Cover letters are a critical part of the job application process. If you’re struggling with how to write a cover letter, you’ll like these cover letter examples we’ve put together. You’ll find cover letter examples for many different purposes and for a variety of job industries and work roles you’re applying for.
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What Is A Cover Letter And Why Do You Need One?
A cover letter is an introduction letter submitted with your job application and resume. It can also be called a motivation letter, letter of motivation or covering letter. The purpose of the cover letter is to give a brief summary statement about yourself, share your work history, background, and talk about why you’re the best fit for the job.
A resume can say a lot about your experience and skills when you submit a job application but a cover letter can tie it all together. It’s a chance for you to share more about yourself and show off your skills and competencies outside of your professional resume.
Related: The Best Resume Writing Services
What Should Be Included On A Cover Letter
Salutation
All cover letters should open with a salutation. This is the Dear Hiring Manager or Hi Mrs. Gomez that starts your cover letter.
It’s helpful if you know the hiring manager’s name so you can use it in this opening statement. If not, you can address by Hiring Manager, Team, or To Whom It May Concern.
Introduction
The introduction is one of the most important parts of your cover letter. It’s what’s going to make your first impression on the reader and convince them to keep reading.
You should write an attention-grabbing first few sentences that serve as an introduction before moving into the meat of your cover letter, the body.
Body
The body is the middle part of your cover letter where you can go into more detail about:
- Education
- Background
- Skills
- Work History
- Why you’re the perfect candidate for the job
This should be no longer than a few paragraphs and contain relevant information.
Closing
The closing of your cover letter is where you’ll get your chance to include a call-to-action (CTA) asking the human resources (HR) team to extend an invitation of interview to you.
When you put all four sections together, you will have a winning cover letter that hopefully secures a job interview for you!
Cover Letter Examples
Here are 3 cover letter examples you can use to accompany your resume and job application:
Cover Letter Example 1
March 1, 2023
Hiring Manager
Gabay & Club
123 14th Street
Houston, TX 77495
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am so excited for this opportunity to potentially join your team as a customer service lead at Gabay & Club. My background in administration, customer service, and research make me the perfect candidate for this position.
I graduated in December 2014 with a degree in Business and Spanish while volunteering at the 8th Division Girl Scouts of Houston, Texas and leading the Chess Club as Treasurer.
While reviewing your website, I was excited to discover all the realms you work in. My area of interest lies with corporate administration.
I am eager to learn from the team at Gabay & Club. I hope that you will afford me the opportunity to become a member of your team. I am interested in moving to the interview part of the hiring process and I will make myself available for scheduling at your earliest convenience.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I can be reached via phone 555-987-0304 or email (shebakescookies@gmail.com).
Sincerely,
Sally Swanson
Cover Letter Example 2
March 2, 2023
Cece Meyers
Blue Lagoon Mentorship Program
110 Winning Avenue
New York City, NY 10006
Dear Mrs Meyers,
Having been accepted to Sweetwater University for the 2024 spring semester to pursue a Bachelor’s of Arts in Graphic Design, I am writing to express my desire to participate in the Blue Lagoon Mentorship Program.
As a magna cum laude graduate student from Mary Minster High School, I was awarded Dean’s List more than a dozen times during my attendance there. I managed to be President of the chess club and Club Treasurer for the Fine Arts Student Committee.
Receiving your scholarship would allow me to put more time, effort and resources into contributing to the community.
I am honored to have you further review my application and I appreciate your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Molly Baunter
Cover Letter Example 3
April 15, 2023
Hiring Manager
Minty Publishing
123 Anywhere Street
Anywhere, TX 75231
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to show my interest in the position of Senior Writer as listed on the Minty Publishing website.
I am confident that I will be able to contribute to Minty Publishing’s team right away. As a ten-year-experienced senior general copywriter, I am seasoned in the industry and would be a valuable addition to your team.
I have excellent communication skills, I’m a team player, and have experience in project management, as well. As the Senior Writer for Magma Publishing, I led a group of 18 writers in various projects throughout my 5 years at the organization. I was awarded the Bronze Badge of Excellence Award for leadership three times.
Here I enclosed my resume for your review. Looking forward to the chance to meet with you and discuss how my skills and strengths can best benefit Minty Publishing. I appreciate your thoughts and time.
Sincerely,
Justice Smith
Where To Get Help With Your Cover Letter
If you’re looking for some help with your cover letter, check out a cover letter builder. According to our in-depth research, these are the best cover letter builders.
You can use a cover letter builder to effortlessly craft your cover letter for you. This web-based tool will format and assemble the perfect cover letter for your needs. They’re perfect to use to help you write a professional cover letter quickly and easily.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What do I write in a cover letter?
Your cover letter will cover:
- Your background, skills and experience
- Why you’re the best candidate for the job and,
- Why you want to work for that company
How do I write a sample cover letter?
Writing a sample cover letter will include 3 main parts: introduction, body, and closing. You will want to describe your experience, skills, accomplishments, and talk about why you want to work for that organization and why you’re the right choice for the job.
What are the 3 parts of a cover letter?
The 3 main parts of a cover letter are:
- Introduction
- Body
- Closing
What is a thoughtful cover letter?
A thoughtful cover letter is carefully planned and well thought out for the job you’re applying for.
It can be tempting to use a template for every cover letter you send a prospective employer but sending canned responses are noticeable and they don’t make you stand out. Instead, spend a little bit of time personalizing each cover letter to align with the job and company you want to work for.
The Bottom Line
Cover letters are important and careful planning and consideration should be used when preparing yours. Taking some time to perfect your cover letter can mean the difference between an average and a great cover letter. Now that you know what a good cover letter looks like, you can take the next step toward your dream job! Start applying on ZipRecruiter today.