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Land the job with cover letter templates

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

Download free cover letter templates

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

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

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

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Free Cover Letter Templates for Microsoft Word

• Microsoft Word Cover Letter Templates
• Access Letters From Your Computer

Access Templates Online

• Create a Customized Cover Letter

Tips for Writing an Interview-Winning Cover Letter

• More Free Templates

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A good cover letter can mean the difference between catching the hiring manager’s attention and languishing in job search limbo. But many job seekers find it hard to stare down that blank page. How do you summarize your most important qualifications in a way that makes it clear that you’re the best candidate for the job? Cover letter templates can help.

A cover letter template provides a "fill-in the-blank" format. You can use it to create your own letter to send with your resume when you apply for a job.

Using a template saves you a few steps and helps you structure your letter in a professional way.

Free Microsoft cover letter templates are available online from Microsoft Office Online, as a download for Microsoft Word users, or are available within your Word program.

Note that not all templates may work with all versions of Word, so check before you download. There will be a message next to the download button advising if there are restrictions.

Not a Microsoft user? Google Docs also has  free template samples  available for letters and resumes. Using any of these templates can help you to feel confident that you are properly writing and  formatting your cover letter .

Free Microsoft Word Cover Letter Templates

There are a variety of templates available for Microsoft Word. Template options include  general cover letters  and both job- and career-specific cover letter samples. For example, there are cover letter templates for professionals, temporary workers, and candidates who are sending in their resumes unsolicited.

Microsoft Word also offers a variety of different cover letter template designs, with resume templates to match. Note that if you choose one of these fancier template designs, you’ll want to choose a resume template to match.

Be consistent in your application materials, whether it’s matching your cover letter to your resume or choosing a font or format. That way, hiring managers can focus on your work experience—not your stylistic choices.

Access Cover Letters From Your Computer

Open Microsoft Word, then click on:

Then, search for online templates by typing your keywords (e.g., “cover letter”) in the field provided. You can also click on the "Resumes and Cover Letters" category to get more options. Review the available options and choose the design you like best.

If you don’t own a copy of Microsoft Office or a subscription to Microsoft 365, you can still access  cover letter templates . These templates are free and editable online.

Visit the  Microsoft Cover Letter Templates  website, browse the cover letter templates, then click on the title to preview the sample. You'll need to sign up for a free account to edit the document.

Once you find a template you like, click Edit In Browser, then follow the instructions to customize and save your cover letter. There are also sets, which include matching resumes and cover letters, available to use.

Use the Template to Create a Customized Cover Letter

Once you have downloaded or opened  a cover letter template file , type over the text in the file to create your own  personalized cover letter .

The template will include all the relevant information that you need to include in your document. Simply change the generic version to include your personal and professional information.

It's a good idea to include additional details about your qualifications and experience. Take the time to  match your qualifications to the job description . Include  keywords related to your skills and achievements.

To  customize your cover letter  further, look for a contact person at the company, ideally the hiring manager or HR contact, and address the letter to this person. If you have an employee contact at the company who is willing to refer you, be sure to mention them in the first paragraph of your cover letter. Employee referrals carry a lot of weight with hiring managers.

Double-check to make sure there is none of the template information left in your final saved version. Finally, carefully proofread for grammar and typographical errors before saving and sending your cover letter.

To avoid sending a blank template or the wrong version of your cover letter,  choose a file name  that’s easy to remember. It should always include your name and may also contain the name of the position for which you’re applying. 

Avoid version numbers and cutesy nicknames when choosing a file name for your resume.

• Send one.  Even when an employer does not directly ask for one, be sure  always to send a cover letter . The only time you don’t want to send one is when the job listing says not to.
• Review examples . Review cover letter examples and tips for how to write a cover letter , so yours makes the best impression.
• Customize each letter.  It might seem tedious, be it is important to  customize each cover letter  to fit the specific job you are applying for. It will make your letter stand out.
• Highlight relevant qualifications.  In your cover letter, address one or two skills or qualifications that you have that match the job description. Provide a specific example of a time you demonstrated each of these qualifications. These examples will make your cover letter different from your resume, which is important.
• Explain any potential issues.  You can use your cover letter to go into detail about something in your resume that needs explaining. For example, a cover letter is a good place to talk about a  career shift  or  explain an extended gap in employment .
• Carefully edit your letter.  Be sure to edit each cover letter before sending it thoroughly. Consider asking a friend or family member, or a  career counselor , to read over your cover letter.

More Templates for Resumes and Letters

Microsoft letter templates are available as a free download for Microsoft Word users or are available within your Word program, to use to create a variety of letters. There are letter templates for cover letters,  resignation letters ,  reference letters , thank you letters, interview letters, and a variety of business letters.

Additionally,  Microsoft resume templates  are available as a free download for Microsoft Word users to use to create a resume. Microsoft Word resume options include basic resumes, job-specific resumes, and career-specific resumes.

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Free Cover Letter Templates

Make a memorable first impression with a professionally designed cover letter template.  Pick unlimited options, customize your letter in MS Word, and print it out.

Modern Cover Letter Templates

A cover letter is your introduction to potential employers. Think of it as your business attire. If it looks badly mismatched and wrinkled at the back, you’ll struggle to make a solid first impression. Same with your cover letter. Wonky fonts, weird margins, sloppy spacing — those things won’t win you extra points. So why leave things to chance? Elevate your job application with a cover letter design that indicates your impeccable aesthetical taste.

Professional Cover Letter Templates

Our free cover letter templates make it easy to create a professional-looking document in less than five minutes. Download unlimited cover letter designs for your personal use. Then print them out to send out to employers.

Simple Cover Letter Templates

Go with a time-tested cover letter design, bound to land with every employer in every industry.

Creative Cover Letter Templates

Pique the employer’s interest with a standout cover letter template, hinting at your unique personality and skillset.

The Ideal Cover Letter Format, Pre-Designed For You 

Cover letter writing doesn’t come easy. You have to convey so many things with your tone and words: Professionalism, courtesy, enthusiasm, dedication, qualifications, and so on. And fit all of that in under one page (or 250 words to be precise). 

Sounds overwhelming? It shouldn’t be because our cover letter templates are here to guide you. Each version includes a sample cover letter format , to help you getting started faster. Use the predefined cover letter layout to effortlessly pierce together a compelling summary of your career, key accomplishments, and educational credentials. 

Simple Cover Letter Outline 

A cover letter is a professional business document. As such, it follows a standard four-section structure, which you can outline beforehand, then customize for each job application. 

Cover Letter Header

• Include your name, address, phone number, and email address at the top of your cover letter.

Cover Letter Opening 

• Choose a professional greeting . Address the hiring manager by name if possible. 
• Mention the position you’re applying for and where you saw the job posting.
• Briefly explain why you believe to be a great fit for the role in one sentence. 

Read more about the best cover letter opening lines . 

Cover Letter Body 

• Allocate the first paragraph to your most marketable skills and achievements 
• Use the second paragraph to provide specific examples that demonstrate your skills and expertise
• Add a third short paragraph if you need to address any resume gaps or elaborate on how you’ve developed transferable skills. 

Read more about writing a persuasive cover letter . 

Cover Letter Closing Paragraph

• Express your enthusiasm for the position and thank the hiring manager for considering your application.  
• Add a call-to-action — a sentence offering the next steps — e.g. to connect with you via phone or reach out for further information. 
• End your document with a professional closing, such as “Sincerely,” and include your full name and signature.

Read more about writing a closing paragraph for a cover letter . 

Remember to keep your cover letter concise and focused, typically no more than one page. Use clear, easy-to-read language, and proofread your letter for spelling and grammar errors before sending it. 

Learn More from 50+ Cover Letter Examples 

Need some more inspiration? Discover our ever-expanding collection of sample cover letters , written for different roles and industries. Entry-level candidate or seasoned manager, you’ll find real-world examples and helpful writing tips for producing your best cover letter ever. 

FAQs about Cover Letter Templates 

Got some more questions about cover letter formatting and writing? We have answers!

What Font Size Should a Cover Letter Be?

The recommended font size for a cover letter is 10-12 points, depending on the typeface. That’s a good size both for digital and printed cover letters. Using a font size smaller than 10 points can make your letter difficult to read while using a larger font size than 12 points can make your letter look unprofessional and take up too much space.

What is an Enclosure in a Cover Letter?

An enclosure is any additional document you include alongside your letter to provide additional context for the reader (e.g., your resume, a copy of your professional license, a character reference letter, etc). When mentioning enclosures in a cover letter, you have to clearly list them. To do this, you can add a line after the signature line that says “Enclosure” or “Enclosures” followed by a list of the documents or materials included with the letter. 

How to Name Drop in a Cover Letter?

The introduction paragraph is the best way to name-drop your connection to the company (e.g., a person who referred you). Doing so immediately will grab the reader’s attention and make them more attuned to hearing what else you have to say. In the body of your cover letter, you can explain how your connection has given you an insight into the company.

How to Include References in a Cover Letter?

References should be on your resume or provided as a separate list, not included in your cover letter. However, you can briefly state mention that you have references available upon request. This shows that you are prepared and transparent about your past career history. 

How to Sell Yourself In a Cover Letter?

Instead of using adjectives like “qualified”, “experienced”, or “motivated”, provide the reader with the context behind them. Use specific examples to demonstrate your hard and soft skills in real-world settings. Highlight both how you’ve applied these skills, plus what outcomes they’ve generated for the company. Quantify your accomplishments whenever applicable.

Cover Letter Templates

Shri says add a professional matching cover Letter to your resume.

Why You Need a Cover Letter?

Applying for a job without a cover letter can be risky these days: know how.

Given the tough competition in today’s job market, applying for a job with a mere resume can be risky! This is because your resume alone would probably not help you secure your dream job interview. Apparently, you need to go the extra mile to get noticed by hiring managers, especially when you know that the recruiter would receive at least over 100 applications for the very same job opening that you have applied for.

So, how to make a difference? How to compel recruiters out there to read your resume as soon as they see your application? Here, a cover letter comes to your rescue. An impressive cover letter not only helps you make a quick first impression but ups the possibility of your resume to be read by hiring managers. This necessarily improves your odds of being called for a job interview.

Whether it is about showcasing your exceptional communication skills or following up the recruiter, a cover letter is sure to fortify your candidacy for your dream job. Let’s discuss why these days you can’t afford sending across your job application and resume without a cover letter.

It Concisely Tells the Recruiter Who You Are and What to Expect from You

Yes, you are right! The ‘Professional Summary’ or ‘Objective’ section of your resume does the same job, but actually in a too wordy way. On the contrary, your cover letter has a dedicated section to expand on your relevant experience and qualifications for the job in a concise manner.

It Reflects Your Writing Skills

Resumes have a strict layout, comprising bullet points with short and crisp statements. On the other hand, a cover letter lets you present yourself in a personal and fluent way, which makes it easy to establish a connection with the hiring manager. Moreover, it shows how well you can communicate in writing; thus, allowing you to make a great impression right from the beginning.

It Allows You to Highlight Your Strengths

While resume might detail your key strengths, accomplishments and work experience in more than a page, your cover letter is usually restricted to a single page. This means, you don’t have scope to describe everything on a cover letter and need to sacrifice some details.

Thus, you include only the most relevant information, i.e., achievements, skills and experience that are directly related to the job you are applying for, which is sure to catch the eyes of recruiters. This also helps you showcase a part of your personality too, which at times is more important than your qualifications

It Reflects Your Seriousness and Enthusiasm for the Job

Including a cover letter when applying for a job depicts your seriousness for the job and that's how excited you are about the opportunity. Sadly, one of the biggest complaints that we hear from recruiters is the failure of most job candidates to apply with a cover letter.

Applying for a job with a mere resume can be interpreted by hiring managers as a sluggish move, eventually showcasing lack of interest and enthusiasm for that open position.

If two equally qualified candidates have applied for a job – one with a cover letter and the other one without a cover letter – it is quite obvious that the former would have higher chances of being considered due to his extra effort in writing a cover letter, which would allow the recruiter to understand his excitement for the opening.

It Supports Your Resume When It Is Not That Effective

Although you should never apply for a job without a cover letter until explicitly asked in the JD to do so, you can apply for a job without a cover letter only when your resume itself is very effective.

However, if your resume is not as persuasive as you think it to be, it is a great idea to include a cover letter in your job application to support your resume. There are many examples of applicants getting an interview call, not because of their resumes but impressive cover letters.

It Creates a Background for the Follow-Up:

Rather than leaving everything into the hands of the hiring manager after applying for your dream job, you should at least take control of the follow-up process with your cover letter.

In the concluding lines, specify when next you should be calling or communicating via an email with the recruiter. Such follow-up specifications in the cover letter help you avoid unnecessary wait, so that you can move further either with the job interview or apply for other relevant job openings.

The discussion above clearly depicts that how risky it could be sending your job application without a cover letter these days. While your resume is essentially a critical aspect of your job application, recruiters today don’t have enough time to read every resume completely.

Interestingly, your cover letter, which is nothing but a quick snapshot of your qualifications with a personal touch, could remarkably help you grab the hiring manager’s attention while making it easy for him to understand and decide on your candidacy for your dream job.

So, follow our cover letter writing tips or choose the most relevant one from our extensive selection of cover letter samples to instantly get noticed by recruiters.

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