graduate cover letter

Recent Graduate Cover Letter Examples and Templates for 2024

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How To Write a Recent Graduate Cover Letter

A great recent graduate cover letter can help you differentiate yourself from the competition during the job search. Even if you lack hands-on experience, you can still make a lasting impression on prospective employers by highlighting your academic achievements and industry knowledge. This guide provides examples and expert tips to help you build a winning recent graduate cover letter and land your first entry-level job.

Recent Graduate Cover Letter Templates and Examples

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Recent Graduate Text-Only Cover Letter Templates and Examples

Curtis Jones Software Developer | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | Portland, OR 12345 | LinkedIn

Jan. 1, 2024

Caroline Matthews Hiring Manager Solaris Software Inc. (987) 654-3210 [email protected]

Dear Ms. Matthews,

As an intern at Portland Technology Inc., I collaborated with a dynamic team of software developers and engineers to design innovative mobile applications for the education industry. While supporting the development of three separate applications, I gained valuable knowledge and training in Agile methodology and software development lifecycles. My internship and academic experience will allow me to deliver valuable contributions to your organization.

Solaris Software Inc.’s reputation for creating value for users draws me to apply for this position. My bachelor’s degree in software engineering from the University of Portland and my experience as a software developer intern will allow me to aid your teams in designing scalable applications based on the following achievements from my career:

• Supported the software development team in designing a mobile Android application to aid college students in comparing prices for used college textbooks and subscription services, which garnered over 500,000 downloads following the launch
• Executed an academic project to design an application platform for users to improve vocabulary across 10 different languages by providing a database of common colloquial phrases
• Completed coursework in Python, Ruby on Rails, SQL, Jira, and JavaScript, graduated with summa cum laude distinction, and achieved a 3.8 GPA

I look forward to speaking with you further regarding how my application development experience can aid Solaris Software Inc. in continuing to create value for users. You may contact me via phone or email at your earliest convenience. I appreciate your time and consideration.

Curtis Jones

Jessica Adams Financial Analyst | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | New York, NY, 12345 | LinkedIn

Raymond Johnson Hiring Manager Cohen Financial Partners (987) 654-3210 [email protected]

Dear Mr. Johnson,

During my internship with Brooklyn Financial Services, I interacted with a team of financial analysts to evaluate investment opportunities for a multimillion-dollar firm. This experience gave me valuable knowledge of business models, product use cases, and financial forecasting, which makes me the ideal candidate for the financial analyst position with your company.

Cohen Financial Partners has a reputation for ethical business practices, which strongly aligns with my core values as a finance professional. I can continue to help your organization grow your investment portfolio based on my previous achievements from my work experience and academic career:

• Conducted financial analysis of investment opportunities for new products in coordination with a team of economists and analysts, which included evaluating long-term financial outlook, product use cases, and long-term growth potential
• Supported the team in creating financial models and PowerPoint presentations on investments
• Wrote a 15-page research paper evaluating financial projections for the housing market and the impact of COVID-19 on first-time homebuyers

I would like to schedule an interview to discuss further how my experience in financial analysis and risk management can benefit your organization. Feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience with any additional questions you may have about my background. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Jessica Adams

Arthur Morris Marketing Professional | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | Boston, MA 12345 | LinkedIn

January 1, 2024

Sarah Taylor Hiring Manager New England Marketing Inc. (987) 654-3210 [email protected]

Dear Ms. Taylor,

As a marketing intern with the Falmouth Marketing Consulting Agency, I coordinated with a team of specialists to enhance social media presence and web marketing for clients. I also attended meetings with creative teams to define brand messaging based on target audiences. Through these experiences, I developed an advanced understanding of social media marketing, which will allow me to thrive in the marketing specialist position with your organization.

New England Marketing Inc.’s reputation for driving customer success draws me to apply for this position. My expertise in brand messaging and social media marketing will allow me to provide valuable contributions to your organization based on my career achievements:

• Supported the marketing team in executing social media campaigns on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter platforms and utilized Hootsuite to schedule posts based on key performance indicators (KPIs), resulting in a 500% increase in followership on LinkedIn
• Collaborated with copywriters and search engine optimization (SEO) specialists to create engaging copy and brand messaging for clients, which resulted in a 10% increase in page views for a customer website
• Served on a student marketing team to manage Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn social media pages for the University of Columbia under the supervision of the marketing manager

I hope to speak with you further regarding my expertise in social media marketing and how it can benefit your organization. You may contact me via phone or email at your convenience. I appreciate your time and consideration.

Arthur Morris

To write a great recent graduate cover letter that can truly help you break into your industry, the key is to show the most compelling aspects of your academic career and internships. Carefully analyze the role you’re applying for and identify how your unique skill sets align with the company’s needs. By tailoring your document towards individual opportunities, you’ll maximize your chances of landing an entry-level position. Below, we’ll walk you through each step of building your recent graduate cover letter:

1. Contact information and salutation

List all essential contact information at the top of your recent graduate cover letter, including your name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn URL. Be sure to address the hiring manager by name — Mr. or Ms. [Last Name]. If you can’t find the hiring manager’s name, use a variation of “Dear Hiring Manager.” This is preferable to salutations such as “To Whom It May Concern,” as these types of greetings are largely considered outdated.

2. Introduction

Open your recent graduation cover letter with a powerful introduction to grab the hiring manager’s attention and convey your interest in the job. Feature an eye-catching achievement from your resume and highlight key skills the organization is looking for. If you don’t have an internship you can point to, showcase academic achievements that demonstrate your qualifications for the job.

In the example below, the candidate has a unique advantage due to their experience interning at a large financial institution. This adds a certain level of credibility to the knowledge and skills they gained. That said, even if you haven’t had a similar opportunity, you can still hook the reader in the opening paragraph of your recent graduate cover letter by carefully tailoring it toward the job description.

3. Body paragraphs

In the body paragraphs of your recent graduate cover letter, continue to focus on achievements from your internships. If you haven’t had the opportunity to work in your field, draw attention to your academic projects. Using a list of bullet points to break up the monotony of the text on the page is helpful here, as this will improve the overall readability of your document. It’s also important to mention the organization’s reputation or mission statement and how it aligns with your background and professional values.

• Supported the marketing team in executing social media campaigns on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter platforms and utilized Hootsuite to schedule posts based on KPIs, resulting in a 500% increase in followership on LinkedIn
• Collaborated with copywriters and SEO specialists to create engaging copy and brand messaging, which resulted in a 10% increase in page views for a customer website
• Served on a student marketing team to manage Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn social media pages for Columbia University under the supervision of the marketing manager

4. Recent graduate cover letter skills and qualifications

To compensate for a lack of hands-on industry experience, leverage the skills and knowledge you’ve gained from your academic career in your recent graduate cover letter. Instead of providing a comprehensive list, focus on integrating relevant key terms from the job description into your paragraph. Emphasize how you’ve utilized these skill sets in your internships and academic projects. Below, you’ll find a range of potential skills across a variety of industries:

5. Closing section

Include a call to action in the conclusion of your recent graduate cover letter. Invite the hiring manager to bring you in for an interview or reach out for more information on your background. Emphasize how your skill sets can translate effectively to a professional industry setting. Be sure to thank the hiring manager for their time and consideration in the last sentence.

Recent Graduate Cover Letter Tips

1. leverage your internships.

One of the best ways to grab the hiring manager’s attention is by leveraging your internships. This shows potential employers you’ve acquired hands-on experience, which can be exactly the type of information that advances you to the next phase of the hiring process. Be sure to provide context and numbers for any notable achievements, as this will heighten the impact of your positive contributions.

2. Feature academic achievements and certifications

If you haven’t had the opportunity to pursue an internship, you can still make a strong impression on the hiring manager by featuring your academic achievements. Instead of only mentioning coursework, call out impressive projects that demonstrate how you’ve applied industry skills while completing your degree.

3. Showcase volunteerism and community service

Another way to compensate for a lack of hands-on work experience is by highlighting community service and volunteerism on your cover letter. Even if this isn’t relevant to your field, in some instances, this can help show potential employers you’re the right culture fit for their organization. It also sends a positive message in regard to your personal values.

Recent Graduate Cover Letter FAQs

Why should i include a recent graduate cover letter -.

While not every job will require a cover letter during the application process, including one can help bolster your chances of landing the interview, especially as a recent graduate. This allows you to make a strong introduction and display your most relevant qualifications using a more personal approach than you would on your resume.

How do I make my cover letter stand out? -

To make your cover letter stand out, carefully research the company you’re applying to. Think about how your academic background and experience match the needs of the organization. Mention something specific about the company and why it drew you to pursue the opportunity. This shows you’re a serious candidate who’s truly engaged in the hiring process.

How long should my cover letter be? -

Keep your cover letter concise and focused, limited to no more than three or four paragraphs. This ensures your document is centered on your most relevant academic achievements, internships, and industry-related skills. Avoid padding your cover letter with fluff and generic buzzwords, as this doesn’t provide any valuable information that would interest the hiring manager.

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Cover Letter Examples Recent Graduate Cover Letter

Recent Graduate Cover Letter Example

Writing a cover letter for your first job after graduation can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. With our recent graduate cover letter example and writing tips as a guide, it won't be long before you're part of the workforce.

Not happy with how this cover letter looks? We have many other cover letter template designs available.

Recent Graduate Resume & Related Cover Letters

Recent Graduate Cover Letter Template

5 recent graduate cover letter tips, copy-paste recent graduate cover letter (text format).

FIRST AND LAST NAME

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (123) 456-7891

Address: Street, City, State

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yourprofile

24 August 2023

Dana Johnston 2518 Lilac Ave North Charleston, SC, 29405 (803) 847-1043 [email protected]

Dear Ms. Johnston,

My name is James Amore, and I’m excited to apply for the position of Junior IT specialist at the French Central Inn, Charleston. I’m a recent graduate (June 2023) in Management Information Systems (MIS) from Charleston Southern University, and I’m eager to enter the workforce. I meet all of the academic requirements mentioned in your job posting.

Growing up, I took a liking to all things tech and digital, which led to me picking MIS as my major. Apart from all the tech courses during my MIS studies, I thoroughly enjoyed and excelled in my psychology courses. I’m especially interested in the intersection of tech and humanity (specifically, how people respond and adapt to technological changes). It’s a topic that I discuss frequently on my tech blog: techfacts.com.

During my final year of university, I interned at Safe Homes Inc., a vendor providing an array of home security systems. I worked on both the hardware and software side, installing physical equipment as well as configuring the requisite software, and involved elements of IoT.

What excites me most about this position is that the role involves extensive work with the Internet of Things (IoT). Working at the French Central inn would be a perfect opportunity to combine my skills and passion.

I look forward to putting my knowledge and skills to use as a productive member of your IT department and learning from the best in the industry. In an interview, I’d love to discuss my short and long-term career goals and how they align with the French Central Inn’s tech vision. I await your call.

James Amore

Putting together a cover letter for a job as a recent graduate can be difficult, especially if you don’t have any formal work or internship experience. Fortunately, it’s still possible to write a convincing cover letter that helps you land a job, no matter how much experience you have.

Here’s a breakdown of what to include in your recent graduate cover letter to impress employers and land your first job or internship out of college.

1. Briefly introduce yourself

Start your new grad cover letter by introducing yourself to your potential employers, just as you would if you were meeting them in person. Cover the basics — your name, your academic qualifications, and what position you’re applying for.

You should also mention how you discovered the job opening and if you were recommended by anyone currently working at the company. This can help you immediately establish rapport with the hiring manager and improve your chances of getting an interview.

More than 60% of job-seekers find jobs through friends or their professional network , making it by far the most effective way to land work.

Here’s an example of a strong cover letter introduction paragraph for a recent graduate:

My name is Marcus Winfield, and I’m writing to apply for the position of Junior Architect at R&G Designs Inc. I recently graduated from Woodbury University’s School of Architecture, after which I acquired my architect’s license from the California Architects Board.

The candidate gives a concise summary of their education and qualifications, showing employers that they have the required licensure for an architect.

2. Connect your skills to the job

When applying for a job as a recent graduate, don’t worry about your lack of work experience . Instead, showcase the personality traits and soft skills you possess that make you an excellent match for the job.

First, think about all of your relevant interests and skills, or areas of work that you’re passionate about. Then, use your cover letter to connect them to the work being done at the company you want to work at.

Here’s an example of how one candidate uses their cover letter to advertise their language abilities and explain why they would be useful to the employer:

I also speak Spanish, which I’m certain would make me an excellent fit for the role considering how frequently your department collaborates with researchers from the Autonomous University of Barcelona.

If you’re able to speak more than one language and they’re relevant to the job, add a separate language skills section to your resume. Otherwise, list the languages you speak in your skills section.

If you’re applying for a job directly in your field of academic expertise, you can also explain what drew you to the field in the first place.

3. Highlight internship or project work experience

Your third paragraph should be the core of your recent grad cover letter. This is where you highlight your relevant experience, whether it’s from internships , extracurricular activities , or coursework . Your objective is to highlight any experience that taught you skills that are valuable in your target industry (e.g., your ability to work on a team, solve problems, or learn quickly).

Here’s an example of how one recent graduate uses the third paragraph of their cover letter to highlight their internship experience:

During my two summer internships at Astral Consulting Inc., I was assigned to work alongside Marc Jacobson, a manager in the auditing and compliance department. During this time, I gained valuable on-the-job experience in contemporary accounting software and practices. I helped audit financial statements of eight multi-million dollar companies and also played a major role in writing out the audit reports under Marc’s mentorship.

Note that the applicant provides specific examples of what they achieved during their internships to demonstrate the impact their work had.

Expressing your experience in terms of accomplishments rather than tasks or duties is more effective because it signals to hiring managers that you’re goal-oriented, a quality many employers value.

If you’re a recent high-school graduate , you can also include volunteer work or recurring responsibilities at home (like mowing the lawn) on your cover letter.

4. Show enthusiasm for the job

Employers understand that as a recent graduate, you’ll likely be writing a cover letter with no work experience . What they want to see is that you’re passionate about the work and are enthusiastic to learn.

That’s why in your fourth paragraph you should take the opportunity to explain what about the position excites you.

Be as specific as possible — if you’re interested in the product the company makes or even their work culture, be sure to mention it. Show that you’re interested in the specific job you’re applying to, and not just any job.

Below is an example of how to effectively communicate your enthusiasm in a recent graduate cover letter:

I’m aware that your Grand Forks location will be opening in September. On the basis of my experience and customer service mindset, I believe I will be an asset to your clinic, providing clients with unforgettable beauty experiences that will convert them into regular customers.

This applicant comes across as eager to apply their skills to create a positive customer experience and ultimately benefit the company.

5. Finish with a clear call to action

Wrap up your new grad cover letter by restating your interest in the position. Additionally, encourage the hiring manager to contact you to discuss your qualifications further.

This not only shows that you’re enthusiastic about the job, it also pushes the hiring manager to reach out to you.

Here’s an example of a strong closing sentence on a cover letter from a recent graduate:

I’m excited to speak about this role over the phone or online, but I can also drop by the campus for an in-person interview when I’m in Birmingham next week – whatever works best for you.

After you send your cover letter alongside your undergraduate resume , set a reminder on your phone to follow up on your job application if you don’t hear back within a week.

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