resume and cover letter 2022

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

No matter where you are in your career, or what job you’re applying for, submitting a cover letter with your resume is a must . 

Done right, a cover letter will effectively complement your resume and explain to the hiring manager in more detail why you’re the right person for the job.

Writing a cover letter, however, is easier said than done. 

You have to effectively demonstrate that you’ll be able to perform the responsibilities listed in the job description and that you’d be a better fit for the company compared to other candidates. 

And unless you’re a professional writer, this can be a very hard task.

Fortunately, we created these cover letter examples to inspire you and help you get started with your own cover letter!

Let’s dive in!

21 Cover Letter Examples 

#1. career change cover letter example .

Here’s what this cover letter does right:

• Has an ideal length. This cover letter includes all the relevant information for the hiring manager without getting into too much detail.
• Relevant introduction. The candidate explains that they’re changing careers and why they want to work in this new field from the get-go.
• Explains their related experience. The candidate explains how their previous experience in retail sales can help them succeed in PR.

Check out our guide video guide to learn how to write a Cover Letter that gets you HIRED!

#2. Recent Graduate Cover Letter Example 

• Personally greets the hiring manager. The candidate has taken the time to find the hiring manager’s name and address them by it, which makes the opening of the cover letter much more personal.
• Wraps up with a call to action. The candidate wraps up the cover letter by suggesting a meeting with the hiring manager, which makes them more memorable.
• Explains why the candidate is the right person for the internship. In this cover letter for an internship , the candidate explains how they’ve previously interned in a different firm, which gives them the experience to succeed in this role.

Have you just graduated from college? Make sure to check out our guide on writing an entry-level cover letter from start to finish! 

#3. Middle Management Cover Letter Example

• Use of bullet points. The candidate presents the information in a concise and reader-friendly way, making it easy for the hiring manager to find their key achievements. 
• Formal closing. The candidate has used a formal and polite tone to conclude their cover letter, which combined with a call to action makes them look professional and passionate about getting the job. 
• Explains how the company would benefit from hiring them. The candidate outlines exactly what they could do for the company, which not only highlights their skills but also shows they’ve done their research on the company’s needs. 

#4. Business Manager Cover Letter Example

• Detailed header. In addition to the must-have contact details, this candidate has also included their professional Twitter and LinkedIn profiles, making it easy for the hiring manager to look more closely into their career. 
• Concise and to the point. This candidate has used short paragraphs and bullet points to make the cover letter easy to skim through. 
• Wraps up with a call to action. By letting the hiring manager know they’ll be contacting them soon, they’re more likely to make an impression.

Check out this article for a complete writing guide and an inspiring business manager resume sample. 

#5. Ph.D. Cover Letter Example

Here’s what this cover letter does right: 

• Attention-grabbing introduction. In the opening paragraph, this candidate explains why they’re passionate about pursuing a Ph.D. in great detail. 
• Explains the candidate’s qualifications in detail. The candidate builds on their passion by explaining how they’re also qualified for the degree because of their education history and academic achievements. 

#6. Senior Executive Cover Letter Example

• Professional and minimalistic template. This senior executive has used a professional but minimalistic template that lets their work experience do the talking. 
• Achievement-oriented opening paragraph. Right from the get-go, this candidate explains what makes them so good at their job, effectively grabbing the hiring manager’s attention.  
• Wraps up with a call to action. By suggesting to have a meeting and discussing how they can help the company meet its goals, the candidate stands more chance to make a positive lasting impression. 

#7. Architect Cover Letter Example 

• Modern resume template. This architect has picked a template that perfectly matches his industry, as it is professional and modern at the same time. 
• A personal greeting to the HR. They address the hiring manager by their first name, which helps make a better first impression. 
• Measurable achievements. By quantifying their achievements, the candidate proves their achievements instead of just claiming them.

Struggling with your architect resume ? Check out our full guide!

#8. Business Analyst Cover Letter Example 

• Detailed contact information. The candidate has listed both their LinkedIn and Twitter profiles, providing the HR manager an opportunity to learn more about the candidate.  
• Mentions what the candidate can do for the company. This cover letter doesn’t just explain why the job would be great for the candidate, but also how the candidate would benefit the company. Win-win, right? 
• Error-free and reader-friendly. It’s super important for the cover letter to have no spelling or grammatical errors and be reader-friendly. This candidate made sure they did both.

Need a resume alongside your cover letter? Check out our guide on how to write a business analyst resume . 

#9. Consultant Cover Letter Example 

• Professional cover letter template. Being an experienced consultant, this candidate has picked a professional template that doesn’t steal the spotlight from their achievements. 
• Experience and achievement-oriented. The candidate has effectively elaborated on their top achievements relevant to the job. 
• Highlights the candidate’s passion. To show they want the job, this candidate has also explained how passionate they are about their profession.

For more advice on landing a job as a consultant, check out our guide to writing a consultant resume .

#10. Digital Marketing Cover Letter Example

• Creative cover letter template. This digital marketer highlights their originality by picking a creative cover letter template. 
• Lists the candidate’s awards. The candidate has taken advantage of the cover letter to list their most noteworthy awards in the industry. 
• Concludes with a call to action. As they used a call to action to conclude their cover letter, the HR manager will be more likely to remember them.

Want to take your digital marketing resume to the next level? Check out our guide!

#11. Graphic Designer Cover Letter Example 

• Detailed contact information. The candidate has included additional contact information such as their website link, as well as their LinkedIn and Twitter profiles.  
• Ideal length. This cover letter is concise, which means that the HR manager is more likely to read it from start to finish.  
• Draws attention to the candidate’s strong points. Although this candidate is a recent college graduate, they’ve managed to effectively show that they have enough knowledge and experience to do the job right.

Read this guide to write a graphic designer resume that’s just as good as your cover letter!

#12. Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Example

• Minimalistic cover letter template. The candidate picked a well-designed but minimalistic template for their cover letter. 
• Focused on skills and achievements. This cover letter is packed with the candidate’s skills and achievements, proving he can be an excellent employee. 
• Formal closing. Politeness can go a long way and the candidate has used this to their advantage to make an impression. 

Our article on how to write an administrative assistant resume can help you take your job application to the next level.

#13. Front Desk Cover Letter Example

• Modern cover letter template. This template incorporates memorable colors and clear lines, which make the cover letter very visually appealing. 
• Attention-grabbing introduction. Using an attention-grabbing intro, the candidate is more likely to make an impression. 
• Calls the HR to action. By including a call to action, the candidate is reminding the HR of their immediate availability. 

#14. Human Resources Cover Letter Example

• It is concise and to the point. The candidate doesn’t dwell on unimportant details the HR won’t be interested in. 
• Uses a traditional cover letter template. The cover letter design is more on the conventional side, which fits the industry better. 
• Highlights the candidate’s strong points. The candidate has rich work experience and they use the cover letter to elaborate on it. 

This HR resume guide can help you get your resume just right.

#15. Sales Agent Cover Letter Example 

• Attention-grabbing cover letter template. As a salesperson, this candidate knows how important first impressions are, so they’ve picked a catchy cover letter template. 
• Has an ideal length. At the same time, they’ve also made sure to keep their cover letter at just the right length. 
• Lists the candidate’s career highlights. The candidate has made perfect use of the space by mentioning their most impressive professional achievements. 

Check out this sales agent resume guide to create an attention-grabbing sales resume .

#16. Receptionist Cover Letter Example

• Modern but minimalistic cover letter template. The template’s design hints the candidate is creative but professional at the same time. 
• Uses a catchy introduction. The candidate has used an attention-grabbing opening paragraph to catch HR’s attention. 
• Concludes the cover letter formally. The candidate proves that they’re polite and well-spoken, a quality very much important for the role they’re applying for. 

Take your receptionist resume to the next level with this receptionist resume guide .

#17. Information Technology Cover Letter Example

• Mentions measurable achievements. Numbers make an impact, which is why this candidate has included measurable achievements. 
• Lists both soft and hard skills. The candidate has mentioned a great mix of soft and hard skills, showing how well-rounded they are. 
• Contains relevant contact information. The candidate’s GitHub, website name, LinkedIn, and Twitter profiles are all great additions to the resume. 

Looking for tips to help you write a great IT resume ? Check out our guide!

#18. Real Estate Cover Letter Example

• Ideal length. Short and to the point, this cover letter is bound to get noticed by the HR manager. 
• Wraps up with a call to action. This candidate reinforces the HR to call them back through a final call to action. 
• Mentions the right skills. On top of their sales accomplishments, the candidate touch upon important soft skills such as customer service and communication . 

This real estate resume guide will help you take your resume from good to great.

#19. Teacher Cover Letter Example

• Mentions relevant contact information details. This candidate has included optional (but relevant) contact information details, such as their LinkedIn, Quora, and Medium profiles. 
• Achievement-oriented. The candidate has elaborated on their achievements in more detail throughout their cover letter. 
• Highlights the candidate’s passion. For some jobs, being passionate is much more important than for others. Teaching is one of these jobs, which is why this candidate explains their passion for the job. 

Our guide on how to write a teacher resume has all the tips you need to land the job.

#20. Project Manager Cover Letter Example

• Leverages a catchy introduction. Through a catchy introductory paragraph, this candidate is sure to grab the HR’s attention and get them to read the rest of their cover letter.
• Lists measurable accomplishments. This candidate explains exactly what they’ve achieved using numbers and hard data. 
• Personally greets the HR. A personal greeting sounds much better than “Dear Sir/Madam,” and the candidate knows this. 

This guide on how to write a project manager resume can help you perfect your appication.

#21. Paralegal Cover Letter Example

• Minimalistic cover letter template. This cover letter design looks good but doesn’t steal the show from the candidate’s abilities.
• Mentions the candidate’s academic achievements and extracurricular activities. Although the candidate is a recent graduate, they’ve used the cover letter to explain they have enough skills and achievements to do the job.
• Lists measurable achievements. The candidate proves they did well in their internship by mentioning quantifiable achievements.

Check out this paralegal resume guide to perfect yours.

40+ More Cover Letter Examples and Guides 

Couldn’t find a cover letter example for your field? Do not worry.

Below you can find a number of other cover letter examples for different fields and industries:

• Acting Cover Letter Examples
• Accounting Cover Letter Examples
• Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Architecture Cover Letter Examples
• Attorney Cover Letter Examples
• Barista Cover Letter Examples
• Bartender Cover Letter Examples
• Business Cover Letter Examples
• Business Analyst Cover Letter Examples
• College Student Cover Letter Examples
• Computer Science Cover Letter Examples
• Construction Cover Letter Examples
• Consultant Cover Letter Examples
• Customer Service Cover Letter Examples
• Data Analyst Cover Letter Examples
• Data Entry Cover Letter Examples
• Dental Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Digital Marketing Cover Letter Examples
• Elementary Teacher Cover Letter Examples
• Engineering Cover Letter Examples
• Executive Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Finance Cover Letter Examples
• Graphic Design Cover Letter Examples
• Healthcare Cover Letter Examples
• Human Resources Cover Letter Examples
• IT Cover Letter Examples
• Law Cover Letter Examples
• Management Cover Letter Examples
• Marketing Cover Letter Examples
• Mechanical Engineering Cover Letter Examples
• Medical Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Nurse Practitioner Cover Letter Examples
• Physician Cover Letter Examples
• Project Manager Cover Letter Examples
• Receptionist Cover Letter Examples
• Retail Cover Letter Examples
• Sales Cover Letter Examples
• Social Work Cover Letter Examples
• Software Engineer Cover Letter Examples
• Substitute Teacher Cover Letter Examples
• Teacher Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Team Leader Cover Letter Example

What is a Cover Letter? 

A cover letter is a one-page document that you submit as part of your job application, alongside your 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 give the hiring manager more insight into what makes you a good candidate and help them make up their mind about whether they should invite you for an interview. A bad cover letter, though, will get ignored (at best) and lose you the job (at worst).

So, to make sure this doesn’t happen, it’s essential to know how to write a convincing cover letter.

The first thing to remember is that a cover letter is a supplement to your resume, not a replacement. Meaning, you shouldn’t just repeat whatever is mentioned in your resume and call it a day. 

Optimally, you should use your cover letter to shed more light on your skills and qualifications, as well as explain anything you didn’t have space for in your resume (e.g. a career gap or why you’re changing careers).

If you’re writing a cover letter for the first time, though, putting all this together might seem pretty tough. 

Fortunately, you can follow our tried-and-tested format to make the experience much easier:

• Header - Input your contact information.
• Greeting the hiring manager - Open the cover letter with a “Dear Sir or Madam,” or use the hiring manager’s name if you know what that is.
• Opening paragraph - Grab the hiring manager’s attention by getting straight to the point. Mention what your professional experiences are, and what role you’re applying for.
• The second paragraph - Explain why you’re the perfect candidate for the job. Mention your top 2-3 achievements, your top skills, why you want to work in that specific industry, and whatever else is relevant.
• The third paragraph - End your cover letter with a call to action. E.g. “I would love to meet personally and discuss how I can help Company X.”
• Formal closing - Something like this: “Thank you for your consideration. Best, John Doe.”

Here’s what this looks like in practice:

9 Tips to Write a Cover Letter (the Right Way)

Now that we've covered the basics, let's talk about cover letter tips . Below, we'll give you all the knowledge you need to take your cover letter from "OK" to "great."

#1. Pick the right template

A good cover letter is all about leaving the right first impression.

And what’s a better way to leave a good impression than through a professional, well-formatted, and visual template?

You can simply pick one of our tried-and-tested cover letter templates and you’ll be all set!

#2. Add your contact details on the header

The best way to start your cover letter is through a header. 

Here’s what you want to include there:

• Phone Number
• Name of the hiring manager / their professional title
• Name of the company you’re applying to

Optionally, you can also include the following:

• 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 content portfolio site or blog.

#3. Greet the hiring manager the right way

Once you’ve listed all your relevant contact information, it’s time to address the hiring manager reading your cover letter. 

A good practice here is to find the hiring manager’s name and address them directly instead of using the traditional “dear sir or madam.” This shows that you’re really invested in the company and that you took your time to do some research about the job.

So, how can you find out the hiring manager’s name?

One way to do this is by looking up the head of the company’s relevant department on LinkedIn. Let’s say you’re applying for the position of Communication Specialist at Novoresume. The hiring manager is probably the Head of Communications or the Chief Communications Office.

Or let’s say you’re applying for the position of server at a restaurant. In that case, you’d be looking to find out who the restaurant manager is.

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.

If you still can’t find out the hiring manager’s name, here are several other greetings you can use:

• Dear [Department] Hiring Manager
• Dear Hiring Manager
• To whom it may concern
• Dear [Department] Team

#4. Create an attention-grabbing introduction

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 problem with most cover letter opening paragraphs, though, is that they’re usually extremely generic, often looking 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.

As you can probably tell, this opening paragraph doesn’t tell the hiring manager anything other than that you’ve worked the job before - and that’s not really helpful in setting you apart from other candidates. 

What you want to do, instead, is 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. 

For example:

My name’s Michael and I’d like to help XYZ Inc. hit and exceed its 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 my excellence in sales, makes me the right candidate for the role of X at Company Y.

The second example shows how the candidate is a top performer. The first just shows that they’ve worked a sales job before.

Which one are YOU more likely to invite for an interview?

#5. Show you’re the perfect person for the job

One great thing about cover letters is that they allow you to expand more on the top achievements from your resume and really show the hiring manager that you’re the right person for the job. 

A good way to do that is to first read the job ad and really understand what skills/experiences are required, and then to ensure that your cover letter touches upon the said skills or experiences.

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 and management process end-to-end. This means I created the ad copy and images, as well as 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

#6. Explain why you’re a great company fit

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 . 

To convince the hiring manager that you’re a great company fit, do some research on the company and find out what it is you like about them, or about working there. You want to know things like:

• What’s the company’s business model?
• What’s the company's 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?

Then, turn your top reasons for liking to work there into text and add them to your cover letter! 

#7. Wrap up with a call to action

To make the end of your cover letter as memorable as possible, you want to:

• Wrap up any points you couldn't in the previous paragraphs. Mention anything you’ve left out that you think could help the hiring manager make up your mind.
• Thank the hiring manager for their time. After all, it never hurts to be polite. 
• Finish the cover letter with a call to action. A call to action is a great way to make your cover letter ending as memorable as possible. 

#8. Write a 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 in a cover letter:

• Best Regards,
• Kind Regards,

#9. Proofread your cover letter

Last but not least, make sure to always proofread each and every document that you’ll be including in your job application - cover letter included. 

The last thing you want is to be claiming you’re a great candidate for the job with a cover letter full of typos! 

For an even more comprehensive guide on how to write an impactful cover letter , check out our article ! 

Cover Letter Writing Checklist 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you still have some questions about cover letters? Check out the answers below:

1. How do I write a simple cover letter? 

To write a cover letter that’s simple but also professional, make sure to include a header with your personal information, a formal greeting to the hiring manager, an attention-grabbing opening paragraph, a second paragraph explaining why you’re a good candidate for the job, and a formal closing (preferably with a call to action). 

2. What are the 3 parts of a cover letter? 

The three parts of a cover letter are: 

• The introduction , namely the header, the greeting to the hiring manager, and the opening paragraph. 
• The sales pitch is usually the body of the cover letter. 
• The conclusion involves a formal closing and a signature line.

3. What makes a great cover letter?

A great cover letter should be personalized for each job you’re applying for, instead of being overly generic. It’s also preferable to address the hiring manager by their name and not use the overly-used “Dear Sir/Madam.”

To make a great first impression, you should mention 1-2 of your top achievements in your opening paragraph - the more job-specific they are, the better. Also, don’t stop at showing the hiring manager why you’re a great candidate for the job. Make sure to also talk about how you’re a good culture fit for the company.

Last but not least, wrap up your closing paragraph with a call to action to give the hiring manager a little extra something to remember you by. 

4. When is a cover letter necessary?

Unless the job ad specifically states otherwise, you should always include a cover letter with your job application .

Even if the hiring manager doesn’t read it, you will look more professional simply by including one.

And that’s a wrap! We hope our cover letter examples and writing tips will inspire you to write a cover letter that will land you your next job.

If you’re looking for more invaluable career advice and articles, make sure to check out our career blog , or any of these related articles: 

• How to Write a Resume
• Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid at All Costs
• Cover Letter Format (w/ Examples & Free Templates)

To provide a safer experience, the best content and great communication, we use cookies. Learn how we use them for non-authenticated users.

Cover Letter Examples to Pair with Your Resumes & CVs in 2022

Looking for cover letter examples that you can use?

You are at the right place!

We understand that writing a cover letter can be hard, that’s why we have added these highly customizable cover letter samples that you can copy and use.

In this article you are going to find the following examples:

• Generic cover letter examples for anyone
• Professional cover letter examples for experienced professionals
• Creative cover letter examples to help you stand out
• Entry level cover letter examples for professionals starting out their journey
• Inspirational and great cover letter samples from various industries to inspire you
• What a Cover Letter Should Include?

Overall a good cover letter should say that “I am applying for this position because…” and “this is what makes me the best candidate for this position…”. But in order to say it right, you need to add these 5 sections in your cover letter:

• Salutation - This should be addressed to the hiring manager. If you don’t know the hiring manager and are applying at a very large company, use a salutation like “Dear [xyz] team” instead.
• An introductory paragraph - Make sure to leave a good first impression here. Introduce yourself and briefly explain that you would like to apply for the position. Make it easier for the hiring manager to scan, this paragraph should be of maximum 2-3 lines.
• Body paragraph(s) - This is where you help them understand why you are the perfect fit for the role. This is where your relevant experience, skills and achievements would shine.
• Vision paragraph - Add how you feel you can add value to the organisation and if possible share how your vision aligns with the company’s vision.
• Formal closing - Use this to prompt next steps for your job application. And add a sign-off.

Optionally, you can also include these two to your cover letter:

• Postscript - If you have something of value that adds value to your cover letter, consider adding it by adding a “PS: …” at the end of your cover letter.
• A portfolio paragraph - If you have a portfolio to share, consider adding a short paragraph of 1-2 lines with links to your portfolio added in it.

The Perfect Cover Letter Example Template

Salutation Dear [First name of hiring manager]/Dear [XYZ] Team

Introductory Paragraph Add your cover letter’s introduction here. Give a brief description of who you are, what you specialise in, and what makes you apply for the position. Keep it to a maximum of 2-3 lines.

Body Paragraph(s) The body paragraph(s) should highlight three things: relevant work experience, relevant skills and professional achievements. While writing these paragraphs, ensure that you only add relevant skills and experience as information overload would overwhelm the hiring manager.

Best practice is to use the combination of paragraph and bulleted list to make it easier for the hiring manager to scan for the right information as shown below in this cover letter example:

“As the lead auditor for KPMG West Coast, I managed a team of 15+ auditors independently and achieved the following results: Reached 100% compliance levels with zero errors in FY 2022 audit reports. Won award for …”

Vision Paragraph It often helps a hiring manager to see what the job applicant envisions they would do if they were hired. Adding your vision can help you stand out from the crowd.

Formal Closing Add a formal closing statement. Adding “Sincerely” followed by your name should be more than sufficient for most job applications.

• Our Cover Letter Guides

A cover letter is often the very first thing a recruiter sees when you apply for a job. Even if you don’t have any job experience, making sure your cover letter is in the best shape possible gets you off to a great start on the hunt for your dream job! Take a look at our cover letter examples and guides when you're a little light on work experience:

• Dental Assistant No Experience Cover Letter Examples
• Legal Assistant No Experience Cover Letter Examples
• Entry Level Bank Teller No Experience Cover Letter Examples
• Budtender No Experience Cover Letter Examples
• Paralegal No Experience Cover Letter Examples
• Medical Assistant No Experience Cover Letter Examples
• Flight Attendant No Experience Cover Letter Examples
• CNA No Experience Cover Letter Examples
• USPS No Experience Cover Letter Examples
• A Sample Generic Cover Letter for Employment

We have written a lot about how to customise your cover letter to perfection, but if that’s not your strong suit - consider the cover letter example below.

• Generic Cover Letter Example - Copy and Use

I was excited to see Berg Lansing’s Technical Writer position on berglansing.com and really wanted to apply for this role. The idea of playing a pivotal role in delivery of effective support to Berg Lansing’s customers through high quality user documentation is very exciting to me.

I currently manage multiple cross functional technical writing programs at ACME. And as a part of my current role I ensure that stakeholders, internal team members and customers are well supported. Some of my technical writing accomplishments at ACME include: Reduction of customer support requests by 25% as a result of simplified documentation.

Helping customer support teams reach 45% higher CSAT scores on closed support requests. Introduction of the idea of maintainable technical documentation to my peers and leading the program at ACME. Reduction of length of technical content by as much as 50%.

In my previous role, I was also responsible for maximizing the visibility of an organization's corporate activities by crafting creative content and working with creative teams for PR.

I am eager to apply my current skill set and knowledge to the Technical Writer position at Berg Lansing. Thank you for considering my application.

Sincerely, Heather T. Wynn

What Makes this a Great Cover Letter Example?

While this cover letter example is a generic one, it doesn’t appear to be generic at all. Heather has very smartly picked up key elements that are common across each technical writer job and have written a cover letter around it.

In addition to that, Heather also made the following decisions that make the cover letter look customized for this job:

• Using the hiring manager’s name instead of a generic salutation
• Mentioning the organization’s name that she’s applying to.

To summarize why it makes a great cover letter example:

• It has been intelligently designed to work with multiple job ads with very minor modifications
• No part of the cover letter example feels generic.
• Two Professional Cover Letter Samples

If you are not applying for an entry level job, consider these professional cover letter examples.

Professional Cover Letter Sample

Jeannine C. Frederick Big 4 Consulting Corp 1901 Norman Street Los Angeles, CA 90042

Dear Jeannine,

My name is Lida and I wish to apply for the auditor position at the Big 4 Consulting Corp office in Los Angeles. I have spoken with several members of Big 4 Consulting Corp’s audit teams and was each time impressed by their acuity and passion for both accounting and their firm. I am confident that my accounting skills and passion for efficiency will make me an excellent fit for Big 4 Consulting Corp, just as they are.

My accounting and time management skills will be vital to succeeding at Big 4 Consulting Corp. I was able to apply what I had learned that year to my work at the Corp2, where I was given the opportunity to assist the non-profit accounting department and CFO in their fiscal year-end closing and annual internal and external third party audit.

It was in Corp2 that I found my passion for understanding business operations. I enjoyed understanding how each employee’s work helped achieve the organization’s goals because I would be able to find ways to perform my own tasks to more efficiently and effectively achieve those goals.

While working full time here, I also took two accounting courses and taught myself Visual Basic programming in order to further optimize my efficiency at work. I was actually able to use the programming I learned this summer to automate several tasks such as bulk emails and manage large spreadsheets.

My passion for accounting and desire to understand clients and their complex businesses and circumstances align with Big 4 Consulting Corp’s audit approach to understand a client’s business, risks, and internal controls in order to provide the most effective audit procedures. After conversing with several team members about their passions and goals, I believe I am an excellent fit for Big 4 Consulting Corp’s culture and philosophy.

I was inspired by audit manager Shanon’s dedication and ambition but also humbled by her modesty and kindness. I also clicked well with Derick and look forward to possibly working with him and all the other team members I’ve spoken with.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to discussing this position further.

Sincerely, Lida R. Boyles

What Makes this Example a Great Cover Letter to Use?

This is a very professional, yet very deeply thought-out cover letter. To take a role at such a large organization, Lida displayed how well she knows the culture and that she had put enough effort to understand the current team as well.

This cover letter example highlights how to impress a hiring manager in large organizations.

Customizable Cover Letter Sample

Here is another professional cover letter sample that you can drive inspiration from.

Dear Lorrie, TeamGIS 1787 Pearlman Avenue South Boston, MA 02127

I am excited to apply for the position of GIS Technician at TeamGIS’s New York office. My technical skills in geospatial analysis at large scale, background in data management and visualization makes me an ideal candidate for this position.

Over the last few years, I have worked on extremely challenging remote sensing use cases and LiDAR datasets to derive various indices and statistical measures. My work has been instrumental in helping decision makers with reports and custom visualizations. My key projects involve: Allocation of various types of social housing across the continental United States. Assessing impact of global warming on social housing portfolio. Informing equity research analysts about possible asset value fluctuations based on GIS data.

My professional focus, work experience and research interests significantly overlap with the future vision of TeamGIS and that’s why I feel I will be a valuable addition to your team.

I look forward to discussing this opportunity with you in detail.

Sincerely, Evan

What Makes this Example a Great Cover Letter?

Unlike the previous cover letter example, this cover letter by Evan went in a completely different direction by showcasing the following: It shows that Evan has the right skills to do the job In addition, it also showcases how well Evan’s personal goals are aligned with the company goals as well.

• A Creative Cover Letter Sample

This creative cover letter example will show you how you can adopt creativity and stand out from the crowd.

Cover Letter Example for Employment Application

Dear Vernon Team,

When I was in the 6th grade I was limited to 3 questions a day in my class because I asked “why” way too much. Thankfully, as an adult, I can ask “why” as many times as I want. My passion to understand the “why” for the user and the company makes me a perfect candidate for the Product Management position.

As an associate product manager, asking “why” and then collecting data to extract insights to improve products is what I truly enjoy. I have been instrumental in lifting XYZ app’s adoption from 10% to 43% and implemented a mobile attribution system from the ground up to support acquisition efforts.

I am a very organized, and strategic person who enjoys putting “hypothesis before solutions” and “differentiating with execution”. Shopping and payment products excite me a lot as there are numerous opportunities to serve better user experiences and build flow states.

As a Product Manager for Vernon, I will bring my user research skills towards mobile shopping and payment verticals and build the next generation applications.

Thank you for your time and consideration, I look forward to hearing from you about this opportunity.

Sincerely, Devon

What Makes this a Great Creative Cover Letter Example

The way Devon starts this letter by bridging his habit of asking “why” to what he becomes illustrates his deep passion for being curious and finding solutions instead of assuming everything.

Any hiring manager who is looking for a customer obsessed product manager would love Devon’s creative cover letter example.

• Cover Letter Example for Career Transition

This cover letter example will help you craft one to support your career transition.

Cover Letter Sample

Dear Susan,

Ever since I started in sales, I enjoyed understanding customer’s needs and providing them with the right solutions. It became an obsession as I worked more and what started with me learning email marketing turned me into a self taught marketer. And, that’s why I’m interested in applying for the role of Junior Marketer.

From running personal projects to learning marketing to freelance for various clients to gain real world experience I have gained the following skills: PPC - Google Adwords, Facebook Ads (Google and Facebook certified) SEO and Content Marketing Email marketing and Sales enablement

At your organization (especially under Ralf’s leadership) I feel I can learn even more and fulfill my dream of working in the marketing team of a cutting edge company.

I am looking forward to hearing from you. Thank you for considering my application.

Sincerely, Jim

How to Use this Cover Letter Example for Career Change?

Career transitions are very hard to justify. Often hiring managers see applications from an unrelated or adjacent role and can’t understand why the candidate has applied for the position. That’s why this cover letter example is extremely good. It very clearly justifies:

• The motivation to apply for the role despite working in sales.
• What Jim has done on his own to support his transition.
• Jim’s own thoughts on how he expects to thrive under existing leadership

This cover letter example also shows that Jim has spent time and energy considering this job as well.

• Cover Letter for Entry Level Roles

This cover letter example will show you how to apply to an entry level position.

Cover Letter Example

I am excited to apply for the Mechanical Engineer Intern position at ACME. I found this position through the referral of Lorraine A. Dubreuil, Design Head for FST division at ACME. I am a graduate student pursuing Aerospace Engineering at Texas A&M. With my Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, my extensive R&D experience in mechanical design and structural engineering, I believe I am a strong candidate for this position.

During my time as an undergraduate, I utilized SolidWorks and MATLAB to design and analyze the structure tube frame of chassis. I also assisted with the hand lay-up of our vehicle’s carbon fibre monocoque which taught me a lot about working with composite structures.

Additionally, my work with the SAE collegiate design series has provided me with experience in design and manufacturing, while emphasizing teamwork, adaptability and communication.

Now, I am eager to apply my mechanical engineering knowledge and skills at ACME. Thank you for your valuable time and consideration. I am sincerely looking forward to learning more details about the Mechanical Engineer Intern position.

Sincerely, Tom

How to Use this Cover Letter Example to Apply for Jobs?

Tom, while being an undergraduate, knows the value of communication. And this cover letter example by Tom highlights how he:

• Highlights relevant past R&D project work.
• Leaves an impact by providing the reference who referred him for the role.
• Wrote a very concise cover letter as shown in the example; this is uncommon where most graduates would overdo their cover letters and fail to leave the same impact.
• The Shift Toward Email Cover Letters for Job Applications

The formal cover letter - A PDF attached to the job application with a classic 4 paragraph layout - is quickly becoming obsolete. However, it is being replaced by the “introductory email.” A short note explaining to the hiring manager or recruiter why you are the perfect fit. I use the term cover letter interchangeably with introductory email in this article.

A good cover letter is a marketing pitch - it draws the reader in, and encourages them to read more. We’ve compiled all of the best cover letters on the internet and from our own personal network.

Copying these cover letters will not be effective for you. A cover letter/intro email is a personal document that depends on the employer, the target contact, and your own skillset. If you’re a very qualified candidate - a short sentence can suffice. If you’re a young, ambitious recent graduate - you might need more real estate to sell yourself.

We have compiled various industry cover letter examples below that you can use as inspiration.

Cover Letter Example Job Categories:

• Designer Cover Letter
• Customer Support Cover Letter
• Community Management Cover Letter
• Software Engineer Cover Letter
• Marketing Cover Letter
• Business Development & Sales Cover Letter
• Designer Cover Letter Examples

Design cover letters should focus on the things that matter most when it comes to design. Namely, the designs. However, a good designer needs to communicate well as they will be working with different members of company teams, or external clients. Design cover letters should also of course link to an online portfolio or project that shows their skill. Here are some great examples of design cover letters.

Cover letter for a product designer at Crew

This is a perfect introductory email. It takes the tone of the job post in question, and matches the company vibe. It then outlines Luke's passion for the position, and that he studies his craft extensively. He also includes links to his online portfolio/resume. You can view the full cover letter, and more examples at the blog post by Michael Cho of Crew at the following blog post: Why I didn't look at your resume .

Cover letter for a design director at 37 Signals

This cover letter matches 37 Signals Philosophy nicely. It explains Jamie's beliefs about design, and why he is unique compared to other designers. He also made a sample work project to share with the team. You can view the full cover letter at the following link .

Cover letter for a graphic designer at 37 Signals

This online cover letter has a nice balance of explaining who Jason is, what he know about the company (and why he is passionate about working for them), and his skills. The full letter can be found here .

• Customer Support Cover Letter Examples

The key to a customer support role is a great personality and communication skills. The cover letter is an opportunity to first express those communication skills to your next employer. Note that these letters vary in tone, from professional to more casual. The applicant must make the judgement call based on what they know about the company.

Cover letter for a customer happiness concierge

Marlee's cover letter gets the tone right - you can tell she is a happy, personable, and effective person. She outlines why her past experience makes her a great fit for the job, and her personal habits that will ensure her success in the role. The full cover letter can be found here .

Cover letter for a Director of Customer Care

This is an expert from a blog post from the CEO at LiveStream, who said it was the best cover letter he has ever received. It is funny, honest, and confident. Note the applicant takes a few risks with the language and tone - but clearly understands his audience. You can read the full cover letter (along with the job description), at this link .

Cover letter for customer support

This cover letter gets to the point, and shows deep understanding of what a customer support role is. As it clearly states, "customers want to communicate with a human" - it is clear there is a human behind this letter. View the full letter here.

Jason clearly shows his writing skills and passion for the job in this cover letter.

• Community Management Cover Letter Examples

Cover letters for community management positions must understand what a community manager role is. To be a successful community manager, one must be a great communicator, an enthusiastic personality, and a dialed-in social media guru. Here are the best examples of community manager cover letters we found.

Cover letter for a community manager

The tone perfectly matches the company that Joanne is applying for. It outlines her enthusiasm, passion, and how her past experience applies to the job.

• Software Engineer Cover Letter Examples

Cover letter for a web developer

This cover letter shows that an effective introductory email doesn't have to be long. It efficiently lays out the skills that Thomas has, and piques the company's interest about what he can bring to the table. In a hot market for engineers, this is enough to get the interview. It is also from Mikael's article.

Cover letter for a front-end developer

This cover letter is also for Mikael Cho's company, Crew . It emphasizes links to Dan's portfolio and best work - very important for a web developer.

• Marketing Cover Letter Examples

Cover letter for a marketing position at google

For creative positions, a creative cover letter is necessary. This cover letter mirrored the marketing materials at Google, and got the interview. View the full article here.

Sales & Business Development Cover Letter Examples

Cover letter for a business development/product specialist.

Rodolphe shows how persistence and hard work can convince an employer to hire you in this cover letter to work at Buffer - a fast growing social media management platform. The full exchange is worth reading on the Buffer Blog .

Cover letter for a sales coordinator

This cover letter for a sales coordinator position is closer to a traditional cover letter than the other examples. It does a fine job of outlining experience and passion for the job. View a full before-and-after analysis of this cover letter on the Ask a Manager Blog.

• Cover Letter Examples and Frequently Asked Questions
• What is a good opening sentence for a cover letter?

A good opening sentence for a cover letter is “I was excited to see Company’s position on Indeed.com and really wanted to apply for this role”.

• What are some examples of selling points in a cover letter?

Some examples of good selling points in a cover letter are:

• “In 2021 I was able to help my company achieve [something]...”
• “I was awarded [X] in 2021 due to my exceptional work in [Y]...”
• “I built [X] team out from scratch to help [company]...”
• “I am currently in the top 1% in [Y]...”
• “I have managed large scale projects when it comes to [X]...”
• What are the 3 parts of a cover letter?

Three main parts of a cover letter are:

• Cover letter body
• A formal closing
• How do you write a perfect cover letter?

To write a perfect cover letter make sure you address the cover letter to the right name, customize the cover letter based on the job ad and show how you are the best candidate for the role.

• How to write a cover letter in email?

To write a cover letter in email, simply copy the cover letter you created using the examples above and paste it into your email client.

• Use These Examples To Inform Your Own Cover Letter

Remember, the key to a good cover letter is personalization. You must market to your audience. Do the research, write well - and go get hired!

Land your dream job with VisualCV's resume and cover letter builder. Sign up below to try it for free today.

Sign up and create a job winning resume using our free resume-builder

Recommended links:

• Our collection of 500+ professional resume examples .
• Our gallery of 20+ downloadable resume templates .
• Sales & Business Development Cover Letter Examples

Madison Norton

VP Marketing & Resume Expert

Madison is the VP Marketing and General Manager at VisualCV . He's a seasoned marketing leader, resume writing and career marketing expert and now helping people grow their own career marketing strategies to build a career they love.

Madison on LinkedIn

The top hiring and human resource statistics for 2024, including data on AI resumes, job interviews, remote work, and recruiting.

December 8, 2023

Community Success Manager & CV Writing Expert

Learn how your resume can beat the applicant tracking system (ATS) with keywords and the right resume template.

February 7, 2022

Writing a great CV is your first and most important step to scoring your dream job. You can be the best in your field and interview well, but it won't matter if you don't have an impressive CV to get your foot in the door. With this guide, you will have the perfect CV in no time.

August 12, 2020

Copyright © 2024 Workstory Inc.

Select Your Language:

View Premium CV Package

How to Write a Cover Letter in 2022 (With 6 Cover Letter Examples)

Posted by CV Nation on Dec 11, 2021

The ultimate guide to writing a cover letter to land jobs in 2022, with 6 cover letter examples and everything you need to know to impress recruiters.

When applying for jobs, you will usually be required to submit a cover letter. Recruiters use cover letters to assess your suitability for jobs and learn about your experiences, skills and achievements.

An effective cover letter can help you stand out from the crowd and make a positive impression on recruiters.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to prepare a cover letter for any job that does exactly that. We’ll also show you six great cover letter examples.

What is a Cover Letter?

Cover letters, often referred to as motivation letters, are introductory letters that usually accompany your CV when applying for jobs.

Cover letter are usually one-page in length, expressing why you’re applying for the job and highlighting your skills, experiences and achievements.

How to Structure Your Cover Letter

When writing your cover letter, follow our six-step process to ensure you cover all the key points and sell yourself as effectively as possible.

Take a look at the cover letter examples in this guide to see how we have used this formula to create engaging, effective cover letters.

Here is our six-step cover letter writing process:

1. Introduction

2. overview of knowledge and expertise, 3. unique value proposition (uvp), 4. why you want to work for the company, 5. key skills, 6. polite ending and call to action.

Let’s take a look at these steps in detail:

Start your cover letter with a concise introduction that explains who you are and why you’re applying for the job.

Provide a brief overview of your knowledge, experience and expertise. Use this paragraph to draw attention to what you bring to the table.

Your Unique Value Proposition (UVP) is what makes you unique. Demonstrating your UVP can set you apart from other candidates and convince recruiters you’re the right person for the job.

Identify your UVP by thinking about what makes you unique, then convey this in your cover letter.

Convey why you want to work for the company. This is where you can use your research to show how you are aligned with the company’s values and culture.

Showcase a few of your key skills to show what you can bring to the table.

Bring your cover letter to a close by thanking the reader for their time and including a concise call to action. This will usually be for the recruiter to get in touch with you to discuss your application in more detail.

Cover Letter Example

One of the keys to writing a great cover letter is research. By researching the company you’re applying to work for, you’ll be able to tailor your cover letter and show how you’re aligned with the company’s culture and values.

How do you conduct research into companies?

To conduct research into the company you’re applying to work for, examine the company’s website. You may want to take a look at their ‘About Us’ or ‘Careers’ pages. This will help you learn about their culture and what it’s like to work for them.

Additionally, you could view the company’s social media accounts and the job description to learn more about their culture and values.

Email Cover Letters

If you’re submitting a cover letter in the body of an email, you will need to format it slightly different to cover letters that are attached to emails or submitted as a document.

Email cover letters do not need to include the address of the company you’re applying to work for. You also do not need to include your name at the top of the cover letter, as is demonstrated in some of the cover letter examples in this guide.

Here is an example of an email cover letter:

Email Cover Letter Example

How to Write a Cover Letter with No Experience

If you’ve got no experience in the profession that you’re pursuing a job in, focus on your transferable skills and experiences.

For example, if you’re applying for a customer service job but have no customer service experience, you could focus on your communication skills and your experiences working with customers.

Here is an example cover letter for someone with no experience:

Cover Letter Example - No Experience

How to Professionally Format Your Cover Letter

Line spacing.

Using appropriate line spacing between paragraphs ensures your cover letter is professional in appearance and easy to read.

Letters that don’t use line spacing often appear as one huge block of text. Most recruiters won’t even read these letters, so make sure to utilise your word processor’s line spacing feature.

To add spacing to your cover letter in Microsoft Word, highlight the text, click ‘Layout’, then add 8 pt. spacing in the ‘After’ section.

This will ensure your paragraphs are easily distinguished from each other. It will also optimise your recruiter’s reading experience, which can only be a positive thing!

Margins are the blank spaces at the edges of your cover letter. The size of your margins will depend on the amount of content in your cover letter.

If you have a lot of content to include, your margins should be narrower, which would give you more space. If you have a shorter cover letter, your margins should be wider.

Ideally, you should be aiming for margin sizes of between 1.7 cm (0.66”) and 2.5 cm (0.98”).

3. Fonts & Fonts Sizes

Select a common, easy to read font, such as Calibri, Times New Roman and Arial. Avoid using overly creative fonts. Such fonts will make your cover letter look unprofessional and difficult to read.

For most fonts, including Times New Roman, Calibri and Arial, you should choose a font size of between 10.5 pt. and 12 pt.

Further Cover Letter Tips

Don't exceed one page.

Unless you’ve been specifically asked to submit a longer cover letter, don’t exceed one page in length. Long cover letters make for a poorer reading experience and recruiters may not read your cover letter if it’s too long.

Proofread your cover letter

Ensure to proofread your cover letter to iron out any spelling and grammatical errors. Errors in your cover letter can make you look unprofessional and have a negative impact on your job applications.

Give your document a professional title

When saving your cover letter, make sure to give it a simple, professional title. Examples of professional titles for your cover letter include ‘Cover Letter’ or ‘My Cover Letter’.

Avoid unprofessional titles such as ‘coverletter023432’. When recruiters see such titles on documents, they may instantly see you as unprofessional.

State that your CV is attached/enclosed

If you’re submitting your CV along with your cover letter, state that you’ve enclosed the CV. To do this, include the abbreviation ‘Enc.: CV’ at the bottom of your cover letter, as demonstrated in the cover letter samples in this guide.

Share this post

← Older Post Newer Post →

12 Great Cover Letter Examples

Mike Simpson 0 Comments

By Mike Simpson

There comes a time in nearly every job seekers life when you plop yourself down in front of the computer and say to yourself…

“Okay, it’s time to find a couple good cover letter examples I can use to help me start writing my cover letter…” 

So you do a quick Google search, grab the first three cover letter samples you can find, copy a paragraph from each one, and then you’re off to the races feeling like now all you have to do is “click send” a few times and the interviews will simply start rolling in.

Consider this a gentle wake-up call.

FREE BONUS PDF CHEAT SHEET : Get our "Perfect Cover Letter" Cheat Sheet that gives you a Step-by-Step Process that will help you produce a perfect cover letter.

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR CHEAT SHEET

Why Your Cover Letter Is So Important?

In this ultra-competitive job market, it’s just not good enough to “Frankenstein” together a cover letter from the various bits and pieces you find online.

Because hiring managers have “been there, done that.” In other words, they’ve seen it all before.

Not only that, but they want to find candidates that are unique, interesting, and take the time and make the effort to present the best version of themselves.

Your cover letter is your first impression, and therefore, you want to craft the best darn cover letter your hiring manager has ever seen.

So you want to take the time and select the cover letter example that is “tailored” to your situation… in other words, the example cover letter that fits your personality, skills and abilities the best.

Example cover letters are kind of like shoes.

Sure, you might absolutely love that pair of Air Jordan IV’s that are still fresh in the box in your closet from 1989, but you might want to have a second thought before you consider wearing them to a wedding with a tuxedo.

Or perhaps you’ve got a pair of high heels that make you feel like you could walk into a business lunch at the Four Seasons and walk out having sold your company for a billion dollars?

Would you feel the same way if you showed up at the start line for the half marathon you signed up for with those same heels on?

Okay, ridiculous examples aside, I hope you can begin to see my point.

There is not one example cover letter for every situation … no “one-cover-letter-fits-all” solution in 2022.

You have to carefully evaluate your situation and decide which cover letter example is going to suit you the most.

What kind of work are you looking for?

Full-time?  Or part-time?  There’s a cover letter for that.

Are you sending a cover letter in the mail or by email?  There’s a cover letter for that too.

There are all kinds of situations that warrant a slightly different cover letter, and it’s imperative that you figure out which one fits you best.

But don’t worry.  To help, we’ve compiled a list of 12 of the most common cover letter examples and provided you with an example of a cover letter for each one that should give you a leg up on the competition for 2022.

So take a look at the examples and carefully decide which one fits your situation the most.

Before you dive in, a word to the wise…

Don’t just grab the one that fits you best, change the contact information and then start sending it out. As I said before, hiring managers are pretty smart and will be able to tell that you haven’t taken any time to make it your own.

If you want to get job interviews from your cover letter (and at some point, job offers as well!), you need to “tailor” the cover letter to demonstrate your skills , abilities and relevant experience .

12 Common Cover Letter Examples

Without further ado, here are 12 of the best cover letter examples for nearly every situation you could find yourself in along with a brief description of what makes the style of cover letter unique.

1. Cover Letter Sample For Part-Time Work

If you have no intention of applying for a full-time position, it is very important that you let the hiring manager know this in your cover letter.  After all, if you don’t mention this right up front, anything that comes after this will be a total waste of time, and hiring managers value their time more than anything.

On a side note, you should never really be applying for a full-time position when you are only available as a part-time worker.  The company has very specific needs, so don’t think they are going to change the entire nature of the position to accommodate your availability.

2. For A New Graduate

Cover letters for new graduates can often be tricky, because generally speaking, new graduates don’t usually have much experience.

So how can you still put yourself forward as a good candidate without experience?  You want to focus the cover letter around your skills and abilities, the extra-curricular work you’ve accomplished and your knowledge of the company (and passion for the industry) you’re applying to.

3. When You Have Been Referred

There isn’t anything overly difficult about writing a cover letter when you have been referred by someone else, but the most important thing to know is where you should bring up the referral.

Generally speaking, it is always best to mention your referral in the opening paragraph, because it acts as an attention grabber for the hiring manager.

You’re hoping they’ll think to themselves something along the lines of, “Oh, this person was referred by Jim.  I like Jim…he’s a straight shooter. If this person is good enough for Jim, he’s good enough for me. I’m going to bring him in for an interview…”

4. Cold Call Cover Letter Example

The cold call cover letter is appropriate when you are applying to a position that is not necessarily listed on a job board or advertised anywhere.  And for that reason, it can be a little tricky.

You really need to blow the hiring manager away in order for them to grant an unsolicited interview request, so there a re a few key things to remember.  Most importantly, you really have to do your research and demonstrate that you know the company and position inside out.

After that, it really pays to address the letter to a specific person.  Simply writing “To Whom It May Concern” is a great way to have the letter filed under G (for those keeping track that’s the Garbage).

Finally, this letter needs to be all about “pizazz”. Since the reader wasn’t expecting to receive this, you really need to catch their attention and sell yourself, but most importantly, quickly demonstrate how you will add value to their company.

5. For An Email Submission

Please please PLEASE be careful with this one.

Just because a job posting says “submit your cover letter and resume via email” , doesn’t necessarily mean that you can just put these documents in the body of an email.

More often than not, the posting will give further instructions that include attaching your cover letter and resume to an email.  Anyone who doesn’t follow this step has a ZERO chance of being brought in for an interview.

Why?  Because you can’t follow simple directions.

Now, if there is no stipulation and you determine that using the email body to send your cover letter is okay, then general cover letter writing rules apply.

Where you want to focus your energy is on the subject line.  Don’t just write whatever comes to mind as a throwaway and whatever you do, don’t leave it empty!  Be clear and concise about what is included in the email and identify the position you are applying for.

6.  For A Recruiter

Recruiters are no different than hiring managers, in that they are essentially looking for the same things from your cover letters.  What impresses a recruiter the most is when you take the time to tailor your cover letter to a specific posting rather than simply sending them a general letter inquiring about “miscellaneous opportunities”.

7. Someone Changing Careers

Generally speaking, if you are changing careers, you’ll be short on experience.  So similarly to the “New Graduate” cover letter, you’ll want to put the focus on your reasons for making the career change along with your relevant skills and abilities and how your experience in your past career will translate to your new career.

And remember, enthusiasm goes a long way. Hiring managers get excited about applicants that really show a desire to succeed in the role and industry they are applying to.

So make sure you do your research and know the position and industry inside out so that you are easily able to show how enthusiastic you are about the opportunity and how determined you are to get started on your new career path.

8. A Great Example of a Cover Letter For An Academic

The trick with an academic cover letter is to avoid rambling on and on and on about everything you’ve accomplished.  The reality is, you still need to fall within the “one-page rule” (although some institutions will allow for a second page, you better make darn sure that this is the case!), so t he trick is to be clear and concise and highlight your accomplishments without coming across as an encyclopedia.

One other thing to consider is the nature of any research you have done and how you want to convey that in your cover letter.

Quite often people spend too much time talking about what it is they study or plan on studying without ever getting into the “why” of it all.

Be specific about your intentions and don’t assume that the person on the other end of your cover letter is an expert in your field.

9. For An Internship

There really isn’t a huge difference between writing a cover letter for an internship and writing a cover letter for a job opening.  You still need to list your qualifications, skills and abilities.  You still need to explain how you add value to the company.  You still want to sell yourself.

But one thing you want to keep in mind, is even though this internship might be a springboard to YOUR career or education, you don’t want this to be the focus of your cover letter.

The name of the game is still to put the company’s needs ahead of your own.

You’re not their first intern and you won’t be their last, so don’t write your cover letter thinking that their concern is how the internship will help with your placement in your next opportunity.

Add value. Period.  This is what they really want to hear from you in your cover letter.

10. Direct Mail

A direct mail cover letter is similar to a cold call cover letter, the main difference being you are not applying to a single company with a single position in mind.  Instead, you are “blanketing” as many companies you can at once and therefore trying to send out a general cover letter that can work for them all.

Because of this, we don’t recommend this strategy to our students.  It is generally pretty ineffective and a waste of your time or resources.

There is rarely a time when “tailoring” your resume to a specific company and position is not the most effective strategy.  However, if you are really short on time (and possibly ambition), here is an example of a direct mail cover letter you can reference.

11. Responding To an Advertisement

The only really distinguishing feature of this type of cover letter is that the opening paragraph generally includes a statement such as “I’m responding to your advertisement I saw in the…”

The rest of the cover letter generally follows the principles of other successful cover letters.  However, if you find yourself going through the classifieds in your local newspaper and simply sending off cover letters to whomever has an ad posted, do make sure that you do some research on the company before you send out your cover letter.

Sending one cover letter out for multiple advertisements is a good way to ensure that you won’t be getting too many interviews in the coming days or weeks.

12. When You’re Unemployed

The worst thing you can do when writing an cover letter after you’ve been unemployed for some time is to lie.

Why?  Because eventually, the lies you tell in the cover letter will come home to roost at some point in the interview process, meaning you’ll just end up having wasted everyone’s time.

Having said that, if there are some less-than-attractive reasons for your unemployment, don’t make those reasons the focus of your cover letter. You want to keep it positive.

It’s okay to admit fault in certain situations if you can show that you’ve have learned from the tough times and have changed for the better as a result of these struggles.

Transition to focusing on your skills and abilities, and more importantly, your passion and desire for re-entering the workforce. If you have experience from your past that will clearly add value to this new position, than don’t be afraid to clearly demonstrate the connection.

And if you spent your time being unemployed trying to better yourself (for example, taking a class or volunteering), then shift the focus to that.

Putting It All Together

So there you have 12 good cover letter examples for 2022 that will help you get started on crafting a winning cover letter.

Remember that the most important thing for you to accomplish with your cover letter is to demonstrate how you add value to the company you are applying to, and you want to make sure this never gets lost when you get caught up in trying to sell yourself.

And remember, you’re not on your own! Once you’ve chosen your cover letter example you can head over to How to Write a Cover Letter 101 and get great tips on how to right all parts of your cover letter.

Best of luck to you!

FREE : "Perfect Cover Letter" PDF CHEAT SHEET

Get our handy "Perfect Cover Letter" cheat sheet.

In it you'll get a step-by-step process that will let you craft the perfect cover letter.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE CHEAT SHEET

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com.

His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others.

Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

About The Author

Mike simpson.

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com. His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

Copyright © 2024 · TheInterviewguys.com · All Rights Reserved

• Our Products
• Case Studies
• Interview Questions
• Jobs Articles
• Members Login

• SUGGESTED TOPICS
• The Magazine
• Newsletters
• Managing Yourself
• Managing Teams
• Work-life Balance
• The Big Idea
• Data & Visuals
• Reading Lists
• Case Selections
• HBR Learning
• Topic Feeds
• Account Settings
• Email Preferences

How to Write a Cover Letter That Sounds Like You (and Gets Noticed)

• Elainy Mata

Do the research, start off strong, and emphasize your value.

• EM Elainy Mata is a Multimedia Producer at Harvard Business Review. ElainyMata

Partner Center

Is a Cover Letter Necessary in 2024?

Published: April 03, 2024

Writing a cover letter can be daunting.

I’ll never forget my college career coach, who made writing a cover letter look easy. Even with her tips, I’ve always found it incredibly difficult to talk about myself and hype up my accomplishments.

While it acts as a letter of introduction, I’ve wondered if a cover letter is necessary in 2024. To find out, I spoke with two recruiters and gained insights on how to write the best cover letter for any job application.

How important is a cover letter?

Is a cover letter necessary, when to skip a cover letter, when to include a cover letter, tips for writing a cover letter, what if the cover letter is optional.

Cover letters are short letters of introduction that you include with job applications.

Typically, they are your chance to go into deeper details about your accomplishments that you might not have highlighted or had room to mention on your resume.

Tiffany Hall, a professional resume writer and founder of Resume911 , says cover letters are an important part of the job application process.

Hall says, “Cover letters can be very important. It’s supposed to sell why you, of all applicants, should get the job. The issue is that applicants use them to regurgitate what’s on their resume, and that’s not what it’s for. It should speak to what isn’t easily explained with your resume.”

5 Free Cover Letter Templates

Five fill-in-the-blank cover letter templates to help you impress recruiters.

• Standard Cover Letter Template
• Entry-Level Cover Letter Template
• Data-Driven Cover Letter Template

You're all set!

Click this link to access this resource at any time.

For example, if your resume says you’re skilled at building web pages, your cover letter is a great place to name-drop companies that you’ve worked for to create their websites.

Matthew Muehleisen, a corporate recruiter , thinks a cover letter is also a great place to show you’ve done your homework and researched a company.

Muehleisen says, “It can be what sets you apart from other candidates and applicants and is a good opportunity to show that you’ve done research on the position and company to further showcase your interest in the role.”

Knowing the importance of a cover letter still begs the question: Is a cover letter necessary in 2024?

Image Source

While a cover letter can help demonstrate your knowledge of the company you’re applying to and highlight more of your achievements, both Hall and Muehleisen agree that a cover letter isn’t entirely necessary.

Muehleisen says, “Unless it’s a requirement of the application, I wouldn’t say it’s necessary to include a cover letter. There are some roles (usually in content creation and marketing) that will ask for a cover letter as a form of a writing sample. In these instances, make sure your letter is polished and focused.”

If Hall had her way, she would eliminate the cover letter entirely, focus more on the resume, and ask for a link to an applicant’s LinkedIn profile.

According to Hall, “Most cover letters either repeat the resume or they speak to why the applicant isn’t a good fit. Neither is the purpose of a cover letter.”

Nevertheless, 74% of hiring managers still prefer applications to include a cover letter. So, it is definitely worth considering including one — even if the application says it’s optional.

If you’re looking for a new role, writing a cover letter can be time-consuming — especially if you take the time to personalize every letter you send to a hiring manager.

Although a cover letter does serve a legitimate purpose, and 83% of hiring managers read it, there are a few situations where you shouldn’t include a cover letter. Let’s take a look at those scenarios.

If You Only Have a Template of a Cover Letter

I get it. Writing an effective cover letter takes a significant amount of time.

But consider not sending one if you only have time to plug your information into a cover letter template without personalizing it before hitting submit on an application.

Don’t get me wrong. A cover letter template is a great starting point to write your cover letter. Templates often remind you to include pertinent information like the hiring manager’s title, name, and your contact information.

However, if you don’t take the time to edit the body of the cover letter and personalize it with research and your relevant experience, you risk sending the same letter as another candidate.

And considering that 48% of hiring managers spend anywhere from 30 seconds to two full minutes reading each cover letter, the chances are high that your hiring manager can spot a form letter a mile away.

Don’t send it if you don’t have the time to personalize a cover letter.

If Your Cover Letter Is Full of Critique

A cover letter is meant to explain why you’re the best candidate for the open position. However, a cover letter is not a place for you to share your ideas of how the company can improve.

Sure, every company likely has areas of improvement, and the job you’re applying for might be the role that gets a say in that, but a list of improvements might read as a critique.

You don’t want to potentially offend a hiring manager before you even get an interview. A bad cover letter can hurt a strong candidate, according to 33% of hiring managers .

Before you submit your cover letter, read through it several times to make sure it’s not a critique. If it does sound like a critique, throw it out.

If It’s Not Required

There are other instances where you shouldn’t send a cover letter. For example, if the application’s instructions specifically state that you do not need to submit a cover letter for consideration for the job.

In fact, sending a cover letter anyway can signal to the hiring manager that you don’t follow instructions. Not following instructions is also a great way to land your application in the trash bin.

The bottom line is this: If the application specifically states not to send a cover letter, don’t send it.

Of hiring managers, 74% prefer to see job applications with a cover letter apart from the resume. Knowing this, if you have the time to include a cover letter with your job application, don’t skip it.

Here are three instances when you should send a cover letter with your application.

Send a cover letter if you’re very interested in the role.

Think of your cover letter as your time to shine. Use it as a place to highlight your experiences and the qualifications that make you a great fit for the position.

Hall says, “If you can speak to why you’re a good candidate without copying your resume in paragraph form, include a cover letter.”

In other words, don’t use bullet points in your cover letter to describe your previous employment history.

Instead, talk about what you learned on the job and how your skills will help you excel in the role you’re applying for.

Send a cover letter when there’s a gap in your resume or you’re transitioning industries.

If you’re looking to transition to another industry, you should definitely include a cover letter with your application.

Speaking from personal experience, if I had only submitted a resume to my school district when I applied to be a Spanish teacher, the hiring manager would have just seen my experience in Public Health and would not have known about my skills and success in tutoring students in Spanish.

Muehleisen puts it this way, “If you’re looking to transition to a new industry or if there is a position and company you’re really excited about pursuing as an opportunity, these are the best instances to include a cover letter so that you can possibly give yourself an advantage.”

A cover letter can also help explain any gaps in your resume — especially if the gap in your employment history is beneficial to the role you’re applying for.

For example, maybe you volunteered in South America, and the role you’re applying for is for a position in Global Operations.

It never hurts to include positive, pertinent information in your cover letter.

Send a cover letter when it’s required.

The most obvious time to include a cover letter with your application is when it is required. Just like not including a cover letter when it’s not required, it shows you can follow directions.

Include a cover letter when the application asks you to submit one, which shows you can follow directions.

Plus, if the application asks for a cover letter, you can bet the hiring manager will look for it. If no cover letter is included, well, you’re sabotaging your chances of getting an interview.

Only 13% of hiring managers will consider giving a candidate an interview if they don’t attach a required cover letter to an application.

Writing a cover letter is not as painful as it sounds. There are great templates you can use as a starting point for your cover letter.

The trick with a template, though, is to make sure you always personalize the letter to your own experiences and qualifications.

Here are five expert tips to write a winning cover letter.

1. Tailor your cover letter to the job description.

When writing a cover letter, especially if you use a cover letter template, you should tailor the letter to match the job description and meet the requirements of the application.

For example, if the application asks you to attach a short cover letter, keep it brief. Your best bet is one to two short paragraphs detailing why you’re a great fit for the position.

You’ll also want to reference keywords from the job description in your cover letter. Many recruiters use applicant tracking systems that scan application packets for the best fit.

Often, hiring managers review the applications that match the keywords first.

Now, that doesn’t mean to stuff your cover letter with keywords. Instead, use them in a natural way as you discuss your qualifications.

2. Be personable with your greeting.

You might have seen the advice telling you to use “To Whom It May Concern” instead of the hiring manager’s name. This is good advice, but only if you do not know the hiring manager.

Before resorting to a generic greeting to start your cover letter, take the time to look on the company’s website and LinkedIn to find out who makes hiring decisions.

If you have contacts in your network who are familiar with the company, ask them. Taking the time to research the hiring manager and the company shows you care about the details — a quality many hiring managers look for in a candidate!

If you’re still unsure after researching the company, consider using “Dear Sir or Madam” as your greeting.

3. Be yourself.

While a cover letter is a formal introduction of yourself to a potential employer, it doesn’t need to be lacking in personality. Hall suggests sprinkling your personality in your cover letter to spark connections with the hiring manager.

Hall says, “Be your best professional self. I’m a foodie and will include references to food on my LinkedIn, and I’ve done it in a cover letter. I’ve had managers reference them, and we had a chuckle. I am also very clear about aligning myself with companies whose mission and goals I respect and can contribute to. I make sure to speak to that in the cover letter.”

Take Hall’s advice. Showcasing your vibrant personality in your cover letter can help break the ice in your interview!

4. Proofread your cover letter.

Once you’ve written your cover letter and before you hit “send,” double-check that it is free from spelling and grammar errors and that the company you referenced is the company you are applying to.

Muehleisen says skipping proofreading your cover letter is a big mistake — and it could cost you the job!

Muehleisen says, “Make sure that you are proofreading prior to sending. If the cover letter feels like it is a simple cut/paste or if the job title and company name are incorrect, it may do more harm than good. So, be sure that what you’re sending is pertinent.”

5. Be cautious of AI.

AI tools, like ChatGPT or Claude, are great for helping draft content. You might be tempted to ask generative AI to write your cover letter for you. However, both Hall and Muehleisen say to proceed with caution when it comes to AI.

Hall says, “AI is coming along in amazing ways, so it may come as a surprise that my best tip didn’t include AI. I tell my clients when they’re stuck to look to their peers. You can search people by job title on LinkedIn. See how they describe themselves and pull from there. Or, hire a resume writer or career strategist to help you.”

Muehleisen agrees with her. He says, “I would hesitate to use a tool or service for a cover letter as the point should be to show your authenticity. If you are going to use AI for assistance, make sure to put your own words in as well.”

However, when you write your cover letter, whether using a template or generative AI, personalizing it is key to standing out from the competition.

If the job description says a cover letter is optional, should you send one, or can you get by without it?

That can be tricky, considering 72% of recruiters still expect a cover, even if it’s optional.

According to Muehleisen, sending a cover letter is not a bad idea. He says, “I’ve never heard of a cover letter hurting an applicant’s chances; just make sure the one you’re including is specific to the job description and posting.”

Check out these cover letter examples for more inspiration.

Experiment With Your Cover Letters

Writing a cover letter is a breeze once you get the hang of it. With today’s challenging job market, sending a cover letter with your application can make a difference in whether you get called for an interview.

I can’t make promises that your cover letter will dazzle hiring managers each time, but for the right position for you, it will.

Remember Hall and Muehleisen’s advice when you craft your cover letter. Personalization is key to success!

Don't forget to share this post!

Related articles.

General Cover Letter: 15 Cover Letter Templates to Perfect Your Next Job Application

The 23 Best Cover Letter Examples: What They Got Right

How to Write a Cover Letter for an Internship [Examples & Template]

Letter of Interest Tips, Templates & Examples [A 2023 Guide]

The Ultimate Guide to Writing a Cover Letter

How to Start a Cover Letter to Impress Employers [+ 14 Examples]

Eight Cover Letter Greetings for Every Situation

7 Expert Cover Letter Tips to Get the Job

Marketing software that helps you drive revenue, save time and resources, and measure and optimize your investments — all on one easy-to-use platform