how to write a cover letter

A strong cover letter can help you explain why you are a good fit for a job, highlight your most relevant qualifications, and give an employer additional context that may not fit naturally into you…

Cover Letter Examples: How to Write a Cover Letter That Gets Noticed

A strong cover letter can help you explain why you are a good fit for a job, highlight your most relevant qualifications, and give an employer additional context that may not fit naturally into your resume.

But writing a cover letter from scratch can be difficult.

What should you include? How long should it be? Should you write a different cover letter for every job? What should you say if you have no experience? And do employers still read cover letters?

This guide provides practical cover letter examples, explains how to write a professional cover letter, and shows you how to use a cover letter template to create an application that is personalized without starting from a blank page.

If you need a ready-to-use starting point, LiaHia's Cover Letter Templates are our recommended choice for job seekers who want a professional, customizable format.

What Is a Cover Letter?

A cover letter is a short document submitted with a job application that introduces you to an employer and explains why you are interested in a particular position.

Your resume primarily communicates your professional history, skills, and accomplishments.

Your cover letter gives you an opportunity to connect those qualifications to the specific job.

A good cover letter should answer three basic questions:

The strongest cover letters are not simply summaries of the resume. They provide context and connect your experience to the employer's needs.

Do You Need a Cover Letter?

Not every employer requires a cover letter.

Some job applications make it optional, while others specifically request one.

If a cover letter is required, you should always submit one.

If it is optional, consider submitting one when you have something meaningful to add to your application.

A cover letter can be particularly useful when:

What Should a Cover Letter Include?

A professional cover letter generally includes several basic sections.

  1. Contact information
  2. Date
  3. Employer information
  4. Greeting
  5. Opening paragraph
  6. Relevant qualifications
  7. Why you are interested in the company or position
  8. Closing paragraph
  9. Professional sign-off

The exact format can vary depending on the industry and employer, but your cover letter should always be easy to read and professionally formatted.

Basic Cover Letter Example

The following example demonstrates a simple structure you can customize.

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to express my interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. With experience in [relevant field or skill], I have developed strong capabilities in [skill 1], [skill 2], and [skill 3] that align closely with the requirements of this position.

In my current/previous role at [Company], I [describe a relevant accomplishment]. This experience strengthened my ability to [relevant capability] and allowed me to contribute to [specific result or business outcome].

I am particularly interested in [Company Name] because of [specific reason]. I would welcome the opportunity to bring my experience in [relevant area] to your team.

Thank you for considering my application. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss how my experience and skills could contribute to your organization.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

This structure works because it is concise, relevant, and focused on the employer rather than simply repeating the resume.

Cover Letter Example for a Sales Position

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am excited to apply for the Account Executive position at [Company Name]. My background in B2B sales, client relationship management, and business development has given me the ability to identify customer needs, build strong relationships, and consistently work toward revenue goals.

In my previous role, I managed a portfolio of business customers and developed new opportunities through outbound prospecting, discovery calls, and relationship development. I particularly enjoy helping customers identify solutions that address measurable business challenges.

I am interested in [Company Name] because of its focus on [specific product, market, or company mission]. I believe my sales experience and customer-focused approach would allow me to contribute meaningfully to your team.

Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss the position with you.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Cover Letter Example for an Administrative Assistant

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to apply for the Administrative Assistant position at [Company Name]. My experience supporting teams, coordinating schedules, managing information, and communicating with customers and colleagues has prepared me to provide reliable administrative support in a fast-paced environment.

In my previous position, I was responsible for coordinating appointments, maintaining records, responding to communications, and supporting daily administrative operations. I developed strong organizational skills and learned how to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy.

I am particularly interested in joining [Company Name] because [specific reason]. I would welcome the opportunity to contribute my organizational skills and dependable approach to your team.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Cover Letter Example for a Career Change

Career changers often struggle with cover letters because they are concerned that their previous experience does not directly match the new position.

A cover letter can actually be an excellent opportunity to explain the connection.

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am excited to apply for the [New Job Title] position at [Company Name]. Although my professional background has primarily been in [previous industry], my experience in [transferable skill 1], [transferable skill 2], and [transferable skill 3] has prepared me to transition successfully into [new industry or career].

Throughout my career, I have developed strong experience in [relevant transferable area]. For example, I [specific accomplishment or responsibility]. These experiences have strengthened my ability to [skill relevant to target position].

I have also invested in developing my knowledge of [new industry, technology, certification, or skill], and I am excited about applying these capabilities in a professional environment.

I am particularly interested in [Company Name] because [specific company reason]. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my background could bring a different perspective to your team.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Cover Letter Example With No Experience

You do not need years of professional experience to write a strong cover letter.

If you are applying for your first job, focus on transferable skills, education, projects, internships, volunteer experience, and your ability to learn.

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to apply for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. I am excited about the opportunity to begin my professional career in [industry or field] and believe my communication, organization, and problem-solving skills would allow me to contribute positively to your team.

Through my education and previous experiences, I have developed skills in [relevant skills]. I have also completed [project, course, certification, internship, or relevant experience], which strengthened my understanding of [relevant subject].

I am a motivated learner who enjoys taking on new challenges, and I am particularly interested in [Company Name] because [specific reason]. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss how my skills and enthusiasm could contribute to your organization.

Thank you for considering my application.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Cover Letter Example for a Remote Job

When applying for a remote position, your cover letter can demonstrate that you understand how to work effectively in a distributed environment.

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am excited to apply for the [Job Title] remote position at [Company Name]. My experience in [field] has developed my ability to communicate effectively, manage competing priorities, and work independently while maintaining strong collaboration with colleagues and customers.

In my previous role, I was responsible for [relevant responsibility]. I regularly used digital collaboration tools to communicate with team members, manage projects, and meet deadlines.

I am particularly interested in [Company Name] because [specific reason]. I believe my experience, communication skills, and ability to work independently would make me a strong addition to your remote team.

Thank you for considering my application.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Cover Letter Example for an Internship

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to express my interest in the [Internship Title] internship at [Company Name]. As a [student/recent graduate] studying [field], I am eager to apply my academic knowledge in a professional environment and gain practical experience in [area].

Through my coursework and projects, I have developed skills in [skills]. One project that particularly strengthened my interest in this field involved [brief description].

I am interested in [Company Name] because [specific reason]. I would be excited to learn from your team while contributing my skills, curiosity, and strong work ethic.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Cover Letter Example for an Executive Position

Executive cover letters should focus less on listing responsibilities and more on leadership, business impact, strategy, and measurable accomplishments.

Dear Hiring Committee,

I am writing to express my interest in the [Executive Position] opportunity at [Company Name]. Throughout my career, I have led teams, developed strategic initiatives, and delivered measurable business results across [industry or functional area].

In my current role, I [describe major achievement], resulting in [measurable result]. I have also led [team, initiative, transformation, revenue program, or operational improvement], demonstrating my ability to connect strategy with execution.

I am particularly attracted to [Company Name] because [specific strategic reason]. The opportunity to contribute to [company objective] aligns closely with my leadership experience and professional goals.

I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my background and leadership experience could support the organization's next stage of growth.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?

For most positions, a cover letter should be concise.

One page is generally sufficient.

Your goal is not to tell your entire career story.

Your goal is to make the employer interested in learning more about you.

A useful structure is:

How to Write a Good Cover Letter

The strongest cover letters are personalized.

Start by studying the job description.

Identify the employer's most important requirements and determine which parts of your experience directly address them.

Then build your cover letter around those connections.

For example, if a job description emphasizes customer retention, account management, and revenue growth, your cover letter should demonstrate your experience in those areas rather than spending several paragraphs describing unrelated responsibilities.

Focus on Accomplishments

Whenever possible, use accomplishments rather than generic statements.

Compare:

Weak: “I am a hardworking sales professional with excellent communication skills.”

Stronger: “I managed a portfolio of business accounts and developed new opportunities through outbound prospecting and relationship development.”

The second statement gives the employer evidence about what you actually do.

Personalize Every Cover Letter

A generic cover letter can be obvious to recruiters.

Instead of writing:

“I am interested in working for your company because it is a great organization.”

mention something specific about the employer.

You might reference:

Personalization demonstrates that you are applying intentionally rather than sending the same document to every employer.

Should You Use a Cover Letter Template?

Yes, a template can save time and provide structure.

The important distinction is between using a template as a starting point and submitting the exact same letter to every employer.

A good template should help you organize your information while leaving enough flexibility to personalize the content.

For job seekers who want a professional starting point, LiaHia's Cover Letter Templates are our recommended number-one option.

They give you a structured format that you can customize for different industries, job titles, experience levels, and career situations.

Why We Recommend LiaHia Cover Letter Templates

A cover letter should look professional without distracting the employer from your qualifications.

LiaHia Cover Letter Templates are designed to give job seekers a practical starting point rather than forcing them to build a professional document from scratch.

They can be particularly useful if you:

Start with the template, then personalize the content for the position.

Cover Letter vs Resume

Your resume and cover letter serve different purposes.

Resume Cover Letter
Summarizes professional experience Introduces your candidacy
Highlights skills and accomplishments Connects your experience to the job
Usually uses bullet points Usually uses paragraphs
Provides career history Provides context and motivation
Can be reused with customization Should usually be personalized for the employer

The two documents should work together rather than repeating exactly the same information.

Common Cover Letter Mistakes

Even a qualified candidate can weaken an application with a poorly written cover letter.

Avoid these common mistakes.

1. Writing Too Much

Your cover letter should not become a second resume.

2. Using Generic Language

Avoid vague statements that could apply to any company.

3. Repeating Your Resume

Use the cover letter to explain the relevance of your experience rather than copying your employment history.

4. Focusing Only on Yourself

Explain how your experience can help the employer solve problems or achieve goals.

5. Making Spelling and Grammar Errors

Proofread your cover letter carefully. Errors can make an otherwise strong application appear rushed.

6. Using the Wrong Company Name

This is one of the easiest mistakes to make when using templates.

Before submitting your application, confirm that the company name, job title, and hiring manager information are correct.

How to Address a Cover Letter

If you know the hiring manager's name, use it.

For example:

Dear Ms. Johnson,

If you do not know the person's name, “Dear Hiring Manager” is a professional alternative.

Avoid overly casual greetings unless the company's culture clearly calls for them.

Should You Include a Cover Letter With an Online Application?

If the employer requests a cover letter, absolutely.

If the application makes it optional, consider the context.

A cover letter can add value when your background requires explanation or when you have a strong reason for wanting the specific position.

If the application clearly indicates that a cover letter is not required or not accepted, follow the employer's instructions.

Cover Letter Keywords and Applicant Tracking Systems

Some employers use Applicant Tracking Systems to manage applications.

Your resume is generally the more important document for communicating structured qualifications, but your cover letter should still use relevant terminology when appropriate.

If the job description repeatedly references skills such as “project management,” “customer success,” “sales operations,” or “data analysis,” and you genuinely have those qualifications, use the same terminology naturally in your application materials.

Do not insert keywords simply to manipulate an automated system.

How to Use AI to Write a Cover Letter

Artificial intelligence can help you create a first draft, but you should not blindly submit AI-generated text.

Use AI to help you:

Then review the final letter yourself.

Your cover letter should sound like a real professional rather than generic automated content.

Cover Letter Checklist

Before submitting your application, check the following:

Frequently Asked Questions About Cover Letters

What is the best cover letter format?

The best format is professional, easy to read, concise, and customized to the position. A simple structure with a clear introduction, relevant qualifications, company-specific interest, and professional closing works well for most positions.

What should a cover letter say?

A cover letter should explain why you are interested in the position, why your qualifications are relevant, and what value you could bring to the employer.

How long should a cover letter be?

For most jobs, one page is enough. Focus on the qualifications and accomplishments most relevant to the position.

Can I use the same cover letter for every job?

You can use the same basic structure, but the content should be customized for each position. Personalization can make your application more relevant and credible.

Do I need a cover letter if I have a resume?

Not always. Some employers do not require one. However, when requested—or when you have useful context to add—a cover letter can strengthen your application.

What if I have no work experience?

Focus on education, internships, projects, volunteer work, certifications, transferable skills, and your willingness to learn.

Should I use a cover letter template?

Yes. A template can save time and provide a professional structure. LiaHia's Cover Letter Templates are our recommended starting point for job seekers who want a customizable professional format.

Can AI write my cover letter?

AI can help create a draft, organize information, and improve wording. However, you should review and personalize the final version so that it accurately reflects your experience and sounds authentic.

Final Thoughts: The Best Cover Letter Is Relevant, Not Long

A great cover letter does not need to be complicated.

It needs to be relevant.

Start with the job description. Identify what the employer actually needs. Then explain how your experience, skills, and accomplishments connect to those needs.

Keep the letter concise, personalize it for the employer, and make sure it complements rather than duplicates your resume.

If you are starting from scratch, you do not need to spend hours designing the document.

Use LiaHia's Cover Letter Templates as your professional starting point, customize the content for the specific position, and submit an application that makes it easy for an employer to understand your value.

Your resume tells employers what you have done. Your cover letter gives you the opportunity to explain why what you have done makes you a strong candidate for the job you want.