cover letter template prospects

General Cover Letter: 15 Cover Letter Templates to Perfect Your Next Job Application

Published: April 17, 2024

Are cover letters necessary? I'm not in HR, but I've been approached by applicants who wondered whether their cover letter would actually be read.

My answer isn't very popular: "Sometimes." Sometimes it will be read. Other times, you can get away with just sending in your resume — like when you network your way into applying for a position.

The truth is, you can't really predict on a case-by-case basis — and you're better safe than sorry. For the most part, having a cover letter will give you an upper hand in ways your resume doesn't.

It allows you to show off your writing skills, provide details that you couldn't fit on your resume, demonstrate your passion, and show your willingness to put in as much time and effort as possible.

If you’ve ever rolled your eyes or balked at an application that required a cover letter, this guide is for you. I’ll go over how to write a cover letter and provide cover letter templates to help you perfect your own.

General Cover Letter

An general cover letter, sometimes called an application letter, is a written document addressed to an employer by a job applicant, explaining why they're interested in and qualified for an open position. More commonly known as a cover letter, this document can come in the form of an email, MS Word document, or similar application template offered by the employer.

Seems fairly basic, right? Cover letters can hold different levels of importance to an employer depending on your industry and the job you're applying for.

49% of recruiters say sending a cover letter along with your resume boosts your chance of landing the role.

If you do plan to write a cover letter, keep in mind there are certain qualities it should have that are not included in the definition above.

5 Free Cover Letter Templates

Five fill-in-the-blank cover letter templates to help you impress recruiters.

• Standard Cover Letter Template
• Entry-Level Cover Letter Template
• Data-Driven Cover Letter Template

You're all set!

Click this link to access this resource at any time.

How to Write a General Cover Letter

Job searching can be tedious and timely, so you may find yourself applying for dozens of jobs in the process.

To make this process simpler, I find that having a general cover letter that you can easily tweak to fit different job openings is a game changer. 

Here's how to write a general cover letter so that you don't to keep writing a new one from scratch with every application. 

1. Write Your Heading 

Your heading should always include your name and contact information. For years, it was also common to include your physical address and that of the recipient, but nowadays, it may not always be necessary. 

"I used to always include my physical address and that of my employer, but I stopped after realizing it takes up so much room and just feels archaic," says HubSpot blogger Erica Santiago.

She says, "I've never gotten any mail sent to my home from prospective jobs, and I've never had to mail my application. So, I just include my city and state in my heading, especially if the job posting explicitly states the company wants some based in a specific region." 

So, should you include the company's address in your cover letter?

"This is probably odd, but I always include the company's address because I like to think it shows I did my research," Santiago says. "I've sent probably over 100 cover letters in my life, and I eventually found myself at HubSpot, so I have to be doing something right (laughs)." 

If you think physical addresses are taking up too much space in your cover letter, then consider omitting them. I'll touch on contact information again later. 

2. Greet the recipient 

Avoid "To whom it may concern" if possible. I find that greeting the recipient that way gives the impression that you didn't take the time to research who you should be addressing. 

Instead, try to look up the name of the hiring manager or recruiter. Doing so shows attention to detail and care—qualities employers love to see. 

If you can't find a name, "Dear Hiring Manager" is fine. 

3. Introduce yourself and explain your intentions.

State early on who you are, what position you are applying for, and why. Often, businesses may be hiring for multiple roles, so you want to ensure whoever is reading your cover letter knows exactly why you're reaching out. 

4. Highlight your qualifications, skills, and passion for the job.

This is where things get a little tricky. Your attached resume will also include skills and qualifications, so you may think you just need to regurgitate what's in your resume, right? Wrong. 

Obviously, some information may overlap, but your cover letter is a chance to go into more detail than you could on your resume.

For example, Let's say a potential employer is looking for a self-starter and results-driven person.

This is a great opportunity to mention when you took it upon yourself to spearhead a project that generated more revenue for your previous or current company. 

Connect your skills and qualifications to your unique accomplishments. 

Finally, show that you are passionate about the opportunity. 

"I once had an interview with a pet insurance company," Santiago says. "I worked into the cover letter my love for my two cats, how pet insurance grants me peace of mind, and how I want to help give that same peace of mind to others via the job position."

She explains, "Cover letters are a chance to show your personality, your sense of humor, your motivations, and your passions. All these things can make you stand out from other other applicants."

5. Leave space for customization. 

Your general cover letter should be designed so that you can easily update it to appeal to whatever opportunity you're applying to.

So, leave a blank space for the hiring manager or company's name, and format it so you can add or remove skills and qualifications as needed.

6. End with a  "thank you" and mention how to contact you.

Santiago says she always includes a variation of the following sentence at the end of her cover letters:

"I would love to discuss this opportunity more via an interview. I can be reached via email, LinkedIn, and phone at XXX-XXX-XXXX."

She explains, "I always hyperlink my email and LinkedIn profiles, along with having them spelled out somewhere in the heading."

General Cover Letter Example

Notice the company's address is included but not the applicants and that there are blank spaces for the writer to change information such as the recipient, positions, and skills. 

My only critique of this example is that it could use more personality and a punchier hook (more on hooks later).

What to Include in a Cover Letter

So, what should you include? I covered a bit of this already, but I want to dive a little deeper.

Don't worry, I'll let the 11 templates below this list do most of the talking. No matter which one you download, pay attention to the following elements — all of which should shine through in the letter you send to your future manager.

Fill out this form to access your templates.

1. contact information.

Cover letters shouldn't just carry your contact information but also that of the company to which you're applying. Contact info includes your phone number, email address, and any social media accounts you're willing to share and receive connections to.

As I said earlier, home addresses aren't always required, but they can be a helpful reassurance to the employer that you already live nearby and would have no trouble coming into the office.

Avoid offering phone numbers, email addresses, or actual addresses that belong to your current employer.

Using your personal Gmail address over your work email, for example, ensures your correspondence with recruiters remains separate from all of your current work communication.

2. A Personal Address Line

For as often as you see "to whom it may concern" at the top of cover letters today, do your best to avoid writing this exhausted line.

Address lines that specify a person or company grab your reader's attention much more quickly, and show the employer that you've taken the time to tailor your application letter to them.

Don't have the name of the hiring manager? "Employers at [company name]" will do just fine.

A "hook" is a clever introduction that "hooks" your reader into wanting to learn more. Think about yourself as a job candidate — what makes you unique?

What about your career might a recruiter be intrigued by that you can package into an interesting first sentence?

4. Why You're Qualified

Again, today's best applications describe why this experience qualifies the applicant for the job they're applying for.

For example, don't just state that you spent three years writing for a company blog. Explain that this type of work lends itself to managing your new potential employer's content calendar every week.

5. General Knowledge of the Business

Grammatical errors could mean your application is thrown in the trash, but that's not the only thing that could get your letter tossed aside.

Using a generic "one-size-fits-all" cover letter — especially if you forget to change the name of the company — will also hurt your chances of landing an interview.

So, if you take the time to write a cover letter, take the time to comment on the business itself. Why are you applying to this company? What about their business stuck out to you as a professional?

Now, let's take a look at an example cover letter , what makes it effective, along with 11 templates you can download or draw inspiration from.

 Cover Letter Example

Image Source

The example above illustrates how to write a marketing cover letter using the elements I listed.

Besides the contact information and the address line, the first few paragraphs explain why the candidate is qualified for the position. This example uses specific data to show why they would be a good fit.

Additionally, in the second to last paragraph, the candidate discusses why they're interested in the specific company, demonstrating general knowledge of the business.

By combining all the elements to a cover letter, this is a great example to use for inspiration.

Featured Resource: 5 Professional Cover Letter Templates

14 Free Cover Letter Templates for Your Next Job Application

Template 1: basic.

The example above is a basic (but great) cover letter. The numbered sections are explained in more detail below.

The level of formality your header has will depend on the company to which you apply. If you're applying to a formal business, it's important to use a formal header to open your cover letter, like in the sample above.

Put your address, the date, and the company's address. But if you're applying to a company that isn't as formal, you don't need to include yours and the company's addresses. You can still include the date, though.

2. Greeting

Using "To Whom It May Concern" is okay, but you may want to take the time to research the name of the recruiter or hiring manager online.

If you do your research and aren't confident you found the right name, then you should definitely use the generic greeting — but if you are sure, then it shows you put in the effort to find their name and it will catch the recruiter's eye.

If you have the recruiter's name, do you greet them by their full name, or by their courtesy title (i.e. Mr., Ms., or Mrs.)? Similar to the header, it depends on the company's level of formality.

If you're applying to a corporate business, you may want to consider using "Mr. Snaper" instead of "Jon Snaper." If you're applying to a start-up or a business with a more casual culture, you can use "Jon Snaper," as shown in the example.

3. Introduction

Your opening paragraph should, in 1-3 sentences, state why you're excited to apply and what makes you the perfect candidate. Get right to the point, and don't worry about explaining where you found the posting or who you know at the company.

This isn't a place to go into detail about why you're a great candidate — that's for the second paragraph. Here, simply list a few key reasons in one sentence to set up the rest of your letter.

Keep in mind that the recruiter may cross-reference your cover letter with your resume, so make sure the two sync up.

4. Paragraph 2: Why You're a Great Fit for the Job

Next, sell yourself and your experience by choosing one or two concrete examples that show why you're a great fit for the position. What did you do at a previous company that gave you relevant experience?

Which projects have you worked on that would benefit the new company? How will your prior experience help this company grow? Stay humble in your explanation of credentials while still showing that you would be an asset to the team.

Use this paragraph to show you're genuinely excited and interested in the position.

5. Third Paragraph: Why the Company Is a Great Fit for You

While it's certainly important you're a good fit for the job, it's also important that the company is a good fit for you.

"A cover letter typically describes why you're great for a company — but how will you benefit from getting hired?" asks former HubSpot Team Development Manager Emily MacIntyre . "We want to know why our company appeals to you, and how it will be a mutually beneficial working relationship."

In the third paragraph, show you're serious about growing and developing your career at this new company. What impresses and excites you about the company?

Is there something that you feel strongly about that aligns with the company's goals? For example, the candidate in the sample letter used this space to show his personal commitment to environmental causes aligns with the company's green initiatives.

6. Strong Closer and Signature

Don't get lazy in the final few sentences of your cover letter — it's important to finish strong.

Be straightforward about your interest and enthusiasm about the new position, and tell them you're available to talk about the opportunity at any time. Be sure to include your phone number and email address.

At this point, the ball is (rightly) in the recruiter's court to decide how to follow up.

Last but certainly not least, thank them for their time and consideration. Use a formal sign-off like "Best," "All the best," or "Sincerely," and finish by typing out your full name. You don't need to sign it with a pen.

Template 2: Data-Driven Marketing Cover Letter

Get it here..

When applying to a data-driven position, it might be tempting to inject your cover letter with, well, the data to describe what you've done for other employers.

But in an application letter — particularly for the marketing industry — how you convey this data is just as important as the data itself.

The cover letter template above, which we created here at HubSpot, can help you present the data that's most important to you as a candidate such that it'll matter to your future employer.

Notice the three bullet points near the center of the letter above, preceded by the statement: "... I've developed a strategy that has helped the company achieve ..."

This setup is important, because while you can add as many statistics as you want to this template, your data points should describe how your current/former business benefited from your work, rather than how you, yourself, benefited.

Template 3: Straight-to-the-Point Cover Letter

Harvard Business Review contributor David Silverman hailed the above cover letter example as "The Best Cover Letter I Ever Received."

For context, Silverman believes there are only a handful of times when writing a cover letter is actually necessary:

• When you know the name of the hiring manager.
• When you know something about what the job requires.
• When you've been referred to the job personally.

Under those three circumstances, a straight-to-the-point cover letter like the one above could be your best bet. Because it's so concise, however, make a point to add your own letterhead above the message itself.

It might be easy for a recruiter to sift through a short and sweet cover letter like the one above, but it's just as easy for it to get lost in the shuffle of their application list without a unique design or format.

Template 4: Referral Cover Letter

Just because a friend or colleague recommended you for a job doesn't mean the company is all set to hire you. Therefore, the cover letter template above is written specifically for referrals.

We made this one here at HubSpot. Download it here (it comes with four other cover letter templates , too).

As you can see in the picture above, the first paragraph of the cover letter is dedicated entirely to acknowledging the circumstances of your applying: You know someone who works there — no harm in that.

But there might be harm in not mentioning it to the hiring manager. Telling the reader about your connection at the company shows you're aware and confident of the actions you take to get the opportunities you're interested in.

Ultimately, it's better than the recruiter hearing about your employee connection from somebody else.

As for the rest of the cover letter, treat your message the same way you would if you had applied with no connection from within. Your skills and successes are no less important because of your internal referral.

Template 5: Photo Letterhead Cover Letter

The cover letter template above was designed by Microsoft Office, and as comprehensive as it looks, it's completely free to download and modify.

As it looks right now, this cover letter contains about half photo, half text. Feel free to shrink (and change) the image to give yourself more room to tell your story. Of course, a nice washed-out image that expresses who you are can be part of that story ...

Template 6: Digital Creative Cover Letter

This sixth template is perfect for the applicant who wants to emphasize the many different digital channels they areon. This template goes well with a resume of the same format.

As you personalize this letter with your own experience, make note of the social networks and industry software included in this template.

You'll see there’s additional space along the top to add your LinkedIn and personal website to fill with your own information.

You can improve upon this template by formatting your most important highlights and accomplishments with bullet points. This will make the document easier to read for the hiring manager and emphasizes the value you provide.

Template 7: Marketing Manager Cover Letter

Our seventh cover letter comes from Monster.com. This cover letter, shown above, is focused specifically on a marketing role.

Notice how the writer includes references to important marketing metrics and terminology.

If you're applying to a data-driven role, you might not want to fill the page with a story of your experience in paragraph form, like Template 1 does at the beginning of this article.

Instead, consider highlighting three (or four, or five) of your successes that you believe the hiring manager would resonate most with, in bulleted form.

As a marketing professional, breaking up your letter with bulleted details like the ones above shows a respect for the hiring manager's limited time — a mentality that all marketers must understand when communicating with a brand's audience.

Template 8: Career Day Follow-Up Cover Letter

This is a unique kind of cover letter from Princeton University.

LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Monster, and Indeed might take the lion's share of your job searches online, but still some employment opportunities come out of a trade show, job fair, or similar networking event.

For those occurrences, you have the follow-up cover letter template above.

This cover letter has everything you need to help an employer recall a conversation you had with him/her at a career fair.

As you can see in the second paragraph, the letter is particularly useful to people who are about to graduate college.

Template 9: Logo and Watermarked Cover Letter

Here's another cover letter template from Microsoft Office.

This one has a light touch of color in the design just above the letterhead, but make no mistake — the template caters to any professional looking to make a good first impression on their future employer.

Don't let the logo space on the top-right of the page confuse you. This can be the logo of the company to which you're applying — to quickly get the attention of the recruiter — or your own logo.

Perhaps you freelance on the side or simply like branding yourself. This cover letter template is meant for customization.

Template 10: Data Scientist Cover Letter

This is our second template from Princeton University. While this is focused on a data scientist role, it is an excellent template to use for students applying to jobs prior to graduation.

The text emphasizes how the applicant’s academic research and projects makes them an ideal candidate for the position. The format is also simple enough to submit as a pdf, as text in an email message or an application text box.

Template 11: Business Cover Letter

The cover letter template above is perfect for entry- and mid-level marketers who want to show a little extra professionalism in their opening note to a potential employer.

The multi-colored header (you can change the color if you wish) shows just the right amount of creativity and can go quite well with a resume of the same style. If you don't have enough experience to fill the entire page, don't worry.

Feel free to write to a length you think is representative of who you are and what the hiring manager wants to see.

No matter how long your final cover letter is, the above template is your opportunity to show your attention to detail — from your contact information in the top header, to the personalized address line where you can include the name of the hiring manager.

Like I said, "to whom it may concern" is pretty outdated, anyway.

Template 12: Entry-Level Cover Letter

The cover letter template above, written by HubSpot, is specifically designed for entry-level applicants.

When you only have a few years experience, it's important to display how you gained your skills and what you learned from your education or internships.

Additionally, it's important to mention why you want to work at the company you're applying to.

No matter your experience, the template above will help you decide what skills you want to highlight and flesh out in your cover letter.

You can download it here (it comes with four other cover letter templates , too).

Template 13: Healthcare Cover Letter

The cover letter, created by The Balance Careers, cuts down on repetition by following the "I have" statement with six bullet points that highlight the applicant's strengths, including "I have ... practical knowledge of creating and implementing care plans" and "I have ... a proven track record of compassionate, effective care".

Additionally, phrases like "I'd love to put my skills to work for your clinic" and "Please contact me at your convenience and let me know how I can help you" focus on what the business will gain as a result of hiring the applicant, rather than what the applicant is looking to gain.

Template 14: Freelance Cover Letter

If you're looking for freelance work, your biggest goal is to get your strengths across quickly, so busy clients won't pass by your cover letter entirely.

Additionally, if you're sending out multiple cover letters to different clients, you'll want to target each one to that client's unique goals.

For instance, if one client is looking for SEO-optimized content related to marketing, you'll want to highlight past experience writing marketing content; this will change if, for instance, the client is looking for fitness content.

For this reason, it's a good idea to structure your cover letter so you start with a) past credentials or references, and b) bullet-point information related to the client's goal, as shown in the cover letter above.

Template 15: Director Cover Letter

In the cover letter above, the candidate does a good job outlining how she succeeded in a leadership role previously:

"For the past five years, I have successfully developed and maintained all data systems, including schedules and records for a business employing more than 100 people."

You'll want to demonstrate how your skills align with a Director position — both through organization and leadership — and, when possible, where you received recognition for your hard work (i.e. "I earned an award for Most Valuable Administrative Staff Member").

Write a Winning Cover Letter

Writing a cover letter is easier said than done. Don't hesitate to spend a lot of time writing and editing it.

Tap into the incredible potential of AI tools, such as the HubSpot paragraph rewriter , to infuse each paragraph with a flawless touch of excellence. Or, ask a friend or family member to read it over and give you feedback.

If the recruiter does end up reading it, you'll be thankful you did.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in November 2014 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

Don't forget to share this post!

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• cover letter tips
• cover letters
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• August 3, 2021
• 7 minutes read

How to Write a Prospecting Cover Letter

Also known as a letter of inquiry or a cold call letter, a prospecting cover letter is a useful tool if you have an interest in a company that isn’t actively hiring or isn’t widely advertising. A prospecting cover letter expresses interest in learning about available positions, demonstrates initiative and eagerness, and puts yourself at the front of the interview line when or if the company decides to expand its talent pool.

However, the problem remains: how do I write a successful prospecting cover letter? It’s a common question to ask, especially to construct one that isn’t overreaching, a simple laundry list of your skills, or a blanket template that you send to every employer. A prospecting letter is a dynamic piece that should balance your skills with tact, leaving a potential hiring manager with the details they might need about a prospective candidate for future openings. If you have a few companies that you’ve always dreamed of working for, use these tips to help you construct an intriguing, well-written prospecting cover letter.

Research Several Companies

Even if you only have a sole company in mind, don’t limit yourself by submitting just one prospecting cover letter. Cast a wide net by constructing a list of five to 10 companies. To choose these companies, you can make criteria such as mission, vision, company culture, or opportunity for advancement. Or you use the following research methods to compile your list of prospective companies:

• Use social media platforms, especially LinkedIn, to connect with people who work for the company
• Reach out to former colleagues, coworkers, or classmates that now work for one of your target companies
• Perform an online search for companies in your field of expertise using search terms like “Top Marketing Companies” or “Best Software Development Firms”
• Access  Virtual Vocations  database of remote-friendly companies
• Combine one of your passions with your search, including “Environmentally Friendly Companies” or “Companies That Value Inclusion and Diversity”

Know Who You’re Writing To

While you can address your prospecting letter to a generic “Dear Sir or Madam” or the ubiquitous “Dear Hiring Manager,” you will make the best impression if you do a some investigative work to reveal the man or woman who makes the important decisions. Some methods you can try to find the person who you’ll resonate with might include:

• Explore the company’s website staff directory or try to find the person on LinkedIn.  Look for human resources contacts or a person with the title of Hiring Manager.
• Check the company’s website for job listings.  You can do this even if the jobs are not related to your desired position. The job ads will likely list a company hiring contact.
• Call the company.  This old-school approach is surprisingly effective if you’ve exhausted all other avenues. Simply ask the receptionist for the name of the hiring manager. If you feel strange being so straightforward, ask to verify the correct spelling of the hiring manager’s name before you send out an email.

If all else fails, you can still go with a nonspecific title. But if you can track down the right person, it shows initiative and that personal touch. Or when all else is equal, it makes you stand out

How To Grab the Attention of the Hiring Manager

A prospecting cover letter is a means to introduce yourself to a company, list your qualifications, and inquire about open positions. However, your letter shouldn’t read like a technical manual. A hiring manager will read thousands of cover letters over his/her career. They may even fall under the “ six-second rule .” This is the idea that you have six seconds to grab the attention of the person reading your cover letter. If you don’t, your application falls squarely in the reject pile. Thus, you can use your prospecting letter to set yourself apart from the field.

Keep in mind that the expansion of remote work has created fiercer competition than ever. Here’s how to make your cover letter stand out:

• Draw in the hiring manager with a powerful opening sentence.  Praise the company or immediately state your best qualification.
• Write in a tone that is industry-suitable.  Don’t use casual, regional slang if you want to work for a national company.
• Use humor and whimsy when appropriate.  But don’t try to be a comedy writer if you are interested in a position as a Senior-level Business Analyst.
• Add personalization.  Inject your own research about the company instead of submitting a stock form letter to all of your prospects.

Demonstrate How You Can Add Value to the Organization

While incorporating the aforementioned attention grabbers, you also need to discuss how you can potentially add value to the organization. Yet this isn’t just a list of accomplishments or braggadocious commentary. The difficulty of this task is further exacerbated by the fact that you’re not applying to a specific position. Instead, you need something that’s more broad on how you would fit into any relevant position within the company.

You can certainly start with tasteful examples of past successes and how they would translate to a position with the company you’re prospecting. Furthermore, highlight some of your transferrable and employable skills that make you an attractive candidate for the future. These can be a mix of hard and soft skills. Here are some examples of what you may add based on your own unique skill set:

List of Skills to Include in a Prospecting Cover Letter

• Great listening skills
• Training others
• Collaborative skills
• Conflict Resolution
• Strong communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Leading productive meetings
• Hiring and interviewing
• Various computer skills or proficiencies
• Goal setting and task prioritization
• Time management and multitasking
• Ability to learn new skills

You can obviously come up with more on your own, but the main idea is to provide a sense of what you bring to the company the next time they have an open position.

Finish Up With the Next Phase

Although you could end a prospecting cover letter with a simple “Regards” or “Sincerely,” this doesn’t tie the letter together like providing information for the next step or phase in the process. Instead, include contact information such as an email or phone number, as well as links to your LinkedIn page or online portfolio. While not absolutely necessary, you could provide your resume for the hiring manager to peruse at his or her leisure.

Example of a Great Prospecting Cover Letter

Even if you have a basic idea of how to ride a superb prospecting letter, seeing an example can provide you with the framework to shape one to your personality and writing style. Remember that hiring managers have been around; they’ve seen templates before, and a surefire way to have your email disregarded is to simply copy one of these examples. Use these to your advantage, but don’t copy them or paraphrase them where the origin becomes obvious or the prosepecting letter loses its personal touch.

Steve Smith 123 Fake Street Springfield, Rhode Island 10101 456-789-0123 [email protected]

Dear Ms. Jackson,

I read about X Company in a Forbes article about how your company is becoming an innovator in the industry. It’s something I want to be a part of. While I don’t see any open positions on your website, I would like to inquire about applying for open positions in the future. I’m interested in a career in software engineering, and I have extensive remote work experience, which may play into the hybrid work model that X Company is employing in the near future.

I have a bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering, and I am currently working toward a credential as a Certified Software Engineer from the Institute of Certification of Computing Professionals. In addition, I also have five years of software engineering experience at a publicly traded corporation, as well as two as a freelancer. Due to some of the programs I wrote, I won Software Engineer of the Year at my company, which is an award I’m extremely proud of.

I’ve attached my resume, which contains additional information on my experience and skills that relate to your company. I would love the opportunity to discuss any openings you may have coming up or discuss my skills and what I can bring to the company. Please reach out to me via email or by calling me at 1-456-789-0123.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. I look forward to speaking with you in the near future.

Steve Smith

Add Your Own Spin

The above prospecting cover letter should give you a basic idea of where to start, but don’t be afraid to put your own spin on it. If humor is your thing, throw in some of your best stuff. Or if your position is of a more serious nature, stick to accomplishments. Just as you’d dress for the job you want, you should create a tone for the job you desire. But any details or language that can make you stand out is always a welcomed addition to a cover letter.

Keep in mind that you should also tailor each prospecting cover letter to each company you send one to. The intro paragraph is where you’ll usually differentiate from other employers and demonstrate your knowledge of the organization. While you might be able to keep your accomplishments the same, always conduct your research to add in-depth knowledge and why you want to join the company. If you fail to do this, it will seemingly appear as though you’re not looking for a career; you’re just looking for something to pay the bills.

Your Work Isn’t Done: How To Follow Up on Your Prospecting Cover Letter

Once you’ve taken a deep breath and clicked the send button on your prospecting cover letter, your job isn’t quite done yet. You still need to follow up. However, this isn’t like a traditional follow-up that you’d have after the interview. If you haven’t heard anything back in a few weeks, start your follow-up by seeing if the company has posted any jobs recently. If they have, it’s worth your time to apply to a position you want or to reach out to the contact you emailed before. By doing so, you can solidify your name among a pool of applicants, as well as put your best foot forward toward finding the perfect job for your career aspirations.

Do you have any tips for a prospecting cover letter? What worked for you in the past? Connect with Virtual Vocations on  Facebook ,  Twitter ,  LinkedIn ,  Instagram , and  YouTube  to share your thoughts and tips. We’d love to hear from you!

Joining  Virtual Vocations  grants you access to our hand-picked remote jobs database. Learn  how our service works , browse job leads by  location and career category , or search hundreds of hand-screened remote jobs to find legitimate work-at-home job leads that match your skills and background.  Register for free  or  contact us  for more information on our service guarantee. Check out our menu of Career Services provided by our team of certified professionals, including resume and career coaching services for remote jobseekers. Resume assessments and writing, LinkedIn profile enhancement, and cover letter writing are available to maximize the success of your remote job applications.  Discounts on all services available to subscription members,  become one now.

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Based on original content by Kimberly Back

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Internship cover letter

Formal internship programmes are competitive so it's important that you assemble a strong cover letter. Our internship cover letter example shows you how

When applying for an internship you'll need to do your homework. Look carefully though the job advert to see what employers are asking for. Do your best to show how you match each requirement, usually through your current or previous experience. Even if your experience is not directly relevant, match what you can to what's needed. Find examples of your skills and attributes from other contexts for example innovation, teamwork, seeing things through from start to finish, etc.

Try to use some of the words from the advert in your cover letter. It's possible in a large company with many applications that letters will be pre-selected by auto-scanning. Even when someone reads each one, they skim the letters, looking for those that are interesting and/or meet their requirements.

As a current student or recent graduate recruiters will know that you'll be applying for all the internships you can find, so make sure each letter is well-tailored to the specific company. Tell employers something you like or admire about their company but don't lay it on too thick. You need to sound sincere.

You also need to make sure that you sound enthusiastic - you will be competing with many other hopefuls. Don't be afraid to allow aspects of your personality to show through. Faced with many applicants, recruiters want to see what makes you tick as an individual.

Please be aware that this is an example. Use this internship cover letter template to help generate ideas and structure your own document but avoid copying and pasting. Your cover letter needs to be original and tailored to the job you're applying for.

Meredith Evans The Lodge Lodge Lane Lodgetown Lodgeshire LG24 5XY [email protected] 07111 223344

Bill Smith XYZ Publishing Book House Tome Street London EC5 7QJ

5th May 2023

Dear Mr Smith

One-year editorial internship at XYZ Publishing

I would like to apply for the one-year editorial internship advertised on your website. I am attaching my CV, as requested.

My ambition is a career in publishing and I am particularly interested in the art and history books, as well as the periodicals that you publish. As you can see from my CV, I graduated in journalism and am now studying for a Masters in publishing.

My research project focuses on the role of publishing in the promotion and public understanding of heritage through heritage events. I based this on my work (part paid, part voluntary) on the bicentenary celebrations in my university town. This brought me into contact with local organisations including schools. I produced a series of infoquizzes for Key Stage 1 and 2, (including commissioning artwork) and leaflets for adults to run alongside audioguides. My blog helped me to formulate my plans and to promote the project through marketing and engagement.

As well as confirming my passionate interest in communicating heritage to a wider audience, I developed skills in:

• negotiation, by liaising with the heritage industry, publishers and BiCentenary2022 partners, including local businesses
• time management, as I was doing this in the third year of my degree while completing my dissertation
• multi-tasking and project management to deliver within the bicentenary deadlines
• fact-checking, proofreading and editing.

I work part-time in a local branch of a national chain of booksellers where I'm usually based in the art history and heritage section, although I help out as needed throughout the shop. I enjoy developing my knowledge of books and periodicals in the field and using this to help customers.

All this whetted my appetite for a career in publishing and I'm eager to learn more from experienced staff in the art and heritage publishing world. I look forward to working with committed professionals. I am willing to do any tasks, as I want to experience all aspects of publishing.

I hope to be able to use my practical experience of creating and marketing an arts and heritage project, my project management skills and my enthusiasm for public engagement to make a contribution to the company.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

(sign your name here)

Meredith Evans

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