General Cover Letter: Samples, Template & 5 Writing Tips

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Unlike a tailored cover letter that’s personalized for each job, a generic cover letter is a one-size-fits-all letter that can be used for multiple applications in the same industry.

Below you’ll find a template, four industry examples, and a guide on how to craft the perfect general cover letter to help you save time and impress hiring managers.

Generic cover letter template

Here’s a professional generic cover letter template you can use to apply to any job:

General Cover Letter Template (Text Version)

[Today’s Date]

[Hiring Manager’s Name][Company Address][City, State ZIP][Phone Number][Email Address]

Dear [Mr./Ms./Mrs.] [Hiring Manager’s Surname],

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] in order to drive results, I’m confident that I would be a valuable 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, I have successfully raised our [Achievement] by [%] over the course of [Time Period], contributing substantially to the department’s annual goals.

I’m confident that my proven 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 allow me to contribute to the team’s 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]

Completed general cover letter sample

Below is a completed general cover letter sample from a candidate who used our template to apply for a digital marketing position:

Download This Free Sample

4 General cover letter examples for the largest industries in 2025

Here are four general cover letters for the top fields in 2025 that you can adapt to suit your needs.

General cover letter for teaching

Here’s an example of a generic cover letter for an elementary teacher. The applicant made sure to personalize the addressee and mention the name of the school.

A good example of a generic cover letter for work in teaching and education.

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General cover letter for healthcare and nursing

This Registered Nurse keeps her tone professional and polite, so it reads as tailored despite being a general cover letter.

A good example of a generic cover letter for work in nursing and healthcare.

Download This Free Sample

General cover letter for the fast food industry

If you’re working as a server, you can refer to this general cover letter when writing your own:

A good example of a generic cover letter for work in the fast food industry.

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General cover letter for customer service

Below is a strong example of a general cover letter for a customer service representative:

A good example of a generic cover letter for work in customer service.

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When to use a generic cover letter

A generic cover letter is is most appropriate when you’re applying for:

multiple similar positions within the same industry
a job where specific details are limited
entry-level positions
seasonal work
positions in companies who are building talent pools rather than filling specific roles

While generic letters save time and effort, they should still be customized with the company name and specific position title.

For highly competitive positions or roles that require specialized skills, a tailored cover letter that directly addresses the job requirements and company culture will always be more effective than a generic alternative.

How to write a general cover letter

Now that you’ve seen what a proper generic cover letter looks like, we’ve compiled five writing tips that’ll show you how to write a professional general cover letter for no specific job that’ll be sure to catch the hiring manager’s attention.

1. Match your general cover letter design to your resume

When writing your generic cover letter, choose a cover letter template that matches your resume template. This will ensure that your application looks consistent and professional.

Pick a template that fits the industry you’re planning on applying for work in.

For example, if you’re applying for jobs in the legal field, stick to a neutral color scheme. Or if you’re targeting creative roles, choose a design that stands out (without becoming distracting).

Double checking that your cover letter and resume style match before sending them out will make all the difference in your application, ensuring that it looks clean and put-together.

2. Address your cover letter properly

You only get one chance to make a great first impression with the hiring manager, so it’s critical that you address your cover letter properly.
Although you’re using a general cover letter, a generic and impersonal greeting could damage your chances of getting a response.

Properly formatting the hiring manager’s contact details and using the correct salutation will show that you did your research and are excited about the job opportunity.

Here’s how to address your cover letter:

List the hiring manager’s contact information at the top – Include the company’s address as well as the hiring manager’s phone number and email.
Address the hiring manager by name – Even if you don’t have time to fully customize every cover letter you send out, at least make sure to address the hiring manager by name. If you don’t know it, do a LinkedIn search, check the company website, or try calling the reception to ask. Use “Dear Hiring Manager” or start your cover letter with “To Whom it May Concern” or “Dear Sir or Madam” only as a last resort.

If you’re writing an email cover letter, you should omit the company’s contact information and add yours to the bottom of your cover letter in your email signature.

3. Lead with a strong opening paragraph

Hiring managers at large companies typically read hundreds of cover letters daily, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they may skim through yours. However, if they thoroughly read any part of your cover letter, it’ll be the first paragraph.

That’s why knowing how to start a cover letter with a convincing introduction is key to getting invited for an interview.

Your cover letter’s introduction doesn’t need to be elaborate. However, you should provide a little personal background, explain how you found the position, and indicate that you’re excited about the opportunity.

Here’s an example of a great introduction on a generic cover letter:

I was excited to see your listing for the Lead Digital Marketing position at Westward Strategies on Indeed.com recently. As a dynamic email marketing specialist with over two years of professional experience executing market research, analyzing consumer data, and running A/B testing in order to drive successful marketing campaigns, I’m confident that I would be a valuable asset to the team at Westward.

A general cover letter introduction like this can easily be adapted to multiple positions in the same industry simply by replacing the job title and company name.

If you know someone working at the company, be sure to name drop a referral in your cover letter.

4. Highlight your transferable skills

No matter which industry you work in, there are certain skills that all companies need. Employers are always looking for candidates who have great interpersonal skills, communication skills, adaptability, creativity, and leadership skills.

Regardless of the position, transferable skills like the soft skills just mentioned are sure to impress hiring managers and are excellent additions to your general cover letter.

Here’s an example of how to show off your transferable skills in your general cover letter:

While working as a marketing coordinator at Riverside Communications, I spearheaded a digital promotion campaign for our client’s product launch that required me to coordinate cross-functional teams, manage tight deadlines, and analyze performance metrics to optimize results. This experience taught me to think strategically, communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, and adapt quickly to changing requirements—skills that translate directly to any fast-paced work environment where attention to detail and collaborative problem-solving are essential.

Note how the candidate mentioned that they “spearheaded a digital promotion campaign” for a new product. Spearheading any company project tells the hiring manager that the candidate has great leadership skills.
They also emphasize their strategic thinking, outstanding communication skills, and ability to problem solve – all qualities that any marketing professional needs.

How to write a cover letter

Dread writing cover letters? Read our guide to learn how to write a great cover letter that convinces hiring managers you’re the ideal person for the job.

Read Our Guide

5. Tailor your cover letter to an industry, not a specific role

Even though you’re making a universal cover letter, it still needs to be specific enough that the information you include is relevant to a specific career.
To do this, tailor your cover letter to the industry, not the position. This is the best way to maximize your chances of success while minimizing the time spent on your application.

Hiring managers are on the lookout for information that demonstrates why you think you’re the best fit for their company, so scan the job listings of the roles you intend to apply for, look for common denominators, and target those in your generalized cover letter.

Another great time-saving tool when you’re preparing applications is an AI cover letter generator. A cover letter generator can help you quickly adjust and tailor your cover letter to specific roles.

Frequently asked questions about writing a general cover letter

Here are the answers to some common questions about writing a general cover letter:

What’s the difference between a general cover letter and a master cover letter?

A general cover letter is a finished, polished document that is ready to be sent to multiple employers with minimal changes, focusing on broad skills and experiences applicable to many similar positions.

In contrast, a master cover letter is a comprehensive template or working document that contains multiple versions of paragraphs, various skill highlights, and different examples of achievements. The master cover letter serves as a resource bank from which you can pull specific content to create customized letters for different applications.

If you know how to write a master resume, then you’re on the right track to writing a master cover letter.

Will using a general cover letter harm my chances of being hired?

Using a general cover letter won’t necessarily harm your chances, but it may put you at a disadvantage compared to candidates who submit tailored letters.

Many employers can recognize generic applications, which might suggest a lack of genuine interest in their specific company or role. However, a well-written general cover letter is still better than no cover letter at all, and for many positions, particularly in high-turnover industries, employers focus more on your qualifications and availability than on highly customized application materials.

The key is ensuring your general letter is professional, error-free, and relevant to the positions you’re targeting.

Is there anything I shouldn’t say in a cover letter?

Yes, there are some cover letter do’s and don’ts you should follow.

For example, do not:

mention salary requirements unless specifically requested
focus on what the job can do for you (benefits, schedule flexibility, career growth)
make any negative comments about previous employers, even when legitimate
repeat your entire resume, instead, highlight key achievements that demonstrate your value
mention personal information unrelated to the job
use desperate language or overly casual expressions.
mention weaknesses or apologize for lack of experience

Additional resources

Still haven’t found what you’re looking for? Here’s some more articles that can help you write a fruitful cover letter that’ll land you the job.

Leora Joy Jones

Career Expert & Content Writer

Leora Joy Jones is a multidisciplinary creative who writes career content for job seekers. She is passionate about empowering people to invest in personal development. From recent graduates to career changers to DIY freelancers, she aims to cheerlead her readers to make informed choices. Born in the USA and raised in South Africa, Leora now lives and works in Taiwan. She has a BFA in Fine Arts, an MA in Art Curation, and over 10 years experience writing and editing words on many topics. Connect with her on LinkedIn.

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