Top Cover Letter Examples in 2022

A cover letter is a document that often accompanies a resume in a job application. It introduces you, your skills and experience and details why you would be the best fit for the role. Cover letters shouldn’t be long, just a few paragraphs of about 250 words or one double-spaced page. They are a great way to convey your enthusiasm for the position or company, talk about what interests you about the role, and emphasize what makes you the best candidate. Personalize your letter by directly addressing the hiring manager or recruiter if you know them or are referred to them by a colleague.

Some job openings receive hundreds of applications. To compete with stacks of other applicants, submitting a cover letter is a great way to attract the attention of hiring managers. A great cover letter shows that you have solid communication skills and can expand on the key skills listed in your resume. Be sure to make it align with the industry to which you’re applying and show initiative and enthusiasm for a role without being too cheesy. Stick to traditional business formatting and remember that your cover letter is a companion to your resume, so make sure to use the same font, header styles, colors, and template heading, if possible.

Peruse our library to find a cover letter sample for your job title. Study it to understand how to craft a basic outline for your cover letter, and keep these three steps in mind:

• Customize your cover letter for every role: Make sure that you are tailoring your letter to the employer’s needs; that way, it passes ATS programs and shows that you are attuned to the job’s role as outlined in the job description.
• Go deeper than what’s on the resume: Cover letters should elaborate on key details in your resume, not repeat them. Instead of stating again that you are organized, include a line about how you used that skill to revamp the company filing system, which increased efficiency.
• Use metrics: Including numerical metrics helps solidify your skills in the eyes of a potential employer, stating something like “Suggests successful ways to reduce costs, enhance revenues and improve profits 33%.” This way, you can display how you utilized your skills and the positive outcome in a way employers will notice.

Our sample cover letters show you all the elements that go into a strong cover letter. At its most basic, a 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.

Your resume and cover letter should work together without repeating information. The detail of your resume provides a glimpse into the skills you’d bring to the role, and your cover letter provides context and an opportunity to prove how you utilized your key skills in a short narrative.

Cover letters should be focused and concise, so it’s not advised to go past one page. Recruiters often get hundreds of applications for a single job opening and don’t have time to read lengthy explanations. 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.