Cover letter templates

Ten structures. The highlighted gaps are the part you have to earn.

Every template below is a scaffold the builder fills in with you — opening, proof, closing, in a tone matched to the room. We show the placeholders rather than fake finished prose, because the template was never the hard part and pretending otherwise sells you a mad-lib.

Professionalformal tone

Professional Standard

Classic professional format suitable for most industries

Opening
Dear hiringManager, I am writing to express my interest in the jobTitle position at companyName.
Body
With yearsExperience years of experience in industry, I am confident that my skills and background align perfectly with your requirements.
Closing
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my experience can contribute to companyName.
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Professionalenthusiastic tone

Tech Enthusiastic

Energetic tone perfect for tech startups and innovative companies

Opening
Dear hiringManager, I am thrilled to apply for the jobTitle role at companyName.
Body
Your company's innovative approach to industry resonates deeply with my passion for keySkills.
Closing
I am excited about the possibility of contributing to companyName's mission and would welcome the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further.
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Executiveformal tone

Executive Formal

Formal, executive-level format for senior positions

Opening
Dear hiringManager, I am writing to express my interest in the jobTitle position at companyName.
Body
With a proven track record of keyAchievements and yearsExperience years of leadership experience, I am well-positioned to drive results for your organization.
Closing
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my strategic vision and leadership capabilities can contribute to companyName's continued success.
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Creativeenthusiastic tone

Creative Portfolio

Creative and engaging format for design and marketing roles

Opening
Dear hiringManager, I am excited to apply for the jobTitle position at companyName.
Body
My creative approach to industry and passion for keySkills align perfectly with companyName's innovative culture.
Closing
I would love to discuss how my creative vision can contribute to companyName's success. Thank you for your consideration.
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Entry levelprofessional tone

Entry-Level Friendly

Warm, approachable format for recent graduates and entry-level positions

Opening
Dear hiringManager, I am writing to express my interest in the jobTitle position at companyName.
Body
As a recent graduate with a strong foundation in keySkills and a passion for industry, I am eager to begin my career with companyName.
Closing
I am excited about the opportunity to grow with companyName and contribute to your team's success. Thank you for considering my application.
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Professionalprofessional tone

Healthcare Compassionate

Compassionate and professional format for healthcare roles

Opening
Dear hiringManager, I am writing to express my interest in the jobTitle position at companyName.
Body
My commitment to patient care and yearsExperience years of experience in industry make me an ideal candidate for this role.
Closing
I am dedicated to providing exceptional care and would welcome the opportunity to contribute to companyName's mission. Thank you for your consideration.
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Professionalformal tone

Finance Precise

Precise and detail-oriented format for finance roles

Opening
Dear hiringManager, I am writing to apply for the jobTitle position at companyName.
Body
With yearsExperience years of experience in industry and expertise in keySkills, I am confident in my ability to contribute to companyName's financial objectives.
Closing
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my analytical skills and attention to detail can benefit companyName. Thank you for your consideration.
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Professionalenthusiastic tone

Sales Persuasive

Persuasive and results-focused format for sales roles

Opening
Dear hiringManager, I am excited to apply for the jobTitle position at companyName.
Body
With a proven track record of keyAchievements and expertise in keySkills, I am confident I can drive revenue growth for companyName.
Closing
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my sales expertise can contribute to companyName's success. Thank you for considering my application.
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Academicformal tone

Academic Research

Scholarly format for academic and research positions

Opening
Dear hiringManager, I am writing to express my interest in the jobTitle position at companyName.
Body
My research background in keySkills and yearsExperience years of experience align with companyName's academic mission.
Closing
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my research expertise can contribute to companyName's scholarly objectives. Thank you for your consideration.
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Executiveprofessional tone

Consulting Strategic

Strategic and analytical format for consulting roles

Opening
Dear hiringManager, I am writing to apply for the jobTitle position at companyName.
Body
With yearsExperience years of consulting experience and expertise in keySkills, I am well-positioned to deliver strategic value to companyName's clients.
Closing
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities can contribute to companyName's success.
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Not sure which tone fits? Read the finished ones first.

The examples page holds complete letters for common roles, each annotated paragraph by paragraph with what it does in a recruiter’s read.

Read the annotated examples