What Is a Cover Letter? | Explanation & Examples
A cover letter is a brief, customized document you send to potential employers alongside your resume. They may also be necessary when applying to universities, fellowships, internships, and scholarships.
Application cover letter
When applying for a job, a cover letter is a one-page document that provides context to your resume by highlighting relevant skills and experience.
A cover letter should also express your enthusiasm for the role and outline any particular reasons you have for applying. It’s a hiring manager’s first chance to get a sense of your personality and what motivates you.
A cover letter should be highly tailored to a specific job application. Not only does this show the hiring manager you paid attention, but many companies use AI to filter applications. Incorporating relevant keywords from the job description can improve your chances of passing initial screenings.
Cover letter purpose
The purpose of a cover letter is to show why you are a strong applicant for a specific role.
Some people get confused between a cover letter and resume or a letter of interest and a cover letter, but these three documents have different purposes.
- A resume summarizes your professional experience, education, skills, and achievements.
- A cover letter provides context for your resume by expanding on your skills and experience that are most relevant to the job.
- A letter of interest expresses your desire to work for a company when no specific job is available for you to apply for.
A cover letter should complement your resume, not reiterate it. Use your cover letter to:
- Introduce yourself to the hiring manager or team
- Provide more detail on relevant experience and skills
- Share anecdotes related to successes or challenges you’ve overcome
- Explain why you want to work for the company
- Express your passion for the role
- Show off your personality
- Include a call-to-action for the reader
When to write a cover letter
In the past, cover letters were a strict necessity when applying for a job. Nowadays—with most job applications taking place online—they’re not always required but generally recommended.
A cover letter is necessary when:
- The job listing specifically requests it
- You’re applying to a mission-driven organization
- You can’t share all pertinent experience and qualifications in your resume
You should send a cover letter when:
- It’s optional but you have the time and resources to write one
- You have strong content you can easily reuse
However, last week you applied for the same role at Good Books and wrote a cover letter for that application. Since you can easily adapt this content for the new application, you should send a cover letter to Great Books too.
You don’t need to send a cover letter when:
- The job listing states that you shouldn’t
- The application portal doesn’t allow it
Cover letter length
Generally, the length of a cover letter should be one page including the header (your name, contact info, and the date).
Stick to about 4-5 paragraphs so you don’t go on too long. Cover letters should be succinct and maintain the reader’s attention.
There may be specific cases where a cover letter is longer than one page, like for top-level roles or jobs that require very specialized knowledge. Creative or writing positions may also require longer cover letters as a sample of the applicant’s writing abilities.
Cover letter template
Understanding how to write a cover letter incorporates two important factors: the content you need to include and cover letter format.
It can be tempting to ask generative AI to write your cover letter for you. But given the level of customization a cover letter needs, it’s better to start with a template and adapt it to include the essential elements of a cover letter as relevant to your experience and the role.
John Doe January 1, 2025 Dear Jane Doe, I am excited to apply for the Editor position at Great Books. With five years of experience in editorial roles, a keen eye for detail, and a passion for shaping compelling narratives, I am eager to contribute to your mission of publishing thought-provoking literature. As an Assistant Editor at Bright Pages, I have guided over 50 fiction and nonfiction titles through the publishing process, from developmental editing to final production. I once worked with a debut author whose manuscript needed significant restructuring. By collaborating closely and providing detailed editorial guidance, we transformed it into a critically acclaimed novel that became a bestseller in its genre. Experiences like this fuel my passion for editing. I welcome the opportunity to discuss how I can support Great Books’ editorial goals. Thank you for your time and consideration—I look forward to hearing from you. Best regards, John Doe
Assistant Editor
john@johndoe.com
www.johndoe.com (optional)
www.linkedin-com/in/johndoe
(123) 555-5555
If you can’t find a name, avoid outdated, stuffy salutations like “To Whom it May Concern.” Instead, consider addressing it to the relevant team (e.g., “Dear Marketing Team”).
If the company has asked you to send your cover letter via email, you can start from the salutation and place your contact information at the end, beneath your name.
Before sending any cover letter, use QuillBot’s Grammar Checker to make sure it’s free of spelling and grammar mistakes.
Cover letter examples
These cover letter examples are fictitious, but they can give you a sense of what the finished product should look like.
Before writing, get an idea of the company culture. For more formal companies, stick to more formal writing conventions.
Ted Massey
Chicago, IL
ted.massey@email.com
(555) 987-6543
October 31, 2024
Dear Margaret Whitman,
I am writing to express my interest in the Underwriter position at Sure Insurance. With five years of experience assessing risk and managing policies, I am eager to contribute my analytical skills and industry knowledge to your esteemed company.
In my current role at Westfield Insurance, I have evaluated complex commercial and personal insurance applications, ensuring accuracy while maintaining a balanced approach to risk and profitability.
I recently led an initiative to refine our risk assessment models, resulting in a 15% reduction in claims-related losses. My keen attention to detail, strong decision-making abilities, and commitment to compliance align well with Sure Insurance’s reputation for excellence in underwriting.
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience can support your team’s goals. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the possibility of contributing to Sure Insurance.
Sincerely,
Ted Massey
For more informal companies, you can write in a semi-formal tone and when relevant, show off your creative writing skills.
Maya Fernandez
Los Angeles, CA
maya.fernandez@email.com
(555) 123-4567
September 24, 2024
Dear Rachel and the Colors Team,
Bold ideas, striking visuals, and stories around every curve—this is what drives my work, and it’s why I’m excited to apply for the Graphic Designer role at Colors.
For the past four years, I’ve crafted brand identities, campaigns, and digital experiences that don’t just look good—they connect. At Pixel & Co., I led the redesign of a fashion brand’s visual identity, boosting engagement by 30%. I thrive on blending strategy with creativity, turning concepts into visuals that stick.
Colors is where design meets impact, and I’d love to bring my skills and vision to your team. Let’s create something unforgettable—looking forward to chatting!
Best,
Maya Fernandez
Frequently asked questions about what is a cover letter
- How do you use AI to write a cover letter?
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A cover letter is a highly customized document, and AI may not understand your experience and the role you’re applying for well enough to write a good one.
However, AI can help you with your cover letter in other ways, like:
- Help find company contact info so you address your cover letter to the right person
- Assist you in refining your writing to be as succinct as possible
- Proofread for grammar and spelling mistakes
- Compare your letter’s text to the keywords in the job listing
QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker is an example of an AI that can help you proofread your cover letter.
- What is the best font for a cover letter?
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A cover letter is your chance to make a good impression on a potential employer. Both content and cover letter format are important.
The best fonts for a cover letter are fonts that are professional, legible, and familiar to the majority of readers. A few of these are:
- Arial
- Times New Roman
- Georgia
- Garamond
- Calibri
- Helvetica
No matter how good the font, your cover letter won’t make a good impression if it has grammar and spelling errors, so use QuillBot’s Grammar Checker to make sure your cover letter is error-free.
- Do cover letters matter?
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Cover letters do matter, as long as they are highly customized and the job posting asks for one.
A cover letter is your chance to show off your personality and highlight relevant experience when applying for a job. Each cover letter should be tailored to a specific job application.
Moreover, some companies use AI to run primary screenings on candidates. Incorporating keywords from the job listing into your resume and cover letter can help you pass these.
Use QuillBot’s Grammar Checker to catch any spelling and grammar errors before sending. Making sure your cover letter is error-free is one way to ensure it has a positive impact.
- Should cover letters be double spaced?
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No, cover letters shouldn’t be double-spaced. A cover letter is a type of formal or semi-formal letter, and double spacing is not necessary.
Standard cover letter format calls for single spacing, except when you need an extra space between elements (e.g., between the salutation and first paragraph).
Remember to review your document layout and content before sending a cover letter.
QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can help you make sure your cover letter is free of spelling and grammar errors.
