Top cover letter templates
Our deluxe templates are a great way to get an employer’s attention. Simply select a design that best matches your career and style and fill out the details in our Cover Letter Builder.
Free cover letter templates
Our extensive library of free cover letter templates are professionally designed and recruiter-approved. We’ve got cover letter templates for teachers, construction workers and virtually any industry, job title or experience level you need. You can download these cover letter templates for free — as many as you need.
If you need free cover letter templates in PDF form, download the Word doc, then use the “save as” option to export the template as a PDF. Looking for free cover letter templates for Google Docs? Download a template below, then upload the design into Google Docs.
Popular
These versatile templates' clean and straightforward layout works for almost any industry and job title. You can download this cover letter template for free.
Unique
Download a Unique cover letter template for free. This is a top choice for candidates who want to stand out in the fitness, cosmetology, entertainment and social media industries.
Modern
Technology, architecture and real estate applicants often lean toward these sleek and sophisticated layouts.
Classic
Whether you’re a nanny, bank teller, receptionist or legal aid, find a Classic cover letter template to help you stand out from the competition.
Creative
Our eye-catching Creative cover letter designs are an excellent way for artists, designers, photographers, filmmakers and musicians to showcase their talents.
Professional
These clean and professional layouts work well for social workers, financial analysts, librarians, medical assistants and many other occupations.
Simple
Job seekers in diverse industries — from transportation and construction to health care and food service — agree that our Simple templates are as colorful as they are professional.
Basic
Basic isn’t boring when it comes to our Basic designs. These no-nonsense cover letter templates work well for teachers, engineers, project managers and more.
Microsoft Word
Our free cover letter templates for Word are elegantly designed and capable of passing ATS software requirements.
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A cover letter template for every type of job
Looking for sample text for a specific job? Find cover letter examples for all major industries in our vast library.
If instead, you’re ready to work on your resume or CV immediately, browse our library of CV examples and resume templates (including free downloadable templates for Microsoft Word) or explore your options in our Resume Builder or CV Maker.
Free cover letter template to copy and paste
Get started on your cover letter right away by copying and pasting this text into Word or a Google Doc. Customize it to your liking.
[Your Name]
[Street Address]
[City and Zip Code]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
[Today’s Date]
[Hiring Manager’s Name]
[Job Title]
[Employer’s Name]
[Street Address]
[City and Zip Code]
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
The Opener: This is where you’ll briefly introduce yourself, say where you found the job and why it interests you.
Opener Example: I am writing to express my interest in the [job title] position. I am a self-motivated and progress-driven [previous job title] with an extensive background in [field of expertise]. I have developed and executed strategies that will bring value to [company name].
The Body: This is the main part of your letter. Here, you’ll highlight your skills and show the employer why you’re right for the job.
Body Example: In my work at [current or previous company], I was recognized repeatedly for excellent [job duty] and consistently exceeded expectations as a top [job title]. I stayed current on company policies and procedures to always offer [impressive qualification]. My work was top-notch across the board, and managers relied on me to handle tough jobs. In addition to that, I will bring many skills to this role, including:
- [skill one, and how it drove performance]
- [skill two, and how it drove performance]
- [skill three, and how it drove performance]
The Closer: This is the final paragraph where you’ll sign off and can include next steps.
Closer Example: Thank you for your time. It would be a pleasure to speak with you and discuss this opportunity with [company name]. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Why use a cover letter template?
Our cover letter templates are among the most elegantly designed, especially if you’re looking for resume and cover letter templates for free.
Here are a few of the reasons job seekers like using templates:
Templates save time and reduce stress.
The best reason to use a cover letter template is to reduce the stress of building your application letter from scratch. If you already have a stunning design, you can focus on the writing — such as highlighting your career achievements and showing passion for the company.
The formatting and fonts are industry-approved.
Formatting a cover letter can be a pain. Using a template will help you avoid common mistakes like picking a font that can’t be read by an applicant tracking system (ATS). Rest easy knowing the font size, line spacing and margin width are industry standard.
Employers will see you’re serious about the job.
Put yourself in a hiring manager’s shoes. Would you prefer the candidate who submits a sharp, attractive cover letter or a candidate who turns in a generic letter that hasn’t been formatted correctly? Templates make a good first impression and improve your chances of getting a callback.
The same style can be applied to a resume.
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.
4 tips for using a professional cover letter template
Cover letter templates make your cover letter pretty so you don’t have to fret about the design. Nonetheless, you can use a template more effectively by keeping the following advice in mind:
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Pick the best cover letter template based on your industry and job title.
For example, hiring managers in the financial, legal and medical sectors usually prefer a conventional resume style. However, a web design associate applying for a job at a new creative agency might choose a Unique or Creative resume template for distinctive flair.
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Decide what information to use and leave out.
Most templates include generic content written by experts. Some of the content will apply to your career situation, while other sections won’t. We recommend keeping any language that comes closest to describing your situation. But don’t forget to rewrite sentences to avoid plagiarism and make the cover letter more specific. Plus, being overly repetitive could count against you — your cover letter should expand on your resume, not repeat it. Our guide on how to write a cover letter can help.
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Find the best words to express yourself confidently.
As you write your cover letter, revisit the job posting. Choose words from the description that closely match your goals and experience. Addressing the duties and skills listed in the job description and giving real examples of your qualifications demonstrates you are qualified for the job. If you struggle to find the words, a cover letter builder can help by offering suggested text tailored to the job.
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Make sure your resume and cover letter match.
To stand out from the competition, you must closely match your resume style to your cover letter. Both documents should use the same colors, formatting and header content. Job seekers who align their applications will seem more organized than other applicants.
Cover letter templates FAQ
We write cover letters to 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 strong narrative around why we are the best choice for the position. Learning how to write a good cover letter significantly increases our chances of landing an interview.
The same goes for writing a resume. Whether you’re choosing a format, creating an outline or even working on a specific section like your resume profile, every step of making a resume builds your chances of getting that fateful call for an interview.
If you are underqualified for the job you’re applying for, 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.
Cover letters are even more important for students than seasoned professionals because they may not have the work experience to make a perfect resume. As a student, you should use your cover letter to:
- Explain your career goals and why you’re interested in the job.
- Highlight successful school projects that speak to your ability to do the job.
- Touch on skills you picked up in and outside of school with extra attention given to workplace experience.
If you put a lot of care into your cover letter, you’ll have an advantage over similarly-qualified applicants.
Applying for your first job can feel nerve-wracking. Fortunately, you don’t always need much 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 your relevant experience, even if it isn’t from previous jobs.
The best place to create a cover letter is in our Cover Letter Builder. Use the powerful editor, auto-generated content suggestions and beautiful, professional templates to make a cover letter instantly. When you’re done, download your cover letter templates in PDF form.
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