Cover Letter Outline as Suggested by Career Experts [+Tips]

Having trouble putting thoughts to paper? Take the guesswork out—our cover letter outline will make things super simple.

Oliwia Wolkowicz

Career Expert

Updated 11/17/2021

As seen in:

You search for a job ad that interests you, hit apply, and then come to a screeching halt.

They require a cover letter.

There’s no way around it, cover letters are important. And they require work.

There is a way to make the work easier, though—

By following the right cover letter outline.

Below you’ll find the perfect cover letter blueprint, suitable for all types of jobs from internship to managerial positions to career changes.

Want to write your cover letter fast? Use our cover letter builder. Choose from 20+ professional cover letter templates that match your resume. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.

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Sample Cover Letter for a Resume—See more cover letter templates and create your cover letter here.

One of our users, Nikos, had this to say:

[I used] a nice template I found on Zety. My resume is now one page long, not three. With the same stuff.

Pressed for time? Check out a cover letter that will work in any situation: A General Cover Letter Sample for Any Position

Cover Letter Outline—Basic Template

Cover Letter Header with Your Contact Details

Your Name

Address

City, State Zip Code

Phone Number

Date and the Addressee's Details

Date

Hiring Manager’s/Recruiter’s Name

Hiring Manager’s/Recruiter’s Title

Organization/Company Name

Address

City, State Zip Code

Salutation

Dear Mr./Ms. [Hiring Manager’s/Recruiter’s Last Name]:

First Paragraph (Your Career Purpose and Intro)

Explain why you are writing. Name the job that you are applying for or your general interest if there is no specific position open. Briefly mention what you know about the company and why you want to further your career there.

Open strong. Be direct and grab the employer’s attention; don’t just “express interest”. Tell them you’re a great fit and want to be considered for the job. Remember to address your cover letter the right way. Plus, match your cover letter heading to the header on your resume.

Second Paragraph (Qualifications and Experience)

Don’t just copy your resume word for word. That never works. Elaborate on your career experience and be as specific as you can. Tell the recruiter a story that will prove your professional skills and knowledge. Focus on your key qualifications and relate these to the employer’s needs.

Show them your relevant hard and soft skills and how they fit the role and company. Give examples of how you used them in your current job. Use strong, action words to underline the value of your career experience. Really demonstrate to the employer that you’re the perfect person for the job.

Third Paragraph (Call to Action)

Restate your interest in the position and thank the reader for their time. Refer the recruiter to your resume. Remind them about the professional contributions you can bring to the employer. End your cover letter with a call to action and ask them to contact you for an interview or further discussion.

Complimentary Closing and Sign-Off

Sincerely/Best regards,

Your Full Name

Enclosure:

Resume

Application Form

Letter of Reference

Does your cover letter need more work? Check out these helpful guides: How to Write a Cover Letter: Examples and Tips and 35+ Successful Cover Letter Tips, Advice & Guidelines

Pro Tip: Always proofread before sending you resume cover page. Typos can change your status from reviewing to rejected in seconds. Use Grammarly or ask a friend to proofread your cover letter.

When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building a professional resume template here for free.

Create my resume now

When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.

There you have it!

If you have any questions on the topic of cover letter outlines, drop me a line in the comments, I’ll get back to you in a jiffy.

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Cover Letter Outline as Suggested by Career Experts [+Tips]

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