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Three excellent cover letter examples

Cover letters are the first chance you have to impress an employer – they’re not just a protective jacket for your CV. Here’s our guide on what to include and how to format them

  • More CV and cover letter templates
  • Looking for a job? Explore the range of vacancies on Guardian Jobs and find the perfect role for you

The first thing a potential employer sees in your job application is the cover letter. This doesn’t just support your CV – it’s an opportunity for you to stand out from the crowd and persuade the recruiter to put you through to the next round.

Be wary of spending hours on perfecting your CV at the expense of your cover letter. If you need some inspiration on what to include and what format to use, here are our helpful guides – just remember not to copy them as exact templates.

1. Standard, conservative style

This is ideal for sectors such as business, law, accountancy and retail. For more creative sectors, a letter like this might be less appealing, and could work against you.

Dear Mr Black, Please find enclosed my CV in application for the post advertised in the Guardian on 30 November. The nature of my degree course has prepared me for this position. It involved a great deal of independent research, requiring initiative, self-motivation and a wide range of skills. For one course, [insert course], an understanding of the [insert sector] industry was essential. I found this subject very stimulating. I am a fast and accurate writer, with a keen eye for detail and I should be very grateful for the opportunity to progress to market reporting. I am able to take on the responsibility of this position immediately, and have the enthusiasm and determination to ensure that I make a success of it. Thank you for taking the time to consider this application and I look forward to hearing from you in the near future. Yours sincerely

2. Standard speculative letter

This may vary according to the nature of the organisation and the industry you’re applying to.

Dear Mr Brown, I am writing to enquire if you have any vacancies in your company. I enclose my CV for your information. As you can see, I have had extensive vacation work experience in office environments, the retail sector and service industries, giving me varied skills and the ability to work with many different types of people. I believe I could fit easily into your team. I am a conscientious person who works hard and pays attention to detail. I’m flexible, quick to pick up new skills and eager to learn from others. I also have lots of ideas and enthusiasm. I’m keen to work for a company with a great reputation and high profile like [insert company name]. I have excellent references and would be delighted to discuss any possible vacancy with you at your convenience. In case you do not have any suitable openings at the moment, I would be grateful if you would keep my CV on file for any future possibilities. Yours sincerely

3. Letter for creative jobs

We’ve used the example of a copywriter but you can adapt it for your profession. The aim of a creative letter is to be original and show you have imagination, but understand what the job entails. Balance is essential: don’t be too wacky, or it will turn off the reader.

Dear Ms Green, · Confused by commas? · Puzzled by parenthesis? · Stumped by spelling? · Perturbed by punctuation? · Annoyed at the apostrophe? (And alliteration?) Well, you’re not alone. It seems that fewer and fewer people can write. Unfortunately, there are still a lot of people who can read. So they’ll spot a gaffe from a mile off. And that means it’s a false economy, unless you’re 100% sure of yourself, to write your own materials. (Or to let clients do it for themselves.) To have materials properly copywritten is, when one considers the whole process of publishing materials and the impact that the client wishes to make, a minor expense. Sloppiness loses clients, loses customers. There is an answer. Me. Firm quotes are free. You can see some of what I do on my multilingual website at [insert web address]. If you’d like, I can get some samples out to you within 24 hours. And, if you use me, you’ll have some sort of guarantee that you can sleep soundly as those tens of thousands of copies are rolling off the presses. Luck shouldn’t come into it! With kindest regards

Other helpful resources

How to write a perfect CV and cover letter

Applying for jobs without experience? How to build and sell your skills

Five steps to the perfect graduate CV

School-leavers and graduates: how to write your first CV

How to write a personal statement for your CV

CV templates to fit every stage of your career

Looking for a job? Browse Guardian Jobs for your next career step.

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How to write a cover letter.

A cover letter introduces you to an employer and asks them to think about your application. 

It’s a short letter, usually 3 to 5 paragraphs long.

When to include a cover letter

You should always include a cover letter when you apply for a job using a CV. 

You can write it as an email if you’re applying online or print a copy to go with a paper application.

When writing a cover letter, let the employer know you’re keen by showing that you’ve researched the company. Learn more about what they do through:

  • their website
  • recent news articles
  • talking to people you know who work there

Send it to the right person

It's important to try to address your cover letter to someone by name. Check you have the details of the person you need to send it to. 

You'll need their name and preferred title. For example, ‘Dr’, ‘Mr’, ‘Mrs’, ‘Ms’, and their job title. You should also make sure you have the right company name and address, including postcode.

If you do not know their name

If the job advert does not include a name you can check the company website. Try to find details of the head of the department, head of human resources or a recruitment manager.

If you still cannot find a name, you can start your letter with ‘Dear Sir or Madam’.

Introduction

Introduce yourself and explain how you found the advertised job. You can mention the job title, and reference number if there is one. 

If you’re asking about any job openings and not applying to a vacancy, tell them what sort of job you’re looking for. Let the employer see how keen you are to work for them.

Show you're right for the job

Highlight the skills and experience you have that match what the employer is looking for. 

Convince them that you're enthusiastic about working for them. Let them know you share their work values, culture and style.

Give extra information

If you have gaps in your employment history, you could talk about the skills you gained while you were out of work.

If you’ve mentioned on your CV that you have a disability, you might want to talk more about this in your cover letter. Organisations like Disability UK can give you advice on how to do this. You do not have to mention your disability at this stage if you prefer not to.

You can get more help with specialist advice on finding work if you have a disability.

Ending your cover letter

Thank the employer for considering your application. Let them know that they can get more details from your CV, and tell them you're looking forward to hearing from them.

Let them know how they can best contact you. Make sure your contact details are correct on both your cover letter and CV.

Yours sincerely or yours faithfully

If you know the name of the person you’re writing to, you should end the letter with ‘Yours sincerely’.

If you’ve addressed the letter ‘Dear Sir or Madam’, you should end the letter with ‘Yours faithfully’.

Tips for writing a cover letter

When writing your cover letter, remember to:

  • write a new one for every job you apply for and make sure it’s tailored to the company and the specific role
  • use the same font and size as you do for your CV, so it looks consistent
  • make sure the company name and recruiter’s details are correct
  • use the right language and tone: keep it professional and match the keywords used by the employer in their job advert
  • show you’ve done your research into the job and the company
  • highlight your most relevant skills and experience to stand out from other applicants
  • back up any statements you make with facts and use the STAR method
  • double check spelling and grammar before you send it
  • keep a copy of your cover letter as they may ask you about it in an interview

Related content

How to write a CV

Completing application forms

Interview tips

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Crafting an Effective Customer Service Cover Letter: Examples and Tips

Larry Barker

After doing a fair bit of online research, you’ve found a customer service job that meets all your requirements. You’re pretty confident you’re a good fit, your customer support resume is on point, and you’re ready to apply. 

Then, as you fill in the online form, you realize you can add a cover letter. 

You might wonder whether you really need it. After all, skipping this step will save you time and effort. Plus, it’s not mandatory, right? 

The truth is that a cover letter, while it might seem like a demanding last step, will help you stand out over other candidates.

A good cover letter gives you the ability to showcase how your experience and skills relate to the customer service role you’re applying for in a way that a resume might fall short. Since it’s not mandatory, it’s also a great way to separate yourself from other applicants who aren’t willing to do the extra work involved.

The good news is that it doesn’t need to be complicated. Follow these tips and examples to create an attention-grabbing cover letter for your next customer service role that will convince the recruiter you’re definitely worth interviewing.  

Why you need a cover letter for customer service roles

If you have a great customer support resume with relevant skills and experience, that’s the core of your application. It’s the ice cream scoop in your sundae.

But your cover letter is the cherry and sprinkles you put on top — it’s a chance to show your personality and make yourself stand out. 

With a cover letter, you’re doing two crucial things for the recruiter or hiring manager:

You’re showing them you care enough about the job to spend extra time crafting a cover letter.

You’re making it extra easy for them to connect the dots between your skills and experience and the job’s requirements.

Those are both solid arguments for spending time on a cover letter, but there are other reasons, too. 

Customer service is a competitive job market. Many roles — especially in today’s job market — receive hundreds of applicants (or more!). 

Put yourself in a recruiter’s shoes for a moment. When you’re skimming dozens or hundreds of resumes, you’re likely seeing similar things over and over — bullet points of similar experiences, similar roles, and so on. With so much of the same, how do you make a choice? 

When there are two (or twenty) similar candidates, the applications with strong cover letters will stand out. It’s a chance to demonstrate the value you can bring to the company by expanding on the bullets in your resume. Since writing and communication skills are two of the key customer service skills , it’s also a chance to put your abilities on display.

Recommended Reading

How to Hire for Customer Service: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Hire for Customer Service: A Step-by-Step Guide

What to include in a cover letter for a position in customer service.

OK, you’re going to write a cover letter for your customer service role. Now what do you include in it ? 

Here are a few things that a solid cover letter should contain.

An attention-grabbing introduction

In journalism, a good lead is everything. In his famous book “ On Writing Well ,” editor and writer William Zinsser wrote that, “The most important sentence in any article is the first one. If it doesn’t induce the reader to proceed to the second sentence, your article is dead.”

Replace “article” with “cover letter,” and you’ll understand why your introduction is so important.

Remember, a recruiter or hiring manager might be sifting through hundreds of applications. A strong introduction that grabs their attention can be the difference between being ignored and being asked for an interview. 

A highlight of relevant customer service skills and experience

Highlighting your relevant customer service experience in a personable and engaging way is the number one thing to focus on when writing a cover letter. Your cover letter shouldn’t be a novel, so you need to be brief and carefully choose what to share, but this is how you make your job application come alive.

Let’s use an example. 

Imagine you’re applying for a job where one of the required skills is the “Ability to learn quickly and under pressure.”

Your cover letter is the perfect chance to highlight how you’ve used this skill. For example, you could explain how, in your last role, you successfully learned to use a complex new internal tool and how, after a few weeks, you were helping other colleagues who struggled with the new system.

Brevity is key, but make sure you pick a few required skills to show your relevant experience. If you’ve held unique roles in your past — like the time you trained dolphins at SeaWorld — it’s also a chance to highlight how those unique experiences make you the best possible candidate.

An address to the hiring manager and company

By addressing the company and, if possible, the hiring manager, you’ll show that you took the time to research the company you’re applying to. When many people take a “spray-and-pray” approach to applying for jobs — applying for hundreds of jobs with barely a thought — this is how you demonstrate your genuine interest. 

This doesn’t have to be long — even just including the hiring manager’s name is more than most — but it’s a prime chance to personalize your cover letter. 

Customization of your cover letter for each application

Adapting your cover letter to each job application can bring a big return on your time investment, but it can seem the most demanding.

This doesn’t mean you need to start from scratch every single time. 

Instead, craft a cover letter “template” that works for you and that you can tweak based on the role and job description. For example, if you’re applying for a role focused on phone support, you’ll address your experience with that channel. If the company only offers live chat support, you’ll pull out the phone support snippet and add in something more relevant. Just be sure you change all the relevant information (company name, who it’s addressed to, exact job title or position) on each iteration!

How to Snag (and Succeed at) a Remote Customer Service Job

How to Snag (and Succeed at) a Remote Customer Service Job

Structuring a customer service cover letter that stands out.

A cover letter is like a story about you. Like all good stories, they have an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. 

Introduction: Start by expressing your enthusiasm and interest in the role. What made you excited when you read the job post? Maybe you’re particularly interested in the product or  you’ve followed the company (or used their product!) for years. Perhaps you enjoy writing and managing knowledge bases. 

Your introduction should include: 

Your personal details (name, address, email, phone number).

The hiring manager or recruiter’s details (if possible).

The role you’re applying to.

An opening paragraph.

Main body: The bulk of your cover letter is about highlighting relevant customer service skills and experiences. As we’ve mentioned, you need to connect the job requirements and responsibilities with your previous experience, ideally by providing real-life examples. The main body should contain: 

Experience.

Qualifications.

Don’t write it in bullet points. Write in personable, conversational paragraphs. Imagine it’s your first, super-brief conversation with the hiring manager.

Conclusion: The last section of the cover letter is for you to reiterate your interest and thank the reader for reviewing your application. The conclusion is made of:  

A closing paragraph.

Your signature.

7 Customer Service Resume Examples + Best Practices

7 Customer Service Resume Examples + Best Practices

Tips for writing an effective customer service cover letter.

What are the key elements that make the perfect cover letter? The best practices below are a good place to start: 

Use a tone and style that matches the company: The language, tone, and style you would use when applying for a customer service position at a bank are not the same as if you were applying for a role at a tech startup. Startups tend to be more laid back and informal while banks are traditionally more formal. Be sure to research the company you’re applying to, paying attention to how they communicate. Matching your tone to your audience is an important customer service skill, and this is your chance to show it off. 

Address specific job requirements with real examples: Your cover letter should provide plenty of real-life examples that show how you uniquely meet the requirements from the job description. Don’t overwhelm the reader with details, but make it obvious that your skill set fits what they’re looking for. 

Demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills: Your cover letter should prove that you have great communication skills, which is the cornerstone of fantastic customer service. Don’t forget that the way you express yourself says as much (or more) than the specific words you use.

Be clear and concise in your writing: Use language that’s easy to understand. This isn’t the time to use fancy words or attempt to be too clever. Prioritize clarity and aim to highlight your relevance in as few words as necessary.

How to write a customer service cover letter with no prior support experience  

What if you’re a total newcomer to the customer support industry and have no experience at all? Or perhaps you have support experience but want to break into the SaaS customer support industry ?

First, don’t be discouraged! Key customer service skills like empathy, adaptability, clear communication, and patience are transferable. They’re skills you develop in other fields — as a barista, teacher, salesperson, and even as a parent or caregiver — or through activities like volunteering or athletics.

If you have no experience in customer support, your cover letter is even more critical. Without it, your resume might not be enough to showcase those skills and how they’ll apply to the role you’re applying to. 

On top of that, your cover letter is a great place to express your eagerness to learn and your customer-focused attitude.

Customer Support Job Description: Examples and Best Practices

Customer Support Job Description: Examples and Best Practices

Customer service cover letter examples.

Writing your first cover letter can feel daunting. Below are some examples based on experience level that might spark your creative juices. 

#1: Entry-level customer service representative

Hampton, VA 23666

(343) 222-5555

[email protected]

March 10, 2024

Healthcare Inc.

Role: Customer Service Representative 

Dear Jessica Smith,

I’m interested in applying for the Customer Service Representative role at Healthcare Inc. As a former barista at a large coffee shop, I made sure customers felt consistently cared for, turning visitors into regulars. Because of my customer service skills and friendly attitude, I was promoted within six months. 

In my current position, I’ve become an expert in various aspects of customer service, like using clear communication, being attentive to detail, and having a problem-solving mindset. In the job description, you mentioned that you're looking for a candidate who learns quickly. While working at my current position, I had to learn a new cash management system, and within a few days, I was training others.

My colleagues (and customers!) would say I'm friendly, patient, and hardworking. I'm always trying to get better at what I do, picking up new things on the job and ensuring customers have a great experience. My passion for delivering a consistently great customer experience encouraged me to apply for this role at Healthcare Inc.

I understand how important it is to boost a company's mission through every customer interaction to create long-lasting loyalty. That's precisely the approach I'm excited to bring to Healthcare Inc., and it’s why I'm eager to grow with your team and work as a Customer Service Representative. 

I look forward to discussing my experience with you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need additional information. 

Thank you for your consideration.

Best regards,

#2: Customer service representative

Role: Customer Service Representative

I recently came across the Customer Service Representative position at Healthcare Inc. in one of my favorite customer support communities. I’m excited to express my interest in joining your team!

With two years of experience in customer service, I’m confident in my ability to contribute positively to your organization. 

In my current position at ACME Company, I've honed my communication skills by handling a diverse range of customer inquiries. Whether through email, phone, or chat support, I consistently prioritize clear and concise communication, resulting in a team-leading customer satisfaction score of 98% over the last two quarters. 

I also see that you’re looking for someone who can build customer relationships. I take pride in developing rapport with clients at ACME Company, resulting in a 10% increase in repeat customers. By actively listening to their needs and providing personalized solutions, I've cultivated a positive customer experience that contributes to ongoing loyalty. In fact, sometimes customers ask for me by name. While I try to discourage that, I do love how it signals that they trust me to get the job done. 

Based on the details I've provided, I think it’s clear that I have a genuine passion for customer service. I'm thrilled about the prospect of advancing my career at Healthcare Inc. 

Thank you for considering my application. I’m looking forward to hearing from you about the customer service representative position. 

#3: Customer service manager

Role: Customer Service Manager

I saw your job posting for a Customer Service Manager on the company’s website and immediately had to apply. With four years of experience in customer service, I’m confident in my ability to build and lead a successful support team. 

Here are three key reasons why I believe I’m a strong candidate for this role:

Leadership skills: In my current position at ACME Company, I’ve been entrusted with leading a team of customer service representatives. I successfully implemented new training protocols that resulted in a 15% improvement in customer satisfaction scores within six months.

Problem-solving abilities: I pride myself on resolving customer issues efficiently. For instance, during my time at ACME Company, I encountered a challenging situation where a customer had a complex billing problem. Through asking good questions and collaborating with various departments, I was able to resolve the issue to the customer's satisfaction. I also identified and implemented a process improvement that reduced similar errors by 40%.

Adaptability and continuous improvement: In the fast-paced environment at ACME Company, I actively sought and implemented feedback from both customers and team members about how we could improve. One project I initiated led to a streamlined workflow and a 10% reduction in average handling time.

I am so excited about the opportunity to bring my skills and experience to Healthcare Inc. and to contribute to the achievements of your customer service team. 

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to hearing from you to learn more about the customer service manager position.

Cover letters are worth the time

Writing a thoughtful, personalized cover letter takes a lot more time than simply filling out a bunch of fields on a job application form, but it’s one of the single best ways to make your application stand out from the crowd, especially when you’re applying for popular roles in the competitive customer service job market. 

By leveraging the tips and tactics shared here, you’ll be able to create a compelling cover letter that increases your likelihood of landing the customer service job you have your eye on — whether it’s your first role or you’re looking to advance your customer service career.

Like what you see? Share with a friend.

Larry barker.

Larry has spent over a decade leading CX teams at tech companies of various sizes. He also currently operates Supported Content , a niche content marketing company that helps CX brands attract and retain customers.

Join 251,101 readers who are obsessed with delivering great customer service.

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COMMENTS

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    Here’s how to write a cover letter for a job application: 1. Start with a Professional Cover Letter Header. Let’s start with the basics: your contact information and that of the hiring manager. Cover letters follow the business letter format, which means that those details need to go in the top left corner of the page.

  2. Three excellent cover letter examples

    Cover letters are the first chance you have to impress an employer – they’re not just a protective jacket for your CV. Here’s our guide on what to include and how to format them More CV and...

  3. Cover letters

    When writing your cover letter, remember to: write a new one for every job you apply for and make sure it’s tailored to the company and the specific role. use the same font and size as you do for your CV, so it looks consistent. make sure the company name and recruiter’s details are correct. use the right language and tone: keep it ...

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    Cover letter template. While all cover letters should be written for each individual position you apply for, there are some common elements in all cover letters you should include. Here is a template you can use as a general point of reference to ensure you include all necessary information in your next job application: [Your name] [Your phone ...

  5. Crafting an Effective Customer Service Cover Letter: Examples

    Main body: The bulk of your cover letter is about highlighting relevant customer service skills and experiences. As we’ve mentioned, you need to connect the job requirements and responsibilities with your previous experience, ideally by providing real-life examples. The main body should contain: Skills. Experience.