Table of contents
- What Is a Cover Letter?
- What Is an Example of a Cover Letter?
- How to Write a Cover Letter for a Job Application: 7 Simple Steps
- Examples of How to Make a Cover Letter Stand Out
- How to Write a Cover Letter: Tips to Help You Gain a Competitive Edge
- Cover Letter Writing: Final Checklist
- How to Create a Cover Letter With Our Builder
- FAQ
A lot of the time, getting a job means making a strong first impression and bringing the qualifications from your resume to life. That's where learning how to write a cover letter comes in. It's an opportunity to communicate to employers how your skills, professional achievements, and work experience make you the best candidate for the position.
Not sure where to start? This comprehensive guide will show you:
- What a cover letter is
- How to write a cover letter in seven simple steps
- Cover letter samples for inspiration
- Tips for making a cover letter stand out
Ready to get started on your job-winning cover letter? Try our AI Cover Letter Generator. It creates tailored content based on your experience, helping you write a polished, job-ready cover letter in minutes.
What Is a Cover Letter?
A cover letter is a one-page document submitted alongside your resume or CV during the job application process. The purpose of a cover letter is to:
- Provide details about your most relevant skills, experience, or achievements.
- Explain to potential employers why you want to work for them.
- Explain circumstances like resume gaps or career changes when necessary.
Together, these elements help you stand out, since recruiters and hiring managers must sift through countless applications.
After writing your resume, a cover letter adds a personal touch by highlighting your most relevant qualifications and genuine interest in the role.
Even a perfect resume can't fully show what makes you the right candidate. A well-written cover letter adds context, connects your experience to the role, and highlights your genuine interest. In this guide, we'll walk you through how to make a cover letter that tells a clear, compelling story and strengthens your application.
What Is an Example of a Cover Letter?
A cover letter example demonstrates how to introduce yourself, highlight relevant skills, and connect your experience to a specific job.
Here's a sample cover letter you can use as a guide when writing your own:
How to Write a Cover Letter for a Job Application: 7 Simple Steps
Write a cover letter for a job application by introducing yourself, matching your skills to the job, and ending with a request for an interview. Follow the steps below to create a cover letter that clearly answers the question, "Why should we hire you?"
1. Pick a Template
Using a professional cover letter template ensures consistent spacing, proper sections, and a strong visual layout, saving time and helping your application stand out.
Choose a template that matches your industry, such as modern designs for creative roles or traditional layouts for corporate jobs.
Cover letters look best on a professional template that:
- Is ATS-friendly to ensure that your resume passes through applicant tracking systems (ATS)
- Uses simple formatting techniques to make the document easy to read
- Complements your resume templates to help you create a cohesive application
Don't overthink this step. When in doubt, use the same template that matches your resume, ensuring both are ATS-friendly. If you aren't sure where to begin, you can browse our cover letter templates to find a design that works for you.
Your cover letter should be your resume's wingman, and the two should look like they belong together.
2. Add Your Contact Information in the Header
Add your contact information to the header at the top of your cover letter. Depending on your template, it may be aligned left, center, or right.
Your header should include the following information:
- Full name
- City and state
- Phone number
- Email address
- LinkedIn profile or professional website, if you have one
Below your header, add the date you're submitting your letter and the name, professional title, and company address of the person you're writing to.
Here's how your header should look:
Your cover letter contact information should be identical to the contact information on your resume. If you include a link to your portfolio or LinkedIn profile on your resume, include it in your cover letter as well.
3. Greet the Hiring Manager by Name
Address the hiring manager or recruiter by name whenever possible. Sometimes a job posting will include the name and email address of the person to contact.
If you don't know who to address it to, do some research. Review the company's website, search online, call the company, or use LinkedIn to find the hiring manager's name. Then, address them directly with a formal and professional greeting.
Use formal greetings:
- Dear Sam Smith,
- Dear Dr. Kenney,
- Dear Professor Liu,
Avoid informal greetings:
- Hi,
- Hello,
- Good morning,
If you need to address a cover letter without a name, then write a greeting like "Dear Sales Hiring Manager" or "Dear Sales Team."
Avoid using clichéd greetings like "To Whom It May Concern" that are outdated and too impersonal.
4. Introduce Yourself
Start your cover letter by introducing yourself and expressing your interest in the role. Briefly explain who you are, why you're writing, and what makes you a qualified candidate.
Here's an example opening paragraph for a social media role:
Here's an example opening paragraph for a technical writer role:
"I'm very interested in your job posting for a technical writer with [Company Name]. I am a methodical and detail-oriented professional with more than five years of experience as a technical writer for software companies in Silicon Valley. You will find that I have a track record of exceeding deadlines and improving workflows to ensure that projects run smoothly and efficiently. I'm sure my experience and varied skill set could benefit the position and [Company Name]."
When done correctly, your cover introduction will encourage the reader to learn more about you, so get right to the point and save your details for the body of your cover letter.
5. Write Your Body Paragraphs
Write one to three body paragraphs that highlight your most relevant achievements, skills, and reasons for applying. Use metrics and specific outcomes to clearly demonstrate how your experience makes you a qualified candidate.
Here are a few tips for writing an enticing body paragraph:
Demonstrate your personality. Cover letters are meant to give employers a glimpse of the person behind the letter. Show them what makes you unique.
Describe specific aspects of your related experience. Part of this is calling out your most admirable and relevant achievements and briefly telling the stories behind them. Use specific outcomes and numbers to back them up wherever possible.
Highlight transferable skills. This is especially important for candidates who are making a career change or who have little to no work experience. Use your cover letter to highlight the skills you possess that would be useful in the role you're applying for.
Explain gaps in your resume. These may include gaps resulting from being laid off or fired, taking a break to raise children, or a string of short-term jobs. Addressing any unique circumstances gives you the chance to explain why those experiences add to your qualifications.
Consider using a bulleted list. Many hiring managers and recruiters may only skim as they read, so a bullet-point list on your cover letter can make your most relevant qualifications stand out better.
Always describe the impact of your qualifications and how they apply to the employer's needs. This makes your cover letter more ATS-friendly and easier for the reader to understand, especially when you incorporate keywords from the job description.
6. Write Your Closing
Write a strong cover letter closing that reiterates your interest, thanks the hiring manager for their time, and invites them to follow up with an interview. Keep your tone confident, assertive, and polite.
For example:
There's a fine line between inviting the hiring manager to connect and being pushy or desperate. Avoid statements like, "I really want this job, please contact me for an interview," and "I will call you tomorrow to discuss my qualifications."
7. Sign Off
The signature is where you politely sign your cover letter. Popular sign-offs include "Sincerely," "Thank you," and "Respectfully."
After your closing paragraph, add a line break, write your sign-off, add another line break, and sign your full name.
Avoid informal sign-offs, such as "Cheers," "Love," "Take care," or "Warmly," even if you know the hiring manager very well.
Examples of How to Make a Cover Letter Stand Out
Review the cover letter examples below to see how to structure a strong cover letter and make it stand out. Use them as inspiration or customize them with our builder.
Cover Letter for a Teaching Job
Cover Letter for an Internship
Cover Letter for a Job With No Experience
Cover Letter for a Nursing Job
How to Write a Cover Letter: Tips to Help You Gain a Competitive Edge
Gain a competitive edge by tailoring your cover letter closely to the job description, showcasing measurable achievements, and clearly aligning your skills with employer needs. Strong personalization, concise storytelling, and strategic keyword use help your application stand out.
Review the following cover letter tips to improve your letter and increase your chances of securing interviews.
Tip #1
Convey Knowledge About the Company
Show that you understand the company by referencing its mission, values, recent work, or products, and explain how your skills and goals align with its needs.
Demonstrating this level of research signals genuine interest and commitment, which can help your application stand out.
When researching the company, consider the following:
- What products or services does the company provide?
- What is the company culture, and are you a good fit for it?
- What are the company's mission, values, goals, and challenges? How can you contribute to them?
- Who are its competitors? If relevant, you can mention your familiarity with them in your cover letter.
Tip #2
Tailor Your Message to a Specific Job & Employer
After researching the company, tailor your cover letter to the job description by aligning your skills and experience with the employer's requirements and priorities, much like a targeted resume.
Study the job description and include one to two sentences that demonstrate how you've used the required skills in practice.
For example, if the role requires WordPress experience, you might write: "I have six years of experience using WordPress and can read and write HTML."
Tip #3
Consider Your Audience
To make an impact, tailor your cover letter to both automated systems and human readers.
- ATS and AI tools: Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) and AI tools to scan and filter cover letters. These systems look for keywords related to the job description, company, and required skills. Include relevant keywords to improve your chances of passing these filters.
- Recruiters and hiring managers: Recruiters and hiring managers review cover letters to identify top candidates. They look for clear achievements, relevant skills, and evidence that you understand the role and company. Emphasize your most relevant accomplishments and explain how they apply to the position.
Tip #4
Demonstrate Your Value
Demonstrate your value by clearly showing how your skills, experience, and achievements benefit the employer. Focus on measurable results, relevant accomplishments, and problem-solving abilities that align with the job's needs.
Use the questions below to guide your thinking and ensure you're clearly showcasing your value:
- How would you help the company achieve its goals? For example, if a company wants to expand sales operations, share relevant achievements that show your ability to contribute in that area.
- How would you support the company's mission? If the company focuses on sustainability, for instance, highlight relevant interests, experiences, or volunteer work that align with that mission.
- How would you align with the company's values or priorities? If the company emphasizes community outreach or nonprofit partnerships, for instance, include experience that demonstrates your ability to contribute.
- How can you help solve a problem for the company? Use your research to identify a challenge and explain how your skills or experience provide a solution.
Tip #5
Include as Many Specific Details as Possible
Include specific details in your cover letter by using concrete examples, measurable achievements, job titles, tools, and outcomes that demonstrate your experience.
Employers want to quickly understand what you bring to the table. Quantifying your results and naming relevant skills helps them assess your qualifications and impact.
For example, how have you contributed to successful projects or initiatives? Did you create a process that improved team or company efficiency?
Adding specific details shows that you have the experience and skills employers are looking for and helps demonstrate the value you can bring to the role.
Tip #6
Show Your Excitement About the Job
Demonstrating sincere interest in the opportunity helps employers envision you in the role and creates a connection with the hiring manager.
Do this by using action verbs, such as "motivated" and "thrilled," to express your enthusiasm for the company. Use this language throughout your letter to convey the energy and excitement you'd bring to the role.
Tip #7
Use AI to Strengthen Your Cover Letter
Use AI to strengthen your cover letter by asking it to rewrite sections for clarity, tailor your experience to a job description, and suggest stronger action verbs or keyword matches for ATS.
AI tools like ChatGPT and AI-powered cover letter builders can automate parts of the writing process, which is why many people use them today.
Always revise AI-generated text so it sounds like you. Replace generic phrases with your own experiences, adjust the tone to match how you naturally communicate, and double-check that all details are accurate and truthful. Make sure your letter reflects your unique personality.
If you want to get even more value from AI tools, consider exploring AI resume builders. Just like with your cover letter, these tools can help you create a stronger resume by combining your own input with AI assistance.
Try Resume Now's free AI Resume Review to evaluate the strength of your resume's content and structure it with the help of AI.
Cover Letter Writing: Final Checklist
Confirm that your letter is tailored to the job, clearly highlights your most relevant skills, and is free of spelling, grammar, and formatting errors.
Use this checklist to make sure you have your cover letter basics covered:
Be sure you've included all six critical sections of your cover letter.
Ensure you've added your header, salutation, introduction, body paragraphs, closing paragraph, and sign-off.
Pick an appropriate cover letter template.
For conservative industries, choose a simple template. If you're applying for a role in a creative field, it's acceptable to choose a more design-heavy cover letter template. Just be sure your content is still the star!
Verify that your contact information is correct.
After all, a recruiter can't contact you for an interview if they can't reach you!
Review your opening paragraph.
It should be catchy and express enthusiasm. Tell the recruiter why this role excites you and what you'll bring to the table.
Make sure your body paragraphs are relevant and detailed.
Using bullet points in this section can help make your most impressive professional achievements pop. Make sure that you've used specific outcomes, examples, and metrics to describe your achievements.
Keep your formatting consistent throughout.
Choose a standard business-style font like Arial, Calibri, Verdana, or Times New Roman and use it throughout. Stick with an 11- or 12-point size to make it easy for most people to read.
How to Create a Cover Letter With Our Builder
Create a cover letter with our AI Cover Letter Generator by selecting a template, entering your details, and customizing content to match your target job.
Follow the steps below to learn how to write a cover letter for a resume with our builder.
Choose a template.
From traditional to creative, Resume Now's builder offers dozens of cover letter designs and color options for you to choose from.
Provide your contact information and desired job title.
Just add your contact information and desired job title to get started.
Craft your letter.
Writer's block will never be an issue when you use our Cover Letter Builder. Simply fill your letter with our job-specific content suggestions that are auto-generated for every section of your letter. Use the text as-is or customize it to make it your own.
Proofread your document.
You've put in the effort to create a great cover letter—don't let typos or other errors ruin your final product. After checking your letter with our spell checker, proofread it or have a trusted friend give it a read. Then, make your final changes, and done!
When you're finished, download the file in whichever format you'd like, including PDF and Word. You can always come back and change the template, color, and details from your saved letter to apply for all the roles you want.
FAQ
Last Updated: April 08, 2026
Properly write a cover letter by introducing yourself, tailoring your message to the specific job, and highlighting relevant skills and achievements that match the employer's needs. A strong cover letter includes a clear opening, focused body paragraphs with specific examples, and a confident closing that invites further discussion, all written in a professional and concise tone.
A cover letter should include five key elements:
- A professional header with your contact information
- A strong introduction that states your interest in the role
- Relevant skills and achievements that demonstrate your qualifications
- A tailored explanation of how your experience fits the job and employer
- A clear closing that includes a call to action
Each element should work together to show your value, align with the job description, and present your qualifications in a concise but compelling way.
Common cover letter mistakes include using a generic template, failing to tailor the content to the job, and repeating your resume without adding new insights.
Other errors include spelling or grammar issues, a lack of specific examples or measurable achievements, and sounding overly formal or impersonal.
Submitting unedited or AI-generated text that doesn't reflect your authentic voice can also hurt your chances.
Employers may be able to tell if a cover letter was written with ChatGPT if it contains generic, impersonal language or lacks specific examples.
In many cases, they rely more on how the letter reads than on AI detection tools—generic phrasing, vague details, or an inconsistent tone are stronger signals.
The best approach is to use AI as a starting point, then revise your letter to reflect your experience, voice, and personality.
Cover letters aren't always necessary, but including one is a strong way to stand out. A cover letter lets you expand on your resume, highlight relevant skills and achievements, and explain your professional journey.
It also allows you to tailor your message to the role and create a clear narrative about why you're a strong fit. In many cases, this added context can improve your chances of landing an interview.
The first sentence of a cover letter should clearly state the position you're applying for and briefly introduce who you are. It should be direct and engaging, while also hinting at your qualifications or enthusiasm for the role to encourage the reader to keep reading.
A cover letter should be no more than one full page long, or about 450 words. Start your cover letter with a strong introduction, follow it with three or four concise paragraphs, and finish it with an attention-grabbing closer.
Writing a cover letter for a first job means navigating how to demonstrate your merit without any concrete work experience to back up your skills.
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. In short, show your relevant experience, even if it isn't from previous jobs.
Conor is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches dedicated to helping job seekers excel in their careers.
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