Cover Letter Samples Templates

A Job Cover Letter is quite different from a resume. It can be forward looking. If you have studied the opportunity well, understood the pain points of the potential employer, you may address the impact that you hope to create in the position. A cover letter should boost or enhance the message contained in a resume.

Whereas a resume generally follows the bulleted list format, citing accomplishments, a cover letter can paint a picture of the future with prose. It should transport the reader into the realm of the possible. A cover letter is an ideal vehicle for conveying short, gripping stories, that engage the reader.

In fact a good cover letter not only complements a resume, but can add immeasurable value to it. Compelling cover letters lead to interviews and to job search success. It is a pity that so many people rush the cover letter.

To better understand the role of a cover letter, compare the role of a cover letter to that of a resume. A resume is a representation of an individual's accomplishments and experience, and while it may project what that individual has achieved, generally it takes an interview to establish the true potential of the individual. The interview is the all-important event in securing a job.

Think of the cover letter as a movie trailer for the interview. Make it engaging and enticing. Address a few question that would normally crop up in the interview. The resume develops the plot, and the interview holds the plot and the conclusion. The cover letter can play a key role in securing an interview.

This Cover Letter Samples page sets forth cover letter templates and covering letter samples.

All the resume covering letter examples follow a structure: discuss the specific job position first, then your relevant experience, unique skills and the insight that you will bring to the task.

Be sure to bring out your excitement at being able to make an impact in the new job position, and end the letter with an offer to meet. The cover letter must demonstrate impeccable judgment and a focus on favorable outcomes for the organization. Don't dwell too much on pain points; move from the pain points the hiring organization may be experiencing to discussing unique solutions that you can implement.

Cover Letter Samples

»	Cover Letter Example 1:

November 24, 2008
Ayesha Collins
Human Resources Manager
Ponderosa Homes
442 Golf Links Road
Concord, CA 97182

Dear Ms. Collins:

As an experienced professional in the building industry, I am applying for the position of Customer Service Manager, advertised on your website (www.ponderosahomes.com).

Providing quality customer service is a major focus of my present position with Shappell Industries. Our office is being relocated to the Sacramento area; I am considering alternative positions within the Bay Area in lieu of relocating.

Ponderosa Homes has a great reputation for producing quality homes, and it will be a privilege to bring my experience and commitment to customer service to the company.

Managing a customer base of 15 facilities throughout California for the past seven years has greatly sharpened my customer service and people management skills. During this time, our employee turnover rate dropped from 150% to 55%. Part of that can be attributed to the development and recognition programs I have instituted, including bonuses, Christmas parties and summer picnics. Employees need to feel they are part of a “team,” and at Ponderosa, that would be one of my goals.

Six years ago, I set a personal goal to continue my education at San Jose State University. In December 2006, I received an MBA in Management and Organizational Leadership with distinction. I am proud of this accomplishment, as I worked full-time while attending classes part-time; my GPA was 3.8/4.0.

I am keen to talk with you and discuss my potential to contribute to your organization. I will contact you in a few days to discuss my application. You can reach me at 408-212-1956, or by email at mikesmith@e-mail-link.com. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Mike S. Smith
762 Ridge Road
San Jose, CA 94506
mikesmith@e-mail-link.com
408-212-1956

»	Cover Letter Example 2: T-Letter format, also known as Cover Letter Resume

Some people use a T-Letter cover letter format to keep their letter on track. The format is suited to stating the job position requirements in one column and your corresponding qualifications in a second column. An example is given below.

November 24, 2008
Ayesha Collins
Human Resources Manager
Ponderosa Homes
442 Golf Links Road
Concord, CA 97182

Dear Ms. Collins:

As an experienced professional in the building industry, I am applying for the position of Customer Service Manager, advertised on your website (www.ponderosahomes.com).

Providing quality customer service is a major focus of my present position with Shappell Industries. Our office is being relocated to the Sacramento area; I am considering alternative positions within the Bay Area in lieu of relocating.

Ponderosa Homes has a great reputation for producing quality homes, and it will be a privilege to bring my experience and commitment to customer service to the company.

Managing a customer base of 15 facilities throughout California for the past seven years has greatly sharpened my customer service and people management skills. During this time, our employee turnover rate dropped from 150% to 55%. Part of that can be attributed to the development and recognition programs I have instituted, including bonuses, Christmas parties and summer picnics. Employees need to feel they are part of a “team,” and at Ponderosa, that would be one of my goals.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS	MY BACKGROUND
Customer Leadership	I seek opportunities to use my extensive customer service background to enhance the customer experience of home ownership, with a 200-point documented inspection prior to hand off.
Technical Innovation	I supervised the construction of the Hola Hola community in Pedro Valley, that has taken sustainable practices to entirely new level. Electrical consumption is projected to be ten percent of comparable communities.

I am keen to meet with you and discuss my potential to contribute to your organization. I will contact you in a few days to discuss my application. You can reach me at 408-212-1956, or by email at mikesmith@e-mail-link.com. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Mike S. Smith
762 Ridge Road
San Jose, CA 94506
mikesmith@e-mail-link.com
408-212-1956

»	Cover Letter Example 3: How to address your cover letters

If you cannot find the name of the person to address the letter to, you may address your letter to a group. For example:

Dear Hiring Professionals:
Dear Selection Committee:

»	Cover Letter Example 3B: More on how to address the letter

If you find the name, but cannot decipher the gender of the person, you may greet that person using their full name instead of their last name. For example:

Dear Ms. Kincaid, (For Amy Kincaid)
Dear Pat Thompson, (For Pat Thompson, could be male or female)

»	Cover Letter Example 4: You may reference your work through URLs to give it more authenticity.

November 24, 2008,
Ayesha Collins,
Human Resources Manager,
Ponderosa Homes,
442, Golf Links Road,
Concord, CA 97182

Dear Ms. Collins:

I am responding to your advertized position #2001 in SJMN for a Senior Vice-President, Talent Development.

Since 1994, I have been involved in the design, development and delivery of solutions for staffing, learning, performance management, and succession management. This space is now known as Talent Management. I have served as Group Vice-President or Team Leader for these programs.

My strong suit is driving strategic people management initiatives, where my hands-on experience can provide significant benefits and cost savings. For a recent client I developed a global succession management strategy, and helped roll it out to multiple client locations in three continents within six months.

Over the last 4 years, I have managed dispersed teams with members in Canada, Europe, and Asia to support Fortune 200 clients. The key to success of a project is clear and timely communication, which can be affected through an Intranet and the use of project management and collaboration tools in addition to more conventional written reports and phone conferences.

My roles have included assessing training projects, preparing budgets, staffing and program management from inception to delivery. One such project was the launch of www.ultimatetalent.com which is now the leader in sourcing talent.

Other Talent Management solutions that I have helped develop and deliver for Fortune 200 companies are described at

www.mysite.com/company1.htm
www.mysite.com/company2.htm

I am keen to meet with you and discuss my potential to contribute to your organization. I will contact you in a few days to discuss my application. You may reach me at 408-212-1957, or by email at joansmith@e-mail-link.com. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Joan K. Smith
764 Ridge Road
San Jose, CA 94506
joansmith@e-mail-link.com
408-212-1957

»	Cover Letter Example 5: Cover Letter Templates from Microsoft

Cover Letter Templates
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/CT101467921033.aspx

Thank you letter Examples (post job interview or phone screen)

»	Thank You Letter Example 1: Thank you note

Mr. Archie Weatherby,
California Investments, Inc.,
25 Sacramento Street,
San Francisco,
CA 94102

Dear Mr. Weatherby,

Thank you for taking the time to discuss the insurance broker position at California Investments, Inc., with me. After meeting with you and observing the company's operations, I am further convinced that my background and skills coincide well with your needs.

I really appreciate that you took so much time to acquaint me with the company. It is no wonder that California Investments retains its employees for so long. I feel I can learn a great deal from you and would certainly enjoy working with you.

In addition to my qualifications and experience, I will bring excellent work habits and judgment to this position. With the countless demands on your time, I am sure that you require people who can be trusted to carry out their responsibilities with minimal supervision.

I look forward, Mr. Weatherby, to hearing from you concerning your hiring decision. Again, thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Susan Oakley

»	Thank You Letter Example 2: Thank you note

Dr. Steven Page,
Rolling Hills School Health Clinic,
5 Main Street,
San Francisco,
CA 94102

Dear Dr. Page:

Thank you so much for taking the time to interview me today for the social worker position.

I felt a wonderful rapport not only with you, but with the entire Rolling Hills School Health Clinic staff. I am more convinced than ever that I will fit in well as a member of the team and contribute my skills and talents for the benefit of schoolchildren in the Rolling Hills district.

I look forward to further discussions of how I may assist the Health Clinic with its mission.
Again, Dr. Page, I very much appreciate you and your staff taking so much time to talk with me about this exciting opportunity.

Sincerely,

John Farmer

MORE EXAMPLES

For more examples of sample resumes, cover letters and how to use the web to land a job, visit the Success page.