Right here on Collegelearners, you are privy to a litany of relevant information on short cover letter sample, best cover letter samples for job application, cover letter for fresher and so much more. Take out time to visit our catalog for more information on similar topics.
How To Write A Covering Letter Example
1. What Should a Great Cover Letter Say?
Not sure what a cover letter is or what it should include? A killer cover letter is made of the following four parts:
- Salutation: A professional greeting that addresses the hiring manager by name
- Introduction: An attention-grabbing opening paragraph that introduces yourself and your intention to apply for the open role
- Body paragraph(s): One or two paragraphs describing your relevant professional experience, achievements, skills, and education
- Closing paragraph: A cover letter ending that contains a call to action (CTA), asking the hiring manager to invite you in for an interview
The cover letter example below describes how to write each of these key sections:
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.
Body Paragraphs
The second paragraph of your cover letter should respond directly to the job description written by the hiring manager. Describe how your previous job experiences, skills, and abilities will help you meet the company’s needs. To make that easier, you should include exact words and phrases from the job descriptions in your cover letter.
- You can include a bulleted list of your accomplishments
- Make sure to use numbers or percentages to emphasize your bullet points (e.g. Increased online revenue by 13%)
Do some research about the company and find out what their current activities and goals are. Explain how you can help them achieve those goals.
Closing Paragraph
Your cover letter closing is the call-to-action portion of your cover letter. Inform the hiring manager that you’d love to go in for an interview. Provide your email address or other contact information and tell them that you’ll reach out in a week if you don’t hear back. Thank them for spending their time reading your cover letter.
Sincerely,
Your Name
2. General Cover Letter Example
This general cover letter was written by a candidate with two years of work experience.
In the example, the candidate is applying for a mid-level digital marketing position. In the first paragraph, the applicant:
- used the hiring manager’s name (showing that effort was put into locating it)
- mentioned where she found the job posting (HR managers love this)
- highlighted relevant experience, establishing her ability to do the job
The cover letter example
Why this is a great example of a cover letter
In the example above, the candidate is concise and straightforward. She conveys much of what a cover letter should say in the opening paragraph, like her amount and type of experience plus where she found the job.
Then the candidate lists specific responsibilities from the job description, and mentions her experience handling such work. She even gives an example of how her efforts have benefited her current employer.
At this point, her cover letter has already gone beyond her resume and helped the hiring manager quickly understand her value as a hire.
Finally, the candidate signs off by mentioning how she’ll reach out if she doesn’t hear back from the hiring manager. This call to action is a valuable part of a general cover letter.Tip
Write your own call to action to show you’re serious about the job, and willing to make the first move if necessary.
3. Professional Cover Letter Example
Are you a senior-level professional or experienced manager trying to highlight your professionalism in a cover letter?
The restaurant manager cover letter example below will show you how to come off as a qualified pro:
The cover letter example
Why this is a great cover letter
First, this applicant showcases the managerial skills they developed while working in the service industry. They then highlight how they’ll use those skills to make an immediate impact on the company.
Additionally, the applicant mentions the company by name three times. It’s clear that they’re familiar with the business, have a specific interest in joining this team, and understand where they’d fit.Tip
This level of familiarity is appealing to a hiring manager, because it shows that the candidate is legitimately interested in the role.
One final note: our applicant’s cover letter template includes their address to highlight how close they live to the restaurant. However, listing your address on a cover letter is optional in 2022 because most applications are submitted online.
4. Creative Cover Letter Example
A creative cover letter makes your job application stand out by adding a bit of personality and flair.
In our creative cover letter example, the candidate is applying for a senior-level social media manager position. By the second paragraph, she has the reader’s attention. Then, she establishes her qualifications:
The cover letter example
Why this is a great example of a cover letter
First, the candidate doesn’t waste any time. She immediately states her interest in the position, relevant qualifications, and specific skills. Hiring managers are busy, so it’s crucial to be direct in both your cover letter and resume.
Next, she presents her information in a casual, fun tone. A personal touch in your cover letter helps you present yourself as a creative, enthusiastic job seeker. It also makes your application more memorable.Tip
However, don’t let your application be memorable for the wrong reasons. Make sure you strike the right tone for the company you’re applying to.
Finally, the candidate lists specific accomplishments from her previous job, and explains how these accomplishments are relevant to the position.
Elaborating on your professional achievements is essential to writing a great cover letter. Your achievements show the hiring manager what they will gain by hiring you, and emphasize your worth as a potential employee.
5. Entry-Level Cover Letter Example
This entry-level cover letter was written by a recent graduate, who only has a little part-time work experience.
In our example, the candidate is applying for an entry-level IT technician position. She quickly establishes her enthusiasm about the opportunity, and then highlights her relevant skills to show she can do the job:
The cover letter example
What makes this a great cover letter
This entry-level cover letter sample stands out because the applicant emphasizes her enthusiasm about the opportunity from the very first sentence.
And she’s not only excited for the job either. The candidate also quickly (and convincingly) markets her professional strengths, including relevant hard skills (Linux, backend coding) and soft skills (precision, attention to detail).Tip
Employers know they’re taking a risk by hiring a recent graduate. Showing some passion is especially important for new grads because they don’t have the work experience to win them the job yet.
By the end of her cover letter, the candidate has demonstrated that she’s even researched the position, and is passionate about the work the company is doing. Overall, this is an effective way to make a positive impression as an entry-level job seeker.
6. Career Change Cover Letter Example
Writing a cover letter for a job in your current industry is pretty straightforward. But writing a career change cover letter requires some finesse.
The sample cover letter below includes the three elements you need to persuade a hiring manager you’re ready to transfer industries, such as:
- One reason (or more) for the career change
- An example of a transferable skill in action
- Proof of commitment to the new field
The cover letter example
Why this is a great example of a cover letter
The first reason this is a great example is because it’s sincere. It’s immediately clear that the author is passionate about her target industry. She even provides a relatable story to emphasize this sincerity.
This cover letter is also great because it’s transparent. Letting the hiring manager know why you’re looking for employment in a different industry is important if you’re changing careers, because they’ll want to know your reason(s).
Finally, it’s clear the writer of this cover letter is committed to the new job, and has worked on her skill-set to prepare her for the career change.Tip
Taking a 150-hour course and volunteering are both great signs our candidate is dedicated to switching industries.
7. Cover Letter Examples by Application Type
The following guides will show you how to write a variety of different cover letter formats and types:
- Short Cover Letter
- Cover Letter for Internal Position
- Relocation Cover Letter
- Email Cover Letter
- Letter of Interest
- Letter of Interest vs Cover Letter
- Best Cover Letters of 2021
8. Cover Letter Examples by Industry
Our robust collection of industry-specific cover letter examples is sure to have a cover letter for your unique situation. You can download all of these sample cover letters for free and customize them to fit your needs. We also have a sample cover letter template that you can use to quickly write the content of your letter.
best cover letter samples for job application
Now that you’ve written a resume, you’ll need a top-notch cover letter to tell recruiters why you’re perfect for the role you seek. Our library of professionally written cover letter samples is designed to show you how. Crafted by professional resume and cover letter writers, we offer resume and cover letter examples for hundreds of industries and job titles, studying our examples will show you how to craft a strong letter by answering a common question: what does a cover letter look like for the role you seek?
According to a CareerBuilder study, 10% of hiring managers say they reject applicants who don’t attach a cover letter, making it a crucial component for explaining your motivation for joining the company. Even when they aren’t required, including a cover letter with your job application can show a recruiter that you have strong communication skills and are willing to go the extra mile to land the role you want, especially when your resume template works with your cover letter.
Also known as a job application letter, our cover letter samples show you exactly how to write a cover letter. Studying a cover letter example for your industry or job title shows you exactly what the end result should look like. Use them for inspiration as you learn to write your own. Or, for more help, use our Cover Letter Builder for step-by-step guidance, cover letter templates, and content suggestions as you move through the writing process. When you seek new employment, a cover letter sample can help you make a great first impression.
The rules for how to write a cover letter are relatively straightforward. However, studying a cover letter sample for your industry or job title shows you exactly what the end result should look like. Use them for inspiration as you learn to write your own. Or, for more help, use our Cover Letter Builder for step-by-step guidance, cover letter templates and content suggestions as you move through the writing process.
