Free cover letter template

Free cover letter template by Michael Cheary Calling all jobseekers: your cover letter needs you…Even if you know everything about the perfect cover letter, putting one together can seem like a stressful ordeal. Not only do you have to think about the contents, you also have to consider what structure and formatting will make it stand out.We’ve already covered  what a cover letter is and how to write a cover letter, but if you’re still feeling frustrated when it comes to formatting â€" here’s our cover letter template to help you get started: Free Cover Letter Template Email address: Please enter a valid email addressmessage here By clicking Submit, you accept our Terms & Conditions and consent to receive emails and career related topics. See our Privacy policy for details. Continue without submitting Download Free Cover Letter TemplateOpening the letterOnce you’ve covered the letter writing basics (address, hiring manager’s name if you have it), the opening paragraph should be short and to the point.Explain what job you’re applying for and where you found the vacancy.Feel free to mention the website by name (e.g. ‘as advertised on reed.co.uk’) or, if someone referred you to the contact, mention their name in this section.Example:   I  wish to apply for the role of IT Manager, currently being advertised on reed.co.uk. Please find enclosed my CV for your consideration.How to overcome common cover letter problemsSecond paragraph â€"  Why are you suitable for the job?Briefly describe your professional and academic qualifications that are relevant to the role and ensure you refer to some of the skills listed in the job description.If you have no specific academic or vocational qualifications to cite, use your relevant experience to win merit.And if you’re lacking in practical work experience? Use personal skills or attributes to show what makes you the perfect fit for the role.Example: As you can see from my attached CV, I have over three years’ experience in the IT Industry, and I believe the knowledge and skills built up during this time make me the perfect candidate for the role.Five things you need to stop doing on your cover letter  Third paragraph â€"  What can you do for the company?Use practical examples to emphasise what you can do for the company. These might be performance-based, and could include examples from previous positions, your current job or even from your academic career.Always make sure your examples are as quantifiable and pertinent as possible. ‘Increased revenue by x%’, for instance, sounds a lot more impressive than simply stating you ‘Increased revenue’.Other (role-specific) examples include ‘drove x% more traffic to the website during my time in employment’, ‘an increase in students grades by x’ and ‘achieved a first class distinction grade in my dissertation on x’.Example: In my current role as Senior Marketing Executive at Software Company X Ltd, I have been responsible for increasing incoming client enquiries for our B2B product lines by 156% in under 12 months, which helped the business increase its revenue by 55% year-on-year.Cover letter help  Fourth paragraph â€"  ReiterateHere’s where you reiterate your interest in the role and why you would be the right fit for the company.Example:   I am confident that I can bring this level of success with me to your company and help IT Company LTD build upon their reputation as one the UK’s fastest-growing software houses. With my previous experience and expertise, I believe I can hit the ground running and start actively contributing to the business as soon as possible.Thank you for your time and co nsideration. I look forward to meeting with you to discuss my application further.  Closing the letterThank the employer for their time. It is also a good opportunity to indicate that you’d like to meet with the employer for an interview.Sign off your cover letter with ‘Yours sincerely’ (if you know the name of the hiring manager)/’Yours faithfully’ (if you do not), and your name.Example: Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to meeting with you to discuss my application further.Yours sincerely,[Your name]  Final thoughtsRemember: this is a template, not a ready-made cover letter.This means that it’ll only be effective if you actually put the work in. So before you get started â€" take some time to research the company and role, and think about how your skills and experience make you a good fit.Then, do this for every single job you apply for. Because although you won’t have to completely rewrite your cover letter each time, making small changes tha t make it tailored to the job are essential.Finally, your cover letter will always look different depending on your situation â€" whether you’ve just graduated, you’re coming back from a career break, you’re looking for part-time work, or anything else.Take a look at our cover letter help tips for specific pointers on how to write yours.Still searching for your perfect position? View all available jobs now