Cover letter examples by job title
Each page has a sample opening paragraph, body paragraphs written the way that role is actually screened, a closing line, and the mistakes that sink that kind of cover letter.
Technology
Engineering, data and IT roles screened on stack and scale.
Product & Design
Roles judged on decisions and outcomes, not deliverables.
Marketing & Sales
Revenue-facing roles where the numbers are already recorded.
Business & Operations
Analyst, HR and operations roles built on named deliverables.
Healthcare
Clinical roles screened on licence, unit and patient ratio.
Education
Teaching roles matched on subject, grade band and curriculum.
Finance
Accounting roles filtered on qualification and reporting standard.
Engineering
Project-led roles judged on scope, value and timeline.
Browse by style
Professional cover letter templates
Polished, corporate letters for traditional industries.
Modern cover letter templates
Fresh layouts with colour and structure for today's roles.
Creative cover letter templates
Stand out with a bolder, design-forward letter.
Simple cover letter templates
Minimal, distraction-free letters that let your words carry it.
Or start from a template
Every example opens in the editor, where you can switch between all 10 templates without retyping anything.
How to write a cover letter that gets read
A resume lists what you have done. A cover letter explains why it matters for this particular job. The examples above show that in practice; this is the method behind them.
What a cover letter is actually for
It connects two or three pieces of your experience to what the employer needs, shows that you understand the role, and doubles as a sample of how you write. It is not a second copy of your resume.
A structure that works: three short paragraphs
- Opening: name the role and the company, and lead with your strongest relevant proof in a sentence or two — not a generic “I am writing to apply for…”.
- Middle: one or two examples, each with a result, tied to something the job posting asks for.
- Closing: say what you would like to happen next, such as a conversation, thank them, and stop. Confident and brief beats long.
Length and format
Aim for roughly 250 to 350 words — half a page to three-quarters — in plain paragraphs rather than long bullet lists. Use the same font and header as your resume so the two look like a set. If you apply by email, put the letter in the body of the message and attach a PDF only if one is asked for.
Address it to a person
Check the job posting or the company's LinkedIn page for the hiring manager's or recruiter's name. If you cannot find one, “Dear Hiring Manager” is perfectly acceptable. Avoid “To whom it may concern”, which reads as a form letter.
Tailor it without copying the posting
Read the posting and pick the three things it stresses most. Echo its language where it is truthful — the same tools, the same outcomes — and give one real example for each. Do not paste requirements back at the reader; weave them into sentences that describe what you did. Each example page above lists phrases from a real posting for that role that are worth echoing.
Mistakes that sink cover letters
- Repeating your resume line by line instead of adding context and reasoning.
- Opening with “I am writing to apply for…” and nothing that makes the reader want to continue.
- Sending the same letter everywhere, sometimes with the wrong company name still in it.
- Talking about what you want from the job rather than what you will deliver.
- Running past a page, or leaving typos in a document whose purpose is to show care.
- Claiming skills you cannot back up when asked about them in the interview.
When a cover letter matters most
It matters most when you are changing careers, explaining a gap, applying through a referral, applying to a small team, or applying for a role where writing and communication are part of the job. Many application forms mark it optional, but a short, specific letter rarely hurts and can set you apart from the pile that skipped it.
Cover letters: frequently asked questions
How long should a cover letter be?
Roughly 250 to 350 words, which is half a page to three-quarters. Three short paragraphs — an opening, one or two examples, and a closing — is enough.
Should I send a cover letter if it is optional?
Usually yes, provided it is specific to the job. A short, tailored letter can set you apart, while a generic one adds nothing. If you cannot make it specific, put your effort into the resume instead.
Do I need a different cover letter for every job?
Yes, at least partly. Keep a strong core, but rewrite the opening and the middle paragraph for each employer so they reflect that company and that posting.
How do I start a cover letter?
Name the role and lead with your most relevant achievement or the specific reason you are drawn to this company. Skip the throat-clearing — the first two sentences are the ones most likely to be read.
Can I use AI to write my cover letter?
You can use our AI draft as a starting point, matched to your resume and the job description. Then edit it: add specifics only you know, remove anything you cannot back up, and make sure it sounds like you.
Should I include my salary expectations?
Only if the posting explicitly asks for them. Otherwise leave salary out of the letter and discuss it later in the process.
Should a cover letter be a PDF or a Word file?
Follow the instructions in the posting. If none are given, a PDF keeps your formatting intact; if you are applying by email, the body of the message can serve as the letter.
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