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What Is a Cover Letter?

Understanding cover letters, types of cover letters, how to write a cover letter, tips for writing a cover letter.

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What Is a Cover Letter? Types and How To Write One

A cover letter is a written document commonly submitted with a job application outlining the applicant's credentials and interest in the open position. Since a cover letter is often one of only two documents sent to a potential employer, a well- or poorly-written letter can impact whether the applicant is called for an interview .

Key Takeaways

• A cover letter is commonly submitted with a job application explaining the applicant's credentials and interest in the position.
• A good cover letter complements the resume and explains why the candidate is the ideal person for the job.
• Common cover letter mistakes can sink a job applicant.

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Most job postings are done online and no longer require a physical application. Instead, applicants send companies a copy of their resume along with a cover letter either by email or with a hard copy through the mail. A resume offers a glimpse into the professional and academic experience of a potential employee. The cover letter, on the other hand, acts as an introduction written by the candidate to express their interest in the position and what makes them the best fit for the job.

A good cover letter complements a resume by expanding on items relevant to the job. In essence, it's a sales pitch that describes why the applicant is the best person for the position. Career experts advise job seekers to spend time customizing each cover letter for the particular position, rather than using a generic missive. Although this requires extra effort, it can be very helpful in allowing an applicant to stand out above the competition.

The cover letter provides information to the employer about who the candidate is as a professional and as a person. This includes their areas of interest, professional goals, knowledge, skills they've gained over the years, achievements, passions, and aspirations. The cover letter should be a one-page document that provides a clear and concise idea about why the candidate is the best person for the job . It should also highlight the cultural fit.

While there is no set template for a cover letter, the type of letter that you write will depend on the requirements of each individual company or employer. The information that is included in a cover letter will vary depending on the goals and purpose of your application.

• An application cover letter is the most familiar type of cover letter. This is generally written in response to a vacancy that is posted on a company's website or a job board. In addition to answering any specific questions posted in the job ad, it may also highlight any experience or skills that are suitable for the position.
• A referral cover letter is similar to an application letter, but it includes the name of a colleague or employee who recommended the applicant for the open position. A strong referral can help you stand out against other applicants.
• A prospecting cover letter , also known as a letter of interest, is written by a job seeker and addressed to a company where they would like to work. However, it is not aimed at a specific role or vacancy. Instead, this type of letter inquires about open positions in general and may highlight any special skills that make the writer suitable for the company.

When employers post a job ad that requires a cover letter, they may specify certain requirements for the cover letter to address. For example, they may require applicants to answer certain questions, or to respect a certain word limit. It is important to follow these requirements, as they reflect on the applicant's ability to understand and follow directions.

If the employer does not set any expectations, a typical cover letter should be about a page or less, and may include a formal greeting, contact information, and links to the applicant's portfolio or work. It should highlight any special skills, and explain why you would be a good fit for the position. This is your chance to impress the employer: Even if your resume does not have everything an employer wants, a well-written cover letter can make the applicant stand out from the crowd.

However, it is possible to include too much information. Most employers will simply glance at the majority of their cover letters, and a long-winded essay might end up at the bottom of the pile. A few short paragraphs explaining your skills, and why you chose that specific employer, should be enough to put your best foot forward.

Writing a cover letter doesn't have to be tedious—even though it may seem like it's a chore. Here are a few simple tips you may want to consider when composing your cover letter:

• Personalize your letter for each role. Never use a generic cover letter. This means you have to write a new one for each position. Be sure to include your strengths and skills, and explain why you’re the perfect candidate.
• Include contact information. If the posting doesn't include the hiring manager's name, call the company , or check its website. Including this person's name gives your letter a proper greeting and also shows you have initiative. And don't forget to add your contact information, too. This is important if your resume gets separated from your cover letter.
• Simplify your letter. Communicate clearly and concisely. Using complex words and sentences would most certainly fail to convey your intentions with the company and the person reading the letter probably won't bother with the rest of your application.
• Be specific when needed. Don't rehash your resume, so be sure to quantify your accomplishments. For instance, expand on your marketing experience in your cover letter by saying you brought in 200 additional clients each month and increased revenue to $10,000. This can set you apart from candidates with vague personal details.
• Proofread. After you’ve written the letter, go over it a few times to ensure there are no errors. Then ask someone else to do a once-over and recommend any changes you may need to make.

A simple, focused cover letter without any typos or grammatical errors will get you noticed by potential employers.

A perfect resume can often be sabotaged by a poorly thought-out cover letter or one that is laden with mistakes. Whether you include the letter as per required submission guidelines, or you simply want to emphasize your interest in the job, make sure you avoid making these blunders.

• Names matter. This includes the name of the hiring manager, the company, and yes, even yours. Make sure you have the right names and the correct spelling. And don't forget to change the names if you're using the same cover letter for multiple jobs.
• Restating your resume. Since the cover letter is used to identify your skills and explain how your previous experience is applicable to the desired position, don't restate the stuff on your resume. Remember, the cover letter should complement your resume, not just summarize it.
• Keep your letter tight. Recruiters often go through hundreds of applications and don't have time to read through a three-page missive. The absolute maximum length for a cover letter should be one page, with a few concise paragraphs.
• Omit unnecessary details. Stay on topic. There's no need to mention your graphic-design skills if you're applying for an accounting position. It's a good idea to leave out personal things like your IQ, recreational accomplishments, interests, and hobbies. That is unless they relate to the job or company.
• Avoid sounding arrogant. Ensure your cover letter does not make you appear arrogant . While the cover letter is about you and your accomplishments, find a way of saying "I'm the best" without actually saying it. Avoid overusing words like "I," "me," or "my."
• Remember that spelling counts. Typos and grammatical errors can show you didn't bother to proofread your own letter. And make sure to be consistent—don't convey a dash with "--" in one place and "—" in another.
• Design matters : with the proliferation of publishing, design trends, and software, candidates have become creative in making their cover letter stand out from a design perspective. Make sure your cover letter projects your personality in terms of design while remaining professional. That is personal signature and branding.

How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?

According to Indeed , a leading job-seeking site, a typical cover letter should be about three or four paragraphs long and highlight any special experience or achievements that make the applicant exceptionally well-suited to the position.

How Do You Start a Cover Letter?

A cover letter should start with a formal greeting, preferably addressed to the hiring manager. If you do not know who will be reading your cover letter, a generic "to whom it may concern" is an acceptable, albeit old-fashioned, way to address a cover letter. It is also acceptable to address the letter to a title, such as "Dear Hiring Manager," or "Dear Talent Acquisition Team."

What Should a Cover Letter Contain?

An effective cover letter should highlight the applicant's skills, experience, and any achievements that make them a good fit for their prospective employer. It is also a good chance to mention anything that is not included in the resume: For example, if an applicant is drawn to a certain employer because they love a certain product, the cover letter is a great place to mention it. Make sure your cover letter also includes your name and contact information.

In a competitive jobs market, an effective cover letter is one way to make a job application stand out. This is a chance for an applicant to demonstrate why they think they would be a good fit. However, a poorly-written or meandering cover letter can hurt an application more than it helps.

Harvard Extension School. " Resources and Cover Letters: An Extension School Resource ," Pages 3 and 5.

Harvard Extension School. " Resources and Cover Letters: An Extension School Resource ," Page 5.

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Indeed. " How to Address a Cover Letter (With Examples). "

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What is a Cover Letter? Definition, Structure, Purpose, Types & Meaning

What is a cover letter?

What is the purpose of a cover letter in a job application, what to include in a cover letter, cover letter format and layout, should you use a cover letter template or example, what is a cover letter - takeaways.

Asking yourself, “What is a cover letter?”

In this article, we break down for you the basics about cover letters, their purpose, and what to include in yours.

When you’re applying for a job, a cover letter is just as important as your resume in a lot of ways.  You always want to include a cover letter when you’re submitting your resume, to personalize the facts about your work history and to tailor your application to the job.

But if you haven’t written a cover letter before, it can be intimidating to figure out what to include. Don’t worry, this expert guide boils it all down into a quick read that gives you an overview and points you in the right direction to find everything you need to know about them.

In this post, we’re going to cover:

• What is a Cover Letter?
• What is the Purpose of a Cover Letter in a Job Application?
• What to Include in A Cover Letter

We also describe how you can lay out your cover letter to amp its impact, and we’ve even made it dead simple for you by including some perfect cover letter examples for you to check out.

A cover letter is a one-page document that you include with your resume as part of your application for a job. A good cover letter grabs a Hiring Manager’s attention and gets you to the next step of the hiring process.

While every job you apply for will have either a specific application form or will ask for a resume, not every one will ask for a cover letter.  But you should always include one – it’s a game changer.

The upshot is that a resume is a summary of your work and education experience, while your cover letter adds relevant context to that experience for the specific job.

A cover letter is tailored to a specific job you’re applying for, and it highlights what your qualifications are and how they relate to that role and company. You can use it to give examples of how your experiences relate to the role and show how you’re the best person for the job.

Just as its name implies, a cover letter is written in a letter format, including a greeting, three or four body paragraphs, and a closing. Unlike a resume, your cover letter should be written in full sentences, and you want to use the first-person – “I’m writing to you today to…”.

You don’t want to just rhyme off the same things that are in your resume, though.  Use your cover letter to give real life examples of how your experience, skills, or interests make you perfect for the job.

Head to our full article on the differences between a resume and a cover letter to learn more on this.

Put simply, it’s your chance to make a great first impression. It’s a tool you use to grab a hiring manager’s attention long enough that they look over your resume a bit closer and call you in for an interview.

A cover letter may not be something a job posting asks you to include, but don’t think that means you shouldn’t.  A good cover letter is always a good idea, here’s why:

• You can tell a story in a cover letter that dives deeper into your qualifications,
• experience, and interests to show why you’re the best candidate for the job.
• A lot of candidates skip writing a cover letter, so by including one you immediately put yourself ahead of the competition!
• You can introduce yourself in a more personalized way and tailor your application specifically for the job.
• You can add a bit of flair or personality that gets a hiring manager to ask you in for an interview
• It shows that you put effort into your application, which again, puts you ahead of most of the competition.

This is just a snapshot of how a cover letter can help you. We’ve got a great article for you to look over if you want to know more about the purpose of a cover letter .

Should you send a cover letter for a job?

There is no question, yes, you should absolutely include a cover letter with your application.

We’ve done our homework on this and can tell you: a majority of hiring managers need or expect a cover letter, even if it’s not specified in the job posting.

Not only are they expected, but they’re a great tool for you too:

• Explain the reasons for any work gaps
• Clarify how the experience you have from other jobs applies
• Show how you fit their company culture
• Let them know why you’re changing jobs or fields

So, while a cover letter may not absolutely be necessary, they’re extremely useful, and always something you should take the time to write and include with your application.

Cover letters should usually include some of the same basic elements. We’ve put together a quick list below, but head over to our complete guide on what to include in your cover letter for a full explanation.

• A header – This is where you’re going to include all the contact info the hiring manager is going to expect to see.  You want to be sure to give them what theyère looking for.
• Opening statement – You can get right to it here and make sure this is an attention grabber.  Summarize your skills or experience and give them one good reason why it’s important for the job you’re applying to.
• Body – This paragraph should give some more details about you personally.  Employers often hire someone for who they are, not what they know; this is your time to show them you’d be a great fit on their team.
• Closing and Call to Action – You want to close your cover letter with a thanks for the time they’ve taken and a professional sign-off.  You should also let them know you’re eager to hear from them, and let them know to contact you to follow up.

Try to end with a great impression. It’s key that you know how to close your cover letter well to hit all the right notes.

A hiring manager takes about 7.4 seconds to look at each resume that comes across their desk, and there may be hundreds of those. A strong cover letter design can grab their attention long enough for them to set you into the callback pile instead of in the recycling bin.

We’ve put together the details on how you can really grab a recruiter’s attention with your cover letter design , but here’s the basics:

• Font - Always use a standard, easy-to-read font like Times New Roman or Arial. It should be 12pt or slightly bigger.
• Heading – Always use a professional format of heading, which includes your name and contact info, the date of writing, and the contact info for the person you’re writing to.
• Spacing – You want to single space the body of your cover letter, but leave spaces between the heading, the greeting, each paragraph, and your sign-off.
• Length – We know that it’s tempting to try to fit in as much as possible in the cover letter, but this is definitely a case of less is more.  You want the content to be about half a page, so shoot for between 250-400 words.

Keeping your cover letter lean can be hard the first few times you write one. Check out our article on ideal cover letter length to get more tips on how to hit the sweet spot.

If you’re already a pro, maybe you can go it on your own and write a killer cover letter.  But if this is your first cover letter, or you have any doubts, use our Cover Letter Examples to get some great ideas on how to write and format yours – we’ve got a few samples below.

Our examples cover different industries and positions, so you can fine tune the fit of your letter for exactly the job you’re applying to without trying to reinvent the wheel!  Plus, these are cover letters that work to get interviews, so you can be sure you’ve got a great start.

If you want a real head start, we’ve even got a Cover Letter Templates page where you can head to get all the basics covered for you. Head there, input your specifics, and you’ll have a winning cover letter, easy-peasy.

• A cover letter is a one-pager you include with a job application to dive deeper into exactly why you are the best fit for the job.
• You always want to include a cover letter, even if it’s not specified in the job posting.
• Hiring managers get hundreds of resumes, and they fly through them - your cover letter can and should be designed to grab their attention.
• Personalize your cover letter and tailor it to the specific job you’re sending it in to, this includes relating specific skills, letting your personality shine, and getting the hiring manager’s name.
• Make sure it’s in perfect shape to get great results.  Use our Cover Letter Checklist to make sure you’ve covered all the bases and haven’t overlooked any little mistakes that could cost you the job.

• Cover Letter Guides

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Your Guide To Writing A Good Cover Letter: Overview

• What Is A Cover Letter?
• Are They Necessary?
• What To Include
• What Not To Do
• 9 Steps To Writing A Cover Letter

Not every job application requires a cover letter, but when one is requested, you want to be able to knock it out of the park. Although a cover letter is a short document, it is how employers will get to know who you are as a person, beyond just the bullet points on your resume.

To help you, we’ve created the ultimate 9-step guide to writing a strong cover letter, from formatting the header and greeting, to signing off and preparing to share the letter with a future employer. Every cover letter is slightly different depending on the field and applicant’s personal experience, but there are some general guidelines that everyone should keep in mind when writing one.

You’ll start here with an overview of the function and format of a cover letter and then follow steps 1 through 9 that will address many of the specific questions you probably have related to writing this type of letter. Feel free to skip down to the list of steps below and click on the parts of the process that feel most applicable to you. We’ll also share a sample cover letter that you can use as a model for your own.

We are going to review every single detail of writing a cover letter so that a potential employer won’t overlook all you have to offer. When it comes to writing a good cover letter, attention to detail is important because the smallest typo can cause your whole application to be rejected.

What is a cover letter?

First, though, the basics. A cover letter is a letter that accompanies your job application. Although a short document, a cover letter has to accomplish a few different goals. A good cover letter should:

• Describe relevant experience and accomplishments in greater detail than is possible on the resume
• Show your knowledge of the position or company
• Give the potential employer a sense of who you are as a person
• Demonstrate your interest in the position by personalizing the letter
• Briefly explain a long gap in your work history (if necessary)

Essentially, a cover letter is a chance for you to make the best possible argument for why you are a good fit for the job.

The cover letter goes hand-in-hand with a good resume. You can review the best approaches to writing an impressive resume.

Are cover letters necessary?

Not every employer wants a cover letter.

Not every employer wants a cover letter. If it explicitly states on the job posting that they do not want a cover letter, or if there is no way to upload one along with the rest of the application, take the hint and skip it. Additionally, if you simply do not have the time to write or tailor a cover letter to a job posting and it is optional, you may choose to submit without it.

It’s a good idea to include cover letters

With the exception of these few cases, it is generally a good idea to include a cover letter with your job application. Some employers expect or require a cover letter with an application, even if they do not state it explicitly. If a cover letter is optional, providing one shows that you are willing to make the extra effort for a position.

A cover letter is a good way for the employer to learn more about you and for you to make a strong case for why the employer should hire you. With this in mind, include a cover letter whenever possible.

What to include in a cover letter

Every cover letter should be tailored to the position you’re applying for. That said, there are some standard building blocks you should include in every cover letter you write. A standard cover letter includes:

• A header with your name and contact information
• A greeting with the name of the hiring manager
• An introduction that states the name of the position you’re applying to
• Body paragraphs that state why you are a good fit for the position
• A conclusion that includes a “call to action”
• A polite sign-off

We are going to walk you through each of these components step-by-step (see below ). Every element of your cover letter should be polished and easy-to-read. Try to keep these two qualities in mind for each and every part of your letter. From your email address to the language you use to describe your accomplishments, your cover letter should be a testament to your professionalism.

Learn more about how to discuss why you are a good fit and ideal candidate here.

How long should your cover letter be?

Your cover letter should never be longer than a single page, including the header and signature. If you are having trouble fitting everything onto one page, re-read your draft and try to cut any unnecessary language. Making the font or margins smaller can also help you fit it all onto one page.

In terms of word count, your cover letter will be around 200-350 words, including the header.

What not to do in a cover letter

We’ve discussed what to include in a cover letter, but what should you leave out? We’ll call these the big “don’ts.” The biggest don’t is “Don’t use informal language,” including profanities, informal acronyms like “thx,” or casual expressions like “super excited.”

In addition to this guiding light, there are a few more don’ts of cover-letter writing you should be aware of.

Discussing salary requirements

You should know how much your work is worth. Websites like Glassdoor can help you get a sense of what a competitive salary or wage would be for the field and your level of experience. That said, the cover letter is not the place to talk about salary requirements. Those kinds of conversations are best saved for the interview process.

Forgetting to include relevant experience and skills

Your cover letter should address as much of your relevant experience as possible, without restating what is on your resume. You can do this by describing in detail how you did your work, rather than describing what you did. In other words, you want to highlight your personal accomplishments and abilities in the position.

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Including irrelevant experience and skills

Your cover letter, like your resume, should only include experience that is relevant to the position. If you are applying for a job in education, you would likely not mention your experience in retail (and vice-versa). You want to focus on giving context to your abilities as they relate to the job.

Reusing the same cover letter

You should personalize your cover letter for every position you apply for. That doesn’t mean that you have to start entirely from scratch every time. You might choose to reuse some of the same formatting or language from letter to letter, especially if it is for the same kind of position. However, you want to take the time to tweak your boilerplate language for each position by incorporating specific details from the job posting or company website.

9 steps to writing a great cover letter

Writing a cover letter is a complex process, and we’re going to devote a series of articles to making sure we cover the ins and outs of each step along the way. While several of the steps are grouped in one article, you can use the list below to choose the articles most relevant to your job application.

Step 1. Format Your Cover Letter

Step 2–4. Open The Cover Letter With A Proper Header, Greeting, And Memorable Introduction

Step 5–7. Explain You’re Fit For The Job, Add A Call To Action, And End With The Right Sign-off

Step 8–9. Edit And Share Your Cover Letter

Get inspired with this cover letter example

We’ve provided a sample cover letter you can use to follow along in this series and create your own. Click on the image below to expand it. You’ll learn more about the format of this cover letter in our first article in the series.

Are you ready to begin? Let’s start by discussing the proper format for a cover letter.

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Definition of cover letter noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

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14 common cover letter phrases and what you can use instead

When you’re working on a cover letter, it’s very difficult to keep your writing fresh throughout the whole document.

It’s all too easy to repeat the same word twice across multiple paragraphs without even realizing you’ve done so. And unfortunately, this can be the sort of thing that hiring managers will mark against you — especially in positions that require a strong written ability.

So, we’ve put together this helpful list of words that might appear in your cover letter along with some synonyms to use instead. Let’s transform you from a strong people manager with a strong background in building strong teams into a more well-rounded candidate, eh?

In most situations, there’s likely to be a more suitable way to say ‘eager’. Here are some options for you:

• “I’m eager to hear from you” —> “I look forward to exploring my fit for this role with you”
• “I’m eager to join a company like yours” —> “Joining a company I respect is important to me”
• “I’m a marketing graduate eager to find my first role” —> “I’m a marketing graduate looking to grow as a professional”

On its own there’s nothing wrong with the word ‘excited’, but you shouldn’t be saying it 17 times throughout your document. If that happens, here are some synonyms you can use instead:

• “I’m excited to apply to you” —> “I had to apply as soon as I could”
• “I’m excited to progress my career with you” —> “This would be the next natural step in my career”
• “I’m excited about expanding my skills in the role” —> “This role is an ideal place for me to expand my skills”

3. Experience

It’s very easy to say ‘experience’ too frequently in your cover letter, so try these alternatives to keep things varied:

• “My experience with cloud systems makes me” —> “My expertise in cloud systems makes me”
• “I’m looking to build more experience in marketing” —> “This position would help me become a more complete marketer”
• “I’m experienced with leading teams and setting goals” —> “Working as a team leader at [company name] has made me comfortable managing direct reports and setting goals”
• “I’m a great fit for this role because of my experience in sales” —> “My background as a senior salesperson makes me a natural fit for this role”

4. I am confident

The issue with “I am confident” isn’t that it’s likely to get overused — it’s just not necessary in most cases. Here, we’ll show you:

• “I am confident I have the background needed to succeed in your sales team” —> “I have the background needed to succeed in your sales team”
• “I am confident that my customer service experience will prove vital in the role” —> “My customer service experience will prove vital in the role”

5. I believe

‘I believe’ is the same as ‘I am confident’; you don’t usually need it:

• “I believe I have the background needed to succeed in your sales team” —> “I have the background needed to succeed in your sales team”
• “I believe that my customer service experience will prove vital in the role” —> “My customer service experience will prove vital in the role”

6. I have experience

It’s perfectly fine to start a sentence with ‘I have experience’, just don’t use it in every single one. Use these alternatives instead to avoid sounding like a broken record:

• “I have experience in social media and paid ads” —> “I’m well-versed in social media and paid ads”
• “I have experience in startup companies” —> “I’ve come to thrive in a startup environment”
• “As requested in the job description, I have 2 years of experience in hospitality” —> “I’m a qualified hospitality professional with 2 years of relevant experience”
• “I have experience in similar positions to what you’re hiring for” —> “I’ve previously worked as a [job title] so would pick up the responsibilities quickly”

7. Interest

You might be looking for synonyms of ‘interest’ for a couple of reasons. Either you’re using it too often, or it’s sounding overly formal. We can help with both:

• “I’m writing to express my interest in this position” —> “I’d like to apply to your [job title] position”
• “I’m interested in reading and spending time in nature” —> “I enjoy reading and spending time in nature”
• “My interests include reading and spending time in nature” —> “Outside of work you’ll find me reading or spending time in nature”

According to your cover letter, you love the company you’re applying to, the job itself, and the opportunity to learn. But just how many **things can you love in a job application? Keep your writing fresh with these substitutes:

• “I love what your company does to support its employees” —> “I respect how your company supports its employees”
• “I love to work in a team” —> “I work best when collaborating with others”
• “I love working in a small company because I can see the results of my work” —> “Seeing the results of my work inspires me to keep improving”

9. Opportunity

How can you apply to a job opportunity without constantly saying ‘opportunity’? With these synonyms, of course:

• “I would excel in this opportunity” —> “I would excel in this position”
• “I had to apply to this opportunity” —> “I had to apply to this vacancy”
• “Thank you for the opportunity to join you” —> “Thank you for your consideration”

10. Passion

People can get a bit too passionate with their use of this word — not to mention it’s a weaker choice than some of the alternatives. Shake it up with these contenders:

• “I’m a passionate marketer who’s ready for a new challenge” —> “I’m a dedicated marketer who’s ready for a new challenge”
• “I have a passion for helping others through my work” —> “Helping others through my work energizes me”
• “I have a passion for deploying quality-of-life improvements” —> “I find deploying quality-of-life improvements to be immensely satisfying”

If you’re skilled in everything, doesn’t that dilute the word’s meaning? Here are some other ways to talk about your skills:

• “I have skills in paid marketing and social media” —> “Paid marketing and social media are my top strengths”
• “I’m skilled in Photoshop” —> “I’m an expert in Photoshop”
• “I’m a skilled people manager” —> “I’m a capable people manager”

The same goes for ‘strong’. If everything is a strength of yours, then the hiring manager is going to question how much weight that word holds with you:

• “I’m a strong marketer” —> “I’m an exceptional marketer”
• “I have strong knowledge of Premiere and other video editing software” —> “I have in-depth knowledge of Premiere and other video editing software”
• “I would be a strong addition to your team” —> “I would be an immediately-contributing member of your team”

13. To whom it may concern

Unless you’re applying in an exceptionally formal industry, then it’s time to ditch ‘To whom it may concern’. If you know the name of the hiring manager, then address your cover letter to them directly. If you don’t know their name, there are still plenty of alternatives:

• Dear hiring manager

14. Yours sincerely

Here’s another cover letter phrase that’s outdated. Unless you’re applying in a formal industry, then end your cover letter with a more modern sign off, like:

• All the best
• Best wishes
• Kind regards

If you’ve found the synonym you were looking for but still need help with your cover letter, we have some other resources to guide you:

💡 Full cover letter guide

🎓 Writing a cover letter for an internship

All that’s left to say is the very best of luck with your application! We’re all rooting for you here.

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• cover letter

a letter that accompanies another letter, a package, or the like, to explain, commend, etc.

Origin of cover letter

• Also called cov·er·ing let·ter [ kuhv -er-ing let -er] /ˈkʌv ər ɪŋ ˈlɛt ər/ .

Words Nearby cover letter

• covering fire
• covering letter
• covering power
• cover one's ass
• cover one's tracks

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use cover letter in a sentence

Apply with a cover letter and resume at the Disney jobs portal.

As people quit their jobs in record numbers—4 million people in the US during April alone—and many presumably attempt to find new ones, it’s safe to assume that cover letters are being carefully crafted across the country.

“Within 24 hours, they realized they needed to push back on the old ways unions approach this, and worked with us to summarize the terms and provide a cover letter to employees,” Peace said.

Apply with a cover letter , resume and three clips at the Disney jobs portal.

Apply with a cover letter , resume and three clips at the Disney jobs portal by March 22.

His “ cover letter : Toward a New Creative Writing” appears in 3:AM Magazine.

The letter is on the back cover of the book, just a cover letter .

The cover letter , Mr. Chief Justice, states that it appeared on April 24, 1964.

Synonyms of cover

• as in to substitute
• as in to coat
• as in to shield
• as in to concern
• as in to conceal
• as in to cross
• as in to monitor
• as in to protect
• as in defense
• as in covering
• as in replacement
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Thesaurus Definition of cover

 (Entry 1 of 2)

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pinch - hit
• double (as)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deal (with)
• pertain (to)
• bear (on or upon)
• relate (to)
• have to do with
• touch (upon)
• incorporate
• allude (to)
• appertain (to)
• glance (upon)
• advert (to)
• brush (aside or off)
• slur (over)
• gloss (over)
• pass (over)
• cut (across)
• proceed (along)
• peregrinate
• perambulate
• keep an eye on
• stand up for

Thesaurus Definition of cover  (Entry 2 of 2)

• replacement
• locum tenens
• pinch hitter
• designated hitter
• representative
• Trojan horse
• Potemkin village

Phrases Containing cover

Articles related to cover.

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Covering up a scandal? Bad. But covering the bill? Great.

Thesaurus Entries Near cover

Cite this entry.

“Cover.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cover. Accessed 9 Apr. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on cover

Nglish: Translation of cover for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of cover for Arabic Speakers

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Synonyms and antonyms of cover in English

• TO BE ABOUT SOMETHING

Synonyms and examples

See words related to cover.

• TO PUT SOMETHING OVER SOMEONE OR SOMETHING
• TO LIE ON THE SURFACE OF SOMEONE OR SOMETHING

cover | American Thesaurus

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sung by a group of people without any musical instruments

Shoots, blooms and blossom: talking about plants

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