Cover Letter Templates for 2026

A great cover letter gives you the chance to communicate with employers beyond the scope of a resume. Even if it isn’t required, you should write a cover letter to demonstrate how interested you are in the role and how willing you are to take the initiative and put in the work to land the interview. 

Follow these tips and best practices to help your application stand out.

When writing a cover letter, each section needs to be built thoughtfully, showcasing key information and highlighting your vital skills. A great cover letter features the following sections:

1. Contact information: In your cover letter header, make sure to add your contact info and the addressee’s info.
2. Introduction: Write a compelling cover letter opening that captures your enthusiasm for the role and gives a snapshot of your professional background.
3. Middle paragraphs: The middle of your cover letter is where you share some details about your work history, focusing on one or two significant achievements or experiences that align with the job requirements. Use numbers if you can to give your achievements a sense of real-world impact.
4. Closing: The cover letter closing should reiterate your interest in the role and invite further discussion in an interview.
5. Sign-off: Use a professional closing salutation and sign your name at the end.

Remember, a cover letter should complement your resume, providing a more personal insight into your qualifications and enthusiasm for the opportunity.

You should create a new cover letter for every prospective employer. A customizable cover letter design helps you move quickly from one application to another by following a few simple steps.

Each time you apply to a new role, you can reuse your old cover letter as a basic template and make changes to customize it for your current role.

Here’s how to personalize a cover letter on your own:

1. Start by downloading a free cover letter template in a format compatible with Microsoft Word or Google Docs.
2. Replace the placeholder text with specific details relevant to your skills and experiences.
3. After customizing, save the document under a new file name. 
4. Next time you apply for a new role, use this file as your base and customize your letter.

Here’s how to customize a template using a cover letter builder:

1. Open our AI Cover Letter Generator and decide whether to upload an existing cover letter or start from scratch.
2. Indicate your level of professional experience. The builder will suggest appropriate templates, including exclusive premium designs, based on your experience.
3. Let the builder guide you through each section of the cover letter. It will provide tips and generate text options to help you put together a compelling summary of your career that showcases your experience, skills, and value.
4. Once complete, download your tailored cover letter in your desired file format. Your completed letter will also be saved in our builder, so you can create, edit, and save multiple versions as needed.

Cover letters are even more important for inexperienced candidates than seasoned professionals. Whether you’re building a student resume or a resume for a first job, you need a cover letter that explains why you’re prepared for the role despite limited experience.

A beginner cover letter needs to:

1. Explain your career goals and why you’re interested in the job
2. Highlight successful school projects, volunteer experience, and other extracurriculars that speak to your ability to do the job
3. Touch on skills you picked up in and outside of school, with extra attention given to workplace experience

While nothing can completely replace experience, you can still impress hiring managers with your transferable skills and land exciting opportunities.

A cover letter template for a student should be simple and neat. Choose a template that lets your qualifications shine and focus on showing off your organizational skills and attention to detail.

You can find more insights in our career advice blog.