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Cover letter templates with character.

Professional resume and cover letter templates designed to complement each other. Attach a matching cover letter to your resume to make them both stand out even more.

Left-aligning contact details, our “Stanford” cover letter template provides a refreshing layout for your text. Giving your application a highly-professional look, “Stanford” is perfectly suited for managerial applications.

Use this cover letter template to fast-track your application to the top of the pile. With its eye-catching background color and classy font, “English” successfully conveys motivation and self-assurance.

Making a hit with any company, the “Black” cover letter template will help you showcase your achievements and skill-set in a neat and simple way. Use this universal template to emphasize your dependability.

Rectangular

The “Rectangular” cover letter template with its minimalist geometric elements and subtle background color in the header makes your name stand out and exude confidence.

Looking for a cover letter that reflects your professionalism? The “Classy” cover letter template is a great pick. Featuring fine lines to separate the header from the content, this template nails a simple yet classy look that will impress any recruiter.

If you’re seeking something that grabs attention but stays professional, the “Gradient” cover letter template is your pick. With an appealing gradient at the top and a neatly placed header, it's a simple yet eye-catching choice for any job application.

With a standout sender's name and a lightly colored background, the “Bookmark” cover letter template is both eye-catching and effective. Suited for any profession, this template appeals but also keeps the focus on your content.

Our “Postcard” cover letter template will simply make your cover letter stand out in the crowd. This design, while reminiscent of a postcard, maintains a professional vibe. It guides your eyes to what's important and adds real punch to your presentation.

Our “Standard” cover letter template uses nifty boxes and subtle background color to make your document visually appealing and well-structured. Use this smart template to get ahead of other candidates.

The “Doodle” cover letter template is one of our most creative options. Its eye-catching, line-art illustration makes it a perfect fit for anyone who’s looking to advance their art or marketing career.

Are you a fan of the minimalist approach? The “Soft” cover letter design could be just what you're after. With its neat layout and subtle background color, it's a wonderfully understated choice that still gets the job done.

This bold cover letter template is the obvious choice for any outdoor lover. Showcase your accomplishments while putting aesthetic sense proudly on display.

Generic cover letter templates? Hell, no.

The devil is in the detail. Professional cover letter templates designed to impress.

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How to write a cover letter?

First you need to pick a cover letter template to match your resume. Then, it's time for the writing.

Here's how you write a cover letter:

• At the start of your cover letter , you should have a title, a header with your contact information, the company's contact information, and include a polite greeting.
• In the body of the cover letter , write about your professional skills, past experiences, and hopes and aspirations for your professional future.
• At the end of a cover letter , emphasize your motivation and repeat, why are you the right person for the job. Thank the hiring manager for their time and express your high hope for hearing back from them. Mention your resume and remember to sign the letter with your full official name.

For a more detailed cover letter guide, read our Expert Cover Letter Guide .

Which cover letter template should I use?

Most importantly, you should use one that matches your resume . However, the majority of our cover letter templates are pretty universal and you can't go wrong with any of them.

While in creative industries (eg. fashion, social media) candidates should aim for a cover letter that catches the eye, more traditional industries (eg. finance, law) may prefer a more conservative template.

Here are examples of cover letter templates for any occasion:

• Creative : Pipeline, Bubbles, Hoth
• Regular : White, Minimalistic, Europe
• Conservative : Ios, Black, Reed

How to format a cover letter?

Well, your cover letter should match your resume formatting. This means using the same font, size, margins, spacing, etc. An easy and hassle-free way to achieve this is to use a matching cover letter and resume template .

Here's how to format your cover letter:

• Font. Use one of the classics: Calibri, or Arial, or match it to your resume font.
• Size. Keep the size between 10–12 points and match it to your resume.
• Spacing. Single-space your text, make sure there's a space between each paragraph, and leave a space between the concluding paragraph and your formal sign-off.
• Margins. The only rule here is that the margins on your cover letter should match those on your CV.
• Consistence with your CV. Kickresume lets you choose a matching template for your CV and your cover letter, so no need to worry about this.

Both Kickresume's cover letter templates and resume templates are designed by expert typographers to ensure optimal readability & formatting, a visually-appealing design, and an optimization for ATS software. No matter which template you pick.

Do I need a new cover letter for every job?

Yes, you need a new and unique cover letter for every joy you apply to. Why? Because your cover letter needs to be tailored specifically to the position and company. This means you can't reuse an old cover letter completely. Neither should you use a generic cover letter to apply for all jobs.

You can, however, use Kickresume's AI Cover Letter Writer to write a good cover letter foundation for your specific job and then tweak some parts to make it uniquely yours and to fit the job description well.

If not sure how to write one, check our expert cover letter guide and learn how to create a great cover letter.

What is a cover letter template?

A cover letter template helps you with the layout and formatting of your document to save your time. Cover letter templates also show you what elements you need to include in your letter, such as a header, contact information, and the body paragraph.

Kickresume's cover letter templates include all of the necessary elements which you then only need to fill in and populate. Plus, to save even more time, you can use Kickresume's AI Cover Letter Writer to write a good cover letter foundation for your specific job and then only tweak some parts to make it uniquely yours.

And, no need to worry about formatting, this is all taken care of by our expert typographers who carefully designed each template.

Build a cover letter in less than ten seconds.

Join 5,000,000 successful job seekers who already got hired with cover letters created with Kickresume.

12 CV cover letter examples

A  cover letter  for your CV, or covering note is an introductory message that accompanies your CV when applying for a job.

The purpose of the cover letter is simple… Persuade the reader to open your CV.

Learn how to write a cover letter properly, and you will hugely increase your chances of getting responses and landing job interviews.

This guide, with 12 annotated cover letter examples will show you everything you need to know about creating a winning cover note.

CV templates 

How to layout a cover letter for your CV

This annotated example of a cover letter shows you how you should structure your cover letters, and the type of information you should be including.

You should always write your CV in the body of your email (or j ob site messaging system) so that it can be read instantly. Never attach it as a separate document, or the recipient probably won’t open it.

Example CV cover letters

These 11 example CV cover letters from a range of industries should give you some good inspiration for creating your own cover letter.

Admin CV cover letter

This cover letter is aimed at administrative roles , so it highlights the candidate’s abilities in efficiency, report writing and meeting deadlines, whilst demonstrating the types of environments they have worked in.

Learn how to write a cover letter step-by-step here.

Customer service CV cover letter

This customer service cover letter briefly explains the candidate’s length of experience in the field and highlights some of the more important customer service skills such as call handling, order taking and complaint resolution.

This gives the reader an excellent introduction to the candidate and should certainly encourage them to open the CV.

See our full customer service cover letter guide,  sales assistant cover letter example  and waiter/waitress cover letter example .

Finance CV cover letter

As a finance professional, it’s important to highlight your specialisms within finance, the types of companies you’ve worked for, and high level functions you’ve carried out within your cover letter. This will give the hiring manager a good overall feel of your abilities, and if it’s well tailored to the role, should provide them with enough info to excite them about your CV.

Quick tip: Use our job application tracker spreadsheet to track your applications and follow up with employers who don’t respond.

Build your CV now 

Events CV cover letter

This events manager candidate has done a great job of summarising the type and size of events they manage, along with details of core skills such as leadership, project delivery and stakeholder management.

This certainly provides enough info to create a buzz around the CV attached and encourage the recipient to open it.

Executive assistant CV cover letter

This executive assistant CV cover letter provides a good high level intro to the candidate showing the reader key business support knowledge in areas such as admin, diary management and document management. It also shows that the candidate is confident supporting senior business figures.

Graduate CV cover letter

As a graduate , your cover letter will need to be a little longer than an experienced candidates, to compensate for your lack of experience and really sell yourself.

This candidate speaks in lots of detail about their education, qualifications, and extra-curricular work which relates to the roles they are applying for.

IT CV cover letter

As an IT candidate, it’s important not only to highlight your technical skills, but also show how you apply those skills in the workplace to translate real benefits for your employer.

This candidate gives a good overview of the candidates technical abilities and the types of projects they apply them to, along with results they achieve.

Marketing CV cover letter

This marketing cover letter provides readers with a summary of the candidate’s core marketing abilities such as media planning, brand awareness and cost reduction. It also explains the types of marketing campaigns and companies they have experience with – a great high-level intro.

Cover letter examples

Warehouse Operative cover letter – Training Contract cover letter – Cleaning Job cover letter – Nursery Assistant cover letter – Recruitment Consultant cover letter – Dental Nurse cover letter –

Chef cover letter – Editorial Assistant cover letter – Aircraft Mechanic cover letter – Biomedical Science cover letter – Cabin Crew cover letter – Finance Assistant cover letter – Hotel Receptionist cover letter – Asset Management cover letter – Assistant Psychologist cover letter – Beauty Therapist cover letter – Cafe Worker cover letter – HR Administrator cover letter – NQT cover letter – Quantity Surveyor cover letter

More cover letter examples

• Academic cover letter
• Account Manager cover letter
• Accountant cover letter
• Accounting cover letter
• Accounts Assistant cover letter
• Acting cover letter
• Admin Assistant cover letter
• Administrator cover letter
• Apprenticeship cover letter
• Architecture cover letter
• Assistant Manager cover letter
• Banking cover letter
• Bar Staff cover letter
• Barclays cover letter
• Barista cover letter
• Bartender cover letter
• Business Analyst cover letter
• Business Development Manager cover letter
• Car Sales Person cover letter
• Care Assistant cover letter
• Career Change cover letter
• Catering Assistant cover letter
• Civil Engineer cover letter
• Computer Science cover letter
• Consulting cover letter
• Copywriter cover letter
• Cyber Security cover letter
• Data Entry Clerk cover letter
• Data Scientist cover letter
• Delivery Driver cover letter
• Digital Marketing cover letter
• Electrician cover letter
• Engineering cover letter
• Estate Agent cover letter
• Event Manager cover letter
• Exam Invigilator cover letter
• Executive Assistant cover letter
• Fashion Designer cover letter
• Finance cover letter
• Financial Analyst cover letter
• Google cover letter
• Graduate cover letter
• Graduate Engineer cover letter
• Graduate Scheme cover letter
• Graphic Design cover letter
• Health Care Assistant cover letter
• Hospitality cover letter
• HR Assistant cover letter
• HR cover letter
• Interior Designer cover letter
• Internal Position cover letter
• Internship cover letter
• Investment Banking cover letter
• Investment Manager cover letter
• IT Support cover letter
• Journalist cover letter
• JP Morgan cover letter
• Lawyer cover letter
• Legal Assistant cover letter
• Legal cover letter
• Library Assistant cover letter
• Manager cover letter
• Marine Engineer cover letter
• Marketing Assistant cover letter
• Marketing cover letter
• Marketing Intern cover letter
• Marketing Manager cover letter
• McKinsey cover letter
• Mechanical Engineer cover letter
• Medical Receptionist cover letter
• Medical Writer cover letter
• Model cover letter
• Nanny cover letter
• Nurse cover letter
• Nursing cover letter
• Office Assistant cover letter
• Office Manager cover letter
• Operations Manager cover letter
• Optical Assistant cover letter
• Paralegal cover letter
• Part Time cover letter
• PE Teacher cover letter
• Personal Assistant cover letter
• Personal Trainer cover letter
• Pharmacist cover letter
• Pharmacy Assistant cover letter
• PHD Application cover letter
• Photographer cover letter
• Placement cover letter
• Private Equity cover letter
• Product Manager cover letter
• Production Assistant cover letter
• Production Operator cover letter
• Project Coordinator cover letter
• Promotion cover letter
• PWC cover letter
• Quantity Surveyor cover letter
• Receptionist cover letter
• Research Assistant cover letter
• Researcher cover letter
• Retail Assistant cover letter
• Retail cover letter
• Retail Manager cover letter
• Sales Advisor cover letter
• Sales Executive cover letter
• Sales Manager cover letter
• Scrum Master cover letter
• Security Officer cover letter
• Ski Season cover letter
• Social Media Executive cover letter
• Social Media Manager cover letter
• Software Developer cover letter
• Software Engineer cover letter
• Speculative cover letter
• Student cover letter
• Support Worker cover letter
• Teaching Assistant cover letter
• Team Leader cover letter
• Trainee Dental Nurse cover letter
• University cover letter
• UX Designer cover letter
• Volunteer cover letter

Project manager CV cover letter

A project manager’ s cover letter needs to quickly explain to recipients the types of projects they lead and the technical expertise they bring to the projects. It’s also important to describe level of experience, seniority and background.

See full project manager cover letter example + writing guide

Operations manager cover letter

This operations management CV provides a brief introduction to the types of operations the candidate manages and the firms they work for.

They also touch upon some core operations skills such as efficiency, logistics and ROI improvement.

Sales CV cover letter

As a sales candidate, this cover letter shows the types of business this person can generate and the size and scale of the impact they create by highlighting some sales results.

It also mentions some core sales skills like business development, presenting, working under pressure and closing deals.

Cover letter templates

Teacher cover letter

This teacher cover letter does a great job of introducing the candidate, and showing the recipient the key facts they will be looking for, such as; the age group they teach, subject specialisms, and the results they have achieved.

The cover letter is brief and gets to the point quickly, so that readers will instantly look to open the attached CV .

How to write your CV cover letter

Now that you’ve seem good examples of cover letters to accompany your CV (or resume if you are in the USA) this guide will show exactly how to write your own, and the content that needs to be included .

Send your CV cover letter in email format (when possible)

When applying for jobs online you usually have 2 choices…

1) Send a message via the job website’s messaging system

2) Send the recruiter an email directly

If you can find an email address for the recruiter, then I would always recommend sending an email directly because it gives you more control.

When you send a message through a job website, it will transfer into an email with basic formatting and an auto-generated headline , which will look like this when the recruiter receives it.

If you cannot find an email address for the recruiter on the job advert, then try searching LinkedIn or the company website to find the relevant contact.

You may not always be able to find an email address, but when you can – always send a job application by email .

Make your subject line appealing

As you can see in the picture above, a bad subject line can kill your chances of actually having your email read in the first place.

Your subject line should stand out and give the recruiter a reason to open your email.

When recruiters look into their inbox, they are looking for one thing; a candidate who can do the job they are advertising – so give that to them in your subject line.

Your subject line should be a short summary of your experience that relates directly to the job you are applying for.

The following are good subject line examples;

KS2 Teacher with 5 years experience

Front End Web developer with HTML, HTML & JavaScript experience

Junior Graphic designer with 1st BA Hons Graphic Design

If your subject line shows that you have one or two of the most important requirements for the job, your email should get opened every time.

Address the recruiter by name

To get the relationship off on the right foot, you should try to address the recruiter by name if you can.

Often the recruiter’s details will appear on the job advert but sometimes you may have to check out the company website or do some digging around on LinkedIn.

If you really can’t find the name, then it’s not the end of the world – just start with a simple friendly opening like “ Hi ”

(If you applying to a more traditional organisation such as an academic post for a university, you may want to use something a bit more formal like “ Dear sir or madam ”)

Use a friendly yet professional tone

It’s important to sound professional when writing a cover letter but you also need to demonstrate your ability to communicate with other people and show some personality.

If your email is too casual and written in an over-familiar tone, then you will come across us un-professional.

But on the other hand, if your email is too formal and shows no signs of rapport building, you risk appearing as somebody who lacks social skills.

So when writing your cover letter, try to strike a nice balance of professionalism and friendliness.

Opening with a line such as “ hope you’re well ” is a nice way to breathe a bit of personality into your cover letter.

Ensure that your spelling and grammar is perfect throughout your cover letter because sloppy mistakes are a huge red flag for recruiters.

Quick tip:  If you struggle with spelling and grammar, try our quick-and-easy CV Builder

Keep it brief

Unless the job advert specifies otherwise; keep your cover letter short and sweet.

Recruiters and employers receive hundreds of job applications per week, so they don’t want to read a 2 page cover letter.

Depending on the role, around 2-4 sentences should be enough for the content of the cover letter.

You just need to write enough to persuade them to open your CV – It should roughly contain the same amount of information as your CV profile or personal statement.

Show how your skills match the job

To ensure that recruiters open your CV, you simply need to explain how your skills and experience match the job requirements from the advert.

Scan the job advert to discover what the most important candidate abilities are, and show how your previous experience has prepared you to cover these.

In particular, look out for any requirements that are essential to the job .

Focus on what you have to offer at this stage and not what you want.

At this stage, your covering letter is simply a means of getting the recruiter to open your CV, so it’s too early to talk about salary demands etc. Save that for your initial conversation with the recruiter.

Include a professional signature

End your cover letter with a friendly salutation such as “Regards” and a smart signature which includes your name and most direct contact method (usually mobile phone for most people)

A professional email signature will show recruiters that you understand business-email etiquette and ensure they have a means of contacting you – even if they can’t open your CV for any reason.

Writing a CV cover letter

Hopefully this guide has given you everything you need to create a winning cover letter that will ensure you CV gets opened every time you send it.

Just remember to keep it brief, be friendly, tailor it towards your target role, and give recruiters some good reasons to be interested in you.

Good luck with the job hunt!

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• Resume Examples Nurse Student Internship Teacher Accountant View all
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• Cover Letter Examples Nursing Administrative Assistant Internship Graduate Teacher View all
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Free online cover letter generator

Create the best cover letter now.

Our online cover letter instruments allow you to generate a detailed, passionate and informative appeal within minutes. No more agonizing over creative sentences, doubting your writing style or worrying about emotional perceptions. Powerful web tools and recruiter expertise are here to help!

Use our tech tools to write truly next-level cover letters and resumes . In a digital world, it’s important to stay competitive. Old-school methods have their place and charm, but if you want to land that dream job – it makes sense to get an edge over the other candidates.

Want to test out more beautiful designs? Quickly adjust the formatting? Easily generate multiple cover letters for several employers? This is now possible with our builder in record time and no technical knowledge required.

Our cover letter template designs and samples have been carefully crafted to maximize their visual and textual impact. You want recruiters to fall in love with your professional story before they even meet you. That’s what we aim to help you with.

Proven cover letter templates

Why our cover letter builder helps you getting the ideal job.

Finally, you don’t have to build anything from scratch. That’s always the most difficult part. And now it’s the part you can just skip. Our free cover letter templates are ready to use and fill in with minimal effort. The attention-grabbing beautiful designs and organized structure have been tested and vetted. All our cover letter templates have been approved by recruitment experts.

Recruiters and hiring managers still emphasize poor grammar and typos as a dominant reason for rejecting applications. Don’t be a part of that statistic. We’ve taken care of combining all the tools you need in one place - including a spell-checker. No need to use multiple software or online tools - the perfect cover letter build unites them all!

Go beyond just files and documents. Actually control and analyze your application process in one powerful dashboard. Our job tracker helps you monitor every stage of the job hunt. It provides a bird’s eye view of your successful tactics, as well as possible improvements. Add jobs to your shortlist to pursue later. Keep tabs on your offers. Stay on top of scheduled interviews, follow up on completed ones and more.

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How to build a cover letter.

It used to be the case that you needed creative writing skills to build an amazing cover letter. And time. Lots of time. Now, all you need is the perfect online builder - and you’re good to go!

Go to our varied collection of beautifully designed cover letter templates and pick one that suits you! We have created templates and samples that align with jobs, industries and professional image goals. All you need to do is consider which one strikes your fancy and is appropriate for your potential employer.

Add your contact information, as well as any needed (and appropriate) personal data the employer requires. Our well-designed templates make sure your info won’t get overlooked and your documents don’t get lost due to boring visuals. After all, your cover letter is your ambassador.

Save tons of time, condensing the long journey of a convincing professional appeal to several minutes and keystrokes. You can use our free guiding samples that show mock-up cover letters, written by hiring professionals based on years of experience. With all the technical and guiding support - this won’t take long!

Tailor the design, structure and formatting of your cover letter in a couple of clicks. The template and other aspects of your document can be adjusted as you see fit. And what’s more, you can experiment as long as you want - our online and offline sync features mean you won’t lose any of your changes even if you lose your internet connection.

Whether your employer uses an Applicant Tracking System or prefers email, whether they use Mac or PC - we’ve got you covered. Make use of PDF files to perfectly preserve your beautiful cover letter formatting.

Land that dream job now!

60+ Cover Letter Examples in 2024 [For All Professions]

No matter where you are in your career, or what job you’re applying for, submitting a cover letter with your resume is a must . 

Done right, a cover letter will effectively complement your resume and explain to the hiring manager in more detail why you’re the right person for the job.

Writing a cover letter, however, is easier said than done. 

You have to effectively demonstrate that you’ll be able to perform the responsibilities listed in the job description and that you’d be a better fit for the company compared to other candidates. 

And unless you’re a professional writer, this can be a very hard task.

Fortunately, we created these cover letter examples to inspire you and help you get started with your own cover letter!

Let’s dive in!

21 Cover Letter Examples 

#1. career change cover letter example .

Here’s what this cover letter does right:

• Has an ideal length. This cover letter includes all the relevant information for the hiring manager without getting into too much detail.
• Relevant introduction. The candidate explains that they’re changing careers and why they want to work in this new field from the get-go.
• Explains their related experience. The candidate explains how their previous experience in retail sales can help them succeed in PR.

Check out our guide video guide to learn how to write a Cover Letter that gets you HIRED!

#2. Recent Graduate Cover Letter Example 

• Personally greets the hiring manager. The candidate has taken the time to find the hiring manager’s name and address them by it, which makes the opening of the cover letter much more personal.
• Wraps up with a call to action. The candidate wraps up the cover letter by suggesting a meeting with the hiring manager, which makes them more memorable.
• Explains why the candidate is the right person for the internship. In this cover letter for an internship , the candidate explains how they’ve previously interned in a different firm, which gives them the experience to succeed in this role.

Have you just graduated from college? Make sure to check out our guide on writing an entry-level cover letter from start to finish! 

#3. Middle Management Cover Letter Example

• Use of bullet points. The candidate presents the information in a concise and reader-friendly way, making it easy for the hiring manager to find their key achievements. 
• Formal closing. The candidate has used a formal and polite tone to conclude their cover letter, which combined with a call to action makes them look professional and passionate about getting the job. 
• Explains how the company would benefit from hiring them. The candidate outlines exactly what they could do for the company, which not only highlights their skills but also shows they’ve done their research on the company’s needs. 

#4. Business Manager Cover Letter Example

• Detailed header. In addition to the must-have contact details, this candidate has also included their professional Twitter and LinkedIn profiles, making it easy for the hiring manager to look more closely into their career. 
• Concise and to the point. This candidate has used short paragraphs and bullet points to make the cover letter easy to skim through. 
• Wraps up with a call to action. By letting the hiring manager know they’ll be contacting them soon, they’re more likely to make an impression.

Check out this article for a complete writing guide and an inspiring business manager resume sample. 

#5. Ph.D. Cover Letter Example

Here’s what this cover letter does right: 

• Attention-grabbing introduction. In the opening paragraph, this candidate explains why they’re passionate about pursuing a Ph.D. in great detail. 
• Explains the candidate’s qualifications in detail. The candidate builds on their passion by explaining how they’re also qualified for the degree because of their education history and academic achievements. 

#6. Senior Executive Cover Letter Example

• Professional and minimalistic template. This senior executive has used a professional but minimalistic template that lets their work experience do the talking. 
• Achievement-oriented opening paragraph. Right from the get-go, this candidate explains what makes them so good at their job, effectively grabbing the hiring manager’s attention.  
• Wraps up with a call to action. By suggesting to have a meeting and discussing how they can help the company meet its goals, the candidate stands more chance to make a positive lasting impression. 

#7. Architect Cover Letter Example 

• Modern resume template. This architect has picked a template that perfectly matches his industry, as it is professional and modern at the same time. 
• A personal greeting to the HR. They address the hiring manager by their first name, which helps make a better first impression. 
• Measurable achievements. By quantifying their achievements, the candidate proves their achievements instead of just claiming them.

Struggling with your architect resume ? Check out our full guide!

#8. Business Analyst Cover Letter Example 

• Detailed contact information. The candidate has listed both their LinkedIn and Twitter profiles, providing the HR manager an opportunity to learn more about the candidate.  
• Mentions what the candidate can do for the company. This cover letter doesn’t just explain why the job would be great for the candidate, but also how the candidate would benefit the company. Win-win, right? 
• Error-free and reader-friendly. It’s super important for the cover letter to have no spelling or grammatical errors and be reader-friendly. This candidate made sure they did both.

Need a resume alongside your cover letter? Check out our guide on how to write a business analyst resume . 

#9. Consultant Cover Letter Example 

• Professional cover letter template. Being an experienced consultant, this candidate has picked a professional template that doesn’t steal the spotlight from their achievements. 
• Experience and achievement-oriented. The candidate has effectively elaborated on their top achievements relevant to the job. 
• Highlights the candidate’s passion. To show they want the job, this candidate has also explained how passionate they are about their profession.

For more advice on landing a job as a consultant, check out our guide to writing a consultant resume .

#10. Digital Marketing Cover Letter Example

• Creative cover letter template. This digital marketer highlights their originality by picking a creative cover letter template. 
• Lists the candidate’s awards. The candidate has taken advantage of the cover letter to list their most noteworthy awards in the industry. 
• Concludes with a call to action. As they used a call to action to conclude their cover letter, the HR manager will be more likely to remember them.

Want to take your digital marketing resume to the next level? Check out our guide!

#11. Graphic Designer Cover Letter Example 

• Detailed contact information. The candidate has included additional contact information such as their website link, as well as their LinkedIn and Twitter profiles.  
• Ideal length. This cover letter is concise, which means that the HR manager is more likely to read it from start to finish.  
• Draws attention to the candidate’s strong points. Although this candidate is a recent college graduate, they’ve managed to effectively show that they have enough knowledge and experience to do the job right.

Read this guide to write a graphic designer resume that’s just as good as your cover letter!

#12. Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Example

• Minimalistic cover letter template. The candidate picked a well-designed but minimalistic template for their cover letter. 
• Focused on skills and achievements. This cover letter is packed with the candidate’s skills and achievements, proving he can be an excellent employee. 
• Formal closing. Politeness can go a long way and the candidate has used this to their advantage to make an impression. 

Our article on how to write an administrative assistant resume can help you take your job application to the next level.

#13. Front Desk Cover Letter Example

• Modern cover letter template. This template incorporates memorable colors and clear lines, which make the cover letter very visually appealing. 
• Attention-grabbing introduction. Using an attention-grabbing intro, the candidate is more likely to make an impression. 
• Calls the HR to action. By including a call to action, the candidate is reminding the HR of their immediate availability. 

#14. Human Resources Cover Letter Example

• It is concise and to the point. The candidate doesn’t dwell on unimportant details the HR won’t be interested in. 
• Uses a traditional cover letter template. The cover letter design is more on the conventional side, which fits the industry better. 
• Highlights the candidate’s strong points. The candidate has rich work experience and they use the cover letter to elaborate on it. 

This HR resume guide can help you get your resume just right.

#15. Sales Agent Cover Letter Example 

• Attention-grabbing cover letter template. As a salesperson, this candidate knows how important first impressions are, so they’ve picked a catchy cover letter template. 
• Has an ideal length. At the same time, they’ve also made sure to keep their cover letter at just the right length. 
• Lists the candidate’s career highlights. The candidate has made perfect use of the space by mentioning their most impressive professional achievements. 

Check out this sales agent resume guide to create an attention-grabbing sales resume .

#16. Receptionist Cover Letter Example

• Modern but minimalistic cover letter template. The template’s design hints the candidate is creative but professional at the same time. 
• Uses a catchy introduction. The candidate has used an attention-grabbing opening paragraph to catch HR’s attention. 
• Concludes the cover letter formally. The candidate proves that they’re polite and well-spoken, a quality very much important for the role they’re applying for. 

Take your receptionist resume to the next level with this receptionist resume guide .

#17. Information Technology Cover Letter Example

• Mentions measurable achievements. Numbers make an impact, which is why this candidate has included measurable achievements. 
• Lists both soft and hard skills. The candidate has mentioned a great mix of soft and hard skills, showing how well-rounded they are. 
• Contains relevant contact information. The candidate’s GitHub, website name, LinkedIn, and Twitter profiles are all great additions to the resume. 

Looking for tips to help you write a great IT resume ? Check out our guide!

#18. Real Estate Cover Letter Example

• Ideal length. Short and to the point, this cover letter is bound to get noticed by the HR manager. 
• Wraps up with a call to action. This candidate reinforces the HR to call them back through a final call to action. 
• Mentions the right skills. On top of their sales accomplishments, the candidate touch upon important soft skills such as customer service and communication . 

This real estate resume guide will help you take your resume from good to great.

#19. Teacher Cover Letter Example

• Mentions relevant contact information details. This candidate has included optional (but relevant) contact information details, such as their LinkedIn, Quora, and Medium profiles. 
• Achievement-oriented. The candidate has elaborated on their achievements in more detail throughout their cover letter. 
• Highlights the candidate’s passion. For some jobs, being passionate is much more important than for others. Teaching is one of these jobs, which is why this candidate explains their passion for the job. 

Our guide on how to write a teacher resume has all the tips you need to land the job.

#20. Project Manager Cover Letter Example

• Leverages a catchy introduction. Through a catchy introductory paragraph, this candidate is sure to grab the HR’s attention and get them to read the rest of their cover letter.
• Lists measurable accomplishments. This candidate explains exactly what they’ve achieved using numbers and hard data. 
• Personally greets the HR. A personal greeting sounds much better than “Dear Sir/Madam,” and the candidate knows this. 

This guide on how to write a project manager resume can help you perfect your appication.

#21. Paralegal Cover Letter Example

• Minimalistic cover letter template. This cover letter design looks good but doesn’t steal the show from the candidate’s abilities.
• Mentions the candidate’s academic achievements and extracurricular activities. Although the candidate is a recent graduate, they’ve used the cover letter to explain they have enough skills and achievements to do the job.
• Lists measurable achievements. The candidate proves they did well in their internship by mentioning quantifiable achievements.

Check out this paralegal resume guide to perfect yours.

40+ More Cover Letter Examples and Guides 

Couldn’t find a cover letter example for your field? Do not worry.

Below you can find a number of other cover letter examples for different fields and industries:

• Acting Cover Letter Examples
• Accounting Cover Letter Examples
• Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Architecture Cover Letter Examples
• Attorney Cover Letter Examples
• Barista Cover Letter Examples
• Bartender Cover Letter Examples
• Business Cover Letter Examples
• Business Analyst Cover Letter Examples
• College Student Cover Letter Examples
• Computer Science Cover Letter Examples
• Construction Cover Letter Examples
• Consultant Cover Letter Examples
• Customer Service Cover Letter Examples
• Data Analyst Cover Letter Examples
• Data Entry Cover Letter Examples
• Dental Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Digital Marketing Cover Letter Examples
• Elementary Teacher Cover Letter Examples
• Engineering Cover Letter Examples
• Executive Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Finance Cover Letter Examples
• Graphic Design Cover Letter Examples
• Healthcare Cover Letter Examples
• Human Resources Cover Letter Examples
• IT Cover Letter Examples
• Law Cover Letter Examples
• Management Cover Letter Examples
• Marketing Cover Letter Examples
• Mechanical Engineering Cover Letter Examples
• Medical Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Nurse Practitioner Cover Letter Examples
• Physician Cover Letter Examples
• Project Manager Cover Letter Examples
• Receptionist Cover Letter Examples
• Retail Cover Letter Examples
• Sales Cover Letter Examples
• Social Work Cover Letter Examples
• Software Engineer Cover Letter Examples
• Substitute Teacher Cover Letter Examples
• Teacher Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Team Leader Cover Letter Example

What is a Cover Letter? 

A cover letter is a one-page document that you submit as part of your job application, alongside your resume . 

Its purpose is to introduce you and briefly summarize your professional background. On average, your cover letter should be from 250 to 400 words long .

A good cover letter can give the hiring manager more insight into what makes you a good candidate and help them make up their mind about whether they should invite you for an interview. A bad cover letter, though, will get ignored (at best) and lose you the job (at worst).

So, to make sure this doesn’t happen, it’s essential to know how to write a convincing cover letter.

The first thing to remember is that a cover letter is a supplement to your resume, not a replacement. Meaning, you shouldn’t just repeat whatever is mentioned in your resume and call it a day. 

Optimally, you should use your cover letter to shed more light on your skills and qualifications, as well as explain anything you didn’t have space for in your resume (e.g. a career gap or why you’re changing careers).

If you’re writing a cover letter for the first time, though, putting all this together might seem pretty tough. 

Fortunately, you can follow our tried-and-tested format to make the experience much easier:

• Header - Input your contact information.
• Greeting the hiring manager - Open the cover letter with a “Dear Sir or Madam,” or use the hiring manager’s name if you know what that is.
• Opening paragraph - Grab the hiring manager’s attention by getting straight to the point. Mention what your professional experiences are, and what role you’re applying for.
• The second paragraph - Explain why you’re the perfect candidate for the job. Mention your top 2-3 achievements, your top skills, why you want to work in that specific industry, and whatever else is relevant.
• The third paragraph - End your cover letter with a call to action. E.g. “I would love to meet personally and discuss how I can help Company X.”
• Formal closing - Something like this: “Thank you for your consideration. Best, John Doe.”

Here’s what this looks like in practice:

9 Tips to Write a Cover Letter (the Right Way)

Now that we've covered the basics, let's talk about cover letter tips . Below, we'll give you all the knowledge you need to take your cover letter from "OK" to "great."

#1. Pick the right template

A good cover letter is all about leaving the right first impression.

And what’s a better way to leave a good impression than through a professional, well-formatted, and visual template?

You can simply pick one of our tried-and-tested cover letter templates and you’ll be all set!

#2. Add your contact details on the header

The best way to start your cover letter is through a header. 

Here’s what you want to include there:

• Phone Number
• Name of the hiring manager / their professional title
• Name of the company you’re applying to

Optionally, you can also include the following:

• Social Media Profiles - Any type of profile that’s relevant to your field. Social Profiles on websites like LinkedIn, GitHub (for developers), Medium (for writers), etc.
• Personal Website - If you have a personal website that somehow adds value to your application, you can mention it. Let’s say you’re a professional writer. In that case, you’d want to link to your content portfolio site or blog.

#3. Greet the hiring manager the right way

Once you’ve listed all your relevant contact information, it’s time to address the hiring manager reading your cover letter. 

A good practice here is to find the hiring manager’s name and address them directly instead of using the traditional “dear sir or madam.” This shows that you’re really invested in the company and that you took your time to do some research about the job.

So, how can you find out the hiring manager’s name?

One way to do this is by looking up the head of the company’s relevant department on LinkedIn. Let’s say you’re applying for the position of Communication Specialist at Novoresume. The hiring manager is probably the Head of Communications or the Chief Communications Office.

Or let’s say you’re applying for the position of server at a restaurant. In that case, you’d be looking to find out who the restaurant manager is.

If this doesn’t work, you can also check out the “Team” page on the company website; there’s a good chance you’ll at least find the right person there.

If you still can’t find out the hiring manager’s name, here are several other greetings you can use:

• Dear [Department] Hiring Manager
• Dear Hiring Manager
• To whom it may concern
• Dear [Department] Team

#4. Create an attention-grabbing introduction

Recruiters get hundreds, sometimes even thousands, of applications. Chances are, they’re not going to be reading every single cover letter end-to-end.

So, it’s essential to catch their attention from the very first paragraph.

The problem with most cover letter opening paragraphs, though, is that they’re usually extremely generic, often looking something like this: 

Hey, my name is Jonathan and I’d like to work as a Sales Manager at XYZ Inc. I’ve worked as a sales manager at MadeUpCompany Inc. for 5+ years, so I believe that I’d be a good fit for the position.

As you can probably tell, this opening paragraph doesn’t tell the hiring manager anything other than that you’ve worked the job before - and that’s not really helpful in setting you apart from other candidates. 

What you want to do, instead, is start off with 2-3 of your top achievements to really grab the reader’s attention. Preferably, the achievements should be as relevant as possible to the position. 

For example:

My name’s Michael and I’d like to help XYZ Inc. hit and exceed its sales goals as a Sales Manager. I’ve worked with Company X, a fin-tech company, for 3+ years. As a Sales Representative, I generated an average of $30,000+ in sales per month (beating the KPIs by around 40%). I believe that my previous industry experience, as well as my excellence in sales, makes me the right candidate for the role of X at Company Y.

The second example shows how the candidate is a top performer. The first just shows that they’ve worked a sales job before.

Which one are YOU more likely to invite for an interview?

#5. Show you’re the perfect person for the job

One great thing about cover letters is that they allow you to expand more on the top achievements from your resume and really show the hiring manager that you’re the right person for the job. 

A good way to do that is to first read the job ad and really understand what skills/experiences are required, and then to ensure that your cover letter touches upon the said skills or experiences.

In my previous role as a Facebook Marketing Expert at XYZ Inc. I handled customer acquisition through ads, managing a monthly Facebook ad budget of $20,000+. As the sole digital marketer at the company, I managed the ad creation and management process end-to-end. This means I created the ad copy and images, as well as picked the targeting, ran optimization trials, and so on.

Other than Facebook advertising, I’ve also delved into other online PPC channels, including:

• Google Search

#6. Explain why you’re a great company fit

The HR manager doesn’t only look at whether you’ll be good at the job or not. They’re looking for someone that’s also a good fit for the company culture.

After all, employees that don’t fit in are bound to quit, sooner or later. This ends up costing the company a ton of money, up to 50% of the employee’s annual salary . 

To convince the hiring manager that you’re a great company fit, do some research on the company and find out what it is you like about them, or about working there. You want to know things like:

• What’s the company’s business model?
• What’s the company's product or service? Have you used it?
• What’s the culture like? Will someone micro-manage your work, or will you have autonomy on how you get things done?

Then, turn your top reasons for liking to work there into text and add them to your cover letter! 

#7. Wrap up with a call to action

To make the end of your cover letter as memorable as possible, you want to:

• Wrap up any points you couldn't in the previous paragraphs. Mention anything you’ve left out that you think could help the hiring manager make up your mind.
• Thank the hiring manager for their time. After all, it never hurts to be polite. 
• Finish the cover letter with a call to action. A call to action is a great way to make your cover letter ending as memorable as possible. 

#8. Write a formal closing

Once you’re done with the final paragraph, all you have to do is write down a formal “goodbye” and you’re good to go.

Feel free to use one of the most popular conclusions in a cover letter:

• Best Regards,
• Kind Regards,

#9. Proofread your cover letter

Last but not least, make sure to always proofread each and every document that you’ll be including in your job application - cover letter included. 

The last thing you want is to be claiming you’re a great candidate for the job with a cover letter full of typos! 

For an even more comprehensive guide on how to write an impactful cover letter , check out our article ! 

Cover Letter Writing Checklist 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you still have some questions about cover letters? Check out the answers below:

1. How do I write a simple cover letter? 

To write a cover letter that’s simple but also professional, make sure to include a header with your personal information, a formal greeting to the hiring manager, an attention-grabbing opening paragraph, a second paragraph explaining why you’re a good candidate for the job, and a formal closing (preferably with a call to action). 

2. What are the 3 parts of a cover letter? 

The three parts of a cover letter are: 

• The introduction , namely the header, the greeting to the hiring manager, and the opening paragraph. 
• The sales pitch is usually the body of the cover letter. 
• The conclusion involves a formal closing and a signature line.

3. What makes a great cover letter?

A great cover letter should be personalized for each job you’re applying for, instead of being overly generic. It’s also preferable to address the hiring manager by their name and not use the overly-used “Dear Sir/Madam.”

To make a great first impression, you should mention 1-2 of your top achievements in your opening paragraph - the more job-specific they are, the better. Also, don’t stop at showing the hiring manager why you’re a great candidate for the job. Make sure to also talk about how you’re a good culture fit for the company.

Last but not least, wrap up your closing paragraph with a call to action to give the hiring manager a little extra something to remember you by. 

4. When is a cover letter necessary?

Unless the job ad specifically states otherwise, you should always include a cover letter with your job application .

Even if the hiring manager doesn’t read it, you will look more professional simply by including one.

And that’s a wrap! We hope our cover letter examples and writing tips will inspire you to write a cover letter that will land you your next job.

If you’re looking for more invaluable career advice and articles, make sure to check out our career blog , or any of these related articles: 

• How to Write a Resume
• Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid at All Costs
• Cover Letter Format (w/ Examples & Free Templates)

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How to Start a Cover Letter [+ Introduction Examples]

3 key takeaways

• Your cover letter introduction should snag a hiring manager’s attention and encourage them to learn more.
• An effective opening will introduce you, demonstrate enthusiasm, and highlight your most relevant skills.
• Teal’s AI Cover Letter Generator can help you write your most impressive cover letter in seconds.

Your resume is your ticket for landing a job interview. But how do you get a hiring manager to review your resume? That’s where a great cover letter comes in. Your cover letter is there to set the scene and entice potential employers to review your full resume.

To do that well, you need to snag the hiring manager’s attention right from the first sentence. But figuring out how to start a cover letter in a way that’s clear and compelling is tough. 

Fortunately, there’s no shortage of tips and tools (including AI cover letter generators that will do the hard work for you) to take the pain out of the process of writing a good cover letter opening.

This guide covers what you need to know to start a cover letter, including why your cover letter matters, what to include in your first paragraph, and examples to help you start strong.

Applications taking too long? Try Teal's AI Cover Letter Generator to write a tailored letter for every job.

Why are cover letter introductions important?

Before you can figure out how to write a cover letter , it’s helpful to know why you’re writing one in the first place. What advantages do cover letter introductions offer to job seekers?

Benefits of an effective cover letter introduction

• Follow the application instructions: An estimated 60% of employers still require job applicants to submit a cover letter. If the job application specifically mentions a cover letter, you need to check that box if you want to move forward in the process. Even if the job posting doesn’t explicitly request a cover letter, writing an effective intro can help you stand out from other applicants.
• Snag the attention of the hiring manager: There’s plenty of debate over whether hiring managers actually read cover letters. But pursuing your dream job isn’t a situation when you want to take chances. Writing a compelling cover letter intro ensures that it’s there if and when the hiring manager does want to read it. Plus, 49% of hiring managers say including a cover letter is one of the top ways to call attention to your resume, ranking only behind tailoring your resume to the job description .
• Highlight your most relevant skills and experiences: Your cover letter functions more like a highlight reel, which means it won’t get into the nitty-gritty of your qualifications like your resume will. However, your cover letter introduciton is the perfect place to separate your skills from other candidates, It’s a crucial opportunity to shine the spotlight on your most relevant and impressive qualifications.
• Fill in any gaps on your resume: It’s hard to tell the story of your job history and career path within the confines of the bullet points and sentence fragments on your resume. Your cover letter can provide context about things that are harder to address on a resume, like a career transition or a break from the workforce.

What to include in a cover letter introduction

Your cover letter plays an important role in your job search. Your entire letter is three to four paragraphs highlighting why you’re the right fit for your job.

But while all the parts of your cover letter matter, it’s knowing how to start a cover letter that carries the most weight. If you don’t start strong, you’ll inevitably lose the interest of the recruiter or hiring team before they even make it to your second paragraph (not to mention your resume).

Here’s a look at the three main elements your cover letter opening should include:

Cover letters are still formatted like traditional letters, which means you need to include a header at the top that includes basic information like your:

• Email address and phone number
• LinkedIn URL

You can use the same header from your resume introduction on your cover letter. This confirms you have the right information included, and also makes your job application documents look like a branded package.

Underneath your information, you’ll also include a separate address block where you list the hiring manager’s name, company name, and address. Below that, you’ll list the date when you’re writing your cover letter.

Cover letter header example

Your greeting (sometimes called your “salutation”) is a single line at the top of the document where you kick off your letter by stating who it’s for (usually with “Dear Mr.,” “Dear Miss or Mrs.” or “Dear [Full Name]”).

“To whom it may concern” was a common default for many years, but comes across as generic and impersonal today.

Instead, try to find the hiring manager’s name. Check to see if it’s listed with the job posting or do some digging on the company’s LinkedIn page to see if you can find someone from the hiring team. If your search comes up empty, search for the name of the manager who leads the department. 

Addressing your letter to the name of someone specific is a surefire way to garner attention and show you did your research. But, if you can’t find what you need, you can stick with a more general greeting like:

• Dear hiring manager
• Dear hiring team
• Dear hiring committee

Cover letter greeting example

Opening paragraph

This is where you get into the meat of your cover letter (and there’s a good chance the hiring manager’s eyes will skip directly to the first line of your cover letter opening).

There isn’t one tried and true way to start a cover letter. Your document should be representative of what separates you from other job seekers who are applying for that same role, which means you have flexibility to be creative with your approach. However, there are a few key things your opening needs to accomplish.

The opening paragraph for most cover letters should do the following:

• Make an introduction: Introduce yourself and your experience. This typically happens in the first sentence.
• Demonstrate your enthusiasm: Explain why you’re genuinely interested in the position and the employer.
• Highlight your most relevant skills: You’ll dig deeper in the following paragraphs, but your opening should touch on your unmissable qualifications to present you as the ideal candidate.

Those are the boxes your first paragraph needs to check, but there are plenty of different ways to hit those points—whether you share an anecdote from your career history or highlight a mutual contact who referred you to the position.

Regardless of the method you choose, remember that the point of your opening paragraph is to get your reader’s attention and encourage them to learn more about why you’re the right candidate for that particular job.

Cover letter opening paragraph example

How to start a cover letter

Your cover letter header and greeting are straightforward enough. Those share basic information that you can quickly swap out for every company and job title you apply for. It’s when you need to start writing your cover letter opening that the writer’s block really kicks in.

Here’s your step-by-step guide to writing your opening paragraph and crafting your most compelling cover letter.

1. Research the company and position

You’ve likely heard the advice to tailor your resume to present yourself as a good match. That advice holds true on your cover letter too, which is why you need to start by researching the company.

How to research an employer:

• Review the job posting carefully to pull out relevant skills and qualifications
• Explore the company website to learn about the company’s goals and company’s values
• Look at the company’s social accounts to better understand their culture and approach
• Read through employer review sites to hear about existing employees’ experiences

Not only does this due diligence help you understand what experiences and qualities to highlight, but it also helps you match the voice and tone of the company in your cover letter.

Teal’s Matching Mode can help with all of the above. Attach a job description to your resume and Teal will pull out specific skills and keywords for you to include on your resume and cover letter.

2. Create a list of your most relevant and impressive qualifications

You don’t just need to know what the employer wants—you also need to know what you honestly possess. Review your notes from your research (or the list of skills generated by Teal’s Matching Mode) and match those up with your own experience.

As you do, ask yourself this: If I could only tell this potential employer three things about myself, what would they be? You’ll ideally have space to highlight more than three qualifications on your cover letter. But that framing will help you identify the high points that should be worked into your opening paragraph. 

3. Determine the best way to start

You know the must-have elements to start a cover letter, as well as how your strengthscompares to what the employer wants. Now it’s time to play with the order of those elements to craft your opening paragraph.

As a refresher, the three key parts of a cover letter opening are:

• Your introduction
• Your enthusiasm
• Your relevant skills

But you don’t necessarily need to put them in that order. Here’s a look at three different cover letter openings, all written for a sales representative:

Cover letter introduction example: introduction

I am a results-driven sales professional with a passion for building client relationships and achieving sales growth, and I’m thrilled with the opportunity to join Dunder Mifflin Paper Company as a Sales Representative.

Cover letter introduction example: enthusiasm

I am thrilled with the opportunity to join Dunder Mifflin Paper Company as a Sales Representative, where I can bring my experience and passion for building meaningful client relationships and driving sales growth.

Cover letter introduction example: skills

With a proven track record of exceeding targets and fostering strong client relationships during my 10+ year career as a dynamic sales professional, I am excited to apply for the Sales Representative position at Dunder Mifflin Paper Company.

All of those touch on the core three elements—it’s just the order that’s different. Alternatively, you could also kick off your cover letter by sharing a professional anecdote or calling attention to a mutual contact or personal connection with the company. Here’s a look at both options:

Cover letter introduction example: anecdote

I found my passion for sales at the ripe age of eight, when I opened my first lemonade stand on our neighborhood street corner. That same enthusiasm drives me today as a sales professional, where I’ve built a successful track record of exceeding targets and nurturing strong client relationships. I am eager to bring this passion and experience to Dunder Mifflin Paper Company as your next Sales Representative.

Cover letter introduction example: mutual connection

When Dwight Schrute mentioned an opening for a Sales Representative at Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, I knew I had to apply. As someone who shares his passion for innovative approaches to client engagement and growth, I am excited about the opportunity to join your team.

4 tips for writing your best cover letter opening

The above steps and examples can guide you as you craft a well-written cover letter, but there are a few more tips to write a letter that helps you achieve your career goals:

• Do it last: Try writing the body of your cover letter first and then heading back to your introduction. You’ll have given yourself a refresher on your qualifications, which makes writing your introduction easier.
• Showcase your personality: Cover letters can feel dry and old fashioned, but you can bring a fresh approach by adding in your personality and a more conversational tone when it feels appropriate.
• Stay focused on your qualifications: While you want to demonstrate your enthusiasm and interest, the focus of your cover letter isn’t why you want the job—it’s why you’re the right fit for the job. Remember to dedicate more than a fair share of your letter to your skills and experience.
• Proofread carefully: Grammatical errors in your first paragraph can turn a hiring manager off from reading the rest. Proofread closely and carefully to catch any typos and mistakes.

Examples of effective cover letter introductions

Need more inspiration? Take a look at these three different cover letter examples to help you write a cover letter that positions you as a standout job applicant.

Cover letter introduction example for an internship or entry level job

Cover letter introduction example for a leadership position

Cover letter introduction example for a career changer

Cover letter introduction template

Your strongest cover letter will be tailored to your target audience (meaning, the specific employer you’re applying with) and call attention to all of the impressive skills and experiences you have to offer.

But if you just need some help figuring out how to start a cover letter, this simple template can get your wheels turning.

I am a [your current position or job title] with [number] years of experience in [field or industry]. I am excited about the opportunity to join [Company Name] as a [Position Title], where I can bring my passion for [key aspect or responsibility of the job] and my proven ability to [relevant skill or achievement]. I am confident that my experience and enthusiasm make me an ideal candidate for your team.

How to write a cover letter introduction with AI

Completing job applications is a lot of work. Fortunately, AI can take some of the pain out of the process of writing your cover letter.

Of course, the biggest fear in using AI is that you’ll end up with something generic and robotic. And while you can use ChatGPT to write your cover letter (provided you use specific prompts), you still run the risk of ending up with a cover letter that sounds like it was written by a robot.

You can get around this by using Teal (one of the best AI cover letter writers available), which pulls in information from the job posting and your resume to write a compelling cover letter that’s tailor-made for each position. Here’s how to do it:

1. Navigate to Teal’s Resume Builder and click into one of your resumes

2. Select “Cover Letter” in the top menu

3. Attach a job to your resume

4. Click the “write with AI” button

When you do, you can select options for the length and tone of your cover letter and even select statements from the job description you want to include. You can also create a custom prompt if you prefer. 

5. Adjust your cover letter

Teal will automatically generate a cover letter that incorporates aspects from your resume and the job posting. Read through that and make any adjustments to the skills and tone of voice.

6. Export the PDF

Create a cover letter introduction in seconds with Teal

To take the next step in your job search and the hiring process, you need to catch the attention of the hiring manager. That seems like a big job for a single cover letter, but it’s possible if you nail your cover letter introduction.

Teal can help. By pulling in aspects of your resume and the job description, you can automatically generate a cover letter that makes hiring managers want to learn more about you. And the even better news? You can do it without tearing your hair out.

Ready to write a cover letter that does your qualifications justice? Get started with Teal’s AI Cover Letter Generator today.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you begin a cover letter.

The best way to begin a cover letter is by briefly introducing who you are and what you do, expressing your enthusiasm about the opportunity, and highlighting your most relevant skills and experiences.

What is a good opening sentence for a cover letter?

A good opening sentence is one that catches the hiring manager’s attention. You can accomplish that by calling attention to your most impressive qualifications, sharing a short and professional anecdote, or mentioning a mutual connection.

What is a good starter for a cover letter?

While you’ll need to introduce yourself and your experience, there’s no default “best” starter for a cover letter. Pay close attention to the job posting and the company to write your letter in a way that proves you're a good match for the open role.

How do you start a cover letter greeting?

Your cover letter greeting line should start with the word “Dear,” followed by a professional salutation (like “Mr.” or “Miss”) and the person’s last name. If you can’t find a name to address your letter to, you can start with “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear Hiring Team.”

How should you introduce yourself in a cover letter?

Your introduction should include your job title and years of experience. You can expand on that by including some of your most relevant qualifications and experiences.

Caitlin Proctor Huston

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A Guide to Mentioning a Career Break on Your CV

Occasionally it’s necessary to take a career break. Other times, you might choose to take an optional break to pursue important interests, such as family or travelling. But do you need to mention your career break on your CV, and if so, how do you highlight it without making problems for yourself? In this article, we’ll discuss how to handle a career break on your CV, providing tips to help improve your chances of job application success.

Do You Have to Include a Career Break in Your CV?

If you’re wondering whether you have to mention a career break in your CV , the short answer is no. It’s not essential to mention gaps in employment or breaks you’ve taken from your career, whatever the reason. However, ignoring your career gaps can raise alarms for employers when they see periods of time unaccounted for in your career timeline. Being up front and honest about your career gaps can help your chances of success by dispelling doubts about what you’re hiding from employers.

You might feel nervous about mentioning your career break because it shows idle time in your development. You may even worry that employers will think you’re less suited to the role because you’ve fallen behind with the latest technology or industry standards. Indeed, there is always a risk that employers could have these thoughts. However, there are plenty of ways to minimise its impact and even frame your career break in a positive light.

How to Mention a Career Break in Your CV

If you decide to mention your career break rather than leave gaps in your CV , there are various ways to do it. Here are some of the most suitable places to reference any breaks in your career:

Address career breaks in your work experience section

The most appropriate place to address a career break is often your work experience section. This is the best place to highlight any time you took off to care for children on your CV , or any other career breaks. If you took a substantial break between jobs, you can list your career break between those two jobs in your work experience section. If, however, you took a break and then returned to the same job (for example, a sabbatical), you could simply mention it within the relevant job’s section on your CV.

Add a separate section explaining your career break

Another suitable place to mention a career break could be in a separate section towards the end of your CV. This could come under the ‘additional information’ section, with a sub-heading ‘career breaks’. If you took a break to gain experience through training, education, voluntary work or another type of personal development, you could mention this in the relevant CV section.

Explain a career break in your cover letter

You could also highlight your career break in your cover letter. This gives you the opportunity to expand on the details of your career break, including your reasons for taking a break and any useful career development or skills you may have learned from it. Your CV might not afford you the space to add this information, but cover letter templates give you more space to expand on the details.

Discussing your career break during an interview

Hiring managers may ask you about CV gaps in a job interview. If you’ve mentioned your break already on your CV and cover letter, then you’ll be better prepared to explain it in more detail during an interview. If, however, you haven’t listed your career break in your application, and the interviewer spots a gap in your CV timeline, this might make for a more awkward interview scenario.

Examples of how to mention career break in your CV

Take inspiration from these examples of how to mention a career break in different parts of your CV and cover letter:

Work experience section

Add your career break between roles in your reverse-chronological career timeline. You can either add a brief mention, or include some details of what you did during your break and why you took it. Take a look at these work experience CV examples :

Planned career break, September 2018 - March 2019

• Took an intentional career break to undertake family care responsibilities

If you took a sabbatical from a role before returning to the same job, you can mention it as a bullet point within the entry for that role on your CV, as follows:

Office Manager, Anderson Harvey Ltd, Hexham, June 2017 – present

• Managed an office with 20 sales, marketing and administrative professionals for a reputable office supplies firm
• Organised the calendars of senior management and handled phone and email correspondence
• Took a four-month career sabbatical between April and August 2022 to travel across South America

Additional information

If you took a career break to train, volunteer or gain other useful skills, you may wish to mention it in the additional information at the end of your CV. If you’re listing it here, remember to add the dates of your break as you would in the work experience section. Here’s an example of listing a career break for voluntary work:

Volunteer Nurse, The Gemmill Trust, Bristol, February 2017 – August 2017

• Took a career break to volunteer for a local homeless charity, treating patients on a mobile community health station

Cover letter

If you need to expand upon the details of a career break mentioned on your CV, you can do so in your cover letter . Write a few sentences or a short paragraph explaining your career break and any valuable skills you gained from it. Take a look at the two examples below:

Between October 2012 and April 2013 I took a voluntary career break to project manage a renovation on our family home. During this time I managed the project finances, arranged work schedules with contractors and completed the renovation on time and within budget.

At the age of 32 I took a career break to share childcare responsibilities with my partner. Between the dates of July and December 2017 I assumed main parenting duties, and also dedicated my spare time to learning the Python programming language.

Review the job description and use your career break as an opportunity to show how you’ve developed the key skills and experience the employer is looking for. You don’t need to justify taking a break from your career, but you can show how it makes you a stronger, more suitable candidate.

Valuable Experiences and Skills During Career Break

While you might be nervous about drawing attention to a career break on your CV, there are plenty of positives to highlighting it. A career break could provide a valuable opportunity to learn new skills that you wouldn’t otherwise have had the chance to develop. This might be new language skills gained while travelling, transferable skills learned through parenting or caring for family members, or specific self-development or training you chose to pursue while you were away from work.

It’s essential to frame your career break as a positive for your experience, skills and overall employability. Think about how the time off helped you develop as a person, and what skills from that time you can offer to any new role. Consider the skills and experience listed in the job description and tease out any relevant experiences or achievements from your career break that can help make you a better fit for the role.

"While you might be nervous about drawing attention to a career break on your CV, there are plenty of positives to highlighting it."

Tips for Including a Career Break on Your CV

Follow these quick tips to ensure you turn your career break into a net positive for your CV and job applications:

• List your career break clearly: don’t omit your break or to hide it somewhere the hiring manager won’t notice it. Lying on a CV is never a good idea, and can even be illegal. Be upfront about your break so there are no gaps in your CV.
• Present your professional development: explain how your career break has helped you to learn new and valuable skills. If you took part in any formal training during your break, be sure to mention this.
• Show your skills are up-to-date: prove that your career break hasn’t made you a less-qualified, less-relevant candidate by ensuring your CV shows evidence that you’re familiar with the latest industry trends and developments.
• Use your CV and cover letter: if you feel you need more space to justify your career break and explain its positive impact on your career, use your cover letter to add further detail.

Key Takeaways for Adding Career Breaks to Your CV

It’s always better to mention your career break rather than try to cover it up. Adding your career break to your CV can even be a positive, allowing you to showcase experience from your break that other candidates may not have. Jobseeker’s CV templates can help you to create a stylish, professional CV to showcase your skills and achievements in the best possible light. Sign up today to access a wealth of tools and CV articles to help your applications. You can also find help with your cover letter with our cover letter articles .

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