How to Write a Cover Letter: Examples & Tips for 2024

Learning how to write a cover letter for a job application can significantly boost your career. A great cover letter can attract the recruiter's attention and convince them you're the ideal candidate. 

Read on because I'm about to show you exactly how to make a cover letter that will increase your chances of getting invited to that job interview.

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 samples here.

What Is a Cover Letter for a Job?

Let’s start our journey with a definition of a cover letter:

Acover letter is a one-page job application document you should send with your CV or resume. A good cover letter introduces you to the recruiter by providing a broader context for your qualifications and achievements, as well as explains how the employer can benefit from your expertise.

Up to 83% of HR specialists say you really need a cover letter. On average, a corporate job attracts 250 candidates, and a cover letter offers you a perfect opportunity to stand out from this crowd to get that job interview invitation. Unless the job ad asks you not to send a cover letter, you should always attach one.

Read more: What’s the Difference Between a Letter of Interest and a Cover Letter

How to Write a Cover Letter for a Job in 10 Easy Steps

How do you write a cover letter that can win the hearts of readers and convince them to invite you for an interview? Experts advise highlighting your achievements effectively, listingprofessional skills, and describingrelevant experience that makes you the best fit for the job. Plus, include all the key cover letter elements. But that’s not all—it’s best if you follow these detailed instructions on making a cover letter that looks amazing and speaks volumes: 

1. Prepare Yourself Beforehand

Before writing a cover letter for a job application, it's worth having all the necessary information at hand. That's why you should spend some time doing thorough research first.

Here are a few things to research before writing a cover letter:

• Job requirements: Make sure you understand what they are because your letter will refer to them.
• Company website: Check the company history, learn its goals, and try to understand its culture.
• Hiring manager: Research who you’ll be addressing your letter to and address it by their name.
• Your resume: Use it to show that you're the perfect fit for the role, and keep it nearby so you can review it whenever necessary. 

Pro Tip: You can contact someone from the company you're applying to via LinkedIn. It's best to pick the hiring manager. Try to ask them a clever question about the position. Then, you can refer to this exchange in your cover letter. 

2. Use the Proper Cover Letter Format

If your cover letter looks tidy and well-organized, you’ve already shown your attention to detail and made a great first impression. However, to achieve this, you need to format the letter correctly.

Here’s how to do it:

• Choose a legible cover letter font, such as Arial or Garamond, and keep the font size between 10 and 12 points.
• Set even margins on all sides: 1-inch margins should be perfect.
• Left-align all your contents.
• Use double cover letter spacing between paragraphs and 1–1.15 between lines.
• Title your cover letter by JobTitle—CoverLetter—YourName.
• Let your cover letter layout stay intact en route to the recruiter by saving the file in PDF.
• Fit all the information included in the letter on one page to keep the right cover letter length.

Pro Tip: If you decide to go for a ready-made cover letter template, you'll save a lot of time on formatting your cover letter from scratch. There's a large variety of styles and designs out there, including modern cover letter templates and cover letter templates for creative professions. But you can also make the template from scratch in Word or Google Docs. It's entirely up to you.

3. Create a Cover Letter Header

A professional cover letter opens with a header. Ideally, your cover letter header should be the same as in your resume (for consistency), so feel free to use the same template.

If you prefer to write the header of your cover letter from scratch, include the following contact information: 

• Full Name
• Job Title
• Phone Number
• Email Address

You can also include the following information:

• Linkedin Profile
• Portfolio (if applicable)
• Professional Website
• Link to Other Social Media Platforms (X or professional Instagram)

Pro Tip: If you send your cover letter via email, don’t use your current work email address. It’s impolite to your current as well as the potential employer.

4. Address the Reader

Once you’re done with the header, it’s time to mention the location and date of writing. 

Then, address your cover letter directly to the hiring manager like so:

• Dear Katherine,
• Dear Ms. Smith,
• Dear Mr. McConnor,

Whether you should use the hiring manager’s first or last name depends on the company culture:

• Use the first name if you’re applying to a relaxed, casual company. 
• Use the addressee's last name for corporate cover letters.

According to medical studies, people respond actively to hearing or seeing their names—so use it in the cover letter salutation.

Look for the hiring manager's name by:

• Checking the job description.
• Going to the company’s LinkedIn page (to look for the person responsible for uploading the job offer).
• Calling the office and asking the receptionist for a name.

Follow this template to make sure you include everything: 

Pro Tip: If you can’t find the name by any means possible, opt for “Dear Hiring Manager.” I recommend you avoid starting a cover letter with “To Whom It May Concern” like the plague. And don’t start a cover letter with “Dear Sir or Madam,” either. 

5. Make a Proper Introduction

Here’s the brutal truth: these few sentences at the beginning of your cover letter will determine whether the hiring manager will read on. What to write in the cover letter's intro to attract and hold the reader’s interest? Here are several proven strategies for starting your cover letter: 

• Highlight your achievements
• Display your passion and enthusiasm
• Drop names
• Do all the above

Have a look at this sample cover letter opening paragraph:

Great achievements, name dropping, and enthusiasm. Perfect.

Pro Tip: Always try to quantify your achievements. That shows you’ve tracked them and understand their impact on the company.

6. Explain Why You’re the Perfect Fit

The second paragraph (main body) of your cover letter should give the hiring manager what they’re looking for and show them that you’ll satisfy the company’s specific needs.

Job seekers impress employers by identifying transferable skills related to new positions. People often apply to new positions, so it’s likely you’ll not have the exact experience requested. But employers would rather know how your past experiences will inform future decisions. You were a hostess? Relate those management and organizational skills to the Executive Assistant position.

Here’s your go-to strategy on what your cover letter should say in the main body: 

• Prove you’re an expert in your field but without excessive bragging in the first sentence.
• Write about how your previous experiences will help your future employer press ahead with their plans in the remaining part.

Let’s look at another cover letter example to see how to make a cover letter body. Here’s what the company is looking for (based on the job ad):

• A savvy digital marketing manager
• Someone who will supervise the development of their new online portal

Here’s what to write in a cover letter to answers these requirements:

As you can see, this candidate has clearly answered these requirements in the first two sentences. That worked as a perfect introduction to quantifiable and more precise achievements.

Pro Tip: This section is also great for explaining any gaps in your employment. If you have any, explain them in your cover letter. Try to show achievements that fit the job offer. This can be spending time on some online courses, taking lessons, or taking extra classes.

7. Show Your Motivation to Join the Company

Your future employers have needs. If they’re willing to hire you, it’s because they think you’ll satisfy those needs. But they also want you to enjoy working with them. That way, they know you’re more likely to stay with them for longer.

The key to writing a good cover letter's third paragraph is showing the hiring manager why you want this particular job and not just any job. That’s particularly important for entry-level candidates—enthusiasm and passion help prove you'll hit the ground running.

Have a look at this example:

That’s how you avoid writing a general cover letter that doesn't win jobs. Add it to a well-tailored resume, and you most likely got yourself a job interview.

A resume is a detailed outline of your professional experiences, skills, and accomplishments, while a cover letter is your chance to tell a story about yourself. It lets you explain why you’re the right fit for a specific job and how your qualifications align with the company’s goals. Simply repeating your resume does not utilize the opportunity to make a personal connection with the hiring manager or to emphasize how your background uniquely qualifies you for the position.

Pro Tip: Make your cover letter more impressive by including relevant resume keywords from the job ad.

8. Close With a Promise

How to write a great cover letter ending that gets people excited? By providing value. 

Never come off as needy, and avoid clichés. Instead, tell the hiring manager that you’re looking forward to meeting in person and discussing how your experience and knowledge can help your future employer fulfill their goals.

Here’s a good example of how to make a good cover letter ending:

Pro Tip: Write a follow-up email after you apply. If your recruiter receives it a week after you apply, it will put you at the top of your mind, and it will be just when it matters most.

9. Stay Formal in the Closing Salutation

Once you’ve written the entire thing, you just need to put a cover letter signature at the very end. Write “Sincerely” and follow it with your full name. Adding your handwritten signature is optional (recommended for more formal cover letters).

If you’re not a fan of the well-worn “Sincerely,” feel free to use any of the following:

• Thank you,
• Best regards,
• Kind regards,
• Respectfully yours,
• With best regards,

Pro Tip: Add a piece of repeated contact information after your name, just to make it easier for the recruiter to contact you. 

10. Consider Adding a Postscript

These are all things you must include in a cover letter. But there’s one more extra thing you can add to make it even more impressive.

Write a cover letter postscript to tell the hiring manager about something impressive about your career, even if it’s not strictly related to the job opening. And say you’d be happy to provide them with more details if they find it interesting.

Here's an example of how to write a good cover letter postscript that grabs attention:

The perfect final touch that will leave a lasting impression of a perfect candidate.

Just for a quick recap, watch the video below to uncover the simple truth of how to write a good cover letter for a job application:

Writing a Cover Letter: Examples

If you get stuck when writing your cover letter, I suggest you take a look at the professional cover letter example below, as it can be really helpful. 

If you need more examples, we've gathered a selection of over 10 professionally-crafted cover letters that cater to a range of industries and job levels. Whether you're an entry-level candidate or an experienced professional, you'll find a sample that can guide you on your job application journey:

• Academic Cover Letter: that tenure might be waiting for you!
• Career-Change Cover Letter: great if you're planning to switch professions
• Cover Letter for an Internal Position: in case you're moving within the same company
• Entry-Level Cover Letter: for those who enter the job market
• Federal Cover Letter: getting a government job ain't easy, but it's worth trying
• General Cover Letter: you can quickly personalize it and adapt it for any job you want
• IT Cover Letter: can help you prove you're more than your coding skills
• Manager Cover Letter: easy to customize for any management position
• No Experience Cover Letter: we've all been there at some point!
• Student Cover Letter: it will show you how to highlight educational achievements and skills
• Teacher Cover Letter: to inspire the headmaster before you can inspire your pupils

You can also browse our collection of pro cover letter samples here.

Pro Tip: A great cover letter should be all about “why should we hire you” and “what’s in it for us.” The winning tactic for cover letter writing is focusing on them, not just on you, which will ultimately make you stand out from other applicants—and that’s exactly why it’s worth spending time writing a solid cover letter. 

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

Create my cover letter now

See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Key Takeaway

Here's a quick recap on how to write a cover letter:

1. Research the company.
2. Use proper formatting.
3. Add your contact info.
4. Address the recipient personally.
5. Grab their attention and prove you match their needs.
6. Show enthusiasm.
7. Finish with a call to action.
8. Add a formal closing sentiment.
9. Include a professional signature
10. Consider writing a P.S.

Or use our cover letter builder to remember it all for you!

Thank you for taking the time to read my article. Do you have any questions about how to make a cover letter? Want to share an example of a cover letter or your tried-and-tested tips on how to do a cover letter? Give me a shout in the comments, and I’ll gladly reply!

About Zety’s Editorial Process

This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

Sources

• Dennis P Carmody, Michael Lewis, "Brain Activation When Hearing One’s Own and Others’ Names"
• UC San Diego: Cover Letter

Frequently Asked Questions about How to Write a Cover Letter

What are the four parts of a cover letter?

• Cover letter header with your contact information such as full name, phone number, and email address
• Cover letter introduction with your hiring manager’s address and a hook that hypes the reader up so much that they can’t stop reading
• Cover letter body with a description of your significant accomplishments and strengths that you’ll bring to the table. (Beware! It’s not a copy of your resume.)
• Cover letter closing with a call to action and your signature

Can you use ChatGPT to write a cover letter?

Yes, you can use ChatGPT to write a cover letter. ChatGPT can generate tailored cover letters for each of the jobs you're applying for, but you must provide it with all the necessary information, such as your resume and the job offer you're targeting.

What should a cover letter say?

A cover letter should:

• Introduce you to the recruiter.
• Present relevant information about your skills and experience.
• Include details about why you want to work at this particular company.
• Prove that you're a perfect match for the job.
• Provide context for frequent job switching or employment gaps.

How to write a simple cover letter?

To write a simple cover letter:

• Use proper cover letter format.
• Mention only information relevant to the job.
• Begin with a concise value statement.
• Provide additional context to your resume.
• Utilize bullet points and action verbs.
• Remember about proofreading.
• Consider sending your cover letter by email.

How to write a cover letter for an internship?

A cover letter to an internship resume is a fantastic way to shoo away your competition. So don't hesitate and write a cover letter for an internship you’ve dreamt of for too long.

First and foremost, prove to your potential employer that you’re worth hiring, and that they’re a great company to work for. Do your research and don’t be shy to show what you’ve learned. Later use that knowledge to give away your connection to the company and its values. Show your transferable skillset and achievements, and let your determination and motivation do their magic.

How to write a cover letter for 2024?

In 2024, write your cover letter with these simple steps:

• Create a consistent look by mirroring a resume header to your template.
• Make a clean cover letter layout to keep enough whitespace on the page.
• Find an angle to write your cover letter—motivation to advance, shared values or mission statement, recent developments in the industry. Doing thorough research always helps. 
• Start your cover letter with a relevant accomplishment that makes the reader want to carry on.
• Create a smooth transition from the hook through your strengths to motivation in 3 to 4 paragraphs, tops. 
• Call your recruiter to action in the cover letter closing and ask for a meeting with you.

Is a cover letter necessary?

A cover letter isn't always necessary, but attaching one can often be a great decision. Writing a cover letter can help you grab and hold the recruiter's attention, given the fact that each corporate job opening attracts, on average, 250 resumes.