Professional cover letter examples (+ cover letter builder)

Cover letters are an essential part of any job application.

Once you find a suitable job posting, you’ll probably start writing your resume first, and then you’ll set about rounding it out with the perfect cover letter!

To help job seekers with writing a cover letter, we have compiled some very good cover letter examples (from many different job titles) for you.

Just browse through our guide and pick the cover letter that suits you best! Also, if you follow the cover letter builder in the next paragraph, you’ll be sure to impress a hiring manager with your professional cover letter.

What 5 things should great cover letters contain?

In this general cover letter template, we’ll tell you what a cover letter for any job should include.

📝 Note: Always bear in mind that you have just a few paragraphs to make an impression on hiring managers. Whether it’s an entry-level cover letter or a more experienced candidate cover letter, try to give it your best effort!

💡 Tip: An effective cover letter should include the hiring manager’s name. If you don’t know your potential employer’s contact information, make sure to read to the end of this article because you will find out about it then!

One more thing before we start with the five essential components that every good cover letter should contain and that you may want to keep in mind throughout the writing process:

🚀 At its best, your introduction already grabs the hiring manager’s attention and keeps it until the very end of your cover letter.

Let’s take a look at how you can easily achieve this!

1️⃣ Salutation

Make sure to address your cover letter to a specific person instead of just writing “Dear Sir or Madam”.

You may start like this:

• Dear […],

2️⃣ Opening paragraph

In the introduction to your cover letter, you should mention the name of the company and the job title for which you are applying. You should also explain why you are submitting a job application, and you can include a brief self-introduction as well.

This is an example of a great first paragraph:

• I was thrilled to see your job posting for the position of […] at […]. As a driven marketing specialist with more than three years of professional experience in executing successful marketing campaigns, I am convinced that I would be a valuable asset to the team at […].

3️⃣ Body paragraph(s)

The main body of your cover letter is the longest section of the entire document. In no more than three paragraphs (preferably one or two paragraphs), explain the most important aspects of your work experience or education. Feel free to use specific facts and figures to show hiring managers the impact your past work has had and the contribution you will make if hired.

Take a look at this well-written cover letter paragraph to find out what we mean:

• Your job listing specifies that you are looking for someone who is skilled in campaign development. This is an arena in which I have substantial experience. I am currently employed at […] where I have been honing my craft by executing many successful campaigns. For example, I managed a […] campaign for the firm’s new product line during my employment, which increased our overall online engagement by an impressive […]% over the course of just […] months, contributing significantly to the department’s objectives for the year.

4️⃣ Final paragraph

The last paragraph should once again emphasize why exactly you are particularly suitable for the job.

To continue with the previous example, here’s how it works:

• I am fully confident that my proven outstanding work ethic, unprecedented attention to detail, and strong campaigning skills will allow me to be an immediate asset to […] and to contribute to the success of the company as a whole.

5️⃣ Closing paragraph

A short paragraph at the very end of the cover letter should include a call to action, asking the hiring manager to invite you for an interview.

You could phrase it as follows:

• I look forward to discussing the […] position and my qualifications with you in greater depth. I am available for an interview at your convenience. I will contact you next week to ensure that you have received my application.

💡 Pro-tip: Utilize the job description

If you are not sure how to start your letter, place the job description right in front of you. This will help you a lot when writing a cover letter for a specific company and also for your entire job application.

In the opening paragraph, for example, you could already mention some important skills that are described in the job ad and for which you are well suited:

• In your job listing, you specified that you are looking for an applicant with excellent communication skills, outstanding drive, and a strong team spirit. That is exactly what I could bring to the role.

What are good cover letter phrases?

There are certain phrases that always sound good in a well-written cover letter.

However, don’t overdo it with platitudes. Too many generic phrases are not advisable, and you should always take a look at the company culture and also the company values before choosing a particular writing style for your letter.

This means that if you are applying to a young start-up company, for example, you should not use overly formal wording. If, on the other hand, you are applying to a bank, this may be exactly the right way to go.

💡 Tip: Always try to imagine what hiring managers might expect in terms of writing for a specific job.

📝 Note: We are using different forms of style and language in our sample cover letters! So take a look at them if you want to get a detailed overview of appropriate cover letter wording.

Great cover letter phrases

• “I was excited to see your job listing for […]”
• “I am confident that I would be a valuable asset to the team at […]”
• “Your job listing is specifically calling for someone who is skilled […] and […], both areas in which I have extensive experience.”
• “I am fully confident that my proven track record of […], […], and […] will make me an instant asset to […] and allow me to contribute to the overall success of the team.”
• “I look forward to discussing the […] position and my qualifications with you.”
• “Thank you for your time and consideration.”

Enough theory! It’s your turn now: Take a look at the following employment cover letter examples to find a suitable example for your own letter.

Professional cover letter samples for 2022

💡 Tip: Simply browse the cover letter samples by job title for inspiration and select a sample cover letter that you can use as a template for your own one.

Administrative cover letter examples

Employees in administrative roles assist a business with a variety of tasks. This could involve, for instance, performing office duties, taking calls, or interacting with clients. Additionally, keeping records and entering data are frequently included.

Administrative occupations

• Administrative clerk
• Data entry specialist
• Office manager
• Virtual assistant

Business cover letter examples

Business careers include operations in sales, human resources, public relations, finance, operations, and marketing, as well as general management and strategic leadership. Most business professionals are involved in analyzing and improving business performance.

Business professions

• Business development manager
• Consultant
• HR assistant
• Project manager

Career change cover letter example

In case you want to change careers, here is a suitable cover letter sample for exactly this career move!

📝 Note: For more cover letter examples, take a look at our article “The perfect cover letter 2022” and check out all the Dos and Don’ts in cover letters!

College student cover letter example

If you are a student and about to write your first cover letter, read our guide on how to write an internship cover letter!

💡 Tip: Check out this post if you are still not sure how to write a formal letter.

Construction cover letter examples

Many construction workers begin their careers as generalists, doing jobs like clearing roads or demolishing buildings. Later on, they frequently transition to a specialty like roofing, pipe fitting, or building construction. Workers usually settle on a certain profession over time and also finish formal training.

Construction jobs

• Construction assistant
• Construction project manager
• General laborer
• Heavy machine operator

Education cover letter examples

An education-related career may be ideal for you if you desire to improve the lives of others. There are numerous alternatives to the “conventional” path of becoming a teacher if you want to start a career in education. You could, for instance, work in administration of education. Here, you’ll frequently be in charge of a certain department of a school, handling duties like parent-teacher conferences or assisting instructors.

Education occupations

• Academic counselor
• Admissions advisor
• Educational consultant
• Student mentor

Entry-level cover letter example

Especially as a career starter, you need to write a very compelling cover letter. After all, you may not have much experience in your chosen field yet, so your job application is all about your hard and soft skills and maybe some past internship experience. But don’t worry, with the right entry-level cover letter sample, you’ll get off to a great start!

Finance cover letter examples

The finance industry offers a wide range of job options. Although the focus of the industry is usually on assisting people in achieving financial success, the day-to-day responsibilities of various finance positions can vary greatly. For example, you might be in charge of a department of a local government or the budget of a huge corporation.

Finance careers

• Bond trader
• Financial planner
• Financial data analyst
• Tax specialist

Hospitality cover letter examples

Hospitality jobs typically involve working in hotels, restaurants, amusement parks, cruise ships, and other venues designed to help clients fulfill their entertainment and recreational needs. Most hospitality positions entail face-to-face interaction with customers.

Hospitality jobs

• Concierge
• Front desk agent
• Guest relation officer
• Hotel operations manager

Internship cover letter example

Are you looking for great cover letter samples for internships? To make the most of it, check out our article “Cover letter for internship”, choose your industry from the other parts and then compare both cover letters at once!

Marketing cover letter examples

If you decide to work in marketing, you’ll probably be involved in many promotions for goods and services. You can also work in market research, keeping an eye on consumer trends and compiling sales information. As there are constantly new techniques to learn and strategies to investigate, many occupations in this industry are best suited for those who have a hunger for change.

Marketing careers

• Digital account manager
• Marketing research analyst
• SEO manager
• Social media editor

Management cover letter examples

The field of management mainly includes project management, time management, resource management, process management, customer relationship management and business intelligence. The primary objective of jobs in management is to improve the productivity of business processes or projects.

Management occupations

• Assistant manager
• Business analyst
• Executive
• Project coordinator

Medical cover letter examples

Long hours and intense, pressure-filled situations make many jobs in the medical industry very stressful. However, as it frequently involves saving lives, a career in this field can also be tremendously fulfilling. There are other alternatives if you don’t want to work in the medical industry, including positions in administration, labs, health departments, and even insurance firms.

Medical jobs

• Anesthesia technician
• Dermatologist
• Family physician
• Medical technologist

Nursing cover letter examples

Nursing professionals have a wide range of jobs they can undertake. These involve looking after patients, interacting with doctors, giving out medication, and keeping an eye on vital indicators. If you enjoy working with and assisting people, becoming a nurse can be a very satisfying career. Nursing is very vital in all medical facilities.

Nursing professions

• Certified nursing assistant
• ICU nurse
• Pediatric nurse
• Private caregiver

Retail cover letter examples

In the retail industry, the client comes first. After all, greeting clients, responding to inquiries about products, and operating cash registers are some of the primary duties of retail staff. A lot of work is also done behind the scenes, which has less to do with the consumers themselves and more with planning and organizing.

Retail occupations

• Cashier clerk
• Retail analyst
• Retail operations manager
• Retail sales assistant

Sales cover letter examples

If you work in sales, you are mainly in charge of both presenting and selling goods and services. Contract negotiations with clients, sales presentations, and product demonstrations are all responsibilities that can be included in the list. This job frequently entails visiting customers to persuade them using strong sales arguments.

Sales positions

• Branch sales manager
• Regional sales manager
• Sales engineer
• Sales executive

Cover letter examples – conclusion & tips

Less than a minute: That’s how long most hiring managers spend skimming a cover letter.

That’s why it’s important for every job seeker to make a good impression right from the start – for example, with an appealing first paragraph. Above, we’ve put together some excellent cover letter examples that show you how to do just that.

However, even with the best cover letter examples, you need to be able to individualize your own cover letter and tailor it to the exact job title and job ad you’re applying for. For this reason, we have a few more tips for you before you start writing your letter:

1. Entry-level professionals are not expected to have extensive experience – but you should still try to show your motivation in your cover letter (as this often gets lost in a resume).
2. As an experienced professional, on the other hand, you will be in a position to offer numerous examples of how you have made a difference in previous jobs (and perhaps even job titles) and what you have achieved.
3. Always try to find out your potential employer’s contact information and personalize your cover letter. But how do you find out who the recruiter is? The easiest way is to search for the head of the department in question on their website or on LinkedIn.
4. Last but not least, ask yourself the following questions once you’ve created a first draft of your cover letter:

• Does it convince the hiring manager that you are excited about the position for which you are applying?
• Have you highlighted some key points that you like about the company?
• Have you eliminated generic reasons to express your interest in the firm?
• Did you end the conclusion with a call to action?

📝 Note: Your resume and cover letter should fit together without being repetitive. The details in your resume present insight into the skills you bring to the job, and your cover letter offers both context and a way to show how you’ve used your key skills.

💡 Tip: That’s why you shouldn’t just pick an example cover letter from the examples above, but also be sure to take a look at our resume samples and choose the section that best matches your needs!

Cover letter examples – FAQ