Manager
Agile Coach
Senior Product Manager
Senior Project Manager
Product Manager
Technical Project Manager
Nonprofit Program Manager
Creative Project Manager
Google Product Manager
Associate Product Manager
Youth Program Manager
Project Controls Manager
Clinical Project Manager
Insurance Product Manager
Salesforce Project Manager
Creative Product Manager
Product Owner
Agile Program Manager
Project Director
Real Estate Project Manager
Education Program Manager
Implementation Project Manager
Healthcare Product Manager
SAP Project Manager
Assistant Project Manager
Pmo Director
Agile Scrum Master
Finance Project Manager
Associate Project Manager
Junior Project Manager
Roofing Project Manager
Amazon Product Manager
Agile Product Manager
SaaS Product Manager
Infrastructure Project Manager
Digital Product Manager
Junior Product Manager
Junior Scrum Master
Construction Project Manager
Marketing Product Manager
Digital Project Manager
Commercial Project Manager
Microsoft Program Manager
Group Product Manager
Product Development Manager
Ecommerce Product Manager
Data Product Manager
IT Program Manager
AI Product Manager
B2B Product Manager
Principal Product Manager
Growth Product Manager
Senior Product Owner
Pmo Manager
Senior Scrum Master
Senior Program Manager
Assistant Product Manager
Technical Product Owner
Scrum Master
Program Manager

Quality Assurance

Illustrate your meticulous nature and commitment to standards. Select from our quality assurance examples to showcase your expertise in monitoring, testing, and improving product quality.

Quality Assurance Officer
Quality Specialist
Test Engineer
Quality Assurance Technician
Quality Inspector
Quality Assurance Manager
Quality Assurance Analyst
Quality Control
Quality Control Specialist
Supplier Quality Manager
Quality Supervisor
Test Manager
Quality Control Engineer
Quality Assurance Specialist
Quality Assurance Auditor
Quality Control Inspector
Quality Control Technician
Release Manager
Quality Consultant
Quality Assurance Associate
Data Quality Analyst
Supplier Quality Engineer
Quality Auditor
Quality Assurance Supervisor
Quality Assurance Engineer
Quality Technician
Quality Control Manager
Junior QA Tester
Quality Manager

Real Estate

Show your talent in finding, marketing, and selling homes quickly. Use one of your cover letter examples and build yours in minutes.

Real Estate Manager
Estate Agent
Interior Design
Senior Property Manager
Assistant Property Manager
Real Estate Portfolio Manager
Real Estate Broker
Real Estate Assistant
Real Estate Developer
Real Estate Sales Manager
Real Estate Salesperson
Real Estate Professional
Real Estate Appraiser
Mortgage Broker
Commercial Real Estate Agent
House Manager
Property Manager
Real Estate Intern
Real Estate Agent

Sales and Retail

Use a cover letter to impress hiring managers with your story. Show your understanding of human psychology by using a cover letter on top of your resume. Just pick a cover letter example and follow the guide.

Manager Retail
Visual Retail
Remote Customer Service
Customer Success Manager
Territory Sales Manager
Medical Sales
Sales Manager
Luxury Retail
Assistant Manager Retail
Regional Sales Manager
Car Salesman
Sales Consultant
Customer Service Associate
Call Center Representative
Service Advisor
Sales Associate
Customer Service Supervisor
Insurance Sales
Outside Sales
Sales Engineer
Pharmaceutical Sales
Clothing Store Sales Associate
Call Center Manager
Sales Analyst
Customer Service Retail
Retail Assistant Manager
Customer Service Specialist
Customer Support Specialist
Marketing And Sales
Executive Sales
Grocery Store Cashier
Grocery Store Manager
Lead Generation
Head of Sales
Call Center Customer Service
Medical Device Sales
Sales Account Manager
Pharmaceutical Sales Rep
Retail Worker
Distribution Sales Manager
Assistant Store Manager
Sales Representative
Technical Account Manager
Call Center Supervisor
Account Manager
Customer Service Manager
Inside Sales
Walmart Stocker
Waitress Cashier
Sales Coordinator
Strong Carrier Sales
Sales Development Representative
Sales Professional
Restaurant Cashier
Leasing Manager
Key Account Manager
Overnight Stocker
Grocery Manager
Liquor Store Manager
Wholesale Manager
Retail Salesperson
Business Analyst Retail
Solar Sales
Telesales Representative
Customer Service Representative
Sales Trainee
Clothing Store
Furniture Sales
Sales Advisor
Commercial Manager
Sales And Marketing Manager
Pawn Broker
Store Manager
Insurance Agent
Automotive General Sales Manager
Junior Account Executive
Technical Sales Representative
Phone Sales
Beauty Consultant
Regional Sales Representative
Retail Sales Supervisor
Store Manager Retail
Enterprise Account Executive
Account Coordinator
Apple Retail
Sales Trainer
Independent Sales Consultant
Food Cashier
Retail Sales Consultant
Lead Cashier
Retail Sales Executive
Retail Assistant Store Manager
Medical Device Sales Representative
Merchandise Manager
Starbucks Store Manager
Retail Operations Manager
Senior Account Executive
Wine Sales Representative
Sales Promoter
Internet Sales Manager
Retail Director
Sales Support Coordinator
Door to Door Sales
Customer Relations Manager
Client Engagement Manager
Territory Sales Representative
Insurance Broker
Client Partner
Hotel Sales Manager
Grocery Stocker
High End Retail
Sales Associate Cashier
Assistant Sales Manager
Sales Executive
Director of Customer Success
Retail Sales Associate
Software Sales
Client Support Specialist
Senior Sales Associate
Sales Clerk
Sales Assistant
Customer Service Cashier
Retail Sales Manager
VP of Sales
Customer Experience Manager
Customer Sales Representative
Client Account Manager
Convenience Store Manager
Retail General Manager
Cashier Manager
Retail Cashier
Customer Support Engineer
Fashion Retail
CVS Store Manager
Senior Sales Executive
Sales Development Manager
Sales Director
Product Specialist
Sales Marketing Manager
Sales Administrator
Freight Broker
Sales Support Representative
Customer Care Manager
Customer Support Manager
Customer Service Agent
Corporate Sales Manager
New Home Sales Consultant
CRM Project Manager
Senior Account Manager
Client Service Manager
Sales Account Executive
Customer Account Manager
CRM Manager
Commercial Account Manager
Insurance Account Manager
Construction Sales
Advertising Sales Executive
Enterprise Account Manager
Reservation Sales Agent
Sales And Marketing Executive
Leasing Consultant
Channel Sales Manager
General Sales Manager
Customer Service Coordinator
Field Sales Representative
Real Estate Sales
Merchandising Manager
Travel Consultant
Sales Recruiter
SaaS Account Executive
Corporate Account Manager
Technology Consultant
Sales Operations Analyst
Senior Sales Manager
District Sales Manager
Purchasing Agent
Senior Sales Engineer
Customer Success Associate
Visual Merchandising Manager
Sales Person
Sales Team Leader
Entry-Level Customer Service
Sales Support Specialist
Sales Agent
Online Sales Manager
International Sales Manager
Sales Supervisor
Casino Cashier
Technical Sales Manager
Enterprise Sales
Luxury Sales
Fragrance Sales Associate
Branch Sales Manager
Sales Specialist
Pricing Manager
Sales Cashier
Advertising Sales Representative
Jewelry Sales
Sales Merchandiser
IT Sales Executive
Sales Officer
Sales Intern
National Sales Manager
Regional Account Manager
Area Sales Manager
Customer Service
Regional Sales Director
Call Center Director
National Account Manager

Salon and Spa

Highlight your expertise in beauty and wellness with a personalized cover letter. Our examples help you demonstrate your skills in enhancing client appearance and promoting relaxation.

Student Esthetician
Medical Esthetician
Hair Stylist
Spa Manager
Esthetician
Cosmetologist
Licensed Esthetician
Spa Director
Salon Manager
Assistant Spa Manager

Science and Research

A cover letter can help you tell your story and make your resume that much better. Choose one of our science-related cover letter examples and make yours shine.

Lab Technician
Research Director
Student Researcher
Quality Control Chemist
Radiologic Technologist
Research Associate
Quantitative Researcher
Clinical Research Assistant
Research Manager
Graduate Research Assistant
Lab Manager
Lab Assistant
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Research Assistant
Entry Level Chemist
Analytical Chemist

Software Engineering

Present your technical prowess and problem-solving skills. Our software engineering cover letter examples are designed to showcase your coding abilities and project management skills.

Senior Software Engineer
Software Architect
Software Analyst
Software Support Analyst
Devops Engineer
Software Development Engineer
Golang Developer
Director of Software Development
Director of Software Engineering
Software Developer
Junior Devops Engineer
Software Development Manager
Senior Web Developer
Software QA Manager
Web Application Developer
Azure Devops Engineer
Software Product Manager
Freelance Developer
Software Project Manager
Android Developer
Software Consultant
Angular Developer
Product Developer
Sharepoint Developer
Junior Web Developer
CRM Developer
Mobile Application Developer
Software QA Engineer
Software Test Analyst
QA Software Tester
Senior Developer
Software Engineering Manager
Java Software Developer
Software Programmer
Software Specialist
Java Developer
Backend Engineer
Software Test Engineer
Lead Engineer
Software Team Lead
iOS Developer
Junior Software Engineer
Content Developer
Integration Developer
Embedded Software Engineer
Senior Devops Engineer
Principal Software Engineer
Software Engineering Intern
Software Technician
Senior PHP Developer
C Developer
GIS Developer
Java Software Engineer
Hadoop Developer
Ruby On Rails Developer
Drupal Developer
Freelance Software Developer
Associate Software Engineer
Senior Java Developer
SAP Abap Developer
Senior Oracle Developer
EDI Developer
Software Engineer New Grad
Java Web Developer
Prompt Engineer
Junior Java Developer
Cobol Developer
GCP Devops Engineer
J2EE Developer
Software Business Analyst
Asp.Net Developer
Cognos Developer
Software Engineer
Staff Software Engineer

Sports and Recreation

Share your enthusiasm for fitness and sports with a dynamic cover letter. Use our examples to highlight your experience in coaching, team management, and promoting healthy lifestyles.

Basketball Coach
Fitness Trainer
Camp Counselor
Yoga Instructor
Event Planner
Event Director
Summer Camp Counselor
Student Athlete
Events Manager
Yoga Teacher
Event Coordinator
Athletic Director
Division 1 Athlete
Fitness Director
Fitness Manager
Event Project Manager
Tour Director
Tour Manager
Banquet Manager
Resort Manager
Community Organizer
Personal Trainer

Teaching and Education

Let your academic accomplishments speak for themselves. Choose a cover letter template around education and focus on the important things by following our templates.

Paraprofessional
Art Teacher
Spanish Teacher
Kindergarten Teacher Assistant
Virtual Teacher
Educational Consultant
High School Science Teacher
Math Teacher
School Counselor
Elementary Teacher
Teacher Assistant
Substitute Teacher
High School Teacher
Correctional Officer
Preschool Teacher Assistant
SLP Grad School
Pre K Teacher
Music Teacher
Creative Art Teacher
Scholarship
Teacher For Career Change
Preschool Assistant Teacher
Special Education Teacher
Transitioning Teacher
Dance Teacher
Private Tutor
Science Teacher
Online Tutor
Academic Advisor
Kindergarten Teacher
High School Academic
Lead Teacher
Special Education Teacher Assistant
Day Care Teacher
Student Teacher
Daycare Teacher Assistant
Grad School
Social Studies Teacher
Biology Teacher
Early Childhood Teacher
Physical Education Teacher
Bilingual Teacher
Child Care Teacher
Theatre Teacher
Toddler Teacher
Summer School Teacher
Technology Teacher
Sunday School Teacher
Retired Teacher
Computer Science Teacher
History Teacher
Language Teacher
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Online Teacher
Preschool Director
Piano Teacher
Infant Teacher
Montessori Teacher
Middle School Teacher
First Grade Teacher
After School Teacher
Preschool Teacher
Student Ambassador
New Teacher
Distance Learning Teacher
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant

Travel and Transportation

Express your expertise in the travel and transportation sector. Our examples guide you in illustrating your knowledge of logistics, customer service, and your ability to manage travel operations efficiently.

Airport Manager
Truck Dispatcher
Travel Manager
School Bus Driver
Flight Attendant
Uber Driver
Truck Driver
Airline Pilot
Aircraft Dispatcher
Transportation Dispatcher
Transport Manager
Commercial Pilot
Food Delivery Driver
Entry Level Dispatcher
Amazon Delivery Driver
CDL Truck Driver
Corporate Flight Attendant
Pizza Delivery Driver
Drone Pilot
Traffic Manager
Delivery Driver
Transportation Operations Manager

Cover letter salutation

Writing the proper cover letter salutation is about 50% of the struggle. Nothing seems appropriate. The time-proven, trusty cover letter salutations seem a bit cliché and outdated.

The secret to writing a suitable greeting is to be relevant. Ask yourself the following questions:

Do I know who the hiring manager/recruiter is?
Did someone recommend me the job?
Have I communicated with the recruiter before?

If you can answer one out of these three questions with “yes” , then feel free to use the recruiter’s name in the salutation. And if you feel like it’s inappropriate to call the hiring manager by name, rest assured, it’s absolutely alright. It shows that you’ve done your research, and people love it when someone’s put in the effort.

Good cover letter greetings to use when you know who the hiring manager is, include:

Dear [Last Name],
Dear [First and Last Name],
Dear Dr. [Last Name],
Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms [Last Name],

With that being said, “Dear” is as professional as you get in the world of cover letter salutations. However, if you’re applying for a job position in a creative agency where competition is fierce, and you need a cover letter to stand out, but the overall vibe is far more relaxed, feel free to start your cover letter with “Hello”.

If you have no idea who’ll be reading your letter of motivation , you can use a generic greeting. They’re far less enticing, but they get the job done. Generic cover letter salutations include:

Dear Hiring Manager,

Dear [Job Position],

Bad example

Good example, cover letter opening.

A cover letter opening paragraph has one purpose – hook the reader, so they read your letter all the way through. That’s why you should keep the first sentence fairly short and straight to the point.

Here’s an example of a good opening:

Summarize your biggest professional achievement in a single sentence. Show the impact you’ve had at your previous job. This makes it clear to the recruiter that you mean business.

Length-wise, the opening paragraph of your covering letter shouldn’t be longer than two sentences. If you’re into writing, the opening paragraph is your hook sentence. 😉

Cover letter body paragraphs

The body of the cover letter is the longest section. It consists of three to four paragraphs telling the story of your professional life.

Keep in mind that there’s a fine line between rephrasing what’s on your resume and writing a good cover letter . Remember this:

Your best bet is to thoroughly research the company you’re applying to. Check their website, social media, PR coverage, and even their Crunchbase profile to see if they’ve had recent funding rounds.

Try to identify possible problems they may be facing and direct your cover letter in the directions of how you and your skill set can help them. Speak through your actions and results.

Don’t just say you’re good at something – prove it.

Cover letter call to action

A call to action is a vital and strategic part of any cover letter. It’s important to phrase it in a way that shows your excitement for the position but isn’t too pushy on the hiring manager.

Put yourself in the reader’s shoes. They’ve read your letter this far. The recruiter knows that you’ve done the research. They can see you’re a great fit, so don’t leave them hanging – give them the next steps.

Here’s an example of a great cover letter call to action:

A rule of thumb to follow in the call to action is to make it all about the company and not yourself.

Cover letter closer

Now that you know how to craft a great call-to-action sentence, it’s time to talk about the closer.

To be exact, we’re talking about the complimentary close. As a cover letter requires a degree of formality, it’s best to keep the complementary close simple. Here’s a list of our favorites that you can use:

Respectfully,

Followed by an empty line and your first and last name.

On another note, if you’re applying at a company where you know the hiring manager or the overall culture is informal, you can opt for a more relaxed complimentary close. Here are a few of our favorites:

Warm regards
Yours truly
Have a wonderful day

Keep in mind that those should be saved for the right occasion, and we recommend going with a more professional closer . If you aren’t sure, nothing beats a “Thank you,”. 🙂

Creatives are among the most sought-after employees. They’re usually the people who come up with original ideas that give companies a competitive advantage. In the cover letter above, Jack has done a great job explaining his background in gender advocacy, social issues, and political science – all venues much needed in modern-day companies.

Furthermore, Jack has a detailed explanation of how he can help the company, focusing on solid examples and channels he considers to be his strengths. From social media to analytics, he’s done a great job of helping the hiring manager picture Jack as one of the team.

Finally, the call to action and closing paragraphs are spot on, giving the hiring manager a nudge to give him a call.

Career change cover letter example

My name is Nicholas and for the past 5 years, I’ve been the general manager for Coffi&Biscuits where I managed to increase the YoY revenue of the shop 10x in the past three years.

I was excited to see the Business Development Manager position for Bootstrap IO, as it is a career change that I’m looking forward to making.

Managing a team of 15 taught me a lot about budgeting, planning, and organizing the workload. I can help you with expanding your team in the next quarter and reach your goal of launching your new product across the United States.

I’d love to jump on a Zoom meeting with you to further discuss joining the team. I’m available at your disposal.

Nicholas Costa

Why this career change cover letter is good

Taking a closer look at Nicholas’ cover letter, you’ll see that he was concise, went straight to the point, and most importantly explained how his current skill will help the company grow.

Writing a career change cover letter is all about showing the hiring manager how your skills can help them overcome challenges the business is facing.

Nicholas has done a great job explaining his skills. Furthermore, he’s done the research and knows what the future plans of the company are.

His call to action section further drives the point that he’s convinced of his skills and that he can help the company.

You can use this cover letter when:

You want a new job in a field unrelated to your current one.
When you want to apply for an internal position in another department.

Entry-level cover letter example

I am applying for the position of Drug Research Specialist (Entry Level) that I came across at PANDA Corp. I believe that my academic experience matches your requirements.

During my studies, I have gained experience in the field of medicine and pharmaceuticals. Moreover, during my master’s program, I’ve completed my diploma in Pharmaceutical Research, which helped me in better understanding the processes and best practices in drug development.

Additionally, under the ImunoHelp program, I have undergone various professional and self-development training. Each training permanently added to my skill set.

Having spent the last seven years of my life outside the United States, my home country has made me multicultural. My vibrant experience traveling and studying at different institutions, in UAE, USA, Portugal, and France have undoubtedly contributed to my open-mindedness, creativity, and adaptability, as well as working in a diverse and multilingual team.

I’m excited to have the opportunity to discuss how my skills can help your company grow. I’m available for an interview at your convenience.

Anna Kendrick

Why this entry-level cover letter example is good

When you’re applying for an entry-level position, there’s a high chance that you’ll be competing with a lot of people that don’t have a lot of experience on their resume.

Most likely, you’re about to graduate, and you’re looking for your first job. Taking a look at Anna’s cover letter, you can immediately see that she’s focusing on her studies.

When you’re writing a cover letter for an entry-level position , focusing on your strengths is vital – after all, the hiring managers know that you won’t have years of experience behind your back. That’s why you have to show your strengths. Add what you’ve studied, any additional courses or training that you’ve been a part of, with a focus on what you’ve learned there.

General cover letter example

Dear Mr John,

I was pleased to see you're hiring for the barista position at Grey Raven Coffee Bar. As an experienced barista with 6 years of professional experience I’m confident that I would be a valuable asset to Grey Raven and the local community you serve.

I’m recently left my job at one of New York's biggest coffee bars, where I’ve honed my barista skills and even won a few competitions. While employed here, I have successfully managed to work in a bustling environment, serving more than 2,000 clients per day.

I’m confident that my excellent work ethic, unparalleled attention to detail, and knack for delicious coffee-based drinks will make me an immediate asset at Grey Raven, and allow me to contribute to the team’s success.

I look forward to discussing the barista position and my qualifications with you in more detail. I’m available to talk at your soonest convenience. I’ll be in touch next week to follow up, just to make sure you’ve received my application.

Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

Cindy Parker

Why this general cover letter example is good

The general cover letter example is perfect if you’re an applicant that has some experience, or you just need a template to send out to a few jobs that you’ve applied for.

Copy the example above, change the name and accomplishments with yours and you’re ready to go. Just remember to personalize each cover letter to the job position you’re applying for.

Executive cover letter example

For the past 6 years, I've been successfully leading ACME Agency and increased YoY revenue by 150% every year for the past 4 years.

As the CEO of a creative agency, I think I have the skillset and vision needed to turn your agency into a market leader by partnering with top companies like Unilever, Google, and Apple.

I'm experienced in both company and franchise brand building. I build and lead high-performance teams that work both in online and offline campaigns.

Former employers will confirm, that I am a passionate leader who is hands-on when it comes to working smart and hard I am self-motivated and a highly dependable individual that is confident and culturally diverse.

I am a great communicator and I can convey information to anyone, regardless of where they are in the company hierarchy.

Whether monitoring performance, improving strategic plans, or managing the entire life-cycle of a project or product development, my references would confer that I exceed expectations by practicing the greatest level of expertise with professionalism whilst always being customer-centric.

Should you grant me an interview will be in a position to discuss in detail, how my skill set can be utilized to grow your business. I believe that your company is intent on reflecting positive growth and profitability and it would be my pleasure to actively contribute to the company’s future.

Kind Regards,

Nicholas Jasbin

Why this executive cover letter example is good

Nicholas goes above and beyond in describing his accomplishments and his soft skills in communication and management. He begins his cover letter directly with an accomplishment statement that will make him stand out from other applicants.

Further down, Nicholas collaborates on his experience working with large companies and building teams.

Intern cover letter example

Dear [Recipient's Name],

I am writing to apply for the internship position at [Company Name], as advertised on [Job Board or Company Website]. As a motivated and aspiring [field of interest] professional, I am eager to gain practical experience and contribute to the success of your organization.

Throughout my academic journey in [relevant field of study], I have developed a strong foundation in [key skills or knowledge areas relevant to the internship]. I am excited to apply these skills in a real-world setting and further enhance my understanding of [specific area or industry]. Some highlights of my qualifications include:

[Relevant coursework or projects that demonstrate skills or knowledge]

[Extracurricular activities or volunteer work that showcase relevant experience or leadership]

[Technical skills or tools proficiency]

I am drawn to [Company Name] because of its reputation for [specific aspects of the company, such as innovation, community impact, or industry leadership]. I am particularly inspired by [specific projects, initiatives, or values of the company] and believe that my passion and dedication align well with your organization's goals.

Thank you for considering my application. I am eager to contribute my enthusiasm, creativity, and willingness to learn to the internship role. I have attached my resume for your review, and I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my skills and background make me an excellent fit for [Company Name]. I look forward to the possibility of contributing to your team and learning from the talented professionals at [Company Name].

[Your Name]

Why is this a good cover letter:

College graduate cover letter example.

I am writing to express my interest in joining IBM as a [specific position]. As a recent graduate from [Your University] with a degree in [Your Major] and practical work experience, I am eager to contribute my skills and knowledge to IBM's innovative and forward-thinking environment.

During my time at [Your University], I gained a solid foundation in programming, data analysis, and software development. My coursework and projects have allowed me to develop proficiency in languages such as Python, Java, and SQL. I have also honed my skills in Agile methodologies, ensuring the delivery of high-quality products within tight deadlines.

In addition to my academic achievements, I have gained valuable experience through internships and part-time roles. As a [Previous Position] at [Previous Company], I worked on a team that developed a data-driven solution to optimize inventory management for a major retailer. This experience taught me the importance of collaboration, effective communication, and critical thinking when tackling complex challenges.

IBM's commitment to creating innovative solutions and fostering a culture of continuous learning and development aligns with my passion for technology and personal growth. I am confident that my academic background, work experience, and dedication to excellence make me a strong candidate for a role at IBM.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my skills and experiences can contribute to IBM's continued success and growth.

Middle management cover letter example

I am writing to express my interest in the Middle Management position at Planet Fitness. With over [number of years] years of experience in the fitness industry and a proven track record in team leadership and operations management, I am confident in my ability to drive results and contribute positively to Planet Fitness's success.

As the [Previous Position] at [Previous Company], I led a team of [number] professionals, consistently surpassing performance targets and increasing customer satisfaction rates. My hands-on approach to team development and focus on continuous improvement enabled us to achieve a 20% increase in membership retention over two years.

My background in [relevant field, e.g., business administration] and passion for health and wellness have equipped me with the skills to efficiently manage budgets, streamline operations, and maintain a safe and welcoming environment for members and staff alike.

Planet Fitness's commitment to providing an inclusive, judgement-free atmosphere aligns with my values, and I am excited to contribute to the growth and development of both the team and the organization. I look forward to discussing how my experience and skills can benefit Planet Fitness in the Middle Management role.

Dear Graduate Admissions Committee,

I am writing to express my strong interest in the PhD program in Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. As a highly motivated individual with a passion for research and innovation, I am confident that my academic background and relevant experience make me an excellent candidate for this prestigious program.

I hold a Master's degree in [Your Major] from [Your University], where I graduated with honors. During my graduate studies, I conducted research on [specific research topic], leading to the publication of [number] peer-reviewed articles in reputable journals. This experience has fostered my ability to think critically, analyze complex problems, and communicate my findings effectively.

In addition to my academic achievements, I have gained practical experience through internships and research assistantships in leading engineering firms and labs. These experiences have allowed me to develop a strong foundation in [specific engineering skills, e.g., computational modeling, prototype development, etc.] and collaborate with diverse teams to drive innovation and solve real-world challenges.

UC Berkeley's renowned engineering program, with its focus on cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary collaboration, aligns with my research interests and career aspirations. I am particularly excited about the opportunity to work with esteemed faculty members and contribute to ongoing projects within the [specific research area] at Berkeley.

I am eager to join the UC Berkeley community and contribute to its tradition of excellence in research and education. Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my candidacy further.

A cover letter for a PhD position emphasizes the candidate's research accomplishments, potential, and alignment with the university's program. It highlights their eagerness to contribute to the academic community.

Gaps in employment cover letter example

I am writing to express my interest in joining your esteemed Digital Marketing agency in the capacity of [specific position]. As a highly motivated and adaptable professional with diverse experience in marketing, I am confident that my skills and passion make me an excellent candidate for this role, despite the employment gaps in my resume.

During the time away from full-time employment, I have been actively engaged in freelance work and continued learning to keep up-to-date with the latest marketing trends and technologies. I have completed courses in SEO, content marketing, and social media management, which have allowed me to maintain and enhance my expertise in the field.

My prior experience includes working as a [Previous Position] at [Previous Company], where I managed multi-channel marketing campaigns, optimized web content for SEO, and collaborated with cross-functional teams to achieve company objectives. As a result, we experienced a 25% increase in organic search traffic and a 15% growth in online sales.

I have a proven track record of creating and executing effective digital marketing strategies, and I am well-versed in tools such as Google Analytics, AdWords, and various social media platforms. My ability to analyze data and drive informed decisions will be invaluable in driving results for your agency and its clients.

I am eager to contribute my skills and knowledge to your organization and build upon my career in digital marketing. I appreciate your consideration of my application, and I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my candidacy further.

A cover letter addressing employment gaps focuses on the candidate's skill development and industry knowledge during the gap period. It highlights their relevant experience and accomplishments, while expressing their eagerness to contribute to the organization.

Demonstrates the candidate's ability to drive results for the agency and its clients

Temporary-to-permanent employee cover letter example

I am writing to express my interest in transitioning from a temporary to a permanent employee at Jacksonville High School. Over the course of my temporary assignment as a [Specific Position], I have had the privilege of contributing to the school's mission and growth, and I am excited about the prospect of continuing to do so in a long-term capacity.

Throughout my time at Jacksonville High School, I have been actively involved in various aspects of [Specific Position's Responsibilities], including [examples of tasks or initiatives, e.g., curriculum development, student mentorship, or extracurricular activities]. I have witnessed firsthand the positive impact of these initiatives on the students, and I am committed to making an even greater contribution to their academic and personal growth.

My experience at Jacksonville High School has allowed me to develop strong relationships with faculty, staff, and students. I have honed my communication and collaboration skills, enabling me to work effectively within interdisciplinary teams to achieve common goals. My dedication to excellence and my passion for education make me an ideal candidate for a permanent role at the school.

I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked at Jacksonville High School on a temporary basis, and I am eager to continue contributing to the school's mission and success as a permanent team member. Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward to discussing my candidacy further.

A cover letter for a temporary-to-permanent position emphasizes the candidate's contributions during the temporary assignment and their commitment to the organization's mission. It demonstrates their eagerness to make a lasting impact in a permanent role.

Volunteer cover letter example

I am writing to express my interest in volunteering at Soul Soup Kitchen in New York City. As a compassionate individual with a strong commitment to community service, I am eager to contribute my time and skills to help support the mission of providing nutritious meals to those in need.

I have experience volunteering in various roles and capacities, including [specific examples of previous volunteer work, e.g., organizing food drives, mentoring underprivileged youth, etc.]. These experiences have taught me the importance of empathy, teamwork, and adaptability when working within a dynamic and diverse community setting.

In addition to my background in volunteer work, I possess valuable skills that would be beneficial to Soul Soup Kitchen. As a [your profession or specific skill set, e.g., professional chef, nutritionist, or event coordinator], I am confident that my expertise can help enhance the quality of the meals and services provided to the individuals who rely on your organization.

I am excited about the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of those in need and to support the vital work being done at Soul Soup Kitchen. I look forward to discussing how my skills and experiences can contribute to the ongoing success of your organization.

Thank you for considering my application.

A cover letter for a volunteer position showcases the candidate's compassion and commitment to community service. It highlights their relevant skills and experiences and conveys their enthusiasm for making a positive impact on those in need.

Unemployed person cover letter example

I am writing to express my strong interest in the [specific position] at [Company Name]. As an experienced professional with a diverse skill set and a passion for [Industry], I am confident that my background and dedication make me an excellent candidate for this role, despite my current unemployed status.

During my time away from full-time employment, I have been actively engaged in professional development and skill-building, ensuring that I remain up-to-date with industry trends and technologies. I have completed courses in [relevant skills or certifications], which have allowed me to enhance my expertise and maintain my competitiveness in the job market.

My prior experience includes working as a [Previous Position] at [Previous Company], where I [specific accomplishments and responsibilities, e.g., managed a team of X professionals, increased sales by X%, etc.]. This experience has allowed me to develop strong [relevant skills, e.g., leadership, project management, communication, etc.] that I am eager to apply to a new role at [Company Name].

I am excited about the opportunity to contribute my skills and knowledge to your organization and continue my career growth in the [Industry] field. I appreciate your consideration of my application and look forward to the chance to discuss my candidacy further.

A cover letter for an unemployed candidate addresses their current employment status while focusing on their skills, expertise, and industry knowledge. It emphasizes their relevant experience and eagerness to contribute to the organization.

Networking cover letter example

I recently had the pleasure of attending the UX/UI Design conference, where I learned about your creative agency and the exciting work you do in the field of user experience and user interface design. I was particularly impressed by [specific project or aspect discussed at the conference], and I am writing to express my interest in exploring potential opportunities to collaborate or contribute to your team.

As a passionate UX/UI designer with experience in [specific areas of expertise, e.g., user research, wireframing, prototyping, etc.], I have worked on various projects that have successfully enhanced user experiences and driven business results. My portfolio showcases a range of design solutions that prioritize usability, aesthetics, and functionality.

In addition to my technical skills, I possess strong communication and collaboration abilities, which enable me to work effectively within interdisciplinary teams and ensure that all stakeholders' perspectives are considered in the design process. My dedication to user-centered design and my passion for creating intuitive and engaging digital experiences align with your agency's mission and values.

I would be thrilled to learn more about your team, discuss my background, and explore any potential opportunities to work together. I have attached my resume and portfolio for your review and would welcome the opportunity to connect further.

Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to the opportunity to speak with you soon.

A networking cover letter establishes a connection through a shared event or interest and highlights the candidate's skills and experiences. It expresses their interest in exploring potential opportunities to collaborate or contribute to the organization.

Referral cover letter example

I recently had a conversation with [Referrer's Name], who mentioned that your company is seeking a talented financial analyst. As a highly skilled professional in the field of financial analysis, I am excited to express my interest in joining your team and contributing my expertise to [Company Name].

During my tenure as a Financial Analyst at [Previous Company], I played a pivotal role in analyzing financial data, forecasting trends, and developing strategic recommendations for business growth. My strong analytical and quantitative skills have enabled me to identify opportunities for cost savings and revenue generation, resulting in a [percentage] increase in profitability over the past year.

I am well-versed in various financial analysis tools and software, including [specific tools, e.g., Excel, SQL, or Tableau], which have allowed me to efficiently manage large datasets and generate actionable insights for decision-making. My ability to communicate complex financial information effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences sets me apart as a valuable asset to any organization.

[Referrer's Name] spoke highly of the collaborative and innovative culture at [Company Name], and I am eager to contribute my skills and knowledge to your organization. I have attached my resume for your review and would welcome the opportunity to discuss my candidacy further.

Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward to speaking with you soon.

A referral cover letter leverages a personal connection to establish credibility and highlight the candidate's expertise and accomplishments in the field. It expresses their enthusiasm for the company's culture and values.

Cold call cover letter example

I am writing to express my strong interest in a sales position at Amazon. As an accomplished sales professional with a proven track record of driving revenue growth and exceeding targets, I am confident that my skills and passion make me an excellent candidate for your team.

Throughout my career, I have consistently demonstrated the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with clients, identify new business opportunities, and close deals effectively. In my most recent role as a Sales Representative at [Previous Company], I was responsible for a [percentage] increase in sales over the course of two years, contributing significantly to the company's overall growth.

My success in sales can be attributed to my deep understanding of customer needs, excellent communication skills, and the ability to adapt my approach to different industries and market conditions. I am well-versed in various sales methodologies and CRM tools, ensuring that I can quickly integrate into your team and make an immediate impact on your bottom line.

I have long admired Amazon for its commitment to innovation and customer-centric approach, and I believe my experience and values align with your organization's mission. Although I am aware that there may not be an open position at this time, I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss how my skills and background can contribute to Amazon's continued success in the future.

Thank you for considering my application. I have attached my resume for your review and look forward to the chance to discuss my candidacy further.

Job not yet posted cover letter example

I recently came across DevArchitects and was thoroughly impressed by your company's portfolio and innovative approach to software development. Although I understand that there may not be an open developer position at this time, I am eager to express my interest in exploring potential opportunities to contribute my skills and expertise to your team.

As a seasoned software developer with over [number of years] of experience in [programming languages, e.g., Java, Python, JavaScript, etc.], I have a proven track record of developing high-quality software solutions for a diverse range of clients and industries. Some highlights of my career include:

Successfully developing and deploying [specific project or application]

Leading a team of developers to complete [specific project or initiative]

Continuously staying updated on the latest industry trends and technologies

My strong analytical and problem-solving skills, coupled with my passion for creating innovative software, make me a valuable asset to any development team. I am confident that my expertise can contribute to the ongoing success and growth of DevArchitects.

I have attached my resume for your review and would welcome the opportunity to discuss any potential opportunities to work together. I look forward to the possibility of contributing to your team and helping DevArchitects continue to excel in the software development industry.

A cover letter for a job that is not yet posted proactively reaches out to a company to express interest in potential opportunities. It highlights the candidate's skills and expertise and demonstrates admiration for the company's work.

Expresses admiration for the company's portfolio and innovative approach

Follow-up cover letter example

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to follow up on my recent application for the Business Analyst position at [Company Name]. I am eager to reiterate my strong interest in this role and my belief that my skills and experience make me an excellent fit for your team.

Since submitting my application, I have continued to research [Company Name] and have been particularly impressed by [specific project or initiative]. As a Business Analyst with experience in [relevant skills, e.g., data analysis, process improvement, project management, etc.], I am confident that my expertise can contribute to the ongoing success of projects like these at your company. Some key aspects of my background include:

[Specific accomplishment or responsibility from previous position]

Proficiency in [relevant tools or software, e.g., Excel, SQL, or Tableau]

Strong communication and collaboration abilities

I understand that you may be reviewing numerous applications for this position, but I wanted to take a moment to reiterate my enthusiasm for this opportunity and my strong belief that my skills and experiences align with [Company Name]'s values and goals.

Please find my resume attached for your reference, and do not hesitate to reach out if you require any additional information. I would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss my candidacy further and demonstrate how I can be a valuable addition to your team.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the possibility of speaking with you soon.

A follow-up cover letter reiterates the candidate's interest in a position after submitting an initial application. It emphasizes their skills and experience, reaffirms their alignment with the company's values, and demonstrates continued enthusiasm for the opportunity.

Job transfer request cover letter example

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to express my interest in transferring to an Operations Manager position within our organization at a different location due to personal reasons for relocation. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at [Current Location] and have learned a great deal, but I believe a move to [New Location] would be beneficial for both my personal and professional growth.

In my current role as Operations Manager, I have successfully managed a team of [number of employees] and implemented process improvements that have led to increased efficiency and cost savings. Some of the key accomplishments during my tenure include:

[Specific accomplishment or responsibility from your current position]

Implementation of [specific project or initiative that led to improvements]

[Any awards or recognitions received within the company]

I am confident that my skills and experience would make me an invaluable asset to the team at [New Location]. I understand that transferring to a new location might involve some challenges, but I am committed to making a seamless transition and maintaining the same level of dedication and performance that I have demonstrated at [Current Location].

I have attached my resume for your review, and I would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss my request further. Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to your response.

A job transfer request letter for relocation expresses the candidate's interest in transferring to a different location within the same organization. It highlights their accomplishments in their current role and demonstrates their commitment to maintaining the same level of performance at the new location.

Promotion or department transfer cover letter example

I hope this message finds you well. As a dedicated Compliance Manager at [Company Name], I am writing to express my interest in a promotion or department transfer within our organization. I believe that my skills, experience, and dedication to our company make me an excellent candidate for a new challenge and an opportunity to contribute at an even higher level.

In my current role, I have successfully led a team of compliance professionals, ensuring that our company adheres to regulatory standards and maintains a strong reputation for integrity. Some key accomplishments during my tenure include:

Development and implementation of [specific compliance program or initiative]

I am confident that my expertise in compliance management, combined with my passion for [Company Name]'s mission, would make me a valuable asset in a new role within our organization. I would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss potential opportunities for promotion or department transfer further.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the possibility of contributing to [Company Name] in an even greater capacity.

A promotion or department transfer cover letter expresses the candidate's interest in taking on a new challenge within the same organization. It highlights their accomplishments and successes in their current role and demonstrates their commitment to the company's values and goals.

Demonstrates a deep understanding of the company's unique approach and goals

Value proposition cover letter example

I hope this message finds you well. As an experienced and results-driven Business Developer, I am excited to apply for the opportunity to join Handy, a company that shares my passion for exceptional service and customer satisfaction. With a proven track record of generating new business and creating lasting partnerships, I am confident that I can contribute to the continued growth and success of your organization.

Throughout my career, I have consistently demonstrated an ability to identify opportunities, develop innovative strategies, and drive sales growth. My unique value proposition includes:

Exceptional relationship-building abilities, fostering trust and collaboration with clients and partners

I am eager to bring my skills, experience, and dedication to excellence to Handy, and help drive the company's expansion and continued success. I would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss my candidacy further and demonstrate how my unique value proposition aligns with your organization's goals and vision.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of speaking with you soon.

A cover letter with a value proposition clearly communicates the unique benefits that the candidate brings to the company, setting them apart from other applicants. By showcasing their distinct skills, experiences, and accomplishments, the candidate can demonstrate their ability to create tangible results and make a positive impact on the organization.

Email cover letter examples

[Your Address]

[City, State, Zip Code]

[Email Address]

[Today's Date]

[Recipient's Name]

[Company Address]

Subject: Application for Marketing Analyst Position - [Your Name]

I am writing to apply for the Marketing Analyst position at Danone, which I recently discovered on [Job Board or Company Website]. With a strong background in data analysis, market research, and a passion for the consumer goods industry, I am confident that my skills and experience make me a perfect fit for this role.

In my previous role as a Market Research Analyst at [Previous Company], I successfully managed multiple research projects, identified emerging market trends, and provided actionable insights to guide marketing strategies. Some key accomplishments include:

[Any awards or recognitions received within the industry or previous company]

Please find my resume attached for your review. I am eager to contribute my expertise to Danone's marketing team and help drive the company's continued success in the consumer goods market. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my candidacy further and demonstrate how my skills and experiences align with Danone's values and goals.

An email cover letter with a resume is a concise message sent electronically to apply for a position. It highlights the candidate's skills and experience, demonstrates their interest in the role, and includes an attached resume for further review.

Email cover letter for a part-time job

Four Seasons Restaurant

Subject: Application for Part-Time Server Position - [Your Name]

I hope this message finds you well. I recently came across the part-time Server position at Four Seasons Restaurant and am excited to express my interest in joining your team. With my experience in providing exceptional customer service and passion for the hospitality industry, I am confident that I would be an excellent addition to your staff.

In my previous role as a Server at [Previous Company], I consistently received positive feedback from customers for my attentive service and friendly demeanor. Some key highlights from my experience include:

Please find my resume attached for your review. I am eager to contribute my skills and dedication to the Four Seasons Restaurant and help create memorable dining experiences for your guests. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my candidacy further and demonstrate how I can be a valuable addition to your team.

An email cover letter for a part-time job is a brief message sent electronically to apply for a position with reduced working hours. It emphasizes the candidate's relevant skills and experiences in the field, demonstrating their interest in the role, and includes an attached resume for further review.

Email cover letter for a summer job

Your Local Fisherman Store

Subject: Application for Summer Job - [Your Name]

I hope this message finds you well. As a student with a strong interest in fishing and the outdoors, I am excited to apply for a summer job at Your Local Fisherman store. I believe my passion for fishing, combined with my excellent customer service skills, make me an ideal candidate for this position.

While I have not yet worked in a retail setting, I have gained valuable customer service experience through volunteering at various local events, where I interacted with diverse groups of people and ensured their needs were met. Some key highlights from my experience include:

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Please find my resume attached for your review. I am eager to contribute my enthusiasm and dedication to Your Local Fisherman store and help create a welcoming and knowledgeable environment for fellow fishing enthusiasts. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my candidacy further and demonstrate how I can be a valuable addition to your team.

An email cover letter for a summer job is a concise message sent electronically to apply for a temporary position during the summer months. It highlights the candidate's relevant skills, experiences, and interests, demonstrating their enthusiasm for the role, and includes an attached resume for further review.

Cover Letter Examples FAQs

Should i address an employment gap in my cover letter.

If you think that addressing your employment gap is important, then definitely include a sentence about it. With that being said, employment gaps aren’t uncommon and most recruiters would love to know more about your unemployment gap as it can help them understand more about you.

Should I include information about my availability?

Of course! Cover letters are meant to help clear up any questions that your resume may not. Adding a sentence to the body segment of your motivation letter is a great way to do so.

Can I mention that I’m fine with relocating for the job?

Yes. Oftentimes, cover letters are the perfect place to mention that you’re okay with moving cities or even states if you get the job. Resumes generally only give you the opportunity to mention where you live, but not that you’re open to relocating.

Should I mention anything about the salary in the cover letter?

This is a bit of a double-edged sword. If the salary for the position is included in the job ad, and you’re okay with it, then yes, you can say that in the cover letter. Otherwise, don’t talk in the cover letter about the salary. Save it for the first or second interview instead.

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16 Secrets for Writing Cover Letters That Get You Hired

I can write a solid resume, interview well, and make sure that my online presence is on point.

The one thing that’s always been a struggle? The dreaded cover letter.

Cover letters can be absolute torture, and it feels like there are a million ways to screw them up. Is yours too formal or informal? Too long or short? Too much information or too vague?

There’s an upside, though: Making your cover letter awesome doesn’t have to be a long, difficult process. In fact, as I’ve written more and more cover letters over time (and started helping dozens of other people write theirs), they’ve actually become (gasp!) fun.

Below, I’ve listed the 16 most important tips I’ve learned to make crafting a cover letter into an easy and pain-free process. Half of the tips are related to what you write, and the other half are tiny things that’ll make sure your cover letter is better than the rest. By the end of the list, there’s no way a hiring manager will be able to shuffle you to the bottom of the pile. Or you know…delete your email…

8 Tips for Cover Letters That Grab Hiring Managers’ Attention

1. Describe a pain point

Here’s the most important question any cover letter should answer: What problem would hiring you solve?

Notice that this question is about the company’s problem, not your desire to land the job! Tricky, I know.

But think about it: If a company has put up a job description, it means they have a pain point and need a solution. For example, if a company is hiring a web designer, it means they don’t think their current layout is up to snuff and they’re looking for someone who can get them there. That’s the problem they need solved, and that’s what your cover letter should make clear in first few sentences.

2. Don’t regurgitate your resume

This is a tip that you’ve probably heard before, but it happens all the time : Don’t use your cover letter to simply restate your resume!

Your cover letter is the perfect place to expand on things that your resume doesn’t detail, illustrate the more intangible reasons why you’re perfect for the job, and explain any particular circumstances that warrant discussion (for example, if you’re making a sudden or drastic career change).

Skillcrush: 22 Things to Remove From Your Resume Immediately

3. The tone should match the company

Cover letters are great for companies not only because they can see if you can solve the problem at hand, but also because they give hiring managers a sense of whether or not you understand the company culture.

How do they figure this out? Tone.

Take a look at a company’s website, how its social media is phrased, and how its employees talk about it online. Is this company a little more informal and fun? Is it buttoned-up and corporate? Your cover letter should be written in a tone similar to that of the company’s copy. Obviously put a professional spin on it, but keep the company’s culture in mind.

4. Keep the focus on the company

Hiring managers assume that if you’re applying to a particular job, that must mean you really want that job. Thus, you don’t need to spend your entire cover letter reiterating how badly you want the job and how great the experience would be for you .

It’s okay to spend one or two sentences tops explaining your love for the company, but then it’s time to turn the tables.

The majority of your cover letter should be illustrating to a potential employer what hiring you would do for their company. Again, focus on the pain point: What talents and skills do you have that would help this organization tremendously?

5. Use your numbers

A big problem I’ve seen in lots of cover letters is that they tend to be very vague in describing any notable accomplishments or achievements.

For example, instead of saying that you have had “a great deal of success as an email marketer,” use your numbers: “I spearheaded an entire newsletter redesign that resulted in a 500% increase in our open rate, which proves…”

Numbers also add intrigue and leave hiring managers wanting to hear more!

Psst! This tip holds true for resumes! ( More here .) Adding numbers and statistics is a solid way to stand out!

6. Make your anecdotes short

While examples can make your cover letter super effective, many people make the mistake of including unnecessary or irrelevant information when using anecdotes that make them drag on and lose their umph .

My personal rule is to make any example or story no longer than three sentences so that you can avoid going overboard and wasting valuable space. Here’s how to break it down:

Sentence 1: Introduce the skill you’re highlighting.
Sentences 2: Explain the situation where you showed off this skill.
Sentence 3: What was the end result? Explain what it did for the company and what it proves about your character.

7. Make your opening line memorable

If the big opener to your cover letter is “I’m applying for Position X at Company Y” or “My name is…” it’s time to press the backspace button. There are two things wrong with both of these phrases:

They’re redundant, so you’re taking up precious space! A hiring manager is already going to know your name from your application as well as which position you’re applying for. No need to repeat it.
They’re generic and unmemorable. Give your hiring manager something to get excited about or be intrigued by.

So, how can you start a cover letter with something that has a little more pizzazz? Try opening with a favorite short anecdote, a quote that best describes you as a professional, or your personal tagline.

8. Everything should relate to the job description

As you write (and then read through) every line of your cover letter, ask yourself: How does this sentence relate to the job description? If you find yourself going on tangents or including facts that don’t prove your ability to excel at the job or understand the company culture, take it out.

And if you need some help making sense of exactly what will prove you are qualified for the job at hand, check out these 10 Tips for Deciphering Tech Job Listings .

8 Tips for Putting the Finishing Touches on Your Cover Letter

1. Research whom to address your letter to

Scrap the “To Whom It May Concern” greeting and do some research to find out who will be reading your cover letter.

In some cases, employers will be super helpful and straight up tell you whom to address that cover letter to. If you aren’t so lucky, a quick Google search can help, or if you have a connection to a potential employer, have a professional contact ask around to see if they can get a name.

If all else fails and you really want to avoid the dreaded “To Whom It May Concern” line, feel free to shoot the company an email. I did this before when I was applying to a company that had a plethora of people on its editorial and HR teams and I had no idea who’d be hiring me.

Here’s the quick template I used:

I’m applying to [name of company]’s [name of job title] position, and I was having some trouble figuring out whom specifically to address the cover letter to. Is there a particular person or department I should direct it to?

Thanks so much for your time!

[Your name]

2. Be smart with hyperlinks

If you’re going to use hyperlinks in your cover letter, there are two important things to keep in mind. First, try not to include more than two or three links tops in a cover letter (like an online portfolio or personal website). All links should be relevant, and your cover letter shouldn’t be used as a dumping ground for everything you’ve ever created!

Second, make sure you add context to a hyperlink to both draw attention to it and to make the hiring manager understand that it’s worth his or her time to click on. For example, if you’re referencing a recent design project you did, add that said project can be found “in my online portfolio” and add a hyperlink.

3. Delete extra images, clipart, emoticons and emojis

This is a no-brainer: Regardless of how “chill” the company says it is, keep clipart, emoticons, emojis, cute pictures of your puppy, and any other images OUT of your cover letter!

Squeeze an emoji into a cover email if you’re SUPER confident it’s appropriate. Otherwise, steer clear.

4. Keep it short (like, really short)

I’ve seen dozens of cover letters in the past month, and the biggest issue across the board is that people make their cover letters way too long.

Here’s the general rule of thumb to follow: Your cover letter should be a single page (no more!) and around 300-350 words. If you’re writing a cover email, three to five sentences works (since you usually have attachments or links for a hiring manager to click on).

5. Keep your font professional (and normal)

True story: I once received a cover letter from a friend where he’d had kept his writing to one page—but it was in eight-point font. Yikes.

Your cover letter font size should be normal (aim for between 10-point and 12-point), and your font should be straightforward and professional. Favorites include Arial, Times New Roman, and Georgia. Just say no to Curly Q or Comic Sans.

Skillcrush: 8 Free Font Pairings You Have to See

6. Break up your paragraphs

Nothing provokes fear in people faster than a wall of text. Hiring managers get a visual of your physical cover letter before they ever read it, and if their first reaction is, “Oh god, it’s all one paragraph!” that’s not a good sign.

Instead, break up your cover letter into smaller paragraphs of three or four sentences each. It’s so much more aesthetically pleasing, and the person reading your cover letter will thank you.

7. Cut the vague professional jargon

As with in a resume, using phrases like “team player,” “self-motivated,” or “results driven” only makes your cover letter generic and unmemorable. Use more lively language, or better yet, use specific examples to prove your point.

8. Re-read your cover letter over (and over and over)

Editing is the most tedious but also the most necessary part of any cover letter writing you do. Start by printing your cover letter out and reading it aloud. I also recommend reading the cover letter starting with the last sentence and working your way up.

Another pro tip: Definitely get someone else to read your cover letter. In many cases, you might think your writing is pristine, but a friend will find at least a couple typos and point out some places where your wording is a little clunky.

Getting that perfect cover letter doesn’t have to be a time-consuming process. Use these tips and you’ll be snagging the job (and impressing potential employers with your savvy) in no time!

Skillcrush: The Ultimate Guide the Perfect Email Cover Letter

Lily is a writer, editor, and social media manager, as well as co-founder of The Prospect , the world’s largest student-run college access organization. She also serves in editorial capacities at The Muse, HelloFlo, and Her Campus. Recently, she was named one of Glamour’s Top 10 College Women for her work helping underserved youth get into college. You can follow Lily on Twitter at @lkherman

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More From Forbes

Job application mastery: elevate your resume with a persuasive cover letter.

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Cover Letters can be powerful and persuasive.

Too many job hunters skip writing a cover letter when they apply for the job. They typically say they aren’t needed. Or there’s no upload tab to add one. But the real reason is that people hate writing a cover letter. They admit that they do not know what to say. Recruiters always recommend you not add a cover letter if it’s just a generic one. A targeted cover letter enhances your chances of getting a recruiter or hiring manager’s attention if you need to emphasize your skills, related experience, and key results you’ve accomplished in your past roles.

You have only seconds to capture the employer’s attention and keep them reading. Recently, as the job market has changed, good jobs (those that are interesting and pay well) are more difficult to land. You must put together the best possible package to advertise your skills. The bottom line is that the cover letter is the first thing an employer sees. It must be outstanding. No ifs, ands, or buts. You need to be better than the competition and outsmart them. The cover letter can be powerful evidence touting your relevant past achievements and the talents and contributions you bring to that new employer.

A cover letter will have no impact if you aren’t qualified for the role. You need to have the desired experience and skills the employer wants. Carefully review the job description to determine if you have the right background. Highlight the essential skills and experience the employer has listed. Since these openings often have a lot of extra requirements thrown in, think about what you know about this role. Note what are the critical parts of performing the job. Then, be sure to address those items in your letter. Note the most important requirements first. Usually, these are the first few requirements listed in the job description. If you have 80% of what is required, definitely apply. If you only have a few years of experience and they want several more, it’s best to continue looking for a job that is more appropriate.

Jennifer, a recruiting manager at Johnson & Johnson, said, “I’ve hired hundreds of people in my career. I pay closer attention if they apply using a cover letter. I also notice if they don’t include one. The letter must be well written and will make the applicant stand out. It needs to be persuasive and spot on. Sometimes, I reach out to learn more about that person based on the cover letter alone. Of course, that is only if the candidate addresses our needs .” She continued, “Most recruiters know that resumes can be written by a professional, but we also realize that it’s highly likely you wrote the cover letter yourself. That is why we read it more carefully. We view the person’s letter as a measuring stick of their communication skills.”

Should Everyone Use A Cover Letter?

The short answer is it depends. In recent years, as I work with hundreds of job hunters, people got away from using a cover letter. Where there were few applicants for a role, it was easy to exclude it and get a call from the recruiter. Now that the job market has many more people vying for one position, more job hunters are adding a letter to enhance their application as a way to stand out. On that assumption, they are correct.

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When does adding a good cover letter make sense? Of course, any time the employer states in the job description, a cover letter is required. You must write one, or your application will be rejected. A personal referral guarantees your application will be reviewed. This is a warm introduction, so be sure that the first line of your letter identifies the person who referred you and note their connection, whether it’s an internal employee, a colleague, or a friend.

For certain jobs, cover letters are essential. Leadership roles—managers, directors, VPs, and Csuite—all benefit from using one. Positions in education must include a letter. Jobs in nonprofits typically need you to define how their mission and cause matter to you. The only way to do this is to write a cover letter that explains why. Communications and marketing roles benefit by starting the application with a cover letter. If you are in Human Resources, or it’s a government or higher-level manufacturing role, it’s wise to have one. Whereas healthcare administrators should use a cover letter, nurses and pharmacists do not unless it’s for a management role. Most new college graduates should add a cover letter when submitting their resume.

When No Cover Letter Is Necessary

The technology industry requires very skilled workers, and employers make decisions based on a good resume and a complete, detailed LinkedIn profile. The same is true for engineers. Recruiters do not expect a cover letter from accountants, finance, analysts, and internal IT folks.

To decide if you need a cover letter to go with your resume, ask yourself these questions: Are there a lot of people applying for this job? Can I make some key points and draw attention to highlight key achievements or relevant background to meet their needs? If they only skim through my resume, will my top abilities and experience be quickly noticed, or is a cover letter a more effective way to do that? If the answer is yes, spend the time necessary to write the best cover letter possible. For an example, read my Forbes article: “ Cover Letters Are Now Essential to Standout to Employers. Here’s an Example .”

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Effective cover letter keywords to get you hired: with 350+ examples

Soft skill keywords

Action verbs, retail, hospitality, manufacturing, public administration, construction.

There is conflicting advice when it comes to cover letter keywords. Some suggest that your career narrative should not be a slave to artificially inserted keywords. While it is true that you can damage your chances by seeming inauthentic in your cover letter, there is no reason why being selective with your language can be anything other than beneficial. The words that you choose to describe yourself illustrate who you are.

Others worship at the altar of the ATS. As this software parses hundreds of applicants for each position, there is an argument that keywords can play some part in elevating your application to near the top of the pile. The reality, however, is that every hiring manager will want to scan every application that is at least somewhat suitable.

The ideal approach for cover letter keywords lies somewhere in the middle.

As job seekers attempt to tailor their cover letters for each application, it is natural that they will seek to modify their language to fit the job description. Cover letter keywords can play an important part in presenting yourself as the ideal person for each individual role. Take the time to think deeply about what is required of you. Which words would you choose to describe yourself? What sort of language would the hiring manager want to read?

While we certainly do not recommend including all 350+ of our suggested keywords in the same cover letter, by the end of this blog we hope to persuade you that every word matters. We explore:

What are cover letter keywords?

Why should you include them?
100+ behavioral cover letter keywords
250+ cover letter keywords by industry sector
Why your story is more important than the keywords

It is an enjoyable exercise to sit down and think about which words best describe your skills and experiences. You have invested so much time and effort in developing your career. Take the time to adequately describe what you have done – with the right cover letter keywords to make a hiring manager curious.

A cover letter is an amazing opportunity to tell a version of your career story that will be most likely to secure you an interview for a specific role. This story should be tweaked and modified to ensure that it meets the requirements of the role, putting the job description at the heart of its narrative. This sounds like a mammoth undertaking, but it can be easily achieved with the help of cover letter keywords.

While your work experience may not be an exact fit for the role, the trick to presenting yourself as a perfect fit lies in the words that you use to describe your activity. A cover letter is a far more flexible storytelling medium than a resume, so you have a certain amount of artistic license to describe your accomplishments. If you use the sort of language that would impress a hiring manager, they will be keen to find out more.

Puzzle piece with increase your odds with keywords

Why do keywords matter in a cover letter?

While you might be expecting me to focus on the importance of including keywords to pass the ATS software test, the reality is that a cover letter that includes a generous helping of suitable keywords will also sound impressive to a hiring manager.

Describing your experience with hyper-specific keywords will make you sound more professional. If your career story is too conversational, you will come across as someone who does not “live” for their job. Geek out a bit when you are writing your cover letter - adopt some of the language from the job description to sound like you will hit the ground running.

Another benefit of including cover letter keywords is that you will be able to choose your language more deliberately. If you are building a letter around interchangeable keywords you can really focus on the word that best fits both your experience and the role that you are applying for. In this way, you can tailor your cover letter for various roles by changing a few strategic words (rather than whole sentences).

From a psychological perspective, you should bear in mind that it is these keywords that will stick in the hiring manager’s mind. They won’t memorize whole sentences, but they will certainly consider whether these stand-out words are a fit for them. When the game is to create a connection with someone that you have never met, cover letter keywords are a great way of building those links.

Why do keywords matter for the ATS?

While an ATS system is unlikely to reject you because you haven’t included certain words, it does offer a hiring manager the ability to search the resume database for certain words and phrases. If you do not appear on a search, you will not be considered. Searchability is therefore a key reason to think carefully about your cover letter keywords.

100+ Behavioral cover letter keywords

The first cover letter keywords that we will be looking at are concerned with your behaviors around the workplace. While a cover letter is not long enough to describe the circumstances of your accomplishments, a well-chosen word or phrase to outline your behavioral soft skills will go a long way to helping a hiring manager imagine how you went about your work.

Everyone processes language in different ways. Put yourself in the position of the hiring manager. Which words would they want to read on the application?

Soft skills are tough to outline in a cover letter. There is simply not enough space to go into detail about how you achieved things, so the hiring manager will have to make do with a well-chosen word or two to spark their imaginations before the interview.

While you may think that most cover letters would be packed with such words, you might be surprised. Most people write conversationally and do not take the time to consider the impact of their words. A soft skill keyword can do the heavy lifting of an entire sentence.

Problem-solving keywords: Analytical thinking, Brainstorming, Conflict resolution, Cost-benefit analysis, Creative thinking, Critical thinking, Logical reasoning, Process improvement, Quantitative analysis, Qualitative analysis, Risk assessment, Root cause analysis, Scenario planning, SWOT analysis, Troubleshooting.
Leadership keywords: Change management, Coaching, Collaboration, Communication, Delegation, Empathy, Initiative, Mentoring, Motivation, Organizational skills, Performance management, Problem solving, Project management, Strategic planning, Team building.
Time management keywords: Deadline-driven, Detail-oriented, Efficient, Goal-driven, Multitasking, Organized, Prioritized, Proactive, Punctual, Resourceful, Self-disciplined, Structured, Task-oriented, Time-bound, and Result-oriented.
Adaptability keywords: Adaptability, Agile, Change management, Collaboration, Critical thinking, Flexibility, Growth mindset, Innovation, Learning agility, Multitasking, Open-mindedness, Resilience, Resourcefulness, Responsiveness, Versatility.

Which soft skill keywords would make sense to include in your cover letter? Remember that you shouldn’t include a soft skill if you can’t give a fantastic example during an interview.

While action verbs are not strictly keywords, they do make a huge difference in terms of how your accomplishments are perceived. We have compiled a comprehensive list of action verbs that can be used in all job search scenarios, but here are a few that may help to elevate your cover letter. Make your application stand out with emphatic language.

Accomplishment action verbs: Achieved, boosted, championed, drove, eclipsed, founded, innovated, initiated, leveraged, minimized, outperformed, reinforced, revamped, secured, surpassed.
Communication action verbs: Addressed, advocated, authored, briefed, coached, collaborated, conveyed, crafted, documented, instructed, performed, persuaded, presented, promoted,
Creativity action verbs: Conceived, curated, emulated, illustrated, imagined, modeled, modified, produced, re-designed, replicated, researched, schemed, storyboarded, visualized, revamped.

Resist the temptation to exaggerate with your action verbs, though. Don’t use an impressive verb to describe a mundane accomplishment. Enhance your accomplishments with your choice of cover letter keywords, don’t let them dominate.

250+ Cover letter keywords by industry sector

While we have only included a few general industry sectors, hopefully, the following breakdown of keywords might offer an idea of what certain professionals may include in their cover letters - the more specific, the better.

It may be worth taking out a sheet of paper and writing down the sort of words that you think you should include for yourself for any specific job. This exercise is a great way of being honest with yourself about the potential fit. If you cannot find enough suitable keywords from your experience, it may not be worth going ahead with the role.

Whether you are analyzing data, ensuring compliance, managing risk or allocating budgets, the language of finance is highly specific to each industry niche. Here are a few examples:

Accounting, Analysis, Analytics, Asset management, Audit, Banking, Budget management, Business administration, Business planning, Business strategy, Compliance, Consulting services, Cost effective, Data analysis, Financial analysis, Financial management, Financial reporting, Financial services, Forecasting, GAAP, Inventory management, Leadership development, Legal, Risk management, Strategic planning

Customer-centric language is critical in any retail or hospitality cover letter. The right cover letter keywords will make a hiring manager curious to find out more:

Customer service, Retail sales, Communication skills, Problem-solving, Sales associate, Cash handling, Point of sale (POS) systems, Product knowledge, Upselling, Complaint handling, Time management, Attention to detail, Teamwork, Adaptability, Interpersonal skills, Customer complaints, Conflict resolution, Sales targets, Merchandising, Inventory management, Order processing, Customer retention, Cross-selling, Returns processing, Store operations

While wordsmithing may not be top priority for a technology professional, there is no getting away from the fact that selecting the right industry jargon for each specific role is a critical part of the selection process. How many of these keywords are relevant to you?

Programming languages (e.g. Java, Python, C++, etc.), Software development, Web development, Database management, Cloud computing, Agile methodology, Project management, DevOps, Machine learning, Artificial intelligence (AI), Big data, Data analysis, Cybersecurity, Network administration, Troubleshooting, Technical support, Software testing, User experience (UX) design, User interface (UI) design, Mobile application development, Internet of Things (IoT), Robotics, Embedded systems, Object-oriented programming (OOP), Source code control (e.g. Git, SVN)

The blank screen is a marketeer’s canvas. If their cover letter is not thoughtfully crafted, their application will not progress further. While some may yearn to be more creative with their pitch, others will understand the raw power of simply selecting the right words:

Advertising, Brand management, Campaign management, Competitive analysis, Content creation, Content marketing, Conversion optimization, Customer acquisition, Digital marketing, Email marketing, Event planning, Google Analytics, Influencer marketing, Market research, Marketing automation, Marketing strategy, Media planning, Mobile marketing, PPC advertising, Product marketing, Public relations, Sales enablement, Search engine optimization (SEO), Social media marketing, Web analytics

As machines play an increasingly important part in the manufacturing process, the role of manufacturing professionals is becoming ever more nuanced. What skills will set you apart in this increasingly sophisticated environment?

Assembly line, Automation, CAD, CNC programming, Continuous improvement, Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Equipment maintenance, Fabrication, GMP, ISO, Inventory management, JIT, Kaizen, Kanban, Lean manufacturing, Machine operation, Materials handling, Mechanical engineering, Production planning, Quality assurance, Root cause analysis, Safety protocols, Six Sigma, Supply chain management, Tooling design.

Working in public administration involves large amounts of regulations and bureaucracy that are specific to certain areas. Choosing suitable keywords to hint that you have the required experience is the first box that needs to be ticked in a job application.

Budget management, Community outreach, Contract negotiation, Data analysis, Economic development, Emergency management, Environmental policy, Fiscal management, Government regulations, Grants management, Human resources management, Information management, Legislative affairs, Local government, Policy analysis, Project management, Public policy, Public safety, Public works, Regulatory compliance, Risk management, Strategic planning, Sustainability, Urban planning, Volunteer coordination

Construction work is a highly technical occupation that requires a high degree of hard and technical skills. While behavioral cover letter keywords may not be so important, if you do not adequately describe your technical ability, your application will not proceed.

Blueprint reading, Building codes, Carpentry, Commercial construction, Concrete work, Construction management, Cost estimation, Demolition, Electrical work, Engineering, Equipment operation, Excavation, Framing, HVAC, Masonry, Materials handling, Mechanical systems, Plumbing, Project management, Quality control, Safety compliance, Scheduling, Site preparation, Structural engineering, Welding

Many successful salespeople have the gift of the gab. They understand the impact of the right word at the right time, so choosing keywords for their cover letters should be second nature. Be as specific as possible with the skills that you outline.

Account management, B2B sales, Closing deals, Cold calling, Consultative selling, Customer acquisition, Customer relationship management (CRM), Forecasting, Inside sales, Lead generation, Negotiation, New business development, Outside sales, Pipeline management, Product knowledge, Prospecting, Relationship building, Sales analytics, Sales cycle, Sales goals, Sales management, Selling process, Territory management, Upselling, Value proposition.

Healthcare is one of the biggest sectors and industry professionals can often move across industry verticals. It is therefore important to select the right keywords for the area in which you wish to work.

Electronic medical records (EMR), Health information technology (HIT), Health promotion, Healthcare administration, Healthcare policy, HIPAA compliance, Infection control, Medical billing and coding, Medical terminology, Medicare and Medicaid, Mental health, Occupational therapy, Patient care, Patient education, Patient safety, Pediatrics, Pharmacology, Physical therapy, Physician relations, Quality assurance, Rehabilitation, Risk management, Telemedicine, Utilization review, Wellness programs

When you are trusted with impressionable young minds, outlining your specific teaching skills is important to make your case. Consider the culture of the educational establishment and the teaching environment where you will be working your magic.

Classroom management, Coaching, Common Core State Standards, Curriculum development, Differentiated instruction, Distance learning, Education policy, Educational technology, ESL instruction, Grading, Instructional design, Learning management systems, Lesson planning, Literacy instruction, Parent-teacher conferences, Pedagogy, Professional development, Project-based learning, Special education, Standardized testing, STEM education, Student assessment, Student counseling, Teacher mentoring, Team teaching

Most important: don’t sacrifice your story for your keywords!

As mentioned previously, if your cover letter is packed too full of keywords, your career story can get lost in the verbosity. If you feel that a keyword can add meaning to a description of your achievement, by all means, include it. There does not need to be one on every line if it does not add a different level of meaning to your story.

One good way of telling whether you have gone a little too far is reading the cover letter aloud to a friend or relative. If it sounds manufactured and artificial you have gone a little too far. Aim to make it sound like you as you will be the one talking during an interview. If you do include a keyword that sounds a little out of place, make sure that you can justify its inclusion to your listener.

Key takeaways

If you are wondering how to structure your cover letter, be guided by the keywords that you wish to include. Sprinkle them into your accomplishments rather than build your accomplishments around the keywords. View your keywords are signposts to the stories to come in the interview. What words would best describe your brand of career awesomeness?

Be guided by the job description when you select your cover letter keywords.
Put yourself in the position of the hiring manager – what do they want to read?
Don’t pick keywords that are too far away from how you naturally speak.
Remember that every keyword should lead to a compelling career story.

How to Write a Cover Letter - Expert Guide [2023]

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7 Essential Tips on How to Format a Cover Letter

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7 Essential Tips on How to Format a Cover Letter was originally published on Resume.io .

When you come to writing one of the most important letters in your life, you may need a few ground rules to help you to get started with the format of your cover letter.

That blank page can look awfully daunting otherwise.

Here are some must-follow tips around the structure and content of your cover letter:

Well-designed header

The header section of the cover letter should be attractive and space efficient. Graduates might be tempted to select a header design that reduces the amount of space that they need to fill for their cover letter, but you will have more to say than you think.

The header should contain all essential contact details (in addition to those on your resume) – full name, email, and mobile. You don’t have to include your full address and you definitely don’t have to include the “inside address” of your employer.

Mouthwatering intro

The intro of a recent grad or early career cover letter should be far more than a “this is what I want out of my career.” The hiring manager understands that you want the job – applicants need to prove to them that they are worthy of it. Make a compelling case.

The cover letter introduction should lead with your most relevant accomplishment for the role in question, with a hint of personality around how you achieved it. Avoid a generic cover letter that you send to everyone – you might not have much experience, but you should still strive to be as selective as possible.

Only relevant career stories with context

The length and content of your cover letter should be dictated by the amount of relevant experience that you have to share. Do not feel that you need to fill a page by parroting the responsibilities of the role or long lists of skills and personality traits without evidence.

Empty space is better than empty words – employers will value quality over quantity for the early career professional. What they want to understand in the cover letter is that you understand the demands of the role and can justify why you think you will do a good job.

Conclusion with call-to-action

End the conclusion of the early-career cover letter with a final detail about your personality and motivation and share your interest in learning more about the role. Saying that you hope to have the opportunity of an interview to learn more about the role is a powerful call-to-action which demonstrates your belief in yourself. Remember to keep the tone hopeful.

After the raw content come the syntax and visual choices:

Powerful action verbs

When you only have a certain number of sentences to create a favorable impression, your choice of verb can have a surprising impact on how your messages are received. Insightful action verbs can add a new level of meaning. Did you “manage” or “orchestrate” a project?

A word of warning: sprinkle action verbs and other buzzwords liberally. The cover letter should read like a conversation starter, so ensure that it sounds natural enough.

Impactful fonts, sensible sizes, and shot paragraphs

Increasingly the font size to take up more space on the page will fool no one. Stick with a standard 10 or 12 size and choose a suitable professional font that is easy to read.

Use short 2-4-line non-indented paragraphs and leave a line between each one. Give the reader a natural break between each of your career stories and consider using bullet points for your greatest accomplishments (the ones that you can ideally quantify with numbers). The cover letter should be strictly no more than one page – ideally aim for 3/4 of a page.

Right choice of template

Finally, very few cover letters or resumes are send as a blank word document these days. There are a wide choice of resume and cover letter templates – it is a great idea to use the same visual look for both your cover letter and resume. When a hiring manager is viewing a large number of candidates, this association will stick in their minds.

There is a subtle art to writing a persuasive cover letter when you do not have experience.

Strike a balance between outlining hopes for the future and sharing the greatest hits from your past. Your future employer will want to understand both.

If you are curious to explore further (you should be), the following article from Resume.io provides substantial further food for thought: “ How to Format a Cover Letter in 2022: Examples and Tips ”

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The cover letter template that will get you hired
Part 6. Drive the deal home. Wrap your cover letter up with a call to action. Say how excited you are about the possibility of the role, and how you'd love to speak further about joining the team. Thank the hiring manager for their consideration. Cover letter call to action example: Thank you for your consideration.
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The Cover Letter Template that Gets You the Job. Cover letters are all about being persuasive, descriptive, and to the point. The best cover letter is that which shows your relevant skills. tells a story, and is no longer than one page. The main components of the cover letter are: An opening. A story showing your relevant skills.
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We don't recommend you send a cover letter like this to employers, but it's an excellent example of how, in the right circumstances and with enough confidence, a cleverly written cover letter can get you hired. 3. The most-improved cover letter. Below is an improved version of a wordy cover letter. The applicant discovered it in their email ...
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Include the name of the person to whom you are writing as well as the company name and address just above the salutation. In the salutation, greet the hiring manager by name. If you don't know the name of the person, consider greeting the hiring department or the department with which you would be working if hired. 3.
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Step 2: Add your contact info. At the top of your cover letter, you should list out your basic info. You can even copy the same heading from your resume if you'd like. Some contact info you might include (and the order to include it in): Your name. Your pronouns (optional) Your location (optional) Your email address.
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1. Choose the right salutation. We are well past the days when "To Whom It May Concern" or "Dear Sir or Madam" were considered gold standard business salutations. Unless you're hoping to look like a nonagenarian on paper, plan to address your cover letter directly to the hiring manager or recruiter involved with the search.
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Place your name, city, state, ZIP code, phone number and email address in your cover letter heading. Your email address should be professional like "[email protected]," and not personal like "[email protected]." Include links to your LinkedIn profile or professional online portfolio if you have one.
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A cover letter should include the following parts: Header. Salutation. Introduction. Body paragraph. Closing paragraph. Letter ending and signature. The following cover letter samples and examples will show you how to write a cover letter for many employment circumstances. Browse cover letters by job title for inspiration.
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Our cover letter templates are pre-formatted, so all you have to do is input your information. 2. Include essential details in a formal header. Share your contact information at the top and include a letterhead with the date, recipient's details, and address.
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How to write a cover letter. Follow these steps to write a cover letter to help you get hired: 1. First, start the cover letter with the basics. Every cover letter should include some basic information about you, including your name, phone number and email address. You may also choose to include your title, your home address and links to your ...
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We've got examples of four types of cover letters below: a traditional cover letter, an impact cover letter, a writing sample cover letter, and a career change cover letter. So let's take a look at these examples, why they work, and how you can use them to craft your own. 1. The traditional cover letter example.
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Be descriptive in your cover letter, but also concise. Fully 70% of hiring leaders prefer a shorter letter, according to the Resume Now stats. In addition, be creative and let your personality ...
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Download A Free Copy Of Austin's Cover Letter Template. If you want a copy of that cover letter template with the header included and everything formatted, here's a link to a copy on my Google Drive. After you click through the link, just hit File > Make A Copy > Organize to add it to your own Google Drive!
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6. The Cover Letter with H.E.A.R.T. HubSpot has a lot of H.E.A.R.T. — Humble, Empathetic, Adaptable, Remarkable, Transparent. Our Culture Code is the foundation of the company's culture, the driving force behind our mission to help millions grow better, and serves as the scaffolding for our hiring practices.
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Good cover letter greetings to use when you know who the hiring manager is, include: Dear [Last Name], Dear [First and Last Name], Dear Dr. [Last Name], Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms [Last Name], With that being said, "Dear" is as professional as you get in the world of cover letter salutations.
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Your cover letter should be written in a tone similar to that of the company's copy. Obviously put a professional spin on it, but keep the company's culture in mind. 4. Keep the focus on the ...
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Check out these cover letter basics and our cover letter writing tips to get hired fast. Are cover letters necessary? Yes. A recent survey found that 83% of hiring managers, recruiters and HR staff consider cover letters essential to decision-making. We always recommend writing a cover letter because:
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A targeted cover letter enhances your chances of getting a recruiter or hiring manager's attention if you need to emphasize your skills, related experience, and key results you've accomplished ...
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Generate a full cover letter from your basic information. All you need to do is choose a template, input your basic information, and let our cover letter maker get to work. In just a few minutes, you will have a custom-made, professionally-written cover letter that targets your prospective employer's specific requirements.
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The job market has a reputation for favoring employers, which could make standing out from the pack a challenging task. Matched with a decline in hiring — a whopping 23.8% a year in the United ...
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If you don't have this information, research it online or just address it to the hiring manager. Dear Mr. or Ms. [Last Name] / Dear [First & Last Name] / Dear [Hiring Manager] 2. Introduce Yourself with a Strong Opening. The best cover letter examples we list always start with an attention-grabbing introduction.
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Cover Letter Examples. That. Will Get You. Hired in 2024. Use our cover letter examples to write yours in a few minutes. Learn how to highlight your strengths. Boost your chances of landing an interview. Write a cover letter. Example of a cover letter created in our builder:
Effective cover letter keywords to get you hired: with 350+ examples
Retail, hospitality. Customer-centric language is critical in any retail or hospitality cover letter. The right cover letter keywords will make a hiring manager curious to find out more: Customer service, Retail sales, Communication skills, Problem-solving, Sales associate, Cash handling, Point of sale (POS) systems, Product knowledge ...
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The Cover Letter Made Simple. A good cover letter contains the following elements: Introductory paragraph: Keep this section short! Identify yourself and your objective (to get a job or internship, etc.). You may also include how you came to hear about this opportunity. Brief summary of your qualifications: Don't reiterate your resume.
7 Essential Tips on How to Format a Cover Letter
The cover letter should be strictly no more than one page - ideally aim for 3/4 of a page. Right choice of template. Finally, very few cover letters or resumes are send as a blank word document these days. There are a wide choice of resume and cover letter templates - it is a great idea to use the same visual look for both your cover letter ...