Six short, polite cover letters for common situations. Copy one, replace the placeholders in square brackets and make it sound like you.
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How to write a cover letter that gets read
Address a real person
Look for the hiring manager’s name in the job post or on the company page. If you cannot find one, a simple “Dear Hiring Team” is perfectly fine and much better than an outdated or generic greeting.
Open with the role and your reason
State the exact job title in the first sentence and add one genuine reason you are interested. This tells the reader immediately that the letter was written for this role and not sent to everyone.
Pick two or three relevant points
Do not repeat your whole CV. Choose the two or three experiences or skills that best match the job description and explain each in a sentence, ideally with a concrete task or result you actually achieved.
Keep it under one page
Aim for three or four short paragraphs, roughly 200 to 300 words. Busy readers skim, so clear sentences and plain words work better than long paragraphs or complicated vocabulary.
Match the tone of the company
Read the job post and company website. A startup may welcome a warmer, more direct voice, while a law firm or bank usually expects a more formal tone. Stay polite and honest in every case.
Proofread and send it as a PDF
Check names, the job title and the company name twice, then read the letter aloud to catch awkward phrases. Unless the employer asks otherwise, send a PDF so the layout stays the same on every device.
Cover letter examples for common situations
Entry-level / recent graduate
When to use it: Use it when you have little or no professional experience and want to highlight studies, projects and motivation.
✉ Application for [Job Title] – [Your Name]
Dear [Manager’s Name],
I am writing to apply for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. I recently completed my degree in [Field of Study], and I am looking for a role where I can learn from an experienced team and contribute from my first week.
During my studies I worked on several group projects where I was responsible for research, planning and presenting results to classmates and teachers. These projects taught me how to meet deadlines, accept feedback and communicate clearly with people who think differently from me. I also completed a short part-time job at [Workplace], where I learned to stay calm and organised when things got busy.
What attracts me to [Company Name] is its focus on [Something Specific About the Company]. I would be glad to bring my energy, curiosity and willingness to learn to your team.
I have attached my CV for your review. Thank you for your time and consideration, and I would welcome the chance to speak with you about the role.
Kind regards,
[Your Name]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
Career change
When to use it: Use it when you are moving to a new field and need to show how your earlier experience still applies.
✉ Application for [Job Title] – [Your Name]
Dear [Manager’s Name],
I am applying for the [Job Title] role at [Company Name]. After [Number] years in [Previous Field], I have decided to move into [New Field], and I believe the skills I built along the way will transfer well to this position.
In my previous work I was responsible for [Main Responsibility], which required careful planning, clear communication and the ability to handle several priorities at once. These are the same strengths this role asks for. To prepare for the change, I have completed [Course or Certification] and worked on [Small Project or Volunteer Work] to build practical experience in [New Field].
I understand that my path is not the most traditional one, and I am ready to learn quickly and ask good questions. I am drawn to [Company Name] because of [Something Specific About the Company], and I would value the opportunity to contribute while I grow.
My CV is attached. Thank you for considering my application. I would be happy to discuss how my background could be useful to your team.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
Experienced professional
When to use it: Use it when you already have solid experience in the same field and want to show focus and reliability.
✉ Application for [Job Title] – [Your Name]
Dear [Manager’s Name],
I would like to apply for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. With [Number] years of experience in [Field], most recently as [Previous Job Title] at [Previous Company], I am looking for a role with greater scope and a team that values careful, reliable work.
In my current position I lead [Type of Work], coordinate with colleagues from different departments and help newer team members settle in. I enjoy turning unclear requests into simple plans and following them through to completion. Colleagues often describe me as calm, organised and easy to work with, and I try to earn that reputation every day.
I have followed [Company Name] for some time and respect its approach to [Something Specific About the Company]. I believe my experience in [Relevant Skill] would help your team move forward on its goals.
Please find my CV attached. Thank you for your time, and I would be glad to talk further at your convenience.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
Internship application
When to use it: Use it when you are a student looking for a first practical experience and want to show interest and reliability.
Dear [Manager’s Name],
I am a [Year] student of [Field of Study] at [University Name], and I would like to apply for the [Job Title] internship at [Company Name]. I am looking for a chance to see how the work is done in practice and to support your team wherever I can be useful.
Through my coursework I have gained a solid foundation in [Relevant Subject] and practiced skills such as research, writing and teamwork. Outside class, I [Activity, Club or Personal Project], which taught me how to take responsibility and finish what I start. I am a careful listener, I am comfortable asking questions and I take feedback seriously.
I am interested in [Company Name] because of [Something Specific About the Company], and I would be grateful for the opportunity to learn from your team. I am available for [Dates or Hours per Week] and can adjust to your schedule.
My CV is attached. Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
Kind regards,
[Your Name]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
Remote role
When to use it: Use it when applying for a fully remote job and you want to show that you work well independently and communicate clearly.
✉ Application for remote [Job Title] – [Your Name]
Dear [Manager’s Name],
I am excited to apply for the remote [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. I have worked from home for [Number] years, and I have learned what makes distributed teams successful: clear writing, honest updates and respect for everyone’s time.
In my current role as [Previous Job Title], I manage my own priorities, share progress in short written updates and join video calls prepared with questions and next steps. I use tools such as [Tool Name] and [Tool Name] every day, and I am comfortable learning new ones quickly. I have a quiet, dedicated workspace and a reliable internet connection, and I can work with colleagues across time zones.
I would like to join [Company Name] because of [Something Specific About the Company]. I believe my habits of planning ahead and communicating early would fit your team well.
My CV is attached. Thank you for your consideration, and I would be happy to arrange a call at a time that suits you.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
Employee referral
When to use it: Use it when someone who works at the company suggested you apply and agreed that you may mention their name.
✉ Application for [Job Title] – referred by [Referrer’s Name]
Dear [Manager’s Name],
[Referrer’s Name], who works as [Referrer’s Job Title] at [Company Name], suggested that I apply for the [Job Title] position, and I am pleased to do so. After our conversation about the team and its work, I am even more interested in the opportunity.
I have [Number] years of experience in [Field], and in my most recent role at [Previous Company] I was responsible for [Main Responsibility]. I enjoy working with people, solving practical problems and keeping projects moving, and from what [Referrer’s Name] shared, these qualities fit the way your team works.
I am especially interested in [Company Name] because of [Something Specific About the Company]. I would be glad to bring my experience in [Relevant Skill] to the team and to keep learning from my colleagues.
I have attached my CV for your review. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
[Your Name]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
Sending the same generic letter to every company without changing the name or role.
Repeating your whole CV line by line instead of explaining a few relevant strengths.
Leaving a wrong company name, job title or placeholder text in the final version.
Writing long paragraphs, heavy jargon or an overly formal tone that does not sound like you.
Skipping the proofreading step, so small spelling or grammar errors reach the reader.
Cover letter questions
Do I always need a cover letter?+
Not always. If the job post asks for one, include it. If it is optional, a short and well-written letter can still help explain your motivation, but it does not replace a clear and honest CV.
How long should a cover letter be?+
Usually one page at most, with three or four short paragraphs. Around 200 to 300 words is enough to introduce yourself, show a few relevant strengths and politely close the letter.
Can I use these examples as they are?+
They are starting points. Replace every placeholder in square brackets, add details that are true for you and adjust the tone, so the final letter reflects your own experience and the specific job.
Will a cover letter guarantee an interview?+
No. A good letter can make your application clearer and more personal, but employers decide based on many factors. Write honestly, tailor each letter and treat it as one part of your application.