The 11 Best Cover Letters of 2025

While these cover letters might not work in every situation, they all have standout features that are easily adapted to any cover letter.

Build My Cover Letter

Our cover letter builder can make you a cover letter in as little as 5 minutes. Just pick the template you want, and our software will format everything for you.

1. The professional cover letter

Why this is a good cover letter example

The writer of this cover letter doesn’t add much flair, but they do an excellent job packing in all the relevant information that employers are looking for, like their most impressive achievements and skills.

The applicant knows how to address a cover letter properly, referring to the hiring manager by name rather than using the generic “To Whom It May Concern.”

Then, the candidate introduces some of their basic qualifications and establishes a personal connection to the organization, which shows the hiring manager that they did their research and care about the needs of the company.

Following a great introduction, the candidate includes a list of relevant accomplishments to show they’re perfect for that specific role.

2. The funny cover letter

Why this is a good cover letter example

This clever cover letter from former ESPN anchor Kenny Mayne is one of the best examples of how to land a job with a joke.

Submitting a cover letter like this one is a bold move and wouldn’t work in most situations. But sometimes a little (or in this case, a lot) of confidence goes a long way.

Kenny’s clever take on the traditional cover letter caught the attention of ESPN executive John Walsh, and landed Mayne his dream job in sports media.

We don’t recommend you send a cover letter like this to employers, but it’s an excellent example of how, in the right circumstances and with enough confidence, a cleverly written cover letter can get you hired.

3. The most-improved cover letter

Why this is a good cover letter example

This is an improved version of a wordy cover letter. The applicant discovered it in their email outbox years after submitting it and sent it to experts to rewrite it as an experiment.

The result? Their cover letter now does a great job of selling their passion for the job, despite a lack of experience.

The original cover letter was difficult to read because of its length and unimpressive content that didn’t highlight their qualifications. It simply repeated bullets from their resume’s work experience section and didn’t show their interest in the position.

The redone version, on the other hand, has concise paragraphs and an impactful opening line, and it highlights the candidate’s passion for the position.

Ultimately, this updated cover letter is much more likely to hook the hiring manager and help the candidate score an interview.

4. The fun-loving cover letter

Why this is a good cover letter example

This social media cover letter is a great example of how to balance professionalism with humor.

The candidate starts their cover letter by expressing their enthusiasm and summarizing their main qualifications, all in a fun, informal tone.

They manage to balance their humor with substantial information about their professional achievements. This way, the hiring manager stays engaged and comes away with a good idea of the candidate’s skills and experience.

However, this approach isn’t for everyone. Adding some humor to your cover letter is a great idea if you’re applying in more casual fields like social media management. But you should avoid informal language when applying for positions in formal industries like law or accounting.

5. The short and sweet cover letter

Why this is a good cover letter example

This short cover letter doesn’t waste any time explaining why the candidate is a good fit for the position they’re trying to land. In a few concise paragraphs, the candidate states their interest in the position and confidently summarizes their professional achievements.

While cutting down on the details doesn’t work for every application, in this case the applicant knows exactly what the employer is looking for and addresses that need directly, saving the hiring manager time.

6. The unique cover letter

Why this is a good cover letter example

This sales cover letter is one of the best examples we’ve seen of how to mix creativity with professionalism.

In an industry as competitive as sales, you need your application to be convincing and memorable. This candidate takes that lesson to heart.

Starting with an unusual cover letter introduction helps this job seeker immediately set themselves apart from their competitors. Then, they move into a convincing sales pitch about their relevant skills and qualifications.

Also, they present their most impressive accomplishments in an easy-to-read, eye-catching format by using:

• a numbered list
• bolded paragraph headers
• italic text to emphasize the names of their past companies

By putting a unique twist on the cover letter and backing it up with a summary of their professional background, this candidate created a cover letter that’s both memorable and convincing.

7. The video cover letter

Why this is a good cover letter example

This video cover letter works because the applicant:

• shows examples of their work
• clearly structures it with an introduction, 3 reasons they should be hired, and a compelling conclusion that summarizes their target work environment
• includes links to their contact information and portfolio

But when you submit a video cover letter — whether the job ad requests it or to stand out from other applicants — always send a traditional cover letter as well. Sending a written cover letter prevents hiring managers who prefer to read about your qualifications from ignoring your application.

8. The young applicant’s cover letter

This adorable cover letter probably didn’t land the applicant a job, but we have to give them credit for trying:

Why this is a good cover letter example

This adorable cover letter probably didn’t land the applicant a job, but we have to give them credit for trying.

What this young candidate lacks in experience (or legal working age), they make up for in enthusiasm.

And they even provide real-life examples of why they think they’re qualified to manage the National Railway Museum. The best cover letters always have examples and hard numbers that show the applicant can produce results.

9. The creative cover letter

Why this is a good cover letter example

A colorful, creative letter like this is sure to stand out from the pile of traditional black-and-white cover letters that hiring managers see every day. Before you even start reading, you can tell the candidate has a creative flair.

For fields that require innovation and an eye for design, like marketing or fashion, a visually appealing cover letter immediately lets hiring managers know you have the skills they’re looking for.

However, it’s important to strike a balance between creativity and professionalism — something that this cover letter achieves.

10. The career change cover letter

Why this is a good cover letter example

A great career change cover letter focuses on bridging the gap between your background and where you want to go in your career, something this cover letter does flawlessly.

The applicant highlights all the reasons why their background in fashion is a strength, not a weakness. This tells employers that they’ve thought carefully about how they can apply their skills in their new target industry.

But they don’t stop there. They also explain what concrete steps they’ve taken to upgrade their skill set and develop the industry-specific abilities they’ll need to succeed as a UI/UX designer.

11. The enthusiastic cover letter

Why this is a good cover letter example

Not only does this cover letter emphasize the reasons why this applicant is a great teacher, but it’s clear that they’re enthusiastic about the opportunity to work at a school that shares their educational philosophy.

Employers are always on the lookout for candidates with genuine passion for the job, because it means they’re more likely to stick around instead of using the position as a stepping stone.

Just keep in mind that enthusiasm alone usually isn’t enough. You’ll still have to include relevant highlights from your career and show that you have the skills necessary to succeed in the role.

12. The well-researched cover letter

Why this is a good cover letter example

From the very first sentence, this cover letter demonstrates that the candidate has invested time and effort into learning about the company’s mission and values.

They even mention specific initiatives the company has launched and explain why they resonate with them personally.

Even better, the applicant connects their own skills and experiences to the company’s goals and needs, showing that they’re not just a good marketer in general, but the right fit for this particular job.

The best cover letter template

Here’s the best cover letter template you can use to write your own. Download it for free and fill in the blanks with your information:

Download the Best Cover Letter Template (MS Word)

Why this is the best cover letter template

This is a great cover letter template because it has:

• proper formatting that makes your application look professional
• bracketed writing prompts that tell you exactly what to write to impress hiring managers
• bullet points for readability

How to write the best cover letter

There’s no single right way to write a great cover letter, because no two applicants or job ads are exactly the same. But here are some general tips to help you make the best cover letter for your target job:

1. Start with a strong opening: Open with a catchy first sentence that shows your passion for the work, a bit of research about the company, or some appropriate humor.
2. Quantify your achievements: Include examples of your accomplishments backed up by data that show you’re a perfect fit for the job.
3. Tailor it to the company and role: Reference specific details about the company, such as recent achievements, values, or projects, and explain how your skills align with their needs.
4. Match the company’s tone and culture: Research the company’s website, social media, and job postings to understand its tone. A corporate law firm may require a formal approach, while a creative startup may appreciate a more casual, enthusiastic writing style.
5. Keep it concise: A cover letter should be no more than one page. Make every word count and avoid repeating what’s on your resume.
   End with a strong conclusion: Finish with an enthusiastic conclusion that thanks the hiring manager and requests an interview.

The best cover letter format

Before you send your job application off, it’s important to format your cover letter in a professional and clear way. A good place to start is by following this outline:

• your name and contact information at the top
• the hiring manager’s name and company contact details
• a salutation addressing the hiring manager by name
• 3–4 paragraphs and a bulleted list
• a polite sign-off (like “Sincerely,”) and your name
• margins between ½ and 1 inch
• a professional font between 10 and 12pt (Calibri and Georgia are examples of the best fonts for resumes and cover letters)