Table of Contents
- Cover Letter Samples by Industry
- Cover Letter Samples for a Resume
- Cover Letter Writing Frequently Asked Questions
- 10 Myths about Cover Letter Writing
Today, recruiters on average spend only spend six seconds looking at your resume. This means that cover letters are the way to shine in the application process. While many jobseekers dismiss the value of a well-written cover letter, you shouldn’t!
Recruiters and hiring managers often use cover letters to distinguish between similar candidates. That means that if you and Joe Schmo have the same basic credentials, a hiring manager will likely turn to your cover letter to make a decision.
Make it be you! View the cover letter samples, below, to learn how.
Cover Letter Samples
by Industry
Taking the first step toward writing a cover letter can be scary, especially if you’re unsure about what to focus on for the particular line of work. Browse our collection of industry-specific cover letter samples and learn about what to zero in on in your cover letter!
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Administrative & Office Support
Begin your new accounting and finance job on a strong note by using one of our customizable cover letter templates.
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Automotive
Rev up on our automotive industry templates, which include auto technician and commercial parts pro cover letter templates.
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Computers & Technology
Learn how to display your passion for all things tech with our easy-to-personalize computers and technology cover letter templates.
Cover Letter Samples for a Resume
Resume
Your resume may be packed full of your academic and professional accomplishments but often they are pretty dry documents. Yet, your cover letter is your chance to show your personality and elaborate on the laundry list of achievements showcased in your resume.
Make your resume come alive with a cover letter that shows off all you have to offer the company in question. Not sure how to prove that? Our cover letter samples can help. Below, we’ve created a sample resume and cover letter sample to show you step-by-step how to use a cover letter to enhance your resume.
RESUME
Jamie Jones
(c) 222.555.1212 (e)jjones@example.com
SUMMARY:
Resourceful and motivated customer service representative with a proven record of meeting goals seeks a full-time position. Able to maintain a high standard of professionalism and courtesy in order to assist customers in resolving problems quickly.
The person in this role will interface directly with the Physician Leadership team and the Revenue Cycle Leadership team to identify, communicate, and assist in the resolution of client inquiries.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Trained in conflict resolution
- Superior customer service skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication
- Patient and friendly
- Computer savvy
EXPERIENCE:
7/2015 – Current Fetch Dog Walking Service
New Cityland, CA – Customer Service Representative
- •
- Provide customers with assistance in scheduling dog-walking services •
- Provide answers to question and solutions to problems in a timely manner •
- Troubleshoot scheduling difficulties on the website and app
6/2012 – 7/2015 Lux Woman
New Cityland, CA – Customer Service Representative
- •
- Promoted to full-time Customer Service Rep from a part-time call center position •
- Provides customers with assistance with online orders and returns •
- Responsible for managing customer question and problems in live chats •
- Awarded “Top Customer Service Representative” for 2013
EDUCATION:
Associate Degree – Customer Service
University of Phoenix
Cover Letter
This cover letter accomplishes three major things.
First, it directly references the job ad, which proves that the applicant has read and understands what the role in question will entail.
Second, it echoes that language of the job ad to show the value the applicant will bring to the employer.
Third, the applicant uses the cover letter as an opportunity to highlight her accomplishments and draw attention to relevant skills. She uses two data points to do this – the award she won for stellar customer service and her 92% customer satisfaction rating, two items that will pique the interest of the hiring manager.
Cover Letter
Jamie Jones
(c) 222.555.1212 (e)jjones@example.com
Dear Ms. Taylor:
Please accept my resume as application to the Customer Service Representative position at L.L. Bean. I am a customer service professional with more than five years of experience in the field who has been wearing L.L. Bean clothing for as long as I can remember. I would love to become a part of your team!
Your job ad calls for an experienced customer service representative and I fit the bill. I began my career as a part-time call center representative at Lux Woman, a high-end online fashion retailer. In less than a year, I was promoted to a full-time Customer Service Representative position. In that role, I proved my ability to quickly resolve customer problems and complaints to their satisfaction. In fact, in 2013 I was awarded Top Customer Service Representative for my stellar track-record of customer service.
From Lux, I moved on to a position at Fetch Dog Walking Service where I have continued to pursue my goal of high-quality customer service and the quick resolution of problems and complaints. As your job description calls for, I have a proven track record of excellence in customer service in my current role, with a 92% satisfaction rating in customer surveys. This represents one of the strongest ratings at Fetch Dog Walking Service.
Also in your job ad, you mention experience handling customer inquiries via a website or app as a desired skill. I’d like to point out that in addition to my regular telephone customer service duties, in my current role I am also charged with troubleshooting customer problems on both our website and app.
Currently, I am seeking a new challenge at a larger organization and I would love to be considered for the Customer Service Representative at L.L. Bean. Thank you for reviewing my credentials. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Jaime Jones
Cover Letter Writing Frequently Asked Questions
What are the components of a cover letter?
Many jobseekers ask themselves what should be in a cover letter for a job. Below, we have listed the five main components of a cover letter and what should appear in each section:
- A personal greeting: If the job ad doesn’t list the name of the hiring manager, do some research on LinkedIn to find out to whom your letter should be addressed. Addressing your cover letter to a specific person is a great way to make a recruiter pay attention to its contents.
- An opening paragraph: The first paragraph of your cover letter serves as your mission statement. It should explain in a few sentences why you are applying to the role, and what appeals to you about the company. If you have a personal connection to the company, such as a referral, mention it here.
- An enticing second paragraph: The second paragraph of your cover letter should aim to “hook” your reader. Here, describe what you’ll bring to the table by connecting your key skills to the job ad, or by mentioning a relevant professional achievement.
- The body: The body of your cover letter should consist of one or two short paragraphs or a bulleted list of your skills, achievements, and qualifications.
- A persuasive closing paragraph: Seal the deal in your last paragraph by summarizing what you’ll bring to the table if you are hired. Also, remember to include your contact information here.
Can you get personal in a cover letter?
Yes, to some extent. Your cover letter is the perfect place of offer a bit of personal information to the employer. For example, if you have a personal connection to the company, such as a former coworker who has referred you to the role, mention it here.
Or, if you are re-entering the workforce after a period of unemployment – say, after staying home to raise children – explaining that in your cover letter is acceptable.
Remember to keep your explanation short (preferably just a line or two) and relevant. Never share personal information about your age, marital status, or religion in a cover letter, as that could introduce unconscious bias into the hiring process.
10 Myths and Misconceptions
about Cover Letter Writing
MYTH: There is no point in using numbers and data in my cover letter.
Some candidates make the mistake of forgetting to use supporting data in their cover letters. Instead, they only put such data in their resumes. As our cover letter samples prove, your cover letter is a great opportunity to highlight your professional achievements. Most recruiters and hiring managers spend only six seconds reading a resume. Because of that, your cover letter is a second chance to drive home the qualifications that make you the right fit for the job.
Use data wherever possible on your resume. If you have an impressive list of achievements, consider calling them out on your cover letter by using bullet points. Mention awards you’ve won, an impressive sales record, and other measurable achievements for the most impact.
MYTH: A single cover letter will do for every job application.
Sure, some information will be the same in each cover letter – your name, length of experience, and even some elements of your skill set. However, the bulk of each cover letter should be personalized to the individual job ad. Look again at our cover letter samples and notice how they echo the language of the job ad. Utilizing the keywords and phrases used in the job ad is critical to getting an advantage in a competitive market. Your cover letter is an opportunity to show that you understand the requirements of the role and the needs the company is seeking to fill.
Don’t waste the opportunity! Use our cover letter samples to learn how to write a cover letter that will appeal to employers.
MYTH: The format of the letter doesn’t really matter.
Like our cover letter samples show, your letter should always have four main parts: a salutation or greeting, an opening paragraph, one or two short body paragraphs, and a closing statement. Keep it to a single page and keep it clean and simple, just like our cover letter sample above. A cover letter should never contain images or photos and shouldn’t be overly colorful or fussy. Keep your cover letter simple, clean and concise so that the focus stays on your accomplishments.
Keep it to a single page and keep it clean and simple, just like our cover letter sample above. A cover letter should never contain images or photos and shouldn’t be overly colorful or fussy. Keep your cover letter simple, clean and concise so that the focus stays on your accomplishments.
MYTH: It’s smart to point out that you don’t have skill outlined in the job ad.
Some jobseekers feel compelled to point out that they lack certain skills outlined in the job description. Don’t fall into this trap! Like our cover letter samples demonstrate, highlight your skills, not your weaknesses. If you point out that you are lacking a key skill you are providing the recruiter with a reason not to extend an invitation to interview. Instead, emphasize the skills you do have and use your cover letter to explain how the are transferable to the job at hand. Let’s try an example. If you lack experience with a computer program mentioned in the job ad, then you could mention your experience with similar software.
MYTH: An employer won’t notice a small typo.
Hear this loud and clear: proofreading your cover letter (and resume) carefully should be a top priority. Some candidates see cover letters as an irrelevant step in the application process. Yet, the truth is that when applicants come to the table with similar backgrounds and skill sets, recruiters and hiring managers will look to their cover letters to help them single out which candidates to interview. Don’t make a conspicuous typo in your cover letter be what differentiates you from the competition. Read and reread your cover letter, run it through a spelling and grammar check, and send it to a trusted friend for a fresh set of eyes.
MYTH: Using general salutations is always acceptable.
This is a common misconception among jobseekers. Using a general greeting like, “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir or Madame” shows that you haven’t done your research.
Impress recruiters and hiring managers by digging in to find out how is doing the hiring for the role. Doing so will show the you are invested enough in the position to do your research. Look at the company’s website to find the names of the recruiting team. Or use LinkedIn to make a best guess at who’s in charge of the department to which you are applying. Can’t find the name of the hiring manager? Our cover letter samples can provide other original ideas for addressing your letter.
MYTH: A cover letter should be a regurgitation of my resume.
Cover letters can help jobseekers distinguish themselves from candidates with similar experience. To do this, show a little personality in your cover letter. Like our cover letter samples show, use the space to call out your unique achievements. Also, if you have a personal connection to the company in some way, consider writing about it.
Like in our cover letter example above, mention if you use a company’s products or if you are a big fan of it’s services. Doing so can prove that you have an understanding of the company’s mission, which is a big plus for employers. Always maintain a professional tone but don’t be afraid to use your cover letter to present a three-dimensional image of yourself.
MYTH: Using a photo of myself on my cover letter will improve my chances of getting an interview.
Nope. In fact, including a photo in your resume or cover letter is proven to hurt candidates. Research suggests that up to 88% of applicants who put a picture on a resume or cover letter have their applications rejected by hiring managers. Ditto for fussy fonts, fancy borders, or other images. Keep your resume clean and simple so as not to distract from your qualifications.
MYTH: Mirroring the wording of the job description will hurt my chances because it looks lazy.
Quite the opposite! Echoing the language used in the job ad could propel your application forward. Like in our cover letter sample above, using keywords and phrases from the job ad makes it easy for hiring managers to assess your skills.Our cover letter samples can show you how to echo the language of a job post in your next letter.
MYTH: Cover letters aren’t important because most recruiters will read my entire resume.
Recruiters will spend six seconds on average looking at a resume before deciding which candidates to interview. This makes writing a persuasive cover letter more important than ever. Use our cover letter samples to learn how to set yourself apart from the competition.
