Below are nine of the best cover letters our team has seen so far this year. While these cover letters might not work in every situation, they all have standout features that are easily adapted to any cover letter.
So take inspiration from these unique cover letter examples. Then copy (or download) the best cover letter template, and learn about how to write the best cover letter and the best cover letter format.
Using these resources to write your own cover letter will improve your chances of landing an interview (and hopefully the job too).
Our free-to-use 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
In this great cover letter example, the applicant landed a job by proving they had the required project management skills and experience while providing highlights from their career:
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. Doing so shows the hiring manager that the candidate did their research and cares about the needs of the company.
Following a great introduction, the candidate includes a list of job-relevant accomplishments. This list makes the candidate look perfect for the specific role they’re applying to fill.
2. The funny cover letter
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:
Why this is a good cover letter example
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 can go 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
Below 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:
Why this is a good cover letter example
The candidate’s 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, making it much easier to read. And it highlights the candidate’s passion for the specific position they’re applying to fill.
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
This cover letter is an ideal example of how to balance professionalism with humor:
Why this is a good cover letter example
The candidate starts their cover letter by expressing their enthusiasm and summarizing their main qualifications, all in a fun, informal tone.
Additionally, 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, because employers in these industries expect a traditional cover letter.
5. The short and sweet cover letter
This cover letter uses a simple, to-the-point approach:
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 nursing 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. The candidate then addresses that need directly, saving the hiring manager the work of finding the information they want in a long cover letter.
6. The unique cover letter
This sales cover letter is one of the best examples we’ve seen of how to mix creativity with professionalism:
Why this is a good cover letter example
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 cover letter 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 crafts a cover letter that’s both memorable and convincing.
7. The video cover letter
Here’s a perfect example of a video cover letter:
Why this is a good cover letter example
This applicant’s video cover letter works because they:
- show examples of their work
- clearly structure it with an introduction, 3 reasons they should be hired, and a compelling conclusion that summarizes their target work environment
- include 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
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
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 prove the applicant can produce results.
9. The creative cover letter
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:
Why this is a good cover letter example
Before you even start reading this cover letter, 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 possess key skills they’re looking for.
However, it’s important to strike a balance between creativity and professionalism – something that this cover letter achieves. It’s well-organized, concise, and highlights the candidate’s top accomplishments.
The best cover letter template
Here’s the best cover letter template you can use to write your own. Either download it as a free Word file or copy and paste the text version, and fill in the blanks (marked with brackets) with your information:
Download the Best Cover Letter Template (MS Word)
Best Cover Letter Template (Text Version)
YOUR NAME
(123) 456-7890 | your.email@gmail.com | www.linkedin.com/in/your.name/
[Today’s Date]
[Hiring Manager’s Name]
[123 Company Address]
[Company’s City, State, Zip Code]
[(xxx) xxx-xxxx]
[hiring.manager@gmail.com]
Dear [Mr./Ms./Mx.] [Hiring Manager’s Last Name],
I was excited to see your listing for the [Position Name] position at [Company Name] on [Website Name] recently. As a dynamic [Your Occupation] with [# Years] of professional experience doing [Primary Work Task] to drive results, I’m confident that I’d be an asset to your team.
Your job listing mentions a need for someone knowledgeable in [Area of Expertise], which is an area I have extensive experience in. I’m currently employed at [Current Company Name], where I’ve honed my skills doing [Relevant Tasks Performed]. While employed here and at other companies listed on my resume, I have successfully:
- [Action verb] [achievement #1, including hard numbers and examples for context]
- [Action verb] [achievement #2 with more data and examples]
- [Action verb] [achievement #3 with more data and examples]
I’m confident that my track record of excellent work ethic, unparalleled attention to detail, and knack for [Relevant Skill] will make me an immediate asset at [Company Name] and let me contribute to your success.
I look forward to discussing the [Position Name] position and my qualifications with you in more detail. I’m available to talk at your soonest convenience. I’ll be in touch next week to follow up, just to make sure you’ve received my application.
Thank you so much for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
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
- a link to a matching resume template (also free to download) in the Word version
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 guidelines to help you make the best cover letter for your target job:
- Start with a catchy first sentence that shows your passion for the work, a bit of research about the company, or some appropriate humor
- Include relevant hard numbers and examples that show you’re a perfect fit for the job
- Finish with a strong conclusion that thanks the hiring manager, requests an interview, and lists your contact information (again, for the reader’s convenience)
The best cover letter format
An excellent cover letter uses business letter formatting with:
- 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
Every structural detail of the best cover letters is also optimized, including:
- margins: adjusted between ½ and 1 inch to space information evenly on the page
- line spacing: set to between 1 and 1.5 spaces so your text isn’t too spread out or overly crammed together
- font: chosen for readability and professionalism (Calibri and Georgia are examples of the best fonts for resumes and cover letters)
- font size: set between 10 and 12 points for easy reading
