A cover letter that’s well-written and tailored for the position you want to get is an essential part of any job application.
A properly prepared resume is key for making a good first impression on potential employers. Additionally, it’s worth noting that at least 10% of all recruiters also expect candidates to submit a cover letter along with their resume.
Make sure yours stands out perfectly for the role you’re seeking by using our professional examples below along with our cover letter builder.
Discover our sample cover letters for job applications and find out the best tips and advice.
There’s more than one way to format and prepare a letter. Depending on the type of job you’re targeting and your level of experience, you have several options to choose from.
Check out our article on how to write a cover letter for more useful tips and advice to help you write yours from scratch.
Little-to-no professional experience? Don’t worry! You can still create a cover letter that’s simple but effective. Use your letter to highlight your most employable features and get started on your career journey.
Simple Cover Letter Copy to clipboardI am writing to apply for the Customs Broker position at Geoplex Inc. as posted on LinkedIn.com. I am a qualified and fully licensed broker, with over 4 years of experience and an exemplary history of managing drilling machinery imports.
I was particularly interested in the position with Geoplex, as I share in the company values of growth and innovation. Working with Benson LLC, my current organization, I’ve overseen a 12% cut in costs, as well as ensuring the standards of compliance expected by the US CBP.
Furthermore, I’ve developed a reputation for coming up with exceptional solutions to problems. This has been an especially vital skill in my current role, especially when resolving any factors arising from clearance and deliveries.
I am eager to continue my upward trajectory in a new position and would relish the opportunity to make that happen with Geoplex Inc. Please find enclosed my resume, which provides additional detail on my skills and experience as well as my complete contact information.
Please feel free to reach out to me at your leisure via my personal number or email address. I look forward to speaking to you further regarding the position.
A simple cover letter allows you to convey a lot of information fast with little excess detail. Done well, this type of cover letter gives you an edge over the competition, in a concise and focused manner.
In this example, the applicant uses a polite greeting and gives all their contact details. Importantly, they use the first paragraph to quickly outline interest in the job and explain why they’d be suitable.
This allows you as the candidate to show that you have a genuine enthusiasm for applying. You can then dedicate the rest of the initial opening to offering some tidbits of information that will further motivate the recruiter to keep reading.
Learn the basics about writing addresses on cover letters so you can plan what information to include.
In the next part of the document, our writer has added some key examples of how they made a difference in their last job. They’ve demonstrated a little about the essential tasks they did and focused on the results they achieved in doing so.
To finish things off, they have reiterated their enthusiasm for the role and have gradually started to draw the conversation towards the possibility of an interview.
It also creates some interest in the resume (which will be a more detailed explanation of your professional experience).
As you can see, each part of the document takes the reader on a short journey from the reason for applying, to why you’d be the best candidate for the job, to finally angling towards the next steps of the process.
By doing this while focusing on the job description this will provide the recruiter with exactly what they’ll need to pick you for an interview.
In our example of a professional cover letter, you’ll see how to start writing and organizing a document that can help take you to the next level of your career.
If you’ve already got a few years of experience under your belt, learn how to use it to your advantage.
Professional Cover Letter Copy to clipboardI wanted to make contact with you to register my interest in the Key Account Manager position with Rhino Insurance that is advertised on LinkedIn. During my 8 years of working in insurance, Rhino is a company I’ve always admired and I think I could offer you the skills you’re looking for.
My goal is and always has been to get the maximum from my staff and create excellent relationships with high-profile clients. That’s why over the last 4 years of working with Yannick Mutual I’ve overseen a 93% retention rate and helped to raise revenue by as much as 14%.
Great customer management is a skill that I know Rhino values highly and it is something I pride myself on also. Your 4.8-star customer satisfaction rating stands as a testament to your ability to respond properly to your client’s needs and I would love to bring my experience to help you achieve even better results.
I would be more than happy to talk in more depth about how I can help Rhino continue its success. Please contact me at 207-440-4475 if you would be interested in meeting for an interview.
Thank you for considering my application and I hope we can discuss the opportunity in more depth soon.
Professional cover letters will need to be more detailed than some other types like entry-level or simple cover letters. However, conciseness is still key.
As you can see in this example of a good cover letter, the writer has started as usual by formally greeting the recruiter.
They then go on to introduce themselves and start making a strong case for why they would be the right choice.
In the next section, they move on to explain a little about the way they manage in their current job. They also add specific instances illustrating where they brought results.
As an experienced professional, you’ll be expected to provide plenty of examples of how you made a difference in previous jobs and what you achieved.
To finish things off, the candidate added important elements of a good conclusion:
This detailed document covers a lot in just a few paragraphs, however, it strikes the right balance between essential information and brevity. It also functions well as it is specifically tailored to the type of profile that the recruiter is looking for.
When you’re starting in your career, or you’ve made a major change of industry you’re going to need an effective entry-level cover letter. Use our example to get your professional journey off on the right foot.
Entry-Level Cover Letter Copy to clipboardI am writing to express my interest in the Structural Engineer position with Rode Engineering advertised on Glassdoor.com. Having recently completed my B.S. in Engineering from MIT in May 20XX, I would love to start my career with Rode and feel I would be a perfect fit for the role being offered.
You stated in your notice that you are looking for a candidate with superb communication skills, excellent focus, and who is a good team player. This is precisely what I would be able to bring to the position. During my time at MIT, I was an active member of the volleyball team, where interdependency, strategy, and quick decision-making were invaluable skills for success.
Additionally, over 2 summers, I interned with Humbert Energy for 6 months, working with their infrastructure team. This gave me a working knowledge of everyday engineering tasks as well as many more abilities such as spotting worn parts, serious flaws in a design, and necessary structural repairs.
As you can see, my hands-on experience, my extracurricular activities, and my Engineering B.S. make me a great fit for the Structural Engineer role at Rode. I would be excited to discuss the position more in person.
Thank you very much for considering my application. Please feel free to contact me either on my phone number 412-721-6679 or my personal email to talk about the position at length. I look forward to hearing from you.
Like all good cover letters, this example starts by making a soft introduction and giving a little detail as to why the candidate could be a good fit for the role.
The entry-level cover letter immediately addresses the elephant in the room — the lack of professional experience.
The candidate makes it clear that they’re newly qualified while emphasizing their enthusiasm for the role.
By mentioning their qualification right away, the recruiter can see they’re fully trained for the job, despite the lack of experience.
Your qualifications are going to be your biggest selling point in this type of letter. If you don’t have any, instead focus on relevant examples of hands-on work experience.
In the main body of this example letter, we can see that the applicant has focused entirely on addressing the job requirements point-by-point. They’ve brought specific examples of where their college education and time studying were put to good use and how this could apply to the sort of profile the recruiter is looking for.
This involves a mix of hard skills and soft skills, but it helps to make up for any lack of real-world professional experience. To make their case even stronger, they have been able to include details of an internship, which could help make a difference against the competition.
To finish everything off, the writer has given a short prompt to reiterate why they would fit the desired profile well, in a quick conclusion. All that then needs to be added is a short paragraph giving the recruiter a call to action and hopefully instigating the next steps in the process.
Here’s an example of a cover letter tailored for an individual making a career transition. This letter showcases how to effectively pivot skills and experience to a new industry:
Career Change Cover Letter Copy to clipboardI am writing to express my interest in the Marketing Specialist position at Innovatech Solutions, as advertised on LinkedIn. With a robust background in financial analysis, I am excited about the opportunity to apply my skills and experiences in a new and challenging context within the marketing industry.
In my previous role as a Financial Analyst at Global Finance Inc., I honed my skills in data analysis and strategic planning, which I believe are directly transferable to the Marketing Specialist role. For instance, I led a project where I analyzed market trends and financial data to develop strategies that increased our department’s efficiency by 25%. This experience has equipped me with a unique perspective and an array of skills that I am eager to bring to your team.
Moreover, my passion for creative problem-solving and digital marketing has driven me to pursue this career change. I have taken proactive steps to prepare myself for this transition, including completing a comprehensive digital marketing certification course and actively managing a small business’s social media accounts. My dedication to continuous learning and adaptation makes me well-suited for the dynamic environment at Innovatech Solutions.
I am particularly drawn to Innovatech Solutions because of your commitment to innovation and excellence in technology marketing. I am enthusiastic about the prospect of contributing to such a forward-thinking and innovative team, and I am confident that my background and drive for excellence will make me a valuable addition to your organization.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my experience and enthusiasm for change make me an ideal candidate for this position. I am available at your convenience for an interview and can be reached at (555) 123-4567 or martin.doe@email.com.
This cover letter effectively addresses the challenges and opportunities of a career change. It demonstrates the candidate’s ability to transfer valuable skills from one industry to another, highlighting adaptability and a keen understanding of how past experiences can benefit the new role.
The specific mention of proactive steps taken to prepare for the industry switch, such as courses or certifications, showcases the candidate’s commitment and initiative, which are highly valued traits in any industry.
Focus on transferable skills and achievements. Demonstrate how your experiences in previous roles or industries can bring unique value and fresh perspectives to the new position.
Additionally, the cover letter is personalized to the target company, showing that the candidate has done their research and is genuinely interested in the company’s culture and values.
This level of personalization and the clear articulation of why the candidate is drawn to the company set this cover letter apart.
The candidate’s enthusiasm for the new field and the positive tone throughout the letter convey confidence and readiness for the transition, making a strong case for why they should be considered despite the career change.
This approach ensures that the focus is on the candidate’s potential and future contributions, rather than solely on their experiences in a different industry.
Returning to the workforce after a career gap is easier with the right cover letter. Show you’re ready to restart your career with these tips.
Return to Workforce Cover Letter Copy to clipboardDear Mr. Johnson,
I am excited to apply for the Project Coordinator position at TechPros Solutions, as posted on LinkedIn. After a dedicated pause in my career to focus on pursuing further education, I am eager to re-enter the workforce with a renewed passion and commitment.
During my career hiatus, I have actively honed my skills in project management and digital marketing through online courses and freelance projects. These experiences have not only kept me professionally engaged but have also reinforced my dedication to personal growth and learning.
My previous professional background includes Marketing Specialist roles at XYZ Marketing Agency, where I excelled in developing and implementing digital marketing campaigns that increased client revenue by 30%. Although I temporarily stepped away from the corporate world, I have remained committed to organizational skills, problem-solving abilities, and adaptability, which I believe are vital for success in the Project Coordinator role.
I am drawn to TechPros Solutions for its innovative approach to project management in the tech industry, and I am confident that my unique blend of experiences and skills will complement your team’s dynamic and innovative environment.
I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to discuss how my background and determination align with the goals of TechPros Solutions. Please find my resume attached, and I look forward to the possibility of an interview to further explore how my return to the workforce can be a valuable asset to your organization.
Thank you for considering my application. I can be reached at (555) 987-6543 or emily.turner@email.com, and I am available for an interview at your convenience.
This cover letter for re-entering the workforce effectively addresses the unique challenges and strengths of individuals returning after a career break. Here’s why it stands out:
The candidate openly acknowledges their career hiatus and the reason behind it. This transparency demonstrates honesty and relatability, instantly connecting with hiring managers who appreciate straightforwardness.
The cover letter highlights the candidate’s proactive approach during the career break, emphasizing continuous skill development through online courses and volunteer work. This showcases the candidate’s commitment to staying relevant in the industry.
The candidate strategically links their past professional experience, such as marketing roles, to the skills needed for the target position, in this case, project coordination.
By highlighting transferable skills like organization, problem-solving, and adaptability, the cover letter demonstrates readiness for the new role.
The candidate expresses genuine interest in the company by mentioning specific aspects of TechPros Solutions that attract them. This personalization shows that the candidate has done their homework and is genuinely excited about the organization.
Highlight the skills, experiences, and personal growth gained during the career break. Show potential employers how these factors make you a stronger and more well-rounded candidate.
This cover letter effectively bridges the career gap and positions the candidate as a valuable asset, ready to bring a fresh perspective and dedication to their new role.
It exemplifies how re-entering the workforce can be a positive and mutually beneficial experience for both the candidate and the company.
Below is a sample cover letter tailored for internship applications, showing how to effectively showcase your academic background and enthusiasm for a specific role.
Internship Cover Letter Copy to clipboardDear Mr. Anderson,
I am writing to express my strong interest in the Marketing Internship position at InnovateTech Solutions, as advertised on InternshipPortal.com. As a sophomore pursuing a degree in Marketing at Valleyview University, I am eager to apply my coursework and passion for digital marketing to a real-world professional setting.
Through my academic coursework and extracurricular involvement, I have developed a solid foundation in digital marketing strategies, including social media management, SEO optimization, and email marketing, which I believe aligns perfectly with the requirements of the Marketing Internship. For instance, my coursework in Digital Marketing Trends has equipped me with a strong understanding of current market dynamics, and my involvement in the Marketing Club has allowed me to apply these skills in a practical context by organizing successful promotional campaigns for local businesses.
I am particularly drawn to InnovateTech Solutions for its reputation for innovation and commitment to cutting-edge technology solutions. I am eager to contribute to the company’s marketing initiatives and gain valuable hands-on experience in digital marketing under the guidance of your talented team.
My drive for excellence, adaptability, and strong work ethic make me a dedicated learner and a valuable addition to your organization. I am excited about the opportunity to further discuss how my skills and enthusiasm align with the goals of InnovateTech Solutions.
Thank you for considering my application. Please find my resume attached, and I am available for an interview at your earliest convenience. I can be reached at (555) 789-1234 or hannah.w@email.com.
Firstly, this cover letter opens with a concise and clear introduction, leaving no room for ambiguity about the candidate’s interest in the specific internship role. This immediate expression of enthusiasm sets a positive tone for the reader.
Secondly, the cover letter effectively aligns the candidate’s academic and extracurricular experiences with the internship’s requirements.
Instead of merely listing qualifications, it provides context by highlighting relevant coursework and extracurricular activities. This approach allows the reader to see how the candidate’s background directly relates to the position.
Showcase your relevant coursework and extracurricular activities, and how they connect to the internship role to demonstrate your enthusiasm and eagerness.
Additionally, the cover letter has a high level of personalization. It’s evident that the candidate has invested time in researching the company, resulting in a letter that resonates with the organization’s mission and values. By expressing a genuine interest in the company, the candidate demonstrates their commitment to being a cultural fit.
In summary, this cover letter’s strength lies in its clarity, alignment of qualifications, and personalization, making it a well-rounded and compelling introduction to the candidate’s potential as an intern.
Creative cover letters stray a little from the normal rules of job applications. Find out how to effectively create a document for a more artistic job that gets results and demonstrates your creativity.
Creative Cover Letter Copy to clipboardFudge Digital is hiring and I am just the person you need. My name is Susan Taylor and I’m a seasoned and successful Digital Marketing Manager with more than 5 years of online marketing experience. Fudge is a business with a reputation for bringing together creativity and progress. Together, I think we’d make the perfect team.
I live and breathe life as a digital creative and in the last 5 years, it’s been my honor to be able to call myself a professional in this field. I make it my mission to create attractive and effective marketing assets that look great and sell better. In the last quarter, the digital assets my team and I brought to life have smashed their targets by over 30%.
My biggest guiding forces are communication and cooperation and I know that Fudge also appreciates these skills. I’ve been following your blog for a couple of years now and have always been impressed by the values of teamwork and inspiration that are woven into everything you do.
I was also totally blown away by your Award-winning video campaign. Hopefully, we’ll be able to work together to see that you retain the title next year.
Thank you for taking the time to read through my application. I am contactable by email every day or by landline Monday to Friday from 6 pm onwards. I hope we can meet soon to discuss how we can help Fudge reach even greater heights.
In most cases, creative cover letters involve even more individuality than most and rely on standing out. Nevertheless, they still follow normal letter-writing conventions.
As you can see in our professional example, the writer still uses standard formality and letter structure. However, once they launch into their opening salvo they do so with a much more imaginative approach.
The letter opening still introduces the candidate and sells them a little as the perfect fit for the job. As you would normally expect, it also gives some detail about the motivations of the applicant.
Don’t get too experimental with your cover letter. It is still a formal part of your job application and whilst you can take some risks it still has to focus on the task at hand.
The middle sections of this letter focus on building a complete picture of the candidate. It goes into detail whilst also adding more creative embellishments than you wouldn’t normally see in a simple or professional cover letter.
Our candidate chooses to use specific examples that illustrate the success their work has brought in. In this case, exceeding commercial targets by double-digit percentages.
This writer also goes a step further and gives a lot more information about how the company itself got their attention and how both parties’ goals align. Again, they cite a specific example to strengthen their hand and to show they have done their research on the business.
The author of the letter then finishes off with a quick thank you for consideration and gives the recruiter some details on how to make contact. This leaves the reader with a positive final impression as well as the precise sort of information they need to move the process forward.
As we can see, creative documents are worded very differently from more conventional ones. However, even in these cases, it’s still essential to give as much evidence as possible on your working record, using numerical data where possible.
It isn’t always necessary to write a cover letter that fills an entire page. If you can manage to explain why you’re the best candidate for the position, your cover letter’s length does not need to be that long.
Use the top 1 to 2 reasons you should be hired, and keep what you write relevant to the vacancy.
Short Cover Letter Copy to clipboardI’ve loved teaching and working with children and adolescents since I was a summer camp counselor in my junior year of high school.
I have over eight years of teaching experience at the middle school level, working with children that cover a wide range of learning skills. The state test scores of my students have collectively finished in the 95th percentile of all test takers in each of the past four years. Considering all of these factors, I believe I am the ideal candidate for the 7th and 8th-grade math teacher position at Woodlawn Middle School.
Please feel free to contact me at any time, I can be reached at 555-732-4198 or by email at FGorman882@gmail.com
You might not think less is more when you are applying for a job vacancy. However, in this case, a short cover letter can be just as convincing as a long one. There are cover letters that last an entire page and list irrelevant information.
The purpose of a short cover letter is to get straight to the point. As we can see in the above short cover letter example, the applicant makes it clear right away that they are excited about the chance to fill the position.
Don’t worry so much about trying to flatter the employer. Get into what makes you the perfect candidate right at the beginning, and mention you would like a response soon.
The body of the letter and the ending of the letter achieve several things:
Normal cover letters will go into further detail regarding the experience and skills the candidate possesses, however, this type of letter briefly yet effectively communicates the same information.
An effective cover letter will need the following 4 key elements shown below
Your first contact with the employer should be formal. You should address them as Mr/Mrs/Ms. for this initial interaction and state their name. If possible, avoid generic openers like “Dear Sir/Madam” or “To whom it may concern”.
Use the first paragraph to introduce yourself as a candidate and to make a great first impression. Use this space to give quick reasons why you applied and would be the right choice for the precise job on offer.
This next part of the letter can be used to build a convincing argument as to why you’d be the right pick for the company. Use numerical evidence to support your case and make your achievements eye-grabbing.
Finally, start moving the conversation toward the next stage of the job selection process. Encourage the recruiter to read your resume for further details and explain that you’re keen to meet in person as well as how you can be contacted.
Cover Letter Copy to clipboard[Hiring Manager’s name]
Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms. [Hiring Manager Name]
I am contacting you to communicate my interest in the Administrative Assistant role being advertised by [company]. This role caught my attention as I have a strong educational background and extensive experience in the office administration of medium-sized businesses. I think this knowledge and expertise could be highly valuable to [company].
During my 6-year career, I have assisted with a wide range of office administrative tasks using Microsoft Office and LibreOffice software. I have been responsible for maintaining and managing sensitive data at every step of the meeting organization from planning to the recording of minutes, as well as drafting critical communications.
In my current position, I was also tasked with optimizing the efficiency of our office supply buying, the results of which saved the company over $1,800 per quarter. I also enhanced my written skills greatly by assisting with the drafting and proofing of important executive correspondences.
I have enclosed my resume with this letter to provide further information about my career history so far. I hope that my credentials represent a good match for this role.
I am very keen to learn more about the position and would be eager to organize a meeting to discuss it in more detail. In the meantime, I’d like to thank you for your consideration and invite you to contact me at any time regarding the opportunity.
I can be reached every evening from 4 pm to 8.30 pm via home phone or at any time with my email address listed below.
Address
Phone number
Email address
What exactly should your cover letter include? Here’s a quick summary of the essentials:
Crafting the perfect cover letter is an art. While we’ve provided you with some stellar examples to guide you, it’s equally important to know what pitfalls to avoid.
Here are some common mistakes that could be the difference between your application landing in the ‘yes’ pile or the recycling bin:
Make your cover letter count by avoiding these common mistakes and you’ll be one step closer to landing the job you want.
As well as offering guidance and some inspiration, cover letter examples can be useful tools in helping you learn how to highlight the most important information that employers will need to know about.
When creating your cover letter, ResumeCoach’s examples can help with the following points:
Learn the length you should use and the sections that you will need to include.
Personalize your cover letter and find the keywords that work for your sector.
Get the level of formality right and make the text accessible for any recruiter.
Complete and adapt your cover letter and resume for any job with our editor.
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