Cover Letter15 min read

Cover Letter Examples for Every Industry (20+ Templates for 2025)

20+ plug-and-play cover letter examples you can copy, customize, and use for any industry or career stage in 2025.

Multiple cover letter templates fanned out like cards for selection

If you are staring at a blank page trying to write yet another cover letter, you are not alone. Writing one strong letter is hard enough. Writing dozens feels impossible. This guide gives you 20+ proven cover letter examples and templates you can copy, customize, and use for almost any job in 2025.

83%

of hiring managers say a strong cover letter can secure an interview even when the resume is not perfect (ResumeLab survey, 2023).

49%

of recruiters read cover letters for well-qualified candidates to decide who gets an interview (ResumeLab, 2023).

2-3x

higher interview rate when candidates send tailored cover letters, based on GoApply data from 10,000+ job seekers in 2025.

Below you will find a simple structure, a universal template, and industry-specific cover letter examples for tech, marketing, finance, healthcare, education, HR, customer service, remote roles, and more. You can plug in your details, swap a few lines, and be ready to apply in minutes instead of hours.

Skim the structure, then jump straight to the 20+ templates. Copy one, paste it into your document, and start customizing as you read.

Jump to examples

Want to see these templates filled in with your own experience? Generate a tailored cover letter draft in seconds using AI, then refine it with the tips in this guide.

Generate a sample cover letter

What Is a Cover Letter (And Why It Still Matters in 2025)

A cover letter is a short, one-page document that explains why you are a strong match for a specific job. It connects your resume to the role, shows your motivation, and gives context that bullets alone cannot. If you are wondering whether you really need one, read the full guide on whether you still need a cover letter in 2025.

  • Show genuine motivation for this specific company, not just any job.
  • Explain career changes, promotions, or an unusual path in a positive way.
  • Pull out the two or three achievements that most closely match the posting.
  • Address potential concerns like location, employment gaps, or a recent layoff.
  • Demonstrate writing and communication skills before the interview.

Applicant tracking systems mostly scan your resume, but humans make the final decision. A focused letter helps the recruiter see why your experience fits the role they have open right now. To make sure your resume also passes modern screening, use an ATS-friendly resume format alongside the cover letter examples in this guide.

When you can skip a full cover letter

You can often skip a full-page cover letter for very high-volume hourly roles or when the employer clearly says not to include one. In those cases, write a 3-5 sentence note in the application box or email body. For more on this, see the dedicated guide to short cover letters that still work.

Ideal Cover Letter Structure: Simple 5-Part Formula

Most successful cover letters follow the same simple structure. You do not need to reinvent it. Use this five-part formula and focus your energy on the content, not the format.

1

Header

Include your contact info, the date, and the company contact info (if known). Match your resume header design so your documents look like a set.
2

Greeting

Use a specific name when you can: Dear Ms. Lopez or Dear Hiring Manager for the Data Analyst Role. Avoid generic To Whom It May Concern if possible.
3

Opening hook

In 2-3 sentences, name the role, show one relevant win, and connect to the company. Example: As a nurse with five years in fast-paced ER settings, I was excited to see your posting for... .
4

Body paragraphs

Write one or two short paragraphs that prove you can do the job. Each should tie 1-2 achievements to the job description using numbers. Keep the whole letter around 250-400 words. For more detail, see the guide on [cover letter length](/blog/cover-letter-examples).
5

Close and call to action

Thank them, restate your fit in one line, and ask for the interview. Example: I would welcome the chance to discuss how I can help [Company] reach [goal]. Thank you for your time and consideration.
  • Keep it to one page, ideally 3-5 short paragraphs.
  • Use the same font and basic style as your resume.
  • Save and send as PDF unless the posting requests another format.
  • Name the file professionally, like Firstname-Lastname-Cover-Letter-Company.pdf.
  • Use clear, simple language instead of heavy buzzwords.

Your first two sentences do most of the work

Recruiters often skim dozens of applications at once. If your first two sentences clearly state the role, one measurable win, and why you care about this company, they are far more likely to read the rest of your letter.

How To Customize Any Cover Letter Template in 10 Minutes

Copying the same letter for every job is the fastest way to get ignored. The goal is to start from a reusable template, then customize it in about 10 minutes for each posting. Here is a simple workflow you can follow.

1

Paste the job description into your notes

Highlight the top 5-7 requirements or repeated keywords. These are your targets.
2

Pick 2-3 matching achievements

From your resume or portfolio, choose the wins that best prove those skills. Focus on numbers: revenue, time saved, error reduction, satisfaction scores.
3

Rewrite the opening line

Name the exact job title and add a company specific detail (product, mission, recent news) so they know it is not a generic letter.
4

Adapt one body paragraph to their priorities

Use the keywords you highlighted. Mirror their language while staying natural. Show how you used those skills in past roles.
5

Add one line about why this company

In a sentence, connect your values or goals to theirs. Specific beats vague. Mention a campaign, product, or initiative you admire.
6

Proofread and personalize the sign-off

Double check the company name, job title, and hiring manager (if listed). Small errors are an easy reason to say no.

If you are applying to many jobs each week, doing this fully by hand can be exhausting. An AI cover letter generator plus smart AI job application automation can handle most of the tailoring for you, while you keep control by editing the final draft.

Build an achievement bank once

Keep a single document with 15-20 of your best achievements, each with a short story and numbers. When you customize a cover letter, you can quickly plug in the story that best fits the posting instead of trying to remember everything from scratch.

Plug-and-Play Cover Letter Template for Any Industry

Use this universal template as your starting point for any profession. Replace the brackets with your details and tweak the bolded phrases to match the job description. Then you can layer on the industry specific tweaks from the cover letter examples later in this guide.

[Your Name] [Phone Number] - [Email] - [City, State] - [LinkedIn URL] [Date] [Hiring Manager Name] [Company Name] [Company Address] Dear [Hiring Manager Name], I am excited to apply for the [Exact Job Title] position at [Company]. With [X] years of experience in [your field or main skill area], I have [one big achievement with numbers], which closely aligns with your need for [top requirement from the posting]. In my recent role at [Current or Most Recent Company], I [briefly describe a key project or responsibility]. As a result, I [quantified outcome: increased, reduced, saved, improved]. This experience strengthened my skills in [2-3 skills that match the posting], and I would bring the same focus on measurable results to [Company]. I am particularly drawn to [Company] because of [specific reason: product, mission, values, industry reputation, or recent initiative]. I would welcome the chance to contribute to [team or department] as you work toward [company goal or project mentioned in the posting]. Thank you for considering my application. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss how my background in [your field] can support [Company] in achieving [key outcome]. Sincerely, [Your Name]

Bad Example

Bad: "I am writing to apply for the open position at your company. I believe my skills and experience make me a good fit and I would be a valuable asset to your team."

Good Example

Good: "I am excited to apply for the Marketing Manager role at BrightWave. In my current role, I led a cross-channel campaign that grew qualified leads by 38 percent in six months, which aligns closely with your focus on data-driven growth marketing."

20+ Cover Letter Examples by Industry (Copy and Customize)

Now let us look at industry specific cover letter examples. Each one follows the same structure, but the language and focus change to match the role. Use these as templates: copy, paste, and then swap details to match your own experience and the job description.

Industry / RoleKey Angle to EmphasizeBonus Tip
Tech / Software EngineerProblem solving, impact of shipped features, performance and reliability metrics.Mention specific tech stack and link to portfolio or GitHub.
Data / AnalyticsInsights you found, decisions you influenced, dashboards or models you built.Show before and after numbers and tools (SQL, Python, Power BI).
MarketingCampaign results, pipeline or revenue impact, audience growth.Tie each achievement to a clear metric and channel.
Finance / AccountingAccuracy, risk reduction, process improvement, cost savings.Highlight process changes you drove and dollar value saved.
Healthcare / NursingPatient outcomes, safety, empathy, teamwork in high-pressure settings.Include ratios, response times, or quality scores when you can.
Education / TeachingStudent outcomes, engagement, curriculum design, differentiation.Mention test score gains, retention, or behavior improvements.
Customer Service / RetailCustomer satisfaction, speed, upselling, conflict resolution.Use CSAT, NPS, AHT, or sales per hour to prove impact.
Remote or Flexible RolesSelf-management, communication, async collaboration tools.Name tools (Slack, Zoom, Notion) and how you stay aligned remotely.

Here are ten fuller paragraph style cover letter examples across popular roles. Each is shorter than a full page so you can skim quickly; expand any section with more detail from your own background.

  1. Software Engineer (Tech / IT) Dear Hiring Manager, I am excited to apply for the Software Engineer position at Nimbus Labs. Over the past four years, I have built and shipped scalable web applications in Python and React, including an internal tool that cut data processing time by 45 percent. This project required close work with product and data teams, which mirrors your need for engineers who collaborate across functions. At my current company, I improved API response times by 30 percent by profiling bottlenecks and refactoring critical endpoints. I would bring the same focus on performance, clean code, and teamwork to the Nimbus engineering team. Thank you for your time. I would welcome the chance to discuss how I can help Nimbus Labs ship reliable features faster. Sincerely, [Your Name]
  2. Data Analyst Dear Ms. Patel, I am applying for the Data Analyst role at Horizon Health because your focus on data informed patient care aligns with my experience turning raw data into decisions. In my current role, I built a Power BI dashboard that reduced monthly reporting time by 50 percent and helped leadership cut overtime costs by 18 percent. I regularly use SQL, Python, and Excel to clean messy datasets, design experiments, and communicate results in simple language. I would be excited to support Horizon in using analytics to improve both operations and patient outcomes. Thank you for considering my application. Best regards, [Your Name]
  3. Marketing Manager Dear Hiring Manager, With seven years in B2B marketing and a track record of campaigns that drive pipeline, I am excited to apply for the Marketing Manager role at Apex Cloud. In my current position, I led a product launch that increased qualified leads by 42 percent and contributed 1.3 million dollars in new pipeline within six months. I combine strategic planning with hands on execution across email, paid social, and content marketing. I am especially drawn to Apex Cloud's focus on customer education and would enjoy building campaigns that help prospects understand your platform. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, [Your Name]
  4. Digital Marketing Specialist Dear Mr. Chen, I am writing to express my interest in the Digital Marketing Specialist role at Nova Retail. At my current company, I manage paid social and search campaigns with a monthly budget of 40,000 dollars, and recently improved ROAS by 27 percent by refining audience targeting and ad creative. Beyond campaign management, I work closely with designers and copywriters to test landing pages and email sequences. I would bring the same data driven mindset and willingness to experiment to Nova's growing e commerce team. Thank you for your time and consideration. Best, [Your Name]
  5. Financial Analyst Dear Hiring Manager, I am excited to apply for the Financial Analyst position at Brookline Capital. Over the last three years, I have built models and dashboards that help leadership make faster, better decisions. For example, I redesigned our forecasting model to improve accuracy by 12 percent and identify 300,000 dollars in potential savings. I am advanced in Excel, familiar with SQL, and comfortable presenting insights to both finance and non finance stakeholders. I am particularly interested in Brookline's work with high growth clients and would welcome the chance to support your portfolio teams. Sincerely, [Your Name]
  6. Registered Nurse Dear Ms. Gomez, As a registered nurse with five years of experience in high acuity medical surgical units, I was excited to see the RN opening at Riverside Medical Center. In my current role, I care for up to five patients per shift while maintaining a patient satisfaction score above 95 percent and helping reduce medication errors by 20 percent through double check protocols. I value clear communication with physicians, patients, and families, and I am comfortable stepping into charge nurse responsibilities when needed. I would be honored to bring the same standard of safe, compassionate care to Riverside. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, [Your Name]
  7. Teacher (K-12) Dear Principal Rivera, I am applying for the 5th Grade Teacher position at Oakwood Elementary. During my six years of teaching, I have focused on building inclusive classrooms where students feel safe to take academic risks. In my current class, 88 percent of students met or exceeded state standards in reading, and math scores improved by 14 points year over year. I regularly differentiate instruction, integrate technology, and collaborate with specialist teachers to support diverse learners. I would be excited to bring my experience and energy to the Oakwood community. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, [Your Name]
  8. Customer Service Representative Dear Hiring Manager, I am excited to apply for the Customer Service Representative role at BrightLine. In my current position on a high volume support team, I resolve an average of 65 tickets per day while maintaining a 94 percent customer satisfaction rating and exceeding my quality score targets for six straight quarters. I am comfortable supporting customers over phone, email, and chat, and I am quick to learn new systems. I admire BrightLine's focus on friendly, first contact resolution and would welcome the chance to help your customers get fast, accurate answers. Best regards, [Your Name]
  9. Product Manager Dear Ms. Lee, I am writing to express my interest in the Product Manager role on the Growth team at AtlasPay. In my current role, I manage a cross functional squad of engineers, designers, and analysts focused on onboarding. Our recent experiment streamlining sign up and reducing required fields increased new user activation by 19 percent. I enjoy working at the intersection of user needs and business goals, using data and customer interviews to shape the roadmap. I would love to help AtlasPay continue to remove friction from your payments experience. Thank you for considering my application. Sincerely, [Your Name]
  10. HR Generalist Dear Hiring Manager, With five years of broad HR experience across recruiting, onboarding, and employee relations, I am excited to apply for the HR Generalist role at Summit Systems. Recently, I helped redesign our onboarding program, reducing time to productivity by two weeks and improving new hire satisfaction scores by 23 percent. I am comfortable advising managers, handling sensitive employee issues, and keeping detailed, compliant records. I am drawn to Summit's commitment to professional development and would welcome the chance to support both employees and leadership as you grow. Sincerely, [Your Name]

Next are 10 ultra short templates you can use when a brief email style cover letter is better. Each one is under 150 words and works well for online applications or email submissions.

  • Entry Level / Recent Graduate Dear Hiring Manager, I am excited to apply for the Junior Analyst role at NorthBridge. I recently graduated with a degree in Economics, where I completed projects using Excel and SQL to analyze real world datasets. In my internship at Atlas Logistics, I helped clean and visualize shipping data, which reduced reporting time by 30 percent. I am eager to learn and would welcome the chance to contribute to your analytics team. Best, [Your Name]
  • Internship Dear Ms. Johnson, I am applying for the Marketing Intern position at Riverstone. As a junior studying Marketing, I have managed our student club's social media accounts, growing followers by 55 percent in one semester. I am comfortable with Canva, basic video editing, and writing short form content. I would love the opportunity to support your team and learn from experienced marketers. Sincerely, [Your Name]
  • Career Changer Dear Hiring Manager, I am writing to apply for the Project Coordinator role at Lumen. After five years in customer service, I am transitioning into project work, where my organization skills and attention to detail can have a bigger impact. In my current role, I manage complex escalations and coordinate with five departments to resolve issues quickly. I am completing a project management certificate and would welcome the chance to bring my transferable skills to your team. For more on pivoting your materials, see the guide to career change resumes. Best regards, [Your Name]
  • Returning After a Career Break Dear Ms. Alvarez, I am excited to return to the workforce and apply for the Operations Assistant role at GreenField. During my three year break caring for family, I completed online courses in Excel and project coordination and managed scheduling and logistics for a household of five. Before my break, I supported a team of 20 sales reps, handling reporting and calendar management. I would welcome the chance to bring both my past experience and new skills to your operations team. Sincerely, [Your Name]
  • Internal Promotion Dear Mr. Singh, I am writing to express my interest in the Senior Accountant role. Over the past four years at Meridian, I have taken on increasing responsibility, including owning the month end close process and mentoring two junior staff. Last year I identified process improvements that reduced close time by two days. I am excited about the opportunity to continue growing my impact at Meridian in a senior capacity. Best, [Your Name]
  • Remote Role Dear Hiring Manager, I am applying for the Remote Customer Success Specialist role at ClearSky. For the past three years, I have worked fully remote, managing a book of 80 B2B accounts with a 96 percent retention rate. I am comfortable with Zoom, Slack, HubSpot, and documenting all client interactions clearly. I would love the chance to support ClearSky's customers in a distributed environment. For more tactics, see this remote job application strategy guide. Sincerely, [Your Name]
  • Freelancer / Contractor Hello [Client Name], I am a freelance UX designer with five years of experience helping SaaS companies improve sign up and onboarding flows. Recent clients have seen 15-25 percent gains in activation after we simplified their first time user experience. I would be happy to review your product and share a few quick opportunities I see before we decide on next steps. Best, [Your Name]
  • Part Time Role Dear Hiring Manager, I am interested in the Part Time Library Assistant position at Oakridge. With previous experience in customer service and a personal love of reading, I enjoy helping visitors find what they need and keeping spaces organized. My schedule is flexible on evenings and weekends, and I would be glad to support your team during busy hours. Sincerely, [Your Name]
  • Overqualified but Interested Dear Ms. Carter, I am applying for the Coordinator role in your department. While my previous title was Manager, I am intentionally seeking a hands on position where I can focus on execution and mentoring rather than owning a full team. I am confident that my experience can help your group move faster, and I am excited about the mission of your organization. Best regards, [Your Name]
  • Recently Laid Off Dear Hiring Manager, I am writing to apply for the Senior Developer role at Vertex. Until recently, I worked at Horizon Tech, where I led a small team building APIs that processed over one million requests per day. My role was impacted by a company wide reduction in force, not performance. I would welcome the opportunity to bring my backend experience to Vertex's engineering team. Sincerely, [Your Name]

Short Cover Letter Examples When Recruiters Want It Brief

Sometimes the application only gives you a small text box or you know the recruiter is scanning on a phone. In those cases, a short cover letter of 100-200 words works best. The key is to hit role, relevance, numbers, and interest in as few sentences as possible.

  • Open with the exact job title and one strong, quantified achievement.
  • Name 2-3 skills or tools that match the posting.
  • Include a specific reason you like the company or team.
  • End with a clear ask for an interview, not a generic closing.

Here is a short cover letter example you can reuse for many corporate roles: "Dear Hiring Manager, I am applying for the Operations Coordinator role at Apex. In my current job, I manage scheduling and reporting for a 25 person team, recently reducing order processing time by 18 percent through better tracking and communication. I am comfortable with Excel, Salesforce, and managing competing priorities. I admire Apex's commitment to fast, reliable service and would welcome the chance to support your operations team. Thank you for your time and consideration. Best regards, [Your Name]"

For many more examples of concise formats, including single paragraph versions, check the dedicated guide to short cover letters.

Use the subject line wisely for email cover letters

When sending a cover letter as an email, use a clear subject like "Operations Coordinator - Your Name". Recruiters often search inboxes by job title, so including it in the subject boosts your chances of being found quickly.

Already drafted your first strong cover letter? Let AI handle tailoring and sending it with 100+ high quality applications per week while you focus on interview prep.

Automate my applications

Common Cover Letter Mistakes (And Easy Fixes)

You can have good experience and still lose interviews if your cover letter makes a few common mistakes. The good news: each of these has a simple fix once you know what to look for.

  • Sending the same generic letter to every company.
  • Repeating your resume line by line instead of adding context.
  • Writing more than one page or using long, dense paragraphs.
  • Talking only about what you want, not what the company needs.
  • Stuffing in buzzwords without concrete examples or numbers.
  • Forgetting to change the company name or job title.
  • Letting AI write the whole letter and sending it without editing.
Bad Example

Generic: "In my current job, I am responsible for many operational tasks and have learned a lot about business. I am a hard worker and a fast learner, and I believe I would be a great addition to your company."

Good Example

Targeted: "In my current role at Horizon Retail, I led a project to streamline inventory checks across 12 stores, reducing stock outs by 22 percent and saving an estimated 85,000 dollars annually. Because your posting for an Operations Analyst at Summit emphasizes reducing waste and improving store level execution, I would bring the same data driven approach to your team."

Many of these issues also show up in resumes. If you are not getting interviews even after fixing your cover letter, review the list of resume mistakes that cost you interviews next and clean up both documents together.

Do not over explain problems

If you have an employment gap, layoff, or career change, address it briefly in one positive sentence: "After a company wide layoff earlier this year, I am excited to bring my experience to..." Then move back to your strengths. Long apologies push your best stories off the page.

Expert Tips To Make Any Cover Letter Stand Out

Once you have the right structure and a solid template, small details are what separate a decent cover letter from a great one. These tips come from reviewing thousands of real applications across industries.

  • Lead with your strongest quantified achievement, not your years of experience.
  • Mirror the job description wording for 3-5 key skills so scanners and humans see the match.
  • Show you have researched the company by mentioning a product, campaign, or value that genuinely resonates with you.
  • Use simple, direct language. If you would not say a phrase out loud, do not write it.
  • Add a short P.S. after your signature with one extra win or link to a portfolio or case study.
  • Proofread out loud once. You will catch awkward phrases and long sentences quickly.

Numbers are your best friend in both resumes and cover letters. If you struggle to quantify your work, follow the guide on how to quantify achievements on your resume and reuse those same metrics in your letters.

Use a P.S. to stand out

A short P.S. line at the end of your cover letter is one of the most read parts of the page. Example: "P.S. I would be glad to walk you through how we increased trial to paid conversion by 24 percent in my current role." It is a natural invitation to interview you.

Tools To Write Strong Cover Letters Faster

Writing one polished letter is doable. Writing dozens while you juggle job search, life, and possibly a current job is where burnout hits. The right tools let you keep quality high while saving hours each week, especially when you are applying to many roles in parallel.

  • Template and notes doc: Keep your base cover letter template, achievement bank, and company research in one Google Doc or Notion page so you can copy and adapt quickly.
  • Grammar and clarity checker: Tools like Grammarly or Hemingway help you spot typos and long sentences before a recruiter does.
  • GoApply's AI Cover Letter Generator: Paste in a job description and your resume, and it drafts a personalized letter in seconds that you can refine. It pulls in relevant metrics and keywords so you are not starting from a blank page every time.
  • GoApply's AI Resume Tailoring and ATS Optimization: Matching your resume and letter matters. GoApply automatically tailors your resume to each posting and checks it against ATS rules so both documents tell a consistent story.
  • Application tracking: Use a spreadsheet, a dedicated tool, or GoApply's Application Tracker Dashboard to track your applications, follow up on time, and see which cover letter examples are getting the most responses.

If your strategy is to apply to many roles each week, automation matters. GoApply's AI auto apply engine can send 50-100 tailored applications per day, combining optimized resumes and customized cover letters so you can focus on networking and interview prep. For a broader view of scaling applications without burning out, read how to apply to 100+ jobs per week efficiently and our guide to AI job application tools.

Want to see one of these templates turned into a finished letter automatically? Drop a real job description into GoApply's AI Cover Letter Generator and compare its draft to your own.

Try AI cover letter

Cover Letter Examples FAQ

Here are quick answers to common questions about using cover letter examples and templates. A more detailed FAQ with longer explanations is below.

  • A good cover letter is one page, tailored to a specific job, and built around 2-3 quantified achievements.
  • Do not reuse the exact same cover letter for every job; reuse the structure and swap details.
  • Aim for 250-400 words for standard roles; shorter is fine for quick apply text boxes.
  • AI is fine for first drafts, but you should always edit for accuracy, tone, and specific company details.
  • Keep two or three base templates (for different types of roles) and customize from there.

Putting These Cover Letter Examples to Work

You now have a simple structure, a universal template, and 20+ cover letter examples for different industries and situations. The most important step is to actually use them: pick one template, plug in your metrics, and send your next application today while the details are fresh.

  • Choose the example closest to your target role and turn it into your base template.
  • Write one full cover letter now, even if you do not see a perfect job posting yet, so you are ready.
  • Set up a simple system for your search: a resume template, cover letter template, and a tracking tool.

If you want to move faster, let GoApply handle the repetitive parts. GoApply can tailor your resume, generate personalized cover letters, and auto apply to 50-100 matching roles per day, while you spend your time on networking and interview preparation. With users seeing up to 3x more interviews, even one strong offer can repay the effort many times over.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good example of a cover letter?
A good example of a cover letter is one page, tailored to a specific job, and built around two or three measurable achievements. It opens by naming the exact role and a relevant win, uses the middle paragraphs to connect your skills to the job description with numbers, and ends with a clear call to action. The best cover letter examples are specific enough that they could not be sent to ten companies unchanged.
Can I use the same cover letter for every job?
You should not send the exact same cover letter for every job. Instead, keep one or two base templates and customize them in about ten minutes for each posting. Update the job title, company name, opening line, one body paragraph, and your reason for wanting that specific role. Recruiters can spot a generic letter quickly, and small customizations are often enough to show real interest.
How long should a cover letter be in 2025?
In 2025, the ideal cover letter length is still about 250-400 words, or three to five short paragraphs on a single page. That is long enough to explain why you fit the role, but short enough for a busy recruiter to read quickly. For small text boxes or quick apply forms, a shorter 100-200 word version works, as long as you include one strong achievement and a clear ask for an interview.
Do I really need a cover letter for online job applications?
You should include a cover letter for most online applications unless the employer specifically says not to. Even when the field is optional, a focused letter gives you an edge, especially for competitive or higher paying roles. For quick apply systems, paste a short version directly into the text box. When a company clearly states that cover letters are not wanted, follow their instructions and skip it.
How do I write a cover letter with no experience?
When you have little or no experience, focus your cover letter on transferable skills, coursework, projects, and any part time or volunteer work. Show how you have used skills like communication, organization, research, or customer service in real situations. Employers know entry level candidates are still learning, so they mainly want evidence that you are reliable, can learn quickly, and care about the role.
What should I avoid saying in a cover letter?
Avoid negative language, long explanations of problems, and generic claims like "I am a hard worker." Do not apologize for gaps or career changes in detail, badmouth past employers, or focus only on what you want from the job. Instead, keep explanations brief and positive, then move quickly to concrete examples of how you can help the company reach its goals with your skills and experience.
Is it OK to use AI to write my cover letter?
Using AI to draft a cover letter is fine, as long as you treat it as a starting point, not a final version. Always check that facts, dates, and titles are accurate, edit the tone to match your voice, and add specific details about the company and role. Recruiters can spot generic AI text. Tools like GoApply work best when you combine their speed with your own insight and personal stories.
How many cover letter examples should I keep ready?
Most job seekers only need two or three base cover letter examples ready: one for their main role type, one for a stretch or pivot role, and sometimes a shorter email style version. From there, you can customize each one for the company and posting in about ten minutes. Keeping too many templates can slow you down; a few strong ones that you regularly refine work better.
What is the best way to send a cover letter by email?
When sending a cover letter by email, use a clear subject line with the job title and your name, such as "Project Manager - Jordan Lee." In most cases, paste a short, well formatted version into the email body and attach a PDF version along with your resume. Make sure your contact information is in both the email signature and the attached document so the hiring manager can reach you easily.

Stop rewriting the same cover letter from scratch. Set up GoApply once and let it auto apply with tailored resumes and cover letters while you prepare for interviews.

Start GoApply free
G

GoApply Team

Career Experts • September 4, 2025

Ready to Apply Smarter?

Let AI handle the tedious applications while you focus on landing interviews.

Start For Free