Benefits of Cover Letter Design Templates

When you need help designing a professional-looking cover letter, a template comes in handy.

Templates will help you by:

• Providing a framework you can adapt for different job applications.

• Saving time and trouble designing and formatting a cover letter on your own that is professional. Templates take care of all the formatting, such as margins, alignment and appropriate colors.

• Identifying the key elements you need to include in your letter, such as introductions and body paragraphs.

• Providing suggested wording, even if you have been out of work for a while or are a new job seeker.

• Quickly choosing from different styles for your cover letter, from contemporary to traditional.

• Developing your personal brand by using an image style that sets you apart from others.

• Getting your cover letter noticed by a hiring manager because of its professional design. Recruiters make snap decisions within seconds about your resume and cover letter, so you want to be sure your cover letter is not disqualified due to its appearance.

How to Select a Design Template

Your choice of a cover letter design hinges on whether it is the best fit for your job search. Since you can easily switch to any other design, we suggest you “try on” different templates, especially with each new job application.

Consider these questions when choosing design templates:

• What kind of work do you do? A cover letter template for a creative director or makeup artist may have bolder colors and graphics than a template for an accountant. Choose a template that gives you the chance to show your familiarity with the potential employer’s industry and culture.

• What kind of image do you want to present? You wouldn’t wear jeans for a job in a bank or wear a suit for a job in a creative agency. By the same token, make sure the image of your cover letter fits the company culture. If you’re applying for a job at a hip startup, you may want to choose a cover letter template that is more vibrant and trendy. If you are trying to win a job at a serious corporate firm, choose a more traditional layout.

• Where you are in your employment journey? If you are new on the job market, then a more classic template will showcase your education and skills in a sophisticated manner. If you have many years of work experience, then an executive or professional template will showcase your achievements.

Four Ways to Personalize Your Cover Letter Template

Once your cover letter is designed, you will need to customize it. Here are key ways to make your letter more attractive to a hiring manager:

• Demonstrate your interest in the company. Prove you have done your research into the company. Talk about what inspires you to join their team, describe how you support their mission and values and why they need you.
• Match your skills and experiences with the job’s requirements. Address the duties and skills listed in the job description and show how you can meet their needs. Highlight your work achievements that address the job description
• Include keywords so your letter is noticed. You want your letter to pass the automated applicant tracking systems (ATS) that recruiters generally use to scan cover letters for relevant keywords. Be sure your letter includes keywords specific to that job, such as Quickbooks, CRM, and Excel for an accounting position.
• Add a “call to action” closing statement. For instance, “I look forward to speaking with you to share more of my qualifications.

If you need help personalizing your cover letter, refer to our best practices on writing cover letters.

Cover Letter Design Elements

A well-designed cover letter should include the following elements:

A Header: Your cover letter header should match with your resume header, which includes your name and contact information.

A Clean Layout: A well-organized layout will cleanly divide your cover letter into sections and is easy to read. Margins and spacing should be the same as they are in your resume.

A Consistent Color and Font: Your design should match your resume’s color scheme and font. If the resume is in black-and-white, your cover letter can’t be multicolored. The same logic applies to the font type and font size.

A Decorative Border: A decorative border allows you to display some creativity and aesthetics. (Again, make sure you don’t use this for a conventional employer.)

An Original Logo: A personal logo or branding graphic gives cover letters personality flair. (Make sure you do the same on your resume.)

See “How to Format Your Cover Letter” for examples and more detailed information about formatting.

Cover Letter Templates by Industry

We’ve created templates for different industries. Personalize each of your cover letters to show employer prospects that you’ve done your homework and you’re familiar with their line of business.