Looking for Resume Cover Letter examples? Find the tips on how to write a great cover letter along with FREE samples based on your industry:
Your resume looks great – you probably spent hours working on it, and you’re finally ready to apply. But there’s still one thing standing between you and your dream job, and that is…
… a resume cover letter!
Groan.
Who still asks for a resume cover letter in 2023, right? But did you know that 38% of recruiters said they’re more likely to look at an application if the resume is accompanied by a cover letter?
The point here is a cover letter is just important enough that you should take the trouble to write one. Only, it won’t be any trouble at all, because we’ve got you ‘covered’!
In this article, you’ll find several resume cover letter examples for applicants with different levels of experience, and from different industries.
We’ll also answer the following questions:
- What is a resume cover letter and why is it important?
- What information should you include in a resume cover letter?
So whether you are a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, and whether you work in Finance, or in IT – we’ve got cover letter samples for resume for you!
What You Will Learn:
- Resume Cover Letter And Its Importance
- Resume Cover Letter Examples
- Example 1: Industry: Finance
- Example 2: Industry: Administration
- Example 3: Industry: Management
- Example 4: Industry: Creative Arts
- Example 5: Industry: Education
- Example 6: Industry: Hospitality
- Example 7: Industry: Healthcare
- Example 8: Industry: Information technology
- Example 9: Industry: Sales and Marketing
- Example 10: Industry: Transportation and Logistics
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Resume Cover Letter And Its Importance
This single-page document, usually between 300-500 words, serves as your introduction to the company. A resume cover letter will highlight the skills and experience that make you perfect for the role, as well as for the company. A good cover letter will convince a recruiter to invite you to interview for the position you desire.
Unless you’re specifically instructed not to submit your resume with a cover letter, you should always write one. The truth is, it’s a brutal job market today. You’ll be facing heavy competition, so you should take this additional opportunity to impress.
What Should A Resume Cover Letter Include
A successful cover letter is the one that quickly impresses upon potential employers that you are a great fit for both the job and the organization.
When writing your cover letter for your resume, be sure to include the following information:
#1) Contact Details
Your cover letter should ideally have a header section that contains your contact details, i.e. your name, address, phone number, email address, link to a LinkedIn profile (if updated), or to an online portfolio (if relevant).
This is followed by the employer’s contact details, starting with their name along with their professional title, followed by the name and address of the organization.
#2) Salutation
Avoid generic greetings like “Dear Sir/Ma’am”, or “To Whom It May Concern”. You’ll not only sound ancient, but they’ll also figure you couldn’t be bothered doing your homework, and wonder just how interested you even are in the position.
Find out who might read your letter by calling the company’s front desk, or looking at their website, LinkedIn, or Glassdoor page. If you still can’t find their name, address your letter to the hiring manager or the human resources department, using greetings, for example: “Dear HR Manager”, or “Dear HR Team”.
#3) Introduction
The opening paragraph is where you make your first impression, and the impression you make will determine whether the recruiter reads the rest of your letter.
Customize your letter to each application by:
- Stating the specific position you are applying for.
- Mentioning a couple of your top achievements to grab the reader’s attention.
- Showing how your background relates to that position.
#4) Body
The body of your cover letter should have two paragraphs. The first is to show why you are the ideal candidate for the job, and the second is to establish why you’re a good match for the company.
Why you are the ideal candidate?
Layout your qualifications and include examples of your work history, mention your professional achievements, and be sure to quantify them, i.e. use numbers and facts. Show off your skills, abilities, and experience to convince recruiters you are a better fit for the position than the rest of the candidates.
You can do this by identifying the most important requirements of the role and showing how you can fulfill them, by mirroring them in your cover letter.
Recommended Reading => Get to know how to write a Letter of Recommendation
Why you are a good match for the company?
You might be the perfect candidate for the job, but recruiters also want to know whether you’ll be a good match for the company, i.e. what will you contribute to their mission?
Show them you’ve taken the time to research, by stating exactly why you want to work with them for example, whether the company culture appeals to you, or something you like about their product or service if you’ve used it, or their business model, etc.
Remember, a resume cover letter is meant to complement your resume. It is not a substitute for a resume, so you cannot simply copy-paste the information from your resume.
#5) Conclusion
Conclude the letter by recapping, in brief, what you bring to the table. If there is any other information that may nudge the recruiter to pick up your resume, you can include it here. Finally, thank them for considering your application, and request an interview or a phone call.
#6) Sign-off
Use a formal closing. The following terms are most commonly used for a professional close:
- Best regards,
- Sincerely,
- Respectfully,
- Thank you,
Here are some sign-offs you should never use:
- Cheers!
- Love,
- Affectionately,
- Bye!
Leave about two lines, and type your full name. Add your signature just above your name and your resume cover letter is ready to send.
Suggested Reading =>> Resume Builders to Create a Professional Resume
Writing A Great Resume Cover Letter – Tips
Here are some final tips that will land you your dream job:
#1) Tailor the cover letter to each application
Recruiters can easily tell when a cover letter is generic and will be put off, unless you customize your cover letter to every job you apply for. Mention the position you are applying for, and use keywords from the job description.
#2) Use a strong opening
Don’t start with the usual (and boring) “I’m writing to apply for…. “. It’s overdone, and won’t help you catch anyone’s attention. Hook your reader from the very first sentence.
#3) Do your homework
Identify the person who might read your cover letter and use an appropriate salutation. Research about the company by using Google, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, etc.
#4) Watch your tone
Be professional without sounding old-fashioned. Use contractions where possible, for example, “I’m” instead of “I am”, and avoid clichés like “results-driven”, or “detail-oriented”. Use simple words instead, you’ll sound more real.
#5) Use simple formatting
Make it easy to read by using the right font and font size. We recommend Arial, Helvetica, Times New Roman, or Garamond, and minimum a font size of 12. Use appropriate margins depending on the length of your cover letter.
#6) Keep it short
A resume cover letter is a one-page document and consists of about 3-4 paragraphs that shouldn’t exceed 500 words. Anything longer, and it might not get read.
#7) Don’t repeat your resume
This really can’t be said enough – your cover letter should not read like a copy of your resume. Only highlight the important information from your resume to compel recruiters to pick up your resume after reading your cover letter.
#8) Review and edit
Remember to proofread your cover letter before hitting the send button. The only thing more off-putting than a generic cover letter is one with typos and inaccurate information.
Recommended Reading => Simple Ways to write a Two-Week Notice Letter
Resume Cover Letter Examples
Now it’s time to look at some resume cover letter samples – for inspiration! Use the examples below for ideas to write your own resume cover letter. (Remember to add relevant contact details, and choose an appropriate salutation!)
Example 1: Industry: Finance
As a Senior Accountant with over 8 years of experience, and specialist knowledge of financial instruments and accounting software, I’m confident I can make a valuable contribution to your organization as Accounting Specialist.
I am proficient in budget forecasting, variance analysis, and reporting. Throughout my career, I have also been consistently commended for helping to reduce business costs. Currently, as Senior Accountant at XYZ Company, I could reduce overall business expenditure by 18%, saving the company over $125,000 last year.
In addition to being a Certified Public Accountant, I have an MS in Accounting.
My technical skills include:
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Office
- Oracle
- Quickbooks
I am passionate about both accounting and the environment, and XYZ Company’s recent entry into the field of environmental accounting compelled me to send in this application. I hope to join XYZ Company’s accounting team and do my part in preserving the environment.
My resume is attached. I look forward to speaking with you, to learn more about the role, and discuss how I might help meet your goals for this position.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Jane Doe
Example 2: Industry: Administration
I am a tech-savvy receptionist with over 10 years of experience in administrative support positions, and I believe my organizational efficiency and problem-solving skills make me the perfect candidate for the post of Receptionist at XYZ Company.
Per your advertisement for the position, you require someone with superior skills in budgeting, planning, and customer service. While my resume will elaborate more on the details of my work experience and skills, I would like to highlight some of my professional achievements over the course of my career, which are especially suited to your requirements:
- Making cost-effective arrangements for the travel and accommodation of sales executives, reducing company expenses by over 30%.
- Successfully planned and executed several events, including product launches, training workshops, conferences, and even Christmas parties.
- Followed up consistently with customers, and achieved a customer satisfaction score of over 95% based on feedback.
I am also up-to-date with all relevant technologies. I can operate multi-line phone systems, and I am proficient in Microsoft Office i.e. Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
My personality is one of the many strengths that I could leverage toward the advancement of your mission. As a friendly and outgoing person, I would help customers gain a positive impression of XYZ Company from the very first interaction.
I look forward to discussing further your expectations for the role, and how I might meet them.
Thank you for reviewing my application.
Best regards,
John Doe
Example 3: Industry: Management
I’m excited to apply for the position of Operations Manager at XYZ Company. My extensive experience of over 8 years in the healthcare industry, and a Lean Six Sigma certification, make me the perfect candidate for this role.
I am highly skilled in administrative and financial oversight, strategy development, and process improvement. Some of my key achievements in my current role as Operations Manager in City Healthcare Clinic include:
- Streamlining administrative tasks with the help of technology to boost overall productivity by 35%.
- Devising and implementing a more efficient patient flow management system, which reduced the average patient wait time by 30 minutes.
- Managing claims, reimbursements, and other billing matters in a timely and efficient manner and thus saving the Clinic over $300k last year.
As an experienced and qualified Operations Manager, I appreciate the need to optimize business processes without alienating and frustrating employees. I look forward to helping XYZ Company establish efficient organizational processes that are in sync with its projected growth and expansion while maintaining a positive and encouraging employee environment.
My contact details are at the top of this letter, and my resume is attached. I will follow up to request an appointment where I hope to discuss further how I might add value to your company.
Thank you for taking the time to review and consider my application.
Respectfully,
Jane Doe
Example 4: Industry: Creative Arts
I am writing to express my interest in the Graphic Design internship position at XYZ Company. I believe I have the required skills and qualifications for this position. I am currently majoring in Graphic Design, with a minor in Computer Science, and will graduate early next year.
These are some of my achievements at college:
- Developed and submitted a story-based mobile game for a “Mobile Game Competition”, and hold second place.
- Part of a team that won the “Graphic Design Award” for a series of illustrations that we produced for an interactive digital ad campaign.
- Created, and successfully ran for three years, a weekly three-panel comic strip for the college magazine, that had a viewership of 8k.
My competence in various design software, including Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, and my love of video games, is what drove me to apply for this internship position. I am familiar with your company because I’ve grown up playing several of your console games, my favorite being the video game, “XYZ Game”.
I believe that my passion for story-telling and gaming, combined with my skills, will allow me to contribute to the development of top-notch console games at XYZ Company while giving me the opportunity to hone my craft and gain exposure to various aspects of the graphic design industry.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I would appreciate the chance to interview with you and look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
Jane Doe
Example 5: Industry: Education
As a Counselor with a degree in Child Psychology, and almost 5 years of experience in counseling, I read your posting for a new School Counselor with interest.
I am currently a Guidance Counselor at XYZ Academy, where I offer individual and group counseling to students aged 13-18, on various matters ranging from academic guidance to emotional and mental health, and including social behaviors and attitudes.
I’ve counseled several students who came from broken or abusive homes, or from marginalized communities and cement the knowledge I gained through this hands-on experience. I recently completed a certification in trauma counseling.
I have a keen understanding of societal and environmental factors that affect learners, as well as the know-how to develop and implement a guidance program to suit students’ individual needs.
I particularly excel at:
- Problem-solving
- Behavior Management
- Conflict resolution
- Discussion techniques
My background aligns well with the qualifications you are seeking, and I would love the opportunity to help your students achieve their fullest potential. My resume has additional details regarding my expertise and skills, but please do not hesitate to contact me with any queries.
I will be in touch to request an appointment to discuss how I might fulfill your expectations of this role.
Thank you for your time.
Regards,
Jane Doe
Example 6: Industry: Hospitality
I am interested in the position of Waiter at XYZ Restaurant. My background in hospitality, as well as my personality, perfectly suits your expectations for this position. I have 2 years of experience in the restaurant business; and I am, as emphasized in your advertisement, friendly, outgoing, dependable, and I work very well under pressure.
As a waiter at ABC Restaurant, I gained experience in various aspects of fine dining. One of my achievements was memorizing the wine list to recommend suitable pairings with different appetizers, increasing wine sales by 25%.
I have excellent communication skills and a knack for anticipating guests’ needs. I’ve also helped train several new waiters and bartenders during my time there.
My previous experience includes working at both a café and a nightclub, giving me a keen awareness of the different paces of operations in the food and beverage industry. In addition to this, I have a degree in Hospitality & Hotel Management – my education, experience, and skills make me the perfect addition to your service team.
I would highly appreciate the opportunity to meet with you, learn more about your food, and tell you how I might help create a one-of-a-kind experience for your guests.
Thank you for taking the time to review my application.
Sincerely,
John Doe
Example 7: Industry: Healthcare
As a licensed Physiotherapist with over 6 years of experience, I was pleased to learn of the available Physiotherapist position at City Hospital, as my knowledge of physiology, along with my clinical and interpersonal skills, match your requirements perfectly.
In my previous role, I devised therapeutic exercise programs to treat a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain, disc prolapse, whiplash, arthritis, and different types of sports injuries. I created successful pain management and mobility improvement plans for over 200 patients, with a high success rate in achieving patient goals.
I was particularly excited to apply for a role at City Hospital because it is a teaching hospital, and I believe I have a lot to offer as an educator.
My professional experience includes training and supervising new physiotherapists, clinical students, and other support staff, including certified assistants and volunteers. I was commended by the management for taking the initiative to set up a novel professional development program for employees that improved retention rates by 75%.
I am passionate about helping my patients find a physiotherapy plan that works for them and improve their overall hospital experience. My resume contains more details of my professional skills and accomplishments, but I would love the opportunity to tell you more about what I can bring to City Hospital. I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully,
Jane Doe
Example 8: Industry: Information technology
With over 7 years of experience in designing and executing data-driven solutions and a Master’s in Statistical Analysis, I am confident I would make a valuable addition to your team as Data Scientist.
My professional strengths lie in predictive analytics, big data processing, and data mining algorithms. My previous responsibilities involved liaising with other departments, which not only helped me to improve my interpersonal skills but also gave me the opportunity to practice presenting complex and technical information to other non-technical staff members.
The highlights of my professional accomplishments include:
- A 25% increase in the accuracy of performance prediction by conducting data regression analyses of the link between company stock prices and industry trends.
- A 96% accuracy rate in forecasting ticketing sales, through the use of predictive analysis tools, including machine learning and data mining.
I am proficient in the MatLab toolkit, GGPlot, SQL, Python, and Java. My technical skills, along with my solid educational background, further strengthen my qualification and ability to take on the role of Data Scientist at your company.
Thank you for taking the time to review my application. I look forward to the chance of speaking with you about your expectations for this role and learning more about your company. Please contact me at your convenience to schedule an interview.
Sincerely,
John Doe
Example 9: Industry: Sales and Marketing
With a formal background in Marketing, coupled with over 10 years of experience in the digital marketing arena, I am excited to be applying for the role of Digital Marketing Manager at XYZ Company.
In my current role, I work on devising and implementing social media strategies, generating new revenue streams, and developing new strategic partnerships. Over the course of my career, I’ve gained experience in planning and executing targeted digital marketing campaigns and driving brand visibility.
My chief accomplishments include the following:
- Efficiently managed PPC Display advertising campaigns, doubling ROI from $35k to $70K.
- Increased e-commerce sales by 40% in six months, by creating and launching a highly productive SEO campaign.
My proven success in increasing website traffic, leading campaigns with consistently high response rates, and my knowledge of the latest trends in marketing make me an excellent candidate for this position.
Additionally, having used your services, I am already familiar with your brand and its offerings, so feel confident that I can leverage my skills and abilities to showcase your brand to an even wider audience.
I would love the opportunity to speak with you about my qualifications and your expectations in more detail. My resume is attached, and I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.
Thank you,
John Doe.
Example 10: Industry: Transportation and Logistics
I would like to apply for the role of Transportation Manager at XYZ Company. As a Transportation Manager with over 15 years of experience in commercial plant logistics management, I believe I would make a valuable addition to your team.
In my current position as Transportation Manager at Some Company, I am responsible for handling all transportation-related inquiries, including addressing and resolving any issues and offering timely dispute resolution. My expertise is in budget optimization, cost reduction, efficiency planning, and performance maximization.
Some of my professional accomplishments include:
- Managing a Six Sigma project that saved over 1500 overtime hours, which saved the company $36k in annual salaries.
- Setting up a Safety Committee, and implementing regular training programs to improve safety standards by 90%, and going 500+ days without incident.
In addition, I have a solid educational foundation in logistics and management.
My extensive experience in food processing and packaging aligns perfectly with your company’s recent venture into the food industry, and I am confident I can contribute significantly to your growth mission.
My familiarity with all facets of transportation and delivery operations makes me an ideal candidate for your company, and I respectfully submit my application for your consideration. I will follow up to request a meeting to discuss how I can help you fulfill your goals.
Thank you for your time.
Regards,
Jane Doe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q #1) Why should you write a cover letter?
Answer: Write a resume cover letter because it increases the chances of your resume being read. Most recruiters spend only a few seconds perusing each application because they have hundreds of them to go through. Your cover letter should pique their interest and curiosity enough to want to read more about you in your resume.
Q #2) What are the six parts of a cover letter?
Answer: A resume cover letter must contain the following elements in this order:
- Contact details of the sender, i.e. you and the receiver.
- Salutation and greeting.
- Introductory or opening paragraph with a powerful hook.
- Body paragraphs explaining why you are an ideal fit for the role, and the organization.
- Conclusion with thanks and a request to be invited to interview.
- Sign-off with your signature and full name.
Q #3) How do you write a cover letter email?
Answer: When you email a resume cover letter, write a clear and informative subject line, for example, [Your Name] – [Position you are applying for]. Include your contact information at the end of the letter, after your signature and full name, and leave out physical address details.
Q #4) How long can a cover letter be?
Answer: A cover letter should be brief, about 300-500 words in length, or 3-4 paragraphs of a few sentences, and no longer than one page. If you ramble on pages, you will lose the hiring manager’s interest.
Q #5) Is it bad not to include a cover letter?
Answer: Even if employers haven’t explicitly asked for a cover letter, writing one will definitely improve your chances of landing an interview, and perhaps even the job. A 2022 survey found that 72% of hiring managers expect cover letters even when they’re ‘optional’. So don’t leave out that cover letter!
Conclusion
Writing a cover letter might seem painful and tedious, but a great resume cover letter will significantly boost your chances of getting that phone call or interview.
Also, Read =>> How to email a recruiter
We’ve shown you how to write a resume cover letter. Now all you need is to remember these four key steps:
- Tailor your cover letter to each position you apply for.
- Write a strong opening with a couple of your professional achievements that will spark the reader’s interest.
- Explain, as succinctly as possible, why you are the best person for that job and a great fit for the company.
- Don’t be shy about requesting an interview or a phone call.
Hit ‘Send’–and go get that dream job of yours!