Cover Letter Templates

/ any level of experience

Resumes Student/Intermediate

Cover Letters All levels of experience

16+ Convincing Cover Letter Templates [Pick & Download]

Looking to create a cover letter that stands out? Try one of our 12 cover letter templates (and land that job)!

examples of professional cover letters for resumes

Traditional

General Cover Letter Template

Professional

Skill-Based Cover Letter Template

Skill-Based

College Cover Letter Template

Expert Reviews

Oana Vintila

Career Counselor

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

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

Gabriela Tardea

Career Strategist, Coach & Trainer

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

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

Why Novorésumé?

Matching Cover Letters

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

Creative & Standard Templates

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

Get Inspired with Our Cover Letter Examples

Cover letters resources, what is a cover letter.

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

The main purpose of your cover letter is to:

Show your motivation for working at the company

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

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

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

Keep in mind that the cover letter is usually read after the recruiter scans your resume and decides that you’re qualified for the position.

Why Use a Cover Letter Template?

Your cover letter is just as (if not more) important as your resume.

After all, your resume is what gets your foot through the door, but a cover letter is what opens that door.

So, if you put so much effort into your resume, why not do the same for your cover letter?

A good cover letter template can show the recruiter that you’re serious about the job (especially if it matches your resume design).

What to Include in Your Cover Letter?

Every good cover letter has the following sections:

Header - On top of the cover letter, you write down your own contact information, as well as the recruiter’s (recruiter name, company name, company address, etc…).

Greeting - A formal greeting for the recruiter. E.g. “Dear Sir or Madam,” To learn how to address your cover letter better, check out our article.

Opening paragraph - The introduction of your resume. Here, you summarize your background info (“financial analyst with X+ years of experience”), state your intent (“looking for X position at Company Y”), and summarize your 1-2 achievements to get the recruiter hooked.

Second paragraph - In the second paragraph, you explain how you’re qualified for the position and why the recruiter should pick YOU.

Third paragraph - You talk about why you’re a good match for the company. Do you share common values? Is the company working on projects you’re interested in? Etc…

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

How to Write a Great Cover Letter?

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

Here are, however, some of the key takeaways:

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

Do Your Research - Most companies don’t like people who “spray and pray” - applying for dozens of jobs without giving any much thought. What they ARE looking for is someone that’s passionate about their company, and wants to contribute. So, do your research about the companies you apply for, and show off your knowledge and passion in your cover letter.

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

How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?

Most recruiters agree that a cover letter should be brief and concise. It should be around 1-page max, within a 250 to 400 word range.

How Can I Write a Student Cover Letter?

Pretty much the same way you’d write a regular cover letter, with one difference.

Instead of focusing on your work experience, you should talk about:

Why you want to work for the company you’re applying for

How your educational background prepared you for the job

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

See what our customers think

Cover Letter Templates FAQ?

How to make a simple cover letter for your resume.

Simply pick one of our 12 cover letter templates above to get started.

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

What is the Best Cover Letter Template?

There’s no such thing as the “best cover letter template.” After all, every single recruiter has their own personal taste. Some might like a shiny & flashy cover letter template, while others might think it’s tacky.

As a rule of thumb, though, we usually recommend customizing each cover letter for the company you’re sending it to.

cookies image

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

ResumeCoach

Resume Templates

Resume samples

examples of professional cover letters for resumes

Create and edit your resume online

Generate compelling resumes with our AI resume builder and secure employment quickly.

Write a cover letter

examples of professional cover letters for resumes

Cover Letter Examples

Cover Letter Samples

examples of professional cover letters for resumes

Create and edit your cover letter

Use our user-friendly tool to create the perfect cover letter.

Featured articles

  • How to Write a Motivation Letter With Examples
  • How to Write a Resume in 2024 That Gets Results
  • Teamwork Skills on Your Resume: List and Examples
  • What Are the Best Colors for Your Resume?

Latests articles

  • Top 5 Tricks to Transform Your LinkedIn Profile With ChatGPT
  • Using ChatGPT to Prepare for Interviews: Top Tips and Steps
  • How to Create an Effective Cover Letter with ChatGPT
  • 10 Jobs in High Demand in 2024: Salaries and Expected Growth

examples of professional cover letters for resumes

Dive Into Expert Guides to Enhance your Resume

Free Professional Cover Letter Example and Writing Tips

Margaret Buj

Career expert

CV template Professional

A cover letter that’s well-written and tailored for the position you want to get is an essential part of any job application.

A properly prepared resume is key for making a good first impression on potential employers. Additionally, it’s worth noting that at least 10% of all recruiters also expect candidates to submit a cover letter along with their resume.

Make sure yours stands out perfectly for the role you’re seeking by using our professional examples below along with our cover letter builder.

Choose Your Cover Letter Sample

Discover our sample cover letters for job applications and find out the best tips and advice.

  • Administrative Assistant
  • Engineering
  • Receptionist
  • Dental Assistant
  • Executive Assistant
  • Flight Attendant
  • Business Analyst
  • Software Engineer
  • Customer Service
  • Sales Associate
  • Data Entry Clerk
  • Property Manager
  • Esthetician
  • Office Manager
  • Software Developer
  • Event Coordinator
  • Office Assistant
  • Elementary Teacher
  • Operations Manager
  • Medical Receptionist
  • Bank Teller
  • Personal Assistant
  • Phlebotomist
  • Mechanical Engineer
  • Pharmacy Technician

Examples of Cover Letters

There’s more than one way to format and prepare a letter . Depending on the type of job you’re targeting and your level of experience , you have several options to choose from.

Check out our article on how to write a cover letter for more useful tips and advice to help you write yours from scratch.

Get Started With a Simple Cover Letter

Little-to-no professional experience? Don’t worry! You can still create a cover letter that’s simple but effective. Use your letter to highlight your most employable features and get started on your career journey.

Dear Adrian,

I am writing to apply for the Customs Broker position at Geoplex Inc. as posted on LinkedIn.com. I am a qualified and fully licensed broker, with over 4 years of experience and an exemplary history of managing drilling machinery imports.

I was particularly interested in the position with Geoplex, as I share in the company values of growth and innovation. Working with Benson LLC, my current organization, I’ve overseen a 12% cut in costs, as well as ensuring the standards of compliance expected by the US CBP.

Furthermore, I’ve developed a reputation for coming up with exceptional solutions to problems. This has been an especially vital skill in my current role, especially when resolving any factors arising from clearance and deliveries.

I am eager to continue my upward trajectory in a new position and would relish the opportunity to make that happen with Geoplex Inc. Please find enclosed my resume, which provides additional detail on my skills and experience as well as my complete contact information.

Please feel free to reach out to me at your leisure via my personal number or email address. I look forward to speaking to you further regarding the position.

Connie Barnes

What Makes This a Strong Simple Cover Letter?

A simple cover letter allows you to convey a lot of information fast with little excess detail. Done well, this type of cover letter gives you an edge over the competition, in a concise and focused manner.

Show why you’re suitable

In this example, the applicant uses a polite greeting and gives all their contact details. Importantly, they use the first paragraph to quickly outline interest in the job and explain why they’d be suitable .

This allows you as the candidate to show that you have a  genuine enthusiasm for applying . You can then dedicate the rest of the initial opening to offering some tidbits of information that will further motivate the recruiter to keep reading.

Learn the basics about  writing addresses on cover letters  so you can plan what information to include.

Showcase your achievements

In the next part of the document, our writer has added some key examples of how they made a difference in their last job. They’ve demonstrated a little about the essential tasks they did and focused on the results they achieved in doing so.

Get them to read your resume

To finish things off, they have reiterated their enthusiasm for the role and have gradually started to draw the conversation towards the possibility of an interview.

It also creates some interest in the resume (which will be a more detailed explanation of your professional experience).

As you can see, each part of the document takes the reader on a short journey from the reason for applying, to why you’d be the best candidate for the job, to finally angling towards the next steps of the process.

By doing this while focusing on the job description this will provide the recruiter with exactly what they’ll need to pick you for an interview.

Craft a Persuasive Professional Cover Letter

In our example of a professional cover letter, you’ll see how to start writing and organizing a document that can help take you to the next level of your career .

If you’ve already got a few years of experience under your belt, learn how to use it to your advantage.

Dear Patricia,

I wanted to make contact with you to register my interest in the Key Account Manager position with Rhino Insurance that is advertised on LinkedIn. During my 8 years of working in insurance, Rhino is a company I’ve always admired and I think I could offer you the skills you’re looking for.

My goal is and always has been to get the maximum from my staff and create excellent relationships with high-profile clients. That’s why over the last 4 years of working with Yannick Mutual I’ve overseen a 93% retention rate and helped to raise revenue by as much as 14%.

Great customer management is a skill that I know Rhino values highly and it is something I pride myself on also. Your 4.8-star customer satisfaction rating stands as a testament to your ability to respond properly to your client’s needs and I would love to bring my experience to help you achieve even better results.

I would be more than happy to talk in more depth about how I can help Rhino continue its success. Please contact me at 207-440-4475 if you would be interested in meeting for an interview.

Thank you for considering my application and I hope we can discuss the opportunity in more depth soon.

Raquel Galaz

What Makes This an Effective Professional Cover Letter?

Professional cover letters will need to be more detailed than some other types like  entry-level  or  simple cover letters .  However, conciseness is still key .

Start out strong

As you can see in this example of a good cover letter, the writer has started as usual by formally greeting the recruiter .

They then go on to introduce themselves and start making a strong case for why they would be the right choice.

Give specific examples

In the next section, they move on to explain a little about the way they manage in their current job. They also add specific instances  illustrating where they brought results .

As an experienced professional, you’ll be expected to provide plenty of examples of how you made a difference in previous jobs and what you achieved.

Encourage next steps

To finish things off, the candidate added important elements of a good conclusion:

  • Stating a desire to meet
  • Contact information
  • Thank you for the employer’s consideration

This detailed document covers a lot in just a few paragraphs, however, it strikes the right  balance between essential information and brevity . It also functions well as it is specifically tailored to the type of profile that the recruiter is looking for.

Elevate Your Entry-Level Cover Letter

When you’re starting in your career, or you’ve made a  major change of industry  you’re going to need an effective entry-level cover letter. Use our example to get your professional journey off on the right foot.

I am writing to express my interest in the Structural Engineer position with Rode Engineering advertised on Glassdoor.com. Having recently completed my B.S. in Engineering from MIT in May 20XX, I would love to start my career with Rode and feel I would be a perfect fit for the role being offered.

You stated in your notice that you are looking for a candidate with superb communication skills, excellent focus, and who is a good team player. This is precisely what I would be able to bring to the position. During my time at MIT, I was an active member of the volleyball team, where interdependency, strategy, and quick decision-making were invaluable skills for success.

Additionally, over 2 summers, I interned with Humbert Energy for 6 months, working with their infrastructure team. This gave me a working knowledge of everyday engineering tasks as well as many more abilities such as spotting worn parts, serious flaws in a design, and necessary structural repairs.

As you can see, my hands-on experience, my extracurricular activities, and my Engineering B.S. make me a great fit for the Structural Engineer role at Rode. I would be excited to discuss the position more in person.

Thank you very much for considering my application. Please feel free to contact me either on my phone number 412-721-6679 or my personal email to talk about the position at length. I look forward to hearing from you.

Dan Gillard

What Makes This a Convincing Entry-Level Cover Letter?

Like all good cover letters, this example starts by making a  soft introduction  and giving a little detail as to why the candidate could be a good fit for the role.

Explain you’re newly qualified

The entry-level cover letter immediately addresses the elephant in the room — the lack of professional experience.

The candidate makes it clear that they’re newly qualified while emphasizing their enthusiasm for the role.

Highlight your qualifications

By mentioning their qualification right away , the recruiter can see they’re fully trained for the job, despite the lack of experience.

Your qualifications are going to be your biggest selling point in this type of letter. If you don’t have any, instead focus on relevant examples of hands-on work experience.

Show how you meet the requirements

In the main body of this example letter, we can see that the applicant has focused entirely on addressing the job requirements point-by-point. They’ve brought specific examples of where their  college education and time studying were put to good use  and how this could apply to the sort of profile the recruiter is looking for.

This involves a mix of  hard skills and soft skills , but it helps to make up for any lack of real-world professional experience. To make their case even stronger, they have been able to include details of an internship, which could help make a difference against the competition.

End on a positive note

To finish everything off, the writer has given a short prompt to  reiterate why they would fit the desired profile well , in a quick conclusion. All that then needs to be added is a short paragraph giving the recruiter a call to action and hopefully instigating the next steps in the process.

Create a Career Change Cover Letter

Here’s an example of a cover letter tailored for an individual making a career transition . This letter showcases how to effectively pivot skills and experience to a new industry:

Dear Ms. Smith,

I am writing to express my interest in the Marketing Specialist position at Innovatech Solutions, as advertised on LinkedIn. With a robust background in financial analysis, I am excited about the opportunity to apply my skills and experiences in a new and challenging context within the marketing industry.

In my previous role as a Financial Analyst at Global Finance Inc., I honed my skills in data analysis and strategic planning, which I believe are directly transferable to the Marketing Specialist role. For instance, I led a project where I analyzed market trends and financial data to develop strategies that increased our department’s efficiency by 25%. This experience has equipped me with a unique perspective and an array of skills that I am eager to bring to your team.

Moreover, my passion for creative problem-solving and digital marketing has driven me to pursue this career change. I have taken proactive steps to prepare myself for this transition, including completing a comprehensive digital marketing certification course and actively managing a small business’s social media accounts. My dedication to continuous learning and adaptation makes me well-suited for the dynamic environment at Innovatech Solutions.

I am particularly drawn to Innovatech Solutions because of your commitment to innovation and excellence in technology marketing. I am enthusiastic about the prospect of contributing to such a forward-thinking and innovative team, and I am confident that my background and drive for excellence will make me a valuable addition to your organization.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my experience and enthusiasm for change make me an ideal candidate for this position. I am available at your convenience for an interview and can be reached at (555) 123-4567 or [email protected].

What Makes This a Powerful Cover Letter?

This cover letter effectively addresses the challenges and opportunities of a career change. It demonstrates the candidate’s ability to transfer valuable skills from one industry to another, highlighting adaptability and a keen understanding of how past experiences can benefit the new role.

The specific mention of proactive steps taken to prepare for the industry switch , such as courses or certifications, showcases the candidate’s commitment and initiative, which are highly valued traits in any industry.

Focus on transferable skills and achievements. Demonstrate how your experiences in previous roles or industries can bring unique value and fresh perspectives to the new position.

Personalize your cover letter

Additionally, the cover letter is personalized to the target company, showing that the candidate has done their research and is genuinely interested in the company’s culture and values.

This level of personalization and the clear articulation of why the candidate is drawn to the company set this cover letter apart.

Show your enthusiasm for the new role

The candidate’s enthusiasm for the new field and the positive tone throughout the letter convey confidence and readiness for the transition, making a strong case for why they should be considered despite the career change.

This approach ensures that the focus is on the candidate’s potential and future contributions, rather than solely on their experiences in a different industry.

Return to Workforce Cover Letter

Returning to the workforce after a career gap is easier with the right cover letter. Show you’re ready to restart your career with these tips.

Dear Mr. Johnson,

I am excited to apply for the Project Coordinator position at TechPros Solutions, as posted on LinkedIn. After a dedicated pause in my career to focus on pursuing further education, I am eager to re-enter the workforce with a renewed passion and commitment.

During my career hiatus, I have actively honed my skills in project management and digital marketing through online courses and freelance projects. These experiences have not only kept me professionally engaged but have also reinforced my dedication to personal growth and learning.

My previous professional background includes Marketing Specialist roles at XYZ Marketing Agency, where I excelled in developing and implementing digital marketing campaigns that increased client revenue by 30%. Although I temporarily stepped away from the corporate world, I have remained committed to organizational skills, problem-solving abilities, and adaptability, which I believe are vital for success in the Project Coordinator role.

I am drawn to TechPros Solutions for its innovative approach to project management in the tech industry, and I am confident that my unique blend of experiences and skills will complement your team’s dynamic and innovative environment.

I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to discuss how my background and determination align with the goals of TechPros Solutions. Please find my resume attached, and I look forward to the possibility of an interview to further explore how my return to the workforce can be a valuable asset to your organization.

Thank you for considering my application. I can be reached at (555) 987-6543 or [email protected], and I am available for an interview at your convenience.

Emily Turner

What Makes This an Effective Return-to-the-Workforce Cover Letter?

This cover letter for re-entering the workforce effectively addresses the unique challenges and strengths of individuals returning after a career break. Here’s why it stands out :

Candid explanation

The candidate openly acknowledges their career hiatus and the reason behind it. This transparency demonstrates honesty and relatability, instantly connecting with hiring managers who appreciate straightforwardness.

Active skill enhancement

The cover letter highlights the candidate’s proactive approach during the career break, emphasizing continuous skill development through online courses and volunteer work. This showcases the candidate’s commitment to staying relevant in the industry.

Relevant transferable skills

The candidate strategically links their past professional experience, such as marketing roles, to the skills needed for the target position, in this case, project coordination.

By highlighting transferable skills like organization, problem-solving, and adaptability, the cover letter demonstrates readiness for the new role.

Alignment with company values

The candidate expresses genuine interest in the company by mentioning specific aspects of TechPros Solutions that attract them. This personalization shows that the candidate has done their homework and is genuinely excited about the organization.

Highlight the skills, experiences, and personal growth gained during the career break. Show potential employers how these factors make you a stronger and more well-rounded candidate.

This cover letter effectively bridges the career gap and positions the candidate as a valuable asset, ready to bring a fresh perspective and dedication to their new role.

It exemplifies how re-entering the workforce can be a positive and mutually beneficial experience for both the candidate and the company.

Ace Your Internship Application Cover Letter

Below is a sample cover letter tailored for internship applications, showing how to effectively showcase your academic background and enthusiasm for a specific role.

Dear Mr. Anderson,

I am writing to express my strong interest in the Marketing Internship position at InnovateTech Solutions, as advertised on InternshipPortal.com. As a sophomore pursuing a degree in Marketing at Valleyview University, I am eager to apply my coursework and passion for digital marketing to a real-world professional setting.

Through my academic coursework and extracurricular involvement, I have developed a solid foundation in digital marketing strategies, including social media management, SEO optimization, and email marketing, which I believe aligns perfectly with the requirements of the Marketing Internship. For instance, my coursework in Digital Marketing Trends has equipped me with a strong understanding of current market dynamics, and my involvement in the Marketing Club has allowed me to apply these skills in a practical context by organizing successful promotional campaigns for local businesses.

I am particularly drawn to InnovateTech Solutions for its reputation for innovation and commitment to cutting-edge technology solutions. I am eager to contribute to the company’s marketing initiatives and gain valuable hands-on experience in digital marketing under the guidance of your talented team.

My drive for excellence, adaptability, and strong work ethic make me a dedicated learner and a valuable addition to your organization. I am excited about the opportunity to further discuss how my skills and enthusiasm align with the goals of InnovateTech Solutions.

Thank you for considering my application. Please find my resume attached, and I am available for an interview at your earliest convenience. I can be reached at (555) 789-1234 or [email protected].

Hannah Williams

What Makes This a Strong Cover Letter for Internship Applications?

Firstly, this cover letter opens with a concise and clear introduction , leaving no room for ambiguity about the candidate’s interest in the specific internship role. This immediate expression of enthusiasm sets a positive tone for the reader.

Secondly, the cover letter effectively aligns the candidate’s academic and extracurricular experiences with the internship’s requirements .

Instead of merely listing qualifications, it provides context by highlighting relevant coursework and extracurricular activities. This approach allows the reader to see how the candidate’s background directly relates to the position.

Showcase your relevant coursework and extracurricular activities, and how they connect to the internship role to demonstrate your enthusiasm and eagerness.

Additionally, the cover letter has a high level of personalization. It’s evident that the candidate has invested time in researching the company, resulting in a letter that resonates with the organization’s mission and values . By expressing a genuine interest in the company, the candidate demonstrates their commitment to being a cultural fit.

In summary, this cover letter’s strength lies in its clarity, alignment of qualifications, and personalization, making it a well-rounded and compelling introduction to the candidate’s potential as an intern.

Creative Cover Letter

Creative cover letters stray a little from the normal rules of job applications. Find out how to effectively  create a document for a more artistic job that gets results  and demonstrates your creativity.

Dear David,

Fudge Digital is hiring and I am just the person you need. My name is Susan Taylor and I’m a seasoned and successful Digital Marketing Manager with more than 5 years of online marketing experience. Fudge is a business with a reputation for bringing together creativity and progress. Together, I think we’d make the perfect team.

I live and breathe life as a digital creative and in the last 5 years, it’s been my honor to be able to call myself a professional in this field. I make it my mission to create attractive and effective marketing assets that look great and sell better. In the last quarter, the digital assets my team and I brought to life have smashed their targets by over 30%.

My biggest guiding forces are communication and cooperation and I know that Fudge also appreciates these skills. I’ve been following your blog for a couple of years now and have always been impressed by the values of teamwork and inspiration that are woven into everything you do.

I was also totally blown away by your Award-winning video campaign. Hopefully, we’ll be able to work together to see that you retain the title next year.

Thank you for taking the time to read through my application. I am contactable by email every day or by landline Monday to Friday from 6 pm onwards. I hope we can meet soon to discuss how we can help Fudge reach even greater heights.

Yours truly,

Susan Taylor

What Makes This a Creative Cover Letter?

In most cases, creative cover letters involve  even more individuality than most  and rely on standing out. Nevertheless, they still follow normal letter-writing conventions.

As you can see in our professional example, the writer still uses  standard formality and letter structure . However, once they launch into their opening salvo they do so with a much more imaginative approach.

The letter opening still introduces the candidate and sells them a little as the perfect fit for the job. As you would normally expect, it also gives some detail about the  motivations of the applicant .

Don’t get too experimental with your cover letter. It is still a formal part of your job application and whilst you can take some risks it still has to focus on the task at hand.

The middle sections of this letter focus on building a complete picture of the candidate. It goes into detail whilst also  adding more creative embellishments  than you wouldn’t normally see in a  simple  or  professional cover letter .

Our candidate chooses to use specific examples  that illustrate the success their work has brought in. In this case, exceeding commercial targets by double-digit percentages.

This writer also goes a step further and gives a lot more information about  how the company itself got their attention  and how both parties’ goals align. Again, they cite a specific example to strengthen their hand and to show they have done their research on the business.

The author of the letter then finishes off with a quick thank you for consideration and gives the recruiter some details on how to make contact. This leaves the reader with a  positive final impression  as well as the precise sort of information they need to move the process forward.

As we can see, creative documents are worded very differently from more conventional ones. However, even in these cases, it’s still essential to  give as much evidence as possible  on your working record, using numerical data where possible.

How to Write a Short Cover Letter

It isn’t always necessary to write a cover letter that fills an entire page. If you can manage to explain why you’re the best candidate for the position, your  cover letter’s length   does not need to be that long .

Use the top 1 to 2 reasons you should be hired , and keep what you write relevant to the vacancy.

Dear Mr. James,

I’ve loved teaching and working with children and adolescents since I was a summer camp counselor in my junior year of high school.

I have over eight years of teaching experience at the middle school level, working with children that cover a wide range of learning skills. The state test scores of my students have collectively finished in the 95th percentile of all test takers in each of the past four years. Considering all of these factors, I believe I am the ideal candidate for the 7th and 8th-grade math teacher position at Woodlawn Middle School.

Please feel free to contact me at any time, I can be reached at 555-732-4198 or by email at [email protected]

Frederik Gorman

You might not think less is more when you are applying for a job vacancy. However, in this case, a short cover letter can be just as convincing as a long one . There are cover letters that last an entire page and list  irrelevant information .

The purpose of a short cover letter is to get straight to the point . As we can see in the above short cover letter example, the applicant makes it clear right away that they are excited about the chance to fill the position.

Don’t worry so much about trying to flatter the employer. Get into what makes you the perfect candidate right at the beginning, and mention you would like a response soon.

The body of the letter and the ending of the letter achieve several things :

  • Addresses a specific accomplishment
  • Makes the candidate’s skills and experience clear
  • Enthusiasm for the job and an interview

Normal cover letters will go into further detail regarding the experience and skills the candidate possesses, however, this type of letter briefly yet effectively communicates the same information.

What Should I Include in My Cover Letter?

An effective cover letter will need the following 4 key elements shown below

1. A formal greeting

Your first contact with the employer should be formal. You should address them as Mr/Mrs/Ms . for this initial interaction and state their name. If possible, avoid generic openers like “Dear Sir/Madam” or “To whom it may concern”.

2. A persuasive introduction

Use the first paragraph to introduce yourself as a candidate and to make a great first impression . Use this space to give quick reasons why you applied and would be the right choice for the precise job on offer.

3. Compelling paragraphs

This next part of the letter can be used to build a convincing argument as to why you’d be the right pick for the company . Use numerical evidence to support your case and make your achievements eye-grabbing.

4. Strong Final Impression

Finally, start moving the conversation toward the next stage of the job selection process. Encourage the recruiter to read your resume for further details and explain that you’re keen to meet in person as well as how you can be contacted.

[Hiring Manager’s name]

[Company name]

[Company address]

Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms. [Hiring Manager Name]

I am contacting you to communicate my interest in the Administrative Assistant role being advertised by [company]. This role caught my attention as I have a strong educational background and extensive experience in the office administration of medium-sized businesses. I think this knowledge and expertise could be highly valuable to [company].

During my 6-year career, I have assisted with a wide range of office administrative tasks using Microsoft Office and LibreOffice software. I have been responsible for maintaining and managing sensitive data at every step of the meeting organization from planning to the recording of minutes, as well as drafting critical communications.

In my current position, I was also tasked with optimizing the efficiency of our office supply buying, the results of which saved the company over $1,800 per quarter. I also enhanced my written skills greatly by assisting with the drafting and proofing of important executive correspondences.

I have enclosed my resume with this letter to provide further information about my career history so far. I hope that my credentials represent a good match for this role.

I am very keen to learn more about the position and would be eager to organize a meeting to discuss it in more detail. In the meantime, I’d like to thank you for your consideration and invite you to contact me at any time regarding the opportunity.

I can be reached every evening from 4 pm to 8.30 pm via home phone or at any time with my email address listed below.

Address Phone number Email address

Essential Points to Highlight In Your Cover Letter

What exactly should your cover letter include? Here’s a quick summary of the essentials:

  • Write for the employer : Keep the needs of the employer in mind when you start writing your letter. Discard any details that don’t serve the specific job description.
  • Highlight your strengths : Convey your achievements and results that best suit the job. Show that you could fit into the business easily and deliver success from the go.
  • Detail skills and qualifications : Briefly demonstrate to the employer you’ve got the right training for the role and show your dedication to personal and professional development.
  • Add a little something extra : Don’t shy away from adding relevant personal details that may enhance your profile. Highlight any hobbies or interests that could make you a good match for the role

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Your Cover Letter

Crafting the perfect cover letter is an art. While we’ve provided you with some stellar examples to guide you, it’s equally important to know what pitfalls to avoid . 

Here are some common mistakes that could be the difference between your application landing in the ‘yes’ pile or the recycling bin:

  • Overgeneralization : Tailoring your cover letter to each job application is crucial. Avoid using a one-size-fits-all approach. Recruiters can easily spot a generic cover letter, and it often suggests a lack of genuine interest in the role.
  • Rehashing your resume : Your cover letter should complement, not duplicate, your resume. Use this opportunity to tell a story or provide context to your experiences that your resume cannot convey.
  • Lengthy narratives : Brevity is the soul of wit, especially in cover letters. Keep it concise. Aim for a few short paragraphs, ensuring each sentence adds value and advances your case.
  • Neglecting the company’s culture : Each company has its unique culture and values. Show that you’ve done your homework by aligning your cover letter’s tone and content with the company’s ethos.
  • Typos and grammatical errors : Nothing undermines your professionalism more than spelling and grammar mistakes. Proofread meticulously, and consider having someone else review your cover letter.
  • Overconfidence or underconfidence : Striking the right balance is key. Avoid coming off as arrogant, but also don’t sell yourself short. Be confident in your abilities and experiences without overstepping.
  • Skipping the call to action : Conclude with a clear call to action. Express your enthusiasm for a potential interview and provide your contact details, encouraging the recruiter to engage further.
  • Ignoring instructions : If the job posting has specific instructions for your cover letter, follow them. Failing to do so can be seen as a lack of attention to detail or inability to follow directions.
  • Using clichés : Phrases like “I’m a team player” or “I think outside the box” are overused. Instead, provide specific examples that demonstrate these qualities.
  • Forgetting to personalize : Address the letter to a specific person whenever possible. “Dear Hiring Manager” is a last resort. Personalization shows you’ve put effort into understanding who is hiring.

Make your cover letter count by avoiding these common mistakes and you’ll be one step closer to landing the job you want.

Advantages of Using Cover Letter Examples to Write Your Own

As well as offering guidance and some inspiration , cover letter examples can be useful tools in helping you learn how to  highlight the most important information  that employers will need to know about.

When  creating your cover letter , ResumeCoach’s examples can help with the following points:

Learn the length you should use and the sections that you will need to include.

2. Keywords

Personalize your cover letter and find the keywords that work for your sector.

3. Choice of language

Get the level of formality right and make the text accessible for any recruiter.

4. Adaptability and speed

Complete and adapt your cover letter and resume for any job with our editor.

CV template Modern

Trouble getting your Cover Letter started?

Beat the blank page with expert help.

Professional US Cover Letter Examples for 2024

Your US cover letter must immediately highlight your most relevant qualifications. Demonstrate how your skills align with the job requirements. Use specific examples to showcase your achievements. Connect your experiences directly to the position you're applying for.

Cover Letter Guide

US Cover Letter Sample

Cover Letter Format

Cover Letter Salutation

Cover Letter Introduction

Cover Letter Body

Cover Letter Closing

No Experience US Cover Letter

Key Takeaways

US cover letter

Writing a U.S. cover letter can feel like a stumbling block even after polishing your resume. You've hit the apply button, only to be faced with the task of crafting a letter that tells your story without echoing your resume. It's about highlighting that one gleaming achievement you're immensely proud of in a professional yet unique tone. Remember to keep it concise; a single page is your stage to shine, free of clichés and packed with personality.

  • Writing the essential us cover letter sections: balancing your professionalism and personality;
  • Mixing storytelling, your unique skill set, and your greatest achievement;
  • Providing relevant (and interesting) information with your us cover letter, despite your lack of professional experience;
  • Finding the perfect format for your[ us cover letter, using templates from industry experts.

Leverage the power of Enhancv's AI: upload your resume and our platform will map out how your us cover letter should look, in mere moments.

If the us isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:

  • US resume guide and example
  • Site Manager cover letter example
  • Career Change cover letter example
  • Military to Civilian cover letter example
  • Non Profit cover letter example
  • Volunteer cover letter example
  • Returning to Work cover letter example
  • Stay at Home Mom cover letter example
  • Returning to Workforce cover letter example
  • ATS cover letter example
  • Work from Home cover letter example

US cover letter example

Michelle Sanders

New York City, NY

+1-(234)-555-1234

[email protected]

  • Experience relevance: Illustrating direct experience through past roles (Unit Director at Altalife Limited) to establish expertise and a proven track record in product development and team leadership, which are core to the Product Manager role.
  • Achievement quantification: Citing specific outcomes such as the successful overhaul of a media library solution and the expansion of market share helps quantify achievements and demonstrates the ability to deliver results which is crucial for the Product Manager role.
  • Team management: Mentioning the leadership of a 16-engineer team showcases experience with cross-functional team management and resource orchestration, a key skill set for a Product Manager responsible for aligning various departments towards common goals.
  • Strategic vision alignment: Expressing eagerness to contribute strategic vision and confidence in spearheading growth initiatives connects personal goals with the company's objectives, showing a Product Manager's role as a strategic leader within the organization.

What should your us cover letter look like - formatting and organizing your information

Have you ever wondered what are the must-have sections you need to include in your us cover letter? Our builder sets those up for you with:

  • Header - dedicated to your contact information, the role you're applying for, and the date (don't forget to include your name);
  • Greeting and opening paragraph - to create a personalized and memorable experience for recruiters;
  • Body paragraph - emphasizing your skill set and knowledge that aligns with the role and helps you to stand out;
  • Closing paragraph - leaving a great impression and ending with an optional signature.

Use a cover letter template to discover the best formatting for your us cover letter: that is single-spaced paragraphs and wrapping your content in a one-inch margin.

Ensure that both your resume and us cover letter are in the same font . Stand apart from the crowd by using modern, yet simple fonts, like Chivo and Rubik, instead of the overused Arial and Times New Roman.

Did you know that the Applicant Tracker System (or ATS) won't be assessing your us cover letter? Instead, submit your profile in PDF to recruiters to keep the same formatting and the design intact.

The top sections on a us cover letter

  • Header: Include your contact information, the date, and the employer's contact details to ensure the recruiter can easily reach out to you and knows when the letter was drafted.
  • Opening Greeting: Start with a professional salutation that addresses the hiring manager directly, if you know their name, as this personalizes the cover letter and shows attention to detail.
  • Introduction: Clearly state the role you're applying for and provide a succinct overview of why you are the ideal candidate, grabbing the recruiter's attention and encouraging them to read further.
  • Body: In one or two paragraphs, highlight relevant experience, skills, and achievements that demonstrate your suitability for the specific role you are applying for, using examples to provide evidence of your capabilities.
  • Closing: End with a strong concluding statement that reiterates your interest in the position, thanks the recruiter for considering your application, and includes a call to action, such as requesting an interview.

Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter

As the job title was not provided in the initial request, I will use the example of a Software Engineer for this response:

  • Proficiency in relevant programming languages (e.g., Java, Python, C++): Establishes a foundational skill set necessary for code development and problem-solving.
  • Experience with software development methodologies (e.g., Agile, Scrum, DevOps): Indicates understanding of collaborative and iterative processes which are essential for modern software development.
  • Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git): Demonstrates ability to manage and collaborate on codebases effectively, an important aspect of team-based software projects.
  • Knowledge of software testing and quality assurance: Emphasizes a commitment to producing reliable and functional code, which is critical for maintaining a positive user experience.
  • Ability to work in a team and communicate effectively: Shows that the candidate can collaborate with other professionals, which is vital in the highly interactive environment of software engineering.
  • Problem-solving skills and attention to detail: Essential for diagnosing and fixing bugs, as well as writing code that is efficient and free of errors.

How to greet recruiters in your us cover letter salutation

As the saying goes, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression."

Write your us cover letter salutation to be more personalized to the actual hiring manager, who is set to assess your profile by:

  • greeting them on a first-name basis, if you have previously communicated with them (e.g. "Dear Sam,");
  • using their last name, if you have more formal communication or haven't spoken to them (e.g. "Dear Mr. Harrows" or "Dear Ms. Marshall");
  • writing "Dear HR Team" or "Dear Hiring Manager", if you have no clue about who's recruiting for the role.

Search on LinkedIn, Google, or the company website to find information as to the recruiter's name.

In any case, avoid the impersonal "Dear Sir or Madam".

List of salutations you can use

  • Dear [Hiring Manager's Name],
  • Dear [First Name Last Name],
  • Dear [Mr./Ms./Dr.] [Last Name],
  • Dear Hiring Committee,
  • Dear [Department] Team,
  • Dear [Job Title] Search Committee,

Your us cover letter intro: showing your interest in the role

On to the actual content of your us cover letter and the introductory paragraph .

The intro should be no more than two sentences long and presents you in the best light possible.

Use your us cover letter introduction to prove exactly what interests you in the role or organization. Is it the:

  • Company culture;
  • Growth opportunities;
  • Projects and awards the team worked on/won in the past year;
  • Specific technologies the department uses.

When writing your us cover letter intro, be precise and sound enthusiastic about the role.

Your introduction should hint to recruiters that you're excited about the opportunity and that you possess an array of soft skills, e.g. motivation, determination, work ethic, etc.

How to write an achievement-focused us cover letter body

We've got the intro and greeting covered. Now, comes the most definitive part of your us cover letter - the body .

In the next three to six paragraphs, you'd have to answer why should recruiters hire you.

What better way to do this than by storytelling?

And, no, you don't need a "Once upon a time" or "I started from the bottom and made it to the top" career-climbing format to tell a compelling narrative.

Instead, select up to three most relevant skills for the job and look back on your resume.

Find an achievement, that you're proud of, which has taught you these three job-crucial skills.

Quantify your accomplishment, using metrics, and be succinct in the way you describe it.

The ultimate aim would be to show recruiters how this particular success has built up your experience to become an invaluable candidate.

Ending your us cover letter to avoid "Sincerely yours"

Yes, this sort of closing statement may work best before your signature.

But you want to give recruiters something more with your us cover letter ending .

Some professionals choose to go down the path of promises. In a single sentence, they map out what they'd bring about to the role (whether that's a particular technical skill set or personal traits).

Others, decide to be more concrete by thanking recruiters for their time and prompting for their next interview.

Whatever path you choose, remember to always be polite and respectful of the opportunity you've had. Good manners go a long way.

What to write on your us cover letter, when you have zero experience

The best advice for candidates, writing their us cover letters with no experience , is this - be honest.

If you have no past professional roles in your portfolio, focus recruiters' attention on your strengths - like your unique, transferrable skill set (gained as a result of your whole life), backed up by one key achievement.

Or, maybe you dream big and have huge motivation to join the company. Use your us cover letter to describe your career ambition - that one that keeps you up at night, dreaming about your future.

Finally, always ensure you've answered why employers should hire precisely you and how your skills would benefit their organization.

Key takeaways

Winning at your job application game starts with a clear and concise us cover letter that:

  • Has single-spaced paragraphs, is wrapped in a one-inch margin, and uses the same font as the us resume;
  • Is personalized to the recruiter (using their name in the greeting) and the role (focusing on your one key achievement that answers job requirements);
  • Includes an introduction that helps you stand out and show what value you'd bring to the company;
  • Substitutes your lack of experience with an outside-of-work success, that has taught you valuable skills;
  • Ends with a call for follow-up or hints at how you'd improve the organization, team, or role.

Author image

Cover letter examples by industry

AI Section Background

AI cover letter writer, powered by ChatGPT

Enhancv harnesses the capabilities of ChatGPT to provide a streamlined interface designed specifically focused on composing a compelling cover letter without the hassle of thinking about formatting and wording.

  • Content tailored to the job posting you're applying for
  • ChatGPT model specifically trained by Enhancv
  • Lightning-fast responses

Cover Letter Background

Resume For One Year Of Experience

Should you bring a cover letter to an interview, a real example of a resume with no work experience showing impact, why and how to write a resignation email (with examples), beyoncé ’s resume proves she is the true artist of the year, how to put gpa on your resume.

  • Create Resume
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Preferences
  • Resume Examples
  • Resume Templates
  • AI Resume Builder
  • Resume Summary Generator
  • Resume Formats
  • Resume Checker
  • Resume Skills
  • How to Write a Resume
  • Modern Resume Templates
  • Simple Resume Templates
  • Cover Letter Builder
  • Cover Letter Examples
  • Cover Letter Templates
  • Cover Letter Formats
  • How to Write a Cover Letter
  • Resume Guides
  • Cover Letter Guides
  • Job Interview Guides
  • Job Interview Questions
  • Career Resources
  • Meet our customers
  • Career resources
  • English (UK)
  • French (FR)
  • German (DE)
  • Spanish (ES)
  • Swedish (SE)

© 2024 . All rights reserved.

Made with love by people who care.

Privacy preference center

We care about your privacy

When you visit our website, we will use cookies to make sure you enjoy your stay. We respect your privacy and we’ll never share your resumes and cover letters with recruiters or job sites. On the other hand, we’re using several third party tools to help us run our website with all its functionality.

But what exactly are cookies? Cookies are small bits of information which get stored on your computer. This information usually isn’t enough to directly identify you, but it allows us to deliver a page tailored to your particular needs and preferences.

Because we really care about your right to privacy, we give you a lot of control over which cookies we use in your sessions. Click on the different category headings on the left to find out more, and change our default settings.

However, remember that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of our website. Finally, note that we’ll need to use a cookie to remember your cookie preferences.

Without these cookies our website wouldn’t function and they cannot be switched off. We need them to provide services that you’ve asked for.

Want an example? We use these cookies when you sign in to Kickresume. We also use them to remember things you’ve already done, like text you’ve entered into a registration form so it’ll be there when you go back to the page in the same session.

Thanks to these cookies, we can count visits and traffic sources to our pages. This allows us to measure and improve the performance of our website and provide you with content you’ll find interesting.

Performance cookies let us see which pages are the most and least popular, and how you and other visitors move around the site.

All information these cookies collect is aggregated (it’s a statistic) and therefore completely anonymous. If you don’t let us use these cookies, you’ll leave us in the dark a bit, as we won’t be able to give you the content you may like.

We use these cookies to uniquely identify your browser and internet device. Thanks to them, we and our partners can build a profile of your interests, and target you with discounts to our service and specialized content.

On the other hand, these cookies allow some companies target you with advertising on other sites. This is to provide you with advertising that you might find interesting, rather than with a series of irrelevant ads you don’t care about.

Professional Cover Letter Example

Get more job offers and learn to write your next cover letter with our free, editable Professional cover letter example. Download this cover letter example as it is or alter it with ease in our powerful cover letter maker.

Milan Šaržík — Certified Professional Résumé Writer

Related resume guides and samples

How to craft an impressive flight attendant resume

How to write an excellent librarian resume

How to craft a compelling personal trainer resume

Professional Cover Letter Example (Full Text Version)

Helene Jacobsen

Dear Hiring Managers,

I was pleased to discover that your are seeking to fulfill the Digital Marketing Specialist position within Pier & Co., Inc. as I believe that I possess everything necessary to execute the role and all associated duties successfully. What is more, I am confident that this job would be an exceptional opportunity for me to apply my expertise and grow my career.

To briefly introduce myself, I am a Certified SEO Expert offering excellent communication skills and the important ability to function well both independently and in deadline-driven team environments. At WERT International, LLC, where I worked as a Digital Marketing Specialist for more than 2 years, I was given the responsibility for managing multiple marketing projects, improving the company's web traffic, and producing original content for multiple social media platforms. In addition, I maintained relevant databases, developed the project budgets, and communicated with business partners. During my time there, I have proved numerous times that I am a results-oriented person who is able to complete all assigned duties within budget and in a timely manner. Moreover, I have won the Employee of the Year Award once for increasing the number of followers on LinkedIn from 2,000 to 75,000.

Next, I am the University of California Santa Barbara graduate with a master's degree in Digital Marketing. At the university, I was involved in multiple clubs and societies and I served as a Class Representative for 1 year. Offering the experience with all software programs necessary for the role, including ActiveCampaign, Hubspot, ConvertKit, and Omnisend, I would appreciate the opportunity to come in for an interview to discuss the job in more detail in person. I can be reached at 555-555-5555 or via email at hello@kickresume. Thank you for your time and consideration and I look forward to speaking with you in the near future.

Milan Šaržík — Certified Professional Résumé Writer

Milan Šaržík, CPRW

Milan’s work-life has been centered around job search for the past three years. He is a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW™) as well as an active member of the Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Careers Coaches (PARWCC™). Milan holds a record for creating the most career document samples for our help center – until today, he has written more than 500 resumes and cover letters for positions across various industries. On top of that, Milan has completed studies at multiple well-known institutions, including Harvard University, University of Glasgow, and Frankfurt School of Finance and Management.

Edit this sample using our resume builder.

Don’t struggle with your cover letter. artificial intelligence can write it for you..

Don’t struggle with your cover letter. Artificial intelligence can write it for you.

Similar job positions

Personal Trainer Flight Attendant Librarian

Related others resume samples

Stagehand Resume Sample

Related others cover letter samples

Front Line Employee Cover Letter Template

Let your resume do the work.

Join 5,000,000 job seekers worldwide and get hired faster with your best resume yet.

english template

Home / Cover Letter Examples

Professional Cover Letter Examples for 2023

Accounting & finance.

Demonstrate your ability to balance a checkbook and that you can be trusted with company finances.

Administration & Office Support

Your organizational skills and attention to detail are key for this field.

Food Service

Show your dedication to excellent customer service and ability to work in a high-paced environment.

Design & Cultural Field

Impress your potential employer with your creative skills and ability to transform ideas into images.

Healthcare & Wellbeing

Demonstrate that you are an exceptionally qualified care worker who is capable of taking on work that requires empathy and compassion.

Construction & Maintenance

Show your expertise and technical skills that make you the perfect person to be trusted with this work.

Demonstrate your passion for teaching and commitment to student success, impressing the hiring manager with your ability to create a positive learning environment.

Transportation & Logistics

Impress the hiring manager with your excellent problem solving skills and adaptability along with technical skills.

Engineering

For these positions, your hard skills as well as your previous projects will prove to the recruiter that you are the person for the job.

Impress the hiring manager with your exceptional problem-solving abilities and adaptability, combined with your technical expertise in engineering.

Information Technology (IT)

Show off your technical skills and meticulous attention to detail in your resume to guarantee you get the job you deserve.

Law & Legal

Demonstrate your in-depth knowledge of legal matters, impressing the hiring manager with your ability to handle even the most challenging cases with ease and confidence.

Marketing & Sales

Demonstrating your ability to push sales using numbers and statistics is key for this field.

Demonstrate your excellent communication and analytical skills as well as dedication to law.

No experience

You may think you have nothing to add to your resume, but there are plenty of ways you can demonstrate that you have the right skills and personality for your first job.

examples of professional cover letters for resumes

  • Online Degree Explore Bachelor’s & Master’s degrees
  • MasterTrack™ Earn credit towards a Master’s degree
  • University Certificates Advance your career with graduate-level learning
  • Top Courses
  • Join for Free

How to Write an Internship Cover Letter: 9 Tips (+ Examples)

A strong cover letter can get you noticed when applying for an internship. Find out how to craft a standout cover letter today.

[Featured Image] Woman looking over cover letter

You’ve found an internship, and it’s exactly the opportunity you’ve been looking for to put you on the path to your dream job. But, the internship application requires you to send a cover letter .

Cover letters give you space to contextualize how your previous work experience and relevant skills make you a good fit for the position. They expand on your resume meaningfully, grabbing a hiring manager’s attention and demonstrating why you’re undeniably the right person for the internship. 

Use this guide to learn how to put your best foot forward with nine tips for your internship cover letter. You will also find examples alongside each tip and a cover letter template to help you compose your own. Whether you’re a high school student, recent college graduate or career switcher looking to start down a new path, these tips are for you. 

Internship cover letters: Why you need one

Cover letters provide hiring managers insight into applicants' experience, skills, and aspirations. As a result, cover letters can be especially helpful to early-career seekers applying for internships because they provide a more detailed picture of their backgrounds than their resumes might. 

Whether a job description asks for a cover letter or not, it is usually wise to send a unique resume to each internship to which you apply. Adding a cover letter can sometimes be the difference between landing the internship or not. 

Research conducted by ResumeGo between 2019 and 2020 found that cover letters can have a positive impact on how applications are interpreted by hiring managers. Among their many findings, the researchers found that [ 1 ]: 

87 per cent of hiring managers said they read cover letters. 

65 per cent of hiring managers said that cover letters influence their hiring decisions. 

81 per cent of hiring managers valued cover letters tailored to a specific position over generic ones. 

78 per cent of hiring managers said it was easy to tell when a cover letter was generic. 

These statistics suggest a cover letter's impact when applying for an internship and the importance of crafting one that speaks directly to the position. One thing is clear: cover letters matter. 

How to write a cover letter for an internship 

A cover letter is your chance to stand out from the crowded applicant pool. In this section, you’ll learn nine high-impact tips for crafting a cover letter that highlights your professionalism, aspirations, and qualifications. 

1. Properly format your cover letter.

Proper formatting will help hiring managers easily scan your cover letter for key information, such as your contact information and skills, and also convey your professionalism. From top to bottom, your cover letter should have the following elements: 

Keep to one page only : your cover letter should be one page long. This will keep it focused, impactful, and easily scannable for hiring managers.  

Header at the top: Include a header containing your contact information so hiring managers can easily contact you. 

Greetings: Your cover letter should open with a greeting to the hiring manager. This is a formality that makes your letter more personal. 

Intro: Your cover letter should include a brief introduction that describes who you are, what you are applying for, and your key qualifications. 

Body: The body of your cover letter is where you detail your experience, skills, and education. 

Conclusion/Call to action: Your cover letter should conclude with a call to action, encouraging your reader to contact you. 

Salutations: Finally, you want to leave the reader with a good impression by including a formal salutation followed by your full name. This conveys a sense of professionalism and friendliness. 

In the following tips, you will learn more about handling each of these parts of your resume to make them as impactful as possible. 

2. Have a professional email address.

The header of your cover letter is where you include your contact information, including your full name, phone number, and email address. 

While it may seem insignificant, one of the most important things you can do in your header is to include a professional-sounding email address. In this instance, the simpler the email address, the better. Create an email address that is a simple variant of your name with a common free email provider, such as Gmail. 

3. Personalize your greeting. 

While many cover letters are addressed simply “to whom it may concern,” a more impactful way to catch a hiring manager’s attention is by addressing them by name directly. 

In addition to making your cover letter more personal, this tactic highlights that you’ve researched and created a job-specific cover letter rather than sending a generic one. This can positively impact how a hiring manager views your resume and cover letter. 

You can find out who the hiring manager is by doing some straightforward research online. Some job descriptions will instruct you to email a specific person. In other cases, you might need to visit the organization’s website and see if you can identify the person who heads their internship or hiring efforts. 

If this fails, you can also reach out to the organization directly by either email or phone to see if they can provide the name of the hiring manager who will be looking at internship applications. Let them know that you are applying for the specific internship and would like to address the hiring manager directly in your application. 

If you can’t learn the hiring manager's name, don’t sweat it—your application likely won’t be penalized for a common, courteous greeting.

4. Include key information in the intro.

Your cover letter should include a short introduction that immediately identifies the specific internship position you are applying for and the key background information relevant to it. Ideally, your introduction should be limited to a few sentences, not exceeding four. 

Much like a thesis statement in a school paper, the introduction of your cover letter helps the reader understand your purpose for writing and the qualifications that make you ideal for the position. 

Dear Ms. Angelou, 

I am writing to apply for the editorial assistant internship position at Little House publishing. An avid reader since I first played cracked open Grimm’s (macabre) Fairytales as a five-year-old, I have made storytelling my personal and professional calling. As an English major at Toronto University, I have been an editor of our school’s literary magazine for three years, brought two theatre productions to life as a dramaturg, and taught reading and writing to countless children. 

5. Show how you and the internship are a perfect match. 

The key aim of your cover letter is to demonstrate to the hiring manager why you and the internship are a perfect match for one another. 

As a result, you should craft your letter to emphasize how your skill set and experience have prepared you for the position and why it can help you achieve your professional aims. Remember, an internship is as much an educational opportunity as a work experience, so don’t be afraid to note what the internship offers you and what you offer the internship. 

To identify how you and the internship are a good match for one another, do the following: 

1. Read through the job description and identify the skills and experience you possess. 

2. Identify what experience, skills, or understanding you will gain from the internship.

3. Include these points in your cover letter. 

“After studying Python for the last two years, IBM’s data science internship will finally give me the opportunity to see programming at work in the real world. Throughout secondary school, I’ve spent hours combing through data, creating visualizations, and posing questions to data big and small all by myself. At IBM, I will be a part of a community that takes data seriously, contributing to projects but learning even more.” 

6. Emphasise your education and extracurriculars.

While most jobs require applicants to have some relevant work experience, most internships typically expect applicants to have very little or even none. This is particularly true for internships geared toward high school and college students. 

If you’re a student without much (or any) relevant work experience, you should emphasize your education and extracurricular activities. You’ll be able to highlight your skills, interests, and concrete achievements for hiring managers as much as previous work experience would allow you to do. 

“As a computer science student, I have taken advanced courses on machine learning and programming data structures, achieving top grades in both. Later, I used these skills in the AI club when I taught a machine to visually recognize different hand gestures.” 

7. Use active language and note concrete outcomes. 

One key way to create impactful writing is to use active language that shows the reader how you achieved concrete outcomes. This method will help your reader fully comprehend what you have done and what you have ultimately achieved. 

Active language (also known as active voice) is when the subject of a sentence acts upon an object rather than the object being acted upon by an object. For example, consider the chart below: 

Using active language that clearly describes how you accomplished a specific result will keep the attention on you and what you can do.  

“As a writing tutor, I taught middle schoolers how to write in the active voice to help them articulate themselves with impact. To do it, I parsed sentences on the blackboard, edited essays live, and reinforced concepts week to week.  Our results spoke for themselves: test scores improved by 78 per cent in just two months.”

8. Consider using a bulleted list to highlight your technical skills. 

To make your cover letter more scannable, you might consider including a bullet point list of your relevant skills in the body. This technique can help readers identify important skills you possess that could help you stand out from the applicant pool. 

“Throughout my education and extracurriculars, I have honed many skills relevant to the internship, including: 

Collaboration

Problem-solving"

9. Include a call to action and salutation at the end of the letter. 

Your cover letter should leave the hiring manager wanting to reach out to you and a good picture of you. To leave them wanting to hear more from you, end the cover letter with a brief statement about your desire to speak more about the role soon and close with a professional salutation, such as “sincerely.”

“I look forward to talking soon about how I can contribute to the team this summer. Thank you for the opportunity, time, and consideration.

Sincerely, 

Abraham Lincoln”

Landing an internship can help you start your career. To ensure that you’re ready for that first day on the job, you might consider taking an online course or gaining a Professional Certificate in fields such as data science , project management , or social media marketing . 

Article sources

Resume Go. “ Cover Letters: Just How Important Are They? , https://www.resumego.net/research/cover-letters/.” Accessed April 30, 2024. 

Keep reading

Coursera staff.

Editorial Team

Coursera’s editorial team is comprised of highly experienced professional editors, writers, and fact...

This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

IMAGES

  1. Professional Cover Letter

    examples of professional cover letters for resumes

  2. FREE 6+ Tips for Writing a Resume Cover Letters in PDF

    examples of professional cover letters for resumes

  3. Top best 10 cover letter examples for a job application

    examples of professional cover letters for resumes

  4. Professional Cover Letter Examples for Job Seekers in 2020

    examples of professional cover letters for resumes

  5. 20+ Cover Letter Examples: Samples for Any Job In 2023

    examples of professional cover letters for resumes

  6. Download Cover Letter Professional Sample

    examples of professional cover letters for resumes

VIDEO

  1. 💼 $125K/Year Resume Breakdown! 🔓

  2. How to write a cover letter: Template & Tips

  3. Resumes and Cover Letters

  4. Start👏your👏resume👏in👏 high👏school

  5. Excel? Sure I am proficient... 😎

  6. Struggling to craft a cover letter that stands out? 👀

COMMENTS

  1. 200+ Professional Cover Letter Examples for Job Seekers

    Employer name. Company Name. Street address. City, State. Salutation. Dear [Hiring Manager's Name], Opening Paragraph (Introduction) Your cover letter opening should contain a self-introduction. Write about who you are, where your expertise lies, where you found the job posting, and why you want to apply for the job.

  2. 60+ Cover Letter Examples in 2024 [For All Professions]

    Consultant Cover Letter Example #10. Digital Marketing Cover Letter Example #11. Graphic Designer Cover Letter Example #12. Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Example #13. Front Desk Cover Letter Example #14. Human Resources Cover Letter Example #15. Sales Agent Cover Letter Example #16.

  3. Cover Letter Samples and Templates

    A cover letter should include the following parts: Header. Salutation. Introduction. Body paragraph. Closing paragraph. Letter ending and signature. The following cover letter samples and examples will show you how to write a cover letter for many employment circumstances. Browse cover letters by job title for inspiration.

  4. How To Write a Cover Letter (With Examples and Tips)

    Cover letter format. Your cover letter should be one page long and use a simple, professional font, such as Arial or Helvetica, 10 to 12 points in size. Your letter should be left-aligned with single spacing and one-inch margins. Jenn shares her advice on how and why to write a cover letter.

  5. 300+ Free Cover Letters Examples by Job [Full Guides] · Resume.io

    Production. 1. No matter your role in the manufacturing process, make your application stand out with our industry-specific cover letter examples. Share your story and strongest assets, then put your application together in a flash with our hassle-free builder tool and professional, customizable designs. Production.

  6. The 11 Best Cover Letter Examples of 2024

    1. The professional cover letter. In this great cover letter example, the applicant landed an IT project management job by proving they had the required project management skills and experience while providing highlights from their career: Include hard numbers in your cover letter to impress the employer.

  7. How to Write a Cover Letter [Full Guide & Examples for 2024]

    start your cover letter. with your contact details at the top. These should be in your cover letter's 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.

  8. Cover Letter Examples & Samples (Any Job or Industry)

    Use an AI cover letter generator to make a targeted cover letter in minutes. Find an example of an application letter for a job in your field for inspiration; we have more than 200 cover letter samples to choose from. Add your contact information to the header. Write the date. Add the recipient's address.

  9. Professional Cover Letter Templates

    Cover Letter Builder. Use our software and create a cover letter with a premade template. Let the Genius cover letter generator help you make your cover letter in minutes. Need a stylish, formal cover letter? Download one of our 40+ professional cover letter templates for free in either Word or Google Docs.

  10. Free Cover Letter Template for Your Resume (Copy & Paste)

    Pantheon. The "Pantheon" cover letter template's bold header projects confidence, making it ideal for executives. 2024. Designed for the modern job seeker, our "2024" cover letter template is perfect for people in any industry. Classic. "The Classic" cover letter template is clean, traditional, and the perfect format to start off your application.

  11. Free Cover Letter Examples & Samples for 2024

    Free. Cover Letter Examples. & Samples for 2024. Use our cover letter examples for your resume and write yours in a matter of minutes. Learn how to highlight your strengths and boost your chances of landing your dream job. Create your cover letter. Example of a cover letter created in our builder:

  12. How to Write a Cover Letter for a Job in 2024

    Respectfully, Kind regards, Best regards, Yours truly, Then, make two spaces below the salutation, and type your full name. For some professional (but optional) flair, sign your cover letter either with a scan of your signature or by using software like DocuSign. 8. Check your cover letter's content and formatting.

  13. The Best Cover Letter Examples for Any Job Seeker

    If your resume's pretty dull, a cover letter helps you show some personality. And yes, cover letters still get read. Does that sound a bit overwhelming? Don't fret! We've got examples of four types of cover letters below: a traditional cover letter, an impact cover letter, a writing sample cover letter, and a career change cover letter ...

  14. Cover Letter Examples, Templates and Writing Tips

    Law cover letter samples (3) The verdict is in — a strong cover letter is critical to landing a job in the field of law. Study our cover letter examples for a job as an attorney, legal assistant or lawyer. Free In-house Lawyer Cover Letter Templates. Professional Legal Secretary Cover Letter Sample & Writing Guide.

  15. 30+ Professional Cover Letter Samples by Industry

    How Our Professional Cover Letter Samples Help You. By using a cover letter sample, you have the opportunity to review original examples of effective motivation letters.. More importantly, you can review an example tailored to your position to get a clear idea of what to add and how. With our tools and guidance, you can create your letter in just 3 simple steps.

  16. 16+ Cover Letter Templates [Get Started in 1 Click]

    Some might like a shiny & flashy cover letter template, while others might think it's tacky. As a rule of thumb, though, we usually recommend customizing each cover letter for the company you're sending it to. Build a professional cover letter within minutes. Pick one of our 16 top templates, fill it in online, and download it in one click.

  17. Cover Letter Examples

    What Makes This an Effective Professional Cover Letter? Professional cover letters will need to be more detailed than some other types like entry-level or simple cover letters. However, conciseness is still key. Start out strong. As you can see in this example of a good cover letter, the writer has started as usual by formally greeting the ...

  18. 43 Professional Cover Letter Examples For Job Seekers in 2022

    With a cover letter, you can go in-depth on your qualifications, certifications, and work experience. The examples we've included are: Nursing cover letter. New graduate nurse cover letter ...

  19. Professional US Cover Letter Examples for 2024

    US cover letter example. Dear Hiring Manager, I have carefully considered your company's vision and the impactful role of a Product Manager within your team. Aligning with your innovative approaches, I bring a decade of experience steering product development and team leadership towards excellence.

  20. Professional Cover Letter Example

    Milan holds a record for creating the most career document samples for our help center - until today, he has written more than 500 resumes and cover letters for positions across various industries. On top of that, Milan has completed studies at multiple well-known institutions, including Harvard University, University of Glasgow, and ...

  21. Professional Cover Letter Examples for 2024

    A cover letter doubles your chances of catching the HR's attention, so don't skip it. Here on ResumeKit, we have a matching cover letter template for every resume. Our Cover Letter Builder will lead you through writing the perfect letter section by section to help you stand out among other candidates and get an interview invitation in no time.

  22. Professional Cover Letter Templates for 2024

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

  23. 24 Professional Resume Cover Letter Examples

    A cover letter serves as an introduction to your resume, outlining your qualifications and the reasons you are the best applicant for the position. Typically, cover letters are sent with resumes and give the prospective employer or hiring manager more information about your qualifications and what distinguishes you from the many other qualified candidates. A well-written cover letter should ...

  24. How to Create a Resume Outline

    It is a professional document with all the main sections of a resume, plus any optional additional sections and all the possible information you could include in each resume section. Use a resume outline as a blueprint to customize your resume by picking and choosing what is relevant to each application.

  25. How to Write an Internship Cover Letter: 9 Tips (+ Examples)

    Cover letters provide hiring managers insight into applicants' experience, skills, and aspirations. As a result, cover letters can be especially helpful to early-career seekers applying for internships because they provide a more detailed picture of their backgrounds than their resumes might.

  26. How to write a technician cover letter (With example)

    Cover letter example for a technician To give you an idea of a well-constructed cover letter, here is an example for a technician: Richard Smith Birmingham, B1 1BL 44 (0)1632 960513 [email protected] 20 March, 2024 Mr D. Brown Wavewords Dear Mr Brown, I am writing to apply for the technician position advertised on your website. As a qualified technician with more than five years of experience ...