Do I Need a Cover Letter? Are Cover Letters Necessary in 2023
Do I need a cover letter? Is it important? What if the job offer doesn’t require a cover letter? Read this guide to find out all you need to know.
This cover letter for public relations works like Jill Hazelbaker.
But here’s your problem:
A public relations cover letter has a massive job to do.
It has to show you can use words to convince.
Write a bad one, and that precious job for the great firm will wave goodbye.
You need to wow them like the #IceBucketChallenge to secure the interview.
It’s not hard.
This guide will show you:
- A sample cover letter for public relations better than 9 out of 10 others.
- Ten PR cover letter examples that boost your brand.
- How to write a public relations cover letter that convinces.
- Why the right PR achievements can put them in your funnel.
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.
Sample cover letter for a resume—See more cover letter examples and create your cover letter here.
Send your cover letter for public relations with a W2O-Group-worthy public relations resume. See our guide: Public Relations Resume: Sample & Complete Guide
Considering similar positions too? See other cover letter examples for jobs in your industry:
- Account Manager Cover Letter Example
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- Marketing Manager Cover Letter Example
- Marketing Intern Cover Letter Example
- Digital Marketing Cover Letter Example
- Product Manager Cover Letter Example
- Sales Associate Cover Letter Example
- Sales Cover Letter Example
- Sales Representative Cover Letter Example
- Social Media Manager Cover Letter Example
- Technical Writer Cover Letter Example
- Journalism Cover Letter Example
- Editorial Assistant Cover Letter Example
- HR Generalist Cover Letter Example
- Human Resources Cover Letter Example
- Photographer Cover Letter Example
- UX Designer Cover Letter Example
- Editor Cover Letter Example
Want to explore your options further? See our full selection of cover letter examples for every career: Best Cover Letter Samples for All Jobs.
This PR cover letter template is Elliot-Schrage-level:
Public Relations Cover Letter Sample
Your Name
Public Relations
Mailing Address
Phone Number
Email Address
Date
Hiring Manager Name
Title
Business Name
Mailing Address
Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
Achieving 100% efficiency to project milestones and goals at Berkadia was a nice win for my career. My skills in policy creation, communications, and distribution made it possible.
I'm excited to apply for the public relations position at Alfento Systems. I know from your ad that you need someone skilled in creating PR policies, supervising external communications, and distributing news releases and fact sheets to media outlets. I think I'm a good fit based on:
Communications. Supervised an external communications team to secure leads in 10+ top media outlets in the US and abroad.
Policy creation. Worked with customer service and sales teams to develop PR policies that improved brand awareness by 20%.
Materials distribution. Worked to distribute fact sheets, scripts, and press releases to 25+ media outlets.
I'd be glad to discuss how my skills in media relations, Facebook marketing, and crisis management can help Alfento's customers succeed.
Best regards,
[Your Name], Public Relations
[Phone Number]
[Email]
PS—I'd also like to tell you how I grew a Facebook fan base to 12,000 in 4 months.
That’s up there with Share a Coke.
A public relations’s cover letter like that will make them scramble for your number.
Now, here’s how to write public relations cover letters that get interviews:
1. Use the Best Public Relations Cover Letter Template
PR specialists know first impressions count.
Let’s optimize yours. For starters: professional cover letter design.
This cover letter for public relations template shows you’re the subject matter expert.
It lends credibility to your pitch.
PR Cover Letter Samples—Checklist
- your contact info
- the organization’s info
- Dear (hiring manager’s name)
- First paragraph: your best career accomplishment that fits the role
- Second paragraph: enthusiasm & achievements that show key skills
- Third paragraph: your CTA
- best regards & your name and title
- PS (with another offer)
Pro Tip: The heading of your cover letter should match the heading of your resume. So remember to use the same setup, fonts, and margins.
What’s the right format for a public relations cover letter? See our guide: Cover Letter Format: A Complete How-To Guide
2. Start Your Public Relations Cover Letter Right
Fireworks time.
A great headline has to grab your audience.
The same goes for the first line of your cover letter for public relations jobs.
To drop jaws like the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man, start with a wow-grabbing fact.
These public relations cover letter examples show how:
Public Relations Cover Letter Examples [First Paragraph]
Pretend the job posting asked for policy creation, communications, and media distribution skills.
| Right Example |
|---|
Emily Prosser PR Specialist 2100 Stone Lane Philadelphia, PA 19104 215-837-0553 emily.prosser@gmail.com
1/9/20
Jennifer Cantos Senior Account Manager Alfento Systems, Inc. 1543 Pheasant Ridge Road Philadelphia, PA 19104
Dear Ms. Cantos,
Achieving 100% efficiency to project milestones and goals at Berkadia was a nice win for my career. My skills in policy creation, communications, and media distribution made it possible. |
Spot-on messaging.
Why does that PR cover letter example boost your ROI?
Because it:
- Starts with a high-grade PR achievement.
- Adds public relations skills the job ad asked for.
But this public relations cover letter example won’t influence a soul:
| Wrong Example |
|---|
Dear recruiter. I’m a public relations specialist with skills in copywriting, editing, and Instagram. I’m recognized for my ability to raise brand awareness, and I’d like to apply for your PR job, which I spotted on Monster.com.
|
That’s boilerplate.
Sample cover letters for public relations like that will flop.
It’s not personalized, and it whiffs the job requirements and duties.
But—what about a PR intern cover letter with no experience?
Sample Cover Letter for Public Relations [Entry-Level]
In entry-level public relations intern cover letters—
List PR accomplishments from:
- Non-public relations jobs
- College
- Freelance work or Internships
- Volunteering or projects
- Certifications
Don’t even have those? Start your cover letter for public relations jobs with:
- A glimpse at your passion
- Something that excites you about their organization
- Someone you know who works there
- A press release or news item about the company you saw
See the next of our PR cover letter examples with no experience:
- Bill Andado, your head of sales, suggested I apply. I’ve known Bill for three years, and he likes my go-getting attitude and social media savvy.
- As a blogger at CashWorld.com, my articles raised traffic from 20,000 to 200,000 per month in 8 months. That was a nice win, but my real goal...
- When I was awarded the Senior Excellence Award at Brigham-Young University...
- Raising attendance for the “Great Catsby” Animal Shelter Benefit gave me a nice feeling. My skills in...
- As a PRSA-certified public relations specialist...
- I’ve always loved giving people good news about something that can help them. That’s one of the reasons I’m so excited about your opening in...
- Congratulations on being named as one of the top 5 places to work in...
Perfect pitch.
All those beginnings for cover letters for public relations beat, “I’m writing to apply...”
Pro Tip: If you can’t think of a grabby first line, don’t sweat it. Applying to more jobs will boost your chances, as long as you tweak each cover letter so it fits the job.
Need more ways to start a public relations cover letter that turbocharges your message? See our guide: How to Start a Cover Letter: Sample & Complete Guide
3. Write a Targeted Public Relations Cover Letter Middle
You’ve set the hook.
Now your cover letter for public relations jobs must target your audience.
That starts with a Rob-Shilkin-style middle paragraph.
Include:
- Enthusiasm for this public relations position
- A deep understanding of the PR job duties
- Clues your public relations skills have reach
See these public relations cover letter examples:
Public Relations Cover Letter Examples [Middle]
The first of these PR cover letter examples is on-message.
| Right Example |
|---|
I'm excited to apply for your public relations position at Alfento Systems. I know from your ad that you need someone skilled in creating PR policies, supervising external communications, and distributing news releases and fact sheets to media outlets.I think I'm a good fit based on:
|
Exclusive.
That sample cover letter for public relations jobs has legs.
But—
The next of our public relations cover letter examples works like “I’d like my life back”:
| Wrong Example |
|---|
I started out my public creations career five years ago, working for Harvest Train Breakfast Cereals. I brought my passion for PR to the table as I worked to write press releases and other materials and distribute them through multiple channels. I’ve learned a lot about what it takes to make a PR campaign successful, and I hope to bring those skills to bear on your business. |
Failure to launch.
You missed the job duties, and left out the traction-proving metrics.
Pro Tip: What should your cover letter say? It’s good to show you know a thing or two about the company. Online research and informational interviews can help. They’re the best way to target a cover letter for public relations.
Remember: the hiring manager doesn’t want to read War & Peace. See this guide for pointers: How Long Should A Cover Letter Be? Sample & Guide
4. End Your Public Relations Cover Letter Strong
CTA time.
Once the hiring team digests your message, move on to next steps.
Ask for something at the end of your cover letter for public relations jobs. But—
Offer something too.
Do it like the first of these public relations cover letter examples:
Cover Letter Examples for Public Relations [Ending]
| Right Example |
|---|
I'd be glad to discuss how my skills in media relations, Facebook marketing, and crisis management can help Alfento's customers succeed.
Best regards,
Emily Prosser, PR Specialist 215-837-0553 emily.prosser@gmail.com
PS—I'd also like to tell you how I grew a Facebook fan base to 12,000 in 4 months. |
That’s job-ready.
That example gives them:
- More public relations skills from their job listing
- The promise of a free PR tip that could help them
But the next of our public relations cover letter samples is down with Samsung’s flammable Galaxy Note 7:
| Wrong Example |
|---|
Thank you for reviewing my application. I look forward to hearing back from you. |
That offers nothing, and sounds generic.
Pro Tip: Want your PR cover letter to reach out and touch recruiters? Use a PS sentence. Those get attention like #LikeAGirl.
Need more tips for your cover letter for public relations ending? See our guide: How to End a Cover Letter [+Examples]
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.
When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.
Key Takeaway
Here’s how to write a public relations cover letter:
- Use a public relations cover letter format that lets you toss in your own Michael-Kirkland-type skills.
- Start with a bang. Add your most APCO-worthy accomplishment to your PR cover letter opening.
- Show enthusiasm. Use your PR pro or PR intern cover letter to win their hearts.
- Come bearing gifts. Your cover letter for public relations ending should add value.
Not sure how to start your public relations cover letter? Want to write a cover letter for public relations that works like earned media? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!
