Cover Letter Templates
WHAT IS A COVER LETTER?
A cover letter introduces you to an employer. It includes your qualifications for the job, your resume for applying, and a request for an interview.
SHOULD I EMAIL OR SEND HARD COPIES VIA THE MAIL?
• E-mail is acceptable, and the letter itself is in the body of the e-mail message.
• U.S. mail hard copies are acceptable as well
– Hard copy should match the look of your resume (same heading, font, margins, and paper)
WHAT’S IN A COVER LETTER ?
Cover letters should do the following:
– Be customized to the job opportunity and / or the employer
– Be personalized when possible
– Explain how you heard about the job opportunity
– Highlight and summarize your related qualifications
– Explain why you are interested in the job opportunity or the employer
– Ask for an interview
WHY DO I NEED A COVER LETTER?
Lets say, you’ve found a job that you really want, and you have a dynamite resume to send.

A cover letter is a very effective way to let the employer know WHY you are writing and WHY you’re qualified for the position.
 This one step may give you a “leg up” on the competition.
COVER LETTERS FOR ONLINE APPLICATIONS?
Yes! Cover letters are recommended for online applications, as well. They do get read and may be your opportunity to showcase your writing skills.
Applying for a job online often requires a lot of repetitive information.
Time-saving Tips:

Create a Word document and save it on your desktop.

Copy and paste cover letter paragraphs that you have used before to this document.

Have this on hand and quickly “drop-in” the paragraph in the text box that allows for cover letters.


Have 4-5 of some of your best, most adaptable key paragraphs on this document.

Don’t spend too much time creating a new letter for every online application.
See where you can reuse sections for similar jobs.
MANY TYPES OF COVER LETTERS

Response to a Job Ad or Lead

Basic

Detailed

Introductory (cold call-style)

Formal
Copyright ©2011, Learning Designs, Inc., 6/17/11

Cover Letter Templates
RESPONSE TO AN AD/JOB LEAD
Dear Mr. or Ms. LAST NAME,
I am very interested in applying for the LIST THE EXACT POSITION/JOB TITLE position advertised/posted in/at LIST
REFERRAL SOURCE. I was referred by LIST NAME OF PERSON WHO REFERRED YOU, IF APPLICABLE . After reviewing the job description and requirements, I am confident I can contribute my ADD SKILL CLOSELY RELATED TO JOB TITLE to your organization.
During my ADD NUMBER years with ADD COMPANY NAME, I was recognized for my ability to ADD ABILITIES/AWARDS.
My strengths include HIGHLIGHT 2-3 PRIMARY SKILLS . I am proficient in ADD PROFICIENCY AREAS .
I would really appreciate the opportunity to talk to you more about how to be part of the success of NAME THE
COMPANY TO WHICH YOU ARE APPLYING. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Type first and last name here (Below your signature)
EXAMPLE
Dear Mr. or Ms. LAST NAME,
I am very interested in applying for the Customer Care Representative position posted in IndianaCareerConnect.com.
I was referred by Alice Smith, a Career Specialist at the WorkOne Center. After reviewing the job description and requirements, I am confident I can contribute my strong customer service skills to your company.
During my five years of experience with OfficeMax, I was recognized for my ability to quickly identify customers needs, and I consistently received high scores on customer satisfaction surveys. My strengths include effective communication, comprehensive product knowledge, and the ability to function well in high-stress situations. I am proficient in Microsoft
Word, Excel, and Outlook.
I would really appreciate the opportunity to talk to you more about how to be part of the success of your organization.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Jane Sample
Copyright ©2011, Learning Designs, Inc., 6/17/11

Cover Letter Templates
DETAILED RESPONSE TO AN AD/JOB LEAD
Dear Mr. or Ms. LAST NAME,
When I read your ad for an INSERT TITLE for your ADD LOCATION/BRANCH/OFFICE, I noted how well your requirements match my experience, education, skills, and background.
While my enclosed resume provides a good overview of my strengths and achievements, I have also outlined some of your specific requirements for the position and my qualifications.
You Require I Offer
INSERT SEVERAL EMPLOYER REQUIREMENTS FROM THE
JOB POSTING DESCRIPTION
INSERT AN ABILITY, SKILL, AREA OF
EXPERTISE/KNOWLEDGE, EDUCATION LEVEL, ETC. THAT
CLOSELY MATCHES 2-3 EMPLOYER REQUIREMENTS
Your recent ADD SOMETHING FOR WHICH THE COMPANY HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED OR IS KNOWN FOR makes me even more interested in working for NAME OF COMPANY. I look forward to talking to you more about ways I can contribute to the continued success of your organization.
Sincerely,
Type first and last name here (Below your signature)
EXAMPLE
January 2, 2011
Dear Mr. Smith,
When I read your ad for an Operations Manager for your Indianapolis office, I noted how well your requirements match my experience, education, skills, and background.
While my enclosed resume provides a good overview of my strengths and achievements, I have also outlined some of your specific requirements for the position and my qualifications.
You Require I Offer:
Ability to coordinate and oversee the work of subordinates Experience supervising 30 office and warehouse employees and ensuring staff productivity
Ability to strategically plan, develop, and implement programs and operations toward achievement of team goals and objectives
Experience developing and implementing incentive programs and consistently achieving departmental goals
Financial and personnel management expertise Proven ability to maintain effective cost control processes and direct all aspects of office management
Your recent recognition on the Indianapolis Green Work Environment list makes me even more interested in working for
Allchem, Inc. I look forward to talking to you more about ways I can contribute to the success of your organization.
Sincerely,
Jane Sample
Copyright ©2011, Learning Designs, Inc., 6/17/11

Cover Letter Templates
INTRODUCTORY (cold call)
DATE
Dear Mr. or Ms. LAST NAME,
INSERT NAME OF COMPANY IN WHICH YOU'RE INTERESTED has sparked my interest because of the INSERT REASON
YOU'RE INTERESTED . After researching INSERT NAME OF COMPANY on its website and reading about the many INSERT
TYPE OF AWARD/REPUTATION, ETC.
it has received, I am confident I can contribute my INSERT TYPE OF EXPERIENCE experience to your company.
During my INSERT NUMBER years with INSERT NAME OF COMPANY , I was recognized for my ability to INSERT PRIMARY
ABILITY . As a result, I was awarded/recognized for/known as INSERT AWARD/ RECOGNITION/ REPUTATION . My coworkers tell me I INSERT A KEY SKILL, and they often call on me to INSERT A KEY ABILITY RELATED TO THE SKILL . Working for a company that INSERT WHAT THE COMPANY DOES requires INSERT WHAT IT REQUIRES . I believe I possess those characteristics and more.
Would you kindly consider looking at my resume? I would really appreciate the opportunity to talk to you more about how to be part of the success of your organization. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Type first and last name here (Below your signature)
EXAMPLE
January 2, 2011
Dear Mr. Smith,
Allchem, Inc. has sparked my interest because of the value your company places on providing quality customer service.
After researching Allchem on its website and reading about the many customer satisfaction awards it has received, I am confident I can contribute my customer service work experience to your company.
During my five years with OfficeMax, I was recognized for my ability to quickly resolve customer service issues. As a result, I was awarded Customer Service Representative of the Year the last two years of my employment. My co-workers tell me I have a sixth sense about the best way to handle customer complaints, and they often call on me to help them solve complex problems. Working for a company that sells thousands of different products requires attention to detail and strong organizational skills. I believe I possess those characteristics and more.
Would you kindly consider looking at my resume? I would really appreciate the opportunity to talk to you more about how to be part of the success of your organization. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Jane Sample
Copyright ©2011, Learning Designs, Inc., 6/17/11

Cover Letter Templates
FORMAL
K YLE A DAMS
1234 Main Street Indianapolis, IN 46201 (317) 987-6543 kyleadams@emailprovider.com
Date
Mr. James Smith
BBB Corporation
One American Square, Suite 4010
Indianapolis, IN 46222
Re: Job Posting 23590 – Project / Administration Coordinator
Dear Mr. Brown:
It is with great interest that I am answering your job advertisement posted on Indiana Career Connect for a Project /
Administration Coordinator. Please accept my enclosed (or attached) résumé in consideration for this position.
As my résumé indicates, I have the experience and qualifications to successfully work as a Project / Administration
Coordinator for BBB Corporation. Specifically, your requirements and my matching qualifications:

Excellent project coordination skills and ability to work on multiple large-scale projects while ensuring quality work and on-time completion of project goals

More than 10 years office administration experience working for two different organizations, including supporting executive staff

Completion of 30-hour “Project Management Course Series” and currently pursuing Associates of Science,
Project Management degree
After researching BBB Corporation and the services it offers to consumers, it is exactly the type of organization I would proudly serve. I believe I would quickly become a valuable contributor to the continued success and growth of BBB
Corporation.
I welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your needs and my qualifications in more detail. I am confident your compensation plan is competitive and would be open to discussing this more in person. Please call me at (000) 000-
0000 to schedule an interview. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Jane Sample
Copyright ©2011, Learning Designs, Inc., 6/17/11