A cover letter should include five essential parts:
- Contact information
- A personalized greeting
- An eye-catching cover letter introduction
- Convincing body content about your expertise
- A powerful cover letter closing and sign off
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Need a cover letter template? Download any of our 200+ free cover letter templates for Word, then fill out a copy-paste cover letter template to pair with your resume and complete your job application.
Use the "Advanced" cover letter template to apply for competitive jobs and advance your career.
The "Clean" cover letter template lives up to its name, with simple formatting and an easy-to-read font.
With its simple, bold design, the “Corporate” cover letter template is ideal for confident business professionals.
Minimal and sleek, the "Modern" template is ideal for marketing and business professionals.
Our "Minimalist" cover letter template embraces simplicity while maintaining a unique visual style.
The “Majestic” uses a unique cityscape header to draw attention to your cover letter.
The "Pantheon" cover letter template's bold header projects confidence, making it ideal for executives.
Designed for the modern job seeker, our "2024" cover letter template is perfect for people in any industry.
"The Classic" cover letter template is clean, traditional, and the perfect format to start off your application.
The "Windsor" cover letter template uses a unique header to design to grab the attention of employers.
Featuring bold, dark lines the “Chicago” cover letter template projects confidence.
Featuring a bold gray header block for your name and contact information, the "Taj Mahal" template projects confidence.
The "Elegant" cover letter template gives your header a sophisticated look, making it ideal for a variety of jobs.
Timeless and formal, our "Professional" cover letter template is an update of a design used by job seekers for decades.
Elegant and classic, the "Milano" template gives your cover letter a timeless, sophisticated look.
A professional cover letter template suits experienced candidates applying to large companies. If you’re an executive or seeking a senior position, use one of these templates to write a confident and authoritative cover letter.
Our "Minimalist" cover letter template embraces simplicity while maintaining a unique visual style.
Why it’s called the “Minimalist”
As the name suggests, the Minimalist cover letter features a simple design aesthetic that doesn’t distract from its content. At the same time, a bit of color is added to allow you to express your individuality—do you suit an ambitious red or an industrious blue?
Who should use it?
The Minimalist’s uncomplicated layout and design make it suitable for a myriad of roles. Its simplicity also makes it easy to format to your needs.
The Minimalist’s uncomplicated layout and design make it suitable for a myriad of roles. Its simplicity also makes it easy to format to your needs.
Use this design if you value clarity and effectiveness. If you don’t have Microsoft Word, you can find similar cover letter templates for google docs
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Build my cover letter nowFeaturing strong colors and a bold header, our "Everest" cover letter template is guaranteed to help you stand out.
Why it’s called the “Everest”
The Everest’s dominating dark-and-light color scheme will allow you to tower over your competition. It exudes an earthiness that reflects your dependability, a soft skill that hiring managers consistently prioritize.
Who should use it?
The Minimalist’s simple layout and design make it suitable for a wide range of positions. Moreover, its lack of visual complexity makes it easy to format.
Use the Everest if you are a rock-solid candidate.
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Build my cover letter nowClean and sleek, the "Premium" cover letter template is a great choice for job seekers in creative industries.
Why it’s called the “Premium”
The Premium is our most sophisticated cover letter template yet. It hints at a high level of luxury, albeit one that the average person can aspire to.
Who should use it?
Use the Premium template if you don’t count yourself among the hoi polloi of job seekers: the Premium template suggests that you are a top-tier candidate.
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Build my cover letter nowSimple yet stylish, our "Cosmopolitan" cover letter template will help you get noticed for the right reasons.
Why it’s called the “Cosmopolitan”
The Cosmopolitan uses a diverse range of bright, eye-catching colors that echo the variety found in the modern world.
Who should use it?
This template is perfect for those who are proud of their background, crave a career that matches their personality, and aspire to contribute to their new role in their own way.
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Build my cover letter nowPair a modern cover letter template with your resume to show some personality in your job application. This style of cover letter template is ideal for job seekers applying to work in tech, at startups, or in industries like marketing and design.
Designed for the modern job seeker, our "2024" cover letter template is perfect for people in any industry.
Why it’s called the “2024”
The “2024” is our latest and most advanced of all our cover letter templates. “2024” embraces the future while staying true to design principles that have survived for decades, making it ideal for job seekers navigating today’s volatile job market.
Who should use it?
The 2024 template is versatile and modern. Anybody can use this template — whatever role they’re applying for.
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Build my cover letter nowUse the "Advanced" cover letter template to apply for competitive jobs and advance your career.
Why it’s called the “Advanced”
The Advanced template is designed for those who can boast advanced technical skills or an in-demand specialty.
Who should use it?
Paired with the Advanced resume template that helps job seekers show off their skills, this cover letter template is perfect for those who want to advertise their expertise or technical knowledge.
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Build my cover letter nowFormal and bold, the “Corporate” template’s strong header makes it ideal for applying to managerial positions.
Why it’s called the “Corporate”
Professionalism and industriousness are the watchwords of the Corporate template, which is sure to suit those seeking career advancement.
Who should use it?
Ambitious go-getters who aren’t afraid of working hard to deliver for themselves and their firm.
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Build my cover letter nowOur "Hybrid" cover letter template combines formal formatting with colorful accents.
Why it’s called the “Hybrid”
The “Hybrid” cover letter template may have a splash of color, but it’s nevertheless professional. The balance of aesthetics and formality hints to hiring managers that you are a diligent, competent candidate.
Who should use it?
Candidates with solid interpersonal skills who are ready to hit the ground running in their new workplace.
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Build my cover letter nowOur creative cover letters perfectly balance professionalism and personality. Use one of these unique cover letter templates if you’re applying for work in a contemporary field like design or marketing.
The "Notre Dame" template uses bold rectangles in its header, placing emphasis on your name and contact details.
Why it’s called the “Notre Dame”
Inspired by the impressive buttresses of Paris’ most famous cathedral, the Notre Dame cover letter template’s bold lines and subtle colors are designed to draw the attention of any hiring manager.
Who should use it?
The Notre Dame cover letter template is perfect for candidates who aren’t afraid to give their job application some flair. It’s ideal for job seekers who are applying for work in less formal industries like marketing or design.
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Build my cover letter nowFeaturing a bold sidebar and modern font, the "Cool" cover letter template gives your application a sleek, confident look.
Why it’s called the “Cool”
Stylish and modern, the “Cool” cover letter template is designed to give your application a confident but subdued look. The bold sidebar and bottom-aligned contact information help grab attention and direct it toward your cover letter’s content.
Who should use it?
The “Cool” cover letter template’s sleek but professional appearance makes it ideal for job seekers looking for creative work in a more buttoned-up industry, such as advertising or UI/UX design.
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Build my cover letter nowThe "Westminster" cover letter template is creative but minimalist, making it perfect for a variety of jobs.
Why it’s called the “Westminster”
Featuring a clean header and refined signature font, the Westminster cover letter template was inspired by the elegant architecture of London’s center of government. This template is the perfect mix of formality and playfulness, making it ideal for just about any contemporary job.
Who should use it?
Formal yet lively, the Westminster cover letter template is perfect for candidates in advertising or online marketing.
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Build my cover letter nowEye-catching and clean, the "Visual" template is designed to make your cover letter stand out.
Why it’s called the “Visual”
Clean, organized, and modern, the “Visual” cover letter template is designed to help your application stand out while staying professional. When paired with the busyness of the “Visual” resume template, this cover letter provides the perfect balance to your job application.
Who should use it?
The “Visual” template is perfect for anyone in a creative industry looking to give their cover letter a buttoned-up, contemporary look.
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Build my cover letter nowWrite a clear and organized cover letter using a simple cover letter template. Each basic template is free to download (compatible with Microsoft Word and Google Docs), and will help you create the perfect cover letter for whatever job you apply for.
"The Classic" cover letter template is clean, traditional, and the perfect format to start off your application.
Why it’s called the “Classic”
The Classic template draws on longstanding design principles to provide a cover letter that can be used for a variety of professions and experience levels. Our Classic 2.0 design adheres to those principles, while offering a fresh take on the standard cover letter format.
Who should use it?
The Classic template is a great choice for job seekers who want the reader to focus on their content rather than layout.
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Build my cover letter nowInspired by the architecture of its namesake city, the "Chicago" cover letter template is bold and professional.
Why it’s called the “Chicago”
“The Windy City is mighty pretty,” and so is the Chicago template. Just like Illinois’ largest city, the Chicago template is a real people pleaser, with something that appeals to everyone.
Who should use it?
This modern, versatile template is a pragmatic choice for those seeking to prove they can thrive in the workplace with their cover letter.
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Build my cover letter nowThe "Connery" cover letter template exudes confidence with its bold name bar, ensuring that employers remember you.
Why it’s called the “Connery”
The Connery cover letter template is bold but buttoned-up. The name bar immediately catches the eyes of employers and puts emphasis on your name, ensuring they remember your application after they’re done reviewing it.
Who should use it?
The Connery is a great choice for anyone who wants to make a strong first impression.
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Build my cover letter nowGraceful and powerful, our "White House" is perfect for job seekers applying for government-related work.
Why it’s called the “White House”
Our new “White House” cover letter template exudes confidence and prestige. The heading stands out without being flashy, and gives your cover letter the distinguished appearance worthy of a powerful political figure.
Who should use it?
Anyone applying for a job at the local, state, or federal level of government, as well as anyone looking to convey that they’re a serious applicant truly interested in a role.
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Build my cover letter nowThese picture cover letter templates are ideal if you’re applying for jobs in a country where you’re expected to include a photo with your job application. Each template is designed to look sleek and quickly grab the attention of employers.
Our “Original Picture” template provides plenty of space in the header for your headshot, helping you grab attention.
Why it’s called the “Original Picture”
The header of the “Original Picture” is what makes it so compelling. Distinct, unique, and with space for a photo, it has everything you need to leave a lasting impression.
Who should use it?
If originality and creativity are traits you want to emphasize with your cover letter, the “Original Picture” ticks all the boxes.
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Build my cover letter nowWith a subtle full-color background, our “Photo” template will give your cover letter a chic, artsy look.
Why it’s called the “Photo”
TWho says that color should be reserved for the header of your cover letter? Frame yourself and your experience in a way that catches employers’ attention with the “Photo”.
Who should use it?
Want to literally and figuratively highlight all the reasons why you’re the most qualified person for the job? The “Photo” does the trick.
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Build my cover letter nowFeaturing clean lines and a gradient background, our “Fresh” cover letter template will help your application stand out.
Why it’s called the “Fresh”
Clean lines, a straightforward layout and appealing colors make this template a breath of fresh air.
Who should use it?
The “Fresh” matches the needs of professionals who want to take their cover letter to the next level visually. This template achieves just that, without distracting from your accomplishments.
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Build my cover letter nowOur “Headshot” cover letter template applies color to give your cover letter a sleek, modern look.
Why it’s called the “Headshot”
This template makes clever use of color to add a bit of dimension to your cover letter without going overboard on the design details. The two-tone color scheme keeps things exciting and makes your headshot pop.
Who should use it?
The “Headshot” is a great choice for actors, models, and professionals in the entertainment industry. However, its minimalistic yet attractive design makes it suitable for job seekers in any field.
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Build my cover letter nowNeed a cover letter to pair with your Google Docs resume template? These sleek, contemporary cover letter templates will help elevate your job application without ever needing to download expensive word processing software.
Opening with a casual greeting, the “Coral” Google Docs cover letter template gives off friendly, youthful energy.
What’s unique about this template?
Though it has a simple format, the Coral cover letter template features a hint of color and a unique header font that create an air of sophistication.
Who should use it?
The Coral template is a good choice for candidates who want to add a touch of personality and class to their cover letter.
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Build my cover letter nowUsing a simple, technical design with a little color, the “Swiss” cover letter template is perfect for jobs in tech or marketing.
What’s unique about this template?
The Swiss cover letter template uses two columns, with one featuring a candidate’s name and contact information, and the other containing the body of the cover letter. This layout effectively uses white space for extra visual flair.
Who should use it?
The Swiss cover letter template is perfect for those who can write a concise cover letter and want their application to stand out.
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Build my cover letter nowWith its blocky background graphics, the “Geometric” cover letter template is best suited to apply for jobs in programming.
What’s unique about this template?
The Geometric template uses a bold design and color palette that is sure to get the attention of employers.
Who should use it?
If you’re looking for work in a modern and creative industry like design or tech, the Geometric template could be the one for you.
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Build my cover letter nowFormal yet colorful, choose the “Online” template if you want to keep things professional but still stand out.
What’s unique about this template?
The teal heading underscored by a gray contact information bar makes sure employers know who you are and how to contact you.
Who should use it?
This template is a good option for candidates looking to add a light touch of color and personality to their application.
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Build my cover letter nowThese cover letter templates for Microsoft Word come in a number of eye-catching colors and professional designs. Be sure to pair your favorite cover letter template with the matching Microsoft Word resume template.
What’s unique about this template?
The Swiss cover letter template features a striking color scheme and a unique layout to draw attention.
Who should use it?
For candidates looking to turn heads with their application, the Swiss cover letter template will deliver.
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Build my cover letter nowWhat’s unique about this template?
With bold color features and a distinct font pairing, the Polished cover letter template demonstrates personality and confidence.
Who should use it?
The Polished template is well-suited to candidates in creative industries who are looking to make an impression.
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Build my cover letter nowWhat’s unique about this template?
The Playful template lives up to its name with a fun color palette and whimsical design. The high contrast between the sidebar and the cover letter body text adds visual interest and flow.
Who should use it?
The Playful template is well-suited to candidates applying for jobs in creative fields like marketing or design.
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Build my cover letter nowWhat’s unique about this template?
The Crisp and Clean template offers a unique and unexpected layout along with light color accents. With each part of the cover letter neatly organized and defined, this template is pleasing to the eye and easy to read.
Who should use it?
This template is perfect for candidates who appreciate a simple design aesthetic and clear structure.
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Build my cover letter nowLooking for a cover letter to pair with your CV? Whether you’re applying to an academic position or a research job, our CV cover letter templates are designed to give your application a refined, professional appearance.
If you write in any professional capacity, our "Writer" template will help you highlight your writing proficiency.
Why it’s called the “Writer”
Thanks to its subtle design and space-efficient layout, our “Writer” cover letter template gives you plenty of space to highlight your writing proficiency and style.
Who should use it?
The “Writer” cover letter template is perfect if you’re applying to work as a teacher or any other job that requires strong writing abilities.
Use our software and create a cv with a premade template. Let the Genius cv generator help you make your cv in minutes.
Build my CV nowOur "Research" cover letter template uses a formal design to help emphasize your accomplishments in your field of research.
Why it’s called the “Research”
The “Research” cover letter template is designed to help you land those competitive research positions. Its blocky design and elegant header help you make a strong first impression without detracting from your qualifications.
Who should use it?
You should use the “Research” cover letter template if you’re applying to jobs where your technical skillset matters, like those in academic research or computer science.
Use our software and create a cv with a premade template. Let the Genius cv generator help you make your cv in minutes.
Build my CV nowWith a name that evokes prestige, our "Harvard" cover letter template is the perfect accessory to your CV.
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Why it’s called the “Harvard”
With a name that evokes prestige, our “Harvard” CV cover letter template is the perfect design to pair with your impressive and thorough curriculum vitae.
Who should use it?
With its clean, formal design, you should use the “Harvard” cover letter template if you want to project confidence. It’s best used if you’re applying for higher-level jobs, such as an operations manager or marketing manager.
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Build my CV nowOur "Graduate" cover letter template is formal and elegant, making it well suited to help you apply for any position.
Why it’s called the “Graduate”
The “Graduate” cover letter template uses a bold header font and clean lines to help your CV look both friendly and contemporary, helping you stand out even if you’re fresh out of grad school.
Who should use it?
The “Graduate” cover letter template’s formal design and subtle details makes it the ideal choice for scholars writing an academic job application.
Use our software and create a cv with a premade template. Let the Genius cv generator help you make your cv in minutes.
Build my CV nowTo use one of our professionally-designed cover letter templates, simply:
To write a good cover letter and impress employers, follow the best cover letter formatting practices and make sure to demonstrate why you’re a good fit for the specific company.
Using a template helps you create a professional application and makes it much easier to quickly modify your cover letter for different jobs.
You can copy and paste this template into a doc to use as an easy-to-follow outline:
Your Name
Street Address
City and Zip Code
Your Phone Number
Today’s Date
Addressee’s/Hiring Manager’s Name
Job Title
Organization/Company Name
Street Address
City and Zip Code
Dear Name,
Opening paragraph: State who you are, say where you found the job listing, and explain why you’re interested in the position.
Body paragraphs: Give an overview of your previous job experience, skills, qualifications, and accomplishments. Don’t repeat your resume. Explain what makes you a unique candidate and how you can help the company meet its goals. Use numbers to back up your claims.
Closing paragraph: State that you’d like to schedule an interview and provide your contact information. Say you’ll be in touch within a week if you don’t hear back. Finish by thanking the employer for their time and consideration.
Warm regards,
Your Name
As many as 94% of hiring managers think cover letters are influential when it comes to deciding who to interview, so use your cover letter as an opportunity to connect with employers and highlight why you’d make a smart hire.
Choose a free fill-in-the-blank cover letter template below and fill in your information to create a personalized cover letter.
Looking for a classic cover letter that’ll work for any job application? Our original professional cover letter template ensures you’ll have a polished cover letter without worrying about finicky formatting or design.
Download this free sample and fill in the blanks with your skills and experience to show employers how your qualifications align with the role.
Our fashionable cover letter template has a light and professional tone and focuses on your enthusiasm and achievements. If you’re applying at a forward-looking company, a modern cover letter like this shows you’re a good cultural fit.
This free template is easy to personalize in Word, and has lots of room for you to showcase your originality and voice.
When you’re writing your first cover letter, you can focus on the skills you gained through your education, volunteer work, extracurriculars, and hobbies.
Our Unique cover letter template helps you explain why you’re a top candidate, even if you have no work experience. Simply download the Word doc and customize it.
Need an application letter for a senior position? Our Milano cover letter template offers a clear format for presenting your skill set and accomplishments.
If you’re established in your field or applying for a promotion, this sophisticated template will help you make a powerful impression.
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Read through our professional cover letter examples for inspiration when writing your own. Each sample has been approved by a professional career expert from our team, and uses a free cover letter template that you can download and customize.
Browse More ExamplesNot sure how to write a cover letter for your background? Whether you have gaps in your career, or are just graduating college, our career and life-situation cover letter templates include downloadable examples and tips to help you make a cover letter that’s ideal for your situation.
Below you’ll find some of our most popular industry-specific cover letter examples, which you can download immediately for free and use as a guide when creating your own cover letter.
Here are some essential cover letter tips and suggestions that will help you land more interviews and a job.
A cover letter should include five essential parts:
You shouldn’t include any false information in a cover letter, or the same information that’s already on your resume. It’s also important to avoid these mistakes:
While it’s not necessary to create a unique cover letter for every job, it does improve your chances of making a good first impression and landing an interview.
Each company has different challenges they’re trying to tackle through hiring. By writing a new cover letter draft for every job, you can explain why you’re uniquely qualified to contribute.
Your cover letter should be between half a page and one full page in length, or about 200 to 500 words. This is the standard cover letter length because it’s concise, and keeps the hiring manager’s attention.
You need a cover letter if:
Your job application will look much more consistent and professional if you use a matching resume and cover letter template.
Using mismatched templates can come across as unprofessional and might make it look like you didn’t put much thought or effort into your job application.
More questions? Visit our FAQ library.
Conrad Benz
Corissa Peterson
Corissa Peterson
Rebecca Tay, Ph.D.
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Each template on our website was designed by HR and hiring professionals to help jobseekers easily apply for work.