Whatever your level of experience or ambition, we have a cover letter to meet your needs. Simply copy and paste your favorite example into Microsoft Word, and update it with your own information to create your own personalized cover letter.
Note that if you don’t have Microsoft Word, Google docs cover letter templates are also available online for your convenience.
- General Cover Letter Template
- Creative Template
- Entry Level (No Work Experience) Template
- Experienced Professional Template
But first, we’ll explain the four main pieces of a cover letter template so that you can easily build your own anytime.
Key Parts of a Basic Cover Letter Template
Understanding how to write a cover letter is critical if you’re on the job hunt, because a great cover letter can single handedly win you more interviews. But before you put pen to paper, you need to understand the basics. A good cover letter is composed of four essential parts:
- A personalized greeting
- An eye-catching introduction
- Convincing body content
- A strong closing statement
The sample cover letter template below explains what to include in each of these sections:
Personalized Greeting
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
Eye-Catching Opener
Start with a brief, attention-grabbing cover letter introduction. Include who you are, where your primary expertise lies, how you found the job listing, and why you’re interested in or passionate about the position.
Convincing Body
Your second and third paragraphs make up the primary substance of your cover letter. This is where you give the hiring manager an overview of your previous job experience, skills, and accomplishments, and how your qualifications make you uniquely prepared to help meet the company’s needs.
- If you like, you can include a bulleted list of your key accomplishments
- Be sure to use hard numbers to back up your claims
- A cover letter with numbers is always better than one without
To make your cover letter even better, research the company and find out about their current goals. Then, address how you can help the company tackle these goals.
Strong Closing Statement
Your cover letter closing is where you push the hiring manager into action. Tell them that you’d like to schedule an interview at their convenience. Provide your essential contact information. Then, mention that you’ll be in touch within a week if you don’t hear back. Finally, thank the hiring manager for their time and consideration.
Warm regards,
Your Name
Frequently Asked Questions About Cover Letters
Now that you have a basic template for your cover letter, here some essential cover letter tips and suggestions to ensure you land more interviews and a job:
Do I need a unique cover letter for every job?
While it might be time consuming, you should write a distinct cover letter tailored to the position you want to fill. This helps you stand apart from other candidates and showcase how your experience is relevant to the position you want to fill.
Each company has a unique set of challenges they’re trying to tackle through hiring. Your cover letter should reflect those specific issues, and demonstrate how you’re uniquely qualified to help resolve them.
How long should my cover letter be?
The standard cover letter length is between 1/2 and one page, or about 200 to 500 words.
Especially if you’re applying for an entry or mid level position, submitting a long-winded cover letter will bore the hiring manager. To ensure you keep their attention, make it relevant and concise.
Do I really need a cover letter?
You should always submit a cover letter if:
- The job you’re applying to requires one
- You’ve been recommended for the job
- You want to provide information that isn’t included in your resume
Career experts have been saying for years that the end of the cover letter is near. So it’s understandable that many job-seekers end up wondering: is a cover letter necessary?
The reality is that cover letters are still an essential part of the job application process.
Should I match my resume and cover letter templates?
You should always pair your cover letter template with its matching resume template to make your application look consistent and professional.
Using a mismatched resume and cover letter suggests to the hiring manager that you lack attention to detail, and don’t feel like putting much effort into the job application process. Either way, the result will damage your chances of getting an interview.
1. General Cover Letter Template
Need a formal cover letter that works for any job? Look no further. This general cover letter hits on all the essential information you need to include, without coming across as generic. Simply copy and paste this template into Microsoft Word or Google Docs and fill in the blanks for a basic cover letter that you can use for any application.
[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 passionate [Your Occupation] with [#] years of professional experience performing [Primary Work Task], I’m confident that I would be an asset to your team.
Your job listing mentions a need for someone knowledgeable in [Area of Expertise], which I happen to have experience in. While employed at [Current Company Name], 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 company’s annual goals.
I’m confident that my proven track record of driving results and knack for [Relevant Skill] will make me an immediate asset at [Company Name], and allow me to seamlessly integrate into the team.
I look forward to discussing the [Position Name] position with you in more detail soon. I’m available to talk at your earliest convenience. I’ll also be in touch next week to follow up, just to make sure you’ve received my application.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
2. Creative Cover Letter Template
Applying for work at a hip new startup? Adding some extra personality to your cover letter can help you stand out and show that you’re a good cultural fit.
Copy and paste the example below and fill it in with your own information for a unique, casual cover letter that is sure to grab the hiring manager’s attention.
[Today’s Date]
[Hiring Manager’s Name]
[Company Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
Dea [Mr./Ms./Mrs.] [Hiring Manager’s Surname],
As a [Personal Description] who absolutely loves [Product Name], I was over the moon when I saw your listing for the [Position Name] position at [Company Name].
With [#] years of professional experience as [Occupation] under my belt, I’ve successfully accomplished [2 to 3 Previous Accomplishments]. I’m confident my [2 to 3 Traits or Qualifications] would make me an ideal fit for the team at [Company Name].
Currently, in my role at [Current Company] as a [Current Role], I regularly execute [Primary Responsibilities] and have successfully improved our performance. For instance, I bumped up [Achievement] by [%] over the course of [Time Period].
I’m positive my knack for [Achievement] will make me an immediate asset to the team at [Company Name].
I look forward to discussing the position and my qualifications with you in more detail. I’m available to talk at your soonest convenience, and I’ll be in touch next week to follow up to make sure you’ve received my application.
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
3. Entry Level (No Work Experience) Cover Letter Template
Congratulations, you’re on the hunt for your first job! Although the cover letter template below is tailored toward a college graduate, anyone who lacks job experience can tweak it to their own specifications.
Simply copy and paste the example below into Microsoft Word, and start creating your own personalized cover letter.
[Today’s Date]
[Hiring Manager’s Name]
[Company’s Street Address]
[City, State, Zip]
[Telephone No.]
[Email]
My name is [Your Name]. I’m writing to submit my application for the open [position] role that you’re advertising. Based on the job description, I believe that I have the required skills and experience for this role.
I’m a [Positive Trait] recent college graduate with a degree in [Degree] from [College Name]. In the past, I’ve received consistent praise for my [Positive Trait] by professors and classmates. During my studies, I developed proven [1–3 Soft Skills] skills, and I’d love the opportunity to use these skills in the [Position] role at your company.
I hope my resume convinces you that I’m a diligent, reliable candidate. I look forward to meeting you to discuss the value I’d bring to your organization, as well as the ways I can help your business achieve its goals. Please contact me at [Phone No.] or via email at [Email] so that we can organize a suitable meeting time.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
4. Experienced Professional Cover Letter Template
Whether you already have a job and desire a new challenge, or are between jobs, look no further. Copy and paste the template below into Microsoft Word, and change it accordingly.
[Today’s Date]
[Hiring Manager’s Name]
[Company’s Street Address]
[City, State, Zip]
[Telephone No.]
[Email]
My name is [Your Name]. I’m grateful for the opportunity to apply for the open [position] role at your company. It’s clear from the job description that you wish to hire a versatile candidate who can help tackle [Challenge That Needs to Be Addressed]. Based on my experience, I’m certain that I would perform exceptionally in this role.
I’m a [Positive Trait] professional [Degree/Specialty] who has been consistently rated as [Positive Trait] by my colleagues. During my career, I’ve developed proven [1–3 Soft Skills] skills, and I hope to leverage these skills in the [Position] role at your company.
I’m confident that my resourcefulness and skills in [Area of Expertise] make me an ideal candidate for this role. I anticipate explaining how my varied skill-sets and abilities will benefit your organization. Please contact me at [Phone Number] or via email at [Email] to schedule an appropriate meeting time.
Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
