10+ Free cover letter examples (+expert guides)

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10+ Free cover letter examples (+expert guides)

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.

General adaptable cover letter example

Dear Mr. Smith,

I am writing to express my interest in the advertised sales position at Aspen Medical Technology. I am a sales associate with years of experience selling equipment directly to private hospitals. I believe that my skills in making contacts and building relationships in the medical industry would make me an excellent candidate for this position.

Throughout my career so far I have honed a deep understanding of how important impeccable customer service is in the medical industry. I’ve learnt to anticipate the unique challenges that hospitals and hospices face and resolve them. For instance, while working at MedTech Solutions, I proactively identified a solution to streamline our customers’ procurement process when they were considering a medical equipment purchase. This resulted in a 25% reduction in acquisition time for both new and returning customers.

Aspen Medical Technology’s expansion into Scotland came as a pleasant surprise to me. I have successfully cultivated an extensive network across the country. Through my roles at MedTech and In-Visionary Tech I have nurtured relationships with key industry stakeholders, including importers, exporters, and medical professionals. By speaking at renowned medical conferences and implementing strategic initiatives, I led my last team to double market share from 2% to 4% during my time there. I have a deep understanding of the healthcare landscape and enjoy helping my team to influence decisions and drive growth.

I would like to bring my skills in customer service, problem-solving, and relationship-building to your organisation and help increase your sales in the sector. I am confident that my track record speaks for itself, having exceeded annual sales quotas by 45% over the last two years and grown our portfolio of returning customers by 60%.

I hope that you’ll agree I would be an excellent fit for the team. I would be delighted to discuss my candidacy further with you in an interview.

Sincerely,

Clara Forbes

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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. 

cover letter example structure UK

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.

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 customised 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. Read about great cover letter formatting now. Here are some dos and don’ts.
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 colours unless appropriate in your industry
  • Forget to proofread for spelling and grammar mistakes
  • A customised 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 customise 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 organised. 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 CV. 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 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 for 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. Use our cover letter generator to align with best practices.

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 favourite simple cover letter examples:
 

1. Internship cover letter example

2. Marketing cover letter example

3. Student cover letter example

 

 

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A professional cover letter will make a good impression, but it’s just the beginning. With every template, you get full access to a suite of 18 powerful tools (incl. AI interview prep).
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