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How to write a great cover letter in 2024: tips and structure
A cover letter is a personalized letter that introduces you to a potential employer, highlights your qualifications, and explains why you're a strong fit for a specific job.
Hate or love them, these brief documents allow job seekers to make an impression and stand out from the pile of other applications. Penning a thoughtful cover letter shows the hiring team you care about earning the position.
Hereâs everything you need to know about how to write a cover letter â and a great one, at that.
What is a cover letter and why does it matter?
A professional cover letter is a one-page document you submit alongside your CV or resume as part of a job application. Typically, theyâre about half a page or around 150â300 words.
An effective cover letter doesnât just rehash your CV; itâs your chance to highlight your proudest moments, explain why you want the job, and state plainly what you bring to the table.
Show the reviewer youâre likable, talented, and will add to the companyâs culture . You can refer to previous jobs and other information from your CV, but only if it helps tell a story about you and your career choices .
What 3 things should you include in a cover letter?
A well-crafted cover letter can help you stand out to potential employers. To make your cover letter shine, here are three key elements to include:
1. Personalization
Address the hiring manager or recruiter by name whenever possible. If the job posting doesn't include a name, research to find out who will be reviewing applications. Personalizing your cover letter shows that you've taken the time to tailor your application to the specific company and role.
2. Highlight relevant achievements and skills
Emphasize your most relevant skills , experiences, and accomplishments that directly relate to the job you're applying for. Provide specific examples of how your skills have benefited previous employers and how they can contribute to the prospective employer's success. Use quantifiable achievements , such as improved efficiency, cost savings, or project success, to demonstrate your impact.
3. Show enthusiasm and fit
Express your enthusiasm for the company and the position you're applying for. Explain why you are interested in this role and believe you are a good fit for the organization. Mention how your values, goals, and skills align with the company's mission and culture. Demonstrating that you've done your research can make a significant impression.
What do hiring managers look for in a cover letter?
Employers look for several key elements in a cover letter. These include:
Employers want to see that your cover letter is specifically tailored to the position you are applying for. It should demonstrate how your skills, experiences, and qualifications align with the job requirements.
Clear and concise writing
A well-written cover letter is concise, easy to read, and error-free. Employers appreciate clear and effective communication skills , so make sure your cover letter showcases your ability to express yourself effectively.
Demonstrated knowledge of the company
Employers want to see that you are genuinely interested in their organization. Mention specific details about the company, such as recent achievements or projects, to show that you are enthusiastic about joining their team.
Achievements and accomplishments
Highlight your relevant achievements and accomplishments that demonstrate your qualifications for the position. Use specific examples to showcase your skills and show how they can benefit the employer.
Enthusiasm and motivation
Employers want to hire candidates who are excited about the opportunity and motivated to contribute to the company's success. Express your enthusiasm and passion for the role and explain why you are interested in working for the company.
Professionalism
A cover letter should be professional in tone and presentation. Use formal language, address the hiring manager appropriately, and follow standard business letter formatting.
How do you structure a cover letter?
A well-structured cover letter follows a specific format that makes it easy for the reader to understand your qualifications and enthusiasm for the position. Here's a typical structure for a cover letter:
Contact information
Include your name, address, phone number, and email address at the top of the letter. Place your contact information at the beginning so that it's easy for the employer to reach you.
Employer's contact information
Opening paragraph, middle paragraph(s), closing paragraph, complimentary close, additional contact information.
Repeat your contact information (name, phone number, and email) at the end of the letter, just in case the employer needs it for quick reference.
Remember to keep your cover letter concise and focused. It should typically be no more than one page in length. Proofread your letter carefully to ensure it is free from spelling and grammatical errors. Tailor each cover letter to the specific job application to make it as relevant and impactful as possible.
How to write a good cover letter (with examples)
The best letters are unique, tailored to the job description, and written in your voice â but that doesnât mean you canât use a job cover letter template.
Great cover letters contain the same basic elements and flow a certain way. Take a look at this cover letter structure for ref erence while you construct your own.
1. Add a header and contact information
While reading your cover letter, the recruiter shouldnât have to look far to find who wrote it. Your document should include a basic heading with the following information:
- Pronouns (optional)
- Location (optional)
- Email address
- Phone number (optional)
- Relevant links, such as your LinkedIn profile , portfolio, or personal website (optional)
You can pull this information directly from your CV. Put it together, and it will look something like this:
Christopher Pike
San Francisco, California
Alternatively, if the posting asks you to submit your cover letter in the body of an email, you can include this information in your signature. For example:
Warm regards,
Catherine Janeway
Bloomington, Indiana
(555) 999 - 2222
2. Include a personal greeting
Always begin your cover letter by addressing the hiring manager â preferably by name. You can use the personâs first and last name. Make sure to include a relevant title, like Dr., Mr., or Ms. For example, âDear Mr. John Doe.â
Avoid generic openings like âTo whom it may concern,â âDear sir or madam,â or âDear hiring manager.â These introductions sound impersonal â like youâre copy-pasting cover letters â and can work against you in the hiring process.
Be careful, though. When using someoneâs name, you donât want to use the wrong title or accidentally misgender someone. If in doubt, using only their name is enough. You could also opt for a gender-neutral title, like Mx.
Make sure youâre addressing the right person in your letter â ideally, the person whoâs making the final hiring decision. This isnât always specified in the job posting, so you may have to do some research to learn the name of the hiring manager.
3. Draw them in with an opening story
The opening paragraph of your cover letter should hook the reader. You want it to be memorable, conversational, and extremely relevant to the job youâre pursuing.
Thereâs no need for a personal introduction â youâve already included your name in the heading. But you should make reference to the job youâre applying for. A simple âThank you for considering my application for the role of [job title] at [company],â will suffice.
Then you can get into the âWhyâ of your job application. Drive home what makes this specific job and this company so appealing to you. Perhaps youâre a fan of their products, youâre passionate about their mission, or you love their brand voice. Whatever the case, this section is where you share your enthusiasm for the role.
Hereâs an example opening paragraph. In this scenario, youâre applying for a digital marketing role at a bicycle company:
âDear Mr. John Doe,
Thank you for considering my application for the role of Marketing Coordinator at Bits nâ Bikes.
My parents bought my first bike at one of your stores. Iâll never forget the freedom I felt when I learned to ride it. My father removed my training wheels, and my mom sent me barrelling down the street. You provide joy to families across the country â and I want to be part of that.â
4. Emphasize why youâre best for the job
Your next paragraphs should be focused on the role youâre applying to. Highlight your skill set and why youâre a good fit for the needs and expectations associated with the position. Hiring managers want to know what youâll bring to the job, not just any role.
Start by studying the job description for hints. What problem are they trying to solve with this hire? What skills and qualifications do they mention first or more than once? These are indicators of whatâs important to the hiring manager.
Search for details that match your experience and interests. For example, if youâre excited about a fast-paced job in public relations, you might look for these elements in a posting:
- They want someone who can write social media posts and blog content on tight deadlines
- They value collaboration and input from every team member
- They need a planner who can come up with strong PR strategies
Highlight how you fulfill these requirements:
âIâve always been a strong writer. From blog posts to social media, my content pulls in readers and drives traffic to product pages. For example, when I worked at Bits nâ Bikes, I developed a strategic blog series about bike maintenance that increased our sales of spare parts and tools by 50% â we could see it in our web metrics.
Thanks to the input of all of our team members, including our bike mechanics, my content delivered results.â
5. End with a strong closing paragraph and sign off gracefully
Your closing paragraph is your final chance to hammer home your enthusiasm about the role and your unique ability to fill it. Reiterate the main points you explained in the body paragraphs and remind the reader of what you bring to the table.
You can also use the end of your letter to relay other important details, like whether youâre willing to relocate for the job.
When choosing a sign-off, opt for a phrase that sounds professional and genuine. Reliable options include âSincerelyâ and âKind regards.â
Hereâs a strong closing statement for you to consider:
âI believe my enthusiasm, skills, and work experience as a PR professional will serve Bits nâ Bikes very well. I would love to meet to further discuss my value-add as your next Director of Public Relations. Thank you for your consideration. I hope we speak soon.
Tips to write a great cover letter that compliments your resume
When writing your own letter, try not to copy the example excerpts word-for-word. Instead, use this cover letter structure as a baseline to organize your ideas. Then, as youâre writing, use these extra cover letter tips to add your personal touch:
- Keep your cover letter different from your resume : Your cover letter should not duplicate the information on your resume. Instead, it should provide context and explanations for key points in your resume, emphasizing how your qualifications match the specific job you're applying for.
- Customize your cover letter . Tailor your cover letter for each job application. Address the specific needs of the company and the job posting, demonstrating that you've done your homework and understand their requirements.
- Show enthusiasm and fit . Express your enthusiasm for the company and position in the cover letter. Explain why you are interested in working for this company and how your values, goals, and skills align with their mission and culture.
- Use keywords . Incorporate keywords from the job description and industry terms in your cover letter. This can help your application pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS) and demonstrate that you're well-versed in the field.
- Keep it concise . Your cover letter should be succinct and to the point, typically no more than one page. Focus on the most compelling qualifications and experiences that directly support your application.
- Be professional . Maintain a professional tone and structure in your cover letter. Proofread it carefully to ensure there are no errors.
- Address any gaps or concerns . If there are gaps or concerns in your resume, such as employment gaps or a change in career direction, briefly address them in your cover letter. Explain any relevant circumstances and how they have shaped your qualifications and determination.
- Provide a call to action . Conclude your cover letter with a call to action, inviting the employer to contact you for further discussion. Mention that you've attached your resume for their reference.
- Follow the correct format . Use a standard cover letter format like the one above, including your contact information, a formal salutation, introductory and closing paragraphs, and your signature. Ensure that it complements your resume without redundancy.
- Pick the right voice and tone . Try to write like yourself, but adapt to the tone and voice of the company. Look at the job listing, company website, and social media posts. Do they sound fun and quirky, stoic and professional, or somewhere in-between? This guides your writing style.
- Tell your story . Youâre an individual with unique expertise, motivators, and years of experience. Tie the pieces together with a great story. Introduce how you arrived at this point in your career, where you hope to go , and how this prospective company fits in your journey. You can also explain any career changes in your resume.
- Show, donât tell . Anyone can say theyâre a problem solver. Why should a recruiter take their word for it if they donât back it up with examples? Instead of naming your skills, show them in action. Describe situations where you rose to the task, and quantify your success when you can.
- Be honest . Avoid highlighting skills you donât have. This will backfire if they ask you about them in an interview. Instead, shift focus to the ways in which you stand out.
- Avoid clichés and bullet points . These are signs of lazy writing. Do your best to be original from the first paragraph to the final one. This highlights your individuality and demonstrates the care you put into the letter.
- Proofread . Always spellcheck your cover letter. Look for typos, grammatical errors, and proper flow. We suggest reading it out loud. If it sounds natural rolling off the tongue, it will read naturally as well.
Common cover letter writing FAQs
How long should a cover letter be.
A cover letter should generally be concise and to the point. It is recommended to keep it to one page or less, focusing on the most relevant information that highlights your qualifications and fits the job requirements.
Should I include personal information in a cover letter?
While it's important to introduce yourself and provide your contact information, avoid including personal details such as your age, marital status, or unrelated hobbies. Instead, focus on presenting your professional qualifications and aligning them with the job requirements.
Can I use the same cover letter for multiple job applications?
While it may be tempting to reuse a cover letter, it is best to tailor each cover letter to the specific job you are applying for. This allows you to highlight why you are a good fit for that particular role and show genuine interest in the company.
Do I need to address my cover letter to a specific person?
Whenever possible, it is advisable to address your cover letter to a specific person, such as the hiring manager or recruiter. If the job posting does not provide this information, try to research and find the appropriate contact. If all else fails, you can use a generic salutation such as "Dear Hiring Manager."
Should I include references in my cover letter?
It is generally not necessary to include references in your cover letter. Save this information for when the employer explicitly requests it. Instead, focus on showcasing your qualifications and achievements that make you a strong candidate for the position.
Itâs time to start writing your stand-out cover letter
The hardest part of writing is getting started.
Hopefully, our tips gave you some jumping-off points and confidence . But if youâre really stuck, looking at cover letter examples and resume templates will help you decide where to get started.
There are numerous sample cover letters available online. Just remember that youâre a unique, well-rounded person, and your cover letter should reflect that. Using our structure, you can tell your story while highlighting your passion for the role.
Doing your research, including strong examples of your skills, and being courteous is how to write a strong cover letter. Take a breath , flex your fingers, and get typing. Before you know it, your job search will lead to a job interview.
If you want more personalized guidance, a specialized career coach can help review, edit, and guide you through creating a great cover letter that sticks.
Ace your job search
Explore effective job search techniques, interview strategies, and ways to overcome job-related challenges. Our coaches specialize in helping you land your dream job.
Elizabeth Perry, ACC
Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.
3 cover letter examples to help you catch a hiring managerâs attention
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How to Write a Cover Letter [Full Guide & Examples for 2024]
After weeks of heavy job searching, youâre almost there!
Youâve perfected your resume.
Youâve short-listed the coolest jobs you want to apply for.
Youâve even had a friend train you for every single interview question out there.
But then, before you can send in your application and call it a day, you remember that you need to write a cover letter too.
So now, youâre stuck staring at a blank page, wondering where to start...
Donât panic! Weâve got you covered. Writing a cover letter is a lot simpler than you might think.Â
In this guide, weâre going to teach you how to write a cover letter that gets you the job you deserve.
We're going to cover:
What Is a Cover Letter?
- How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter, Step by Step
- 15+ Job-Winning Cover Letter Examples
Letâs get started.
A cover letter is a document that you submit as part of your job application, alongside your resume or CV.
The purpose of a cover letter is to introduce you and briefly summarize your professional background. On average, it should be around 250 to 400 words long .
A good cover letter is supposed to impress the hiring manager and convince them youâre worth interviewing as a candidate.
So, how can your cover letter achieve this?
First of all, it should complement your resume, not copy it. Your cover letter is your chance to elaborate on important achievements, skills, or anything else that your resume doesnât give you the space to cover.Â
For example, if you have an employment gap on your resume, the cover letter is a great place to explain why it happened and how it helped you grow as a person.Â
If this is your first time writing a cover letter, writing about yourself might seem complicated. But donât worryâyou donât need to be super creative or even a good writer .
All you have to do is follow this tried and tested cover letter structure:
- Header. Add all the necessary contact information at the top of your cover letter.
- Formal greeting. Choose an appropriate way to greet your target audience.
- Introduction. Introduce yourself in the opening paragraph and explain your interest in the role.
- Body. Elaborate on why youâre the best candidate for the job and a good match for the company. Focus on âsellingâ your skills, achievements, and relevant professional experiences.
- Conclusion. Summarize your key points and wrap it up professionally.
Now, letâs take a look at an example of a cover letter that follows our structure perfectly:
New to cover letter writing? Give our cover letter video a watch before diving into the article!
When Should You Write a Cover Letter?
You should always include a cover letter in your job application, even if the hiring manager never reads it. Submitting a cover letter is as important as submitting a resume if you want to look like a serious candidate.
If the employer requests a cover letter as part of the screening process, not sending one is a huge red flag and will probably get your application tossed into the ânoâ pile immediately.
On the other hand, if the job advertisement doesnât require a cover letter from the candidates, adding one shows you went the extra mile.
Putting in the effort to write a cover letter can set you apart from other candidates with similar professional experience and skills, and it could even sway the hiring manager to call you for an interview if you do it right.
Need to write a letter to help get you into a good school or volunteer program? Check out our guide to learn how to write a motivation letter !
How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter
Now that you know what a cover letter is, itâs time to learn how to write one!
Weâll go through the process in detail, step by step.
#1. Choose the Right Cover Letter Template
A good cover letter is all about leaving the right first impression.
So, whatâs a better way to leave a good impression than a well-formatted, stylish template?
Just choose one of our hand-picked cover letter templates , and youâll be all set in no time!
As a bonus, our intuitive AI will even give you suggestions on how to improve your cover letter as you write it. Youâll have the perfect cover letter done in minutes!
#2. Put Contact Information in the Header
As with a resume, itâs important toÂ
start your cover letter
 with your contact details at the top. These should be in your cover letterâs header, separated neatly from the bulk of your text.
Here, you want to include all the essential contact information , including:
- Full Name. Your first and last name should stand out at the top.
- Job Title. Match the professional title underneath your name to the exact job title of the position youâre applying for. Hiring managers often hire for several roles at once, so giving them this cue about what role youâre after helps things go smoother.
- Email Address. Always use a professional and easy-to-spell email address. Ideally, it should combine your first and last names.
- Phone Number. Add a number where the hiring manager can easily reach you.
- Location. Add your city and state/country, no need for more details.
- Relevant Links (optional). You can add links to websites or social media profiles that are relevant to your field. Examples include a LinkedIn profile , Github, or an online portfolio.
Then itâs time to add the recipientâs contact details, such as:
- Hiring Manager's Name. If you can find the name of the hiring manager, add it.
- Hiring Manager's Title. While thereâs no harm in writing âhiring manager,â if theyâre the head of the department, we recommend you use that title accordingly.
- Company Name. Make sure to write the name of the company you're applying to.
- Location. The city and state/country are usually enough information here, too.
- Date of Writing (Optional). You can include the date you wrote your cover letter for an extra professional touch.
#3. Address the Hiring Manager
Once youâve properly listed all the contact information, itâs time to start writing the content of the cover letter.
The first thing you need to do here is to address your cover letter directly to the hiring manager.
In fact, you want to address the hiring manager personally .
Forget the old âDear Sir or Madamâ or the impersonal âTo Whom It May Concern.â You want to give your future boss a good impression and show them that you did your research before sending in your application.
No one wants to hire a job seeker who just spams 20+ companies and hopes something sticks with their generic approach
So, how do you find out whoâs the hiring manager?
First, check the job ad. The hiring managerâs name might be listed somewhere in it.
If that doesnât work, check the companyâs LinkedIn page. You just need to look up the head of the relevant department youâre applying to, and youâre all set.
For example, if youâre applying for the position of Communication Specialist at NovorĂ©sumĂ©. The hiring manager is probably the Head of Communications or the Chief Communications Officer.
Hereâs what you should look for on LinkedIn:
And there you go! You have your hiring manager.
But letâs say youâre applying for a position as a server . In that case, youâd be looking for the ârestaurant managerâ or âfood and beverage manager.â
If the results donât come up with anything, try checking out the âTeamâ page on the company website; thereâs a good chance youâll at least find the right person there.
Make sure to address them as Mr. or Ms., followed by their last name. If youâre not sure about their gender or marital status, you can just stick to their full name, like so:
- Dear Mr. Kurtuy,
- Dear Andrei Kurtuy,
But what if you still canât find the hiring managerâs name, no matter where you look?
No worries. You can direct your cover letter to the company, department, or team as a whole, or just skip the hiring managerâs name.
- Dear [Department] Hiring Manager
- Dear Hiring Manager
- Dear [Department] Team
- Dear [Company Name]
Are you applying for a research position? Learn how to write an academic personal statement .
#4. Write an Eye-Catching Introduction
First impressions matter, especially when it comes to your job search.
Hiring managers get hundreds, sometimes even thousands, of applications. Chances are, theyâre not going to be reading every single cover letter end-to-end.
So, itâs essential to catch their attention from the very first paragraph.
The biggest problem with most opening paragraphs is that theyâre usually extremely generic. Hereâs an example:
- My name is Jonathan, and Iâd like to work as a Sales Manager at XYZ Inc. Iâve worked as a Sales Manager at MadeUpCompany Inc. for 5+ years, so I believe that Iâd be a good fit for the position.
See the issue here? This opening paragraph doesnât say anything except the fact that youâve worked the job before.
And do you know who else has similar work experience? All the other applicants youâre competing with.
Instead, you want to start with some of your top achievements to grab the readerâs attention. And to get the point across, the achievements should be as relevant as possible to the position.
Your opening paragraph should also show the hiring manager a bit about why you want this specific job. For example, mention how the job relates to your plans for the future or how it can help you grow professionally. This will show the hiring manager that youâre not just applying left and rightâyouâre actually enthusiastic about getting this particular role.
Now, letâs make our previous example shine:
Dear Mr. Smith,
My nameâs Michael, and Iâd like to help XYZ Inc. hit and exceed its sales goals as a Sales Manager. Iâve worked as a Sales Representative with Company X, another fin-tech company , for 3+ years, where I generated an average of $30,000+ in sales per month and beat the KPIs by around 40%. I believe that my previous industry experience, passion for finance , and excellence in sales make me the right candidate for the job.
The second candidate starts with what they can do for the company in the future and immediately lists an impressive and relevant achievement. Since theyâre experienced in the same industry and interested in finance, the hiring manager can see theyâre not just a random applicant.
From this introduction, itâs safe to say that the hiring manager would read the rest of this candidateâs cover letter.
#5. Use the Cover Letter Body for Details
The next part of your cover letter is where you can go into detail about what sets you apart as a qualified candidate for the job.
The main thing you need to remember here is that you shouldnât make it all about yourself . Your cover letter is supposed to show the hiring manager how you relate to the job and the company youâre applying to.
No matter how cool you make yourself sound in your cover letter, if you donât tailor it to match what the hiring manager is looking for, youâre not getting an interview.
To get this right, use the job ad as a reference when writing your cover letter. Make sure to highlight skills and achievements that match the job requirements, and youâre good to go.
Since this part of your cover letter is by far the longest, you should split it into at least two paragraphs.
Hereâs what each paragraph should cover:
Explain Why Youâre the Perfect Candidate for the Role
Before you can show the hiring manager that youâre exactly what theyâve been looking for, you need to know what it is theyâre looking for.
Start by doing a bit of research. Learn what the most important skills and responsibilities of the role are according to the job ad, and focus on any relevant experience you have that matches them.
For example, if youâre applying for the position of a Facebook Advertiser. The top requirements on the job ad are:
- Experience managing a Facebook ad budget of $10,000+ / month
- Some skills in advertising on other platforms (Google Search + Twitter)
- Excellent copywriting skills
So, in the body of your cover letter, you need to show how you meet these requirements. Hereâs an example of what that can look like:
In my previous role as a Facebook Marketing Expert at XYZ Inc. I handled customer acquisition through ads, managing a monthly Facebook ad budget of $40,000+ . As the sole digital marketer at the company, I managed the ad creation and management process end-to-end. I created the ad copy and images, picked the targeting, ran optimization trials, and so on.
Other than Facebook advertising, Iâve also delved into other online PPC channels, including:
- Google Search
Our example addresses all the necessary requirements and shows off the candidateâs relevant skills.
Are you a student applying for your first internship? Learn how to write an internship cover letter with our dedicated guide.
Explain Why Youâre a Good Fit for the Company
As skilled and experienced as you may be, thatâs not all the hiring manager is looking for.
They also want someone whoâs a good fit for their company and who actually wants to work there.
Employees who donât fit in with the company culture are likely to quit sooner or later. This ends up costing the company a ton of money, up to 50% of the employeeâs annual salary , so hiring managers vet candidates very carefully to avoid this scenario.
So, you have to convince the hiring manager that youâre passionate about working with them.
Start by doing some research about the company. You want to know things like:
- Whatâs the companyâs business model?
- Whatâs the companyâs product or service? Have you used it?
- Whatâs the companyâs culture like?
Chances are, youâll find all the information you need either on the company website or on job-search websites like Jobscan or Glassdoor.
Then, pick your favorite thing about the company and talk about it in your cover letter.
But donât just describe the company in its own words just to flatter them. Be super specificâthe hiring manager can see through any fluff.
For example, if youâre passionate about their product and you like the companyâs culture of innovation and independent work model, you can write something like:
Iâve personally used the XYZ Smartphone, and I believe that itâs the most innovative tech Iâve used in years. The features, such as Made-Up-Feature #1 and Made-Up-Feature #2, were real game changers for the device.
I really admire how Company XYZ strives for excellence in all its product lines, creating market-leading tech. As someone who thrives in a self-driven environment, I truly believe that Iâll be a great match for your Product Design team.
So, make sure to do your fair share of research and come up with good reasons why you're applying to that specific company.
Is the company you want to work for not hiring at the moment? Check out our guide to writing a letter of interest .
#6. Wrap It Up and Sign It
Finally, itâs time to conclude your cover letter.
In the final paragraph, you want to:
- Wrap up any points you couldn't make in the previous paragraphs. Do you have anything left to say? If thereâs any other information that could help the hiring manager make their decision, mention it here. If not, just recap your key selling points so far, such as key skills and expertise.
- Express gratitude. Politely thanking the hiring manager for their time is always a good idea.
- Finish the cover letter with a call to action. The very last sentence in your cover letter should be a call to action. This means you should ask the hiring manager to do something, like call you and discuss your application or arrange an interview.
- Remember to sign your cover letter. Just add a formal closing line and sign your name at the bottom.
Hereâs an example of how to end your cover letter :
I hope to help Company X make the most of their Facebook marketing initiatives. I'd love to further discuss how my previous success at XYZ Inc. can help you achieve your Facebook marketing goals. Please donât hesitate to reach out to me at the provided email address or phone number so that we may arrange an interview.
Thank you for your consideration,
Alice Richards
Feel free to use one of these other popular closing lines for your cover letter:
- Best Regards,
- Kind Regards,
Cover Letter Writing Checklist
Once youâre done with your cover letter, itâs time to check if it meets all industry requirements.Â
Give our handy cover letter writing checklist a look to make sure:
Does your cover letter heading include all essential information?
- Professional Email
- Phone Number
- Relevant Links
Do you address the right person?Â
- The hiring manager in the company
- Your future direct supervisor
- The company/department in general
Does your introductory paragraph grab the reader's attention?
- Did you mention some of your top achievements?
- Did you use numbers and facts to back up your experience?
- Did you convey enthusiasm for the specific role?
Do you show that youâre the right candidate for the job?
- Did you identify the core requirements for the role?
- Did you show how your experiences helped you fit the requirements perfectly?
Do you convince the hiring manager that youâre passionate about the company youâre applying to?
- Did you identify the top 3 things that you like about the company?
- Did you avoid generic reasons for explaining your interest in the company?
Did you conclude your cover letter properly?
- Did you recap your key selling points in the conclusion?
- Did you end your cover letter with a call to action?
- Did you use the right formal closing line and sign your name?
15 Cover Letter Tips
Now youâre all set to write your cover letter!Â
Before you start typing, here are some cover letter tips to help take your cover letter to the next level:
- Customize Your Cover Letter for Each Job. Make sure your cover letter is tailored to the job you're applying for. This shows you're not just sending generic applications left and right, and it tells the hiring manager youâre the right person for the job.
- Showcase Your Skills. Talk about how your skills meet the companyâs needs. And while your hard skills should be front and center, you shouldnât underestimate your soft skills in your cover letter either.
- Avoid Fluff. Donât make any generic statements you canât back up. The hiring manager can tell when youâre just throwing words around, and it doesnât make your cover letter look good.
- Use Specific Examples. Instead of saying you're great at something, give an actual example to back up your claim. Any data you can provide makes you sound more credible, so quantify your achievements. For example, give numbers such as percentages related to your performance and the timeframe it took to accomplish certain achievements.
- Research the Company. Always take time to learn about the company you're applying to. Make sure to mention something about them in your cover letter to show the hiring manager that you're interested.
- Follow the Application Instructions. If the job posting asks for something specific in your cover letter or requires a certain format, make sure you include it. Not following instructions can come off as unattentive or signal to the hiring manager that youâre not taking the job seriously.
- Use the Right Template and Format. Choose the right cover letter format and adapt your cover letterâs look to the industry youâre applying for. For example, if youâre aiming for a job in Law or Finance, you should go for a cleaner, more professional look. But if youâre applying for a field that values innovation, like IT or Design, you have more room for creativity.
- Express Your Enthusiasm. Let the hiring manager know why you're excited about the job. Your passion for the specific role or the field in general can be a big selling point, and show them that youâre genuinely interested, not just applying left and right.
- Address Any Gaps. If there are any employment gaps in your resume , your cover letter is a great place to mention why. Your resume doesnât give you enough space to elaborate on an employment gap, so addressing it here can set hiring managers at easeâlife happens, and employers understand.
- Avoid Quirky Emails. Your email address should be presentable. Itâs hard for a hiring manager to take you seriously if your email address is â[email protected].â Just use a [email protected] format.
- Check Your Contact Information. Typos in your email address or phone number can mean a missed opportunity. Double-check these before sending your application.
- Mention if You Want to Relocate. If youâre looking for a job that lets you move somewhere else, specify this in your cover letter.
- Keep It Brief. You want to keep your cover letter short and sweet. Hiring managers donât have time to read a novel, so if you go over one page, they simply wonât read it at all.
- Use a Professional Tone. Even though a conversational tone isnât a bad thing, remember that it's still a formal document. Show professionalism in your cover letter by keeping slang, jargon, and emojis out of it.
- Proofread Carefully. Typos and grammar mistakes are a huge deal-breaker. Use a tool like Grammarly or QuillBot to double-check your spelling and grammar, or even get a friend to check it for you.
15+ Cover Letter Examples
Need some inspiration? Check out some perfect cover letter examples for different experience levels and various professions.
5+ Cover Letter Examples by Experience
#1. college student cover letter example.
Check out our full guide to writing a college student cover letter here.
#2. Middle Management Cover Letter Example
Check out our full guide to writing a project manager cover letter here.
#3. Team Leader Cover Letter Example
Check out our full guide to writing a team leader cover letter here.
#4. Career Change Cover Letter Example
Check out our full guide to a career change resume and cover letter here.
#5. Management Cover Letter Example
Check out our full guide to writing a management cover letter here.
#6. Senior Executive Cover Letter Example
Check out our full guide to writing an executive resume here.
9+ Cover Letter Examples by Profession
#1. it cover letter example.
Check out our full guide to writing an IT cover letter here.
#2. Consultant Cover Letter Example
Check out our full guide to writing a consultant cover letter here.
#3. Human Resources Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a human resources cover letter here.
#4. Business Cover Letter Example
Check out our full guide to writing a business cover letter here.
#5. Sales Cover Letter Example
Check out our full guide to writing a sales cover letter here.
#6. Social Worker Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a social worker cover letter here.
#7. Lawyer Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing a lawyer cover letter here.
#8. Administrative Assistant Cover Letter
Check out our full guide to writing an administrative assistant cover letter here.
#9. Engineering Cover Letter Example
Check out our full guide to writing an engineer cover letter here.
#10. Receptionist Cover Letter Example
Check out our full guide to writing a receptionist cover letter here.
Need more inspiration? Check out these cover letter examples to learn what makes them stand out.
Plug & Play Cover Letter Template
Not sure how to start your cover letter? Donât worry!
Just copy and paste our free cover letter template into the cover letter builder, and swap out the blanks for your details.
[Your Full Name]
[Your Profession]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Location]
[Your LinkedIn Profile URL (optional)]
[Your Personal Website URL (optional)]
[Recipient's Name, e.g., Jane Doe],
[Recipient's Position, e.g., Hiring Manager]
[Company Name, e.g., ABC Corporation]
[Company Address]
[City, State/Country]
Dear [Recipient's Name],
As a seasoned [Your Profession] with [Number of Years of Experience] years of industry experience, I am eager to express my interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. With my experience in [Your Industry/Sector] and the successes I've achieved throughout my education and career, I believe I can bring unique value and creativity to your team.
In my current role as [Your Current Job Title], I've taken the lead on more than [Number of Projects/Assignments] projects, some valued up to $[Highest Project Value]. I pride myself on consistently exceeding client expectations and have successfully [Mention a Key Achievement] in just a [Amount of Time] through [Skill] and [Skill].
I've collaborated with various professionals, such as [List Roles], ensuring that all [projects/tasks] meet [relevant standards or objectives]. This hands-on experience, coupled with my dedication to understanding each [client's/customer's] vision, has equipped me to navigate and deliver on complex projects.
My key strengths include:
- Improving [Achievement] by [%] over [Amount of Time] which resulted in [Quantified Result].
- Optimizing [Work Process/Responsibility] which saved [Previous Employer] [Amount of Time/Budget/Other Metric] over [Weeks/Months/Years]
- Spearheading team of [Number of People] to [Task] and achieving [Quantified Result].
Alongside this letter, I've attached my resume. My educational background, a [Your Degree] with a concentration in [Your Specialization], complements the practical skills that I'm particularly eager to share with [Company Name].
I'm excited about the possibility of contributing to [Something Notable About the Company or Its Mission]. I'd be grateful for the chance to delve deeper into how my expertise aligns with your needs.
Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
The Heart of Your Job Search - Creating a Killer Resume
Your cover letter is only as good as your resume. If either one is weak, your entire application falls through.
After all, your cover letter is meant to complement your resume. Imagine going through all this effort to leave an amazing first impression in your cover letter, only for the hiring manager to never read it because your resume was mediocre.
But donât worry; weâve got you covered here, too.
Check out our dedicated guide on how to make a resume and learn everything you need to know to land your dream job!
Just pick one of our resume templates and start writing your own job-winning resume.
Key Takeaways
Now that weâve walked you through all the steps of writing a cover letter, letâs summarize everything weâve learned:
- A cover letter is a 250 - 400 word document thatâs meant to convince the hiring manager that youâre the best candidate for the job.
- Your job application should always include a cover letter alongside your resume.
- To grab the hiring managerâs attention, write a strong opening paragraph. Mention who you are, why youâre applying, and a standout achievement to pique their interest.
- Your cover letter should focus on why youâre the perfect candidate for the job and why youâre passionate about working in this specific company.
- Use the body of your cover letter to provide details on your skills, achievements, and qualifications, as well as make sure to convey your enthusiasm throughout your whole cover letter.
- Recap your key selling points towards the end of your cover letter, and end it with a formal closing line and your full name signed underneath.
At NovorĂ©sumĂ©, weâre committed to helping you get the job you deserve every step of the way!Â
Follow our career blog for more valuable advice, or check out some of our top guides, such as:
- How to Make a Resume in 2024 | Beginner's Guide
- How to Write a CV (Curriculum Vitae) in 2024 [31+ Examples]
- 35+ Job Interview Questions and Answers [Full List]
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The 23 Best Cover Letter Examples: What They Got Right
Published: December 14, 2023
I've sent plenty of cover letters throughout my career, so I know it isn't usually fun to write one. Fortunately, the cover letter examples I painstakingly gathered below show that itâs possible to have a little fun with your job search â and maybe even make yourself a better candidate in the process.
I was shocked upon learning 45% of job seekers don't include a cover letter when applying for a job. I definitely don't recommend following the crowd on this matter because your cover letter is a chance to tell the stories your resume only outlines.
It's an opportunity for you to highlight your creativity at the earliest stage of the recruitment process.
Are you ready to showcase your unique skills and experience? Or are you looking for more tips and cover letter inspiration?
Keep reading for 20+ cover letter examples, then check out tips for cover letter formatting and what makes a cover letter great .
5 Free Cover Letter Templates
Five fill-in-the-blank cover letter templates to help you impress recruiters.
- Standard Cover Letter Template
- Entry-Level Cover Letter Template
- Data-Driven Cover Letter Template
You're all set!
Click this link to access this resource at any time.
Cover Letter Examples
- Standard Cover Letter Example
- Data-Driven Cover Letter Sample
- Entry-Level Cover Letter Example
- The Cover Letter That Explains 'Why,' Not Just 'How'
- The 'We're Meant for Each Other' Cover Letter
- The Cover Letter with H.E.A.R.T.
- Short-and-Sweet Cover Letter Example
- The Short Story
- The Bare Bones Cover Letter
- The Breezy Follow-Up
- The Administrative Assistant Cover Letter
- The Internship Cover Letter
- The Brutally Honest Cover Letter
- The Pivot Cover Letter
- The Graphic Design Cover Letter
- Consulting Internship Cover Letter Example
- Nonprofit Referral Cover Letter Example
- General Email Inquiry Cover Letter Example
- Post-Phone-Call Cover Letter Example
- Mission-Driven Graduate Cover Letter Example
- Short Recommendation Cover Letter Example
- Professor or Research Position Cover Letter Example
- Director Cover Letter Example
- Editorial Cover Letter Example
- Promotion Cover Letter Example
- Law Cover Letter Example
Customizable Cover Letter Examples
In a hurry for a cover letter example you can download and customize? Check out the ones below from HubSpotâs cover letter template kit .
1. Standard Cover Letter Example
Download a Customizable Copy of This Cover Letter Example
This standard cover letter is among my favorite approaches because it hits all the right notes: It includes a space to give a brief summary of your experience, as well as a space to delve in-depth into the specific responsibilities of your current role.
You also have the chance to describe the challenges youâve mastered in previous roles, showing that youâre capable of facing any problem that comes your way.
Why I Love It
I love this cover letter because it allows you to describe the high points of your career while still being professional, personalized, and succinct.
2. Data-Driven Cover Letter Sample
Numbers are worth a million words â or thatâs how I think the saying should go (if only we could include pictures in cover letters).
Citing data and statistics about your achievements at your current company is an assured way to capture a hiring managerâs attention.
Over the years, I've learned most hiring managers donât read the entire letter, so a bulleted summary of your achievements can be a powerful way to increase the effectiveness and scannability of your message.
I love this cover letter because itâs adaptable to any role. Even if you donât work in a data-centric role, you can include any enumerable achievement.
If I worked in a creative industry, for instance, I could include the number of creative assets you designed for your current company.
3. Entry-Level Cover Letter Example
Many of us have had "first job jitters" (that's what I'm calling it) when applying for our first career opportunity.
However, my experience taught me to increase my chances of getting that first interview by including a cover letter that explains how my education can help me succeed in the role I applied for.
In fact, HubSpot staff writer Erica Santiago says highlighting her education was key to snagging her first role out of college.
"When I graduated from journalism school, I only had a couple of internships under my belt and maybe some writing clips â not enough to compete with most young professionals with more experience," she recalls.
"So, I highlighted the classes I took such as 'News Reporting and Writing' or 'Electronic News Gathering," she says, "And I explained the assignments I did and how they gave me real-world experience in interviewing and reporting."
She says that's how she got her first job as a digital journalist for WSVN in Miami.
If you need help understanding how to highlight your education in a cover letter, look no further than this example from HubSpot.
While other cover letter samples give experienced professionals the opportunity to share their experience at length, this one gives you the chance to describe your personal and professional attributes.
You can then convey how you can use your knowledge to help your target company reach its goals.
I love this cover letter because itâs easy and simple to use for a student who has little experience in their target industry â including those who havenât yet completed an internship.
Looking for more? Download the entire kit below.
5 Professional Cover Letter Templates
Fill out the form to access your templates., best cover letter examples.
What does a good cover letter look like in practice, and how can you make yours stand out? I found six examples from job seekers who decided to do things a bit differently.
Note: Some of these cover letters include real company names and NSFW language that I've covered up.
1. The Cover Letter That Explains 'Why,' Not Just 'How'
You may already know how to talk about how youâll best execute a certain role in your cover letter. But thereâs another question you might want to answer: Why the heck do you want to work here?
The Muse , a career guidance site, says that itâs often best to lead with the why â especially if it makes a good story.
I advise against blathering on and on, but a brief tale that illuminates your desire to work for that particular employer can really make you stand out.
Image Source
Hereâs another instance of the power of personalization.
The author of this cover letter clearly has a passion for this prospective employer â the Chicago Cubs â and if sheâs lying about it, well, I'm sure that would eventually be revealed in an interview.
Make sure your story is nonfiction and relatable according to each job. While I love a good tale of childhood baseball games, an introduction like this one probably wouldnât be fitting in a cover letter for, say, a software company.
But a story of how the hours you spent playing with DOS games as a kid led to your passion for coding? Sure, Iâd find that fitting.
If youâre really passionate about a particular job opening, think about where that deep interest is rooted. Then, tell your hiring manager about it in a few sentences.
Why This Is A Great Cover Letter
This example shows how effective personalization can be. The writer is passionate about the employer, drawing from her own childhood experience to communicate her enthusiasm.
Further reading: Sales Cover Letter Tips
2. The 'We're Meant for Each Other' Cover Letter
This cover letter example is a special one because it was submitted to us here at HubSpot. What does the letter do well? It makes a connection with us before we've even met the letter's author.
"Content Marketing Certified" shows the applicant has taken the content marketing certification course in our HubSpot Academy (you can take the same course here ).
Our "records" indicate he/she did indeed give an interview with us before â and was a HubSpot customer.
The cover letter sang references to a relationship we didn't even know we had with the candidate.
The letter ends with a charming pitch for why, despite him/her not getting hired previously, our interests complement each other this time around.
(Yes, the applicant was hired).
This cover letter example does an excellent job of building rapport with the employer. Despite not getting hired for previous roles they applied for at HubSpot, the writer conveys exactly why they are right for this role.
Read more: Customer Service Cover Letter Tips
3. The Cover Letter with H.E.A.R.T.
HubSpot has a lot of H.E.A.R.T. â Humble, Empathetic, Adaptable, Remarkable, Transparent.
Our Culture Code is the foundation of the company's culture, the driving force behind our mission to help millions grow better , and serves as the scaffolding for our hiring practices.
Recruiters at HubSpot look for applicants that demonstrate how they embody the Culture Code and job description, paying extra attention to cover letters that are super custom to HubSpot.
In another HubSpot submission, a HubSpot applicant writes about how she found out about HubSpot, why she likes the company, and how her professional experience aligns with H.E.A.R.T.
HubSpot's recruiting team was impressed with her dedication to the company and how she went beyond what was asked for by linking her portfolio in her closing paragraph.
Featured Resource: 5 Free Cover Letter Templates
Download our collection of 5 professional cover letter templates to help you summarize your professional journey and land your dream job â whether it's at your first or fifth company.
Short Cover Letter Examples
4. the short-and-sweet cover letter.
In 2009, David Silverman penned an article for Harvard Business Review titled, " The Best Cover Letter I Ever Received. " That letter has three complete sentences, as follows:
One might argue that this particular letter is less than outstanding, and I'll also admit it's an older example.
Itâs brief, to say the least, and the author doesnât go into a ton of detail about what makes him or her qualified for the job in question.
But thatâs what Silverman likes about it â the fact that the applicant only included the pieces of information that would matter the most to the recipient.
"The writer of this letter took the time to think through what would be relevant to me," writes Silverman. "Instead of scattering lots of facts in hopes that one was relevant, the candidate offered up an opinion as to which experiences I should focus on."
When you apply for a job, start by determining two things:
- Who might oversee the role â thatâs often included in the description, under "reports to." Address your letter to that individual.
- Figure out what problems this role is meant to solve for that person. Then, concisely phrase in your cover letter how and why your experience can and will resolve those problems.
The key to this standout cover letter is research.
By looking into who youâll be reporting to and learning more about that personâs leadership style, youâll be better prepared to tailor your cover letter to focus on how you can create solutions for them.
Read here for more tips on how to land your dream job .
5. The Short Story
Basha Coleman began her cover letter with a short story. The goal of this short story is two-fold:
- Detail the experience she already has with the organization.
- Stand out to the hiring team.
I notice her short story follows a typical narrative arc: It has a conflict/obstacle, a turning point, and a positive outcome, all created with a goal to emphasize a theme or point.
In this case, Coleman is emphasizing her existing affinity with the brand and her triumphs within the program so that she can continue on her career path.
Like the second example in our list, this cover letter does an excellent job of conveying the applicantâs existing affinity for the brand. If you are applying to a company you love, donât be shy about showing it and explaining why.
6. The Bare Bones Cover Letter
In today's job market, cover letters aren't always necessary. Even though many recruiters won't ask for or even read them, cover letters can still be effective and convey personality to a reader.
Writing a strong cover letter can help you better convey your interest in the position and company.
This template from The Balance Careers puts together the essential components of a short cover letter: excitement about the position, your qualifications, and a call-to-action for the recruiter to follow up with you.
Combining these central aspects in a well-written, compelling narrative will go a long way in convincing readers to hire you.
This letter is organized and concise. The inclusion of bullet points to highlight key skills and help the recruiter skim the document is a nice touch.
Check out this post for more useful cover letter tips .
7. The Breezy Follow-Up
In this cover letter, Amanda Edens is following the instructions the hiring manager gave by forwarding an email with resume and writing samples attached.
This short cover letter is the result. I especially admire how she uses casual and breezy language to convey personality and enthusiasm, and she keeps her paragraphs succinct.
Not only does Amanda include links to relevant writing samples that are live on the web, but she also closes with a strong final paragraph that:
- Summarizes the expertise she has relevant to the posting
- Emphasizes that she doesn't want to simply get a job but rather help the organization accomplish their goals
- The reader gets everything they need in an organized and thoughtful manner.
8. The Administrative Assistant Cover Letter
In this cover letter the candidate, Michelle, plays up her prior music industry experience to build a connection with Epic Music Group. If you have specific industry experience for the role you are applying for, be sure to highlight that.
Itâs clear that sheâs passionate about not only the music industry, but Epic as a whole.
Sheâs done so much research on the company that she knows what software programs they use, and happens to be proficient in it to help convey value to the hiring manager.
This example further illustrates the importance of research.
Make sure you understand the culture of the company to which youâre applying before you send a completely unfiltered cover letter â if you donât, thereâs a good chance itâll completely miss the mark.
In just three short paragraphs, the applicant uses their company research to drive home why they are the perfect fit for the role â emphasizing industry experience as well as software knowledge specific to the company.
All of this communicates that sheâd be able to start with very few hiccups while getting up to speed.
Further reading: 15 Cover Letter Templates
9. The Internship Cover Letter
Maybe youâre just getting started in your career and looking to land the right internship to gain experience in your field.
In this case, youâll need to highlight more of your educational background and transferable skills since you wonât have as much professional experience to highlight.
The cover letter above is a great example of how to emphasize your skills and accomplishments when applying to internships or entry-level positions. A few things the applicant does well:
- Highlights relevant extracurriculars and affinity networks. In this case, the applicant is applying for a business analyst position, so mentioning their involvement in a FinTech group makes sense.
- Previous internships in relevant fields: Our applicant points out that theyâve interned as a Business Analyst at another firm. Pointing out that theyâve done the role before will help make their case for fit.
- Highlight other useful skills: This applicant is fluent in both English and German. If an international company or an organization needs bilingual support, knowing multiple languages is an asset.
This cover letter example illustrates how you can leverage your education and background to get the gig even when you donât have much working experience. Highlighting previous internships or experience in related fields can go a long way in convincing hiring managers youâre the perfect candidate for the role.
Further reading for recent graduates:
- How to Find a Job After College
- Writing a Cover Letter for an Internship
Creative Cover Letter Examples
10. the brutally honest cover letter.
Then, there are the occasions when your future boss might appreciate honesty â in its purest form.
Former Livestream CEO Jesse Hertzberg, by his own admission, is one of those people, which might be why he called this example " the best cover letter " (which he received while he was with Squarespace):
As Hertzberg says in the blog post elaborating on this excerpt â itâs not appropriate for every job or company.
But if you happen to be sure that the corporate culture of this prospective employer gets a kick out of a complete lack of filter, then thereâs a chance that the hiring manager might appreciate your candor.
"Remember that I'm reading these all day long," Hertzberg writes. "You need to quickly convince me I should keep reading. You need to stand out."
The applicant did their research on the companyâs culture and executed this cover letter flawlessly. Itâs funny and shows off the applicantâs personality all while making it clear why they are a good fit for the role.
Further reading:
- How to Stand Out and Get Hired at Your Dream Company
- How to Find Your Dream Job
11. The Pivot Cover Letter
Making a career switch? Your cover letter can be an excellent opportunity for you to explain the reasoning behind your career change and how your transferable skills qualify you for the role.
Itâs clean but effective.
Since the role she is applying for is more visual, itâs important to both show and tell why youâre a good fit.
This cover letter strikes the perfect balance between creativity and simplicity in design while putting the applicant's career change into context.
The copy is clean, with a creative font choice that isnât distracting from the content, but still demonstrates the applicantâs knack for design.
12. The Graphic Design Cover Letter
When applying for more creative roles, the design of your cover letter can say just as much as the words on the page. Take the graphic designer letter example below.
Itâs got so much going for it:
- Pop of color
- Clean layout
- Interesting fonts
Besides the style elements, this example also doesnât skimp on the key skills recruiters are looking for. Using metrics, the applicant proves their value and why they would be a great fit.
This cover letter thoroughly conveys the applicantâs skills and qualifications using a variety of visual elements and emphasizing their greatest achievements.
Pro tip: If you're applying for a graphic design job, share a link to your graphic design portfolio website , even if it's not an application requirement.
Job Cover Letter Examples
Next up, letâs go over some classic cover letter examples for jobs, especially if youâre applying to internships or only have a few years of experience.
The below cover letters follow the golden rules and donât deviate too much from the standard â which is ideal if youâre applying to positions in more traditional industries.
13. Consulting Internship Cover Letter Example
Many internship applicants are early on in their careers or are still in college. That means theyâve yet to gather enough experience to offer tangible proof of their ability to do the job.
That means that a cover letter is the place where an internship applicant can shine.
This cover letter example highlights the applicantâs skills in a bullet-point format. That makes it easier for an overburdened hiring manager to get the essence of her points, quickly, if theyâre only skimming cover letters.
Not only that, but this applicant personalized the letter in every single sentence. She shares information about her prior conversations with some of the companyâs employees and mentions the companyâs name at every turn.
While she only has one prior consulting job, she deftly mentions the skills she developed in that role and ties them into her desired position at Quantcast Product Group.
This cover letter example does a fantastic job advertising the applicantâs soft skills in a highly scannable format â while still going heavy on the personalization.
Donât be shy to lightly play with formatting to get your point across and to imbue the letter with your passion for a company.
14. Nonprofit Referral Cover Letter Example
This cover letter example for a nonprofit job hits the ground running by right away inserting the name of one of the nonprofitâs Superintendents.
Thatâs an excellent way to get a recruiterâs attention and make you stand out from the slush pile, even if youâre only just out of school, as is the case for this applicant.
If youâve received an internal recommendation for a position, youâd be wise to open your letter with that information. Donât worry about it feeling too stilted or strange â remember, hiring managers only skim letters.
Your goal is to make sure they get information about you that they otherwise wonât get from your resume.
With only three full paragraphs, this cover letter example is short, sweet, and to the point. No time is wasted, and it also goes over the critical basics, such as skills and experience.
This nonprofit cover letter includes a recommendation from an internal employee at the target organization, making it more likely to stand out from the slush pile.
I also love that it doesnât skimp on the basics, such as skills, enthusiasm, and experience.
15. General Email Inquiry Cover Letter Example
Even if a job opportunity isnât available at an organization yet, it doesnât mean that there wonât be. You can always send a general inquiry cover letter, like the one in this example.
This email cover letter for a political campaign internship is short and sweet, but includes the critical information the campaign coordinator needs to consider the applicant for any new positions that may open up.
The best part about this cover letter is that it can be easily customized from one political campaign employer to the next.
While it does include a level of personalization, itâs brief and can be easily changed to address the specific political candidate.
When sending general inquiries like this one, itâs essential to make the personalization aspect as pain-free as possible for yourself. That may mean including only one sentence or two, knowing that a general inquiry might not be replied to.
Setting up customized email signatures is also highly recommended. They should include your name, job title, and ideally links to your website or social accounts as well as your headshot.
These add a professional touch and help you stand out from other cover letters in the recipientâs inbox. At the same time, the headshot makes you easier to remember in case a job position becomes available, while the website or social links allow recruiters to learn more relevant details about you.
This email cover letter example hits all the right notes while keeping it brief and to-the-point. While we donât recommend choosing this format for a formal cover letter, it works if youâre sending a general inquiry to an employer over email.
Itâs also a good example to follow if youâre still in college or have very little experience.
Read more: How to Write a Letter of Interest
16. Post-Phone-Call Cover Letter Example
If you get a phone call from a potential employer and they invite you to send your resume, pat yourself on the back â that is such a win. In your cover letter, be sure to mention that right away, like this example does.
A hiring manager or an executive at a company likely has a lot of tasks on their plate, which means that they may forget about your call from one week to the next.
That is totally okay, which is why this example starts with a reminder that the applicant and the letter recipient spoke back on January 31st. It also has a few more details about why they started speaking in the first place.
Aside from leveraging the phone call thatâs already occurred, this cover letter also does an excellent job explaining why the applicant is an ideal choice for the job.
It goes into detail about skills and previous experience with a high level of enthusiasm, and includes a promise to follow up at the end.
This cover letter example includes two things that will immediately draw my attention: A phone call theyâve already had, and a mutual contact at their organization.
The job and internship search can be grueling; never be afraid to use everything you have at your disposal to improve your standing over other applicants.
Read more: How to Start a Cover Letter
17. Mission-Driven Graduate Cover Letter Example
This cover letter example from a recent B.A. graduate wowed me from the first sentence.
The applicant right away explains her attained degree and her specific career interests, then dives into the aspects of her experience that make her such a great candidate.
It's so personalized to the employerâs own mission that itâs difficult to stop reading it.
Even if the hiring manager isnât a science or health professional, they would be able to effectively gauge the applicantâs suitability for the role by the expertise she shows in her cover letter alone.
The applicant explains at length why sheâs excited to work for that specific hospital. The organization serves Aboriginal populations, which aligns with her own values and research interests.
In the last paragraph, she summarizes what she knows about the employer in one sentence, then describes how each of her experiences supports the employerâs mission.
That is an exceedingly clever and meaningful way to align yourself with an organization at a deeper level.
If youâre applying to a mission-driven organization, donât be shy about showing your excitement and expertise. You donât need a lot of experience to show that your values align with those of your target organization.
This cover letter example is especially good inspiration if youâre making a career change, have only just a few internships under your belt, or are graduating from college.
18. Short Recommendation Cover Letter Example
Referral or recommendation cover letters donât need to be too long, and this is a great example of that. It immediately leverages a mutual connection at the company.
The mutual connection recommended that the applicant contact the hiring manager for a role, which is a piece of information I always recommend you frontload in your letter.
This specific cover letter comes from an applicant with little experience, making it a good example to follow if youâre switching careers or just out of college.
Instead of talking about their experience, the applicant uses anecdotal evidence to convey their enthusiasm for working at that company.
The writer also goes over their most salient skills, such as being able to speak multiple languages. They also explain how their degree directly applies to the target role.
I love that the candidate highlights their leadership abilities and makes that an effective selling point for being hired.
This cover letter doesnât go on for too long, which we love. Itâs simple and sweet and provides all the information the hiring manager needs to look more closely at the applicantâs resume and make an interviewing decision.
19. Professor or Research Position Cover Letter Example
Academic or research position cover letters might require a little more information than the typical cover letter â and this is one such example. Why is it okay to go a little longer?
Because the letter is not only a way to supplement the PhD candidateâs academic CV, but to provide a writing sample for the search committee.
I love this cover letter because it expresses the candidateâs enthusiasm for teaching and explains her instructional ethos, such as providing out-of-the-classroom opportunities, championing communication, and encouraging students to step out of their comfort zone.
The applicant also suggests courses she may be able to teach at the target institution, and expresses her interest in developing new courses as needed.
She also suggests how she can enhance the collegeâs extracurricular programming by offering study abroad courses, which shows not just an interest in teaching but adding to the schoolâs overall culture.
While this letter goes for a little longer than recommended, it serves as a fantastic writing sample and explains the applicantâs research background at length.
If youâre applying to academic or research roles, donât be afraid to go into detail about what most excites you in terms of research interests.
20. Director Cover Letter Example
This cover letter example â for a Director of Catering position at a university â doesnât waste any time.
The applicant right away says that theyâre a strong candidate for the role, then jumps right into three salient qualifications that make him a great fit.
I love how the applicant uses bullet points and bold text to guide an overburdened hiring manager through the cover letter â and to give them permission to scan it, if needed.
If the hiring manager would like more information or actual examples of the skills, they merely need to read the rest of the bullet point paragraph.
As mentioned, light formatting can be beneficial to your cover letter, as it draws the recruiterâs eyes and prevents them from having to fish for the information theyâre looking for.
This short, sweet cover letter includes the critical information a hiring manager or high-level executive needs to make an interview decision.
I love the use of formatting that doesnât stray too much from regular cover letter conventions, and I like that the applicant kept all other paragraphs extremely brief.
21. Editorial Cover Letter Example
Applying for an editorial or journalistic position? Like a cover letter example I shared earlier, you can take a more storytelling approach to capture the hiring managerâs attention.
This cover letter example does that effectively by telling an anecdote that directly mentions the newspaper where theyâd like to work.
This immediately draws the reader in and tells them that this application isnât random at all; the applicant would like to work at the newspaper because theyâve read it every morning.
Not only that, but they have a favorite reporter on the newspaperâs staff. The applicant then jumps into the specific reason they want to take an editorial position at the Baltimore Sun.
The cover letter includes all pertinent information, such as how previous positions have equipped the applicant to take on this job. It closes with enthusiasm after keeping the reader rapt every step of the way.
The applicant uses storytelling to â you guessed it â apply for a position that needs storytelling skills. If youâre applying for a data-driven position or a graphic design position, why not showcase those skills in the cover letter itself?
I like that this letter doesnât diverge too much from cover letter conventions while still differentiating itself.
22. Promotion Cover Letter Example
In this cover letter example, the applicant already works for the employer and wishes to apply for the next position to move up in their career.
I like that the letter cites the applicantâs extensive knowledge of the organization, which will no doubt give them an advantage over external applicants.
Not only that, but the applicant also references their experience before they started working at the employer and uses that information to make their candidacy even more desirable.
Lastly, this letter includes a healthy level of enthusiasm for the university and the position â something that is never extra in a cover letter.
This cover letter example does an excellent job showing the candidateâs knowledge of their current organization while stating why theyâre a natural fit for the promotion.
Plus, the letter includes information on the applicantâs relevant activities outside of work â if youâre involved in any organizations that might help you do your job better, be sure to include them.
23. Law Cover Letter Example
This law cover letter example jumps right into personalization, a bold move that will serve you well if youâre genuinely interested in a company and want to stand out.
The applicant cites the recipientâs recent article on bond litigation, then ties that into the role theyâd like to get at the law firm.
The applicant then goes into his skills and the feedback heâs received from past managers. This is an excellent way to introduce your skills without sounding dry â or even unfounded.
By citing positive feedback youâve received, youâll imply that others have praised you for having those skills, and that youâre not only "tooting your own horn."
Pro-Tip: In cover letters, itâs absolutely okay to toot your own horn â thatâs what theyâre for. But if you can cite othersâ remarks, that also helps.)
At just two and a half paragraphs, this letter is exceedingly short but no less effective. Itâs an excellent example of how to personalize your letter quickly while still conveying the essentials of a cover letter.
This short cover letter example keeps it brief while still creating high impact. The applicant personalizes the letter immediately, cites external feedback, and conveys enthusiasm.
This letter proves you donât need to write a novel about an employer to sway the hiring manager into giving you an interview.
Now that I've shown you some excellent examples, let's talk about how you can create the best cover letter for your dream job.
What is a good cover letter?
A cover letter is used to show your interest in the role, passion for the company, and the impact you've had in previous positions. Good cover letters should include a standout opening, relevant skills and qualifications, and a strong finish with a call-to-action â all within one page and unique to each application.
Whatâs on a cover letter?
Before you start writing your cover letter, let's cover a few basic must-haves you'll want to include. If youâre looking for more detailed instructions, check out this guide to writing a cover letter .
Add a simple, but pleasant greeting to address the recruiter or hiring manager.
Learn more:
- Dear Sir or Madam Alternatives
- Cover Letter Greetings
Write a catchy introduction that explains why youâre interested in the role.
- How to Write an Introduction
- Tips for Writing a Good Introduction Sentence
Work Experience
This is the heart of your cover letter. It outlines your relevant experience and why youâd be a great fit for the role. You can highlight special skills, experiences, professional achievements, or education to help make your case.
- How to Write About Your Professional Background
- Professional Bio Examples
- LinkedIn Bio Examples
In this paragraph, add a call-to-action by expressing interest in an interview. Offer your contact information and sign off.
- Email Closing Line Examples
- Tips for Writing Conclusions
What does a cover letter look like?
Besides showing off your skills and qualifications, cover letters give you the opportunity to present a clear, concise, and compelling writing sample. It shows off your personality and your ability to convey ideas.
That's a lot of information to include on a single page, so it can help to have a clear structure to start with.
Check out our fillable cover letter templates to see how you should organize the content of your cover letter.
What makes a great cover letter?
A cover letter is personal, but it also needs to help you reach a goal and help the hiring team understand how you could perform that role with their company. This complexity can make cover letters really tough to write.
Because cover letters are difficult to write, many come off as boring, basic, or confusing for hiring managers to read. But the tips below about the qualities that make a cover letter great can help you take your cover letter from basic to bright.
Start with this quick video, then keep reading for more tips:
Personalized Introduction
Begin with an introduction that's personal. It should capture the reader's attention and address your recipient by name. Then, add a compelling opening sentence that emphasizes your interest in the specific role.
Helpful Cover Letter Introduction:
"Dear [Hiring Manager's Name],
In an increasingly digitized world, where customer-centric strategies are vital for business success, I am thrilled to apply for the [Job Title] position at HubSpot."
Unhelpful Cover Letter Introduction:
"To Whom it May Concern,
I am applying for the [Job Title] position at HubSpot. I have some experience in marketing and can help your clients grow their businesses."
Relevant Professional Experience
It can be tempting to use the same cover letter for every job. After all, it's about your experience, isn't it? But it's not enough to rephrase the work history in your resume.
Recruiters and hiring managers are looking to fill a specific role, so you need to show how your experience translates to their unique needs.
So, the body of a great cover letter should showcase the specific professional experiences that are relevant to the job you're applying for. Emphasize your accomplishments and skills that directly relate to what the job needs.
To speed up this part of the cover letter writing process, start by creating a list of your transferable skills . Drafting this list can help you quickly focus on the skills to highlight in your cover letter.
Then, use AI tools to summarize job descriptions and narrow in on where your experience and the needs of the role you're applying for overlap. This post is full of useful AI assistant tools if you're new to AI.
Helpful Cover Letter Experience:
"At [Company Name], I had the opportunity to assist a global ecommerce retailer in enhancing their online customer experience. By conducting in-depth market research and customer journey mapping, I identified pain points and areas of improvement in their website navigation and user interface."
Unhelpful Cover Letter Experience:
"I also worked with an ecommerce retailer to improve the customer experience. We did some surveys and training, and they were happy with the results."
Useful Examples
To make your cover letter stand out, add specific examples that show how you've solved problems or gotten results in past roles.
Quantify your accomplishments whenever possible, using data to give the reader a clear understanding of your impact.
Helpful Cover Letter Example:
"I lead a team of five content writers while increasing website traffic by 18% year-over-year."
Unhelpful Cover Letter Example:
"I have a great track record of leadership and achieving fantastic results."
Research and Company Knowledge
Hiring teams aren't hiring anyone with the skills to do the job. They're hiring a person they'll work alongside at their specific company.
So, to show that you're not just looking for any job anywhere, share your knowledge of the company's industry, values, and culture in your cover letter.
Spend some time on the company website and take notes on what makes this business interesting to you and why you would want to work there.
Then, explain how your skills align with the company's mission and goals and explain how you could add to their chances of success. This will showcase your interest in the company and help them see if you are a good cultural fit.
Helpful Cover Letter Research:
"I was particularly drawn to HubSpot not only for its industry-leading solutions but also for its exceptional company culture. HubSpot's commitment to employee development and fostering a collaborative environment is evident in its recognition as a top workplace consistently. I strongly believe that my passion for continuous learning, self-motivation, and dedication to contributing to a team will make me a valuable asset to HubSpot."
Unhelpful Cover Letter Research:
"I have been inspired by HubSpot's commitment to inbound marketing and its comprehensive suite of solutions. HubSpot's dedication to providing valuable content and fostering meaningful relationships aligns with my own values and aspirations."
Clear Writing
Your cover letter needs to pack in a lot of important information. But it's also important that your cover letter is clear and concise.
To accomplish this, use professional but easy-to-understand language. Be sure to remove any grammar or spelling errors and avoid lengthy paragraphs and avoid jargon or overly technical language.
You may also want to use bullet points to make your letter easier to skim. Then, proofread your cover letter for clarity or ask a friend to proofread it for you.
- Guide to Becoming a Better Writer
- Tips for Simplifying Your Writing
Helpful Cover Letter Writing:
"In addition to my academic accomplishments, I gained valuable practical experience through internships at respected law firms.
Working alongside experienced attorneys, I assisted in providing legal support to clients. This hands-on experience helped me develop a deep understanding of client needs and enhanced my ability to effectively communicate complex legal concepts in a straightforward manner."
Unhelpful Cover Letter Writing:
"Furthermore, as a complement to my academic accomplishments, I have garnered invaluable practical experience through internships at esteemed law firms.
Throughout these placements, I actively collaborated with seasoned attorneys to conduct due diligence and furnish clients with comprehensive legal support. Notably, these experiences fostered a profound comprehension of client necessities, whilst honing my legal acumen to articulately convey intricate legal principles within a lucid and concise framework, adhering to applicable precedents and statutes of limitations."
Genuine Interest and Enthusiasm
Find ways to convey your passion for the role and how excited you are to contribute to the company you're applying to. At the same time, make sure your interest feels authentic and outline how it aligns with your career goals.
Your ultimate goal is an enthusiastic letter that feels honest and leaves a lasting positive impression.
Showing excitement in writing doesn't come naturally for everyone. A few tips that can help you boost the genuine enthusiasm in your letter:
- Record audio of yourself speaking about the role, then use voice-to-text technology to transcribe and add these sections to your letter.
- Choose your words carefully .
- Write in active voice.
Helpful Cover Letter Tone:
"I am genuinely enthusiastic about the prospect of joining [Company/Organization Name] as an accountant. My combination of technical proficiency, eagerness to learn, and strong attention to detail make me an ideal candidate for this role. I am confident that my dedication, reliability, and passion for accounting will contribute to the continued success of your organization."
Unhelpful Cover Letter Tone:
"Honestly, I can hardly contain my excitement when it comes to reconciliations, financial statement analysis, and tax regulations! Engaging in spirited discussions with professors and classmates has allowed me to foster an unbreakable bond with the fascinating world of accounting, and I'm positively bursting with enthusiasm at the prospect of applying my skills in a professional setting."
Memorable Conclusion
End your cover letter on a strong note. Summarize your top qualifications, restate your interest in the position, and express your interest in future communication.
Then, thank your reader for their time and consideration and include your contact information for easy follow-up.
To make your conclusion memorable, think about what parts of your letter you'd most like the hiring manager to keep top of mind. Then, consider your word choice and phrasing. If you're feeling stuck, this list of ways to close an email can help.
Helpful Cover Letter Conclusion:
"Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the opportunity to further discuss how my qualifications align with the needs of Greenpeace. Please feel free to contact me at your convenience to arrange an interview.
Together, let's make a lasting impact on our planet.
[Your Name]"
Unhelpful Cover Letter Conclusion:
"Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of discussing my qualifications further and how I can contribute to Greenpeace's mission. Please feel free to contact me at your convenience to arrange an interview.
Iâd like to add another stage to the job search: experimentation.
In todayâs competitive landscape, itâs so easy to feel defeated, less-than-good-enough, or like giving up your job search.
But donât let the process become so monotonous. Have fun discovering the qualitative data Iâve discussed here â then, have even more by getting creative with your cover letter composition.
I certainly canât guarantee that every prospective employer will respond positively â or at all â to even the most unique, compelling cover letter. But the one thatâs right for you will.
So, get inspired by these examples and templates. Write an incredible cover letter that shows the hiring team at your dream job exactly who you are.
Editor's note: This post was originally published in October 2020 and has been updated for comprehensiveness. This article was written by a human, but our team uses AI in our editorial process. Check out our full disclosure to learn more about how we use AI.
Don't forget to share this post!
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9 tips for building an effective video cover letter
Have you been asked to provide a video cover letter donât stress out or get camera-shy. here's how to put together a winning production..
More IT companies are asking candidates to provide a video cover letter in addition to traditional resume and portfolio. While in some respects you should adhere to the same rules that govern video job interviews, there are some key differences to remember when you’re planning, recording and submitting a video cover letter. Here’s how to make sure your video cover letter hits all the right notes.
“Think of a video cover letter as a ‘movie trailer,’ and your career as a movie. You want to have your trailer be engaging, inviting and interesting and give just enough information that the recruiter or hiring manager will want to know more — they’ll want to see the entire film, so to speak,” says Chris Brown, vice president of human resources at telecommunications and collaboration solutions company West Corporation.
Keep it short
For starters, most video cover letters shouldn’t exceed 60 seconds, Brown says. Think about what’s engaging to you when you watch a video on your smartphone, on the Web. Chances are, the shorter, the better, Brown says. “If it’s longer than about a minute, you’re going to lose the interest of a viewer. You need to find your ‘hook’ and discuss one tangible thing about you that will grab the viewer and make them want to interview you,” he says.
Make a listicle
Pop culture listicle site BuzzFeed is a great example of how to structure your video cover letter. Choose the top five things a recruiter or hiring manager would want to know about you, and stick to that list, Brown says. “You want to aim for three of those points being about your professional life and you can throw in an additional two that are personal — ‘I’m an animal lover and I volunteer at my local shelter,’ or ‘I skydive in my free time,'” Brown says, to add additional interest and show that you’re a well-rounded individual.
Create two versions
As the concept of video cover letters becomes increasingly popular, it makes sense to have more than one available. Create a more generic version and place it on your social media feeds for wider accessibility — on Twitter Moments, Facebook, LinkedIn and even Instagram, Brown says. Bbut also create fresh versions that are tailored to specific job opportunities that can be sent to individual hiring managers or recruiters. “It’s similar to how you’d tailor a written cover letter to each job opportunity. There’s a basic template, but you also want to throw in specifics,” he says.
[ Related Stories: 6 things to leave off your resume ]
Pay attention to hosting
Consider creating a separate YouTube channel dedicated to hosting your professional videos, Brown says. The last thing you want is for your video cover letter to end up in a feed with your family home videos or that GoPro video you made last time you went skydiving. “On a public, personal YouTube channel, there’s also the chance that your friends and family will comment on your videos; do you really want your strange friend Bill making inappropriate comments on your video cover letter? That’s a recipe for disaster,” Brown says.
Create original content
Just like in a traditional, written cover letter, a video cover letter should be original content that adds a new dimension to your resume and allows you the opportunity to highlight your best self. “This is not a regurgitation of your resume. It’s an opportunity to talk about your skills, sure, but I’ve seen some of these in which people are literally just reading from their existing resume. You can touch on that, but it’s the intangibles that matter here; your energy, your personality can come through — that’s what I want to see,” Brown says.
[ Related Stories: How to successfully blend your online and offline personas ]
Watch your language
Just as you would in a written cover letter or resume, use the same words and phrases found in the job description to highlight that you’re perfect for the role. This doesn’t have to sound forced, but it does help a hiring manager or a recruiter ensure that you’re familiar with the industry, the competitive landscape, common programs and systems that are used and the industry jargon, Brown says, “Using that language communicates that you’re an ‘insider,’ and you know the ins-and-outs of the greater landscape.”
You also can add additional comments about the company, prominent employees you’ve seen on the news, new technology they’ve created, and address how you could help contribute to their success, Brown says. This demonstrates that you know the company, its competitors and the IT industry as a whole.
To script, or not to script
Unless you’re incredibly shy or nervous in front of a camera, it’s not necessary to write out and recite a script. A few bullet points to highlight what you want to cover should do just fine, Brown says. “Definitely have a prompt in front of you so that you know what you want to talk about, but don’t script every aspect. Hiring managers and recruiters know that these will be imperfect and you want to show that part of yourself, as well. Make the video cover letter as real and human as possible — a few ‘um’s and ‘uh’s aren’t going to cost you the job,” he says.
[ Related Stories: 6 ways to blow your technical job interview ]
Nail the closing
Any job search involves a certain amount of salesmanship, and in this case, you’re selling your skills, knowledge and expertise to a company. “The Web is full of tutorials on how to do a video sales letter, or VSL, which would be focused on how to sell information products. But think of a video cover letter as a VSL for an individual — the product is you,” says Donald Burns of Executive Promotions, LLC.
Even if you’re not in sales, it’s still important to know how to close, says Brown, “A simple way to do this is to provide an active closing. Say, ‘I look forward to meeting you for an interview,’ or ‘Thank you so much for your time. I absolutely want this job,’ it shows a lot of self-confidence and can be the difference between landing the role or being passed over.”
Don’t overthink it
Finally, don’t overthink it. Human resources, hiring managers and recruiters aren’t infallible, and many times an interview’s success — whether in person or via video — can hinge on completely subjective experiences, regardless of how solid your resume is or how polished your video cover letter is, Brown says.
“Remember, in any interview, video or otherwise, you are dealing with human beings. They’re going to have existing biases based on their experiences with similar people. If they had a bad experience with Fred, and you look or act like Fred, that may not work out for you. If you happen to be like Julie, and they had a great experience with Julie, then that’s great. And sometimes, there’s nothing you can do about that,” Brown says.
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The Only Cover Letter Guide Youâll Need in 2024 (+Examples)
- Kaja Jurcisinova ,
- Updated January 16, 2024 13 min read
Oh, the dreaded cover letter. Job seekers hate writing it and nobody knows if anybody even reads cover letters anymore. And yet, not attaching one to your application would be a terrible mistake. This cover letter guide will tell you not only why to write one, but also how to write a really good one.
But first , why does everyone hate writing cover letters so much? After all, a cover letter gives you a unique opportunity to distinguish yourself from others.
In comparison with a resume, the cover letter allows you to provide details that didnât fit in on your resume and demonstrate your passion.
All the negativity that surrounds the cover letter probably comes down to the fact that good cover letters require a bit of alchemy. They also take time to write.
This guide will help you avoid any mistakes and write a strong cover letter that will catch the recruiterâs attention. We also include cover letter examples.
Generally speaking, you want to make your cover letter:
- easy to read for the recruiter;
- well-structured;
- max 4 paragraphs/1 page long;
- professional in both tone and greetings;
- tailored for the specific opening.
Let's get to it!
Table of Contents
Click on a section to skip
Why should you write a cover letter?
How do recruiters read cover letters, how to write a great cover letter in 9 simple steps.
- What if you're told to NOT submit a cover letter?
Final cover letter tips and hacks
Cover letter examples.
So, how exactly is the cover letter important for your job application?
Some may argue that the cover letter in 2024 isn't really relevant anymore. In fact, one study stated that only 18 percent of hiring managers think cover letters are a key part of an application.
However, donât get fooled by these statistics. While your resume may be considered more important during the hiring process, including a well-written cover letter can increase your chances of landing a job.
For instance, 83% of hiring managers would be convinced by a really good cover letter â even if the resume wasnât good enough, according to this study .
And there's more to it.
Some of the key advantages of the cover letter are:
- Itâs much less structured than the resume and lets you develop a story.
- It gives you space to get a little more creative.
- Your personality can shine through thanks to it.
- You can elaborate on key achievements mentioned in your resume.
- It helps explain a lack of experience, career change, or an employment gap.
In other words, the cover letter is a perfect chance to bridge the distance between you and a recruiter even before the actual job interview .
Pro tip: Before writing a cover letter, make sure that you have a powerful resume that matches the job description. Because if your resume doesnât fit a desired profile, your cover letter probably wonât get read at all. To learn more, you may want to check out our Ultimate Resume Guide .
First, they read them to decide if youâre the right fit for a position. For this reason, avoid generic write-ups at all costs. What recruiters love to see is a short persuasive argument of why you fit the role and the company. Something like this:
âI was happy to hear about this job opening from my former manager, Jane Anne. She and I have worked together on many projects throughout the years and she thought that I would be the perfect match for this position.â
Second, recruiters are looking for inconsistencies . For instance, if your resume shows attention to detail but your cover letter is addressed to the wrong person, wrong company, and is filled with typos, it's inconsistent. You want to ensure the number of inconsistencies is kept to a minimum.
Third, they're trying to get a hint of your personality . Cultural fit is important to many companies.
So, throughout the process of cover letter writing, it's essential to keep in mind the recruiter who's going to be the recipient of your letter.
Because at the end of a day, a good cover letter shouldn't be solely about you â it's supposed to be written with the hiring manager in mind.
So ask yourself:
- Is my cover letter easy to read?
- Have I addressed the right person in the opening?
- Will it help them decide if I'm the right fit?
- Did I use the right tone of voice that fits their company culture?
If you answered ânoâ to any of these questions, our cover letter guide is exactly for you.
Writing a cover letter may seem like a challenging task at first but if you know a few key cover letter rules, the process can become much easier.
Before you start writing your cover letter, find out more about the company you're applying for. Look at their website and LinkedIn . The research also includes looking at the job description very closely and identifying any recurring keywords. Also, search for specific cover letter examples for the role online.
Placed at the very beginning of your cover letter, the header is where you include your contact information (i.e. your full name, email address, phone number) and the company's contact information (i.e. the managerâs or recruiterâs name, job title, department, the name of the company, companyâs address).Â
When in doubt, try to use this formula: Number or Trigger word + Adjective + Keyword + Promise. The result can look something like this: 5 Ways I Can Help You Improve Your Companyâs [insert a position-related keyword]
If the name of the hiring manager isn't written in the job posting, research their name and contact information online. For example, look at the company's page or LinkedIn. Then, greet them by saying "Dear [first name]" . If, however, the company culture is very formal, go for the classic "Dear Hiring Manager" .
The first paragraph is the perfect place to shortly explain why the job seems exciting to you and why youâre the right person for it . You can also compliment the company or name a mutual acquaintance who referred you.
Try to answer these questions: 1. What did you do at a previous position that gave you relevant experience? 2. How could this experience help the new company grow? 3. Which of the projects you have worked on would benefit their business? 4. Which of your skills make you well-equipped for the position? 5. Do any of these skills give you an edge over other candidates?
The following questions should help you : What excites you about the idea of working at this company? How do the company goals align with your own? What do you hope to gain and learn from working there?
In the cover letter closing paragraph : reiterate that your experience and enthusiasm make you a great candidate, add a confident call to action, express gratitude, and always use a formal sign-off.
You can either attach the cover letter as a separate document in the email when sending your resume , or send it directly in the body of the email (that way they can't ignore it).
In the following chapters we look at each step more closely and include specific examples you can copy and paste.
Step 1: Prepare and do some researchÂ
Knowledge is power. Before you begin writing:
- Find out more about the company and the position you're applying for. Spend some time on the companyâs website, its executivesâ Twitter feeds, and employee profiles on LinkedIn. It will also help you decide on the tone of your cover letter. For example, if itâs a company like Kickresume , you can easily get away with more unusual approaches. But if itâs a conservative institution, like a bank or a lawyer's office, you should probably keep it formal.
- Search for specific cover letter examples for your role online . Pick some examples that fit your role and use these for inspiration. (By the way, that link just now will take you to our database of successful cover letters from real people who got hired. Totally worth checking out.)
- Look at the job descriptions of the roles youâre applying for . Identify major experience and hard skill keywords, so you can insert them in your letter in the relevant sections.
Once you've done this basic research, you can finally start thinking about the structure of your cover letter.
This short infographic will show you that writing a cover letter is a lot simpler than you might have thought:
Step 2: Include a header with basic info rmation
Placed at the very beginning of your cover letter, the header is the place where you should include your contact information and the contact information of the company.
A cover letter is still a letter, after all.
At the left side of the page include the information based on which you can be reached by the recruiter.
Here, make sure to include:
- your full name
- your email address
- phone number
Optionally, you can also add:
- your professional title
- address (if it vaguely matches the location of the job offer)
- current date
- personal website/LinkedIn
The top right side of the page is reserved for company-related information. Here, you should put:
- the managerâs or recruiterâs name (if available)
- job title
- the name of the company
- companyâs address
Not a fan of writing?
Our AI writer will write the first draft of your cover letter for you.
Step 3: Write a strong cover letter headline
When youâre browsing the web, what articles usually catch your attention? Those with great headlines, of course!
The same applies to cover letter headlines.
Start by paying attention to the headlines around you â especially in tabloids and websites like Buzzfeed (Is Buzzfeed still a thing? How very 2010s of me). These are usually designed to stir up your interest and make it impossible to not click through.
Notice how they use numbers, questions, and interesting adjectives to promise the reader to learn something valuable.
And you can do the same in your cover letter.
When in doubt, try to use this formula: Number or Trigger word + Adjective + Keyword + Promise.
The result can look something like this:
- 3 Reasons Why Iâm An Excellent Fit For [Job Position]
- Are You Still Looking To Fill The Position Of [Job Position]? This Is Why I Believe Iâm Exactly Who Youâre Looking For
- 5 Ways I Can Help You Improve Your Companyâs [insert a position-related keyword]
Finally, donât forget to adjust your header to the companyâs level of formality and put your headline in the subject of the email.
Step 4: Use the correct form of greeting
In this time and age, thereâs no excuse for using âTo Whom It May Concern.â
If the name of the hiring manager isn't written in the job posting, youâre expected to research their name and contact information online. For example, look at the company's page or LinkedIn.
Once you have their name, feel free to go for a personalized greeting:
âDear [first name]â or âDear Mr./Mrs. [last name]âÂ
Honorifics (e.g. Mr., Mrs., Ms .) are more appropriate if the companyâs culture is formal.
And if you cannot find the recruiterâs name, it's okay to go for a generic:
âDear Hiring Managerâ, or âDear Recruitment Officerâ
Alternatively, you can address the letter to the whole company team or the HR department. In this case, your greeting should look like this:
âDear [name of the company/department] Teamâ or âDear Human Resourcesâ
Step 5: First paragraph: Introduce yourself with a BANG!
The best way to start a cover letter is to open strong. The first impression matters the most and busy recruiters often have a chance to properly dive into only a few selected cover letters.
So if you make your first paragraph captivating, chances are that your letter will be one of the lucky ones that actually end up being read.
In fact, the first paragraph is the perfect place to shortly explain why the job seems exciting to you and why youâre the right person for it.
While most people begin their letters with âIâm applying for the position X I saw in Y place,â it's a waste of space.
Instead, open with a sentence like this:
âIâm a content marketing professional with more than 5 years of experience and Iâd love to bring my ability and passion to your team.â
In the first paragraph, you can also:
- Compliment the company. Show that you know details about the company and youâre approaching it for a reason. For example, demonstrate appreciation for what the company does. Not only will this flatter them, but it will also provide them with insight into who you are.
- Name a mutual acquaintance if you can. This is sometimes called a âmagic bullet,â as itâs the one thing that will assure the hiring manager reads your cover letter until the end.
However, limit the introduction to 1-3 sentences. This isnât the place to go into detail about what makes you ideal for the role â save that for the second and third paragraphs.
Step 6: Second paragraph: Explain why youâre a great fit for the company
The second paragraph is the place where you should sell yourself and your experience.
Here, write a short summary of your career, skills and accomplishments, tailored to fit what the company is looking for.
You already did your research, so now it's time to ask yourself these questions and try to address them in your cover letter:
- What did you do at a previous position that gave you relevant experience?
- How could this experience help the new company grow?
- Which of the projects you have worked on would benefit their business?
- Which of your skills make you well-equipped for the position?
- Do any of these skills give you an edge over other candidates?
After youâve picked the most relevant accomplishments, put them at the start of your letter.
However, when talking about them, avoid sounding like youâre bragging. The best way of doing this is to focus on your experiences rather than yourself . Ideally, support your claims with concrete examples.
Also, mention any other additional relevant hard skills or knowledge areas theyâre looking for, as well as any qualifications.
Finally, the second paragraph is the perfect place for showing that youâve done your research. Demonstrate that youâre familiar with some of the challenges that the company faces and present how you can help them.
Pro tip: Donât simply repeat the same things youâve already put on your resume. You want to go beyond that (this applies to every other section of your cover letter).Â
Step 7: Third paragraph: Explain why the company is a great fit for youÂ
In this paragraph, you want to show that youâre serious about developing your career at this new company. And good companies want to know why they appeal to you and how will your professional relationship be mutually beneficial.
Consider addressing the following questions:
- What excites you about the idea of working at this company?
- How do the company goals align with your own?
- What do you hope to gain and learn from working there?
For example, you can say something like this: âI've seen on your website that you heavily focus on cryptocurrency projects. As a cryptocurrency enthusiast, I would love to join your teamâ.
However, donât go overboard with flattery and stay professional.
Also, donât say anything that isn't true or you donât mean it, as it will probably come up again in the later stages of the application process.
Step 8: Closing paragraph: Finish strong and stay in touch
Now that youâve nailed the main part of your cover letter, you also want to finish strong. This way, the recruiter will remember you in a good light. But how do you achieve that?
- Reiterate that your experience and enthusiasm make you a great candidate. This is to emphasize the two main points from the previous paragraphs. Do this in one or two sentences, not more.
- Add a confident call to action. In a sentence or two, you should suggest the next steps. Something like â I would love the opportunity to meet with you and discuss the value I can bring to [company]."
- Express gratitude. Simply thank them for their time and for considering your application.
- Always use a formal sign-off. Something like â Sincerely , Best wishes , or Respectfullyâ . Finish by typing out your full name.
Step 9: How do you send a cover letter?
I canât stress this enough â unless it's specifically required to attach the cover letter to the body of the email, consider not sending your cover letter as a document attached to your email.
Instead, put it inside the body of the email . The email itself is now your cover letter! This way the recruiter won't ignore it.
However, remember that hiring managers receive hundreds of emails a day. So if you want your email to get read, it's the subject line that's likely to play the most important part.
As we've advised before, if you have a good resume headline, simply put it in the email subject.
However, if youâre unhappy with the result, you have other options, too.
For instance, if you have a reference, include it already in your email subject line:
Referral from Jose Nachos: Pedro Tacos, candidate for a senior software analyst position
If you don't have a reference or a catchy headline, check out more tips on how to write the best subject line for your email .
Finished writing your cover letter?
Make it stand out with an eye-catching design.
What if you're told to NOT submit a cover letter?
Today, many companies are using online application systems that discourage applicants from attaching a cover letter.
Instead, they have their own application systems where in different sections you're required to fill in the information you would normally place in your cover letter.
If this is the case, just work with the format they gave you.
In other words, include the same information that you'd normally have in your cover letter but place it in the correct sections.
And donât forget to follow the cover letter principles:
- explain why you're the right candidate;
- make it clear that you've researched the company well;
- indicate in what way you'd be an asset;
- mention your biggest past achievements.
Because no matter the format, you're still expected to present your skills and convey enthusiasm about the job.
Alternatively, you can also try to find a relevant manager or a recruiter online (either on the company pages or LinkedIn) to whom you can send a brief follow-up email with an attached cover letter.
Now that we've covered the basics, there are several other tips that you should keep in mind to elevate your cover letter to the next level:
- Keep it short. Limit your cover letter to three to four paragraphs and a maximum of one page. Hiring managers are busy people who often don't have time for reading long texts.
- Keep it clean and easy on the eye. Take a look at how this article is written. Itâs replete with short paragraphs, sentences typed in bold letters, bullet points, and numbers. All of these make reading and searching for specific information easier. So, never send a letter that looks like an unreadable wall of text. The easiest way to achieve a sleek cover letter design is to use a pre-formatted cover letter template .
- Donât risk being funny if it â s a company with a formal work culture. Poorly executed humor will hurt your chances rather than help. Being direct and dynamic is a much surer way to catch the recruiterâs attention than a number of jokes. On the other, if the company is smaller or known for its creative products, being original may in fact help your chances!
- Show, donât tell. Usually, thereâs no point in saying youâre âa dependable hard workerâ or âa creative thinker.â Why should anyone believe such generic statements? Instead, offer an example of how these qualities helped you achieve something in the past.
- Never write the same letter twice. A cover letter should always be tailored to a specific job application. Remember the previous sections? Youâve made a great effort to research the company and its hiring managers, so youâve written your cover letter accordingly. This is a process you need to repeat with every application (ugh, I know).
- Check for typos. This goes without saying but make 100% sure your cover letter is without typos. Thereâs no reason to believe you're competent if you can't even type without errors. Moreover, typos automatically reveal almost criminal carelessness on your part, since every text editor nowadays has a spellchecking feature.
- Don't use any buzzwords. Your cover letter needs to be authentic and persuasive â and buzzwords are neither. If anything, they simply give the impression of you being someone who's just trying to fit a skewed idea of what an ideal corporate employee should be. Instead, focus on using relevant keywords from job descriptions.
Now, if you have no experience yet because you're just starting out or you're changing careers, writing a cover letter can be scary. However, a well-written letter can actually be your best friend.
And this is how you write the perfect cover letter with no experience .
In the end, there are many different ways to write a great cover letter. And even if you follow the cover letter guide above, youâll end up with a cover letter that's invariably your own.
It all depends on your own personality, the position youâre applying for, and the hiring managerâs preferences.
And that's good, actually!
Still, there's a lot to learn from cover letters written by other people. That's why we've selected five cover letter samples that deserve your attention.
Each of these helped real job seekers find real jobs in real companies. They'll teach you valuable lessons you can use in your own cover letter.
1. Norwegian â Cabin Crew Cover Letter Example
This cover letter sample was provided by a real person who got hired with Kickresumeâs help.
2. Volvo â Machine Learning Intern Cover Letter Example
3. tory burch â account executive cover letter example, 4. lush â sales associate cover letter example, 5. romeo â social media officer cover letter example.
Do you still need some more inspiration? You can find more examples in our cover letter library
FAQ: How to write a cover letter
250 to 400 words is the standard cover letter length range. A cover letter should never exceed one page.
Yes! Show that you can go that extra mile and stand out from the crowd of applicants.
Ideally, use a pre-formatted cover letter template. Then use a simple and professional font, such as Times New Roman. The font size should be between 10-12.
If you have the name of the hiring manager, try to find their contact on the company page or LinkedIn. If you still can't find the right person, you can address it to the whole team or HR.
This article was recently updated. The original article was written by Martin Poduska in 201 7.
Kaja Jurcisinova is a junior copywriter at Kickresume. Kaja completed her undergraduate degree in Art History at the University of St Andrews in 2018 and graduated with a Masterâs in Arts and Culture from the University of Groningen in 2021. She was an intern at multiple cultural institutions across Europe, including the Dutch Museum Association in Amsterdam, the Matter of Art Biennale in Prague, and the European Cultural Centre in Venice. At the moment, she resides in Visby on the Swedish island of Gotland.
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This Mother's Day, share a heartfelt message with these 30 quotes about mothers
Celebrating mothers and motherhood has been a tradition for centuries, even before Mother's Day was officially created. It dates back to the ancient Greeks and Romans who held festivals for Rhea and Cybele, the mother goddesses, the History Channel reports. Today, the holiday continues to honor mothers and mother figures.
While you might think that you show your mother love for everything she does throughout the year, the second Sunday in May serves as another chance to do so. And how you display your gratitude could vary depending on your love language .
If you're a fan of words of affirmation, here are some quotes to share â or write on a card â this Mother's Day.
Making a bouquet? Here are what flowers are safe v. toxic for cats.
Mother's Day, motherhood quotes
- "I realized when you look at your mother, you are looking at the purest love you will ever know." â Mitch Albom , "For One More Day"
- "Mama was my greatest teacher, a teacher of compassion, love and fearlessness. If love is sweet as a flower, then my mother is that sweet flower of love." â Stevie Wonder
- "A mother is your first friend, your best friend, your forever friend." â Amit Kalantri , "Wealth of Words"
- "Mother's love is peace. It need not be acquired, it need not be deserved." â Erich Fromm
- "Mother is a verb. It's something you do. Not just who you are." â Cheryl Lacey Donovan , "The Ministry of Motherhood"
- "Acceptance, tolerance, bravery, compassion. These are the things my mom taught me." â Lady Gaga
- "A mother's love is patient and forgiving when all others are forsaking, it never fails or falters, even though the heart is breaking." â Helen Rice
- "A mother's love is more beautiful than any fresh flower." â Debasish Mridha
- "When your mother asks, 'Do you want a piece of advice?' it's a mere formality. It doesn't matter if you answer yes or no. You're going to get it anyway." â Erma Bombeck
- "All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother." â President Abraham Lincoln
- "I wondered if my smile was as big as hers. Maybe as big. But not as beautiful." â Benjamin Alire SaÌenz , "Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe"
- "Sometimes the strength of motherhood is greater than natural laws." â Barbara Kingsolver , "Homeland and Other Stories"
- "A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take." â Gaspard Mermillod
- "I can imagine no heroism greater than motherhood." â  Lance Conrad , "The Price of Creation"
- "To describe my mother would be to write about a hurricane in its perfect power. Or the climbing, falling colors of a rainbow." â Maya Angelou
- "A mother's arms are more comforting than anyone else's." â Princess Diana
- "My mother is my root, my foundation. She planted the seed that I base my life on, and that is the belief that the ability to achieve starts in your mind." â Michael Jordan
- "There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one." â Jill Churchill
- "Being a mother is an attitude, not a biological relation." â Robert A. Heinlein , "Have Space SuitâWill Travel"
- "Mothers and their children are in a category all their own. There's no bond so strong in the entire world. No love so instantaneous and forgiving." â Gail Tsukiyama , "Dreaming Water"
- "When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. You are connected to your child and to all those who touch your lives. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child." â Sophia Loren
- "Once youâre a mom, youâre always a mom. Itâs like riding a bike, you never forget." â Taraji P. Henson
- "The world, we'd discovered, doesn't love you like your family loves you." â Louis Zamperini
- "The woman who is my best friend, my teacher, my everything: Mom." â Sandra Vischer , "Unliving the Dream"
- "Mothers possess a power beyond that of a king on his throne." â Mabel Hale
- "The influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation." â James E. Faust
- "But behind all your stories is always your mother's story, because hers is where yours begins." â Mitch Albom , "For One More Day"
- "My mother sacrificed her dreams so I could dream." â Rupi Kaur
- "Mother's arms are made of tenderness, and sweet sleep blesses the child who lies within." â Victor Hugo
- "No language can express the power and beauty and heroism of a motherâs love." â Edwin Hubbel Chapin
Looking for inspiration? 50 positive quotes for peak motivation
Just Curious for more? We've got you covered
USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From " Who was the oldest Golden Girl? " to " What is the smallest country? " to " What's May's birthstone? " â we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our Just Curious section  to see what else we can answer.
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Trump praises fictional serial killer Hannibal Lecter during rally speech
Ex-president calls Hopkinsâs cannibalistic Lecter âlate, greatâ while condemning âpeople who are being released into our countryâ
Donald Trump on Saturday praised the fictional serial killer Hannibal Lecter âas a wonderful manâ before segueing into comments disparaging people who have immigrated into the US without permission.
The former presidentâs remarks to political rally-goers in Wildwood, New Jersey, as he challenges Joe Bidenâs re-election in November were a not-so-subtle rhetorical bridge exalting Anthony Hopkinsâs cannibalistic Lecter in Silence of the Lambs as âlate [and] greatâ while simultaneously condemning âpeople who are being released into our country that we donât wantâ.
Trump delivered his address to a crowd of about 80,000 supporters â according to one estimate from a Wildwood city spokesperson â under the shadow of the Great White roller coaster in the 1950s-kitsch seaside resort 90 miles (145km) south of Philadelphia. The crowd began thinning considerably as Trump spoke, a reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer wrote on X in a post that contained video of people leaving the site of the rally.
The occasion served for Trump to renew his stated admiration for Lecter, as he has done before, after the actor Mads Mikkelsen â who previously portrayed Lecter in a television series â once described Trump as âa fresh wind for some peopleâ.
Among other comments, Trump on Sunday also repeated exaggerations about having âbeen indicted more than the great Alphonse Caponeâ, the violent Prohibition-era Chicago mob boss.
Trump since the spring of 2023 has grappled with four indictments attributing more than 80 criminal charges to him for attempts to subvert the outcome of the 2020 election he lost to Biden, retaining classified materials after his presidency and hush-money payments to an adult film actor which prosecutors maintain were illicitly covered up.
The trial over the hush money is set to enter its fourth week of witness testimony on Monday.
Yet Capone was indicted at least six times before his famous 1931 tax evasion conviction.
Trump nonetheless used the occasion to call the charges against him âbullshitâ, with spectators then chanting the word back at him.
The Philadelphia Inquirer noted that the former presidentâs supporters had poured into Wildwood in âpickup trucks decked out in Trump flagsâ from up and down the east coast.
According to the outlet, hundreds of people set up camp overnight on the boardwalk to get into the event.
âThe country is headed in the wrong direction,â Kelly Carter-Currier, a 62-year-old retired teacher from New Hampshire, told the Inquirer. âSo, hopefully, people will get their shit together and vote the right person in. And if they donât, I donât know. World War III?â
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On the other hand, New Jersey Democrats dismissed the significance of the event.
Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill said many of the Trump supporters expected would be from out of state. âJersey is not going to be a welcoming place for Trump,â Sherrill said.
Sherrillâs fellow New Jersey Democrat Andy Kim, a congressman running for the US Senate, said that generalized apathy toward government helped Trumpâs support.
âI hope people recognize that he is not somebody that has an agenda thatâs going to lead to a better type of politics,â Kim said.
- US elections 2024
- Donald Trump
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Itâs a good deal
What Gas Plant plan says | April 26
The opposing sides have spoken and public opinions, yea or nay, are likely set in stone. There are really only eight votes that count now, those of the St. Petersburg City Council. I think that theyâve got it. Various chambers of commerce in Pinellas County are strongly in favor (big surprise) as well as developers, hoteliers, etc.
Those analyzing only the financial terms who have an aversion to using public funds are strongly opposed to the deal. If they really want to get into the financial weeds of public financing, they should examine the costs of public parks that only a small percentage of citizens use. If they do, they would shut down all parks immediately while allocating more dollars to pickleball courts.
The fact is the allocation of public funds is complicated and uneven. Fixing potholes and improving stormwater drainage are easy to agree on. A baseball stadium, not so easy. The development of the Historic Gas Plant District is complex, but when completed it will provide immense benefits to the entire community.
As Iâve said before, the Rays-Hines partnership is a good one and the overall deal is worthy of support. I again suggest that the only element that needs to be tweaked is the price that the Rays-Hines group pays for the downstroke on the land. Given the back-end loading of the cash flow, an additional $150 million to the city is warranted. The Rays-Hines team could make the outcome of the vote much easier if theyâd consider bumping up the cash.
Scott Wagman, St. Petersburg
Not for debt service
Rays are an invaluable asset we mustnât let go | Perspective, May 5
This column by Robin Miller, head of the joint chamber of commerce for all of the Pinellas beach communities, in support of the Rays-Hines transaction was about as self-defeating as if a chicken had written an article supporting development of more KFC restaurants. The beach communities live and die with tourist volumes, and Pinellas County hotels and rental properties pay a heavy 6% âbed taxâ on all short-term stays that goes into the countyâs tourism promotion fund. That fund collected $98 million in bed taxes last year, intended to be used for marketing campaigns that benefit the hundreds of tourist-dependent businesses in the area, plus funding critical tourism-related infrastructure such as beach renourishment.
According to documents released by the city of St Petersburg, if the Rays-Hines transaction is approved, a single for-profit business (the Rays) will take $20 million from that tourism promotion fund each of the next 30 years. And those millions wonât even be used for advertising or marketing purposes â they will be used to pay the principal and interest on the $300 million-plus of new debt Pinellas County is taking on to pay for its share of construction of the new Rays stadium. The dollars that go into the tourism promotion fund are real hard-earned dollars from local businesses, and those precious dollars need to be allocated unsentimentally to sustain tourist volumes, not for debt service. Consider just one example of where those dollars are really needed: beach renourishment. At a 2023 hearing, Pinellas County officials defined 21 of the countyâs 35 total miles of beaches to be âcritically eroded.â Renourishment of the portion from Johnâs Pass to Clearwater Pass by itself is estimated to cost $57 million, with the 60% federal share of costs very much in doubt today.
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Tom Mullins, St. Petersburg
The writer is affiliated with the NoHomeRun.com citizens coalition opposed to the Rays-Hines transaction.
What capitalism does
Hereâs what is toxic in the debate about how Canada is going to save young voters | Perspective, May 5
Columnist Rachel Marsden observes that Canadian Generation Z voters age 18 to 29 appear to favor socialism over capitalism. But she doesnât address why that is so. No economically informed person, including Canadian Generation Zs, can argue that capitalism does not make bigger pies to be divided. It is the adversarial aspects of how these pies are created and distributed that displease Generation Zs and that she has not addressed.
Generation Zs, and everyone for that matter, can observe two problems: (1) Unlike socialism, capitalism â left on its own â concentrates wealth at the top; and (2) capitalist owners benefit from reducing all costs, including labor. Unarguably, owners get richer by making workers poorer. It is pretty hard to gloss over that as a problem. This conundrum has been true since the origin of capitalism. Having said that, capitalism still has produced the wealthiest economies, including for workers, in history. But history has also shown that capitalism, without government regulation, is devastating to workers in forms of pay, effort and safety. No reasonable person can argue that government regulation is unnecessary or bad.
I have never met a Canadian Generation Z, but I presume the attraction of socialism is to allocate less of the wealth at the top and more to the middle. We have the same problem here. It is an ongoing battle between preserving incentive and distributing benefits.
Alan Balfour, Temple Terrace
An idea that worked
What Floridaâs Lawton Chiles could teach us about border protection, immigration and asylum today | Perspective, May 5
This Perspective column cited valuable âlessonsâ; however, two matters were not addressed, nor discussed in the debate on immigration. First, quoting John Cohen from a February 2024 piece in The Cipher Brief , â⊠weâre not going to âlaw enforcementâ this (the border crisis) awayâ and â⊠we need to figure out some strategies to reduce the push factors in countries where these people are fleeing.â Cohen continued that the âthe Bush and Obama administrations successfully reduced encounters at the southern border, a large part of that success was because of investment and source-country-programs.â Having spent three years as a special agent assigned to a regional attache office at an American Embassy in Central America, I consider Cohen to be spot on. Of these âpush factors,â the most urgent is corruption. The second matter is the United Nations Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala, âCICIG.â Operating from 2007 to 2019 and largely funded by the U.S., the CICIG group had been one such source-country program that was a âstellar example of what worked.â However, during 2017-2019 â that is, the Trump administration â a multifaceted transnational influence operation was mounted. Crafted to undermine the CICIG, and via whatâs alleged to be a quid pro quo between then-President Donald Trump and then-Guatemalan President Morales, the group was defunded and shuttered. It was momentously tragic, exacerbating migration exponentially, the effects continuing to be seen at the border. While well reported during the 2018-2022 time period, few Americans have even heard of the CICIG, much less know of its demise and whoâs responsible.
Rob Siberski, Safety Harbor
The long con
Retirement a growing luxury in America | Editorial, April 30
The problem of retirement and health care for our fellow citizens in their 40s, 50s and 60s, to say nothing about younger Americans, verges on the catastrophic. The national debt, which was less than $1 trillion when Ronald Reagan became president, is now around $34 trillion and rising. Who is to blame for this and what are the likely consequences?
Blame for a national debt that will almost certainly wipe out the chance for a decent retirement for hundreds of millions of Americans can be laid directly in the laps of those who voted to give massive tax breaks to the wealthy and the large corporations, starting with the Tax Reform Act in 1986. How did it happen that ordinary Americans voted for politicians who would endanger their futures with massive federal debt? This is explained in Thomas Frankâs book, âWhatâs the Matter with Kansas?â published in 2004. How did the wealthy con the average American man and woman? They did it with wedge issues: abortion, gay rights, womenâs rights, immigration and the like.
Is there much of a chance that ordinary Americans will wake up to the fact that theyâve been had? Not likely. The current presidential race is proof of that. My own goal is to leave my two daughters enough inheritance to fill part of the gap that they wonât be getting with Social Security and Medicare.
Richard Sutherland, Lakeland
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Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake Beef Goes Nuclear: What to Know
The two rappers had circled one another for more than a decade, but their attacks turned relentless and very personal in a slew of tracks released over the weekend.
By Joe Coscarelli
The long-building and increasingly testy rap beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake exploded into full-bore acrimony and unverifiable accusations over the weekend. Both artists rapid-fire released multiple songs littered with attacks regarding race, appropriation, sexual and physical abuse, body image, misogyny, hypocrisy, generational trauma and more.
Most relentless was Lamar, a Pulitzer Prize winner from Compton, Calif., who tends toward the isolated and considered but has now released four verbose and conceptual diss tracks â totaling more than 20 minutes of new music â targeting Drake in the last week, including three since Friday.
Each racked up millions of streams and the three that were made available commercially â âEuphoria,â âMeet the Grahamsâ and âNot Like Usâ â are expected to land near the top of next weekâs Billboard singles chart, while seeming to, at least momentarily, shift the public perception of Drake, long a maestro of the online public arena and meme ecosystem .
In between, on Friday night, Drake released his own broadside against Lamar â plus a smattering of other recent challengers â in a teasing Instagram interlude plus a three-part track and elaborate music video titled âFamily Matters,â in which he referred to his rival as a fake activist and attempted to expose friction and alleged abuse in Lamarâs romantic relationship.
But that song was followed within half an hour by Lamarâs âMeet the Grahams,â an ominous extended address to the parents and young son of Drake, born Aubrey Graham, in which Lamar refers to his rival rapper as a liar and âpervertâ who âshould dieâ in order to make the world safer for women.
Lamar also seemed to assert that Drake had more than a decade ago fathered a secret daughter â echoing the big reveal of his son from Drakeâs last headline rap beef â a claim Drake quickly denied on Instagram before hitting back in another song on Sunday. (Neither man has addressed the full array of rapped allegations directly.)
On Tuesday, a security guard was shot and seriously injured outside of Drakeâs Toronto home, which appeared on the cover art for Lamarâs âNot Like Us.â Authorities said they could not yet speak to a motive in the shooting, but the investigation was ongoing. Representatives for Drake and Lamar did not immediately comment.
How did two of the most famous artists in the world decide to take the gloves off and bring real-life venom into an extended sparring match for rap supremacy? It was weeks, months and years in the making, with a sudden, breakneck escalation into hip-hop infamy. Hereâs a breakdown.
Since late March, the much-anticipated head-to-head seemed inevitable. Following years of âwill they or wonât they?â lyrical feints, Lamar hit directly on record first this year during a surprise appearance on the song âLike Thatâ by the Atlanta rapper Future and the producer Metro Boomin, both formerly frequent Drake collaborators.
With audible disgust, Lamar invoked the track âFirst Person Shooterâ from last yearâs Drake album, âFor All the Dogs,â in which a guest verse from J. Cole referred to himself, Drake and Lamar as âthe big threeâ of modern MCs.
Lamar took exception to the grouping, declaring that there was no big three, âjust big me.â He also called himself the Prince to Drakeâs Michael Jackson â a deeper, more complex artist versus a troubled, pop-oriented hitmaker.
âLike Thatâ spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, as Future and Metro Boomin released two chart-topping albums â âWe Donât Trust Youâ and âWe Still Donât Trust Youâ â that were anchored by a parade of Drakeâs past associates, each of whom seemed to share a simmering distaste toward the rapper, who later called the ambush a â20 v. 1â fight.
In early April, J. Cole fought back momentarily , releasing the song â7 Minute Drill,â in which he called Lamar overrated, before backtracking, apologizing and having the song removed from streaming services. But Drake soon picked up the baton, releasing a wide-ranging diss track called âPush Upsâ less than a week later that addressed the field, with a special focus on Lamarâs height, shoe size and supposedly disadvantageous business dealings.
Less than a week later, Drake mocked Lamarâs lack of a response on âTaylor Made Freestyle,â a track released only on social media. It featured Drake taunting Lamar for being scared to release music at the same time as Taylor Swift and using A.I. voice filters to mimic Tupac and Snoop Dogg imploring Lamar to battle for the good of the West Coast.
âSince âLike That,â your tone changed a little, you not as enthused,â Drake rapped in an abbreviated third verse, as himself. âHow are you not in the booth? It feel like you kinda removed.â (âTaylor Made Freestyleâ was later removed from the internet at the request of the Tupac Estate.)
But it was a seemingly tossed-off line from the earlier âPush Upsâ that included the name of Lamarâs longtime romantic partner â âI be with some bodyguards like Whitneyâ â that Lamar would later allude to as a red line crossed, making all subject matter fair game in the songs to come. (It was this same alleged faux pas that may have triggered an intensification of Drakeâs beef with Pusha T in 2018.)
How We Got Here
Even with Drake-dissing cameos from Future, Ye (formerly Kanye West), Rick Ross, the Weeknd and ASAP Rocky, the main event was always going to be between Drake, 37, and Lamar, 36, who have spent more than a decade subtly antagonizing one another in songs while maintaining an icy frenemy rapport in public.
In 2011, when Drake introduced Lamar to mainstream audiences with a dedicated showcase on his second album, âTake Care,â and an opening slot on the subsequent arena tour, the tone was one of side-eying competition. âHe said that he was the same age as myself/and it didnât help âcause it made me even more rude and impatient,â Lamar rapped on âBuried Alive Interludeâ of his earliest encounter with a more-famous Drake. (On his Instagram on Friday, Drake released a parody of the track, citing Lamarâs jealousy since then.)
The pair went on to appear together on âPoetic Justice,â a single from Lamarâs debut album, âGood Kid, M.A.A.D City,â in 2012, as well as â___ Problemsâ by ASAP Rocky the same year.
But their collaborations ceased as Drake became his generationâs premier hitmaker across styles in hip-hop and beyond, while Lamar burrowed deeper into his own psyche on knotty concept albums that brought wide critical acclaim alongside less constant commercial success.
When asked, the two rappers tended to profess admiration for one anotherâs skill, but seemed to trade subtle digs in verses over the years, always with plausible deniability and in the spirit of competition, leading to something of a hip-hop cold war.
The Week It Went Nuclear
Lamarâs first targeted response, âEuphoria,â was more than six minutes long and released last Tuesday morning. In three sections that raised the temperature as they built, he warned Drake about proceeding and insisted, somewhat facetiously, that things were still friendly. âKnow you a master manipulator and habitual liar too,â Lamar rapped. âBut donât tell no lie about me and I wonât tell truths âbout you.â
He accused the biracial Drake, who was born and raised in Toronto, of imitating Black American heritage and insulting him subliminally. âI hate the way that you walk, the way that you talk, I hate the way that you dress,â Lamar said. âI hate the way that you sneak diss, if I catch flight, itâs gonâ be direct.â And he called Drakeâs standing as a father into question: âTeachinâ him morals, integrity, discipline/listen, man, you donât know nothinâ âbout that.â
Days later, Lamar doubled down with an Instagram-only track called â6:16 in LA,â borrowing both Drakeâs âBack to Backâ diss tactic from his 2015 beef with Meek Mill and a song title structure lifted from what is known as Drakeâs time-stamp series of raps. Opting for psychological warfare on a beat produced in part by Jack Antonoff, Swiftâs chief collaborator, Lamar hinted that he had a mole in Drakeâs operation and was aware of his opponentâs opposition research.
âFake bully, I hate bullies, you must be a terrible person,â he rapped. âEveryone inside your team is whispering that you deserve it.â
That night, Drakeâs âFamily Mattersâ started with its own justification for getting personal â âYou mentioned my seed, now deal with his dad/I gotta go bad, I gotta go badâ â before taking on Lamarâs fatherhood and standing as a man in excruciating detail. âThey hired a crisis management team to clean up the fact that you beat on your queen,â Drake rapped. âThe picture you painted ainât what it seem/youâre dead.â
Yet in a chess move that seemed to anticipate Drakeâs familial line of attack, Lamarâs âMeet the Grahamsâ was released almost immediately. âThis supposed to be a good exhibition within the game,â Lamar said, noting that Drake had erred âthe moment you called out my familyâs name.â Instead of a rap battle, Lamar concluded after another six minutes of psychological dissection, âthis a long life battle with yourself.â
He wasnât done yet. Dispensing with subtlety, Lamar followed up again less than 24 hours later with âNot Like Us,â a bouncy club record in a Los Angeles style that delighted in more traditional rap beef territory, like juvenile insults, proudly unsubstantiated claims of sexual preferences and threats of violence.
Lamar, however, didnât leave it at that, throwing one more shot at Drakeâs authenticity as a rapper, calling him a greedy and artificial user as a collaborator â ânot a colleague,â but a âcolonizer.â
On Sunday evening, Drake responded yet again. On âThe Heart Part 6,â a title taken from Lamarâs career-spanning series, Drake denied the accusation that he preyed on young women, indicated that he had planted the bad information about his fake daughter and seemed to sigh away the fight as âsome good exercise.â
âItâs good to get out, get the pen working,â Drake said in an exhausted outro. âYou would be a worthy competitor if I was really a predator.â He added, âYou know, at least your fans are getting some raps out of you. Iâm happy I could motivate you.â
Joe Coscarelli is a culture reporter with a focus on popular music, and the author of “Rap Capital: An Atlanta Story.” More about Joe Coscarelli
Explore the World of Hip-Hop
The long-building and increasingly testy rap beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake  has exploded into full-bore acrimony .
As their influence and success continue to grow, artists including Sexyy Red and Cardi B are destigmatizing motherhood for hip-hop performers .
ValTown, an account on X and other social media platforms, spotlights gangs and drug kingpins of the 1980s and 1990s , illustrating how they have driven the aesthetics and the narratives of hip-hop.
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Hip-hop got its start in a Bronx apartment building 50 years ago. Hereâs how the concept of home has been at the center of the genre ever since .
Over five decades, hip-hop has grown from a new art form to a culture-defining superpower . In their own words, 50 influential voices chronicle its evolution .
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The pair went on to appear together on "Poetic Justice," a single from Lamar's debut album, "Good Kid, M.A.A.D City," in 2012, as well as "___ Problems" by ASAP Rocky the same year.