Beginning

● I am writing this letter with regard to…

● I am writing to bring to your attention…

● I am writing to inform you that…

● I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with…..

Requests and Suggestions

● I would be grateful if you would…

● I would like you to…

● I am entitled to request that you….

● I was wondering if it would be at all possible to….

● I would like to suggest that….

Ending

● I look forward to hearing from you.

● I look forward to receiving your response.

● I await your prompt service.

● I thank you for your consideration.

● Please respond at the earliest convenience.

How to write a cover letter in 6 steps

Here are six simple steps to write a great cover letter:

1. Start with your header

2. Include a greeting

3. Write an opening paragraph

4. Follow with a middle paragraph

5. Finish with a closing paragraph

6. End with a professional sign off

In the sections below, we’ll offer detailed information about what to include in each section with
examples for each.

1. Start with your header (Not necessary for emails)

As with any standard business letter header, you should include a few pieces of personal and role
specific information at the top of your cover letter. This section should include your contact information,
date of application and recipient’s contact information. If you’d like, you can also center your name and
address at the top of the page, mirroring the way it looks on your resume.

Including a professional and detailed heading will make it easier for the hiring manager or recruiter to
follow up with you regarding the position.

2. Include a greeting

In your research, try to find the name of the person who will be reviewing applications for the job.
Address your letter to this person with a common business greeting, such as “Dear” or “Hello.” If
you’re unable to find the preferred gender pronouns (she/her, them/they), it is best to use a gender-
neutral greeting such as “Dear [first and last name]” or “Dear [position title]”.

Example greetings:

● Dear Hiring Manager,

● Hello Ms. Wallace,

● Dear Tyler Wallace,

Related: How to Address a Cover Letter

3. Write an opening paragraph

In the first paragraph of your letter, mention the job title for which you’re applying and where you saw
the position posting. Explain your specific interest in the role and company so the reader knows you’ve
done your research and have genuine interest. Briefly state the main experience or qualification you
have that makes you a good fit. The first section of your cover letter is also the first impression the
reader will have of you, so it is important to appeal to that person quickly and succinctly.

Example: “I'm excited to apply for the Graphic Designer position at Cloud Clearwater I found on Indeed.
I understand you're currently adding several new product lines, and I believe my skills in video and
animation provide a significant advantage for creating a successful launch. As a longtime fan of your
products, I'm thrilled at the opportunity to bring my unique style and passion for beachwear to the
company.”

4. Follow with a second paragraph

Your second paragraph should be a brief overview of your background as is relevant to the position.
Here, you should include key achievements, skills and specialties that make you particularly suited to
perform well in the position. Focus on one or two and provide specific details about your success
including measurable impacts you made.

Pay close attention to keywords listed in the job description and include those that you identify with in
the body of your cover letter. You should only include information about your most recent one or two
professional experiences.

Example: “As the Director of Human Resources at Wes Morgan Philips, I was a key senior leader in the
organisation and was responsible for improving the efficiency and performance of the company's 540
employees. Before that, I worked in human resources, equal employment opportunity and diversity for
Jenkins Technology Solutions, Inc. At Jenkins Technology Solutions Inc., I developed an employee
retention plan that involved the creation of a wellness program, an internal training program and a
promotions selection process, which led to a 50% reduction in the overall employee turnover rate.”

5. Finish with a closing paragraph

The next paragraph should focus on another key achievement or skill that is relevant to the position.
Instead of repeating details from your resume, expand on specific stories or anecdotes that display your
fitness for the role. Again, focus on stories that demonstrate the skills and qualifications outlined in the
job description.
If you’re changing careers, this is a good opportunity to talk about transferable skills or relatable
experiences from your career.

Example: “Achieving ambitious marketing goals is always a top priority, and I am always looking out for
the best interests of the company. I enjoy delivering marketing presentations to potential clients and
focusing on the strengths of an organization. My marketing skills at River Tech enabled the company to
experience new levels of success and a 45% increase in customer engagement. I am never satisfied
with the status quo, and I believe that a company should continually look for ways to improve and reach
new clients through innovative campaigns.”

6. End with a professional signoff

You should end your cover letter with a paragraph that summarises the reasons you are applying for the
role and why you would be a great fit. Keep the cover letter conclusion brief and explain that you look
forward to hearing from the employer with the next steps. End with your signature at the bottom.

Example: ”Thank you for your time and consideration. I'm looking forward to learning more details
about the Sales position and about TradeLot. Growth is essential to my continued success, and I'm
excited for the chance to be a part of TradeLot's industry-leading team. My proven track record and
TradeLot's quality products are a winning combination for increasing the company's market share.

Sincerely,

Malik Rabb”

Cover letter examples

Here are two examples of cover letters, a traditional version and a less traditional version. First, read the
job description on the left, then read the cover letter. In the first example, you’ll see how the writer uses
specific phrases from the job description and includes them in the letter.

The second example takes a more creative approach. The author tells a personal story and appeals
more abstractly to the attributes called for in the job posting. Both are less than 300 words long.

Example 1: Administrative Assistant

Cover Letter

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to express my interest in the opening for an administrative assistant at {name of company].

I am drawn to this opportunity for several reasons. First, I have a proven track record of success in
administrative roles, most recently in my current job as an administrative coordinator. A highlight from
my time here was when I proactively stepped in to coordinate a summit for our senior leaders last year. I
arranged travel and accommodation for a group of 15 executives from across the company, organized
meals and activities, collaborated with our internal events team, and ensured that everything ran
according to schedule over the two-day summit. Due to the positive feedback I received afterward, I
have been given the responsibility of doubling the number of attendees for the event this year and
leading an internal team to get the job done.

I am also attracted to this role because of the growth opportunities that [name of company] provides.
The research that I’ve done on your company culture has shown me that there are ample opportunities
for self-motivated individuals like me. A high level of organization and attention to detail are second
nature to me, and I’m eager to apply these skills in new and challenging environments.

I look forward to sharing more details of my experience and motivations with you. Thank you for your
consideration.

Sincerely,

[your name]