cover letter cv format

12 CV cover letter examples

A  cover letter  for your CV, or covering note is an introductory message that accompanies your CV when applying for a job.

The purpose of the cover letter is simple… Persuade the reader to open your CV.

Learn how to write a cover letter properly, and you will hugely increase your chances of getting responses and landing job interviews.

This guide, with 12 annotated cover letter examples will show you everything you need to know about creating a winning cover note.

CV templates 

How to layout a cover letter for your CV

This annotated example of a cover letter shows you how you should structure your cover letters, and the type of information you should be including.

You should always write your CV in the body of your email (or j ob site messaging system) so that it can be read instantly. Never attach it as a separate document, or the recipient probably won’t open it.

Example CV cover letters

These 11 example CV cover letters from a range of industries should give you some good inspiration for creating your own cover letter.

Admin CV cover letter

This cover letter is aimed at administrative roles , so it highlights the candidate’s abilities in efficiency, report writing and meeting deadlines, whilst demonstrating the types of environments they have worked in.

Learn how to write a cover letter step-by-step here.

Customer service CV cover letter

This customer service cover letter briefly explains the candidate’s length of experience in the field and highlights some of the more important customer service skills such as call handling, order taking and complaint resolution.

This gives the reader an excellent introduction to the candidate and should certainly encourage them to open the CV.

See our full customer service cover letter guide,  sales assistant cover letter example  and waiter/waitress cover letter example .

Finance CV cover letter

As a finance professional, it’s important to highlight your specialisms within finance, the types of companies you’ve worked for, and high level functions you’ve carried out within your cover letter. This will give the hiring manager a good overall feel of your abilities, and if it’s well tailored to the role, should provide them with enough info to excite them about your CV.

Quick tip: Use our job application tracker spreadsheet to track your applications and follow up with employers who don’t respond.

Build your CV now 

Events CV cover letter

This events manager candidate has done a great job of summarising the type and size of events they manage, along with details of core skills such as leadership, project delivery and stakeholder management.

This certainly provides enough info to create a buzz around the CV attached and encourage the recipient to open it.

Executive assistant CV cover letter

This executive assistant CV cover letter provides a good high level intro to the candidate showing the reader key business support knowledge in areas such as admin, diary management and document management. It also shows that the candidate is confident supporting senior business figures.

Graduate CV cover letter

As a graduate , your cover letter will need to be a little longer than an experienced candidates, to compensate for your lack of experience and really sell yourself.

This candidate speaks in lots of detail about their education, qualifications, and extra-curricular work which relates to the roles they are applying for.

IT CV cover letter

As an IT candidate, it’s important not only to highlight your technical skills, but also show how you apply those skills in the workplace to translate real benefits for your employer.

This candidate gives a good overview of the candidates technical abilities and the types of projects they apply them to, along with results they achieve.

Marketing CV cover letter

This marketing cover letter provides readers with a summary of the candidate’s core marketing abilities such as media planning, brand awareness and cost reduction. It also explains the types of marketing campaigns and companies they have experience with – a great high-level intro.

Cover letter examples

Warehouse Operative cover letter – Training Contract cover letter – Cleaning Job cover letter – Nursery Assistant cover letter – Recruitment Consultant cover letter – Dental Nurse cover letter –

Chef cover letter – Editorial Assistant cover letter – Aircraft Mechanic cover letter – Biomedical Science cover letter – Cabin Crew cover letter – Finance Assistant cover letter – Hotel Receptionist cover letter – Asset Management cover letter – Assistant Psychologist cover letter – Beauty Therapist cover letter – Cafe Worker cover letter – HR Administrator cover letter – NQT cover letter – Quantity Surveyor cover letter

More cover letter examples

• Academic cover letter
• Account Manager cover letter
• Accountant cover letter
• Accounting cover letter
• Accounts Assistant cover letter
• Acting cover letter
• Admin Assistant cover letter
• Administrator cover letter
• Apprenticeship cover letter
• Architecture cover letter
• Assistant Manager cover letter
• Banking cover letter
• Bar Staff cover letter
• Barclays cover letter
• Barista cover letter
• Bartender cover letter
• Business Analyst cover letter
• Business Development Manager cover letter
• Car Sales Person cover letter
• Care Assistant cover letter
• Career Change cover letter
• Catering Assistant cover letter
• Civil Engineer cover letter
• Computer Science cover letter
• Consulting cover letter
• Copywriter cover letter
• Cyber Security cover letter
• Data Entry Clerk cover letter
• Data Scientist cover letter
• Delivery Driver cover letter
• Digital Marketing cover letter
• Electrician cover letter
• Engineering cover letter
• Estate Agent cover letter
• Event Manager cover letter
• Exam Invigilator cover letter
• Executive Assistant cover letter
• Fashion Designer cover letter
• Finance cover letter
• Financial Analyst cover letter
• Google cover letter
• Graduate cover letter
• Graduate Engineer cover letter
• Graduate Scheme cover letter
• Graphic Design cover letter
• Health Care Assistant cover letter
• Hospitality cover letter
• HR Assistant cover letter
• HR cover letter
• Interior Designer cover letter
• Internal Position cover letter
• Internship cover letter
• Investment Banking cover letter
• Investment Manager cover letter
• IT Support cover letter
• Journalist cover letter
• JP Morgan cover letter
• Lawyer cover letter
• Legal Assistant cover letter
• Legal cover letter
• Library Assistant cover letter
• Manager cover letter
• Marine Engineer cover letter
• Marketing Assistant cover letter
• Marketing cover letter
• Marketing Intern cover letter
• Marketing Manager cover letter
• McKinsey cover letter
• Mechanical Engineer cover letter
• Medical Receptionist cover letter
• Medical Writer cover letter
• Model cover letter
• Nanny cover letter
• Nurse cover letter
• Nursing cover letter
• Office Assistant cover letter
• Office Manager cover letter
• Operations Manager cover letter
• Optical Assistant cover letter
• Paralegal cover letter
• Part Time cover letter
• PE Teacher cover letter
• Personal Assistant cover letter
• Personal Trainer cover letter
• Pharmacist cover letter
• Pharmacy Assistant cover letter
• PHD Application cover letter
• Photographer cover letter
• Placement cover letter
• Private Equity cover letter
• Product Manager cover letter
• Production Assistant cover letter
• Production Operator cover letter
• Project Coordinator cover letter
• Promotion cover letter
• PWC cover letter
• Quantity Surveyor cover letter
• Receptionist cover letter
• Research Assistant cover letter
• Researcher cover letter
• Retail Assistant cover letter
• Retail cover letter
• Retail Manager cover letter
• Sales Advisor cover letter
• Sales Executive cover letter
• Sales Manager cover letter
• Scrum Master cover letter
• Security Officer cover letter
• Ski Season cover letter
• Social Media Executive cover letter
• Social Media Manager cover letter
• Software Developer cover letter
• Software Engineer cover letter
• Speculative cover letter
• Student cover letter
• Support Worker cover letter
• Teaching Assistant cover letter
• Team Leader cover letter
• Trainee Dental Nurse cover letter
• University cover letter
• UX Designer cover letter
• Volunteer cover letter

Project manager CV cover letter

A project manager’ s cover letter needs to quickly explain to recipients the types of projects they lead and the technical expertise they bring to the projects. It’s also important to describe level of experience, seniority and background.

See full project manager cover letter example + writing guide

Operations manager cover letter

This operations management CV provides a brief introduction to the types of operations the candidate manages and the firms they work for.

They also touch upon some core operations skills such as efficiency, logistics and ROI improvement.

Sales CV cover letter

As a sales candidate, this cover letter shows the types of business this person can generate and the size and scale of the impact they create by highlighting some sales results.

It also mentions some core sales skills like business development, presenting, working under pressure and closing deals.

Cover letter templates

Teacher cover letter

This teacher cover letter does a great job of introducing the candidate, and showing the recipient the key facts they will be looking for, such as; the age group they teach, subject specialisms, and the results they have achieved.

The cover letter is brief and gets to the point quickly, so that readers will instantly look to open the attached CV .

How to write your CV cover letter

Now that you’ve seem good examples of cover letters to accompany your CV (or resume if you are in the USA) this guide will show exactly how to write your own, and the content that needs to be included .

Send your CV cover letter in email format (when possible)

When applying for jobs online you usually have 2 choices…

1) Send a message via the job website’s messaging system

2) Send the recruiter an email directly

If you can find an email address for the recruiter, then I would always recommend sending an email directly because it gives you more control.

When you send a message through a job website, it will transfer into an email with basic formatting and an auto-generated headline , which will look like this when the recruiter receives it.

If you cannot find an email address for the recruiter on the job advert, then try searching LinkedIn or the company website to find the relevant contact.

You may not always be able to find an email address, but when you can – always send a job application by email .

Make your subject line appealing

As you can see in the picture above, a bad subject line can kill your chances of actually having your email read in the first place.

Your subject line should stand out and give the recruiter a reason to open your email.

When recruiters look into their inbox, they are looking for one thing; a candidate who can do the job they are advertising – so give that to them in your subject line.

Your subject line should be a short summary of your experience that relates directly to the job you are applying for.

The following are good subject line examples;

KS2 Teacher with 5 years experience

Front End Web developer with HTML, HTML & JavaScript experience

Junior Graphic designer with 1st BA Hons Graphic Design

If your subject line shows that you have one or two of the most important requirements for the job, your email should get opened every time.

Address the recruiter by name

To get the relationship off on the right foot, you should try to address the recruiter by name if you can.

Often the recruiter’s details will appear on the job advert but sometimes you may have to check out the company website or do some digging around on LinkedIn.

If you really can’t find the name, then it’s not the end of the world – just start with a simple friendly opening like “ Hi ”

(If you applying to a more traditional organisation such as an academic post for a university, you may want to use something a bit more formal like “ Dear sir or madam ”)

Use a friendly yet professional tone

It’s important to sound professional when writing a cover letter but you also need to demonstrate your ability to communicate with other people and show some personality.

If your email is too casual and written in an over-familiar tone, then you will come across us un-professional.

But on the other hand, if your email is too formal and shows no signs of rapport building, you risk appearing as somebody who lacks social skills.

So when writing your cover letter, try to strike a nice balance of professionalism and friendliness.

Opening with a line such as “ hope you’re well ” is a nice way to breathe a bit of personality into your cover letter.

Ensure that your spelling and grammar is perfect throughout your cover letter because sloppy mistakes are a huge red flag for recruiters.

Quick tip:  If you struggle with spelling and grammar, try our quick-and-easy CV Builder

Keep it brief

Unless the job advert specifies otherwise; keep your cover letter short and sweet.

Recruiters and employers receive hundreds of job applications per week, so they don’t want to read a 2 page cover letter.

Depending on the role, around 2-4 sentences should be enough for the content of the cover letter.

You just need to write enough to persuade them to open your CV – It should roughly contain the same amount of information as your CV profile or personal statement.

Show how your skills match the job

To ensure that recruiters open your CV, you simply need to explain how your skills and experience match the job requirements from the advert.

Scan the job advert to discover what the most important candidate abilities are, and show how your previous experience has prepared you to cover these.

In particular, look out for any requirements that are essential to the job .

Focus on what you have to offer at this stage and not what you want.

At this stage, your covering letter is simply a means of getting the recruiter to open your CV, so it’s too early to talk about salary demands etc. Save that for your initial conversation with the recruiter.

Include a professional signature

End your cover letter with a friendly salutation such as “Regards” and a smart signature which includes your name and most direct contact method (usually mobile phone for most people)

A professional email signature will show recruiters that you understand business-email etiquette and ensure they have a means of contacting you – even if they can’t open your CV for any reason.

Writing a CV cover letter

Hopefully this guide has given you everything you need to create a winning cover letter that will ensure you CV gets opened every time you send it.

Just remember to keep it brief, be friendly, tailor it towards your target role, and give recruiters some good reasons to be interested in you.

Good luck with the job hunt!

• English (UK)
• Cover Letter

How to Format a Cover Letter: Examples & Tips for 2024

A proper cover letter format can score you a few points. Read on, and learn how to format your cover letter so it won't go unnoticed.

Imagine you’re a recruiter, and you’ve got a pile of 300 cover letters to sift through. Which ones would you choose? The ones with tiny font, typos, or with sloppy structure, or the ones that invite you to read and are easy to scan? Take a few minutes and learn how to format your cover letter, so you won't get ignored. 

This guide will show you :

• Cover letter format examples that will land you the interview.
• How to format a cover letter, so it won't go unnoticed. 
• Avoid rookie cover letter formatting mistakes.
• What is the best cover letter structure for different types of jobs. 

Save hours of work and get a cover letter like this. Pick a template, fill it in. Quick and easy. Choose from 20+ cover letter templates and download your cover letter now.

Create your cover letter now

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I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your cover letter.” Patrick I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work! Dylan  My previous cover letter was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful! George

Cover Letter Format Example

Sonia F. Quattlebaum

Senior Android Developer

1641 McDonald Avenue

Apopka, FL 32703

407-889-0490 [email protected]

linkedin.com/in/sonia.quattlebaum/

github.com/soniaquattlebaum

Mark M. Elliot

IT Hiring Manager

Skyscraper Avenue

Tampa, FL, 33606

Dear Mr. Elliot,

Cindy Murphy suggested that I apply—she knows how I discovered a vulnerability in the municipal parking app in Rocherster MN that could have given hackers access to all information on the citizens’ phones, and stepped up to fix it.

I see you’re looking for an Android developer with experience in leading cross-departmental efforts to create highly secure financial apps. At Goldcoin Bank, I:

• Oversaw the development of a mobile banking app that was ranked #1 in the Most Secure Bank Apps ranking.
• Collaborated with UX/UI designers and UX writers to provide the best customer experience, as proven by the 4.5-star rating of Bigcoin’s app.
• Ensured that the app was ready for release 2 months before schedule.

When Bigbank introduced a new-generation fraud alert system in its mobile banking app, I could not help but admire the hard work and dedication of its developers—and I was not surprised when it won the Banking App of the Year award. It would be an honor to join your team and make Bigbank Mobile even more reliable and secure in the face of ever-changing cyberthreats.

Can we schedule a meeting next week to discuss how I could contribute to the upcoming versions of Bigbank Mobile?

Sonia Quattlebaum

PS. I can’t wait to tell you how I helped a well-known online store prevent a massive cyber attack that put the bank accounts of 50,000 clients who used its mobile app in immediate danger.

This cover letter follows all the best practices for cover letter structure and format. Let’s go through all the steps you need to have a cover letter like that.

We analyzed data from over 500,000 documents created in our product and discovered that*:

- Cascade, Cubic, Primo, and Classic are the most frequently chose cover letter templates by our users. - About 39.81% of our users report having 10+ years of experience, and only 2.63% have no job experience at all. - On average, users craft 2.36 documents when utilizing our resume and cover letter builder.    * The data comes from the last 12 months (August 2023-August 2024)

1. How to Format a Cover Letter Like a Pro

The best practices of formatting a cover letter are always the same, no matter if you’re writing your first cover letter with no experience or applying for an executive job. To make sure your cover letter format is as effective as possible, follow these steps:

• Adjust the page layout and the font settings so that your cover letter looks professional
• Start your cover letter with a header
• Use the proper greeting
• Open with an attention-grabbing paragraph
• In a separate paragraph, list specific achievements that prove you’re the best person for this job
• Add another paragraph where you “confess” your passion for the company
• End your cover letter with a call to action
• Sign off according to business etiquette rules
• Add a P. S. if necessary

This cover letter format works wonders for entry-level candidates and seasoned pros alike, so it’s worth mastering no matter where you are in your career. Now we’ll look at each step in more detail.

2. Set Up Your Cover Letter Format: Page Layout and Fonts

If you use a cover letter template , this part of cover letter formatting will take care of itself. But if you prefer to start with a blank page, here’s how to format a cover letter:

• Set the page margins to 1” on all sides
• Pick a classic typeface that matches your professional resume font , such as Arial, Helvetica, Calibri, Times New Roman, or Verdana
• You can also try fonts like Lato, which looks professional but friendly, or Garamond, a classic font that looks good when applying for academic jobs
• When in doubt, stick with the default font in your word processor
• Avoid fonts that look handwritten or otherwise unusual, even if you’re applying for a creative job
• Set the line spacing to 1 or 1.15
• Set the font size to 11 or 12 pt
• Make sure you add a blank line between paragraphs
• Align the paragraphs to the left—justifying looks good in newspapers, not in business letters

Expert Hint: Save your cover letter as a PDF file so that it looks the same on all devices. A Word file that looks great on your computer can look like a trainwreck when opened on someone else’s device.

3. Format Your Cover Letter Header

Every business letter needs a header, and cover letters aren’t an exception. The header goes into the top left corner of the page and contains contact information—both yours and the recruiters. Addressing a cover letter is pretty straightforward in most cases. Here’s a cover letter header template that you can copy and paste straight away:

Cover Letter Heading Format — Basic Template

Your Job Title

Street, City, State

Phone Number

LinkedIn Profile

Hiring Manager’s Name

Hiring Manager’s Job Title

Company Name

If it makes sense to include other professional online profiles like GitHub, feel free to do so. Just avoid mentioning any personal profiles , especially if they contain potentially awkward photos or posts. Oh, and remember to use your “best” email address for your job application. It’s hard to take a candidate seriously if their email address is [email protected].

This cover letter header is an indispensable part of a business cover letter format if you send your cover letter as a PDF or print it out. If you choose to send your cover letter in the body of an email , omit the header and go straight to the opening.

Expert Hint: Do your best to find out the hiring manager’s name. Sometimes it’s mentioned in the job ad. But if it’s not, do some research on LinkedIn, browse the company’s website, or do a quick Google search.

4. Craft a Successful Cover Letter Opening

The cover letter header was easy. Now comes the hard part… but we’ll make it easy, too. First, you need to greet the reader. If you know the hiring manager’s name, choose between these three salutations:

Cover Letter Format—Salutation

Dear Mr. Jones / Dear Ms. Jones,

Dear Alex Jones,

Pick the first variant ( Dear Mr. / Ms. Lastname ) if you’re formatting a cover letter for a federal job or any other position with a formal work environment. Most business cover letters for corporate positions fall under this category, too. If you can’t tell the hiring manager’s gender by their first name, opt for Dear First-name Last-name to avoid awkward misunderstandings.

Last but not least: you can also address the hiring manager by their first name only, but only if you know that your prospective employer has a relaxed company culture.

But… what if you couldn’t find the hiring manager name, even though you tried? In this case, it’s acceptable to write Dear Hiring Manager . It’s not as personal as greeting someone by their name, but it’s still better than these opening formulas:

To Whom It May Concern,

Dear Sir or Madam,

Good morning,

The first two greetings are way too impersonal and outdated. Hi there is too informal, and starting a letter with Good morning is not the best idea—you never know if your letter will actually be read in the morning.

5. Write a Compelling First Paragraph

This part is important when it comes to the cover letter formatting. You’ve attracted the reader’s attention by mentioning their name. Now you want them to continue reading. So… how do you start a cover letter without turning the reader off immediately? Your best bet is to mention a big professional achievement and suggest that you could do the same for your new employer.

Cover Letter Format Example—Opening

Well, that’s nice if you do have a big achievement to brag about. But what if you’re just starting out in your career? You can opt for these attention-grabbing strategies:

• Drop a name
• Congratulate the company on an award or some other achievement
• Mention a fact you love about the company

But whatever strategy you pick, be specific and straightforward. Don’t write things like this:

This intro contains zero proof that the candidate is either an excellent customer service professional or at least passionate about this specific company.

6. Let Your Cover Letter Format Prove That You’re the Best Candidate

Done with the intro? Make a new paragraph (remember to leave a blank line between paragraphs!) and show why you’re the best person to solve the company’s specific challenges.

How do you approach this paragraph? First, re-read the job ad and research the company’s website. Are they hiring people for a new project? Are they looking for a pro who can help the company navigate a specific challenge? Once you’ve found the answer, make it clear that you understand the company’s unique needs .

After that, list a few relevant achievements that clearly show you’re the superhero the company needs. By “relevant” we mean “closely related to the skills and requirements listed in the job ad”. You can list these achievements in plain text, but bullet points are easier to read. Here’s an example:

Cover Letter Formatting Example —Paragraph

I see you’re looking for an Android developer with experience in leading cross-departmental efforts to create highly secure financial apps. At Bigcoin Bank, I:

• Oversaw the development of a mobile banking app that was ranked #1 in the Most Secure Bank Apps ranking
• Collaborated with UX/UI designers and UX writers to provide the best customer experience, as proven by the 4.5-star rating of Bigcoin’s app
• Ensured that the app was ready for release 2 months before schedule

Note how the candidate uses numbers to describe their achievements. This makes their expertise more believable. Let’s look at another example and compare the two:

This example is full of meaningless achievements and unproven claims. Also, why was the software dev responsible for the aquarium? But anyway, no one cares.

Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.

CREATE YOUR COVER LETTER NOW

Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here .

Nail it all with a splash of color, choose a clean font, and highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You're the perfect candidate, and we'll prove it. Use our resume builder now .

7. Make it Clear that it’s Your Dream Job

Time for another paragraph in your letter of application ! Now that you’ve explained why you’re the best person for this job, it’s time to show why this job is the best opportunity for you.

Why is it so important to write about it? Well, if you don’t really want to work for this specific company, why should hiring managers bother to invite you? So go ahead.

Compliment the company on a recent achievement, praise its values (and explain how they resonate with your values), show your excitement about its upcoming projects. Don’t be afraid to confess your passion.

Cover Letter Formatting Example—Paragraph

Make it very clear that you’ve tailored this paragraph to a specific company. If you write a bunch of generic clichés , the hiring manager will assume you’ve copied and pasted this paragraph from somewhere else.

This candidate might think they’re a great fit, but no recruiter would agree with them.

8. Add a Confident Call to Action

Your cover letter isn’t a school essay. You write it with a specific goal in mind: namely, you want the recruiter to take action and call you back. So make a new paragraph and ask the reader to take action—this is an important and often overlooked element of cover letter structure. This is what a cover letter call to action can look like:

How to Format a Cover Letter—Call to Action

This call to action is confident and professional. See how this candidate makes a specific offer? They haven’t been hired yet, but they’ve already got some ideas on improving the company’s business results.

Look, no one cares. If you can’t explain how you’re going to contribute to the company’s success, you’re not getting hired. Period.

9. Follow Best Practices in Cover Letter Formatting When Signing Off

It’s time to end your cover letter . Write “Sincerely” (or some other classic business letter closing) and type your name. It’s also a good idea to repeat your contact information under your signature. If the recruiter wants to contact you straight away, they won’t have to waste their time looking for your phone number or email address.

You can also add a P. S. at the very end of your cover letter. For example, you can promise to tell a story about a hard-to-believe achievement. The hiring manager might call you back just to hear the story!

Expert Hint: Before you submit your cover letter, check how long it is. The best length for a cover letter is under one page, so aim for 200–350 words.

10. Cover Letter Format Isn’t Everything: Don’t Forget Your Resume!

Your cover letter is just a part of your job application. Check out our full guide on how to write a resume or our best resume writing tips to make sure your resume is up to par—otherwise, you won’t get your coveted job! 

With ResumeLab’s resume builder you’ll write your resume in a flash. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Improve your resume in our resume builder now .

CREATE YOUR RESUME NOW

Nail it all with a splash of color, choose a clean font, highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You’re the perfect candidate and we’ll prove it. Just pick one of 21 resume templates and get started now .

Now you know how to format a cover letter like a pro! The best professional cover letter format consists of the following elements:

• Cover letter header
• Business greeting
• Attention-grabbing first paragraph
• Proof why your expertise makes you perfect for the job
• Proof that you’re passionate about the company
• Call to action

It’s also important to stick to basic formatting rules:

• One-inch margins
• Classic business font
• Line spacing between 1 and 1.15
• Extra lines between paragraphs

Questions? Concerns? Not sure about anything to do with cover letter formats? Let me know in the comments, and I’ll get back to you!

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Cover Letter Format: Frequently Asked Questions

How to format a cover letter in 2024.

For a professional format, use a cover letter generator that will take care of the structure. Then, do the following:

• Create a header with contact info
• Begin with a personal greeting
• Mention a big professional achievement to grab the reader's attention
• Give specific proof why you're qualified for the job
• Show your passion for this particular company
• Ask the hiring manager to schedule a call or meeting
• Add a P. S. (optional)

For more information and tips, follow our in-depth guide to writing a cover letter .

How should you format your cover letter when sending it by email?

• You can send your cover letter as a separate attachment or right in the body of your email
• Write a clear subject line that won’t get lost in the recruiter’s inbox
• When sending your cover letter in the body of your email, avoid fancy formatting
• If you send your cover letter as an attachment, give it an easy-to-read filename
• Save your cover letter as a PDF file before attaching it—find out more about the best file format for job applications in our special guide.
• Check our in-depth guide to emailing cover letters

How do I write a good cover letter?

• Keep it relevant to the specific job opening
• Don’t rehash your resume
• Show that you’ve researched the company’s values and challenges
• Follow business formatting rules
• Keep it short
• Use a cover letter builder to make your cover letter look professional

What should a cover letter layout look like?

Cover letter layout is just like the layout of any business letter:

• One-inch margins on all sides
• Left-aligned paragraphs
• Header with contact info in the top left corner
• Font size 11 or 12 pt
• Extra spaces between paragraphs

Check out cover letter templates to see what a professional cover letter layout looks like.

What font is best for cover letters?

There’s no single best font for cover letters. Your cover letter should be easy to read, so opt for a classic business font like Arial, Times New Roman, Helvetica, Trebuchet MS or Calibri. Use the same font in your resume for a consistent look—consider using a matching resume builder and cover letter builder for best results.

Olga is a career expert with a background in teaching. At ResumeLab, she writes actionable guides to help job-seekers highlight their unique strengths and unlock their career potential.

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Engineering 8

Education 41, transportation 10, administrative 18, accounting & finance 23, real estate 5, human resource 6, business & management 22, information technology (it) 33, marketing 18, hospitality & catering 19, maintenance & repair 12, production 1, beauty & wellness 6, security & protective services 8, transport & logistics 5, sport & fitness 5, government 2, try our professional resume builder now, cover letter example to copy & paste.

A general cover letter example can serve as a great starting point for your application. If you’re feeling stuck, check out this copyable cover letter sample that you can copy and paste to modify for your own experience. You can also change the cover letter template at any time.

Dear Mr. North,

My experience of managing teams through change has taught me that if you put people first, everything else will fall into place. I led a team through a turbulent 18 months of downsizing at Labsworth, while a blistering period of growth at Pine Inc. provided an entirely different experience. No matter what the trajectory of the company is, there are lessons to be learned. Upon the completion of my MBA last year, I understood that I wanted to pursue a management role with an international dimension. I have never used my native Spanish in a business context and feel that your expansion into South America will allow me to employ my change management skills in a cultural setting that is familiar to me. In a start-up, it is important to employ people with both operational and commercial expertise. I have negotiated contracts worth $9.5m, improved delivery efficiencies by 12%, redesigned warehouse packing flows, overseen staff disputes, and driven profitability to industry-leading levels. In my last year at Pine, I spearheaded three initiatives to improve the net profit from 5.2% to 6.1%. Profits improve when everything is considered. I believe in letting my teams dictate the direction of their development. I have experience working with HR to design training modules, something that is particularly useful in a start-up. I enjoy the creativity and challenge of working out how to get the most out of a diverse set of professionals. 60% of my former team have enjoyed promotions over the past five years.

I cannot wait to find out more about your international expansion plans and hope that I am well-placed to assist.

Lara Fernandez

Our best sample cover letters

Check out our most popular cover letter samples below.

Internship cover letter example 

Use this Internship cover letter example to finish your application and get hired fast – no frustration, no guesswork. This cover letter example is specifically designed for Internship positions in 2024. Take advantage of our sample sentences + expert guides to download the perfect cover letter in just minutes.

Accounting cover letter example 

Use this Accounting cover letter example to finish your application and get hired fast – no frustration, no guesswork. This cover letter example is specifically designed for Accounting positions in 2024. Take advantage of our sample sentences + expert guides to download the perfect cover letter in just minutes.

Graduate cover letter example

You’re a newly minted college graduate. After years of hard work, you have your diploma in hand and are ready to leap into the workforce. Congratulations! It’s time to get your job applications in order, but it can be a daunting task. Relax! Our graduate cover letter example and writing guide will make it easier to apply for your 2024 dream job.

Administrative assistant cover letter example

A great administrative assistant cover letter is your key to making a personal connection with the employer and landing a new job. This guide and complete cover letter example will walk you through the steps needed for success.

Teacher cover letter example

You know how to introduce yourself on parent-teacher nights, but how best to introduce yourself to the principal when you want a new job? The guide below will show you how to write an A+ teacher cover letter that makes the grade.

Nursing cover letter example

If you're empathetic, practical, and caring, the world of nursing is calling your name. Here's how to write a nurse cover letter that will turn the hiring manager's head.

Software engineer cover letter example

Use this Software Engineer cover letter example to finish your application and get hired fast – no frustration, no guesswork. This cover letter example is specifically designed for Software Engineer positions in 2024. Take advantage of our sample sentences + expert guides to download the perfect cover letter in just minutes.

Perfect cover letter structure

The perfect cover letter should have a clear and organized structure to make sure it highlights why you’re the right candidate for the job. Here’s what you should include to impress employers and increase your chances of landing the interview:

• Header: The cover letter header is the space at the top, or sometimes the side, of your cover letter that contains your name, contact information, and any relevant links. The header serves a vital role in identifying your cover letter and helping to create an attractive presentation.
• Greeting: The greeting of the cover letter is the way you address the person who will be reading it. We recommend using the hiring manager’s name whenever possible to establish a friendly, yet professional tone.
• Introduction: The introduction consists of the opening lines of your cover letter that serve to grab the hiring manager’s attention and encourage them to read the rest of your cover letter. The introduction should also include the company name and the role for which you are applying.
• Body (middle part): The body paragraphs are the middle part of your cover letter that give you the space and flexibility to discuss your accomplishments and key qualifications for the role.
• Conclusion & sign off: The conclusion is the final sentence of the cover letter that generally includes a call to action. This sentence expresses your enthusiasm for the job and politely encourages the hiring manager to schedule an interview.

You can also view our full guide on how to write a cover letter.

What makes a good cover letter example

A good cover letter example contains a combination of factors that work together to present you as the best possible candidate for the role. Remember that a cover letter sample is a starting point and should always be customized for your specific experience and the job you are applying to. In general, here are a few things to pay attention to that will make your cover letter stand out from the rest:

• The right template : An attractive cover letter is more likely to be noticed by employers. The best cover letter template is one that combines your own professional personality with the brand and image of the company you’re applying to. Our adaptable cover letter sample can serve as a reference when creating your header.
• Proper formatting : The right formatting makes your cover letter easier to read, and in turn, keeps the hiring manager interested for longer. Here are a few do’s and don’ts for great cover letter formatting .
• Keep a balance of white space to text
• Use paragraph breaks and proper punctuation
• Create an attractive header at the top of the page
• Adjust the margins to cram in more text
• Go overboard with flashy colors unless appropriate in your industry
• Forget to proofread for spelling and grammar mistakes
• A customized greeting : Your cover letter greeting should use the hiring manager’s name whenever possible. If you can’t find the name of a specific person, make sure to customize the greeting for the company or team.
• A professional email address : Your email address should be a combination of your first and last name (with numbers if you have a common name). Unprofessional email addresses are a big mistake.
• Clear structure : Even though a cover letter is one of the more freeform parts of your application, it should still appear organized. Use the sections of our cover letter example above as a model for your own.
• Detailed examples : The writing of your cover letter should give concrete examples of your skills, qualifications, and accomplishments. Make sure to use numbers and statistics whenever possible.

Cover letter examples FAQs

What to write in a cover letter.

Your cover letter is an opportunity to expand on the skills and experiences described in your resume. Instead of simply repeating what’s written there, make sure to add new details and examples that are relevant for the role and will encourage the hiring manager to contact you for an interview. 

How do you start a cover letter?

There are plenty of ways to start a cover letter , including with an anecdote, a statement about your skills or passion, or your connection to the company. Check out our adaptable cover letter samples for more ideas to get you started writing your own cover letter.

What are 3 things you should include in a cover letter?

Three things that should always be included in a cover letter are:

• Your name and contact information
• The hiring manager’s name
• The name of the company and the role you for which you’re applying

How long should a cover letter be?

Ideally, a cover letter's length should be between 250-400 words. A shorter cover letter may not be able to capture your skills, while a longer one may become tiresome to read. A cover letter should always fit on one page. See our adaptable cover letter examples for details.

What are common cover letter phrases?

Every cover letter should be unique but a few phrases you may find useful are:

• I am excited to apply to the role of (Job Title) at (Company Name).
• I am looking forward to the possibility of an interview.
• Feel free to contact me by phone or email at (Your Phone Number) or (Email Address).
• Sincerely, (Your Name)

What words should not be used in a cover letter?

We recommend avoiding “ To Whom It May Concern ” as it sounds impersonal and outdated. You should also avoid any language that sounds cold, arrogant, or entitled. Our cover letter samples can serve as an example of the right tone to use.

What does an employer look for in a cover letter?

Employers use cover letters to gauge whether you’re truly interested in the position and if you’ve understood the requirements. Make sure to consult the job description before writing your cover letter.

What is a simple example of a cover letter?

If you’re looking for a simple example of a cover letter, you’ve come to the right place! Here are some of our favorite simple cover letter samples:

Student cover letter example

Use this Student cover letter example to finish your application and get hired fast – no frustration, no guesswork. This cover letter example is specifically designed for Student positions in 2024. Take advantage of our sample sentences + expert guides to download the perfect cover letter in just minutes.

Driver cover letter example

A driver cover letter goes far deeper than the mechanics of the job. Share the personality that makes you great at what you do.

Customer service representative cover letter example

Use this Customer Service Representative cover letter example to finish your application and get hired fast – no frustration, no guesswork. This cover letter example is specifically designed for Customer Service Representative positions in 2024. Take advantage of our sample sentences + expert guides to download the perfect cover letter in just minutes.

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Types of cover letters: a complete guide

A cover letter introduces you to potential employers, highlighting your suitability for the role. Getting it right can make a strong first impression, differentiate you from other candidates, and increase your chances of securing an interview.

Taralika crafts compelling narratives that illuminate modern hiring practices and HR technology trends.

A cover letter accompanies a candidate’s resume when applying for a job. It is a personal introduction to the hiring manager, highlighting relevant skills, experiences, and reasons for applying.

Unlike a resume, which provides a structured overview of the career history, a cover letter offers a narrative that can showcase a candidate’s personality and passion for the role. 

74% of recruitment decision-makers prefer to receive job applications that include cover letters apart from CVs. According to their findings, good cover letter examples are highly valued by employers, with many considering them crucial for explaining career objectives, motivations, and employment gaps.

Even if a cover letter is optional, over 75% of recruiters tend to give preference to candidates who attach a cover letter in the correct format along with their resume.

Types of cover letters

Before writing a cover letter, it is vital to go through the various types of cover letters accepted by different organizations, each catering to a different role or purpose: – 

• Application cover letter

The application cover letter responds to a specific job posting. It should be a basic cover letter tailored to the job description, highlighting how the candidate’s qualifications match the requirements. Using this letter can expand on the achievements listed in the resume and explain the person’s motivation for applying. 

• Prospecting cover letter

Also known as a cold-contact letter, a prospecting cover letter is used when you want to inquire about potential job openings at a company. This type of letter demonstrates a proactive approach and interest in the organization, even if there are no current vacancies. 

• Networking cover letter 

A networking cover letter is sent to contacts within the professional network to ask for job search advice or referrals. It’s a great way to leverage connections and uncover hidden job opportunities. The letter should mention the mutual contact and explain the candidate’s job search goals.

• Career change cover letter

If an individual is transitioning into a new career, a career change cover letter is perfect for them! It is a short cover letter highlighting examples from experiences in the current role and how they make a suitable candidate for the new role. This letter should also explain the reasons for the career shift and highlight any transferable skills.

• Referral cover letter

When someone within an organization refers a colleague for a position, it is generally in the form of a referral cover letter. Mentioning the referrer in your letter can immediately capture the hiring manager’s attention and add credibility to your application. 

• No experience cover letter 

A no experience cover letter is for those who lack direct work experience in the job they are applying for. An ideal no experience cover letter will contain examples emphasizing the candidate’s enthusiasm, willingness to learn, and any relevant skills or coursework that can compensate for the lack of professional experience.

Cover letter examples 

Checking out a few good cover letter examples is a great way to get a head start towards crafting the perfect cover letter. 

Also read: Top 3 Cover Letter Template Samples .

The cover letter examples for a job provide a clear understanding of how to format and phrase cover letters for different scenarios.

Tips for writing a good cover letter

According to the Business and Professional Communication Quarterly , 56% of employers prefer cover letters with job applications. Here are some useful tips on how to type a cover letter that will help you stand out amongst others:

Customize each letter

Statutory warning – generic cover letters are easily spotted and often disregarded! Tailor the cover letter to the specific job and company. While it may be cool to generate cover letter formats through an AI tool, it is crucial to personalize and write the main content of the cover letter. 

Use a professional format

Follow a standard cover letter format with your contact information, the employer’s contact details, a salutation, body paragraphs, and a closing. 

Be concise and focused

Keep your letter to one page and avoid unnecessary details. Stick to relevant points that highlight your suitability for the job. Workable has a list of short cover letter examples that you can check out here . 

Showcase your achievements

Unlike a resume, a cover letter has examples from a person’s real life, showcasing key abilities and accomplishments and how they’re suitable for the job. 

Also read : Rise above the crowds: how to stand out in a crowded market

Include a strong introduction

Your cover letter introduction should grab the reader’s attention and make them want to learn more about you. 

Proofread thoroughly

Ensure no grammatical or spelling errors. A clean error-free letter shows your attention to detail and professionalism.

A well-written cover letter can significantly boost a candidate’s chances of landing a job interview. 

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Blog Cover Letter Help Best Cover Letters of 2024

The 11 Best Cover Letters of 2024

Whether you’re seeking inspiration for your own job application or simply curious about the latest trends in cover letter writing, take a look at our roundup of the best cover letters of 2024.

As featured in *

1. The professional cover letter

2. the funny cover letter, 3. the most-improved cover letter, 4. the fun-loving cover letter, 5. the short and sweet cover letter, 6. the unique cover letter, 7. the video cover letter, 8. the young applicant, 9. the creative cover letter, 10. the career change cover letter, 11. the enthusiastic cover letter, 12. the well-researched cover letter, the best cover letter template, how to write the best cover letter, the best cover letter format.

Below are eleven of the best cover letters our team has seen so far this year.

While these cover letters might not work in every situation, they all have standout features that are easily adapted to any cover letter.

Our free-to-use cover letter builder can make you a cover letter in as little as 5 minutes. Just pick the template you want, and our software will format everything for you.

In this great cover letter example , the applicant landed an IT project management job by proving they had the required project management skills and experience while providing highlights from their career:

Why this is a good cover letter example

The writer of this cover letter doesn’t add much flair, but they do an excellent job packing in all the relevant information that employers are looking for, like their most impressive achievements and skills.

When writing a cover letter for more formal industries, it’s best to maintain a professional tone throughout your letter, like in the example above.

The applicant knows how to address a cover letter properly, referring to the hiring manager by name rather than using the generic “ To Whom It May Concern .”

Then, the candidate introduces some of their basic qualifications and establishes a personal connection to the organization. Doing so shows the hiring manager that the candidate did their research and cares about the needs of the company.

Following a great introduction, the candidate includes a list of job-relevant accomplishments . This list makes the candidate look perfect for the specific role they’re applying to fill.

This clever cover letter from former ESPN anchor Kenny Mayne is one of the best examples of how to land a job with a joke:

Submitting a cover letter like this one is a bold move and wouldn’t work in most situations. But sometimes a little (or in this case, a lot) of confidence can go a long way.

Kenny’s clever take on the traditional cover letter caught the attention of ESPN executive John Walsh, and landed Mayne his dream job in sports media.

We don’t recommend you send a cover letter like this to employers, but it’s an excellent example of how, in the right circumstances and with enough confidence, a cleverly written cover letter can get you hired.

Below is an improved version of a  wordy cover letter . The applicant discovered it in their email outbox years after submitting it and sent it to experts to rewrite it as an experiment.

The result? Their cover letter now does a great job of selling their passion for the job, despite a lack of experience:

The candidate’s original cover letter was difficult to read because of its length and unimpressive content that didn’t highlight their qualifications. It simply repeated bullets from their resume’s work experience section and didn’t show their interest in the position.

The redone version, on the other hand, has concise paragraphs and an impactful opening line, making it much easier to read. And it highlights the candidate’s passion for the specific position they’re applying to fill.

Ultimately, this updated cover letter is much more likely to hook the hiring manager and help the candidate score an interview.

This social media cover letter is an ideal example of how to balance professionalism with humor:

The candidate starts their cover letter by expressing their enthusiasm and summarizing their main qualifications, all in a fun, informal tone.

Additionally, they manage to balance their humor with substantial information about their professional achievements. This way, the hiring manager stays engaged and comes away with a good idea of the candidate’s skills and experience.

However, this approach isn’t for everyone. Adding some humor to your cover letter is a great idea if you’re applying in more casual fields like social media management. But you should avoid informal language when applying for positions in formal industries like law or accounting, because employers in these industries expect a traditional cover letter.

This cover letter uses a simple, to-the-point approach:

This short cover letter doesn’t waste any time explaining why the candidate is a good fit for the nursing position they’re trying to land. In a few concise paragraphs, the candidate states their interest in the position and confidently summarizes their professional achievements.

While cutting down on the details doesn’t work for every application, in this case the applicant knows exactly what the employer is looking for. The candidate then addresses that need directly, saving the hiring manager the work of finding the information they want in a long cover letter.

In busy fields like nursing, a direct cover letter is often appreciated.

This sales cover letter is one of the best examples we’ve seen of how to mix creativity with professionalism:

In an industry as competitive as sales, you need your application to be convincing and memorable. This candidate takes that lesson to heart.

Starting with an unusual cover letter introduction helps this job seeker immediately set themselves apart from their competitors. Then, they move into a convincing sales pitch about their relevant skills and qualifications.

Also, they present their most impressive accomplishments in an easy-to-read, eye-catching cover letter format by using:

• a numbered list
• bolded paragraph headers
• italic text to emphasize the names of their past companies

By putting a unique twist on the cover letter and backing it up with a summary of their professional background, this candidate crafts a sales cover letter that’s both memorable and convincing.

If you want a cover letter introduction that’s a bit more traditional but equally impactful, immediately establish how you can help the company reach its goals or address a specific issue it’s facing.

Here’s a perfect example of a video cover letter:

This applicant’s video cover letter works because they:

• show examples of their work
• clearly structure it with an introduction, 3 reasons they should be hired, and a compelling conclusion that summarizes their target work environment
• include links to their contact information and portfolio

But when you submit a video cover letter — whether the job ad requests it or to stand out from other applicants — always send a traditional cover letter as well. Sending a written cover letter prevents hiring managers who prefer to read about your qualifications from ignoring your application.

You can also make a  video resume to go along with your video cover letter. But again, write your resume out and submit that version too.

This adorable cover letter probably didn’t land the applicant a job, but we have to give them credit for trying:

What this young candidate lacks in experience (or legal working age), they make up for in enthusiasm.

And they even provide real-life examples of why they think they’re qualified to manage the National Railway Museum. The best cover letters always have examples and hard numbers that prove the applicant can produce results.

A colorful, creative letter like this is sure to stand out from the pile of traditional black and white cover letters that hiring managers see every day:

Before you even start reading this digital marketing cover letter , you can tell the candidate has a creative flair.

For fields that require innovation and an eye for design, like marketing or fashion, a visually appealing cover letter immediately lets hiring managers know you possess key skills they’re looking for.

However, it’s important to strike a balance between creativity and professionalism – something that this cover letter achieves. It’s well-organized, concise, and highlights the candidate’s top accomplishments.

A great career change cover letter focuses on bridging the gap between a job seeker’s background and where they want to go in their career, something this cover letter does flawlessly.

The applicant highlights all the reasons why their background in fashion is a strength, not a weakness. This tells employers that they’ve thought carefully about how they can apply their skills in their new target industry.

But they don’t stop there. They also explain what concrete steps they have taken to upgrade their skill set and develop the industry-specific abilities they’ll need to succeed as a UI/UX designer.

Not only does this cover letter emphasize the reasons why this applicant is a great teacher, but it’s clear that they’re enthusiastic about the opportunity to work at a school that shares their educational philosophy.

Employers are always on the lookout for candidates with genuine passion for the job, because it means they’re more likely to stick around instead of using the position as a stepping stone.

Just keep in mind that enthusiasm alone usually isn’t enough. You’ll still have to include relevant highlights from your career and show that you have the skills necessary to succeed in the role.

Showing that you’ve done research on a company is the best way to demonstrate your interest in a job. The candidate who wrote this cover letter does exactly that:

From the very first sentence, this cover letter demonstrates that the candidate has invested time and effort into learning about the company’s mission and values.

They even mention specific initiatives the company has launched and explain why they resonate with them personally.

Even better, the applicant connects their own skills and experiences to the company’s goals and needs, showing that they’re not just a good marketer in general, but the right fit for this particular organization.

Here’s the best cover letter template you can use to write your own. Either download it as a free Word file or copy and paste the text version, and fill in the blanks (marked with brackets) with your information:

Best Cover Letter Template (Text Version)

(123) 456-7890  |  [email protected]  |  www.linkedin.com/in/your.name/[Today’s Date][Hiring Manager’s Name][123 Company Address][Company’s City, State, Zip Code][(xxx) xxx-xxxx][[email protected]] 

Dear [Mr./Ms./Mx.] [Hiring Manager’s Last Name],

I was excited to see your listing for the [Position Name] position at [Company Name] on [Website Name] recently. As a dynamic [Your Occupation] with [# Years] of professional experience doing [Primary Work Task] to drive results, I’m confident that I’d be an asset to your team.

Your job listing mentions a need for someone knowledgeable in [Area of Expertise], which is an area I have extensive experience in. I’m currently employed at [Current Company Name], where I’ve honed my skills doing [Relevant Tasks Performed]. While employed here and at other companies listed on my resume, I have successfully:

• [ Action verb ] [achievement #1, including hard numbers and examples for context]
• [Action verb] [achievement #2 with more data and examples]
• [Action verb] [achievement #3 with more data and examples]

I’m confident that my track record of excellent work ethic, unparalleled attention to detail, and knack for [Relevant Skill] will make me an immediate asset at [Company Name] and let me contribute to your success.

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

Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

Why this is the best cover letter template

This is a great cover letter template because it has:

• proper formatting that makes your application look professional
• bracketed writing prompts that tell you exactly what to write to impress hiring managers
• bullet points for readability
• a link to a matching resume template (also free to download) in the Word version

Prefer another color scheme or different design elements? Find a  cover letter template you like, paste our template into it, and customize it for your application.

There’s no single right way to write a great cover letter, because no two applicants or job ads are exactly the same. But here are some general guidelines to help you make the best cover letter for your target job:

• Start with a catchy first sentence that shows your passion for the work, a bit of research about the company, or some appropriate humor
• Include relevant hard numbers and examples that show you’re a perfect fit for the job
• Finish with a strong conclusion that thanks the hiring manager, requests an interview, and lists your contact information (again, for the reader’s convenience)

Using an AI cover letter generator can help you quickly create a winning cover letter that shows employers why you’re the right candidate for the job.

An excellent cover letter uses business letter formatting with:

• your name and contact information at the top
• the hiring manager’s name and company contact details
• a salutation addressing the hiring manager by name
• 3–4 paragraphs and a bulleted list
• a polite sign-off (like “Sincerely,”) and your name

Every structural detail of the best cover letters is also optimized, including:

• margins : adjusted between ½ and 1 inch to space information evenly on the page
• line spacing : set to between 1 and 1.5 spaces so your text isn’t too spread out or overly crammed together
• font : chosen for readability and professionalism (Calibri and Georgia are examples of the best fonts for resumes and cover letters)
• font size : set between 10 and 12 points for easy reading

Ida Pettersson

Career Coach and Resume Expert

Committed to empowering job seekers of all experience levels to take the next step in their careers, Ida helps professionals navigate the job hunt from start to finish. After graduating from New College of Florida with a B.A. in Philosophy and Chinese Language and Culture, Ida moved to Hong Kong to begin her own career journey and finally settled in Taiwan. Her insights on resume writing, interview strategies, and career development have been featured on websites such as LawCareers.net, Digital Marketer, and SheCanCode.

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Resume Types

• Your resume is a  summary of your education and experiences . It should be focused on what is relevant to your industry. Make sure to check our  Handy Dandy Formula  for building an effective resume.
• Chronological resumes  have educational and employment history organized by date. This resume works well for students who have related experiences within their field.
• Functional resumes  focus on skill sets gained through a variety of activities, such as educational course work, clubs and organizations, as well as internships and volunteer work. This resume format works best for students lacking relevant work experience or changing careers.
• Combination resumes are a combination of the chronological resume and functional resume. It focuses on skill sets, but also lists employment history. These types of resumes are most commonly used for someone who wants to  change their career path  entirely or have  limited experience .

Cover Letters

Cover Letters  introduce you and your resume to prospective employers. The content of a cover letter can be broken down into three basic parts:

• Introduction: Why are you contacting this person? How did you learn about the job? Who are you? What do you know about their organization (research)?
• Body: How can you benefit them? Tell how you are an ideal match for the job. Expand on relevant education, skills, and experience to offer additional details not found on your resume.
• Conclusion: Focus on the next step: the interview! Thank the reader for their time and consideration. Request an interview to further discuss your qualifications.

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Cover Letter Templates

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Choose a Matching Cover Letter Template

Looking to create a cover letter that will help you stand out from the crowd? Try one of our 16 professional cover letter templates, each created to match our resume and CV templates. Pick a cover letter template that suits your needs and impress the hiring manager with a flawless job application!

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Learn More About Cover Letters

How to Write a Cover Letter in 2024 + Examples

Cover Letter Format (w/ Examples & Free Templates)

60+ Cover Letter Examples in 2024 [For All Professions]

Free Cover Letter Sample to Copy and Use

Subject Line: Cover Letter for [Position], [Candidate Name]

[Company Address]

[Company City, State]

[Hiring Manager Email]

Introduction:

Introduce yourself, give a brief professional summary, and optionally, a top achievement. E.g. “My name is [Name] and I’m a [Role] with over X years of experience in [Activity]. Over the past years, I’ve helped X companies achieve [Goals]”

Express your interest in joining their firm. E.g. “I’m looking to join [Company] as [Role] and I’m very excited to help you with [Activity]”

Optionally, if you were referred or you just know someone at the firm, you can mention this here. E.g. “I learned about [Company] from a friend that’s currently working there as [Role], [Friend’s name]. I really like everything I’ve heard about the company and I think I would make a good fit.”

This is where you talk about your work experience and achievements at length. Mention how you excelled at your previous roles, what your most important responsibilities were, and so on.

Look at this as an opportunity to expand on whatever you wrote in your resume, and give the reader a better picture of what kind of tasks you worked on, what you accomplished, and so on. E.g “At my previous jobs as [Role], my duties were [Major 3 duties], and I specifically excelled at [Top accomplishment]. This accomplishment helped the company [Results driven].”

Want to really impress the hiring manager? You can mention what you know about the company and its culture here. E.g. “I’ve read a lot about [Company] and I really think I’d enjoy your democratic leadership style.”

Optionally, you can include a bulleted list of your top 3 accomplishments. For example:

[Example Box]

Some of my top achievements in recent years include:

Launching a successful online ads marketing campaign, driving 100+ leads within 2 months.

Overhauled a client’s advertising account, improving conversion rates and driving 15% higher revenue.

Improved the agency’s framework for ad account audits and created new standard operating procedures.

Conclusion & Call to Action:

Re-affirm your desire to join the company, as well as how you can contribute. E.g. “I’d love to become a part of [Company] as a [Role]. I believe that my skills in [Field] can help the company with [Goals].”

Thank the hiring manager for reading the cover letter and then wrap it all up with a call to action. E.g. “Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to hearing back from you and learning more about the position. Sincerely, [Name].”

Match Your Resume & Cover Letter

Want your application to stand out?

Match your cover letter with your resume & catch the recruiter’s attention!

Why Novorésumé?

Matching Cover Letters

To keep your job application consistent and professional, our Cover Letter templates perfectly match the resume templates.

Creative & Standard Templates

Whether you apply for a conservative industry like banking or a hype start-up, you can tailor our cover letter templates to fit your exact needs.

Expert Reviews

Oana Vintila

Career Counselor

Cover Letters are usually synonymous with formal and bland rambling that you write down hoping for an invite to a job interview. I just love it how Novorésumé has enhanced that and is offering you a tool to build proper arguments and structured discourse about who YOU ARE and what YOU CAN DO.

A real confidence booster, I tell you, seeing your motivation eloquently written!

Gabriela Tardea

Career Strategist, Coach & Trainer

The best thing about this platform when creating a Cover Letter as an addition to your resume is that the documents will match each other's design and font, creating eye-catching documents that recruiters/hiring managers will love.

You will be initially judged based on your papers, so why not make a first great impression?

Cover Letters Resources

What is a cover letter.

A cover letter is a one-page document that you submit alongside your resume or CV for your job application.

The main purpose of your cover letter is to:

Show your motivation for working at the company

Bring special attention to the most important parts of your work history

Explain how your work experience fits whatever the company is looking for

What your cover letter is NOT about , is rehashing whatever you already mentioned in your resume. Sure, you should mention the most important bits, but it should NOT be a literal copy-paste.

Keep in mind that recruiters will usually read your cover letter after scanning your resume and deciding if you’re qualified for the position.

Our cover letter templates match both our resume templates and our CV templates ! Make sure to check them out, too.

Why Use a Cover Letter Template?

A cover letter can complement your resume and increase your chances of getting hired.

But that's only if it's done right.

If your cover letter isn't the right length, is structured the wrong way, or doesn't match the style of your resume, it might do the opposite and hurt your application.

By using a cover letter template, you get a pre-formatted, professional, and recruiter-friendly document that’s ready to go. All YOU have to do is fill in the contents, and you’re all set.

What to Include in Your Cover Letter?

Every good cover letter has the following sections:

Header . Start your cover letter by writing down your own contact information, as well as the recruiter’s (recruiter name, company name, company address, etc…).

Greeting . Preferably, you want to address the recruiter by their last name (e.g. Dear Mr. Brown) or their full name, in case you’re not sure what their pronouns are (e.g. Dear Alex Brown). formal greeting for the recruiter.

Opening paragraph . This is the introduction to your resume. Here, you summarize your background info (“a financial analyst with X+ years of experience”), state your intent (“looking for X position at Company Y”), and summarize your top achievements to get the recruiter hooked.

Second paragraph . In the second paragraph, you explain how you’re qualified for the position by mentioning your skills, awards, certifications, etc., and why the recruiter should pick YOU.

Third paragraph . You talk about why you’re a good match for the company. Do you share common values? Is the company working on projects you’re interested in? Has this position always been your dream role?

Formal closing . Finally, you end the cover letter with a quick summary and a call to action (“I’m super excited to work with Company X. Looking forward to hearing from you!”).

How to Write a Great Cover Letter?

There’s a lot that goes into writing a great cover letter. If you want to get the full picture, you can check out our guide on how to write a cover letter .

For a quick summary, though, here are our top 4 cover letter tips :

Avoid Fluff . You want to be as specific as possible with your cover letter. Avoid vague statements like “I’m a good fit for the company because I’m a good critical thinker!”

Do Your Research. Most companies don’t like people who “spray and pray” - applying for dozens of jobs without giving them much thought. What they ARE looking for is someone who’s passionate about their field, the position, and even the company. So, research the companies you apply for as much as you can and show off your knowledge in your cover letter.

Don’t Use a One-Fits-All Cover Letter . As much as you can, try to tailor your cover letter to the job you’re applying for. Even if it’s something small, like addressing the hiring manager by their last name instead of “Dear Sir/Madam,” or mentioning something specific about the role or the company that you’re passionate about, it can help you prove that you’re not using the same generic cover letter to apply to dozens of jobs.

Back-Up Your Achievements with Data . When possible, back up your experience with data. Instead of saying, “I improved company revenue”, say “I managed to hit and exceed sales KPIs for 5 months in a row.”

How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?

Most recruiters agree that a cover letter should be brief and concise .

Optimally, that’s about half a page to one full page, and between 250 to 400 words long.

How Can I Write a Student Cover Letter?

You should write a student cover letter pretty much the same way you’d write a regular cover letter, with one key difference.

To make up for your lack of work experience, you should talk about the following:

Why do you want to work for the company and the position you’re applying for.

How your educational background has prepared you for the job.

How your skill set can help you stand out and excel at the job.

You also want to mention anything else that’s relevant to the job and that can prove your abilities, such as any internships, awards, honors, and the like.

In case you’re writing a cover letter for an internship , make sure to check out our guide.

How Can I Write a Cover Letter With No Experience?

If you’re an entry-level candidate, writing a cover letter might seem super scary. If you don’t have any work experience and professional accomplishments, what are you supposed to talk about in your cover letter?

Here’s some good news—you can focus on these topics instead:

Education highlights

Relevant skills

Independent projects

Volunteering experience

Extracurricular activities

Passion to learn and grow as a candidate

For a complete guide on how to write an entry-level cover letter , check out our guide.

How to Format a Cover Letter?

Here’s what you need to know on how to format a cover letter the right way:

Choose the right cover letter template for your industry . The better fit the cover letter, the less you’ll have to play with the layout and format.

Use colors sparingly . Don’t go overboard with creativity unless you work in an industry where that’s valued (marketing, advertising, design, and the like).

Select professional font styles and sizes.

Set the margins to 1 inch on each side to make sure there is enough white space and the document doesn’t look crowded with text.

Get Inspired with Our Cover Letter Examples

Cover letter templates faq, do i need a different cover letter for every job.

While you don’t need to write a different cover letter from scratch for every single job you apply for, it’s good to tailor your cover letter contents as much as you can to the company and position you’re applying for.

Hiring managers will always go for an applicant who’s interested in their specific position over a candidate that’s sending the same application to dozens of roles.

If you tailor your cover letter to the position, even if it’s something small like addressing the hiring manager by their name or explaining how you possess the right skills for the specific job, your chances of getting hired are going to be much better!

How to Make a Simple Cover Letter for Your Resume?

Simply pick one of our 16 effective cover letter templates above to get started.

We’d recommend matching your cover letter template to the resume template you picked.

Not only will it make your application package look more sophisticated and professional, but it will also make you more memorable for the recruiter who’ll go over your application.

Who Created These Cover Letter Templates?

Novoresume cover letter templates were created in cooperation with professional recruiters and hiring managers.

This means they’re up to date with the latest industry trends and job market requirements. With a Novoresume cover letter template, you can rest assured that your cover letter will look professional and modern at the same time.

When Should I Email My Cover Letter Instead of Using a Template?

As a rule of thumb, it’s always better to use a cover letter template instead of including it in the body of your email as plain text. By using a well-designed and effective cover letter template, you’re guaranteed to look like a more serious and professional candidate.

So, you should only email your cover letter if the job ad specifically asks you to.

Should I Use a PDF or Word Cover Letter Template?

We recommend going for a PDF cover letter template instead of Word.

All types of Operating Systems and devices can open PDF formats without ruining the formatting, design, or layout.

The same, however, cannot be said for Word templates. If, for example, you’ve used a 2021 Word cover letter template and the hiring manager opens it using an MS Word 2016 software version, there’s a chance your formatting will get messed up, or that your font will be unreadable.

To err on the side of caution, we always advise using a PDF cover letter template.

What is the Best Cover Letter Template in 2024?

There’s no such thing as the “best cover letter template.”

After all, every single recruiter has their own personal taste. Some might like a shiny and flashy cover letter template, while others might think it’s tacky. As a rule of thumb, though, we usually recommend customizing each cover letter for the company you’re sending it to.

Do I Really Need a Cover Letter in 2024?

Yes, you definitely need to submit a cover letter with your resume in 2024.

Even if the hiring manager never reads your cover letter or if the job description doesn’t specifically ask for one, a cover letter can still help strengthen your application and make you look like a more serious and proactive candidate.

As such, it’s always a good idea to include a cover letter with your resume.

How to Make a Cover Letter With Novoresume?

To make a cover letter with Novoresume, simply scroll up and pick a template that you like best. Then, register or log in to your Novoresume account. From there, you can add your cover letter contents, as well as personalize and edit them as you see fit.

The Novoresume builder is very intuitive and user-friendly, allowing you to create your cover letter lightning-fast.

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Why a Cover Letter is Important for Job Applications: A Comprehensive Guide

• Career Advice

• Posted On: 2024-09-19
• Posted By: Shacara

1. Introduces You to Employers

2. showcases your communication skills, 3. highlights your enthusiasm for the role, 4. explains how your skills fit the job, 5. gives you a chance to stand out, 6. allows you to address potential concerns, 7. demonstrates your knowledge of the company, 8. helps you build a stronger case for yourself, 9. customizable for each job application, 10. enhances your professionalism, get ahead of the competition.

Make your job applications stand-out from other candidates.

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