How to Use Cover Letter Samples

When you’re applying for jobs, you may want to use cover letter samples to see how cover letters can be written. They may be useful for getting inspiration or to better understand appropriate format, wording, and anecdotes to include.

In this guide, we’ll address what cover letter samples are, what elements they include and how you can use samples to craft or improve your own cover letter.

What are cover letter samples?

Cover letter samples are examples of what a cover letter might look like in a certain job title or industry. Instead of using these samples as an exact template to copy for your own cover letter, use them as inspiration for how you might structure your own. This might include elements you should include, how to showcase your relevant skills and experience for the job, and how to address the employer.

What’s included in a cover letter sample?

Within each cover letter sample, you will see the same elements, as follows:

Name and contact information
Date
Body content
Signature

Your cover letter should also include these basic elements. While your content will be different based on your background, skills and the role you’re applying for, you can look to the cover letter sample as an example of what a cover letter in your industry and position might look like.

After the cover letter sample, you will find a few additional resources including related cover letters and Career Guide articles.

How do I use cover letter samples?

When to use cover letter samples

There are several circumstances in which using cover letter samples might be helpful:

If you are searching for jobs or exploring different careers, looking at cover letter samples might help you get a better understanding of day-to-day responsibilities in a given role. It might also clarify what employers might be looking for in candidates for a position.
If you are creating a cover letter, cover letter samples can help guide you when deciding how to structure your cover letter, what information to include and how best to effectively explain the value you’ll bring to an employer.
If you are updating a cover letter, samples are useful by displaying good ways to use language, layout, and details.

How to use cover letter samples

While cover letter samples may not be useful as an exact template, they can be helpful in providing good examples of what a cover letter in your industry and job title might look like. You should use them as inspiration, for example, to think of how you might briefly and efficiently convey why you’re a good fit for the job.

When creating or updating your own cover letter with cover letter samples as a guide, keep the following in mind:

Make it simple and easy to read. Cover letter samples are very simple and straightforward. This is because employers have a very short amount of time, so readability is key when creating your cover letter. This also means selecting a professional, clean font.
Make it relevant. When writing a cover letter, be sure to reference the requirements listed in the job description. In your letter, reference your most relevant or exceptional qualifications to help employers see why you’re a great fit for the role.

When deciding how to structure your cover letter, there are a few best practices to refer back to in cover letter samples:

Open with a few sentences explaining why you’re a great fit for this specific role. State why you’re excited about the job and the company, and how the job matches your career goals.
Then, in one or two paragraphs, connect your past accomplishments with the requirements listed in the job description. Focus on your most relevant experience, qualifications, and skills. When possible, quantify your accomplishments with facts and data. Avoid repeating the bullet points from your resume.
Close by thanking the employer for their time and consideration. You may also want to sum up your qualifications for the role and express an interest in continuing to the next stage in the hiring process.

While cover letter samples are not meant to be an exact template you should use when creating your cover letter. Rather, they are meant to provide context, general best practices, and inspiration to learn more about what a cover letter might look like in your specific field. After you’ve created your own cover letter with inspiration from cover letter samples, your resume on CV Simply