cv cover letter templates

Cover Letter Templates

Craft a polished cover letter in minutes with our Cover Letter Builder. Choose from dozens of free cover letter templates, add pre-written content from Certified Professional Resume Writers and download in the file format you need.

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Charismatic

This professional cover letter template features a dual-tone heading to make your name stand out.

This resume cover letter template will help you tell your story with a modern font and unique design.

Try this job application cover letter template to craft a straightforward and impressive letter.

A strong font makes this cover sheet template ideal for modern architecture, technology and advertising jobs.

No matter your industry, this creative job cover letter template can help bring out your creative side.

Present your qualifications front and center with this professional cover letter template.

Catch the recruiter’s attention with this job application letter, which features your name and information aligned to the left.

This best-in-class cover letter free template will speak volumes about your professionalism.

Distinguished

This straightforward cover letter template free download places your name front and center.

The elegant design of this sample cover letter template commands attention.

Make a bold statement with this modern cover letter template, which offers customizable colors and fonts.

Grab the recruiter’s attention with the pops of color and fun icons featured in this layout. It’s the best cover letter template for creative jobs.

Change the colors and font type of this cover letter template for job applications to fit your needs.

Make a subtle statement by choosing a resume cover letter template that colorfully highlights your contact information.

Professional

The sophisticated layout of this application letter template tells employers you mean business.

A monogram graphic in the cover letter heading gives this cover sheet template a unique look.

Customer Reviews

Why you should use our free cover letter templates, we handle cover letter formatting for you.

Our templates follow standard  cover letter format  rules, ensuring you use the correct line spacing, margin spacing and proper fonts.

Professional cover letter template designs

From modern cover letter templates to creative and professional designs, our experts have designed our templates to get you past applicant tracking systems (ATS) and noticed by hiring managers.

Easy to customize templates

You can easily customize your color palette, font size, section spacing and more to fit your career goals and stylistic preferences.

We’ll help you write your cover letter

Download a cover letter template free and edit it to fit your needs, or use our  Cover Letter Builder  to guide you through each step of creating your document in minutes.

Modern free cover letter templates

These free cover letter templates are great for jobs in industries such as technology or business, where looking sharp and staying on top of the latest trends matters.

Bold cover letter template

If you want to convey that you’re a professional who is not afraid to take risks, this is the best template cover letter for you.

Blueprint cover letter template

Stand out with this colorful cover letter template free of charge. Its two-column layout neatly displays your qualifications, making them easy to read.

Charismatic cover letter template

This free cover letter template download injects some personality into your career story. Notice how two colors make the job applicant’s name pop.

Professional free cover letter templates

You can’t go wrong with the classic style of a formal cover letter template. Download one free of charge and show hiring managers you mean business.

Professional cover letter template

Simple yet effective, this template shows that basic doesn’t have to mean boring.

Deluxe cover letter template

This free resume cover letter template gives you all the room to present your accomplishments.

Executive cover letter template

This is a good cover letter template for anyone who wants to get straight to the point.

Creative free cover letter templates

Creative jobs require imaginative designs. Use these layouts to visually show your personality and make a statement, especially if you’re applying for a job in a creative industry. Download a creative resume cover letter template free of charge and show employers your creative side.

Original cover letter template

This free cover letter template combines icons, pops of color and a fun approach.

Standout cover letter template

The minimalist design detail beside your name makes this cover letter job application template unforgettable.

Centered cover letter template

Sleek fonts and bold colors make this free cover letter template download perfect for creative job seekers.

Simple and basic free cover letter templates

A clean cover letter template is the best way to communicate your information and experience. Try a simple or  basic cover letter  free of charge.

Distinguished cover letter template

This simple cover letter template has an elegant, understated style with classic fonts and dotted dividing lines.

Contempo cover letter template

Keep it classy with a basic cover letter template that never goes out of style.

Whitespace cover letter template

Give your letter a chic and intelligent look with a free cover letter template that perfectly spaces your information and boldly states your name.

Cover letter templates for top jobs

Use our  cover letter examples  for guidance and inspiration. We have plenty of examples created by experts for different jobs and scenarios that use the cover letter templates featured on this page.

Showcase your teaching experience with this unique teaching job cover letter template with a bold header.

Administrative assistant

This professional cover letter template will tell the recruiter more about your excellent time management and organizational skills.

Assistant principal

Highlight your leadership and communication skills with this application letter template.

Executive assistant

This clean and straightforward template for a cover letter presents your reliability and expert organizational skills.

Customer service representative

This sleek and elegant cover sheet template perfectly showcases your exceptional interpersonal skills.

Senior project manager

This distinguished sample cover letter template is ideal for demonstrating your management skills.

Flight attendant

Excellent interpersonal skills and a diplomatic attitude are essential for this job, so use a cover letter template that can effectively tell your story.

A no-nonsense job requires a simple and easy-to-read template for a cover letter that hits the mark.

Cover letter templates for unique scenarios

A well-written cover letter showcases your unique skills to hiring managers and demonstrates why you’re a great fit for the role. Our in-depth  How to Write a Cover Letter  guide teaches you everything you need to know about writing this important document. We have a cover letter format template for every unique situation. Try a cover letter Word template or a cover letter Pages template to customize your document quickly.

Entry-level cover letter template

When you don’t have a lot of work experience, a cover letter is crucial to market yourself as an excellent addition to the team properly.

Career-change cover letter template

When changing careers, you want a standard cover letter template showing your transferable skills, bridging your experience and the new job, and explaining why you want to work with that company specifically. Just use the content in this cover letter template as inspiration.

Employment gap cover letter template

Regarding employment gaps, you only have to address the gaps you feel comfortable discussing in your cover letter. Did you start your own business or explore artistic projects? Connect these experiences to the potential job as this sample cover letter template does.

Unadvertised position cover letter template

Don’t see a job posting? No problem! Explain how you heard about the job and why you want to join the team in your resume cover letter template.

“Cold-call” cover letter template

You came across a company you like but aren’t sure if they’re hiring. Get on their radar with a cold call cover letter that introduces who you are and your skills that could be valuable to the company, as this application letter template does.

Temporary-to-permanent employee cover letter template

You like where you work and want to stay there permanently. Use a cover letter template to explain why keeping you around is in the company’s best interest.

Seeking promotion cover letter template

You’re ready to take the next step in your career and grow within the company. Recap your experience using a professional cover letter template and convince the employer you’re more than qualified for the new job.

Applying for a different position with the same company cover letter template

Do you meet the requirements of a new position in your company? Take the leap and use a template for a cover letter to explain why you’re perfect for the role.

How to use a cover letter template

Choose a cover letter template that highlights your unique qualities..

A cover letter is an extension of your resume. It’s your chance to present yourself to the employer and explain how your skills and experience suit the job. Your cover letter design template should answer four significant points:

• Why you want the job
• How you’re prepared to handle the daily requirements of the job
• How you can fit in and adapt to the company’s culture
• How you can help the company move forward

Show your passion and interest in the company.

Use our professional cover letter templates to explain what inspires you about your potential employer. It could be the company’s mission, a new initiative, or how you can contribute to its long-term goals. Show the hiring manager you’ve already invested time researching the company; they’ll be more likely to invest in you.

Match your skills and experiences to the job’s requirements with a suitable cover letter template.

Respond directly to duties and  skills  listed in the job description, and show your capabilities in those areas through concrete examples from your own experience and training. You can also point out a challenge the company is currently facing and how you can help solve it, similar to what our cover letter templates showcase.

Encourage the hiring manager to learn more about you.

Your cover letter should incentivize hiring managers to read your resume and follow up for an interview. Be forthright. Direct the reader to examine your resume for more details on your relevant skills and accomplishments. Conclude by expressing your readiness to meet and discuss how you can contribute. If you’re unsure how to do this, you can personalize one of our cover letter templates in our Cover Letter Builder to access professionally written content suggestions tailored to your job title.

Avoid repeating information from your resume.

While your resume and cover letter template must be similar, they shouldn’t reiterate the same information.  Review your resume  and note what you want to explain further in your cover letter; it could be a set of skills, a work achievement relevant to the job you’re applying for, or a project you know will help you stand out. A free downloadable cover letter template from this page will help you tell your story to get noticed.

Tailor your cover letter template to the job.

Whether a resume or cover letter,  tailoring your document  to the job is critical. This includes using keywords from the job description in your writing, using a tone of voice that reflects the company culture and addressing the letter to the hiring manager and not “To whom it may concern.” A cover letter Word template or Apple Pages cover letter template is easy to customize.

Match your resume and cover letter template

Matching your cover letter and resume template helps you craft a polished and cohesive job application. After all, cover letters and resumes are strong when they both read and look their best. We have all the tools and guides you need to build the perfect resume to complement your cover letter.

• How to Write a Resume : Follow our in-depth guide to learn how to write a strong resume that effectively captures your skills and qualifications.
• Resume Examples : We have extensive resume examples for all jobs and industries.
• Resume Templates : From creative to modern and professional, our resume templates are designed by the same experts that create our cover letter templates, are ATS-friendly and are easy to customize.
• Resume Builder : With step-by-step guidance and expert phrases, a CV cover letter template combined with our Resume Builder makes it easy to create a resume in minutes.

Cover letter template FAQ

A cover letter is a one-page document you submit alongside your resume or  CV . Its purpose is to support the content of your resume or CV by expanding on your achievements, showcasing your personality and explaining why you’re a great fit for the company.

Even though a cover letter has a supporting role in the application process, it’s no less critical and could decide whether you get hired. Check out these  cover letter basics  and our  cover letter writing tips  to get hired fast.

Yes. A recent survey found that 83% of hiring managers, recruiters and HR staff consider cover letters essential to decision-making. We always recommend writing a cover letter because:

• It allows you to provide information that isn’t in your resume.
• It gives hiring managers and recruiters a glimpse into your personality.
• It has the space you need to market yourself as the best candidate.

Choose a cover letter layout template from this page to increase your chances of getting the job. Look at the  five qualities of every successful cover letter  to learn more.

You can write a cover letter for your resume in just 15 minutes — and we’re here to help you.

A successful cover letter should be formatted neatly for easy reading, and the content should catch hiring managers’ attention. To achieve the first goal, use a cover letter sample template as a model, and keep your letter to the point and one page long.

To ensure your content fits the bill, consult the job description and pinpoint essential  keywords  that you should mention in your letter. For example, if you’re applying to a customer service position that stresses knowledge of customer relations management (CRM) systems, mention your experience with CRM in your cover letter. 

Doing so will also help your letter pass automated  applicant tracking systems  (ATS), which many employers use to scan cover letters for the right keywords. Using an  AI cover letter generator  can help you tailor your cover letter to your target job with keywords and industry-specific content.  

Finally, your cover letter should answer the most critical question: Why are you interested in the job and the company? Explain  why you should be hired for the role  and what makes you the best fit. Employers will be impressed by a cover letter that shows you’ve done your homework and thought about how you can contribute. Download a free professional cover letter template and get started today!

A cover letter is a blank canvas where you can formally introduce yourself to the hiring manager — think of it as your sales pitch. Generally speaking, the hiring manager wants to know more about your skills and background, why you want to work for them and how you will help them. Still, this approach may differ depending on your professional experience.

For example, hiring managers will want to know why you have a career gap in your resume if you have one. If you ventured into running a small business or were affected by COVID-19, you’d want to explain what happened and show how your past experiences will help you fill this new role, as our professional cover letter templates show.

We recommend checking out our guide on what to include in a cover letter for tips from career advice experts.

Using a cover letter builder is not just OK but encouraged! Our Cover Letter Builder makes the writing process a breeze by providing over 15 cover letter templates, expert suggestions, step-by-step guidance, and customization tools to create and save as many versions of your cover letter as you want.

It’s the easiest way to assemble a professional cover letter for your resume, and all you have to do to get started is choose the downloadable cover letter template that best works for you.

A cover letter should be one page long. This  cover letter length  allows you to detail key achievements without overwhelming the reader. The recruiter or hiring manager won’t spend that much time reviewing your application, so your writing must be concise and straightforward. A work cover letter template from this page can help you organize your cover letter on one page.

If you don’t know who to address your cover letter to, here are some options to try:

• Address the cover letter to the department you’re interested in joining. For example, “Dear Creative Department,” “Dear Accounting Department,” or “Dear [Company] Team.”
• If you have the hiring manager’s name but are unsure whether to use titles like Mr., Mrs., or Ms., you can leave it out and use their full name. For example, “Dear John Smith” or “Dear Helena Law.”

Avoid starting your cover letter with greetings such as “To whom it may concern” or “Dear sir or madam” — it’s old-fashioned. This page’s cover letter samples can point you in the right direction.

How we reviewed this article

Since 2013, we have helped more than 15 million job seekers. We want to make your career journey accessible and manageable through our services and Career Center’s how-to guides and tips. In our commitment to bring you a transparent process, we present our Editorial Process .

• ResumeLab. Article. Tomaszewski, Michael.” Is a Cover Letter Necessary in 2023? Do I Need a Cover Letter? “

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4.8/5 stars with 819 reviews

Kellie Hanna, CPRW

Career advice expert.

Kellie is a Certified Professional Resume Writer with 20+ years of experience in digital media and is passionate about helping job seekers navigate their careers. She earned a B.A. in English and writing from Temple University.

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Land the job with cover letter templates

Show hiring managers why you're the perfect job candidate with professional, customizable cover letter templates. find the perfect cover letter template for any industry or career path..

Download free cover letter templates

Stand out from other job applicants with free, professional cover letter templates. Cover letters are a perfect complement to your resume and provide an effective opportunity to show your personality and enthusiasm for a position. Focus on writing a compelling cover letter and let a professionally designed template do the rest.

These free cover letter templates are perfect for any stage of your career, whether you're looking to land an internship or your dream job. If you're applying for a corporate position, you may want to opt for a simple cover letter template. There are a variety of other cover letter designs available, from basic cover letter templates to creative cover letter templates.

Each of these cover letter templates is customizable in Word , so you can add your own text, change design elements, and more. Print out your cover letter or download it for free to use for online job applications. Once you've customized the perfect cover letter, explore resume templates that will match your cover letter design, or download free business cards for your next networking event.

12 CV cover letter examples

A  cover letter  for your CV, or covering note is an introductory message that accompanies your CV when applying for a job.

The purpose of the cover letter is simple… Persuade the reader to open your CV.

Learn how to write a cover letter properly, and you will hugely increase your chances of getting responses and landing job interviews.

This guide, with 12 annotated cover letter examples will show you everything you need to know about creating a winning cover note.

CV templates 

How to layout a cover letter for your CV

This annotated example of a cover letter shows you how you should structure your cover letters, and the type of information you should be including.

You should always write your CV in the body of your email (or j ob site messaging system) so that it can be read instantly. Never attach it as a separate document, or the recipient probably won’t open it.

Example CV cover letters

These 11 example CV cover letters from a range of industries should give you some good inspiration for creating your own cover letter.

Admin CV cover letter

This cover letter is aimed at administrative roles , so it highlights the candidate’s abilities in efficiency, report writing and meeting deadlines, whilst demonstrating the types of environments they have worked in.

Learn how to write a cover letter step-by-step here.

Customer service CV cover letter

This customer service cover letter briefly explains the candidate’s length of experience in the field and highlights some of the more important customer service skills such as call handling, order taking and complaint resolution.

This gives the reader an excellent introduction to the candidate and should certainly encourage them to open the CV.

See our full customer service cover letter guide,  sales assistant cover letter example  and waiter/waitress cover letter example .

Finance CV cover letter

As a finance professional, it’s important to highlight your specialisms within finance, the types of companies you’ve worked for, and high level functions you’ve carried out within your cover letter. This will give the hiring manager a good overall feel of your abilities, and if it’s well tailored to the role, should provide them with enough info to excite them about your CV.

Quick tip: Use our job application tracker spreadsheet to track your applications and follow up with employers who don’t respond.

Events CV cover letter

This events manager candidate has done a great job of summarising the type and size of events they manage, along with details of core skills such as leadership, project delivery and stakeholder management.

This certainly provides enough info to create a buzz around the CV attached and encourage the recipient to open it.

Executive assistant CV cover letter

This executive assistant CV cover letter provides a good high level intro to the candidate showing the reader key business support knowledge in areas such as admin, diary management and document management. It also shows that the candidate is confident supporting senior business figures.

Graduate CV cover letter

As a graduate , your cover letter will need to be a little longer than an experienced candidates, to compensate for your lack of experience and really sell yourself.

This candidate speaks in lots of detail about their education, qualifications, and extra-curricular work which relates to the roles they are applying for.

IT CV cover letter

As an IT candidate, it’s important not only to highlight your technical skills, but also show how you apply those skills in the workplace to translate real benefits for your employer.

This candidate gives a good overview of the candidates technical abilities and the types of projects they apply them to, along with results they achieve.

Marketing CV cover letter

This marketing cover letter provides readers with a summary of the candidate’s core marketing abilities such as media planning, brand awareness and cost reduction. It also explains the types of marketing campaigns and companies they have experience with – a great high-level intro.

Cover letter examples

Warehouse Operative cover letter – Training Contract cover letter – Cleaning Job cover letter – Nursery Assistant cover letter – Recruitment Consultant cover letter – Dental Nurse cover letter –

Chef cover letter – Editorial Assistant cover letter – Aircraft Mechanic cover letter – Biomedical Science cover letter – Cabin Crew cover letter – Finance Assistant cover letter – Hotel Receptionist cover letter – Asset Management cover letter – Assistant Psychologist cover letter – Beauty Therapist cover letter – Cafe Worker cover letter – HR Administrator cover letter – NQT cover letter – Quantity Surveyor cover letter

More cover letter examples

• Academic cover letter
• Account Manager cover letter
• Accountant cover letter
• Accounting cover letter
• Accounts Assistant cover letter
• Acting cover letter
• Admin Assistant cover letter
• Administrator cover letter
• Apprenticeship cover letter
• Architecture cover letter
• Assistant Manager cover letter
• Banking cover letter
• Bar Staff cover letter
• Barclays cover letter
• Barista cover letter
• Bartender cover letter
• Business Analyst cover letter
• Business Development Manager cover letter
• Car Sales Person cover letter
• Care Assistant cover letter
• Career Change cover letter
• Catering Assistant cover letter
• Civil Engineer cover letter
• Computer Science cover letter
• Consulting cover letter
• Copywriter cover letter
• Cyber Security cover letter
• Data Entry Clerk cover letter
• Data Scientist cover letter
• Delivery Driver cover letter
• Digital Marketing cover letter
• Electrician cover letter
• Engineering cover letter
• Estate Agent cover letter
• Event Manager cover letter
• Exam Invigilator cover letter
• Executive Assistant cover letter
• Fashion Designer cover letter
• Finance cover letter
• Financial Analyst cover letter
• Google cover letter
• Graduate cover letter
• Graduate Engineer cover letter
• Graduate Scheme cover letter
• Graphic Design cover letter
• Health Care Assistant cover letter
• Hospitality cover letter
• HR Assistant cover letter
• HR cover letter
• Interior Designer cover letter
• Internal Position cover letter
• Internship cover letter
• Investment Banking cover letter
• Investment Manager cover letter
• IT Support cover letter
• Journalist cover letter
• JP Morgan cover letter
• Lawyer cover letter
• Legal Assistant cover letter
• Legal cover letter
• Library Assistant cover letter
• Manager cover letter
• Marine Engineer cover letter
• Marketing Assistant cover letter
• Marketing cover letter
• Marketing Intern cover letter
• Marketing Manager cover letter
• McKinsey cover letter
• Mechanical Engineer cover letter
• Medical Receptionist cover letter
• Medical Writer cover letter
• Model cover letter
• Nanny cover letter
• Nurse cover letter
• Nursing cover letter
• Office Assistant cover letter
• Office Manager cover letter
• Operations Manager cover letter
• Optical Assistant cover letter
• Paralegal cover letter
• Part Time cover letter
• PE Teacher cover letter
• Personal Assistant cover letter
• Personal Trainer cover letter
• Pharmacist cover letter
• Pharmacy Assistant cover letter
• PHD Application cover letter
• Photographer cover letter
• Placement cover letter
• Private Equity cover letter
• Product Manager cover letter
• Production Assistant cover letter
• Production Operator cover letter
• Project Coordinator cover letter
• Promotion cover letter
• PWC cover letter
• Quantity Surveyor cover letter
• Receptionist cover letter
• Research Assistant cover letter
• Researcher cover letter
• Retail Assistant cover letter
• Retail cover letter
• Retail Manager cover letter
• Sales Advisor cover letter
• Sales Executive cover letter
• Sales Manager cover letter
• Scrum Master cover letter
• Security Officer cover letter
• Ski Season cover letter
• Social Media Executive cover letter
• Social Media Manager cover letter
• Software Developer cover letter
• Software Engineer cover letter
• Speculative cover letter
• Student cover letter
• Support Worker cover letter
• Teaching Assistant cover letter
• Team Leader cover letter
• Trainee Dental Nurse cover letter
• University cover letter
• UX Designer cover letter
• Volunteer cover letter

Project manager CV cover letter

A project manager’ s cover letter needs to quickly explain to recipients the types of projects they lead and the technical expertise they bring to the projects. It’s also important to describe level of experience, seniority and background.

See full project manager cover letter example + writing guide

Operations manager cover letter

This operations management CV provides a brief introduction to the types of operations the candidate manages and the firms they work for.

They also touch upon some core operations skills such as efficiency, logistics and ROI improvement.

Sales CV cover letter

As a sales candidate, this cover letter shows the types of business this person can generate and the size and scale of the impact they create by highlighting some sales results.

It also mentions some core sales skills like business development, presenting, working under pressure and closing deals.

Cover letter templates

Teacher cover letter

This teacher cover letter does a great job of introducing the candidate, and showing the recipient the key facts they will be looking for, such as; the age group they teach, subject specialisms, and the results they have achieved.

The cover letter is brief and gets to the point quickly, so that readers will instantly look to open the attached CV .

How to write your CV cover letter

Now that you’ve seem good examples of cover letters to accompany your CV (or resume if you are in the USA) this guide will show exactly how to write your own, and the content that needs to be included .

Send your CV cover letter in email format (when possible)

When applying for jobs online you usually have 2 choices…

1) Send a message via the job website’s messaging system

2) Send the recruiter an email directly

If you can find an email address for the recruiter, then I would always recommend sending an email directly because it gives you more control.

When you send a message through a job website, it will transfer into an email with basic formatting and an auto-generated headline , which will look like this when the recruiter receives it.

If you cannot find an email address for the recruiter on the job advert, then try searching LinkedIn or the company website to find the relevant contact.

You may not always be able to find an email address, but when you can – always send a job application by email .

Make your subject line appealing

As you can see in the picture above, a bad subject line can kill your chances of actually having your email read in the first place.

Your subject line should stand out and give the recruiter a reason to open your email.

When recruiters look into their inbox, they are looking for one thing; a candidate who can do the job they are advertising – so give that to them in your subject line.

Your subject line should be a short summary of your experience that relates directly to the job you are applying for.

The following are good subject line examples;

KS2 Teacher with 5 years experience

Front End Web developer with HTML, HTML & JavaScript experience

Junior Graphic designer with 1st BA Hons Graphic Design

If your subject line shows that you have one or two of the most important requirements for the job, your email should get opened every time.

Address the recruiter by name

To get the relationship off on the right foot, you should try to address the recruiter by name if you can.

Often the recruiter’s details will appear on the job advert but sometimes you may have to check out the company website or do some digging around on LinkedIn.

If you really can’t find the name, then it’s not the end of the world – just start with a simple friendly opening like “ Hi ”

(If you applying to a more traditional organisation such as an academic post for a university, you may want to use something a bit more formal like “ Dear sir or madam ”)

Use a friendly yet professional tone

It’s important to sound professional when writing a cover letter but you also need to demonstrate your ability to communicate with other people and show some personality.

If your email is too casual and written in an over-familiar tone, then you will come across us un-professional.

But on the other hand, if your email is too formal and shows no signs of rapport building, you risk appearing as somebody who lacks social skills.

So when writing your cover letter, try to strike a nice balance of professionalism and friendliness.

Opening with a line such as “ hope you’re well ” is a nice way to breathe a bit of personality into your cover letter.

Ensure that your spelling and grammar is perfect throughout your cover letter because sloppy mistakes are a huge red flag for recruiters.

Quick tip:  If you struggle with spelling and grammar, try our quick-and-easy CV Builder

Keep it brief

Unless the job advert specifies otherwise; keep your cover letter short and sweet.

Recruiters and employers receive hundreds of job applications per week, so they don’t want to read a 2 page cover letter.

Depending on the role, around 2-4 sentences should be enough for the content of the cover letter.

You just need to write enough to persuade them to open your CV – It should roughly contain the same amount of information as your CV profile or personal statement.

Show how your skills match the job

To ensure that recruiters open your CV, you simply need to explain how your skills and experience match the job requirements from the advert.

Scan the job advert to discover what the most important candidate abilities are, and show how your previous experience has prepared you to cover these.

In particular, look out for any requirements that are essential to the job .

Focus on what you have to offer at this stage and not what you want.

At this stage, your covering letter is simply a means of getting the recruiter to open your CV, so it’s too early to talk about salary demands etc. Save that for your initial conversation with the recruiter.

Include a professional signature

End your cover letter with a friendly salutation such as “Regards” and a smart signature which includes your name and most direct contact method (usually mobile phone for most people)

A professional email signature will show recruiters that you understand business-email etiquette and ensure they have a means of contacting you – even if they can’t open your CV for any reason.

Writing a CV cover letter

Hopefully this guide has given you everything you need to create a winning cover letter that will ensure you CV gets opened every time you send it.

Just remember to keep it brief, be friendly, tailor it towards your target role, and give recruiters some good reasons to be interested in you.

Good luck with the job hunt!

Cover Letter Templates

Get a professional cover letter template to match your resume. Just pick one of 21 cover letter templates, follow our tips, and have a cover letter ready in minutes.

See why Trustpilot users choose us:

Why use our cover letter templates, save time and clicks.

With our simple cover letter templates, you’ll be able to make a cover letter in a flash. Pick your cover letter template, follow our tips within the app, and have a job-winning cover letter instantly.

Match your resume

All cover letter templates in our portfolio match our resume templates , so you can be sure your job application will have a cohesive look and feel. Choose from modern, creative, or basic cover letter templates and find the one that fits best.

Get ready-made content for your cover letter template

You don’t have to be Ernest Hemingway to write a perfect cover letter. Every cover letter template you choose has built-in content suggestions for multiple jobs and industries. Follow the tips and write a cover letter not made for defeat.

Personalize your professional cover letter template

Even though you’re working with a cover letter template, you can still adjust and personalize it to your needs. Change colors, adjust fonts, and more to make a cover letter reflect who you are.

Win interviews

Each cover letter template in our cover letter generator meets today’s recruitment standards. So you don’t need to worry about any technicalities and be sure to catch the eye of the recruiter.

We’ve helped thousands of people to find their dream job with our cover letter templates. Now it’s your turn.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cover Letter Templates

What's the best cover letter template to use.

The best cover letter template should meet today’s requirements and be easy to read. It should look professional and have enough white space. This way, your cover letter will catch the recruiter’s eye and present your details and skills in an easy-to-digest manner.

All cover letter templates available in our cover letter generator are 2024-ready and meet all current standards, so you can be sure you’re getting the highest quality.

Should I use a cover letter template?

Definitely! Working with a cover letter template saves you time and energy . You don’t have to know the nitty-gritty behind cover letter formatting or worry about how a cover letter should look , as everything is taken care of. We strongly recommend using a cover letter template designed by a team of career professionals, where you can simply focus on writing the best cover letter without any distractions .

How to format my cover letter template?

Even though cover letter formatting is not as complicated as resume formatting , there are still proper guidelines to follow. In a nutshell, you should follow the formatting rules of a formal business letter . That means you should keep the correct spacing between paragraphs (double), left-align your text, use a good cover letter font (like Calibri or Arial), and keep sufficient margins (1-inch on each side of the page should be enough). You can learn more in our guide on how to format your cover letter .

What should a cover letter include?

Your cover letter should demonstrate your experience and skills and explain why you want to work for this employer . For that effect, include these in your cover letter:

• Cover letter header —a place for your details, such as a name, title, phone number, and email address.
• Cover letter introduction —the first paragraph that needs to grab the reader’s attention.
• Body section—where you show you’re the best person for the job and explain the motivations.
• Cover letter closing paragraph —a call to action for the reader.
• Sign-off line—with a repetition of your contact details.
• Postscript—where you can put an interesting fact about you or your career.

You can read more in our guide on what to put in a cover letter .

Should my resume and cover letter templates match?

Your resume template and cover letter template should match . This way, your job application will be consistent and look more professional. Using different templates may confuse the recruiter and kill your chances of getting a job interview.

That’s why our cover letter generator comes with a resume builder , where you’ll be able to make a resume with a matching template.

Should I use a cover letter template if I have no work experience?

You should use a cover letter template when you don’t have any work experience. A good template will guide you through making a cover letter, and you’ll always know what to put where . That’s why our templates come with built-in suggestions and expert tips to make your life easier. You can also check our guide on how to write a cover letter with no experience or see entry-level cover letter examples for inspiration .

Do I need a different cover letter template for every job application?

A personalized cover letter is a must-have if you are considering getting the job . A generic cover letter is better than no cover letter, but it won’t set you apart from the competition and won’t resonate well with the company values and the job ad itself. That’s why you should always create a dedicated cover letter for each position you apply to, where you explain why you want to work at this particular company and show that you share their values.

Do you have Google Docs or Word cover letter templates?

While working with Google Docs or Word may not always be the easiest option, we’ve created a list of Google Docs cover letter templates and Word cover letter templates just for you . But keep in mind that it’ll require you to be proficient in one of these tools and have the skills to write a cover letter without ready-made content and additional tips.

Do you have any examples I can use for my cover letter template?

Yes, we have almost a hundred cover letter examples you can copy, tailor, and use . Certified career experts created each, so you can be sure they have everything hiring managers want to see in a cover letter. Our samples cover a wide range of jobs and industries, from engineering cover letters to nursing cover letters to IT cover letters .

Do I really need a cover letter?

While cover letters are not obligatory, studies show that cover letters are still necessary if you want to maximize your chances of getting the job . As much as 83% of HR professionals say that cover letters are important in their hiring decisions, and a good cover letter can make up for flaws in your resume. So if you don’t want to jeopardize your chances, always send a cover letter with your job application.

How long should a cover letter be?

A perfect cover letter should be one page long. It should have four paragraphs and between 200-350 words. Since it’s supposed to explain your motivations and qualifications briefly, you shouldn’t aim for more, as hiring managers won’t read it. To learn more, check our guide on how long a cover letter should be .

Do you have any free cover letter templates?

All of our cover letter templates are free to use and customize. You can use and edit as many cover letter templates as you wish. Once you’re happy with the result, you can download it by subscribing to our services for only a few dollars.

Cover Letter Templates

/ any level of experience

16+ Convincing Cover Letter Templates [Pick & Download]

Looking to create a cover letter that will help you stand out from the crowd ? Try one of our 16 professional cover letter templates, each created to match our resume and CV templates. Pick a cover letter template that suits your needs and impress the hiring manager with a flawless job application!

Skill-Based

Traditional

Professional

Learn More About Cover Letters

How to Write a Cover Letter in 2024 + Examples

Cover Letter Format (w/ Examples & Free Templates)

Free Cover Letter Sample to Copy and Use

Subject Line: Cover Letter for [Position], [Candidate Name]

[Company Address]

[Company City, State]

[Hiring Manager Email]

Introduction:

Introduce yourself, give a brief professional summary, and optionally, a top achievement. E.g. “My name is [Name] and I’m a [Role] with over X years of experience in [Activity]. Over the past years, I’ve helped X companies achieve [Goals]”

Express your interest in joining their firm. E.g. “I’m looking to join [Company] as [Role] and I’m very excited to help you with [Activity]”

Optionally, if you were referred or you just know someone at the firm, you can mention this here. E.g. “I learned about [Company] from a friend that’s currently working there as [Role], [Friend’s name]. I really like everything I’ve heard about the company and I think I would make a good fit.”

This is where you talk about your work experience and achievements at length. Mention how you excelled at your previous roles, what your most important responsibilities were, and so on.

Look at this as an opportunity to expand on whatever you wrote in your resume, and give the reader a better picture of what kind of tasks you worked on, what you accomplished, and so on. E.g “At my previous jobs as [Role], my duties were [Major 3 duties], and I specifically excelled at [Top accomplishment]. This accomplishment helped the company [Results driven].”

Want to really impress the hiring manager? You can mention what you know about the company and its culture here. E.g. “I’ve read a lot about [Company] and I really think I’d enjoy your democratic leadership style.”

Optionally, you can include a bulleted list of your top 3 accomplishments. For example:

[Example Box]

Some of my top achievements in recent years include:

Launching a successful online ads marketing campaign, driving 100+ leads within 2 months.

Overhauled a client’s advertising account, improving conversion rates and driving 15% higher revenue.

Improved the agency’s framework for ad account audits and created new standard operating procedures.

Conclusion & Call to Action:

Re-affirm your desire to join the company, as well as how you can contribute. E.g. “I’d love to become a part of [Company] as a [Role]. I believe that my skills in [Field] can help the company with [Goals].”

Thank the hiring manager for reading the cover letter and then wrap it all up with a call to action. E.g. “Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to hearing back from you and learning more about the position. Sincerely, [Name].”

Match Your Resume & Cover Letter

Want your application to stand out?

Match your cover letter with your resume & catch the recruiter’s attention!

Why Novorésumé?

Matching Cover Letters

To keep your job application consistent and professional, our Cover Letter templates perfectly match the resume templates.

Creative & Standard Templates

Whether you apply for a conservative industry like banking or a hype start-up, you can tailor our cover letter templates to fit your exact needs.

Expert Reviews

Oana Vintila

Career Counselor

Cover Letters are usually synonymous with formal and bland rambling that you write down hoping for an invite to a job interview. I just love it how Novorésumé has enhanced that and is offering you a tool to build proper arguments and structured discourse about who YOU ARE and what YOU CAN DO.

A real confidence booster, I tell you, seeing your motivation eloquently written!

Gabriela Tardea

Career Strategist, Coach & Trainer

The best thing about this platform when creating a Cover Letter as an addition to your resume is that the documents will match each other's design and font, creating eye-catching documents that recruiters/hiring managers will love.

You will be initially judged based on your papers, so why not make a first great impression?

Cover Letters Resources

What is a cover letter.

A cover letter is a one-page document that you submit alongside your resume or CV for your job application.

The main purpose of your cover letter is to:

Show your motivation for working at the company

Bring special attention to the most important parts of your work history

Explain how your work experience fits whatever the company is looking for

What your cover letter is NOT about , is rehashing whatever you already mentioned in your resume. Sure, you should mention the most important bits, but it should NOT be a literal copy-paste.

Keep in mind that recruiters will usually read your cover letter after scanning your resume and deciding if you’re qualified for the position.

Our cover letter templates match both our resume templates and our CV templates ! Make sure to check them out, too.

Why Use a Cover Letter Template?

A cover letter can complement your resume and increase your chances of getting hired.

But that's only if it's done right.

If your cover letter isn't the right length, is structured the wrong way, or doesn't match the style of your resume, it might do the opposite and hurt your application.

By using a cover letter template, you get a pre-formatted, professional, and recruiter-friendly document that’s ready to go. All YOU have to do is fill in the contents, and you’re all set.

What to Include in Your Cover Letter?

Every good cover letter has the following sections:

Header . Start your cover letter by writing down your own contact information, as well as the recruiter’s (recruiter name, company name, company address, etc…).

Greeting . Preferably, you want to address the recruiter by their last name (e.g. Dear Mr. Brown) or their full name, in case you’re not sure what their pronouns are (e.g. Dear Alex Brown). formal greeting for the recruiter.

Opening paragraph . This is the introduction to your resume. Here, you summarize your background info (“a financial analyst with X+ years of experience”), state your intent (“looking for X position at Company Y”), and summarize your top achievements to get the recruiter hooked.

Second paragraph . In the second paragraph, you explain how you’re qualified for the position by mentioning your skills, awards, certifications, etc., and why the recruiter should pick YOU.

Third paragraph . You talk about why you’re a good match for the company. Do you share common values? Is the company working on projects you’re interested in? Has this position always been your dream role?

Formal closing . Finally, you end the cover letter with a quick summary and a call to action (“I’m super excited to work with Company X. Looking forward to hearing from you!”).

How to Write a Great Cover Letter?

There’s a lot that goes into writing a great cover letter. If you want to get the full picture, you can check out our guide on how to write a cover letter .

For a quick summary, though, here are our top 4 cover letter tips :

Avoid Fluff . You want to be as specific as possible with your cover letter. Avoid vague statements like “I’m a good fit for the company because I’m a good critical thinker!”

Do Your Research. Most companies don’t like people who “spray and pray” - applying for dozens of jobs without giving them much thought. What they ARE looking for is someone who’s passionate about their field, the position, and even the company. So, research the companies you apply for as much as you can and show off your knowledge in your cover letter.

Don’t Use a One-Fits-All Cover Letter . As much as you can, try to tailor your cover letter to the job you’re applying for. Even if it’s something small, like addressing the hiring manager by their last name instead of “Dear Sir/Madam,” or mentioning something specific about the role or the company that you’re passionate about, it can help you prove that you’re not using the same generic cover letter to apply to dozens of jobs.

Back-Up Your Achievements with Data . When possible, back up your experience with data. Instead of saying, “I improved company revenue”, say “I managed to hit and exceed sales KPIs for 5 months in a row.”

How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?

Most recruiters agree that a cover letter should be brief and concise .

Optimally, that’s about half a page to one full page, and between 250 to 400 words long.

How Can I Write a Student Cover Letter?

You should write a student cover letter pretty much the same way you’d write a regular cover letter, with one key difference.

To make up for your lack of work experience, you should talk about the following:

Why do you want to work for the company and the position you’re applying for.

How your educational background has prepared you for the job.

How your skill set can help you stand out and excel at the job.

You also want to mention anything else that’s relevant to the job and that can prove your abilities, such as any internships, awards, honors, and the like.

In case you’re writing a cover letter for an internship , make sure to check out our guide.

How Can I Write a Cover Letter With No Experience?

If you’re an entry-level candidate, writing a cover letter might seem super scary. If you don’t have any work experience and professional accomplishments, what are you supposed to talk about in your cover letter?

Here’s some good news—you can focus on these topics instead:

Education highlights

Relevant skills

Independent projects

Volunteering experience

Extracurricular activities

Passion to learn and grow as a candidate

For a complete guide on how to write an entry-level cover letter , check out our guide.

How to Format a Cover Letter?

Here’s what you need to know on how to format a cover letter the right way:

Choose the right cover letter template for your industry . The better fit the cover letter, the less you’ll have to play with the layout and format.

Use colors sparingly . Don’t go overboard with creativity unless you work in an industry where that’s valued (marketing, advertising, design, and the like).

Select professional font styles and sizes.

Set the margins to 1 inch on each side to make sure there is enough white space and the document doesn’t look crowded with text.

Get Inspired with Our Cover Letter Examples

Cover letter templates faq, do i need a different cover letter for every job.

While you don’t need to write a different cover letter from scratch for every single job you apply for, it’s good to tailor your cover letter contents as much as you can to the company and position you’re applying for.

Hiring managers will always go for an applicant who’s interested in their specific position over a candidate that’s sending the same application to dozens of roles.

If you tailor your cover letter to the position, even if it’s something small like addressing the hiring manager by their name or explaining how you possess the right skills for the specific job, your chances of getting hired are going to be much better!

How to Make a Simple Cover Letter for Your Resume?

Simply pick one of our 16 effective cover letter templates above to get started.

We’d recommend matching your cover letter template to the resume template you picked.

Not only will it make your application package look more sophisticated and professional, but it will also make you more memorable for the recruiter who’ll go over your application.

Who Created These Cover Letter Templates?

Novoresume cover letter templates were created in cooperation with professional recruiters and hiring managers.

This means they’re up to date with the latest industry trends and job market requirements. With a Novoresume cover letter template, you can rest assured that your cover letter will look professional and modern at the same time.

When Should I Email My Cover Letter Instead of Using a Template?

As a rule of thumb, it’s always better to use a cover letter template instead of including it in the body of your email as plain text. By using a well-designed and effective cover letter template, you’re guaranteed to look like a more serious and professional candidate.

So, you should only email your cover letter if the job ad specifically asks you to.

Should I Use a PDF or Word Cover Letter Template?

We recommend going for a PDF cover letter template instead of Word.

All types of Operating Systems and devices can open PDF formats without ruining the formatting, design, or layout.

The same, however, cannot be said for Word templates. If, for example, you’ve used a 2021 Word cover letter template and the hiring manager opens it using an MS Word 2016 software version, there’s a chance your formatting will get messed up, or that your font will be unreadable.

To err on the side of caution, we always advise using a PDF cover letter template.

What is the Best Cover Letter Template in 2024?

There’s no such thing as the “best cover letter template.”

After all, every single recruiter has their own personal taste. Some might like a shiny and flashy cover letter template, while others might think it’s tacky. As a rule of thumb, though, we usually recommend customizing each cover letter for the company you’re sending it to.

Do I Really Need a Cover Letter in 2024?

Yes, you definitely need to submit a cover letter with your resume in 2023.

Even if the hiring manager never reads your cover letter or if the job description doesn’t specifically ask for one, a cover letter can still help strengthen your application and make you look like a more serious and proactive candidate.

As such, it’s always a good idea to include a cover letter with your resume.

#4. How to Make a Simple Cover Letter for Your Resume?

How to Make a Cover Letter With Novoresume?

To make a cover letter with Novoresume, simply scroll up and pick a template that you like best. Then, register or log in to your Novoresume account. From there, you can add your cover letter contents, as well as personalize and edit them as you see fit.

The Novoresume builder is very intuitive and user-friendly, allowing you to create your cover letter lightning-fast.

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

Cover Letter Templates

Cover Letter by FlowCV

Tailor your cover letter with FlowCV's professionally designed templates. Easily customize multiple settings to infuse your personal flair, all through our intuitive editor.

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Cover Letter Templates

Click on a cover letter template, fill it online, and download in seconds. Build a professional cover letter in a few clicks . Just pick one of 18+ cover letter templates below, add ready-made content, and get the job.

Professional cover letter template with a column for contact information

Modern cover letter template with delicate icons for contact information.

Creative cover letter template with graphic elements and two columns

Perfect cover letter template with a dash of color and a structured layout

Sleek cover letter template with a light feel and color accents

Classic cover letter template in a one column layout

Two column cover letter template with contact information highlighted on the right

Clean cover letter template with plenty of whitespace and a layout that feels complete

Elegant cover letter template with a single column classic feel

Unique cover letter template with your initials on top and icons on the left

Elegant cover letter template with great readability

Two column cover letter template with a neat structure

Modern cover letter template with a clean-cut layout and two columns

Elegant cover letter template with a top-bottom structure and clean sections.

Elegant cover letter template with appealing typography and flow

Creative cover letter template with initials as the logo and delicate graphic accents

Simple cover letter template that draws attention to your title and personal story

Traditional cover letter template with minimal design, but a finished feel

Need text samples of cover letter templates?

Free cover letter template to copy and use.

Your Name Your Address Your City, State Zip Code Your Phone Number Your Email Date Hiring Manager’s/Recruiter’s Name Hiring Manager’s/Recruiter’s Title Organization/Company Name Address City, State Zip Code Dear Mr./Ms. [Hiring Manager’s/Recruiter’s Last Name]

When I found the opening for the [Position] with [Organization/Company Name] I felt as if it was addressed to me. In my current position as [Position] at [Organization/Company Name], I’ve improved [achievement] by [%] in [months/years] which resulted in [Number + Result]. I’m sure I can use my expertise to bring similar results for [Organization/Company Name].

In my current position as a [Position] with [Current Organization/Company Name], my key challenge has been [Main Responsibility]. Here are some of my recent results:

• Succeeded at expanding [Achievement] by [%] since [Year].
• Skyrocketed [Achievement] scores by [%].
• Optimized [Achievement], saving the company [$/hours] a [month/quarter/year].
• Led a team of [Number] employees to increase [Organization/Company Name] revenue by [%] in [Number] years.
• My team has scored [Achievement] [Number] months/years in a row

I know that [Organization/Company Name]’s current plans involve [Company’s Plans]. It would be an exciting opportunity for me to use [Your Skill] developing [Company’s Project].

Can we schedule a meeting [Date] to discuss my solutions for boosting [Organization/Company Name]’s [Revenue/Traffic/Customer Satisfaction] by [%] in the next quarter?

Sincerely/Best regards, Your Full Name Your Phone Number Your Email Address Your LinkedIn Account

Best cover letter templates for any situation

A cover letter for a resume or application is a brief presentation of your experience and skills in narrative form. The purpose of a cover letter is to highlight the most important information from your resume and add extra reasons why you should be hired. It’s about looks and contents. And Zety will help with both—

Professional design

These resume cover letter templates match Zety’s resume templates and give your documents a polished look. Highlight key achievements in bullet points, use color and style to draw attention to what matters to employers. Writing a cover letter feels like doing homework assignments, but not with Zety—

Ease of use

Fill in any of these professional cover letter format templates with help from our app. Simply tell the wizard a few things about yourself, and get a ready cover letter sample in a few clicks. Stop worrying about every single word you use and focus on what matters: your future job.

These user-friendly cover letter templates will save you hours of painful work. Remember the last cover letter sample you downloaded and got stuck filling out? This won't happen again. Choose between different sample cover letter layouts, click a few buttons, and you're done. Download your cover letter template in pdf or Word format.

Confidence boost

Don’t ignore your cover letter. About 20-50% recruiters expect you to write one even if they don’t read it . Writing a cover letter from scratch feels like a chore, but it doesn’t have to. You can create a cover letter for a job of your dreams in minutes. Employers will recognize you for who you are: the ideal candidate.

Proven effectiveness

A Zety resume and a cover letter is your one-two punch that will help you beat the competition. Only 20% of all applications contain cover letters and with Zety you’ll stand out as the best candidate. Creating a cover letter can be simple, fast, and is proven to get jobs. It’s surprising how little effort you need.

Why users choose our cover letter templates:

Frequently asked questions about cover letter templates, what is a cover letter for a resume.

A cover letter for a resume is a document attached to your job application that should consist of a resume and a motivation letter for a prospective employer. Together, they provide details about your past jobs, qualifications and skills. It is strongly advised to use a cover letter template matching your resume template for an optimal application. Get a professional resume template here , to go with your cover letter. Note that a cover letter for a resume can also work for a CV – here's a selection of professional CV templates (and here's the difference between a resume and a CV ).

What is the best cover letter template in 2024?

All our covering letter templates are equally adapted to modern HR trends and will appeal to recruiters. The best cover letter template is one that will allow you to write your personal details and list your strongest skills, while looking professional and simple . To pick the best cover letter template, focus on what will look perfect based on your industry, experience level, and preferences. Here's more on what a cover letter should look like in 2024.

How to format a cover letter?

While formatting a cover letter is not as complicated as finding the best resume format , you still need to follow the expected cover letter etiquette . Typically, cover letters are formatted with a lot of empty space on the page (double spaces between paragraphs), left-aligned text, and sufficient margins. For more tips, read our guide on how to format a cover letter the right way .

Do I really need a cover letter for a job in 2024?

Although resumes can be sent without a covering letter, every recruiter prefers receiving one, to have more options and details . Cover letters are not always necessary and read , but they are a serious advantage in case other candidates didn't send one.Besides, a professional cover letter shows your motivation, and allows you to say more about your projects and abilities.By sending a cover letter with your resume in 2024, you gain the lead over your competitors.

What to include in my cover letter?

A cover letter is made of several parts . The main ones are the cover letter header and the body . In the cover letter header, list the following information:

• Your phone number
• Your email address
• The name of the hiring manager

In the cover letter body, here's what should be available:

• Cover letter greetings
• Catchy cover letter opening paragraph
• Main strength and skills
• Motivation to join the company
• Closing cover letter paragraph and sign off

Those lists are not exhaustive; you can add more information for a better chance of success, such as your title or a post-scriptum. Read more about all the important things to include in a cover letter here .

How long should a cover letter be?

A cover letter should be one-page long , on a single-page cover letter template, and composed of around 4 paragraphs, along with contact information in the header. 400 words is a good limit, as more could mean no recruiter will read your document, and not enough will not make it seem worth the attempt. Depending on your experience, industry, and circumstances, the amount of information to write can vary. We encourage you to read our post on the ideal cover letter length in 2024 .

Do I need a unique cover letter for every job?

While writing a different cover letter for each job may sound tedious, it is a necessary step to increase your chances of being hired . A cover letter is impactful only when it is not generic, and when it surprises the recruiters with important and interesting details about you and your reasons to apply. Each cover letter must therefore be unique . However, you can save precious time by using our online cover letter builder , which allows you to duplicate, modify, save, and download your cover letters with just a few clicks. Besides, it offers pre-written content that you can use to write different application letters in no time.

Should I use a PDF or a Word cover letter template?

Just like your resume should be sent in PDF format , it is best to download your cover letter in PDF, too. The PDF format allows your cover letter layout to remain unchanged, whatever the device used by recruiters. Our cover letter templates all match our resume templates, and can be exported in Docx (Word), for you to modify them later, or in PDF for you to send them immediately.

Can I email my cover letter instead of sending a cover letter template?

For job offers that don't request a cover letter, and when you don't have time to write one, you can write a short cover letter directly in your email's body .Before choosing that option, we'd like to point out that our online cover letter application can generate a cover letter template with pre-written content for you, making the process faster and easier. If you still prefer to send a letter in text form rather than a cover letter template, here are all our tips on how to email a cover letter successfully.

Do you have cover letter examples for my template?

Our cover letter templates can be filled online using pre-written content. You'll only have to input your job title and generate content quickly and conveniently.Adapt what matters, and copy the rest to save time and speed up your job hunt.To help you adapt your cover letter and make it perfectly targeted, we have written hundreds of cover letter examples that you can find here .

How to make a cover letter with no experience?

A cover letter template can seem hard to fill with useful information when your resume itself is quite light on job experience and hard skills . But it is in those cases that your cover letter is even more important. Entry-level candidates can't rely on experience, and must therefore make the most of their soft skills , projects and original ideas. To start with, we encourage you to make a resume with no experience , and then write an entry-level cover letter that will complement it.

Are Zety cover letter templates free?

All our cover letter templates are free-to-use, and entirely customizable online. You don't have to pay to create as many cover letters as you want, until you are satisfied with the result.Zety follows the 'try before you buy' rule, and will never ask you for payment until you are 100% certain your cover letter template is pixel-perfect and ready to be sent to employers.

Try Zety's professional cover letter builder now

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How to Write a Cover Letter When You’re Changing Careers (Sample + Tips)

As a career changer, you need to help recruiters understand why you’re moving away from your former line of work and what you want to achieve in your new career path..

You will inevitably change jobs throughout your career as you seek more responsibility, growth, or even a higher salary. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average employee stays at each job for around four years [ 1 ]. However, for career changers—or those interested in exploring an entirely new path or industry—making that switch can sometimes involve unique challenges. 

Even so, making a career change has become an increasingly popular move. More than half of workers in the United States anticipated looking for a new opportunity in 2022 [ 2 ]. Changing careers can allow you to find more meaningful work, better align your career path with your larger goals, and move into a more energizing role.  

When you draft your cover letter to apply for a job in a new line of work, you must take time to explain your larger objectives. In this article, we’ll review specific information you can feature in your cover letter to help recruiters understand your goals and reasons for changing careers. 

Learn more: How to Plan for a Career Change: Step-by-Step Guide

How to write a career change cover letter

A cover letter is a chance to expand upon the bullet points outlined in your resume . It’s a space where you can explain your interest in the role and company, highlight your experience and skills, and sell a recruiter on the overall fit you’d make. 

But a career changer needs to do all of that and more. You also need to help recruiters and hiring managers understand why you’re moving away from your former line of work, what you want to achieve in your new career path, and any transferable skills that will help make your transition smooth. 

Let’s review four key pieces of information you can weave into your career change cover letter.  

1. Clarify your career change context

Explaining why you’re interested in changing careers and how the role you’re applying to fits within your larger career aspirations can preemptively contextualize your story. Plan to include a career change objective somewhere in your cover letter, much like you would a resume objective to provide a summary of a person’s experience and goals. Don’t be afraid to build a sense of personality so recruiters can better connect you with your objective.  

What this looks like: I’ve spent the last six years translating complex topics for various users as a technical writer. But in that time, I’ve realized that what drives me is the user’s experience. It’s the lightbulb moment behind my career change to UX design . I believe I’ll make a strong addition to your team because my work has largely put the user front and center, and now I’m interested in focusing on a different facet of that goal. 

2. Specify the value of your certificates, courses, or trainings

It costs over $4,000 to hire an employee, according to the Society for Human Resources Management [ 3 ]. That’s all the more reason why recruiters and hiring managers want to find the right candidate. It can be costly otherwise. Help explain what you’ve done to prepare for your career change by highlighting any professional certificates or trainings you’ve completed to prepare you for your new line of work. 

What this looks like: In order to familiarize myself with the tools and processes used in data analysis, I completed the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate , which taught me SQL and R, and trained me to clean and visualize data. Thanks to this preparation, I feel confident that I will make a strong addition to your team from the very start.  

3. Bring attention to your transferable skills 

Transferable skills are “portable,” in that you take them from job to job. They include problem-solving, critical thinking, attention to detail, and more. Show recruiters that you have important skills to help you do the job so they can understand the unique value you’d bring to their company.  

It can also help to find out the key technical skills the job requires and spend time learning what you can, especially when it comes to important software or tools. 

What this looks like: As a software developer, I regularly relied on my problem-solving skills to think through complex issues. I’ll bring that same skill, as well as my attention to detail, listening, and decision-making, to ABC High School as the new algebra teacher. 

4. Highlight your past achievements 

Any time you can highlight what you’ve managed to accomplish in your past roles, you help a recruiter see your potential in a new role. Where possible, summarize any moments that showcase your strengths and illustrate your work ethic or character. 

What this looks like: I pride myself on being a team player and a problem-solver. As a social media manager at Company X, I identified a better program to help my team schedule content. Using that tool improved my team’s efficacy, leading to our most successful quarter. 

Why is a cover letter important when changing careers?

The idea of a career path can sometimes be rigid, suggesting that people only follow one specific track. Although that perspective is starting to shift, it’s still prevalent. You can help recruiters and hiring managers understand more about your interest in a role by explaining why you’re changing careers and what you’ve done to streamline your transition. 

It helps to align your cover letter with a resume objective, which can be especially useful for career changers. An objective on your resume is a place where you can contextualize your larger career aims, quickly summarizing what you’re hoping to achieve in your next role. Repeat that same information in your cover letter and expand on it slightly to give your application materials more cohesiveness.  

Read more: How to Use Resume Sections to Shape Your Professional Story

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Career change cover letter sample

It's common practice nowadays to submit your cover letter digitally. In that case, include some of your contact information in the top left corner so recruiters can easily see how to get in touch.

Thomas Bennett

Nashville, TN

(555) 555-1234

[email protected]

Dear Ms. Tufte,

I’m writing to apply for the project manager role at Company X. I initially began my career as a marketing coordinator and eventually moved into email marketing , where I was responsible for strategizing and developing new campaigns. But in that time, I realized how much I thrived when managing our quarterly campaigns from start to finish. That’s why I’m interested in segueing into project management. 

Knowing that, despite my experience, I still needed to learn more specifically about project management, I completed the Google Project Management Professional Certificate . Over six months, I’ve learned Agile project management as well as how to create product documentation, among other key skills. I believe this training, along with my previous experience, will help me transition to a project management role at Company X and make a big impact.   

I’m an organized problem-solver with a sharp eye for detail, all important project management skills. I believe my previous work in email marketing provided hands-on training in managing projects, albeit without the official title. I identified new tools to help my team create more effective quarterly campaigns. As a result, we increased our click-through rate (one of our key metrics) to 1.87 percent, bringing it closer to the industry standard—an immense achievement. 

I’m proud of the foundation I gained through marketing, but in realizing where my true passion lies, I’m keen to transition into a project management role with more growth opportunities. I appreciate your consideration. 

Tips for strengthening your cover letter 

Much like you would for a standard cover letter, you can strengthen your cover letter as a career changer using the following tips: 

Tailor your letter for each role.

You should tailor your resume for each role you apply to, and the same goes for your cover letter. Research the company, find out about aspects of their work that interest you, and insert those details into your cover letter. You should also tailor your experience and skills, highlighting each job's most relevant skills and accomplishments. 

Get specific.

Your cover letter should expand upon your resume rather than repeating the same information. One way to do this is by giving details about your past achievements. When possible, quantify your impact with numbers and explain how these accomplishments make you uniquely qualified for this new role.

Use action words. 

Build action words into your resume and your cover letter. Rather than more staid words that don’t capture your unique story or responsibilities, action verbs can liven up your cover letter and make it more enticing to read. Find verbs that succinctly and accurately depict your previous experience.

Start advancing your skills today

Brush up on your cover letter writing skills by taking the University of Maryland’s free course, Writing Winning Resumes and Cover Letters . Or develop important skills for an in-demand career with a Professional Certificate from industry leaders like Google, Meta, and IBM. Most certificate programs take less than seven months to complete, and you can start for free with a seven-day, all-access trial.

Article sources

US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “ Employee Tenure in 2020 , https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/tenure.pdf.” Accessed April 26, 2024.

CNBC. “ The Great Resignation is Likely to Continue , https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/25/great-resignation-55-percent-are-looking-to-change-jobs-over-the-next-year-.html.” Accessed April 26, 2024.

ADP. “ Calculating the True Cost to Hire Employees , https://www.adp.com/spark/articles/2019/07/calculating-the-true-cost-to-hire-employees.aspx.” Accessed April 26, 2024.

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