Cover letter starting points for any situation — standard, career-change, entry-level and a short email version.
Tap Copy on any template, paste it, and replace the [bracketed] parts with your own details.
Cover letters
Standard cover letter
Dear [Hiring Manager's name],
I'm writing to apply for the [position] role at [company]. With [X years] of experience in [field/skill], I was excited to see this opening because [specific reason you're interested in this company or role].
In my current role at [company], I [a concrete achievement with a result — e.g. "cut processing time by 30%"]. I'm particularly strong at [relevant skill], which I understand is central to this position.
I'd welcome the chance to discuss how I could contribute to [company/team]. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
Career-change cover letter
Dear [Hiring Manager's name],
I'm applying for the [position] role at [company]. While my background is in [previous field], I'm making a deliberate move into [new field], and the skills transfer more than they might first appear.
In [previous role], I developed [transferable skill 1] and [transferable skill 2] — both directly relevant to [new role]. I've also [course / project / self-study that shows commitment to the new field].
I'd love to bring this combination of [old-field strength] and fresh perspective to your team. Thank you for considering my application.
Best regards,
[Your name]
Entry-level (little experience)
Dear [Hiring Manager's name],
I'm excited to apply for the [position] role at [company]. As a recent [graduate / qualification] in [field], I'm eager to begin my career somewhere I can [what you want to learn or contribute].
Through [coursework / internship / project], I gained hands-on experience with [relevant skill], and [a brief example or result]. I'm a fast learner, genuinely enthusiastic about [field], and ready to contribute from day one.
Thank you for considering my application — I'd be glad to discuss how I can help your team.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
Short email version
Hi [Name],
I'd like to apply for the [position] role. In short: I have [X years] in [field], I've [one standout achievement], and I'm drawn to [company] because [reason].
My CV is attached. I'd welcome a quick conversation about whether I'd be a good fit.
Thanks,
[Your name]
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Writing a cover letter that gets read
A cover letter shouldn't just restate your CV — it should connect your experience to this role at this company. The single most important edit to these templates is replacing the generic reason with a specific one: why this company, and one concrete achievement with a result. Keep it to under a page, address a real person if you can find their name, and lead with something stronger than "I am writing to apply." Read it aloud before sending to catch anything stiff. For help tailoring the wording, the AI writing prompts can adapt any of these to a specific job description.
FAQ
How long should a cover letter be?
Half a page to one page — three or four short paragraphs. Hiring managers skim, so a focused, specific letter beats a long one. If it runs past a page, cut.
Do I really need a cover letter?
When an application asks for one, yes — skipping it can signal low effort. Even when it's optional, a short, specific letter is a chance to say why you fit that a CV can't. The short email version above works when a full letter feels like too much.