Top Cover Letter Examples
Cover letters are a critical part of the job application process.
And, learning to write one is easy when you use our cover letter examples as a guide.
Job seekers often wonder whether writing a professional cover letter is worth their time. Well, the verdict is in. In 2024, cover letters are more important than ever.
After all, 83% of HR professionals say a great cover letter can help you get an interview — even if your resume is subpar. And today’s applicant tracking systems can read more than just your resume. Many of them can also scan cover letters for keywords.
So, it’s time to start writing. But how do you learn how to write an exceptional cover letter? By studying some great cover letter examples.
Here is where we can help. Our library of free cover letter samples is crafted by career experts who know what recruiters look for in top applicants. They’ve created a cover letter example for nearly every job title you can think of to show you exactly what a strong cover letter looks like. Studying them can provide you with the structure and inspiration you need to write a letter that will get you into the interview chair.
Keep reading to discover:
- What a cover letter is and how they are structured.
- What to say in a cover letter for a variety of different job seeker scenarios.
- Resume cover letter examples for hundreds of industries and job titles.
- Writing tips for crafting a cover letter that will get you noticed.
6 great cover letter examples
Cover letters have a variety of uses. You might be writing a cover letter to have the space to elaborate on your most relevant skills and experience. Or, you may have a gap in your work history due to a layoff during the pandemic. A cover letter allows you to explain that to a potential employer.
Below, you’ll find six sample cover letters for various scenarios you might encounter during your career. Use these example cover letters as inspiration as you learn more about how to write a cover letter.
Sample cover letter for a recent graduate
What makes this a great cover letter example:
- This applicant states upfront that she is a recent graduate and is seeking her first teaching role. This explains to recruiters why her resume has little direct work experience listed.
- She makes excellent use of the training and classroom experience she does have by listing the knowledge and skills she gleaned during her middle school teacher observations using bullet points. These make her cover letter easy to scan and will catch the eye of a busy recruiter.
- The second half of her letter is packed with critical information about her skills and how those make her a great candidate for the position.
Cover letter example if you’re changing careers
What makes this example of a cover letter stand out:
- This applicant kicks off her letter by listing the relevant skills and experience she has gleaned from her volunteer work and community college classes. This introduction will tell an employer that she is a viable candidate.
- Her second paragraph clearly explains that she is making a career change. Doing so early in the letter will help clarify why she might not have any relevant experience listed on her resume.
- She goes on to dedicate a full paragraph to listing her transferable skills, which further drives home the fact that, despite being new to the field, she will have a lot to offer the employer if she is hired.
Sample cover letter for returning to work after an absence
A cover letter is a perfect place to explain why you’ve been away from the workforce. While it’s not imperative, you can highlight your reason for stepping away in just a few sentences — whether you were taking care of your family or tending to a health issue of your own. Beyond that, you’ll want to focus on the hard and soft skills that you mastered before you stepped away from the workforce. We have good cover letter examples to guide you.
What makes this cover letter sample great:
- This applicant leaves no room for a recruiter to guess whether she is an experienced office assistant. She states that she has five years of experience in the very first paragraph of her cover letter.
- She also makes great use of bullet points, listing skills that are critical to the position. This allows a recruiter to scan the letter and immediately see she fulfills the role’s requirements.
- Toward the end of her letter, this applicant succinctly accounts for a gap on her resume by explaining that she took time off to pursue educational opportunities, which instantly erases any questions a hiring manager might have about her work history.
Cover letter example if you’ve been recently laid off/unemployed
After a global pandemic and the resulting economic turmoil, every candidate pool will have job seekers who’ve been unemployed. Use your cover letter to explain why you lost your job. Honesty is key — there’s no reason to be ashamed of a job loss – but keet it brief. Focus instead on your skills, such as computer prowess. Our job application letter sample is here to guide you through writing your cover letter.
What makes this example cover letter stand out:
- The opening paragraph of this applicant’s cover letter states her experience clearly while succinctly mentioning that she recently experienced a layoff without overstating the point or providing details.
- Her use of numbers in the letter — managing 15 patients per county and lowering desertion by 20% — is a strong feature of the letter. It shows — rather than tells — employers what she is capable of accomplishing.
- The closing of her letter is excellent. It conveys in just a few sentences what she will bring to the table if hired.
If you have a referral, you already have a head start. As long as you’re certain the referral is responsible and highly valued by the company, you should mention the mutual connection in the opening of your cover letter. This sample cover letter for a job application with a referral will show you the way.
What makes this cover letter sample great:
- This application letter leaves no room for wondering — the candidate is a New York State licensed barber with an interest in the latest hair trends. It’s a powerful way to convey that he has both the licensure and the passion to perform the job.
- Also in the opening paragraph, he mentions that a mutual friend has recommended him for the role. This is certain to catch the eye of whoever is hiring, so it’s wise to state it toward the top of a cover letter.
- The closing paragraph of this letter is perfect. It thanks the hiring manager for taking the time to read the letter and review his credentials, which is a nice acknowledgment.
Switching between jobs frequently is a red flag to some employers. Get ahead of their concerns by explaining why you left previous jobs by referring to a cover letter example for job-hopping. Remember: Be honest, and don’t speak negatively about your previous employers.
What makes this cover letter example stand out:
- In the second paragraph, the applicant acknowledges that he has frequently changed jobs but assures the employer that he did so to improve his professional growth.
- He uses the body of his letter to back up his value. Through the use of data and metrics, he shows how each move was part of his career trajectory, adding to his level of responsibility in each role.
- To further assuage any fears a hiring manager might have about his professional abilities, he uses data and metrics throughout his letter to showcase the results he produced for past employers.
