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Free Cover Letter Examples and Sample Cover Letters for All Jobs in 2024

Browse top cover letter examples by job, industry, format, and experience level. Every sample is created and approved by our team of Certified Professional Resume Writers (CPRW).

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Accounting & Finance Cover Letter Examples

Focus your accounting or finance cover letter on how you can expertly manage assets or raise the company’s bottom line. Name your top three or four achievements, and quantify them in terms of a clear percentage or dollar amount.

Most Popular Cover Letters in Accounting & Finance

All Cover Letter Examples in Accounting and Finance

Arts & Design Cover Letter Examples

Even in your creative field, the cover letter is a simple tool for professional communication and should be formatted that way. Feel free to use a template if it helps you keep your letter simple and focused.

Most Popular Cover Letters in Arts & Design

All Cover Letter Examples in Arts and Design

Business Cover Letter Examples

In today’s competitive business landscape, a cover letter introduces you to employers and can help you advance in your career. To stand out among many candidates, align your cover letter with each job posting.

Most Popular Cover Letters in Business

All Cover Letter Examples in Business

Career Changes and Life Situations Cover Letter Examples

When changing careers, focus your cover letter on your transferable skills and experiences. Only address an employment gap if it’s ongoing and you’re trying to return to the workforce.

Most Popular Cover Letters in Career Changes and Life Situations

All Cover Letter Examples in Career Changes and Life Situations

Child Care and Pet Care Cover Letter Examples

For a strong cover letter in this field, show you can provide a safe and healthy environment for children or pets while building good relations with parents, guardians, or clients.

Most Popular Cover Letters in Child Care and Pet Care

All Cover Letter Examples in Child Care and Pet Care

Computer Sciences and Information Technology Cover Letter Examples

When applying to computer science and information technology (IT) jobs, focus the cover letter on your relevant technical skills. Then, tie each skill to the hiring company’s stated goals.

Most Popular Cover Letters in Computer Sciences and Information Technology

All Cover Letter Examples in Computer Science and Information Technology

Construction and Maintenance Cover Letter Examples

For construction jobs, use your cover letter to highlight projects you’ve worked on of a similar scope or budget. For maintenance jobs, describe similar facilities you’ve worked for and the tools or methods you used to keep them running smoothly.

Most Popular Cover Letters in Construction and Maintenance

All Cover Letter Examples in Construction and Maintenance

Customer Service and Retail Cover Letter Examples

For a good cover letter in customer service and retail, focus on how you can help raise survey scores or drive revenue growth for the franchise location or company that posted the job.

Most Popular Cover Letters in Customer Service and Retail

All Cover Letter Examples in Customer Service and Retail

Education cover letter examples.

When writing your education cover letter, show you can help provide great learning experiences for students of the hiring school or district. If you’re applying to a direct teaching position, emphasize your skills in classroom management and parent relations.

Most Popular Cover Letters in Education

All Cover Letter Examples in Education

Engineering cover letter examples.

To write a good engineering cover letter, focus on how you can help design complex systems or technical solutions for the company that posted the job.

Most Popular Cover Letters in Engineering

All Cover Letter Examples in Engineering

Health and Wellness Cover Letter Examples

You can write a great cover letter for this field by showing how you help people overcome illness or achieve better physical and mental well-being. Give examples from your career that overlap with the employer’s hiring needs or health specialty.

Most Popular Cover Letters in Health and Wellness

All Cover Letter Examples in Health and Wellness

Law Cover Letter Examples

When writing your cover letter for legal jobs, show how you’d apply your expertise to help the firm represent clients or navigate complex legal issues.

Most Popular Cover Letters in Law

All Cover Letter Examples in Law

Management cover letter examples.

A good management cover letter expresses how you’d advance business goals and motivate staff of the company that posted the job. Cite achievements that show you’ve helped teams work more quickly or cost-effectively.

Most Popular Cover Letters in Management

All Cover Letter Examples in Management

Office and administration cover letter examples.

To draft a strong cover letter for administrative jobs, focus on how you can help the company streamline daily operations for better efficiency or service quality.

Most Popular Cover Letters in Office and Administration

All Cover Letter Examples in Office and Administration

Public safety and community well-being cover letter examples.

For cover letters in this field, pay close attention to the employer’s stated mission. Express how your values align with the organization. Show how you’d help it serve the public, support underprivileged groups, or advance other important causes.

Most Popular Cover Letters in Public Safety and Community Well-being

All Cover Letter Examples in Public Safety and Community Well-being

Restaurant and hospitality cover letter examples.

Hospitality is all about ensuring a great customer experience – on your cover letter, highlight any skills or achievements that show your ability to do just that.

Most Popular Cover Letters in Restaurant and Hospitality

All Cover Letter Examples in Restaurant and Hospitality

Sales and marketing cover letter examples.

Cite your career highlights to impress on employers how you’d help them engage clients, promote products, and drive business growth. Performance data is key to this field, so quantify your results in terms of a clear percentage or dollar amount.

Most Popular Cover Letters in Sales and Marketing

All Cover Letter Examples in Sales and Marketing

Students and Recent Graduates Cover Letter Examples

How to write a cover letter with little or no work experience? Focus on pertinent skills you’ve gained through school coursework, community service , or extracurricular activities. When possible, speak to how the employer’s mission and values align with your own.

Most Popular Cover Letters in Students and Recent Graduates

All Cover Letter Examples in Students and Recent Graduates

Transportation and Logistics Cover Letter Examples

For a good transportation cover letter, focus on how you can expertly move people or goods from point A to point B. For a good logistics cover letter, explain how you’d help the company streamline its workflows or manufacturing procedures.

Most Popular Cover Letters in Transportation and Logistics

All Cover Letter Examples in Transportation and Logistics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Cover Letters

Do i really need a cover letter for my job search.

Yes, in most cases. The majority of job postings require or allow you to send a cover letter along with your resume. While not every hiring manager reads or prioritizes them, a well-crafted letter assists you in standing out from other applicants. It will also help you clarify what points to emphasize during the interview.

What’s the most important part of a cover letter?

Any explanation you give for why the specific job opening or employer interests you. These details distinguish the cover letter from your resume and other application materials. They let you prove you read the job posting and are responding to it specifically. The information also sets the stage for a good discussion about how you fit the role and the company’s work culture.

How do I start writing my cover letter?

Take 10 minutes to brainstorm and jot down why you’re drawn to the opportunity and what it has in common with your background. For instance, maybe it’s in an industry you’re eager to return to or requires certain technical skills you possess.

When you’re done brainstorming, review your notes: Do any stand out as especially important or persuasive? Take another 10 minutes to brainstorm and elaborate on them. Repeat this process until you have at least two or three concise sentences that speak to the job opening at hand. These sentences will form the body text of your letter.

What are the main parts of a good cover letter?

Typically, your cover letter should have five sections, in this order:

1. Heading with your name, contact info, and the date 2. Salutation 3. Hook citing a relevant achievement from your resume or a key qualification the company is looking for 4. Body text describing why the job or employer interests you and your key strengths 5. Closing request for an interview, with thanks for the hiring manager’s consideration

How long should my cover letter be?

No more than one page, or around 250 words. Resist the urge to tell your whole career story. Give just enough detail to intrigue hiring managers so they take a closer look at your resume.

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Cover Letter Examples

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Choose Your Cover Letter Sample

Discover our sample cover letters for job applications and find out the best tips and advice.

Administrative Assistant
Engineering
Receptionist
Dental Assistant
Executive Assistant
Flight Attendant
Business Analyst
Software Engineer
Customer Service
Sales Associate
Data Entry Clerk
Property Manager
Esthetician
Office Manager
Software Developer
Event Coordinator
Office Assistant
Elementary Teacher
Operations Manager
Medical Receptionist
Bank Teller
Personal Assistant
Phlebotomist
Mechanical Engineer
Pharmacy Technician

Examples of Cover Letters

There’s more than one way to format and prepare a letter . Depending on the type of job you’re targeting and your level of experience , you have several options to choose from.

Check out our article on how to write a cover letter for more useful tips and advice to help you write yours from scratch.

Get Started With a Simple Cover Letter

Little-to-no professional experience? Don’t worry! You can still create a cover letter that’s simple but effective. Use your letter to highlight your most employable features and get started on your career journey.

Dear Adrian,

I am writing to apply for the Customs Broker position at Geoplex Inc. as posted on LinkedIn.com. I am a qualified and fully licensed broker, with over 4 years of experience and an exemplary history of managing drilling machinery imports.

I was particularly interested in the position with Geoplex, as I share in the company values of growth and innovation. Working with Benson LLC, my current organization, I’ve overseen a 12% cut in costs, as well as ensuring the standards of compliance expected by the US CBP.

Furthermore, I’ve developed a reputation for coming up with exceptional solutions to problems. This has been an especially vital skill in my current role, especially when resolving any factors arising from clearance and deliveries.

I am eager to continue my upward trajectory in a new position and would relish the opportunity to make that happen with Geoplex Inc. Please find enclosed my resume, which provides additional detail on my skills and experience as well as my complete contact information.

Please feel free to reach out to me at your leisure via my personal number or email address. I look forward to speaking to you further regarding the position.

Connie Barnes

What Makes This a Strong Simple Cover Letter?

A simple cover letter allows you to convey a lot of information fast with little excess detail. Done well, this type of cover letter gives you an edge over the competition, in a concise and focused manner.

Show why you’re suitable

In this example, the applicant uses a polite greeting and gives all their contact details. Importantly, they use the first paragraph to quickly outline interest in the job and explain why they’d be suitable .

This allows you as the candidate to show that you have a genuine enthusiasm for applying . You can then dedicate the rest of the initial opening to offering some tidbits of information that will further motivate the recruiter to keep reading.

Learn the basics about writing addresses on cover letters so you can plan what information to include.

Showcase your achievements

In the next part of the document, our writer has added some key examples of how they made a difference in their last job. They’ve demonstrated a little about the essential tasks they did and focused on the results they achieved in doing so.

Get them to read your resume

To finish things off, they have reiterated their enthusiasm for the role and have gradually started to draw the conversation towards the possibility of an interview.

It also creates some interest in the resume (which will be a more detailed explanation of your professional experience).

As you can see, each part of the document takes the reader on a short journey from the reason for applying, to why you’d be the best candidate for the job, to finally angling towards the next steps of the process.

By doing this while focusing on the job description this will provide the recruiter with exactly what they’ll need to pick you for an interview.

Craft a Persuasive Professional Cover Letter

In our example of a professional cover letter, you’ll see how to start writing and organizing a document that can help take you to the next level of your career .

If you’ve already got a few years of experience under your belt, learn how to use it to your advantage.

Dear Patricia,

I wanted to make contact with you to register my interest in the Key Account Manager position with Rhino Insurance that is advertised on LinkedIn. During my 8 years of working in insurance, Rhino is a company I’ve always admired and I think I could offer you the skills you’re looking for.

My goal is and always has been to get the maximum from my staff and create excellent relationships with high-profile clients. That’s why over the last 4 years of working with Yannick Mutual I’ve overseen a 93% retention rate and helped to raise revenue by as much as 14%.

Great customer management is a skill that I know Rhino values highly and it is something I pride myself on also. Your 4.8-star customer satisfaction rating stands as a testament to your ability to respond properly to your client’s needs and I would love to bring my experience to help you achieve even better results.

I would be more than happy to talk in more depth about how I can help Rhino continue its success. Please contact me at 207-440-4475 if you would be interested in meeting for an interview.

Thank you for considering my application and I hope we can discuss the opportunity in more depth soon.

Raquel Galaz

What Makes This an Effective Professional Cover Letter?

Professional cover letters will need to be more detailed than some other types like entry-level or simple cover letters . However, conciseness is still key .

Start out strong

As you can see in this example of a good cover letter, the writer has started as usual by formally greeting the recruiter .

They then go on to introduce themselves and start making a strong case for why they would be the right choice.

Give specific examples

In the next section, they move on to explain a little about the way they manage in their current job. They also add specific instances illustrating where they brought results .

As an experienced professional, you’ll be expected to provide plenty of examples of how you made a difference in previous jobs and what you achieved.

Encourage next steps

To finish things off, the candidate added important elements of a good conclusion:

Stating a desire to meet
Contact information
Thank you for the employer’s consideration

This detailed document covers a lot in just a few paragraphs, however, it strikes the right balance between essential information and brevity . It also functions well as it is specifically tailored to the type of profile that the recruiter is looking for.

Elevate Your Entry-Level Cover Letter

When you’re starting in your career, or you’ve made a major change of industry you’re going to need an effective entry-level cover letter. Use our example to get your professional journey off on the right foot.

I am writing to express my interest in the Structural Engineer position with Rode Engineering advertised on Glassdoor.com. Having recently completed my B.S. in Engineering from MIT in May 20XX, I would love to start my career with Rode and feel I would be a perfect fit for the role being offered.

You stated in your notice that you are looking for a candidate with superb communication skills, excellent focus, and who is a good team player. This is precisely what I would be able to bring to the position. During my time at MIT, I was an active member of the volleyball team, where interdependency, strategy, and quick decision-making were invaluable skills for success.

Additionally, over 2 summers, I interned with Humbert Energy for 6 months, working with their infrastructure team. This gave me a working knowledge of everyday engineering tasks as well as many more abilities such as spotting worn parts, serious flaws in a design, and necessary structural repairs.

As you can see, my hands-on experience, my extracurricular activities, and my Engineering B.S. make me a great fit for the Structural Engineer role at Rode. I would be excited to discuss the position more in person.

Thank you very much for considering my application. Please feel free to contact me either on my phone number 412-721-6679 or my personal email to talk about the position at length. I look forward to hearing from you.

Dan Gillard

What Makes This a Convincing Entry-Level Cover Letter?

Like all good cover letters, this example starts by making a soft introduction and giving a little detail as to why the candidate could be a good fit for the role.

Explain you’re newly qualified

The entry-level cover letter immediately addresses the elephant in the room — the lack of professional experience.

The candidate makes it clear that they’re newly qualified while emphasizing their enthusiasm for the role.

Highlight your qualifications

By mentioning their qualification right away , the recruiter can see they’re fully trained for the job, despite the lack of experience.

Your qualifications are going to be your biggest selling point in this type of letter. If you don’t have any, instead focus on relevant examples of hands-on work experience.

Show how you meet the requirements

In the main body of this example letter, we can see that the applicant has focused entirely on addressing the job requirements point-by-point. They’ve brought specific examples of where their college education and time studying were put to good use and how this could apply to the sort of profile the recruiter is looking for.

This involves a mix of hard skills and soft skills , but it helps to make up for any lack of real-world professional experience. To make their case even stronger, they have been able to include details of an internship, which could help make a difference against the competition.

End on a positive note

To finish everything off, the writer has given a short prompt to reiterate why they would fit the desired profile well , in a quick conclusion. All that then needs to be added is a short paragraph giving the recruiter a call to action and hopefully instigating the next steps in the process.

Create a Career Change Cover Letter

Here’s an example of a cover letter tailored for an individual making a career transition . This letter showcases how to effectively pivot skills and experience to a new industry:

Dear Ms. Smith,

I am writing to express my interest in the Marketing Specialist position at Innovatech Solutions, as advertised on LinkedIn. With a robust background in financial analysis, I am excited about the opportunity to apply my skills and experiences in a new and challenging context within the marketing industry.

In my previous role as a Financial Analyst at Global Finance Inc., I honed my skills in data analysis and strategic planning, which I believe are directly transferable to the Marketing Specialist role. For instance, I led a project where I analyzed market trends and financial data to develop strategies that increased our department’s efficiency by 25%. This experience has equipped me with a unique perspective and an array of skills that I am eager to bring to your team.

Moreover, my passion for creative problem-solving and digital marketing has driven me to pursue this career change. I have taken proactive steps to prepare myself for this transition, including completing a comprehensive digital marketing certification course and actively managing a small business’s social media accounts. My dedication to continuous learning and adaptation makes me well-suited for the dynamic environment at Innovatech Solutions.

I am particularly drawn to Innovatech Solutions because of your commitment to innovation and excellence in technology marketing. I am enthusiastic about the prospect of contributing to such a forward-thinking and innovative team, and I am confident that my background and drive for excellence will make me a valuable addition to your organization.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my experience and enthusiasm for change make me an ideal candidate for this position. I am available at your convenience for an interview and can be reached at (555) 123-4567 or [email protected].

What Makes This a Powerful Cover Letter?

This cover letter effectively addresses the challenges and opportunities of a career change. It demonstrates the candidate’s ability to transfer valuable skills from one industry to another, highlighting adaptability and a keen understanding of how past experiences can benefit the new role.

The specific mention of proactive steps taken to prepare for the industry switch , such as courses or certifications, showcases the candidate’s commitment and initiative, which are highly valued traits in any industry.

Focus on transferable skills and achievements. Demonstrate how your experiences in previous roles or industries can bring unique value and fresh perspectives to the new position.

Personalize your cover letter

Additionally, the cover letter is personalized to the target company, showing that the candidate has done their research and is genuinely interested in the company’s culture and values.

This level of personalization and the clear articulation of why the candidate is drawn to the company set this cover letter apart.

Show your enthusiasm for the new role

The candidate’s enthusiasm for the new field and the positive tone throughout the letter convey confidence and readiness for the transition, making a strong case for why they should be considered despite the career change.

This approach ensures that the focus is on the candidate’s potential and future contributions, rather than solely on their experiences in a different industry.

Return to Workforce Cover Letter

Returning to the workforce after a career gap is easier with the right cover letter. Show you’re ready to restart your career with these tips.

Dear Mr. Johnson,

I am excited to apply for the Project Coordinator position at TechPros Solutions, as posted on LinkedIn. After a dedicated pause in my career to focus on pursuing further education, I am eager to re-enter the workforce with a renewed passion and commitment.

During my career hiatus, I have actively honed my skills in project management and digital marketing through online courses and freelance projects. These experiences have not only kept me professionally engaged but have also reinforced my dedication to personal growth and learning.

My previous professional background includes Marketing Specialist roles at XYZ Marketing Agency, where I excelled in developing and implementing digital marketing campaigns that increased client revenue by 30%. Although I temporarily stepped away from the corporate world, I have remained committed to organizational skills, problem-solving abilities, and adaptability, which I believe are vital for success in the Project Coordinator role.

I am drawn to TechPros Solutions for its innovative approach to project management in the tech industry, and I am confident that my unique blend of experiences and skills will complement your team’s dynamic and innovative environment.

I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to discuss how my background and determination align with the goals of TechPros Solutions. Please find my resume attached, and I look forward to the possibility of an interview to further explore how my return to the workforce can be a valuable asset to your organization.

Thank you for considering my application. I can be reached at (555) 987-6543 or [email protected], and I am available for an interview at your convenience.

Emily Turner

What Makes This an Effective Return-to-the-Workforce Cover Letter?

This cover letter for re-entering the workforce effectively addresses the unique challenges and strengths of individuals returning after a career break. Here’s why it stands out :

Candid explanation

The candidate openly acknowledges their career hiatus and the reason behind it. This transparency demonstrates honesty and relatability, instantly connecting with hiring managers who appreciate straightforwardness.

Active skill enhancement

The cover letter highlights the candidate’s proactive approach during the career break, emphasizing continuous skill development through online courses and volunteer work. This showcases the candidate’s commitment to staying relevant in the industry.

Relevant transferable skills

The candidate strategically links their past professional experience, such as marketing roles, to the skills needed for the target position, in this case, project coordination.

By highlighting transferable skills like organization, problem-solving, and adaptability, the cover letter demonstrates readiness for the new role.

Alignment with company values

The candidate expresses genuine interest in the company by mentioning specific aspects of TechPros Solutions that attract them. This personalization shows that the candidate has done their homework and is genuinely excited about the organization.

Highlight the skills, experiences, and personal growth gained during the career break. Show potential employers how these factors make you a stronger and more well-rounded candidate.

This cover letter effectively bridges the career gap and positions the candidate as a valuable asset, ready to bring a fresh perspective and dedication to their new role.

It exemplifies how re-entering the workforce can be a positive and mutually beneficial experience for both the candidate and the company.

Ace Your Internship Application Cover Letter

Below is a sample cover letter tailored for internship applications, showing how to effectively showcase your academic background and enthusiasm for a specific role.

Dear Mr. Anderson,

I am writing to express my strong interest in the Marketing Internship position at InnovateTech Solutions, as advertised on InternshipPortal.com. As a sophomore pursuing a degree in Marketing at Valleyview University, I am eager to apply my coursework and passion for digital marketing to a real-world professional setting.

Through my academic coursework and extracurricular involvement, I have developed a solid foundation in digital marketing strategies, including social media management, SEO optimization, and email marketing, which I believe aligns perfectly with the requirements of the Marketing Internship. For instance, my coursework in Digital Marketing Trends has equipped me with a strong understanding of current market dynamics, and my involvement in the Marketing Club has allowed me to apply these skills in a practical context by organizing successful promotional campaigns for local businesses.

I am particularly drawn to InnovateTech Solutions for its reputation for innovation and commitment to cutting-edge technology solutions. I am eager to contribute to the company’s marketing initiatives and gain valuable hands-on experience in digital marketing under the guidance of your talented team.

My drive for excellence, adaptability, and strong work ethic make me a dedicated learner and a valuable addition to your organization. I am excited about the opportunity to further discuss how my skills and enthusiasm align with the goals of InnovateTech Solutions.

Thank you for considering my application. Please find my resume attached, and I am available for an interview at your earliest convenience. I can be reached at (555) 789-1234 or [email protected].

Hannah Williams

What Makes This a Strong Cover Letter for Internship Applications?

Firstly, this cover letter opens with a concise and clear introduction , leaving no room for ambiguity about the candidate’s interest in the specific internship role. This immediate expression of enthusiasm sets a positive tone for the reader.

Secondly, the cover letter effectively aligns the candidate’s academic and extracurricular experiences with the internship’s requirements .

Instead of merely listing qualifications, it provides context by highlighting relevant coursework and extracurricular activities. This approach allows the reader to see how the candidate’s background directly relates to the position.

Showcase your relevant coursework and extracurricular activities, and how they connect to the internship role to demonstrate your enthusiasm and eagerness.

Additionally, the cover letter has a high level of personalization. It’s evident that the candidate has invested time in researching the company, resulting in a letter that resonates with the organization’s mission and values . By expressing a genuine interest in the company, the candidate demonstrates their commitment to being a cultural fit.

In summary, this cover letter’s strength lies in its clarity, alignment of qualifications, and personalization, making it a well-rounded and compelling introduction to the candidate’s potential as an intern.

Creative Cover Letter

Creative cover letters stray a little from the normal rules of job applications. Find out how to effectively create a document for a more artistic job that gets results and demonstrates your creativity.

Dear David,

Fudge Digital is hiring and I am just the person you need. My name is Susan Taylor and I’m a seasoned and successful Digital Marketing Manager with more than 5 years of online marketing experience. Fudge is a business with a reputation for bringing together creativity and progress. Together, I think we’d make the perfect team.

I live and breathe life as a digital creative and in the last 5 years, it’s been my honor to be able to call myself a professional in this field. I make it my mission to create attractive and effective marketing assets that look great and sell better. In the last quarter, the digital assets my team and I brought to life have smashed their targets by over 30%.

My biggest guiding forces are communication and cooperation and I know that Fudge also appreciates these skills. I’ve been following your blog for a couple of years now and have always been impressed by the values of teamwork and inspiration that are woven into everything you do.

I was also totally blown away by your Award-winning video campaign. Hopefully, we’ll be able to work together to see that you retain the title next year.

Thank you for taking the time to read through my application. I am contactable by email every day or by landline Monday to Friday from 6 pm onwards. I hope we can meet soon to discuss how we can help Fudge reach even greater heights.

Yours truly,

Susan Taylor

What Makes This a Creative Cover Letter?

In most cases, creative cover letters involve even more individuality than most and rely on standing out. Nevertheless, they still follow normal letter-writing conventions.

As you can see in our professional example, the writer still uses standard formality and letter structure . However, once they launch into their opening salvo they do so with a much more imaginative approach.

The letter opening still introduces the candidate and sells them a little as the perfect fit for the job. As you would normally expect, it also gives some detail about the motivations of the applicant .

Don’t get too experimental with your cover letter. It is still a formal part of your job application and whilst you can take some risks it still has to focus on the task at hand.

The middle sections of this letter focus on building a complete picture of the candidate. It goes into detail whilst also adding more creative embellishments than you wouldn’t normally see in a simple or professional cover letter .

Our candidate chooses to use specific examples that illustrate the success their work has brought in. In this case, exceeding commercial targets by double-digit percentages.

This writer also goes a step further and gives a lot more information about how the company itself got their attention and how both parties’ goals align. Again, they cite a specific example to strengthen their hand and to show they have done their research on the business.

The author of the letter then finishes off with a quick thank you for consideration and gives the recruiter some details on how to make contact. This leaves the reader with a positive final impression as well as the precise sort of information they need to move the process forward.

As we can see, creative documents are worded very differently from more conventional ones. However, even in these cases, it’s still essential to give as much evidence as possible on your working record, using numerical data where possible.

How to Write a Short Cover Letter

It isn’t always necessary to write a cover letter that fills an entire page. If you can manage to explain why you’re the best candidate for the position, your cover letter’s length does not need to be that long .

Use the top 1 to 2 reasons you should be hired , and keep what you write relevant to the vacancy.

Dear Mr. James,

I’ve loved teaching and working with children and adolescents since I was a summer camp counselor in my junior year of high school.

I have over eight years of teaching experience at the middle school level, working with children that cover a wide range of learning skills. The state test scores of my students have collectively finished in the 95th percentile of all test takers in each of the past four years. Considering all of these factors, I believe I am the ideal candidate for the 7th and 8th-grade math teacher position at Woodlawn Middle School.

Please feel free to contact me at any time, I can be reached at 555-732-4198 or by email at [email protected]

Frederik Gorman

You might not think less is more when you are applying for a job vacancy. However, in this case, a short cover letter can be just as convincing as a long one . There are cover letters that last an entire page and list irrelevant information .

The purpose of a short cover letter is to get straight to the point . As we can see in the above short cover letter example, the applicant makes it clear right away that they are excited about the chance to fill the position.

Don’t worry so much about trying to flatter the employer. Get into what makes you the perfect candidate right at the beginning, and mention you would like a response soon.

The body of the letter and the ending of the letter achieve several things :

Addresses a specific accomplishment
Makes the candidate’s skills and experience clear
Enthusiasm for the job and an interview

Normal cover letters will go into further detail regarding the experience and skills the candidate possesses, however, this type of letter briefly yet effectively communicates the same information.

What Should I Include in My Cover Letter?

An effective cover letter will need the following 4 key elements shown below

1. A formal greeting

Your first contact with the employer should be formal. You should address them as Mr/Mrs/Ms . for this initial interaction and state their name. If possible, avoid generic openers like “Dear Sir/Madam” or “To whom it may concern”.

2. A persuasive introduction

Use the first paragraph to introduce yourself as a candidate and to make a great first impression . Use this space to give quick reasons why you applied and would be the right choice for the precise job on offer.

3. Compelling paragraphs

This next part of the letter can be used to build a convincing argument as to why you’d be the right pick for the company . Use numerical evidence to support your case and make your achievements eye-grabbing.

4. Strong Final Impression

Finally, start moving the conversation toward the next stage of the job selection process. Encourage the recruiter to read your resume for further details and explain that you’re keen to meet in person as well as how you can be contacted.

[Hiring Manager’s name]

[Company name]

[Company address]

Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms. [Hiring Manager Name]

I am contacting you to communicate my interest in the Administrative Assistant role being advertised by [company]. This role caught my attention as I have a strong educational background and extensive experience in the office administration of medium-sized businesses. I think this knowledge and expertise could be highly valuable to [company].

During my 6-year career, I have assisted with a wide range of office administrative tasks using Microsoft Office and LibreOffice software. I have been responsible for maintaining and managing sensitive data at every step of the meeting organization from planning to the recording of minutes, as well as drafting critical communications.

In my current position, I was also tasked with optimizing the efficiency of our office supply buying, the results of which saved the company over $1,800 per quarter. I also enhanced my written skills greatly by assisting with the drafting and proofing of important executive correspondences.

I have enclosed my resume with this letter to provide further information about my career history so far. I hope that my credentials represent a good match for this role.

I am very keen to learn more about the position and would be eager to organize a meeting to discuss it in more detail. In the meantime, I’d like to thank you for your consideration and invite you to contact me at any time regarding the opportunity.

I can be reached every evening from 4 pm to 8.30 pm via home phone or at any time with my email address listed below.

Address Phone number Email address

Essential Points to Highlight In Your Cover Letter

What exactly should your cover letter include? Here’s a quick summary of the essentials:

Write for the employer : Keep the needs of the employer in mind when you start writing your letter. Discard any details that don’t serve the specific job description.
Highlight your strengths : Convey your achievements and results that best suit the job. Show that you could fit into the business easily and deliver success from the go.
Detail skills and qualifications : Briefly demonstrate to the employer you’ve got the right training for the role and show your dedication to personal and professional development.
Add a little something extra : Don’t shy away from adding relevant personal details that may enhance your profile. Highlight any hobbies or interests that could make you a good match for the role

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Your Cover Letter

Crafting the perfect cover letter is an art. While we’ve provided you with some stellar examples to guide you, it’s equally important to know what pitfalls to avoid .

Here are some common mistakes that could be the difference between your application landing in the ‘yes’ pile or the recycling bin:

Overgeneralization : Tailoring your cover letter to each job application is crucial. Avoid using a one-size-fits-all approach. Recruiters can easily spot a generic cover letter, and it often suggests a lack of genuine interest in the role.
Rehashing your resume : Your cover letter should complement, not duplicate, your resume. Use this opportunity to tell a story or provide context to your experiences that your resume cannot convey.
Lengthy narratives : Brevity is the soul of wit, especially in cover letters. Keep it concise. Aim for a few short paragraphs, ensuring each sentence adds value and advances your case.
Neglecting the company’s culture : Each company has its unique culture and values. Show that you’ve done your homework by aligning your cover letter’s tone and content with the company’s ethos.
Typos and grammatical errors : Nothing undermines your professionalism more than spelling and grammar mistakes. Proofread meticulously, and consider having someone else review your cover letter.
Overconfidence or underconfidence : Striking the right balance is key. Avoid coming off as arrogant, but also don’t sell yourself short. Be confident in your abilities and experiences without overstepping.
Skipping the call to action : Conclude with a clear call to action. Express your enthusiasm for a potential interview and provide your contact details, encouraging the recruiter to engage further.
Ignoring instructions : If the job posting has specific instructions for your cover letter, follow them. Failing to do so can be seen as a lack of attention to detail or inability to follow directions.
Using clichés : Phrases like “I’m a team player” or “I think outside the box” are overused. Instead, provide specific examples that demonstrate these qualities.
Forgetting to personalize : Address the letter to a specific person whenever possible. “Dear Hiring Manager” is a last resort. Personalization shows you’ve put effort into understanding who is hiring.

Make your cover letter count by avoiding these common mistakes and you’ll be one step closer to landing the job you want.

Advantages of Using Cover Letter Examples to Write Your Own

As well as offering guidance and some inspiration , cover letter examples can be useful tools in helping you learn how to highlight the most important information that employers will need to know about.

When creating your cover letter , ResumeCoach’s examples can help with the following points:

Learn the length you should use and the sections that you will need to include.

2. Keywords

Personalize your cover letter and find the keywords that work for your sector.

3. Choice of language

Get the level of formality right and make the text accessible for any recruiter.

4. Adaptability and speed

Complete and adapt your cover letter and resume for any job with our editor.

Trouble getting your Cover Letter started?

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Career Planning
Finding a Job

Resume and Cover Letter Samples and Templates

Do you need to write a resume and cover letter to apply for a job or internship? When you're applying for jobs, it's helpful to review examples of student resumes and cover letters to get ideas for both the formatting and the content of your job search materials. Using a template to create your own personalized resumes and letters can give a professional-looking structure to your job application documents.

How to Use Samples and Templates

Designing a document from scratch can be time-consuming and difficult. Along with helping with your layout, written examples can help you see what kind of content you should include in your document. They can also give you ideas on the type of language you want to use. For example, a sample resume might show you the kind of action words you should include in your resume.

A template helps you with the layout of your document. Templates also show you what elements you need to include. For example, a resume template will show you some possible sections you might include in your resume .

As a starting point for your documents, it’s a good idea to spend some time reviewing a few examples and templates.

You might use the same design elements as the sample, or order your information in the same way. However, you should always be flexible. You can change any of the elements of the sample to fit your own needs.

Don’t expect to make your document look exactly the same as an example or template. For example, if an example resume lacks a skills section, but you want to include one, you should definitely do so. Your documents should fit your individual work history and the requirements of the job for which you are applying. Take the time to match your qualifications to the job , and customize the applications for every job you apply to.

Find sample resumes, cover letters, CVs, and their corresponding templates below, as well as examples of all sorts of employment-related correspondence, from application and networking letters to thank- you notes.

Resume Examples and Templates

When it comes to writing a resume, one size does not fit all. The template you should use depends upon factors including your industry, your level of experience, and whether you are considering a career change. Reviewing these resume examples and templates will give you a better idea of which format would work most effectively for you.

Resume Examples Review example resumes, including chronological, functional, targeted, and other types of resumes. Perusing samples will help you determine which format to choose for your own resume.

Resume Templates Here are resume templates to use as a starting point for creating your resume. Add your information to the template, then edit it to personalize it for each position you apply for.

Cover Letter Examples and Templates

Cover letters are just as important a part of your job application materials as your resume. They provide your first, critical impression upon an employer, and thus they should be letter-perfect and convey an appropriate and engaging “tone.” Keep in mind that if your cover letter is hastily and sloppily written, a hiring manager may not bother to even look at your resume.

Cover Letter Examples See example cover letters for a variety of occupations and employment situations. These samples can be customized to create your own letters to include with your application materials.

Email Cover Letters Email cover letter samples for jobs including formatted email cover letter messages, subject lines, and email cover letter formats and templates to use to apply for jobs.

Letter Templates Review letter templates for applying for jobs, including cover letter templates, resignation letter templates, thank-you letter templates, and other job search-related letter templates.

Resumes and Cover Letters for Students

Just because you are a student with minimal “real world” work experience doesn’t mean that you can’t impress an employer enough to offer you an interview. Have a look at these links to see how to showcase your education, internships, and extracurricular experiences in such a way that employers will sit up and take notice.

Samples for Students As a student or recent graduate, you will have some special circumstances that you’ll want to highlight in your resume and cover letters for jobs and internships. It’s helpful to see how to make those hours of volunteer work and casual jobs relate to career-world experience. Browse sample resumes, cover letters, and reference letters especially for high school students, college students, and recent graduates seeking employment.

Curriculum Vitae Examples and Templates

Curriculum vitae are structured much differently than standard resumes. The resumes submitted for most industries are qualifications-based – they emphasize the skills one can bring to an employer. CVs, however, are more credential-based, providing detailed listings of one’s education and training, publications, presentations, and professional memberships.

Curriculum Vitae (CV) Examples CVs are used in the United States when applying for international, academic , medical, or research positions, and when seeking fellowships or grants. A curriculum vitae includes your name, contact information, education, skills, and experience. A CV also includes all research and teaching experience, publications, awards, grants and fellowships, and professional associations and licenses.

Job Application Samples

Many employers – especially those who solicit online applications – have their own requirements for job seekers. Here is more information about how to structure job application letters and how to answer the information fields on job applications forms.

Job Application Letters Get tips on how to write job application letters, plus job application letter samples, examples, and templates to use to write application letters to send with a resume when applying for jobs.

Sample Job Applications These sample jobs applications will give you an idea of the information you will need to complete when you fill out an application for employment.

More Employment Letters and Email Message Examples

Career searches don’t simply involve writing a resume and cover letter. You should also be prepared to write persuasive networking letters, strategic follow-up letters following an interview, and professional thank-you letters.

Follow-Up Letter Samples Follow-up letters to send after an interview, and to follow up on a resume or a job application you have submitted.

Job Search Email Messages Sample job search email messages including cover letters, thank-you letters, resignation letters, and other sample formatted email messages. Also, review job search email etiquette.

Sample Networking Letters Sample job search networking letters including referral letters, letters of introduction, and networking outreach letters.

Reference Letter Samples Sample reference and recommendation letters, letter samples for character references, a letter asking for a reference, and a reference letter template.

Resignation Letter Samples Sample resignation letters include a basic letter to say you are leaving, plus formal resignation letter samples thanking your employer.

Thank-You Letter Samples Thank-you letters for job interviews and career assistance, including how to write a thank-you letter, who to thank, how to send your thank-you letters, and sample thank-you letters.

More Job Letter Samples Do you need to reject a job offer or accept one? How about withdrawing your application for the position or making a counter offer? Here are a variety of employment-related letters you can edit to fit your circumstances.

Key Takeaways

ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL: Review multiple resume examples and templates to determine which format is going to be the most appropriate for someone in your career field and with your level of experience.

MAKE IT PERSONAL: While resume templates are invaluable in providing a ready-made format, you need to personalize each section with your own information, changing the wording to reflect your own circumstances and tone of voice. Don’t simply copy-and-paste a resume template into a job application.

TAILOR YOUR RESUME AND COVER LETTER FOR EACH APPLICATION: Although it is time-consuming, ideally you should revise and target your resume and cover letter to each job you apply for, closely matching the information you provide to the “minimum qualifications” listed on the job announcement.

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

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

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

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

1. The traditional cover letter example

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1. An engaging opener

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

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

2. A clear pitch

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

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

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

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

3. A great closing line

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

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

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

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

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

What does the job description say?

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

Responsibilities

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

Requirements

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

The cover letter example

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

Dear Ms. Jessica Sanchez,

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

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

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

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

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

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

Download this example

Why this works

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

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

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

What does the job description say

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

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

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

Dear Russ Roman,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dear Tai Chen,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hoping to be your next staff writer,

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

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

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

You might write a career change cover letter if:

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

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

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

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

Dear Maria Russo,

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

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

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

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

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

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

All the best,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Start with a “brain dump”

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

Don’t just repeat your resume

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

Focus on quality over quantity

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

Remember the ATS

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

Don’t stress over formatting

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

Don't forget your contact information

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

Edit your cover letter before submitting

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

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

You're ready to go

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

Amanda Cardoso contributed to the latest version of this article.

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How to build a cover letter.

It used to be the case that you needed creative writing skills to build an amazing cover letter. And time. Lots of time. Now, all you need is the perfect online builder - and you’re good to go!

Go to our varied collection of beautifully designed cover letter templates and pick one that suits you! We have created templates and samples that align with jobs, industries and professional image goals. All you need to do is consider which one strikes your fancy and is appropriate for your potential employer.

Add your contact information, as well as any needed (and appropriate) personal data the employer requires. Our well-designed templates make sure your info won’t get overlooked and your documents don’t get lost due to boring visuals. After all, your cover letter is your ambassador.

Save tons of time, condensing the long journey of a convincing professional appeal to several minutes and keystrokes. You can use our free guiding samples that show mock-up cover letters, written by hiring professionals based on years of experience. With all the technical and guiding support - this won’t take long!

Tailor the design, structure and formatting of your cover letter in a couple of clicks. The template and other aspects of your document can be adjusted as you see fit. And what’s more, you can experiment as long as you want - our online and offline sync features mean you won’t lose any of your changes even if you lose your internet connection.

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Harvard College Resumes & Cover Letter Guide

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A resume is a concise, informative summary of your abilities, education, and experience. It should highlight your strongest assets and skills, and differentiate you from other candidates seeking similar positions.

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