Free Cover Letter Templates

A well-written cover letter is the key to landing a job interview.

With job listings receiving so many applications from different people, it’s essential to find a way to stand-out.

A professionally crafted cover letter is especially important, as it conveys your personality to recruiters in a way that a resume alone cannot.

However, the guidelines and rules for writing a cover letter are numerous. Rather than starting from scratch and making a mistake, it would be wise to use a tried and tested template.

This article will briefly provide you with further reasons to use a cover letter template and tips on exactly how to use one.

You’ll also receive examples and free professionally-made templates that’ll impress any recruiter.

The Benefits of a Cover Letter Template

A great resume is an absolute requirement for most positions.

However, it cannot stand alone. Consider the following unique advantages provided by a cover letter:

• It conveys who you are. In addition to your skills and qualifications, employers are interested in your core values. They want to hire people who are motivated and ambitious.

  Your resume can convey this to some extent. An applicant who lists impressive achievements is likely to be hard-working and driven.

  However, that’s much less impactful than a cover letter. A personal yet professional statement of your values made directly to the reader leaves an impression.

  It will certainly at least assure that you stand-out among applicants.

• It creates a relationship with the recruiter. With a cover letter, you become more than just a bullet-point list of achievements.

  No matter how impressive your resume is, employers want to work with human beings. Giving them a sense of your personality makes you stand out in their mind.

  A cover letter isn’t more important than a resume, but it definitely supplements its limitations.

• It allows you to explain your relationship with someone who referred you. The benefit of a cover letter for positions where you’ve been referred cannot be understated.

  It allows for a subtle bragging opportunity. Consider what you would think of a referred applicant who says the following:

  “I worked with Josh at a similar position in the past. Together, we collaborated with a team to create unique and innovative solutions.

  A conversation we had inspired me to apply for this role. I realized how my core values closely align with the team’s. My skills and experience are also perfectly suited for the challenges you face…”

  Mentioning your reference in the cover letter adds an extra level of credibility to the value you’re proposing. This is especially the case if a business is referring you.

How to Use a Cover Letter Template

Cover letter templates are a great tool to help you create your own version.

Reading them can give you a feel for the appropriate tone to adopt, as well as what subjects to write about.

However, it’s vital to customize your own cover letter. Recruiters read through hundreds of cover letters and can easily spot ones that were copied from a template.

There are many other ways that cover letter templates can be misused. Consider the following steps to maximize their usefulness.

1. Choose the right template. Don’t pick just the first template you find. Consider the language and tone that would be appropriate for the position you’re applying for.

   There are minor but significant differences between cover letters for varying fields, positions, and circumstances.

2. Customize your own words. Many templates, such as the ones we’ll provide you, indicate fields that should be substituted. These include ones such as your name, position, and email.

   It is not sufficient to change only these fields. The entire template should serve as only an example.

   Use the template as a guide for the overall structure, but reword each sentence in your own voice.

   Otherwise, most employers will quickly realize that you’ve merely copied and pasted from a sample.

3. Format the cover letter. Some templates display superb writing but forget to apply proper formatting.

   Make sure that your cover letter uses a standard font, such as Times New Roman. The size should be between 10 and 12.

   The margins should also ideally be between 1 and 1.5 inches.

   Lastly, ensure your letter isn’t too long. If the final document is more than one page, try to reword sentences to be more concise.

Tips for Writing a Cover Letter

Once you’ve found an appropriate cover letter template, it’s time to write your own version.

Consider the following tips when you’re attempting to customize a cover letter template or incorporate it into your own:

• Go beyond your resume. Remember that your cover letter isn’t a replacement for your resume; it’s a supplement.

  A cover letter lets you expand on your accomplishments in greater detail. It also allows you to convey your personality and core values.

  Make sure you’re leveraging the advantages of cover letters rather than just reiterating your resume.

• Tailor your cover letter to the job. Take note of which key skills the listing’s job description most highly values. If the listing mentions the company culture, consider that as well.

  Target your cover letter’s contents toward those aspects.

• Balance professionalism with your personal voice. Your cover letter should convey a professional tone throughout.

  However, that doesn’t mean it needs to be robotic and boring. Feel free to express enthusiasm.

  Try to convey your own voice and personality in the tone and content of your letter.

• Remember to proofread and edit. Many people spend long periods crafting a letter and then don’t bother to proofread it.

  No matter how professional your tone is, typos and grammatical flukes convey an impression of laziness.

  It takes very little time to reread your letter once completed, so take it.

There are many other ways to optimize your cover letter. Study carefully to maximize your chances of securing a job interview.

Cover Letter Format and Layout

Most successful cover letters follow a certain organizational structure. It doesn’t have to be exact, but make sure the template you choose is structured roughly as follows:

1. Heading. The heading should be at the top left of your document. It should include contact information, such as your name, address, phone number, and email.

   It should also address the reader with a standard greeting, such as “Dear [Name].”

   If you don’t know the hiring manager’s name, you may have to search for it through methods like exploring the company website.

2. First paragraph. Introduce yourself and state the position you’re applying for. Quickly explain your interest in the company, as well as mention any person that referred you.

3. Second paragraph. Provide a summary of your work experience and education. Try to highlight the elements relevant to the position.

4. Third paragraph. Emphasize exactly what skills and value you bring to the company.

   Convey your results through examples of concrete results you’ve created. For example, instead of saying, “I have good sales skills,” describe an achievement you’ve made with those skills.

   You might say, “Over an eight-month period, I maintained top sales in my region. Clients frequently provided positive feedback about the company and me.”

5. Closing. Finish by thanking the reader and mention that you would love to follow-up, using actionable language.

   Finally, end your letter with a formal closing such as “Sincerely.”

This structure is roughly applicable even for internship cover letters.

Free Cover Letter Templates

Here, we’ll provide you with free cover templates to adapt for your own use. Even if you can’t find the exact template for your position, consider the universal tips we’ve given.

Cover Letter Example

It is crucial to use cover letter templates as a stepping stone rather than an exact copy with a few fields substituted.

Take note of how we customize and change the voice of the “general manager cover letter” template from above, rather than just adding in our name, email, and other details.

A Customized Cover Letter Makes You Stand-Out

Hundreds of applicants are pursuing the same vacancy as you. Your resume may be comparable, but those who create a professional cover letter will stand-out.

Using a cover letter template is a valuable tool for starting a great cover letter; just make sure you customize it to match your own voice.

With a professional cover letter that conveys your core values, skills, and credentials, you’ll surely leave an impression in any recruiter’s mind.

Make use of the resources we’ve provided, and good luck on the job-hunt.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.