Read on to find out how to write a convincing cover letter that catches the reader's attention. To stack all the odds in your favor, you can also take a look at our cover letter template – it's customizable for all kinds of job offers.
Your goal: to stand out from the other candidates and get called in for a job interview.
Save yourself some writing time! Use our customizable cover letter templates.
How to write a basic cover letter
It is well known that long, rambling cover letters instantly put off recruiters. Bear in mind that they only have a few minutes to look over each application file. This is why you need to aim to give a summary of your profile in just a few paragraphs. Your goal here is to make their lives easier.
When thinking about how to create cover letter for resume submissions, aim to summarize your profile in just a few short paragraphs. This way, recruiters can quickly understand your strengths without getting lost in unnecessary details.
To make your cover note CV straightforward, pleasant to read, and competitive, include these essentials:
- A summary of your interest in the role
- Your career goals (ideally aligned with the job)
- Your key skills that match the position
- A clear statement of your desire to come in for an interview
Layout for a basic cover letter
The way your cover letter looks can be just as important as what it says. A clean layout makes it easy for recruiters to scan your details quickly, while still showing that you’ve put thought into your application.
If you’d prefer not to start from scratch, you could always use a professional cover letter sample. It gives you a professional structure to follow and saves valuable time.
When setting up the layout of a basic cover letter, keep these points in mind:
- One side of A4
- Page not too crowded with 1.15 cm space between each line
- Professional easy-to-read font (Arial, Verdana, Calibri, Cambria, Times New Roman etc.)
- Clearly legible font size (12 to 14)
- Text left-aligned
- Short paragraphs (4 to 5 lines)
The structure of a basic cover letter
In general, recruiters prefer reading cover letters that have a simple and logical structure, such as the following:
- A letterhead
- A salutation/greeting to a real person (Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. etc.)
- A letter subject indicating the job title and the name of the company
- An attention-grabbing opener summarising the candidate’s profile
- A paragraph describing the candidate’s career goals as well as their interest in the post
- A summary of the candidate’s skills and attributes
- A closing paragraph expressing interest in proceeding to an interview
- A complimentary close
- Full name and signature (if providing a hard copy)
To make sure you don’t forget any of that, use our ready-to-use cover letter templates. All you need to do is compete online and then download your chosen template as a PDF or Word Doc.
Writing the letterhead for your cover letter
This is definitely the easiest part of your cover letter. However, there are still a few rules you need to follow.
Align your contact information to the right-hand side of the page and be sure to include:
- Your name
- Your address: the country and city can suffice
- Your phone number: don’t forget to include the international dialling code if your cover letter is going to be submitted abroad
- Your professional email address
The letterhead should also include the contact information of the company you are applying to.
Writing the perfect opener for a basic cover letter
Your cover letter should grab attention from the very first line. Since recruiters usually skim through piles of applications, you don’t have much time! So the opener needs to be clear, specific, and easy to digest.
Start by saying which role you’re applying for and add a quick note about your background, whether that’s your degree, past jobs, or even a project that relates to the position. From there, drop in one or two qualities that show why you’d be a good fit without going overboard.
At the end of the day, what is a cover letter for if not to introduce yourself and explain why the job matters to you? One simple way to frame it is like writing a cover note CV: short, to the point, and designed to spark interest right away.
Now let’s get started with your first paragraph.
From the very first few sentences of your cover letter, recruiters need to be able to see:
- Your level of education
- The position you’re looking to secure within the company
Here’s a little tip for capturing your recruiter’s attention: Give them a small taste of what will be developed further later as they continue reading your cover letter.
Be sure to mention the main assets you have to offer (skills acquired during an internship, a summer job or another previous position, experience working the same job at another company, your level of experience, etc.)
Note that all this should be taken as a rule of thumb. Your opening paragraph needs to be adapted to line up with the reasons behind your application. For example, in a cover letter for a master’s course, the opener will differ slightly.
Example of a good opener for a cover letter
CORRECTExample of a bad opener for a cover letter
INCORRECTHow to make your Cover Letter and Resume match
A cover letter and resume work best when they tell the same story. They should give recruiters a clear view of your skills and experience while feeling personal and professional. Using related resume and cover letter template can help you make sure both documents match in style, tone, and layout, creating a neat, cohesive application.
Your cover letter is your chance to add context. It goes beyond the resume by explaining why your accomplishments matter and how they connect to your career goals. Learning how to make a cover letter and resume work together can make your application feel intentional and tailored, rather than generic or rushed.
Matching keywords in both documents is important, not just for recruiters but also to pass screening software. The cover letter lets you give examples or little stories that highlight your skills and show how you can contribute.
When done right, your CV & resume work together as a single, compelling package. Recruiters can see at a glance what you’ve achieved, why it matters, and why you’re a good fit - making it much easier to get that interview
Bringing up career plans in a cover letter
Once your opener has grabbed attention, the recruiter will want to read on.
In this paragraph, you need to explain a very specific reason for applying to the position. Start by briefly outlining your professional ambitions. Then, connect these goals to why you are interested in this job.
To make your application stand out, do some research on the company beforehand. Visit their website to learn about their products, services, and any upcoming projects. This shows recruiters that you are genuinely interested in the company’s work and can earn you extra points.
Basic cover letter – career plans example
Highlight your strengths and key skills in your cover letter
As you will see in the following resume with cover letter example, the candidate dedicated a paragraph to showing off their skill set. That said, in a basic cover letter, it’s best to stick to skills that your potential employer will actually care about. No need to list everything you know - focus on what matters for the role.
Try to highlight both hard and soft skills, but don’t overdo it. The template shows how you can mix specific achievements with personal strengths without making the letter too long. The idea is to give a clear sense of what you can bring to the team while keeping the recruiter’s attention.
To ensure you only include skills that will be useful for the company, take another look at the job posting. Tick off the skills that are the best fit for you as an employee and weave them into your cover letter. Try to strike the right balance between technical and social skills.
Don’t forget to indicate that these skills will be essential when it comes to successfully carrying out your future tasks and helping the company reach its objectives.
Basic Matched Resume & Cover Letter Examples
Marketing Executive Cover Letter Example
Jamie Manson
City, Country | +91 98765 43210 | jamie.manson@email.com
Dear Mr./Ms. [Hiring Manager’s Name],
I am excited to apply for the Marketing Executive position at BrightWave Solutions. I bring 3 years of experience in project management and digital marketing tools like Google Ads and Mailchimp. I also excel in teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, helping campaigns succeed under tight deadlines.
As shown in my resume & cover letter template, I have led projects that increased social media engagement by 30% and managed product launches successfully. I would welcome the chance to discuss how I can contribute to your team.
Sincerely,
Jamie Manson
Marketing Executive Resume Example
Jamie Manson
City, Country | +91 98765 43210 | jamie.manson@email.com
Professional Summary
Marketing professional with 3 years of experience in digital campaigns, project management, and team collaboration.
Skills
- Project Management
- Digital Marketing Tools (Google Ads, Mailchimp)
- Social Media Strategy
- Communication & Problem-Solving
- Team Collaboration
Experience
Marketing Executive – BrightWave Solutions | Jan 2021 – Present
- Increased social media engagement by 30% through digital campaigns
- Led cross-functional teams for product launches
- Managed email campaigns using Mailchimp
Marketing Associate – Creative Minds Agency | Jun 2019 – Dec 2020
- Assisted in content creation and analytics
- Supported project management and client communications
Education
BBA – University Name | 2019
Rounding off your basic cover letter
In the closing paragraph of your cover letter, be sure to get straight to the point: request an interview.
To end your cover letter on a high note, don’t forget to include a classic complimentary close.
Requesting an interview: examples
- I am available to come in for an interview at your earliest convenience to further discuss my application with you.
- I would welcome the opportunity to meet in person during an interview to truly demonstrate my motivation.
- I hope that you will be interested in my profile, and I would be delighted to come in for an interview so that we can discuss our respective interests further.
Complimentary closes: examples
- Sincerely
- Yours sincerely
- I look forward to hearing from you
- I appreciate your consideration and look forward to your positive response
Summary: key points for writing a straightforward, first-rate cover letter
- Keep the layout simple to make your cover letter easier to read
- Write an attention-grabbing opener that encourages recruiters to read on
- Demonstrate that your career plans line up with your interest in the post
- Showcase any skills and attributes you have that are relevant to the job offer in question
- Make it clear that you are available to come in for an interview
