How To Write a Cover Letter (With Examples and Tips)

A cover letter is a three- to four-paragraph letter that is usually submitted with a resume as part of a job application. This letter should highlight your relevant skills, experience and achievements. A well-written cover letter has the potential to impress employers and set you apart from other applicants. To see example cover letters for your job and industry, browse our free Cover Letter Samples. In this article, we explain how to write a cover letter that makes a great first impression on potential employers. Key takeaways:

A strong cover letter highlights how your experience aligns with the role and lets you expand on your skills more personally than a resume.
Before writing a cover letter, research the job and company so you can tailor your letter to show why you're a great fit.
Format your cover letter like a business letter and include relevant achievements and skills that show the value you bring to the organization.

How to write a cover letter in 6 steps

Here are six simple steps to writing a great cover letter. In the sections below, we'll offer detailed information about what to include in each area with examples.

1. Start with your header

As with any standard business letter header, you should include a few pieces of personal and role-specific information at the top to make it easier for a hiring manager or recruiter to follow up with you. If you'd like, you can center your name and address at the top of the page, mirroring how it looks on your resume. Header template: [Your name]
[Your city and ZIP code]
[Your phone number]
[Your email address] [Date] [Name of recipient]
[Title of recipient]
[Company name]
[Company address] Header example: Ali Lang
Las Vegas, NV 88905
(310) 555-0120
ali.lang@email.com [DATE] Terry Washington
Senior Editor
Revolve Inc.
123 Vineyard Drive, Las Vegas, NV 88901 Related: Should You Put Your Address on Your Resume?

2. Include a greeting

In your research, try to find the name of the person reviewing applications for the job. Address your letter to this person with a common business greeting, such as "Dear [first and last name]" or "Dear [position title]." Avoid using "To whom it may concern." Greetings examples:

Dear Hiring Manager,
Dear Tyler Wallace,

3. Write an opening paragraph

In the first paragraph, mention the job title you're applying for and where you saw the position posting. Explain your interest in the role and company to show that you've done your research. The first section of your cover letter is also the first impression the reader will have of you, so it's important to appeal to that person quickly and succinctly. Opening paragraph example: "I'm excited to apply for the Graphic Designer position at Cloud Clearwater. I understand you're currently adding several new product lines, and I believe my skills in video and animation can help you create a successful launch. As a longtime fan of your products, I'm thrilled at the opportunity to bring my unique style and passion for beachwear to the company."

4. Add a second paragraph

Your second paragraph should be a brief overview of your background as it relates to the position. Include key achievements, skills and specialties that make you particularly suited to the position. Focus on one or two and provide specific details about your success, including measurable impacts you made. Pay close attention to keywords listed in the job description and include ones that apply to you in the body of your cover letter. You should only include information about your most recent professional experiences. Second paragraph example: "As the Director of Human Resources at Wes Morgan Philips, I was a key senior leader responsible for improving the efficiency and performance of the company's 540 employees. Before that, I worked in human resources for Jenkins Technology Solutions, Inc. At Jenkins Technology, I developed an employee retention plan involving a wellness program, an internal training program and a promotions selection process. This led to a 50% reduction in employee turnover."

5. Finish with a closing paragraph

The closing paragraph should focus on another key achievement or skill relevant to the position. Instead of repeating details from your resume, summarize a specific story or anecdote that shows you're right for the role. If you're changing careers, this is a good opportunity to talk about transferable skills or relatable experiences from your career. Closing paragraph example: "Achieving ambitious marketing goals is always a top priority, and I am always looking out for the company's best interests. I enjoy delivering marketing presentations to potential clients and focusing on an organization's strengths. At River Tech, my marketing skills helped the company reach new levels of success, including a 45% increase in customer engagement. I'm never satisfied with the status quo, and I believe that a company should continually look for ways to improve and reach new clients through innovative campaigns." Related: How To Write a Career Change Cover Letter (With Examples)

6. End with a professional sign-off

End your cover letter with a paragraph summarizing why you are applying for the role and why you would be a great fit. Keep the cover letter conclusion brief and explain that you look forward to the employer's response about possible next steps. End with your signature at the bottom. Signoff example: "Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to learning more about the sales position and TradeLot. Growth is essential to my continued success, and I'm excited for the chance to be a part of TradeLot's industry-leading team. My proven track record and TradeLot's quality products are a winning combination for increasing the company's market share. Sincerely,
Malik Rabb Related: FAQ: Is a Cover Letter Necessary? (Plus What Optional Means)

What to consider before you write

Before you craft your cover letter, gather all the information you may need. Here are some things to consider before you write a cover letter:

Think about your experiences and how you would like to relate them to a hiring employer. What talents, skills or accomplishments would you like the company to know?
Think about how you learned about the job opportunity. If it's a personal contact, jot down the person's name and title. If it was an ad or job board, write down where and when you saw it and list any specific instructions noted in the job description.
Think about the company you're writing to and what drew you to it. Do you admire its culture or brand? Are its reviews positive or negative? Research the company to see if you agree with its mission statement and vision.
Think about who you are writing to. If it's a specific person, address them by name and title. If not, consider addressing the cover letter to "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear Human Resources."

Cover letter example

Here's an example of a cover letter that's tailored to a specific job description. You'll see how specific phrases from the job description are used in the letter.

Example: Administrative assistant

Job description In this role, you will support managers and other senior-level personnel by managing their calendars, arranging travel, filing expense reports and performing other administrative tasks. Strong interpersonal skills, attention to detail and problem-solving skills will be critical to success. Qualifications:

5+ years of experience providing high-level admin support to diverse teams in a fast-paced environment
High school diploma or equivalent work experience
Excellent Microsoft Office Skills with an emphasis on Outlook and Excel
Self-motivated and highly organized
Team player who works well with minimal supervision

Cover letter Dear Hiring Manager, I am writing to express my interest in the opening for an administrative assistant at Jones and Co. I'm drawn to this opportunity for several reasons. First, I have a proven track record of success in administrative roles, most recently in my current job as an administrative coordinator. A highlight from my time here was when I proactively stepped in to coordinate a summit for our senior leaders last year. I arranged travel and accommodation for a group of 15 executives from across the company, organized meals and activities, collaborated with our internal events team and ensured that everything ran according to schedule over the two-day summit. Due to the positive feedback I received, I'm now tasked with doubling attendance for the event this year and leading an internal team to get the job done. I am attracted to this role because of the growth opportunities that Jones and Co. provides. The research that I've done on your company culture has shown me that there are ample opportunities for self-motivated individuals like me. A high level of organization and attention to detail is second nature to me, and I'm eager to apply these skills in new and challenging environments. I look forward to sharing more details of my experience and motivations with you. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely,
Robert Vasquez Related: Free Cover Letter Templates

Tips for an effective cover letter

Your cover letter should be one page long and use a simple, professional font, such as Arial or Helvetica, 10 to 12 points in size. Your letter should be left-aligned with single spacing and one-inch margins. Here are guidelines to keep in mind when writing a cover letter:

Customize your header based on your application format

If you're writing your cover letter directly within an online job application, there's no need to include your address or other contact information. You've probably already typed that into other areas of the application form. If you include your cover letter as an attachment, you can use the same heading as your resume.

Avoid generic references to your abilities

When possible, tell meaningful anecdotes that tie your skills to concrete problem-solving activities or tangible business results you've worked on in your career. Any candidate can say they possess a desirable skill. To make an impact, you need to show hiring managers examples of your skills in action. For example, "My skills would be a great fit for your organization" is vague. A more specific approach would be, "As a sales associate, I'm frequently required to provide exceptional customer service on short notice. Exceeding customers' expectations is a point of personal and professional pride for me, and this is a skill I'm eager to continue developing."

Keep it short and to the point

Unless specified in the job description, there is no required length for a cover letter. When determining how long a cover letter should be, focus on the most important details of the job. Read the job description closely to identify the best opportunities to illustrate your qualifications. What professional achievements are you most proud of? Choose one or two and map them directly to the desired experience or qualifications the hiring manager is looking for, using just a few detailed but concise sentences. What attributes is the job description calling for in a candidate? Consider using the cover letter itself as a way of demonstrating those traits. Related: 15 Cover Letter Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Proofread before you submit

Reread your cover letter several times before submitting it and keep an eye out for spelling, grammar and punctuation errors. Reading it aloud can help you pick out awkward phrasing or too-long sentences. We all tend to gloss over errors, so do a slow, deliberate reading that examines each word. If your salutation includes the hiring manager's name, triple-check the spelling. Applications that require a cover letter give you a valuable opportunity to demonstrate your capabilities and authentic personality. Use the cover letter to let your most significant strengths shine while showing you respect the hiring manager's time and attention. For inspiration, you can browse cover letter samples by job title on Indeed.