How to Write a Cover Letter (With Examples and Tips)

Key takeaways

• If you are learning how to write a cover letter, state the job title, describe 1–2 past achievements or responsibilities that show you can do the job, and end by explaining why you want to work for the company and directly asking for an interview.

• How to write a cover letter for an internship versus a job: emphasize coursework, projects, extracurricular activities, and transferable skills to fill the gaps in your professional experience.

• You can write a good cover letter by pulling the key skills, qualifications, and credentials from the job posting, showing where you meet them with specific examples, and using your strongest related experience to cover any requirement you do not match exactly.

You can even write a cover letter with no experience by connecting school, volunteer, or personal project experience to the job requirements and showing that you already use the skills the role asks for. Use the following article to guide your cover letter writing whether you're new to the job market or transitioning roles.

How to write a cover letter

While your resume covers important information, like the dates of your past employment and the skills you’ve developed, a cover letter lets you explain why you're interested in the role and why you're a good fit for the organization. It should be a one-page document, around four to five brief paragraphs long, that goes into detail about your career and expresses the reasons you're interested in a position. It can be especially useful when your application makes it past an applicant tracking system (ATS) and into the hands of a hiring manager or when you email your application directly.

A cover letter always answers two primary questions:

• Why are you interested in this role at this particular company? 

• Why are you a strong fit? 

How to write a good cover letter

Writing a good cover letter involves researching ahead of time, understanding the sections that go into a cover letter, and tailoring your cover letter to the work situation you are in. Explore these steps below.

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Before you begin writing

Whether you’re drafting an entirely new cover letter or updating a previous version for a new application, start with these steps before you begin writing. This is the time to think about who you're writing to and what you want to say.

Research the company.

Visit the company’s website and pay close attention to the “About Us” section. If the company has a careers section, read over any information about workplace culture. Consider what interests you—either about what the company does or how it does it—and note it to include in your letter. 

Review the job description. 

Compare the job description to your work history: What have you done in previous roles, and what areas of growth particularly excite you? A hiring team will want you to have many of the skills necessary to handle the job’s responsibilities, but you can also highlight the kind of growth you’re seeking and how the role feeds into that. 

For example: While I’ve regularly contributed strategically to my team’s output, I’m excited to take on the opportunity to lead strategic development.

Reflect on your transferable skills.

Transferable skills are those you take with you from job and job, like problem solving and an ability to work collaboratively. These can be beneficial to point out in your cover letter, showing a recruiter or hiring manager how you approach work so they can think about how well you’d fit their team.  

Cover letter sections

Your cover letter will include five main sections. As you examine these sections, note the order and understand the purpose of each. 

• Header: At the top of the document, include your contact information, such as your name, city and state, phone number, and email address. Leave space after that information and address your cover letter to the hiring manager once you conduct further research and identify the appropriate person. If you can't find a specific name, go with a generic greeting: “Dear [Department] Hiring Team.”  

• Intro: In the first paragraph, demonstrate your fit. Explain who you are, what excites you about the role, and what you hope to accomplish in your next career move, whether that’s more responsibility, moving into a new but relevant area, or something else. 

• Body paragraphs: In the subsequent two or three paragraphs, spend time discussing your experience. Don’t simply restate what you’ve already shared through your resume. Instead, talk about any notable effect you’ve had, such as increasing profitability or performance or when you went above and beyond.   

• Conclusion: In your final paragraph, restate your interest in the role, remind the hiring manager why you’d be a good fit for their team and company, and state what you want.  

• Signature: Include a signature line, using a formal farewell like “Sincerely” along with your name. 

What is the first sentence of a cover letter?

Sometimes a simple start works best, so you can begin by introducing yourself and explaining why you’re applying to the job. Avoid cliches and start with what makes you passionate. 

Types of cover letters

When writing your cover letter, it’s also valuable to think about the purpose and goals of the cover letter. For example, a college graduate writing a cover letter might include their GPA and the extracurricular activities they participated in while an undergraduate. That information will be less interesting on an executive’s cover letter, who will want to use that space to highlight their biggest achievements at the executive level. You should tailor your cover letter to your experience or the kind of job you’re looking for. For example, you might be writing a:

• College graduate cover letter: If you've recently graduated from college, talk about how you are prepared to start a career and why you will be an asset to an employer, as well as your achievements while in college and longer-term goals. 

• Team leader cover letter: As a professional with experience managing a team, you’ll want to write a cover letter that demonstrates not only your proficiency and knowledge in your field but also highlights your ability to motivate and manage team members. 

• Cover letter for a career change: If you are writing a cover letter to switch careers, you’ll want to talk about how skills from your current job will translate into a role at the company you’re applying for. 

• Executive cover letter: Moving from one executive role to another means that you will need to write a cover letter demonstrating how you’ve led your department or company to success. You should include metrics to back up your accomplishments where possible. 

• Internship cover letter: When you're applying for an internship, your cover letter should help the hiring manager understand why you are a suitable candidate for the internship because of your career goals, education, extracurriculars, and skills you've attained thus far. 

• Internal position cover letter: A thoughtful cover letter can help you have a competitive edge when applying for a position within your company. Use your knowledge of your company culture, goals, values, and internal data not publically available to craft your cover letter. 

Explore: Cover Letter Tips: How to Stand Out to a Hiring Manager

How to write a cover letter for a job

While it's not always mandatory to include a cover letter for a job, doing so showcases your motivation and qualifications. You should include a cover letter if the posting asks for one or when you want to share information about yourself that doesn't fit on the resume—perhaps an anecdote about a time you demonstrated one of the company's values. Other reasons to submit a cover letter include:

• You’re especially interested in the job or company

• You’ve been referred by someone

• You’re changing careers and want to explain your reasons further

If you’re unsure about whether you should submit a cover letter as part of your application, err on the side of caution and write one so a recruiter or hiring manager has more information about you. 

1. Grab the hiring manager’s attention with a strong opening.

Cover letters used to be more formal, often beginning with a dry introduction like, “I am writing to apply for X.” Now, you can infuse more personality into the introduction, speaking about your passion, interest, and enthusiasm about the opportunity. Think back to your research about the company and role, and integrate that information into your intro. 

For example: I’m a seasoned UX designer who appreciates a challenge. I’ve been especially impressed with the app redesign XYZ Company recently launched, and I’m interested in joining your team’s efforts to make users more engaged.  

2. Align your tone. 

Much like how you might tailor your outfit depending on where you interview, it can be useful to tailor your tone in a cover letter. For example, formality might seem rigid if you’re applying to a tech start-up, but it might be expected at an established financial institution. Think about the tone the company conveys through its website and other communications, and strive to align your writing without overshadowing your personality. 

3. Proofread.

Take time to proofread your letter before you send it, making sure it’s error-free. If possible, find someone to review it for you or try reading it aloud, which can often help you catch any tangled sentence constructions or issues. 

Cover letter example

Explore a cover letter for a project manager role using the sections we outlined above. If you’d like another example, take a look at the cover letter for a data analyst role.

[Header] 

October 4, 2024

Harland Sanders

Animax

123 Animal St

Chicago, IL 60290

Dear Mr. Harland Sanders,

[Introduction] My name is George Lee, and I am excited to be applying for the Junior Project Manager position at Animax. I am currently a Project Coordinator at Square Paws, where I have supported several projects successfully to completion. I have long admired Animax’s work to improve animal adoption processes and would be delighted to contribute my skills to the team.

[Body] At Square Paws, I oversaw multiple aspects of running numerous projects. I worked closely with the project manager to develop project schedules, ensured team members had the resources they needed to complete their tasks, and coordinated communication with stakeholders on project updates. I am particularly proud of a project to roll out a feature on our app that users could use to book appointments with veterinarians. As a complex project that involved multiple stakeholders, it was important to be mindful of the details and listen continuously to feedback from users. My efforts to coordinate an early feedback system in a trial period led to the discovery of several bugs and pain points that we fixed for the launch. We were able to reduce customer concerns by 80 percent and ultimately completed the project under budget by $3,000.

[Body] I have long been familiar with animal adoption centers and believe wholeheartedly in Animax’s mission. I have volunteered consistently at animal shelters since high school and am familiar with their processes. In college, I took several courses that I believe can be useful to the project manager role, including zoology and business administration. Working as a project manager in this field will allow me to expand my knowledge of the industry and assist in my ultimate goal of making the world a more livable place for shelter animals.

[Conclusion] I believe that my past experience, skill set, and passions make me a strong candidate for Animax’s team. I hope to hear from you soon. Thank you for your time.

[Signature]

Sincerely,

George Lee

How to write a cover letter for an internship

An internship cover letter follows the same basic structure as a job cover letter, but the content should reflect where you are in your career. Since many internship applicants do not have extensive work experience, the letter should focus on academic work, class projects, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and transferable skills that show you can contribute and learn quickly.

You should submit a cover letter for an internship if the application asks for one or if you want to explain why you are interested in the role, how your background connects to it, or what strengths you would bring beyond what appears on your resume. A cover letter can also help if you have limited experience and need to show how your coursework, campus involvement, or independent projects relate to the internship.

1. Start with a strong opening.

Open by stating the internship you are applying for and showing clear interest in the role or company. Avoid a flat opening that only says you are applying. Instead, briefly connect your academic background, interests, or goals to the opportunity.

For example: I am a business student with a strong interest in digital marketing, and I was excited to see your Marketing Internship opening because of your company’s focus on audience growth and brand strategy.

2. Focus on relevant experience, even if it is not formal work experience.

For an internship, your experience may come from school, student organizations, volunteer work, or personal projects. Use the body of the letter to describe 1–2 examples that show you have skills the internship requires. These might include research, writing, communication, teamwork, organization, time management, problem-solving, or technical skills.

For example, if the internship asks for strong communication skills, you could mention a class presentation, campus leadership role, or group project where you had to organize information and present it clearly.

3. Match your tone to the organization.

Your tone should be professional, but it does not need to sound overly formal or stiff. A start-up may expect a slightly more conversational tone, while a large corporation may expect a more traditional one. Pay attention to how the organization describes itself on its website and in the internship posting, and keep your writing aligned with that style.

4. Proofread carefully.

Even for an internship, your cover letter should be polished and error-free. Review it for grammar, spelling, formatting, and clarity. Reading it aloud can help you catch awkward phrasing, and having someone else review it can help you spot mistakes you missed.

Cover letter example for an internship

[Header] October 4, 2024 Harland Sanders Animax 123 Animal St Chicago, IL 60290

Dear Mr. Harland Sanders,

[Introduction] My name is George Lee, and I am excited to apply for the Project Management Internship at Animax. I am currently studying business administration and have developed a strong interest in project coordination, team communication, and mission-driven work. Animax’s efforts to improve animal adoption processes immediately stood out to me, and I would value the opportunity to contribute to that work while building hands-on experience.

[Body] Through my coursework and campus activities, I have developed skills that align closely with this internship. In a recent group project, I helped create a project timeline, organize responsibilities, and track progress to ensure our team met every deadline. I also supported research and presented our recommendations clearly to the class. That experience strengthened my ability to manage details, communicate with others, and stay organized while working toward a shared goal.

[Body] In addition to my academic work, I have volunteered at a local animal shelter, where I assisted staff with daily tasks and saw firsthand how much coordination goes into supporting animals and the people adopting them. That experience deepened my interest in organizations like Animax and reinforced my desire to work in a role that combines organization, collaboration, and meaningful impact.

[Conclusion] I believe my academic background, volunteer experience, and interest in project coordination would allow me to contribute positively to your team. Thank you for your time and consideration. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further in an interview.

Sincerely, George Lee

How to write a cover letter with no experience

If you have no formal work experience, you can still write a strong cover letter by focusing on the experience you do have and connecting it directly to the job requirements. Employers do not expect every candidate, especially entry-level applicants, to have a full work history. What matters is whether you can show relevant skills, initiative, and the ability to contribute.

A cover letter is especially useful when you have no experience because it gives you space to explain your strengths, interest in the role, and the ways your background has prepared you, even if that background comes from school, volunteer work, extracurricular activities, certifications, or personal projects.

1. Start by naming the job and showing clear interest.

Open by stating the position you are applying for and why it interests you. Keep this direct, but give enough detail to show that your interest is genuine and tied to the role or company.

For example: I am applying for the Administrative Assistant position because I am interested in work that requires strong organization, communication, and attention to detail, and I am eager to bring those skills to a professional setting.

2. Focus on relevant skills instead of formal job history.

If you do not have paid experience, draw from other areas of your background. This can include:

• Coursework

• Class projects

• Volunteer work

• Extracurricular activities

• Certifications

• Personal or independent projects

Choose 1–2 examples that show you already use skills the role requires. For example, if the job asks for communication and organization, you might describe managing a school event, coordinating a group project, or volunteering in a role that required responsibility and follow-through.

3. Match your examples to the job posting.

A strong no-experience cover letter should connect your strengths to the employer’s needs. Look at the posting and identify the key skills, qualifications, and responsibilities. Then show where you have used those same or similar skills in another setting.

For example, if the posting asks for time management, customer service, or problem-solving, explain how you developed those skills through school, volunteering, or personal responsibilities.

4. Address your lack of experience by emphasizing readiness.

Show that you are prepared to learn, dependable, and able to apply what you already know. The goal is to make the employer feel confident that you can step into the role and grow quickly, despite the lack of formal experience.

5. Proofread carefully.

When you lack experience, presentation matters even more. A polished, error-free cover letter shows professionalism, attention to detail, and seriousness about the opportunity.

Cover letter example with no experience

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am applying for the Office Assistant position at your company. Although I am early in my career and do not yet have formal office experience, I have developed strong organizational, communication, and time management skills through school, volunteer work, and independent responsibilities, and I am eager to apply them in a professional setting.

In school, I regularly balanced multiple deadlines, managed detailed assignments, and worked on group projects that required clear communication and follow-through. In one project, I helped organize tasks, track progress, and ensure that our team completed each part of the assignment on time. That experience strengthened my ability to stay organized, work collaboratively, and handle responsibilities carefully. In addition, my volunteer experience has taught me how to be dependable, adapt quickly, and contribute wherever support is needed.

I am interested in this opportunity because it offers the chance to build practical experience while contributing to a team that values reliability and attention to detail. Thank you for your time and consideration. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my skills and work ethic could support your organization.

Sincerely, Jordan Lee

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