How to Write Excellent Cover Letters (With Examples)

An excellent cover letter can significantly improve your chances of getting noticed by recruiters. Unlike a CV or resume, a cover letter uses a story-like approach to explain your personality, motivation and suitability for the role. Grasping how to write a cover letter correctly helps you communicate your strengths clearly and professionally.

This guide explains why cover letters still matter, breaks down the process of writing excellent cover letters step by step, and includes practical examples you can adapt for your job applications.

Understanding the Need for Cover Letters

Cover letters remain an important part of many hiring processes. They give employers context that differs from a CV or resume and help them understand why you are applying for a specific role.

Knowing how to write a cover letter allows you to:

• Add a story-like context to your application by explaining your career choices and achievements in more detail.
• Show communication skills and professionalism.
• Demonstrate genuine interest in the company and role.
• Highlight relevant skills that may not be immediately obvious (or even missing) from your CV/resume.

Recruiters often scan applications quickly. A clear and well-structured cover letter helps them identify strong candidates without wasting much time. This is why excellent cover letters should focus on clarity, relevance or alignment with the job requirements rather than length or complex language.

How to Write an Excellent Cover Letter: Step by Step

Writing excellent cover letters becomes easier when you follow a clear, professional structure. Below is a step-by-step approach that reflects best practices used by recruiters.

1. Start With a Strong Header

Include your name, contact information, location, and the date at the top of the page. Follow this with the employer’s details. A professional header immediately improves presentation and credibility.

2. Use a Professional/Polite Greeting

Whenever possible, address the hiring manager by name. If the name is unavailable, “Dear Hiring Manager” is acceptable. Avoid generic greetings such as “To Whom It May Concern.”

3. Write a Clear Opening Paragraph

State the role you are applying for and briefly introduce your background. This paragraph should quickly address who you are, where you found the job listing, your enthusiasm for the job, and at least one key strength.

4. Middle Paragraph: Highlight Relevant Skills and Achievements

The body of the letter should focus on your most relevant skills (including tools you are familiar with) and accomplishments. Use examples (and measurable results where possible) to show how your experience matches the role. Avoid repeating your CV word for word.

5. End With a Confident Closing Paragraph

Reaffirm your enthusiasm for the role, thank the employer for their time, and include a polite call to action, such as expressing interest in an interview or further discussion.

6. Sign-Off

Use a professional closing such as “Sincerely” or “Best regards,” followed by your full name.

Cover Letter Examples

The examples below follow the same structure and tone to demonstrate what excellent cover letters look like in practice.

Example 1: Entry Level Cover (Administrative Assistant)

See sample cover letter for administrative assistant.

Example 2: Mid-Level Cover Letter (Project Manager)

See sample project manager cover letter.

Example 3: Senior Level Cover Letter (Marketing Manager)

See marketing manager cover letter.

Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid

Even well-qualified candidates can weaken their applications by making avoidable mistakes. When learning how to write a cover letter, be sure to avoid the following:

• Using the same generic cover letter for every application.
• Writing long cover letters with unfocused paragraphs (one page should be enough).
• Failing to tailor the letter to the job and company.
• Submitting a cover letter with spelling or grammar errors.
• Contradicting information in your CV/resume.

Avoiding mistakes such as these is essential for producing excellent cover letters that make a strong impression.

Final Thoughts

A well-written cover letter is still a key part of any job application. Understanding how to write a cover letter with clarity and professionalism helps you create excellent cover letters that complement your CV/resume and improve your chances of landing interviews.