Examples Of Resumes And Cover Letters

Review Examples And Templates

For help writing your cover letter, read samples like the one below, as well as cover letter templates. Remember to tailor any example or template to fit your own experiences and the job for which you are applying.

Want more tips? Review the top 10 cover letter writing tips for more details on how to craft a successful cover letter. Its smart to familiarize yourself with what it takes to write an effective cover letter before you get started writing. That way, you can spend less time on editing and more time on getting it right from the start.

You can also use a cover letter sample, like the one below, for inspiration.

Be sure to tailor any samples you use to match your own background and the job for which you are applying.

As a reminder, always rework your cover letter to fit each specific position that you apply for. In addition to tweaking the content, dont forget to update the salutation, the job title, and the company name.

Short Cover Letter For A General Application To An Open Position:

Dear Ms. Brown,

My name is Sam, and I would be thrilled to join your team as a sales associate because I admire Bell Media.’s reputation for putting customers first.

My resume outlines my skills and 8 years of experience in sales.However, I am also passionate about speaking to new people and helping others reach their goals.

I believe my background will benefit a team that prioritizes collaboration and that Bell Media is the ideal place for me to apply for this reason.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you to discuss the sales associate position further.

This example might stand out to employers because it addresses the hiring manager personally, mentions the company in the first sentence and fits on half of a page. It also mentions the position Sam is applying for, sales associate, and skills that are related to that position, like speaking to new people and helping others.

Highlight Your Hr Skills

An outstanding HR cover letter showcases HR experience, clerical knowledge, computer literacy, and most importantly, a passion for understanding a companys hiring objectives and improving its structural culture.

Because your duties can vary depending on your role within the department, focus on highlighting job-specific skills throughout your cover letter.

For example, if youre applying to be an HR representative, communication skills and attention to detail are essential for providing accurate information to employees and resolving any questions about a companys policies or benefits.

When discussing your HR background and work history in the cover letter body, include key HR technical skills to show employers you meet their basic requirements.

Here are important HR hard skills recruiters seek:

• Data analysis
• Accounting software
• Human Resources Information System

In addition to proving you have the right skill-set, include a number of fundamental HR soft skills in your cover letter to show employers youre a strong candidate. Here are soft skills to complement your HR expertise:

• Empathy
• Problem-solving skills
• Collaboration

Heres a great example of how to mention these skills in your cover letter body:

My interest in this position stems from my belief that my combination of relevant staffing experience, communication skills, and high levels of organization make me a superb candidate.

You may also emphasize your hard and soft skills in bullet points like this:

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College Student Cover Letter

As a student, some of your main highlights might include:

• Education
• Relevant projects
• Extracurricular activities

Cover letters should display why youre the best candidate. For that reason, personalize your application by describing what makes you motivated or uniquely qualified, and relate your previous experiences back to the job posting.

Customize Your Cover Letters

While it might seem tedious, you should always customize each letter to fit the specific job for which you are applying. After all, an effective cover letter must illustrate how your experience matches up to the requirements outlined in the job listing. Failing to do so can quickly get your application eliminated from the pool.

Echo the keyword phrases that are emphasized on the job announcement in your cover letter.

Employers often now use sophisticated applicant tracking systems to provide a first review of the cover letters and resumes they receive. The more industry-specific keywords your cover letter includes, the more likely it is that your application will be advanced for a deeper review.

Read Also: How Many Pages Should A Resume Be 2016

Cover Letter Spacing For A Printed Or Pdf Document

In addition to the general guidelines above, line and paragraph spacing for a printed or pdf cover letter are as follows:

• Your name, occupation, and contact information section is single-spaced.
• Skip a line before and after the date.
• The recipients name, title, and address section is single-spaced.
• Skip a line before and after the salutation, introduction and middle section, and closing paragraph.
• Skip three lines below the sign-off .*
• Your name and title are single-spaced.

* A three-line gap allows you to insert a handwritten signature on a printed hard copy of your cover letter. If the letter is being sent electronically as a pdf, you have the option of placing a scanned digital signature, but its not necessary or expected. If you dont, just skip one space below the sign-off.

Eye-pleasing header adds bonus white space

A distinctive cover letter header adds a personal branding touch that sets your job application apart from the rest. And it also has built-in spacing benefits, drawing the readers eye to where your name, occupation, and contact information appear on the page. This is offset from your letters body text by white space, making the page much more inviting to read.

Cover letter margins should be consistent with the standard for business documents one inch on all sides which is also the default Word and Google Docs setting.

Next Steps In Your Job Search

Your cover letter is only as good as your resume. If either one is weak, your entire application is for naught.

After all, a cover letter is just an introduction. Imagine going through all this effort to leave an amazing first impression, but flopping at the end because of a mediocre resume.

…But dont you worry, weve got you covered on that end, too.

If you want to learn more about Resumes & CVs, we have a dedicated FREE guide for that. Check out our complete guide on how to make a resume, as well as how to write a CV – our experts will teach you everything you need to know in order to land your dream job.

Or, if youre already an expert, just pick one of our resume templates and get started.

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Cover Letter Examples And Templates

Cover letters are just as important a part of your job application materials as your resume. They provide your first, critical impression upon an employer, and thus they should be letter-perfect and convey an appropriate and engaging tone. Keep in mind that if your cover letter is hastily and sloppily written, a hiring manager may not bother to even look at your resume.

Review letter templates for applying for jobs, including cover letter templates, resignation letter templates, thank-you letter templates, and other job search-related letter templates.

Information For Your Resume

No matter what type of resume you choose, you will need to gather specific information in order to write your resume.

You will need:

• Contact Information: The first section of your resume should include information on how the employer can contact you
• Objective: Job title youre applying for and reason to hire you.
• Career Highlights: List key achievements, skills, strengths and experiences that are relevant to the position for which you are applying.
• Work Experience and Skills: This section of your resume includes your work history. Include the businesses you worked for, the dates of employment, the positions you held, a bulleted list of major responsibilities, accomplishments or achievements and a list of your skills.

Also Check: How To Write A Resume For The First Time

Resume And Cover Letter Samples

When writing your cover letter and resume, don’t be bashful. These two documents are your opportunity to promote your skills and personality. Keep it professional, but also sell yourself and your qualifications to do the job. Use these examples to get suggestions for your own interview-winning job application materials.

How To Personalize Your Cover Letter

It’s acceptable to alter the standard format of a cover letter example:

• For instance, if the example has three paragraphs, and you only want to include two paragraphs, you can do so.
• If you want to include bullet lists instead of paragraphs, it’s fine to reformat your letter. This is your opportunity to sell your qualifications to the company, so take the time to make your letter stand out from the crowd of applicants.
• You shouldn’t include everything that’s on your resume in the letter. Highlight the most relevant accomplishments as they relate to the job for which you’re applying. The more focused and personalized your letter is, the better your chances of getting the interview.

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Accounting And Finance Cover Letter Examples

All cover letters will show a degree of your enthusiasm. More specifically, the reasons why youre motivated and passionate about the job you’re applying for. Its no different for accountants and professionals working in finance.

For this industry, well review the following:

• Investment banker cover letter

Cover Letter Sample For A Resume

The Balance / Alex Dos Diaz

Do you need to write a cover letter for a job? You may feel as though the document is unnecessary since you are already providing a resume with plenty of information.

Not so! A cover letter serves an important purpose: it presents the case for why you should be hired and distinguishes you from other candidates. Your cover letter is where you can show your passion for the position and the company, and highlight your most relevant qualifications. A well-written cover letter will supplement your resume by focusing on why you’re a well-qualified candidate for the job.

Many employers require cover letters as part of the job application process. However, even when an employer does not explicitly ask for a cover letter, you should send one. A Robert Half survey reports that 58% of employers prefer to receive a cover letter and find them to be valuable.

A strong cover letter can make your application stand out from the crowd.

Review these tips for writing and sending a cover letter. Then, use the cover letter sample below as a guide for when you write your own cover letter.

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Create An Effective Resume

The resumes primary function is to showcase your talents and skills to an employer – clearly, convincingly and quickly. A resume is:

• An individual summary of your background, experience, training and skills
• A way to tell employers what you have accomplished in the past and what you can do for their company now
• Your most important job search tool that can get you an interview, and leaves a lasting impression on a potential employer
• A guide for you and the employer during an interview

It is critical that you invest your time and effort into creating a resume that meets the employers needs and highlights your assets. You should target your resume for specific jobs, and edit and update it according to what job youre applying for.

When Should I Submit A Short Cover Letter

A short cover letter can improve any job application you send in. Unless the company you’re applying to specifies that they only want to consider an application or resume, it’s always in your best interest to submit a cover letter. In cases where a cover letter is optional, writing and submitting a short cover letter anyway shows initiative and drive that could make you stand out among other candidates who chose not to do so.

Related: When To Include an Optional Cover Letter?

Holl explains when you should consider writing a cover letter, the benefits of doing so, and shares a time when itâs best NOT to write one.

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Customize The Letter To The Job

Refrain from using the same cover letter for every job you apply to. Keep in mind that its important to tailor the letter according to the companys mission and the job role you are seeking for.

You can start by reviewing the description stated in the job listing. This often indicates the general qualities employers are looking for in a candidate. With this, you will find significant keywords that you can use in your cover letter in order to capture the attention of hiring managers. You may also see business proposal letter examples.

You must talk about how your abilities and skills may benefit the company you wish to work for. Remember, you should target the needs of the company â not your own. Demonstrate how these qualities could help them attain their business goals accordingly. Its almost as if youre selling yourself in the form of a written document, and giving employers a reason to hire you before their market competitors do.

Career Change Cover Letter Example

Writing a cover letter for a job in your current industry is pretty straightforward. But writing a career change cover letter requires a slightly different approach.

The sample cover letter below includes the three elements you need to persuade a hiring manager youre ready to transfer industries, such as:

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How Do Short Cover Letters Vary For Different Jobs

You can showcase qualifications and personal details that are relevant to the job and field you’re applying to in every short cover letter. As all fields hold different values, it can be helpful to do some research about which aspects of your experience and personality most closely align with that of your potential employer. You can also format short cover letters for general use and edit them to fit more than one job application by adding new details for each submission, which is particularly helpful when you’re applying to multiple jobs at different companies.

Related: Writing a General Purpose Cover Letter: Tips, Template and Examples

Pharmacy Tech Cover Letter

If you dont know the recruiters name, use their job position instead. Never address them by saying to whom it may concern because it indicates a lack of effort and interest. Aside from that, the main focus behind this is the candidates work history and theyve used that information to convey to the hiring team their level of expertise.

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Make A Pitch For Yourself

A cover letter is comparable to a sales letter. You need to give employers a reasons to reach out to you by emphasizing your accomplishments, and how they answer to the needs of the company. Be specific with these details. You can even support each statement made by offering a piece of evidence to prove it. Anything mentioned in your resume that needs explaining may be expounded in the cover letter. You may also check out writing a cover letter.

Medical Scribe Cover Letter

Before getting started writing, you should have an idea of some of your best skills or achievements. With that in mind, briefly go into detail about your professional background and mention things that are relevant that help you stand out, e.g. the writer states they can type over 80 words per minute.

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What Makes This A Powerful Cover Letter

In most cases, creative cover letters involve even more individuality than most and rely on standing out. Nevertheless, they still follow normal letter-writing conventions.

As you can see in our professional example, the writer still uses standard formality and letter structure. However, once they launch into their opening salvo they do so with a much more imaginative approach.

The letter opening still introduces the candidate and sells them a little as the perfect fit for the job. As you would normally expect, it also gives some detail about the motivations of the applicant.

The middle sections of this letter focus on building a complete picture of the candidate. It goes into detail whilst also adding more creative embellishments than you wouldnt normally see in a simple or professional cover letter.

Our candidate, in this case, chooses to use specific examples that illustrate the success their work has brought in. In this case, exceeding commercial targets by double-digit percentages.

This writer also goes a step beyond and gives a lot more information about how the company itself got their attention and how both parties goals align. Again, they cite a specific example to strengthen their hand and to show they have done their research on the business.

Why This Is The Best Cover Letter Template

This is a great cover letter template because it has:

• professionally designed formatting that makes your application stand out
• bracketed writing prompts that tell you exactly what to write to impress hiring managers
• bullet points for readability
• a link to a matching resume template in the Word version

Prefer another color scheme or different design elements? Find a cover letter template you like more online, paste our template into it, and customize it for your application.

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