Cover Letter Examples and Best Practices

A cover letter is essential when submitting a job application because it allows you to elaborate and point out essential details about your resume, showing why you are qualified for the job.

What is a cover letter?

A cover letter is usually a one-page official document that should accompany your resume when submitting any job application. The cover letter elaborates on your technical and workplace skills, points out reasons why you are the most qualified for the job, and explains how the company can benefit from your services if you are hired. Cover letters are professional documents for your potential future employer.

Why is a cover letter important?

Writing a cover letter gives you, as a job seeker, the space to highlight your relevant skills in a clear narrative, which would align with the role you are applying for. You may feel your resume covers all the essential information about your professional and educational background, but your cover letter can highlight pertinent skills you possess for the job, explain gaps in work history, talk about how you can add value to the specific company, and more.

Can I use the same cover letter for similar job applications?

A cover letter should not be transferable. Instead, write a cover letter for each individual job you apply for, and tailor it to the company and job requirements. A cover letter should be unique to just one application and stand out in order to influence the hiring process positively.   

What are the elements of a successful cover letter?

A compelling cover letter is concise, free of spelling and grammar errors, and written in a professional tone. Along with contact information, a greeting, and a salutation, an engaging cover letter has three main elements: an opening line, a body, and a closing line.

An opening line

Your opening line is your opportunity to hook the reader's interest with a strong sentence that showcases your enthusiasm and qualifications. You want to motivate the potential employer to continue reading with an opening line that is engaging and specific to the employer you're writing to. Clearly state the position you are applying for and how you found out about it, and briefly mention why you are an excellent fit for the role.

Learn more: How to Start a Cover Letter

How do you address a cover letter with a name?

1. Do your best to find the name of the person who will be reading your cover letter.

2. Use titles like Mr, Ms, Dr, or Professor as appropriate, followed by the person's last name and a comma. Examples: "Dear Mr Smith," "Dear Dr Palmquist," "Dear Ms Johnson"

3. Be professional and use a last name only unless you cannot determine the person's gender. Then you might say, "Dear Alex Taylor,"

4. If you cannot find a name, "Dear Hiring Manager" is appropriate, but do not use outdated greetings, such as "To Whom It May Concern" or "Dear Sir or Madam."

The body of the cover letter

The next section contains two or three paragraphs. In the first paragraph, explain why you are interested in the position and the company, and provide a brief summary of your qualifications and experience that make you suitable for the role. Be sure to connect your skills and experience to the specific requirements mentioned in the job description.

The second paragraph is your opportunity to offer specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate you are qualified for the job you're applying to and will be an asset to the company. Use powerful verbs and quantify your achievements where possible, such as, "Increased sales by 10 percent," "Led a team of 12 employees," or "Gained fluency in SQL, Python, and Power BI."

If appropriate, use a third paragraph to highlight how your values, goals, and career aspirations align with the company's mission and culture. Convey your passion for the company, industry, or the role itself, and briefly explain what unique value you can bring to the organization.

A closing line

The closing is clear and straightforward. Reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and the company, and politely express your desire for an interview. Provide your contact information, and thank the reader for their time and consideration.

Cover letter template

Your Name

Your Phone Number

Your Email Address

[Date]

[Hiring Manager Name (if known)]

[Hiring Manager Title (if known)]

[Company Name]

[Company Address]

Dear [Hiring Manager name] (or Dear Hiring Manager),

I am writing to express my keen interest in the [Job Title] position advertised on [Platform where you found the job posting]. With my [Number] years of experience in [Your industry] and a proven track record of success in [List relevant skills], I am confident I possess the qualifications and enthusiasm to excel in this role.

In my previous role at [Previous Company Name], I was responsible for [List key responsibilities from previous role]. I am particularly proud of my accomplishment of [Specific achievement that demonstrates a relevant skill]. My skills in [List relevant skills] align perfectly with the requirements outlined in the job description, particularly [Mention specific requirement and how your skill aligns with it using an example from your experience].

I am a highly motivated and results-oriented professional with a strong work ethic and a dedication to continuous learning. I am confident that I can quickly adapt to your company culture and become a valuable asset to your team. [Optional: Briefly mention what excites you about the company or role].

I have attached my CV for your review, which further details my qualifications and experience. Thank you for your time and consideration. I am eager to learn more about this opportunity and discuss how my skills can benefit [Company Name].

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Learn more: CV Cover Letter Template Examples and Guidance

What you should know when writing a cover letter

When writing your cover letter, do your best to find out the hiring manager's name and address them by name. Look at the job posting itself or the company website for contact information. You can also use professional networking sites like LinkedIn to search for the company and identify the hiring manager role.

Specific keywords aimed at the company and the job title or role make your cover letter stand out among the hundreds of others. Use keywords from the job advert that match your skills.

Include your contact information, such as phone number and email address, in the cover letter so you can be contacted for further discussion.

Proofread meticulously to ensure everything is spelled correctly and written in proper grammar. Use a clear, basic font like Arial or Times New Roman with a size of 10 or 12 points. For a polished look, maintain consistent margins and spacing throughout the letter.

Research the company you are applying to. Knowledge of the brand, the company’s values, mission, markets of operation, and milestones can be the difference between a call-back and not hearing from the hiring manager. When writing your cover letter, you can mention some of the things you have learned about the company and how you fit in its corporate culture with your skill set, experience, and career objectives. 

Learn more: How to Write a Cover Letter for a Job Application

Cover letter examples for jobs

The following cover letter examples may help you write your own and give you ideas on how you can tailor it to fit the job description.

The traditional cover letter

The traditional cover letter is short and straight to the point, stating achievements and future endeavors. This type of cover letter is also written for specific roles such as those in health care, law firms, or as an accountant in a bank. With the traditional cover letter, you can input some keywords relevant to the particular job.

The impact cover letter

The impact cover letter highlights your achievements, which are related to the job application. This type works best for sales job applications and roles that need you to deliver results around a particular quota. The impact cover letter allows you to point out ways in which you have tackled such roles and projects in which a great result was generated. In this cover letter, you can incorporate your technical and workplace skills within the relevant job experiences you're highlighting.

The creative cover letter

For writers and creative professionals, communication is very important, and it is one of the skills necessary for engaging readers and listeners. In this cover letter, you must be able to show clear and passionate reasons why you are qualified for the job. Writing clearly and eloquently is a very important skill set for a writer. This cover letter sample can be utilized for copy editing, reporting, and PR job applications. 

The career change cover letter

Writing a career change cover letter requires more strategy to highlight the transferable skills and how you can implement them in your new job role. You can also emphasize the reason why you are making a change in your career and the experiences and job responsibilities you had to handle in the past. Similar to the impact cover letter, the career change cover letter can highlight skills you can bring to the company, making use of keywords specific to the job role.

Entry-level cover letter 

The entry-level cover letter is suitable for recent graduates who have no job experience yet. In this type of cover letter, you can highlight relevant skills related to the job role and your preparedness to learn while on the job. Show your readiness by emphasising the workplace skills and professional skills you will use when hired.

Learn more: CV Templates: How to Use Them And Powerful Examples

Getting started with Coursera

A well-written cover letter is a powerful tool for job seekers to stand out from the competition. It allows you to showcase your unique qualifications and enthusiasm for the position beyond what a resume can express. By tailoring your cover letter to the specific job and company, you can effectively demonstrate your value and increase your chances of landing an interview.

Learn more about writing excellent cover letters and CVs, as well as how to prepare for your upcoming job interviews with the Interviewing and Resume Writing in English Specialisation on Coursera. This is a five-course series to help you master the job search process and includes a course on Writing Winning Resumes and Cover Letters. The program is completely online, allowing you to work at your own pace from anywhere with an internet connection.