How To Write the Perfect Cover Letter (With Template and Example)

A compelling cover letter will convince the hiring manager to take a closer look at your resume. Cover letters provide deeper information than a resume and can help show you're a great fit for the position. In this article, we explain what a cover letter is, describe how to write a cover letter and provide a template and example.

Related: 7 Powerful Ways to Start a Cover Letter (With Examples)

What is a cover letter?

A cover letter is a long-form document sent to the hiring manager describing why your education, experience and skills make you a great candidate for the open position. Applicants usually include a cover letter with a resume to catch the attention of the hiring manager and provide details about their past projects or positions that will benefit the company.

Cover letters will reference some of the information in your resume, but they should provide in-depth information about specific transferable skills that make you the best candidate for the job. Additionally, cover letters provide the hiring manager with a bit of your personality through your writing style that they might not discern from your resume alone.

Related: 10 Skills for Cover Letters

How to write a cover letter

Use these steps to write the perfect cover letter:

1. Include contact information.

2. Use a specific greeting.

3. Hook the reader.

4. Provide metrics.

5. Have a call to action.

6. Format appropriately.

1. Include contact information

Begin by listing your contact information clearly and obviously. Often, applicants do this at the top of the document, but you should mirror the placement of your contact information on your resume for consistency and professionalism. Include, at a minimum, your full name, phone number, email address and date. You may also choose to include your street address and links to your professional website or professional social media pages.

2. Use a specific greeting

Include the name of the person to whom you are writing as well as the company name and address just above the salutation. In the salutation, greet the hiring manager by name. If you don't know the name of the person, consider greeting the hiring department or the department with which you would be working if hired.

3. Hook the reader

The first line of your introductory paragraph should entice the hiring manager to continue reading. Use a professional anecdote, a metric or a standout skill to illustrate your qualifications for the role. Keep the hook to one sentence if possible. Use the body paragraphs of your cover letter to give a deeper explanation if needed. Include what you know about the company and a summary of why you are the best candidate in this first paragraph as well.

4. Provide metrics

The body paragraph or paragraphs of your cover letter should address specific, measurable ways in which you meet the requirements of the job description. Include past projects you worked on that yielded success, or describe how you redesigned a process or procedure to save the company money. Alternatively, you can explain how specific skills you developed in past positions will benefit the company. Use metrics as much as possible and explain the value you'll bring to the company.

5. Have a call to action

Close your cover letter with a clear call to action. An example might be asking the hiring manager to call you for more information or to view your professional website for examples of your work. The hiring manager should know what you expect from them when they finish reading your cover letter.

6. Format appropriately

Finally, format your cover letter to be professional in style and to match your resume. Use the same fonts and margins in both documents. Make sure the text is easy to read with clean design elements that keep the eye focused on the cover letter's content.

Related: What is a Cover Letter?

Cover letter template

Use this template to help you write your own ideal cover letter:

[Your name]
[Your phone number]
[Your email address]
[The date]

[Hiring manager's name and title]
[Company name]
[Company address]

Dear [hiring manager],

My [years of experience] in [industry] plus my [skill or quality] make me an ideal fit for [position] at [company]. I admire [company's] [mission or goals], and I would love to be part of the team and use my [skill or qualification] to move [department or company] forward.

I recently completed [project] that , in total, [saved or made] [previous company] [money, customers, etc.]. I specifically used my [skills] to deliver [product or result] in only [time frame]. I believe my work on [project] sets me apart from other applicants and demonstrates that I am the ideal candidate for the job.

Additionally, my [skills or education] will increase the value of the [department] and [company] as a whole. I am committed to using my knowledge and [character trait] to help [company] reach its goals.

I have included a copy of my resume and references for your review. I truly believe I would be a fantastic addition to the team at [company]. I would love to speak with you in person about the job. Please feel free to reach out to me by phone ([your phone number]) or email ([your email]). In the meantime, please review my [portfolio, biography, etc.] at [website]. I look forward to speaking with you soon.

Sincerely,
[Your name]

To upload the template into Google Docs, go to File > Open > and select the correct downloaded file.

Cover letter example

Here is a cover letter example using the provided template as a foundation:

Ryan Jones
555-555-5555
ryan.jones@email.email
August 3, 2020

Alex Martin, Principal
Kent High School
123 Main Street
Kent, ID 67890

Dear Mr. Martin,

My five years of teaching experience in public education plus my excellent communication skills make me an ideal fit for the 11th Grade Chemistry Teacher position at Kent High School. I admire Kent's commitment to educating every student regardless of background and am an advocate of their one-to-one laptop program. I would love to be part of the team and use my technical skills to move the science department forward.

I recently completed the implementation of classroom tablets at Hobart High School that, in total, provided internet access and computer practice to over 500 students. I specifically used my fundraising and project management skills to deliver a 58% growth in computer access to students in only one semester. I believe my work on the Hobart tablet project sets me apart from other applicants and demonstrates that I am the ideal candidate for the job.

Additionally, my education at Duke University and student teaching experience in the Durham public schools will increase the value of the science department and Kent High School as a whole. I am committed to using my knowledge and persistence to help Kent High School reach its goals.

I have included a copy of my resume and references for your review. I truly believe I would be a fantastic addition to the team at Kent High School. I would love to speak with you in person about the job. Please feel free to reach out to me by phone (555-555-5555) or email (ryan.jones@email.com). In the meantime, please review my teaching portfolio at ryanjonesteaches.com. I look forward to speaking with you soon.

Sincerely,

Ryan Jones