a cover letter dansk

This is the beginning of your cover letter and this is where you relate to the company and give your perspective on the reality of the company.

In the you-part, you should take into consideration questions such as:

• "What do you see as important challenges for the company?"
• "What does the ‘landscape’ around the company look like?"
• "What is your motivation for working within this particular area in this field and this company?”

Be sure to make it clear that this particular cover letter is written for this particular recipient, and that the perspectives you provide show an understanding of the company's situation and conditions in the "market". In this context, the "market" may also refer to the political decisions that are made in and around public organisations.

2. The "we" part

Part two we call the “we”- part.

This is where your set of skills is merged with the company's needs. Make it as clear as possible how and what skills you will make use of in the position. Make as little room for interpretation as possible, as it will help you get your message across as intended.

Answer the questions:

• "What will happen if you get hired?"
• "How will you solve the tasks?"
• "What value can you contribute with?"

3. The "I" part

The last part of the cover letter is the "I"-part.

This is where you tell about yourself. Maybe you have some personal skills that you would like to emphasise, or maybe you want the reader to get some information that might be a little outside of what you have been able to explain in the other parts. Remember to think about why it is a good piece of information for the reader – if you can’t find a reason, you might consider leaving it out.

When describing yourself and your skill set, it’s is important that you attach some examples or stories. Chances are that the recruiters will see many roughly identical stories in their pile of cover letters. Therefore, you have to make sure that your examples stand out. For example, it is easy to claim that you are "structured" -  but how can you show it in the cover letter? You can do this by providing an accurate picture of how you are structured and in what situations.

Questions to keep in mind when writing the I-section:

• "How am I as a colleague?"
• "How do I prefer to work?"
• "What should the reader know about me, which may be a bit off topic?"

Feel free to come up with specific examples or stories. For example, it is easy to say that you are "structured", but it says more if you can describe how and in which situations you are structured.

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Hjælp til den gode ansøgning - hvordan skriver man en ansøgning?

Er der et facit på ”den gode ansøgning”, eller hvordan definerer man en motiveret ansøgning i dag.

I denne tekst vil vi gennemgå nogle effektive, men simple punkter til, hvordan man skriver en motiveret ansøgning, og hvordan du får din kommende arbejdsgivers opmærksomhed. Vi finder frem til den gode jobansøgning med nogle få tips og tricks fra vores erfarende konsulenter, der altid står klar med hjælp til din motiverede jobansøgning. Du skulle jo gerne skille dig ud i bunken af jobansøgere.

Ved at benytte dig af nedenstående punkter kan du sagtens selv give dig i kast med at få skrevet gode ansøgninger.

Jobansøgningen kan stort set deles op i flere dele. Start altid din ansøgning med en god og fængende overskrift. Ved at skabe opmærksomhed omkring din person allerede i din overskrift, har du modtagerens interesse med det samme. Du kan hente inspiration til din overskrift fra stillingsopslaget; læs den igennem, og se hvad de leder efter i en medarbejder. Du skal for alt i verden undgå overbrugte formuleringer som fx ”Jeg søger jobbet som xx”. Dette ved den potentielle arbejdsgiver godt - prøv at sætte dig i modtagerens sted.

Næste punkt er at få din motivation for at søge netop denne stilling, til at skinne igennem. Du skal igen prøve at fange deres opmærksomhed og give den gældende person lyst til at læse hele din ansøgning igennem. Beskriv hvordan du har tænkt dig at gøre en forskel hos den pågældende virksomhed. Husk at sætte dig godt ind i hvad er det for et firma, du søger stillingen hos og hvad kan du specifikt bidrage med. Gør det gerne meget tydeligt hvad denne arbejdsplads får ud af at ansætte dig, og lad hver med at fokusere så meget på hvad du individuelt ønsker at få ud af det. Dette er nemlig alt sammen noget man senere kan komme ind på til en eventuel jobsamtale.

Det der virkelig skal fylde noget i din jobansøgning er din personlighed og især din faglighed, det er her du rigtig skal sælge dig selv. Find en sammenhæng mellem de kompetencer du besidder, samt de opgaver denne arbejdsplads gerne vil have løst med en ny medarbejder. Du kan fx komme med relevante eksempler på, hvad du tidligere har bidraget med. Lad dog hver med at remse alle dine kompetencer op, du eventuelt har skrevet i dit cv. Vælg med omhu de kompetencer som du mener virksomheden har brug for i deres situation. Sælg dig selv og husk også dine personlige kompetencer. I de fleste stillinger søger de efter en kollega, og det skulle gerne fremgå at du er en hold spiller og en god arbejdsfælle. OBS, i stedet for at liste en masse tillægsord omkring din person, brug da gerne positive eksempler fra dit tidligere virke. Der skal skabes billeder i hovedet på personen der læser denne gode motiveret ansøgning.

Til sidst men ikke mindst skal det hele rundes af med en kort afslutning, hvor du gerne må henlede frem til en eventuel jobsamtale. Dette kan gøres på mange måde, læs mellem linjerne i jobopslaget hvor frisk din afslutning skal være. Det kunne være et svar til en HR-afdeling i et stort firma ”Jeg ser frem til at høre fra jer, hvis i ønsker yderligere oplysninger”. Hvor i mod hvis man søger i en børnehave, kunne afslutningen på din gode jobansøgning være ”Jeg ser frem til at hilse på alle børnene, og se jeres nye legeplads”.

FOR ALLE ANSØGNINGERNE GÆLDER

• Arbejdsgiveren leder først og fremmest efter en, der kan løse opgaven.
• Giv derfor et godt indtryk ved dels at vise, at du forstår, hvad jobbet indebærer, og hvor I skal hen sammen. Forklar hvordan du vil løse opgaverne med dit kendskab til området.
• Fokusér på det, du vil tilføre til arbejdspladsen, og hvordan du har tænkt dig at opnå det.
• Hold igen med lange beskrivelser af hvad du tidligere har arbejdet med. Det kan arbejdsgiveren læse om i cv’et.
• Udnyt pladsen i ansøgningen til at beskrive, hvordan du vil sætte dit præg på den stilling, du søger. Det skal være klart, hvad de får, hvis de ansætter dig frem for en anden.
• Spørg dig selv: Hvad ville jeg gøre for virksomheden, hvis jeg startede i morgen.

Hvad kan Coverletter hjælpe med?

hvordan skriver man en ansøgning

Opbyg din ansøgning

Udfyld de tomme felter, vælg et layout, og download din ansøgning på få minutter.

Sådan fungerer det

Udfyld de tomme felter.

Trinvis vejledning i at oprette din ansøgning.

Vælg en skabelon

Vælg et design, og tilpas det med dine personlige oplysninger.

Download din ansøgning

Det er nemt at downloade ansøgning og redigere den derefter.

Anmeldelser

Baseret på 33.371 anmeldelser

Thomas Petersen

Har virkelig hjulpet mig til hurtig at få lavet Ans og cv som absolut nemt hjælper dig til et super resultat.

Louise Sundorf Christensen

Rigtig god side til at få sat sit CV op.

Sandra Santa Maria

Virkelig skønt redskab til at kunne skræddersy CV og ansøgninger under jobsøgning. Har været super glad for at kunne ændre udseende, farver og få input til opsætning og selv have mulighed for at ændre opsætning. Tak for hjælp i min jobsøgning!

God måde at udforme ansøgning og CV.

Thomas Nordling

Super godt grundlag for ansøgning :-)

Hvordan skriver man en ansøgning: Få alle spørgsmål besvaret

Hvad er en jobansøgning.

En jobansøgning kan betragtes som et følgebrev til dit CV . I ansøgningen kan du uddybe din motivation for at arbejde hos den pågældende arbejdsgiver, opsummere dine kompetencer, og gøre dem relevante i forhold til de opgaver, arbejdsgiveren beskriver i sin stillingsannonce.

Det, du beskriver i din ansøgning, bør ikke overlappe med dit CV. Ansøgningen skal tilføje værdi til CV’et og fortælle mere om de aspekter, der er mest relevante for arbejdsgiveren. Derudover bør den fortælle, hvad der er mest relevant for dig ved den stilling, du søger.

Hvordan skriver man en ansøgning?

For at skrive en god ansøgning kan du starte med at læse arbejdsgiverens jobannonce grundigt igennem og markere de ord, der beskriver kompetencer og værdier på arbejdspladsen. Sammenlign dem med din profil, og lav en liste med det, der overlapper.

Når du skal bruge disse ord i din tekst, skriv da et par af dem præcist sådan, som arbejdsgiveren skrev dem i sin jobannonce. Dette er nyttigt, i tilfælde af at din kommende arbejdsgiver bruger en digital CV-database og søger på bestemte ord, ligesom du gør, når du googler. Har du skrevet de ord i dit CV og ansøgning, så vil du komme frem i arbejdsgiverens søgeresultater.

Men overdriv ikke med at kopiere og indsætte alle de kompetencer, arbejdsgiveren beskriver i stillingsopslaget, i din jobansøgning. Den skal være unik, og du bør formulere det hele med egne ord. Find synonymer til de fleste kompetencer, som arbejdsgiveren efterlyser, eller beskriv dem med flere ord, så det lyder mere levende.

CV eller ansøgning – hvad er vigtigst?

Svaret er begge dele. Den eneste situation, hvor du måske kan nøjes med at sende den ene uden den anden er, hvis du går i skole og søger din første erhvervspraktik. Hvis du har noget indhold på dit CV, er der også behov for at skrive en ansøgning. Her kan du forklare, hvorfor du vil jobbet, og hvordan det, der står i dit CV, er relevant for arbejdsgiveren.

Rekrutteringsundersøgelser viser, at arbejdsgivere læser CV’et først, og hvis det lyder relevant, læser de ansøgningen. Man kunne drage konklusioner om, at CV’et er det eneste, der er vigtigt at sende. Men forestil dig en situation, hvor en arbejdsgiver får 20 CV’er, hvor folk har taget den mest relevante uddannelse og har den mest relevante erfaring – de kan tilbyde det samme. Dér har du kun ét kort at spille, og det er din ansøgning.

Ansøgning uden erfaring

Som tidligere nævnt kan du stå i den situation, hvor du ikke har nogen arbejdserfaring endnu. I det tilfælde kan du fokusere din ansøgning på din uddannelse, frivilligt arbejde og personlige egenskaber.

Hvis du er en nyuddannet eller studerende, kan du fremhæve dine gode karakterer eller projekter, der viser dine færdigheder og interesser. Husk altid at give et eksempel på, hvordan dine samarbejdsevner kommer til udtryk. Du kan også beskrive de færdigheder, du har opnået gennem din uddannelse, og hvordan de kan overføres til jobbet, du ansøger om.

Når du ikke har erhvervserfaring, kan du i stedet bruge dit frivillige arbejde og fritidsinteresser til at fremhæve dine færdigheder og erfaringer. Dette kan give arbejdsgiveren et indtryk af din arbejdsmoral, værdier og kompetencer.

Ansøgning: Hvad skal den indeholde?

En god jobansøgning består af maks. 0,75 side af velstruktureret tekst, der er opdelt i 3-4 paragraffer. En ansøgnings layout kan groft deles op i 3; et sidehoved, en sektion med tekst og en sidefod. 

I den øverste sektion i ansøgningens layout skal arbejdsgiveren kunne finde en jobtitel, firmaets kontaktoplysninger, navnet på din kontaktperson samt dine kontaktoplysninger. Det er vigtigt, at du angiver en passende e-mailadresse, der består af dit fulde navn eller initialer uden tal eller kælenavne.

Sektionen i bunden af din ansøgnings layout består af en hilsen, dit navn og helst en dato for ansøgningen samt din underskrift. Dette gør din ansøgning personlig og viser, at du går op i detaljen.

Ansøgningens ”krop” består af en overskrift, en introduktion, din motivationsbeskrivelse og en afsluttende paragraf.

Overskriften i din ansøgning

Der er to måder, din ansøgnings overskrift kan formuleres på, og hvad du skal gøre, afhænger af, hvad arbejdsgiveren beder om.

Hvis der står i stillingsopslaget, at du skal angive et jobreferencenummer eller en jobtitel øverst i ansøgningen, bør du selvfølgelig gøre det. Bliver du ikke bedt om det i jobannoncen, er det altid bedst at skrive en unik og effektiv overskrift i stedet.

Prøv at finde 2-3 kompetencer, du har, og flet dem ind i din overskrift som adjektiver. Nævn, hvilken specialist du er, eller hvilken stilling du har nu, og brug et verbum eller to for at gøre sproget aktivt.

Introduktion

En ansøgning skal være så kort som muligt – prøv derfor at gå lige til sagen med din indledende paragraf. Arbejdsgiveren ved, at du henvender dig for at søge job, så spild ikke den dyrebare plads i jobansøgningen på at skrive det.

Det kan anbefales at starte den første sætning med et andet ord end ”Jeg”. Prøv i stedet at finde et ord, der med det samme virker relevant i forbindelse med den pågældende stilling. Beskriv, hvad du kan, hvad du har opnået i andre stillinger, hvilken uddannelsesmæssig baggrund du har, hvis det er relevant, og hvilke opgaver du kan løse for arbejdsgiveren.

Motivation: Hvorfor søger jeg jobbet?

Den anden paragraf handler om din personlige motivation for at søge jobbet. Det kan være, at du føler, du har ramt loftet i din nuværende stilling eller virksomhed og søger udviklingsmuligheder. Det kan være, at du gerne vil blive skarpere til én eller to bestemte opgaver, som stillingsopslaget beskriver. At slå sine egne rekorder, at have et større eller mindre team, at arbejde selvstændigt, hjemmefra, fleksibelt, så man kan passe sine børn, osv. – alt det er en del af din personlige motivation.

Husk, at denne del handler om din personlige og ikke kun faglige motivation. Det vil sige, der her er plads til at fortælle om, hvad du virkelig går op i, og hvordan denne stilling hænger sammen med dine værdier og dit livs vision.

I den sidste paragraf skriver man det praktiske, såsom den første mulige dato for tiltrædelse, muligheder for at kontakte hinanden, sende referencer og lignende. Rund ansøgningen af med et konkret forslag til, hvordan arbejdsgiveren nemmest kan få fat i dig, hvis din profil matcher deres ønsker.

Er en ansøgning med billede en god idé?

Typisk skal dit billede indsættes i dit CV og ikke i ansøgningen. Det hjælper arbejdsgiveren med at få et indtryk af dig og at huske dit navn. Men du kan vælge at bruge dit CV-foto både i CV’et og i ansøgningen, især hvis de har samme design. Denne løsning vil skabe en sammenhængende oplevelse af din præsentation.

Hvad kan jeg bidrage med?

Når du skriver en jobansøgning, er det afgørende, at du skifter fokus fra ”jeg vil have” til ”jeg vil give”. Tænk over, hvad du kan bidrage med: Hvilke behov arbejdsgiveren har, og hvilke af dine personlige og faglige kompetencer samt erfaringer kan løse arbejdsgiverens udfordringer. Find derefter eksempler på, hvordan dine kompetencer tidligere har skabt værdi for en forretning, og beskriv dem i din ansøgning.

Personlige egenskaber: Beskriv dem med eksempler

Når du beskriver dine personlige kompetencer i en ansøgning, er det en god idé at lade dem komme til udtryk gennem konkrete eksempler i dit arbejde. Undgå generelle ord som ”ansvarsfuld” eller ”teamplayer”, men brug i stedet eksempler til at illustrere dine personlige egenskaber. Det vil give arbejdsgiveren et bedre indtryk af, hvordan du arbejder, og hvilke resultater du har opnået.

Tænk på virksomhedens værdier: Overvej, hvilke personlige egenskaber der er vigtige for virksomheden og dens kultur. Hvis virksomheden lægger stor vægt på samarbejde, fokusér da på det, og beskriv, hvordan du har arbejdet i teams tidligere.

Vær kortfattet: Brug kun et par sætninger til at beskrive dine personlige egenskaber, og sørg for, at det er relevant for jobbet.

Faglige kompetencer og uddannelse: Gør det relevant

Når du beskriver din uddannelse, hårde færdigheder og faglige kvalifikationer, skal du have virksomhedens behov i baghovedet. Læs stillingsopslaget grundigt og overvej, hvad virksomheden søger i en kandidat, og hvordan du kan opfylde disse behov.

Beskriv dine faglige kompetencer og uddannelsesmæssige baggrund på en måde, der viser, at du er den rette kandidat til jobbet. Brug konkrete eksempler på, hvordan dine kvalifikationer kom til udtryk i tidligere stillinger eller projekter, og hvilke resultater du har opnået.

Er din uddannelse irrelevant for jobbet, behøver du ikke at skrive om den. Omvendt, hvis du er nyuddannet, og din uddannelse er det eneste, der er relevant for stillingen, så beskriv den for arbejdsgiveren så godt, som muligt.

For alle SU-godkendte uddannelser findes der en liste over kompetencer og kvalifikationer, som den pågældende uddannelse giver. Et godt råd kan være at sammenligne den med de kompetencer, arbejdsgiveren efterlyser i sit stillingsopslag, og fremhæve dem i din ansøgning.

Erhvervserfaring: Gør den målbar

Når du beskriver din erfaring, er det bedste råd, at du skal flette tal ind i din tekst. Tal gør din ansøgning overbevisende, tydelig og kortfattet. Skriv for eksempel, hvor mange procent du har øget omsætningen i en forretning, hvor mange kunder du har betjent dagligt, hvor mange børn du har været pædagog for, eller hvor mange henvendelser du behandler om dagen. Tal hjælper arbejdsgiveren med at forestille sig helt konkret, hvordan dit arbejde ser ud, i hvilket omfang du har erfaring, og hvad man kan forvente af dig.

Er der forskel på en motiveret ansøgning og en uopfordret ansøgning?

En del af indholdet i din jobansøgning afhænger af, hvilken type ansøgning du skriver. Der er forskel på en motiveret og en uopfordret ansøgning, ligesom der er forskel på, hvad en ansøgning om studieplads, praktikforløb eller en åben stilling indeholder.

Hvad betyder uopfordret ansøgning?

En uopfordret ansøgning betyder, at du søger job i en virksomhed, som ikke har nogen åbne stillinger på nuværende tidspunkt. Indholdet i en uopfordret ansøgning fokuserer på din motivation for at arbejde i den pågældende virksomhed og ikke nødvendigvis i en bestemt stilling. Denne ansøgningstype passer dig, der søger bredt, søger praktik eller er ved at skifte karriereretning.

Hvad er en motiveret ansøgning?

Indholdet i en motiveret ansøgning fremhæver din motivation for at søge et bestemt job, en uddannelse eller en stilling som frivillig. Motiverede ansøgninger sendes i forbindelse med åbne stillinger eller studieansøgninger, så du konkurrerer med mange andre kandidater, der har samme eller lignende kompetencer.

Jo mere ens kandidaternes profiler ser ud, desto mere kan du opnå ved at beskrive, hvad de opgaver, du vil udføre i den pågældende stilling eller som studerende, vil gøre for dig. Er du desuden motiveret for at arbejde for den og ingen andre arbejdsgivere, eller at studere på et bestemt universitet, lad det da komme til udtryk i din ansøgning, og forklar, hvorfor.

Ansøgning når man er i job

Søger du nye karrieremuligheder, mens du stadig er ansat? Uanset, om du skriver en uopfordret ansøgning eller en motiveret ansøgning til en opslået stilling, er det vigtigt at informere din drømmearbejdsgiver om din nuværende situation. Skal din nuværende chef ikke kontaktes, anmod da om at behandle din ansøgning fortroligt i det sidste afsnit af ansøgningen.

Ansøgning på engelsk

Der findes tre typer ansøgninger på engelsk: ”Cover Letter” (ansøgning), ”Letter of Motivation” (motiveret ansøgning) og ”Letter of Interest” (uopfordret ansøgning).

Cover Letter

Cover Letter refererer til omslaget eller forsiden på et CV, fordi den fungerede som en introduktion i CV’et i gamle dage. I modsætning til den moderne forståelse af en ansøgning som et følgebrev – noget, man læser, efter man har læst et CV – var ansøgningen det første, arbejdsgiverne læste.

Selvom navnet Cover Letter stadig er det foretrukne engelske ord for en ansøgning, har dens funktion og betydning i forbindelse med jobsøgning ændret sig, ligesom den gjorde i Danmark. De fleste ansøgninger bliver aldrig læst, så det er CV’et, man bør fokusere på, når man ansøger på engelsk. Til gengæld bruger man i engelsktalende lande i vidt omfang profiltekster (CV-resuméer) øverst på CV’et, hvor man skriver en ekstrakort version af det, man ellers ville skrive i en Cover Letter.

Letter of Motivation

Letter of Motivation er som navnet antyder en motiveret ansøgning. I engelsktalende lande bliver denne type ansøgning kun brugt i forbindelse med ansøgninger om optagelse på uddannelser, udvekslingsprogrammer eller frivillige jobs.

Letter of Interest

Letter of Interest refererer til en uopfordret ansøgning. Disse kaldes også ”unsolicited applications”, men sidstnævnte refererer til ansøgning som en begivenhed frem for det dokument, der bliver sendt. 

Skal jobansøgninger sendes som Word eller PDF?

Både dit CV og din ansøgning skal uploades i arbejdsgiverens database i PDF-format. Hvis du bruger Word, gem da den sidste version som PDF. På den måde kan du være sikker på, at din arbejdsgiver ser din fil sådan, som du ser den på din skærm. Dette kan du ikke regne med, hvis du sender Word-dokumenter: Layoutet i dem er ustabilt, og hvordan filen ser ud, afhænger af versionen af Word eller hvilke andre programmer arbejdsgiveren bruger.

Inspiration til ansøgning: Eksempler og skabeloner

Mangler du idéer til, hvad du skal skrive i en ansøgning? Det er altid en god idé at læse nogle eksempler på ansøgninger – helst til den samme type stilling eller den samme virksomhed – så du kan få inspiration til, hvad du selv kan skrive. Vær dog opmærksom på, at du altid bør tage udgangspunkt i din drømmearbejdsgivers stillingsannonce frem for at kopiere teksterne fra ansøgningseksempler.

På de fleste CV-generatorer kan du finde grafiske designs til ansøgninger, der matcher dit CV og på den måde skaber visuel sammenhæng mellem de to. Andre platforme kan også hjælpe dig med at skrive teksten. For eksempel er Jobseekers ansøgningsskabeloner udstyret med sætningseksempler, der peger dig i den rigtige retning i forhold til, hvad du skal skrive og hvor.

Sidst men ikke mindst kan du hente en masse inspiration til din jobansøgning i vores artikler om ansøgninger. Der går vi i dybden med ét emne ad gangen, dykker ned i rekrutteringsundersøgelser og ser på, hvad danske arbejdsgivere siger om de ansøgninger, de modtager. På den måde kan du blive klogere på, hvad der er mest effektivt at skrive i en ansøgning for at komme hurtigere i job.

Hvordan skriver man en ansøgning med Jobseeker?

Jobseeker gør skriveprocessen pærelet for dig. Vores 3-i-1-ansøgninger har nemlig både grafiske layouts, paragraffer struktureret efter emne og sætningseksempler, som du kan tage afsæt i.

• Start med at vælge en ansøgningstype – for eksempel en motiveret ansøgning.
• Udfyld tomme felter i skriveguiden med din potentielle arbejdsgivers firmanavn, din kontaktperson, osv.
• Læs de sætninger, der bliver foreslået, og tilpas dem, som du synes er bedst.
• Vælg et grafisk layout til din ansøgning, så den matcher dit CV.
• Gem og download din ansøgning som PDF.

Har du spørgsmål til, hvordan du skriver ansøgninger med Jobseeker? Læs om vores priser og alt det praktiske i vores FAQ om platformen og se, om du kan finde løsninger der. Kan du stadig ikke finde svar, så tøv ikke med at kontakte os , og vi vil besvare dit spørgsmål hurtigst muligt.

Har du spørgsmål? Se vores omfattende FAQ

Download en perfekt skrevet ansøgning

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How to write an effective cover letter.

Are you looking for a student job? Do you know how to target your Cover Letter towards the Danish job market? Participating in this workshop will give you a lot of input for a targeted and interesting cover letter relevant to the student jobs you are applying for.

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• Decoding the job-ad
• Specific guidance for creating a targeted cover letter
• Valuable insights on what Danish employers are looking for
• Q&A with an experienced career counsellor

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"cover letter" dansk oversættelse, cover letter {substantiv}.

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covering letter {substantiv}

Oversættelser, eneksempler på etsprogede sprog, english sådan bruges "cover letter" i en sætning.

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English Sådan bruges "covering letter" i en sætning

Synonymer (engelsk) for "cover letter":.

• covering letter
• cover letter

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

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

You’ve perfected your resume.

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

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

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

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

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

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

We're going to cover:

What Is a Cover Letter?

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

Let’s get started.

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

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

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

So, how can your cover letter achieve this?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

When Should You Write a Cover Letter?

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

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

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

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

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

How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter

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

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

#1. Choose the Right Cover Letter Template

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

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

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

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

#2. Put Contact Information in the Header

As with a resume, it’s important to 

start your cover letter

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

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

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

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

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

#3. Address the Hiring Manager

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here’s what you should look for on LinkedIn:

And there you go! You have your hiring manager.

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

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

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

• Dear Mr. Kurtuy,
• Dear Andrei Kurtuy,

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

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

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

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

#4. Write an Eye-Catching Introduction

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Now, let’s make our previous example shine:

Dear Mr. Smith,

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

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

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

#5. Use the Cover Letter Body for Details

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

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

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

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

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

Here’s what each paragraph should cover:

Explain Why You’re the Perfect Candidate for the Role

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

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

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

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

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

In my previous role as a Facebook Marketing Expert at XYZ Inc. I handled customer acquisition through ads, managing a monthly Facebook ad budget of $40,000+ . As the sole digital marketer at the company, I managed the ad creation and management process end-to-end. I created the ad copy and images, picked the targeting, ran optimization trials, and so on.

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

• Google Search

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

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

Explain Why You’re a Good Fit for the Company

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

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

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

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

Start by doing some research about the company. You want to know things like:

• What’s the company’s business model?
• What’s the company’s product or service? Have you used it?
• What’s the company’s culture like?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

#6. Wrap It Up and Sign It

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

In the final paragraph, you want to:

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

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

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

Thank you for your consideration,

Alice Richards

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

• Best Regards,
• Kind Regards,

Cover Letter Writing Checklist

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

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

Does your cover letter heading include all essential information?

• Professional Email
• Phone Number
• Relevant Links

Do you address the right person? 

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

Does your introductory paragraph grab the reader's attention?

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

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

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

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

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

Did you conclude your cover letter properly?

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

15 Cover Letter Tips

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

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

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

15+ Cover Letter Examples

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

5+ Cover Letter Examples by Experience

#1. college student cover letter example.

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

#2. Middle Management Cover Letter Example

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

#3. Team Leader Cover Letter Example

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

#4. Career Change Cover Letter Example

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

#5. Management Cover Letter Example

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

#6. Senior Executive Cover Letter Example

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

9+ Cover Letter Examples by Profession

#1. it cover letter example.

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

#2. Consultant Cover Letter Example

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

#3. Human Resources Cover Letter

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

#4. Business Cover Letter Example

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

#5. Sales Cover Letter Example

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

#6. Social Worker Cover Letter

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

#7. Lawyer Cover Letter

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

#8. Administrative Assistant Cover Letter

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

#9. Engineering Cover Letter Example

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

#10. Receptionist Cover Letter Example

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

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

Plug & Play Cover Letter Template

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

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

[Your Full Name]

[Your Profession]

[Your Phone Number]

[Your Email Address]

[Your Location]

[Your LinkedIn Profile URL (optional)]

[Your Personal Website URL (optional)]

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

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

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

[Company Address]

[City, State/Country]

Dear [Recipient's Name],

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

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

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

My key strengths include:

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

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

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

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

The Heart of Your Job Search - Creating a Killer Resume

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

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

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

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

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

Key Takeaways

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

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

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

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

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

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How to Write a Cover Letter When You’re Changing Careers (Sample + Tips)

As a career changer, you need to help recruiters understand why you’re moving away from your former line of work and what you want to achieve in your new career path..

You will inevitably change jobs throughout your career as you seek more responsibility, growth, or even a higher salary. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average employee stays at each job for around four years [ 1 ]. However, for career changers—or those interested in exploring an entirely new path or industry—making that switch can sometimes involve unique challenges. 

Even so, making a career change has become an increasingly popular move. More than half of workers in the United States anticipated looking for a new opportunity in 2022 [ 2 ]. Changing careers can allow you to find more meaningful work, better align your career path with your larger goals, and move into a more energizing role.  

When you draft your cover letter to apply for a job in a new line of work, you must take time to explain your larger objectives. In this article, we’ll review specific information you can feature in your cover letter to help recruiters understand your goals and reasons for changing careers. 

Learn more: How to Plan for a Career Change: Step-by-Step Guide

How to write a career change cover letter

A cover letter is a chance to expand upon the bullet points outlined in your resume . It’s a space where you can explain your interest in the role and company, highlight your experience and skills, and sell a recruiter on the overall fit you’d make. 

But a career changer needs to do all of that and more. You also need to help recruiters and hiring managers understand why you’re moving away from your former line of work, what you want to achieve in your new career path, and any transferable skills that will help make your transition smooth. 

Let’s review four key pieces of information you can weave into your career change cover letter.  

1. Clarify your career change context

Explaining why you’re interested in changing careers and how the role you’re applying to fits within your larger career aspirations can preemptively contextualize your story. Plan to include a career change objective somewhere in your cover letter, much like you would a resume objective to provide a summary of a person’s experience and goals. Don’t be afraid to build a sense of personality so recruiters can better connect you with your objective.  

What this looks like: I’ve spent the last six years translating complex topics for various users as a technical writer. But in that time, I’ve realized that what drives me is the user’s experience. It’s the lightbulb moment behind my career change to UX design . I believe I’ll make a strong addition to your team because my work has largely put the user front and center, and now I’m interested in focusing on a different facet of that goal. 

2. Specify the value of your certificates, courses, or trainings

It costs over $4,000 to hire an employee, according to the Society for Human Resources Management [ 3 ]. That’s all the more reason why recruiters and hiring managers want to find the right candidate. It can be costly otherwise. Help explain what you’ve done to prepare for your career change by highlighting any professional certificates or trainings you’ve completed to prepare you for your new line of work. 

What this looks like: In order to familiarize myself with the tools and processes used in data analysis, I completed the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate , which taught me SQL and R, and trained me to clean and visualize data. Thanks to this preparation, I feel confident that I will make a strong addition to your team from the very start.  

3. Bring attention to your transferable skills 

Transferable skills are “portable,” in that you take them from job to job. They include problem-solving, critical thinking, attention to detail, and more. Show recruiters that you have important skills to help you do the job so they can understand the unique value you’d bring to their company.  

It can also help to find out the key technical skills the job requires and spend time learning what you can, especially when it comes to important software or tools. 

What this looks like: As a software developer, I regularly relied on my problem-solving skills to think through complex issues. I’ll bring that same skill, as well as my attention to detail, listening, and decision-making, to ABC High School as the new algebra teacher. 

4. Highlight your past achievements 

Any time you can highlight what you’ve managed to accomplish in your past roles, you help a recruiter see your potential in a new role. Where possible, summarize any moments that showcase your strengths and illustrate your work ethic or character. 

What this looks like: I pride myself on being a team player and a problem-solver. As a social media manager at Company X, I identified a better program to help my team schedule content. Using that tool improved my team’s efficacy, leading to our most successful quarter. 

Why is a cover letter important when changing careers?

The idea of a career path can sometimes be rigid, suggesting that people only follow one specific track. Although that perspective is starting to shift, it’s still prevalent. You can help recruiters and hiring managers understand more about your interest in a role by explaining why you’re changing careers and what you’ve done to streamline your transition. 

It helps to align your cover letter with a resume objective, which can be especially useful for career changers. An objective on your resume is a place where you can contextualize your larger career aims, quickly summarizing what you’re hoping to achieve in your next role. Repeat that same information in your cover letter and expand on it slightly to give your application materials more cohesiveness.  

Read more: How to Use Resume Sections to Shape Your Professional Story

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Career change cover letter sample

It's common practice nowadays to submit your cover letter digitally. In that case, include some of your contact information in the top left corner so recruiters can easily see how to get in touch.

Thomas Bennett

Nashville, TN

(555) 555-1234

[email protected]

Dear Ms. Tufte,

I’m writing to apply for the project manager role at Company X. I initially began my career as a marketing coordinator and eventually moved into email marketing , where I was responsible for strategizing and developing new campaigns. But in that time, I realized how much I thrived when managing our quarterly campaigns from start to finish. That’s why I’m interested in segueing into project management. 

Knowing that, despite my experience, I still needed to learn more specifically about project management, I completed the Google Project Management Professional Certificate . Over six months, I’ve learned Agile project management as well as how to create product documentation, among other key skills. I believe this training, along with my previous experience, will help me transition to a project management role at Company X and make a big impact.   

I’m an organized problem-solver with a sharp eye for detail, all important project management skills. I believe my previous work in email marketing provided hands-on training in managing projects, albeit without the official title. I identified new tools to help my team create more effective quarterly campaigns. As a result, we increased our click-through rate (one of our key metrics) to 1.87 percent, bringing it closer to the industry standard—an immense achievement. 

I’m proud of the foundation I gained through marketing, but in realizing where my true passion lies, I’m keen to transition into a project management role with more growth opportunities. I appreciate your consideration. 

Tips for strengthening your cover letter 

Much like you would for a standard cover letter, you can strengthen your cover letter as a career changer using the following tips: 

Tailor your letter for each role.

You should tailor your resume for each role you apply to, and the same goes for your cover letter. Research the company, find out about aspects of their work that interest you, and insert those details into your cover letter. You should also tailor your experience and skills, highlighting each job's most relevant skills and accomplishments. 

Get specific.

Your cover letter should expand upon your resume rather than repeating the same information. One way to do this is by giving details about your past achievements. When possible, quantify your impact with numbers and explain how these accomplishments make you uniquely qualified for this new role.

Use action words. 

Build action words into your resume and your cover letter. Rather than more staid words that don’t capture your unique story or responsibilities, action verbs can liven up your cover letter and make it more enticing to read. Find verbs that succinctly and accurately depict your previous experience.

Start advancing your skills today

Brush up on your cover letter writing skills by taking the University of Maryland’s free course, Writing Winning Resumes and Cover Letters . Or develop important skills for an in-demand career with a Professional Certificate from industry leaders like Google, Meta, and IBM. Most certificate programs take less than seven months to complete, and you can start for free with a seven-day, all-access trial.

Article sources

US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “ Employee Tenure in 2020 , https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/tenure.pdf.” Accessed April 26, 2024.

CNBC. “ The Great Resignation is Likely to Continue , https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/25/great-resignation-55-percent-are-looking-to-change-jobs-over-the-next-year-.html.” Accessed April 26, 2024.

ADP. “ Calculating the True Cost to Hire Employees , https://www.adp.com/spark/articles/2019/07/calculating-the-true-cost-to-hire-employees.aspx.” Accessed April 26, 2024.

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

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

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

First, understand the point of a cover letter.

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

Because of that …

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

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

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

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

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

You don’t need a creative opening line.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Show, don’t tell.

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

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

In her revised version, she wrote this instead:

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

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

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

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

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

Keep the tone warm and conversational.

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

Don’t use a form letter.

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

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

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

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

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

Keep it under one page.

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

Don’t agonize over the small details.

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

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

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