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Resumes & cover letters.

Knowing how to write effective resumes and cover letters is a critical component of your job search.

Résumé Writing

A resume is a summary of your experience, education, and skills. Resumes are used to screen applicants for interviews and determine which candidates have the background that most closely matches with the employer's requirements.

Before you start writing, think about your experiences and accomplishments, both past and present. Consider work experience, internships, summer jobs, volunteer work, extracurricular activities, research work, course projects, and publications to identify what you have to offer employers. Assess what you have accomplished in each position and which skills you have developed. Tailor your resume by prioritizing this information so that it highlights the skills, accomplishments, and experiences most relevant to the industry and position. You may have more than one version of your resume if you are applying for different types of positions.

When describing your experiences, engage your resume reader with vivid language that captures what you do and why you do it well. See this list of action verbs to increase the strength of your writing and make potential employers take notice.

Résumé Components Explained

There are several components that are important to include in every résumé, no matter the style. The following example reflects the chronological format:

Your most current contact information should be included at the top of the résumé. It is important to provide accurate information so that a potential employer can easily reach you. Use your full name and (college and permanent) address with zip code, telephone number and email.

Academic credentials are very important to an employer, particularly if you are relatively new to the world of work or if you are pursuing a job that requires specific training. Only list institutions you’re currently attending or those from which you have received a degree. In general, avoid listing your high school education.

• Write out institution name, city and state, full degree title and graduation date.
• A GPA of 3.0 or higher should be included in this section.
• List study abroad experience in this section.

An employer will look over your résumé to see what experiences and skills you have gained so far and determine the relevancy to the current position. Do not limit yourself to paid experiences. It is very important for you to develop accomplishment statements that emphasize the skills you have developed, as well as any positive outcomes. List professional experience in reverse chronological order:

• Indicate the company name, city and state, dates of employment (month and year), and title of position held.
• Begin every bullet point with an action verb and be sure to use correct verb tense.
• Develop bulleted accomplishment statements using the formula below to highlight key responsibilities and skills.
• Created and implemented four data systems utilizing Microsoft Access and Excel designed to improve the management of customer contacts
• Responsible for the team development and supervision of three sales associates
• Produced a county-wide marketing campaign for a local restaurant that resulted in 23 percent increase in patronage

Computer skills are essential for success in today’s workplace. Depending on the desired position, the required computer skills may range from a basic knowledge of computer applications to programming abilities. Be specific with your skills and list all relevant software and your competency level with specific programs.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Photoshop and Illustrator
• Working knowledge of Access and Excel
• Familiar with Word, PowerPoint and Access

You may select from the following optional components to add to your résumé. Select the areas in which you are the strongest and that help sell your skills and abilities to a particular employer.

• Honors: Employers are always impressed by accomplishments in the form of honors and awards. Do not list dates, as they tend to appear cluttered. Be sure to list academic honors from the College or any outside organization, scholarships and honor societies.
• Activities and Leadership Experience: Companies often review résumés to determine how a candidate has spent time outside of the classroom or professional arena. Do not list dates, and if you have significant experience in this area, use the same format as in the bulleted experience section. Be sure to list activities in which you are/were involved either at college or at any outside organizations (volunteer, community services, etc.), and any offices held (board member, treasurer, president).
• Languages: In the global marketplace, many companies are looking to hire students and professionals who are fluent in two or more languages. (Do not list English — this is assumed.) Be specific when listing the competency you have in a language. Are you fluent, proficient or do you have a working knowledge?
• Relevant Courses: If you have little experience in a chosen career field, list any relevant coursework that indicates education in the desired area. Also, students who are just beginning their college career find it useful to list relevant experience when trying to gain an internship. Select upper-level courses in a specialized area that set you apart from other applicants.
• Licensure/Certification : If you currently hold a license relevant to your field, it is important for an employer to see this. Accountants, financial planners and teachers are some positions that require licensing.
• Professional Affiliation: Employers like to see how involved you are in your chosen field through professional affiliations. Professional affiliations are an excellent way to network and learn about job opportunities before they are publicly posted.

View Resume & Cover Letter Examples

View our library of resume and cover letter examples that show examples of different ways you can write your resume and cover letters.

Cover Letters

Cover letters are sent out with your résumé, and they should complement, not duplicate, your résumé. A good cover letter will add a personal touch to your résumé and give you the opportunity to add any additional information you would like to share (e.g., start-date availability) or respond to any information requested in the job posting (e.g., salary requirement).

Each cover letter you send out should be tailored to the specific job to which you are applying. Don’t create a form cover letter that you send out for every job application. Your cover letter should give the reasons for your interest in the position, why you are qualified for that position and any specific knowledge you have about it.

There are several types of cover letters (to view examples, see our flipbook):

• Application cover letter: submitted with an application for a posted open position
• Prospecting letter: inquires about possible open positions
• Networking letter: requests assistance in your job search
• Thank you letter: sent after an interview to thank the person you met with
• Acceptance letter: to accept a job offer
• Withdrawal letter: remove yourself from consideration after you have applied for a job
• Rejection letter: decline a job offer

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Resumes, Cover Letters and Writing Samples

A resume is a marketing tool and an extension of your professional brand. An effective resume showcases your experience, achievements and strengths, relating them to a specific position by using key words and highlighting relevant experiences. Remember, there is not one “correct” resume for you to use—the best resume is the one that clearly and effectively communicates your skills, abilities and future potential.

Build Your Resume

For more detailed information and guidance on creating a resume, visit the "Communicating Your Experience" section of the Career Center Canvas site .

Lerner Business Majors - Resume Guide

Click Here to view a list of resume action verbs

Click here to view the resume Mad Libs

Resume Samples

Business  (Note: Lerner Business students an check for Lerner Career Services drop-in hours here .)

Policy & Social Impact

Additional Samples:

Lerner Business Majors

Resume Templates

• TEMPLATE II
• TEMPLATE III
• CV TEMPLATE (Word Document Download)

Alternative Formats for Showcasing Work

CURRICULUM VITAE (CV)

A CV is a longer more detailed version of the résumé commonly used in academic, scientific or research environments. Commonly 2-10 pages in length, the CV details your academic and professional career. Before starting, always check with professors in your department for sample CV’s as different disciplines have different requirements.

LINKEDIN PROFILE

Your LinkedIn profile can increase your visibility online and help you build your professional brand that showcases your background to prospective employers. Your profile should include much of the information included on a resume.

ONLINE PORTFOLIO

For "creative" positions (copywriter and graphic designer): A resume is truly secondary to the work that you present in your portfolio.

For writing-intensive positions: You will benefit from an online portfolio (created using a website like WordPress, Pressfolios, or clippings.me) that includes samples of your writing, such as blog posts, published articles, and/or press releases (depending on the nature of the positions you are targeting). You should provide a link to this website on your resume.

Check out digital portfolio platforms like Behance and Coroflot

VIDEO "REEL"

For videographer and production positions: Videographers and producers need to have a “reel” of work that they conceptualized, filmed and produced. The videos should be posted to a website for easy viewing. Resumes are more of a formality after evaluating the person's reel.

Resume Feedback and Handshake Approval Process

Resume feedback.

Once you have used the above resume advice, templates and samples on this page to build or update your resume, the following steps are recommended by the Career Center to ensure that your resume will stand out to employers.

• Interactive resume scoring and editing. Receive bronze, silver and gold medals based on industry standards for sections and aspects of your uploaded resume.
• Resume Builder. Use a bank of bullet points and resume sections to describe your experience in ways most meaningful to employers.    
• Attend Drop-in Hours (which vary by day). Please visit bit.ly/udel-dropins for more information on this week's schedule!

Handshake Resume Approval

Students using  Handshake  to apply for any jobs, internships or other positions in the recruiting system must first have their resumes approved by the Career Center staff. The approval process is in place to help ensure you are effectively presenting your skills and background to employers. Once your first resume is approved all future resumes and documents will be automatically approved for use in the system.

Upload your resume to Handshake by clicking the image or icon at the top right of the page, selecting "My Documents" and then "Select from Computer". 

Your resume will be reviewed for approval; approved resumes may need some edits so be sure to scroll down and look for comments.

• Make changes based on the feedback and by using resume samples and templates.

We make every effort to be timely in the approval process, but it may take up to two business days to review and provide feedback on/approve your resume. Be aware of job and internship application deadlines, and begin the resume approval process well before an application is due.

Cover Letters

Cover letters show your interest in a position and showcase your writing abilities. They link your resume and background to the position, showcasing your knowledge of the employer and highlighting relevant skills. Cover letters should be personalized for each position. Hiring managers may read hundreds of cover letters in a year and can easily spot a generic or poorly prepared letter.

Cover Letter Outline

FIRST PARAGRAPH

Why are you interested in this position and employer? What in the position description got your excited about the opportunity?

■ The main purpose of the first paragraph is to explain why you are interested in this position and employer, and to grab the reader’s attention.

■ If someone has referred you to the organization (a current employee, friend, family member), you should include his or her name in the first sentence.

MIDDLE PARAGRAPH(s)

What 2-3 experiences connect your skills to those listed in the position description? What makes you a good fit?

■ Tell your story: describe your qualifications for the position using specific examples from academic, work, volunteer, leadership, athletics, and student organization experiences.

■ Connect your accomplishments, skills and knowledge directly to the position and employer

■ Focus on key areas of your background and do not simply repeat statements from your resume

FINAL PARAGRAPH

Can you summarize your interest/qualifications in one statement?

■ Give a final statement of your interest and qualifications

■ Thank the employer for their time and consideration.

Cover Letter Samples

• Cover Letter Sample
• Cover Letter Sample II
• Cover Letter Sample III

Cover Letter Best Practices

RESEARCH EMPLOYER/POSITION

■ Use LinkedIn , social media and the organization’s website to gather information for your cover letter.

■ Try to find the name of the person who will read the letter, which could be listed in the position description. If you can't find a name use a title (eg: Internship Coordinator, Human Resources Director, Hiring Manager)

■ Underline the verbs in the job posting to identify key skills needed for the position.

TYPOS, GRAMMAR AND STYLE

■ Cover letters also showcase your writing abilities, so make sure they are error-free and grammatically correct.

■ Avoid beginning every sentence with an “I” statement.

■ Use positive and confident language, but not too imposing.

■ Try to be concise with supporting detail

■ Write in the active verb voice.

FONT & LAYOUT

■ 10 to 12 point, in the same font as your resume.

■ One inch margins

■ Left justified, beginning no more than two inches from the top of the page

COVER LETTER AS AN EMAIL

■ Use body of email as cover letter starting with salutation. Do not include addresses and dates.

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Writing Samples

Writing samples are required for entrance into many graduate programs, as well as for jobs and internships where writing is an integral part of the position. Often these positions are in research, media, advertising or public relations.

Do not skip the writing sample!

Written communication is one of the top skills valued by both graduate schools and employers. If they request a writing sample, it is required! They are committed to hiring students who can write well, and are looking for proof of this skill.

Pay close attention to writing sample instructions.

If there is a length, word count or subject matter requirement, abide by it. If no instructions are given, and you cannot tell from the position description what type of sample would be most relevant, consider contacting the program or employer to ask about their preferences.

Selecting a Writing Sample

Select your writing sample based on quality and relevance.

Above all else, select a piece that you, and others who you trust, think is well-written. Have multiple audiences proofread your writing sample so that it is completely free of spelling and grammatical errors.

If no specific instructions are given, make the sample as relevant to the position or program–and the writing you will do in that position or program–as possible. If you are applying for a job writing brief news stories for an online newspaper, send in clips from your time for The Review, not your ten-page analysis of a Russian novel. Similarly, if you are applying for a summer research position, you will want to submit a research-focused writing sample; if you are applying for a business analyst position, you could submit a case study that you wrote in an economics course.

There may be times when you will not be able to use a sample that you have already written. If you are applying for a position in PR, for example, but have never written press releases, you may have to create one from scratch.

If you have to submit a writing sample for a discipline-specific graduate program, then use a strong paper that you wrote in a course related to that discipline. Faculty often can assist you in selecting a sample for these applications.

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Résumé and Cover Letter Guide

The Career Center has developed a complete Résumé Writing Guide to help you get started. Your résumé is the first step of your internship or job search. Your résumé does not get you the job, but hopefully a well-written résumé will get you the interview!

Meet Quinn AI Advisor

Meet Quinn AI Advisor for Resumes and Interviews! Quinncia is a career preparation platform that can help you get instant feedback and polish your resume, make your resume ATS compliant and improve your interview skills and storytelling. Get started at the link below.

Résumé Guide

• Little-to-no Experience (PDF)
• Experienced (PDF)
• Internships (PDF)

Résumé Resources

What is a résumé.

Résumés are simply what people use to get jobs, right? Wrong! A résumé is a one or two page summary of your education, skills, accomplishments and experience. Your résumé’s purpose is to get your foot in the door. A well-written résumé does its job successfully if it gets you an interview.

To prepare a successful résumé you need to know how to review, summarize, and present your experience and achievements on one page. Unless you have considerable experience, your résumé should be one page only.

Your résumé is your ticket to an interview where you can sell yourself!

How to Prepare an Effective Résumé

Résumé essentials.

Before you write, take the time to do a self-assessment on paper. Outline your skills and abilities, as well as your work experience and extracurricular activities. This will make it easier to prepare a thorough résumé.

The Content of Your Résumé

• All of your contact information should go at the top of your résumé.
• Your name can be bold and larger font. Avoid nicknames.
• Use a permanent physical address.
• Choose a professional sounding email address that includes your name.
• Be specific about the job you want. For example: To obtain an Analyst position within a financial institution requiring strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Tailor your objective to the employer — objectives may change. Exact job titles may be stated. For Example: To obtain a Research Analyst position.
• An Objective is always optional. If not specified by the employer, you do not need one.
• Education Undergraduates or new graduates without a lot of work experience should list their educational information at the top of the résumé. Alumni can list it after work experience. Necessary information to include is name of institution, location, type of degree, and major. For Example: Hunter College, City University of New York Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Expected June 2019 Minor: Psychology, GPA: 3.34If you have limited work experience relevant to the desired job, you may also include Relevant Coursework in your Education section. Relevant Coursework should also always be listed when applying for an internship.
• Assist in the implementation of computer and network system for new location.
• Report claims to insurance companies and follow up with clients
• Facilitate in-person and online insurance policy sign-ups for auto, home, and commercial insurance

Keep in mind that employers value all kinds of experience. You can discuss internships and volunteer positions. You don’t need to limit yourself to paid work experience.

Skills This section is reserved for technical and language skills. List out all of the computer packages and software you have knowledge of using and your skill level in any foreign language (that is not English). You can also include any technical skills specific to a particular industry.

Do not include soft skills, such as communication, detail-oriented, and self-motivated.

Additional Categories (optional)

• Leadership Experience
• Extracurricular Activities
• Volunteer Work
• Special Research Projects

References Do not include your reference information on your résumé. You may note at the bottom of your résumé (centered): References Available upon Request. Always ask people if they are willing to provide a reference for you before you give out their names.

Five Tips for Effective Résumé Writing

• Do the basics and pay attention to detail! Proofread for spelling, grammar and tone and be consistent with your formatting.
• Construct an effective résumé. Organize your information in a logical fashion and keep descriptions clear and to the point. Be specific. Also, use a simple, easy to read font.
• Focus on what you bring to the employer, not what you want from the job.
• Highlight your skills by connecting your actions to results.
• Be Professional. Have a professional email address and message on your voicemail.

Congratulations! You’ve written your résumé. Now it’s time to have it reviewed by the Career Center to help you perfect it!

Use action words to describe your experience and accomplishments

• Administered
• Centralized
• Collaborated
• Constructed
• Coordinated
• Demonstrated
• Established
• Implemented
• Interpreted
• Interviewed
• Reorganized
• Standardized
• Streamlined
• Volunteered

Check out O*Net Online - their site contains useful tools for job exploration and example job descriptions for different occupations.

Cover Letter Guide

• General Cover Letter (PDF)
• General Internship Cover Letter (PDF)

How to Prepare an Effective Cover Letter

Cover letter essentials.

The goal is to provide information that will make employers want to read your résumé. Your cover letter should communicate enthusiasm for the desired position and be short and to the point! You should only submit a cover letter if requested to do so by the employer in the job positing.

The Content of Your Cover Letter (Typically Three Paragraphs)

First paragraph.

This is your purpose for writing. It should express your interest in the particular type of job or position. If a reference number is listed for the position, include the number and where you came across the position. (For instance: I am extremely interested in the Part-Time Bookkeeper position, Reference Number 7783, that I found listed in CareerHunter.)

Second Paragraph

The second paragraph contains much more substance. It highlights those positive characteristics that will be of particular interest to the employer. Research the company and review the job description in order to connect your specific experience and qualifications to the skills and capabilities the employer is looking for in a candidate. It can also help to indicate a familiarity and alignment with the company’s mission.

Third Paragraph

This is your closing and states your interest in meeting with the prospective employer to discuss your skills further. Thank the hiring manager for considering your candidacy.

Formatting your Cover Letter

Your cover letter should be formatted as a business document:

• Include your name and information at the top of the letter.
• Aligned to the left, indicate the date, followed by the hiring manager’s information and the company’s address.
• Do not indent paragraphs.
• Single space the entire document, with an extra space in between paragraphs.
• Keep it to one page.
• Include a greeting and closing (e.g. Dear Hiring Manager and Sincerely).

Five Tips for Effective Cover Letter Writing

• Do the basics. Proofread for spelling, grammar and writing style and be consistent with your formatting.
• Use transition words and phrases (e.g. Additionally and As a result) to create logical connections between your sentences and paragraphs.
• Integrate language from the job posting to make your experience more relevant. Focus on what you bring to the employer, not what you want from the job.
• Avoid using negative language (e.g. although, however). Focus on the positive characteristics you can bring to the job.
• Avoid redundancy and repetition. Make sure you are saying what you need to say using straightforward and understandable language.

You are probably aware that writing a quality cover letter can be a difficult process! Make sure you do your research, look at plenty of examples, and have your cover letter reviewed by the Career Center!

Dear Ms. Friedberg,

Dr. Clifton Carr, Professor of Economics at Hunter College, suggested that I contact you. He thought that, as an alumna, you would be in an excellent position to assist me with a career decision.

As an economics student, I am exploring which career path to pursue. At this point securities, trading and investment banking work all sound interesting to me. I would like to go into my campus interviews next semester with a clear sense of direction. I would like to get your advice regarding the industry.

I will follow up with you next week to see if we can arrange a brief meeting at your convenience. Thank you for considering my request.

Sincerely, Scott Stevens

• Make a connection between yourself and the reader
• State your purpose without pressuring the reader
• Request a meeting indicating you will call to make arrangements
• Keep it brief and to the point

Sally Cooper 33-26 10th Street Apt. 2 Long Island City, NY 11103 646-655-7810 [email protected]

July 20, 2023

Dear Ms. Hernandez,

It was a pleasure to have met with you on July 18th, regarding the Human Resource Assistant position. Reflecting on our meeting and your insight into the role and responsibilities, I truly feel I am a good fit for this position. I would welcome the opportunity to work for the Human Resources department of ABC Corporation of America.

Thank you for your time and consideration of my candidacy.

Sincerely, Sally Cooper

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College Cover Letter Example

Get hired faster & find inspiration for your new cover letter with this expertly drafted College cover letter example. Make a copy of this cover letter sample as it is or edit it directly using our powerful cover letter creator.

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Write an eye-catching resume as a university student

College Cover Letter Example (Full Text Version)

Sasha Roberts

To whom it may concern,

My name is Sasha Roberts and I am pleased to be applying for the Summer Marketing Internship within URMT Digital, Inc. which has been posted and advertised on LinkedIn.com. I am confident that the combination of my education, experience, and developed skills set makes me an ideal fit for the role. Moreover, I believe that I would be a valuable addition to your team and company.

As stated in my enclosed resume, I am a third-year Business Administration student at the University of Alabama. At the university, I pro-actively participate in multiple extracurricular activities, such as Business Club, Drama Club, and Marketing Society. On top of that, I have won the Dean's Award once for achieving extraordinary academic results and representing the school at multiple international business competitions. My studies have helped me to become an independent and reliable individual and allowed me to acquire exceptional communication and leadership skills.

Next, I served as a Vice President of the University of Alabama Marketing Society for 1 year. There, I was given the responsibility for managing multiple key society functions, planning and organizing various events, and supervising other students and their work. Additionally, I represented the society at workshops and fairs, identified and communicated with potential members, produced original content for Instagram and Youtube, and executed other tasks as assigned. During my time at this position, I had demonstrated numerous times that I am an effective team player with an excellent work ethic and strong determination to finish all projects within budget and in a timely manner.

I am a native English speaker with a proficiency in French and a basic knowledge of Spanish which I have learned while studying at the St Joseph College Preparatory School in Los Angeles, CA. Offering the ability to use all software programs necessary for the job, including Google Analytics, Slack, and HubSpot Marketing at an intermediate level, I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you in person in order to discuss my qualifications in more detail. Thank you for your time and consideration and I look forward to hearing back from you in the near future.

Milan Šaržík, CPRW

Milan’s work-life has been centered around job search for the past three years. He is a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW™) as well as an active member of the Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Careers Coaches (PARWCC™). Milan holds a record for creating the most career document samples for our help center – until today, he has written more than 500 resumes and cover letters for positions across various industries. On top of that, Milan has completed studies at multiple well-known institutions, including Harvard University, University of Glasgow, and Frankfurt School of Finance and Management.

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60+ Cover Letter Examples in 2024 [For All Professions]

No matter where you are in your career, or what job you’re applying for, submitting a cover letter with your resume is a must . 

Done right, a cover letter will effectively complement your resume and explain to the hiring manager in more detail why you’re the right person for the job.

Writing a cover letter, however, is easier said than done. 

You have to effectively demonstrate that you’ll be able to perform the responsibilities listed in the job description and that you’d be a better fit for the company compared to other candidates. 

And unless you’re a professional writer, this can be a very hard task.

Fortunately, we created these cover letter examples to inspire you and help you get started with your own cover letter!

Let’s dive in!

21 Cover Letter Examples 

#1. career change cover letter example .

Here’s what this cover letter does right:

• Has an ideal length. This cover letter includes all the relevant information for the hiring manager without getting into too much detail.
• Relevant introduction. The candidate explains that they’re changing careers and why they want to work in this new field from the get-go.
• Explains their related experience. The candidate explains how their previous experience in retail sales can help them succeed in PR.

Check out our guide video guide to learn how to write a Cover Letter that gets you HIRED!

#2. Recent Graduate Cover Letter Example 

• Personally greets the hiring manager. The candidate has taken the time to find the hiring manager’s name and address them by it, which makes the opening of the cover letter much more personal.
• Wraps up with a call to action. The candidate wraps up the cover letter by suggesting a meeting with the hiring manager, which makes them more memorable.
• Explains why the candidate is the right person for the internship. In this cover letter for an internship , the candidate explains how they’ve previously interned in a different firm, which gives them the experience to succeed in this role.

Have you just graduated from college? Make sure to check out our guide on writing an entry-level cover letter from start to finish! 

#3. Middle Management Cover Letter Example

• Use of bullet points. The candidate presents the information in a concise and reader-friendly way, making it easy for the hiring manager to find their key achievements. 
• Formal closing. The candidate has used a formal and polite tone to conclude their cover letter, which combined with a call to action makes them look professional and passionate about getting the job. 
• Explains how the company would benefit from hiring them. The candidate outlines exactly what they could do for the company, which not only highlights their skills but also shows they’ve done their research on the company’s needs. 

#4. Business Manager Cover Letter Example

• Detailed header. In addition to the must-have contact details, this candidate has also included their professional Twitter and LinkedIn profiles, making it easy for the hiring manager to look more closely into their career. 
• Concise and to the point. This candidate has used short paragraphs and bullet points to make the cover letter easy to skim through. 
• Wraps up with a call to action. By letting the hiring manager know they’ll be contacting them soon, they’re more likely to make an impression.

Check out this article for a complete writing guide and an inspiring business manager resume sample. 

#5. Ph.D. Cover Letter Example

Here’s what this cover letter does right: 

• Attention-grabbing introduction. In the opening paragraph, this candidate explains why they’re passionate about pursuing a Ph.D. in great detail. 
• Explains the candidate’s qualifications in detail. The candidate builds on their passion by explaining how they’re also qualified for the degree because of their education history and academic achievements. 

#6. Senior Executive Cover Letter Example

• Professional and minimalistic template. This senior executive has used a professional but minimalistic template that lets their work experience do the talking. 
• Achievement-oriented opening paragraph. Right from the get-go, this candidate explains what makes them so good at their job, effectively grabbing the hiring manager’s attention.  
• Wraps up with a call to action. By suggesting to have a meeting and discussing how they can help the company meet its goals, the candidate stands more chance to make a positive lasting impression. 

#7. Architect Cover Letter Example 

• Modern resume template. This architect has picked a template that perfectly matches his industry, as it is professional and modern at the same time. 
• A personal greeting to the HR. They address the hiring manager by their first name, which helps make a better first impression. 
• Measurable achievements. By quantifying their achievements, the candidate proves their achievements instead of just claiming them.

Struggling with your architect resume ? Check out our full guide!

#8. Business Analyst Cover Letter Example 

• Detailed contact information. The candidate has listed both their LinkedIn and Twitter profiles, providing the HR manager an opportunity to learn more about the candidate.  
• Mentions what the candidate can do for the company. This cover letter doesn’t just explain why the job would be great for the candidate, but also how the candidate would benefit the company. Win-win, right? 
• Error-free and reader-friendly. It’s super important for the cover letter to have no spelling or grammatical errors and be reader-friendly. This candidate made sure they did both.

Need a resume alongside your cover letter? Check out our guide on how to write a business analyst resume . 

#9. Consultant Cover Letter Example 

• Professional cover letter template. Being an experienced consultant, this candidate has picked a professional template that doesn’t steal the spotlight from their achievements. 
• Experience and achievement-oriented. The candidate has effectively elaborated on their top achievements relevant to the job. 
• Highlights the candidate’s passion. To show they want the job, this candidate has also explained how passionate they are about their profession.

For more advice on landing a job as a consultant, check out our guide to writing a consultant resume .

#10. Digital Marketing Cover Letter Example

• Creative cover letter template. This digital marketer highlights their originality by picking a creative cover letter template. 
• Lists the candidate’s awards. The candidate has taken advantage of the cover letter to list their most noteworthy awards in the industry. 
• Concludes with a call to action. As they used a call to action to conclude their cover letter, the HR manager will be more likely to remember them.

Want to take your digital marketing resume to the next level? Check out our guide!

#11. Graphic Designer Cover Letter Example 

• Detailed contact information. The candidate has included additional contact information such as their website link, as well as their LinkedIn and Twitter profiles.  
• Ideal length. This cover letter is concise, which means that the HR manager is more likely to read it from start to finish.  
• Draws attention to the candidate’s strong points. Although this candidate is a recent college graduate, they’ve managed to effectively show that they have enough knowledge and experience to do the job right.

Read this guide to write a graphic designer resume that’s just as good as your cover letter!

#12. Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Example

• Minimalistic cover letter template. The candidate picked a well-designed but minimalistic template for their cover letter. 
• Focused on skills and achievements. This cover letter is packed with the candidate’s skills and achievements, proving he can be an excellent employee. 
• Formal closing. Politeness can go a long way and the candidate has used this to their advantage to make an impression. 

Our article on how to write an administrative assistant resume can help you take your job application to the next level.

#13. Front Desk Cover Letter Example

• Modern cover letter template. This template incorporates memorable colors and clear lines, which make the cover letter very visually appealing. 
• Attention-grabbing introduction. Using an attention-grabbing intro, the candidate is more likely to make an impression. 
• Calls the HR to action. By including a call to action, the candidate is reminding the HR of their immediate availability. 

#14. Human Resources Cover Letter Example

• It is concise and to the point. The candidate doesn’t dwell on unimportant details the HR won’t be interested in. 
• Uses a traditional cover letter template. The cover letter design is more on the conventional side, which fits the industry better. 
• Highlights the candidate’s strong points. The candidate has rich work experience and they use the cover letter to elaborate on it. 

This HR resume guide can help you get your resume just right.

#15. Sales Agent Cover Letter Example 

• Attention-grabbing cover letter template. As a salesperson, this candidate knows how important first impressions are, so they’ve picked a catchy cover letter template. 
• Has an ideal length. At the same time, they’ve also made sure to keep their cover letter at just the right length. 
• Lists the candidate’s career highlights. The candidate has made perfect use of the space by mentioning their most impressive professional achievements. 

Check out this sales agent resume guide to create an attention-grabbing sales resume .

#16. Receptionist Cover Letter Example

• Modern but minimalistic cover letter template. The template’s design hints the candidate is creative but professional at the same time. 
• Uses a catchy introduction. The candidate has used an attention-grabbing opening paragraph to catch HR’s attention. 
• Concludes the cover letter formally. The candidate proves that they’re polite and well-spoken, a quality very much important for the role they’re applying for. 

Take your receptionist resume to the next level with this receptionist resume guide .

#17. Information Technology Cover Letter Example

• Mentions measurable achievements. Numbers make an impact, which is why this candidate has included measurable achievements. 
• Lists both soft and hard skills. The candidate has mentioned a great mix of soft and hard skills, showing how well-rounded they are. 
• Contains relevant contact information. The candidate’s GitHub, website name, LinkedIn, and Twitter profiles are all great additions to the resume. 

Looking for tips to help you write a great IT resume ? Check out our guide!

#18. Real Estate Cover Letter Example

• Ideal length. Short and to the point, this cover letter is bound to get noticed by the HR manager. 
• Wraps up with a call to action. This candidate reinforces the HR to call them back through a final call to action. 
• Mentions the right skills. On top of their sales accomplishments, the candidate touch upon important soft skills such as customer service and communication . 

This real estate resume guide will help you take your resume from good to great.

#19. Teacher Cover Letter Example

• Mentions relevant contact information details. This candidate has included optional (but relevant) contact information details, such as their LinkedIn, Quora, and Medium profiles. 
• Achievement-oriented. The candidate has elaborated on their achievements in more detail throughout their cover letter. 
• Highlights the candidate’s passion. For some jobs, being passionate is much more important than for others. Teaching is one of these jobs, which is why this candidate explains their passion for the job. 

Our guide on how to write a teacher resume has all the tips you need to land the job.

#20. Project Manager Cover Letter Example

• Leverages a catchy introduction. Through a catchy introductory paragraph, this candidate is sure to grab the HR’s attention and get them to read the rest of their cover letter.
• Lists measurable accomplishments. This candidate explains exactly what they’ve achieved using numbers and hard data. 
• Personally greets the HR. A personal greeting sounds much better than “Dear Sir/Madam,” and the candidate knows this. 

This guide on how to write a project manager resume can help you perfect your appication.

#21. Paralegal Cover Letter Example

• Minimalistic cover letter template. This cover letter design looks good but doesn’t steal the show from the candidate’s abilities.
• Mentions the candidate’s academic achievements and extracurricular activities. Although the candidate is a recent graduate, they’ve used the cover letter to explain they have enough skills and achievements to do the job.
• Lists measurable achievements. The candidate proves they did well in their internship by mentioning quantifiable achievements.

Check out this paralegal resume guide to perfect yours.

40+ More Cover Letter Examples and Guides 

Couldn’t find a cover letter example for your field? Do not worry.

Below you can find a number of other cover letter examples for different fields and industries:

• Acting Cover Letter Examples
• Accounting Cover Letter Examples
• Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Architecture Cover Letter Examples
• Attorney Cover Letter Examples
• Barista Cover Letter Examples
• Bartender Cover Letter Examples
• Business Cover Letter Examples
• Business Analyst Cover Letter Examples
• College Student Cover Letter Examples
• Computer Science Cover Letter Examples
• Construction Cover Letter Examples
• Consultant Cover Letter Examples
• Customer Service Cover Letter Examples
• Data Analyst Cover Letter Examples
• Data Entry Cover Letter Examples
• Dental Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Digital Marketing Cover Letter Examples
• Elementary Teacher Cover Letter Examples
• Engineering Cover Letter Examples
• Executive Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Finance Cover Letter Examples
• Graphic Design Cover Letter Examples
• Healthcare Cover Letter Examples
• Human Resources Cover Letter Examples
• IT Cover Letter Examples
• Law Cover Letter Examples
• Management Cover Letter Examples
• Marketing Cover Letter Examples
• Mechanical Engineering Cover Letter Examples
• Medical Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Nurse Practitioner Cover Letter Examples
• Physician Cover Letter Examples
• Project Manager Cover Letter Examples
• Receptionist Cover Letter Examples
• Retail Cover Letter Examples
• Sales Cover Letter Examples
• Social Work Cover Letter Examples
• Software Engineer Cover Letter Examples
• Substitute Teacher Cover Letter Examples
• Teacher Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Team Leader Cover Letter Example

What is a Cover Letter? 

A cover letter is a one-page document that you submit as part of your job application, alongside your resume . 

Its purpose is to introduce you and briefly summarize your professional background. On average, your cover letter should be from 250 to 400 words long .

A good cover letter can give the hiring manager more insight into what makes you a good candidate and help them make up their mind about whether they should invite you for an interview. A bad cover letter, though, will get ignored (at best) and lose you the job (at worst).

So, to make sure this doesn’t happen, it’s essential to know how to write a convincing cover letter.

The first thing to remember is that a cover letter is a supplement to your resume, not a replacement. Meaning, you shouldn’t just repeat whatever is mentioned in your resume and call it a day. 

Optimally, you should use your cover letter to shed more light on your skills and qualifications, as well as explain anything you didn’t have space for in your resume (e.g. a career gap or why you’re changing careers).

If you’re writing a cover letter for the first time, though, putting all this together might seem pretty tough. 

Fortunately, you can follow our tried-and-tested format to make the experience much easier:

• Header - Input your contact information.
• Greeting the hiring manager - Open the cover letter with a “Dear Sir or Madam,” or use the hiring manager’s name if you know what that is.
• Opening paragraph - Grab the hiring manager’s attention by getting straight to the point. Mention what your professional experiences are, and what role you’re applying for.
• The second paragraph - Explain why you’re the perfect candidate for the job. Mention your top 2-3 achievements, your top skills, why you want to work in that specific industry, and whatever else is relevant.
• The third paragraph - End your cover letter with a call to action. E.g. “I would love to meet personally and discuss how I can help Company X.”
• Formal closing - Something like this: “Thank you for your consideration. Best, John Doe.”

Here’s what this looks like in practice:

9 Tips to Write a Cover Letter (the Right Way)

Now that we've covered the basics, let's talk about cover letter tips . Below, we'll give you all the knowledge you need to take your cover letter from "OK" to "great."

#1. Pick the right template

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

And what’s a better way to leave a good impression than through a professional, well-formatted, and visual template?

You can simply pick one of our tried-and-tested cover letter templates and you’ll be all set!

#2. Add your contact details on the header

The best way to start your cover letter is through a header. 

Here’s what you want to include there:

• Phone Number
• Name of the hiring manager / their professional title
• Name of the company you’re applying to

Optionally, you can also include the following:

• Social Media Profiles - Any type of profile that’s relevant to your field. Social Profiles on websites like LinkedIn, GitHub (for developers), Medium (for writers), etc.
• Personal Website - If you have a personal website that somehow adds value to your application, you can mention it. Let’s say you’re a professional writer. In that case, you’d want to link to your content portfolio site or blog.

#3. Greet the hiring manager the right way

Once you’ve listed all your relevant contact information, it’s time to address the hiring manager reading your cover letter. 

A good practice here is to find the hiring manager’s name and address them directly instead of using the traditional “dear sir or madam.” This shows that you’re really invested in the company and that you took your time to do some research about the job.

So, how can you find out the hiring manager’s name?

One way to do this is by looking up the head of the company’s relevant department on LinkedIn. Let’s say you’re applying for the position of Communication Specialist at Novoresume. The hiring manager is probably the Head of Communications or the Chief Communications Office.

Or let’s say you’re applying for the position of server at a restaurant. In that case, you’d be looking to find out who the restaurant manager is.

If this doesn’t work, you can also check out the “Team” page on the company website; there’s a good chance you’ll at least find the right person there.

If you still can’t find out the hiring manager’s name, here are several other greetings you can use:

• Dear [Department] Hiring Manager
• Dear Hiring Manager
• To whom it may concern
• Dear [Department] Team

#4. Create an attention-grabbing introduction

Recruiters 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 problem with most cover letter opening paragraphs, though, is that they’re usually extremely generic, often looking something like this: 

Hey, 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.

As you can probably tell, this opening paragraph doesn’t tell the hiring manager anything other than that you’ve worked the job before - and that’s not really helpful in setting you apart from other candidates. 

What you want to do, instead, is start off with 2-3 of your top achievements to really grab the reader’s attention. Preferably, the achievements should be as relevant as possible to the position. 

For example:

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 with Company X, a fin-tech company, for 3+ years. As a Sales Representative, I generated an average of $30,000+ in sales per month (beating the KPIs by around 40%). I believe that my previous industry experience, as well as my excellence in sales, makes me the right candidate for the role of X at Company Y.

The second example shows how the candidate is a top performer. The first just shows that they’ve worked a sales job before.

Which one are YOU more likely to invite for an interview?

#5. Show you’re the perfect person for the job

One great thing about cover letters is that they allow you to expand more on the top achievements from your resume and really show the hiring manager that you’re the right person for the job. 

A good way to do that is to first read the job ad and really understand what skills/experiences are required, and then to ensure that your cover letter touches upon the said skills or experiences.

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 $20,000+. As the sole digital marketer at the company, I managed the ad creation and management process end-to-end. This means I created the ad copy and images, as well as 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

#6. Explain why you’re a great company fit

The HR manager doesn’t only look at whether you’ll be good at the job or not. They’re looking for someone that’s also a good fit for the company culture.

After all, employees that don’t fit in are bound to quit, sooner or later. This ends up costing the company a ton of money, up to 50% of the employee’s annual salary . 

To convince the hiring manager that you’re a great company fit, do some research on the company and find out what it is you like about them, or about working there. 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 culture like? Will someone micro-manage your work, or will you have autonomy on how you get things done?

Then, turn your top reasons for liking to work there into text and add them to your cover letter! 

#7. Wrap up with a call to action

To make the end of your cover letter as memorable as possible, you want to:

• Wrap up any points you couldn't in the previous paragraphs. Mention anything you’ve left out that you think could help the hiring manager make up your mind.
• Thank the hiring manager for their time. After all, it never hurts to be polite. 
• Finish the cover letter with a call to action. A call to action is a great way to make your cover letter ending as memorable as possible. 

#8. Write a formal closing

Once you’re done with the final paragraph, all you have to do is write down a formal “goodbye” and you’re good to go.

Feel free to use one of the most popular conclusions in a cover letter:

• Best Regards,
• Kind Regards,

#9. Proofread your cover letter

Last but not least, make sure to always proofread each and every document that you’ll be including in your job application - cover letter included. 

The last thing you want is to be claiming you’re a great candidate for the job with a cover letter full of typos! 

For an even more comprehensive guide on how to write an impactful cover letter , check out our article ! 

Cover Letter Writing Checklist 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you still have some questions about cover letters? Check out the answers below:

1. How do I write a simple cover letter? 

To write a cover letter that’s simple but also professional, make sure to include a header with your personal information, a formal greeting to the hiring manager, an attention-grabbing opening paragraph, a second paragraph explaining why you’re a good candidate for the job, and a formal closing (preferably with a call to action). 

2. What are the 3 parts of a cover letter? 

The three parts of a cover letter are: 

• The introduction , namely the header, the greeting to the hiring manager, and the opening paragraph. 
• The sales pitch is usually the body of the cover letter. 
• The conclusion involves a formal closing and a signature line.

3. What makes a great cover letter?

A great cover letter should be personalized for each job you’re applying for, instead of being overly generic. It’s also preferable to address the hiring manager by their name and not use the overly-used “Dear Sir/Madam.”

To make a great first impression, you should mention 1-2 of your top achievements in your opening paragraph - the more job-specific they are, the better. Also, don’t stop at showing the hiring manager why you’re a great candidate for the job. Make sure to also talk about how you’re a good culture fit for the company.

Last but not least, wrap up your closing paragraph with a call to action to give the hiring manager a little extra something to remember you by. 

4. When is a cover letter necessary?

Unless the job ad specifically states otherwise, you should always include a cover letter with your job application .

Even if the hiring manager doesn’t read it, you will look more professional simply by including one.

And that’s a wrap! We hope our cover letter examples and writing tips will inspire you to write a cover letter that will land you your next job.

If you’re looking for more invaluable career advice and articles, make sure to check out our career blog , or any of these related articles: 

• How to Write a Resume
• Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid at All Costs
• Cover Letter Format (w/ Examples & Free Templates)

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Start by taking a look at our complete Resume Writing Guide below.

Resume/Cover Letter Writing Guide

Your resume is your first impression. It must convince the employer in a matter of seconds that you are unique and should be interviewed. Therefore, it is necessary that you put effort into creating your resume.

• Remember that a resume should highlight your achievements, skills and background; it is not a detailed account of your life history.
• Be sure to check your grammar and spelling carefully, and do not falsify any information on your resume (it could cost you a job!).
• All Freshmen and Sophomores wanting a Resume Review or Cover Letter Review must first take the Resume & Cover Letter Workshop.

Cover Letters

It is important that you send a well-written cover letter along with your resume when applying for a position, especially for positions requesting cover letters, or for positions requiring strong writing skills.

• A cover letter is a one-page statement of objective which should highlight your skills and interest in a particular field/position.
• It should communicate to the prospective employer how you are a good match for the company and the desired position.

Take the time to craft a good letter, and proofread it very carefully before sending if your cover letter has errors, your whole application may be thrown out! Save copies of all correspondence for your records

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Center for Careers and Internships

Résumés and cover letters.

When applying for opportunities, your résumé, cover letter, and application materials are your first impression.

This can help you land an interview, so it is important to detail your experience and accomplishments clearly and concisely.

Get Started

• Review our Résumé and Cover Letter Guide  for all majors and industries. It outlines suggestions for creating, formatting and organizing your content, and includes suggestions for word choices.
• Review your résumé and cover letter with a peer career advisor during Quick Questions .
• Refer to the Core Professional Competencies  and be sure to highlight the skills you have gained during your experiences.
• Need to a Curriculum Vitae (CV) instead of a résumé? Then schedule an appointment with one of our Advisors .

How to Create Your First College Resume

Peer Career Advisors Zoey Ellis ‘22 and Cindy Cardona ‘22 explain how to create your first college resume.

Slide One: Introduction slide - Hello and welcome to this workshop on how to create your first college resume.

Slide Two: Agenda - We will first start off with an explanation of why we use resumes. Then we will cover the basic resume format, the ACE method, important reminders as well as  resources and any next steps you should be taking

Slide Three: Why do we use resumes? So to start us off, it is important to acknowledge that resumes are for everyone! They are not just for graduating students. They are also for first and second year students who need resumes to apply for jobs, internships, and scholarships. They are used to get the attention of the employer, to show off your any skills you have, to demonstrate your commitment towards issues and goals, and to humanize you and show you as a suitable candidate for the position you’re applying to.

Slide Four: Basic Resume Format - The basic resume format consists of a one page long resume with .5 or 1 inch margins. It has to be consistent in regard to any underlining or bolding of titles, it has to have professional fonts such as the ones listed, and it should have 3 main parts consisting of a heading, education, and experience.

Slide Five: Heading Section - Next I will provide a breakdown of each section. First is your heading section. Here you want to make sure your name is the biggest object on the page.You want to make sure your name is also clear and easy to read. Below your name you can provide an address, phone number, and email address. If you are a current student, use your Middlebury address and email. However, if you are planning to apply near your hometown, you may use your home address.

Slide Six: Education Section - Number 2 is the education section. Here you’re going to list institutions attended and associated skills or affiliations that you’ve gained. First, you’re going to place your Middlebury College education. Indicate that you are a candidate for a Bachelor of Arts, your major(s), minor, expected graduation month/year, and cumulative GPA (if over 3.00). If you have not yet declared your major/minor, you may indicate “Undeclared” or cite an intended major in the same place. Below the name of your college and GPA, you may include Athletics, Language/Computer/technical skills and honors. High school. If you are an underclassman, you may list your high school on your résumé. However, if you are a junior or senior, you should list your high school if you attended a school that employers may recognize.

Slide Seven: Experience Section - Be selective and concrete about the experiences you want to be included with regard to any internships, jobs, etc. For each experience, describe your major accomplishments and core responsibilities by creating two to three descriptive statements or bullets

Slide Eight: A.C.E. Method - You can use the ACE method to build your statements within the experience section. Start off each bullet points with an action verb to illustrate what part you took in your internship, job, or any other opportunity. Then, you should provide context through quantitative and qualitative means. Some examples of this include that you increased efficiency by 25% or that you helped check in100 people to a facility. Finally, you should discuss your end result, what was accomplished through the role that you played in the experience?

Slide Nine: A.C.E. Framework Example - This is an example of using the ACE method: we can see the breakdown of our bullet point into action verb, context, and end result. The sentence here is …

Slide Ten: Additional Skills - After a selective and concrete experience section, you can add an optional “Additional Skills” section to the bottom of your resume. In this section, you can categorize your skills and qualify your level of proficiency where possible. You may also include relevant certifications or licenses. If you wish to include conversation starters by mentioning personal interests, be specific(e.g., “contemporary fiction” is more interesting than “reading”). This allows for a great conversation starter that is very specific, selective and appropriate.

Slide Eleven: Final Resume - After that you’re all done and your resume looks great!

Slide Twelve: Important Reminders - Here are some important reminders that the CCI wants to emphasize and make sure you’re taking into account when making a resume.Important Reminders: Do not ever lie or embellish, submit as a PDF, no hyperlinks, job objectives or “references available”, triple-check for errors, save your resume as a PDF titled “First Name_Last Name_Resume”, avoid using “I”/“me”

Slide Thirteen: Conclusion Slide - Thank you so much for watching this video on how to create your first resume. We also want to provide some resources on the next steps in your career path: Visit ​Quick Questions​ at go/PCAs to meet over Zoom with a Peer Career Advisor(PCA), CCI 1:1 Advising , CCI website also contains a toolkit about ​ Resumes & Cover Letters with sample resumes specific to first years, sophomores, and different industries.

To access a lot of these resources you can use the go links: go/cci, go/pcas, go/cciadvising. Thank you so much for listening to our presentation and good luck on your way to a great resume.

CCI Peer Career Advisor, Clara Wolcott ‘22 shares how to write a cover letter.

Slide 1: In this video, I will be explaining how to write your first cover letter.

Slide 2: To find resources on how to write resumes or cover letters, feel free to go to the CCI at Middlebury’s website and look at the Tool Kit to access resource guides. This is the Build a Tool Kit. Along the left side, you can see that there is information on resumes and cover letters, networking, and interviews available. Today， we will be focusing on the cover letter aspect.

Slide 3: This is a sample cover letter that the Middlebury Cover Letter Resource guide provides. Before going into detail on how to write a cover letter, I will first explain what a cover letter is. A cover letter is an opportunity to craft and share your story. A cover letter is specific to the company and position you are applying to. It is not meant to repeat your resume but to show off your skills and experiences that are relevant to your position. You also want to demonstrate how you will contribute to the needs of the company and employer. Even before you start writing， there are some important steps you can take.

Slide 4: First, research the company or organization you are applying to. Second, read the position description closely and look for required qualifications and what skills and characteristics the employer is looking for. I recommend printing out the job description and looking at it thoroughly while highlighting any skills or qualifications that are mentioned throughout. This, connect with anyone who has applied to the position or works at the company or organization that you’re applying to. That way they can give you an insider scoop on what type of candidate they are looking for and what the work environment is like. Just some information on the company will be useful for your own research and writing your cover letter.

Slide 5: So now we will be referring to the sample cover letter that the CCI provides. At the top of your cover letter, you can include your strict address city, state, and zip code, or you can provide your resume header which provides contact information. After that, include the date or which you are writing the cover letter. Then, include the contact name, title, or position of the contact, the employer, street address, including the city, state, and zip code. Oftentimes this information is included in the job description but sometimes, you might have to do some research on your own. After that, you will want to address the letter.here in the sample, it says “Dear Mr./Ms.__.” You want to write to a specific person when possible. Oftentimes, the contact information is included in the job description, so make sure to use the name when it’s provided. You can also say “Dear Hiring Manager or Dear Hiring Team.”

Slide 6: Now let’s talk about the first paragraph of the cover letter. In the first sentence, you want to peak the employer’s curiosity, so you can talk about why you are pursuing the position or just a sentence that will really grab the reader’s attention. Also, you want to make sure to include what you are applying for and who referred you, if applicable. You also want to reveal insight on the employer or company. Make sure to not tell them what they do but weave in the research that you did. When you want to finish off the first paragraph, you can include what is called a thesis. In this case, the thesis would be you emphasizing your qualifications and skills, as well as what you can contribute.

Slide 7: Now we will talk about the body paragraph.The body paragraph is an opportunity to articulate specific examples that will show how you will excel in the position. For the body paragraph, I recommend that you use the STARR framework because it will really allow you to concisely show your qualifications, skills, or accomplishments that match the job description. The STARR framework stands for Situation, Task, Action, Results, and Relate. For Situation, you want to state the situation you were in. Task: talk about the task you were asked to complete. Action: outline what actions you took to complete the task. Results: describe the results in measurable terms that could be quantitative or qualitative, and then Relate; relate how this example demonstrates the skills relevant for your job.

Slide 8: For the last paragraph of your cover letter, you want to make sure you thank the employer for considering your application and include any contact information, such as your email or phone number. You also should restate your interests and ask for the opportunity to learn more about the position. Then you want to sign off by saying sincerely and include your signature and typed name.

Slide 9: Before I rap up this video, I also wanted to include some cover letter tips: Make sure to keep your cover letter at one page. Use the same font and font size throughout your cover letter, and make sure to read your cover letter aloud before sending it in. Even go to the CCI’s Quick Questions hours at go/qqs to have your cover letter looked over by a Peer Career Advisor so they can provide feedback. Also, make sure to show why you would make a good fit for the position. Good luck with writing your cover letter! Thank you for watching! 

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How to Write a Cover Letter for an Internship? (+5 Real Internship Cover Letter Examples)

• Julia Mlcuchova , 
• Updated March 20, 2024 8 min read

Trying to figure out how to write a cover letter for an internship ? Look no further!

POV: After weeks and weeks of searching for the right internship opportunity, you've finally found it. But, at the end of the posting, there's a single short sentence that takes you aback:  “Please, attach a cover letter to your application .”

Although some consider cover letter writing to be a relic of the past, it still holds its rightful place in the professional world. 

Because a well-written and persuasive cover letter can sometimes make up for the lack of work experience on your resume . And if you're trying to apply for an internship , this is probably your case, too. 

So, continue reading this article and learn: 

• What is a cover letter for an internship;
• Whether you need to attach a cover letter to your internship application;
• How to write one in 7 steps;
• 5 real-life internship cover letter examples .

Table of Contents

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What is a cover letter for an internship?

Do you need a cover letter for an internship, how to write a cover letter for an internship in 7 steps, 5 real-life internship cover letter examples, key takeaways: how to write a cover letter for an internship.

Generally speaking, an internship cover letter is a formal document that accompanies your resume when applying for an internship. 

When it comes to its content, a cover letter for an internship falls somewhere between a traditional cover letter and a motivational letter . 

• A traditional cover letter , used by job applicants with years of experience, is supposed to underline some of the candidate's most relevant and impressive skills, qualifications, and work achievements . 
• A motivational letter , used mostly in academia, aims to communicate one's passion for the subject, their motivation, and personal goals . 

Hence, a cover letter for an internship combines the purpose of the traditional cover letter (convincing the recruiters that you're the right person for the job) with the tone and strategy of the motivational letter (writing about personal motivations and goals).

A truly successful internship cover letter should answer the following questions:

• Who are you? 
• Why are you interested in this particular internship?
• Why are you the best fit for this internship?
• What do you want to gain from this internship?

Absolutely! 

In fact, you should always attach a cover letter to your internship application , even if it isn't explicitly required from you.  

Why, you ask? 

Well, consider this: Internships are crucial stepping stones towards your dream career. And they're also incredibly competitive. A single internship opening can be answered by tens of applicants at a time. 

But how can you stand out from a crowd of equally inexperienced candidates? Certainly not by your non-existent professional accomplishments, right? 

When companies look for interns, they don't expect you to have a ton of real-life experience. They aren't looking for a “finished product,” but for someone with a genuine desire to learn and enthusiasm for the job. 

And these two are your weapons of choice!

How can a cover letter for an internship help you?

Apart from the reasons mentioned above, your internship cover letter is also responsible for: 

• Conveying first impression. Usually, recruiters will read your cover letter before looking at your resume. So, it's the perfect opportunity to introduce yourself to them in a memorable way. 
• Showing your efforts. Next, taking the time to craft a thoughtful cover letter shows that you're willing to put in that extra effort to stand out from the rest of the candidates. 
• Highlighting your communication skills. Also, a well-written cover letter demonstrates your ability to articulate your thoughts clearly and professionally. 
• Showing your professionalism. When you walk into a room, it's polite to introduce yourself and shake everybody's hand. This is exactly what a cover letter does! To attach one to your application is a common courtesy.

Now that you're familiar with the whats and whys , let's have a look at how to write a good cover letter for an internship step-by-step. 

For example : Application for [name of the internship] internship – Surname.

Then, place your contact information (your name; professional email address; phone number; link to your website / portfolio / social media accounts if relevant) directly into the header .

If you know the recipient's name, address them by “ Dear [full name] ,” or “ Dear Mrs/Mr [last name] ,”. If you don't know who to address the cover letter to , address it more generally to “Dear Hiring Manager,” .

In the first paragraph of your cover letter , start by stating your name and where you studied (including your current degree and year of study). Proceed by explaining how you came to know about the internship and what are your motivations for applying to it.

Since you don't have much work experience, you can talk about your academic achievements; relevant coursework; dissertation project; extracurricular activities; volunteering; membership in relevant societies, etc.

The closing paragraph of your cover letter should reiterate your desire to get the specific internship, express gratitude to the recipient for their time and consideration, and include a final call for action (i.e. "I look forward to discussing the next steps during an interview." )

Finally, based on how you greeted the recipient of your cover letter, you can sign off with either “ Yours sincerely ,” or “ Yours faithfully ,” . If you addressed the recruiter by their name, sign off with the former; if not, use the latter.

Don't feel like writing your internship cover letter by hand?

Let our AI cover letter writer create the first draft of your internship cover letter!

Undoubtedly, the best way to learn something is to look at specific examples . And that's exactly what we're going to do right now! 

Below, we've prepared 5 internship cover letters written by real people with the help of our cover letter templates .

And, each of them is accompanied by our internship cover letter writing tips that you can implement into your own cover letter! 

FYI, you can use each of these examples as the first draft for your very own internship cover letter – simply click on the red button and start personalising the text (or let AI handle it).

#1 Philips Marketing Intern Cover Letter Sample

Internship cover letter example:.

This cover letter sample was provided by a real person who got hired with Kickresume’s help.

What can you take away?

• Eye-catching header.  Firstly, the header is visually clearly separated from the rest of the text. This makes the recruiters notice it immediately. Plus, the contact information of the company is also featured in the left-hand corner - just like it would be on an actual letter.
• Research the company before applying. Notice sentences like: “ I really like and relate to what Philips stands for … ” and “ Furthermore, it is very appealing that Philips operates on an international level… ”.This shows that the candidate’s done a thorough research of the company's philosophy and structure.

#2 Warner Bros. Public Relations Intern Cover Letter Example

• Share a personal story. This can help you establish a sentimental connection between you and the company. Show them that for you, working for their company means more than any old internship.
• Name-drop a referral. Now, this is a little bit of a cheat code. But, if you happen to know about anyone who has worked/currently works for the company, slip their name into your cover letter.

#3 University of Massachusetts Boston Intern Cover Letter Example

What can you take away  .

• Write about what you want to gain from the internship. It shows that you're not there just to have something to put on your resume; but that you’re motivated by the idea of gaining actual industry knowledge and skills.

#4 Audit/Tax Summer Internship at CohnReznick Cover Letter Sample

• Mention any relevant academic activities. If you're wondering how to write a cover letter for an internship with no experience whatsoever, this is your way to go! For example, notice how this candidate noted all of his relevant courses, skills, association membership, and competition participation.
• Focus on transferrable skills. Especially when your study programme doesn't necessarily fit the internship opening to a T. Instead, focus on any transferable skills you've picked up. 

#5 Intern at NBC Cover Letter Sample

• Keep your opening and closing paragraphs short and sweet. As you can see in this example, it helps keep a certain visual harmony of the overall document. And, despite the length, both paragraphs do exactly what they're supposed to. Besides, recruiters might be discouraged to read the rest of your cover letter if your introductory paragraph is too long.

To sum it all up, an internship cover letter is a formal document that you submit together with your resume when applying for an internship. Its content should be something between a traditional cover letter and a motivational letter.

Its purpose is to introduce yourself to the recruiters in a more personal way than the resume allows. 

The main things you want your internship cover letter to communicate are:

• who you are,
• why you're interested in this opportunity,
• what make you the best fit for the internship, 
• your motivation (your long-term professional goals),
• your desire to learn (what you want to gain from the experience).

To write a truly impactful and persuasive cover letter, we recommend following these 7 key steps: 

• Specify which internship you're applying for in the subject line.
• Include your contact information in a header.
• Address the recipient appropriately.
• Introduce yourself & your motivations in the opening paragraph.
• Elaborate on why you're a good fit and what motivated you in body.
• End your cover letter with a confident closing paragraph.
• Finish off with a polite sign off. 

Finally, if you feel that the examples provided in this article aren't enough, you can always find more in our cover letter database . 

Julia has recently joined Kickresume as a career writer. From helping people with their English to get admitted to the uni of their dreams to advising them on how to succeed in the job market. It would seem that her career is on a steadfast trajectory. Julia holds a degree in Anglophone studies from Metropolitan University in Prague, where she also resides. Apart from creative writing and languages, she takes a keen interest in literature and theatre.

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