One of the most commonly given pieces of career advice is to do everything possible to make your cover letter and resume unique to each job application. So, with this in mind, why is it a good idea to use a cover letter template? First and foremost, it is important to remember that a cover letter template is not a pre-written cover letter. Instead, think of it as a skeleton design you can use to create an effective cover letter when you add your own information.
There are a range of benefits that come with using ResumeNerd professional cover letter templates, as reflected in our ResumeNerd reviews. The most important benefits are:
In short, when you use a professional cover letter template you will find it easier to create tailored cover letters that look good and you will be able to write them at a quicker pace. This allows you to apply to more jobs while still submitting high quality cover letters and resumes. In fact, there are even creative cover letter templates for those who work in the arts or in creative technology roles. You can find more information on common cover letter formats at ResumeNerd.
While different cover letter templates will have distinct appearances and features, they should all contain the same basic structural components:
Your header and introduction should include your full name and contact information. This means your phone number, email address, and perhaps professional social media details. If you have LinkedIn, you can include that information in this section.
Your opening paragraph should be a summary of you as a job seeker and present your most relevant achievements. For example, if you were applying for a new job as a high school teacher you might write:
“I am a highly motivated and passionate teacher who takes a flexible learning approach. In my last position I implemented a hands-on learning segment to lessons that resulted in the grade average in my class rising by x in one year.”
When discussing why you are applying, you should mention the company name and the specific job title you are applying for as well as stating why you want to work with them. Once you have done this you should present reasons why you think you will fit in with the company culture. An example of this would be:
“I have long admired the student-first approach that [XYZ School] takes to education, and believe that my flexible approach to learning styles will enable students to reach their full potential.”
A cover letter is a very short document and should be no more than one page long in most cases. This means that you have a limited time frame in which to impress hiring managers. End your cover letter with a call to action that invites follow up contact in order to grab their attention. Sign off with a formal statement such as “Sincerely Yours”.
When you place your information into this structure, you will have a functional and complete cover letter. The quality and persuasiveness of the cover letter depends on the content and your writing. Use active language and tailor what you say to the job description to make a good first impression. Do not repeat information from your resume, however.
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Modern cover letter templates are becoming more and more sophisticated and, thanks to resume builders, easy to access. Despite this, some might feel that templates are not for them. The truth is that most people could benefit from using even the most basic cover letter templates. Those most likely to benefit are:
Beyond this, even a simple cover letter template could provide many benefits to any job seeker. ResumeNerd has a resume builder that offers a range of recruiter approved cover letter templates to choose from.
A great cover letter template uses business letter formatting and a clean, professional design with clear headings, standard fonts, and enough white space for easy reading. It must also be ATS-friendly, ensuring your information is correctly parsed by systems. It should match the look of your resume for a cohesive application.
Yes, ResumeNerd’s cover letter templates are ATS-friendly. They use clean layouts and standard cover letter formatting to ensure accurate parsing by ATS software. This design helps your cover letter get noticed by employers.
A cover letter is a one-page business letter you send alongside your resume to apply for a job. It expresses your interest in the role, details your skills and relevant experience to explain why you match the position, plus ends with enthusiasm and a call to action, like requesting an interview.
Yes! The perfect cover letter can set you apart from other applicants by providing a narrative that complements your resume. It allows you to:
-Personalize Your Application: Demonstrate a genuine interest in the role and company.
-Highlight Key Qualifications: Emphasize how your key skills and experiences make you a strong candidate.
-Address Potential Concerns: Explain any potential gaps in employment.
A cover letter should be concise and include three to four clear paragraphs. The .length of your cover letter shouldn't exceed one A4 page. Short cover letters (about half a page long) are often enough to convey your qualifications and enthusiasm for the job.
Yes, you can create your own cover letter template, but using pre-made ones saves time and boosts quality. Expert-designed templates offer clean, professional layouts that are ATS-friendly, ensuring your letter gets through screenings. They’re quick to customize, come with helpful tips, and match resume templates for a polished, cohesive application.
Creating your own cover letter template risks design flaws and takes more effort, while pre-made options let you focus on content instead of formatting your cover letter.
Save your cover letter as a PDF or Word document (.docx) to keep the layout intact and easy to open. PDFs are best since they keep formatting consistent on any device.
If the job listing explicitly asks you to submit your cover letter via email, it’s more appropriate to paste it directly into the body. But if the application process is formal, the company specifically requests an attached cover letter or the job role demands a high level of professionalism, it’s better to use a pre-made template.
Yes, you can browse through hundreds of expert-made cover letter examples available on our blog. Our guides offer job-specific tips to help you create the best cover letter for any position.
When making an entry-level cover letter with no experience:
-Focus on Transferable Skills: Highlight abilities applicable to the job, such as communication or problem-solving skills.
-Emphasize Education and Training: Discuss relevant coursework, projects, or certifications.
-Show Enthusiasm and Willingness to Learn: Express your eagerness to grow and contribute to the company.
-Tailor Your Cover Letter: showcase how your background, though not directly aligned, has prepared you for the role.
