Cover Letter Templates to Land Jobs in 2026

Write a job-winning cover letter with our professional cover letter templates, available to download as Word and PDF files. Explore over a dozen unique designs featuring job-specific content you can customize with your details.

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Most PopularResume Template Decimal

Decimal

A robust template ensures recruiters see what matters most.

Criterion

A classic template ready to impress any hiring manager.

Element

A crisp template focused on subtle design elements.

Precision

A cohesive template pinpointing your skills at first glance.

Focus

An efficient template with a clean header and clear layout.

Cornerstone

A beautiful template featuring a monogrammed header.

Refined

A composed template ready to highlight the best of your talents.

Academic

A charismatic template featuring small elements of color.

Executive

A simple and traditional template apt for any executive role.

Contempo

A black & white template that features your name in bold.

Artistic

A bold and graphic option that grabs recruiters’ attention.

Bold

A stylish template that pays attention to the fine details.

Spartan

A valiant template puts the focus on your experience.

Fundamental

A confident template highlighting why you’re the best candidate.

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Use your existing resume to generate a cover letter.

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Why Choose LiveCareer Cover Letter Templates?

Our cover letter templates offer more than sleek, professional designs. Here’s everything you get when you use our templates:
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Designs for all industries

Choose from 15 professional cover letter templates suitable for any industry and style.
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Premium features

Our cover letter templates feature spell-check and easy formatting tools for a polished letter in minutes.
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Job-specific content suggestions

Create your cover letter quickly with job-tailored content—just copy, paste, and review!
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Ultra personalization

Our templates feature content tailored for students, career changers, and professionals at any experience level.
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Integrated cover letter generator

All cover letter templates are editable in our Cover Letter Generator with custom content and unlimited cloud storage.
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Sections for different scenarios

Choose from various custom sections to address career gaps, salary, or relocation.
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Multiple file downloads

Don’t limit yourself! You can download our cover letter templates in various formats, including PDF, DOC, or TXT.
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Resume builder access

Our premium cover letter templates grant you access to a high-powered Resume Builder for a complete application.
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Matching template bundles

Create a cohesive job application with matching templates for your cover letter and resume.
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Close to 1 million cover letters crafted - and counting!
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Cover Letter Templates by Job Title

Besides showcasing designs that convey professionalism, these templates feature content that’s tailored to fit specific roles for today’s job seekers.

Make the Most of Our Cover Letter Templates

Built In Guidance

Use our free cover letter templates.

You can find free cover letter templates on this page under “Free cover letter templates.” Each template includes instructions for writing every section of your letter, which you can download as a Word file to customize with your own skills and experience. If you’re unsure which skills to highlight, our Cover Letter Generator can suggest qualifications employers are seeking.
Choose A Cv

Choose a template that fits your industry.

Unsure which template is right for you? Select a style that aligns with your field—classic or simple designs work well for traditional industries like law and finance, while modern designs suit creative and innovative fields. With over a dozen customizable LiveCareer templates, you can easily adjust colors, fonts, spacing, and more to make your cover letter your own.
Use Ats Friendly

Optimize for ATS compatibility.

All our cover letter templates are ATS-friendly. Since most cover letter design elements focus on header formatting, they are unlikely to cause compatibility issues with applicant tracking systems (ATS). To maximize ATS effectiveness, include relevant keywords that showcase the skills and credentials employers are looking for.
Customize Your Resume

Customize our templates with your qualifications.

Replace suggested skills with your own qualifications to reflect your unique abilities and the job’s requirements. Update achievements and metrics to accurately showcase your career milestones. If you need guidance, our Cover Letter Generator can create job-specific content you can personalize with your experience, skills, and quantifiable accomplishments.
Tailor Your Resume

Address employment gaps strategically.

A cover letter is an ideal place to clarify career gaps in your resume. Briefly mention the break, explain the reason if you wish to do so, and highlight how that time helped you grow—whether through gaining new skills, shifting perspectives, or building expertise.
Cohesive Application

Pair cover letters with matching resumes.

Use our resume and cover letter template bundles to create a polished, cohesive application. Every cover letter template in our generator has a matching resume design. With a LiveCareer account, you can store all your documents in one place and switch templates as needed.
Fill Out Your Template

Highlight what sets you apart.

Employers use cover letters to learn more about you beyond your resume. Focus on a unique angle, such as an impressive achievement or your professional values. Connect your interest in the role with your career goals, and always communicate clearly and concisely, using industry-specific keywords and professional, polite language.
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Expert Reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a cover letter?

A cover letter is a business letter for job applications that complements your resume with additional information. It lets you directly address a potential employer and highlight why you are the best candidate.

Do I need a different cover letter for every job?

Writing a unique cover letter for each application increases your chances of landing an interview. While there will be similarities, tailor your description of qualifications to each role and include relevant keywords from the job description.

What should I include in my cover letter?

Your cover letter should include five sections: header, greeting, introduction, body, and closing.

How long should a cover letter be?

Your cover letter should be one page long, focusing on job requirements and avoiding irrelevant information. A concise letter keeps recruiters engaged and prevents them from being overwhelmed with unnecessary details.

How do I write a cover letter for an online application?

Hiring managers may request cover letters as an attachment, in a text box within an online application, or as the body of an email. Regardless of the delivery method, the fundamentals of writing a cover letter remain the same. Always address the hiring manager and include an intro, body, and closing paragraphs.

Do cover letters go through ATS?

Employers may use ATS to scan resumes and cover letters for keywords and skills. Include relevant industry terms, but use them sparingly. Recruiters notice formulaic language and keywords used out of context, so ensure your cover letter is thoughtfully written.

How should I format the layout of my cover letter?

To format a cover letter correctly, include these five sections: your contact information, company contact information, an opener, body paragraph(s), and a closer. Use a business-style format: 1.15 to 1.5 line spacing, with a clean, readable font (10-12 points) and 1-inch margins on all sides.

What format should I download my cover letter in?

Cover letters are most commonly submitted as PDFs, but hiring managers may request them in Word, plain text, or any other format that is most convenient. You can download our cover letter templates in most file types, including the ones listed here.

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About the Author

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Gabriela Hernandez CPRW, Career Advice Writer

Gabriela is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches. She focuses on helping job seekers improve their professional resumes to highlight their unique skills and experience. Gabriela holds a B.A. in journalism from the University of Puerto Rico and offers more than four years of specialized experience helping candidates navigate the complexities of today’s online job market, with a strong focus on resume optimization and effective self-presentation.

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