Build a professional cover letter in three simple steps
Writing cover letters is the biggest pain point for many job seekers. Staring at a blank page can be intimidating, and crafting a unique cover letter for each role can be time-consuming.
LiveCareer’s Cover Letter Builder streamlines the process of creating a polished, professional cover letter. Here’s how:
- Answer a handful of questions about your skills, experience, and the job you want.
- Our tool will pre-write your letter using valuable keywords and phrases based on your answers. Use the text as-is or customize it further to match the job ad.
- Before downloading, be sure to pick a template with a design that suits the position.
Four benefits of using our Cover Letter Builder
Makes your job search easy
Applying for multiple jobs means writing multiple cover letters. Our Cover Letter Builder makes it quick and easy to customize cover letters, regardless of how many you write.
Does the writing for you
Writer’s block, begone! Our Cover Letter Builder does the work for you with professionally written text and keyword suggestions that get your letter written in minutes.
Beautiful designs and polished results
Our beautifully designed cover letter templates automatically handle the formatting as you work. Plus, our built-in spell-check feature helps ensure an error-free letter.
Proven success
Thousands of job seekers have successfully built cover letters using LiveCareer’s Cover Letter Builder to get the jobs they want.
Cover letter builder success stories:
Cover letters for every professional scenario
Most people write cover letters for job applications, but that’s not their only use. Cover letters can be used in a variety of professional situations. Crafting a terrific cover letter can help you stand out in several different scenarios, including:
Prospecting a company
A prospecting (or cold contact) cover letter is written by a job seeker to a company of interest. This type of cover letter is a general inquiry about open positions rather than a response to a specific job ad. This letter is designed to put you on a recruiter’s radar so that when an appropriate role opens up, you’ll be the first person who comes to mind.
Networking cover letter
Unlike a standard cover letter that’s sent as part of a job application, a networking cover letter might be sent to a former colleague, mentor, friend, or other professional contacts. This type of cover letter informs the recipient you’re looking for a job and requests their assistance. A networking cover letter is the most casual and tends to be the shortest.
Career-change letter
This type of cover letter can play a big part in proving your worth when you’re looking to make a career change. It allows you to explain why you want to take on a new title or enter a new field and describe how you already possess the necessary transferable skills. A career change cover letter lets you draw a line between your work experience and the responsibilities you’d have in this new role.
Relocation cover letter
If you’re planning to relocate, your cover letter should reassure an employer that this is a long-term move and that the transition will be smooth. If you’re looking to relocate for the sake of the job opportunity, give convincing reasons why you would like to make the move, such as a stronger economy or a better lifestyle.
Need more help?
Use our cover letter writing services
Want one-on-one help from an expert? LiveCareer’s professional cover letter writers are available to write your cover letter for you. If your new cover letter isn’t compelling and polished, we’ll rewrite it for free.
Cover Letter FAQ
- What should a good cover letter include?
- How should I write my first cover letter?
- What format works best for cover letters in 2022?
What should a good cover letter include?
A strong,well-written cover letter is composed of five key sections:
Header: The header of your cover letter contains your contact information. Include your telephone number, professional email address, and links to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or online portfolio, if applicable.
Greeting: Do your research to find out the hiring manager’s name and address your cover letter to that person. If it is not listed in the job ad, do some research on LinkedIn or the company website to identify the right person. In a pinch, find the name of someone in the recruiting department and address your letter to that person. Avoid using generic greetings, such as “To Whom It May Concern.”
Opening paragraph: The opening paragraph of your letter should mention the name of the company and the job title to which you are applying. It should also briefly mention why you are applying for the job.
Body paragraph(s): The body of your cover letter is the longest section. In one or two paragraphs, expand on the most relevant parts of your experience or education. If you have work experience, use data and metrics in this section to show recruiters the impact your work has had and what you will bring to the table if hired.
Closing paragraph: Your closing paragraph should briefly summarize the contents of your letter and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role.
How should I write my first cover letter?
Your cover letter should highlight the critical aspects of your background and significant skills, not regurgitate information that can easily be found on your resume. When writing your first cover letter, make sure to be focused and concise. Emphasize why you are interested in this particular company and what makes you qualified for the position.
What format works best for cover letters in 2022?
Your resume and cover letter work together without repeating information and have become even more important now as employers want more background information to help them decide between qualified candidates. The standard cover letter is in business letter format, which means it should be a readable font size, one-inch margins all the way around, and one page double spaced. Remember, the details of your resume provide a glimpse into the skills you’d bring to the role, and your cover letter explains the context behind those qualifications and gives you an opportunity to prove how you utilize relevant key skills in a short narrative.