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350+ Free cover letter examples (+expert guides)

Our free cover letter examples + expert guides are packed with useful tips and the best practices for getting hired in dozens of industries. Combine these samples with our templates and cover letter builder tool to finish your application in minutes.
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350+ Free cover letter examples (+expert guides)

Engineering
8

In the world of engineering, a solid resume is the blueprint for career success. We've calculated the perfect formula for showcasing your technical talents and building interview opportunities.

Transportation
10

Ship your career to new destinations with our specialized transport and logistics resume examples. We'll help you map the route to your next professional opportunity with precision.

Sales
7

Pitch yourself perfectly with our sales resume collection. We've negotiated the hard parts of resume writing so you can focus on closing your next career opportunity.

Real Estate
5

Elevate your market value with real estate resume examples that help you close the deal on your next role. Our smart tools ensure your application has the curb appeal to attract hiring managers.
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Human Resource
7

Craft an HR resume that recruits the recruiter. Our expert examples and AI builder help you showcase your talent for spotting talent, turning your application into your first successful hire.
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Business & Management
22

Navigate your career journey with confidence using our business resume examples. From boardroom pitches to management strategies, we'll help you showcase your professional prowess in just a few clicks.

Marketing
18

Market yourself as effectively as you market products with resumes that highlight your strategic thinking and measurable impact. Our examples help you craft a personal brand that resonates with employers and drives results.

Retail
11

Stock your resume with retail-ready content that catches hiring managers' attention. Our examples help you ring up more interviews, whether you're a first-time cashier or seasoned floor manager.

Hospitality & Catering
19

Cook up career success with hospitality resume examples that showcase your talents perfectly. Whether you're front-of-house or behind the scenes, we'll help you create a resume that's always on the menu for top employers.

Maintenance & Repair
12

Craft a resume that's as dependable as your handiwork. With a focus on safety, teamwork, and measurable results, it shows employers you’re the one they can count on when things need fixing fast.

Production
1

Transform raw materials into polished opportunities with our production resume examples. Our AI-powered tools help you manufacture a standout application that captures your hands-on expertise.
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Beauty & Wellness
6

Polish your career path with our beauty and wellness resume examples that help you shine as brightly as your clients do. Transform your experience into an application that turns heads and opens doors.
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Security & Protective services
8

Stand guard over your career with our security resume examples. From patrol officers to firefighters, we'll help you safeguard your professional future in minutes.

Transport & Logistics
6

Ship your career to new destinations with our specialized transport and logistics resume examples. We'll help you map the route to your next professional opportunity with precision.
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Sport & Fitness
5

Sprint ahead of the competition with our sports and fitness resume examples. We'll help you flex your professional muscles and score that dream job.
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Government
2

Cut through government hiring complexities. Our tailored examples follow precise agency protocols, transforming your experience into a resume that will give hiring managers a vote of confidence in your candidacy.
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Student
10

Turn classroom achievements into job-winning credentials. These student resume examples bridge the gap between academic success and professional opportunity.

Other
35

Don’t leave your job search to chance. Our ever-expanding collection of cover letter examples for a variety of positions help you focus on your biggest strengths to land the job you want. Use these tips with our pre-written cover letter example sentences, spell checker, and other resources for an exceptional application.

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Cover letter example to copy & paste

A general cover letter example can serve as a great starting point for your application. If you’re feeling stuck, check out this copyable cover letter sample that you can copy and paste to modify for your own experience. You can also change the cover letter template at any time.

Example

Dear Mr. North,

My experience of managing teams through change has taught me that if you put people first, everything else will fall into place. I led a team through a turbulent 18 months of downsizing at Labsworth, while a blistering period of growth at Pine Inc. provided an entirely different experience. No matter what the trajectory of the company is, there are lessons to be learned.

Upon the completion of my MBA last year, I understood that I wanted to pursue a management role with an international dimension. I have never used my native Spanish in a business context and feel that your expansion into South America will allow me to employ my change management skills in a cultural setting that is familiar to me.

In a start-up, it is important to employ people with both operational and commercial expertise. I have negotiated contracts worth $9.5m, improved delivery efficiencies by 12%, redesigned warehouse packing flows, overseen staff disputes, and driven profitability to industry-leading levels. In my last year at Pine, I spearheaded three initiatives to improve the net profit from 5.2% to 6.1%. Profits improve when everything is considered.

I believe in letting my teams dictate the direction of their development. I have experience working with HR to design training modules, something that is particularly useful in a start-up. I enjoy the creativity and challenge of working out how to get the most out of a diverse set of professionals. 60% of my former team have enjoyed promotions over the past five years.

I cannot wait to find out more about your international expansion plans and hope that I am well-placed to assist.

Sincerely,

Lara Fernandez

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Our best sample cover letters

Check out our most popular cover letter samples below.

Internship cover letter example 

Accounting cover letter example 

Graduate cover letter example

Administrative assistant cover letter example

Teacher cover letter example

Nursing cover letter example

Software engineer cover letter example

Perfect cover letter structure

The perfect cover letter should have a clear and organized structure to make sure it highlights why you’re the right candidate for the job. Here’s what you should include to impress employers and increase your chances of landing the interview:

  1. Header: The cover letter header is the space at the top, or sometimes the side, of your cover letter that contains your name, contact information, and any relevant links. The header serves a vital role in identifying your cover letter and helping to create an attractive presentation.
  2. Greeting: The greeting of the cover letter is the way you address the person who will be reading it. We recommend using the hiring manager’s name whenever possible to establish a friendly, yet professional tone.
  3. Introduction: The introduction consists of the opening lines of your cover letter that serve to grab the hiring manager’s attention and encourage them to read the rest of your cover letter. The introduction should also include the company name and the role for which you are applying.
  4. Body (middle part): The body paragraphs are the middle part of your cover letter that give you the space and flexibility to discuss your accomplishments and key qualifications for the role.
  5. Conclusion & sign off: The conclusion is the final sentence of the cover letter that generally includes a call to action. This sentence expresses your enthusiasm for the job and politely encourages the hiring manager to schedule an interview.

You can also view our full guide on how to write a cover letter.

Science Teacher cover letter example
Science Teacher cover letter example

What makes a good cover letter example

A good cover letter example contains a combination of factors that work together to present you as the best possible candidate for the role. Remember that a cover letter sample is a starting point and should always be customized for your specific experience and the job you are applying to. In general, here are a few things to pay attention to that will make your cover letter stand out from the rest:

  • The right template: An attractive cover letter is more likely to be noticed by employers. The best cover letter template is one that combines your own professional personality with the brand and image of the company you’re applying to. Our adaptable cover letter sample can serve as a reference when creating your header.
  • Proper formatting: The right formatting makes your cover letter easier to read, and in turn, keeps the hiring manager interested for longer. Here are a few do’s and don’ts for great cover letter formatting.
Do
  • Keep a balance of white space to text
  • Use paragraph breaks and proper punctuation
  • Create an attractive header at the top of the page
Don't
  • Adjust the margins to cram in more text
  • Go overboard with flashy colors unless appropriate in your industry
  • Forget to proofread for spelling and grammar mistakes
  • A customized greeting: Your cover letter greeting should use the hiring manager’s name whenever possible. If you can’t find the name of a specific person, make sure to customize the greeting for the company or team.
  • A professional email address: Your email address should be a combination of your first and last name (with numbers if you have a common name). Unprofessional email addresses are a big mistake.
  • Clear structure: Even though a cover letter is one of the more freeform parts of your application, it should still appear organized. Use the sections of our cover letter example above as a model for your own.
  • Detailed examples: The writing of your cover letter should give concrete examples of your skills, qualifications, and accomplishments. Make sure to use numbers and statistics whenever possible.

Cover letter examples FAQs

What to write in a cover letter?

Your cover letter is an opportunity to expand on the skills and experiences described in your resume. Instead of simply repeating what’s written there, make sure to add new details and examples that are relevant for the role and will encourage the hiring manager to contact you for an interview. 

How do you start a cover letter?

There are plenty of ways to start a cover letter, including with an anecdote, a statement about your skills or passion, or your connection to the company. Check out our adaptable cover letter samples for more ideas to get you started writing your own cover letter.

What are 3 things you should include in a cover letter?

Three things that should always be included in a cover letter are:

  1. Your name and contact information
  2. The hiring manager’s name
  3. The name of the company and the role you for which you’re applying

How long should a cover letter be?

Ideally, a cover letter's length should be between 250-400 words. A shorter cover letter may not be able to capture your skills, while a longer one may become tiresome to read. A cover letter should always fit on one page. See our adaptable cover letter examples for details.

What are common cover letter phrases?

Every cover letter should be unique but a few phrases you may find useful are:

  1. I am excited to apply to the role of (Job Title) at (Company Name).
  2. I am looking forward to the possibility of an interview.
  3. Feel free to contact me by phone or email at (Your Phone Number) or (Email Address).
  4. Sincerely, (Your Name)

What words should not be used in a cover letter?

We recommend avoiding “ To Whom It May Concern” as it sounds impersonal and outdated. You should also avoid any language that sounds cold, arrogant, or entitled. Our cover letter samples can serve as an example of the right tone to use.

What does an employer look for in a cover letter?

Employers use cover letters to gauge whether you’re truly interested in the position and if you’ve understood the requirements. Make sure to consult the job description before writing your cover letter.

What is a simple example of a cover letter?

If you’re looking for a simple example of a cover letter, you’ve come to the right place! Here are some of our favorite simple cover letter samples:

Student cover letter example

Driver cover letter example

Customer service representative cover letter example

Build your cover letter in minutes
Build your cover letter in minutes
Stand out and get hired faster with our free, professional cover letter templates. That’s just the start. With 17 other powerful career tools, you can build much more than a cover letter.
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Build your cover letter in minutes
Build your cover letter in minutes
Stand out and get hired faster with our free, professional cover letter templates. That’s just the start. With 17 other powerful career tools, you can build much more than a cover letter.
Create cover letter

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