Top 5 Strategic Cover Letter Formats to Get You an Interview Today

What is a cover letter and why does it matter?

A cover letter is a short document that is typically sent together with a resume, curriculum vitae, portfolio, or other important attachments in a job application. Its main purpose is to highlight details that are relevant to a job and that can improve a candidate’s chances of getting selected.

If you’re writing a cover letter, think of it as your one chance to show recruiters that you are what they’re looking for.

Don’t waste it by writing a meh letter!

It shouldn’t be just a random attachment to your resume. It has to make recruiters want to get to know you better.

Put your best foot forward using clear, descriptive language, and don’t be afraid to show off your major accomplishments and skills. If you have a letter ready, check out Jobscan’s cover letter checker to see if it’s doing all of that for you.

Benefits of proper cover letter formatting

Following the proper cover letter format ensures that:

In a survey conducted on the impact of cover letters on job applications, 83 percent of respondents said that applicants who send a compelling cover letter can land an interview, even if their resume isn’t particularly impressive.

You wouldn’t want to pass up on that!

Still, you shouldn’t let your efforts go to waste by submitting a mediocre resume. You can use this free resume scanner to optimize your resume. Pairing a solid cover letter with a strong resume can further increase your chances of getting a call for an interview!

How to format a cover letter

Regardless of which type you need to write, the general cover letter template remains the same. Follow this outline to write a winning cover letter:

Date

This goes on the top left corner of your page. It doesn’t have to follow any specific date format, so you can choose one you’re comfortable using.

Contact information

On a hard copy, you will need to include a more detailed version of your contact information. This goes below the date and should look like this:

Below this information is where the hiring manager’s information goes, which should look like this:

If you’re sending only a digital copy, your contact information should look like this:

Salutation

Below the date and contact information is where your greeting should go. Remember: An eye-catching cover letter begins with a salutation that mentions the hiring manager’s name.

One major major mistake that applicants make is using impersonal ways to address the hiring manager, such as “Dear Sir/Madam” or the long-outdated “To whom it may concern”. These fail horribly at catching hiring managers’ attention and even show a lack of interest.

Another big mistake is indicating a name without verifying it’s the correct one. Few things are worse than a letter with the wrong addressee name.

Addressing a hiring manager by name, on the other hand, effectively grabs their attention. It has the same effect as when you hear someone calling your name on a crowded street. It will make you turn to see who’s calling you.

So doing a bit of research on whose desk your letter will end up on will give you a significant edge. You’ll want hiring managers to know you’re addressing them personally, and that you are genuinely enthusiastic about their company.

Examples of proper ways to start a cover are:

If you can’t find the hiring manager’s name, you may also use these examples:

You can also use “Dear Hiring Manager”. However, this feels a bit too detached. A better way is to address the specific team you’re looking to join.

Opening

This section is where you give a brief description of yourself. Highlight relevant skills, accomplishments, and experiences that show you are a high-value candidate.

Keep this section no longer than one paragraph with only two to three short sentences in all. If you have plenty of relevant accomplishments, pick only the best and most recent. You can elaborate on your other experiences during the interview.

Body

The body of the letter should only be one to two paragraphs long. This is the part where you expound on the following details:

Anyone can say they’re a convincing salesperson. But those with the results to prove it are perceived as more reliable.

If you’re unsure how to beef up your cover letter’s body, you can use the cover letter optimizer to help you determine the best details to include.

Closing

End your cover letter with a closing section where you can sign off using professional closings, such as:

Avoid using overly casual or inappropriate sign-offs, such as:

Also, keep the tone professional yet friendly.

The closing section is also where you may reiterate your interest in the company or a specific position.

Cover letter format sample

Take a look at this example to help you write your own cover letter:

NOTE: Check out our cover letter examples page. These examples cover a wide range of jobs, industries, and situations, providing the guidance you need to create a winning cover letter.

Types of cover letter formats

There are five main types of cover letters:

The first four are your traditional formal letters, usually in block format and having only three to four short paragraphs. Traditional cover letters also typically have a business-like tone, but networking cover letters tend to be conversational and casual.

Aside from these four, there is another type of “cover letter” that is recently gaining popularity–the email “cover letter”.

To know which of these best suits where you are in your job search, let’s find out more about these cover letter formats:

Application cover letter

The most common cover letter format is the application letter. This is what you would send to a recruiter to supplement a resume or curriculum vitae. It should contain all details that are relevant to the job ad and answer the question, “Why should we hire you?”

Here are ways you can make sure your letter matches the job post:

Prospecting cover letter

A prospecting cover letter is somewhat similar to an application cover letter. It’s something you use when you’re searching for a job–only this time you’re not eyeing a specific post.

This is the type of cover letter template that you would send when you’re interested in working for a company and are eager to learn about open positions.

Otherwise, it will give the impression that you’re not sure how you can add value to the organization.

This is an example of how NOT to write a prospecting letter:

In the example above, the applicant is able to communicate her skills and experience. However, there is no mention of measurable results that show (instead of tell) that she indeed excels at them.

The phrase “any current openings” without mention of preferences in job roles also makes it a weak letter. It shows a lack of confidence and passion, which results in a letter that doesn’t stand out.

Here is an example of how to properly communicate your competencies in a prospecting letter:

In this example, the applicant gives recruiters a clear idea regarding her skill sets, expertise, and values. This makes it easy for hiring managers to determine whether she matches current openings in line with her preference and area of expertise.

Networking cover letter

What better way to search for a job or get a recommendation than through friends? You can take advantage of your professional network by sending former colleagues, acquaintances, or relevant people in your circle a letter that lets them know you’re open to new work opportunities.

If you have a wide network, that’s great! However, you should avoid shooting just anyone in your contacts list an email.

Here are some tips on how to make sure your letter produces the right results:

Career change letter

A career change cover letter is similar to an application letter, only that it signifies your intent to apply for a job in a different field or line of work.

Here are some tips on how to make this cover letter format work:

Email “Cover Letter”

This fifth cover letter format is a casual email that people typically send out when recruiters ask for a resume but don’t require a formal cover letter. It’s usually very brief and meant to inform recruiters that important documents have been attached to the email.

If you’re sending an email “cover letter”, make it work for you by briefly stating why you’re interested in the role and your most important relevant experience.

FAQs

How to format a cover letter correctly?

To correctly format a cover letter, simply follow this general outline:

Here are other things to remember when formatting a cover letter:

What is a cover letter?

A cover letter is a short document that is attached to a resume, curriculum vitae, or portfolio. It is intended to expound on key skills and experiences on an applicant’s resume and help recruiters choose candidates that best suit a job post.

How to write a cover letter in block format?

To write a cover letter in block format, align all the sections of your cover letter to the left, set the spacing to single in between sentences, and double in between paragraphs.

The block format is most commonly used in formal or business emails and letters.

How to format a cover letter for an internship?

To format a cover letter for an internship, you would still want to follow the general cover letter format. You can still highlight skills and experiences in the body of your cover letter even if you don’t have any actual work experience.

Here’s how:

What’s a good cover letter email format?

A cover letter email format should be brief and clear, while effectively showcasing your suitability for the job through relevant skills and experience. There is no set format to follow when writing a cover letter email, but we recommend the following: