qualities of a good cover letter

The 23 Best Cover Letter Examples: What They Got Right

Published: December 14, 2023

I've sent plenty of cover letters throughout my career, so I know it isn't usually fun to write one. Fortunately, the cover letter examples I painstakingly gathered below show that it’s possible to have a little fun with your job search — and maybe even make yourself a better candidate in the process.

I was shocked upon learning 45% of job seekers don't include a cover letter when applying for a job. I definitely don't recommend following the crowd on this matter because your cover letter is a chance to tell the stories your resume only outlines.

It's an opportunity for you to highlight your creativity at the earliest stage of the recruitment process.

Are you ready to showcase your unique skills and experience? Or are you looking for more tips and cover letter inspiration?

Keep reading for 20+ cover letter examples, then check out tips for cover letter formatting and what makes a cover letter great .

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.

Cover Letter Examples

• Standard Cover Letter Example
• Data-Driven Cover Letter Sample
• Entry-Level Cover Letter Example
• The Cover Letter That Explains 'Why,' Not Just 'How'
• The 'We're Meant for Each Other' Cover Letter
• The Cover Letter with H.E.A.R.T.
• Short-and-Sweet Cover Letter Example
• The Short Story
• The Bare Bones Cover Letter
• The Breezy Follow-Up
• The Administrative Assistant Cover Letter
• The Internship Cover Letter
• The Brutally Honest Cover Letter
• The Pivot Cover Letter
• The Graphic Design Cover Letter
• Consulting Internship Cover Letter Example
• Nonprofit Referral Cover Letter Example
• General Email Inquiry Cover Letter Example
• Post-Phone-Call Cover Letter Example
• Mission-Driven Graduate Cover Letter Example
• Short Recommendation Cover Letter Example
• Professor or Research Position Cover Letter Example
• Director Cover Letter Example
• Editorial Cover Letter Example
• Promotion Cover Letter Example
• Law Cover Letter Example

Customizable Cover Letter Examples

In a hurry for a cover letter example you can download and customize? Check out the ones below from HubSpot’s cover letter template kit .

1. Standard Cover Letter Example

Download a Customizable Copy of This Cover Letter Example

This standard cover letter is among my favorite approaches because it hits all the right notes: It includes a space to give a brief summary of your experience, as well as a space to delve in-depth into the specific responsibilities of your current role.

You also have the chance to describe the challenges you’ve mastered in previous roles, showing that you’re capable of facing any problem that comes your way.

Why I Love It

I love this cover letter because it allows you to describe the high points of your career while still being professional, personalized, and succinct.

2. Data-Driven Cover Letter Sample

Numbers are worth a million words — or that’s how I think the saying should go (if only we could include pictures in cover letters).

Citing data and statistics about your achievements at your current company is an assured way to capture a hiring manager’s attention.

Over the years, I've learned most hiring managers don’t read the entire letter, so a bulleted summary of your achievements can be a powerful way to increase the effectiveness and scannability of your message.

I love this cover letter because it’s adaptable to any role. Even if you don’t work in a data-centric role, you can include any enumerable achievement.

If I worked in a creative industry, for instance, I could include the number of creative assets you designed for your current company.

3. Entry-Level Cover Letter Example

Many of us have had "first job jitters" (that's what I'm calling it) when applying for our first career opportunity.

However, my experience taught me to increase my chances of getting that first interview by including a cover letter that explains how my education can help me succeed in the role I applied for.

In fact, HubSpot staff writer Erica Santiago says highlighting her education was key to snagging her first role out of college.

"When I graduated from journalism school, I only had a couple of internships under my belt and maybe some writing clips — not enough to compete with most young professionals with more experience," she recalls.

"So, I highlighted the classes I took such as 'News Reporting and Writing' or 'Electronic News Gathering," she says, "And I explained the assignments I did and how they gave me real-world experience in interviewing and reporting."

She says that's how she got her first job as a digital journalist for WSVN in Miami.

If you need help understanding how to highlight your education in a cover letter, look no further than this example from HubSpot.

While other cover letter samples give experienced professionals the opportunity to share their experience at length, this one gives you the chance to describe your personal and professional attributes.

You can then convey how you can use your knowledge to help your target company reach its goals.

I love this cover letter because it’s easy and simple to use for a student who has little experience in their target industry — including those who haven’t yet completed an internship.

Looking for more? Download the entire kit below.

5 Professional Cover Letter Templates

Fill out the form to access your templates., best cover letter examples.

What does a good cover letter look like in practice, and how can you make yours stand out? I  found six examples from job seekers who decided to do things a bit differently.

Note: Some of these cover letters include real company names and NSFW language that I've covered up.

1. The Cover Letter That Explains 'Why,' Not Just 'How'

You may already know how to talk about how you’ll best execute a certain role in your cover letter. But there’s another question you might want to answer: Why the heck do you want to work here?

The Muse , a career guidance site, says that it’s often best to lead with the why — especially if it makes a good story.

I advise against blathering on and on, but a brief tale that illuminates your desire to work for that particular employer can really make you stand out.

Image Source

Here’s another instance of the power of personalization.

The author of this cover letter clearly has a passion for this prospective employer — the Chicago Cubs — and if she’s lying about it, well, I'm sure that would eventually be revealed in an interview.

Make sure your story is nonfiction and relatable according to each job. While I love a good tale of childhood baseball games, an introduction like this one probably wouldn’t be fitting in a cover letter for, say, a software company.

But a story of how the hours you spent playing with DOS games as a kid led to your passion for coding? Sure, I’d find that fitting.

If you’re really passionate about a particular job opening, think about where that deep interest is rooted. Then, tell your hiring manager about it in a few sentences.

Why This Is A Great Cover Letter

This example shows how effective personalization can be. The writer is passionate about the employer, drawing from her own childhood experience to communicate her enthusiasm.

Further reading: Sales Cover Letter Tips

2. The 'We're Meant for Each Other' Cover Letter

This cover letter example is a special one because it was submitted to us here at HubSpot. What does the letter do well? It makes a connection with us before we've even met the letter's author.

"Content Marketing Certified" shows the applicant has taken the content marketing certification course in our HubSpot Academy (you can take the same course here ).

Our "records" indicate he/she did indeed give an interview with us before — and was a HubSpot customer.

The cover letter sang references to a relationship we didn't even know we had with the candidate.

The letter ends with a charming pitch for why, despite him/her not getting hired previously, our interests complement each other this time around.

(Yes, the applicant was hired).

This cover letter example does an excellent job of building rapport with the employer. Despite not getting hired for previous roles they applied for at HubSpot, the writer conveys exactly why they are right for this role.

Read more: Customer Service Cover Letter Tips

3. The Cover Letter with H.E.A.R.T.

HubSpot has a lot of H.E.A.R.T. — Humble, Empathetic, Adaptable, Remarkable, Transparent.

Our Culture Code is the foundation of the company's culture, the driving force behind our mission to help millions grow better , and serves as the scaffolding for our hiring practices.

Recruiters at HubSpot look for applicants that demonstrate how they embody the Culture Code and job description, paying extra attention to cover letters that are super custom to HubSpot.

In another HubSpot submission, a HubSpot applicant writes about how she found out about HubSpot, why she likes the company, and how her professional experience aligns with H.E.A.R.T.

HubSpot's recruiting team was impressed with her dedication to the company and how she went beyond what was asked for by linking her portfolio in her closing paragraph.

Featured Resource: 5 Free Cover Letter Templates

Download our collection of 5 professional cover letter templates to help you summarize your professional journey and land your dream job – whether it's at your first or fifth company.

Short Cover Letter Examples

4. the short-and-sweet cover letter.

In 2009, David Silverman penned an article for Harvard Business Review titled, " The Best Cover Letter I Ever Received. " That letter has three complete sentences, as follows:

One might argue that this particular letter is less than outstanding, and I'll also admit it's an older example.

It’s brief, to say the least, and the author doesn’t go into a ton of detail about what makes him or her qualified for the job in question.

But that’s what Silverman likes about it — the fact that the applicant only included the pieces of information that would matter the most to the recipient.

"The writer of this letter took the time to think through what would be relevant to me," writes Silverman. "Instead of scattering lots of facts in hopes that one was relevant, the candidate offered up an opinion as to which experiences I should focus on."

When you apply for a job, start by determining two things:

• Who might oversee the role — that’s often included in the description, under "reports to." Address your letter to that individual.
• Figure out what problems this role is meant to solve for that person. Then, concisely phrase in your cover letter how and why your experience can and will resolve those problems.

The key to this standout cover letter is research.

By looking into who you’ll be reporting to and learning more about that person’s leadership style, you’ll be better prepared to tailor your cover letter to focus on how you can create solutions for them.

Read here for more tips on how to land your dream job .

5. The Short Story

Basha Coleman began her cover letter with a short story. The goal of this short story is two-fold:

• Detail the experience she already has with the organization.
• Stand out to the hiring team.

I notice her short story follows a typical narrative arc: It has a conflict/obstacle, a turning point, and a positive outcome, all created with a goal to emphasize a theme or point.

In this case, Coleman is emphasizing her existing affinity with the brand and her triumphs within the program so that she can continue on her career path.

Like the second example in our list, this cover letter does an excellent job of conveying the applicant’s existing affinity for the brand. If you are applying to a company you love, don’t be shy about showing it and explaining why.

6. The Bare Bones Cover Letter

In today's job market, cover letters aren't always necessary. Even though many recruiters won't ask for or even read them, cover letters can still be effective and convey personality to a reader.

Writing a strong cover letter can help you better convey your interest in the position and company.

This template from The Balance Careers puts together the essential components of a short cover letter: excitement about the position, your qualifications, and a call-to-action for the recruiter to follow up with you.

Combining these central aspects in a well-written, compelling narrative will go a long way in convincing readers to hire you.

This letter is organized and concise. The inclusion of bullet points to highlight key skills and help the recruiter skim the document is a nice touch.

Check out this post for more useful cover letter tips .

7. The Breezy Follow-Up

In this cover letter, Amanda Edens is following the instructions the hiring manager gave by forwarding an email with resume and writing samples attached.

This short cover letter is the result. I especially admire how she uses casual and breezy language to convey personality and enthusiasm, and she keeps her paragraphs succinct.

Not only does Amanda include links to relevant writing samples that are live on the web, but she also closes with a strong final paragraph that:

• Summarizes the expertise she has relevant to the posting
• Emphasizes that she doesn't want to simply get a job but rather help the organization accomplish their goals
• The reader gets everything they need in an organized and thoughtful manner.

8. The Administrative Assistant Cover Letter

In this cover letter the candidate, Michelle, plays up her prior music industry experience to build a connection with Epic Music Group. If you have specific industry experience for the role you are applying for, be sure to highlight that.

It’s clear that she’s passionate about not only the music industry, but Epic as a whole.

She’s done so much research on the company that she knows what software programs they use, and happens to be proficient in it to help convey value to the hiring manager.

This example further illustrates the importance of research.

Make sure you understand the culture of the company to which you’re applying before you send a completely unfiltered cover letter — if you don’t, there’s a good chance it’ll completely miss the mark.

In just three short paragraphs, the applicant uses their company research to drive home why they are the perfect fit for the role — emphasizing industry experience as well as software knowledge specific to the company.

All of this communicates that she’d be able to start with very few hiccups while getting up to speed.

Further reading: 15 Cover Letter Templates

9. The Internship Cover Letter

Maybe you’re just getting started in your career and looking to land the right internship to gain experience in your field.

In this case, you’ll need to highlight more of your educational background and transferable skills since you won’t have as much professional experience to highlight.

The cover letter above is a great example of how to emphasize your skills and accomplishments when applying to internships or entry-level positions. A few things the applicant does well:

• Highlights relevant extracurriculars and affinity networks. In this case, the applicant is applying for a business analyst position, so mentioning their involvement in a FinTech group makes sense.
• Previous internships in relevant fields: Our applicant points out that they’ve interned as a Business Analyst at another firm. Pointing out that they’ve done the role before will help make their case for fit.
• Highlight other useful skills: This applicant is fluent in both English and German. If an international company or an organization needs bilingual support, knowing multiple languages is an asset.

This cover letter example illustrates how you can leverage your education and background to get the gig even when you don’t have much working experience. Highlighting previous internships or experience in related fields can go a long way in convincing hiring managers you’re the perfect candidate for the role.

Further reading for recent graduates:

• How to Find a Job After College
• Writing a Cover Letter for an Internship

Creative Cover Letter Examples

10. the brutally honest cover letter.

Then, there are the occasions when your future boss might appreciate honesty — in its purest form.

Former Livestream CEO Jesse Hertzberg, by his own admission, is one of those people, which might be why he called this example " the best cover letter " (which he received while he was with Squarespace):

As Hertzberg says in the blog post elaborating on this excerpt — it’s not appropriate for every job or company.

But if you happen to be sure that the corporate culture of this prospective employer gets a kick out of a complete lack of filter, then there’s a chance that the hiring manager might appreciate your candor.

"Remember that I'm reading these all day long," Hertzberg writes. "You need to quickly convince me I should keep reading. You need to stand out."

The applicant did their research on the company’s culture and executed this cover letter flawlessly. It’s funny and shows off the applicant’s personality all while making it clear why they are a good fit for the role.

Further reading:

• How to Stand Out and Get Hired at Your Dream Company
• How to Find Your Dream Job

11. The Pivot Cover Letter

Making a career switch? Your cover letter can be an excellent opportunity for you to explain the reasoning behind your career change and how your transferable skills qualify you for the role.

It’s clean but effective.

Since the role she is applying for is more visual, it’s important to both show and tell why you’re a good fit.

This cover letter strikes the perfect balance between creativity and simplicity in design while putting the applicant's career change into context.

The copy is clean, with a creative font choice that isn’t distracting from the content, but still demonstrates the applicant’s knack for design.

12. The Graphic Design Cover Letter

When applying for more creative roles, the design of your cover letter can say just as much as the words on the page. Take the graphic designer letter example below.

It’s got so much going for it:

• Pop of color
• Clean layout
• Interesting fonts

Besides the style elements, this example also doesn’t skimp on the key skills recruiters are looking for. Using metrics, the applicant proves their value and why they would be a great fit.

This cover letter thoroughly conveys the applicant’s skills and qualifications using a variety of visual elements and emphasizing their greatest achievements.

Pro tip: If you're applying for a graphic design job, share a link to your graphic design portfolio website , even if it's not an application requirement.

Job Cover Letter Examples

Next up, let’s go over some classic cover letter examples for jobs, especially if you’re applying to internships or only have a few years of experience.

The below cover letters follow the golden rules and don’t deviate too much from the standard — which is ideal if you’re applying to positions in more traditional industries.

13. Consulting Internship Cover Letter Example

Many internship applicants are early on in their careers or are still in college. That means they’ve yet to gather enough experience to offer tangible proof of their ability to do the job.

That means that a cover letter is the place where an internship applicant can shine.

This cover letter example highlights the applicant’s skills in a bullet-point format. That makes it easier for an overburdened hiring manager to get the essence of her points, quickly, if they’re only skimming cover letters.

Not only that, but this applicant personalized the letter in every single sentence. She shares information about her prior conversations with some of the company’s employees and mentions the company’s name at every turn.

While she only has one prior consulting job, she deftly mentions the skills she developed in that role and ties them into her desired position at Quantcast Product Group.

This cover letter example does a fantastic job advertising the applicant’s soft skills in a highly scannable format — while still going heavy on the personalization.

Don’t be shy to lightly play with formatting to get your point across and to imbue the letter with your passion for a company.

14. Nonprofit Referral Cover Letter Example

This cover letter example for a nonprofit job hits the ground running by right away inserting the name of one of the nonprofit’s Superintendents.

That’s an excellent way to get a recruiter’s attention and make you stand out from the slush pile, even if you’re only just out of school, as is the case for this applicant.

If you’ve received an internal recommendation for a position, you’d be wise to open your letter with that information. Don’t worry about it feeling too stilted or strange — remember, hiring managers only skim letters.

Your goal is to make sure they get information about you that they otherwise won’t get from your resume.

With only three full paragraphs, this cover letter example is short, sweet, and to the point. No time is wasted, and it also goes over the critical basics, such as skills and experience.

This nonprofit cover letter includes a recommendation from an internal employee at the target organization, making it more likely to stand out from the slush pile.

I  also love that it doesn’t skimp on the basics, such as skills, enthusiasm, and experience.

15. General Email Inquiry Cover Letter Example

Even if a job opportunity isn’t available at an organization yet, it doesn’t mean that there won’t be. You can always send a general inquiry cover letter, like the one in this example.

This email cover letter for a political campaign internship is short and sweet, but includes the critical information the campaign coordinator needs to consider the applicant for any new positions that may open up.

The best part about this cover letter is that it can be easily customized from one political campaign employer to the next.

While it does include a level of personalization, it’s brief and can be easily changed to address the specific political candidate.

When sending general inquiries like this one, it’s essential to make the personalization aspect as pain-free as possible for yourself. That may mean including only one sentence or two, knowing that a general inquiry might not be replied to.

This email cover letter example hits all the right notes while keeping it brief and to-the-point. While we don’t recommend choosing this format for a formal cover letter, it works if you’re sending a general inquiry to an employer over email.

It’s also a good example to follow if you’re still in college or have very little experience.

Read more: How to Write a Letter of Interest

16. Post-Phone-Call Cover Letter Example

If you get a phone call from a potential employer and they invite you to send your resume, pat yourself on the back — that is such a win. In your cover letter, be sure to mention that right away, like this example does.

A hiring manager or an executive at a company likely has a lot of tasks on their plate, which means that they may forget about your call from one week to the next.

That is totally okay, which is why this example starts with a reminder that the applicant and the letter recipient spoke back on January 31st. It also has a few more details about why they started speaking in the first place.

Aside from leveraging the phone call that’s already occurred, this cover letter also does an excellent job explaining why the applicant is an ideal choice for the job.

It goes into detail about skills and previous experience with a high level of enthusiasm, and includes a promise to follow up at the end.

This cover letter example includes two things that will immediately draw my attention: A phone call they’ve already had, and a mutual contact at their organization.

The job and internship search can be grueling; never be afraid to use everything you have at your disposal to improve your standing over other applicants.

Read more: How to Start a Cover Letter

17. Mission-Driven Graduate Cover Letter Example

This cover letter example from a recent B.A. graduate wowed me from the first sentence.

The applicant right away explains her attained degree and her specific career interests, then dives into the aspects of her experience that make her such a great candidate.

It's so personalized to the employer’s own mission that it’s difficult to stop reading it.

Even if the hiring manager isn’t a science or health professional, they would be able to effectively gauge the applicant’s suitability for the role by the expertise she shows in her cover letter alone.

The applicant explains at length why she’s excited to work for that specific hospital. The organization serves Aboriginal populations, which aligns with her own values and research interests.

In the last paragraph, she summarizes what she knows about the employer in one sentence, then describes how each of her experiences supports the employer’s mission.

That is an exceedingly clever and meaningful way to align yourself with an organization at a deeper level.

If you’re applying to a mission-driven organization, don’t be shy about showing your excitement and expertise. You don’t need a lot of experience to show that your values align with those of your target organization.

This cover letter example is especially good inspiration if you’re making a career change, have only just a few internships under your belt, or are graduating from college.

18. Short Recommendation Cover Letter Example

Referral or recommendation cover letters don’t need to be too long, and this is a great example of that. It immediately leverages a mutual connection at the company.

The mutual connection recommended that the applicant contact the hiring manager for a role, which is a piece of information I  always recommend you frontload in your letter.

This specific cover letter comes from an applicant with little experience, making it a good example to follow if you’re switching careers or just out of college.

Instead of talking about their experience, the applicant uses anecdotal evidence to convey their enthusiasm for working at that company.

The writer also goes over their most salient skills, such as being able to speak multiple languages. They also explain how their degree directly applies to the target role.

I  love that the candidate highlights their leadership abilities and makes that an effective selling point for being hired.

This cover letter doesn’t go on for too long, which we love. It’s simple and sweet and provides all the information the hiring manager needs to look more closely at the applicant’s resume and make an interviewing decision.

19. Professor or Research Position Cover Letter Example

Academic or research position cover letters might require a little more information than the typical cover letter — and this is one such example. Why is it okay to go a little longer?

Because the letter is not only a way to supplement the PhD candidate’s academic CV, but to provide a writing sample for the search committee.

I love this cover letter because it expresses the candidate’s enthusiasm for teaching and explains her instructional ethos, such as providing out-of-the-classroom opportunities, championing communication, and encouraging students to step out of their comfort zone.

The applicant also suggests courses she may be able to teach at the target institution, and expresses her interest in developing new courses as needed.

She also suggests how she can enhance the college’s extracurricular programming by offering study abroad courses, which shows not just an interest in teaching but adding to the school’s overall culture.

While this letter goes for a little longer than recommended, it serves as a fantastic writing sample and explains the applicant’s research background at length.

If you’re applying to academic or research roles, don’t be afraid to go into detail about what most excites you in terms of research interests.

20. Director Cover Letter Example

This cover letter example — for a Director of Catering position at a university — doesn’t waste any time.

The applicant right away says that they’re a strong candidate for the role, then jumps right into three salient qualifications that make him a great fit.

I love how the applicant uses bullet points and bold text to guide an overburdened hiring manager through the cover letter — and to give them permission to scan it, if needed.

If the hiring manager would like more information or actual examples of the skills, they merely need to read the rest of the bullet point paragraph.

As mentioned, light formatting can be beneficial to your cover letter, as it draws the recruiter’s eyes and prevents them from having to fish for the information they’re looking for.

This short, sweet cover letter includes the critical information a hiring manager or high-level executive needs to make an interview decision.

I  love the use of formatting that doesn’t stray too much from regular cover letter conventions, and I  like that the applicant kept all other paragraphs extremely brief.

21. Editorial Cover Letter Example

Applying for an editorial or journalistic position? Like a cover letter example I  shared earlier, you can take a more storytelling approach to capture the hiring manager’s attention.

This cover letter example does that effectively by telling an anecdote that directly mentions the newspaper where they’d like to work.

This immediately draws the reader in and tells them that this application isn’t random at all; the applicant would like to work at the newspaper because they’ve read it every morning.

Not only that, but they have a favorite reporter on the newspaper’s staff. The applicant then jumps into the specific reason they want to take an editorial position at the Baltimore Sun.

The cover letter includes all pertinent information, such as how previous positions have equipped the applicant to take on this job. It closes with enthusiasm after keeping the reader rapt every step of the way.

The applicant uses storytelling to — you guessed it — apply for a position that needs storytelling skills. If you’re applying for a data-driven position or a graphic design position, why not showcase those skills in the cover letter itself?

I  like that this letter doesn’t diverge too much from cover letter conventions while still differentiating itself.

22. Promotion Cover Letter Example

In this cover letter example, the applicant already works for the employer and wishes to apply for the next position to move up in their career.

I  like that the letter cites the applicant’s extensive knowledge of the organization, which will no doubt give them an advantage over external applicants.

Not only that, but the applicant also references their experience before they started working at the employer and uses that information to make their candidacy even more desirable.

Lastly, this letter includes a healthy level of enthusiasm for the university and the position — something that is never extra in a cover letter.

This cover letter example does an excellent job showing the candidate’s knowledge of their current organization while stating why they’re a natural fit for the promotion.

Plus, the letter includes information on the applicant’s relevant activities outside of work — if you’re involved in any organizations that might help you do your job better, be sure to include them.

23. Law Cover Letter Example

This law cover letter example jumps right into personalization, a bold move that will serve you well if you’re genuinely interested in a company and want to stand out.

The applicant cites the recipient’s recent article on bond litigation, then ties that into the role they’d like to get at the law firm.

The applicant then goes into his skills and the feedback he’s received from past managers. This is an excellent way to introduce your skills without sounding dry — or even unfounded.

By citing positive feedback you’ve received, you’ll imply that others have praised you for having those skills, and that you’re not only "tooting your own horn."

Pro-Tip: In cover letters, it’s absolutely okay to toot your own horn — that’s what they’re for. But if you can cite others’ remarks, that also helps.)

At just two and a half paragraphs, this letter is exceedingly short but no less effective. It’s an excellent example of how to personalize your letter quickly while still conveying the essentials of a cover letter.

This short cover letter example keeps it brief while still creating high impact. The applicant personalizes the letter immediately, cites external feedback, and conveys enthusiasm.

This letter proves you don’t need to write a novel about an employer to sway the hiring manager into giving you an interview.

Now that I've shown you some excellent examples, let's talk about how you can create the best cover letter for your dream job.

What is a good cover letter?

A cover letter is used to show your interest in the role, passion for the company, and the impact you've had in previous positions. Good cover letters should include a standout opening, relevant skills and qualifications, and a strong finish with a call-to-action — all within one page and unique to each application.

What’s on a cover letter?

Before you start writing your cover letter, let's cover a few basic must-haves you'll want to include. If you’re looking for more detailed instructions, check out this guide to writing a cover letter .

Add a simple, but pleasant greeting to address the recruiter or hiring manager.

Learn more:

• Dear Sir or Madam Alternatives
• Cover Letter Greetings

Write a catchy introduction that explains why you’re interested in the role.

• How to Write an Introduction
• Tips for Writing a Good Introduction Sentence

Work Experience

This is the heart of your cover letter. It outlines your relevant experience and why you’d be a great fit for the role. You can highlight special skills, experiences, professional achievements, or education to help make your case.

• How to Write About Your Professional Background
• Professional Bio Examples
• LinkedIn Bio Examples

In this paragraph, add a call-to-action by expressing interest in an interview. Offer your contact information and sign off.

• Email Closing Line Examples
• Tips for Writing Conclusions

What does a cover letter look like?

Besides showing off your skills and qualifications, cover letters give you the opportunity to present a clear, concise, and compelling writing sample. It shows off your personality and your ability to convey ideas.

That's a lot of information to include on a single page, so it can help to have a clear structure to start with.

Check out our fillable cover letter templates to see how you should organize the content of your cover letter.

What makes a great cover letter?

A cover letter is personal, but it also needs to help you reach a goal and help the hiring team understand how you could perform that role with their company. This complexity can make cover letters really tough to write.

Because cover letters are difficult to write, many come off as boring, basic, or confusing for hiring managers to read. But the tips below about the qualities that make a cover letter great can help you take your cover letter from basic to bright.

Start with this quick video, then keep reading for more tips:

Personalized Introduction

Begin with an introduction that's personal. It should capture the reader's attention and address your recipient by name. Then, add a compelling opening sentence that emphasizes your interest in the specific role.

Helpful Cover Letter Introduction:

"Dear [Hiring Manager's Name],

In an increasingly digitized world, where customer-centric strategies are vital for business success, I am thrilled to apply for the [Job Title] position at HubSpot."

Unhelpful Cover Letter Introduction:

"To Whom it May Concern,

I am applying for the [Job Title] position at HubSpot. I have some experience in marketing and can help your clients grow their businesses."

Relevant Professional Experience

It can be tempting to use the same cover letter for every job. After all, it's about your experience, isn't it? But it's not enough to rephrase the work history in your resume.

Recruiters and hiring managers are looking to fill a specific role, so you need to show how your experience translates to their unique needs.

So, the body of a great cover letter should showcase the specific professional experiences that are relevant to the job you're applying for. Emphasize your accomplishments and skills that directly relate to what the job needs.

To speed up this part of the cover letter writing process, start by creating a list of your transferable skills . Drafting this list can help you quickly focus on the skills to highlight in your cover letter.

Then, use AI tools to summarize job descriptions and narrow in on where your experience and the needs of the role you're applying for overlap. This post is full of useful AI assistant tools if you're new to AI.

Helpful Cover Letter Experience:

"At [Company Name], I had the opportunity to assist a global ecommerce retailer in enhancing their online customer experience. By conducting in-depth market research and customer journey mapping, I identified pain points and areas of improvement in their website navigation and user interface."

Unhelpful Cover Letter Experience:

"I also worked with an ecommerce retailer to improve the customer experience. We did some surveys and training, and they were happy with the results."

Useful Examples

To make your cover letter stand out, add specific examples that show how you've solved problems or gotten results in past roles.

Quantify your accomplishments whenever possible, using data to give the reader a clear understanding of your impact.

Helpful Cover Letter Example:

"I lead a team of five content writers while increasing website traffic by 18% year-over-year."

Unhelpful Cover Letter Example:

"I have a great track record of leadership and achieving fantastic results."

Research and Company Knowledge

Hiring teams aren't hiring anyone with the skills to do the job. They're hiring a person they'll work alongside at their specific company.

So, to show that you're not just looking for any job anywhere, share your knowledge of the company's industry, values, and culture in your cover letter.

Spend some time on the company website and take notes on what makes this business interesting to you and why you would want to work there.

Then, explain how your skills align with the company's mission and goals and explain how you could add to their chances of success. This will showcase your interest in the company and help them see if you are a good cultural fit.

Helpful Cover Letter Research:

"I was particularly drawn to HubSpot not only for its industry-leading solutions but also for its exceptional company culture. HubSpot's commitment to employee development and fostering a collaborative environment is evident in its recognition as a top workplace consistently. I strongly believe that my passion for continuous learning, self-motivation, and dedication to contributing to a team will make me a valuable asset to HubSpot."

Unhelpful Cover Letter Research:

"I have been inspired by HubSpot's commitment to inbound marketing and its comprehensive suite of solutions. HubSpot's dedication to providing valuable content and fostering meaningful relationships aligns with my own values and aspirations."

Clear Writing

Your cover letter needs to pack in a lot of important information. But it's also important that your cover letter is clear and concise.

To accomplish this, use professional but easy-to-understand language. Be sure to remove any grammar or spelling errors and avoid lengthy paragraphs and avoid jargon or overly technical language.

You may also want to use bullet points to make your letter easier to skim. Then, proofread your cover letter for clarity or ask a friend to proofread it for you.

• Guide to Becoming a Better Writer
• Tips for Simplifying Your Writing

Helpful Cover Letter Writing:

"In addition to my academic accomplishments, I gained valuable practical experience through internships at respected law firms.

Working alongside experienced attorneys, I assisted in providing legal support to clients. This hands-on experience helped me develop a deep understanding of client needs and enhanced my ability to effectively communicate complex legal concepts in a straightforward manner."

Unhelpful Cover Letter Writing:

"Furthermore, as a complement to my academic accomplishments, I have garnered invaluable practical experience through internships at esteemed law firms.

Throughout these placements, I actively collaborated with seasoned attorneys to conduct due diligence and furnish clients with comprehensive legal support. Notably, these experiences fostered a profound comprehension of client necessities, whilst honing my legal acumen to articulately convey intricate legal principles within a lucid and concise framework, adhering to applicable precedents and statutes of limitations."

Genuine Interest and Enthusiasm

Find ways to convey your passion for the role and how excited you are to contribute to the company you're applying to. At the same time, make sure your interest feels authentic and outline how it aligns with your career goals.

Your ultimate goal is an enthusiastic letter that feels honest and leaves a lasting positive impression.

Showing excitement in writing doesn't come naturally for everyone. A few tips that can help you boost the genuine enthusiasm in your letter:

• Record audio of yourself speaking about the role, then use voice-to-text technology to transcribe and add these sections to your letter.
• Choose your words carefully .
• Write in active voice.

Helpful Cover Letter Tone:

"I am genuinely enthusiastic about the prospect of joining [Company/Organization Name] as an accountant. My combination of technical proficiency, eagerness to learn, and strong attention to detail make me an ideal candidate for this role. I am confident that my dedication, reliability, and passion for accounting will contribute to the continued success of your organization."

Unhelpful Cover Letter Tone:

"Honestly, I can hardly contain my excitement when it comes to reconciliations, financial statement analysis, and tax regulations! Engaging in spirited discussions with professors and classmates has allowed me to foster an unbreakable bond with the fascinating world of accounting, and I'm positively bursting with enthusiasm at the prospect of applying my skills in a professional setting."

Memorable Conclusion

End your cover letter on a strong note. Summarize your top qualifications, restate your interest in the position, and express your interest in future communication.

Then, thank your reader for their time and consideration and include your contact information for easy follow-up.

To make your conclusion memorable, think about what parts of your letter you'd most like the hiring manager to keep top of mind. Then, consider your word choice and phrasing. If you're feeling stuck, this list of ways to close an email can help.

Helpful Cover Letter Conclusion:

"Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the opportunity to further discuss how my qualifications align with the needs of Greenpeace. Please feel free to contact me at your convenience to arrange an interview.

Together, let's make a lasting impact on our planet.

[Your Name]"

Unhelpful Cover Letter Conclusion:

"Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of discussing my qualifications further and how I can contribute to Greenpeace's mission. Please feel free to contact me at your convenience to arrange an interview.

I’d like to add another stage to the job search: experimentation.

In today’s competitive landscape, it’s so easy to feel defeated, less-than-good-enough, or like giving up your job search.

But don’t let the process become so monotonous. Have fun discovering the qualitative data I’ve discussed here — then, have even more by getting creative with your cover letter composition.

I certainly can’t guarantee that every prospective employer will respond positively — or at all — to even the most unique, compelling cover letter. But the one that’s right for you will.

So, get inspired by these examples and templates. Write an incredible cover letter that shows the hiring team at your dream job exactly who you are.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in October 2020 and has been updated for comprehensiveness. This article was written by a human, but our team uses AI in our editorial process. Check out our full disclosure to learn more about how we use AI.

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How to Write a Great Cover Letter (with free examples)

So your dream job is hiring, and you would fit the role so perfectly. You’ve written a great resume, but they’re also asking for a cover letter as part of the application. You think to yourself, “Is a cover letter really that important?”

Answer: Yes. Yes it is.

Recruiters expect you to include a cover letter, and they won’t be impressed if you leave that out. Plus, cover letters give you a unique opportunity to really sell yourself.

With a great cover letter, you can:

• Introduce yourself and show your personality
• Bring what’s on your resume to life
• And show why you’d be an awesome fit for the role.

But how do you write a great cover letter?

In this writing guide we are going to share with you 6 valuable tips for how to write the perfect cover letter. We’re including some excellent examples, plus you’ll also find free cover letter templates that are ready to use.

1. Grab Their Attention

Your cover letter is your chance to stand out from the crowd. You want to grab the recruiter’s attention straight away. You can do this by writing a great first paragraph.

In the first paragraph of your cover letter, write about why you’re excited to be applying for this particular job.

• Have you always admired the company?
• Do your past achievements fit perfectly with this role?
• Does this job match up with something you are passionate about?

Here’s an example of what we mean:

“ Dear Judith, As a highly motivated Customer Care Team Leader with more than 3 years of supervisory experience in a call center environment, I was excited to find your listing for Customer Service Lead. I have lots of valuable experience in providing great customer service in the healthcare industry, which would make me an asset to your team.”

2. Highlight Your Achievements

Your cover letter is your time to show off what you can do. Don’t be afraid of seeming arrogant. Let the recruiter know about how well you’ve done at your previous job.

The way to do this is by highlighting your achievements. Don’t just talk about what your job description was. Talk about what you achieved in that role.

• Try to use exact figures and numbers whenever possible (be specific)
• Include any awards you won
• Show how you made a real difference at that company.

Here’s an example:

“In my most recent role of Call Center Supervisor, I managed and motivated a customer service team that won the team of the month award for 6 straight months. I also contributed a new conversation format that was used company-wide and resulted in a 14% increase in sales.”

3. Show That You’d Be a Great Fit

Here’s a cover letter tip that will really get you noticed: Write about why you would be a perfect fit with their company culture.

Don’t know anything about the company culture? Just look it up. Oh, the wonders of the internet.

On most company websites you’ll be able to find the company’s mission statement, values, and other information about their company culture.

Find something that you agree with strongly, and include that in your cover letter.

• Does the company have a value of being kind and honest with customers?
• Does their product make a difference in the lives of their customers that you admire?
• Do they have a reputation of only selling the best quality items?

Take a look at this example:

“I admire that your company has a core value of being kind and honest with all of your customers. I feel certain that my own commitment to being compassionate towards both customers and co-workers would fit very well with your company culture.”

4. Pay Attention to the Job Description

It’s time to pull up that job description again, because you’re going to take a few notes.

Recruiters don’t put words in their job descriptions just to fill up space. They are making it clear what you’d be doing in the job, what kinds of skills they need someone to have, and what kind of an attitude they would like them to have.

Those are your clues to how you can frame yourself as the perfect person for the job. Take a pen and paper and take notes on what they’re looking for in their perfect employee.

• What are some of the most important responsibilities this job has?
• What skills and experience do they want their new employee to have?
• What kind of personality or qualities do they want in their new employee?

Now, tell them how you fit those requirements, like this:

“My experience in using XYZ software in a high volume call center, as well as my skill level in helping customers in crisis situations, would make me an ideal candidate for this position.”

5. Emphasize Your Value

Think about it from the recruiter’s point of view for a moment. Why should their company hire you, rather than other candidates? What’s in it for them?

That’s where your value comes in. Make it clear in your cover letter that your skills and experience would help their company in some way.

A great place to do this is in the final paragraph of your cover letter.

Think about these things:

• What is it that the company wants to achieve?
• How can you help them to achieve that?
• What specific skills and knowledge do you have that could make that happen?

Here’s a good example:

“I would love to have the opportunity to speak with you about your customer service needs, and how my success as a call center team leader can contribute to your company’s reputation as the best help desk in the country.”

6. Apply To Multiple Jobs

A successful job search is a bit of a numbers game - you want to apply for as many suitable jobs as possible. This increases your likelihood of finding the perfect position for you.

You’ll of course need a cover letter for every application you submit. We know what you’re thinking: wow, that’s a lot of cover letters!

If you want your cover letters to stand out, they need to be high quality and to seem anything but generic.

Text Blaze is the perfect solution for creating awesome cover letter templates super quickly.

With Text Blaze you can put together multiple personalized and high-quality cover letters in a flash.

5 Examples of Awesome Cover Letters

Sally Davis Customer Care Team Leader Phone: 123-456-7890 Email: [email protected]

Judith Thompkins Hiring Manager Sunshine Happiness Corporation 321 Sunshine Street Chicago, IL 60614

Dear Ms. Thompkins, As a highly motivated Customer Care Team Leader with more than 3 years of supervisory experience in a call center environment, I was excited to find your listing for Customer Service Lead. I have lots of valuable experience in providing great customer service in the healthcare industry, which would make me an asset to your team. In my most recent role of Call Center Supervisor, I managed and motivated a customer service team that won the team of the month award for 6 straight months. I also contributed a new conversation format that was used company-wide and resulted in a 14% increase in sales. My experience in using XYZ software in a high volume call center, as well as my skill level in helping customers in crisis situations, would make me an ideal candidate for this position. I admire that Sunshine Happiness Corporation has a core value of being kind and honest with all of your customers. I feel certain that my own commitment to being compassionate towards both customers and co-workers would fit very well with your company culture. I would love to have the opportunity to speak with you about your customer service needs, and how my success as a call center team leader can contribute to Sunshine Happiness Corporation’s reputation as the best help desk in the country.

Sincerely, Sally Davis

John Smith Phone: 123-456-7890 Email: [email protected]

{formtext: name=First name} {formtext: name=Last name} Hiring Manager {formtext: name=Company name} {formparagraph: name=Company address}

Dear {formmenu: name=Title; default=Ms.; Mr.; Dr.} {formtext: name=Last name},

As a talented and ambitious Customer Service Professional with 2 years of experience providing excellent customer care, I was thrilled to find your listing for the role of Customer Service Agent. I feel certain that the skills and experience that I have gained in my current role of Customer Care Associate for XYZ Corporation would make me an asset to your team.

In my current role, I consistently exceed company standards for delivering courteous customer service, and have been awarded agent of the year. I recently ranked number one in a customer survey challenge, with a 97% customer satisfaction score.

My experience in delivering great customer service in the Transportation industry, as well as my team-player attitude, would make me an ideal candidate for this position. I know that Fabricated Solutions has a reputation of excellence in this industry, and would be proud to be given the opportunity to contribute to that reputation. I would love to have the chance to speak with you about your customer service needs, and how my dedication and drive as an agent can bring success to your company. Sincerely, John Smith.

Betty Boop Staffing Recruiter Phone: 123-456-7890 Email: [email protected]

Dear {formmenu: name=Title; default=Ms.; Mr.; Dr.} {formtext: name=Last name}, I am excited to apply for the position of Staffing Recruiter at Sable & Sable, Inc. because of how perfectly the role matches my current skillset and experience. As a dedicated Staffing Recruiter with more than 5 years of experience in corporate recruitment, I feel certain that the level of skill I bring to the table would make me a perfect candidate for this role. In my current position as Staffing Recruiter for James Associates, I have personally overseen the corporate recruiting department of a prestigious law firm, which has required me to work with the utmost professionalism and attention to detail. These qualities would allow me to hit the ground running if given this opportunity. My in-depth experience in sourcing top candidates, as well as overseeing the application processes for a respected firm, would make me a great fit for this position. In addition, my values of transparency and authenticity would fit well with your company culture. I would love to have a conversation with you about Sable & Sable’s recruiting needs, and how my success as a Staffing Recruiter can contribute to your company’s growth. Sincerely, Betty Boop.

Janice Piper Phone: 123-456-7890 Email: [email protected] {formtext: name=First name} {formtext: name=Last name} Hiring Manager {formtext: name=Company name} {formparagraph: name=Company address}

Dear {formtext: name=First name}, I am writing to apply for the position of Retail Sales Assistant for Salon Select. After carefully reviewing the job description, I feel certain that I have the skills and experience to make me a perfect candidate for this role. I bring to the table more than 3 years of experience as a high-achieving retail salesperson in the beauty industry, which would make me a valuable member of your sales team if given the opportunity. In my current role at BeautyCo, I have consistently held a reputation as being the store’s top salesperson. In 2021 so far I have broken monthly sales records every month, with an average of 9% increase in revenue from last year. I have no doubt that my skillset would translate to similarly impressive results at Salon Select. I love your products and have been an avid customer of your company, so my enthusiasm would definitely be contagious when selling your products. I also love your commitment to being eco-friendly, because I am passionate about that issue myself. I would love to have a chat with you about your upcoming sales goals, and how my success in retail sales can contribute to your store’s growth.

Sincerely, Janice Piper

Daniel Davis Sales Associate Phone: 123-456-7890 Email: [email protected] {formtext: name=First name} {formtext: name=Last name} Hiring Manager {formtext: name=Company name} {formparagraph: name=Company address}

Dear {formmenu: name=Title; default=Ms.; Mr.; Dr.} {formtext: name=Last name}, I am writing to apply for the position of Call Center Sales Associate at Silver Star Hospitality. After reading your job description thoroughly, I feel certain that my skills and experience would make me a perfect candidate for this role. In my 3 years of experience in hospitality sales, I have developed a skillset that would allow me to hit the ground running at your company, if given the opportunity. In my current role of Call Center Sales Agent at Destiny Holidays, I reached and surpassed company-wide sales goals consistently. In March of 2021, I was the top salesperson in our 200 person call center, bringing in $22,000 in closed sales. I have years of valuable experience using Opera software for making, changing and canceling room reservations, as well as knowledge of how to use the software for rooms control operations and membership services. This expansive knowledge of the software would make me an asset to your sales team. I would love to have the opportunity to speak with you about Silver Star Hospitality’s sales goals, and how my success as a call center salesperson can contribute to your company’s growth. Sincerely, Daniel Davis.

Good Luck in Your Job Search!

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How and Why to Write a Great Cover Letter

A cover letter is a one-page business letter that you submit when applying to a job, along with your resume. As a piece of persuasive writing, your cover letter will aim to convey to the employer why you’re a great candidate for the role.

What is the purpose of a cover letter?

Your cover letter complements your resume by making it easy for the employer to see how your experience and interest connect to the position. Your goal is to convince the employer to interview you.

With your cover letter, you’ll aim to:

• Highlight your qualifications:  You’ll show how your skills and experience relate to the employer’s needs for a specific position.
• Showcase your motivation: You’ll demonstrate your enthusiasm for the specific position and the organization.
• Reflect your voice and written communication skills: You’ll give the employer a sense of your personality and writing style.

When should I write a cover letter?

Not all jobs require cover letters. So, how do you decide whether to submit one?

Submit a Cover Letter when…

• The posting explicitly requests that you do so
• You’re applying to an opportunity at a mission-driven organization
• You think that doing so could provide important information to the employer that they wouldn’t get from your resume

Consider Submitting a Cover Letter when…

• It’s marked “optional” in an application, and you have the bandwidth to do so
• You have content that you can easily recycle or repurpose into a tailored cover letter

No Need to Submit a Cover Letter when…

• A posting specifically tells you not to submit one
• There’s no way to submit one in an application portal, and doing so would require a serious workaround

If you’re applying to several similar opportunities, creating a draft cover letter in advance, geared toward that type of opportunity, can be a helpful way to save time in your actual application process.

How do I write a cover letter?

Your cover letter should articulate your qualifications and motivation for the position. Read the job description closely and research the organization. As you craft your cover letter, use examples that demonstrate your relevant skills, knowledge, and interests. The cover letter should be concise, clear, and well-organized.

Before Writing

Research the employer.

Learn enough about the organization to articulate why you are a strong fit for that firm. 

• Review the firm’s website and LinkedIn page.
• Speak with current or previous employees.
• Read articles and social media for current news.

Analyze the job description

Look for skills, duties, and qualifications of the job so you can design your letter to match these as much as possible.

Reflect on your experience and motivation

Identify skills and personal qualities you have developed which will be useful in this role. Ask yourself:

• What attracts you about this role/company/industry?
• What have you have done in your work experiences, classes, internships, activities, projects, volunteer work, travel, etc., that is similar to the duties required of the job? 

Cover Letter Structure

As a business letter, the cover letter should include:

• Heading: Include your name and contact information in the same format as your resume
• Salutation: Address your letter to the specific individual who can hire you, if this is known. If the name is not included in the job description, address the letter to the Hiring Manager or title mentioned in the job description.
• Body Paragraphs:  Discuss your experiences, interests, and skills to show the employer how you can add value to their team. See the section below for more guidance.
• Signature Line: Include a closing and your name.

The cover letter should be one page, about three or four paragraphs, and single spaced. Use 10-12 point font and one inch margins. 

When applying online, upload your cover letter as a PDF file, unless another format is specified. When sending your resume and cover letter by email, you may write a short note or paste your cover letter in the body of your email (without the address header) and also attach the PDF file.

Cover Letter Content

Your cover letter should answer who, what, when, where and why you are applying for the opportunity. 

Introduction

State the position for which you are applying. If you have a referral or spoke with someone from the company, you can mention it in the introduction. Provide some basic information about yourself; this can include your class year and what you’re studying at Columbia. Briefly outline why you’re interested in the organization and what you bring in terms of relevant experience and skills. 

Body Paragraphs

These paragraphs will highlight your qualifications and strengths that are most relevant to the organization and position. Use the job posting and your research as clues to determine what the employer is seeking in a candidate. Have your resume beside you and reflect on what you want the employer to know about you. Are there experiences you want to expand upon that demonstrate your understanding of the role and ability to do the job requirements?

Structure the paragraphs based on relevance, not chronology. Lead with your most relevant skill or strongest experience.

Start each body paragraph with a clear topic sentence.  This can highlight a key skill set, a transferable experience, or a core area of knowledge you’ve built through your studies. Walk the reader through a project or experience, integrating the relevant skills you used and qualities you demonstrated. Provide details about your accomplishments and impact. Connect how these experiences have prepared you for this role and why you are motivated to do this job. There is no need to apologize if you feel you lack experience; focus on the accomplishments that you have.

Recap what you would bring to the organization and your interest in the position. Thank the employer for their consideration. Keep your tone positive and enthusiastic. 

Check out our example of how to structure your cover letter content . 

Editing Tips

Use our  Cover Letter Checklist to make sure your format and content is in line with best practices. 

• Ensure that the content reflects the requirements in the job description
• Keep the cover letter concise, at one page or less
• Correct any errors in grammar, sentence structure, and spelling
• Use the active voice
• Avoid beginning too many sentences with “I”

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How to Show Your Personality in a Cover Letter

Write a Unique Cover Letter

Avoid clichés, try a creative first sentence, make a connection, think of unique examples.

• Show You’ll Fit the Company Culture

Tailor Your Tone to Fit the Industry

• Keep It Professional

Don’t Go Negative

More cover letter examples.

Hiring managers read dozens, if not hundreds, of applications for every job they post. If you want to get the job, you have to stand out. It’s important to show the hiring manager not only that you are qualified, but also that you are the best candidate for the position.

One way to get your application noticed is to write a unique, engaging cover letter that shows not only your qualifications but also your personality. Go beyond some of the clichéd, formulaic language found in many letters.

If you make your personality stand out in your letter, the hiring manager will more likely give your application a second look.

Of course, there is also such a thing as putting too much personality in your letter. You want to remain professional, and focus on what makes you an ideal candidate. Find the right balance between showing your personality and being professional in your cover letter, and you will be on your way to a job interview.

The best way to show who you are to the company is to avoid writing one generic cover letter for every job listing . Instead, tailor your letter to the specific job and company.

You can write a targeted cover letter in a number of ways:

• Include keywords from the job listing in your letter.
• You can also reference the company itself–for example, mention a particular success the company has had, or explain why you are interested in working for the company.
• Perhaps most importantly, send your letter to a specific person , if possible.

If you have to, do some digging to find the name of the hiring manager, and address your letter to them.

Avoid the phrase “ To whom it may concern ” unless you can't find a contact. It's important to do your best to show a hiring manager that you have taken the time to write a unique cover letter for the specific job.

One of the best ways to avoid sounding like everyone else in your cover letter is to leave out some of the most overused phrases in cover letters. For example, don’t say you are a “hard worker” or that you “go above and beyond.” Try to find unique ways to explain who you are. One way to do this is to focus on particular examples —show them who you are, rather than tell them.

So many cover letters start with the sentence, “I am applying for X position.” While this is a fine way to start, the hiring manager has likely seen this sentence hundreds of times. Try starting with a more engaging first sentence (or first sentences) that shows who you are.

You might express why you are passionate about the job or the company. For example, you could start, “I have always been a storyteller. As a child, I would write countless stories about princes and princesses. Now, I have turned my passion for storytelling into a career in marketing.” Or, “When I first researched your company for a project in a business class over five years ago, I became inspired by your mission to provide low-cost tech solutions.”

A great “hook” will keep the hiring manager reading and will show him or her a bit about why you are a good fit for the job and company.

If you know anyone at the company, or if someone at the company referred you to the job , mention this early on in your cover letter (ideally in the first couple of sentences).

This humanizes you, and makes you seem more like you are already a part of the company culture . It also shows that someone in the company already thinks you are qualified for the job.

Remember that a cover letter should not simply restate your resume. While your resume lists your qualifications, your cover letter goes deeper, providing examples of times you demonstrated particular skills and abilities necessary for the job.

One way to show your personality is to include some unique, even surprising, examples that demonstrate your skills. For example, if you are applying for a job that requires organizational skills, you might mention how you accurately manage and process dozens of monthly shipments from your Etsy account. These kinds of examples are particularly useful if you do not have much relevant work experience.

Of course, only include examples that are relevant—they need to connect back to a skill or trait necessary for the job.

Show You’ll Fit in With the Company Culture

Hiring managers want to know not only that you are qualified, but also that you will fit in with the company culture. Before writing your letter, research the organization. Check out the company’s website, and talk to anyone you know who works there. Then you can mention ways that you might fit into the culture.

For example, if you know they do a lot of after-work team sports, you might briefly mention at the end of the letter that you would love to put your pitching skills to good use.

Some job listings also give you a peek into the company culture . For example, if the listing itself is very silly or funny, feel free to add a little humor to your letter, if that feels natural.

Similarly, you can tailor your letter to fit the personality of the industry. If you are applying for a corporate job, for example, you might want to write a more traditional cover letter. You can still include some personal examples, and maybe a catchy first sentence, but you should avoid too much humor or zaniness.

If you are applying for a job in an industry that is a bit more informal—say, a tech startup company—you can get a little bit more creative. Your tone can be more lighthearted, and you can include some creative examples.

If you’re applying for a job in a visual, creative field, consider showing your personality through the form of your letter. You might include bullet points , or even a visual (such as an infographic). You can include some of these nontraditional elements in your resume too.

Keep It Professional 

No matter how much of your personality you decide to put into your cover letter, keep the letter professional. It needs to be well written and error-free. It also needs to stay focused on the main topic: why you are a terrific fit for the job.

Some people try to add personality by using phrases like “I know you hate reading cover letters, but…” or “I know I am one of many candidates, but…” Avoid any phrases that sound negative.

Also, avoid phrases that imply you know how the hiring manager feels. You don’t actually know whether he or she hates reading cover letters, and you don’t know how many candidates applied for the job. Focus on the positive, and don’t make assumptions about the hiring manager, the job, or the company.

Sample Cover Letter Showing Personality

Sara Jones 7 Chestnut Street Anytown, Anystate Zip Code 555-555-5555 email@email.com

January 5, 2019

John Wilson Editorial Director XYZ Magazine 5 Main Street, Suite 1 Anytown, Anystate Zip Code

Dear Mr. Wilson,

I’m writing this cover letter to you at 11 pm. Why? Because I just finished speaking with my former coworker, Jane Smith, who tells me that you’re hiring for the position of editorial assistant, and I wanted to apply immediately.

Jane will tell you that I’ve been eager to apply for a role at XYZ Magazine since we worked together, first at our student magazine, where I was managing editor and she was editor in chief, and then at ABCmag.com as assistants. I’ve always valued XYZ’s showcase for diverse and emerging voices, as well as its commitment to fact-checking and copyediting.

In fact, my desire to work for your magazine informed my studies at Large Public University. I took several copyediting and multimedia graphic design courses in my last year and have continued taking classes after graduation.

In addition to my background in multimedia design and copyediting – and my passion for XYZ – I have:

• Three years of experience brainstorming, pitching, and assigning stories
• Excellent research and reporting skills
• Extensive experience analyzing traffic trends with Google Analytics
• Expert-level social media management skills
• An intense love affair with the Oxford Comma (which I know you share)

I’ve also had a few bylines on XYZ over the years:

I’d love to speak with you about the role. Please feel free to contact me at 555-555-5555 or email@email.com to discuss it or to arrange an interview.

Thanks, and best regards,

Sara Jones [signature for hard copy]

Review cover letter examples for many different types of jobs and get templates you can use to write your own letters.

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Characteristics Of A Good Cover Letter

• Posted on November 20, 2021
• In Cover Letter

1. Personalization

A good cover letter is addressed to the person who has the power to hire you. It’s okay if you don’t know the name of the person who will be reviewing your application, just search on LinkedIn for clues. If you’re not sure how to find this information, just ask the company.

2. Attention-grabbing

The first sentence of your cover letter should immediately grab their attention and set you apart from the rest of the applicants.

3. Brevity and Relevancy

A good cover letter is short and succinct, it shouldn’t be longer than one page in length. This letter is your first impression and you should make it count by including relevant information that shows why you’re the best person for the job.

4. Simple structure

The structure of your letter should be simple, easy to follow, and there shouldn’t be any grammatical or spelling errors. Make sure you include all of the key elements listed above.

5. Good Templates

If you’re not sure where to start, take a look at some good cover letter examples, they should give you some ideas on how to format your own.

Mistakes To Avoid

1. Being too formal or informal

Keep your language simple, professional, and relevant to the job description. Your letter should be conversational and friendly, but it shouldn’t sound too informal.

2. Not selling yourself

A good cover letter should sell your skills and abilities, tell them why you’re a good fit, and what you bring to the table.

3. Bad formatting

Don’t use all caps or too many different fonts. Make everything easy to read! Including bullet points can make your cover letter clearer and more concise.

4. Typos and wrong words

You should ask someone else to proofread your cover letter before you send it out, a single typo could cost you the job.

5. Generic cover letter

Don’t send a generic cover letter that can be sent to anyone, make sure you customize it for the role and the company.

Key takeaways

A good cover letter should get your point across, be concise, personalized, simple, relevant to the role, and free of any major mistakes. Include all of the key elements listed above, have someone proofread your letter before you send it, and be sure that you’re addressing the right person.

If you have a good cover letter, it will help convince the person on the other end that you’re a viable candidate for the job.

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 6 excellent cover letter samples for jobs.

Just like no two snowflakes are alike, neither should any two cover letters look the same. Even if you're applying to lots of jobs, you should make sure each of your cover letters is unique and tailored to the target job.

Of course, no one’s born knowing how to write the perfect cover letter. To help you write yours, this guide has six free samples of cover letters for various jobs. Scroll down to the middle of the article for the cover letter samples, or first check out these tips for writing a cover letter for your job application!

Why Are Cover Letters Important?

In many cases, your cover letter represents your first communication with your potential employer. Through the written word, you communicate your interest in the new job and make your case for why you’d be the best person for the role.

The job market's always competitive, but a stand-out cover letter can differentiate you from other candidates. It can also help personalize your candidacy beyond your resume. Remember, everyone's human here. While cover letters range in tone from formal to conversational, the best ones manage to connect with their readers. 

Hiring managers often sort through applications quickly, deciding in just a few minutes who moves on to an interview and who gets a disappointing email that begins with, “Unfortunately…” - or worse, gets no response at all!

As the applicant, your mission is to send a cover letter that gets you noticed and leaves an impression of competence, professionalism, and cultural fit. So how exactly can you fulfill this mission?

One way is to make sure your cover letter contains a few key features. Read on for the four most important characteristics of great cover letters!

What Should Your Cover Letter Include? 4 Main Features

There are several components that go into a great cover letter. To start this guide, we’ve picked out four of the most important ones to guide your writing. Your letter should do all of the following.

1. It Should Reflect the Job Description 

Perhaps this goes without saying, but your cover letter should be customized to the job for which you’re applying. Don’t send a generic letter that could apply to lots of different companies. Beyond simply inserting the organization name and job title, your letter should be a special snowflake, truly customized to the organization and its available role. 

Don't just show you want a job. Show you want  that specific job.

The first step in making this happen is deconstructing the job description. Read its requirements closely, and do research into the organization and the industry as a whole. Figure out what qualities they seek and any problems, sometimes referred to as "pain points," that they need solved. Make sure that you reflect this understanding in your letter.

Once you have thorough knowledge of the job description, you can analyze your skill set in relation to it. Rather than talking about what you’re looking for, explain why your skills and experiences make you a good match for the organization or company. Even if you don't have directly related experience, you can show how your skills would transfer to the role. Explain how you could contribute and bring value to the team.

This focus will show the hiring manager(s) that you did your research on the organization and are being thoughtful about your application. By confidently detailing the reasons you’d make a good fit, you can convince your reader of the same.

The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. Make sure your cover letter stays on track!

2. It Should Give Specific Examples

Another good practice for cover letters is to include specific examples of your professional qualifications and achievements. Rather than solely re-listing the points on your resume, you might expand on them with an example of a past success. Using data, if relevant, is also a powerful way to quantify your accomplishments.

For instance, a marketing manager might describe the specific growth of her company’s online readership. She could write a sentence or two about a particular campaign that met or exceeded its goals. A school counselor, to give a second example, might mention a student she worked with and that student’s progress over the year.

As you read the sample cover letters, take note of how they contain specific examples of the applicant’s work.

3. It Should Communicate Enthusiasm

As a whole, your letter should convey a sense of enthusiasm for the new job and organization. Simply customizing your letter, as discussed in the first point, will show that you were interested enough in the opportunity to do lots of research.

Beyond producing a well-crafted letter, you should incorporate phrases like, “I was pleased to find your posting for" and “I was excited to see this opportunity with your organization.” 

Show that you're eager to engage in conversation about the position and what you can contribute. Use positive language to show how excited you are about the opportunity.

4. It Should Be Readable, Clear, and Concise

Your cover letter's not the time to write a long-form narrative about everything you’ve ever done or ever hope to do. Instead, it should be concise and to the point.  Cover letters should be a little less than a page, so you want to choose each word carefully and stay on topic.

Even if you don’t consider yourself a strong writer, you can still definitely produce a strong cover letter. If you find yourself rambling in your first draft, you can pare it down to its leanest form in the editing. Your cover letter should communicate the essentials so that the hiring manager can gain a sense of your qualifications with just a brief skim.

To gain a sense of how to do this effectively, check out the cover letter samples below and see how the candidates advocate for themselves via the written word.

Feel free to take a close look at these sample cover letters to guide your own writing.

Cover Letters: 6 Great Samples and Analyses

Now that you have a sense of what makes a strong cover letter, click on the links below for  six samples of cover letters for jobs,  each followed by a breakdown of what it does well. Some of the prospective jobs include English Teacher, Assistant Restaurant Manager, and Customer Experience Representative. Even if the job you're applying for is totally different than the ones below, you can still use the basic structure and content to guide your thinking.

Before you start reading the samples, a quick note on format. You'll notice that each one includes contact information at the top, as well as the date. This traditional format is good for hard copies or cover letters sent as Word document attachments. If you're pasting your cover letter directly into the body of your email or into a text box on an application portal, then you can leave off this traditional formatting and start with the salutation.

You'll find a few more tips on how to format your cover letter below, but first, the samples! 

• Cover Letter Sample for English Teacher Position
• Cover Letter Sample for Marketing Manager Job
• Cover Letter Sample for Editorial Assistant Role
• Cover Letter Sample for Assistant Restaurant Manager
• Cover Letter Sample for Content Editor Position
• Cover Letter Sample for Customer Experience Representative

Once you have a sense of what goes into a good cover letter, scroll down for a few more tips on formatting your letter and making it stand out from the competition!

If possible, try to address your cover letter to a specific person. Not all positions publicize a point person, but I know of a little search tool that might help...

Writing a Cover Letter: Final Tips

In addition to the four key features that you read about at the beginning of this guide, you should pay special attention to a few other pieces of your cover letter. Some pieces to think about are the employer's application instructions, as well as your cover letter's format, salutation, overall focus, and conclusion. Let's consider each one, starting with the instructions. 

Follow the Application Instructions

Just as you should research the position and industry before writing your cover letter, you should also make sure to acquaint yourself with any and all application instructions. Many positions will tell you how and when to send your materials, and they might give special guidelines like a word limit or specific question they want you to answer. 

One important reason to follow application instructions is that they might shape what your cover letter looks like. If you're pasting it into the body of an email or a text box, then you can cut to the chase and start right in. If you're sending it as a Word attachment or a hard copy (rare), then you could add headers and use a traditional form.

Check out more tips on format in the next section, but make sure to prioritize any application instructions first and foremost as you prepare your materials! 

Consider What Format to Use

As you just read, the format you use  depends on how you're sending your cover letter , whether as a hard copy / Word attachment or pasted directly into the body of your email. If you're typing your cover letter in the body of an email or a text box on a job application portal, then you typically don't need to add any headers. You can just start right in with the salutation. Considering lots of jobs use their own application websites or ask for an email, starting right in with a "Dear Hiring Manager" is pretty common.

If you're sending a hard copy or attaching the letter as a Word document, then you might include the more traditional format you see reflected in the samples. You'd put a header on top with your name, address, email, and phone number. You could  match the header on your cover letter with the header on your resume to give your whole application a cohesive look.

Beneath this header, you'd add the date and the contact information of the hiring manager. If you didn't know the specific person, you could just put the name of the company and its address. The date and company information would be lined up with the left hand margin. 

Overall, the letter may be four to five paragraphs: an introduction, two to three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Then you’ll add “Sincerely” and print your name. You might add your phone number and email beneath your printed name if they’re not already present elsewhere.

For a full overview of the structure of your cover letter, check out our full   cover letter template   cover letter template !

Address a Specific Person

While it won't always be possible, you should try your best to  address a specific person.  If the job doesn't indicate a specific point person, try to do some research on the company's website and LinkedIn. 

If you can't find a particular person, you might make your audience a little more specific by indicating the position in your salutation. For instance, you could write "Dear Editorial Hiring Manager" or "Dear Marketing Manager Search Committee."

If that doesn't apply, then you could simply write "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear Hiring Professional." You should probably avoid the generic and distant "To Whom It May Concern" (and definitely steer clear of the antiquated "Dear Sirs").

Stay On Topic

Cover letters typically shouldn’t exceed one page, meaning you need to pack a punch in just a few words. Besides editing for clarity and keeping your sentences short and to the point, you should also make sure your letter stays on topic throughout.

You don’t have to address everything on your resume. Just choose the most important skills and qualifications as they relate to the new job. In terms of the flow of ideas, you should order your points according to how relevant they are to the prospective position. 

If something feels off topic, then cut it out. Generally, your letter will just get stronger through decisive revision.

Finish Up Strong

There's some debate out there about the best way to finish up a cover letter. Some hiring managers suggest that you should do everything you can to pursue the position , even stating that you'll follow up in a week to discuss the position or arrange a meeting. Other managers, though, say that this kind of language comes off as aggressive and pushy. They say you should thank them for their time and then wait to hear about next steps.

The path you choose largely depends on the type of job and industry you're applying for. A sales professional may show her initiative and communication skills with a follow-up call. Someone in the publishing world, though, may be turned off by this language. 

Above all, make sure to follow any application instructions. If a job says "no calls," then you should respect that. And if you do decide to state your intentions to follow up, make sure you do actually follow up when you said you would! 

Your conclusion is your last chance to express your enthusiasm for a position and leave a lasting impression. Be thoughtful about how you finish your letter, and make sure to thank the hiring manager and be clear about how and when she can contact you.

In closing, let’s go over the key points to remember as you go forth and draft your own cover letters.

The search committee's super impressed with your cover letter. They'd love to invite you in for an interview.

Writing a cover letter can feel like a tall assignment, but it’s also an opportunity for you to advocate for yourself in a powerful way. In your cover letter, you can prove to the hiring manager that you understand what she’s looking for and are the best person for the job.

Your cover letter's often your first impression, so put in the effort to make it professional and enthusiastic. Spend some time deconstructing the job description and analyzing how your skills, knowledge, and qualifications match up.

Then present your skills in a clear and concise way  and show that you feel passionate about the prospective position. In the end, your cover letter can differentiate you from the pool of other applicants and land you an interview for your dream job!

What’s Next?

Another key part of the job search is your letters of recommendation. Check out our comprehensive guide on recommendation letters, along with nine free samples of reference letters .

Do you have to write a recommendation letter for an employee, coworker, or friend? This recommendation letter template guides you through the writing process, step by step .

Rebecca graduated with her Master's in Adolescent Counseling from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has years of teaching and college counseling experience and is passionate about helping students achieve their goals and improve their well-being. She graduated magna cum laude from Tufts University and scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT.

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3 steps to writing an effective cover letter

January 15, 2019

Why write a cover letter if you’re giving all the details an employer needs in your resume or CV?

Because a cover letter is the written version of projecting self-confidence and capability, along with a smile and a good handshake. Recruiters and hiring managers get dozens, if not hundreds of resumes for each posting. Including a cover letter that introduces yourself gives you a great opportunity to specifically target yourself for that position, and your resume then provides the extensive evidence to back up your cover letter. A cover letter is your first chance to make an impression on the hiring manager or recruiter, and a carefully researched and crafted letter is an excellent way to make sure that first impression is a great one.

Follow these tips from the Capella University Career Center for writing an effective and memorable cover letter.

Step 1: Craft the perfect introduction

It all starts with the intro. Specifically name the position you’re applying for, tell them why you’re interested, and what would make you a good fit for the role. Don’t worry about being too detailed—that’s what the resume is for. The introduction in the letter is a way to create a solid connection that makes the reader want to continue reading.

Step 2: Let your skills and experience shine

Here is where you get to dive in to the qualities and skillsets you could bring to the position. Be sure to detail how your past experience is relevant to the position you’re applying for. While you want to keep the cover letter fairly short, it’s fine to use more than one paragraph for the body. When writing this section, consider these tips:

• Show that you understand the organization’s needs by aligning your skills, experience, and expertise to the role you seek.
• Specify your successes. People like to see quantifiable results. For example, instead of saying “I’m an effective fundraiser,” describe a specific example such as, “Over the past 3 years, I have increased community giving by 200% bringing in $500K annually.”
• A focused approach is better than a comprehensive listing of what you have to offer. What defining roles will you bring to this role if hired?

Step 3: Creating a memorable conclusion

This is not the time to showcase humility. You need to end with why you (and only you) are the best choice for the position. Strengthen the closing by including:

• A reference to what the reader will find when they read the accompanying resume or CV.
• A restatement of your interest in the position.
• Your plans for follow-up.
• Links for additional information (online portfolio, LinkedIn, etc.).
• Sincere appreciation for their time and consideration.

How to customize your cover letter

When you tailor the content of your cover letter to address the organization’s needs and requirements, you stand out as an applicant and demonstrate that you have sincere interest in the position. Here are some techniques for customizing your cover letter to a specific job.

• If you have a direct connection to the company, bring that in right away. Personal connections, such as referrals from a current employee or if you recently conducted an informational interview with someone at the company, that should be in your first paragraph.
• You should have done research on the company or industry before applying, so use what you learned in the letter to let them know you’ve done your due diligence.
• Make a connection between your key accomplishments and the requirements of the position. Provide details and specific skills, along with outcomes.
• Mirror the language of the job posting.
• Avoid starting every paragraph or sentence with ‘I’, which is repetitive.
• Keep the focus on what you can do for the employer in this position.
• Follow the instructions on the job posting. If they ask for anything specific in the cover letter, make sure to include those items.

How to format your cover letter

The nitty-gritty details matter. A properly formatted cover letter demonstrates your professionalism and attention to detail. Keep these factors in mind when composing your letter.

• Length: Keep it to one page. This shows your ability to communicate in an effective and concise manner.
• Font: Use an 11-12-point font that is professional and legible—Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, Verdana, or Tahoma are good options. Use the same font and font size throughout your entire document. Mirror your cover letter format (font style and size) on your resume or CV, reference sheet, and any other application documents you may have. Black font only; multiple colors could make you stand out—in the wrong way.
• Paragraphs and spacing: Use single-spacing throughout your letter, with a space between paragraphs. Do not indent your paragraphs. It’s fine to use bullet points to highlight relevant qualifications.
• One space after a period or other sentence-ending punctuation.  There was a time when two spaces were used. That time is past. Using two spaces now looks like you’re not current.
• Your contact information
• Submission date
• Recipient’s contact information
• Salutation with recipient’s name (such as “Dear Ms. Anderson:”)
• Letter content (intro, body, conclusion)
• Closing (e.g., “Sincerely,”) and your signature

How to proofread your cover letter

No matter how good your cover letter is, if it’s riddled with spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors, it will hurt more than help. A thorough proofreading is critical.

When proofreading your cover letter, look at whether it:

• Uses a consistent font and font size and is the same style as my resume or CV
• Uses a business letter structure
• Contains no abbreviations
• Is single-spaced, with a space between paragraphs, paragraphs are not indented
• Does not have two spaces after a sentence
• Uses a specific person in the salutation
• Is no longer than one page
• Has no spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors
• Does not begin every sentence with the word “I”
• Clearly identifies the name of the position
• Includes my current contact information and uses a professional email and a phone number with a professional voice mail message
• Is customized to the position for which I am applying

It can be difficult to proofread your own work. If you’re worried that you’ll miss something, find someone in your network that can be a trusted resource to lend a pair of helping eyes.

Repeat for each job you apply for

Once you have the process down, you should be able to relatively easily customize your cover letter for each new position you apply for. Be careful to proofread more than once, so that you don’t mistakenly tell Google how much you’re looking forward to joining the Yahoo team. It’s an investment of time and effort up front, but in the end, a polished, error-free cover letter is vital to a successful job search.

Want feedback on your cover letter? Capella University students and alumni enjoy free, lifetime access to the Capella Career Center for career planning and advice.

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Crafting Effective Cover Letters

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In today’s competitive job market, a stellar resume alone might not be enough to secure your dream job. A well-crafted cover letter can make all the difference. It’s your opportunity to showcase your personality, highlight your relevant experiences, and demonstrate why you’re the perfect fit for the position. Here are some tips to help you craft a winning cover letter tailored to specific job applications:

• Research the Company : Before you start writing, take the time to research the company. Understand its mission, values, and culture. This knowledge will enable you to tailor your cover letter to align with the company’s ethos and demonstrate your genuine interest in the organization.
• Address the Hiring Manager: Whenever possible, address your cover letter to a specific person rather than using a generic salutation like “To Whom It May Concern.” If the job posting doesn’t include a contact name, do some digging on the company’s website or LinkedIn to find out who the hiring manager is.
• Customize Your Content: Avoid using a one-size-fits-all approach for your cover letter. Instead, customize each letter to reflect the requirements of the job you’re applying for. Highlight your most relevant skills and experiences that match the job description, and explain how your background makes you an ideal candidate.
• Start Strong : Your opening paragraph should grab the reader’s attention and make them want to learn more about you. Consider starting with an engaging anecdote, a compelling statistic, or a brief summary of your most impressive accomplishment.
• Showcase Your Achievements : Use specific examples to demonstrate your qualifications. Instead of simply stating that you’re a “hardworking team player,” provide concrete examples of times when you collaborated effectively with others to achieve a common goal.
• Quantify Your Successes : Whenever possible, quantify your achievements with numbers to provide tangible evidence of your capabilities. For example, instead of saying you “increased sales,” specify that you “boosted sales by 30% within six months.”
• Highlight Your Soft Skills : In addition to technical skills, employers often value soft skills such as communication, problem-solving, and adaptability. Use your cover letter to showcase these qualities and explain how they’ve contributed to your success in previous roles.
• Express Your Enthusiasm : Convey your genuine enthusiasm for the opportunity and explain why you’re excited about the prospect of joining the company. Employers want to hire candidates who are not only qualified but also passionate about the work they’ll be doing.
• Close Strong : End your cover letter with a strong closing statement that reiterates your interest in the position and expresses your readiness to contribute to the company’s success. Thank the hiring manager for considering your application and express your eagerness to discuss how you can add value to the team.
• Proofread Carefully : Before sending your cover letter, thoroughly proofread it to ensure there are no typos, grammatical errors, or awkward phrasings. A polished cover letter demonstrates your attention to detail and professionalism.

Remember, your cover letter is your chance to make a memorable impression on potential employers and set yourself apart from other applicants. By following these tips and tailoring your cover letter to each job application, you’ll increase your chances of landing interviews and ultimately securing your dream job. Good luck!

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The two essential elements of a great cover letter.

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Cover letters are painful to write, so it’s easy to underestimate their importance. But recruiters have little information to go on when they choose whom to interview, so it pays to take care with every piece of a job application. In a past career I led recruiting at a marketing consulting company. After doing hundreds of interviews and reading more than 1,000 cover letters, I found there are two key steps for writing a great cover letter: find a unique attribute about a company that serves as your reason for applying, and figure out the problems the firm is facing so you can explain how you can help.  

Find A Unique Attribute About A Company

To learn what truly makes a company unique, speak to an employee—someone at the firm other than the hiring manager or a human resources team member. Your goal is to have an informational interview, a conversation where you can ask what the person likes and dislikes about the firm, what the corporate culture is like and anything else you’re curious about. Don’t outright ask for a job, since that could make the person uncomfortable. But if you make a good impression, the employee may put in a good word for you later on.

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Perhaps you’re thinking, how can I find an employee who will speak with me? First check with friends and family to see if they know anyone. Ask your university’s career services office if any of your fellow alumni work there. If you come up empty, look up the company on LinkedIn, and you may have second-degree connections who are employees. Ask your first-degree connections to make an introduction. Don’t be shy here—you’ll find that people enjoy helping others and speaking about themselves. If you secure an informational interview, mention that employee’s name when you later sit down to write the cover letter. There’s no better way to get a recruiter’s attention.

But what if you need an attribute now, since your application deadline is tomorrow and you can’t speak with an employee in time? Read the firm’s Glassdoor reviews. Look for common themes across employee likes and dislikes.

In choosing an attribute, avoid generic, overused traits such as “team-based environment” or “entrepreneurial approach” unless you can support the claim with specific facts about the company. Pick a characteristic that truly excites you about the firm and makes it unique, and include that quality in the first couple of sentences of your cover letter. You’ll show the recruiter you did your homework and you’re passionate about the job.

Figure Out The Problems The Company Is Facing And How You Can Help

To identify the company’s challenges, speaking with an employee is once again your best strategy. The more details you can gather about their problems, the better. Just be careful to read the other person’s reactions and refrain from prying too much or asking about anything confidential. FORBES contributor Liz Ryan also explains the concept of focusing on a company’s pain points in this helpful post .

In absence of being able to speak to someone, read as much as you can about the company online (remember Glassdoor), and use LinkedIn to look up the makeup of the department you’re applying to. From these resources, start making inferences about challenges and how you can help. If the company is facing stiff competition, maybe you have creative ideas for how they can market their product. If its industry is changing rapidly and being disrupted, perhaps your knowledge of cutting-edge technology tools can help them adapt. For a startup that’s growing rapidly, your experience with operational processes could help keep the firm from running off the rails.

When you explain how you can add value, frame it in terms of your specific accomplishments. The best way to convince a company that you can help is to cite examples of how you tackled similar challenges and emerged victorious.

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A cover letter should always be sent with an application or resume for a job, even if not specifically requested by the company. The cover letter is your opportunity to sell yourself to the decision maker as a qualified and capable candidate worthy of an interview.

A common temptation for job shoppers is to mass produce resumes and cover letters, and send them out in the same way companies send mass direct mailers. The logic is that if you send enough, one will land. However, to get a job you really want, you need to customize your cover letter directly to the hiring manager and the position. Convey why you deserve an interview specifically for the position that is open.

Well Written

It may seem like common sense, but plenty of job applicants fail to analyze and edit their cover letters to ensure proper writing and formatting. Checking for grammar, spelling and punctuation are only starting points, but should not be overlooked. Some hiring managers will eliminate you for errors based on your lack of attention to detail. At a higher level, your cover letter shows your ability to articulate well and make logical points in writing. Written communication skills are desired in many jobs, so show yours off as much as you can.

A common cover letter strategy is to simply explain to the reader why you are an awesome person with lots of great qualities to offer. Certainly, if you have traits desired by the employer, you can hit the mark. But what really helps you stand out in a cover letter is an acknowledgement of the concerns and needs of the hiring manager. After all, he is hiring you to meet his organizational and department needs. Instead of randomly listing your qualities, note specific requirements from the job posting and offer concise examples of how your skills and experiences align.

You don't want to be pushy, but a good cover letter has subtle elements that command greater attention. First, address the letter specifically to the hiring manager and not "To whom it may concern." This makes him see you as a person as well as someone who did her homework.

In your closing, indicate your next step. Instead of the generic, "I look forward to hearing from you," say something like, "I will call early next week to follow up." This subtly forces the hiring manager to give your materials more immediate consideration to either prepare for your call or contact you first.

• Advertising Age: 7 Characteristics of a Near-Perfect Cover Letter
• Smashing Magazine: What Makes a Great Cover Letter, According to Companies?

Neil Kokemuller has been an active business, finance and education writer and content media website developer since 2007. He has been a college marketing professor since 2004. Kokemuller has additional professional experience in marketing, retail and small business. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Iowa State University.

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