What is a Cover Letter?
A cover letter is a one-page document that you submit alongside your resume or CV for your job application.
The main purpose of your cover letter is to:
Show your motivation for working at the company
Bring special attention to the most important parts of your work history
Explain how your work experience fits whatever the company is looking for
What your cover letter is NOT about, is rehashing whatever you already mentioned in your resume. Sure, you should mention the most important bits, but it should NOT be a literal copy-paste.
Keep in mind that recruiters will usually read your cover letter after scanning your resume and deciding if you’re qualified for the position.
Our cover letter templates match both our resume templates and our CV templates! Make sure to check them out, too.
Why Use a Cover Letter Template?
A cover letter can complement your resume and increase your chances of getting hired.
But that's only if it's done right.
If your cover letter isn't the right length, is structured the wrong way, or doesn't match the style of your resume, it might do the opposite and hurt your application.
By using a cover letter template, you get a pre-formatted, professional, and recruiter-friendly document that’s ready to go. All YOU have to do is fill in the contents, and you’re all set.
What to Include in Your Cover Letter?
Every good cover letter has the following sections:
Header. Start your cover letter by writing down your own contact information, as well as the recruiter’s (recruiter name, company name, company address, etc…).
Greeting. Preferably, you want to address the recruiter by their last name (e.g. Dear Mr. Brown) or their full name, in case you’re not sure what their pronouns are (e.g. Dear Alex Brown). formal greeting for the recruiter.
Opening paragraph. This is the introduction to your resume. Here, you summarize your background info (“a financial analyst with X+ years of experience”), state your intent (“looking for X position at Company Y”), and summarize your top achievements to get the recruiter hooked.
Second paragraph. In the second paragraph, you explain how you’re qualified for the position by mentioning your skills, awards, certifications, etc., and why the recruiter should pick YOU.
Third paragraph. You talk about why you’re a good match for the company. Do you share common values? Is the company working on projects you’re interested in? Has this position always been your dream role?
Formal closing. Finally, you end the cover letter with a quick summary and a call to action (“I’m super excited to work with Company X. Looking forward to hearing from you!”).