18 Cover Letter For Resume Templates – Examples

A resume is a document that outlines your professional experience, education, and skills. When you create a resume, a cover letter is an integral part of the package. The cover letter can show your personality and help employers see if you are a good fit for the position.

A cover letter benefits students who have just graduated and are now looking for a job. A cover letter is meant to catch the employer’s attention. Moreover, cover letters are a great way to elaborate on your resume and tell the hiring manager about your life beyond work.

Many companies will require you to write cover letters for your resume. Cover letters are significant in marketing a resume and ensuring that the hiring manager knows what makes you excel in the respective industry.

This article will discuss the essentials that should go into a successful cover letter, the importance of writing a cover letter, its format, and some tips that will help you craft an excellent cover letter.

You can download the following templates for free:

What is a Cover Letter for a Resume?

A cover letter is a document that accompanies your resume when applying for jobs.

It provides the perfect opportunity to introduce yourself and show why you are the right person for the job. In addition, cover letters are used to create interest and attention around the content of your resume.

Cover letters also give a place to detail skills, experiences, and other information that may not be obvious on the surface of your resume. In addition, they can also help with interview preparation or discussions about salary requirements.

Importance of Cover Letter for Resume

A cover letter helps you shine from the competition and shows potential employers that you are a worthy candidate for the position. Therefore, a cover letter should be concise, well-written, and highlight your skills and qualifications most relevant to the position. On average, a cover letter should be 250-400 words. Therefore, knowing how to write a convincing cover letter that makes you the best candidate for a position is crucial.

Fact check: A cover letter is a document you send along with your resume when applying for a job. The cover letter provides additional information about your skills and experience.

The format is essential when it comes to writing a cover letter. Since a cover letter is the first thing hiring managers will look at when reviewing your resume, it’s important to know how to format a cover letter:

Header

The first step is making a header. You should include personal and role-specific information at the beginning of your cover letter. Giving your details makes it easy for hiring managers to contact you. The header should include your name, address, phone number, email address, and date of writing. It should also include the recipient’s information, i.e., their name, job title, company name, and company address.

Salutation

The next step is writing the salutation/greeting. It is imperative to start a cover letter with a salutation. The salutation should introduce you to the hiring manager and help get the resume noticed.

Tip: Always use the recipient’s name or the title when writing the salutation. Salutations such as “To whom it may concern” and “Dear Sir or Madam” are unfashionable and make the cover letter look generic.

Opening paragraph

Opening paragraphs should be short, to the point, descriptive and clear. You only have one chance to create an excellent first impression with this paragraph. Therefore, you should state the job you are applying for and where you saw the job posting. In addition, it would be best to describe your position and interest in the company to show that you have done the research.

Middle paragraph

After the opening paragraph, put a short, attention-grabbing statement that will convince the hiring manager to continue reading your cover letter. Next, briefly summarize your background concerning the position. After summarizing your background, list critical achievements, skills, or areas of expertise that make you suitable for the position. Finally, provide one or two specific examples of your success, including measurable factors.

Closing paragraph

The closing paragraph is your last chance to make a good impression. Writing a solid closing paragraph will help ensure that the hiring manager wants to read your letter. Instead of repeating the details on the resume, summarize specific stories or anecdotes that show you fit the role. If you are changing careers, this is a good time to mention transferable skills or equivalent experience.

Sign off

As the letter concludes, sign off by summarizing why you are applying for the job and why you would be a good match. You can also conclude the cover letter by explaining that you look forward to hearing from the employer about the next steps. Afterward, sign at the bottom and finish.

A cover letter is a deciding factor in whether you will be hired or not. Therefore, when writing a cover letter, you should ensure that your letter includes all the relevant information that an employer needs, as discussed below:

Explain why you are the perfect person for the job

This section is an essential part of a cover letter. Briefly explain why you are a good match for the position and tell the reader why you should be hired. Be thorough and personal in this section when highlighting your skills.

Good example:

In my previous role at ABC Inc., I handled customer acquisition through ads and managed a monthly ad budget of $50,000+. As the sole digital marketer at the company, I managed the ad creation & management process end-to-end.

Bad example:

I am an innovative and dedicated professional. I have three years of digital marketing experience and would make an excellent addition to your team. I am enthusiastic, hardworking, and ready to succeed in any role assigned to me.

Share your experience

At the beginning of the cover letter, you should mention your interest in the position and explain how your experience fits the company’s needs. For example, suppose you are applying to a company trying to enter a new market where you have experience. In that case, you should highlight that experience in the letter.

Good example:

In The San Antonio Express-News, I noticed that your company is actively hiring in the area, and this position seems like an excellent fit for me. I’ve been a hardworking operations supervisor at Big Boy Burger for over three years and have experience training new employees and handling customer service.

Bad example:

In The San Antonio Express-News, I noticed that your company is actively hiring in the area, and this position seems like an excellent fit for me. I’m a hardworking person who can hit the ground running.

Note: If an applicant does not have work experience and is writing an entry-level cover letter, they should consider highlighting details such as academic achievement, extracurricular activities, and volunteer work.

Discuss why you think you are a good fit for the company

Employers often look for candidates who align with the company’s objectives. You should include some quick research on the company to show that you have done the research. Find the mission, goals, and financial statements. Moreover, it will also help you make a good impression.

Good example:

I have been impressed with Company XYZ’s sales results over the last few years, and I believe I could take this company to the next level. Your mission statement, “Building a global network of leading lifestyle brands,” resonated well with me.

Bad example:

I want to work for XYZ Company, which has a culture of innovation. I’m a very creative person, so I think I’ll fit in well with this company. In addition, the company’s values ​​of integrity and transparency are desirable to me.

How will you add value?

In the cover letter, you should think of tangible ways to prove how you will add value to the company. For example, describe specific examples of what you can bring to the team, its culture, and its goals for advancing.

Good example:

Experience has taught me how to create strong relations with all departments within the organization. I can work within and across teams with web engineers to resolve technical issues and implement technical improvements. I am confident in working with the development department to improve the design and functionality.

Bad example:

I have extensive experience working in a technology environment. I have worked for several different companies in the tech service industry. I love being my boss’s “right hand” and ensuring he has everything he needs to succeed.

Call to action

Your cover letter should include a call to action. This could be anything from requesting an interview to asking the hiring manager to contact you if they have questions. The objective is to get the hiring manager interested in learning more, so make sure the call to action is enticing.

Good example:

Thank you for your time and for considering me for the position. I look forward to communicating with you further about the role, and hopefully, soon, I will be joining your great company!

Bad example:

I sincerely hope you’ll consider me a candidate for the open general manager position at Company XYZ. Text if you have questions or would like to schedule a meeting.

A cover letter is vital in the application process. Therefore, it’s crucial to create a strong cover letter that showcases your skills and qualifications in a positive light.

Here are tips for writing the perfect cover letter:

Tailor each letter to the job

The most important tip is to avoid a generic cover letter when applying for a job. Cover letters are not the same for every job. Instead, tailor each letter to the job and the company. For instance, if you are applying for a job as a web developer, the cover letter might look different from someone applying for a job as an accountant.

Use keywords

Keywords are an essential part of a cover letter. Therefore, use keywords that match the job position to create a good cover letter. For instance, if you are applying for a job as a marketing assistant, you should include keywords like “marketing,” “advertising,” and “promotion.”

Avoid generic references

Another important tip is to avoid using generic references. Generic cover letters lack detail or specificity. On the other hand, a good cover letter should be tailored to the specific position you are applying for. The cover letter should highlight your strengths and how your experience would fit the position well.

Keep it short and sweet

Employers read numerous applications in a day. Therefore, keeping the cover letter concise and to the point is important. This will help make your case understood by the reader and save them time in reading through the application. Hence, make sure to hit all of the critical points in a concise and easy-to-read manner.

Use proper formatting style

You should format your cover letter in a way that will attract the attention of hiring managers. A well-formatted cover letter is usually:

• 200-350 words
• Single line spacing
• The page size is U.S Letter (USA) or A4 (other countries).
• Write the letter in a standard cover font like Arial or Calibri. Font size should be between 10.5 and 12 points (ensure readability).
• Also, the margins on the cover letter should be between 1 and 0.5 inches on each side.
• Content should be left-aligned, except for contact information, which can be centered.

Edit your letter

A cover letter is your best chance to convince the hiring manager. Make sure it’s perfect by reading the letter and correcting spelling and grammatical errors. You can also ask a friend, family member, or career counselor to read it. Before submitting the letter, ensure it is polished.