Cover Letter Templates to Help Get You Hired in

Cover Letter Templates

The perfect cover letter might not be easy to create, but in today’s saturated job market, it’s important to create the best cover letter possible to stand out. Recruiters can review thousands of cover letters and resumes when trying to fill any job posting, and use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter out even more. The right cover letter template can give your letter an edge and increase the viability of your job search.

The Benefits of Cover Letter Templates from ResumeNerd

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. The most important benefits are:

Convenience and simplicity
Access to appropriate pre-built options that can fit any industry
The ability to use matching cover letter and resume templates for a complementary job application
Accelerate the process of applying for a job
All ResumeNerd templates are designed to pass recruiter and ATS scans

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.

The Most Important Elements of a Cover Letter Template

While different cover letter templates will have distinct appearances and features, they should all contain the same basic structural components:

Introduction and hook

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.

First paragraph: summary of major achievements

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.”

Second paragraph: your suitability for the company

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.”

Third paragraph: call to action

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.

What Jobseekers Say About ResumeNerd’s Cover Letter Builder

carausol icon1

“This is one of the best resume sites I have seen so far. I've tried a bunch of them that are kind of cookie-cutter.”

Amanda V.

ResumeNerd User

carausol icon2

“Very professional. I think it will boost people’s confidence and take the headache out of writing the resume by yourself.”

Savannah S.

ResumeNerd User

carausol icon3

“It helped me word things better than I could have myself and gave me more than expected out of a resume builder.”

Brandon E.

ResumeNerd User

carausol icon4

“I would use this again and recommend this to someone to build a resume really fast. It’s also very customizable.”

Tiffany S.

ResumeNerd User

Cover Letter Examples

Web Developer Cover Letter Example

Teacher Cover Letter Example

Receptionist Cover Letter Example

Project Manager Cover Letter Example

Nursing Cover Letter Example

Mechanical Engineer Cover Letter Example

Graphic Designer Cover Letter Example

Financial Analyst Cover Letter Example

Dental Assistant Cover Letter Example

Customer Service Representative Cover Letter Example

Business Analyst Cover Letter Example

Acting Cover Letter Example

Build My Cover Letter

FAQ: Cover Letter Templates

Do I really need a cover letter?

Yes, it is important that you include a cover letter with every job application that you submit. A cover letter presents a unique opportunity to present supplementary information about your skills and work experience. However, it is important to note that companies also expect cover letters. If you don’t provide one, the hiring manager may not take your application further

How should I save my cover letter?

Unless a potential employer specifically requests another format, you should provide your cover letter as a PDF file. Our cover letter builder allows you to save your letter in PDF or MS Word formats.

Can I create my own cover letter template?

Yes. You can take the time to create your own cover letter template and use it to create future cover letters. However, this is very time consuming and can be difficult. Using a cover letter template is far easier and can be more effective if these online templates are created by experts.