• Kat Neville
  • Mar 25, 2010

What Makes A Great Cover Letter, According To Companies?

  • 29 min read
  • Business , Clients , Interviews , Career , Design , Graphic Design
  • Share on Twitter ,  LinkedIn

About The Author

Kat Neville is a freelance Canadian web designer (living in the UK) who is constantly coming up with too many ideas for new websites. She also loves arts and … More about Kat ↬

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Ah, the dreaded cover letter . Boring to write, difficult to get right, and you’re usually preoccupied by other things (such as the portfolio and resume, which are also really important).  Unfortunately, your cover letter is a company’s first exposure to you, and it determines whether your application is trashed or fast-tracked to the company’s to-hire list.

The status of the cover letter is changing in the Web industry. While a well-formed cover letter still has a place, some companies believe that Web folk who rely on this archaic tool never make it to the next round. But what do I know? Let’s hear instead from some great Web and design agencies to get their advice on creating a great cover letter!

Further Reading on SmashingMag:

  • How To Prepare For A Front-End Job Interview
  • The Habits Of Successful New Web Professionals
  • 7 Tips for Your Design Job Interview
  • How To Create A Great Web Design CV and Résumé?
  • The Art And Science Of The Email Signature

The Old Way: Copy, Paste… Personality-Free

Anyone who has ever recruited for a job has received “that letter.”  And it’s always the same: usually a “Dear Sir/Madam,” followed by some generic schpiel about how the applicant will fit in well with the company, no matter what the role or company.  The text is boring, as if copied from a “How to get a job” pamphlet from 1980. The companies I spoke to overwhelmingly hated form letters. So, first and foremost, personalize your email or letter. Secondly, tailor the letter to that company. Here is the advice of some companies on personalizing cover letters.

No Sirs or Madams!

We trash generic inquiries (i.e. form letters) automatically. If you don’t care to put in a little effort to tailor your communication to my company, I sure don’t care to read it. Why do you want to work for Particular instead of some other company? How did you find us? Some indication that you’ve read the Particular or Matter websites is a good start. — Ash Arnett,  PARTICULAR
I want to click delete if I see "Dear Sir/Madam" or "To whom it may concern." If you actually read our blog and mention one of the posts in your email, I know that you actually took the time to determine whether you liked what our organization is about or whether you just added our email address to your Bcc field. It's not hard to find out who you're talking to if you actually take time to browse our website. — Josh Cramer, Cramer Dev
The worst thing someone could do is send over a generic copy-and-pasted email in which they've just changed your name or company name. You'd be amazed how many people do this. It's an instant turn-off. You find people referencing things that have nothing to do with your company or any sort of job role you have available. — Andy Ashburner,  Caffeinehit

Bcc Is Not Your Friend

Technology gives you power to Bcc 100 email addresses or more at a time. That is dangerous. Sadly, too many applicants send one email that is clearly being posted to many agencies and is not personalized at all. For me, getting a good job is not a numbers game. From greater effort springs reward. I can still remember the intros of all the people I hired. — Mark McDermott, Codegent

Really? You’re Real?

We look for clues that begin to reveal the candidate’s personality based on the tone and voice of the letter, as well as layout (which is actually more important to see in their resumes for some of the more design-oriented roles we have). — Boris Chen,  Extractable
For a CSS designer, rather than just hearing you say, "I'm crazy about CSS," we're looking for your blogging or tweeting about the latest CSS3 developments and seeing you active in communities and forums. A prime example is that some of our team members are ALA authors or even have been on Smashing Magazine. Those things show you're passionate. — Dave Rosen,  XHTMLized.com

Structuring Your Cover Letter

Cover letters are your first contact with employers, so getting the length and content right is important.  Most companies agree that you should include some links to your work, and definitely follow any instructions that they put in the job advertisement!

You’ve Got 20 Seconds… Short and Sweet, Please!

First, we’re busy people. We have a ton of projects and clients to manage, which generally means that we’re starved for time. This lack of time and volume of resumes means we don’t spend a good deal of time reading the emails or cover letters of every applicant (sorry, but it’s true). We’re not interested in verbose cover letters. In fact, just a line or two of copy in the email along with a link to the portfolio is plenty. Witty is fine, so is professional. — Geoff Teehan,  Teehan+Lax
I look for short and sweet with a touch of personality in a covering email. But the most important thing by far is the first impression I get after clicking the link to see the applicant's website. The covering emails of both Kevin and André were strong: Hello, My name is Kevin John Gomez.  I'm a web designer currently living in Brooklyn.  I saw your post on Krop and you guys look like a really cool outfit... definitely a group I'd love to be a part of.  Just thought I'd say hello and give you some of my information. My portfolio/blog: www.kevinjohngomez.com My online resume: www.kevinjohngomez.com/resume (let me know if you'd like a PDF) Anyway... nice work guys... keep it up. Kevin Hello Noam, I've just seen your job posting at Krop.com. I thought it might be interesting to drop you a line: www.dresouzax.com The easiest and fastest way to get me and my portfolio introduced. Cheers, André Souza — Noam Sohachevsky,  Mint Digital
[Cover letters] have been replaced by email messages that must convey in two to three sentences the reason for your inquiry, your specific desired position within my firm, a phrase about your experience level, a link to your work samples and a sense of your personality. — Heather Olson,  Larsen

Give Your Best Examples

Generally, we won’t look beyond three websites that people have done (unless they are all good), so just serve a sample of your best. For JavaScript programmers, we ask that they include samples of… one or two short snippets of functions, along with an explanation of why they’re proud of that code. — Dave Rosen,  XHTMLized.com
Thank God that the "creative period" for cover letters—when people sent their applications on CD roms (which never worked), linked to inventive portfolios (that always crashed) and so on—seems to be over and done with. — Claus Sølvsteen, Partner at  Peytz & Co.
When we ask for design samples, we actually mean a link or a very small PDF, not twelve 20-MB files created in Corel Draw. — Scott Johnson,  Rock Creek Strategic Marketing

If You Get Instructions, Follow Them!

When we write job ads, we try to include some specific instructions, just to see whether the applicant makes an effort to follow them. So, for example, we might ask for a CV/resumé in PDF format and request a description of how the applicant meets the job spec. It’s amazing how many applicants don’t follow these simple instructions: many will send CVs in Word format or won’t even attempt to explain why they’re suited to the job. — Jonathan Kahn, Together London
We ask for six things from all our candidates: a catchy subject line, their top three skills, their best teamwork tactic, a URL, a resume and a reason why they want to work at ZURB. We ask for these things because we really want to see them. It's also a litmus test to see if the candidate can follow directions. We want people to follow directions, but we also like rule-breakers when it makes sense. — Bryan Zmijewski,  ZURB (creator of  Notable App )

Let Them Know How to Contact You

Include relevant contact info (phone, cell, email, Twitter, etc.). Make sure you use a Gmail address (or something else professional-looking). You don’t want to be using a Hotmail address like [email protected]. — Ryan Cash,  Marketcircle

Words Score You Points

While not all companies expect you to be an expert writer, many want you to submit an adequately crafted cover letter. Overwhelmingly, companies agreed that spelling mistakes would cause them to look negatively on you, so you have no excuse. If you don’t have the writing skills, or the language is your second, find a friend or hire someone to help you.

“Your a Good Companie!” Why Spelling and Grammar Mistakes Will Bury You

The basics need to be right. Well written, good grammar, no spelling mistakes (people who can write well are always viewed in a positive light). Enthusiasm needs to shine through. Solid typography, nicely laid out, showing organization and flair, but nothing too fancy (as befits our own company style). We’re also happy if the cover letter is online rather than on paper. Really, it’s all about attention to detail and good writing. — Rich,  Clearleft
Sweat the details of the wording itself. We can see pretty quickly whether you've made an effort, and we'll infer from that how much effort you would make when working with us. I think it's impossible to overstate how important good writing skills are for a Web design professional; the cover letter is your big opportunity. — Jonathan Kahn, Together London
Spell-check, spell-check, spell-check… Did I mention spell-check? — Mark McDermott,  Codegent
Kisses of death: Typos, bad type, no personality, generic paper. — Justin Ahrens,  Rule 29

Don’t Look Desperate

For speculative inquiries, an attractive cover letter explains what you’re about and why you’re interested in working with us. A small compliment helps us to understand what turns you on, although I don’t recommend flattery! Also, be careful with “I’m in need of work”-type wording, because no one wants to employ someone who’s desperate. The most attractive cover letters show the applicant’s confidence in their ability, a passion for a certain type of work, and genuine interest and excitement at the prospect of working with us. — Jonathan Kahn, Together London

Know The Company

A form letter does not usually have any information about the company being applied to. But taking the time to research the company and find common points of interest makes an impression. It shows you care about the company and that you think you will fit in.

Knowing the company also helps you set the tone of the letter, allowing you to inject personality that relates you to the company. Here are some more thoughts from the companies themselves!

What Does the Company Do?

What usually makes me want to meet people is if they’ve demonstrated that they understand their audience. This is crucial because it’s what we ultimately get paid to do. In this case, the audience is me. Do they understand who we work for and what we do? If all we do is campaign work for shoe companies, then showing me your latest intranet design isn’t a great idea. Do they use language that shows that they did a little homework? We say a lot on our website, and someone who takes the time to read it and adopt a style or language that’s appropriate to my business will stand out. — Geoff Teehan,  Teehan+Lax
What makes a cover letter stand out? This is probably not a sexy answer, but not as obvious as you might think: take a second to learn something about the company you're submitting a resume or portfolio to. Is there a particular project or client you'd like to handle? Did one of us say something on a blog that you strongly agree or disagree with? Anything other than a generic form letter. Those are depressing to get and depressing to throw away. Yet amazingly, so many job seekers just blindly fire them off. — Rob Robinson, Mess Marketing

Make It as Good as the Company You’re Applying to

This whole gig is about first impressions, isn’t it? Clients hire us because we have an amazing staff of designers who get people to say, “Hey, cool site.” And our developers build one-of-a-kind functionality that keeps visitors engaged and coming back. A candidate’s cover letter should be the same, with the cover letter being the design (motivating “buy in”) and the resume there to support the design and engage us as employers. — Brian D. Aitken,  Halo Media LLC

Be Professional

Be aware that you are addressing the person who you hope will sign your pay check. We are collegial, but we’re not your buddies yet. If you’re coming at us through some social networking channel, be sensitive to the fact that those channels aren’t exactly ringing endorsements of credibility. — Ash Arnett,  PARTICULAR

Set an Appropriate Tone

Align your tone of voice in the email to the company’s culture as you perceive it. For example, we have an informal style. If a person is too formal, you couldn’t imagine them fitting in, even if their credentials are good. — Mark McDermott,  Codegent

Use Humor, If Appropriate

We get a lot of email applications, so seeing someone toss in a little humor here and there is nice. It shows that the candidate is comfortable in both their technical skills and their writing. It also helps us get a feel for their personality, which is a big factor in our hiring process. From: Jonathan Subject: Nothing can beat a UI ninja. UI ninjas are masters of every style of design! To: [email protected] Very, very obscure Scrubs reference. If you got that, kudos! Top 3 Skills: Renaissance Man I have experience in graphic arts, typography, programming, web design, print design, UI and human factors.  I also play a mean Rock Band guitar. Obsessive Well within reason, I’m not crazy or anything - I just like a UI/Brochure/Website/etc to be as good as possible, and I’ve been known to go through as many iterations as I need to make that happen.  Time permitting, of course. I know the world is full of deadlines. Nerd Okay, not a plus for everyone, but hear me out. I love the web and techy things and computers and what makes them tick.  I constantly look for new ways to do my work, new programs, new sites and new methodologies.  I won’t let my tools slow me down, and I can fix them when they break.  I’m not saying I can debug a crashing Dreamweaver, but only because I haven’t coded assembly in a few years. Portfolio is here <link removed>. Resume is here <link removed>. Thanks for your consideration, and I can’t wait to hear from you. – Jon Bryan Zmijewski,  ZURB (creator of  Notable App )
When we hired Kejia (one of our concept developers), the job ad said "Must like hot pot." And in his achievement section, he said he had "eaten hot pot to the point of exhaustion." I liked that because it was a subtle touch. We met the other ideas developer (Utku) when playing "I'm in Like With You." — Andy,  Mint Digital

Questions? Yes. About Benefits? No.

What makes us cringe? Preoccupation with our benefits package. ZURB treats the team very well, and we want potential candidates to understand that although we expect a high level of commitment and quality from our team members, we’ll do everything we can to make work (and life) a little easier. But we don’t want candidates who are more interested in house-cleaning than the many unique opportunities offered by working at ZURB. — Bryan Zmijewski,  ZURB (creator of  Notable App )

Disclose Your Reason for Contacting

Be clear about why you are contacting us. What kind of job are you looking for? Why that kind of work? Are you looking for a job, for information, for a candid portfolio review? Some of the best letters we have received are from people who were smart enough to ask for a few portfolio comments or advice, even though we weren’t hiring. — Ash Arnett,  PARTICULAR
In an ideal world, the cover letter would act as a nice bridge from your book to ours. For example, I got a letter from a woman who had a book filled with skate and snowboard work, and she felt it would be a good fit for us. We agreed and interviewed her. I've also interviewed people who have a body of more traditional work and who are eager for a chance to work on cooler projects for brands they actually care about. Making the case for why you should work here, in particular, is the best way to make your cover letter work for you. And you don't need to bust out any gimmicks or spend a lot of money on an elaborate presentation. — Rob Robinson, Mess Marketing

Be Relevant

So many cover letters address things that have nothing to do with the job or company. If you endear yourself to a company by being relevant, being qualified and having all the attributes they are looking for, you’re almost there!

Bring in the Real World

When writing a cover letter, bring up real-world examples of how you’ve done something positive in relation to the role you’re applying for. For example, if you’re applying for a marketing position at Marketcircle, and you used to do marketing for a restaurant, talk about how you were able to bring in more customers during non-busy nights, and how you were able to create promotions that increased the average dollar amount spent on each bill, etc. If you are applying for a job in your current industry, having relevant examples is even more important (e.g. “I was able to increase trial downloads by X amount” or “increase website traffic by X amount of visitors”). — Ryan Cash,  Marketcircle

Bring the Whole Package

Most of the resumes we receive include links to portfolio sites. And that’s where we usually start. We look for a good understanding of design basics: color choice, white space usage, proportion, contrast and typography. Next, we go back to the resume and review it for grammar. It’s important for us that our folks know how to communicate well in text as well as graphics. — Daimon Caulk,  Modal Inc.
Whether we're hiring designer, programmers or project managers, we're always looking for people who can do more than just their one role. Not that they have to be able to write Web copy, but they need to "get it." So, someone who makes a cover letter really shine (mostly by what they say and how they say it) cuts through the clutter wall. — Bill Shander,  Beehive Media

Make Sure You’re Qualified

Anyone who’s had to burrow in hundreds of cover letters gets annoyed when people apply for positions they are not even remotely qualified for. If you’re a Java developer and have never done any Ruby work, then don’t apply for a Ruby job.

You’d like to think that we get the best of the best getting in touch. Truth be told, there’s a s***-load of people out there who seem tho think they’re amazing at what they do. Truth be told, they’re generally rubbish. I find it quite painful the number of people who class themselves as Web designers yet create sites that evoke the ’90s. — Andy Ashburner,  Caffeinehit
If someone has had seven jobs in seven years, there is a problem. If someone just graduated from design school and is applying for an Art Director position, it actually annoys us. Similarly, if someone is claiming to be the “perfect candidate” because they are “passionate about design” but somehow they forgot to go to design school, that’s also a problem. (Loads of experience and great portfolio would compensate for no design school. We have a world-class Director of UX who is completely self-taught, but that is sooooo rare!). If half your work is great, and half is terrible, we assume that you did the terrible half. — Scott Johnson,  Rock Creek Strategic Marketing

Be Creative

Should you be showcasing your creative talents in your initial contact? That would seem to be a cautious move maybe. While you can grab their attention, not all attention is good. At the same time, you want to stand out. Typography is welcomed in some cases, while not in others, so proceed with creative cautiousness!

If a really original and well designed cover letter came across my desk it would get my attention. There is only so much info that needs to be conveyed on cover letters so designers should always be mindful as to not to try to over design. We always keep an eye out for simple, tastefully designed solutions. Typography is probably your best weapon when it comes to cover letter layout and proper use of white space and balance. — Will Luper,  New Medio
As far as gimmicks and whatnot go, the same rules apply- please do a little homework and make sure it makes sense. Two years ago, I interviewed a designer who brought his resume and a few work samples in via this plywood sleeve. It was covered in street art and personalized with our logo. Kind of cool, and I appreciated the time and effort he put into it. (At the time, our website had more "street" feel that the piece kind of naturally complimented.  For whatever reason, it didn't work out at the time, but hey.. it's two years later and I still have resume in my office. — Rob Robinson, Mess Marketing

… But Not Too Creative

In general, the really ‘creative’ applications seem to be from utter nutters. — Andy,  Mint Digital
There's a fine line between showcasing your creative abilities and coming across like Elle Woods from Legally Blonde with a bright-pink perfume-sprayed resume. — Brian D. Aitken,  Halo Media LLC
Honestly, articulately talking about your own work and interests is a lot more impressive to us than jargon or a litany of credentials. In fact, a well written letter can be a lot more compelling than a resume. As far as format goes, I'll just say: We love experimental typography; we don't especially enjoy it in correspondence. Ash Arnett,  PARTICULAR

Traditional Cover Letters Don’t Work With All Companies

Over half the companies I contacted said that traditional cover letters don’t have any impact on them. We’re in an age in which Googling reveals a lot about someone. Others say that they only work with people they know. There’s also that extra mile: as in the case involving 37signals , if you want them to impress them with a side project, design something to really impress them. Here are some thoughts on the death of the traditional cover letter.

Get in Touch Another Way

Often the relationship starts on Twitter or Facebook; ideas and conversation are exchanged. If there’s interest, we usually look at your blog, FriendFeed and Flickr accounts as well. We want to know how you think, how you express your ideas as much as we want to review your clever presentation or design portfolio. Designers should consider every tweet and blog post as a part of selling themselves and who they are. YouTube videos about why you want to work with us are a great way to make an introduction. A cover letter has never landed someone a job with us. I would say that a brief email with links to social accounts, blog and portfolio is the best way to go. — Ward Andrews, Drawbackwards

End of the Cover Letter?

Interestingly enough, most of the resumes we receive are via our contact form on the website, and most of them don’t come with cover letters. Recently, I called a designer back, and honestly I reached out to her because she graduated from VCU. I know the design program because I graduated from there. You know, for us, if you’ve got a good portfolio, you’ll get a call-back. Just don’t mess up that opportunity with a poorly written resume. Effective communication is the hallmark of a good designer. — Daimon Caulk,  Modal Inc.
In general, I think the era of the cover letter is gone. That puts it in the same dead category as the resume and traditional interview. At Fresh Tilled Soil, we are looking for something remarkable from a cold solicitation from a designer. What do we think is a remarkable way to get our attention? Here are some good examples: Redesign a big name website as a way to show your skills to make improvements on an old idea. Send us a quick version of what you think we could have done on a client project. Redesign a single page from the FTS site to show why you think you could be valuable as an internal resource. Apart from that, we recommend that designers get their portfolios in order before contacting us. Nothing is worse than a designer asking for an interview but not having their portfolio ready. — Richard Banfield, Fresh Tilled Soil
We don't get cover letters. Sure, we get a lot of people looking to work for us, but in the interactive world we rarely see cover letters. In fact, we couldn't care less about resumes, let alone whether a cover letter is attached. To us, it's all about the work. What we want to see are killer portfolios, the apps you've built, the open-source projects you've contributed to, your design sense, your involvement in whatever dev community you belong, etc. — Chris Teso,  The GOOD
I'd say in a creative industry anyone who sends us a cover letter isn't being creative, and I'd delete it. If you want to approach us or a potential employer that appreciates creativity and being different, I'd look for alternatives. Emailed cover letters are for uncreative scared people. I think a phone call is underrated. — Allan Branch,  Less Everything

You Might Need to Be Famous, or at Least Connected

We often work with people we “know” through the Internet. I worked with Doug Bowman after admiring his work online. Same with Adam Greenfield and Brian Alvey. I started working with Jason Santa Maria after reading one of his blog posts. And Liz Danzico was a client. — Jeffery Zeldman,  Happy Cog
I'd say 95% of our hires have been us scouting people who we were familiar with and already respected. The other 5% were some random acts of magic. That said, all of the candidates who we get through email and even snail mail seem to come with no cover letter. Hmm… maybe that's why we never hire them.  ;-) — Paul,  Ratio Interactive, Inc.

Get Your Foot in the Door

When I started A List Apart magazine in 1998, I was designer, editor, creative director, publisher, copyeditor and bottle washer. One day, a reader sent me an email politely pointing out a copy error in one of our articles. I fixed the error and thanked the reader. She followed up with another letter politely and deferentially pointing out two more errors in the magazine. I snapped, “Do you want to be my copyeditor? I can’t pay you.” (We had no advertisers at the time.) She readily agreed to copyedit the magazine for free. Within a few months, I told her she was too good to copyedit and ought to be the magazine’s actual editor. When she left ten years later, Erin Kissane had been A List Apart’s editor-in-chief for nearly a decade, and she had also served as content strategist for Happy Cog for over five years. She is a brilliant writer, editor and human being, and I am proud to be her friend. Pretty good story, right? So, those emails worked. They were simple and to the point. She wasn’t asking for a damn thing. She was just providing help. That’s the only time a letter has resulted in a hire at Happy Cog. Oh, and I should add, of course Erin didn’t work for free forever; we have advertisers through the Deck, and we pay our staff. (We also don’t hire speakers at An Event Apart on the basis of letters. We hire people whom we know are experts.) — Jeffery Zeldman,  Happy Cog

Use Common Sense

At the end of the day, you have to look long and hard at your own efforts and craft a cover letter that would impress you if you had your own company. Doing it well will definitely increase your chances of getting an interview.

Track Correspondence

Even if you’ve applied to only five places, you’d be surprised how easy it is to forget what you’ve said to one of them. Keep a spreadsheet that tracks the following:

  • Company name and URL,
  • Name of contact and job title,
  • What the company does (a reference to one of its clients will jog your memory),
  • When you contacted them and what you wrote,
  • When and how it responded.

Make sure to respond to every email in a timely manner, and take note of what the contact said. Keep the spreadsheet open on your computer (or, if you’re at another job, print out a copy) so that if they call, you can quickly scan your correspondence to recall exactly where you stand.

Waiting for a response can be tough, especially if you’ve crafted a beautiful, thoughtful cover letter. Some companies have an auto-responder for their jobs email address, but most do not. While you might be tempted to follow up with an email to confirm that they received your application, you should usually take their silence to mean rejection. If they don’t respond, don’t be disappointed: it just means it wasn’t the right job for you! Change your approach with the next application and try different techniques. Looking for a job is a full-time job, but if you work at it, you’ll find work.

  • Forget the Resume, Kill on the Cover Letter
  • 7 Mistakes to Avoid on Your Next Job Application
  • How to Create a Great Web Design CV and Resume?
  • 10 Essential Tips for Landing Your Next Job

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How to write a great cover letter in 2024: tips and structure

young-woman-checking-her-cover-lette

A cover letter is a personalized letter that introduces you to a potential employer, highlights your qualifications, and explains why you're a strong fit for a specific job.

Hate or love them, these brief documents allow job seekers to make an impression and stand out from the pile of other applications. Penning a thoughtful cover letter shows the hiring team you care about earning the position.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to write a cover letter — and a great one, at that.

What is a cover letter and why does it matter?

A professional cover letter is a one-page document you submit alongside your CV or resume as part of a job application. Typically, they’re about half a page or around 150–300 words.

An effective cover letter doesn’t just rehash your CV; it’s your chance to highlight your proudest moments, explain why you want the job, and state plainly what you bring to the table.

Show the reviewer you’re likable, talented, and will add to the company’s culture . You can refer to previous jobs and other information from your CV, but only if it helps tell a story about you and your career choices .

What 3 things should you include in a cover letter?

A well-crafted cover letter can help you stand out to potential employers. To make your cover letter shine, here are three key elements to include:

1. Personalization

Address the hiring manager or recruiter by name whenever possible. If the job posting doesn't include a name, research to find out who will be reviewing applications. Personalizing your cover letter shows that you've taken the time to tailor your application to the specific company and role.

2. Highlight relevant achievements and skills

Emphasize your most relevant skills , experiences, and accomplishments that directly relate to the job you're applying for. Provide specific examples of how your skills have benefited previous employers and how they can contribute to the prospective employer's success. Use quantifiable achievements , such as improved efficiency, cost savings, or project success, to demonstrate your impact.

3. Show enthusiasm and fit

Express your enthusiasm for the company and the position you're applying for. Explain why you are interested in this role and believe you are a good fit for the organization. Mention how your values, goals, and skills align with the company's mission and culture. Demonstrating that you've done your research can make a significant impression.

What do hiring managers look for in a cover letter?

Employers look for several key elements in a cover letter. These include:

Employers want to see that your cover letter is specifically tailored to the position you are applying for. It should demonstrate how your skills, experiences, and qualifications align with the job requirements.

Clear and concise writing

A well-written cover letter is concise, easy to read, and error-free. Employers appreciate clear and effective communication skills , so make sure your cover letter showcases your ability to express yourself effectively.

Demonstrated knowledge of the company

Employers want to see that you are genuinely interested in their organization. Mention specific details about the company, such as recent achievements or projects, to show that you are enthusiastic about joining their team.

Achievements and accomplishments

Highlight your relevant achievements and accomplishments that demonstrate your qualifications for the position. Use specific examples to showcase your skills and show how they can benefit the employer.

Enthusiasm and motivation

Employers want to hire candidates who are excited about the opportunity and motivated to contribute to the company's success. Express your enthusiasm and passion for the role and explain why you are interested in working for the company.

Professionalism

A cover letter should be professional in tone and presentation. Use formal language, address the hiring manager appropriately, and follow standard business letter formatting.

excited-woman-in-her-office-how-to-write-a-cover-letter

How do you structure a cover letter?

A well-structured cover letter follows a specific format that makes it easy for the reader to understand your qualifications and enthusiasm for the position. Here's a typical structure for a cover letter:

Contact information

Include your name, address, phone number, and email address at the top of the letter. Place your contact information at the beginning so that it's easy for the employer to reach you.

Employer's contact information

Opening paragraph, middle paragraph(s), closing paragraph, complimentary close, additional contact information.

Repeat your contact information (name, phone number, and email) at the end of the letter, just in case the employer needs it for quick reference.

Remember to keep your cover letter concise and focused. It should typically be no more than one page in length. Proofread your letter carefully to ensure it is free from spelling and grammatical errors. Tailor each cover letter to the specific job application to make it as relevant and impactful as possible.

How to write a good cover letter (with examples)

The best letters are unique, tailored to the job description, and written in your voice — but that doesn’t mean you can’t use a job cover letter template.

Great cover letters contain the same basic elements and flow a certain way. Take a look at this cover letter structure for ref erence while you construct your own.

1. Add a header and contact information

While reading your cover letter, the recruiter shouldn’t have to look far to find who wrote it. Your document should include a basic heading with the following information:

  • Pronouns (optional)
  • Location (optional)
  • Email address
  • Phone number (optional)
  • Relevant links, such as your LinkedIn profile , portfolio, or personal website (optional)

You can pull this information directly from your CV. Put it together, and it will look something like this:

Christopher Pike

San Francisco, California

[email protected]

Alternatively, if the posting asks you to submit your cover letter in the body of an email, you can include this information in your signature. For example:

Warm regards,

Catherine Janeway

Bloomington, Indiana

[email protected]

(555) 999 - 2222

man-using-his-laptop-while-smiling-how-to-write-a-cover-letter

2. Include a personal greeting

Always begin your cover letter by addressing the hiring manager — preferably by name. You can use the person’s first and last name. Make sure to include a relevant title, like Dr., Mr., or Ms. For example, “Dear Mr. John Doe.”

Avoid generic openings like “To whom it may concern,” “Dear sir or madam,” or “Dear hiring manager.” These introductions sound impersonal — like you’re copy-pasting cover letters — and can work against you in the hiring process.

Be careful, though. When using someone’s name, you don’t want to use the wrong title or accidentally misgender someone. If in doubt, using only their name is enough. You could also opt for a gender-neutral title, like Mx.

Make sure you’re addressing the right person in your letter — ideally, the person who’s making the final hiring decision. This isn’t always specified in the job posting, so you may have to do some research to learn the name of the hiring manager.

3. Draw them in with an opening story

The opening paragraph of your cover letter should hook the reader. You want it to be memorable, conversational, and extremely relevant to the job you’re pursuing. 

There’s no need for a personal introduction — you’ve already included your name in the heading. But you should make reference to the job you’re applying for. A simple “Thank you for considering my application for the role of [job title] at [company],” will suffice.

Then you can get into the “Why” of your job application. Drive home what makes this specific job and this company so appealing to you. Perhaps you’re a fan of their products, you’re passionate about their mission, or you love their brand voice. Whatever the case, this section is where you share your enthusiasm for the role.

Here’s an example opening paragraph. In this scenario, you’re applying for a digital marketing role at a bicycle company:

“Dear Mr. John Doe,

Thank you for considering my application for the role of Marketing Coordinator at Bits n’ Bikes.

My parents bought my first bike at one of your stores. I’ll never forget the freedom I felt when I learned to ride it. My father removed my training wheels, and my mom sent me barrelling down the street. You provide joy to families across the country — and I want to be part of that.”

4. Emphasize why you’re best for the job

Your next paragraphs should be focused on the role you’re applying to. Highlight your skill set and why you’re a good fit for the needs and expectations associated with the position. Hiring managers want to know what you’ll bring to the job, not just any role.

Start by studying the job description for hints. What problem are they trying to solve with this hire? What skills and qualifications do they mention first or more than once? These are indicators of what’s important to the hiring manager.

Search for details that match your experience and interests. For example, if you’re excited about a fast-paced job in public relations, you might look for these elements in a posting:

  • They want someone who can write social media posts and blog content on tight deadlines
  • They value collaboration and input from every team member
  • They need a planner who can come up with strong PR strategies

Highlight how you fulfill these requirements:

“I’ve always been a strong writer. From blog posts to social media, my content pulls in readers and drives traffic to product pages. For example, when I worked at Bits n’ Bikes, I developed a strategic blog series about bike maintenance that increased our sales of spare parts and tools by 50% — we could see it in our web metrics.

Thanks to the input of all of our team members, including our bike mechanics, my content delivered results.”

5. End with a strong closing paragraph and sign off gracefully

Your closing paragraph is your final chance to hammer home your enthusiasm about the role and your unique ability to fill it. Reiterate the main points you explained in the body paragraphs and remind the reader of what you bring to the table.

You can also use the end of your letter to relay other important details, like whether you’re willing to relocate for the job.

When choosing a sign-off, opt for a phrase that sounds professional and genuine. Reliable options include “Sincerely” and “Kind regards.”

Here’s a strong closing statement for you to consider:

“I believe my enthusiasm, skills, and work experience as a PR professional will serve Bits n’ Bikes very well. I would love to meet to further discuss my value-add as your next Director of Public Relations. Thank you for your consideration. I hope we speak soon.

man-reading-carefully-how-to-write-a-cover-letter

Tips to write a great cover letter that compliments your resume

When writing your own letter, try not to copy the example excerpts word-for-word. Instead, use this cover letter structure as a baseline to organize your ideas. Then, as you’re writing, use these extra cover letter tips to add your personal touch:

  • Keep your cover letter different from your resume : Your cover letter should not duplicate the information on your resume. Instead, it should provide context and explanations for key points in your resume, emphasizing how your qualifications match the specific job you're applying for.
  • Customize your cover letter . Tailor your cover letter for each job application. Address the specific needs of the company and the job posting, demonstrating that you've done your homework and understand their requirements.
  • Show enthusiasm and fit . Express your enthusiasm for the company and position in the cover letter. Explain why you are interested in working for this company and how your values, goals, and skills align with their mission and culture.
  • Use keywords . Incorporate keywords from the job description and industry terms in your cover letter. This can help your application pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS) and demonstrate that you're well-versed in the field.
  • Keep it concise . Your cover letter should be succinct and to the point, typically no more than one page. Focus on the most compelling qualifications and experiences that directly support your application.
  • Be professional . Maintain a professional tone and structure in your cover letter. Proofread it carefully to ensure there are no errors.
  • Address any gaps or concerns . If there are gaps or concerns in your resume, such as employment gaps or a change in career direction, briefly address them in your cover letter. Explain any relevant circumstances and how they have shaped your qualifications and determination.
  • Provide a call to action . Conclude your cover letter with a call to action, inviting the employer to contact you for further discussion. Mention that you've attached your resume for their reference.
  • Follow the correct format . Use a standard cover letter format like the one above, including your contact information, a formal salutation, introductory and closing paragraphs, and your signature. Ensure that it complements your resume without redundancy.
  • Pick the right voice and tone . Try to write like yourself, but adapt to the tone and voice of the company. Look at the job listing, company website, and social media posts. Do they sound fun and quirky, stoic and professional, or somewhere in-between? This guides your writing style.
  • Tell your story . You’re an individual with unique expertise, motivators, and years of experience. Tie the pieces together with a great story. Introduce how you arrived at this point in your career, where you hope to go , and how this prospective company fits in your journey. You can also explain any career changes in your resume.
  • Show, don’t tell . Anyone can say they’re a problem solver. Why should a recruiter take their word for it if they don’t back it up with examples? Instead of naming your skills, show them in action. Describe situations where you rose to the task, and quantify your success when you can.
  • Be honest . Avoid highlighting skills you don’t have. This will backfire if they ask you about them in an interview. Instead, shift focus to the ways in which you stand out.
  • Avoid clichés and bullet points . These are signs of lazy writing. Do your best to be original from the first paragraph to the final one. This highlights your individuality and demonstrates the care you put into the letter.
  • Proofread . Always spellcheck your cover letter. Look for typos, grammatical errors, and proper flow. We suggest reading it out loud. If it sounds natural rolling off the tongue, it will read naturally as well.

woman-writing-on-her-notebook-how-to-write-a-cover-letter

Common cover letter writing FAQs

How long should a cover letter be.

A cover letter should generally be concise and to the point. It is recommended to keep it to one page or less, focusing on the most relevant information that highlights your qualifications and fits the job requirements.

Should I include personal information in a cover letter?

While it's important to introduce yourself and provide your contact information, avoid including personal details such as your age, marital status, or unrelated hobbies. Instead, focus on presenting your professional qualifications and aligning them with the job requirements.

Can I use the same cover letter for multiple job applications?

While it may be tempting to reuse a cover letter, it is best to tailor each cover letter to the specific job you are applying for. This allows you to highlight why you are a good fit for that particular role and show genuine interest in the company.

Do I need to address my cover letter to a specific person?

Whenever possible, it is advisable to address your cover letter to a specific person, such as the hiring manager or recruiter. If the job posting does not provide this information, try to research and find the appropriate contact. If all else fails, you can use a generic salutation such as "Dear Hiring Manager."

Should I include references in my cover letter?

It is generally not necessary to include references in your cover letter. Save this information for when the employer explicitly requests it. Instead, focus on showcasing your qualifications and achievements that make you a strong candidate for the position.

It’s time to start writing your stand-out cover letter

The hardest part of writing is getting started. 

Hopefully, our tips gave you some jumping-off points and confidence . But if you’re really stuck, looking at cover letter examples and resume templates will help you decide where to get started. 

There are numerous sample cover letters available online. Just remember that you’re a unique, well-rounded person, and your cover letter should reflect that. Using our structure, you can tell your story while highlighting your passion for the role. 

Doing your research, including strong examples of your skills, and being courteous is how to write a strong cover letter. Take a breath , flex your fingers, and get typing. Before you know it, your job search will lead to a job interview.

If you want more personalized guidance, a specialized career coach can help review, edit, and guide you through creating a great cover letter that sticks.

Ace your job search

Explore effective job search techniques, interview strategies, and ways to overcome job-related challenges. Our coaches specialize in helping you land your dream job.

Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

3 cover letter examples to help you catch a hiring manager’s attention

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The 46 Best Cover Letter Examples: What They Got Right

Amanda Zantal-Wiener

Published: May 22, 2024

I’ve sent plenty of cover letters throughout my career, so I know it isn’t usually fun to write one. Fortunately, the cover letter examples I painstakingly gathered below show that it’s possible to have a little fun with your job search — and maybe even make yourself a better candidate in the process.

 person types of a cover letter

I was shocked upon learning 45% of job seekers don’t include a cover letter when applying for a job. I definitely don’t recommend following the crowd on this matter because your cover letter is a chance to tell the stories your resume only outlines.

It’s an opportunity for you to highlight your creativity at the earliest stage of the recruitment process.

Are you ready to showcase your unique skills and experience? Or are you looking for more tips and cover letter inspiration?

Keep reading for 40+ cover letter examples, then check out tips for cover letter formatting and what makes a cover letter great.

→ Click here to access 5 free cover letter templates [Free Download]

Table of Contents

Customizable Cover Letter Examples

Best cover letter examples, short cover letter examples, creative cover letter examples, job cover letter examples, career cover letter examples, what’s on a cover letter, what makes a great cover letter.

In a hurry for a cover letter example you can download and customize? Check out the ones below from HubSpot’s cover letter template kit .

1. Standard Cover Letter Example

what makes a great cover letter according to companies

5 Free Cover Letter Templates

Five fill-in-the-blank cover letter templates to help you impress recruiters.

  • Standard Cover Letter Template
  • Entry-Level Cover Letter Template
  • Data-Driven Cover Letter Template

You're all set!

Click this link to access this resource at any time.

What does a good cover letter look like in practice, and how can you make yours stand out? I found six examples from job seekers who decided to do things a bit differently.

Note: Some of these cover letters include real company names and NSFW language that I've covered up.

4. The Cover Letter That Explains ‘Why,’ Not Just ‘How’

You may already know how to talk about how you’ll best execute a certain role in your cover letter. But there’s another question you might want to answer: Why the heck do you want to work here?

The Muse , a career guidance site, says that it’s often best to lead with the why — especially if it makes a good story.

I advise against blathering on and on, but a brief tale that illuminates your desire to work for that particular employer can really make you stand out.

what makes a great cover letter according to companies

what makes a great cover letter according to companies

In an increasingly digitized world, where customer-centric strategies are vital for business success, I am thrilled to apply for the [Job Title] position at HubSpot."

Unhelpful Cover Letter Introduction:

"To Whom it May Concern,

I am applying for the [Job Title] position at HubSpot. I have some experience in marketing and can help your clients grow their businesses."

Relevant Professional Experience

It can be tempting to use the same cover letter for every job. After all, it‘s about your experience, isn’t it? But it's not enough to rephrase the work history in your resume.

Recruiters and hiring managers are looking to fill a specific role, so you need to show how your experience translates to their unique needs.

So, the body of a great cover letter should showcase the specific professional experiences that are relevant to the job you're applying for. Emphasize your accomplishments and skills that directly relate to what the job needs.

To speed up this part of the cover letter writing process, start by creating a list of your transferable skills . Drafting this list can help you quickly focus on the skills to highlight in your cover letter.

Then, use AI tools to summarize job descriptions and narrow in on where your experience and the needs of the role you're applying for overlap. This post is full of useful AI assistant tools if you're new to AI.

Helpful Cover Letter Experience:

“At [Company Name], I had the opportunity to assist a global ecommerce retailer in enhancing their online customer experience. By conducting in-depth market research and customer journey mapping, I identified pain points and areas of improvement in their website navigation and user interface.”

Unhelpful Cover Letter Experience:

“I also worked with an ecommerce retailer to improve the customer experience. We did some surveys and training, and they were happy with the results.”

Useful Examples

To make your cover letter stand out, add specific examples that show how you've solved problems or gotten results in past roles.

Quantify your accomplishments whenever possible, using data to give the reader a clear understanding of your impact.

Helpful Cover Letter Example:

“I lead a team of five content writers while increasing website traffic by 18% year-over-year.”

Unhelpful Cover Letter Example:

“I have a great track record of leadership and achieving fantastic results.”

Research and Company Knowledge

Hiring teams aren‘t hiring anyone with the skills to do the job. They’re hiring a person they'll work alongside at their specific company.

So, to show that you‘re not just looking for any job anywhere, share your knowledge of the company’s industry, values, and culture in your cover letter.

Spend some time on the company website and take notes on what makes this business interesting to you and why you would want to work there.

Then, explain how your skills align with the company's mission and goals and explain how you could add to their chances of success. This will showcase your interest in the company and help them see if you are a good cultural fit.

Helpful Cover Letter Research:

“I was particularly drawn to HubSpot not only for its industry-leading solutions but also for its exceptional company culture. HubSpot's commitment to employee development and fostering a collaborative environment is evident in its recognition as a top workplace consistently. I strongly believe that my passion for continuous learning, self-motivation, and dedication to contributing to a team will make me a valuable asset to HubSpot.”

Unhelpful Cover Letter Research:

“I have been inspired by HubSpot's commitment to inbound marketing and its comprehensive suite of solutions. HubSpot's dedication to providing valuable content and fostering meaningful relationships aligns with my own values and aspirations.”

Clear Writing

Your cover letter needs to pack in a lot of important information. But it's also important that your cover letter is clear and concise.

To accomplish this, use professional but easy-to-understand language. Be sure to remove any grammar or spelling errors and avoid lengthy paragraphs and avoid jargon or overly technical language.

You may also want to use bullet points to make your letter easier to skim. Then, proofread your cover letter for clarity or ask a friend to proofread it for you.

  • Guide to Becoming a Better Writer
  • Tips for Simplifying Your Writing

Helpful Cover Letter Writing:

"In addition to my academic accomplishments, I gained valuable practical experience through internships at respected law firms.

Working alongside experienced attorneys, I assisted in providing legal support to clients. This hands-on experience helped me develop a deep understanding of client needs and enhanced my ability to effectively communicate complex legal concepts in a straightforward manner."

Unhelpful Cover Letter Writing:

"Furthermore, as a complement to my academic accomplishments, I have garnered invaluable practical experience through internships at esteemed law firms.

Throughout these placements, I actively collaborated with seasoned attorneys to conduct due diligence and furnish clients with comprehensive legal support. Notably, these experiences fostered a profound comprehension of client necessities, whilst honing my legal acumen to articulately convey intricate legal principles within a lucid and concise framework, adhering to applicable precedents and statutes of limitations."

Genuine Interest and Enthusiasm

Find ways to convey your passion for the role and how excited you are to contribute to the company you're applying to. At the same time, make sure your interest feels authentic and outline how it aligns with your career goals.

Your ultimate goal is an enthusiastic letter that feels honest and leaves a lasting positive impression.

Showing excitement in writing doesn't come naturally for everyone. A few tips that can help you boost the genuine enthusiasm in your letter:

  • Record audio of yourself speaking about the role, then use voice-to-text technology to transcribe and add these sections to your letter.
  • Choose your words carefully .
  • Write in active voice.

Helpful Cover Letter Tone:

“I am genuinely enthusiastic about the prospect of joining [Company/Organization Name] as an accountant. My combination of technical proficiency, eagerness to learn, and strong attention to detail make me an ideal candidate for this role. I am confident that my dedication, reliability, and passion for accounting will contribute to the continued success of your organization.”

Unhelpful Cover Letter Tone:

“Honestly, I can hardly contain my excitement when it comes to reconciliations, financial statement analysis, and tax regulations! Engaging in spirited discussions with professors and classmates has allowed me to foster an unbreakable bond with the fascinating world of accounting, and I'm positively bursting with enthusiasm at the prospect of applying my skills in a professional setting.”

Memorable Conclusion

End your cover letter on a strong note. Summarize your top qualifications, restate your interest in the position, and express your interest in future communication.

Then, thank your reader for their time and consideration and include your contact information for easy follow-up.

To make your conclusion memorable, think about what parts of your letter you‘d most like the hiring manager to keep top of mind. Then, consider your word choice and phrasing. If you’re feeling stuck, this list of ways to close an email can help.

Helpful Cover Letter Conclusion:

"Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the opportunity to further discuss how my qualifications align with the needs of Greenpeace. Please feel free to contact me at your convenience to arrange an interview.

Together, let's make a lasting impact on our planet.

[Your Name]"

Unhelpful Cover Letter Conclusion:

"Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of discussing my qualifications further and how I can contribute to Greenpeace's mission. Please feel free to contact me at your convenience to arrange an interview.

I’d like to add another stage to the job search: experimentation.

In today’s competitive landscape, it’s so easy to feel defeated, less-than-good-enough, or like giving up your job search.

But don’t let the process become so monotonous. Have fun discovering the qualitative data I’ve discussed here — then, have even more by getting creative with your cover letter composition.

I certainly can’t guarantee that every prospective employer will respond positively — or at all — to even the most unique, compelling cover letter. But the one that’s right for you will.

So, get inspired by these examples and templates. Write an incredible cover letter that shows the hiring team at your dream job exactly who you are.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in October 2020 and has been updated for comprehensiveness. This article was written by a human, but our team uses AI in our editorial process. Check out our full disclosure to learn more about how we use AI.

Professional Cover Letter Templates

Don't forget to share this post!

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How to Write a Cover Letter

what makes a great cover letter according to companies

Advice for tackling one of the toughest parts of the job-hunting process.

Perhaps the most challenging part of the job application process is writing an effective cover letter. And yes, you should send one. Even if only one in two cover letters gets read, that’s still a 50% chance that including one could help you. Before you start writing, find out more about the company and the specific job you want. Next, catch the attention of the hiring manager or recruiter with a strong opening line. If you have a personal connection with the company or someone who works there, mention it in the first sentence or two, and try to address your letter to someone directly. Hiring managers are looking for people who can help them solve problems, so show that you know what the company does and some of the challenges it faces. Then explain how your experience has equipped you to meet those needs. If the online application doesn’t allow you to submit a cover letter, use the format you’re given to demonstrate your ability to do the job and your enthusiasm for the role.

No one likes job hunting. Scouring through online job listings, spiffing up your résumé , prepping for grueling interviews  — none of it is fun. For many, the most challenging part of the process is writing an effective cover letter. There’s so much conflicting advice out there, it’s hard to know where to start. Do you even need one, especially if you’re applying through an online system?

  • Amy Gallo is a contributing editor at Harvard Business Review, cohost of the Women at Work podcast , and the author of two books: Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People) and the HBR Guide to Dealing with Conflict . She writes and speaks about workplace dynamics. Watch her TEDx talk on conflict and follow her on LinkedIn . amyegallo

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How to Write a Cover Letter [Full Guide & Examples for 2024]

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After weeks of heavy job searching, you’re almost there!

You’ve perfected your resume.

You’ve short-listed the coolest jobs you want to apply for.

You’ve even had a friend train you for every single interview question out there.

But then, before you can send in your application and call it a day, you remember that you need to write a cover letter too.

So now, you’re stuck staring at a blank page, wondering where to start...

Don’t panic! We’ve got you covered. Writing a cover letter is a lot simpler than you might think. 

In this guide, we’re going to teach you how to write a cover letter that gets you the job you deserve.

We're going to cover:

What Is a Cover Letter?

  • How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter, Step by Step
  • 15+ Job-Winning Cover Letter Examples

Let’s get started.

A cover letter is a document that you submit as part of your job application, alongside your resume or CV.

The purpose of a cover letter is to introduce you and briefly summarize your professional background. On average, it should be around 250 to 400 words long .

A good cover letter is supposed to impress the hiring manager and convince them you’re worth interviewing as a candidate.

So, how can your cover letter achieve this?

First of all, it should complement your resume, not copy it. Your cover letter is your chance to elaborate on important achievements, skills, or anything else that your resume doesn’t give you the space to cover. 

For example, if you have an employment gap on your resume, the cover letter is a great place to explain why it happened and how it helped you grow as a person. 

If this is your first time writing a cover letter, writing about yourself might seem complicated. But don’t worry—you don’t need to be super creative or even a good writer .

All you have to do is follow this tried and tested cover letter structure:

structure of a cover letter

  • Header. Add all the necessary contact information at the top of your cover letter.
  • Formal greeting. Choose an appropriate way to greet your target audience.
  • Introduction. Introduce yourself in the opening paragraph and explain your interest in the role.
  • Body. Elaborate on why you’re the best candidate for the job and a good match for the company. Focus on “selling” your skills, achievements, and relevant professional experiences.
  • Conclusion. Summarize your key points and wrap it up professionally.

Now, let’s take a look at an example of a cover letter that follows our structure perfectly:

How to Write a Cover Letter

New to cover letter writing? Give our cover letter video a watch before diving into the article!

When Should You Write a Cover Letter?

You should always include a cover letter in your job application, even if the hiring manager never reads it. Submitting a cover letter is as important as submitting a resume if you want to look like a serious candidate.

If the employer requests a cover letter as part of the screening process, not sending one is a huge red flag and will probably get your application tossed into the “no” pile immediately.

On the other hand, if the job advertisement doesn’t require a cover letter from the candidates, adding one shows you went the extra mile.

Putting in the effort to write a cover letter can set you apart from other candidates with similar professional experience and skills, and it could even sway the hiring manager to call you for an interview if you do it right.

Need to write a letter to help get you into a good school or volunteer program? Check out our guide to learn how to write a motivation letter !

How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter

Now that you know what a cover letter is, it’s time to learn how to write one!

We’ll go through the process in detail, step by step.

#1. Choose the Right Cover Letter Template

A good cover letter is all about leaving the right first impression.

So, what’s a better way to leave a good impression than a well-formatted, stylish template?

cover letter templates for 2024

Just choose one of our hand-picked cover letter templates , and you’ll be all set in no time!

As a bonus, our intuitive AI will even give you suggestions on how to improve your cover letter as you write it. You’ll have the perfect cover letter done in minutes!

cover letter templates

#2. Put Contact Information in the Header

As with a resume, it’s important to 

start your cover letter

 with your contact details at the top. These should be in your cover letter’s header, separated neatly from the bulk of your text.

Contact Information on Cover Letter

Here, you want to include all the essential contact information , including:

  • Full Name. Your first and last name should stand out at the top.
  • Job Title. Match the professional title underneath your name to the exact job title of the position you’re applying for. Hiring managers often hire for several roles at once, so giving them this cue about what role you’re after helps things go smoother.
  • Email Address. Always use a professional and easy-to-spell email address. Ideally, it should combine your first and last names.
  • Phone Number. Add a number where the hiring manager can easily reach you.
  • Location. Add your city and state/country, no need for more details.
  • Relevant Links (optional). You can add links to websites or social media profiles that are relevant to your field. Examples include a LinkedIn profile , Github, or an online portfolio.

Then it’s time to add the recipient’s contact details, such as:

  • Hiring Manager's Name. If you can find the name of the hiring manager, add it.
  • Hiring Manager's Title. While there’s no harm in writing “hiring manager,” if they’re the head of the department, we recommend you use that title accordingly.
  • Company Name. Make sure to write the name of the company you're applying to.
  • Location. The city and state/country are usually enough information here, too.
  • Date of Writing (Optional). You can include the date you wrote your cover letter for an extra professional touch.

matching resume and cover letter

#3. Address the Hiring Manager

Once you’ve properly listed all the contact information, it’s time to start writing the content of the cover letter.

The first thing you need to do here is to address your cover letter directly to the hiring manager.

In fact, you want to address the hiring manager personally .

Forget the old “Dear Sir or Madam” or the impersonal “To Whom It May Concern.” You want to give your future boss a good impression and show them that you did your research before sending in your application.

No one wants to hire a job seeker who just spams 20+ companies and hopes something sticks with their generic approach

So, how do you find out who’s the hiring manager?

First, check the job ad. The hiring manager’s name might be listed somewhere in it.

If that doesn’t work, check the company’s LinkedIn page. You just need to look up the head of the relevant department you’re applying to, and you’re all set.

For example, if you’re applying for the position of Communication Specialist at Novorésumé. The hiring manager is probably the Head of Communications or the Chief Communications Officer.

Here’s what you should look for on LinkedIn:

linkedin search cco

And there you go! You have your hiring manager.

But let’s say you’re applying for a position as a server . In that case, you’d be looking for the “restaurant manager” or “food and beverage manager.”

If the results don’t come up with anything, try checking out the “Team” page on the company website; there’s a good chance you’ll at least find the right person there.

Make sure to address them as Mr. or Ms., followed by their last name. If you’re not sure about their gender or marital status, you can just stick to their full name, like so:

  • Dear Mr. Kurtuy,
  • Dear Andrei Kurtuy,

But what if you still can’t find the hiring manager’s name, no matter where you look?

No worries. You can direct your cover letter to the company, department, or team as a whole, or just skip the hiring manager’s name.

  • Dear [Department] Hiring Manager
  • Dear Hiring Manager
  • Dear [Department] Team
  • Dear [Company Name]

Are you applying for a research position? Learn how to write an academic personal statement .

#4. Write an Eye-Catching Introduction

First impressions matter, especially when it comes to your job search.

Hiring managers get hundreds, sometimes even thousands, of applications. Chances are, they’re not going to be reading every single cover letter end-to-end.

So, it’s essential to catch their attention from the very first paragraph.

The biggest problem with most opening paragraphs is that they’re usually extremely generic. Here’s an example:

  • My name is Jonathan, and I’d like to work as a Sales Manager at XYZ Inc. I’ve worked as a Sales Manager at MadeUpCompany Inc. for 5+ years, so I believe that I’d be a good fit for the position.

See the issue here? This opening paragraph doesn’t say anything except the fact that you’ve worked the job before.

And do you know who else has similar work experience? All the other applicants you’re competing with.

Instead, you want to start with some of your top achievements to grab the reader’s attention. And to get the point across, the achievements should be as relevant as possible to the position.

Your opening paragraph should also show the hiring manager a bit about why you want this specific job. For example, mention how the job relates to your plans for the future or how it can help you grow professionally. This will show the hiring manager that you’re not just applying left and right—you’re actually enthusiastic about getting this particular role.

Now, let’s make our previous example shine:

Dear Mr. Smith,

My name’s Michael, and I’d like to help XYZ Inc. hit and exceed its sales goals as a Sales Manager. I’ve worked as a Sales Representative with Company X, another fin-tech company , for 3+ years, where I generated an average of $30,000+ in sales per month and beat the KPIs by around 40%. I believe that my previous industry experience, passion for finance , and excellence in sales make me the right candidate for the job.

The second candidate starts with what they can do for the company in the future and immediately lists an impressive and relevant achievement. Since they’re experienced in the same industry and interested in finance, the hiring manager can see they’re not just a random applicant.

From this introduction, it’s safe to say that the hiring manager would read the rest of this candidate’s cover letter.

#5. Use the Cover Letter Body for Details

The next part of your cover letter is where you can go into detail about what sets you apart as a qualified candidate for the job.

The main thing you need to remember here is that you shouldn’t make it all about yourself . Your cover letter is supposed to show the hiring manager how you relate to the job and the company you’re applying to.

No matter how cool you make yourself sound in your cover letter, if you don’t tailor it to match what the hiring manager is looking for, you’re not getting an interview.

To get this right, use the job ad as a reference when writing your cover letter. Make sure to highlight skills and achievements that match the job requirements, and you’re good to go.

Since this part of your cover letter is by far the longest, you should split it into at least two paragraphs.

Here’s what each paragraph should cover:

Explain Why You’re the Perfect Candidate for the Role

Before you can show the hiring manager that you’re exactly what they’ve been looking for, you need to know what it is they’re looking for.

Start by doing a bit of research. Learn what the most important skills and responsibilities of the role are according to the job ad, and focus on any relevant experience you have that matches them.

For example, if you’re applying for the position of a Facebook Advertiser. The top requirements on the job ad are:

  • Experience managing a Facebook ad budget of $10,000+ / month
  • Some skills in advertising on other platforms (Google Search + Twitter)
  • Excellent copywriting skills

So, in the body of your cover letter, you need to show how you meet these requirements. Here’s an example of what that can look like:

In my previous role as a Facebook Marketing Expert at XYZ Inc. I handled customer acquisition through ads, managing a monthly Facebook ad budget of $40,000+ . As the sole digital marketer at the company, I managed the ad creation and management process end-to-end. I created the ad copy and images, picked the targeting, ran optimization trials, and so on.

Other than Facebook advertising, I’ve also delved into other online PPC channels, including:

  • Google Search

Our example addresses all the necessary requirements and shows off the candidate’s relevant skills.

Are you a student applying for your first internship? Learn how to write an internship cover letter with our dedicated guide.

Explain Why You’re a Good Fit for the Company

As skilled and experienced as you may be, that’s not all the hiring manager is looking for.

They also want someone who’s a good fit for their company and who actually wants to work there.

Employees who don’t fit in with the company culture are likely to quit sooner or later. This ends up costing the company a ton of money, up to 50% of the employee’s annual salary , so hiring managers vet candidates very carefully to avoid this scenario.

So, you have to convince the hiring manager that you’re passionate about working with them.

Start by doing some research about the company. You want to know things like:

  • What’s the company’s business model?
  • What’s the company’s product or service? Have you used it?
  • What’s the company’s culture like?

Chances are, you’ll find all the information you need either on the company website or on job-search websites like Jobscan or Glassdoor.

Then, pick your favorite thing about the company and talk about it in your cover letter.

But don’t just describe the company in its own words just to flatter them. Be super specific—the hiring manager can see through any fluff.

For example, if you’re passionate about their product and you like the company’s culture of innovation and independent work model, you can write something like:

I’ve personally used the XYZ Smartphone, and I believe that it’s the most innovative tech I’ve used in years. The features, such as Made-Up-Feature #1 and Made-Up-Feature #2, were real game changers for the device.

I really admire how Company XYZ strives for excellence in all its product lines, creating market-leading tech. As someone who thrives in a self-driven environment, I truly believe that I’ll be a great match for your Product Design team.

So, make sure to do your fair share of research and come up with good reasons why you're applying to that specific company.

Is the company you want to work for not hiring at the moment? Check out our guide to writing a letter of interest .

#6. Wrap It Up and Sign It

Finally, it’s time to conclude your cover letter.

In the final paragraph, you want to:

  • Wrap up any points you couldn't make in the previous paragraphs. Do you have anything left to say? If there’s any other information that could help the hiring manager make their decision, mention it here. If not, just recap your key selling points so far, such as key skills and expertise.
  • Express gratitude. Politely thanking the hiring manager for their time is always a good idea.
  • Finish the cover letter with a call to action. The very last sentence in your cover letter should be a call to action. This means you should ask the hiring manager to do something, like call you and discuss your application or arrange an interview.
  • Remember to sign your cover letter. Just add a formal closing line and sign your name at the bottom.

Here’s an example of how to end your cover letter :

I hope to help Company X make the most of their Facebook marketing initiatives. I'd love to further discuss how my previous success at XYZ Inc. can help you achieve your Facebook marketing goals. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at the provided email address or phone number so that we may arrange an interview.

Thank you for your consideration,

Alice Richards

Feel free to use one of these other popular closing lines for your cover letter:

  • Best Regards,
  • Kind Regards,

Cover Letter Writing Checklist

Once you’re done with your cover letter, it’s time to check if it meets all industry requirements. 

Give our handy cover letter writing checklist a look to make sure:

Does your cover letter heading include all essential information?

  • Professional Email
  • Phone Number
  • Relevant Links

Do you address the right person? 

  • The hiring manager in the company
  • Your future direct supervisor
  • The company/department in general

Does your introductory paragraph grab the reader's attention?

  • Did you mention some of your top achievements?
  • Did you use numbers and facts to back up your experience?
  • Did you convey enthusiasm for the specific role?

Do you show that you’re the right candidate for the job?

  • Did you identify the core requirements for the role?
  • Did you show how your experiences helped you fit the requirements perfectly?

Do you convince the hiring manager that you’re passionate about the company you’re applying to?

  • Did you identify the top 3 things that you like about the company?
  • Did you avoid generic reasons for explaining your interest in the company?

Did you conclude your cover letter properly?

  • Did you recap your key selling points in the conclusion?
  • Did you end your cover letter with a call to action?
  • Did you use the right formal closing line and sign your name?

15 Cover Letter Tips

Now you’re all set to write your cover letter! 

Before you start typing, here are some cover letter tips to help take your cover letter to the next level:

  • Customize Your Cover Letter for Each Job. Make sure your cover letter is tailored to the job you're applying for. This shows you're not just sending generic applications left and right, and it tells the hiring manager you’re the right person for the job.
  • Showcase Your Skills. Talk about how your skills meet the company’s needs. And while your hard skills should be front and center, you shouldn’t underestimate your soft skills in your cover letter either.
  • Avoid Fluff. Don’t make any generic statements you can’t back up. The hiring manager can tell when you’re just throwing words around, and it doesn’t make your cover letter look good.
  • Use Specific Examples. Instead of saying you're great at something, give an actual example to back up your claim. Any data you can provide makes you sound more credible, so quantify your achievements. For example, give numbers such as percentages related to your performance and the timeframe it took to accomplish certain achievements.
  • Research the Company. Always take time to learn about the company you're applying to. Make sure to mention something about them in your cover letter to show the hiring manager that you're interested.
  • Follow the Application Instructions. If the job posting asks for something specific in your cover letter or requires a certain format, make sure you include it. Not following instructions can come off as unattentive or signal to the hiring manager that you’re not taking the job seriously.
  • Use the Right Template and Format. Choose the right cover letter format and adapt your cover letter’s look to the industry you’re applying for. For example, if you’re aiming for a job in Law or Finance, you should go for a cleaner, more professional look. But if you’re applying for a field that values innovation, like IT or Design, you have more room for creativity.
  • Express Your Enthusiasm. Let the hiring manager know why you're excited about the job. Your passion for the specific role or the field in general can be a big selling point, and show them that you’re genuinely interested, not just applying left and right.
  • Address Any Gaps. If there are any employment gaps in your resume , your cover letter is a great place to mention why. Your resume doesn’t give you enough space to elaborate on an employment gap, so addressing it here can set hiring managers at ease—life happens, and employers understand.
  • Avoid Quirky Emails. Your email address should be presentable. It’s hard for a hiring manager to take you seriously if your email address is “[email protected].” Just use a [email protected] format.
  • Check Your Contact Information. Typos in your email address or phone number can mean a missed opportunity. Double-check these before sending your application.
  • Mention if You Want to Relocate. If you’re looking for a job that lets you move somewhere else, specify this in your cover letter.
  • Keep It Brief. You want to keep your cover letter short and sweet. Hiring managers don’t have time to read a novel, so if you go over one page, they simply won’t read it at all.
  • Use a Professional Tone. Even though a conversational tone isn’t a bad thing, remember that it's still a formal document. Show professionalism in your cover letter by keeping slang, jargon, and emojis out of it.
  • Proofread Carefully. Typos and grammar mistakes are a huge deal-breaker. Use a tool like Grammarly or QuillBot to double-check your spelling and grammar, or even get a friend to check it for you.

15+ Cover Letter Examples

Need some inspiration? Check out some perfect cover letter examples for different experience levels and various professions.

5+ Cover Letter Examples by Experience

#1. college student cover letter example.

college or student cover letter example

Check out our full guide to writing a college student cover letter here.

#2. Middle Management Cover Letter Example

Middle Management Cover Letter

Check out our full guide to writing a project manager cover letter here.

#3. Team Leader Cover Letter Example

Team Leader Cover Letter Example

Check out our full guide to writing a team leader cover letter here.

#4. Career Change Cover Letter Example

Career Change Cover Letter

Check out our full guide to a career change resume and cover letter here.

#5. Management Cover Letter Example

Management Cover Letter Example

Check out our full guide to writing a management cover letter here.

#6. Senior Executive Cover Letter Example

Senior Executive Cover Letter Example

Check out our full guide to writing an executive resume here.

9+ Cover Letter Examples by Profession

#1. it cover letter example.

IT Cover Letter Example

Check out our full guide to writing an IT cover letter here.

#2. Consultant Cover Letter Example

Consultant Cover Letter Example

Check out our full guide to writing a consultant cover letter here.

#3. Human Resources Cover Letter

Human Resources Cover Letter

Check out our full guide to writing a human resources cover letter here.

#4. Business Cover Letter Example

Business Cover Letter Example

Check out our full guide to writing a business cover letter here.

#5. Sales Cover Letter Example

Sales Cover Letter Example

Check out our full guide to writing a sales cover letter here.

#6. Social Worker Cover Letter

Social Worker Cover Letter

Check out our full guide to writing a social worker cover letter here.

#7. Lawyer Cover Letter

Lawyer Cover Letter

Check out our full guide to writing a lawyer cover letter here.

#8. Administrative Assistant Cover Letter

Administrative Assistant Cover Letter

Check out our full guide to writing an administrative assistant cover letter here.

#9. Engineering Cover Letter Example

Engineering Cover Letter Example

Check out our full guide to writing an engineer cover letter here.

#10. Receptionist Cover Letter Example

Receptionist Cover Letter Example

Check out our full guide to writing a receptionist cover letter here.

Need more inspiration? Check out these cover letter examples to learn what makes them stand out.

Plug & Play Cover Letter Template

Not sure how to start your cover letter? Don’t worry!

Just copy and paste our free cover letter template into the cover letter builder, and swap out the blanks for your details.

[Your Full Name]

[Your Profession]

[Your Phone Number]

[Your Email Address]

[Your Location]

[Your LinkedIn Profile URL (optional)]

[Your Personal Website URL (optional)]

[Recipient's Name, e.g., Jane Doe],

[Recipient's Position, e.g., Hiring Manager]

[Company Name, e.g., ABC Corporation]

[Company Address]

[City, State/Country]

Dear [Recipient's Name],

As a seasoned [Your Profession] with [Number of Years of Experience] years of industry experience, I am eager to express my interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. With my experience in [Your Industry/Sector] and the successes I've achieved throughout my education and career, I believe I can bring unique value and creativity to your team.

In my current role as [Your Current Job Title], I've taken the lead on more than [Number of Projects/Assignments] projects, some valued up to $[Highest Project Value]. I pride myself on consistently exceeding client expectations and have successfully [Mention a Key Achievement] in just a [Amount of Time] through [Skill] and [Skill].

I've collaborated with various professionals, such as [List Roles], ensuring that all [projects/tasks] meet [relevant standards or objectives]. This hands-on experience, coupled with my dedication to understanding each [client's/customer's] vision, has equipped me to navigate and deliver on complex projects.

My key strengths include:

  • Improving [Achievement] by [%] over [Amount of Time] which resulted in [Quantified Result].
  • Optimizing [Work Process/Responsibility] which saved [Previous Employer] [Amount of Time/Budget/Other Metric] over [Weeks/Months/Years]
  • Spearheading team of [Number of People] to [Task] and achieving [Quantified Result].

Alongside this letter, I've attached my resume. My educational background, a [Your Degree] with a concentration in [Your Specialization], complements the practical skills that I'm particularly eager to share with [Company Name].

I'm excited about the possibility of contributing to [Something Notable About the Company or Its Mission]. I'd be grateful for the chance to delve deeper into how my expertise aligns with your needs.

Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

The Heart of Your Job Search - Creating a Killer Resume

Your cover letter is only as good as your resume. If either one is weak, your entire application falls through.

After all, your cover letter is meant to complement your resume. Imagine going through all this effort to leave an amazing first impression in your cover letter, only for the hiring manager to never read it because your resume was mediocre.

But don’t worry; we’ve got you covered here, too.

Check out our dedicated guide on how to make a resume and learn everything you need to know to land your dream job!

Just pick one of our resume templates and start writing your own job-winning resume.

resume examples for cover letters

Key Takeaways

Now that we’ve walked you through all the steps of writing a cover letter, let’s summarize everything we’ve learned:

  • A cover letter is a 250 - 400 word document that’s meant to convince the hiring manager that you’re the best candidate for the job.
  • Your job application should always include a cover letter alongside your resume.
  • To grab the hiring manager’s attention, write a strong opening paragraph. Mention who you are, why you’re applying, and a standout achievement to pique their interest.
  • Your cover letter should focus on why you’re the perfect candidate for the job and why you’re passionate about working in this specific company.
  • Use the body of your cover letter to provide details on your skills, achievements, and qualifications, as well as make sure to convey your enthusiasm throughout your whole cover letter.
  • Recap your key selling points towards the end of your cover letter, and end it with a formal closing line and your full name signed underneath.

At Novorésumé, we’re committed to helping you get the job you deserve every step of the way! 

Follow our career blog for more valuable advice, or check out some of our top guides, such as:

  • How to Make a Resume in 2024 | Beginner's Guide
  • How to Write a CV (Curriculum Vitae) in 2024 [31+ Examples]
  • 35+ Job Interview Questions and Answers [Full List]

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52 Skillful Cover Letter Examples for 2024 & Why They Work

A list of cover letter examples in different industries. Each template includes a brief analysis to help you get ideas on what to write for your application.

what makes a great cover letter according to companies

The best cover letter examples address specific company needs. Well-written cover letters highlight how you align with the company's values and explain how you have the perfect background for solving certain problems that the company is facing. This should also be written in a way that directly tells employers how you'll positively impact their organization.

Successful cover letters are well-researched, tailored, and personal. It should feel like it's coming from you, a real person. A generic cover letter that works for any other company isn't compelling. Refer to our cover letter examples in your industry to see how it's done. Take inspiration, but don't copy. Replace the details based on your own professional background.

Before you continue to scroll down to find your job position, read this first. 

We’ve briefly broken down each of our professional cover letter samples listed to help you:

  • Get new ideas for structuring your cover letter
  • Get inspiration for phrasing certain sentences to emphasize your strengths
  • Get more confidence sending your cover letter to your hiring manager

So even if a template isn’t in the same field of profession you’re in, you still might learn a thing or two. 

But if you don’t find the exact sample you’re looking for, just know there’s a strong chance we’ll have included one that’s similar and relevant. 

Without further ado, let’s get started. 

What Do You Write About In a Cover Letter?

Your strengths. 

Then again, don’t just focus on talking about yourself. Link it back to why you’re the ideal candidate to hire. This is what a cover letter is about. 

Besides that, here are some other things to keep in mind:

  • Academic background
  • Goals and objectives
  • Professional achievements
  • Hobbies and interests

Don’t overcomplicate it. Less is more, so keep it succinct.

If you’re more interested to learn how to write a cover letter step-by-step, it’s worth reading our separate cover letter writing guide here.  

Create a Tailored Cover Letter Automatically In Less Than 5 Minutes

Step 1: Enter the company name.

Step 2: Enter the job position/title.

Step 3: Select a position to highlight from your work history.

Step 4: Type your top skills.

Step 5: Press “AI Writer Ready”.

Don’t believe us? The clip below is your evidence. 

what makes a great cover letter according to companies

That’s all there is to it. More than 50% of Rezi’s users have secured an interview by using our process. 

No more Googling, page hopping, and further research…

We’ve removed the hard work for you so you can focus solely on the interview.

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Accounting and Finance Cover Letter Examples 

All cover letters should show a degree of enthusiasm. More specifically, the reasons why you’re motivated and passionate about the job you're applying for. It’s no different for accountants and professionals working in the finance industry.

We’ll review the following:

  • Accountant cover letter
  • Banking cover letter
  • Certified public accountant cover letter
  • Finance cover letter
  • Investment banker cover letter

Accountant Cover Letter

what makes a great cover letter according to companies

The applicant starts by introducing the position they’re applying for and how they came across the opportunity. It’s then followed up by a simple sentence stating why they’re a suitable candidate to hire. 

Similarly, you’ll want to focus on your strengths that show the employers how you would be a good fit for the role.

Banking Cover Letter

Banking Cover Letter

This is a great example of using your network and connections to your advantage. When you name drop appropriately after meeting people at an event, it’s effective in getting the hiring manager’s attention.

Compared to a resume, there’s room to be more personal on a cover letter. Don’t shy away from showing employers your personality and interests.

Certified Public Accountant Cover Letter

Certified Public Accountant Cover Letter

The main objective of a cover letter is to showcase why you’re the best fit. 

In other words, stick to your strengths and align them with the company values. With the example above, the user focuses on their employment history, i.e. the duties and responsibilities.

Finance Cover Letter

Finance Cover Letter

If there are key points on your CV, feel free to expand on them in your cover letter. Talk about what happened behind the scenes, e.g. describing your process and workflow.

Investment Banker Cover Letter

Investment Banker Cover Letter

Like the last example, write about the impact you've had in previous job positions. 

There’s no issue with expressing your thoughts as long as you’re keeping it professional. Also, don’t forget to support your points with examples and data.

Business Cover Letter Examples 

Business cover letters aren’t too different from what we’ve seen so far. The purpose of your cover letter is to personalize your application. It clarifies why you’re the best person to hire. 

This section will include:

  • Business analyst cover letter
  • Business development cover letter
  • Consultant cover letter
  • Human resources cover letter

Business Analyst Cover Letter

Business Analyst Cover Letter

The length of this sample isn’t as long compared to others but it’s more than enough. 

Don’t focus on the length of your cover letter. A concise application is better than one that’s irrelevant and full of fluff. 

Business Development Cover Letter

Business Development Cover Letter

Start strong like this candidate has by sharing your own experiences and interests related to the company you’re applying to. Make a firm statement about your skills or what you’re looking to accomplish by being a part of the team. 

Consultant Cover Letter

Consultant Cover Letter

You’re not restricted to only writing in paragraphs. 

Bullet points are useful for making a list. It’s readable and easier to skim through. 

Another good point about this template is that it’s optimized for the job description as keywords have been included appropriately, e.g. management consulting. 

Human Resources Cover Letter

Human Resources Cover Letter

With this cover letter example, the opening paragraph doesn’t mention where they heard about the job vacancy. It goes straight into introducing their background and their purpose for the application. 

Think about how you can personalize your application based on your strengths. This can vary depending on where you’re at in your career. 

Marketing Cover Letter Examples 

In this sector, some jobs are in a higher position than others. Therefore, the approach can be slightly different. 

We’ll assess the following:

  • Digital marketing cover letter
  • Content writer cover letter
  • Marketing manager cover letter
  • Director of marketing cover letter
  • Social media manager cover letter

Digital Marketing Cover Letter

Digital Marketing Cover Letter

It’s important to demonstrate your past responsibilities and achievements. Although the second paragraph in this example is more detailed compared to a typical cover letter, the candidate does a good job in highlighting their skills and experience.

Content Writer Cover Letter

Content Writer Cover Letter

This example resembles the standard format of a cover letter . 

In a similar fashion, write down why you’re interested in applying for the job vacancy in the first place. Is there a specific aspect of the job you’re passionate about? How did that passion develop over time?

Marketing Manager Cover Letter

Marketing Manager Cover Letter

Several keywords related to the vacancy have been used in the sample above such as:

  • Email marketing
  • Social media promotion
  • Online advertising
  • Customer service

Use keywords naturally without forcing them. Edit your cover letter accordingly to see where they can be placed or expand on a new point. 

However, keep in mind the length shouldn’t exceed one page.

Director of Marketing Cover Letter

Director of Marketing Cover Letter

For a higher position like a director of marketing, highlight your relevant: 

  • Responsibilities
  • Workplace achievements 

In this example, they’ve focused on key tasks from their professional experiences. These will show the employers that they’re more than capable of carrying out the job to a high standard.

Social Media Manager Cover Letter

Social Media Manager Cover Letter

Show your enthusiasm. Give the hiring manager a taste of what you’re capable of by mentioning the results you’ve accomplished. If you have no work experience , there’s an alternative way to do this.

Design Cover Letter Examples 

Designers should have a portfolio ready to showcase to their employer along with a resume and cover letter. 

The samples we’ll be looking at are the following:

  • Interior designer cover letter
  • User experience designer cover letter
  • Senior UX Manager cover letter
  • Web designer cover letter
  • Graphic designer cover letter

Interior Designer Cover Letter

Interior Designer Cover Letter

This sample begins by providing a brief summary of the applicant’s background. 

Notably, use bullet points to highlight the things that are impressive. For instance, the results of your work. 

User Experience Designer Cover Letter

User Experience Designer Cover Letter

Notice the format. Rather than having a small opening paragraph and then a bulky paragraph right after, they’ve kept it consistent. Use your professional judgment to decide how you could differentiate from other applicants. 

However, make sure to maintain a professional manner. 

Senior UX Manager Cover Letter

Senior UX Manager Cover Letter

Highlight the strengths and traits that make you uniquely qualified. 

Here, they’ve stated they’re a natural leader with the ability to empathize with users. When making statements like this, back up your claims by describing your experience in previous jobs. 

Web Designer Cover Letter

Web Designer Cover Letter

This is another good example of the standard cover letter format. The opening paragraph states why they are making an application and it provides a brief background about themselves. As we get into the main body, they’ve described their internship experience.

Before the signoff, they’ve written a personal note to express confidence and personality.

Graphic Designer Cover Letter

Graphic Designer Cover Letter

You can add as much detail as you want but don’t go over one page on your cover letter. 

What’s good about this example is that it’s broken down into smaller paragraphs which makes the text more readable.

Teacher Cover Letter Examples 

As a teacher, you're tasked to bring a positive impact on students and prepare them for the future. An effective learning environment and framework are essential. 

The cover letter templates in this section include:

  • Primary school teacher cover letter
  • Special education teacher cover letter
  • Teacher cover letter
  • Teacher assistant cover letter

Primary School Teacher Cover Letter

Primary school teacher cover letter

Keep in mind that cover letters aren’t as formal as resumes. So, you’re open to showing off your personality. In the sample above, the candidate does this by implying their passion and excitement about working in this profession. 

Special Education Teacher Cover Letter

Special education teacher cover letter

Whether you’re listing out accomplishments from a previous project you worked on or your career highlights, bullet points are effective. They’re better than using big paragraphs as they can make certain points stand out. In this case, it’s the candidate’s accomplishments. 

Teacher Cover Letter

Teacher cover letter

Another factor to the hiring manager’s decision is if you’re a good cultural match. 

With cover letters in the education industry, don’t just outline your strengths. Align your application with the company values and work environment. To do this, check the job description and website carefully to see what’s being emphasized.  

Teacher Assistant Cover Letter

Teacher assistant cover letter

This candidate effectively showcases their hobbies and personal interests. 

Hiring managers will notice that they have a passion for music and enjoy sharing their love for it. If you have a relevant interest in the job you’re applying for where skills intersect, don’t be afraid to mention it. It may give you an advantage since it makes you appear more competent for the role. 

Nursing and Healthcare Cover Letter Examples  

Before being allowed to work as a nurse or healthcare professional, employers need to know that you’re qualified. With a cover letter, you can go in-depth on your qualifications, certifications, and work experience. 

The examples we’ve included are:

  • Nursing cover letter
  • New graduate nurse cover letter
  • Medical assistant cover letter
  • Medical scribe cover letter
  • Registered nurse cover letter

Nursing Cover Letter

Nursing cover letter

The candidate has kept the application concise. Three paragraphs are the minimum, and it’s more than enough to include everything you need. As long as you:

  • Provide an introduction;
  • Dedicate a paragraph that directly reveals why you’re a good fit;
  • Conclude it appropriately

Then, that’s all that’s necessary. 

New Graduate Nurse Cover Letter

New graduate nurse cover letter

Using bullet points to list your achievements is powerful. 

The first point this candidate mentioned is their academic qualification and grade. This can give employers confidence not just because you’re certified. But because there’s a clear level of commitment displayed. 

Medical Assistant Cover Letter

Medical assistant cover letter

The candidate emphasizes their knowledge. They’ve also emphasized their communication and interpersonal skills. 

What’s more, they’ve provided specific examples from their previous experiences.

Medical Scribe Cover Letter

Medical scribe cover letter

Before getting started writing, you should have an idea of some of your best skills or achievements. 

With that in mind, briefly go into detail about your professional background. Look at the things that are relevant which help to distinguish your capabilities, e.g. the writer states they can type over 80 words per minute. 

Registered Nurse Cover Letter

Registered nurse cover letter

Instead of going into detail in the introduction paragraph, they’ve saved it for the main body of the application. The structure flows nicely as the writer consistently links back to how they can add value. 

Tech Cover Letter Examples 

You may have heard that cover letters aren’t necessary. Even so, that doesn’t mean it’s not a valuable asset to send to your employers. These job documents are used to personalize your application and showcase your background in more detail explaining why you’re the best fit. 

We’ll go over the following:

  • Administrative assistant cover letter
  • IT Specialist cover letter
  • Pharmacy tech cover letter
  • System administrator cover letter

Administrative Assistant Cover Letter

Administrative assistant cover letter

From the second paragraph, the recruiter will notice the candidate is experienced working in an administrative role. 

You’ll also notice that they can work as a team and in an office environment based on the responsibilities listed. It’s a straightforward approach to outlining what they’re capable of. Yet, it’ll show recruiters the effort you’re putting in. 

IT Specialist Cover Letter

IT Specialist cover letter

The candidate expresses their interests by talking about where their enthusiasm comes from. 

When everyone is bound to have similar qualifications, a good strategy to stand out is to focus on your motivations, intentions, and personality traits.

Pharmacy Tech Cover Letter

Pharmacy tech cover letter

If you don’t know the recruiter’s name, use their job position instead. Never address them by saying “to whom it may concern” because it indicates a lack of effort and interest.

System Administrator Cover Letter

System administrator cover letter

Several action verbs have been used contextually, which demonstrates a strong level of understanding. This creates a good first impression in terms of their level of expertise. 

Entry Level Cover Letter Examples 

Each of these templates is applicable for graduates, students, and those with not much work experience. These are ideal if you’re applying for an entry level position. 

Here’s what we’ll be reviewing:

  • Entry level nurse cover letter
  • Entry level system analyst cover letter
  • Recent graduate cover letter
  • Wait staff (entry level) cover letter

Entry Level Nurse Cover Letter

Entry level nurse cover letter

Qualifications are essential for this role. So the candidate makes this clear in the first few sentences. They’ve also mentioned how they were praised by peers and colleagues in previous employment. 

Entry Level System Analyst Cover Letter

Entry level system analyst cover letter

They first mention how they came across the company, followed by a sentence stating their interest.

Next, they explain how and where those interests developed. Unlike some of the other samples, this one revolves around their passion for the profession. However, they don’t just focus on themselves. They link it back to the company’s needs. 

Recent Graduate Cover Letter

Recent graduate cover letter

The graduate behind this template takes on a personalized approach. 

They showcase how their personal interests match. Plus, they use examples to elaborate and consolidate each point they've made.

They’ve also suggested the next steps, i.e. an interview. In the closing paragraph, the applicant states that they would love to discuss how their objectives align. This plants the idea of how they’d be a good fit for the long-term. 

Wait Staff (Entry Level) Cover Letter

Wait staff (entry level) cover letter

Make it a priority to use relevant terminology where it’s appropriate. Doing this shows industry knowledge. From the sample above, they’ve mentioned words such as customer-service-driven and quality control. 

Student Cover Letter Examples

A cover letter is an especially useful document for students to make up for having little to no corporate experience. 

We’ll go through the following templates:

  • College student cover letter
  • High school student cover letter
  • Biomedical engineering intern cover letter 
  • Internship cover letter

College Student Cover Letter

College student cover letter

As a student, some of your main highlights might include:

  • Certifications
  • Relevant projects 
  • Extracurricular activities

Take the time to personalize your application. 

Why are you motivated to take on the job you’re applying for? What makes you uniquely qualified? 

Whatever your answer is, give examples by referring back to your previous experiences. 

High School Student Cover Letter

High school student cover letter

Whether you’re graduating high school, university, or college, there’s no problem with letting your employers know. 

Instead of focusing on the past like most job seekers, i.e. workplace achievements and work experience, focus on the future. That means your goals and objectives. What are they? How do they align with what the company is looking for? 

You’ll still need to demonstrate your value though. In this instance, they’ve talked about coursework and extracurricular activities along with their biggest accomplishments. 

Biomedical Engineering Intern Cover Letter

https://www.rezi.ai/cover-letter-templates/biomedical-engineering-intern-cover-letter

One alternative to your professional background is your academic background. Here, they’ve written about how they developed their skills through education. This was brought up first before even getting to their internship work experience.

Internship Cover Letter

Internship cover letter

When writing an internship cover letter , there’s a chance you don’t have the ideal corporate experience. So, it makes sense to focus on your other strengths. Here, they’ve listed relevant coursework and talked about their accomplishments from a previous campaign. 

Senior Cover Letter Examples 

This is for the veterans in the workforce. Feel free to use any of the sample templates below and check out the brief analysis underneath for tips on writing your cover letter . 

Here’s what we’ll go through:

  • Senior business analyst cover letter
  • Senior data analyst cover letter
  • Senior project manager cover letter
  • Senior recruiter cover letter

Senior Business Analyst Cover Letter

Senior business analyst cover letter

Set the agenda for what you’ll be focusing on. In this scenario, it’s their experience and skills. 

They first state how they came across the job vacancy and why they would be a great match for their requirements. Next, they introduce their professional background on top of their strengths, which are all key skills for the job. 

From there, the applicant talks about responsibilities they’ve carried out in a previous role. This sets up their next paragraph where they align their value with the company’s goals. 

Senior Data Analyst Cover Letter

Senior data analyst cover letter

Unlike how the previous example broke down the opening paragraph, here they’ve kept it in one. However, rather than outlining specific skills, they’ve outlined job responsibilities and the results they achieved. 

Whenever you excel at your job, use numbers and statistics to prove your point. It makes you look more credible in addition to being a strong performer. 

Also, use keywords. It makes it clear you did your research. The closing paragraph of this template is a good example. 

Senior Project Manager Cover Letter

Senior project manager cover letter

Show your confidence through your word choices. Notice the difference between these two sentences:

  • I’ve developed a strong interest in providing customer service…
  • I’ve developed a strong interest in providing incredible customer service…

Adding the right word can make a difference. Use an appropriate adjective to describe what you have to offer. But telling it isn’t enough. You also need to show it, which is what this candidate does by presenting relevant job duties and workplace accomplishments. 

Before signing off, they write how their passion corresponds to the company’s approach. 

Senior Recruiter Cover Letter

Senior recruiter cover letter

This applicant gets the reader’s interest by immediately stating their years of experience. 

That said, they don’t only talk about previous experiences. They let the results of their work do the talking for them. If you have a few results you could list, use bullet points to make them stand out.

Engineering Cover Letter Examples 

Engineers usually have a good amount of certifications and qualifications that add to their credentials. 

In this section, we’ve included the following:

  • Civil engineer cover letter
  • Electrical engineer cover letter
  • Hardware engineer cover letter
  • Industrial engineer cover letter
  • Mechanical engineer cover letter
  • Software engineer cover letter

Civil Engineer Cover Letter

Civil engineer cover letter

Not all opening paragraphs need to be long. It can even be as simple as this. 

Rather than making things hard, it’s better to be short and concise. Throughout this cover letter, they’ve made it clear that they’re capable by describing their achievements and corporate experience.

Electrical Engineer Cover Letter

Electrical engineer cover letter

Every cover letter should be situated towards your strengths. You can tell from this applicant that it’s his years of experience specifically in the field of electrical engineering.

Hardware Engineer Cover Letter

Hardware engineer cover letter

The main highlight behind this cover letter is the candidate’s experience with a variety of responsibilities. Going more in-depth from your resume reinforces your skills as an engineer. 

Industrial Engineer Cover Letter

Industrial engineer cover letter

One option is to break down the paragraphs from the main body of your cover letter to make it more readable. From the template above, the candidate has broken it down into two paragraphs.

Mechanical Engineer Cover Letter

Mechanical engineer cover letter

Let employers know you’re confident in taking on the job. For example, have you developed an essential skill that proves you’d be valuable to the company? If so, talk about it and mention how it’s going to be beneficial. 

Software Engineer Cover Letter

Software engineer cover letter

Unlike most samples on the list, the second last paragraph is the most content-heavy. The reason it’s written in a big paragraph is that it’s focused on one employment experience. 

Throughout this, the candidate talks about things such as:

  • The impact they’ve made
  • Job responsibilities
  • Collaborations with other companies
  • Accomplishments e.g. surpassed 24 million users

Notably, they’ve included numbers and reputable companies as they describe their duties. Being specific about each detail helps to position you as the expert.

Sales Cover Letter Examples 

The last batch on this list relates to the sales industry. 

As interpersonal skills are important in a sales position, cover letters are a good way to demonstrate your creative ability and written communication skills. Technically speaking, you’re trying to sell your value to your employers by displaying what makes you a skilled professional. 

In this last batch, we’ll go over:

  • Bartender cover letter
  • Customer service representative cover letter
  • Customer support cover letter
  • Retail sales associate cover letter
  • Sales cover letter

Bartender Cover Letter

Bartender cover letter

Mentioning key hard or soft skills that you’ve developed paints a good impression about your capability. If you have experience working in similar environments (e.g. restaurants), let them know. 

Customer Service Representative Cover Letter

Customer service representative cover letter

Tie back your passions to the company values. On top of personalizing your cover letter, the hiring manager will see you’ve taken the time to do your research.

Customer Support Cover Letter

Customer support cover letter

Keywords have been used contextually as they’ve linked it back to their experience and previous responsibilities. From this, the recruiter can acknowledge that they’re informed about what it takes to provide a good customer experience. 

Retail Sales Associate Cover Letter

Retail sales associate cover letter

What have you learned the most over your years of experience?

Whatever your answer is, prove it using data and results. This makes you appear as a strong performer as well as someone that’s reliable to work with. 

Sales Cover Letter

Sales cover letter

In a sales role especially, employees should be curious and self-motivated. 

Communication isn’t the only important skill. Soft skills in general are important, which is what the applicant has highlighted through words such as:

  • Resilient self-starter
  • Computer savvy
  • Fast learner

More Cover Letter Templates At Your Disposal

There are ways around writer’s block. One is to use the AI writer feature to have your application created automatically for you based on the company’s requirements. Two is to start by taking inspiration from other examples.

If your job position didn’t make it to our list, no worries. We have hundreds more cover letter templates ready-to-use here at your disposal . 

A Good Cover Letter Improves Your Chances of Getting Hired

If your resume isn’t well written, a good cover letter examples could make up for it. In fact, 83% of HR decision-makers reported in a survey that they’re an important factor when making a hiring decision. 

It’s worth putting the effort into writing a cover letter because it’s going to be a useful and relevant document for recruiters.

Are you someone who’s going to be committed? 

Do you have the strongest work ethic and competence compared to other applicants?

Can you meet the job criteria? 

These are the types of questions they’ll be thinking about throughout the process. It’s up to you to communicate in your application whether or not you meet those expectations.

Aside from your skills, hiring managers also want to know if you’re someone who matches their company culture. And that’s where cover letters are helpful. Unlike a resume, you have the opportunity to explain why they should invest in you. 

Resumes, cover letters, and letters of interest alike… They’re all similar in terms of time and effort. 

We understand it isn’t always as simple as it seems to create a tailored application. 

So we built a range of tools and resources to help job seekers land the golden job opportunities they come across in their careers. 

Here are some other guides we recommend:

  • The purpose of sending a cover letter
  • 2 scenarios of when cover letters aren’t necessary
  • How to get past any company’s job application scanners

what makes a great cover letter according to companies

Astley Cervania

Astley Cervania is a career writer and editor who has helped hundreds of thousands of job seekers build resumes and cover letters that land interviews. He is a Rezi-acknowledged expert in the field of career advice and has been delivering job success insights for 4+ years, helping readers translate their work background into a compelling job application.

General election latest: Starmer gives blunt response on potentially rejoining EU - as police drop investigation into his deputy

Greater Manchester Police will take no further action after an investigation into Labour's Angela Rayner. Meanwhile, Rishi Sunak continues to sing the virtues of his national service policy proposal.

Wednesday 29 May 2024 00:47, UK

  • General Election 2024

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Election news

  • Abbott given back Labour whip
  • Police drop Rayner investigation | Labour deputy hits out at Tories
  • Explained: What Starmer's deputy was being investigated for
  • Starmer: 'No case' for rejoining EU | Reeves won't rule out tax rises
  • Daily Podcast: How long will Labour's promise on taxes last?
  • Live reporting by Faith Ridler  and (earlier)  Ben Bloch

Expert analysis

  • Gurpreet Narwan: Farage already has eyes on elections to come
  • Adam Boulton: What makes this election particularly exciting
  • Sam Coates: Labour could have difficult decisions to make

Election essentials

  • Trackers: Who's leading polls? | Is PM keeping promises?
  • Campaign Heritage: Memorable moments from elections gone by
  • Follow Sky's politics podcasts: Electoral Dysfunction | Politics At Jack And Sam's
  • Read more: What happens next? | Which MPs are standing down? | Key seats to watch | How to register to vote | What counts as voter ID? | Check if your constituency's changing | Sky's coverage plans

Thanks for joining us as the general election campaign kicked into full swing - with just over a month to go until Britons head to the polls on 4 July.

You can catch up with the latest in our 10pm bulletin - or click here .

We'll be back in the morning with live updates.

Iain Dale, the LBC radio presenter, has announced he is quitting to run as a candidate in the general election on 4 July.

Sky News understands Dale will be trying to become the Tory candidate in Tunbridge Wells

Dale, 61, previously tried to enter parliament at the 2005 election but lost in Norfolk North.

He announced his decision live on LBC on Tuesday evening, saying: "I am putting my hat in the ring again to be a candidate at the general election.

"Whatever the result, I feel I can play a role in restoring trust and honesty in politics.

"There are no guarantees I will be selected, let alone elected, but I know that I would forever kick myself if I didn't at least have a go."

With the general election campaign officially under way, what better time to keep a close eye on the latest polling?

The Sky News live poll tracker - collated and updated by our Data and Forensics team - aggregates various surveys to indicate how voters feel about the different political parties.

See the latest update below - and you can read more about the methodology behind the tracker  here .

In her first major campaign speech, Rachel Reeves has pitched herself as the UK's next chancellor to an audience of company bosses, promising the "most pro-growth Treasury in our country's history" if Labour wins the election. 

 But after pledging not to announce any new tax hikes and that Labour policies would be fully funded and costed, how she intends to pay for Labour's plan for the UK remains unclear. 

Today on the Sky News Daily, Sophy Ridge speaks with our deputy political editor Sam Coates to discuss the woman hoping to be in charge of the public finances, and whether Labour will be able to please workers and businesses while delivering on a promise of "economic stability" at the same time.  

It's 10pm - here's your late night run-down.

We're still in the early days of the election campaign, but there has been plenty of divisive policy announcements, clashes and political stunts making a splash here in the Politics Hub.

Let us get you up to speed on everything you may have missed...

  • Diane Abbott, the MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, has been handed back the Labour whip today, Sky News understands;
  • She was suspended by the party more than a year ago after suggesting Jewish people did not experience racism, but rather prejudice similar to red heads. The MP swiftly apologised and withdrew her remarks;
  • The Tories have lost a key attack line after news that Labour's deputy leader  Angela Rayner  will face no further action in an investigation over her living arrangements;
  • The Labour frontbencher criticised the Tories for "reporting political opponents to the police during election campaigns to distract from their dire record". As a reminder, the investigation was launched after Tory MP James Daly complained about her to police;
  • Rishi Sunak  was in the East Midlands, where he defended a Conservative plan to introduce the "triple lock plus". This will essentially result in a tax cut for pensioners by raising their tax-free allowance by either average earnings, inflation or by 2.5% - whichever is higher;
  • However, it should be noted it was the decision of a previous Tory government to freeze income tax thresholds, bringing more people into paying the tax, including on income from pensions;
  • Labour have been busy outlining their economic plans, but challenged by our deputy political editor Sam Coates , would-be chancellor Rachel Reeves refused to rule out further tax rises if Labour finds a black hole in the public finances;
  • Meanwhile, over in the Liberal Democrat camp, the party's leader Sir Ed Davey fell off a paddleboard numerous times in Windermere today - but has admitted one of the plunges was intentional.

If you've got a bit more time on your hands, you can read more of some of the stories above in greater detail:

Stick with us for all the latest throughout the evening.

Sir Keir Starmer has pledged cut NHS waiting lists from day one, telling hospitals to immediately establish new clinics on evenings and weekends.

The Labour leader has pledged that 40,000 appointments per week will be rapidly rolled out, by sending staff from Guy's and St Thomas's NHS Foundation Trust to help set up high intensity schemes.

These teams have already "proven they can get their high intensity theatre lists on weekends up and running within six weeks", Labour said.

Sir Keir added: "It was NHS staff working in the hospital I can see from my office in parliament who led the way on this new model.

"Labour will take the best of the NHS to the rest of the NHS, so patients in every part of the country can be treated on time. 

"The NHS is personal to me. It runs through my family. 

"That's why I'm utterly committed to reforming this service, getting the NHS back on its feet, and making it fit for the future."

After a bumpy start to the Tory election campaign, day six has been somewhat smoother for Rishi Sunak.

That's not to say the Conservative election machine isn't on the lookout for potential missteps though.

During a TV interview in the changing room of a bowls club in Leicestershire, a hat was strategically placed to cover a name tag adorned with the blush-worthy surname "Glasscock".

While at a homeware factory in Staffordshire, a Tory aide spotted and swiftly removed a can of Monster energy drink from a worktop where the prime minister was about to inspect some ceramics.

Amid a slanging match over leaders taking 'duvet days' early in the campaign, a photo of the Tory leader next to a giant caffeine-stuffed beverage is probably not the message the party wants to send out.

You can read more from Sky News below:

What are the rules on voter ID?  How does tactical voting work? In what different ways can you cast your ballot?

The countdown to the election is on - and already the amount of information can seem overwhelming. 

We cut through the noise to bring you what you need to know, from registering to vote, to election day and what happens next.

Read on here...

We're still very much in the early days of the election campaign - but policy announcements are coming in thick and fast from the main two parties.

Here's a breakdown of what we've heard so far...

The Conservative Party

National service - The Conservatives have vowed to bring back a "modern" form of national service for 18-year-olds in the UK, which could involve military service of volunteer work.

'Triple lock plus' -   The party has promised to cut taxes for pensioners by creating a new "age-related" tax-free allowance - dubbed "triple lock plus". In short, a pensioner's allowance would rise in line with either average earnings, inflation or by 2.5% - whichever is higher - from next April.

Education - The Tories have promised to create a new qualification framework called the Advanced British Standard for those aged 16 to 18. The party also proposed making "some form" of maths and English compulsory up to the end of school.

Environment - Rishi Sunak has said he remains committed to plans to reach net zero by 2050, a goal adopted under Theresa May in 2019.

The Labour Party

Taxation - Labour has pledged not to reverse the two recent cuts to national insurance - and not to increase income tax. 

Economy - Two flagship economic pledges from Labour are the abolition of the non-dom tax status held by some wealthy foreign nationals, and the introduction of VAT to private school fees.

Waiting lists - The party has said it will get the NHS "back on its feet" by delivering 40,000 more evening and weekend appointments per week.

Environment - A major policy pushed by Labour is the formation of Great British Energy, which would be publicly owned. The party claims this would reduce household energy bills and create jobs.

Education - Also a headline policy from Labour is a plan to recruit around 6,500 new teachers in key subjects - and create a "national excellence programme" to support professional development.

Until voters go to the polls on 4 July, the Politics Hub will be looking back at some memorable moments from previous general election campaigns.

The big winner from the UK's first ever TV prime ministerial debate in 2010 wasn't primary contenders David Cameron and Gordon Brown.

No, it was Nick Clegg.

As the Tory and Labour leaders looked to take chunks out of one another, they saved their more conciliatory side for the insurgent Lib Dem.

He could do no wrong that night, with Messrs Cameron and Brown both finding it completely irresistible not to simply "agree with Nick".

Cleggmania took him all the way into Number 10 as part of the coalition, where he stayed until his party was turfed out by voters in 2015.

Previous entry: The Prescott punch

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what makes a great cover letter according to companies

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COMMENTS

  1. What Makes A Great Cover Letter, According To Companies?

    Unfortunately, your cover letter is a company's first exposure to you, and it determines whether your application is trashed or fast-tracked to the company's to-hire list. Ah, the dreaded cover letter. Boring to write, difficult to get right, and you're usually preoccupied by other things (such as the portfolio and resume, which are also ...

  2. How to Write a Great Cover Letter in 2024 (+ Examples)

    1. Personalization. Address the hiring manager or recruiter by name whenever possible. If the job posting doesn't include a name, research to find out who will be reviewing applications. Personalizing your cover letter shows that you've taken the time to tailor your application to the specific company and role. 2.

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    Simply enter the company name and some keywords into the search bar (e.g., "Google, hiring manager, sales") and a variety of related profiles will appear. 2. Clearly state the purpose of your ...

  4. Career expert: How to write a cover letter that will actually ...

    A cover letter is a place to explain the reasons you are well-suited for this particular job in a way that might not be clear from your resume. It gives you a chance to connect the dots and fill ...

  5. How To Write the Perfect Cover Letter (With Template and Example)

    Include the name of the person to whom you are writing as well as the company name and address just above the salutation. In the salutation, greet the hiring manager by name. If you don't know the name of the person, consider greeting the hiring department or the department with which you would be working if hired. 3.

  6. How to Write a Cover Letter That Sounds Like You (and Gets Noticed)

    Read more on Cover letters or related topics Job search and Early career. EM Elainy Mata is a Multimedia Producer at Harvard Business Review. ElainyMata. Post. Post. Share. Annotate ...

  7. The 46 Best Cover Letter Examples: What They Got Right

    6. The Cover Letter with H.E.A.R.T. HubSpot has a lot of H.E.A.R.T. — Humble, Empathetic, Adaptable, Remarkable, Transparent. Our Culture Code is the foundation of the company's culture, the driving force behind our mission to help millions grow better, and serves as the scaffolding for our hiring practices.

  8. How to Write a Cover Letter

    Before you start writing, find out more about the company and the specific job you want. Next, catch the attention of the hiring manager or recruiter with a strong opening line. If you have a ...

  9. How to Write a Standout Cover Letter in 2022

    Step 3: Address your cover letter to the hiring manager—preferably by name. The most traditional way to address a cover letter is to use the person's first and last name, including "Mr." or "Ms." (for example, "Dear Ms. Jane Smith" or just "Dear Ms. Smith").

  10. How to Write a Cover Letter [Full Guide & Examples for 2024]

    start your cover letter. with your contact details at the top. These should be in your cover letter's header, separated neatly from the bulk of your text. Here, you want to include all the essential contact information, including: Full Name. Your first and last name should stand out at the top. Job Title.

  11. How To Write a Cover Letter (With Examples and Tips)

    Cover letter format. Your cover letter should be one page long and use a simple, professional font, such as Arial or Helvetica, 10 to 12 points in size. Your letter should be left-aligned with single spacing and one-inch margins. Jenn shares her advice on how and why to write a cover letter.

  12. 20 Key Elements To Include In Your Cover Letter

    Cover letters should connect your character traits and practices to that of the company's core values and culture indicators, which makes it easier for companies to visualize a great fit. - Tiersa ...

  13. Write A Cover Letter To Get Noticed (And Hired!): 4 Best Practices

    Be descriptive in your cover letter, but also concise. Fully 70% of hiring leaders prefer a shorter letter, according to the Resume Now stats. In addition, be creative and let your personality ...

  14. How to Write the Best Cover Letter (With Template and Sample)

    Include a postscript. 1. Use the proper formatting. There are several rules to follow when structuring your cover letter: Make sure everything is left-aligned. Use single line spaces within paragraphs and double spaces between sections or paragraphs. Include a one-inch margin on every side of your letter.

  15. 52 Skillful Cover Letter Examples for 2024 & Why They Work

    52 Skillful Cover Letter Examples for 2024 & Why They Work. A list of cover letter examples in different industries. Each template includes a brief analysis to help you get ideas on what to write for your application. The best cover letter examples address specific company needs. Well-written cover letters highlight how you align with the ...

  16. How to Write a Cover Letter (and a Template for You to Use)

    5. Don't blindly follow a template. While keeping the general framework of a strong cover letter in mind is a good idea, don't send a bland letter that doesn't specifically connect to the job you're applying for. 6. Do address potential questions the recruiter might have.

  17. How to write a good cover letter according to recruitment experts

    Cover letter templates UK employers respond to usually follow the same structure as the example below. They're short, personalised, and written to make the applicant stand out. Dear [hiring manager's name/sir/madam], I'd like to apply for the role of [job title] at [company name]. My [Number of years/ specific experience] in the [sector ...

  18. Cover Letters Are Now Essential To Standout To Employers. Here ...

    Man is typing a cover letter to apply for a new job. getty. Today's job market is very competitive, so you need a way to stand out. "The biggest mistake many job hunters are currently making is ...

  19. 7 Key Components of an Effective Cover Letter

    A great cover letter uses a logical progression of ideas to advertise your skills. There are seven sections that every cover letter should include to fit employer expectations and highlight your best qualities: 1. Header. All cover letters start with a header that includes your contact information. People often use the same header for their ...

  20. 15 of the Best Cover Letters We've Ever Seen

    We're the largest online career community helping women achieve their career goals. Gain access to articles, jobs, events, and a supportive network of women and allies. Membership is free, always. Join the community. Cover letters play an immensely important role in the job application process. Your cover letter, after all, can more clearly ...

  21. How To Write A Cover Letter Employers Will Love

    I know that my 10 years driving successful marketing projects will make me a great fit for the position.". 2. Mention a mutual connection. Internal referrals give you an edge over the ...

  22. How to Write an Effective Cover Letter for Career Changers

    While cover letters aren't always required for job applications (and some people even think they're unnecessary), crafting a concise and focused letter is still a great exercise. Why you're making a career change is bound to come up in interviews, so it's good to be able to articulate your reasons for doing so confidently.

  23. The Two Essential Elements Of A Great Cover Letter

    After doing hundreds of interviews and reading more than 1,000 cover letters, I found there are two key steps for writing a great cover letter: find a unique attribute about a company that serves ...

  24. General election latest: Starmer gives blunt response on potentially

    Environment - A major policy pushed by Labour is the formation of Great British Energy, which would be publicly owned. The party claims this would reduce household energy bills and create jobs.

  25. How To Write Cover Letters That Stand Out (With Example)

    These cover letters are unique or interesting in a way that makes them different from the letters other candidates submit. Writing a cover letter that stands out is a significant step in the job search process because if you impress a hiring manager with your cover letter, they may be more likely to invite you to interview for the position.

  26. How To Write a General Worker Cover Letter (With Examples)

    General worker cover letter example To help you learn more about cover letters, here is a sample cover letter for a general worker: Chuck Ferris Chicago, Illinois 304-555-0192 [email protected] March 14, 2024 Mr. Bob Richardson ABC Company Dear Mr. Richardson, I am writing to express my keen interest in the general worker position at ABC Company as advertised.