7 Great Examples of Cover Letters for Job Application

When applying for a job, including a cover letter with your application documents is best.  A cover letter for a job application is an official document, usually, one page, which provides details about your skills, experience, qualifications, and attributes to show your prospective employer that you are qualified for the job.

The purpose of writing a cover letter with the job application is to introduce yourself to the hiring manager briefly. Also, you should write a cover letter to elaborate on the details in your resume in a memorable and personal manner. Finally, another reason you should write a cover letter for a job application is to show the employer that you are genuinely interested in working with them.

A well-written cover letter should highlight how the job you are applying for fits your professional career and how you fit in the company’s work culture. Your cover letter for a job application should be 250-400 words long. Achieving all these requirements means you will have a properly written, detailed, and convincing cover letter for that job application. In this article, you will learn more about a cover letter, what to include, and the tips to observe when writing it.

Pick a Right Template

Instead of starting from scratch, you can use a cover letter template to guide you in the writing process. A template allows you to have a proper structure for your letter; hence, you will have a neat and professional document. Also, it makes it easier for you to start writing your cover letter as it will remind you of all the information you need to include in your letter.

That means you need to select a professional and suitable template that you will use when writing your cover letter. You can find such a template on this website. In addition, this website provides free, downloadable, customizable, and professional cover letter templates that you can use with your ease. So, pick a template from this website and create a proper cover letter for the job application.

When writing and formatting your cover letter for any job application, there are specific details you must keep in mind. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to write and format a cover letter:

Start with a professional header

Like your resume, ensure you start your cover letter with a professional header. In addition, you will need to include your name and contact information, the date followed by the name of the hiring manager or professional title, and the details of the company you are applying to.

For example:

In your professional header, you can choose to add your social media profiles, such as your website and your LinkedIn account or anything else. You should, however, not include your full address (that is, your street name and house number) and an unprofessional email. Instead, ensure your email is your first and last name, as that is how professional emails should be.

Greet the hiring manager

After including your professional header, proceed to greet the hiring manager. Ensure that you address the hiring manager officially and respectfully. Your greeting should help you stand out among other job applicants. Remember, this is the first part the hiring manager will see before going through your cover letter. If possible, find out the name of your letter’s recipient. That will make your greetings more professional and personal.

For example:

Write an attention-grabbing introduction

Once that is done, write an attention-grabbing introduction for your cover letter for a job application. Remember that this section is all about making an excellent first impression. Job recruiters have thousands of applications to go through, and this section will determine if they would like to go through your cover letter or put it aside.

Your very first paragraph should be eye-catching, attention-grabbing, and highly memorable. That means you should not write a generic first paragraph. Instead, focus on mentioning two or three of your top achievements relevant to the job position. This way, you will interest the hiring manager to review your cover letter and learn more about what you have to offer.

For example:

Show them why you are perfect for this job position

Once you have introduced yourself, proceed to write the body section, which is usually divided into two. It would be best to start by explaining to the job recruiter why you are the perfect candidate for the job you are applying for. In this section, you should highlight your professional skills based on the job requirements.

You will need to identify the keywords, the most mentioned skills, and other relevant facts in the job requirements and incorporate them while writing this section. Also, you should mention all the responsibilities you can handle in this position.

For example:

Explain why you are a good fit for the company

This is the second part of the body section of your cover letter for the job application. You must explain to the hiring manager how and why you are a good fit for the company. This means that, apart from describing your skills and accomplishments, you need to show the hiring manager how you will fit into their company culture and what you will contribute if hired.

Write this section by convincing the hiring manager that you are passionate and intend to contribute to the goals and objectives of the company positively.

For example:

End with a call-to-action

Finally, end your cover letter for the job application with a call-to-action. To write a convincing and memorable conclusion here is what you should do:

• Start by wrapping up the points you mentioned in your previous paragraphs while adding any other helpful information.
• Proceed to thank the recipient of the letter for their time and consideration.
• Include a call to action as your last sentence where you will ask the hiring manager to take a particular action, such as reaching out to you for an interview.

For example:

Once you have written that last paragraph, include a formal closing such as Best Regards, Kind Regards, Sincerely, and Thank you.

Tip: As you write your cover letter for a job application, ensure that the details differ from your resume. Although you will focus on almost the same skills, experiences, and accomplishments, your cover letter should have a language that is more personal in a way that allows you to tell a narrative while highlighting your relevant job details.

A Sample of a Cover Letter for a Job Application

The sample below is an entry-level cover letter for a graduate applying for an English Teacher position. The job candidate establishes that although she is just a recent graduate, she is excited about the job opportunity. This job candidate starts by:

• Using the hiring manager’s name
• Established her experience level
• Mentioned a few of her relevant skills

However, since this job candidate lacks a professional background, she chooses to convince the hiring manager using her education level and relevant skills in the body section. Therefore, the body section focuses on how she is a good candidate and highlights her skills and knowledge in detail.

What makes this a great cover letter?

The above example is practical and perfect since the job candidate first starts by introducing herself and then highlights her enthusiasm for the job position. This candidate proceeds to mention why she is qualified and perfect for the job by mentioning her education level and skills. She then quickly focuses on how she will fit into the organization before ending with a call to action where she encourages her prospective employer to invite her for an interview.

With such a cover letter, an employer will be willing to hire this recent graduate since the document was convincing, intriguing, and engaging. Furthermore, the passion portrayed by the candidate suggests that she is also willing to learn more about her position.

Given below are job application cover letter templates:

#01

#02

#03

#04

#05

#06

Here are a few things you should consider when writing and formatting your cover letter:

Use appropriate tone

Using an appropriate voice and tone when writing your cover letter is essential. You can achieve this by researching the company you are applying to, as this will help you determine the tone you should use. For instance, the tone you will use for a medical institution will differ from that of a legal institution.

Be honest

While writing the cover letter, remember always to be honest and provide factual information. Do not suggest that you have a particular skill, experience, or accomplishment when it is not valid. The hiring manager might ask about it during your interview, which might cost you the job.

Use a unique visual format

Try and use a unique visual format when writing this document. The idea is to ensure that you stand out among other candidates; hence, interest the hiring manager to review your cover letter. Although your format is unique, ensure that it is appropriate for the company you are applying to and for your industry.

Be unique

When writing your cover letter, try to convey your message uniquely by avoiding overly used phrases and clichés. A hiring manager will lose interest in your document if it is the same introductory letter they have seen from other candidates. Ensure that your work is unique and outstanding as much as you use a template, with a bit of variation from your competitors’ work.

Avoid generic references to your abilities

Regarding your abilities concerning the job position, avoid using generic references such as “I am diligent” or I am great for your company.” Instead, use examples to explain your abilities to ensure you leave an impact. With these examples, you can show your prospective employer your tangible successes or how you are a solution to the company.

For example:

As a receptionist in my previous company, I provided outstanding customer service as I helped clients access the required offices. I believe that this makes me suitable for your company.

Keep it short and to the point

Keep your cover letter for a job application short and straight to the point. Your cover letter should only focus on the most important and relevant details of your career or profession. Based on the job description, only focus on those accomplishments, skills, and experiences required by the employer. Also, to keep your letter short, do not repeat everything that is already in your resume.

Avoid overused phrases

Avoid the use of overused phrases such as:

• To whom it may concern
• I’m not sure if you know
• Dynamic
• Please feel free
• Significant
• Self-Starter or Detail-Oriented or Forward-Thinker
• Really or Truly or Deeply

Such phrases do not help your cover letter. On the contrary, they tend to annoy the hiring manager, as they are used in most cover letters. Instead of such clichés, try incorporating new, refreshing, and exciting phrases.

Proofread

Finally, it is essential to proofread and edit your document before sending it. Check for spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes. This way, your letter remains neat and presents you as a professional individual who pays attention to detail. You can read the letter loud or ask a friend to help you. If you have used the hiring manager’s name, ensure that the name is correctly written.

Tip: If you are meant to submit the letter via a website with fillable fields, ensure your work has no errors. When it is time to submit your cover letter, ensure you adhere to the submission instructions presented in the job description.

• A cover letter for a job application is a one-page document to convince the hiring manager that you are a suitable candidate for a particular job position.
• Writing a cover letter for a job application is crucial as it accompanies your resume.
• Tailoring your cover letter according to the job position you are applying for is essential.
• Also, ensure you use the keywords mentioned in the job description to highlight your skills, experience, and qualifications.
• No matter what, always ensure that the information you include in your cover letter is factual.
• Finally, it is advisable to use a template when writing this letter as it will guide you effectively. However, ensure that you uniquely write the letter.

About This Article

Authored by:

Geoffrey Scott

Executive Resume & Cover Letter Writing, CVs, Essays

Geoffrey Scott, a seasoned professional since 2004, is renowned for his expertise in resume writing, and has been guiding individuals as a Career Counselor since 2006. His unique insight into the hiring process stems from his background in HR Management. With close ties to recruiters and hiring managers, Geoffrey has unparalleled knowledge about what makes a candidate stand out. He specializes in mid-career to C-suite level profiles, ensuring each resume highlights leadership, tools, and results. Additionally, he offers extensive expertise in rewriting academic CVs.