cover letter meaning cv

How to Write a Cover Letter in 2024 + Examples

After weeks of heavy job search, you’re almost there!

You’ve perfected your resume. 

You’ve short-listed the coolest jobs you want to apply for.

You’ve even had a friend train you for every single interview question out there.

But then, before you can send your application and call it a day, you remember that the job ad requires a cover letter.

Now you’re stuck wondering how to write a cover letter ...

Don’t panic! We’ve got you covered. Writing a cover letter is a lot simpler than you might think. 

In this guide, we’re going to teach you how to write a cover letter that gets you the job you deserve.

• What’s a cover letter & why it’s important for your job search
• How to write a convincing cover letter that gets you the job (step-by-step!)
• How to perfect your cover letter with the Novoresume free checklist
• What excellent cover letter examples look like

New to cover letter writing? Give our resumes 101 video a watch before diving into the article!

So, let’s get started with the basics!

What is a Cover Letter? (and Why It’s Important)

A cover letter is a one-page document that you submit as part of your job application (alongside your CV or Resume). 

Its purpose is to introduce you and briefly summarize your professional background. On average, your cover letter should be from 250 to 400 words long .

A good cover letter can spark the HR manager’s interest and get them to read your resume. 

A bad cover letter, on the other hand, might mean that your application is going directly to the paper shredder. So, to make sure this doesn’t happen, it’s essential to know how to write a convincing cover letter.

How does a good cover letter look, you might ask. Well, here’s an example:

Keep in mind, though, that a cover letter is a supplement to your resume, not a replacement. Meaning, you don’t just repeat whatever is mentioned in your resume.

If you’re writing a cover letter for the first time, writing all this might seem pretty tough. After all, you’re probably not a professional writer.

The thing is, though, you don’t need to be creative, or even any good at writing. All you have to do is follow a tried-and-tested format:

• Header - Input contact information
• Greeting the hiring manager
• Opening paragraph - Grab the reader’s attention with 2-3 of your top achievements
• Second paragraph - Explain why you’re the perfect candidate for the job
• Third paragraph - Explain why you’re a good match for the company
• Formal closing

Or, here’s what this looks like in practice:

How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter (And Get Hired!)

Now that we’ve got the basics out of the way, we’re going to guide you through the process of writing a cover letter step by step. 

Step #1 - Pick the Right Cover Letter Template

A good cover letter is all about leaving the right first impression.

So, what’s a better way to leave a good impression than a well-formatted, visual template?

You can simply pick one of our hand-picked cover letter templates , and you’ll be all set in a jiffy!

As a bonus, our AI will even give you suggestions on how to improve your cover letter on the go.

Step #2 - Start the Cover Letter with a Header

As with a resume, it’s important to start your cover letter with a Contact Information section:

Here, you want to include all essential information, including:

• Phone Number
• Name of the hiring manager / their professional title
• Name of the company you’re applying to

In certain cases, you might also consider adding:

• Social Media Profiles - Any type of profile that’s relevant to your field. Social Profiles on websites like LinkedIn, GitHub (for developers), Medium (for writers), etc.
• Personal Website - If you have a personal website that somehow adds value to your application, you can mention it. Let’s say you’re a professional writer. In that case, you’d want to link to your blog.

And here’s what you shouldn’t mention in your header:

• Your Full Address 
• Unprofessional Email - Make sure your email is presentable. It’s pretty hard for a hiring manager to take you seriously if your email address is “[email protected].” Whenever applying for jobs, stick to the “[first name] + [last name] @ email provider.com” format.

Step #3 - Greet the Hiring Manager

Once you’ve properly listed your contact information, you need to start writing the cover letter contents.

The first thing to do here is to address the cover letter to the hiring manager .

That’s right, the hiring manager! Not the overly popular “Dear Sir or Madam.” You want to show your future boss that you did your research and are really passionate about working with their team.

No one wants to hire a job seeker who just spams 20+ companies and hopes to get hired in any of them.

So, how do you find out who’s the hiring manager? There are several ways to do this. 

The simplest option is to look up the head of the relevant department on LinkedIn. Let’s say you’re applying for the position of a Communication Specialist at Novoresume. The hiring manager is probably Head of Communications or Chief Communications Office.

So, you do a quick lookup on LinkedIn:

And voila! You have your hiring manager.

Or let’s say you’re applying for the position of a server. In that case, you’d be looking for the “restaurant manager.”

If this doesn’t work, you can also check out the “Team” page on the company website; there’s a good chance you’ll at least find the right person there.

Here are several other greetings you could use:

• Dear [Department] Hiring Manager
• Dear Hiring Manager
• To whom it may concern
• Dear [Department] Team

Step #4 - Write an Attention-Grabbing Introduction

First impressions matter, especially when it comes to your job search.

Recruiters get hundreds, sometimes even thousands, of applications. Chances are, they’re not going to be reading every single cover letter end-to-end.

So, it’s essential to catch their attention from the very first paragraph .

The #1 problem we see with most cover letter opening paragraphs is that they’re usually extremely generic. Most of them look something like this..

• Hey, my name is Jonathan and I’d like to work as a Sales Manager at XYZ Inc. I’ve worked as a sales manager at MadeUpCompany Inc. for 5+ years, so I believe that I’d be a good fit for the position.

See the issue here? This opening paragraph doesn’t say pretty much anything except the fact that you’ve worked the job before.

Do you know who else has similar work experience? All the other applicants you’re competing with.

Instead, you want to start off with 2-3 of your top achievements to really grab the reader’s attention. Preferably, the achievements should be as relevant as possible to the position.

So now, let’s make our previous example shine:

My name’s Michael and I’d like to help XYZ Inc. hit and exceed their sales goals as a Sales Manager. I’ve worked with Company X, a fin-tech company, for 3+ years. As a Sales Representative, I generated an average of $30,000+ in sales per month (beating the KPIs by around 40%). I believe that my previous industry experience, as well as excellence in sales, makes me the right candidate for the job.

See the difference between the two examples? If you were the hiring manager, which sales manager would you hire, Jonathan or Michael?

Now that we’ve covered the introduction, let’s talk about the body of your cover letter. This part is split into two paragraphs: the first is for explaining why you’re the perfect person for the job, and the latter is for proving that you’re a good fit for the company.

So, let’s get started...

Step #5 - Explain why you’re the perfect person for the job

This is where you show off your professional skills and convince the HR manager that you’re a better fit for the job than all the other applicants.

But first things first - before you even write anything, you need to learn what the most important requirements for the role are. So, open up the job ad and identify which of the responsibilities are the most critical.

For the sake of the example, let’s say you’re applying for the position of a Facebook Advertiser. You scan the job ad and see that the top requirements are:

• Experience managing a Facebook ad budget of $10,000+ / month
• Some skills in advertising on other platforms (Google Search + Twitter)
• Excellent copywriting skills

Now, in this section, you need to discuss how you fulfill these requirements. So, here’s how that would look for our example:

In my previous role as a Facebook Marketing Expert at XYZ Inc. I handled customer acquisition through ads, managing a monthly Facebook ad budget of $20,000+ . As the sole digital marketer at the company, I managed the ad creation & management process end-to-end. Meaning, I created the ad copy , images, picked the targeting, ran optimization trials, and so on.

Other than Facebook advertising, I’ve also delved into other online PPC channels, including:

• Google Search

Are you a student applying for your first internship? You probably don’t have a lot of work experience to show off in this section. Learn how to write an internship cover letter here.

Step #6 - Explain why you’re a good fit for the company

Once you’ve written the last paragraph, you might be thinking - I’m a shoo-in for the job! What else do I need to write? I’ll just wrap up the cover letter and hit that sweet SEND button.

Well, no. You’re not quite there yet.

The HR manager doesn’t only look at whether you’ll be good at the job or not. They’re looking for someone that’s also a good fit for the company culture.

After all, employees that don’t fit in are bound to quit, sooner or later. This ends up costing the company a ton of money, up to 50% of the employee’s annual salary . 

Meaning, you also need to convince the HR manager that you’re really passionate about working with them.

How do you do this? Well, as a start, you want to do some research about the company. You want to know things like:

• What’s the company’s business model?
• What’s the company product or service? Have you used it?
• What’s the culture like? Will someone micro-manage your work, or will you have autonomy on how you get things done?

So, get to Googling. Chances are, you’ll find all the information you need either on the company website or somewhere around the web.

Then, you need to figure out what you like about the company and turn that into text.

Let’s say, for example, you’re passionate about their product and you like the culture of innovation / independent work in the organization.

You’d write something like:

I’ve personally used the XYZ Smartphone, and I believe that it’s the most innovative tech I’ve used in years. The features such as Made-Up-Feature #1 and Made-Up-Feature #2 were real game changers for the device. 

I really admire how Company XYZ thrives for excellence for all its product lines, creating market-leading tech. As someone that thrives in a self-driven environment, I truly believe that I and Company XYZ will be a great match.

What you don’t want to do here is be super generic for the sake of having something to write. Most job seekers tend to mess this one up. Let’s take a look at a very common example we tend to see (way too often):

I’d love to work for Company XYZ because of its culture of innovation. I believe that since I’m super creative, I’d be a good fit for the company. The company values of integrity and transparency really vibe with me.

See what’s wrong here? The example doesn’t really say anything about the company. “Culture of Innovation” is something most companies claim to have. 

The same goes for “values of integrity and transparency” - the writer just googled what the values for the organization are, and said that they like them.

Any hiring manager that reads this will see through the fluff.

So, make sure to do a lot of research and come up with good reasons why you're applying.

Step #7 - Wrap up with a call to action

Finally, it’s time to finish up your cover letter and write the conclusion.

In the final paragraph, you want to:

• Wrap up any points you couldn't in the previous paragraphs. Do you have anything left to say? Any other information that could help the hiring manager make their decision? Mention it here.
• Thank the hiring manager for their time. It never hurts to be courteous, as long as you don’t come off as too needy.
• Finish the cover letter with a call to action. The very last sentence in your cover letter should be a call to action. You should ask the hiring manager to take some sort of action.

And now, let’s turn this into a practical example:

So to wrap it all up, thanks for looking into my application. I hope I can help Company X make the most out of their Facebook marketing initiatives. I'd love to further discuss how my previous success at XYZ Inc. can help you achieve your facebook marketing goals.

Step #8 - Use the right formal closing

Once you’re done with the final paragraph, all you have to do is write down a formal “goodbye” and you’re good to go.

Feel free to use one of the most popular conclusions to a cover letter:

• Best Regards,
• Kind Regards,

And we’re finally done! Before sending off the cover letter, make sure to proofread it with software like Grammarly, or maybe even get a friend to review it for you.

Does your cover letter heading include all essential information?

• Professional email
• Relevant Social Media Profiles

Do you address the right person? I.e. hiring manager in the company / your future direct supervisor

Does your introductory paragraph grab the reader's attention?

• Did you mention 2-3 of your top achievements?
• Did you use numbers and facts to back up your experience?

Do you successfully convey that you’re the right pro for the job?

• Did you identify the core requirements?
• Did you successfully convey how your experiences help you fit the requirements perfectly?

Do you convince the hiring manager that you’re passionate about the company you’re applying to?

• Did you identify the top 3 things that you like about the company?
• Did you avoid generic reasons for explaining your interest in the company?

Did you finalize the conclusion with a call to action?

Did you use the right formal closure for the cover letter?

5+ Cover Letter Examples

Need some inspiration? Read on to learn about some of the best cover letter examples we’ve seen (for different fields).

College Student Cover Letter Example

Middle Management Cover Letter Example

Career Change Cover Letter Example

Management Cover Letter Example

Senior Executive Cover Letter Example

Want to discover more examples AND learn what makes them stand out? Check out our guide to cover letter examples .

Next Steps in Your Job Search - Creating a Killer Resume

Your cover letter is only as good as your resume. If either one is weak, your entire application is for naught. 

After all, a cover letter is just an introduction. Imagine going through all this effort to leave an amazing first impression, but flopping at the end because of a mediocre resume.

...But don’t you worry, we’ve got you covered on that end, too.

If you want to learn more about Resumes & CVs, we have a dedicated FREE guide for that. Check out our complete guide on how to make a resume , as well as how to write a CV - our experts will teach you everything you need to know in order to land your dream job.

Or, if you’re already an expert, just pick one of our resume templates and get started.

Key Takeaways

Now that we’ve walked you through all the steps of writing a cover letter, let’s summarize everything we’ve learned:

• A cover letter is a 250 - 400 word document that convinces the hiring manager of your competence
• A cover letter goes in your job application alongside your resume
• Your introduction to the cover letter should grab the hiring manager’s attention and keep it all the way until the conclusion
• There are 2 main topics you need to include in your cover letter: why you’re the perfect candidate for the job & why you’re passionate about working in the company you’re applying to
• Most of the content of your cover letter should be factual , without any fluff or generalizations

At Novorésumé, we’re committed to helping you get the job you deserve, every step of the way! Follow our blog to stay up to date with the industry-leading advice. Or, check out some of our top guides…

• How to Write a Motivational Letter
• How to Write a Resume with No Work Experience
• Most Common Interview Questions and Answers

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How To Write a Cover Letter for a CV (With Examples)

Tips for Writing a Cover Letter for a CV

Proofread before sending, cover letter template, cover letter sample, sending an email cover letter, more cover letter examples.

When you apply for a job with a  curriculum vitae  (CV), it's important to include a cover letter, also known as a covering letter. This letter allows you to make a favorable first impression, using narrative in your own tone of voice to catch the reader’s attention and encourage them to seriously review your attached CV.

Like a resume, a CV summarizes your skills and experience. The  difference between a CV and a resume  is length, the focus on credentials, and what the documents are used for. Typically, a CV is required to apply for roles in academia, scientific research, and medical fields. 

While your CV provides a detailed—and often lengthy—look at your experience and credentials, the cover letter is an opportunity to call out your most important qualifications and make a compelling case for your candidacy for the role at hand. Here's what you need to know to write a successful curriculum vitae cover letter. 

Tailor the Letter to Fit the Organization

The CV cover letter should be  tailored to respond to the unique and specific requirements  requested by each organization you are approaching. 

Do not use the same cover letter for every job you apply to, even though it may seem like a timesaver. 

Each letter needs to provide detailed information about why are you are qualified for the specific job in question, and it should outline the reasons for your interest in the company or organization. Being specific is advantageous. Even if you're applying for two similar roles in two different hospitals, the two hospitals may serve different populations or require slightly different responsibilities for people in the role. Your letters to each hospital should reflect that. 

Use your cover letter to identify the skills or experiences most specific to the job, rather than copying directly the information in your CV.

What to Include

As a candidate, it's tempting to feel like the cover letter is unnecessary, since it is likely that all the pertinent information is included in your CV. Still, as you can see, the cover letter is a helpful tool in your application. Here's what to keep in mind as you write a cover letter. 

Format Matters

The content of your cover letter should be brief and structured. Aim for 3-5 paragraphs in your letter.  Start with a salutation. Your letter should address the relevant contact, whose name often appears in the job advertisement. Avoid “Sir” or “Madam” if possible.

If the letter recipient's name isn't provided, try these  tips to determine the correct contact person . 

Start With an Introduction

Typically, the first paragraph will be an introduction—if you are applying to a job ad, mention it here. Mention the job title, any reference number, and where and when you saw it. The first paragraph is also where you should mention if someone referred you to the position. 

The Body of the Cover Letter

The body of the letter—the second and third paragraphs—should highlight your relevant skills and experience. Highlight your  transferable skills , achievements, and versatility. Explain what you can contribute and what makes you stand out from your competition. Include mention of your current or last job, qualifications, and professional and academic training, tailoring your information to make it as relevant as possible to the organization or job applied for.

In the body of the cover letter, you can mention personality traits relevant to the role at hand. You can also use this space to call out why you're interested in this specific role, at this specific company. Potential employers and hiring managers will appreciate it if you can show you've read the job ad and researched the company. 

Avoid lengthy repetition of information covered in your CV. Unlike a CV, it is acceptable to write a cover letter in the first person.

Conclude the letter by succinctly summarizing why an employer may want to meet and employ you. Include a polite expression of interest in further dialogue with the recruiter. Do mention that you would like the opportunity to discuss your suitability further in a personal interview and that you await a response in due course.

Follow Instructions 

In some cases, an advertisement will indicate that a more substantial letter is required. 

Always follow specific instructions and include any information if it is specifically requested. For instance, some employers may ask you to include your current salary or your desired salary range. 

Make Sure the Letter Reads Well 

Ensure that your CV cover letter flows freely. You do not need to precisely match every point on the job description. The reader should be left with an overall impression that you are a potentially valuable addition to the workforce.

The letter should be readable and engaging. 

Negative information of any sort should be avoided in your cover letter, as well as on your CV.

You'll want to be sure your letter is free from grammar or spelling errors. It should also be clearly presented—that means using standard formatting, and common  readable fonts  (such as Times New Roman or Verdana) in an appropriate size. 

This is a cover letter example. Download the cover letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples.

Depending on the employer's submission requirements, cover letters can be submitted online with your CV, uploaded online, or mailed. Be sure to follow the application instructions and follow the directions on how to apply. Consider this template for how to structure your letter: 

Belinda Applicant 123 Main Street Anytown, CA 12345 555-555-5555 belinda.applicant@gmail.com

October 25, 2021

Clark Lee, PhD Biology Department Chair Northwestern University 123 Business Rd. Business City, NY 54321

Dear Dr, Lee:

I am writing to apply for the position of assistant professor in the Biology department, as described in the Northern University website. The opportunity to teach biology appeals to me, and I believe I can be an asset to the department due to my experience as a field biologist, as well as my work as an adjunct professor at Southern State University. In accordance with your job description, I have the following skills:

• Experience lecturing to large audiences

• Experience with learning management systems and course design

• Ability to assist with labs for other professors

• Experience with grant writing and research

I have enclosed my curriculum vitae so you may examine my work and research experience, the papers I’ve published, and my educational background.

I can be reached anytime by email at Belinda.applicant@gmail.com or my cell phone, 555-555-5555. Thank you so much for your time and consideration. I look forward to speaking with you about this position.

Signature (hard copy letter)

Belinda Applicant

When you are sending your cover letter by email, list your contact information in your signature rather than at the top of the letter. List your name and the job title in the subject line of the message. 

Here are more examples of cover letters that you can use as a starting point for your own correspondence.

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What Is a Cover Letter and How to Write One? (Expert Guide)

A cover letter is an integral part of the job search process . Often, a good cover letter is what gets you the job. However, not many people know how to write a good one. Some may not even know what a purpose of a cover letter is.

In this expert guide, you can find not only a definition of what is a cover letter and how to write a good cover letter, but also tips on how to structure it and send it. Finally, get inspired by the examples, that our experts prepared for you.

Keep on reading and you will also learn:

• why do you need a cover letter;
• what types of cover letters exist;
• the difference between a cover letter and a letter of interest;
• the difference between a cover letter and a motivation letter;

Find out your resume score!

What is a cover letter (Definition + Purpose + Types)

The purpose of a cover letter is to introduce yourself to your future potential employer.

A cover letter illustrates your background and explains why the offered position would be a good fit for you. In a cover letter, you have a unique chance to present yourself, show your personality, and add details that one cannot fit into a structured resume.

In addition, with your cover letter, you can also make up for the lack of previous experience. That is if you can make your enthusiasm and positive qualities shine through.

Over the years the importance of a cover letter grew significantly, and a cover letter became a standardized part of the process of a job application.

With the highly competitive job market, a resume alone – no matter how strong – is simply not enough to get hired. In fact, in 45% of cases, the reason for not being called to an interview is a missing cover letter.

What is the difference between a cover letter and a letter of interest?

While the cover letter and a letter of interest are rather similar, there is a subtle difference between these two. Based on the specific circumstances in which you find yourself, you can decide which one is the right one to write.

• A letter of interest  is commonly used in situations when there is NO specific job opening. You send a letter of interest when you find a company interesting, and you believe you would fit in well. However , you are not applying for a concrete job position. Therefore, you can write about your skills and professional experiences more broadly so you can make yourself available to a wider range of possible positions . Furthermore, in a letter of interest, you can always politely request an interview.
• A cover letter  is   a response to a concrete job opening. Therefore, you focus on a more limited set of qualities that would make you the perfect candidate for this specific role.

Moreover, a cover letter always comes hand in hand with a resume. Because of that, a cover letter should always mention your CV and match it. In a cover letter, you can also elaborate on the information, which is already listed in your resume.

If you want to learn how to write a good resume, have a look at our ultimate resume guide . You can even  turn your LinkedIn profile into a polished resume .

What is the difference between a cover letter and a motivation letter? 

If you are deciding whether to write a cover letter or a motivation letter , it is again important to look at the situation in which you find yourself.

One writes a motivation letter when applying for a study program, a university placement, or a volunteering position. In a motivation letter, you should first and foremost focus on expressing your enthusiasm. Moreover, in a motivation letter, you can put the focus on your personality and on what makes you unique.

In the cover letter, you are advised to do this too; however, the key thing is to demonstrate why are you the perfect fit for a specific role. A cover letter also tends to be shorter than an average motivation letter.

What are different types of cover letters?

When it comes to the cover letter itself, there are three standardized types of cover letters . Each type has a slightly different format. Therefore, it is important to correctly identify which type of cover letter you need and adjust its format accordingly.

Networking cover letter

This very specific type of cover letter is sent out to your professional network in a situation when you are looking for a job but there is no specific job opening to which you are reacting. However, you want to inform your connections that you are open to a new role.

While using your network to get a job is usually the right move, one needs to be extra careful when sending out a networking cover letter. It needs to be formulated with politeness and delicacy.

Unofficial cover letter

Sometimes, only a resume is required by the company. In this situation, it is not necessary to attach an official structured cover letter.

Nonetheless, if you want to demonstrate the depth of your interest and elaborate on your professional experience in more detail, you can always write a short, un-official, and more casual cover letter. It should not follow the strict cover letter format and it can be only around two paragraphs long.

If you want to, you can even place it in the body of an email, to which you are attaching your CV.

Application cover letter

This is the standard and most common type of cover letter. You write it when you want a specific job position for which you saw an opening.

There are several unwritten rules on how to write it. So, if you are asking what makes a good cover letter and what you should do to write one, just scroll down to the next chapter.

How to write a cover letter in 2022

Writing a good cover letter is not as hard as it may seem at first. There are a few unspoken rules that if you follow, you have a high chance of being called for an interview. All you need to know is what to include in your cover letter and how to format it.

What to include in your cover letter and what is the cover letter structure?

If you are wondering what to put in your cover letter and how to structure it, what follows is a simple step-by-step list of elements that cannot be missing from a good cover letter.

At the start of your cover letter , you should have the correct heading and contact information. Don’t forget, this is your one chance to make a good first impression. Always include:

• your full name in large font as a heading. Possibly, you can also use a catchphrase, if you really want the attention of the recruiter; 
• follow it by contact details, such as a phone number or email;
• include the information about your employer: such as the name of the recruiting person (if applicable), the name of the company, the address, phone number, and an email address;
• address the cover letter to the person who is listed as a recruiter/hiring manager. If their name and contact details are not available online, go for the standard " Dear Sir/Madam" ;
• don’t forget to mention how you came across the offer - their webpage, LinkedIn, or a friend who works there already;

In the body of the cover letter, write about your professional skills, past experiences, and hopes and aspirations for your professional future. Describe how your previous experiences shaped you and why does it make you the perfect fit for the job. Mention also that this job is, in exchange, a good fit for you, too.

Here, you should not exceed three paragraphs. Don't be repetitive, or too descriptive - rather demonstrate your qualities. 

At the end of a cover letter, try to   catch the attention of the recruiter again. Emphasize your motivation and repeat, why are you the right person for the job.

Never forget to thank the hiring manager for their time and express your high hope for hearing back from them. Mention your resume and remember to sign the letter with your full official name.

Cover letter formatting  

The cover letter is usually read by the HR department. In large corporates, there are on average 250 applicants per one open position. Because of this, the hiring manager has an extremely limited time to look at your cover letter. Thanks to this, you must make sure your cover letter is simple, not too long, well-structured, and easy to read.

• Your cover letter must have the correct length. A cover letter should never exceed one A4 page. At the same time, it should not be shorter than half a page. A good cover letter is 250-300 words long, with 400 words being the maximum limit.
• It consists of approximately three to four paragraphs and the maximum acceptable number of paragraphs is six.
• The best font to use for a cover letter is a classic, simple, and professional one. For instance, with the good-old Arial, Calibri , or Times New Roman, you can never make a mistake. However, if you work in a creative business, you can always consider using a more eye-catching design. Remember though, it should always remain easy to read and navigate.
• The size of letters should be between 10.5 and 12, the margins 1 or 1.5.  

If you want to have a clearer idea about how to write the perfect cover letter, have a look at this video tutorial . 

How to write a cover letter with no experience

If you are in an early stage of your career and only fresh out of school, do not despair. A cover letter can be your biggest help in this situation. As opposed to your resume, in a cover letter, your positive attitude can change a lot. Make it clear how enthusiastic and eager to learn you are.

Focus on your qualities, skills, extracurricular, or volunteering experience. Possibly, you may have some related experience from your personal life. If it is truly relevant, include it, too.

How experts do it: best cover letter examples

Now that you know what a finished cover letter looks like and how to write one, you can get inspired by cover letter examples written by our experts. This will make sure that from now on you will write truly perfect cover letters.

Example 1: Cover letter for the position of nanny

Example 2: Cover letter for the position of s oftware engineer

Example 3: Cover letter for a position of marketing intern

Have a look at other cover letter examples, too. And you can have a cover letter just like this as well! Just use one of our Kickresume cover letter templates . You can choose a free or a premium one.

Tips for sending a cover letter by email

Once you have the cover letter written, it is time to hit the send. But be careful, don’t make any mistakes that could lead to your application being rejected. Here are some tips on how to send the cover letter properly via email:

• Don’t forget to properly read the instructions written in the job opening. Usually, the instructions are placed at the bottom of the job advertisement. Here, one can find the name and the email address of the hiring manager who will receive the applications. Double-check the information and make sure you address the person in the email, as well as the body of the cover letter.
• Do not forget to write an appropriate email subject, in which you mention the job position and the fact that you are applying for it
• In the email itself, be polite and brief . Remember to mention the Cover Letter in the attachment.
• Make sure your email address sounds professional . Your email must have your full name and surname in it. Nicknames, extra letters, or numbers are not recommended.
• Don’t forget to attach the cover letter, and/or Resume. We have all forgotten to attach something before. However, do not let it happen in this instance – you have only one chance to make a good first impression.
• Save the cover letter properly. Use a format, which is easy to open for most computers (such as .pdf). Don’t forget to name the document properly – mention your name, the position for which you are applying, and consider adding a date. Always match it with the name of your CV.
• Don’t forget to thank the recruiter for their time. Politeness can get you far.
• End the email with your full name and best regards. Be official and professional, this is no time for being casual.

Other cover letter tips and ideas

• Make it easy to read, always. A simple and larger font, shorter sentences, and captivating beginning of paragraphs will get you far.
• Put the most important information at the beginning.
• Do not send the same cover letter to multiple openings. Always tailor the perfect resume for each job offer.

And there you go! Now when you know how to write the perfect cover letter. For the best result, use one of our Kickresume cover letter templates! 

Kickresume wishes you the best of luck with your application. Get that dream job!

Kaja Jurčišinová

Kaja Jurcisinova is a fresh graduate and a junior copywriter at Kickresume. Kaja completed her undergraduate degree in Art History at the University of St Andrews in 2018 and graduated with a Master’s in Arts and Culture from the University of Groningen in 2021. She was an intern at multiple cultural institutions across Europe, including the Dutch Museum Association in Amsterdam, the Matter of Art Biennale in Prague, and the European Cultural Centre in Venice. At the moment, she resides in Visby on the Swedish island of Gotland.

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What Is a Cover Letter for a Job? Definition and Examples

A cover letter is a personalized document submitted alongside your resume or CV when applying for a job. It is designed to introduce yourself to the employer, showcase your qualifications, and establish a connection with the hiring manager.

Cover letters are crucial in the job application process, as they are the first impression you give to a potential employer. They demonstrate your communication skills, highlight your unique strengths that align with the job requirements, and show the employer that you have put in the effort to tailor your application specifically to them.

In this article, we will cover the essential elements of a cover letter, including the structure, content, and format. We’ll also provide you with tips on how to make your cover letter stand out and share specific examples that you can use as inspiration.

Specifically, we will discuss:

• The purpose of a cover letter
• The different types of cover letters
• The structure and format of a cover letter
• How to tailor your cover letter to the job and company
• Tips on how to write an effective cover letter
• Examples of successful cover letters

Whether you are a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, this article will provide you with the knowledge you need to create a compelling cover letter that will impress any employer. So, let’s get started!

The Definition of a Cover Letter

Defining what a cover letter is.

A cover letter is a one-page document that accompanies your resume when applying for a job. It provides a personalized introduction to the employer and serves as a sales pitch highlighting your qualifications, skills, and experience.

Explaining the Purpose of a Cover Letter

The purpose of a cover letter is to showcase your interest in the job and the company while presenting yourself as the best candidate for the position. It should not duplicate the content of your resume but rather expand on it by providing specific examples of how your skills match the job requirements.

A cover letter is also an opportunity to demonstrate your writing skills and personality. It should be carefully crafted and tailored to the employer’s needs to make a positive impression and stand out from other applicants.

Differentiating a Cover Letter from a Resume

While a resume provides a comprehensive summary of your work history, education, and achievements, a cover letter is more focused on your motivation and fit for the specific job.

A resume is typically structured in a chronological or functional format, whereas a cover letter follows a specific format with a heading, introduction, body paragraphs, and a closing.

A cover letter is an essential job application tool that complements your resume and allows you to shine as a candidate. By personalizing your application and demonstrating your fit for the job, you can increase your chances of landing an interview and securing the job you want.

The Purpose of a Cover Letter

One of the most critical components of a job application is a cover letter. It provides the candidate with an opportunity to introduce themselves and explain why they are an excellent fit for the position. The following section explores why a cover letter is essential for job seekers and highlights the benefits of including it in a job application.

Demonstrating Why a Cover Letter is Important for Job Seekers

A cover letter is the first part of your job application that a recruiter or employer will see. Therefore, it is essential to make a positive first impression. The cover letter should highlight your strengths, experiences, and qualifications that are relevant to the job description. It should be well-structured, error-free, and customized for the specific job you are applying for.

Cover letters provide the candidate with an opportunity to explain their motivation for applying for the job. They can also showcase their personality, communication skills, and writing style. A well-crafted cover letter can set the tone for the entire application and make the candidate stand out from other applicants.

Exploring the Benefits of Including a Cover Letter with a Job Application

Including a cover letter with a job application has several benefits. Firstly, it shows initiative and effort, indicating that the candidate is genuinely interested in the job. It also demonstrates attention to detail and professionalism.

A cover letter can also provide valuable insights that may not be apparent from the resume alone. It allows the candidate to elaborate on their skills and experiences, as well as to address any gaps or challenges in their career history. Additionally, a cover letter provides an opportunity to express enthusiasm for the company and the position.

Furthermore, a cover letter can help job seekers overcome potential obstacles or barriers. For instance, if the candidate is transitioning into a new career, lacks relevant experience or has gaps in employment history or has faced any limitations such as disabilities, a cover letter can be a valuable tool to address these concerns sensitively.

A cover letter is a crucial component of job seeking. It can make the difference between landing an interview and getting passed over. By demonstrating motivation, professionalism, and enthusiasm for the position, a well-crafted cover letter can set the applicant apart from the competition. Therefore, job seekers should take the time to create an outstanding cover letter that highlights their strengths and illustrates why they are the best fit for the job.

The Basic Cover Letter Format

When it comes to formatting your cover letter, it’s important to stick to a standard structure that potential employers expect to see. Here is a breakdown of the basic cover letter format:

Heading and contact information

At the very top of your cover letter, include your name, address, phone number, and email address. Next, include the date you are sending the letter and the contact information for the employer, including their name, title, company, and address.

Begin your cover letter with a salutation, such as “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear [employer’s name]”. It’s important to address the letter specifically to the person who will be reviewing your application.

Opening paragraph

In the opening paragraph, introduce yourself and explain why you are interested in the position. If someone referred you to the job, mention their name and connection to the employer.

Body paragraphs

The body of your cover letter should highlight your qualifications and explain why you are the best candidate for the job. Use specific examples from your work experience or education to demonstrate your skills and achievements.

Closing paragraph

In the closing paragraph, thank the employer for considering your application and express your enthusiasm for the opportunity to interview. Include your contact information again and invite the employer to contact you with any further questions.

End the letter with a professional closing, such as “Sincerely” or “Best regards”, and sign your name.

Tone and style of writing

When it comes to the tone and style of your cover letter, it’s important to strike a balance between professionalism and personality. You want to sound knowledgeable and competent, but also friendly and engaging. Here are some tips for writing an effective cover letter:

• Use a conversational tone, but avoid slang or casual language.
• Tailor your language to the specific job and company you are applying to. Use keywords from the job description and research the company culture to get a sense of the appropriate tone.
• Show enthusiasm and passion for the job, but avoid going overboard or sounding desperate.
• Be confident and assertive, but also humble and gracious.
• Use examples and anecdotes to demonstrate your skills and qualifications, but avoid rambling or repeating information from your resume.

By following the basic cover letter format and using an appropriate tone and style, you can create a compelling letter that stands out to potential employers and increases your chances of landing the job.

How to Write a Cover Letter

In this section, we will provide a step-by-step guide to creating a successful cover letter.

Paragraph 1: Introduction

The first paragraph is your chance to introduce yourself to the employer and explain why you’re interested in the position. Start off with a clear and concise statement of the job you’re applying for and where you saw the opening. You can also include a sentence or two about your qualifications and why you’d be a good fit for the role. Remember to keep it brief and to the point.

Paragraph 2: Your Qualifications

In the second paragraph, highlight your qualifications and experiences that match the job description. Be specific and use examples to demonstrate your skills and achievements. This is your chance to prove that you have what it takes to succeed in the role. Make sure to use keywords from the job description to show that you understand the requirements of the position.

Paragraph 3: Your Value Proposition

The third paragraph is where you can really sell yourself. Explain what sets you apart from other applicants and why the employer should hire you. This is your opportunity to showcase your strengths and explain how you can bring value to the company. You can also use this paragraph to express your enthusiasm for the company or industry.

Paragraph 4: Call to Action

In the final paragraph, thank the employer for considering your application and reiterate your interest in the position. End with a strong call to action, such as expressing your availability for an interview or follow-up call. Remember to include your contact information, such as your phone number and email address, so the employer can easily reach you.

By following this step-by-step guide, you can create a strong and effective cover letter that will help you stand out from the competition. Keep in mind that every cover letter should be tailored to the specific job and company you’re applying to. Good luck!

Specific Details to Include in a Cover Letter

When it comes to writing a cover letter, including specific details can greatly enhance your chances of landing your dream job. Here are some examples of information that should be included in your cover letter:

• Contact information:  Your full name, phone number, email address, and home address. This info helps the hiring manager contact you quickly and easily.
• Job reference number or title:  If the job you are applying for has a reference number, include it in your cover letter. If not, it’s essential to mention the job title in your introduction.
• Dates of availability:  Let the hiring manager know when you’re available to start the job. This detail helps the employer to determine your readiness and to plan accordingly.

Crafting a perfect cover letter for a job isn’t just about including the necessary details. It is also essential to tailor the cover letter to the job posting and company. Here are some tips to do so.

Tips for Tailoring the Cover Letter to the Company and Job Posting

• Research the company:  Before writing a cover letter, research the company to understand how they operate and their values. Use this information to personalize the cover letter.
• Match your skills to the job:  The job posting lists the required skills and qualifications. Make sure to mention them and link them to your experience and skills.
• Use the right tone of voice:  The tone of the cover letter should align with the company’s values and culture. If the company is serious and formal, use a professional tone. If it’s more relaxed, your tone can be conversational.
• Address the hiring manager by name:  Addressing the hiring manager by name shows professionalism and interest in the job.
• Highlight your achievements:  In the main paragraphs of your cover letter, highlight your significant achievements that relate to the job posting.

It is essential to follow these tips to create a compelling and personalized cover letter that catches the hiring manager’s attention. By focusing on the specific information and tailoring the letter to the company, you increase your chances of standing out among the other candidates.

How to Customize a Cover Letter

When applying for a job, it’s important to customize your cover letter to the specific job posting. This helps to show your potential employer that you have a genuine interest in the position and that you understand what they’re looking for. Here are some tips on how to effectively customize your cover letter for different job postings.

1. Research the Company

Before you start writing your cover letter, it’s important to research the company you’re applying to. Look for information on their mission statement, values, and any recent news or events. This will give you a better understanding of what they’re looking for in a candidate and help you tailor your letter accordingly.

2. Use the Job Description

The job description is your guide to what the employer is looking for in a candidate. Read it carefully and make note of the qualifications, skills, and experience they’re seeking. In your cover letter, use this information to highlight your relevant experience and qualifications.

3. Show Your Enthusiasm

When customizing your cover letter, it’s important to show enthusiasm for the job and company. Use specific examples from your research and experiences to demonstrate why you’re excited about the opportunity. This can help to set you apart from other applicants and show that you’re genuinely interested in the job.

4. Address Specific Concerns

If there are any specific concerns or requirements mentioned in the job posting, make sure to address them in your cover letter. For example, if the employer is looking for someone with experience working with a certain software program, mention your experience with that program specifically.

5. Keep it Professional

While you want to customize your cover letter, it’s also important to keep it professional. Avoid using slang or overly casual language, and make sure to proofread carefully for any spelling or grammar errors.

Customizing your cover letter may take some extra time and effort, but it can make a big difference in your job search. By showing the employer that you understand their needs and are enthusiastic about the job, you’ll be more likely to stand out from other applicants and land your dream job.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Cover Letters

In order to create an effective cover letter, it is important to understand the common mistakes that many applicants make. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

1. Repeating Information from Your Resume

It is important to remember that your cover letter is not simply a summary of your resume. One of the biggest mistakes that applicants make is repeating information from their resume in their cover letter. Instead, use your cover letter to highlight specific achievements and experiences that demonstrate your qualifications for the position.

2. Writing a Generic Letter

Another mistake that many applicants make is writing a generic cover letter. This means that they use the same cover letter for every job application. Instead, tailor your cover letter to the specific position you are applying for. Research the company and the job requirements, and use this information to customize your letter.

3. Focusing Too Much on Yourself

While your cover letter is a chance to sell yourself, it is important to remember that the letter should focus on how you can benefit the company, not just on your own achievements. Make sure that you highlight how your skills and experience can help the company succeed.

4. Making Grammar and Spelling Mistakes

It may seem obvious, but it is important to make sure that your cover letter is free from grammar and spelling mistakes. A poorly written letter can create a negative impression and may even result in your application being rejected. Proofread your letter carefully before submitting it.

5. Failing to Follow Instructions

Many job postings include specific instructions for submitting a cover letter. Failing to follow these instructions can make a bad impression on the hiring manager. Make sure that you carefully read the job posting and follow all instructions for submitting your cover letter.

Suggestions for Avoiding These Mistakes

To avoid making these common mistakes, take the time to carefully craft your cover letter. Research the company and the position, and use this information to personalize your letter. Highlight specific achievements and experiences that demonstrate your qualifications for the job. And always proofread your letter carefully to avoid embarrassing mistakes. By putting in the effort to create a strong, tailored cover letter, you can increase your chances of standing out to potential employers.

Tips for Writing a Cover Letter

A cover letter is a crucial part of the job application process. It’s a chance to introduce yourself to the hiring manager, highlight your qualifications for the job, and express your interest in the position. To make a great first impression, it’s essential to write an exceptional cover letter.

Here are some helpful tips for writing a standout cover letter:

Do your research:  Before writing your cover letter, research the company and the job you’re applying for. This will help you tailor your letter to the specific position and show the employer that you’ve done your homework.

Include a strong opening:  A strong opening sentence can grab the employer’s attention and make them want to keep reading. Use an attention-grabbing phrase or statistic to start your letter.

Highlight your qualifications:  Your cover letter should highlight your most relevant skills and experience for the job. Use specific examples that show how your past experience can be applied to the position you’re applying for.

Use active voice:  To make your letter more engaging, use active voice rather than passive voice. This will make the letter more dynamic and show the employer that you’re confident and assertive.

Avoid clichés:  Clichés like “I’m a team player” or “I’m a self-starter” are overused and don’t add anything to your letter. Instead, use specific examples to demonstrate these traits.

Be concise and to the point:  Your cover letter should be one page or less and easy to read. Use short paragraphs and bullet points to break up the text and make it easy to scan.

Show enthusiasm:  Your cover letter should express your interest and excitement for the job. Show the employer that you’re passionate about the position and eager to contribute to the company.

By following these best practices, you can write an outstanding cover letter that sets you apart from other applicants and impresses the employer. Remember to proofread your letter carefully and tailor it to each job you apply for. Good luck with your job search!

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12 CV cover letter examples

A  cover letter  for your CV, or covering note is an introductory message that accompanies your CV when applying for a job.

The purpose of the cover letter is simple… Persuade the reader to open your CV.

Learn how to write a cover letter properly, and you will hugely increase your chances of getting responses and landing job interviews.

This guide, with 12 annotated cover letter examples will show you everything you need to know about creating a winning cover note.

CV templates 

How to layout a cover letter for your CV

This annotated example of a cover letter shows you how you should structure your cover letters, and the type of information you should be including.

You should always write your CV in the body of your email (or j ob site messaging system) so that it can be read instantly. Never attach it as a separate document, or the recipient probably won’t open it.

Example CV cover letters

These 11 example CV cover letters from a range of industries should give you some good inspiration for creating your own cover letter.

Admin CV cover letter

This cover letter is aimed at administrative roles , so it highlights the candidate’s abilities in efficiency, report writing and meeting deadlines, whilst demonstrating the types of environments they have worked in.

Learn how to write a cover letter step-by-step here.

Customer service CV cover letter

This customer service cover letter briefly explains the candidate’s length of experience in the field and highlights some of the more important customer service skills such as call handling, order taking and complaint resolution.

This gives the reader an excellent introduction to the candidate and should certainly encourage them to open the CV.

See our full customer service cover letter guide,  sales assistant cover letter example  and waiter/waitress cover letter example .

Finance CV cover letter

As a finance professional, it’s important to highlight your specialisms within finance, the types of companies you’ve worked for, and high level functions you’ve carried out within your cover letter. This will give the hiring manager a good overall feel of your abilities, and if it’s well tailored to the role, should provide them with enough info to excite them about your CV.

Quick tip: Use our job application tracker spreadsheet to track your applications and follow up with employers who don’t respond.

Events CV cover letter

This events manager candidate has done a great job of summarising the type and size of events they manage, along with details of core skills such as leadership, project delivery and stakeholder management.

This certainly provides enough info to create a buzz around the CV attached and encourage the recipient to open it.

Executive assistant CV cover letter

This executive assistant CV cover letter provides a good high level intro to the candidate showing the reader key business support knowledge in areas such as admin, diary management and document management. It also shows that the candidate is confident supporting senior business figures.

Graduate CV cover letter

As a graduate , your cover letter will need to be a little longer than an experienced candidates, to compensate for your lack of experience and really sell yourself.

This candidate speaks in lots of detail about their education, qualifications, and extra-curricular work which relates to the roles they are applying for.

IT CV cover letter

As an IT candidate, it’s important not only to highlight your technical skills, but also show how you apply those skills in the workplace to translate real benefits for your employer.

This candidate gives a good overview of the candidates technical abilities and the types of projects they apply them to, along with results they achieve.

Marketing CV cover letter

This marketing cover letter provides readers with a summary of the candidate’s core marketing abilities such as media planning, brand awareness and cost reduction. It also explains the types of marketing campaigns and companies they have experience with – a great high-level intro.

Cover letter examples

Warehouse Operative cover letter – Training Contract cover letter – Cleaning Job cover letter – Nursery Assistant cover letter – Recruitment Consultant cover letter – Dental Nurse cover letter –

Chef cover letter – Editorial Assistant cover letter – Aircraft Mechanic cover letter – Biomedical Science cover letter – Cabin Crew cover letter – Finance Assistant cover letter – Hotel Receptionist cover letter – Asset Management cover letter – Assistant Psychologist cover letter – Beauty Therapist cover letter – Cafe Worker cover letter – HR Administrator cover letter – NQT cover letter – Quantity Surveyor cover letter

More cover letter examples

• Academic cover letter
• Account Manager cover letter
• Accountant cover letter
• Accounting cover letter
• Accounts Assistant cover letter
• Acting cover letter
• Admin Assistant cover letter
• Administrator cover letter
• Apprenticeship cover letter
• Architecture cover letter
• Assistant Manager cover letter
• Banking cover letter
• Bar Staff cover letter
• Barclays cover letter
• Barista cover letter
• Bartender cover letter
• Business Analyst cover letter
• Business Development Manager cover letter
• Car Sales Person cover letter
• Care Assistant cover letter
• Career Change cover letter
• Catering Assistant cover letter
• Civil Engineer cover letter
• Computer Science cover letter
• Consulting cover letter
• Copywriter cover letter
• Cyber Security cover letter
• Data Entry Clerk cover letter
• Data Scientist cover letter
• Delivery Driver cover letter
• Digital Marketing cover letter
• Electrician cover letter
• Engineering cover letter
• Estate Agent cover letter
• Event Manager cover letter
• Exam Invigilator cover letter
• Executive Assistant cover letter
• Fashion Designer cover letter
• Finance cover letter
• Financial Analyst cover letter
• Google cover letter
• Graduate cover letter
• Graduate Engineer cover letter
• Graduate Scheme cover letter
• Graphic Design cover letter
• Health Care Assistant cover letter
• Hospitality cover letter
• HR Assistant cover letter
• HR cover letter
• Interior Designer cover letter
• Internal Position cover letter
• Internship cover letter
• Investment Banking cover letter
• Investment Manager cover letter
• IT Support cover letter
• Journalist cover letter
• JP Morgan cover letter
• Lawyer cover letter
• Legal Assistant cover letter
• Legal cover letter
• Library Assistant cover letter
• Manager cover letter
• Marine Engineer cover letter
• Marketing Assistant cover letter
• Marketing cover letter
• Marketing Intern cover letter
• Marketing Manager cover letter
• McKinsey cover letter
• Mechanical Engineer cover letter
• Medical Receptionist cover letter
• Medical Writer cover letter
• Model cover letter
• Nanny cover letter
• Nurse cover letter
• Nursing cover letter
• Office Assistant cover letter
• Office Manager cover letter
• Operations Manager cover letter
• Optical Assistant cover letter
• Paralegal cover letter
• Part Time cover letter
• PE Teacher cover letter
• Personal Assistant cover letter
• Personal Trainer cover letter
• Pharmacist cover letter
• Pharmacy Assistant cover letter
• PHD Application cover letter
• Photographer cover letter
• Placement cover letter
• Private Equity cover letter
• Product Manager cover letter
• Production Assistant cover letter
• Production Operator cover letter
• Project Coordinator cover letter
• Promotion cover letter
• PWC cover letter
• Quantity Surveyor cover letter
• Receptionist cover letter
• Research Assistant cover letter
• Researcher cover letter
• Retail Assistant cover letter
• Retail cover letter
• Retail Manager cover letter
• Sales Advisor cover letter
• Sales Executive cover letter
• Sales Manager cover letter
• Scrum Master cover letter
• Security Officer cover letter
• Ski Season cover letter
• Social Media Executive cover letter
• Social Media Manager cover letter
• Software Developer cover letter
• Software Engineer cover letter
• Speculative cover letter
• Student cover letter
• Support Worker cover letter
• Teaching Assistant cover letter
• Team Leader cover letter
• Trainee Dental Nurse cover letter
• University cover letter
• UX Designer cover letter
• Volunteer cover letter

Project manager CV cover letter

A project manager’ s cover letter needs to quickly explain to recipients the types of projects they lead and the technical expertise they bring to the projects. It’s also important to describe level of experience, seniority and background.

See full project manager cover letter example + writing guide

Operations manager cover letter

This operations management CV provides a brief introduction to the types of operations the candidate manages and the firms they work for.

They also touch upon some core operations skills such as efficiency, logistics and ROI improvement.

Sales CV cover letter

As a sales candidate, this cover letter shows the types of business this person can generate and the size and scale of the impact they create by highlighting some sales results.

It also mentions some core sales skills like business development, presenting, working under pressure and closing deals.

Cover letter templates

Teacher cover letter

This teacher cover letter does a great job of introducing the candidate, and showing the recipient the key facts they will be looking for, such as; the age group they teach, subject specialisms, and the results they have achieved.

The cover letter is brief and gets to the point quickly, so that readers will instantly look to open the attached CV .

How to write your CV cover letter

Now that you’ve seem good examples of cover letters to accompany your CV (or resume if you are in the USA) this guide will show exactly how to write your own, and the content that needs to be included .

Send your CV cover letter in email format (when possible)

When applying for jobs online you usually have 2 choices…

1) Send a message via the job website’s messaging system

2) Send the recruiter an email directly

If you can find an email address for the recruiter, then I would always recommend sending an email directly because it gives you more control.

When you send a message through a job website, it will transfer into an email with basic formatting and an auto-generated headline , which will look like this when the recruiter receives it.

If you cannot find an email address for the recruiter on the job advert, then try searching LinkedIn or the company website to find the relevant contact.

You may not always be able to find an email address, but when you can – always send a job application by email .

Make your subject line appealing

As you can see in the picture above, a bad subject line can kill your chances of actually having your email read in the first place.

Your subject line should stand out and give the recruiter a reason to open your email.

When recruiters look into their inbox, they are looking for one thing; a candidate who can do the job they are advertising – so give that to them in your subject line.

Your subject line should be a short summary of your experience that relates directly to the job you are applying for.

The following are good subject line examples;

KS2 Teacher with 5 years experience

Front End Web developer with HTML, HTML & JavaScript experience

Junior Graphic designer with 1st BA Hons Graphic Design

If your subject line shows that you have one or two of the most important requirements for the job, your email should get opened every time.

Address the recruiter by name

To get the relationship off on the right foot, you should try to address the recruiter by name if you can.

Often the recruiter’s details will appear on the job advert but sometimes you may have to check out the company website or do some digging around on LinkedIn.

If you really can’t find the name, then it’s not the end of the world – just start with a simple friendly opening like “ Hi ”

(If you applying to a more traditional organisation such as an academic post for a university, you may want to use something a bit more formal like “ Dear sir or madam ”)

Use a friendly yet professional tone

It’s important to sound professional when writing a cover letter but you also need to demonstrate your ability to communicate with other people and show some personality.

If your email is too casual and written in an over-familiar tone, then you will come across us un-professional.

But on the other hand, if your email is too formal and shows no signs of rapport building, you risk appearing as somebody who lacks social skills.

So when writing your cover letter, try to strike a nice balance of professionalism and friendliness.

Opening with a line such as “ hope you’re well ” is a nice way to breathe a bit of personality into your cover letter.

Ensure that your spelling and grammar is perfect throughout your cover letter because sloppy mistakes are a huge red flag for recruiters.

Quick tip:  If you struggle with spelling and grammar, try our quick-and-easy CV Builder

Keep it brief

Unless the job advert specifies otherwise; keep your cover letter short and sweet.

Recruiters and employers receive hundreds of job applications per week, so they don’t want to read a 2 page cover letter.

Depending on the role, around 2-4 sentences should be enough for the content of the cover letter.

You just need to write enough to persuade them to open your CV – It should roughly contain the same amount of information as your CV profile or personal statement.

Show how your skills match the job

To ensure that recruiters open your CV, you simply need to explain how your skills and experience match the job requirements from the advert.

Scan the job advert to discover what the most important candidate abilities are, and show how your previous experience has prepared you to cover these.

In particular, look out for any requirements that are essential to the job .

Focus on what you have to offer at this stage and not what you want.

At this stage, your covering letter is simply a means of getting the recruiter to open your CV, so it’s too early to talk about salary demands etc. Save that for your initial conversation with the recruiter.

Include a professional signature

End your cover letter with a friendly salutation such as “Regards” and a smart signature which includes your name and most direct contact method (usually mobile phone for most people)

A professional email signature will show recruiters that you understand business-email etiquette and ensure they have a means of contacting you – even if they can’t open your CV for any reason.

Writing a CV cover letter

Hopefully this guide has given you everything you need to create a winning cover letter that will ensure you CV gets opened every time you send it.

Just remember to keep it brief, be friendly, tailor it towards your target role, and give recruiters some good reasons to be interested in you.

Good luck with the job hunt!

What is a Cover Letter? Definition, Structure, Purpose, Types & Meaning

What is a cover letter?

What is the purpose of a cover letter in a job application, what to include in a cover letter, cover letter format and layout, should you use a cover letter template or example, what is a cover letter - takeaways.

Asking yourself, “What is a cover letter?”

In this article, we break down for you the basics about cover letters, their purpose, and what to include in yours.

When you’re applying for a job, a cover letter is just as important as your resume in a lot of ways.  You always want to include a cover letter when you’re submitting your resume, to personalize the facts about your work history and to tailor your application to the job.

But if you haven’t written a cover letter before, it can be intimidating to figure out what to include. Don’t worry, this expert guide boils it all down into a quick read that gives you an overview and points you in the right direction to find everything you need to know about them.

In this post, we’re going to cover:

• What is a Cover Letter?
• What is the Purpose of a Cover Letter in a Job Application?
• What to Include in A Cover Letter

We also describe how you can lay out your cover letter to amp its impact, and we’ve even made it dead simple for you by including some perfect cover letter examples for you to check out.

A cover letter is a one-page document that you include with your resume as part of your application for a job. A good cover letter grabs a Hiring Manager’s attention and gets you to the next step of the hiring process.

While every job you apply for will have either a specific application form or will ask for a resume, not every one will ask for a cover letter.  But you should always include one – it’s a game changer.

The upshot is that a resume is a summary of your work and education experience, while your cover letter adds relevant context to that experience for the specific job.

A cover letter is tailored to a specific job you’re applying for, and it highlights what your qualifications are and how they relate to that role and company. You can use it to give examples of how your experiences relate to the role and show how you’re the best person for the job.

Just as its name implies, a cover letter is written in a letter format, including a greeting, three or four body paragraphs, and a closing. Unlike a resume, your cover letter should be written in full sentences, and you want to use the first-person – “I’m writing to you today to…”.

You don’t want to just rhyme off the same things that are in your resume, though.  Use your cover letter to give real life examples of how your experience, skills, or interests make you perfect for the job.

Head to our full article on the differences between a resume and a cover letter to learn more on this.

Put simply, it’s your chance to make a great first impression. It’s a tool you use to grab a hiring manager’s attention long enough that they look over your resume a bit closer and call you in for an interview.

A cover letter may not be something a job posting asks you to include, but don’t think that means you shouldn’t.  A good cover letter is always a good idea, here’s why:

• You can tell a story in a cover letter that dives deeper into your qualifications,
• experience, and interests to show why you’re the best candidate for the job.
• A lot of candidates skip writing a cover letter, so by including one you immediately put yourself ahead of the competition!
• You can introduce yourself in a more personalized way and tailor your application specifically for the job.
• You can add a bit of flair or personality that gets a hiring manager to ask you in for an interview
• It shows that you put effort into your application, which again, puts you ahead of most of the competition.

This is just a snapshot of how a cover letter can help you. We’ve got a great article for you to look over if you want to know more about the purpose of a cover letter .

Should you send a cover letter for a job?

There is no question, yes, you should absolutely include a cover letter with your application.

We’ve done our homework on this and can tell you: a majority of hiring managers need or expect a cover letter, even if it’s not specified in the job posting.

Not only are they expected, but they’re a great tool for you too:

• Explain the reasons for any work gaps
• Clarify how the experience you have from other jobs applies
• Show how you fit their company culture
• Let them know why you’re changing jobs or fields

So, while a cover letter may not absolutely be necessary, they’re extremely useful, and always something you should take the time to write and include with your application.

Cover letters should usually include some of the same basic elements. We’ve put together a quick list below, but head over to our complete guide on what to include in your cover letter for a full explanation.

• A header – This is where you’re going to include all the contact info the hiring manager is going to expect to see.  You want to be sure to give them what theyère looking for.
• Opening statement – You can get right to it here and make sure this is an attention grabber.  Summarize your skills or experience and give them one good reason why it’s important for the job you’re applying to.
• Body – This paragraph should give some more details about you personally.  Employers often hire someone for who they are, not what they know; this is your time to show them you’d be a great fit on their team.
• Closing and Call to Action – You want to close your cover letter with a thanks for the time they’ve taken and a professional sign-off.  You should also let them know you’re eager to hear from them, and let them know to contact you to follow up.

Try to end with a great impression. It’s key that you know how to close your cover letter well to hit all the right notes.

A hiring manager takes about 7.4 seconds to look at each resume that comes across their desk, and there may be hundreds of those. A strong cover letter design can grab their attention long enough for them to set you into the callback pile instead of in the recycling bin.

We’ve put together the details on how you can really grab a recruiter’s attention with your cover letter design , but here’s the basics:

• Font - Always use a standard, easy-to-read font like Times New Roman or Arial. It should be 12pt or slightly bigger.
• Heading – Always use a professional format of heading, which includes your name and contact info, the date of writing, and the contact info for the person you’re writing to.
• Spacing – You want to single space the body of your cover letter, but leave spaces between the heading, the greeting, each paragraph, and your sign-off.
• Length – We know that it’s tempting to try to fit in as much as possible in the cover letter, but this is definitely a case of less is more.  You want the content to be about half a page, so shoot for between 250-400 words.

Keeping your cover letter lean can be hard the first few times you write one. Check out our article on ideal cover letter length to get more tips on how to hit the sweet spot.

If you’re already a pro, maybe you can go it on your own and write a killer cover letter.  But if this is your first cover letter, or you have any doubts, use our Cover Letter Examples to get some great ideas on how to write and format yours – we’ve got a few samples below.

Our examples cover different industries and positions, so you can fine tune the fit of your letter for exactly the job you’re applying to without trying to reinvent the wheel!  Plus, these are cover letters that work to get interviews, so you can be sure you’ve got a great start.

If you want a real head start, we’ve even got a Cover Letter Templates page where you can head to get all the basics covered for you. Head there, input your specifics, and you’ll have a winning cover letter, easy-peasy.

• A cover letter is a one-pager you include with a job application to dive deeper into exactly why you are the best fit for the job.
• You always want to include a cover letter, even if it’s not specified in the job posting.
• Hiring managers get hundreds of resumes, and they fly through them - your cover letter can and should be designed to grab their attention.
• Personalize your cover letter and tailor it to the specific job you’re sending it in to, this includes relating specific skills, letting your personality shine, and getting the hiring manager’s name.
• Make sure it’s in perfect shape to get great results.  Use our Cover Letter Checklist to make sure you’ve covered all the bases and haven’t overlooked any little mistakes that could cost you the job.

• Cover Letter Guides

Keep Getting Rejected Job Applications? 16 Resume Mistakes You’re Probably Making

Resume for one year of experience, cover letter spacing – a complete guide, do you have to list all your jobs on an application, what i learned from creating donald trump's resume, vp of marketing interview questions & answers.

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What Is a Cover Letter?

Understanding cover letters, types of cover letters, how to write a cover letter, tips for writing a cover letter.

• Cover Letter FAQs

The Bottom Line

• Career Advice

What Is a Cover Letter? Types and How To Write One

A cover letter is a written document commonly submitted with a job application outlining the applicant's credentials and interest in the open position. Since a cover letter is often one of only two documents sent to a potential employer, a well- or poorly-written letter can impact whether the applicant is called for an interview .

Key Takeaways

• A cover letter is commonly submitted with a job application explaining the applicant's credentials and interest in the position.
• A good cover letter complements the resume and explains why the candidate is the ideal person for the job.
• Common cover letter mistakes can sink a job applicant.

Investopedia / Joules Garcia

Most job postings are done online and no longer require a physical application. Instead, applicants send companies a copy of their resume along with a cover letter either by email or with a hard copy through the mail. A resume offers a glimpse into the professional and academic experience of a potential employee. The cover letter, on the other hand, acts as an introduction written by the candidate to express their interest in the position and what makes them the best fit for the job.

A good cover letter complements a resume by expanding on items relevant to the job. In essence, it's a sales pitch that describes why the applicant is the best person for the position. Career experts advise job seekers to spend time customizing each cover letter for the particular position, rather than using a generic missive. Although this requires extra effort, it can be very helpful in allowing an applicant to stand out above the competition.

The cover letter provides information to the employer about who the candidate is as a professional and as a person. This includes their areas of interest, professional goals, knowledge, skills they've gained over the years, achievements, passions, and aspirations. The cover letter should be a one-page document that provides a clear and concise idea about why the candidate is the best person for the job . It should also highlight the cultural fit.

While there is no set template for a cover letter, the type of letter that you write will depend on the requirements of each individual company or employer. The information that is included in a cover letter will vary depending on the goals and purpose of your application.

• An application cover letter is the most familiar type of cover letter. This is generally written in response to a vacancy that is posted on a company's website or a job board. In addition to answering any specific questions posted in the job ad, it may also highlight any experience or skills that are suitable for the position.
• A referral cover letter is similar to an application letter, but it includes the name of a colleague or employee who recommended the applicant for the open position. A strong referral can help you stand out against other applicants.
• A prospecting cover letter , also known as a letter of interest, is written by a job seeker and addressed to a company where they would like to work. However, it is not aimed at a specific role or vacancy. Instead, this type of letter inquires about open positions in general and may highlight any special skills that make the writer suitable for the company.

When employers post a job ad that requires a cover letter, they may specify certain requirements for the cover letter to address. For example, they may require applicants to answer certain questions, or to respect a certain word limit. It is important to follow these requirements, as they reflect on the applicant's ability to understand and follow directions.

If the employer does not set any expectations, a typical cover letter should be about a page or less, and may include a formal greeting, contact information, and links to the applicant's portfolio or work. It should highlight any special skills, and explain why you would be a good fit for the position. This is your chance to impress the employer: Even if your resume does not have everything an employer wants, a well-written cover letter can make the applicant stand out from the crowd.

However, it is possible to include too much information. Most employers will simply glance at the majority of their cover letters, and a long-winded essay might end up at the bottom of the pile. A few short paragraphs explaining your skills, and why you chose that specific employer, should be enough to put your best foot forward.

Writing a cover letter doesn't have to be tedious—even though it may seem like it's a chore. Here are a few simple tips you may want to consider when composing your cover letter:

• Personalize your letter for each role. Never use a generic cover letter. This means you have to write a new one for each position. Be sure to include your strengths and skills, and explain why you’re the perfect candidate.
• Include contact information. If the posting doesn't include the hiring manager's name, call the company , or check its website. Including this person's name gives your letter a proper greeting and also shows you have initiative. And don't forget to add your contact information, too. This is important if your resume gets separated from your cover letter.
• Simplify your letter. Communicate clearly and concisely. Using complex words and sentences would most certainly fail to convey your intentions with the company and the person reading the letter probably won't bother with the rest of your application.
• Be specific when needed. Don't rehash your resume, so be sure to quantify your accomplishments. For instance, expand on your marketing experience in your cover letter by saying you brought in 200 additional clients each month and increased revenue to $10,000. This can set you apart from candidates with vague personal details.
• Proofread. After you’ve written the letter, go over it a few times to ensure there are no errors. Then ask someone else to do a once-over and recommend any changes you may need to make.

A simple, focused cover letter without any typos or grammatical errors will get you noticed by potential employers.

A perfect resume can often be sabotaged by a poorly thought-out cover letter or one that is laden with mistakes. Whether you include the letter as per required submission guidelines, or you simply want to emphasize your interest in the job, make sure you avoid making these blunders.

• Names matter. This includes the name of the hiring manager, the company, and yes, even yours. Make sure you have the right names and the correct spelling. And don't forget to change the names if you're using the same cover letter for multiple jobs.
• Restating your resume. Since the cover letter is used to identify your skills and explain how your previous experience is applicable to the desired position, don't restate the stuff on your resume. Remember, the cover letter should complement your resume, not just summarize it.
• Keep your letter tight. Recruiters often go through hundreds of applications and don't have time to read through a three-page missive. The absolute maximum length for a cover letter should be one page, with a few concise paragraphs.
• Omit unnecessary details. Stay on topic. There's no need to mention your graphic-design skills if you're applying for an accounting position. It's a good idea to leave out personal things like your IQ, recreational accomplishments, interests, and hobbies. That is unless they relate to the job or company.
• Avoid sounding arrogant. Ensure your cover letter does not make you appear arrogant . While the cover letter is about you and your accomplishments, find a way of saying "I'm the best" without actually saying it. Avoid overusing words like "I," "me," or "my."
• Remember that spelling counts. Typos and grammatical errors can show you didn't bother to proofread your own letter. And make sure to be consistent—don't convey a dash with "--" in one place and "—" in another.
• Design matters : with the proliferation of publishing, design trends, and software, candidates have become creative in making their cover letter stand out from a design perspective. Make sure your cover letter projects your personality in terms of design while remaining professional. That is personal signature and branding.

How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?

According to Indeed , a leading job-seeking site, a typical cover letter should be about three or four paragraphs long and highlight any special experience or achievements that make the applicant exceptionally well-suited to the position.

How Do You Start a Cover Letter?

A cover letter should start with a formal greeting, preferably addressed to the hiring manager. If you do not know who will be reading your cover letter, a generic "to whom it may concern" is an acceptable, albeit old-fashioned, way to address a cover letter. It is also acceptable to address the letter to a title, such as "Dear Hiring Manager," or "Dear Talent Acquisition Team."

What Should a Cover Letter Contain?

An effective cover letter should highlight the applicant's skills, experience, and any achievements that make them a good fit for their prospective employer. It is also a good chance to mention anything that is not included in the resume: For example, if an applicant is drawn to a certain employer because they love a certain product, the cover letter is a great place to mention it. Make sure your cover letter also includes your name and contact information.

In a competitive jobs market, an effective cover letter is one way to make a job application stand out. This is a chance for an applicant to demonstrate why they think they would be a good fit. However, a poorly-written or meandering cover letter can hurt an application more than it helps.

Harvard Extension School. " Resources and Cover Letters: An Extension School Resource ," Pages 3 and 5.

Harvard Extension School. " Resources and Cover Letters: An Extension School Resource ," Page 5.

Jobscan. " Cover Letter Formats ."

Indeed. " What Is a Cover Letter? "

Indeed. " How to Address a Cover Letter (With Examples). "

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More From Forbes

How to navigate career gaps on your resume during a job change.

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Career gaps, when done right, can actually advance your job search; hiring managers are interested ... [+] in what you learned during your time off.

Navigating employment gaps on a resume can feel like traversing a minefield, especially for career changers or those seeking to pivot later in their professional lives. However, the narrative you craft can turn what might look like a red flag to an employer or hiring manager into one of your most vital selling points.

For some people, it’s inevitable to take a career gap . Whether you stayed at home to raise a family, care for a loved one or needed a moment to address your mental health, these experiences shape who you are and what you can accomplish. All it takes is a little tweaking to craft a compelling story.

Why Career Gaps Are No Longer Seen As Red Flags

Compassionate and forward-thinking organizations now acknowledge the multifaceted nature of employee experience. They understand that career gaps and redirects often lead to diverse skill sets, fresh perspectives and a strong work ethic.

Employers are looking for stories that illustrate adaptability, resilience and a willingness to learn and grow—traits that are often hallmarks of individuals who have navigated career gaps. In a market plagued by talent shortages, job seekers with varied backgrounds are increasingly seen as valuable assets rather than liabilities.

One Of The Best Shows Of 2024 Lands On Netflix Today

Airtag 2024 iphone update reveals apple launching significant new feature, a psychologist explores the rise of hikikomori syndrome, 6 good reasons for an employment gap.

• Health or Wellness: Taking time off to focus on your own or a family member’s health is universally understood and respected.
• Personal Endeavors: Pursuing an individual project or a passion can reflect well on your entrepreneurial spirit.
• Education or Training: Furthering your education or gaining new skills shows your commitment to self-improvement.
• Relocation: Moving to a new city or country can require time to adjust and find new work opportunities.
• Economic Downturns: The market can be unpredictable, and downsizing or company closures can lead to unforeseen gaps.
• Reassessing Career Goals: Sometimes, taking a step back can clarify the next best move for your career.

Add A Career Break Placeholder On Your Resume

A functional resume that focuses on skills and experiences rather than a chronological work history can effectively de-emphasize employment gaps. Lead with your strongest and most relevant skills, then list jobs and educational experiences under each skill category. This approach also steers the narrative-planned career break towards the activities and skills you’ve built during this time.

An example:

Career Break

Travel and Personal Development

“During this period, I extensively traveled across Asia, broadening my horizons and engaging with diverse cultures. This experience honed my adaptability, language skills, and, most importantly, my ability to work effectively as part of a team.”

Your experiences make you interesting, don’t be afraid to share them on your cover letter and ... [+] resume.

How To Explain A Career Gap In A Cover Letter

The key to addressing career gaps in your cover letter is to focus on the narrative of work history gaps and how your experiences during the gap contribute to your suitability for the role. If you’ve engaged in freelance work, internships or volunteer positions during your career gap, highlight these areas.

3 Ways to Explain Employment Gaps in Cover Letters

• Describe Your Activities: In a few sentences, succinctly describe what you did during your gap, focusing on developmental activities.
• Highlight Transferable Skills: Discuss the skills you gained and how they could apply to your chosen role.
• Speak to Your Readiness for Work: Conclude with a statement that ties your experiences to your enthusiasm and readiness to return to the workforce.

“The months I spent volunteering abroad were a significant chapter in my life. They represent a time of personal and professional growth. I sharpened my communication skills and developed a keen understanding of what it means to connect with individuals from all walks of life. My ability to listen, adapt and learn are directly transferable to the open position, where engagement with various stakeholders is pivotal. This position aligns with my skills and values; I look forward to contributing to the team’s success.”

Example Job Interview Responses

Question: “I see you had a break in your employment history from 2018 to 2019. Can you tell me about that time?”

Response: “Yes, certainly. During that period, I took a sabbatical to focus on personal growth. I undertook a project to learn a new programming language and completed a course in project management, both of which have proved invaluable in refining my approach to work and productivity.”

Question: “I noticed a serious gap in employment of six months in your career history. What did you gain from that experience?”

Response: “Regarding skills, I sharpened my problem-solving abilities by managing a cross-functional team to renovate a local community space. This volunteer position taught me how to foster collaboration and achieve shared goals and skills that directly apply to this role.”

Consider Upskilling

During career gaps, invest time in upskilling. Online courses, certifications and industry-related learning can keep you competitive and pave the way to new opportunities.

Top upskilling platforms:

• FutureLearn

By accommodating career gaps into your professional story for job interviews, you’re creating a stronger, more authentic narrative that highlights your unique skills and experiences. Your path is rich with experiences, each deserving to be part of the story you share with potential employers.

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5 Easy-to-Use Online Resume Tools to Make Better CVs and Land Jobs

T he first step to landing your dream job is to make a resume that will impress any recruiter. From open-source and privacy-friendly online CV makers to AI-assisted cover letters, these free tools make it easier than ever to create a resume that will stand out from the crowd.

1. OpenResume (Web): Open Source, 100% Free and Ad-Free, Privacy-Friendly

A common issue with several online resume builders is that even though they tout they are free, there are several hidden clauses. They'll have ads, or ask you to sign up to store your personal and professional information on their servers or ask for a fee to remove watermarks when downloading the final PDF. OpenResume is an attempt to solve all those issues by building an open-source, completely free, and ad-free online resume builder which also protects your privacy.

OpenResume guides first-time resume makers to create a new CV with a template that relies on best standards and practices. Simply fill the data in the boxes as asked, and you'll see the resume updating in real-time in the preview. You can tweak colors, fonts, and paper size at any time.

The app works in your browser cache, so you won't be sending any of this data to the internet, keeping your information private and safe. OpenResume also includes a parser to check how ATS systems will read your CV, letting you then write an ATS-friendly resume .

2. Leet Resumes (Web): AI Analyzes and Upgrades Your Current Resume

After using writers to create thousands of free resumes for job applicants, Leet Resumes has trained an AI to analyze those resumes and use those learnings to make changes to your existing resume. It's completely free too.

Start by uploading your current resume as a PDF or DOC file. Leet Resumes will then take you through a series of steps to spruce up the CV. It will determine what your next job positions could be, suggest words and skills to add to your current resume, and coax information from you through pointed questions. Once you finish the questionnaire, Leet Resumes will create a new CV for you with all this information.

You can download the resume for free and then even tweak it if you want to make changes. Leet Resumes follows only one resume template design, but it's a standard recommended by founder Marc Cenedella, an expert in recruiting who has also written multiple books on how to write winning resumes.

3. Chat Career (Web): AI-Crafted Resume Tailored for Job Postings

One of the essential tips for a winning resume is to tweak it slightly for each job that you're applying for. It shows you have read the job posting and understood the requirements. Chat Career uses AI to help you make such tailored resumes.

When you start the app, you'll need to add the job description from the company's posting. Then, you can either upload your current CV, give it access to your LinkedIn bio, or craft a new resume from scratch. Chat Career will then review whether you are fit for the job. The AI asks questions in a chat window, much like using ChatGPT. Answer questions in plain English, and provide as many details as you want.

It will brainstorm with you about how you should highlight your experience and qualifications and even suggests how to add missing elements for maximum job fit. Once the process is done, you'll get a new resume, ready to send to this job. And if you save your profile, you can then use Chat Career to quickly generate tailored resumes for any future job postings.

4. CoverLetterGPT (Web): Generate Cover Letters Quickly With ChatGPT

Much like tailoring your CV for the job description, it's good practice to write a cover letter that addresses the hiring manager directly. The key to writing a good cover letter is to succinctly explain why you are the right fit for the job, how your resume will reflect that, and to display your personality through your words. A lot of people struggle with it, but the whole process is much smoother when AI assists you.

As the name suggests, CoverLetterGPT will help you write a cover letter using ChatGPT without needing to learn ChatGPT prompts or even create an OpenAI account. Add the job title, company, job description, and upload your current CV. Once CoverLetterGPT analyzes this input, it'll spit out a cover letter in a few seconds that you can copy-paste into a document.

CoverLetterGPT also lets you easily prompt ChatGPT to change any sentence or paragraph in the cover letter it has generated. Highlight the text, and you'll get an option to ask ChatGPT to make it more concise, detailed, professional, or informal. You can also ask for a whimsical sign-off to add a little fun to your letter.

5. SwiftCV (Web): Free, Beautiful Personal Online Resume Web Page

Can you really afford to apply for a job in the 2020s without an online CV? And it needs to look a little better than a basic web page where you've uploaded your resume as a PDF. SwiftCV makes it easy for anyone with no knowledge of creating websites to make a beautiful online resume that you can share with recruiters.

Create an account, and you can start adding details in different sections, as prompted by SwiftCV. You can also import your LinkedIn profile to quickly populate your online CV. The app makes good use of company logos, font colors, sizes, and other icons to make a resume that looks modern and professional. It also follows a responsive design, so your CV can be read on a computer or phone.

In the end, you'll get an online CV with a custom URL for you. SwiftCV also shows you analytics data of people who viewed your profile, so you can track who is interested. The free version has a few limitations (such as the downloadable PDF and website having SwiftCV branding), but most job-seekers probably don't need to pay for the premium version.

Don't Rely on AI Alone

It's amazing how AI is helping users to create better resumes and CVs, especially for those who don't have senior professionals to guide them through the process. But you do run the risk of not standing out from the crowd if you over-rely on AI. To add a personal touch, use the AI suggestions as a starting block, and edit it to infuse your personality into the resume or cover letter.

Resume Creator: CV Maker PDF 17+

Create profession cv & letter, mazahr kaleem, designed for iphone, iphone screenshots, description.

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App Privacy

The developer, Mazahr Kaleem , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Used to Track You

The following data may be used to track you across apps and websites owned by other companies:

Data Not Linked to You

The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:

• Identifiers
• Diagnostics

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

English, Arabic, French, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, Urdu

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Erstelle deinen Lebenslauf mit Europass!

Mit den Europass-Tools kannst du deinen Lebenslauf ganz einfach online erstellen und ihn zur Bewerbung bei potenziellen Arbeitgebern, Bildungseinrichtungen oder Freiwilligenorganisationen einreichen.

Europass – eine bekannte Größe in Europa

Der  Europass-Lebenslauf  ist in Europa eine feste Größe: Er ist benutzerfreundlich und bei Arbeitgebern und Bildungseinrichtungen bestens bekannt.

Erst musst du dein  Europass-Profil erstellen  und dabei Angaben zu deiner allgemeinen oder beruflichen Bildung sowie zu Arbeitserfahrung und Kompetenzen machen. Nach der Erstellung deines Europass-Profils kannst du mit wenigen Klicks so viele Lebensläufe erstellen, wie du möchtest. Du entscheidest, was in deinem Lebenslauf stehen und wie er aussehen soll – den Rest macht Europass. 

Du kannst Lebensläufe in  31 Sprachen  erstellen, speichern und weiterleiten. Du kannst deinen Europass-Lebenslauf herunterladen, ihn in deiner  Europass-Bibliothek  speichern oder mit Arbeitgebern,  EURES  oder anderen Arbeitsvermittlungen teilen.

Der perfekte Lebenslauf

Dein Lebenslauf ist das Erste, was dein potenzieller Arbeitgeber von dir zu sehen bekommt: eine Momentaufnahme deiner Kompetenzen, deiner Bildungslaufbahn, deiner Berufserfahrung und anderer Leistungen.

Deine Stärken auf einen Blick

Hebe Kompetenzen und Erfahrungen hervor, die gut zu der Position passen, auf die du dich bewerben möchtest. Achte auf Details in der Stellenausschreibung.

Maßgeschneidert

Aktualisiere die Rubrik „Über mich“, um zu betonen, warum du besonders gut für diese Stelle geeignet bist. Gib nicht alle Erfahrungen an, die du gesammelt hast. Triff eine Auswahl und nenne nur die Stationen deiner Laufbahn, die zum Stellenprofil passen.

Dein Lebenslauf darf nicht zu kompliziert sein. Formuliere klar und deutlich. Verwende starke Verben (z. B. „entscheiden“, „entwickeln“, „steigern“).

Aktuelle Informationen zuerst

Führe deine aktuelle Berufserfahrung immer als Erstes an. Erläutere Lücken in der Berufs- oder Bildungslaufbahn.

Der letzte Schliff

Kontrolliere Rechtschreibung und Grammatik, gib eine professionelle E-Mail-Adresse an und füge ein professionelles Bewerbungsfoto hinzu.

Dein Europass-Profil

In deinem Europass-Profil laufen alle Kompetenzen, Qualifikationen und Erfahrungen zusammen. Aktualisiere dein Profil regelmäßig, damit du schnell einen maßgeschneiderten Lebenslauf und die dazu passende Bewerbung erstellen kannst.

Viel Glück bei deiner Bewerbung!

Nützliche Dienste der EU

Eures – das europäische portal zur beruflichen mobilität, in anderen eu-ländern arbeiten, bildung und berufsbildung in anderen eu-ländern, auch interessant.

Bewerbungsschreiben erstellen mit Europass

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Wie Europass deine persönlichen Daten verwaltet

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