Simple cover letter template

Knowing how to write a cover letter is crucial if you want to maximise your chances of getting hired. Use this simple template to ensure your letter’s content and structure make a solid first impression on hiring managers and employers.

YOUR FULL NAME

your.address@email.com
07xxx xxx xxx
12 Example Street,
City,
AA1 1AA

Today’s Date

Contact Person
Company Name
34 Example Street,
City,
BB2 2BB
01xxx xxx xxx
contact.person@email.com

Dear [Mr/Ms/Mx] [Contact Person’s Name],

Start your cover letter with a self-introduction. Let the employer know who you are and what role you’re applying for. Give a specific reason for applying or mention a unique strength you can bring to the team (e.g., ‘I’m eager to bring my foreign language skills and customer service experience to your customer support team’).

In your second paragraph, outline how your experience and skills will help you address the company’s needs. Include specific examples of your previous successes, including the role you played and the results of your actions.

  • You can also include a short, bulleted list of your top accomplishments
  • Include numbers to measure the impact of success
  • Numbers will make your wins 100% more likely to stand out

Additionally, make yourself look like a great fit for the company culture by highlighting relevant values or career goals (e.g., ‘I admire your service’s commitment to providing exceptional care for the elderly, and wish to contribute to these efforts in [City].’)

End your cover letter by thanking the employer and politely requesting an interview. Repeat your email address and phone number, and let them know if there’s a specific time you’d prefer to be contacted.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Name]

Templates for other types of cover letter

In certain situations, you’ll need a different approach toward cover letter writing. For example, you might want to contact a company that isn’t actively hiring right now, or explain a career change. These four general cover letter templates are useful starting points for such situations.

And if you need guidance personalising these templates for a specific opportunity, we have a thorough list of sample cover letters for different industries and job titles.

Short cover letter template

If the employer already knows who you are and has a positive impression of you, then a short cover letter will do the job.

Use this template to get straight to the point and establish your most relevant strengths and interest in the position.

SHORT COVER LETTER

your.address@email.com
07xxx xxx xxx
12 Example Street,
City,
AA1 1AA

Today’s Date

Contact Person
Company Name
34 Example Street,
City,
BB2 2BB
01xxx xxx xxx

Dear [Mr/Ms/Mx] [Contact Person’s Surname],

I would like to express my interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. With a passion for [common value/industry], I would be an excellent fit for your team.

My expertise in [skill area] is demonstrated by my over [X] years of experience in [relevant industry or field]. Currently, I work as a [job title], focusing on [relevant responsibility]. Some of my most noteworthy achievements are as follows:

  • [Achievement #1]
  • [Achievement #2]
  • [Achievement #3]

Given my background, I believe I am well prepared to handle the [specific challenge/responsibility] of this position. To that end, I would love to discuss the role further with an in-person interview. You can reach me at [07xxx xxx xxx] or [your.address@email.com].

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Name]

Speculative cover letter template

You write speculative cover letters to ask about job opportunities at a company that isn’t actively hiring for a specific position. For this reason, it’s important to focus on your interest in the employer and highlight qualities that make you a good fit for the company culture.

SPECULATIVE COVER LETTER

your.address@email.com
07xxx xxx xxx
12 Example Street,
City,
AA1 1AA

Today’s Date

Contact Person
Company Name
34 Example Street,
City,
BB2 2BB
01xxx xxx xxx

Dear [Mr/Ms/Mx] [Contact Person’s Surname],

I’m a [Job Title] with [X] years of experience in [field]. I’ve followed [Company Name] for many years and admire your [mission]. I share your commitment to [core value] and would love to use my expertise to contribute to your vision should any full-time opportunities be available.

As you can see from my CV, I have a strong track record in [relevant industry/field]. Some of my most noteworthy achievements are as follows:

  • [List achievements that highlight relevant technical or transferable skills]
  • [Or successes that demonstrate your knowledge of the company’s niche]

I am keen to work for [Company Name] because of my desire to advance in [specific field]. Given your organisation’s leading position in this field, I cannot think of a better place to accelerate my continued professional growth while contributing my talents toward [specific objective].

Thank you for considering my application. I hope you will consider me for any opportunities in your [specific teams/departments]. I’ve attached my CV with full details of my relevant technical skills and experience. You can reach me at [07xxx xxx xxx] or [your.address@email.com].

Yours sincerely,

[Your Name]

Career-change cover letter template

If you’re changing careers, you’ll need to do more work to explain why you want to move into a job that’s unlike your current role. Use your career change cover letter to demonstrate enthusiasm for the target role and outline the steps you’ve taken to prepare yourself for new challenges and responsibilities that will come with it.

CAREER CHANGE COVER LETTER

your.address@email.com
07xxx xxx xxx
12 Example Street,
City,
AA1 1AA

Today’s Date

Contact Person
Company Name
34 Example Street,
City,
BB2 2BB
01xxx xxx xxx

Dear [Mr/Ms/Mx] [Contact Person’s Surname],

My name is [Your Name], and I’m applying for the [Job Title] role at [Company Name]. Ever since [event that inspired you to change careers], I became fascinated with [target field] and began dedicating my spare time to learning about the field. Equipped with my knowledge of [relevant skill 1] and [relevant skill 2], I believe I’d be a great addition to your team.

Prior to this application, [outline how you prepared to work in the field by highlighting qualifications, courses, or projects that you successfully completed]. This endeavour involved [practical skills you used that would help if brought to the role]. If hired, I’d immediately put these lessons to practical use at your organisation.

Also, I cultivated abilities as a [Previous Job Title] at [Company Name] that will help me thrive in the role. For instance, leveraging my [transferable skills] daily while handling [responsibility], I achieved [noteworthy success]. This experience will help me bring [example of relevant strength] to your agency.

Overall, I value [Company Name]’s goals to [specific company objective]. If you’d like further information about my qualifications, you can reach me at [07xxx xxx xxx] or [your.address@email.com]. Thank you for taking the time to review my application.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Name]

Cover letter template for an internal job

Writing a cover letter for an internal job opportunity is a different game because the employer already knows who you are and what areas of your work you excel in. Still, you’ll need to make a strong case for why your responsibilities should be transferred over to a different department to give yourself the best odds of successfully transferring.

Some strategies to succeed include highlighting specific wins you could replicate in the new position and emphasising any transferable skills and technical knowledge you have that would benefit the other team or department.

INTERNAL COVER LETTER TEMPLATE

your.address@email.com
07xxx xxx xxx
12 Example Street,
City,
AA1 1AA

Today’s Date

Contact Person
Company Name
34 Example Street,
City,
BB2 2BB
01xxx xxx xxx

Dear [Mr/Ms/Mx] [Contact Person’s Surname],

As a dedicated employee of [Company Name], I’m excited to apply for the position of [Target Job Title]. As you can confirm with my supervisor, [Supervisor Name], I’ve developed first-class [relevant skill 1] and expert knowledge of [relevant product, service or niche] within my role as a [Current Job Title]. While I’m content with my current position, the [Target Job Title] is more in line with my career interests.

I see you’re seeking a candidate with [Job Requirement]. I handle [relevant responsibility] and have an average [success metric (e.g. customer service satisfaction rate)] of [X], among the highest in my team. My excellent [relevant skill 2] would make me an excellent fit for the requirements of the role you are hiring for.

Your organisation’s plans to [relevant objective] would be well supported by my knowledge of [relevant area]. I’ve been seeking an opportunity to apply this ability professionally, and this opportunity is the perfect chance to put it to good use.

Given my knowledge of both the company and its current objectives, I believe myself an excellent candidate for this role. It is a privilege to work for this organisation, and I look forward to discussing how I can continue to contribute to your goals moving forward. I’ll follow up with you next week to confirm your receipt of my application.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Name]