Congratulations! You’ve found the perfect job, and you’re eager to apply right away. But first, you’ve got to write a cover letter and a resume targeted to the position, which takes time. First, let’s focus on the cover letter.
Not only do you need the perfect words to get employers’ attention, but you also have to make sure your letter is formatted correctly and that it is professionally designed with the correct cover letter format. If not, then it probably won’t pass muster with an employer.
Don’t fret! Resume Now’s extensive library of professionally designed cover letter templates can help you build a cover letter that makes employers excited to hire you.
No matter the industry or job title, if you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned pro, we’ve got a cover letter template that will fit your goals.
Our templates:
Save time and stress.
Use correct formatting and appropriate fonts.
Come in an array of eye-catching designs.
Use a cover letter template to:
Show employers you’re serious about getting the job.
Stand out from applicants who don’t use templates.
Ensure your cover letter looks good and is easy to read.
Anatomy of a perfect cover letter template
After picking a template design, you’ll answer a series of questions to fill in each section of the template. In no time, you’ll have a professionally designed cover letter that will make employers excited to hire you.
A perfect cover letter template will:
1. Provide a section for job applicants to fill in their contact information
2. Add an adequately addressed salutation.
3. Ask pertinent questions so that the job seeker can provide a substantial introduction that conveys interest and intent.
4. Allow job candidates to fill in specific information about all of their work experiences.
5. Help the applicant express their personality.
6. Give job seekers with employment gaps the opportunity to explain.
7. Provide text recommendations and examples.
8. Sign off professionally.
Free Popular cover letter templates
This versatile template’s clean and straightforward layout works for just about any industry and job title.
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Free Unique cover letter templates
Our Unique template designs are the top choice for job candidates who want to stand out in the fitness, cosmetology, entertainment and social media industries.
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Free Modern cover letter templates
Applicants in technology, architecture and real estate often lean toward the sleek and sophisticated Modern cover letter layout.
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Free Classic cover letter templates
Whether you’re a nanny, bank teller, receptionist, or legal aid, the layout of our Classic cover letter style can work for you.
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Free Creative cover letter templates
Our eye-catching Creative cover letter designs are an excellent way for artists, designers, photographers, filmmakers and musicians to market their talents.
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Free Professional cover letter templates
Our clean and professional cover letter layouts work well for social workers, financial analysts, librarians, medical assistants, teachers and legal aids.
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Free Simple cover letter templates
Simple doesn’t mean boring! Job seekers across several industries — including culinary, transportation, health care and construction — agree that our Simple templates are as colorful as they are professional.
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Free Basic cover letter templates
Basic isn’t boring, especially when it comes to our Basic templates. These no-nonsense cover letter layouts work well for engineers, bartenders, project managers, teachers and nurses alike.
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Best cover letter examples by industry
We’ve got a large selection of industry-based cover letter examples. These examples for hundreds of job titles will help you craft a professional cover letter for any cover letter template style you select. Just choose your industry below, and select the job title that best fits you.
How to match a cover letter template to a resume template
Cover letters and resumes work best when they complement each other. When written well, cover letters provide details and depth missing from job applicants’ resumes, their overall vision for the job, and the chance to express their personality. But that’s not all.
To create a polished application and stand out from the competition, you must closely match your cover letter style to your resume.
Here’s how:
Apply the same style.
Your resume and cover letter designs don’t have to be identical, but they should look similar. Using the same templates for each will ensure consistency of layout, which will give you a leg up on the job application. We have resume templates to match every cover letter design we offer.
Use consistent colors.
If you choose a colorful template design, make sure your resume and cover letter use the same colors. If you don’t use color on your resume, don’t use it on your cover letter. Mixing it up looks sloppy and careless.
Pay close attention to formatting.
Your cover letter and resume must have proper formatting. If you use Calibri 10-point font for your resume, then use it for your cover letter.
Make your header content uniform.
To avoid confusion, the contact information you add to your cover letter template header must be the same as the content in your resume header. Proofread your headings for clarity and typos. After all, employers can only contact you for an interview if your contact information is accurate.
5 Tips to personalize a cover letter template
Once you pick out the perfect cover letter template, you need to customize it for each job. Here are five tips to make your letter more attractive to employers:
Do your research and prove it by demonstrating your interest.
Describe how you can support the mission and values of the organization, and mention a specific task you can do to help them reach their goals. For example, if you’re an engineer with a track record of exceeding goals, include details about your accomplishments to demonstrate your ability to help the company reach its goals.
Match your skills and experiences with the job’s requirements.
Addressing the duties and skills listed in the job description and giving real examples of your qualifications demonstrates you are qualified for the job. For example, if you’re applying to be an editorial assistant and the position requires strong copy-editing skills, and you were the copy editor of your school newspaper, then mention that experience.
Include relevant keywords from the job description.
Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan cover letters for relevant keywords to the job. If you don’t have them, your cover letter won’t make it to the hiring manager. Choose words from the job description that closely match your goals and experience.
Add a “call to action” closing statement.
End your cover letter with an invitation to interview with the employer — it conveys confidence. But be careful not to boast! Simply writing a statement such as “I look forward to meeting you to discuss my qualifications” is enough.
Use a cover letter example to help you fill out your template.
Cover letter examples are valuable tools when it comes to crafting a cover letter. Our cover letter samples can help ease the stress of creating a cover letter because they show how to:
- Pick the best cover letter template based on industry and job title.
- Decide what information to use and leave out.
- Find the best words to express yourself confidently.
Additional resources
FAQ
Why do we write cover letters?
We write cover letters because they expand on our resumes and provide details about our backgrounds that we can’t include in a resume. Plus cover letters allow us to create a sharp narrative around why we are the best choice for the position. When we learn how to write a good cover letter, we significantly increase our chances of landing an interview.
How do I write a cover letter if I’m underqualified for the job?
If you are underqualified for the job you’re applying to, then focus on your transferable skills and enthusiasm for the job. After all, the strongest letters don’t simply list qualifications. They paint a picture of a passionate applicant who will bring value to the team.
How do I write a good cover letter for my first job?
Applying for your first job can be nerve-wracking. Fortunately, you don’t always need a lot of experience to get hired; passion and determination can go a long way. You can also play up your skill set, class projects and testimonials to build a compelling case for yourself. Show whatever relevant experience you have, even if it isn’t from prior jobs.
Where can I make a cover letter?
The best place to create a cover letter is Resume Now’s Cover Letter Builder. Use the powerful editor, pre-written suggestions and beautiful, professional templates to create an immediate cover letter now.