Create the Ideal Cover Letter with Professional Resume.co Templates
Let’s be fair—cover letter formatting should be the last thing on your mind when you’re applying for a job. Yet, most of the time, getting the formatting just right takes longer than expected.
With Resume.co free cover letter templates, you can save time and focus solely on the contents of your cover letter. Better yet, our cover letter templates are:
User-friendly. Forget tinkering with margins and fonts—just fill in a template of your choice, download it, and you’re good to go!
Modern. Whether you’re looking for a creative or traditional cover letter design, our templates are created with the latest HR trends in mind.
Customizable. Tweak the colors, fonts, and other elements to create the perfect cover letter.
ATS-friendly. Our cover letter templates are optimized for ATS to ensure that your cover letter lands in the hiring manager’s hands.
Matching with Resume.co resume templates. In just one click, you can match your cover letter design to your resume for a seamless and professional look!
What is a Cover Letter Template?
A cover letter is a document that accompanies a resume in a job application, introducing the candidate and providing more information on their professional background.
A cover letter template, in turn, is a premade design that outlines the layout elements of a cover letter, such as the header and paragraphs.
As you may expect, writing a cover letter from scratch is no easy feat—besides the content of your cover letter, you also need to pay special attention to formatting. Otherwise, your cover letter may look unprofessional. If your cover letter leaves a bad first impression, chances are the hiring manager won’t read it.
Luckily, using a cover letter template helps you format your cover letter the right way. This ensures that your cover letter doesn’t just look visually appealing but is also easy to read.
What Sections Should be Included in a Cover Letter?
A cover letter contains three main sections: a header, a body, and a closing paragraph. Here’s everything you need to know about them to write an impactful cover letter:
Cover Letter Sections
Header. This section goes at the very top of your cover letter and includes your and the recruiter’s contact information.
Professional greeting. To stand out from your competition, avoid generic salutations (e.g., “To Whom It May Concern”) and greet the hiring manager directly (e.g., “Dear Ms. Wright”).
Opening paragraph. This is the introduction to your cover letter. To grab the hiring manager’s attention right from the start, include your top professional achievements.
Second paragraph. The second paragraph of your cover letter should focus on relevant skills and work experience to show that you’re qualified for the position.
Third paragraph. In the third paragraph, explain your motivation to work for the company to convince the hiring manager that you’re a great cultural fit.
Closing paragraph. Thank the hiring manager and end your cover letter with a call to action (“I am eager to further discuss how I could contribute to the success of your company at your earliest convenience.”) and a professional sign-off (e.g., “Kind regards, [Your Full Name]”).
Why Use a Cover Letter Template?
Using a cover letter template has many benefits over writing a cover letter from scratch, such as:
Efficiency. With our professional templates for cover letters, you don’t have to spend time formatting your cover letter. We took care of it for you, so you can focus on what matters most: perfecting the contents of your cover letter!
ATS scannability. Today, most companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to streamline the hiring process. This means that hiring software determines whether your job application reaches the recruiter or not. Our free cover letter templates are optimized for ATS, which increases your chances of landing your dream job!
Attractive design. Our cover letter templates are neat and modern, helping you capture the hiring manager’s attention!
Professional look. Professional cover letter templates help you structure your cover letter and showcase your professional background in the best light possible.
How to Pick the Appropriate Cover Letter Template
To pick the right cover letter template, you should first define what type of cover letter you’ll write. The most common types of professional cover letters are application, prospecting, and networking cover letters.
Application Cover Letter
An application cover letter is used alongside a resume to apply for a job. As such, it’s arguably the most popular type of cover letter that most job seekers are familiar with.
A well-written application cover letter can convince the hiring manager that you’re the right candidate for the position by emphasizing your professional skills and work experience. For this reason, writing a cover letter is always a good idea—even when the company doesn’t explicitly ask you for it.
Prospecting Cover Letter
A prospecting cover letter is used to inquire about unadvertised job openings. In other words, the purpose of a prospecting cover letter is to find out if a company has any open positions you could apply for.
Unlike application cover letters, prospecting cover letters aren’t tailored to a specific position. You can send a prospecting cover letter to any company—whether they’re actively hiring or not—to check if they have any relevant opportunities that may help you advance your career.
Networking Cover Letter
A networking cover letter is used to ask people in your professional network for help, advice, or information about possible job opportunities.
Since you send networking cover letters to people you personally know, they tend to be less formal than other types of cover letters. Some professional contacts to whom you can send a networking cover letter include:
Former colleagues
Former employers
College professors
Mentors
Friends and family
How to Create an ATS-Friendly Cover Letter using a Template
Writing an ATS-friendly cover letter is key to a successful job hunt—if your cover letter doesn’t pass the scan, it’ll be instantly rejected. So, here’s what you need to do to optimize your cover letter for ATS:
Use a cover letter template. Resume.co cover letter templates are ATS-friendly, which greatly increases your chances of passing the ATS scan. This is the easiest yet most important part of writing an ATS-optimized cover letter.
Research the position. Read the job ad to note what the company is looking for. This allows you to identify frequently used keywords and tailor your cover letter to the position and the company.
Pack your cover letter with keywords. Make sure your cover letter includes keywords from the job listing. Don’t overdo it, however, as you want your cover letter to sound natural!
Cover Letter Writing Tips to Land a Job in 2024
If you’re looking to perfect your cover letter, follow these tried-and-tested tips:
Follow instructions. If the job listing includes directions on what your cover letter should look like, follow them carefully to make a good first impression.
Focus on your achievements. Besides setting you apart from other candidates, your professional achievements attest to your ability to perform the job and show what you can bring to the company. To make your accomplishments stand out, use numbers and examples.
Keep it brief. To make sure the hiring manager reads your cover letter, keep it short, up to one page.
Proofread. Before you hit the “Send” button, read your cover letter from start to finish, use a grammar checker, or ask a friend to proofread it for you. This way, you can make sure your cover letter is nothing short of perfect!
What are Some Cover Letter Mistakes, and How to Avoid Them?
Want to ensure your cover letter is flawless? Here are some common cover letter writing mistakes you should avoid:
Incorrect formatting. Avoid large chunks of text, graphics, and other elements that might make your cover letter hard to scan and read. If you want to ensure your cover letter is formatted correctly, consider using a cover letter template.
Reusing your cover letter. Using the same cover letter for different positions is a sure-fire way to get your application rejected. To show you’re serious about the job, tailor your cover letter to the job you’re applying for.
Focusing on the lack of experience/skills. Even if you don’t have the skills or work experience the company is looking for, avoid discussing it in your cover letter. Instead, accentuate any relevant experience, knowledge, and skills you have to prove you have what it takes to succeed in the job.
Repeating your resume content. Your cover letter should provide more detail on your professional background, elaborate on your achievements, and mention any relevant information you left off your resume.
How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?
While some companies provide specific instructions on what your cover letter should include and how long it should be, others don’t. In such cases, it’s only natural to wonder what the ideal length of a cover letter is.
As a general rule, a cover letter should fit within a half-page to a page, meaning that you should write between 250 and 400 words and 3–4 paragraphs.
It should be concise—long enough to convey why you’re the best person for the job but short enough not to overwhelm the hiring manager. Anything more than one page might decrease your chances of landing the job, as hiring managers are too busy to read that much.
Cover Letter Templates FAQ
#1. How to create a cover letter using Resume.co templates?
Creating a cover letter using Resume.co templates is quick and easy. All you need to do is pick one of our ready-to-use cover letter templates, fill up the contents in our cover letter builder, and download it to your device!
#2. Why use a cover letter template?
Using a cover letter template can help you leave a great first impression on the hiring manager, which increases your chances of landing the job.
Matching your cover letter to your resume makes your job application consistent and shows that you’re serious about the role. Most importantly, our cover letter templates are ATS-optimized, which means that using one can help you pass the ATS scan.
#3. Who created these cover letter templates?
These cover letter templates are created by Resume.co in collaboration with industry experts—professional hiring managers. As such, they are professional and well-structured, and they match the latest HR trends.
#4. Are these cover letter templates free to use?
Yes, Resume.co cover letter templates are free to use. You can check out our numerous professional cover letter templates, pick the one you like, and customize it to fit your preferences.
#5. How do you download a cover letter template from Resume.co?
To download a Resume.co cover letter template, click on the template you want to use and take it to our cover letter builder. There, fill in the contents of your cover letter and click the “Download” button to export your cover letter template in your preferred format. Yes, it’s that simple!
#6. Why use a cover letter along with your resume?
Attaching a cover letter to your resume can help you convince the hiring manager that you’re the perfect candidate for the position. An impactful cover letter will accentuate your professional skills, work experience, and achievements—even those you haven’t mentioned on your resume.
Moreover, it also helps the hiring manager understand whether you’d fit into the company’s culture, thus allowing them to better determine your suitability for the position.
#7. What do employers look for in a cover letter?
In a cover letter, employers look to see how your professional skills and experience align with the role you’re applying for. Most importantly, they’re interested in seeing your achievements, as they show how you can contribute to the company.
Employers also look for someone motivated and excited to work with them, which is why you should express your enthusiasm in a cover letter.
#8. What is the best cover letter template?
All Resume.co cover letter templates are modern and professional, but the best cover letter template for you is the one that matches your unique needs and preferences.
To pick the right cover letter template, you should take into consideration your experience level and industry. With our professional cover letter templates, you can write cover letters for students, seasoned professionals, and more!
#9. Can I find one-page cover letter templates on Resume.co?
Yes, all Resume.co cover letter templates fit your cover letter within one page—exactly how recruiters like it!
