Your Complete Guide to Writing a Cover Letter (Plus Bonus Tips and Examples)
Hot jobs on the muse.
Ah yes, the familiar cycle: You sit down to write a cover letter, open a blank document, check your email, browse cover letter examples , do some chores, watch that cursor blink a few more times, and finally Google something like “how to write a cover letter”—which hopefully brought you here. But you still might be thinking something to the effect of: Does anyone really read cover letters? Why do they even exist?
First off: Yes, we can assure you that cover letters do, in fact, get read . To some hiring managers, they’re the most important part of your job application . And regardless, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to tell prospective employers who you are, showcase why they should hire you, and stand out above all the other candidates.
To ensure your letter is in amazing shape (and crafting it is as painless as possible), we’ve got easy-to-follow steps plus examples, a few bonus tips, and answers to frequently asked questions
What is a cover letter and why is it important?
How to write a cover letter hiring managers will love, what do examples of cover letters look like, bonus cover letter tips to give you an edge over the competition, cover letter faqs (a.k.a., everything else you need to know about cover letters).
A cover letter is a brief (one page or less) note that you write to a hiring manager or recruiter to go along with your resume and other application materials. Done well , a cover letter gives you the chance to speak directly to how your skills and experience line up with the specific job you’re pursuing. It also affords you an opportunity to hint to the reviewer that you’re likable, original, and likely to be a great addition to the team.
Instead of using cover letters to their strategic advantage, most job applicants blabber on and on about what they want, toss out bland, cliché-filled paragraphs that essentially just regurgitate their resume, or go off on some strange tangent in an effort to be unique.
Given this reality, imagine the leg up you’ll have if you learn how to do cover letters right.
OK, you’re sold on how important cover letters are. Here are eight steps to writing one that screams, “I’m a great hire!”
Step 1: Write a fresh cover letter for each job (but yes, you can use a template).
Yes, it’s way faster and easier to take the cover letter you wrote for your last application, change the name of the company, and send it off. But most employers want to see that you’re truly excited about the specific position and organization—which means creating a custom letter for each position.
While it’s OK to recycle a few strong sentences and phrases from one cover letter to the next, don’t even think about sending out a 100% generic letter. “Dear Hiring Manager, I am excited to apply to the open position at your company ” is an immediate signal to recruiters and hiring managers that you’re mass-applying to every job listing that pops up on LinkedIn.
At the same time, there’s nothing that says you can’t get a little help: Try out one of our free cover letter templates to make the process a bit easier.
Step 2: Add your contact info.
At the top of your cover letter, you should list out your basic info. You can even copy the same heading from your resume if you’d like. Some contact info you might include (and the order you might include it in) is:
- Your pronouns (optional)
- Your location (optional)
- Your email address
- Your phone number (optional)
- Your Linkedin, portfolio, or personal website URL (optional)
Note that only name and email are mandatory, and you don’t need to put a full address on a cover letter or resume anymore. A city and state (or metro area) are more than enough.
So your header might look like this:
Inigo Montoya he/him Florin Metropolitan Area [email protected] 555-999-2222
If the job posting tells you to submit your cover letter in the body of an email, you can add your contact info at the end, after your name (and if you’d like to forgo the email address here, you can—they have it already).
So your sign off could look like this:
Violet Baudelaire she/her [email protected] 123-123-1234 https://www.linkedin.com/in/violet-baudelaire/
Step 3: Address your cover letter to the hiring manager—preferably by name.
The most traditional way to address a cover letter is to use the person’s first and last name, including “Mr.” or “Ms.” (for example, “Dear Ms. Jane Smith” or just “Dear Ms. Smith”). But to avoid accidentally using the wrong title, or worse, inadvertently misgendering someone—first and last name also work just fine. And if “Dear” feels a bit too stiff, try “Hello.” But never use generic salutations like “ To Whom it May Concern ” or “Dear Sir or Madam.”
For more help, read these rules for addressing your cover letter and a few tips for how to find the hiring manager .
Step 4: Craft an opening paragraph that’ll hook your reader.
Your opening sets the stage for the whole cover letter. So you want it to be memorable, friendly, conversational, and hyper-relevant to the job you’re pursuing.
No need to lead with your name—the hiring manager can see it already. But it’s good to mention the job you’re applying for (the hiring manager may be combing through candidates for half a dozen different jobs), and yes, you could go with something simple like, “I am excited to apply for [job] with [Company].” But consider introducing yourself with a snappy first paragraph that highlights your excitement about the company you’re applying to, your passion for the work you do, and/or your past accomplishments.
This is a prime spot to include the “why” for your application. Make it very clear why you want this job at this company . Are you a longtime user of their products? Do you have experience solving a problem they’re working on? Do you love their brand voice or approach to product development? Do your research on the company (and check out their Muse profile if they have one) to find out.
For instance, say you’re applying for a marketing job with a company known for its incredible pies and baked goods. You might want to use your opening to mention how you love pie so much that when you were in the 4th grade, you took the blue ribbon in the National Cherry Festival pie-eating contest. Or take a look at this cover letter hook by a client of career coach and Muse writer Jenny Foss , who was working to land a leadership role at a nonprofit specializing in fire prevention:
“I have a personal interest in fire prevention that dates back to my youth. As the daughter of a nurse who worked in a hospital burns unit for many years, I grew up with significant exposure to those impacted by fire. I’d spend hours thinking about my mom’s patients, wishing there were some way to better protect people from fire.”
Read More: 30 Genius Cover Letter Openers Recruiters Will LOVE
Step 5: Convey why you’d be a great hire for this job.
A common cover letter mistake is only talking about how great the position would be for you . Frankly, hiring managers are aware of that—what they really want to know is what you’re going to bring to the position and company.
So once you’ve got the opening under wraps, you should pull out a few key ideas that will make up the backbone of your cover letter. They should show that you understand what the organization is looking for and spell out how your background lines up with the position. Study the job description for hints . What problems is the company looking to solve with this hire? What skills or experiences are mentioned high up, or more than once? These will likely be the most important qualifications.
Select the three to five important qualifications that you feel you exemplify best. For instance, maybe you’re looking for an account executive role and come across a posting that excites you. You might pull out these details that match you well:
- The job description mentions meeting and exceeding quotas several times.
- The company has a very collaborative, cross-departmental approach to solving problems.
- The sales department requires a fast learner so the account executive can get up to speed quickly on leads and tailor pitches to their needs.
If you tend to have a hard time singing your own praises and can’t nail down your strengths, here’s a quick trick : What would your favorite boss, your best friend, or your mentor say about you? How would they sing your praises? Use the answers to inform how you write about yourself. You can even weave in feedback you’ve received to strengthen your case (occasionally, don’t overuse this!). For example:
“When I oversaw our last office move, my color-coded spreadsheets covering every minute detail of the logistics were legendary; my manager said I was so organized, she’d trust me to plan an expedition to Mars.”
Step 6: Back up your qualifications with examples and numbers.
Look at your list of qualifications from the previous step, and think of examples from your past that prove you have them. And go beyond your resume . Don’t just regurgitate what the hiring manager can read elsewhere. Simply put, you want to paint a fuller picture of what experiences and accomplishments make you a great hire and show off what you can sashay through their doors with and deliver once you land the job.
For example, what tells a hiring manager more about your ability to win back former clients? This: “I was in charge of identifying and re-engaging former clients.” Or this: “By analyzing past client surveys, NPS scores, and KPIs, as well as simply picking up the phone, I was able to bring both a data-driven approach and a human touch to the task of re-engaging former clients.”
Having trouble figuring out how to do this? Try asking yourself these questions and finding answers that line up with the qualifications you’ve chosen to focus on:
- What approach did you take to tackling one of the responsibilities you’ve mentioned on your resume?
- What details would you include if you were telling someone a (very short!) story about how you accomplished one of your resume bullet points?
- What about your personality, passion, or work ethic made you especially good at getting the job done?
Come up with your examples, then throw in a few numbers. Hiring managers love to see stats—they show you’ve had a measurable impact on an organization you’ve worked for. Did you bring in more clients than any of your peers? Put together an impressive number of events? Make a process at work 30% more efficient? Work it into your cover letter!
Going back to the example from the last step. How could you prove that you’ll meet and exceed sales quotas if they hire you? Try something like:
“ I’ve always been very goal-oriented—whether that goal was hitting a new personal best on the swim team in college or smashing my quotas as a sales development rep for ZZZ Inc. As an SDR, I break my quarterly sales goals down month-by-month and then week-by-week—so that I always know whether I’m ahead, behind, or on-track. I also take an hour every Friday to reflect on what I could’ve done better in the previous week—so that I’m always improving. With these strategies, I’ve met my goals for meetings set 10 out of the last 10 quarters and actually averaged 114% to goal for finding leads that eventually turned into sales over every quarter last year. As an account executive for your company, I’d bring that same drive and systematic approach for meeting longer-term targets to my sales quotas. ”
Do this for each of the qualifications you want to focus on, and feel free to connect your accomplishments directly to the company. Pro tip: Use your space wisely. For more important qualifications, you might dedicate an entire paragraph, while others may only need a sentence or two.
Step 7: Finish with a strong conclusion.
It’s tempting to treat the final lines of your cover letter as a throwaway: “I look forward to hearing from you.” But your closing paragraph is your last chance to emphasize your enthusiasm for the company or how you’d be a great fit for the position. You can also use the end of your letter to add important details—like, say, the fact that you’re willing to relocate for the job.
Some advice might tell you to go with a hard close: Boldly insist that you’re the one, and that you’re going to call them within a week to set up a meeting. But with over 10 years of experience as a recruiter, Foss finds this annoying. It’s one thing to be proactive and confident but, to her, this approach feels like a cheesy tactic stripped out of an old school “How to sell yourself” textbook.
Instead, try something like this:
“I believe my energy, desire to innovate, and experience as a sales leader will serve OrangePurple Co. very well. I would love to meet to discuss the value I could add as your next West Coast Sales Director. I appreciate your consideration and hope to meet with you soon.”
Then be sure to sign off professionally , with an appropriate closing and your first and last name.
Read More: 3 Cover Letter Closing Lines That Make Hiring Managers Grimace (Plus: Better Options )
Step 8: Reread and revise.
We shouldn’t have to tell you to run your cover letter through spell-check, but remember that having your computer scan for typos isn’t the same as editing . Set your letter aside for a day or even just a few hours, and then read through it again with fresh eyes—you’ll probably notice some changes you want to make.
You might even want to ask a friend or family member to give it a look. In addition to asking them if they spot any errors, you should ask them two questions:
- Does this sell me as the best person for the job?
- Does it get you excited?
If the answer to either is “no,” or even slight hesitation, go back for another pass.
Here’s an example cover letter that follows this advice:
Alia Farhat San Francisco Bay Area [email protected] 444-000-1111
Hello Danny Tanaka,
If I’m being honest, I still haven’t fully gotten over the death of my first Tamagotchi pet when I was six years old. (His name was Tommy, and I’ve gotten far more creative since then, I promise.) When I was older, I discovered NeoPets and I was hooked for years—not just on the site, but on the community that surrounded it. So when I heard about FantasyPets last year, I immediately started following news about your development process, and that’s how I saw your post looking for a marketing strategist. Not only do I have eight years of experience in digital marketing, but as a lifelong gamer with a passion for pet-focused titles who’s spent years in online communities with like-minded people, I also know exactly what kind of messaging resonates with your target audience.
You’re looking for someone to help you craft a social media marketing campaign to go along with your game launch, and I’ve been a part of three launch-day marketing campaigns for mobile and web-based games. In my current role as social media manager at Phun Inc., I proposed a campaign across Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok based on competitor research and analysis of our social campaigns for similar games to go along with the launch of the mobile game FarmWorld. Using my strategy of featuring both kids and adults in ads, we ended up driving over one million impressions and 80k downloads in the first three months.
I’ve always believed that the best way to find the right messaging for a game is to understand the audience and immerse myself in it as much as possible. I spend some of my research time on gaming forums and watching Twitch streams and Let’s Plays to see what really matters to the audience and how they talk about it. Of course, I always back my strategies up with data—I’m even responsible for training new members of the marketing team at Phun Inc. in Google AdWords and data visualization.
I believe that my passion for games exactly like yours, my digital marketing and market research experience, and my flair for turning data into actionable insights will help put FantasyPets on the map. I see so much promise in this game, and as a future player, I want to see its user base grow as much as you do. I appreciate your consideration for the marketing strategist role and hope to speak with you soon.
Alia Farhat
Looking for more cover letter examples? Check out these from across our site:
- 4 best cover letter examples for different types of job seekers
- Pain point cover letter example
- Internship cover letter example
- Recent graduate cover letter example
- 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)
- Buzzfeed-style cover letter example
- Creative cover letter example (from the point-of-view of a dog)
As you write your cover letter, here are a few more tips to consider to help you stand out from the stack of applicants:
- Keep it short and sweet: There are always exceptions to the rule, but in general, for resumes and cover letters alike, don’t go over a page. Need help? Check out these tips for cutting down your cover letter .
- Never apologize for your missing experience: When you don’t meet all of the job requirements, it’s tempting to use lines like, “Despite my limited experience as a manager…” or “While I may not have direct experience in marketing…” But why apologize ? Instead of drawing attention to your weaknesses, emphasize the strengths and transferable skills you do have.
- Strike the right tone: You want to find a balance between being excessively formal in your writing—which can make you come off as stiff or insincere—and being too conversational. Let your personality shine through, for sure, but also keep in mind that a cover letter shouldn’t sound like a text to an old friend.
- Consider writing in the company’s “voice”: Cover letters are a great way to show that you understand the environment and culture of the company and industry. Spending some time reading over the company website or stalking their social media before you get started can be a great way to get in the right mindset—you’ll get a sense for the company’s tone, language, and culture, which are all things you’ll want to mirror—especially if writing skills are a core part of the job.
- Go easy on the enthusiasm: We can’t tell you how many cover letters we’ve seen from people who are “absolutely thrilled for the opportunity” or “very excitedly applying!” Yes, you want to show personality, creativity , and excitement. But downplay the adverbs a bit, and keep the level of enthusiasm for the opportunity genuine and believable.
The bottom line with cover letters is this: They matter, much more than the naysayers will have you believe. If you nail yours, you could easily go from the “maybe” pile straight to “Oh, hell yes.”
- Are cover letters still necessary?
- Do I have to write a cover letter if it’s optional?
- Can I skip the cover letter for a tech job?
- What does it mean to write a cover letter for a resume?
- How can I write a simple cover letter in 30 minutes?
- How can I show personality in my cover letter?
- What should I name my cover letter file?
- Is a letter of intent different from a cover letter?
- Is a letter of interest different from a cover letter?
Regina Borsellino and Jenny Foss contributed writing, reporting, and/or advice to this article.
How to Write a Cover Letter in 2023 | Beginner's Guide
After weeks of heavy job search, you’re almost there!
You’ve perfected your resume.
You’ve short-listed the coolest jobs you want to apply for.
You’ve even had a friend train you for every single interview question out there.
But then, before you can send your application and call it a day, you remember that the job ad requires a cover letter.
Now you’re stuck wondering how to write a cover letter ...
Don’t panic! We’ve got you covered. Writing a cover letter is a lot simpler than you might think.
In this guide, we’re going to teach you how to write a cover letter that gets you the job you deserve.
- What’s a cover letter & why it’s important for your job search
- How to write a convincing cover letter that gets you the job (step-by-step!)
- How to perfect your cover letter with the Novoresume free checklist
- What excellent cover letter examples look like
So, let’s get started with the basics!
What is a Cover Letter? (and Why It’s Important)
A cover letter is a one-page document that you submit as part of your job application (alongside your CV or Resume).
Its purpose is to introduce you and briefly summarize your professional background. On average, your cover letter should be from 250 to 400 words long .
A good cover letter can spark the HR manager’s interest and get them to read your resume.
A bad cover letter, on the other hand, might mean that your application is going directly to the paper shredder. So, to make sure this doesn’t happen, it’s essential to know how to write a convincing cover letter.
How does a good cover letter look, you might ask. Well, here’s an example:
Keep in mind, though, that a cover letter is a supplement to your resume, not a replacement. Meaning, you don’t just repeat whatever is mentioned in your resume.
If you’re writing a cover letter for the first time, writing all this might seem pretty tough. After all, you’re probably not a professional writer.
The thing is, though, you don’t need to be creative, or even any good at writing. All you have to do is follow a tried-and-tested format:
- Header - Input contact information
- Greeting the hiring manager
- Opening paragraph - Grab the reader’s attention with 2-3 of your top achievements
- Second paragraph - Explain why you’re the perfect candidate for the job
- Third paragraph - Explain why you’re a good match for the company
- Formal closing
Or, here’s what this looks like in practice:
How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter (And Get Hired!)
Now that we’ve got the basics out of the way, we’re going to guide you through the process of writing a cover letter step by step.
Step #1 - Pick the Right Cover Letter Template
A good cover letter is all about leaving the right first impression.
So, what’s a better way to leave a good impression than a well-formatted, visual template?
You can simply pick one of our hand-picked cover letter templates , and you’ll be all set in a jiffy!
As a bonus, our AI will even give you suggestions on how to improve your cover letter on the go.
Step #2 - Start the Cover Letter with a Header
As with a resume, it’s important to start your cover letter with a Contact Information section:
Here, you want to include all essential information, including:
- Phone Number
- Name of the hiring manager / their professional title
- Name of the company you’re applying to
In certain cases, you might also consider adding:
- Social Media Profiles - Any type of profile that’s relevant to your field. Social Profiles on websites like LinkedIn, GitHub (for developers), Medium (for writers), etc.
- Personal Website - If you have a personal website that somehow adds value to your application, you can mention it. Let’s say you’re a professional writer. In that case, you’d want to link to your blog.
And here’s what you shouldn’t mention in your header:
- Your Full Address
- Unprofessional Email - Make sure your email is presentable. It’s pretty hard for a hiring manager to take you seriously if your email address is “[email protected]” Whenever applying for jobs, stick to the “[first name] + [last name] @ email provider.com” format.
Step #3 - Greet the Hiring Manager
Once you’ve properly listed your contact information, you need to start writing the cover letter contents.
The first thing to do here is to address the cover letter to the hiring manager .
That’s right, the hiring manager! Not the overly popular “Dear Sir or Madam.” You want to show your future boss that you did your research and are really passionate about working with their team.
No one wants to hire a job seeker who just spams 20+ companies and hopes to get hired in any of them.
So, how do you find out who’s the hiring manager? There are several ways to do this.
The simplest option is to look up the head of the relevant department on LinkedIn. Let’s say you’re applying for the position of a Communication Specialist at Novoresume. The hiring manager is probably Head of Communications or Chief Communications Office.
So, you do a quick lookup on LinkedIn:
And voila! You have your hiring manager.
Or let’s say you’re applying for the position of a server. In that case, you’d be looking for the “restaurant manager.”
If this doesn’t work, you can also check out the “Team” page on the company website; there’s a good chance you’ll at least find the right person there.
Here are several other greetings you could use:
- Dear [Department] Hiring Manager
- Dear Hiring Manager
- To whom it may concern
- Dear [Department] Team
Step #4 - Write an Attention-Grabbing Introduction
First impressions matter, especially when it comes to your job search.
Recruiters get hundreds, sometimes even thousands, of applications. Chances are, they’re not going to be reading every single cover letter end-to-end.
So, it’s essential to catch their attention from the very first paragraph .
The #1 problem we see with most cover letter opening paragraphs is that they’re usually extremely generic. Most of them look something like this..
- Hey, my name is Jonathan and I’d like to work as a Sales Manager at XYZ Inc. I’ve worked as a sales manager at MadeUpCompany Inc. for 5+ years, so I believe that I’d be a good fit for the position.
See the issue here? This opening paragraph doesn’t say pretty much anything except the fact that you’ve worked the job before.
Do you know who else has similar work experience? All the other applicants you’re competing with.
Instead, you want to start off with 2-3 of your top achievements to really grab the reader’s attention. Preferably, the achievements should be as relevant as possible to the position.
So now, let’s make our previous example shine:
My name’s Michael and I’d like to help XYZ Inc. hit and exceed their sales goals as a Sales Manager. I’ve worked with Company X, a fin-tech company, for 3+ years. As a Sales Representative, I generated an average of $30,000+ in sales per month (beating the KPIs by around 40%). I believe that my previous industry experience, as well as excellence in sales, makes me the right candidate for the job.
See the difference between the two examples? If you were the hiring manager, which sales manager would you hire, Jonathan or Michael?
Now that we’ve covered the introduction, let’s talk about the body of your cover letter. This part is split into two paragraphs: the first is for explaining why you’re the perfect person for the job, and the latter is for proving that you’re a good fit for the company.
So, let’s get started...
Step #5 - Explain why you’re the perfect person for the job
This is where you show off your professional skills and convince the HR manager that you’re a better fit for the job than all the other applicants.
But first things first - before you even write anything, you need to learn what the most important requirements for the role are. So, open up the job ad and identify which of the responsibilities are the most critical.
For the sake of the example, let’s say you’re applying for the position of a Facebook Advertiser. You scan the job ad and see that the top requirements are:
- Experience managing a Facebook ad budget of $10,000+ / month
- Some skills in advertising on other platforms (Google Search + Twitter)
- Excellent copywriting skills
Now, in this section, you need to discuss how you fulfill these requirements. So, here’s how that would look for our example:
In my previous role as a Facebook Marketing Expert at XYZ Inc. I handled customer acquisition through ads, managing a monthly Facebook ad budget of $20,000+ . As the sole digital marketer at the company, I managed the ad creation & management process end-to-end. Meaning, I created the ad copy , images, picked the targeting, ran optimization trials, and so on.
Other than Facebook advertising, I’ve also delved into other online PPC channels, including:
- Google Search
Are you a student applying for your first internship? You probably don’t have a lot of work experience to show off in this section. Learn how to write an internship cover letter here.
Step #6 - Explain why you’re a good fit for the company
Once you’ve written the last paragraph, you might be thinking - I’m a shoo-in for the job! What else do I need to write? I’ll just wrap up the cover letter and hit that sweet SEND button.
Well, no. You’re not quite there yet.
The HR manager doesn’t only look at whether you’ll be good at the job or not. They’re looking for someone that’s also a good fit for the company culture.
After all, employees that don’t fit in are bound to quit, sooner or later. This ends up costing the company a ton of money, up to 50% of the employee’s annual salary .
Meaning, you also need to convince the HR manager that you’re really passionate about working with them.
How do you do this? Well, as a start, you want to do some research about the company. You want to know things like:
- What’s the company’s business model?
- What’s the company product or service? Have you used it?
- What’s the culture like? Will someone micro-manage your work, or will you have autonomy on how you get things done?
So, get to Googling. Chances are, you’ll find all the information you need either on the company website or somewhere around the web.
Then, you need to figure out what you like about the company and turn that into text.
Let’s say, for example, you’re passionate about their product and you like the culture of innovation / independent work in the organization.
You’d write something like:
I’ve personally used the XYZ Smartphone, and I believe that it’s the most innovative tech I’ve used in years. The features such as Made-Up-Feature #1 and Made-Up-Feature #2 were real game changers for the device.
I really admire how Company XYZ thrives for excellence for all its product lines, creating market-leading tech. As someone that thrives in a self-driven environment, I truly believe that I and Company XYZ will be a great match.
What you don’t want to do here is be super generic for the sake of having something to write. Most job seekers tend to mess this one up. Let’s take a look at a very common example we tend to see (way too often):
I’d love to work for Company XYZ because of its culture of innovation. I believe that since I’m super creative, I’d be a good fit for the company. The company values of integrity and transparency really vibe with me.
See what’s wrong here? The example doesn’t really say anything about the company. “Culture of Innovation” is something most companies claim to have.
The same goes for “values of integrity and transparency” - the writer just googled what the values for the organization are, and said that they like them.
Any hiring manager that reads this will see through the fluff.
So, make sure to do a lot of research and come up with good reasons why you're applying.
Step #7 - Wrap up with a call to action
Finally, it’s time to finish up your cover letter and write the conclusion.
In the final paragraph, you want to:
- Wrap up any points you couldn't in the previous paragraphs. Do you have anything left to say? Any other information that could help the hiring manager make their decision? Mention it here.
- Thank the hiring manager for their time. It never hurts to be courteous, as long as you don’t come off as too needy.
- Finish the cover letter with a call to action. The very last sentence in your cover letter should be a call to action. You should ask the hiring manager to take some sort of action.
And now, let’s turn this into a practical example:
So to wrap it all up, thanks for looking into my application. I hope I can help Company X make the most out of their Facebook marketing initiatives. I'd love to further discuss how my previous success at XYZ Inc. can help you achieve your facebook marketing goals.
Step #8 - Use the right formal closing
Once you’re done with the final paragraph, all you have to do is write down a formal “goodbye” and you’re good to go.
Feel free to use one of the most popular conclusions to a cover letter:
- Best Regards,
- Kind Regards,
And we’re finally done! Before sending off the cover letter, make sure to proofread it with software like Grammarly, or maybe even get a friend to review it for you.
Does your cover letter heading include all essential information?
- Professional email
- Relevant Social Media Profiles
Do you address the right person? I.e. hiring manager in the company / your future direct supervisor
Does your introductory paragraph grab the reader's attention?
- Did you mention 2-3 of your top achievements?
- Did you use numbers and facts to back up your experience?
Do you successfully convey that you’re the right pro for the job?
- Did you identify the core requirements?
- Did you successfully convey how your experiences help you fit the requirements perfectly?
Do you convince the hiring manager that you’re passionate about the company you’re applying to?
- Did you identify the top 3 things that you like about the company?
- Did you avoid generic reasons for explaining your interest in the company?
Did you finalize the conclusion with a call to action?
Did you use the right formal closure for the cover letter?
5+ Cover Letter Examples
Need some inspiration? Read on to learn about some of the best cover letter examples we’ve seen (for different fields).
College Student Cover Letter Example
Middle Management Cover Letter Example
Career Change Cover Letter Example
Management Cover Letter Example
Senior Executive Cover Letter Example
Want to discover more examples AND learn what makes them stand out? Check out our guide to cover letter examples .
Next Steps in Your Job Search - Creating a Killer Resume
Your cover letter is only as good as your resume. If either one is weak, your entire application is for naught.
After all, a cover letter is just an introduction. Imagine going through all this effort to leave an amazing first impression, but flopping at the end because of a mediocre resume.
...But don’t you worry, we’ve got you covered on that end, too.
If you want to learn more about Resumes & CVs, we have a dedicated FREE guide for that. Check out our complete guide on how to make a resume , as well as how to write a CV - our experts will teach you everything you need to know in order to land your dream job.
Or, if you’re already an expert, just pick one of our resume templates and get started.
Key Takeaways
Now that we’ve walked you through all the steps of writing a cover letter, let’s summarize everything we’ve learned:
- A cover letter is a 250 - 400 word document that convinces the hiring manager of your competence
- A cover letter goes in your job application alongside your resume
- Your introduction to the cover letter should grab the hiring manager’s attention and keep it all the way until the conclusion
- There are 2 main topics you need to include in your cover letter: why you’re the perfect candidate for the job & why you’re passionate about working in the company you’re applying to
- Most of the content of your cover letter should be factual , without any fluff or generalizations
At Novorésumé, we’re committed to helping you get the job you deserve, every step of the way! Follow our blog to stay up to date with the industry-leading advice. Or, check out some of our top guides…
- How to Write a Motivational Letter
- How to Write a Resume with No Work Experience
- Most Common Interview Questions and Answers
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Microsoft 365 Life Hacks > Writing > How to write a great cover letter for a job
How to write a great cover letter for a job
Job hunting can be tough—especially when it comes to your cover letter. Writing a unique, eye-catching cover letter for a job application is one of the toughest parts of the entire process.
To help you land your dream job, we’ve created this quick guide to writing a stand-out cover letter. Let’s dive in.
What is a cover letter?
Before you can write an outstanding cover letter for a job application, you’ve got to understand what it is.
Your resume lays down the facts about your professional history. Your cover letter puts all of that information in context. A good cover letter will contain:
- An explanation for why you are applying for a role
- A description of how your past work history makes you an outstanding candidate
- A hint of your soft skills and ability to adapt to a new work culture
Cover letter contents vary depending on your industry, work history, and the open job. There is no clear formula for writing one, though there are certain tips you can follow. Because there is no “right” way to craft a cover letter, templates will not be much help. While you can use a template to format your cover letter, you’ll want to write the bulk of it yourself.
The more unique and creative your cover letter is, the more likely a recruiter will contact you for an interview.
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Why is having a good cover letter important?
Cover letters are optional for some applications. In the current tight job market, employers try to make it easier for people to apply for their positions. However, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t write one.
Over half of senior managers say that cover letters are worthwhile. If other applicants don’t include a cover letter for a job and you do, you have already set yourself apart from the pack. If your cover letter is well-written, your initial impression gets more of a boost. Even if a cover letter isn’t requested, it’s a good move to include one anyway. Be sure to go the extra mile.
For jobs that do require cover letters, a well-written cover letter can easily prove your professionalism to recruiters.
Ten tips for writing a stand-out cover letter for a job
Cover letters are important, but how do you write one that recruiters and hiring managers won’t stop talking about? Here are ten top tips for crafting a cover letter for a job:
- Address your recruiter or hiring manager by name. Using your recipient’s name quickly makes your cover letter stand out. Addressing your recipient by name shows them that you’re willing to put that extra work in.
- Link your history to the job description. Carefully review the job description before you write your cover letter. Pick out a few leading job requirements, and connect your work history examples to those requirements.
- Show, don’t tell. Don’t just tell your audience about your achievements. Show them. Give examples, and try to include results where you can. Add in numbers where you can, too. Quantified results will stand out.
- Create a story. In your cover letter, demonstrate how your past work history has raised you to your present level. Then, explain how you will be able to succeed at the specific role you’re applying for. Think of it as a story with a strong narrative arc.
- Use an appropriate, approachable tone. Formal cover letters can seem off-putting in this day and age. Write in a casual yet professional tone. If your industry skews conservative or otherwise, keep that in mind.
- Insert your personality. Hiring teams want to know if you’ll be a flexible co-worker. Try to make your cover letter reflect your personality—especially if you’re naturally energetic, positive, or kind.
- Be honest. Don’t stretch the truth in your cover letter. In fact, this is the place to address any potential issues, like an employment gap or botched project. Honesty can be impressive, showing hiring managers how you would resolve a mistake or problem in your new role.
- Leave out what you can. Mainly, you don’t want to overwhelm your readers with information. They can ask follow-up questions during the interview. Leave out any history that isn’t necessary or relevant.
- End with a call of action. Don’t tell the letter recipient that you’d like for him or her to reach out immediately. That’s overstepping boundaries. But you should feel free to let them know that you’re excited to talk with them soon.
- Coordinate your letter with your resume. Finally, you can coordinate your cover letter with your resume. Ensure both documents use similar language. You can even ensure the design matches for that extra touch with cover letter and resume templates .
Overview: what your cover letter is really about
At the end of the day, the best way to write a good cover letter for a job is to be yourself and show how much you want the job. Ultimately, recruiters and hiring managers are looking for enthusiastic team members who are willing to work hard for good results.
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Resume & Cover Letter
How to write a cover letter in 2022 (6 tips and 3 templates).
Posted by Dominique Fluker
Content Marketing Manager, Editorial
Last Updated June 9, 2022
Guide Overview
A guide to writing a cover letter that impresses your reader.
The cover letter is a tool to help introduce yourself in a memorable, personal way during a job application. A well-crafted cover letter goes over information on your resume and expands this information for the reader, taking them on a guided journey of some of your greatest career and life achievements . Its purpose is to elaborate on the information contained in your resume while infusing your personality. Unlike a resume, a cover letter lets you introduce yourself to the hiring manager, provide context for your achievements and qualifications, and explain your motivation for joining the company. So how do you pique the interest of your future employer and hiring manager all while highlighting your truest self?
When starting to write any cover letter, it is always best to plan the content of your letter based on the requirements of the job you’re applying for.
We’re here to help you! This guide will cover:
- The essential elements of a successful cover letter
- How to write a unique cover letter,
- What to include in a cover letter
- What not to include and how you should submit your cover letter
What is a Cover Letter?
Your resume is intended to lay out the facts, but your cover letter is meant to convey more personality. The cover letter is your first introduction to the person who may hire you, and its goal should be to make you as memorable as possible , in a good way.
That means writing a unique cover letter for every job you apply to. No templates. No pre-written nonsense. The format of your cover letter should also match the company and the industry you’re applying to.
There is no “official format” for your cover letter or the information you include in it, but your cover letter should be visually organized , and orderly in its presentation of information.
Successful cover letters go something like this:
- Memorable introduction
- Specific, organized examples of relevant work done and problems solved
- Concise conclusion with a call to action
The rest is up to you. As we’ll go over in the next section, “What to Include in Your Cover Letter,” successful cover letters prove that you are qualified for the job by telling stories that demonstrate your skills and experience .
What to Include in Your Cover Letter?
You shouldn’t try to fit your whole career and life into the space of a cover letter.
Your cover letter should be a carefully curated selection of stories f rom your career that gives the reader a clear idea of who you are and how you can add value to their company.
The Society for Human Resources surveyed organizations on resumes , cover letters , and interviews and found the top three things that must be included in a cover letter are:
- How a candidate’s work experience meets job requirements.
- How a candidate’s skills meet job requirements.
- Why a candidate wants to work at the organization.
Your cover letter needs to provide this information and leave the reader convinced that you are the right person for the job .
To accomplish this, you should be using the requirements of the job to dictate the content of your cover letter and following these best practices.
Show how you can solve specific problems
Saying you’re a ‘problem-solver’ is about as helpful as explaining your preference for chocolate croissants over regular croissants. Don’t tell them about your amazing problem-solving skills . Explain the details of a particular problem you were key in solving and how exactly you employed your skills to solve it. Better yet, if you know the company has a particular problem you could help solve, outline how you can help solve it.
Pick an appropriate voice and tone
You should write like yourself, but you should also pick the appropriate voice and tone for the company you’re applying to.
Researching the company will help dictate the tone you want to use, which may differ greatly, depending on where you apply. For example, the tone of your letter for a legal consulting firm will likely differ from a tech startup .
Tell your story
Telling stories from your career is a great way to demonstrate your skills and give hiring managers some insight into your personality and work style .
When looking for the right stories to tell, always look to the requirements for the position in the job description .
It is also helpful to research the company further online to get a sense for the company’s culture. Before drafting your cover letter, compare your skills with the requirements for the position.
It can be helpful to use Venn diagrams to brainstorm and find what competencies you want to highlight and what specific experiences you want to share. After you create this diagram and identify what falls into both circles, overlapping subjects will direct and inspire the content of your cover letter.
Let’s say you’re applying for a marketing director position. Among other aspects in the description, the job requires several years of marketing experience, a deep knowledge of lead generation, and strong communication skills . Describe how, in your previous role as a marketing manager, you ran several campaigns for your clients and exceeded their expectations of lead generation (with specific numbers, if possible), and how you also trained and mentored new associates on how to manage their own accounts, which improved client retention rates.
Your anecdote is accomplishing a lot at once—it’s demonstrating one of your top hard skills, lead nurturing, and showcasing how you can collaborate with trainees, communicate effectively , and educate new employees on processes and client relations. You’re proving that you can meet the communication standards and marketing knowledge they’re seeking.
Honesty is the only policy
Dishonesty on your cover letter isn’t in your best interest.
Implying or stating that you have a skill that you don’t actually have will come back to bite you upon being asked to use that skill in the interview or on the job.
Don’t sound like everyone else
“Hi, I’m ___. I’m a detail-oriented, multi-tasking, natural-born leader and I am perfect for your company.”
Hiring managers are going to read the same basic cover letter repeatedly, and you don’t want to be the last template email the hiring manager discounts before lunch. Adding a little word variation helps you stand out against other applicants .
Instead of describing yourself as creative, try imaginative. You’re inventive, not innovative. You’re not determined, you’re tenacious. These word variations at least show that you can think beyond what the average applicant is willing to do.
End with a call to action
End your letter with a reason for them to contact you . But don’t add remarks like, “I’ll call to schedule an interview.” This doesn’t make you a go-getter, it crosses a boundary.
Instead, let the call to action be polite and open ended, suggesting that you are excited to offer more information and that you’re looking forward to talking with them.
Proof your cover letter
Always proofread your cover letter for errors and have friends and family read through the cover letter.
How to Make Your Cover Letter Unique?
When thinking about how to make your cover letter unique , keep the following statements in mind:
- You should make your cover letter unique and show the reader who you are as an individual.
- You should include experience and skills that relate directly to the job posting.
These might sound like opposing statements, but they’re equally important for writing a successful cover letter.
Your cover letter needs to be highly related to the job you’re applying to, but the way that you prove your qualifications should show who you are as an individual.
Tell a compelling story
Everyone loves a good story, and recruiters and hiring managers are no exception. Telling compelling stories from your career will make your cover letter unique and memorable for whoever reads it.
Just be sure that the stories you choose demonstrate proficiency with the skills, tools and concepts that are required by the job you’re applying for.
What makes this company your go-to choice? Why is this company special to you? Perhaps you’re attracted to the workplace culture , or perhaps you’ve always admired the business philosophy that the company lives by.
Address the recruiter or hiring manager by name
Now it’s fine to just use “Dear Sir/Madam” or “To Whom It May Concern” when addressing the recruiter. In fact, I can tell you from experience that most people use precisely these words. However, I can also tell you that most people don’t get the job. If you want to make a strong impression, take time to research who you’re addressing .
You may have to make a few phone calls or try several searches before you find the right name, but, the harder they are to find, the less likely other applicants are to do it and the more impressed they will be with you.
Give your cover letter a unique visual format
A unique visual format for your cover letter can help you stand out from other candidates in a positive way. Just be sure that the unique format you use is appropriate for the company you’re applying to and their industry.
Here’s a good example of an eye-catching cover letter format :
What to Leave Off a Cover Letter?
Recruiters and hiring managers read thousands of cover letters and resumes, so make sure that you avoid these cover letter errors :
Avoid overused phrases
The average cover letter is going to be extremely generic and contain overused expressions such as “Thank you for taking the time to look at my resume” or “I believe that my set of skills make me a great fit for the job.” While none of these lines hurt your chance of getting the job, they certainly don’t help either.
Career coach Angela Copeland says, “stay away from phrases that are known to annoy hiring managers, such as ‘heavy lifting’ or ‘think outside the box’ or ‘game-changer.’”
Here are some more phrases that make recruiters and hiring managers groan :
- “To Whom It May Concern”
- “I’m not sure if you know”
- “Please feel free”
- “Significant”
- “Self-Starter,” “Detail-Oriented,” and “Forward-Thinker”
- “Really, truly, deeply”
Recruiters and hiring managers go through hundreds of cover letters and get tired of these clichés . They’re waiting for something new and refreshing to come along and it’s in your best interest to do so.
Never include irrelevant information
Never include irrelevant information in your cover letter. Irrelevant information can confuse or bore the reader, causing them to miss important points in your cover letter.
How to Submit a Cover Letter?
The longer you “sit on” a cover letter to edit and re-write it , the longer you prolong the opportunity for someone else to get the attention of the hiring manager you want to impress.
You should submit your cover letter as soon as you are certain that:
- Your cover letter, resume and portfolio work are free from errors.
- Your cover letter is written in a way that balances professionalism with personality.
- Your cover letter catches the reader’s interest from the first sentence and maintains it throughout.
- Your cover letter uses the requirements for the job and information on the company as a guide for its content.
- Your cover letter tells stories that are filled with examples that satisfy job requirements and make you stand out positively as an individual and a potential employee.
Submitting your cover letter
Always follow the submission instructions laid out in the job description when submitting your cover letter.
If you are submitting the letter though a website with fillable fields, be sure that no formatting or content errors have occurred.
Be Very Specific
Do not send a generic cover letter. Repeat: DO NOT send a generic cover letter. They can be spotted a mile away and are as fun to read as they are to write. Try your very best to find a name you can address your letter to. A name is one of the most effective ways to make the letter feel more personal.
Visually Match Your Resumé
The heading of your letter should correlate with your resumé, the font should be the same and the paper (if you’re printing it) should also be the same. Along with your resume, your cover letter is part of a pair, and this pair should be visually consistent.
Consider Using a Template
This is an especially good idea if you’re already using a template for your resume. In fact, if your resume is templated, your cover letter absolutely should be too. A template is a great way to get some structure going. It can help make a big, blank, white page a little less intimidating.
Learn More!
If you have any more questions about how to write a successful cover letter, here are some related articles we’ve written on crafting cover letters that make you stand out from other applicants.
- Get Noticed: Write A Cover Letter That Makes You Stand Out
- How To Write An Entry Level Cover Letter
- 9 Attention-Grabbing Cover Letter Examples
- 4 Cover Letter Blunders and How To Fix Them
- How To Write a Cover Letter & Resume That’ll Guarantee a Job Offer
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- Cover Letter
How to Write a Cover Letter for Any Job in 8 Steps (2023)
You need to write a cover letter, but what is a cover letter, exactly? And what’s the best way to write it? Learn how to write a cover letter the best way with tips from experts.
As seen in:
Unlike a resume, a cover letter lets you introduce yourself to the hiring manager, provide context for your achievements and qualifications, and explain your motivation to join the company.
But you can’t just write a cover letter. It has to be perfect. So… How do you write the ideal cover letter? You know—the kind of letter that will make the employer call you up in the middle of the night? Give us 10 minutes, and you’ll know how to write a cover letter like that.
This guide will show you:
- How to write a cover letter for a job application better than 9 out of 10 others.
- A sample cover letter that will get you more interviews.
- Cover letter writing tips and hacks to boost your chances of landing a job.
- Step-by-step instructions for making a cover letter in our online builder.
Have a specific job in mind? Find the right cover letter sample for your job among Cover Letter Examples for All Professions
And if you experience writer’s block, let us write your cover letter for you. Tell us your name, job title, and years of experience to get an automatically generated cover letter in less than a minute. Pick from 18+ cover letter templates and match your resume!
Create your cover letter now
Sample cover letter for a resume— See more cover letter samples here .
What Is a Cover Letter?
A cover letter is a document attached to a job application designed to introduce the candidate in a more personal way. It should complement the information from a resume or CV, expanding on the skills and achievements and highlighting a selection of the most relevant accomplishments.
See? It’s not rocket science. It’s just a letter that supports your job application.
What Is the Purpose of a Cover Letter?
There are several reasons hiring managers request cover letters, and job applicants should write them. The main reason is that the cover letter can provide additional, more personal information—something difficult to grasp reading a resume. But it also:
- Makes you stand out from other applicants
- Expresses your interest in the position
- Shows your knowledge about the company
- Presents how your skills and experience can assist the company
- Proves you understand the needs of the company
And that’s why it’s worth spending some time writing a great cover letter that does all of the above. So let’s learn how to.
How to Write a Cover Letter
Watch the video to uncover the simple truth of writing a cover letter for a job:
Worried you might miss something? You can relax. We’ve got a checklist guide for you: What to Include in a Cover Letter
Let’s now move on to detailed instructions on how to write a successful cover letter:
1. Start With a Header
Ideally, your cover letter header should be the same as in your resume for consistency. So use the same template and don’t worry about the design. If you prefer to make one from scratch, though, include the following contact information:
- Telephone number
- Email address
Pro Tip: If you send your cover letter via email , don’t use your current work email address. It’s impolite to your current and potential employer.
2. Address the Reader
Once you’re done with the header, mention the location and date of writing. Then follow with your reader’s details like this:
Use the below template to format yours:
[Location, MM/DD/YYYY]
[Hiring Manager’s or Recruiter’s Name]
[Hiring Manager’s or Recruiter’s Job Title]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
Now, address your cover letter directly to the hiring manager, no two ways about it. And use their name in the cover letter salutation . According to the study , we tend to react actively to hearing or seeing one’s name. Use that knowledge to catch their attention.
Choose from the below examples of professional cover letter greetings:
Pro Tip: Wondering whether you should use the hiring manager’s first or last name? That depends on the company culture. Use the first name if you’re applying to a relaxed, casual company. For corporate cover letters, it’s safer to use the addressee's last name.
To find the hiring manager’s name, look into the job description to see if the recruiter left their name or go to the company’s LinkedIn page. You should find people there responsible for uploading the job offers.
If you can’t find the name by any means possible, opt for Dear Hiring Manager . Avoid starting your cover letter with To Whom It May Concern like the plague. And if you’re not living in Victorian England, don’t start a cover letter with Dear Sir or Madam either.
3. Make a Proper Introduction
Here’s the brutal truth: these few sentences at the beginning of your cover letter will determine whether the hiring manager will read on. So you need to start your cover letter in a way that attracts and holds the reader’s interest.
There are a few different, effective strategies for your cover letter opening . You can highlight your achievements, display your passion and enthusiasm, or drop names.
Have a look at these two sample cover letter opening paragraphs:
Why is the wrong example so bad? Because it provides no value and details, the bottom line is: “I’ve already done this job, so I think I’d fit in.” And it’s not enough for someone with more than eight years of experience to get the job.
No achievements yet? Don’t worry. We’ve got a dedicated guide to show you how to write a good cover letter and land your dream internship: Internship Cover Letter
4. Explain Why You’re the Perfect Fit
Your second paragraph needs to give the hiring manager what they’re looking for and show that you’ll satisfy the company’s specific needs.
Remember Jane, our digital marketing manager candidate? The XYZ company she applies to needs:
- First of all, a savvy digital marketing manager (1) .
- And, on top of that, someone who will supervise the development of their new online portal (2) .
Let’s look at how Jane managed to show that she’s both:
Wondering how to say that in your cover letter ? In the first sentence, prove that you’re an expert in your field but don’t keep on bragging. The remaining part should be all about how your previous experiences will help your future employer press ahead with their plans.
Job seekers impress employers by identifying transferable skills related to new positions. People often apply to new positions, so it’s likely you’ll not have the exact experience requested. But employers would rather know how your past experiences will inform future decisions. You were a hostess? Relate those management and organizational skills to the Executive Assistant position. Lauren Little Career Coach
5. Show Your Motivation to Join the Company
Your future employers have needs . If they’re willing to hire you, it’s because they think you’ll satisfy those needs. But they also want you to enjoy working with them—that way, they know you’re more likely to stay with them for longer.
The key to writing a perfect third paragraph is showing the hiring manager why you want this job, not just any job. This is particularly important when making an entry-level cover letter . Enthusiasm and passion help prove you'll hit the ground running.
Have a look at these cover letter examples:
Above all, you want to avoid writing too much of a general cover letter . Generic doesn't win jobs; tailored and targeted does.
Pro tip: If you're looking to work for a company but there aren't any open positions, try writing a letter of interest for a job . It's a great way of uncovering vacancies that aren't even advertised.
6. Close With a Promise
How to make the best cover letter ending? By providing value. The worst mistakes you can make in the final paragraph are coming off needy, focusing on how much you want the job, not on what you have to offer, and repeating the clichéd phrase “Thank you for your consideration and your time.”
Instead, tell the hiring manager that you’re looking forward to meeting in person and discussing how your experience and knowledge can help your future employer fulfill their goals. Like here:
Trying to find exciting ways to end your cover letter, but to no avail? See how to write a convincing final paragraph here: How to Successfully Close a Cover Letter
Want to save time and have your professional job application ready in minutes? Here are a sample cover letter and a matching resume made using Zety builder. Pick a cover letter template and build a coordinating job application.
See more cover letter samples and start writing.
7. Stay Formal in the Closing Salutation
Once you’ve written the body of your cover letter, you just need to put a formal closing at the very end. Write “Sincerely” and follow it with your full name. Adding your handwritten signature is optional, but it’s recommended for more formal cover letters.
If you’re not a fan of the well-worn “Sincerely,” feel free to use any of the following:
- Best regards,
- Kind regards,
- Respectfully yours,
- With best regards,
8. Add a Postscript
All of the above sections are must-haves in a good cover letter format. But there’s one special trick you can use—the postscript. Why is it so important? Because it’s like a magnet for the hiring manager’s eyes that screams: “you cannot miss this information.”
Use the postscript to tell the hiring manager about something impressive about your career, even if it’s not strictly related to the job opening. And say that you’d be happy to provide them with more details if they find it interesting.
9. Double-Check the Formatting
Before you hit send, make sure your cover letter formatting is intact. Here’s everything you need to know:
- Choose a legible cover letter font like Arial or Garamond, and keep it between 10 and 12 points in font size.
- Set even margins on all sides. 1-inch margins should be perfect.
- Left-align all your contents.
- Use double cover letter spacing between paragraphs and 1–1.15 between lines.
- Be sure to keep your cover letter length to one page.
- Title your cover letter by JobTitle—CoverLetter—YourName .
- Let your cover letter layout stay intact en route to the recruiter by saving the file in PDF.
The final step of writing your cover letter is, in fact, checking up on your resume to see if they both match the job requirements. Make sure you meet your hiring manager's expectations to the best of your ability.
How to Write a Cover Letter Using an Online Builder
Not enough time? Or maybe a few too many jobs to apply for? Try giving an online cover letter builder a go to write and tailor your cover letter in a flash.
Let’s walk you through the five stages of making a cover letter in the Zety builder:
1. Choose Where to Start
Depending on your preference, you can either create a cover letter from scratch or use the resume upload feature. The latter allows you to import the information from your resume into the cover letter, and it proves useful when applying for multiple jobs. (Of course, assuming you tailored your resume to every job description you’re after!)
2. Target the Specific Job
Now’s the time to detail your cover letter. Let us know which position you’re chasing, along with the company name.
Based on the position you selected, pick your top skills that should make it to the cover letter. But! Choose wisely. Recruiters may not treat all skills with the same importance. Use the job description to find out which are the most desired and highlight them in the letter.
3. Include Your Background Information
Choose how many years of relevant experience you have, which also involves internships or volunteer gigs . Depending on your selection, you’ll be prompted to say more about your education or work history.
If you have any gaps in your employment , you’ll also have a chance to disclose and explain them.
4. Establish Your Working Style
As the final part, help us personalize your cover letter by selecting the working style that best describes you. This will set the right tone for your application.
5. Double-Check and Download
Once you’re done filling out the information, see if there’s everything you expected. There might be cover letter sections that you need but which aren’t the default. Don’t worry! By using the Add Section function, you can include information detailing, for example, your availability or expected salary.
Now that you have the contents ready, use the bar below to swap the templates, pick the correct formatting, or choose colors. Keep in mind that it’s best when your cover letter matches your resume.
Et voilà! Your cover letter is ready. Download it in either .docx or PDF format, depending on your recruiter's wishes.
Key Takeaway
For the final thought on how to write a cover letter in 8 steps:
- Ensure your contact info in the header is correct.
- Address your hiring manager or recruiter personally.
- Attract their attention in the introduction.
- Use your experience to prove you're the exact match to the company's needs.
- Explain your motivation and fit for the position.
- Finish with a call to action and ask for a meeting.
- Be formal in the closing sentiment.
- Include a postscript.
Or use the cover letter builder to remember it all for you!
Thank you for taking the time to read my article. Do you have any questions about how to make a cover letter? Want to share an example of a cover letter? Give us a shout in the comments, and we’ll reply!
Frequently Asked Questions about How to Write a Cover Letter
What is a cover letter.
A cover letter is a formal letter that accompanies a CV or a resume . It includes a candidate’s introduction and an overview of the candidate’s qualifications , skills, and accomplishments most relevant to the job they’re pursuing. The cover letter also serves to express the candidate’s interest in the position and the company, as well as eagerness to contribute to the company’s success. It can also help to explain employment gaps .
What are the four parts of a cover letter?
- Cover letter header with your contact information such as full name, phone number, and email address
- Cover letter introduction with your hiring manager’s address and a hook that hypes the reader up so much that they can’t stop reading
- Cover letter body with a description of your significant accomplishments and strengths that you’ll bring to the table. (Beware! It’s not a copy of your resume.)
- Cover letter closing with a call to action and your signature
What should a cover letter say?
That you’re the one. That you want them, but that they want you, too. That you’re the solution to their problems. That’s what your cover letter should say .
And you can achieve all of that by having a number of things in your cover letter :
- action verbs and power words
- accomplishment statements
- organized cover letter layout , and
- enthusiastic but determined tone of voice
How to write a simple cover letter?
To make cover letter writing simple, you need to know a couple of things first:
- Create proper cover letter formatting before putting down words. You’ll ensure a correct structure and that you’ll fit onto one page with your cover letter.
- Find your hiring manager’s or recruiter’s name. By personalizing your cover letter, you have a higher chance of landing the gig.
- Create a list of job keywords you need to target with your application. Have a look at the job ad and mark those words which speak of necessary qualifications and qualities. Then use them in your paragraphs.
- Never lie in your job application .
- And lastly, do as extensive research about the company as possible. The intricate details about their mission, values, and vision will help you find an angle to write your cover letter.
How to write a cover letter for an internship?
A cover letter to an internship resume is a fantastic way to shoo away your competition. So don't hesitate and write a cover letter for an internship you’ve dreamt of for too long.
First and foremost, prove to your potential employer that you’re worth hiring, and that they’re a great company to work for. Do your research and don’t be shy to show what you’ve learned. Later use that knowledge to give away your connection to the company and its values. Show your transferable skillset and achievements, and let your determination and motivation do their magic.
How to write a cover letter for 2023?
In 2023, write your cover letter with these simple steps:
- Create a consistent look by mirroring a resume header to your template.
- Make a clean cover letter layout to keep enough whitespace on the page.
- Find an angle to write your cover letter—motivation to advance, shared values or mission statement, recent developments in the industry. Doing thorough research always helps.
- Start your cover letter with a relevant accomplishment that makes the reader want to carry on.
- Create a smooth transition from the hook through your strengths to motivation in 3 to 4 paragraphs, tops.
- Call your recruiter to action in the cover letter closing and ask for a meeting with you.
Is a cover letter necessary?
Almost half of the recruiters reject applications without a cover letter. Cover letters are a treat for those who still care to hire dedicated professionals. (And that’s you, right?)
It’s no surprise, though, that you’re questioning whether a cover letter is necessary . The entire job application process can be exhausting, so cutting down on documents you have to produce always seems like a good idea. But not this time.
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A Step-By-Step Guide to Writing a Standout Cover Letter
A cover letter adds context to your CV or resume. It allows you to showcase your skills and experience to the recruiter by introducing you in a memorable and personal way for a job application. Often, a cover letter and resume are considered to be the same. However, they are different. While a resume highlights your professional details, a cover letter tells the recruiter the personal side of your career. Here, you will learn how to write a cover letter, the dos and don’ts when writing a cover letter, and a few samples of cover letters.
How to Write a Good Cover Letter?
It’s extremely rare to be the only applicant when applying for a role. In all cases, there are potentially hundreds of applicants or more. That means your cover letter is one in hundreds that the recruiter will read. Therefore, it becomes critical to write a cover letter that can:
- Impress the recruiter
- Communicate why you are an ideal candidate for the role
- Makes you stand out from the rest
Below is a step-by-step guide on how to write a good cover letter.
Step 1: Research and Brainstorm
Research the role and its requirements before you start writing your cover letter. Read the job description and try to determine the following:
- Which professional skills can you highlight in your cover letter, and how?
- How has your experience prepared you for this role?
Once you have understood what the role entails, brainstorm the most effective way to communicate your suitability to the recruiter.
Brainstorming is the key part of the cover letter writing process. It helps you determine all the possible topics to include in your cover letter and ways to prove your competency for the role.
Step 2: Personalise a Warm and Professional Greeting
The first thing that a hiring manager notices in your cover letter are whether you have addressed it to them personally. A generic “ Good morning/evening sir/madam ” wouldn’t always work. You will need to put in extra effort to find the recruiter’s name. It’s not always easy to find the recruiter’s name, but it’s worth the time.
You can find the recruiter’s name on the company’s website or their social media handles. For instance, you can check the company’s LinkedIn profile to track down the recruiter’s name.
However, there will be times when these efforts will not yield results. You can use a generic greeting like “ Dear Hiring Manager or Dear (Company name) Team ” when you cannot find the hiring manager’s name.
Step 3: Craft an Opening Paragraph That Intrigues Your Readers
Often readers refer to a book’s summary before buying it. Similarly, a recruiter makes hiring decisions based on the first two sentences of the cover letter. Remember that the hiring manager is reading lots of cover letters, and most of them contain almost similar content.
If your cover letter doesn’t captivate the hiring manager on the first go, you could get overlooked.
You can grab the recruiter’s attention by starting with an interesting fact about yourself. Below is an example to make you understand better.
Here is an introduction paragraph for the position of a film critic:
I pretty much spent my childhood at the movies, snacking on popcorn and cheering for Shah Rukh Khan with my grandfather. It’s that passion that’s shaped my career- from understanding films to pursuing film studies at my university to interning at the most popular multiplex chain. And my passion has led me to apply for this position at your company.
Another way to hook the hiring manager to your cover letter is by highlighting instances when your job skills came in handy. To understand better, let’s look at an introduction paragraph of a marketing manager:
Through my experience in marketing, I am familiar with the mindset necessary to develop high-quality projects. As a marketing manager at (previous company’s name), I’ve been part of many thought-provoking campaigns for EdTech and FMCG. But I never imagined I would be using my interpersonal skills to communicate with French people on our yearly trip to Paris.
Just make sure that your opening sentence matches your job description.
Step 4: Demonstrate Your Strengths and Relevant Skills
Your cover letter must ‘show’ your strengths and abilities. Therefore, instead of listing your strengths and skills, use real-life instances to explain them.
For instance, if you are applying for the role of Content Manager, here’s how you can showcase your content writing skills to get the job:
In my previous job, I wrote copy for email blasts, social media posts, content for blogs and emails. Creating exciting content for multiple platforms has prepared me for this position.
Step 5: Use Power Words to Show Your Interest in the Role
Throughout your cover letter, use words that communicate your enthusiasm for the kind of work you do or would love to do. For instance, when highlighting your past achievements, use action words like “ transformed ”, “ redefined ”, “ demonstrated ”, “ endeavoured ”, and “ enacted ”, to show your enthusiasm.
Take a look at these two statements to understand how the use of words can make a difference, and convey your point to the hiring manager.
- I was a manager to a team of marketing executives.
- I headed an enthusiastic bunch of marketing freshers.
With words like “ headed ” and “ enthusiastic ” you can portray a more dynamic picture than words like “ manager ”, and “ team of marketing executives ”.
Step 6: Ask for the Interview
Although it is awkward to ask for an interview, you must do it. Try to ask in the last paragraph before signing off. Here are a few ways to phrase the interview request in your cover letter:
- I want to help great campaigns perform better, and you want to help great brands rethink their marketing strategy. Let’s do both, with me as your marketing manager. My resume is attached, including links to my work and all contact details. I can’t wait to talk further!
- I have attached my resume with the cover letter and would welcome the chance to meet with you and discuss this further.
- I’d appreciate the chance to discuss the position and your needs for the role. I hope you will consider me for this job. Please contact me at (phone number) or (email address) to discuss this further.
The Dos and Don’Ts When Writing a Cover Letter
Here are the dos you need to keep in mind when writing your cover letter:
- Keep the cover letter objective. That is, present the facts with action-oriented words. Remember that you’re just demonstrating why you are the best candidate for the role with a cover letter.
- Make sure to have another person read your cover letter and give constructive feedback before sending it to the recruiter. This can be your friend, partner, parent, or anyone else who knows you well enough. This can help you determine where to add or remove the information and how to accurately present yourself in the cover letter.
- Write a fresh cover letter for each job. Although it is easier to copy-paste the cover letter you wrote for your last application, most employers want to see if you’re excited about a position. Therefore, it is important to create a custom cover letter for each position.
Here are the don’ts you need to keep in mind when writing a cover letter:
- Don’t use formal, stiff, or complex language. It will make it hard for the recruiter to understand your cover letter. Always keep the letter friendly and personal.
- Don’t write long cover letters. Keep it short with easy-to-understand language.
- Never apologise for the missing experience. When you don’t meet all the job requirements, don’t use lines like, “ Despite my limited experience as a manager ” or “ While I don’t have direct experience in sales ”. Instead, draw attention to your strengths and skills.
Cover Letter Examples
Here are two examples of cover letters a standard version, and a creative version. In the first example, you’ll see how specific phrases from the job description are used in the letter to enhance its quality. The second example takes a more creative approach to demonstrate your suitability for a role.
Cover Letter Example 1
Dear (Hiring Manager’s Name),
My name is (Your name) and I’m an experienced marketing manager with over (Number) years of experience. Recently, I came across your (Job title) posting on (Where you found the posting) and I’m writing to express my interest in helping your company achieve (Desired goal of the role).
In my current role as a marketing manager at (Company’s name), I’m responsible for (Responsibility 1), (Responsibility 2), and (Responsibility 3). The professional experience I have gained over the years has helped me to achieve (Achievement 1) and (Achievement 2).
Please contact me at (Insert phone number) or (Insert email address) as I would like to discuss the position in detail.
(Your name)
Cover Letter example 2
Dear (Hiring manager’s name),
I was thrilled to see your ad for the position of Content Strategist at (Company’s name). I’m an experienced professional with (Work experience) in content strategy and planning. I have covered the latest trends of the past decade in the entertainment and lifestyle section. I’d love to put my skills to work for your company.
I have the following skills corresponding to your job description:
- Experience creating ranking content marketing strategies
- Practical knowledge of how to spot, create and market a viral content
- A proven track record of creating high-performing campaigns
- Content strategy certifications
I’d like to discuss the position with you in person or over a phone call. Please contact me via phone or email. Here are my contact details- (Phone number) and (Email address).
If you have any more questions about how to ace interviews, here are some related articles that we’ve written on acing an interview:
- How to build a good resume?
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- How to follow up after an interview?
- Five interview tips for your job interview
- How to prepare for a Job interview- a step-by-step guide
By now, you must have understood that an effective cover letter is more than summarising your resume. It emphasises who you are, highlights your skills and experience, and provides an insight into your unique personality traits that make you perfect for a role.
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How to Write a Cover Letter
Write the best cover letter to get hired!
A cover letter is a one-page document that serves as an introduction of yourself to the hiring manager. The cover letter comes with your resume when applying for a job. A successful cover letter will lead to an interview , inching your way closer to your desired job. That’s why you need your cover letter to show that you’re a strong candidate. Think of a cover letter as your elevator pitch , preferably even shorter than that.
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Steps in Writing a Cover Letter
For most people, writing cover letters is difficult. How can you get the attention of hiring managers and “sell” yourself without focusing on the information that’s already in your resume? With so many cover letters hiring managers need to browse through, how can you make yours stand out?
Here are some of the things that you need to know about cover letters and how to write a good one:
#1 Do your research
Before writing your cover letter, make sure that you know who will be receiving and reading your cover letter, the job requirements , company culture and values, and the latest industry trends. Knowing a bit more about the position, company, and industry will greatly help you customize your cover letter and demonstrate your passion and interest in the job.
#2 Use the preferred format
Writing a cover letter follows a specific format, but it can be customized to match the specific position that you’re applying for. In general, your cover letter should have these details:
- The position that you want and why it interests you
- Relevant skills and work experience
- What you can contribute to the company
- Interview request
#3 Include all relevant details
The body of a cover letter is divided into three, four, or even five paragraphs. Here are some guidelines on what to include in each paragraph:
First paragraph
This part should entice the reader to continue reading and state why you are sending a cover letter. Include the position you’re applying for. If you were referred to the company, include the name of your referrer as well.
Second paragraph
In this part, give more information about your educational background and skills that are relevant to the position. Try not to reiterate what is on your resume. Instead, expand more on what couldn’t be fully explained in the short statements on your resume. Explain more about your specific accomplishments. Show how they can be useful for the company and how they apply to the position you are applying for.
Third paragraph
This is your opportunity to highlight your knowledge about the company and the industry. Explain why you’re interested in working at the company and what you can contribute to its success.
Alternatively, you can also focus on why you think you will fit into the culture and values of the company. Companies often have soft skills and personality traits they are looking for listed on the job description. Pick a story from one of your experiences and use that to show how you fit the soft skills mentioned.
Final paragraph
Make sure to tie in and relate your conclusion with your introduction to finish up your story. Express your gratitude for the company considering you for the position. Add details on how you will follow up. If you will ask for an update through the phone, make sure to call. Also, it would be great to inform the hiring manager of your availability for a callback. But if you plan to wait for a response, end your letter with something like “I look forward to hearing from you.”
End your letter with a professional closing such as “Sincerely, [Name]”, then your signature. If you will send your cover letter through email, your typed name will serve as your signature.
#4 Include keywords
Make sure to add relevant keywords when sending your resume online. Many hiring managers use an applicant tracking system to pinpoint which resumes and cover letters share the keywords related to the job requirements.
#5 Add your contact information
Since your aim is to be called for a job interview, make sure to include your contact details in your cover letter, either at the top of your letter or below your signature.
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How to Write a Cover Letter: A Step by Step Guide
2 minutes read
Cover letters can be a make-or-break part of the job application process. They’re your chance to introduce yourself and explain why you’d be great for the job, and they can help your resume stand out from the crowd.
A well-written cover letter to go with your resume can help you stand out to employers and have a big impact on whether or not a hiring manager calls you in for an interview.
But writing a cover letter doesn’t have to be daunting. It can be an opportunity to show your personality and enthusiasm.
What Is Cover Letter and Why Is It important?
A cover letter is a short note (no more than one page) that you send to a hiring manager or recruiter along with your resume and other materials.
It is an important document that accompanies your resume and provides additional information about your skills and experience.
It is your opportunity to make a good first impression and convince the employer that you are the best candidate for the job.
When writing a cover letter, be sure to focus on the specific qualifications listed in the job posting and highlight how you can contribute to the organization.
When done right, a cover letter lets you talk directly about how your skills and experience fit with the job you're applying for. It also gives you a chance to show the reviewer that you're friendly, creative, and likely to be a good addition to the team.
A well-written cover letter can help you stand out from the competition and increase your chances of getting hired. It is a good opportunity to introduce yourself and explain why you are the best candidate for the job.
A cover letter should be concise , well-written , and error-free.
The cover letter should be tailored to the specific position you are applying for, and it should highlight your skills and experience.
And, if you take the time to personalize it for each job you apply for, it can also demonstrate that you’ve done your research about the company and the position.
The best way to structure cover letter is to start by introducing yourself and explaining why you’re interested in the position.
Next, highlight your skills and experience that make you a good fit for the job. Make sure you cover both hard and soft skills.
Hard skills are those that can be quantified and measured, such as typing speed or knowledge of a specific software.
Soft skills are more difficult to quantify but still important, such as communication or problem-solving abilities.
Some of your hard skills might include: - Typing speed of 80 WPM - Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite - 3 years’ experience - Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Excel and Word Organizational Skills - Highly organized with excellent time management skills - Proven ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and work under pressure Communication Skills - Excellent communication and interpersonal skills - Strong written and oral communication skills.
Finally, explain how you can contribute to the company and what you hope to gain from the experience.
Impressive First Paragraph of Cover Letter
The way you start your cover letter sets the tone for the whole thing. So, you want it to be memorable, friendly, easy to talk about, and very related to the job you want.
Don't start with your name because the hiring manager can already see it. But it's important to mention the job you're applying for.
The hiring manager may be looking at applications for half a dozen different jobs at once. You could say something simple like, "I'm excited to apply for [job] with [Company]."
But you might want to introduce yourself with a snappy first paragraph that shows how excited you are about the company you're applying to, how much you love what you do, or how successful you've been in the past.
This is a great place to explain "why" you want to apply. Make it clear why you want to work for this company and in this job. Have you been using their products for a long time?
Do you know how to solve a problem like the one they're working on? Do you like how they talk about their brand or how they make products?
For example, let's say you're applying for a marketing job at a company known for its delicious pies and baked goods.
You could say in your opening that you love pie so much that when you were in the fourth grade, you won the blue ribbon at the National Cherry Festival pie-eating contest.
Show Yourself a good choice for this job
One common mistake in a cover letter is to talk only about how great the job would be for you. The truth is that hiring managers already know that. What they really want to know is what you can bring to the job and company.
So, once you know what the opening is, you should pull out a few key ideas that will be the backbone of your cover letter.
They should show that you know what the organisation wants and explain how your experience fits with the job. Look for clues in the job description.
What problems does the company want to fix by hiring this person? Which skills or experiences are high up or mentioned more than once? Most likely, these will be the most important requirements.
Choose the three to five most important traits that you think best describe you. For example, you might be looking for a job as a client manager and come across a posting that interests you. You could find these things that fit you well:
Several times in the job description, meeting and beating quotas is mentioned.
The company solves problems by getting people from different departments to work together.
The sales department needs someone who can learn quickly so that the account executive can learn about leads quickly and make pitches that fit their needs.
How to Add Contact Info In Cover Letter?
You should put your basic information at the top of your cover letter. If you want, you can even use the same heading from your resume.
If the job posting says to send your cover letter in the body of an email, you can put your contact information at the end, after your name. You don't need to include your email address here, since they already have it.
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How to Write a Cover Letter
What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is a document that accompanies your CV or resume and is sent to potential employers to introduce yourself and your job application. It is an opportunity for you to highlight your skills, experience, and qualifications that make you a suitable candidate for the job. It is also a chance for you to showcase your writing skills and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the position.
How to write a cover letter for a CV
When writing a cover letter for a CV, it is essential to tailor it to the specific job you are applying for. The following are the steps you should take when writing a cover letter for a CV:
- Research the company: Before writing your cover letter, research the company and the job you are applying for. This will help you understand the company’s culture and values, which you can use to tailor your cover letter to the company’s needs.
- Use a professional format: Use a professional format for your cover letter, including a header with your contact information and the recipient’s name and address. Use a standard font and size and ensure that your letter is easy to read.
- Address the recipient : Address the recipient by name and use a formal greeting, such as “Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name.”
- Introduce yourself : Introduce yourself and explain why you are writing the cover letter. Mention the position you are applying for and where you found the job listing.
- Highlight your skills and experience : Highlight your skills and experience that make you a suitable candidate for the job. Provide specific examples of how your skills and experience match the job requirements.
- Show enthusiasm : Show enthusiasm for the job and the company. Explain why you are interested in the position and what you can contribute to the company.
- Close with a call to action : Close your letter with a call to action, such as requesting an interview or asking the recipient to contact you to discuss your application further.
- Proofread : Before sending your cover letter, proofread it carefully to ensure that there are no spelling or grammar errors.
Example of a good cover letter for a job application:
Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name,
I am writing to apply for the Marketing Manager position at ABC Company. I am excited about the opportunity to join your team and contribute my skills and experience to the company’s success.
As a Marketing Manager at XYZ Company, I was responsible for developing and implementing successful marketing campaigns that increased brand awareness and sales. I have experience in digital marketing, social media, and content creation, and I am skilled in project management and team leadership.
I am impressed by ABC Company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, and I believe that my skills and experience align with the company’s goals. I am excited about the prospect of working with a team of like-minded professionals to drive the company’s growth.
Thank you for considering my application. I would be happy to discuss my qualifications further and answer any questions you may have.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
In conclusion, writing an effective cover letter is an important step in the job application process. By following the tips and guidelines we have provided, you can write a cover letter that showcases your skills and experience and demonstrates your enthusiasm for the job. Remember to tailor your cover letter to the specific job and company you are applying to and proofread it carefully before sending it. Good luck with your job search!
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Home Cover Letter Help Best Cover Letters of 2022
Best Cover Letter Examples of 2022 & Why They’re So Good
Scroll down to see eight of the best cover letter examples we’ve found in 2022, and learn what makes them great. Then use what you learn to make your own great cover letter.
The 8 best cover letters of 2022
Below are eight 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.
So take inspiration from these unique cover letter examples . Then copy (or download) the best cover letter template , and learn about how to write the best cover letter and the best cover letter format .
Using these resources to write your own cover letter will improve your chances of landing an interview (and hopefully the job too).
1. The professional cover letter
In this great cover letter example, the applicant landed a job by proving they had the required project management skills and experience with highlights from their career:
Why this is a good cover letter example
From the start, 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.
2. The funny cover letter
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.
3. The most-improved cover letter
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 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.
4. The fun-loving cover letter
This 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.
5. The short and sweet 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.
6. The unique cover letter
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 more traditional 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 cover letter that’s both memorable and convincing.
7. The video cover letter
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.
8. The young applicant
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.
The best cover letter template
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:
Download Best Cover Letter Template (MS Word)
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.
[Your Name]
Why this is the best cover letter template
This is a great cover letter template because it has:
- professionally designed formatting that makes your application stand out
- 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
How to write the best cover letter
There’s no single right way to write the best 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 with your relevant skills and experience:
- 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)
The best cover letter format
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
Click to rate this article
Written by Aaron Case, CPRW
Aaron Case is a Content Specialist & Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) at Resume Genius, where he loves writing resume and cover letter tips that give job... more
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How and Why to Write a Great Cover Letter
A cover letter is a one-page business letter that you submit when applying to a job, along with your resume. As a piece of persuasive writing, your cover letter will aim to convey to the employer why you’re a great candidate for the role.
Cover letters … the 3-minute version
What is the purpose of a cover letter?
With your cover letter, you’ll aim to:
- Highlight your qualifications: You’ll show how your skills and experience relate to the employer’s needs for a specific position.
- Showcase your motivation: You’ll demonstrate your enthusiasm for the specific position and the organization.
- Reflect your voice and written communication skills: You’ll give the employer a sense of your personality and writing style.
How do I write a cover letter?
Before writing, research the employer.
Learn enough about the organization to articulate why you are a strong fit for that firm. Here are some things you can do:
- Review the firm’s website and LinkedIn page.
- Speak with current or previous employees.
- Read articles and social media for current news.
Analyze the job description
Look for skills, duties, and qualifications of the job so you can design your letter to match these as much as possible.
Reflect on your experience and motivation
Identify skills and personal qualities you have developed which will be useful in this role. Ask yourself:
- What attracts you about this role/company/industry?
- What have you have done in classes, projects, work experiences, internships, volunteer, activities, travel, etc., that is similar to the duties required of the job?
Writing Your Cover Letter: Format and Structure
- Keep cover letters short—three or four paragraphs and less than one page.
- Use the active voice, keeping your tone positive and professional. Avoid beginning too many sentences with “I”.
- Read your cover letter aloud to catch repetitious words and typos. Make sure that the grammar, sentence structure and spelling are correct.
- When applying online, upload your cover letter as a PDF file, unless another format is specified. When sending your resume and cover letter by email you may write a short note or paste your cover letter in the body of your email (without the address header) and also attach the PDF file.
- Address your letter to the specific individual who can hire you, if this is known. If the name is not included in the job description, address the letter to Dear Hiring Manager or to the title mentioned in the job description.
- List your contact information at the top of the page either in the same format as your resume or on the top left or right margin as shown in the samples.
- your contact information
- employer’s name, title and address
- a greeting (addressed to Ms., Mr., or Dr. with the employer’s last name)
- cover letter content
- your signature or typed name
Writing Your Cover Letter: Content
Your cover letter should answer who, what, when, where and why you are applying for the opportunity.
Introduction : State the position for which you are applying, where you found out about the job, who you are and why you are interested in/qualified for this job and company in particular. If you spoke with someone in the company or were referred by a connection ask if you can include that person’s name and mention your conversation.
Body : The body of the cover letter may be one or two paragraphs. Highlight your qualifications and emphasize your strengths which are most relevant to the industry, organization, and position. Be specific. Use 2-3 examples of your work or academic experience to communicate your motivation and how your skills and experience prepared you for the job. Structure your letter based on relevance not chronology. Explain how you will be valuable to the employer. Do not discuss or apologize if you feel you lack experience or accomplishments.
Conclusion : Thank the reader and reaffirm your interest in the position or organization. Keep your tone positive and enthusiastic. Your cover letter should be specific to the firm and explain why you would be a good fit to work there.
Check out our example of how to structure your cover letter content .
Checking Your Work
Use our Cover Letter Checklist to make sure your format and content is in line with best practices.
When should I write a cover letter?
Not all jobs require cover letters. So, how do you decide whether to submit one?
Pro-Tip: If you’re applying to several similar opportunities, creating a draft cover letter in advance, geared toward that type of opportunity, can be a helpful way to save time in your actual application process.
Submit a Cover Letter when…
- the posting explicitly requests that you do so
- you’re applying to an opportunity at a mission-driven organization
- you think that doing so could provide important information to the employer that they wouldn’t get from your resume
Consider Submitting a Cover Letter when…
- it’s marked “optional” in an application, and you have the bandwidth to do so
- you have content that you can easily recycle or repurpose into a tailored cover letter
No Need to Submit a Cover Letter when…
- a posting specifically tells you not to submit one
- there’s no way to submit one in an application portal, and doing so would require a serious workaround
Related Resources
Sample cover letters.
These sample cover letters will help you get started and give you an idea of what to include in your own letters!
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How to Write a Strong Personal Statement
- Ruth Gotian
- Ushma S. Neill
A few adjustments can get your application noticed.
Whether applying for a summer internship, a professional development opportunity, such as a Fulbright, an executive MBA program, or a senior leadership development course, a personal statement threads the ideas of your CV, and is longer and has a different tone and purpose than a traditional cover letter. A few adjustments to your personal statement can get your application noticed by the reviewer.
- Make sure you’re writing what they want to hear. Most organizations that offer a fellowship or internship are using the experience as a pipeline: It’s smart to spend 10 weeks and $15,000 on someone before committing five years and $300,000. Rarely are the organizations being charitable or altruistic, so align your stated goals with theirs
- Know when to bury the lead, and when to get to the point. It’s hard to paint a picture and explain your motivations in 200 words, but if you have two pages, give the reader a story arc or ease into your point by setting the scene.
- Recognize that the reviewer will be reading your statement subjectively, meaning you’re being assessed on unknowable criteria. Most people on evaluation committees are reading for whether or not you’re interesting. Stated differently, do they want to go out to dinner with you to hear more? Write it so that the person reading it wants to hear more.
- Address the elephant in the room (if there is one). Maybe your grades weren’t great in core courses, or perhaps you’ve never worked in the field you’re applying to. Make sure to address the deficiency rather than hoping the reader ignores it because they won’t. A few sentences suffice. Deficiencies do not need to be the cornerstone of the application.
At multiple points in your life, you will need to take action to transition from where you are to where you want to be. This process is layered and time-consuming, and getting yourself to stand out among the masses is an arduous but not impossible task. Having a polished resume that explains what you’ve done is the common first step. But, when an application asks for it, a personal statement can add color and depth to your list of accomplishments. It moves you from a one-dimensional indistinguishable candidate to someone with drive, interest, and nuance.
Whether applying for a summer internship, a professional development opportunity, such as a Fulbright, an executive MBA program, or a senior leadership development course, a personal statement threads the ideas of your CV, and is longer and has a different tone and purpose than a traditional cover letter.
We’ve led prominent professional programs for over two decades and sat on prestigious awards committees. Between us, we have read thousands of personal statements. While a few stand out, most are lackluster and miss the mark. A few adjustments to your personal statement can get your application noticed by the reviewer.
Write what they want to hear.
Most organizations that offer a fellowship or internship are using the experience as a pipeline: It’s smart to spend 10 weeks and $15,000 on someone before committing five years and $300,000. Rarely are the organizations being charitable or altruistic, so align your stated goals with theirs. For example, if you’re applying for a Fulbright — whose goal is to foster cross-cultural dialogue — your defined goals should specifically mention international ambitions rather than a desire to go into the domestic financial sector.
Too often, we read statements that wax lyrical about building a career as a physician when applying to a summer program sponsored by an engineering PhD program. The same goes for charitable foundations: Are they looking for global leaders? Those who hold a connection to the disease they’re funding? Position yourself as holding the same values and goals as the organization sponsoring the opportunity.
Know when to bury the lead and when to get to the point.
Be aware of creative writing strategies that you can employ depending on the length of the essay. It’s hard to paint a picture and explain your motivations in 200 words, but if you have two pages, give the reader a story arc or ease into your point by setting the scene. Take the example of a junior analyst at a bank applying for an executive MBA program. If they’re given the opportunity to write a longer piece, an opening describing how a meaningful volunteer experience shaped their worldview can give the reader insight into their multiple facets and diverse interests.
In a brief essay, on the other hand, you should get right to the point. That same junior analyst, when applying for a company-sponsored leadership development bootcamp, should focus a brief statement on projects they’ve contributed to, leadership skills they’ve so far displayed, and how the course would be used to support further (internal) growth.
Recognize that the evaluator is subjective.
Qualifications, transcripts, and in some cases, tests all form objective measures that determine worthiness for consideration for an opportunity. The personal statement is subjective, meaning you’re also being assessed on unknowable criteria. Most of us on evaluation committees are reading for whether or not you’re interesting. Stated differently, do we want to go out to dinner with you to hear more?
While writing your statement, realize that reader’s opinions might not be based on what you’ve done, but rather on how you position yourself. What did you do with the opportunities and challenges you were given, or how did you create opportunities? Write it so that the person reading it wants to hear more and can’t wait to mentor or equip you with this additional opportunity.
Address the elephant in the room.
So maybe your grades weren’t great in core courses, or perhaps you’ve never worked in the field you’re applying to. Make sure to address the deficiency rather than hope the reader ignores it — because they won’t. A few sentences suffice. Deficiencies do not need to be the cornerstone of the application.
To wit, it’s preferable to read, “You will no doubt see I received a C in organic chemistry and you may wonder why a program in chemistry would consider a candidate with a low grade in such a core topic. I wish I could explain my need to balance a part-time job in the glass-washing facility with schoolwork, and I wish I could explain how much I underestimated how different I would find organic chemistry after sailing through freshman chemistry.”
As opposed to “My high school teacher told me I was good at science and I aced freshman chemistry, so I figured organic chemistry would be easy too. It was taught very unimaginatively in a really big auditorium. I don’t really want to go that direction anyways, but I really want to be in your internship because so far the only lab experience I have is as a glorified dishwasher in the glassware core.”
One example shows grit and perseverance, the other shows a person who would not make an effective team member.
Ultimately, what you have accomplished is important, but it can be dismissed if packaged incorrectly. A bespoke personal statement is a critical component of your application package. The goal is to intrigue the reader with the depth of your character and answer the “how” and “why” questions that your truncated resume is unable to accomplish.
- Ruth Gotian is the chief learning officer and assistant professor of education in anesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City and the author of The Success Factor . She was named the world’s #1 emerging management thinker by Thinkers50. You can access her free list of conversation starters . RuthGotian
- Ushma S. Neill is the Vice President, Scientific Education & Training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. She runs several summer internships and is involved with the NYC Marshall Scholar Selection Committee. ushmaneill
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- Ask the Expert: Using ChatGPT to Write Your Cover Letter
by Forrest Brown | Mar 1, 2023 | Career
The cat’s out of the bag, folks. Generative AI is here, and it’s not going away anytime soon.
Regardless of what you may think about ChatGPT and the slew of other generative AI chatbot announcements it’s spurred, one thing is certain: generative AI is already hugely disruptive. Now it’s up to us to figure out how to best use it.
Early adopters of the technology have enlisted it to write essays, emails, advertisements, lines of code, and more. Computerworld recently reported that job applicants are using ChatGPT to write resumes and cover letters —and getting good results.
These use cases seem like no-brainers, but what’s the best way to go about using generative AI for these purposes? To learn more about how to properly use ChatGPT for writing resumes and cover letters, NerdRabbit spoke with Nicole Leffer , a senior marketing executive and expert on how professionals can incorporate AI into their work.
Should you use generative AI to write your resume or cover letter?
“My thinking on this is, it depends on the industry you’re in, and it also depends on whether or not you’re trying to be deceptive about it,” says Nicole.
First, industry. Nicole recommends making the judgment call on whether or not to use generative AI for job applications on a case-by-case basis. If the company you’re applying to values candidates with generative AI skills, go for it.
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Using a tool like ChatGPT to help write your resume and cover letter signals that you have those skills, which can work in your favor when trying to land an interview. If you want to work somewhere that leverages AI and is interested in pioneering good uses of it, how a company responds to use of generative AI in the hiring process might also signal to you whether or not it’s a place you’d want to work.
In terms of deception, transparency is key.
“As a best practice, I recommend saying as a PS, ‘This cover letter was generated in collaboration with AI,’ or something along those lines,” Nicole says. “That way it’s not like you’re hiding it in any way, shape, or form.”
Every time you use an AI tool to help write a resume or cover letter, include a prominent disclaimer letting the recruiter or hiring manager know AI was involved in its creation. You don’t have to put a warning in red, 36-point font across the top of the page, but don’t hide it, either. The chances of the person on the other end of the application assuming bad intent increases if they sense dishonesty.
Think of ChatGPT as a co-writer, not a ghost writer
“It is important that if you’re going to use [ChatGPT], you have to demonstrate that you can edit it and make sure it’s accurate and on point,” Nicole says. “It’s very easy to write a bad prompt, or even with a good prompt generate an inaccurate cover letter, or to not notice that ChatGPT is copying and pasting wording verbatim from the job description you’ve shared.”
Editing and revision are crucial steps of the writing process, and that’s especially true for anything written by a generative AI tool. In truth, ChatGPT is a better writer than most people (it doesn’t hurt that it was trained on well-written material), but even the best generative AI tools out there are prone to hallucinations .
“[ChatGPT] shouldn’t be straight-up writing your entire cover letter without you touching it,” Nicole says. “It should be an aid to help you write your cover letter. And there’s a huge difference in those two things.”
Because ChatGPT does write good prose, hallucinations can be easy to miss. Don’t mistake good prose for quality writing. The output might sound great, but it’s not helpful if it contains falsehoods or inaccurate information.
Learning how to write good prompts is a must
Generative AI tools work by taking a prompt to produce an output. It’s important to edit and revise outputs, but it’s just as important to write a good prompt.
This starts with training ChatGPT on writing in your voice. To do this, Nicole says you should prompt ChatGPT to write a paragraph describing your writing voice. Include several old cover letters written by you (not an AI) in the prompt, and save the output in a place where you can easily refer back to it.
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When you’re ready to write a new cover letter, copy and paste the description of your voice ChatGPT previously generated into the new prompt. Feel free to make adjustments to this description so that it fits into the new prompt naturally. For a detailed description of this process with examples, refer to Nicole’s post on LinkedIn below. (If the post doesn’t appear, try disabling your ad blocker.)
When it comes to writing the prompt for the new cover letter, be as specific as possible. Don’t just say, “Write a short cover letter for an AWS solutions architect role that will make me stand out from the crowd.” Write it as though you’re a teacher giving an essay prompt to a class, making sure to include details about:
- Desired length
- The goal or objective of the cover letter
- Writing tone or voice
- What information to include
- What information not to include
Once you get the output, Nicole says you can copy and paste it into a new prompt and tell the chatbot to make revisions according to your editing notes before you do the final revision yourself.
She also notes that sometimes you’ll need to restart ChatGPT if you’re not satisfied with the results. Your prompt may be good, but sometimes the tool can get stuck in a “bad loop” that produces poor outputs. Remember that you’re collaborating with the tool, not having it do your work for you.
Are there any downsides to using ChatGPT to write your resume and cover letter?
“I think there is a risk that you could frame a much better argument for yourself, yourself, because you know you,” Nicole says. “You can tell a story that is written into a cover letter that really tells the story in a way that ChatGPT never will.”
As with any new technology, overreliance on the tool is always a risk. Before you automatically start to write your cover letter with generative AI, ask yourself if you could write a better cover letter yourself in the same amount of time it takes to fire up ChatGPT, train it on your voice, write a good prompt, and revise the output.
Even if it takes a little bit longer, there’s a lot to be said for submitting a cover letter that only you can write. You can still use a generative AI tool to polish up what you’ve written, but cover letters with a personal touch—especially ones incorporating a story or personal anecdote—are powerful.
As the saying goes, when all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. Generative AI is a sophisticated and valuable addition to your toolbelt, but it’s not meant to replace all the other trusty tools you’ve acquired over the years.
Use the right tool for the right job. Tools like ChatGPT will be a good idea in many cases, but don’t discount your own abilities when the situation calls for them.
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The 12 Best Cover Letter Examples: What They Got Right
Published: February 16, 2023
Fun is not something typically associated with writing a cover letter. However, with a few tweaks, writing one doesn’t have to be a burden.
The cover letter examples below demonstrate that it is possible to have a little fun with your job search — and maybe even make yourself a better candidate in the process.
![→ Click here to access 5 free cover letter templates [Free Download]](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/53/3f347702-d7e9-4e59-9fe4-be4cd7bad191.png "how do write a good cover letter")
What is a good cover letter?
A cover letter is used to demonstrate your interest in the role, passion for the company, and the impact you've had in previous positions. Cover letters should include a standout opening, relevant skills and qualifications, and a strong finish with a call-to-action — all within one page and unique to each application.
It may be true that only 35% of recruiters admit that cover letters do not materially influence the hiring process for them , but that doesn't mean yours has to contribute to that statistic. In fact, it might be that cover letters are deemed insignificant because so few of them stand out. Here's an opportunity for you to exercise your creativity at the earliest stage of the recruitment process.
Personalization, after all, goes beyond replacing the title and company name in each letter you send to recruiters.
What’s on a cover letter?
Before you can get started writing your cover letter, there are a few components you must have.
Greeting: A simple, but pleasant greeting to address the recruiter or hiring manager.
Opener: Write a catchy introduction that explains why you’re interested in the role.
Summary of Skills/Qualifications: This is the heart of your cover letter. It outlines your relevant experience and why you’d be a great fit for the role. You can highlight special skills, experiences, professional achievements, or education to help make your case.
Closing: In this paragraph, provide a call-to-action by expressing interest in an interview. Provide your contact information and sign-off.
What does a cover letter look like?
In addition to showing off your skills and qualifications, cover letters give you the opportunity to present a clear, concise, and compelling writing sample that shows off your personality and ability to convey ideas. Check out our fillable examples below to see how you should organize the content of your cover letter.
Customizable Cover Letter Examples
In a hurry for a cover letter example you can download and customize? Check out the ones below from HubSpot’s cover letter template kit .
1. Standard Cover Letter Example
This standard cover letter hits all the right notes: It includes a space to give a brief summary of your experience, as well as a space to delve in-depth into the specific responsibilities at your current role. You also have the chance to describe the challenges you’ve mastered at previous roles, showing that you’re capable of facing any problem that comes your way.
Why We Love It
We love this cover letter because it allows you to describe the high points of your career while still being professional, personalized, and succinct.
2. Data-Driven Cover Letter Sample
Numbers are worth a million words — or that’s how the saying should probably go (if only we could include pictures in cover letters). Citing data and statistics about your achievements at your current company is an assured way to capture a hiring manager’s attention. Most hiring managers don’t read the entire letter, so a bulleted summary of your achievements can be a powerful way to increase the effectiveness and scannability of your message.
We love this cover letter because it’s adaptable to any role. Even if you don’t work in a data-centric role, you can include any enumerable achievement. If you’re in a creative industry, for instance, you can include the number of creative assets you designed for your current company.
3. Entry-Level Cover Letter Example
Download a Customizable Copy of This Cover Letter Example
Applying to your first job can be stress-inducing, to say the least. You can increase your chances of getting that first interview by including a cover letter that explains how your education can help you succeed in the role you applied for.
Look no further than this example from HubSpot. While other cover letter samples give experienced professionals the opportunity to share their experience at length, this one gives you the chance to describe your personal and professional attributes. You can then convey how you can leverage your knowledge to help your target company reach their goals.
We love this cover letter because it’s easy and simple to use for a student who has little experience in their target industry — including those who haven’t yet completed an internship.
Looking for more? Download the entire kit below.
5 Professional Cover Letter Templates
Fill out the form to access your templates., best cover letter examples.
What does a good cover letter look like in practice, and how can you make yours stand out? We found six examples from job seekers who decided to do things a bit differently.
Note: Some of these cover letters contain real company names and NSFW language that we've covered up.
1. The Cover Letter That Explains 'Why,' Not Just 'How'
We’ve already covered the importance of addressing how you’ll best execute a certain role in your cover letter. But there’s another question you might want to answer: Why the heck do you want to work here?
The Muse , a career guidance site, says that it’s often best to lead with the why — especially if it makes a good story. We advise against blathering on and on, but a brief tale that illuminates your desire to work for that particular employer can really make you stand out.
Image Source
Here’s another instance of the power of personalization. The author of this cover letter clearly has a passion for this prospective employer — the Chicago Cubs — and if she’s lying about it, well, that probably would eventually be revealed in an interview.
Make sure your story is nonfiction and relatable according to each job. While we love a good tale of childhood baseball games, an introduction like this one probably wouldn’t be fitting in a cover letter for, say, a software company. But a story of how the hours you spent playing with DOS games as a kid led to your passion for coding? Sure, we’d find that fitting.
If you’re really passionate about a particular job opening, think about where that deep interest is rooted. Then, tell your hiring manager about it in a few sentences.
Why This Is A Great Cover Letter
This example demonstrates how effective personalization can be. The writer is passionate about the employer, drawing from her own childhood experience to communicate her enthusiasm.
2. The 'We're Meant for Each Other' Cover Letter
This cover letter example is a special one because it was submitted to us here at HubSpot. What does the letter do well? It makes a connection with us before we've even met the letter's author.
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"Content Marketing Certified" indicates the applicant has taken the content marketing certification course in our HubSpot Academy (you can take the same course here ). Our "records" indicate he/she did indeed give an interview with us before — and was a HubSpot customer.
The cover letter sang references to a relationship we didn't even know we had with the candidate.
The letter ends with a charming pitch for why, despite him/her not getting hired previously, our interests complement each other this time around.
(Yes, the applicant was hired).
This cover letter example does an excellent job of building rapport with the employer. Despite not getting hired for previous roles they applied for at HubSpot, the writer conveys exactly why they are right for this role.
3. The Cover Letter with H.E.A.R.T.
HubSpot has a lot of H.E.A.R.T. — Humble, Empathetic, Adaptable, Remarkable, Transparent. Our Culture Code is the foundation of the company's culture, the driving force behind our mission to help millions grow better , and serves as the scaffolding for our hiring practices. Recruiters at HubSpot look for applicants that demonstrate how they embody the Culture Code and job description, paying extra attention to cover letters that are super custom to HubSpot.
In another HubSpot submission, a HubSpot applicant writes about how she found out about HubSpot, why she likes the company, and how her professional experience aligns with H.E.A.R.T.
HubSpot's recruiting team was impressed with her dedication to the company and how she went beyond what was asked for by linking her portfolio in her closing paragraph.
Featured Resource: 5 Free Cover Letter Templates
Download our collection of 5 professional cover letter templates to help you summarize your professional journey and land your dream job – whether it's at your first or fifth company.
Short Cover Letter Examples
4. the short-and-sweet cover letter.
In 2009, David Silverman penned an article for Harvard Business Review titled, “ The Best Cover Letter I Ever Received. ” That letter contained three complete sentences, as follows:
One might argue that this particular letter is less than outstanding. It’s brief, to say the least, and the author doesn’t go into a ton of detail about what makes him or her qualified for the job in question. But that’s what Silverman likes about it — the fact that the applicant only included the pieces of information that would matter the most to the recipient.
“The writer of this letter took the time to think through what would be relevant to me,” writes Silverman. “Instead of scattering lots of facts in hopes that one was relevant, the candidate offered up an opinion as to which experiences I should focus on.”
When you apply for a job, start by determining two things:
- Who might oversee the role — that’s often included in the description, under “reports to.” Address your letter to that individual.
- Figure out what problems this role is meant to solve for that person. Then, concisely phrase in your cover letter how and why your experience can and will resolve those problems.
The key to this standout cover letter is research — by looking into who you’ll be reporting to and learning more about that person’s leadership style, you’ll be better prepared to tailor your cover letter to focus on how you provide solutions for them.
5. The Short Story
Basha Coleman began her cover letter with a short story. The goal of this short story is two-fold:
- Detail the experience she already has with the organization.
- Stand out to the hiring team.
You'll notice that her short story follows a typical narrative arc: It has a conflict/obstacle, a turning point, and a positive outcome, all created with a goal to emphasize a theme or point. In this case, Coleman is emphasizing her existing affinity with the brand and her triumphs within the program so that she can continue on her career path.
Like the second example in our list, this cover letter does an excellent job of conveying the applicant’s existing affinity for the brand. If you are applying to a company you love, don’t be shy about showing it and explaining why.
6. The Bare Bones Cover Letter
In today's job market, cover letters aren't always necessary. Even though many recruiters won't ask for or even read them, cover letters can still be effective and convey personality to a reader. Writing a strong cover letter can help you better convey your interest in the position and company.
This template from The Balance Careers puts together the essential components of a short cover letter: excitement about the position, your qualifications, and a call-to-action for the recruiter to follow up with you. Combining these central aspects in a well-written, compelling narrative will go a long way in convincing readers to hire you.
This letter is organized and concise. The inclusion of bullet points to highlight key skills and help the recruiter skim the document is a nice touch.
7. The Breezy Follow-Up
In this cover letter, Amanda Edens is following the instructions the hiring manager gave by forwarding an email with resume and writing samples attached.
Not only does Amanda provide links to relevant writing samples that are live on the web, but she also closes with a strong final paragraph that:
- Summarizes the expertise she has relevant to the posting
- Emphasizes that she doesn't want to simply get a job but rather help the organization accomplish their goals
- The reader gets everything they need in an organized and thoughtful manner.
8. The Administrative Assistant Cover Letter
In this cover letter the candidate, Brenda, plays up her prior music industry experience to build a connection with Epic Music Group. If you have specific industry experience for the role you are applying for, be sure to highlight that.
It’s clear that she’s passionate about not only the music industry, but Epic as a whole. She’s done so much research on the company that she knows what software programs they use, and happens to be proficient in it to help convey value to the hiring manager.
This example further illustrates the importance of research. Make sure you understand the culture of the company to which you’re applying before you send a completely unfiltered cover letter — if you don’t, there’s a good chance it’ll completely miss the mark.
In just three short paragraphs, the applicant uses their company research to drive home why they are the perfect fit for the role — emphasizing industry experience as well as software knowledge specific to the company. All of this communicates that she’d be able to start with very few hiccups getting up to speed.
9. The Internship Cover Letter
Maybe you’re just getting started in your career and looking to land the right internship to gain experience in your field. In this case, you’ll need to highlight more of your educational background and transferable skills since you won’t have as much professional experience to highlight.
The cover letter above is a great example of how to emphasize your skills and accomplishments when applying to internships or entry-level positions. A few things the applicant does well:
- Highlights relevant extracurriculars and affinity networks. In this case, the applicant is applying to a business analyst position, so mentioning their involvement in a FinTech group makes sense.
- Previous internships in relevant fields: Our applicant points out that they’ve previously interned as a Business Analyst at another firm. Pointing out that they’ve done the role previously will help make their case for fit.
- Highlight other useful skills: This applicant is fluent in both English and German. If an international company or an organization needs bi-lingual support, knowing multiple languages is an asset.
This cover letter example illustrates how you can leverage your education and background to get the gig even when you don’t have much working experience. Highlighting previous internships or experience in related fields can go a long way in convincing hiring managers you’re the perfect candidate for the role.
Creative Cover Letter Examples
10. the brutally honest cover letter.
Then, there are the occasions when your future boss might appreciate honesty — in its purest form. Livestream CEO Jesse Hertzberg, by his own admission, is one of those people, which might be why he called this example “ the best cover letter ” (which he received while he was with Squarespace):
As Hertzberg says in the blog post elaborating on this excerpt — it’s not appropriate for every job or company. But if you happen to be sure that the corporate culture of this prospective employer gets a kick out of a complete lack of filter, then there’s a chance that the hiring manager might appreciate your candor.
“Remember that I'm reading these all day long,” Hertzberg writes. “You need to quickly convince me I should keep reading. You need to stand out.”
The applicant did their research on the company’s culture and executed this cover letter flawlessly. It’s funny and shows off the applicant’s personality all while demonstrating why they are a good fit for the role.
11. The Pivot Cover Letter
Making a career switch? Your cover letter can be an excellent opportunity for you to explain the reasoning behind your career change and how your transferable skills qualify you for the role.
Since the role she is applying for is more visual, it’s important to both show and tell why you’re a good fit.
This cover letter strikes the perfect balance between creativity and simplicity in design while putting the applicant's career change into context. The copy is clean, with a creative font choice that isn’t distracting from the content, but still demonstrates the applicant’s knack for design.
12. The Graphic Design Cover Letter
When applying for more creative roles, the design of your cover letter can say just as much as the words on the page. Take the graphic designer letter example below.
It’s got so much going for it:
- Pop of color
- Clean layout
- Interesting fonts
In addition to the style elements, this example also doesn’t skimp on the key skills recruiters are looking for. Using metrics, the applicant demonstrates their value and why they would be a great fit.
This cover letter thoroughly conveys the applicant’s skills and qualifications using a variety of visual elements and by emphasizing their greatest achievements.
We’d like to add another stage to the job search: experimentation.
In today’s competitive landscape, it’s so easy to feel defeated, less-than-good-enough, or like giving up your job search. But don’t let the process become so monotonous. Have fun discovering the qualitative data we’ve discussed here — then, have even more by getting creative with your cover letter composition.
We certainly can’t guarantee that every prospective employer will respond positively — or at all — to even the most unique, compelling cover letter. But the one that’s right for you will. That’s why it’s important not to copy these examples . That defeats the purpose of personalization.
Editor's note: This post was originally published in October 2020 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.
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Sage-Answers
Quick solution to any problem
What are the tips for writing a good cover letter?
Table of Contents
- 1 What are the tips for writing a good cover letter?
- 2 What points would you bear in mind while writing the covering letter?
- 3 What should you say in a cover letter?
- 4 How do you make a cover letter not boring?
How to Write a Cover Letter: The All-Time Best Tips
- Write a Fresh Cover Letter for Each Job.
- But Go Ahead, Use a Template.
- Include the Hiring Manager’s Name.
- Craft a Killer Opening Line.
- Go Beyond Your Resume.
- Think Not What the Company Can Do for You.
- Highlight the Right Experiences.
- Showcase Your Skills.
How do you begin a cover letter?
How to start a cover letter
- Convey enthusiasm for the company.
- Highlight a mutual connection.
- Lead with an impressive accomplishment.
- Bring up something newsworthy.
- Express passion for what you do.
- Tell a creative story.
- Start with a belief statement.
What points would you bear in mind while writing the covering letter?
Compiled below are the most important tips and tricks to keep in mind when framing your cover letter:
- Don’t repeat your resume:
- Work experiences matter more:
- Tell your tales:
- Use recommendations and anecdotes:
- What can you give to the company:
- Use an informal tone:
- Make sure you stand out:
- Use specific greeting:
How do you write attention grabbing on a cover letter?
9 Attention-Grabbing Cover Letter Examples
- Add Some Humor. Make someone laugh.
- Be Very Specific. Do not send a generic cover letter.
- Cut the Length.
- Show How You Can Solve Specific Problems.
- Visually Match Your Resumé
- Keep the Design Simple, Clean & Easy to Read.
- PDF, Always.
- Consider Using a Template.
What should you say in a cover letter?
What to Say in Your Cover Letter
- Who you are and how to contact you.
- Which job you’re applying for and how you found it.
- Why you’re interested and enthusiastic about this job at this organization.
- What relevant experience or transferable skills make you a good candidate.
- That you’d like an interview.
What do you say at the end of a cover letter?
How to Close a Cover Letter
- Best regards,
- Kind regards,
- With best regards,
- Thank you for your consideration,
- Respectfully,
How do you make a cover letter not boring?
10 Tips for Creating a Cover Letter That Isn’t Boring
- Start with a sentence about yourself.
- Don’t want to begin with a statement about yourself?
- Start with a sentence about your competitors.
- Skip the clichés.
- Get to the point.
- Explain why you should be hired.
- Be funny, but don’t blow it.
How do you start a cover letter example?
Here’s a simple-but-powerful cover letter template to use as an example: Dear [First Name]: I was excited to come across the [Job Title] position over at [Company Name]. As a [Current Job Title] with [# of Years] years of experience, I have become quite talented in [Relevant Skills & Job-Related Abilities].
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CV summary examples and writing tips
If a great CV is the key to grabbing the hiring manager’s attention, a good CV summary is your ticket to convince them to keep reading. So how do you make sure that your CV summary example optimises your chances of making it to the next round of your job application?
The summary for your CV is an insight into your professional achievements and what you might be like to work with. Both will ultimately determine whether or not you land the role. However, for now, all you have to focus on is drumming up enough intrigue for the hiring manager to invite you to an interview. In this blog post, we will cover the following:
What is a CV summary?
- Tips on how to write a CV summary
- Examples of a good CV summary
Your CV summary is the first paragraph of your CV. It is sometimes also called the professional summary or profile. As the name suggests, these are the three to four sentences that summarise your professional profile. Your goal is to capture the hiring manager’s attention.
A good CV summary example builds a case from the outset as to why you are the best suited candidate for the job you are applying for. That’s just one reason why your CV summary should be tweaked for each job application.
The objective of your CV summary is to convince the hiring manager to keep reading. Since the CV summary is the first thing they will see after your CV header, you can expect your CV summary to be used to assess how pertinent they think your profile is. A great CV summary example has the power to reel them in. On the other hand, a poorly written one could turn them off and result in your entire application being thrown in the “no” pile.
How to write a professional summary
You should prepare three to four phrases about your professional experience that correspond to the job you are applying to. If you are asking yourself “‘does my CV need a summary?” then the short answer is yes. It is a non-negotiable expectation for most hiring managers.
One of the most important elements of writing a great CV is making sure that the hiring manager can quickly and easily digest its content. Part of that involves meeting their expectations when it comes to the structure of your CV. Not to mention, the CV summary is one of the only parts of your CV where you write in a freeform style. This is an opportunity to communicate aspects that you are unable to fit into the bullet points that make up much of a CV.
How do you introduce yourself in a CV summary?
Luckily for you, nobody is expecting you to condense your entire personality into this short space. Frame the writing of your CV summary instead as creating a snapshot of your professional profile. For instance, how does it correspond to the job vacancy at hand? Our top tips and CV summary examples below should get you started!
What makes a good CV summary?
As previously discussed, a great CV summary example should capture the attention of the hiring manager and convince them to read on. Think of this as your professional first impression. In order to get things started on the right foot, here are three things to include in your CV summary example:
- Powerful use of language. Language is your top tool in persuading the hiring manager and painting a vivid picture of why you are the best candidate for the role in the limited space that you have.
- Illustrate your value. There are some convincing tactics you can use to underline your professional worth in your CV summary example.
- Strategise for the ATS. The Applicant Tracking System is the CV overlord that governs many aspects of how you will write yours.
Most excellent CV summaries will possess all of these qualities. However, a job-winning CV is a marathon and not a sprint. Remember to take into account how your CV delivers as a whole before you dot Is and cross the Ts on your CV summary.
The next sections will expand on how to put these top three tips in practice. If you would like to see them in action, check out some of our CV summary examples in the corresponding section below:
Powerful use of language
Your best chance at capturing the hiring manager’s attention is knowing how to frame your content in the right way. Language choice is a great tool to do this. So, make sure your CV summary example contains carefully considered word choice. This will give you the power to make the story you’re building more precise and perhaps even match the tone of your potential employer.
We recommend active verbs as a sure-fire way to make your writing even more engaging. For instance, instead of “changing the system database” you could say that you “optimised data storage”. Rather than “writing sales reports“ you “communicated financial data with stakeholders and successfully forecast future sales results”
There’s no “I” in CV summary
The format of a CV summary usually does not include personal pronouns like “I”. Simply write each phrase in short past tense statements. This can really help with the word count! Check out the CV summary examples below to see how it’s done.
Illustrate your value
Proving yourself as a candidate worth hiring comes down to more than having the right skills. You should certainly mention those skills in your CV summary, but illustrating them will go a step further.
For instance, would you be more likely to hire the waitress who says they have “serving experience”? Or the one who writes about “successfully managing timely food service at large-scale events”? Communication is an important skill in any role. If you can show your role-specific skills while demonstrating how you articulate your ideas well, all the better.
Other ways to include some highlights of your profile include mentioning pertinent qualifications, impressive stats from your work, and other career achievements. Of course, always remember to make them relevant to the job role that you’re applying for.
Strategise for the ATS
A multitude of organisations use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter their job applications. This means that only the ones ranked as most relevant make it in front of the hiring manager. If you want to make sure that your CV isn’t thrown out, you need to make sure the keywords that the ATS will be looking for are present.
In order to do this, you need to figure out which keywords the ATS is looking for. These are likely the most prevalent words in the job description. So make sure you read it carefully. Now you need to make sure these keywords are included throughout your CV.
The presence of these keywords early in the document via your CV summary gives you a strategic advantage for human decisions as well as algorithmic ones. Not only is the CV summary a great spot to include keywords for the ATS, but once it’s in front of the hiring manager they will know at a glance that your profile is pertinent.
CV summary examples
Now that you know what goes into a top CV summary example, let’s see some in action. Your CV summary example will vary depending on your expertise, your level, and your industry. Here are a range of examples to get your communicative juices flowing.
Teacher CV summary example
This teacher CV summary example demonstrates how to include highlights from your career. Plus, they’ve even managed to mention their most relevant qualification.
Qualified Science Teacher with experience teaching at a variety of schools and academies. Experienced in creating comprehensive curricula for KS3 and KS4. Passionate about engaging children of all abilities in the sciences and leading inter-departmental collaborations aimed at supporting students’ academic, emotional, and social development.
Waitress CV summary example
Mentioning any professional accolades or awards you have can be a great way to stand out in your CV summary.
Professional and enthusiastic waitress with several years of experience serving food in busy dining establishments. Committed to adhering to health and safety standards, while serving as a helpful and positive team member. Awarded for motivated attitude and the ability to multitask and work well under pressure.
Sales assistant CV summary example
This sales assistant CV summary proves that both creative language choice and some evidence of your past successes can be worked into your CV summary in a natural way.
Attentive and dedicated sales assistant with 8 years of experience in retail companies. Positive and friendly individual with a passion for ensuring customers receive the highest quality of customer service. Strong communication skills with the ability to upsell products and deliver an outstanding service that keeps customers returning time and again. Seeking role within a company that values their employees and offers a challenging but progressive environment.
Accountant CV summary example
In certain roles your qualifications will be more important than others and should be highlighted early on in your CV summary example. This accountant CV summary example makes sure it’s the first thing that is mentioned.
Qualified, and experienced accountant who has also led a team of 5 accounts assistants. Highly motivated individual, with experience in preparation of monthly journals, and balance sheet reconciliations. A dedicated leader seeking new role in challenging, high paced environment.
Office manager CV summary example
In this office manager CV summary example you can see how evidence of skills and inclusion of keywords can be done at the same time. This is a great way to save on the precious word count in your CV summary example.
Dedicated Office Manager with a proven history of ensuring streamlined operations. Strong organisational talents, able to co-ordinate day-to-day employment and business processes, including payroll, communications, reporting, and supply maintenance. Keen talent for fostering efficient, effective work environments.
Key takeaways
- A good CV summary is a key expectation of a hiring manager when they read your application.
- Active verbs are a great way to capture your reader’s attention.
- If you’re looking for ways to communicate your professional value quickly, statistics and top achievements are your best friend.
- Make most of the freeform format of a CV summary while addressing the requirements of your desired job role.
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- Careers advice
- Cover letters
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How to write a cover letter.
A cover letter introduces you to an employer and asks them to think about your application.
It’s a short letter, usually 3 to 5 paragraphs long.
When to include a cover letter
You should always include a cover letter when you apply for a job using a CV.
You can write it as an email if you’re applying online or print a copy to go with a paper application.
When writing a cover letter, let the employer know you’re keen by showing that you’ve researched the company. Learn more about what they do through:
- their website
- recent news articles
- talking to people you know who work there
Send it to the right person
It's important to try to address your cover letter to someone by name. Check you have the details of the person you need to send it to.
You'll need their name and preferred title. For example, ‘Dr’, ‘Mr’, ‘Mrs’, ‘Ms’, and their job title. You should also make sure you have the right company name and address, including postcode.
If you do not know their name
If the job advert does not include a name you can check the company website. Try to find details of the head of the department, head of human resources or a recruitment manager.
If you still cannot find a name, you can start your letter with ‘Dear Sir or Madam’.
Introduction
Introduce yourself and explain how you found the advertised job. You can mention the job title, and reference number if there is one.
If you’re asking about any job openings and not applying to a vacancy, tell them what sort of job you’re looking for. Let the employer see how keen you are to work for them.
Show you're right for the job
Highlight the skills and experience you have that match what the employer is looking for.
Convince them that you're enthusiastic about working for them. Let them know you share their work values, culture and style.
Give extra information
If you have gaps in your employment history, you could talk about the skills you gained while you were out of work.
If you’ve mentioned on your CV that you have a disability, you might want to talk more about this in your cover letter. Organisations like Disability UK can give you advice on how to do this. You do not have to mention your disability at this stage if you prefer not to.
You can get more help with specialist advice on finding work if you have a disability.
Ending your cover letter
Thank the employer for considering your application. Let them know that they can get more details from your CV, and tell them you're looking forward to hearing from them.
Let them know how they can best contact you. Make sure your contact details are correct on both your cover letter and CV.
Yours sincerely or yours faithfully
If you know the name of the person you’re writing to, you should end the letter with ‘Yours sincerely’.
If you’ve addressed the letter ‘Dear Sir or Madam’, you should end the letter with ‘Yours faithfully’.
Tips for writing a cover letter
When writing your cover letter, remember to:
- write a new one for every job you apply for and make sure it’s tailored to the company and the specific role
- use the same font and size as you do for your CV, so it looks consistent
- make sure the company name and recruiter’s details are correct
- use the right language and tone: keep it professional and match the keywords used by the employer in their job advert
- show you’ve done your research into the job and the company
- highlight your most relevant skills and experience to stand out from other applicants
- back up any statements you make with facts and use the STAR method
- double check spelling and grammar before you send it
- keep a copy of your cover letter as they may ask you about it in an interview
Related content
How to write a CV
Completing application forms
Interview tips
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The Power Of A Good Word: How To Write A Recommendation Letter That Will Help An Employee Stand Out
Aside from mailing a cover letter and CV while looking for a new job, getting the support of former managers could also be significantly beneficial.
If you are that manager and you need assistance in creating a letter of recommendation for a former employee, you definitely came to the right place!
Here is an article to guide you on how to write an impactful recommendation letter. Keep reading to learn more.
What Is A Recommendation Letter For An Employee?
Typically, a manager is the one who will write a recommendation letter for a former employee. It’s a strong recommendation technique for the candidate’s future employment and details their talents, attributes, and performance on the job.
It should be written very professionally as you recommend someone for their future job . A credible person should only write a recommendation letter. Otherwise, it may have a negative impact and eventually damage the applicant’s prospects of being recruited .
How To Write A Letter of Recommendation For An Employee
If you are going to write a recommendation letter for an employee, always remember that it is also a business letter. This means it follows a standard and professional format. Here is a guide to writing a recommendation letter:
The first part should look like a formal business letter. At the top, put your contact information and the date. Then, put the recipient’s name, title, company name, and any contact information you have under the header.
The easiest salutation is “Dear,” followed by the person’s name. For example: Dear Arthur Miller, and make sure there’s a comma after their name. If you don’t know the person’s name, “To Whom It May Concern” is also good.
- First Paragraph
Start the letter by telling the applicant who you are and how you know them. It’s also a good idea to say what the letter is for and make it clear immediately that it’s a recommendation letter.
- Body Paragraph
In the letter’s body, explain why you suggest the candidate, describe their positive traits and offer instances of how they handled their work successfully. It explains what the person can offer, why you suggest them, and why they are qualified. Use multiple paragraphs to explain.
Finish the letter by saying that you’re happy to answer any questions. Then, write “Sincerely” at the end and leave room to sign your name. Then, type out your name.
Recommendation Letter VS. Cover Letter
Both recommendation and cover letters can be used for someone’s job applications. They both can help your application stand out. However, they are different from each other.
- A recommendation letter for an employee should sometimes be sent only if requested . If you don’t do it right, sending your recommendation letter, even if it’s not required, could make the recruiter feel bad and weaken your application.
- On the other hand, you can send your cover letter spontaneously when you apply for a job. Unlike a recommendation letter, a cover letter is written by you and shows how you can impress employers and set yourself apart from other candidates.
Keep in mind that not all companies want reference letters. Sometimes they may want a resume or a resume and a cover letter.
Tips For Writing An Effective Recommendation Letter For Employees
Here are a few tips if you are a manager writing a recommendation letter to an employee:
- Personalize the letter . Some supervisors urge employees to compose letters when they’re pushed for time. Using templates will save time.
- Keep it short . One page should tell you everything you need to know about the employee.
- Learn about your employee’s position . This helps you write about their suitability for the post.
- Make a fair and balanced suggestion . Mention how the employee tried to improve any issues indicated for improvement.
Sample and Template
Here is a sample that you can use to edit.
(Your Name)
(Your Address)
(Your Email)
Dear Ms. (name),
I’m writing to recommend (employee’s name) for the position of (job title) associate at (name of the company).
I’ve worked with (employee’s name) at (company name) in (city) for (number of years), and I’ve always been impressed by how well he/she can deal with customers and get along with his/her coworkers.
Since (number of years) he has worked for us, I have been his/her manager. He/She is happy to see customers and knows so much that he can always help anyone.
His/Her performance numbers have gone up every year, and we’re sad to lose him/her as an employee, but we understand and respect his/her decision. He/She gets along well with his/her coworkers, and they all like working with him/her. I think he/she’d make a (job title)
(Employee’s name) would be an excellent addition to your team.
If you have any questions, feel free to email me at (you email) or call my mobile phone at (contact number).
Signature (hard copy letter)
(Your name)
- A manager will write a letter of recommendation for an employee who has left the company.
- A recommendation letter is a way to help a candidate get a job in the future. It describes the candidate’s skills, qualities, and job performance.
- A credible person should only write a recommendation letter.
- A recommendation letter for an employee should sometimes be sent only if requested.
- You can send your cover letter spontaneously when you apply for a job.
Letter of Recommendation For Different Scenarios
- Letter of Recommendation: Everything You Need To Know
- Letter of Recommendation for Employee
- Letter of Recommendation for Student
- Letter of Recommendation for Promotion
- Letter of Recommendation for Salary Increase
- Letter of Recommendation for Scholarship
- Letter of Recommendation vs Reference Letter
- Letter of Recommendation vs Cover Letter
Other Types of Letters
- Letter of Introduction
- Letter of Invitation
- Letter of Interest
- Letter of Resignation
- Letter of Intent
- Letter of Recommendation
- Cover Letter
- Letter of Acceptance
- Proof of Employment Letter
- Leave of Absence Letter
- Letter of Agreement
- Announcement Letter
- Australia edition
- International edition
Three excellent cover letter examples
Cover letters are the first chance you have to impress an employer – they’re not just a protective jacket for your CV. Here’s our guide on what to include and how to format them
- More CV and cover letter templates
- Looking for a job? Explore the range of vacancies on Guardian Jobs and find the perfect role for you
The first thing a potential employer sees in your job application is the cover letter. This doesn’t just support your CV – it’s an opportunity for you to stand out from the crowd and persuade the recruiter to put you through to the next round.
Be wary of spending hours on perfecting your CV at the expense of your cover letter. If you need some inspiration on what to include and what format to use, here are our helpful guides – just remember not to copy them as exact templates.
1. Standard, conservative style
This is ideal for sectors such as business, law, accountancy and retail. For more creative sectors, a letter like this might be less appealing, and could work against you.
Dear Mr Black, Please find enclosed my CV in application for the post advertised in the Guardian on 30 November. The nature of my degree course has prepared me for this position. It involved a great deal of independent research, requiring initiative, self-motivation and a wide range of skills. For one course, [insert course], an understanding of the [insert sector] industry was essential. I found this subject very stimulating. I am a fast and accurate writer, with a keen eye for detail and I should be very grateful for the opportunity to progress to market reporting. I am able to take on the responsibility of this position immediately, and have the enthusiasm and determination to ensure that I make a success of it. Thank you for taking the time to consider this application and I look forward to hearing from you in the near future. Yours sincerely
2. Standard speculative letter
This may vary according to the nature of the organisation and the industry you’re applying to.
Dear Mr Brown, I am writing to enquire if you have any vacancies in your company. I enclose my CV for your information. As you can see, I have had extensive vacation work experience in office environments, the retail sector and service industries, giving me varied skills and the ability to work with many different types of people. I believe I could fit easily into your team. I am a conscientious person who works hard and pays attention to detail. I’m flexible, quick to pick up new skills and eager to learn from others. I also have lots of ideas and enthusiasm. I’m keen to work for a company with a great reputation and high profile like [insert company name]. I have excellent references and would be delighted to discuss any possible vacancy with you at your convenience. In case you do not have any suitable openings at the moment, I would be grateful if you would keep my CV on file for any future possibilities. Yours sincerely
3. Letter for creative jobs
We’ve used the example of a copywriter but you can adapt it for your profession. The aim of a creative letter is to be original and show you have imagination, but understand what the job entails. Balance is essential: don’t be too wacky, or it will turn off the reader.
Dear Ms Green, · Confused by commas? · Puzzled by parenthesis? · Stumped by spelling? · Perturbed by punctuation? · Annoyed at the apostrophe? (And alliteration?) Well, you’re not alone. It seems that fewer and fewer people can write. Unfortunately, there are still a lot of people who can read. So they’ll spot a gaffe from a mile off. And that means it’s a false economy, unless you’re 100% sure of yourself, to write your own materials. (Or to let clients do it for themselves.) To have materials properly copywritten is, when one considers the whole process of publishing materials and the impact that the client wishes to make, a minor expense. Sloppiness loses clients, loses customers. There is an answer. Me. Firm quotes are free. You can see some of what I do on my multilingual website at [insert web address]. If you’d like, I can get some samples out to you within 24 hours. And, if you use me, you’ll have some sort of guarantee that you can sleep soundly as those tens of thousands of copies are rolling off the presses. Luck shouldn’t come into it! With kindest regards
Other helpful resources
How to write a perfect CV and cover letter
Applying for jobs without experience? How to build and sell your skills
Five steps to the perfect graduate CV
School-leavers and graduates: how to write your first CV
How to write a personal statement for your CV
CV templates to fit every stage of your career
Looking for a job? Browse Guardian Jobs for your next career step.
- Guardian Careers
- CV and cover letter examples
- Covering letters
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How to: write a cover letter.
by Amber Rolfe
Behind every CV is a good cover letter…
Writing a cover letter is an essential part of almost every job application. Not only do you have to make sure it sells your skills and abilities to recruiters, you also need to do it in a clear and concise manner that ultimately persuades the reader to want to meet you.
We’ve already covered what a cover letter is , but here’s our step-by-step guide to help you get started on writing one:
How to start a cover letter
First things first, you need to do your research.
Take some time to look into the role you’re applying for and the company – and use this information to tailor your cover letter accordingly.
When writing a cover letter, you should find out:
- What does the company do?
- Who are its competitors?
- Who is its target audience?
- What does the role involve?
- What are the essential skills?
Once you’ve found answers to these questions, you’ll be able to make it clear in your cover letter how your skills and abilities match up with what the employer is looking for.
Not only will doing research give you the knowledge you need to tailor your cover letter and CV to the style of the company, it also demonstrates that you’ve got a real interest in the specific role and company.
Cover letter help
How to format a cover letter
Your cover letter should be well-presented, concise and to-the-point.
So for your cover letter layout, use an easy-to-read font, and don’t get carried away with embellishments. No pictures, no Comic Sans, and definitely no word art necessary.
Cover letter examples and samples
How long sh ould a cover letter be?
Aside from ensuring it’s written using clear paragraphs – it also should be the right length. Too long, and you’ll risk rambling (and/or boring the recruiter); but too short, and you’re unlikely to have covered everything.
Aim for half a side of A4 (or one page maximum), and you’ll be on the right track.
Five things you need to stop doing on your cover letter
How to address a cover letter
Cover letters should be addressed to the person dealing with the application. Usually, this will be shown somewhere in the job advert – and if not, don’t be afraid to find out.
Start by visiting the company’s website to track down the name of a relevant recipient. If you have no luck there – there’s no harm in simply calling and asking. Not only will you be able to address your letter accurately, you’ll also demonstrate your initiative and genuine interest in the role.
If you manage to find a name – address with ‘Dear Mr Smith/Dear Ms Jones’.
And if you don’t? ‘Dear Sir/Madam’ will suffice.
How to structure a cover letter
Although there are no set rules on how your cover letter should be structured, making sure it flows well is vital if you want to impress recruiters.
Here’s a rough guideline on what to include when writing a cover letter:
Opening the letter – Why are you getting in touch?
The opening paragraph should be short and to the point, explaining why you’re getting in touch. It’s also useful to include where you found the ad i.e. advertised on Reed.co.uk. If someone referred you, mention their name in this section.
Example: I wish to apply for the role of IT Manager, currently being advertised on Reed.co.uk. Please find enclosed my CV for your consideration.
Second paragraph – Why are you suitable for the job?
Briefly describe your professional and academic qualifications that are relevant to the role and ensure you refer to each of the skills listed in the job description.
Example: As you can see from my attached CV, I have over three years’ experience in the IT industry, and I believe the knowledge and skills built up during this time make me the perfect candidate for the role.
Third paragraph – What can you do for the company?
Now’s your opportunity to emphasise what you can do for the company. Outline your career goals (making it relevant to the position you’re applying for) and expand on pertinent points in your CV – including examples to back up your skills.
Example: In my current role as Senior Marketing Executive at Software Company X Ltd, I have been responsible for increasing incoming client enquiries for our B2B product lines by 156% in under 12 months, which helped the business increase its revenue by 55% year-on-year.
Fourth paragraph – Reiterate
Here’s where you reiterate your interest in the role and why you would be the right fit for the role. It’s also a good time to indicate you’d like to meet with the employer for an interview.
I am confident that I can bring this level of success with me to your company and help IT Company LTD build upon its reputation as one of the UK’s fastest-growing software houses. With my previous experience and expertise, I believe I can start actively contributing to the business as soon as possible.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to meeting with you to discuss my application further.
Closing the letter
Sign off your cover letter with ‘Yours sincerely’ (if you know the name of the hiring manager), or ‘Yours faithfully’ (if you don’t), followed by your name.
How to: Overcome common cover letter problems
Ready to start writing a cover letter? Download our free cover letter template now
Read more cover letter help & tips
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6 comments on “ How to: Write a cover letter ”
this is all very well but what do you write if you have no previous experience to the job and no qualifictions and you have only done dead end jobs for over 30 years… how can one sell ones “skills” when those “skills” are very basic there are loads of adverts for jobs that say “trainee” “career development” yet in reality the training is basic and one ends up stuck at the bottom as there is no real career development its all just PR
You tell them about all your positive attributes – hard working, punctual, self-motivated, energetic your willingness to learn and succeed in anything you do in life and how that makes you an ideal candidate to add to the continual success at “add company name”
I agree with what you say however in todays world unless you have a first class honours degree from oxford or Cambridge ( or some other uni) unless you are member of this club or that club unless you commit 18 hours daily to your “JOB” unless your face fits unless you have supr confidence without arrogance, with the “right experience” you may as well just put your face between your legs and kiss your a..e goodbye,, cause you will never make it to anymore than dead end low skilled undervalued underpaid low prospects no employment future whatsoever… you can write all you like about what you say … be as positive as positive can be … (Lets face it … any human can be trained to do any job) … but life don’t work like that.
essentially, what you’re saying is that one has to cultivate skills in order to have skills. DUH
in today’s world the most important is the attitude and with such attitude as yours you won’t go far… there is always an option and a way to achieve something, if only you truly want it!
Very helpful thank you!
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Job seekers are using ChatGPT to write resumes — and nabbing jobs
Increasingly, ai-generative technology is being used to create resumes — and according to a new survey, it often helps its users land a new job..
Senior Reporter, Computerworld |
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology is increasingly being used to create resumes and cover letters, and according to a new survey by Resume Builder , using a chatbot improves your chances of getting the job.
The online job site said nearly half of 2,153 job seekers surveyed earlier this month used ChatGPT to help write their resumes, their cover letter, or both, and the majority said it helped them land the job they wanted.
Nearly three quarters (72%) of those who used ChatGPT did so to write their cover letter, and just over half (51%) used it to write their resume.
The chatbot appeared better at grabbing the attention of prospective employers, as seven in 10 (69%) who used ChatGPT reported a higher response rate from companies.
Additionally, 78% of respondents said they got an interview when using job application materials written by ChatGPT, and 59% were hired after applying for a job using materials written by the chatbot technology from San Francisco-based OpenAI.
“Job seekers who use ChatGPT for their cover letters and/or resumes are really no different than those going to a resume writing service or using readily available templates and online tools,” Stacie Haller, Resume Builder’s chief career advisor, said in a statement. “Hiring managers know this when reviewing these documents and can likely tell if they were written by ChatGPT.”
Of course, correlation doesn't equal causation, and it could be that users of ChatGPT for resume creation are simply more committed to their job hunt. But increasingly, external platforms powered by AI-generation models are being used to construct resumes, according to Hiten Sheth, director in the HR practice of research firm Gartner.
“Candidates — just like employers — are experiencing a fiercely competitive labor market,” Sheth said in an email reply to Computerworld . “To help gain competitive advantage, candidates might feel the need to utilize generative AI in order to bolster their resume, for example. It’s basically impossible for a recruiter to know if a resume was compiled using this technology — and recruiters are also not looking for it.”
The primary motivation for those who used ChatGPT is to save time, the survey found. Those benefits outweigh the risks for most job seekers, according to Resume Builder’s report.
An overwhelming majority (88%) of the total sample said they are somewhat or highly likely to continue using ChatGPT to write job application materials in the future. Four in 10 said interviewers weren’t able to tell when job candidates had used ChatGPT.
However, when interviewers found out about the AI use, the response wasn’t always positive. Of the 40% of respondents who said an interviewer was aware they used ChatGPT to write application materials, 35% said they didn’t get the job because of it.
“The purpose of a resume is to get someone an interview,” Haller said. “From there, it’s up to the hiring managers to use other tools to evaluate a prospective employee during the process.”
Three out of four of those surveyed said the materials written by ChatGPT were of high or very high quality. And 28% said they had to do only “a little bit” or “no” editing to the resumes and cover letters written by ChatGPT.
Foundation models, the technology underpinning OpenAI’s ChatGPT, have been around for years and are already used in natural language processing (NLP) chatbots. However, according to the latest Gartner 2023 Recruiting Innovations Bullseye, the use of chatbots is still in the experimental stage and is not considered a strategic recruiting goal for most organizations over the next few years.
Despite the apparent success of ChatGPT in hiring, there are broad concerns that the technology could be used to generate false information at scale, according to Sheth. AI-generated “hyperrealism,” coupled with how easy it is to use, accelerates the risk of false information spreading rapidly.
As a result, both users and organizations “must remain cautious when using generative AI, as failing to do so could result in legal and reputational consequences,” Sheth said via email.
“ChatGPT continues to generate buzz because it allows everyday individuals to directly interact with AI that is seemingly intelligent, understands questions, and helps accomplish specific tasks. However, the content this technology generates can sometimes be incorrect, as it depends on the prompt, task, or domain and the quality and quantity of training data leading to risks and misuse,” Sheth said.
A Resume Builder spokesperson said the organization can't conclude that ChatGPT increases a respondent's chance of being interviewed or hired, “but contrary to what some might believe, using ChatGPT may not hurt an applicant's chances, either.
“I think there is a narrative out there right now that using ChatGPT is somehow cheating [or] misrepresenting yourself. But using it can definitely save time for job seekers and, according to the survey findings, most respondents didn't experience a downside (only 11% said they believed they were denied a job because they used ChatGPT),” the spokesperson said in an email reply to Computerworld .
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ChatGPT vs Bing Chat: What's the difference and which one to use?
Natural language chatbots like ChatGPT and Bing Chat have become the latest focal point in the tech industry. You’ve probably already heard about their uncanny ability to write essays, poems, and even computer code. Beyond that, these tools can also simplify complex topics and summarize entire novels. But even though both look similar on the surface, the quality of responses actually differs depending on which service you use. So in this article, let’s take a look at the differences separating ChatGPT vs Bing Chat.
If you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick summary of how ChatGPT differs vs Bing Chat:
- Both ChatGPT and Bing Chat use a large language model known as GPT-3. However, Microsoft has adopted a more advanced model for Bing Chat, which gives it the upper hand.
- Bing Chat is available on more platforms than ChatGPT, including Android, iOS, and even the Skype app. However, it currently requires you to join a waitlist whereas you can use ChatGPT immediately.
- Bing primarily functions as a search engine, so the new Chat feature can access web results and up-to-date information. ChatGPT, meanwhile, does not have knowledge of recent events.
- ChatGPT has an optional paid Plus subscription, which grants you priority access over the free tier. Bing is also free to use, but Microsoft restricts the number of conversations you can have per day.
- Bing offers three Chat modes, while ChatGPT does not have any settings or fine-tuning options.
- ChatGPT may offer longer creative responses. However, this may come at the expense of accuracy as it cannot fact-check its responses with external sources.
- Bing Chat can understand and respond to you in several languages. ChatGPT only supports English at the moment.
Keep reading to learn more about the differences between Bing Chat and ChatGPT.
What can you do with Bing Chat and ChatGPT?
ChatGPT and Bing Chat are examples of generative AI, which means they have the ability to generate brand-new text that has never been written before. Naturally, this kind of AI is only useful if it can provide accurate information, so how does it work?
In a nutshell, both rely on a large language model developed by San Francisco-based startup OpenAI. The model, named GPT-3, has been trained on billions of text samples gathered from across the internet. This means that both chatbots have the ability to generate text that looks like it was written by a human. We’ll go through some examples in the next section.
Bing also goes one step further as it can search the internet for information in real time. Admittedly, this is a double-edged sword since any misinformation it stumbles upon can introduce bias into the response. However, in most cases, Bing Chat also cites its sources at the bottom of each response. This allows you to easily verify the output’s accuracy by simply clicking on one of the citations.
On that note, it’s important to not completely trust either chatbot as both ChatGPT and Bing Chat are susceptible to “hallucinating”. That’s when a chatbot makes up a response that sounds convincing but has no basis in reality.
ChatGPT vs Bing Chat: Accuracy and knowledge
If you’re looking for information on a technical subject or recent event, Bing Chat will almost always deliver a higher-quality response as it can search the internet. But if you’re simply after historical knowledge, ChatGPT will do reasonably as well since it has some knowledge of events prior to 2021.
For example, you can use Bing while shopping to compare the pros and cons of newly-released products or to prepare a personalized itinerary for your next vacation. Both of these tasks require a fair amount of web-based research, which will take you far longer to do manually.
On the other hand, ChatGPT fares better when it comes to creative prompts as it’s tailored for conversation. While you could ask Bing Chat to write a poem, story, or essay, you’ll find that it’s extremely fact-driven and that may come at the expense of creativity.
That said, Bing does let you choose from three modes, namely Creative, Balanced, and Precise. The Creative mode comes the closest to ChatGPT’s default behavior, as you can see in the screenshot above. Even so, our testing found that ChatGPT provides longer responses.
ChatGPT vs Bing: How and where to use them?
ChatGPT launched in late 2022 as a web-based tool. That open access continues to this day but that may change once OpenAI gathers enough data and the project exits the research preview phase.
Bing, on the other hand, didn’t enjoy a similarly wide release. Even though Microsoft tested the feature for months leading up to its launch, the company opted for a gradual release. In other words, you need to sign up for a waitlist and wait for at least a few days before you can use Bing Chat for the first time.
On average, expect to wait approximately two weeks, although this may change at any point. You can also use Microsoft’s Edge web browser and download the Bing app on mobile to improve your chances of getting selected sooner.
The good news is that once you do gain access to Bing Chat, you can use it on many more platforms. While ChatGPT only works in a web browser, Microsoft has brought its AI chatbot to mobile apps and even Skype chats. The former means you can interact with Bing Chat via voice like you would with Google Assistant .
ChatGPT vs Bing: Limitations and pricing
OpenAI imposes very few restrictions on ChatGPT’s usage, even if you don’t pay for it. You may run into some errors if you send off too many messages within a few minutes, but that’s meant to combat abuse. You can also have relatively longer conversations with the chatbot – no per-conversation limits to speak of.
That said, you have the option of paying for a $20 monthly ChatGPT Plus subscription. Doing so grants you three benefits: priority access to the service, faster response times, and early access to new features. Paid accounts do not get higher-quality responses, unlike some ChatGPT alternatives out there.
Meanwhile, Bing can understand most major languages including French, German, and Japanese. However, it does have a few other limitations. You can only have 60 conversations with it in a single day. And each thread is limited to six replies, so don’t expect to have long back-and-forth conversations either. Microsoft may reduce these restrictions or eliminate them entirely in the future. But for now, the company says that most people find what they’re looking for within five replies.
With Bing Chat, you cannot pay for higher limits or better responses. That’s unlikely to change in the future since the company uses Bing to deliver ads and product recommendations.
No, Bing AI uses a more advanced model codenamed Promethus that has more capabilities than ChatGPT. It can also search the internet, which you cannot do with ChatGPT.
ChatGPT was created by OpenAI, a San Francisco-based startup. The same model also powers Microsoft’s Bing Chat.
No, ChatGPT and Bing Chat are both free to use.
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Your cover letter should be one page long and use a simple, professional font, such as Arial or Helvetica, 10 to 12 points in size. Your letter should be left-aligned with single spacing and one-inch margins. How to write a cover letter in 6 steps Here are six simple steps to writing a great cover letter.
Ways to open your cover letter Dear Jane Smith Dear Ms. Smith Dear Accounting Department Dear [Company Name] Recruiter 3. Write an attention-grabbing opening paragraph Keep your cover letter introduction direct and short. Start your cover letter with an informative, direct introduction.
Here are five basic steps to create the perfect cover letter: 1. Use a consistent structure Visual consistency is essential for a cover letter. Your letter should fit onto one page and use the same font and font size throughout the body. Use a simple, easy-to-read font like Arial, Helvetica or Calibri.
The most traditional way to address a cover letter is to use the person's first and last name, including "Mr." or "Ms." (for example, "Dear Ms. Jane Smith" or just "Dear Ms. Smith"). But to avoid accidentally using the wrong title, or worse, inadvertently misgendering someone—first and last name also work just fine.
You can use your cover letter to explain the shift you're making, perhaps from hospitality to marketing, for example. Think of it as an opportunity to sell your transferrable skills. Open strong....
Step #1 - Pick the Right Cover Letter Template Step #2 - Start the Cover Letter with a Header Step #3 - Greet the Hiring Manager Step #4 - Write an Attention-Grabbing Introduction Step #5 - Explain why you're the perfect person for the job Step #6 - Explain why you're a good fit for the company Step #7 - Wrap up with a call to action Step #8 - …
Here are ten top tips for crafting a cover letter for a job: Address your recruiter or hiring manager by name. Using your recipient's name quickly makes your cover letter stand out. Addressing your recipient by name shows them that you're willing to put that extra work in. Link your history to the job description.
The cover letter is your first introduction to the person who may hire you, and its goal should be to make you as memorable as possible, in a good way. That means writing a unique cover letter for every job you apply to. No templates. No pre-written nonsense.
Let's now move on to detailed instructions on how to write a successful cover letter: 1. Start With a Header Ideally, your cover letter header should be the same as in your resume for consistency. So use the same template and don't worry about the design. If you prefer to make one from scratch, though, include the following contact information:
Step 2: Personalise a Warm and Professional Greeting. The first thing that a hiring manager notices in your cover letter are whether you have addressed it to them personally. A generic " Good morning/evening sir/madam " wouldn't always work. You will need to put in extra effort to find the recruiter's name.
Here are some of the things that you need to know about cover letters and how to write a good one: #1 Do your research. Before writing your cover letter, make sure that you know who will be receiving and reading your cover letter, the job requirements, company culture and values, and the latest industry trends. Knowing a bit more about the ...
Points to Remember While Writing Cover Letter. Introduce yourself to people in charge of hiring. Show what kind of person you are. Give an overview of what you can do. Tell the company why you want to work there. Explain things like changing jobs or not having a job for a while. But writing a cover letter doesn't have to be daunting.
Use a standard font and size and ensure that your letter is easy to read. Address the recipient: Address the recipient by name and use a formal greeting, such as "Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name.". Introduce yourself: Introduce yourself and explain why you are writing the cover letter. Mention the position you are applying for and where you found ...
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: Replace the templated information with your own to make an impressive cover letter. Download Best Cover Letter Template (MS Word)
With your cover letter, you'll aim to: Highlight your qualifications: You'll show how your skills and experience relate to the employer's needs for a specific position. Showcase your motivation: You'll demonstrate your enthusiasm for the specific position and the organization. Reflect your voice and written communication skills: You ...
A bespoke personal statement is a critical component of your application package. The goal is to intrigue the reader with the depth of your character and answer the "how" and "why ...
When you're ready to write a new cover letter, copy and paste the description of your voice ChatGPT previously generated into the new prompt. Feel free to make adjustments to this description so that it fits into the new prompt naturally. For a detailed description of this process with examples, refer to Nicole's post on LinkedIn below.
Before you can get started writing your cover letter, there are a few components you must have. Greeting: A simple, but pleasant greeting to address the recruiter or hiring manager. Opener: Write a catchy introduction that explains why you're interested in the role. Summary of Skills/Qualifications: This is the heart of your cover letter.
The following steps can help you write a good project manager cover letter: 1. Address the letter to a specific person. Before you start writing a cover letter, try to find out exactly who may read it. In most companies, a hiring manager or an individual who works in the human resources (HR) department may be responsible for reviewing ...
9 Attention-Grabbing Cover Letter Examples. Add Some Humor. Make someone laugh. Be Very Specific. Do not send a generic cover letter. Cut the Length. Show How You Can Solve Specific Problems. Visually Match Your Resumé. Keep the Design Simple, Clean & Easy to Read.
In order to get things started on the right foot, here are three things to include in your CV summary example: Powerful use of language. Language is your top tool in persuading the hiring manager and painting a vivid picture of why you are the best candidate for the role in the limited space that you have.
How to write a cover letter Here are the steps you can follow to write your cover letter: Note the date Include your name and address Include the recipient's name and address Introduce yourself Make your opening paragraph about your interest in the position Include your background Focus on your qualifications
When writing your cover letter, remember to: write a new one for every job you apply for and make sure it's tailored to the company and the specific role use the same font and size as you...
Keep in mind that not all companies want reference letters. Sometimes they may want a resume or a resume and a cover letter. Tips For Writing An Effective Recommendation Letter For Employees. Here are a few tips if you are a manager writing a recommendation letter to an employee: Personalize the letter. Some supervisors urge employees to ...
I am a conscientious person who works hard and pays attention to detail. I'm flexible, quick to pick up new skills and eager to learn from others. I also have lots of ideas and enthusiasm. I'm keen...
2. Use an appropriate greeting. If you know the name of the hiring manager for this job, begin your cover letter by addressing them directly (Example: Dear Jane). When writing your CV, it's important to avoid weak and passive verbs, stay away from business jargon or clichés, and watch out for tired words and phrases.
This person is considering hiring you - so your opening should encourage them to think of you as someone they'd like to work with. "Dear Mr. Smith," "Dear John Smith," or "Mr. Smith," are all appropriate. "Hey Bob," "What's up, Jim?" or anything extremely casual should be changed to err on the side of formality.
Here's a rough guideline on what to include when writing a cover letter: Opening the letter - Why are you getting in touch? The opening paragraph should be short and to the point, explaining why you're getting in touch. It's also useful to include where you found the ad i.e. advertised on Reed.co.uk.
The online job site said nearly half of 2,153 job seekers surveyed earlier this month used ChatGPT to help write their resumes, their cover letter, or both, and the majority said it helped them ...
Bing offers three Chat modes, while ChatGPT does not have any settings or fine-tuning options. ChatGPT may offer longer creative responses. However, this may come at the expense of accuracy as it ...