How to Write a Portfolio Cover Letter (With 18 Examples)

March 12, 20XX

Taylor Garcia
Internship Coordinator
Leo Burnett Worldwide
35 W Wacker Dr
Chicago, IL 60601

Dear Mr. Garcia,

As a third-year graphic design student at Rhode Island School of Design with a passion for brand storytelling, I’m excited to apply for the Summer Design Internship at Leo Burnett. After studying your award-winning campaigns for McDonald’s and Samsung, I’m inspired by your agency’s ability to create visually compelling narratives that drive consumer engagement.

My portfolio (emmadesigns.myportfolio.com) showcases my coursework and independent projects, including a hypothetical rebrand for Patagonia that incorporates sustainable design principles, and a series of motion graphics I created for my university’s environmental awareness campaign. While I’m still developing my professional experience, my professors have recognized my strong conceptual thinking and technical execution in Adobe Creative Suite. I’m particularly drawn to Leo Burnett’s collaborative approach to creativity.

I would welcome the opportunity to contribute my fresh perspective while learning from your world-class team. Please feel free to contact me anytime at emmaw@gmail.com.

Sincerely,
Emma Wilson

January 15, 20XX

Dr. Susan Ramírez
Chair, Department of Psychology
Stanford University
450 Jane Stanford Way
Stanford, CA 94305

Dear Dr. Ramírez,

With my doctoral research on cognitive development and ten years of teaching experience at Princeton University, I am applying for the Associate Professor position in your Psychology Department. My academic portfolio (jamesharperresearch.edu/portfolio) demonstrates my commitment to innovative research methodologies and student-centered teaching approaches that would complement Stanford’s renowned psychology program.

My portfolio includes publications in leading journals such as Psychological Science and Child Development, with my recent longitudinal study on executive function development receiving the 20XX Cognitive Science Association’s Outstanding Research Award.

Section two of my portfolio details my teaching philosophy and course development experience, including the undergraduate seminar “Cognitive Development in Digital Environments” that consistently receives exceptional student evaluations. My research has been funded by competitive grants from the National Science Foundation and the Spencer Foundation, totaling over $1.2 million.

I’m particularly interested in Stanford’s interdisciplinary approach to psychological research and would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my research agenda could contribute to the department’s strategic priorities. You can reach me during office hours at 609-258-2600.

Best regards,
Dr. James Harper

May 8, 20XX

Maria Lopez
Creative Director
Condé Nast
1 World Trade Center
New York, NY 10007

Dear Ms. Lopez,

As a commercial photographer with eight years of experience creating visual narratives for brands including Nike and Airbnb, I’m excited to apply for the Senior Photographer position at Condé Nast. My portfolio (davidchenphotography.com) showcases my ability to capture authentic moments and craft compelling visual stories that engage audiences across print and digital platforms.

The fashion editorial series in my portfolio titled “Urban Metamorphosis,” commissioned by Vogue Italia, demonstrates my technical precision with lighting and composition while telling a coherent narrative across a multi-page spread. My recent campaign for Unilever, featured in the commercial section of my portfolio, increased their Instagram engagement by 78% and was shortlisted for a Cannes Lion award. Beyond technical skills, I pride myself on my ability to direct diverse models and subjects to achieve authentic expressions that resonate with target audiences. I’m particularly drawn to Condé Nast’s commitment to visual innovation across its publications.

I would be thrilled to contribute my distinctive photographic style to your world-class creative team. You can reach me at (555) 555-6666 or email dachen@gmail.com.

Sincerely,
David Chen

June 20, 20XX

Miguel Rodríguez
Head of Production
Universal Pictures
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608

Dear Mr. Rodríguez,

With five years of experience creating compelling visual narratives for clients including Red Bull and Patagonia, I’m eager to apply for the Videographer position at Universal Pictures. My portfolio (sarahfilms.com) demonstrates my ability to blend technical precision with emotional storytelling—skills I developed while working on documentary projects in challenging environments around the world.

The short documentary in my portfolio titled “Against the Current,” which follows Olympic swimmers returning to their drought-stricken hometowns, showcases my ability to handle complex narratives while maintaining visual consistency and emotional impact. This project won Best Short Documentary at the 20XX Independent Film Festival. My commercial work for Samsung, also featured in my portfolio, demonstrates my proficiency with both studio production and run-and-gun shooting scenarios. I’m particularly skilled in drone cinematography, underwater filming, and post-production color grading using DaVinci Resolve.

Having long admired Universal Pictures’ commitment to visual innovation across diverse genres, I would be thrilled to contribute my technical expertise and creative vision to your upcoming projects. Please call (555) 777-8888 weekdays during the mornings or email me at sarah@sarahfilms.com to set up an interview.

Best regards,
Sarah Johnson

April 3, 20XX

Jordan Williams
Design Director
Apple Inc.
One Apple Park Way
Cupertino, CA 95014

Dear Mr. Williams,

As a graphic designer with seven years of experience creating clean, user-focused visual solutions, I’m excited to apply for the Senior Graphic Designer position at Apple. My portfolio (mendezdesign.com) reflects my minimalist aesthetic and human-centered design approach that aligns perfectly with Apple’s commitment to elegant simplicity and intuitive user experiences.

The brand identity system I created for Spotify, featured prominently in my portfolio, demonstrates my ability to develop cohesive visual languages that work seamlessly across digital and physical touchpoints. This project increased brand recognition by 34% according to their post-launch market research. My typographic work for The New York Times Magazine, also in my portfolio, showcases my attention to detail and understanding of how subtle design choices impact readability and emotional resonance. Beyond visual design, I bring expertise in prototyping, motion graphics, and facilitating collaborative design thinking workshops. Apple’s legacy of innovation through thoughtful design has long inspired my own work.

Please contact me via (555) 999-0000 or carlos@mendezdesign.com. I would be honored to contribute to your team’s continued excellence in creating products that merge beauty with functionality.

Sincerely,
Carlos Mendez

July 12, 20XX

Sam Reynolds
Art Director
Penguin Random House
1745 Broadway
New York, NY 10019

Dear Mx. Reynolds,

As an illustrator whose work has appeared in The New Yorker and on packaging for Whole Foods Market, I’m excited to apply for the Children’s Book Illustrator position at Penguin Random House. My portfolio (mayapatelart.com) showcases my distinctive watercolor style and ability to create characters and worlds that captivate both children and adults—skills I’ve refined over eight years of commercial illustration work.

The children’s book project in my portfolio, “Moonlight Adventures,” demonstrates my ability to maintain visual consistency across a narrative while creating engaging characters that convey emotion without relying on text. This self-published project sold over 5,000 copies and was featured in Parents Magazine’s “Best New Children’s Books” list. My editorial illustrations for The Atlantic, also in my portfolio, showcase my versatility in adapting my style to complement different written content while meeting tight deadlines. I’m proficient in both traditional media (watercolor, gouache, ink) and digital tools (Procreate, Adobe Photoshop), allowing me to adapt my process to project requirements.

Having grown up treasuring Penguin Random House publications, I would be thrilled to contribute to your legacy of creating visually stunning books that inspire young readers. I am reachable on (555) 123-9876 or you can email me at maya@mayapatelart.com to set up an interview.

Best regards,
Maya Patel

February 5, 20XX

Priya Sharma
Technical Hiring Manager
Google
1600 Amphitheatre Parkway
Mountain View, CA 94043

Dear Ms. Sharma,

As a full-stack developer with six years of experience building scalable web applications, I’m excited to apply for the Senior Software Engineer position at Google. My portfolio (alexnguyen.dev) demonstrates my expertise in creating elegant solutions to complex problems using React, Node.js, and cloud technologies—skills that align perfectly with Google’s commitment to powerful yet user-friendly products.

The e-commerce platform featured in my portfolio, built for Adidas, showcases my ability to architect systems that handle high traffic volume while maintaining sub-200ms response times. This project involved implementing complex inventory management logic and integrating with multiple third-party APIs. My open-source contribution to TensorFlow, also documented in my portfolio, demonstrates my proficiency with machine learning frameworks and commitment to collaborative development. In addition to technical skills, I bring experience leading agile development teams and mentoring junior developers. At Stripe, I led a team that reduced API response times by 42% through strategic refactoring and implementation of caching strategies. Google’s mission to organize the world’s information has long inspired my work.

Please feel free to contact me on (555) 234-5678 or at alex@nguyen.dev. I would be thrilled to apply my technical expertise to help advance this vision.

Sincerely,
Alex Nguyen

September 15, 20XX

Rebecca Adelman
Chief Marketing Officer
Nike, Inc.
One Bowerman Drive
Beaverton, OR 97005

Dear Ms. Adelman,

As a creative director who has led award-winning campaigns for Adidas and Coca-Cola, I’m excited to apply for the Executive Creative Director position at Nike. My portfolio (jonathanleeportfolio.com) showcases my ability to build and lead diverse creative teams that consistently deliver innovative, culturally relevant work that drives both brand equity and business results.

The “Beyond Limits” campaign for Adidas, featured in my portfolio, demonstrates my approach to creative leadership—bringing together designers, copywriters, photographers, and digital specialists to create an integrated campaign that increased quarterly sales by 28% and won a Cannes Lions Gold award. My work with Spotify, also documented in my portfolio, showcases my ability to translate brand strategy into distinctive creative expressions across global markets while maintaining brand consistency. Throughout my career, I’ve built a reputation for identifying and nurturing emerging creative talent while creating team environments where bold thinking thrives. At Wieden+Kennedy, I restructured the creative department to implement a more collaborative workflow, resulting in faster project completion and three major new business wins.

Nike’s legacy of inspirational storytelling has always set the standard for our industry, and I would be honored to help write the next chapter of the brand’s creative evolution. Let’s set up a meeting to discuss how I can help create this vision: jonathan@leecreative.com.

Best regards,
Jonathan Lee

August 8, 20XX

Daniel Kim
Gallery Director
Gagosian Gallery
555 West 24th Street
New York, NY 10011

Dear Mr. Kim,

As a mixed-media artist whose work explores the intersection of digital technology and traditional weaving craft, I’m writing to express my interest in representation by Gagnon Gallery. My portfolio (oliviamartinezart.com) showcases my evolving artistic practice and conceptual approach that I believe would complement your gallery’s commitment to presenting challenging contemporary work.

My recent series “Digital Archaeology,” featured prominently in my portfolio, demonstrates my technique of combining traditional oil painting with projection mapping to create immersive installations that question our relationship with technology. This series was exhibited at the Whitney Museum of American Art and received critical recognition in ArtForum, which described it as “a provocative reimagining of how traditional media can engage with digital culture.” My earlier sculptural work, also documented in my portfolio, shows the evolution of my practice and my ongoing exploration of materiality and form. Over the past decade, I’ve established a collector base across North America and Europe, with works acquired by MoMA, the Tate Modern, and several significant private collections.

Having long admired Gagnon’s influential role in shaping contemporary art discourse, I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my artistic vision might align with your gallery program. Please contact me at (555) 567-8901 or at olivia@oliviamartinez.com.

Sincerely,
Olivia Martinez

October 10, 20XX

Sophia Chen
Creative Talent Recruiter
MAC Cosmetics
130 Prince Street
New York, NY 10012

Dear Ms. Chen,

As a makeup artist with seven years of experience creating transformative looks for editorial shoots, runway shows, and celebrity clients, I’m excited to apply for the Senior Artist position at MAC Cosmetics. My portfolio (ryanjacksonmakeup.com) demonstrates my technical precision, artistic vision, and versatility across beauty, fashion, and avant-garde makeup applications.

The editorial series for Vogue featured in my portfolio showcases my ability to create flawless, camera-ready skin while pushing creative boundaries with unexpected color stories and textures. Working with diverse skin tones and facial features for clients including Fenty Beauty and Estée Lauder has honed my inclusive approach to makeup artistry. My behind-the-scenes work at New York Fashion Week, documented in the “runway” section of my portfolio, highlights my ability to execute a creative director’s vision while working efficiently under extreme time constraints. Beyond application techniques, I bring expertise in product knowledge, color theory, and creating educational content—skills I developed while leading masterclasses for Sephora.

MAC’s legacy of artistic innovation and inclusivity has long inspired my own approach to makeup, and I would be thrilled to contribute my creative vision and technical expertise to your iconic brand. Let’s discuss how I can contribute to MAC’s legacy. You can reach me at ryan@ryanjacksonmakeup.com.

Best regards,
Ryan Jackson

March 25, 20XX

Jamal Thompson
Salon Director
Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa
691 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10022

Dear Mr. Thompson,

As a licensed cosmetologist with six years of experience providing comprehensive beauty services to a loyal client base, I’m excited to apply for the Senior Cosmetologist position at Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa. My portfolio (aishabeauty.com) showcases my technical expertise across hair styling, skincare treatments, and makeup application—with a particular focus on creating personalized beauty experiences that enhance each client’s natural features.

The transformational hair color work featured in my portfolio demonstrates my precision with complex techniques including balayage, foliage, and color correction—skills I refined during my advanced color certification with Wella Professional. My skincare section showcases before-and-after results from clients with various skin concerns, highlighting my knowledge of product formulations and treatment protocols. While working at Aveda, I maintained a 92% client retention rate and increased average service tickets by 30% through effective consultation and home care recommendations. Beyond technical skills, I bring a warm, consultative approach that builds client trust and loyalty.

Elizabeth Arden’s holistic approach to beauty and wellness perfectly aligns with my philosophy of enhancing both appearance and confidence, and I would be thrilled to contribute to your spa’s legacy of exceptional client care. My skill and warmth shines through in person – contact me at (555) 789-0123 / aisha@aishabeauty.com to set up an interview.

Sincerely,
Aisha Williams

May 5, 20XX

Natasha Walker
Talent Director
IMG Models
304 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10010

Dear Ms. Walker,

As a working model with three years of experience in commercial, fitness, and runway modeling, I’m writing to express my interest in representation by IMG Models. My portfolio (kevinrodriguezmodel.com) showcases my versatility, professionalism, and unique look that I believe would make me a valuable addition to your diverse roster of talent.

The commercial campaigns in my portfolio for Under Armour and Lululemon demonstrate my ability to convey authentic emotion and movement while effectively representing athletic brands. At 6’1″ with a 40″ chest, 32″ waist, and 33″ inseam, I bring the physical proportions needed for high-fashion work, combined with the athleticism required for active wear campaigns. My runway experience includes walking for emerging designers at New York Fashion Week, where I received positive feedback for my confident presence and professional demeanor. Beyond my physical attributes, I bring a strong work ethic, punctuality, and adaptability to changing creative directions—qualities that previous clients have consistently praised.

IMG Models’ reputation for developing long-term careers and securing prestigious opportunities for diverse talent strongly appeals to me, and I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my look and professional approach might fit with your agency’s vision. You can reach me at kevin@kevinrodriguez.com and (555) 890-1234.

Best regards,
Kevin Rodriguez

November 18, 20XX

Michael Chang
Content Director
The Atlantic
600 New Hampshire Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20037

Dear Mr. Chang,

As a journalist whose work has appeared in The New York Times and NPR, I’m excited to apply for the Senior Staff Writer position at The Atlantic. My portfolio (amandaparkwrites.com) showcases my ability to blend meticulous reporting with narrative storytelling—an approach that aligns perfectly with The Atlantic’s commitment to thoughtful, nuanced coverage of complex issues.

My investigative series on the pharmaceutical industry, featured prominently in my portfolio, demonstrates my ability to translate complex scientific and economic concepts into compelling narratives that drive public discourse. This series won the 20XX National Magazine Award for Reporting and led to congressional hearings on drug pricing practices. My profiles of climate scientists, also in my portfolio, showcase my interview techniques and ability to humanize technical subjects without sacrificing intellectual rigor. Beyond reporting, I bring experience in multimedia storytelling, podcast production, and managing collaborative projects across editorial teams. At Vox, I developed the editorial calendar for their climate coverage, resulting in a 45% increase in reader engagement with environmental content.

The Atlantic’s legacy of incisive analysis and literary journalism has long set the standard I aspire to in my own work, and I would be honored to contribute to your publication’s ongoing evolution. Email me at amanda@amandaparkwrites.com to set up a meeting.

Sincerely,
Amanda Park

January 7, 20XX

Elena Rodriguez
Executive Editor
HarperCollins Publishers
195 Broadway
New York, NY 10007

Dear Ms. Rodriguez,

As an acquiring editor who has developed multiple New York Times bestsellers and award-winning titles, I’m excited to apply for the Senior Editor position in HarperCollins’ Fiction division. My editorial portfolio (thomaswashington.com) demonstrates my eye for identifying promising manuscripts, developing author talent, and guiding books through the publication process with both commercial and critical success.

The “Editorial Vision” section of my portfolio showcases the diverse list I built at Penguin Random House, including literary fiction, upmarket women’s fiction, and character-driven thrillers that collectively generated over $12 million in revenue. Working with debut author Sarah Johnson on her novel “The Forgotten Hour,” I helped shape a manuscript that went on to win the National Book Award and sell translation rights in 28 territories. My approach to editorial development, detailed in my portfolio case studies, focuses on enhancing an author’s unique voice while strengthening narrative structure and market positioning.

Beyond acquisition and development, I bring experience in managing publication schedules, coordinating cross-departmental collaboration, and mentoring junior editors. Having long admired HarperCollins’ commitment to publishing both established voices and groundbreaking new talent,

I would be thrilled to contribute my editorial vision and industry relationships to your prestigious team. I am reachable at (555) 012-3456 and thomas@washingtoneditor.com.

Best regards,
Thomas Washington

June 15, 20XX

Jason Kim
Director of Digital Marketing
Sephora
525 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94105

Dear Mr. Kim,

As a social media strategist who has grown brand communities and driven measurable engagement for clients including L’Oréal and Glossier, I’m excited to apply for the Social Media Manager position at Sephora. My portfolio (zoemitchelldigital.com) demonstrates my data-driven approach to creating compelling content strategies that build authentic connections between beauty brands and their target audiences.

The TikTok campaign for Glossier featured in my portfolio showcases my ability to translate brand values into platform-specific content that resonates with Gen Z consumers. This campaign increased followers by 127% and generated $380,000 in directly attributable sales through strategic use of creator partnerships and shoppable content. My work with Maybelline, also documented in my portfolio, demonstrates my expertise in community management and crisis communications during their product reformulation announcement.

I’m particularly skilled in social analytics, content planning, and identifying emerging platform features that can be leveraged for brand storytelling. At L’Oréal, I implemented a new social listening protocol that improved campaign performance by 34% through real-time content optimization.

Sephora’s innovative approach to digital community building has long set the standard in beauty retail, and if you call me at (555) 123-4567, I would be thrilled to discuss how I can best contribute my strategic thinking and creative execution to your industry-leading social media presence.

Sincerely,
Zoe Mitchell