how to write a cover letter for work placement

8 September 2023

Writing a Placement & Work Experience Cover Letter

When you apply for a placement, you’ll need to send a cover letter along with your CV. A placement cover letter supports your application by explaining who you are and why you’re interested in the role.

The aim of your cover letter is to persuade an employer to read your CV, (over the fifty others they received), and eventually invite you for an interview.

Want to write the perfect one? Read on for the how…

• What goes into a work experience cover letter?

How to write a cover letter for a placement

Placement cover letter example.

• Things to remember

What goes into a work experience cover letter

Although you should always tailor your cover letter for each job you apply for, there are a couple of things that all cover letters must include.

On top of the usual letter niceties, these are…

• Your name and contact details
• The role you’re applying for
• Why you’re interested in the role
• Your skills and previous experience
• What you’ll bring to the company
• Your career goals

Step 1: Dear Sir / Madam?

The first three words of your cover letter are crucial. Make no mistake!

Recruiters and employers get itchy eyes when they read a work placement cover letter addressed to [Dear Sir/Madam]. And they really lose their minds when they see [To whom it may concern]. It’s best to address your letter to the reader directly. So…

Dear Full Name , e.g. Dear David Attenborough – this is ideal as it’s gender-inclusive and doesn’t rely on the use of ‘Mr’ or ‘Ms’

Dear Mr Surname , e.g. Dear Mr Attenborough

Dear Ms Surname , e.g. Dear Ms Attenborough – never presume marital status. Write Ms instead of Miss / Mrs.

Don’t know who to address your cover letter to? There’s a few things you can do.

1. Browse LinkedIn – Lots of companies have a profile that lists their employees

2. Contact the employer – Ask for the name of the person who is tasked with reading placement cover letters. You can do this by phone or email

3. Address your cover letter to the department manager

4. If you can’t locate the person who handles recruitment, address your placement cover letter to someone who works in HR .

Step 2:  Swift intro

Next, you need to disclose what placement you’re applying for. 

A company might be hiring placement students in a number of different departments. Be specific to make sure you’re being considered for the right role.

Write something like this –

“ I am writing regarding the vacancy for the marketing placement with IBM, as advertised on RateMyPlacement. Please find my attached CV. “

Let the recruiter know where you found the vacancy for the placement. Employers are always keen to know what channels students use to find jobs. It makes a good impression.

Step 3:  Why are you interested?

Now you’ve introduced yourself, it’s time to explain why you’re interested in the chosen placement or work experience scheme.

It’s important to do some research about the company you’re applying to and the content of the programme. Use it to give convincing reasons for your interest in the placement.

Step 4: What can YOU bring?

In this section, you want to explain what you’ll bring to the company as a placement student. There’s no need to mention everything.

Be specific and keep it relevant to the role. What unique skills will you bring to the organisation?

It’s also a chance to talk a little bit about your hobbies and interests – keeping them relevant to the role you’ve applied to.

“ I am halfway through a Marketing degree, and on course to achieve a 2:1. So far, I have focussed on digital marketing modules, which have imparted strong analytical and problem-solving skills. I am also now proficient in basic coding. My three years at Mecca Bingo have provided experience with customer service practices and other useful soft skills. “

Step 5: Final flourish

Aptly named the final flourish, you will end your placement cover letter in this section. Thank the recruiter for considering your application, and register your interest in attending an interview.

“Thank you for considering my application, I’m looking forward to the prospect of discussing the placement in greater detail in an interview. “

Step 6: Farewell

If you found the name of the recruiter/employer, end your placement cover letter with ‘Yours Sincerely’. If you rebelled and wrote “to whom it may concern”, put ‘ Yours Faithfully’.

Want to set yourself up for success with your work experience application? Sign up to our FREE Career Coaching Course, a four-day virtual programme in October, to upskill yourself on CVs, applications and interviews.

Here is an example of a placement cover letter. This is the structure and general length you should be aiming for (approx 250 words) …

Dear Mr Attenborough,

I am writing regarding the vacancy for the marketing placement with IBM, as advertised on RateMyPlacement. Please find my attached CV.

I am particularly interested in this placement at IBM because of the focus on different areas of digital marketing. IBM is at the forefront of the digital marketing industry, and I am fascinated by the cloud-based software IBM provides for companies on email, web and social media. 

I have been reading about IBM’s most recent project, which aimed to improve customer experience across the buyer journey. It links closely to a project I completed in the first year of my Marketing degree, which centred around optimising the user experience for online retail.

I am halfway through a Marketing degree, and on course to achieve a 2:1. So far, I have focussed on digital marketing modules, which have imparted strong analytical and problem-solving skills. I am also now proficient in basic coding. My three years at Mecca Bingo have provided experience with customer service practices and other useful soft skills.

Thank you for considering my application, I’m looking forward to the prospect of discussing the placement in greater detail in an interview.

Yours Sincerely,

Kevin McCloud.

Things to remember…

Now you have the tools needed to craft a superb piece of career prose, there are a few things to keep in mind…

Online Placement Applications

1 . If you’re applying for a placement online, you’ll need to write your cover letter in a text box. Write it in Microsoft Word or Pages first, then copy and paste it into the text box. That way you can check your grammar and spelling beforehand.

2. If you’re sending your cover letter via email or attaching it to an online application, save it as a .pdf rather than a Word/Pages file. All computers can read PDFs, so there’ll be no problem when an employer opens the file.

3 . Always save your cover letter as ‘[Your Name] Cover Letter ‘. It looks clean, and employers will be able to find you easier.

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Written by Conor

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Placement cover letter examples

Placements are a great way to gain valuable experience, but this is also the reason these roles are so competitive.

Your cover letter gives you a chance to expand on your CV and persuade the employer to invite you for an interview over the other 50 applicants. So it needs to be good!

Find out how to write an attention-grabbing application with our detailed guide and placement cover letter examples below.

CV templates 

Placement cover letter example 1

Build your CV now 

Placement cover letter example 2

Placement cover letter example 3

The example cover letters here should give you a good general idea on how your Placement cover letter should be formatted and written.

The rest of this guide gives more specific guidance on how to create your own cover letter in this format, and even includes some templates you can copy and paste.

How to write a Placement cover letter

A simple step-by-step guide to writing your very own winning cover letter.

Write your cover letter in the body of an email/message

You should write your cover letter in the body of the email (or messaging system if sending via a job board) and never attach it as a document.

The reason for this?

You want your cover letter to start connecting with the recruiter from the moment they open your application.

If they have to open a document to read it, it will slow things down and they may not even bother to open it.

Start with a friendly greeting

To kick your cover letter off, start with a friendly greeting to build rapport with the recruiter instantly.

Your greeting should be personable but professional. Not too casual, but not too formal either

Go with something like…

• Hi [insert recruiter name]
• Hi [insert department/team name]

Avoid old-fashioned greetings like “Dear sir/madam ” unless applying to very formal companies.

How to find the contact’s name?

Addressing the recruitment contact by name is an excellent way to start building a strong relationship. If it is not listed in the job advert, try these methods to find it.

• Check out the company website and look at their  About page. If you see a hiring manager, HR person or internal recruiter, use their name. You could also try to figure out who would be your manager in the role and use their name.
• Head to LinkedIn , search for the company and scan through the list of employees. Most professionals are on LinkedIn these days, so this is a good bet.

Identify the role you are applying for

Once you’ve opened up the cover letter with a warm greeting to start building a relationship, it is time to identify which role you want to apply for.

Recruiters are often managing multiple vacancies, so you need to ensure you apply to the correct one.

Be very specific and use a reference number if you can find one.

• I am interested in applying for the position of *Placement position* with your company.
• I would like to apply for the role of Sales assistant (Ref: 406f57393)
• I would like to express my interest in the customer service vacancy within your retail department
• I saw your advert for a junior project manager on Reed and would like to apply for the role.

See also: CV examples – how to write a CV – CV profiles

Highlight your suitability

The sole objective of your cover letter is to motivate recruiters into to opening your CV. And you achieve this by quickly explaining your suitability to the roles you are applying for.

Take a look at the job descriptions you are applying to, and make note of the most important skills and qualifications being asked for.

Then, when crafting your cover letter, make your suitability the central focus.

Explain why you are the best qualified candidate, and why you are so well suited to carry out the job.

This will give recruiters all the encouragement they need to open your CV and consider you for the job.

Keep it short and sharp

It is best to keep your cover letter brief if you want to ensure you hold the attention of busy recruiters and hiring managers. A lengthy cover letter will probably not get read in full, so keep yours to around 3-6 sentences and save the real detail for your CV.

Remember the purpose of your cover letter is to quickly get recruiters to notice you and encourage them to open your CV, so it only needs to include the highlights of your experience.

Sign off professionally

To round of your cover letter, add a professional signature to the bottom, giving recruiters your vital contact information.

This not only gives various means of contacting you, it also looks really professional and shows that you know how to communicate in the workplace.

Include the following points;

• A friendly sign off – e.g. “Warm regards”
• Your full name
• Phone number (one you can answer quickly)
• Email address
• Profession title
• Professional social network – e.g. LinkedIn

Here is an example signature;

Warm regards,

Gerald Baker Senior Accountant 07887500404 [email protected] LinkedIn

Quick tip : To save yourself from having to write your signature every time you send a job application email, you can save it within your email drafts, or on a separate document that you could copy in.

What to include in your Placement cover letter

Your Placement cover letter will be unique to your situation, but there are certain content guidelines you should stick to for best results.

To attract and entice recruiters, stick with the following key subjects in your cover letter – adapting them to fit your profession and target jobs.

• Your professional experience – Employers will be keen to know if your experience is suitable for the job you are applying to, so provide a good summary of it in your cover letter.
• Your qualifications and education – Highlight your most relevant and high-level of qualification, especially if they are essential to the job.
• The positive impact you have made – Employers love to hear about the benefits you can bring to them, so shout about anything impressive you have done, such as saving money or improving processes.
• Your reasons for leaving – Use a few words of your cover letter to explain why you are leaving your current job and ensure you avoid any negative reasons.
• Your availability – Let recruiters know when you can start a new job . Are you immediately available, or do you have a month notice period?

Placement cover letter templates

Copy and paste these Placement cover letter templates to get a head start on your own.

I hope you are well. I would like to apply for the Health and Social Care academic placement at Lifetime UK. With a heartfelt commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of individuals who require support, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute towards delivering success to organisation.

I am in my final year of my BSc in Social Psychology at the University of London, where have gained fundamental knowledge of how psychological principles apply to behavioural problems. In my current role as a volunteer at Ellesmere House Care Home, I treat each individual with dignity, respect, and kindness, as well as believe in tailoring care to people’s unique needs, preferences, and routines to promote comfort and well-being.

I maintain a safe environment and have played a role in helped conduct exercise sessions that increased residents’ physical health and mobility by 20% as measured by physicians. Additionally, I was pivotal in preparing nutritious meals which lowered obese lowered obese residents’ weight by 10%.

Enclosed is my CV, which provides further details about my skills and additional achievements. Please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience to schedule an interview.

Kind regards

James Goldstein

Good day Mark

I am writing to express my strong interest in the Accounting Placement opportunity at Jameson Stone LLP, as advertised on the company’s website. As a current BSc Finance student, I am excited about the opportunity to expand my knowledge by learning from my experienced team members.

During my academic tenure I have developed a solid understanding of accounting principles, financial reporting, and taxation. Alongside my studies I work part-time as a Retail Assistant at McColl’s Retail Group, where I have exceeded snack sales targets by 10% and helped boost CSAT score by 25% through offering outstanding customer service. Moreover, I played a key role in revamping the store’s visual merchandising layout, resulting in a 30% increase in the visibility of featured food products.

My bookkeeping and ledger management knowledge, commitment to professional growth, career aspirations, as well as attention to detail makes me the perfect candidate for the placement opportunity.

I welcome the opportunity of discussing my other achievements and competencies in an interview, at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Neil Stapleton

Good afternoon, Shannon

I would like to write to express my interest in the culinary placement opportunity at Accor Hotel. As a culinary arts student with a strong desire to learn/grow within a professional kitchen environment, I am excited about the opportunity to develop my competencies under your mentorship.

My culinary journey began as a volunteer at ND Care & Support, where I experimented with different flavours and techniques in the home’s kitchen. I had the privilege of honing my knife skills, and expanding my knowledge of cooking methods and food safety standards to ensure that all residents were served with nutritious meals, which is demonstrated by improving residents’ health outcomes by 15% on average through preparing well-balanced dishes, as well as supporting the implementation of ingredient inventory management processes that resulted in a 30% reduction in food waste.

This passion has only grown stronger over time, leading me to pursue formal culinary education, and I am now seeking a placement opportunity to further hone my skills and experiences.

Thank you for considering my application. I am immediately available for an interview and look forward to discussing the possibility of joining your esteemed hospitality company.

Harry Arnold

Writing an impressive cover letter is a crucial step in landing a Placement, so taking the time to perfect it is well worth while.

By following the tips and examples above you will be able to create an eye-catching cover letter that will wow recruiters and ensure your CV gets read – leading to more job interviews for you.

Good luck with your job search!

Cover letter examples

Work Placement

Finn has opted for the professional Edinburgh cover letter template, hoping to find summer work placement. He's a third-year student with a background in engineering and looking to enter the workforce and gain hands-on experience. His cover letter follows a simple one-page format with clear sections and language. By tailoring and personalising his letter he presents himself as an ideal candidate for the role.

"I am writing to express my sincere interest in securing a summer work placement at EA Engineering Solutions. As an enthusiastic and motivated civil engineering student eager to gain real-world experience, I am impressed by the innovative work undertaken by your organisation and am excited about the opportunity to contribute to your team during the upcoming summer months."

Table of contents

How to Write a Work Placement Cover Letter in 2024 (Template & Examples)

If you're seeking work placement, you need a well-written cover letter to showcase your CV strengths and personality. Searching for a new work placement or experience may seem intimidating at first. If you're unfamiliar illiar with it, it refers to a work placement at an accredited organisation, usually lasting between 6 to 12 months. It is a part of your degree program, requiring you to apply your learning from your studies to the work placement, and vice versa.

Whether you are a student or a graduate , our step-by-step guide provides a complete breakdown of how to write a cover letter, what to include, and the best format for work placement. See our tips, examples, and templates to sharpen your writing skills.

For more information, check out our diverse collection of cover letter templates to guide you further.

Customise this work placement cover letter

Work placement cover letter example.

This cover letter example features Finn Turner, a civil engineering student applying for a summer work placement at EA Engineering Solutions. As evidenced by his strong educational background, he is a quick learner with a strong foundation in the field. This cover letter follows a professional format with easy-to-read language and good structure. It explicitly shows his contact details, position applied, and reasons for applying.

For more inspiration, check out our related blog article on how to add work experience to a CV .

How to write a work placement cover letter with no experience

Whether you're writing with zero experience or already had a couple of positions, clarity is key. By ensuring you're specific about your career goals and qualifications you can assist the company in preparing for your placement period.

If you're interested in an internship or apprenticeship at a company that doesn't have a job opening at the moment, it is best to write an open cover letter or letter of interest . In it, you can briefly outline how qualifications align with the company's needs.

Try to shorten your cover letter and keep it to a maximum of one page of A4. Once it is written, ask a close acquaintance, or family member to proofread your letter.

If you’re looking for a summer work placement, ensure to check the core information, such as the duration, salary, full-time or part-time, industry type, company culture, and job criteria. Following this advice can help you tailor your cover letter efficiently.

To learn more, refer to our related blog article on how to write a CV with no experience .

What to include in a work placement cover letter?

Much like a good CV , a strong cover letter needs to be brief and specific to the job you're applying for. Apart from a job requirement, the work placement cover letter (also referred to as 'year in industry') aims to elaborate on details missing in your CV, providing a deeper insight into your relevant experience, skills, and achievements. Ensure to follow this simple structure:

Personal details

Introduction

Conclusion.

Before jumping into writing, consider the following details and questions that you need to answer for yourself first. Some of them you can find in your job description. Doing this will get you started and help direct your focus to the right keywords and topics to address. So, consider making an overview for yourself in which you answer the following questions:

What course are you following, and what year are you in?

How long is your work placement period?

Is there a required word limit set by an employer?

What relevant skills and qualities do you possess?

What would you like to learn during your placement?

Where do you see yourself working in five years?

With this information, you have sufficient means to write a strong cover letter for your work placement. 

For more examples and valuable tips, refer to our related blog article on how to structure your cover letter .

To match your qualifications with the company’s needs, ensure that your cover letter is simple and, most importantly, applicant tracking system (ATS) friendly. It refers to software used by recruiters to organise and track candidates for the recruitment process. It filters out your application by criteria such as years of experience and relevant technical or language skills.

For more details, check out our related blog post on how to make an ATS-friendly CV .

1. How to start a work placement cover letter

Your cover letter's introduction acts as a brief yet impactful overview of your relevant qualifications, tying back to your personal profile, also known as a personal statement, on your CV. Choose a captivating opening statement that grabs the recruiter's attention, ensuring you make a strong initial impression.

Contact information: Provide your name, address, date of application, phone number, and email at the top of your cover letter.

Salutation : Address the hiring manager or recruiter by name if available. Otherwise, use a general greeting such as "Dear Hiring Manager."

Introduction : Begin with a strong opening that briefly outlines your qualifications and demonstrates your interest in the position.

For additional guidance, refer to our blog article on how to start a cover letter.

Cover letter introduction example for health and social care work placement

I am excited to apply for the summer work placement at NHS, as recommended by Katie Sinclair. I am a Health and Social Care student at the University of Manchester and am eager to apply my medical knowledge in a practical setting. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to your team and make a positive impact on the lives of others. Let us work together to support the well-being of our community.

For more inspiration, check out our related guide for a medical CV .

Cover letter introduction example for student work placement

I am thrilled to apply for the summer work placement at InspireTech Ltd, as advertised on Indeed. I am a second-year Computer Science student at the University of Manchester. I am eager to bring my passion for technology to your team. I am excited to collaborate on innovative projects that align with your culture of teamwork.

For more details, read our guide for an undergraduate CV .

Cover letter introduction example for community service work placement

I am applying for the summer work placement at InspireTech Ltd to merge my love for community service and technology. Anthony Smith recommended me for the role. I am keen to contribute to your meaningful projects. Hope to work together to make a difference for both your company and the community.

For more information, consult our related article for a civil service CV .

2. How to write the body of a work placement cover letter

In the body of your cover letter, show your enthusiasm for the placement by mentioning specific skills and achievements from your academic or extracurricular activities. Clearly state why you are the ideal candidate, aligning your abilities and goals with the company's values and objectives. See the following tips to ensure your cover letter is top quality.

Be clear, precise, and to the point

Tailor your cover letter to each job you are applying

Focus on relevant achievements and work experience

Clearly express your career goals 

Show what you can bring to the company instead of vice versa

Read it aloud and proofread it before publishing

Use the same generic cover letter for every application

Include irrelevant or generic information such as your hobbies or academic knowledge

Include personal pronouns

Use slang or colloquial language

Use an unfitting layout format (e.g too many visuals)

Highlight your key skills and eagerness to hone them during your work placement. Convince your company that you can be of value to the company's needs. Show that you're ready to help with various tasks and projects, and you gain experience for your future career in return.

Cover letter body for an IT work placement

During my studies, I developed a mobile application for a local charity, streamlining volunteer coordination and boosting community engagement by 25%. Additionally, my internship at Praxis Solutions allowed me to contribute to the development of a new feature, improving user experience and decreasing customer complaints by 30%. These experiences have honed my problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and passion for innovation, making me an ideal fit for the work placement as a software developer at Praxis Solutions.

Cover letter body example for an internship work placement

During my studies, I led a marketing campaign for a student club, resulting in a 30% increase in event attendance. Additionally, my part-time role at a local startup allowed me to assist with market research and develop social media strategies, leading to a 20% growth in online engagement. These experiences have honed my analytical skills, creativity, and attention to detail, making me well-suited for the Marketing Internship work placement at Russel Innovations.

To learn more, see our related blog articles on how to list achievements and skills in your CV .

3. How to end a work placement cover letter

Close off your cover letter with a simple call to action, reiterating your enthusiasm for the position and showing your eagerness to discuss your application in the next interview. Show gratitude for the reader's time and consideration, and provide your contact information for any follow-up inquiries.

Appreciation : Show gratitude for their time and attention, thanking them for considering your application.

Positive note : End on an optimistic note, reinforcing your eagerness for the role and leaving a memorable impression.

Call to action : Consider a subtle call to action, such as reiterating your phone number and signalling your openness to schedule a follow-up interview.

Sign off: Conclude with a professional sign-off, choosing phrases like 'Best regards' or 'Yours faithfully' to maintain a courteous tone.

Cover letter conclusion for a social work placement

Thank you for considering my application for the social work placement opportunity at Elderbridge Ltd. I am excited to help grow your team and explore how my skills align with your goals. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications in greater detail.

Cover letter conclusion for work placement experience programme

Thank you for considering my application for the work placement experience programme at HSBC. I am excited about the chance to contribute to your team and gain valuable hands-on experience. I eagerly await the chance to discuss how my skills can benefit your organisation.

Thank you for reviewing my application for the business student work placement at Baker Hughes. I hope my background and skillset would be a valuable asset to your team and learning from industry professionals would be a great opportunity for my career growth. I am eager to discuss how my academic background and passion for business can meet the goals.

For more information, check out our blog article on how to end a cover letter .

Key takeaways

This article has covered the essentials of writing a cover letter and explained how to get work experience that you can eventually add to your career documents. Ensure that you carefully proofread your cover letter to eliminate mistakes and iron out the inconsistencies. Remember, brevity is key and could help you get noticed in this competitive market.

Research the job position and company culture.

Choose the cover letter format that aligns with the brand personality.

Include essential information such as contact details and an introduction to your current situation.

Write a strong opening statement.

Write in concise and clear language, preferably without personal pronouns such as ‘I’, ‘me’, and ‘us’.

Explain how you can contribute to the company by showcasing your career goals.

Focus on accomplishments, relevant experiences, and skills.

Add a call to action, such as asking about the next steps in the recruitment process or asking them to schedule an interview.

Next steps?

Using our easy-to-use cover letter builder you can create one in just a few minutes! You can create and download unlimited cover letters using one of our professional templates, which you can easily customise to your needs. If you have difficulties deciding which information to include, consider using our CV Writing Service to help you tailor and personalise your cover letter to a specific job.

For more valuable career advice, refer to one of our blog articles below:

Good questions for an interview

Apprenticeship CV

Internship CV.

What do you say when asking for a work placement on a cover letter?

You may not have much relevant work experience yet, which makes it difficult to name your experience and skills at first. However, your advantage is motivation and eagerness to learn new skills. By using the right persuasive techniques, you can move one step closer to landing more job interviews. If you want to gain experience for your future career, it is crucial to make use of all available resources and courses that can help with career development.

How to write a good cover letter for work placement?

Focus on the company culture and describe in your cover letter why you want a work placement at that company. A good cover letter can be divided into three essential parts: introduction, body, and conclusion. Having work experience is often mandatory for jobs, but try to think about why you chose a certain education and what you would like to do with it. You can also use this as information for your cover letter. Although describing your motivation may seem difficult highlight your eagerness to learn and

How to write a cover letter for social work field placement?

Target the specific agency and its mission, briefly outlining your reasons for applying. Focus on your strengths and explain how your background aligns with a social work placement. Demonstrate your social work knowledge from specific courses you've taken or previous volunteering or part-time job experience. Showcase your empathy, communication, and problem-solving skills, keeping it concise and easy to read. Remember to express your eagerness to learn and contribute to the success of your clients.

What is a letter of intent for placement?

It refers to a career document that outlines your interest in securing a work placement or internship at a specific organisation or institution. It delves into qualifications, skills, and reasons for seeking the placement opportunity. These letters can help job seekers differentiate themselves from similar CVs and get you noticed. Think of a letter of intent as a form of an elevator pitch in which you have three to four paragraphs to describe why you would be the best fit for an open position.

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

• Júlia Mlčúchova , 
• 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

Click on a section to skip

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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How to Write a Cover Letter for Internship (Examples & Template)

You’ve found the perfect internship and it’s now time to apply and land the position!

But, in addition to your resume, you also have to write an internship cover letter.

You might end up staring at the blank Word document for hours and nothing comes out.

We don’t blame you; cover letters are hard to write even if you have a decade’s worth of work experience, let alone if you’re a recent graduate or a student.

Worry not, though; in this article, we’re going to teach you all you need to know to write a compelling cover letter for your internship.

• Do you need a cover letter for an internship?
• How to write a compelling cover letter for an internship
• Plug and play internship cover letter template

Do I Need a Cover Letter for an Internship?

First things first—if you’re wondering whether you actually need a cover letter for your internship application, the answer is yes . 

An internship application is just like any other hiring process, meaning that a recruiter will go over your resume , cover letter (and maybe even references), and decide whether you’re qualified for the position. 

And yes, recruiters contrary to what you might think, recruiters do read your cover letter. 56% of recruiters prefer a cover letter with an applicant’s application.

This is reasonable - a cover letter allows you to add essential information you didn’t have space for in a resume, as well as explain (in words) how your experiences are tied to the role you’re applying for.

As such, a cover letter for an internship is essential and complementary to your application package.

Now that we got that out of the way, let’s go over all the best ways to write a cover letter for an internship. 

How to Write a Cover Letter for Internship

#1. respect the format.

Before you can focus on your cover letter’s contents, you should first make sure you’re sticking to the right format. 

Otherwise, your cover letter will be disorganized and the recruiter will have a hard time following your train of thought.

So, here’s the format that your cover letter for an internship should follow: 

• Header with contact information. This includes your full name, professional email, phone number, and LinkedIn profile (if you have one). Underneath your contact info, you should add the date and the receiver’s information (the recruiter’s name and title, the company/organization name, and their physical address). 
• Addressing the recruiter. Greeting the recruiter with “Dear Sir/Madam” or “To Whom It May Concern” is common, but not the best approach. Want to show the hiring manager that you did your research? We recommend you address the hiring manager by name directly. Our guide on how to address a cover letter covers everything you need to know on this topic!      
• Opening statement. Your opening statement should be brief, but at the same time professional and attention-grabbing. Here, you introduce yourself, mention the position you’re applying for, and potentially a key achievement or two.   
• Body. The body of your cover letter consists of 2-3 paragraphs where you highlight your education, provide background for your skills, and explain how you (and the company) would benefit from each other professionally. 
• Closing paragraph. Your closing paragraph is your chance to include a call to action, to thank the recruiters for their time, or mention anything important you left out. 
• Formal salutation. End your cover letter with a formal salutation such as “kind regards,” “sincerely,” or “best regards.” Our guide on how to end a cover letter can teach you all you need to know on the topic. 

Having trouble getting started with your cover letter? Read our guide on how to start a cover letter and get inspired!

#2. State the Position You’re Applying For in the Opening

Recruiters hate one-size-fits-all cover letters and resumes.

Around 48% of recruiters and hiring managers aren’t even going to read your cover letter if it’s not customized to the role you’re applying for.

And one of the easiest ways to do this is by mentioning the role you’re applying for right in the cover letter opening.

This allows you to:

• Show that you will be tailoring the rest of your cover letter for that position alone.
• Prove that your cover letter is customized for this specific internship, and you’re not just randomly applying for the job,

Here’s a practical example of how you can mention the role you’re applying for in the cover letter opening:

Dear Mr. Jacobs, 

It is my pleasure to apply for the Communications Assistant internship position at the United Nations Development Programme. I can confidently say based on my 2-year experience working as a journalist and my excellent academic results in the Mass Communications Major that I’d be a good fit for the position. 

#3. Mention the Right Keywords

When reviewing your application, hiring managers tend to scan your cover letter or resume and look for the right keywords that would make you qualified for the internship you’re applying for.

E.g. If you're applying for a job in graphic design, the recruiter is probably looking for keywords like “Photoshop,” “Illustrator,” or “InDesign.”

As such, it’s very important to include the right keywords in your cover letter.

How can you find these keywords, you might ask?

It’s actually pretty simple - just look at the internship job description and go through the required skills & responsibilities and identify the keywords that you’d think the recruiter would be looking for.

Then, do the following:

• Sprinkle some of those keywords throughout your cover letter. When relevant, back them up with an experience. E.g. don’t just say “I’m good at Photoshop,” say how you’ve taken 3 different Photoshop classes and used Photoshop for 2 different projects.
• Don’t include keywords that don’t apply to you, they’ll just make it seem like you’re copy-pasting from the job description.
• Research and add other popular soft skills that recruiters look for in applicants for the role you’re applying for. E.g. If you’re applying for an internship as a communications assistant, chances are, you’ll need strong communication skills (even if this is not something listed in the job description.

Now, let’s look at a practical example. Let’s say that the internship you’re applying for requires the following skills:

• Communication
• Ability to meet strict deadlines

Here’s how you’d mention this in your cover letter:

During my time as Editor in Chief at my University’s newspaper, I got to develop my communication and leadership skills significantly. For over two years, I was in charge of a 7 people team, which also helped my teamwork skills and my ability to meet deadlines. 

Keep in mind, though, that it IS possible to overdo it with the keywords.

44% of hiring managers say they will dismiss a resume or cover letter that looks as if it has copied the job posting. 

Using each and every keyword mentioned in the job description (without backing the skills up with experiences) might cause the hiring manager to think that you’re just copying the job ad & don’t actually have these skills.

So, don’t just copy-paste all the keywords from the job description, and if you DO mention a lot of those keywords, make sure to back them up with practical experiences.

#4. Highlight Your Education

If you don’t have a lot of work experience, your education and relevant coursework is your best chance to show that you’re a good fit for the internship. 

Letting the recruiter know what kind of courses you’ve completed that are relevant to the internship you’re applying for will be a big plus for your application. 

Say, for example, that you’re applying for an internship as a graphic designer. To make your internship cover letter impactful, make sure to mention all the relevant courses and related accomplishments. 

Here’s an example of how you could do that:

As a Visual Design major, I have completed several courses that have helped me build my professional portfolio. A few of the most beneficial ones have been Design & Layout and Visual Communication: Theory and Practice. I have also gained valuable experience doing the layout of the university’s newspaper for 4 years and of several books as independent projects. 

#5. Provide Background For Your Skills

It’s one thing to just claim that you have a set of skills and another to prove it. 

Anyone can say that they’re great at doing something, but what makes all the difference is when you can actually put your money where your mouth is. 

For example, in your internship cover letter, instead of just mentioning that you have “good time-management skills,” actually back it up with a past experience that proves it.

During the summers I assisted my family’s wedding planning business, I learned a lot about time management. In that kind of business, it’s important that things run like clockwork so in addition to time management skills, it also significantly improved my attention to detail. 

#6. Explain Why You’re a Good Fit For The Position

In addition to just listing out the skills that are relevant and beneficial for the internship, you should also explain why you are a good fit for the position. 

This means that you should connect the dots between what the company/organization is looking to gain from its interns and what you can do to provide those services. 

So, after you research and create an understanding of what is required of you, you should use your cover letter to explain why you’re a good fit for that position. 

For the sake of the example, let’s assume you’re applying for an internship at a Human Rights organization. A big chunk of what the role requires is categorizing virtual files of the cases the organization has worked on in the past.

What you want to do, in this case, is show how you can help with that particular job as an intern. Here’s how:  

I have spent 3 summers working at the National Library, where I was tasked to sort and categorize books based on their topic, author, and year of publication, and also memorize where each section fits in the library. I believe this skill, which I have perfected over the years, can really be of use for the internship position at Organization X.

#7. Describe What You Would Gain Professionally

In addition to showing (and proving) your skills and how you can benefit the company, you should also explain how getting the position will benefit YOU . 

When it comes to internships, oftentimes they serve the purpose of helping students and young professionals acquire in-depth knowledge about the industry, create a network, and develop skills that will benefit them throughout their careers. 

So, it will surely help you make an even better impression if you show that you are self-aware about what you’ll get out of the internship and how it will help you grow professionally. 

Here’s how you can do that: 

I am excited for this internship to provide me with the necessary customer service skills and network that will help me grow professionally in my future career as a customer service manager. 

#8. Proofread Your Cover Letter

After all, is written and done, there’s one final thing to do and that is make sure your cover letter doesn’t have mistakes. 

A spelling or grammar mistake probably won’t disqualify you, but at the same time, it will probably be a red flag for recruiters that you’re not too attentive.

For this reason, ask a friend to proofread your cover letter or use spell-checking software such as Grammarly and Hemingway . 

Want to know what other cover letter mistakes you should avoid? Our guide on cover letter mistakes has all you need to know on the topic! 

#9. Match Your Cover Letter & Resume Designs

Want your internship application to truly shine?

Match your cover letter design with your resume!

Sure, you could go with a generic Word cover letter template, but why fit in when you can stand out?

At Novorésumé, all our resume templates come with a matching cover letter template , guaranteed to make your application truly special.

Cover Letter for Internship Template

Struggling to create a cover letter for your internship?

Simply follow our tried-and-tested internship cover letter template!

Key Takeaways 

And that’s a wrap! You should now have all the necessary information about how to create a cover letter for an internship.

Now, let’s do a small recap of the key learning points we just covered:

• Cover letters are a must when you’re applying for an internship.
• When you start writing your cover letter, make sure you respect the format: the header with contact information, the greeting to the recruiter, an opening paragraph, the body with 2-3 paragraphs, and a closing paragraph followed by an official salutation and your name.
• Some of our main tips on how to write a cover letter for an internship include: state the position you’re applying for, make use of the right keywords, and back up your skills with experiences.
• Use a cover letter builder and match it with your resume to make sure your cover letter truly stands out from the rest.

Related Readings: 

• Entry-level Cover Letter
• Do I Need a Cover Letter in 2024?
• Top 21 Cover Letter Tips

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4 Cover Letter Examples (Plus Tips on How to Write Yours)

We love having examples. It’s so much easier to decorate a cake, build a model, or yes, even write a cover letter when you know what the end product could look like. So that’s what we’re going to give you—all the cover letter examples and tips you need to make yours shine (unfortunately we’re not experts in cake decorating or model building). 

You'll see that writing a cover letter is all about highlighting your relevant skills, professional experience, and accomplishments, while emphasizing your interest for the role in an engaging manner.

Want to get right down to business? Skip ahead to:

Why bother with a cover letter at all?

We bet when you see a job listing that says “ cover letter optional ,” you breathe a sigh of relief, gleefully submit your resume, and move on. But you’re truly doing yourself a disservice by not including a cover letter (or by writing one that’s super generic or formulaic).

“When you’re writing a resume you’re oftentimes confined by space, by resume speak, by keywords—you’re up against a lot of technical requirements,” says Melody Godfred, a career coach and the founder of Write in Color who’s read thousands of cover letters over the course of her career. “In a cover letter you have an opportunity to craft a narrative that aligns you not only with the position you’re applying to but also the company you’re applying to.”

Whether you’re writing a cover letter for a data scientist or marketing manager position, an internship or a senior-level role, a startup or a Fortune 500 company, you’re going to want to tailor it to the role, company, and culture. A strong, customized cover letter will help you explain your value proposition and stand out from the stack of applicants. 

If there’s a gap in your resume , you have the opportunity to explain why it’s there. If you’re changing careers, you have the chance to describe why you’re making the switch. If your resume is pretty dull, a cover letter helps you show some personality . And yes, cover letters still get read.

Deep in the job search, or just browsing? These open jobs on The Muse could be your ideal next step »

What do I write in a cover letter? The 3 basic elements

You'll notice from our cover letter examples that the body of your text can vary a lot depending on factors like the position you're applying for, your career stage, and the type of cover letter requested by the hiring manager. For instance, a writing sample cover letter is different from a traditional professional cover letter (we'll get there soon.)

However, there is some information that you can't leave out. It's important to highlight your most relevant experience, skills, and qualifications for the role in any type of cover letter. Plus, make sure to write an engaging first paragraph to grab the reader's attention, and an effective final paragraph, ideally followed by a call to action, in order to leave a lasting positive impression.

You could say that cover letters are a little like puzzles. When you put each component in its proper place (and remove any parts that don’t fit), you create a complete picture. Even though that picture is always different, the types of pieces are basically the same. We've broken down these three key elements for you:

1. An engaging opener

How you start a cover letter is everything. Your opening lines influence whether someone keeps reading—and you want them to, right? “Starting with something that immediately connects you to the company is essential—something that tells the company that this is not a generic cover letter,” Godfred says. “You have to say something that tells the employer, ‘I wrote this just for you.’”

It can be a childhood memory tying you back to the company’s mission. It can be a story about the time you fell in love with the company’s product. It can be an anecdote from another job or experience showing how hard of a worker you are. Whatever you decide to open with, make it memorable.

2. A clear pitch

Use the next few paragraphs of your cover letter to “hit them with the strongest results you have that are aligned with the opportunity,” Godfred says. Ryan Kahn , Muse career coach and founder of The Hired Group , calls this your pitch. In other words, the part where you’re “selling yourself for the position and why you’re qualified for it.”

Additionally, Godfred says, “If you’re someone who’s transitioning careers, and you need to explain that transition, you do it there.”

This section should have a balance of soft and hard skills . Talk about your experience using Salesforce or doing SEO work, but also highlight your ability to lead teams and communicate effectively.

“Companies are embracing authenticity, they’re embracing humanity, they’re looking for people who are going to fit their culture,” says Godfred. “So what are your values? What do you stand for? These values should be as much a part of your cover letter as the super specialized hard skills.

3. A great closing line

Your closing line could include your next steps or a call to action, Kahn says, such as “ I welcome the opportunity to speak with you more about how I can contribute to the team ,” or, “ I would love to schedule a time for us to discuss this role and my experience. ” But more importantly, “You want to make sure that you’re gracious and thanking them,” he says. While seemingly cliché , it never hurts to end on a simple, “ Thank you for your consideration. ”

Does that sound a bit overwhelming? Don’t panic! We’ve got examples of four types of cover letters below: a traditional cover letter , an impact cover letter , a writing sample cover letter , and a career change cover letter . So let’s take a look at these examples, why they work, and how you can use them to craft your own.

1. The traditional cover letter example

A traditional cover letter is similar to what you’d come up with using position-based cover letter templates . It moves in reverse chronological order through your career history, highlighting parts of your past jobs that make you well suited for this position.

You might want to use this type of cover letter if:

• You’re applying to a more formal company (like a law firm or major healthcare company ) or a more conventional role (like a lawyer or accountant).
• You want to play it safe and conservative with your application materials.

What does the job description say?

Imagine you’re applying to a paralegal job opening at a law firm. The job description might include:

Responsibilities

• Draft routine legal documents for review and use by attorneys
• Coordinate and organize materials and presentations for legal proceedings
• Research legal and related issues and report findings and conclusions to team
• Provide overall legal administrative support to the legal team
• Maintain calendars and ensure timely filings

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent of relevant education and work experience
• Strong communication skills (oral and written)
• Strong organizational , multitasking, and prioritization skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and LexisNexis
• Trustworthy, positive, energetic, and optimistic attitude with a willingness to roll up your sleeves

The cover letter example

Here’s an example of a traditional cover letter you could write for this role—keeping things strictly professional but without sounding too boring or jargon-y:

Dear Ms. Jessica Sanchez,

In my five-year career as a paralegal, I have honed my legal research and writing skills, and the attorneys I’ve worked with have complimented me on my command of case law and litigation support. Spiegel Law Firm’s 20 years in practice proves that the firm has strong values and excellent attorneys, and I’d be eager to join such a talented team.

I currently serve as a paralegal for Chandler, Chandler, and Greene, where I work closely with the partners on a number of high-priority cases. During my time here, I implemented a new calendar system that ensures timely filing of court papers. This system has prevented missed deadlines and allowed for better organization of internal and client meetings.

Previously, as a paralegal for the Neuerburg Law Firm, I received praise for my overall support of the legal team and my positive attitude. While working there, I came up with and implemented a plan for digitizing their old files while still ensuring security and privacy. This led to more efficiency when preparing for client meetings and legal proceedings.

My further qualifications include a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University, a paralegal certificate, and training in LexisNexis, Westlaw, and Microsoft Office Suite.

I would love the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to your legal team. Thank you in advance for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Chase Broadstein [email protected] (222) 222-2222

Download this example

Why this works

This cover letter example is short, sweet, and to the point. It shows the candidate has a knack for getting things done in a thorough and timely manner and a track record for helping out wherever needed. The opening lines also express a genuine interest in this specific firm. Plus, there are some important keywords in there like “calendar system,” “bachelor’s degree,” “paralegal certificate,” and “LexisNexis.”

2. The impact cover letter example

The impact cover letter puts your accomplishments front and center rather than organizing your paragraphs by past roles. You might use a cover letter like this if:

• You’re applying for roles where you’re expected to deliver on certain goals or results (for example, if the jobs involve sales quotas or marketing metrics).
• You haven’t followed a straightforward career path and your past job titles don’t show the extent of your qualifications.
• You want your personality to stand out a bit more than it might in a traditional cover letter.

What does the job description say

Imagine you’ve come across an opening for an email marketing manager . Part of the job description states:

• Manage email marketing strategy and calendar, including copywriting, optimization, monitoring, analyzing, and reporting on campaigns
• Improve campaign success through conversion optimization, A/B testing, and other experiments
• Collaborate with the design team to ensure brand guidelines are followed in emails
• Partner and collaborate cross-functionally with sales, product, product marketing, and data teams
• 3+ years in email marketing
• Experience with Constant Contact, Google Analytics, HTML, CSS, Photoshop, and Microsoft Excel, a plus
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written) and an eye for copyediting
• Strong interpersonal , relationship-building, and stakeholder management skills
• Excellent project management, problem-solving , and time management skills, with the ability to multitask effectively

Here’s an example of an impact cover letter where the writer’s hard skills and successes stand out:

Dear Russ Roman,

I have a problem. See, my inbox currently (and embarrassingly) hosts 1,500 unread emails—including newsletters from at least 50 different brands.

But this problem only fuels my passion for creating emails that are worth opening. Because from my perspective, as someone who can barely get through their own stack of mail, that’s a true win.

I’ve been following Vitabe for years, and can proudly say that I open every single email you send to me. I’m a sucker for a good subject line—“Take a Vitamin-ute—We’ll A-B-C You Soon” being my favorite—and the way your email content feels both fun and expert-backed really speaks to me. This is why I’m thrilled to submit my application for a role as email marketing manager at your company.

I have over four years of experience working in the email marketing space. In my current role at Westside Bank, I was able to implement new email campaigns centered around reengaging churned clients. By analyzing data around the types of clients who churn and the engagement of our current email subscribers, as well as A/B testing headlines and newsletter layouts, we were able to increase email subscribers by 15% and convert 30% of those subscribers to purchase our product, a significant increase from the previous year. 

I also launched a “Your Credit Matters” newsletter focused on educating our clients on how they spend and manage their credit—which became our highest performing campaign in terms of open-rates and click-through to date.

Previously, as a member of the marketing team at Dream Diary Mattresses, I collaborated with the sales and product team to understand how I could best support them in hitting their quarterly goals. One specific project involving creating personalized emails for customers drew more people to come back to our site after 30 days than direct paid ad campaigns, leading to a 112% increase in revenue from the last quarter.

I take the content I write and the calendars I manage seriously, editing and refining beyond detail-oriented and into meticulous territory, and I feel my experience and drive would greatly help Vitabe further develop their email program for success.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.

Lad Miller [email protected] (987) 654-3210

This sample cover letter concisely highlights the applicant’s most significant, relevant achievements. By adding context to how their projects were created, monitored, and completed, they’re able to show just how results-driven they are and how they’ve successfully leveraged some of the skills the company is looking for.

One thing worth noting: This person didn’t include keywords such as Constant Contact, Google Analytics, HTML, CSS, Photoshop, or Microsoft Excel—all of which are listed in the job description. But those skills are most likely in their resume already, and leaving them out gives them the space to discuss specific projects and tell a story not visible on other parts of their job application.

3. The writing sample cover letter example

For roles where written communication is key, such as PR, copywriting , or journalism jobs, your cover letter will likely be the first writing sample your future employer sees. So it’s just as important to show your skill set in action through eloquent writing.

• Writing or editing is a key component of the role you’re applying to.
• You want to show off your creativity.

Here’s part of a job description for a staff writer position:

• Pitch and write articles, reporting on timely issues and trends
• Collaborate with editorial and other teams to launch each digital issue and other special projects on schedule
• Evaluate content performance and digital trends on a daily basis to constantly adjust pitches and packaging
• Utilize CMS tools, strategically select photos and videos, and request original graphics to optimize all written content for maximum engagement
• At least 2-3 years of experience creating content at a digital-first outlet
• Strong writing and reporting skills, and the ability to write clearly and quickly
• Familiarity working in a CMS and with analytics tools such as Google Analytics
• Deadline-driven, strategic thinker with a knack for crafting click-y headlines
• Strong collaborator who thrives in fast-paced environments

Have fun with this one, but triple-check for spelling and grammar mistakes, and make sure you’re showing off your best writing. Here's the cover letter sample:

Dear Tai Chen,

Since I could walk, I’ve been dancing. And since I could read, I’ve been glued to Arabesque Weekly. At one point, you featured one of my local heroes—a ballerina who struggled with an injury early in her career and went on to become a principal dancer at Pacific Northwest Ballet—and I plastered the article above my childhood bed. It’s still there today.

That article—and so many others you’ve published—taught me that dancing was about more than just pirouettes and arabesques and that the right kind of writer can shed light on aspects of the art that make it surprising, impactful, and universal. I can be that writer.

As an editorial assistant at TheImprovGroup.com for the past two and a half years, my main responsibility was to get all of our content ready to go live on the site. This included fact-checking, proofreading, adding in HTML where necessary, and finding photos, videos, and GIFs that would complement the content and optimize audience engagement. 

As I tinkered with each post, I became intimately familiar with our internal CMS. Reviewing every single article we published and following reactions and engagement helped me gain a deep understanding of what makes a piece really land with our audience.

But by far my favorite aspect of this role has been writing. Each week, I pitch and write at least one article, from 250-word news items to 900-word advice pieces to even longer profiles, features, and personal essays. I love the challenge of developing pitches that align with the trends we see in the data, reflect with the company’s brand and mission, and allow me to flex my creative muscles.

Collaborating with my team to form the best content library we can has been a dream come true. I would be so excited to use my experience to help Arabesque Weekly achieve its goals. And I hope to one day write a story that another little dance lover tapes to their wall forever.

It would be an honor to be a part of your editorial team, and I look forward to the possibility of discussing the opportunity with you.

Hoping to be your next staff writer,

Marlee Wood [email protected] (555) 666-4433

This candidate is clearly passionate about this specific publication and leads with a unique personal anecdote tied to the company’s mission that demonstrates their ability to tell stories in a compelling way. There are relevant keywords and phrases, sure, but they’re not just thrown in there. Their voice comes through in every sentence, proving this person knows how to communicate effectively and creatively.

4. The career change cover letter example

Cover letters can play a big part in helping career changers prove their qualifications—especially when it’s unclear how their skills transfer over to this new field.

You might write a career change cover letter if:

• You want to highlight the transferable skills you have that relate to the job description.
• You want to explain why you’re making the switch and what’s driving you toward this specific industry, company, or position.

Imagine you’re someone who has experience supporting a sales team as an administrative assistant , and you’re now looking to become a sales representative. You come across a job posting that includes:

• Develop new sales techniques and strategies to build pipeline and hit team goals
• Coordinate with other teams to increase lead-generation efforts
• Assist in the processing of new business, including contacting customers to finalize sales and service transactions
• 1-3 years of successful sales experience
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment
• Ability to work independently to plan, set priorities, and effectively organize work
• Proven ability to be persuasive, persistent, and confident in closing a sale

Typically, this type of cover letter should include a compelling narrative about your career change and how you can transfer your past experiences to this new role. Here’s how you might translate your past experience over to this new (and exciting) prospect:

Dear Maria Russo,

The head of sales at Sunshine Inc. was in a bind. She needed six client meetings scheduled, 18 service transactions processed, and a summary of the team’s new lead generation campaign drafted before getting on a flight to Austin—in three hours. So she turned to her cool-headed, sales-savvy administrative assistant for help. That assistant was me. Not only did I execute everything on her to-do list, I did it all before her plane left the ground.

For three years, I worked in lockstep with a busy, growth-oriented sales leader to support the business development team. As the sole administrative assistant in the department, I balanced a swath of competing priorities, ranging from coordinating meetings and inputting data to contacting customers, finalizing transactions, and creating promotional materials. This role helped me develop a comprehensive understanding of the sales cycle, sales strategy, and pipeline growth.

Like many others, my career path hasn’t been entirely straightforward. After leaving Crabapple Media, I enrolled in a local coding bootcamp. Six months later, I emerged with a certificate in computer programming and a certainty that I did not want to be a coder. But education is never wasted. I’m now an aspiring sales representative with experience supporting a thriving sales team and extensive knowledge of the tech space.

Here’s a little bit more about how my experience would translate into this role:

• At Crabapple Media, I assisted in coordinating three annual sales strategy rollouts, yielding an average increase in pipeline of 26% YoY.
• At Sunshine Inc., I supported 12 independent team members in their lead-generation efforts. I also assisted in processing an average of 300 sales transactions every quarter.
• I thrive in busy, ever-changing environments that require me to communicate clearly and concisely. Supporting a high-volume team and a busy executive helped me to hone these skills—I typically sent more than 200 emails a day!

I would, of course, love to schedule a time for us to discuss this role and my experience, and I truly want to thank you for considering me.

All the best,

Olu Abiola [email protected] (123) 456-789

The opener draws you in and makes you want to learn more. It toots the person’s horn, but in a way that’s substantiated. Then, the next couple sections explain their experience in the sales space and other relevant qualifications, before eventually tying that back to why they’re applying to this specific job. 

Similar to the impact cover letter, the author lists some of the more important qualities they bring to the table, doing a bit of keyword inclusion and resume gap explaining along the way.

Bonus cover letter examples

To further guide you, check out some more cover letter examples:

• Pain point cover letter example
• Internship cover letter example
• Recent graduate cover letter example
• (Another) career changer cover letter example
• Stay-at-home parent returning to work cover letter example
• Sales cover letter example
• Email marketing manager cover letter example
• No job description or position cover letter example (a.k.a., a letter of intent or interest)
• Example cover letter with no experience

Let’s break down one of our example cover letters real quick

All three professional cover letter examples have some key elements that make them great and able to grab the hiring manager's attention. Check out this handy infographic that breaks down our impact cover letter:

A few more cover letter tips

Here are a few more tips to help the cover letter process:

Start with a “brain dump” 

If you’re staring at a blank page, Godfred always recommends that her clients start by getting all their ideas on the page without paying attention to length. Then “ask yourself how you can cut half of it,” she says. You’ll likely find that repeated information and very generic phrases are the first to go. (If it’s still too long, here are some tips for getting your cover letter down to one page .)

Don’t just repeat your resume

You only have so much space to get your point across, so focus on the information that isn’t stated elsewhere rather than simply regurgitating your resume. A good cover letter should complement your resume, so use the opportunity to elaborate your skills and qualifications further, as well as your accomplishments and why you're a good fit for that position.

Focus on quality over quantity 

Target the jobs you’re most closely drawn to and qualified for and give them all your energy, rather than trying to churn out hundreds of cover letters, Kahn says. You may not be able to apply to as many jobs, but you’ll have a better response rate.

Remember the ATS 

Much like your resume, an applicant tracking systems, or ATS , will be sifting through your cover letter. So you’ll want to scatter relevant keywords from the job description throughout your pitch where it makes sense.

Don’t stress over formatting 

You may see flashy cover letter examples across the internet, but for the most part, it just isn’t necessary. An ATS can’t read text that has been formatted beyond using bold, italics, underline, and color, so keep your font and layout simple—especially if you’re submitting your cover letter through an online portal.

Don't forget your contact information

Include your contact information on every page, including your name, phone number, and email. “Imagine you come across a cover letter and you print it out with a bunch of applications to review and it doesn’t have the person’s contact information on it,” Godfred says. “You never want to put yourself in a situation where you’re the right person and they can’t find you.”

Edit your cover letter before submitting

Never submit a cover letter right after you finish writing it—there could be critical errors that you didn't notice while typing. Take some time away from your text, then revisit it like you're reading someone else's letter. Be sure to double-check all the information you've included, paying special attention to:

• The company's name
• The hiring manager's name
• The job title
• Your contact information
• Basic grammar and spelling

You're ready to go

If you've come this far, you're equipped with all the information you need to craft a great cover letter. Hopefully these cover letter examples help as you go to tackle your own. Remember: This is just one small step in the process! Take your time, but learn to move on when you’ve given it your all.

Amanda Cardoso contributed to the latest version of this article.

• Specialties
• Outplacement
• For Business
• For Coaches

How To Write A Cover Letter

• Introduction

Write top-notch cover letters with a proven process that makes them easy to write and incredibly impactful.

• 📗 When to Read

You’re ready to start applying for jobs. Cover letters are a crucial part of the job application process.

Always write a cover letter when applying for a job, even if it’s not required.

• ⌚ Time Required

Plan to spend about an hour on every cover letter you write. Cover letters are often the most time-consuming part of applying for a job.

• ✅ Done When

You found yourself an excellent job and don’t need to continue writing cover letters! 🙌 

A  cover letter  is a one-page document sent to an employer that accompanies your resume and helps you stand out from other applicants. Candidates often skip writing cover letters because they can be time-consuming to write and confuse what should be included.

This guide will give you everything you need to write great cover letters with ease. We’ll take the mystery out of what to write and how to write it. But first, let’s review why cover letters are so important. 

There are scenarios where you should write a cover letter. A few of those scenarios are:

You’re applying to a role that will get hundreds of qualified candidates, and you need to stand out. Ideally, you’d network your way into the company, but you’re moving fast to ensure you get your application in within the first hour the job is posted. 

The company’s mission truly means something to you - there’s an honest person connection you want to showcase.

You haven’t found a clear path to networking your way into the company. You don’t have second-degree connections on Linkedin nor a strong network in the industry.

It’s a job where writing a cover letter is essential such as a marketing manager, SDR, or Content Strategist.

This is one of your first jobs out of college, and you need to leverage any possible way to show why they should pick you.

You are an uncommonly good writer, and this is an opportunity for you to stand out positively.

You wrote a cover letter for a competitor, so re-using it would be easy and effective. 

If any of the following apply to you, it’s worthwhile to write a cover letter. 

Consider that there might be instances where you won’t have the option to include a cover letter when applying for a job via an online portal. Whenever you’re starting a job application, look through the application to see if a cover letter is required, requested, or emphasized in the application form. Sometimes, there will just be a text box instead. Read the cues and adapt accordingly to help you decide whether it’s worth your precious time.

• Why write a cover letter

Cover letters are one of the most time-efficient ways to stand out when you’re applying. Unlike networking, they’re entirely in your control, so you can use them to stand out within hours of the job posting going live.

In total, cover letters help you:

✅ Stand out from other applicants

✅ Show the hiring team you want this job and didn’t mass apply

✅ Prove you did your research on this opportunity

✅ Convey your personality and tell your story

✅ Include information that didn’t fit in your resume about why you’re a great candidate 

 Let’s start by getting a few common misconceptions out of the way:

❌  Machines are reading your application.  OK, so this is kind of a joke. But many people imagine that their cover letter is sent into a black hole. In reality, it’s sent into a big queue where it’s the job of the recruiting team or hiring manager to review. A real, live, breathing human being is on the other side, and they want to be treated well just like you do.

❌  Take up the whole page with your cover letter.  It’s 2021! This isn’t school. Brevity is best. Most companies are inundated with hundreds of applications so you need to get your value across most concisely and compellingly possible. Focus only on the most relevant information for that specific job.

❌  You can use the same cover letter for multiple jobs.  Cover letters must be customized to the specific company and role you’re applying for or they feel inauthentic. You can upcycle lots of the content, but it has to feel custom-tailored for the position. Using a highly generic template can hurt your chances of getting an interview. If you’re not going to put in the love, don’t even send it.

❌  Cover letters are like your resume in paragraph format.  Nope. That would be boring to read! Your cover letter should be exciting and unique. It should share context about why you’re the right candidate to interview that can’t be found in your resume. 

Considering all of the common misconceptions listed above, you can see many pitfalls to avoid. Good thing you’re reading this guide ;)

To make sure we are all on the same page about what a cover letter should NOT be, let’s take a look at an example of a poorly written cover letter: 

To Whom It May Concern: My name is Jane Doe and I’m writing you to apply for the Sales Team Leader job. As soon as I saw it posted on LinkedIn, I knew this would be the perfect role for me because I’ve always had a strong ability to build relationships with people and persuade them to take action. I’m confident that I’m a qualified candidate for the position. I started my career as a sales associate at a local retailer. In this role, I worked directly with customers to answer their questions about our products and make recommendations based on their needs. I learned that I’m a strong communicator and enjoy working with people. I know my sales experience makes me a great fit to become a team leader.  Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing about next steps. Sincerely, Jane Doe

See how that letter is boring, vague, and generic?

Ok, enough about what not to do! Let’s move on to what you should include in your cover letter 👌

• Anatomy of a Cover Letter

Cover letters should include three main sections, each with a specific purpose. Your cover letter should be ⅔ to ¾ of a page long (we’ll cover formatting later!). We’ll break down what to include in each paragraph and take a look at some examples.

At a high level, your cover letter will include:

Paragraph 1:  Reel them in 🧐

Strong hook that makes them smile

Research to show you know your stuff

Proof that you actively follow the happenings of the company 

Target to the specific role you’re applying for

Introduction of why you’re a great candidate

Paragraph 2: Sell yourself 💁

Align the job description to your experiences and transferable skills

Paragraph 3: Wrap it up 💝

Restate how you’ll add value

Express appreciation for their consideration

Include contact information

• Paragraph 1: Reel Them In 🧐

Start your cover letter with a good hook - something that makes them want to read more. Grab the reader’s attention and make them smile.  Earn  the right to be read. Say something like:

On July 19th, 2011, I became a premium member of Spotify. As someone just starting to explore their music taste, Spotify was a dream come true. Nine years later, music is a large part of what defines me. I’m a frequent concert-goer, my vinyl collection continues to grow, and I’ve even dabbled in making my tunes. I owe much of my interest in music to Spotify.

Show the reader you’re not just throwing in a resume. You’re highly interested in THIS job! Make it clear that you’ve  really  done your research. 

A couple of ways to do that are:

Explain how you learned about this job - and make it original. Writing you found the open position on LinkedIn doesn’t feel special. If you note that a current employee of the company suggested you apply, that’s really compelling. Best, of course, is that said employee talks to the hiring manager about your application! Please read about how to make that happen in our 

Show that you follow the company’s news. Mention you were reading TechCrunch and saw an article about their new beta product. To find articles or press about the company you’re applying for, you can simply Google “[Company Name] News.” Most companies have an “about us” or “press” page on their website. These pages are a gold mine of information to use. For lots more ideas about how to research a company, see our 

Next, include the role you’re applying for. You can hyperlink to the job posting, so there is no confusion, especially if the company has many of them.

Finally, end the paragraph with a segue into why you’re an excellent fit for this role. It’s just like your thesis statement in a grade school essay -- the most critical part of the whole page. Give the person a sneak-peek into why they should be excited you’re applying. Make them want to read more. 

• Paragraph 2: Sell Yourself 💁

The second paragraph is your time to ✨ shine ✨. Pull up the job description in a parallel window and review the key responsibilities again. Pull from your resume the most directly related experiences related to the role and highlight your transferable skills. Be sure to mention any places where you meet the “nice to haves” if those are listed.

It’s helpful to use bullet points in the second paragraph to break up your cover letter visually. Anything longer can look daunting and run the risk of not being read. Keep it short and sweet.

• Paragraph 3: Wrap It Up 💝

Finally, reiterate your excitement about the opportunity and make yourself available to be contacted! 

Summarize and reiterate the value you would add to this role. Emphasize why you absolutely need to be on the interview list. 

Next, thank the recruiting team for their consideration. Be appreciative of the time the team took to read your cover letter. Remember, companies are just people at the end of the day.

Finally, conclude with your contact information. Make it as easy as possible for the recruiting team to get you scheduled for an interview! 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all that goes into crafting a solid cover letter, we’ve got you covered. Check out Placement Plus to see all of the ways we can help you quickly write a top-notch cover letter. We’ve got experts on demand and proven templates that will grab the attention of recruiters. 

• Formatting Your Cover Letter

It’s not just what you say in your cover letter -- presentation matters. Once you’ve written the three short sections of your cover letter, it’s time to put on the finishing touches to make sure it looks professional. We’re talking about font size, spacing, and file format.

If you’re submitting your cover letter as an attachment, whether the attachment is to an email or an online application, include a header that details your contact information.

Don’t put this info in the actual “header” of your document. Just put it at the top of the page.

If you’re going the old-school approach: In the top left of your Word document, provide the following:

Date Your Name City, State Phone Number Email Address

If you’re going REALLY old-school and happen to be sending your cover letter as a printed document via mail, the heading should be formatted as such:

Date Your Name Your Address Your City, State, Zip Code Your Phone Number Your Email Address

Hiring Manager’s Name Company Name Company Address Company City, State, ZIP Code

Start with the greeting. Use the person’s name to assume gender or marital status. It’s peculiar to read, “Dear Sir,” when you’re a woman! Instead, you can say “Dear [First Name Last Name].” 

If possible, figure out the hiring manager’s name so you can put it on the document and figure out how to network your way to that person.

Now we know you’re thinking… what if I don’t know the name of the hiring manager?! Not to worry - we’ve got a few tricks up our sleeve.

Sometimes this information is listed in the job description or on the company website. Check there first.

If you still can’t find the right name, try searching LinkedIn. Spend some time looking at the people who work at the company and try to find the recruiter responsible for the division you’re applying to. If after a quick search you can’t find the recruiter’s name, stick with “{Company name} {Division you’re applying to} Team:” (e.g., Snapchat Accounting Team:)

Don’t say the old-fashioned “Dear Sir or Madam” or “To Whom It May Concern.” That sounds outdated and awkward. 

After the three paragraphs, at the end of your cover letter, is the closing. Strike a balance of friendly yet professional here. Pick one of these tried-and-true closings:

Respectfully

Then type your name below the closing. Include your last name if you wish.

A cover letter is a professional document just like your resume, so match your font and font size to your resume- a font that reflects that tone. A basic font such as Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, or Verdana are good options, and the font size should be 10- or 12- point. 

Intentional white space in your resume makes it more easy to read and digestible - both of which are helpful for the hiring manager as they make their way through dozens, if not hundreds, of applications.

Keep your cover letter single-spaced.

Add a space (using Enter on your keyboard) in between each section of your cover letter. There should be a paragraph space between the contact information, salutation, first paragraph, second paragraph, third paragraph, closing, and name.

There is no need to indent any of your paragraphs (this is true anytime you single space a document #learnsomethingeveryday).

Document margins should be 0.5 to 1-inch all the way around. Look to match the margins to your resume so that it feels consistent.

• File Format

Most of the time, you’ll be submitting your cover letter, resume, and job application online. If you’re sending your resume and cover letter to someone via email, both documents should be attachments and in PDF format. 

Check the name of your file before sending it. Aim to have as clear of a document name as possible and incorporate the company’s name into the document title. We recommend the following format: “First Name_Last Name__Company Name_Cover Letter.”

Suppose you’re sending your resume and cover letter via an online application. In that case, there will be specific instructions on if you should attach them in a particular file format or if there’s a text box for you to copy and paste into. 

Read any instructions carefully - you don’t want to disqualify yourself from an opportunity because of a silly file formatting mistake!

• Cover Letter Templates

Alright, now onto the main event! Let’s look at some templates that you can use.

Most people can use one of the following key messages as the basis for their cover letter. These are: 

You have a highly relevant past experience.

You have transferable skills.

You are passionate about the problem they’re solving.

You truly believe in the company’s mission. 

• Highly Relevant Past Experience

This go-to template is focused on clearly conveying that you can help address the key challenges that the team is facing. 

To leverage this template, you’ll need:

Your knowledge about the company

Identify something exciting or innovative that the company has recently done

An explanation of how you learned they were hiring

A statement on why you’re the right candidate

Three relevant skills or experiences to highlight that relate to the role

One skill/experience should include how this will help the company you’re interested in meeting its goals

Another skill experience should consist of what you learned and how that learning will benefit your future employer

The third experience should describe a challenge you know the company is facing and how you’ve handled a similar challenge in the past

A description of the problem the company is solving and why their solution to that problem is meaningful to you

Let’s take a look at the template!

Cover Letter Template: Highly Relevant Past Experience 💡

Dear {Hiring Manager First Name} and Team, 

Congratulations on {milestone you learned about in the press}! It’s clear that {Company Name} is a leader in {industry}. I learned about this role from {how?}, and I am excited to join your team as a {Job Title} potentially. 

It seems that {job function} at {Company Name} implies interesting challenges: {challenge 1, challenge 2, and challenge 3}. My career to date includes experience addressing each of these challenges:

At {previous organization}, I {thing you did} to {how it addressed challenge 1}. We successfully {achievement}. I imagine the approach we took there might work for your team, too.

At {previous organization}, I {thing you did to address challenge 2}. After {doing the thing you did}, we {achievement}. From this experience, I learned {thing you learned about how to address challenge 2}.

Most recently, I addressed {challenge 3} at {previous organization}. I led {thing that you led to address challenge3}. Together, we {did what?} that resulted in {quantifiable result}. 

What’s more, {company mission} is a longtime interest of mine. At {previous employer}, I {learned about the thing they’re working on}. Since then, I have continued to {how are you still involved in this?}. 

I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss how I might leverage these experiences to contribute to {Company Name}’s mission. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

{Your Name}

Example of Highly Relevant Past Experience Template In Action

Dear Alena and Team, 

Congratulations on the fundraiser led by Social Capital! Aclima is a true leader in global air quality. Victor Gustafson, a friend of my former close colleague, told me about this opportunity, and I am excited to join your team as a Senior Product Manager potentially. 

It seems that the product at Aclima has interesting challenges -- the platform is technical and scientific, it is the first bona fide product role, and the development of data products is inherently tricky. My career to date includes experience addressing each of these challenges: 

At DataSmart Academy, I developed offerings to train professionals in the highly technical field of data science. We successfully partnered with industry leaders to help us deeply understand needs and iterated on the course in response to feedback. This resulted in an offering that helped 85% of our students land jobs in data science. I imagine the iterative approach we took there might work for your team, too. 

At DataSmart Academy, I became the first product leader for our core business after years of operation. After taking stock of the diverse processes across seven offices nationwide, I implemented one common approach to streamline development. From this experience, I learned to introduce process changes incrementally to maintain team empowerment.

Most recently, I developed data products at Freightly. I led the first platform team, working alongside incredibly talented engineers to conceptualize data as a product in and of itself. Together, we crafted APIs and plug-ins to improve data accessibility and quality for a broad user base. 

What’s more, global air quality is a longtime interest of mine. While at the University of Minnesota, I majored in Environmental Studies. Early after college, I researched industrial air pollution at an academic research center. I remain curious and passionate about these topics.

I would love the opportunity to discuss in depth how I might leverage these experiences to contribute to your mission. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Warm Regards,

• Career Changer 🔄

You're really excited about a job and know you can excel in it, but you haven't done that exact work before. The company will hold you to a higher standard here -- you'll have to show that you're potentially better than someone who has done the job before. A tricky needle to thread! It's all about a hyper-clear correlation between your prior experience and the work you want to do, plus finding ways to stand out truly.

The key inputs for this template are:

An articulation of the problem they are trying to solve

An example of something interesting the company is doing, and why you find their work so important

Why you're the right candidate 

An experience that relates to the job you're applying to and makes you a good fit

A responsibility you had in a previous role and what you accomplished

A relevant prior experience and why it would help you succeed in this new job

A skill that's important for success in the position you're interested in, and experience you have related to that skill, and key learnings from your experience

Relate a favorite element of a previous role that relates to this one and what you would be able to help them do if you got the job 

Let's look at an example of a cover letter for someone targeting a career development opportunity or transition.

Cover Letter Template: Career Changer

Dear {Hiring manager first name}, 

{Insert relevant, customized, and interesting hook}. As a {Job Title} fascinated by {relevant functional topics}, I was thrilled to learn of the {Job Title} role at {Company Name}. I'm intrigued by {Company Name} 's approach to {problem they are solving}. {Interesting thing they are doing} seems really impactful because {why?}. 

I would be delighted to bring my experience in {what?} to help {specific problems they're facing}. 

Why should you consider me for the {Job Title} role? 

First, my experience in {relevant experience} enables me to {reason this makes you a good fit}. At {previous role}, I was responsible for {what things you were responsible for?} and I {achievement). This experience would set me up to {do something they want the role to do}. As a {Job Title}, it's vital to {critical for success in the role}. I would love to have the opportunity to contribute these skills as a {Job Title} role at {Company Name}. 

Why am I interested in the {Job Title} role? 

One of my favorite parts of my job at {previous organization} was {favorite element of your last role that relates to this job}. {Specific tasks you like or problems you want to solve} are what keep me up thinking at night and what get me up in the morning. This led me to accomplish {achievement}. {Things you've done before that they want you to do in this role}-- this is the stuff I love. 

I would be thrilled to {do the thing they want this role to do} at {Company Name}. I would love the opportunity to meet with you to discuss this. Thanks for your consideration. 

Example of Career Changer Template In Action

Dear Greg, 

Call me a geek, but technical, logical puzzles about software implementation are what keep me up thinking at night and what get me up in the morning. As a marketer fascinated by marketing automation, I was thrilled to learn about the Marketing Implementation Specialist role at DemandSource. I'm intrigued by your approach to highly targeted B2B marketing. In my experience, tailoring makes emails perform better -- wouldn't the same approach work for ads? 

I would be delighted to bring my online marketing programs and marketing automation implementation experience to help your clients leverage the new ad targeting product. 

Why should you consider me for the marketing implementation specialist role? 

My technical marketing experience enables me to empathize easily with the client's perspective. As a marketing coordinator at Greenhome, I built out email nurture campaigns in Marketo and optimized landing pages to increase qualified lead generation by 300% in 18 months. My in-house experience would set me up to clearly understand client goals and help clients leverage Marketo to achieve their goals. For a role like this, it's critical to solve a problem and understand what questions to ask. I would love to have the opportunity to build on these skills in a client-facing role at DemandSource. 

Why am I interested in the marketing implementation specialist role?  

One of my favorite parts of my job at GreenHome was marketing automation with Salesforce and Marketo. Improving attribution tracking, solving database sync inconsistencies, and establishing business rules for data cleanliness -- this is the stuff I love. I would be thrilled to have the opportunity to work with problems like this every day for various clients. 

From what I've learned so far, it seems that my background makes me a great fit! I would love the opportunity to meet with you and learn more about the DemandSource team. Thanks for your consideration.

• Passion for Disruption 💪

When you're genuinely pumped up about a company trying to solve a problem you really care about in a cool, differentiated way, use your cover letter to exude enthusiasm.

Your previous experience that ties into their mission

Two to three examples of the work they're currently doing and why you think those things matter

Insight into something you recently read about them and what you learned from reading it

Two relevant skills or experiences that make you a fantastic fit for the open position

One accomplishment with an explanation of how you accomplished it and how this shows you can help them meet their goal

Another achievement with a description of how you achieved it and what you learned from that experience that translates to how you can add value

A challenge they are facing and how you've faced that challenge before 

Cover Letter Template: Passion for Disruption

Dear {Hiring Manager First Name}, 

{Insert relevant, customized, and interesting hook}. Having {reference a thing you've done}, I know the importance of {Company Name} 's mission firsthand, and I love that you are {something you like about what they're doing}. I'm particularly impressed with {Company Name} 's {another cool thing they're doing} -- I've learned that {something that shows them why it matters}. I also really appreciate how {something unique they're doing} differentiates your organization from other players. After reading {something you read }, it's clear that {something you learned about them}. 

I'm very interested in contacting you about the prospect of joining your team as a {Job Title}. My extensive experience in {relevant experience 1, relevant experience 2, and relevant experience 3} seem like an excellent fit for your team. 

At {previous organization}, I {achievement related to experience 1} by {how did you achieve it?. I imagine that {the thing you previously did} would also help {Company Name}{achieve {a specific goal they have}. 

Before {previous organization}, I {relevant experience 2} where I {achievement}. Through this process, I learned {what?} and that's really helped me {way that you've improved or achieved even more}. 

I noticed that {challenge you think the company might be facing} and I'm curious how you're thinking about addressing this challenge. At {previous organization}, we encountered a similar problem -- {describe the challenge related to experience 3}. I approached it by first {first thing you did}, then {second thing you did}, and ultimately, {any last steps you took}. This process helped us {meet a specific goal}, and I wonder if a similar approach might be helpful at {Company Name}. 

I believe {thing you think} and I admire that {Company Name} {thing they do that shows they share this belief or that this belief applies to them}. It would be a joy to bring my skills and experience to an organization that resonates with my values. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss how I might contribute to {Company Name} 's goals. 

Thank you for your consideration,

Example of Passion for Disruption Template In Action

Dear Olivia, 

Having started a personal finance venture myself, I know the importance of Chime's mission firsthand. I love that you are building products that help consumers make better financial decisions. I'm particularly impressed with how Chime's thoughtful features make it easier to save money -- I've learned that reducing friction is a great way to drive behavior change. I also really appreciate that the product works to protect consumers against fees, which differentiates it from other banking spaces. After reading your reviews on the app store, it's clear that these features help and customers notice. 

I'm very interested in contacting you about the prospect of joining your team as a Sales Team Leader. My extensive experiences in sales for personal finance and B2C applications seem like a great fit for your team.

As a Sales Manager at AutoGenius, I was responsible for an increase in over $4 million within my first year. I developed our talking points for positioning the company's first consumer-facing product, which now serves more than 300 partners and well over 100K consumers. To do this, I worked closely with our product team to really understand the benefits of our product and how it far exceeded the competition. I imagine that these skills would also help Chime better address customer needs. 

Before AutoGenius, I started a personal finance app to help parents and children learn how to save money. I maintained a weekly feedback loop with 50 families to help hone our prototype. Through this process, I learned the importance of showing customers what we mean rather than telling them, and that's helped me position products to solve customers' needs directly. 

I noticed that you're selling into a new market with your B2B offering, and I'm curious how you're thinking about addressing this challenge. At AutoGenius, I faced a similar problem -- getting our partners to adopt our first-ever consumer-facing product. I approached it by first conducting initial interviews to understand our partners' values and concerns better, and then I provided a product demo tailored to what I learned. This process helped us sell the first $350K with an 80% win rate, and I wonder if a similar approach might be helpful at Chime. 

I believe the best products and companies have interests aligned with their customers, and I admire that Chime builds its success on the success of its customers, in contrast with competitors in the financial space who make their money by charging fees. It would be a joy to join an organization that so clearly resonates with my values and background. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss how I might contribute to Chime's goals.

• Passion For The Mission 💕

Hiring managers love candidates passionate about their company's mission and are excited about the opportunity to contribute. If you're applying to a role because you really, genuinely care about the work the company is doing, then highlight that in your cover letter. 

Describe the company mission and give an example of how they are making a positive difference

Share two relevant experiences- each having an impressive outcome that tie into goals the company has

Include an example of something you did in the past that relates to their mission and the insights you can bring to the table

Cover Letter Template: Passion for the Mission 

Ever since {pivotal life experience}, {topic the company is solving} has been significant to me. That's why {Company Name} 's mission to {summary of company mission} appeals to me so much. I especially appreciate that {thing they are doing to support this mission}. Not only am I thrilled about the chance to contribute to {Company Name} 's mission, but I am also excited about the opportunity to help {Company Name} {do the main thing the role will do} as a {Job Title}. 

As a {previous role} at {previous organization}, I gained experience {experience you gained} that led to {impressive outcome}. I would be delighted to apply this experience to help {Company Name} achieve its goal of {specific related goal you can help meet). 

A little bit more about me:

At {previous organization}, I also {thing you accomplished} by {thing that you did}. I imagine that some of the lessons I learned would help me {tackle related problems the team is facing} as part of {Company Name} 's {job function} team.

Before {previous organization}, my passion for {relevant passion} led me to {relevant thing that you did}. I would welcome the opportunity to bring {insights you would bring} to {Company Name}. 

 It would be a dream come true for me to contribute my {relevant skills or experience} as a {Job Title} at an organization that's so aligned with my values and background. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss how I might leverage these experiences to contribute to {Company Name} 's mission. Thank you for your consideration! 

Best regards,

Example of Passion for the Mission Template In Action

Dear Jessica, 

Ever since Hurricane Sandy struck NYC and I experienced the power of extreme weather firsthand, addressing climate change has been really important to me. That's why Resciencia's mission to empower communities to adapt to climate change appeals to me so much. I especially appreciate that you coordinate directly with local stakeholders to give voice to communities on the front lines of climate change. Not only am I thrilled about the chance to contribute to Resciencia's mission, but I am also excited about the opportunity to help Resciencia generate awareness about climate change adaptation as a content marketing manager. 

As a content marketing manager at Climadata, I gained experience producing content, managing a content calendar, and scaling a content team that led to a 400% lift in organic web traffic and increased our brand recognition to become the leader in the space. I would be delighted to apply this experience to help Resciencia achieve its goal of becoming a thought leader in climate change adaptation. 

A little bit more about me: 

At Climadata, I also helped the sales team pitch to new audiences by defining our positioning for different personas and developing sales training. I imagine that some of the lessons I learned would help me support the partnerships team as they seek to influence local governments.

Before Climadata, my passion for climate solutions led me to pursue my Master's degree in public policy at Berkeley, where I studied environmental and climate policy. I would welcome the opportunity to bring my knowledge of the latest innovations in climate adaptation and policy to Resciencia. 

It would be a dream come true for me to contribute my storytelling and project-management skills as a content marketing manager at an organization that's so aligned with my values and background. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss how I might leverage these experiences to contribute to Resciencia's mission. Thank you for your consideration!

Best Regards,

• The Finishing Touches ✨

Once you have a solid draft of your cover letter complete, it's time to take a break. Seriously, close your computer, go for a walk, go to bed, or do something else for a few hours. Give your brain some time to disconnect from what you wrote.

Once you've gotten some distance from your cover letter draft, you should do a final review. Taking a break from looking at it for a while will help you read through it with a fresh set of eyes. You'll be more likely to identify some awkward sentence structures, develop more creative hooks, and catch any grammatical errors.

Doing a final read-through of your cover letter is so, so important. You put a ton of time into drafting it and applying for a role, so don't lose out on an opportunity because there was a silly typo in your cover letter!

As a reminder, here's the three paragraphs you've drafted so far. Now's the time to make any tweaks after seeing a few templates.

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