Cover letter writing advice for job seekers with unique circumstances

You’ve got the basics of cover letter writing down. But what if your experiences are different from the norm? We’ve got some great tips for how to create a cover letter if you are a job applicant whose background and goals might require different approaches than a standard cover letter.

• 1. How to write a good cover letter if you are a recent graduate

  

  

  Introducing yourself as a recent graduate tells employers that you’re confident, honest and willing to learn, so don’t be afraid to let them know right off the bat.

  Here’s what that could look like:

  “I am excited to submit my application for the associate copy editor opening at Runner’s Journal. As an avid runner, I’ve enjoyed your in-depth articles and admired your editorial excellence for the last three years. As an aspiring editor and recent graduate with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, I’m excited about the prospect of working for such a prestigious magazine. I know I can enhance your publication with my love for language and my keen eye for detail.”

  Then, in the body of your cover letter, let them know what you can do for them by pointing to a specific, measured accomplishment you achieved in an internship position or in school, like this:

  “While attending Temple University, I spent three years on the staff at the Owl and one year as its copy chief. Under my direction, the Owl won the Pinnacle Award for Excellence in Copy Editing. I also developed and administered a research process that cut turnaround time by 35% while increasing output by 50%.”

  Close the cover letter by reminding them that you’re confident and ready to roll. For example:

  “Thank you for your time and consideration. I’m thrilled about the prospect of working for such a prestigious magazine, and I’d value the chance to meet with you to discuss how my leadership abilities and editorial acumen can increase Runner’s Journal readership. Do you have time available next week?”

• 2. How to write a resume cover letter for an entry-level job

  

  

  Entry-level job seekers have between one and three years of experience in their fields of interest. Here’s how to write a cover letter with minimal experience.

  Start by demonstrating your intent. Declare your interest in the role and tell the company why you want to work for them. It’s essential to present your research skills, which will show employers you’re willing to go the extra mile.

  For example:

  “I am writing to express my interest in the administrative assistant role with Velocity Digital. Most of my friends are drawn to startups for free snacks, catered lunches and company swag. While I would never turn down a free meal, the real perk of working for Velocity Digital, for me, seems to be the collaborative, team-oriented culture.”

  As an entry-level job applicant, you can use the body of your cover letter to highlight your job-related skills and recent work experience, providing specific examples of your achievements like this:

  “I have first-hand experience running a fast-paced office, and I can help with your goal of cutting expenses in half. At Online Media, Inc., the chief operating officer and his senior staff consider me a critical department member. In this role, I serve five full-time staff by scheduling meetings, managing travel arrangements, and organizing the day-to-day needs of the office. I was awarded Admin of the Year in 2019 for saving the company $200,000 in vendor costs.”

  Reiterate your interest and show them you’re serious in your closing paragraph. You might do this like so:

  “I would love to apply my experience and skills to help streamline your office processes while saving you time and money. Feel free to reach out to me any time — I’m happy to set up a meeting to chat with you about how I can benefit your team and Velocity Digital. Thanks for your time.”

• 3. How to write an application letter for an internship

  

  

  Applying for an internship while in school is just as serious as applying for a job. The rules of professionalism and standard business etiquette apply to writing cover letters to get an internship.

  If you’re an internship seeker, you can do well to start your cover letter by expressing your passion for the company, job or industry.

  For example:

  “I have long dreamed of the chance to apply my lifelong passion for design as part of the award-winning marketing team at Sol Graphics. Your innovative use of color and your creative brand designs have inspired me as a student at Pratt Institute. As a Sol Summer intern, I will bring dedication, hard work, daring ideas and nonstop creativity to every project I am assigned.”

  As an intern applicant, you probably don’t have much real-world work experience to sell, so play up your skills, college work and volunteer experiences when you write the body of your cover letter.

  For example:

  “At Pratt, I took a semester of classes focused on website design and production, which taught me the power of the web for marketing a brand. I proactively applied my learnings as a volunteer web designer for my local community center, which involved a full-scale rebranding effort for three months. I’m happy to note that the center’s membership is up 20% since the organization’s relaunch six months ago.”

  To write a cover letter closing, reiterate your passion and lead them with a call to action, like so:

  “I hope my letter intrigues you so that you want to learn more. What a thrill it would be to have my childhood dream come true! Let’s chat about your ambitions for Sol Graphics’ design team. I’d love to show you how I can help you make them a reality. Thanks for your consideration.”

• 4. How to write a cover letter for a job as a manager or supervisor

  

  

  You have to think like a manager to get a supervisory position. That means your cover letter should reflect what you would want to read from a job applicant applying to work in a supervisory role.

  To accomplish this, start your cover letter with a compelling introduction, like:

  “I’m ready to take the next step in my career with a company that shares my belief that customers come first, and so it is with great enthusiasm that I submit my application for customer service staff supervisor at Spare Parts Trucking. I bring 12 years of experience in the freight industry, dedication to customer happiness, patience and well-honed leadership skills. I love what I do!”

  Then play up your experience and achievements in the cover letter body paragraphs.

  For example:

  “Throughout my career, I have worked my way up from phone sales representative to customer service associate, and now my current title of senior customer satisfaction representative. In the last year alone, I trained more than 25 new hires, created a proprietary customer satisfaction survey, and increased customer happiness by 45%.”

  Reel them in with a strong closing, like this:

  “Thank you for your time. I’m excited for the chance to start this next phase of my career with Spare Parts. Let’s talk about how we can work together to take your customer service team to the next level and retain your current customers while increasing your leads. I look forward to hearing from you.”

• 5. What to include in a cover letter if you are changing careers

  

  

  Job applicants who want to change careers come from all industries and levels of experience, but they share the same challenge: proving they can do something new. Here’s how.

  You’ve got to exude confidence from the get-go. You could draw on similar experience from a previous job or your current position, like this:

  “I’m applying in earnest for the events coordinator position with Power Meetings Inc. As a seasoned marketing manager, I’ve helped to plan and execute customer-focused events, team get-togethers, and I’ve run meetings with C-suite executives.”

  As a career changer, your transferable skills are your power. Pick some of your best and craft your story around them, like so:

  “In my various marketing roles over the last 10 years, I have gained considerable experience building relationships with clients, partners and internal teams; created and presented award-winning campaigns for Fortune 500 companies; and developed an international network of partners.”

  Bring it all together at the end of your cover letter while maintaining confidence and interest.

  For example:

  “I’m excited to show you how I have applied my interpersonal skills, planning and networking abilities, and my marketing insight to internal and external events, and how I use them to help Power Meetings elevate their meeting experiences. I appreciate your consideration and time.”

• 6. Cover letter tips for job-hoppers

  

  

  Job-hopping is more commonplace today than it has ever been. Still, you need to prove to employers that you’re a serious candidate with a lot to offer.

  Here’s how job-hoppers can use their cover letters to strengthen their applications.

  First of all, don’t call attention to it! Instead, focus on your interest in the job and the skills you bring to the table. An introduction to a job-hopper cover letter might look like this:

  “I’ve been searching for a company where I can make a long-term contribution, and so I was thrilled to see an opening for a billing clerk with Sayers Product Group. I’ve admired Sayers’ integrity, transparency and commitment to its employees, and I’d be happy to bring my superb 10-key skills, ability to manage multiple tasks at one time, and my keen attention to detail to your group.”

  In the body of your job hopper cover letter, keep the focus on your skills and match them with the job description. Emphasize what you accomplished with those skills.

  For example:

  “I see that this job requires close attention to detail, organization, and the ability to manage more than 300 accounts simultaneously under demanding deadlines. In my previous job at One Medical, I created a Gantt chart to effectively manage more than 500 delinquent accounts and I used Asana to keep track of processed payments.”

  Close by reminding the employer that you’re serious. You might write something like this:

  “I’m confident that my technical skills, combined with my adaptability and flexibility, make a great match. I’d love to talk about how I can contribute to your present and future goals. Thank you for your consideration.”

• 7. How to create a cover letter if you are returning to work after an absence

  

  

  No matter why you left work or for how long, getting back into the swing of things can be an exciting challenge. A cover letter focused on how you grew in your time away can help set the stage for a smooth future.

  It’s best to start your cover letter honestly, so be candid about your time away from the get-go, but don’t focus on it. Instead, focus on your contribution. Your cover letter might go something like this:

  “I’m writing to express my interest in the teaching role at Manor School. With 10 years of experience teaching at the elementary level and having spent the last five years caring for my children, I would make a great addition to your teaching staff.”

  Use the body paragraphs to highlight skills you gained in your time away:

  "For the past five years, years, I spent time away from the workforce to raise my two children, both of whom have learning disabilities. During this time, I became certified to teach children with autism and continued to develop my teaching skills. I also volunteered at an after-school program teaching life skills to children with learning disabilities, and I started a part-time online tutoring service, Miss Williams Tutoring. Above all, I ensured my credentials and my capability to manage a classroom stayed up to date."

  Add a reminder that you’ve grown and are excited to return to work with new skills in tow.

  For example:

  “I’ve grown so much in the last five years — as a person, a mother and a teacher. I can’t wait to get back into a classroom where I can use my past work experience along with my new knowledge and skills to prepare children for their futures. I look forward to talking with you soon about how I can best serve your school. Thank you for your time.”

• 8. How to make a cover letter for a resume if you have been recently laid off or unemployed

  

  

  Layoffs happen to the best of us. If you find yourself in that situation, you might wonder how — or if — you should explain being unemployed. Let’s dive in.

  Honesty is the best policy, especially when it comes to writing a cover letter. Still, there’s no need to overshare before you meet someone. Leave those details for your interview.

  “I’m excited to apply for the position of warehouse associate at Home Goods. In my five years at ABC Plumbing, I routed products, shipped supplies, sorted and organized shipments, managed inventory, and received an award for upholding safety standards three years in a row. I’d love to apply my skills to a similar position with a well-known company like Home Goods.”

  Now show them why they want to hire you. Use your cover letter body paragraphs to spotlight what makes you the best fit, not your employment status. That might look something like this:

  “I see that you’re looking for someone with a well-rounded skill set. My on-the-job experience has given me great time management, excellent communication skills, and unparalleled attention to detail. I am an efficient, results-oriented worker with a collaborative mindset. I get things done.”

  Let your cover letter closing bring it home, but leave the layoff behind.

  “I’d enjoy talking with you about how my experience and skills can be an asset to your warehouse operations. Please feel free to call me at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your time and consideration.”

• 9. How to write a great cover letter if you want a job transfer or promotion

  

  

  If you’ve been with a company for a while but want to transfer to another team or request a promotion, then you need to tailor your cover letter for the new position. Here’s how.

  Start your cover letter by telling the hiring manager where you heard of the position and why you want to transfer to another department.

  For example:

  “I am writing to request consideration for a transfer from my role as an accountant for Assured Insurance to the position of finance manager under Claire Chang. I saw the opening from the company intranet. I have enjoyed my four years as an accountant, but I am asking for this transfer because I would like to grow in my career, and I feel ready to take on the responsibilities of the job.”

  Next, use the body paragraphs to explain in detail why you can perform the duties of the position, highlighting your related and transferable skills, like this:

  “The financial reporting, analysis and resource planning skills I gained in my current position are invaluable for a finance manager at Assured Insurance. In addition, I can put my well-practiced communication skills to good use in the new role, since it requires working closely with cross-functional teams.”

  To close your cover letter, strike a positive tone:

  “I’ve learned a great deal in my current job, and I’ve enjoyed working under Don Henry for the last four years. I hope to continue to grow alongside this company while supporting Mr. Henry’s team in a new way. I’d be happy to talk with you about how I can help Assured Insurance prosper. Thank you for your time.”

• 10. What to include in a cover letter if you want to move into a permanent position

  

  

  Maybe you’ve worked with a company for several months as a contractor and know a permanent position is available. With this type of cover letter, you’ll have to explain that you’re happy with the work, connect well with the manager and fit with the team. Here’s how to do it.

  Start your cover letter by introducing yourself as someone who has already worked with the company as a contractor, then explain that you’re so happy with the company that you would love to work there full time.

  For example:

  “As a contracted nanny with Eastside Nannies for more than a year, I’ve fully enjoyed the families I’ve had the pleasure of working with, and I fit well within the company culture. I can’t think of a better place to pursue my passion for the field. To that end, I’d love to work for Eastside Nannies as a full-time employee.”

  Then, use the body paragraphs to describe how you can benefit the company by moving into a full-time role. That might look something like this:

  “I know that Eastside Nannies values honesty, integrity and a family-first mindset, which is what I respect most about the company. As a full-time employee, I would use my early childhood education and the skills I deepened as a contractor to enrich the lives of the children I work with and their families.”

  Close your cover letter with an invitation to interview, like this:

  “Thanks for your time. I’d love to set up an interview with you to discuss how I can be a permanent asset to Eastside Nannies. Please feel free to call me at your earliest convenience.”

• 11. What should be in a cover letter if you need to relocate

  

  

  You found your dream job! The only problem is you have to relocate to get it. If you want to show your potential employer that you’re serious about working there, your cover letter must detail your intent to relocate ASAP. Here’s how to convince hiring managers that they should hire you, regardless of your current location.

  First, your cover letter introduction must convey your excitement about the job. Then get right to your intent to relocate to get it. Doing so early on shows the hiring manager that you are serious. Your genuine enthusiasm could encourage them to keep reading.

  For example:

  “I was thrilled when I saw the senior producer position with Website Designs on the job board. I admire the work your company creates, and I am impressed by your philanthropic culture. With more than eight years of experience as a web producer, I am ready to elevate my career and help Website Designs expand its portfolio and client base. I am relocating to New York to be closer to my family. As a native of Manhattan, I know the city well, and I’ve got a close-knit professional network there.”

  The body of your cover letter should provide examples of your work experience and dedication to your field, and it should highlight your hard and soft skills, like this:

  “I’ve learned that anything can happen in the technology industry, so I have developed a flexible mindset and have learned to manage my time effectively. At my current job, we had to scrap a build we’d been developing for months to rescale our platform. That’s when I learned the value of patience and seeing the bigger picture.”

  Your final paragraph should underscore what you bring to the table and reiterate your intent to relocate.

  For example:

  “If you choose me for your new senior producer, I will bring deep knowledge of web development and design, as well as a level-head and focus to the role. My love for New York and respect for Website Designs will fuel my passion for technology. Thank you for taking the time to review my qualifications. I look forward to speaking with you soon.”

• 12. Cover letter writing advice for when you have a referral

  

  

  If you know someone who has a positive connection to a company or is a solid mutual connection to a hiring manager, then, by all means, mention them in your cover letter. Hiring managers like to hire job candidates through referrals, so it’s a great way to get their attention when writing a cover letter for a job application.

  To effectively mention a referral in your cover letter, do so in your introduction so that the hiring manager sees it immediately.

  For example:

  “I was happy to learn about the opening for human resources coordinator at Penn Bank. Your human resources manager, Lisa Merced, was my direct manager at Unified Savings before she took her current job with Penn Bank. I do not doubt that she will attest to my knowledge of compliance and labor standards and my decision-making skills.”

  In the cover letter body, explain why the person referred you. Point out past achievements and share your goals as they pertain to the position.

  For example:

  “Under Lisa, I created a unique onboarding process that increased efficiency by 70%. We still use the process at Unified Savings, and I have refined it so that now efficiency is at 90%. I recently achieved my Master’s in Business Administration, and I’m eager to bring the knowledge I’ve gained in my studies to my job through process development, new employee recruitment strategies and employee retention initiatives.”

  Like you would any cover letter, close confidently, inviting the hiring manager to interview you, but mention your referral’s name one more time to round it all out. That could look something like this:

  “My experience working under Lisa Merced at Unified Savings and my training in business administration has prepared me to take on the challenges of working for a large regional institution such as Penn Bank. I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to discuss my qualifications in more detail. Please contact me at any time to arrange a meeting. Thank you for your consideration.”

• 13. How to make a cover letter for unadvertised job openings

  

  

  Sometimes companies have openings they don’t advertise. This might be because they get flooded with applications from advertising or because it’s a new position for the company. Whatever the reason, there are ways to write a cover letter for an unadvertised job. We’ll get you started.

  When you write a cover letter for an unadvertised job opening, you have to explain right away how you heard about the job. Your introduction might look like so:

  “I was pleased when your maintenance manager, Scott Dobbs, told me about the new electrician opening at General Hospital. I am a fully licensed, Class A electrician with more than 12 years of experience in industrial and commercial settings. I have recently completed a California 32-hour continued education program, and I am about to embark on writing my NABCEP.”

  After that, your body paragraphs should contain the usual cover letter highlights: why you’re the best, why you want the job and what you bring to the table. Focus on your skills for this type of letter.

  Something like:

  “Apart from my technical skills and education, you will find that I am hardworking, dependable, and focused on safety. I take pride in my work, and I value the input of others.”

  When closing your cover letter for an unadvertised job, keep it simple and reiterate your interest, like:

  “Thank you for your time. I’m excited about this opportunity, and I would be delighted to discuss my qualifications with you in detail. Please call me anytime this week to set up an interview.”

• 14. What should be in a cold-call cover letter

  

  

  Writing to an employer out of the blue just to show your interest in a job is tricky, but it conveys confidence and interest! Here’s how to write a cold-call cover letter with finesse.

  Start your cover letter by explaining why you’re interested in the company and the job so that there’s no confusion about why you are writing to the hiring manager. You don’t know the job requirements, so your research will require some heavy lifting, but you got this.

  Your cover letter introduction might look something like this:

  “I have enjoyed playing Vortex Games’ online games for several years, and after hearing of your recent award for innovation, I did some research about the company. Now I’m intrigued by the idea of working there. I’m writing today to apply for a position in your marketing department.”

  The body paragraphs of your cover letter should shine a light on your work experience as well as your relevant skills.

  For example:

  “I have five years of experience in online marketing and have received accolades for my campaigns. I recently won the Creativity International award for an integrated campaign I created for Intelligent Systems. As an avid, lifelong gamer, I would be honored to put my marketing and design experience to use at Vortex Games.”

  Close your cold-call letter by letting the hiring manager know that you are available to discuss open positions and add a call to action, like this:

  “I’m available to meet at your convenience to discuss your open marketing positions and to share more information about my skills and background. In the interim, please look at my portfolio for an idea of what I can do. Thank you for taking the time to review my qualifications. I look forward to hearing from you soon.”

• 15. How to write the best cover letter for networking

  

  

  A networking cover letter is a way for friends, family, acquaintances, and professional contacts to assist in your job search by providing referrals, references or job opportunities. This type of letter requires that you pay close attention to your target lead and your tone. Here’s how to go about it.

  In your cover letter introduction, explain how you’re connected, then mention why you’re writing, like this:

  “I’m Karen Snyder, Leslie Johnson’s friend from college. We met last week at Leslie’s wedding and talked for some time about our experiences in sales. I liked your ideas on prospecting leads, and I have managed many lead-generation projects over the last decade.”

  A great networking cover letter must summarize relevant strengths and include at least one example of recent accomplishments to illustrate your value. Use your body paragraphs for persuasion, like:

  “At Millenium Sales League, I increased our client base by 45% by being proactively involved in advertising campaigns, promotions, and cold calling. I also revamped the company’s social media program, which saw a 30% increase in sales in just two months.”

  Close your cover letter by bringing it back to how you and the reader met, then tie it to your interest and invite them to meet. That might look like this:

  “I am at a point in my career where I’d like to focus on prospecting. Your thoughts on the subject have left me intrigued, and I’d like to learn more about the projects your team is working on and how I might contribute. Can you talk more next week?”