Document text
VERSION A · EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONAL · one page, 300–380 words
[YOUR FULL NAME]
[City, State ZIP] · [Phone] · [Email]
[LinkedIn URL or portfolio link]
[Month Day, Year]
[Hiring Manager’s Full Name]
[Job Title of Hiring Manager]
[Company Name]
[Street Address]
[City, State ZIP]
Re: Application for [Job Title], [Job ID or reference number]
Dear [Mr./Ms./Dr. Last Name],
I am applying for the [Job Title] role at [Company Name]. For the past [number] years I have [main type of work, e.g. run multi-site customer support teams] at [Current or Last Employer], and the priorities in your posting — [priority 1 from the posting], [priority 2] and [priority 3] — describe the work I do every week.
Three results that show how I would approach this job:
• [Result with a number] — e.g. Cut average response time from 26 to 9 hours by redesigning ticket routing for a team of 14.
• [Result with a number] — e.g. Led the migration of 38,000 customer records to a new CRM two weeks ahead of schedule, with no data loss.
• [Result with a number] — e.g. Trained and promoted four team leads; annual staff turnover fell from 31% to 12%.
What draws me to [Company Name] is [something specific: a product, a recent announcement, the team’s approach, a value you share]. I would bring the same focus on [skill the employer needs most] to [the team or goal named in the posting].
My résumé is attached. I would welcome a conversation about how I can help [Company Name] [goal from the posting]. I am available at [phone] or [email], and I can start [availability or notice period].
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[YOUR FULL NAME]
Enclosure: Résumé
VERSION B · ENTRY-LEVEL / RECENT GRADUATE · no full-time experience yet
[YOUR FULL NAME]
[City, State ZIP] · [Phone] · [Email]
[LinkedIn URL or portfolio link]
[Month Day, Year]
[Hiring Manager’s Full Name]
[Job Title of Hiring Manager]
[Company Name]
[Street Address]
[City, State ZIP]
Re: [Job Title] — [Job ID]
Dear [Mr./Ms./Dr. Last Name or “Hiring Team”],
I am a [recent graduate in / final-year student of] [Degree or Program] at [School], graduating in [Month Year], and I am excited to apply for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. I learned about the opening through [source — job board, career fair, name of the person who referred you].
While I am early in my career, I have already practiced the skills this role needs:
• [Project, internship or class work]: [what you did] — e.g. Built a scheduling spreadsheet for a 40-member student club that cut missed shifts by half.
• [Part-time job or volunteering]: [what you did] — e.g. Worked 20 hours a week at [store] while studying, handling cash closing and opening.
• [Tool, certificate or language]: [proof] — e.g. Google Data Analytics certificate; fluent in Spanish.
I am especially interested in [Company Name] because [specific reason]. I learn quickly, I take feedback well, and I am ready to start on [date].
I would be grateful for the chance to discuss how I can contribute to your team. Thank you for considering my application.
Sincerely,
[YOUR FULL NAME]
Enclosure: Résumé
VERSION C · CAREER CHANGE · moving into a new field
[YOUR FULL NAME]
[City, State ZIP] · [Phone] · [Email]
[LinkedIn URL or portfolio link]
[Month Day, Year]
[Hiring Manager’s Full Name]
[Job Title of Hiring Manager]
[Company Name]
[Street Address]
[City, State ZIP]
Re: [Job Title] — [Job ID]
Dear [Mr./Ms./Dr. Last Name],
After [number] years as a [previous role] in [previous industry], I am moving into [new field], and the [Job Title] role at [Company Name] is the kind of position I have been preparing for. I have completed [course, certificate, degree or bootcamp] and applied it in [project or freelance work].
My previous career gave me skills that transfer directly to this role:
• [Transferable skill] — [example from old job] — e.g. As a teacher, I planned and delivered training to 120 students a term; I now design onboarding for a software team.
• [Transferable skill] — [example] — e.g. Managed a $250,000 department budget and reported variances monthly.
• [New-field skill] — [proof] — e.g. Built three dashboards in [tool] for a local nonprofit; link in my portfolio.
I am not asking you to overlook my change of direction; I am offering the combination of [old field] experience and [new field] training that your posting asks for when it mentions [requirement from the posting].
I would welcome a short call to talk about how my background can help [Company Name]. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[YOUR FULL NAME]
Enclosures: Résumé, portfolio link
VERSION D · SHORT EMAIL COVER LETTER (“CV letter”) · paste into the email body
Subject: [Job Title] application — [Your Full Name] — [Job ID] Dear [Mr./Ms./Dr. Last Name], Please find my résumé (CV) attached for the [Job Title] role advertised on [where you saw it]. I have [number] years of experience in [field], most recently at [Employer], where I [one result with a number]. The role’s focus on [requirement] matches my experience with [related work]. I would be glad to discuss it at a time that suits you. Kind regards, [Your Full Name] [Phone] · [LinkedIn URL]
Cover letter format at a glance
Part What to write Length
Header Name, city and state, phone, professional email, LinkedIn or portfolio 3 lines
Date and employer block Date, hiring manager’s name and title, company, address (address optional for email) 4–6 lines
Subject / Re: line Job title and job ID from the posting 1 line
Salutation “Dear Ms. Rivera,” — use the name when you can find it; otherwise “Dear Hiring Team,” 1 line
Opening The role, where you found it, and one sentence on why you fit 2–3 sentences
Evidence Two or three results with numbers, chosen to match the posting 3 bullets or 1 paragraph
Why this employer One specific, true reason 1–2 sentences
Close Availability, contact details, thanks, “Sincerely,” and your name 2–3 sentences
Before you send it — checklist
Delete this page before you send or print the document.
• Keep it to one page: about 250–400 words, 10.5–12 pt font, 1-inch margins, single spacing with a blank line between paragraphs.
• Use the employer’s words: pick three requirements from the posting and answer each with an example.
• Replace every [bracket] and delete the version labels and the examples you did not use.
• Do not repeat your résumé line by line; choose the two or three results that matter most for this job.
• Name the file clearly, e.g. “Lastname-Firstname-Cover-Letter-Company.pdf”, and send PDF unless the employer asks for Word.
• Do not include age, date of birth, marital status, photo or Social Security number in a US cover letter.
• Read it aloud once. Check the company name and the hiring manager’s name twice.
• If you send it from Layers, you can see when the employer opens it and set yourself a follow-up reminder for a week later.
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