Copy This Generic Cover Letter to Get Started Fast
Struggling with where to begin? Use our ready-to-go generic cover letter example to jumpstart your job application. It's professionally written, easy to customize, and works for a wide range of roles and industries. Just plug in your details and make it your own.
Copyable Generic Cover Letter
Dear [Recipient’s Name],
I’m writing to express my interest in the [Job Title] role at [Company Name]. With over [X years] of hands-on experience in [Industry], I bring a strong background in [Key Skill #1] and [Key Skill #2], along with a proven track record of results — including [Notable Achievement #1] and [Notable Achievement #2].
At [Previous Company Name], I led [specific project or responsibility], which resulted in [impactful outcome, e.g., increased efficiency by 25%.]. This experience not only sharpened my skills in [relevant skill], but also reinforced my ability to thrive in fast-paced, goal-driven environments.
I’ve also had great success using [Key Skill #3] to deliver measurable results — most notably, [brief example of contribution to revenue growth, KPI performance, process improvement, etc.].
What draws me to [Company Name] is your commitment to [mention something specific: e.g., innovation in the industry, employee development, company culture, a recent initiative, product launch, etc.]. I’m excited by the opportunity to contribute to a team that values [values/traits that resonate with you and the company], and I believe my background aligns well with your mission.
I’ve attached my resume for your review. I’d welcome the opportunity to further discuss how my experience can contribute to your team’s success. Thank you for considering my application.
Warm regards, [Your Name]
Why Use Our Cover Letter Examples?
Here are the key benefits of using our cover letter examples:
Save precious time. Writing a cover letter from scratch is a time-consuming process, even if you’ve done it many times before. Having a professional example to follow or using our cover letter builder with templates significantly cuts down the time you’d spend formatting the letter from scratch.
Get a professional design. All of our examples feature expert-made cover letter layouts. A strong layout (e.g., a professional font and uniform margins) improves the visual appeal of the document and boosts its legibility. Moreover, a unique cover letter design will help you stand out among the generic Google Docs and Word templates.
Create a cohesive application package. Our cover letter and resume examples are created to have matching designs and content, making your job application package professional and memorable. You can use our resume builder to craft a resume in minutes and then import it into a cover letter builder to make a matching document.
Ensure data privacy. We don’t store any private or sensitive data when you use our cover letter builder or examples. All the information you share with us when using our cover letter examples to create your document is encrypted and only used to write your cover letter.
What’s the Perfect Cover Letter Structure?
Following an established structure when writing your cover letter (akin to a resume format) is the best way to impress recruiters or employers and secure a job interview regardless of your industry. This is the structure we used in our cover letter examples for job applications, so let’s find out what it looks like.
#1. Header
The header of your cover letter is the place for contact information and date of writing.
You should start with your details and list the following:
Name
Job title
Phone number
Email address
Optionally, you can add your LinkedIn, mailing address, relevant social media profiles, personal website, portfolio, etc.
After that, you should date the letter and include the location of writing before listing the recipient’s contact information. The header stays the same whether you’re writing a formal cover letter or a creative letter.
#2. Greeting
A polite greeting is the best way to start a cover letter. Make sure to include the recruiter’s name, if you can find it, to personalize the document and grab their attention right off the bat.
#3. Introduction
An introductory paragraph should mention the role you’re after, the amount of work experience you have, and your biggest strengths or most notable achievements. Think of it as your cover letter’s elevator pitch, where the goal is to impress the recruiter immediately and convince them to keep reading.
#4. Body
The body should be between one and three paragraphs, and it should be about your skills and qualifications relevant to the job you’re after. On top of that, you should emphasize your drive and motivation for applying.
For bonus points with recruiters, you should mention a specific reason for wanting to join their organization. This will help set you apart from other candidates who have generic cover letters.
#5. Conclusion and Sign-Off
To conclude your cover letter, you should write a brief paragraph that thanks the reader for their time and prompts them to invite you for an interview or review your resume. This is best done with a call to action after a thank-you note.
Sign-off should be short and polite, bidding them farewell followed by your signature.
What Makes an Excellent Cover Letter?
Having a structure to follow when writing a cover letter is a solid starting point. Turning a generic cover letter into an exceptional one takes nuance and requires avoiding common mistakes (e.g., you shouldn’t put salary expectations in your cover letter unless explicitly instructed to do so).
So, let’s see what makes an outstanding cover letter.
#1. Personalized Opening
To personalize the opening and enhance the reader’s experience, you should address your cover letter by using their name. This boosts the impact your writing has on the recruiter as it instantly builds rapport. Plus, it shows that you went the extra mile to do your research and find out who is going to read your cover letter.
If you can’t find the name of the recipient, you can address your cover letter by their job title or department. Avoid generic openings, such as “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir/Madam.”
#2. Relevant Work Experience
Your work experience and accomplishments showcased in your professional cover letter should be strictly relevant to the role you are applying for. The main goal of this document is to show that you’re the right person for the specific position.
Whether you’re writing a cover letter for a scholarship or a part-time job, mentioning irrelevant previous employment or results unrelated to the role detracts from that objective and dilutes the quality of your writing.
#3. Effective Examples
You want to use effective and impactful examples of your past efforts, both in your cover letter and your resume, to validate your competence. Don’t just mention your skills and think that hiring managers will take them at face value.
Instead, include concrete, quantified achievements and results of your work. That’s why one of the most important cover letter tips is to incorporate numbers and statistics to show the exact outcomes and add measurable value to your expertise.
#4. Research and Understanding of the Company
Meticulously research the company before writing your resume and cover letter. You want to find out as much information as you can about the company’s goals, values, products, services, and team.
This data will help you write a tailored cover letter that highlights those skills and qualifications you know recruiters are looking for. As a result, you won’t just present yourself as a proficient candidate but as the best person for the job you’re after.
#5. Clear and Concise Writing
Clarity and brevity are crucial for a good cover letter. Recruiters and hiring managers are busy professionals who often skim through resumes and cover letters until one piques their interest. That’s why you want to convey as much valuable information as possible as briefly as possible.
A typical length of a professional cover letter is 250–400 words and 3–5 paragraphs. As a result, you should avoid going off on tangents, including irrelevant details, or using too much jargon.
#6. Active Voice
Active voice makes your writing engaging and confident. It makes your writing more dynamic and interesting to read, emphasizes your abilities, and shows that you take accountability for your actions.
For example, instead of saying, “Efficiency was improved by 15%,” you should write, “I led a team to improve efficiency by 15%.”
#7. Genuine Enthusiasm and Interest
Expressing genuine enthusiasm and interest in the role is one of the best ways to get ahead of the competition of similarly qualified candidates. Recruiters and employers always look for candidates who are passionate about their work. This is all the more important for an entry-level cover letter where you want to make up for a lack of experience with motivation.
One of the best ways of showing interest is by mentioning something specific about the organization you want to join. For instance, you can talk about some of their projects, initiatives, or values that resonated with you and inspired you to apply to their company and further their mission.
#8. Memorable Closing
A memorable closing capitalizes on the writing in your cover letter and maximizes the chances of recruiters inviting you for an interview. To achieve that, you should thank them for their attention and follow up with a brief call to action. Simply suggest recruiters check your resume or schedule a call, and you’ll end your cover letter on a strong, positive note.
How to Write a Simple Cover Letter
Writing a simple and short cover letter is better than not having one at all. Not only that, but if you know that you need a cover letter, it’s often better to submit a simple one than a long and complex one.
Here are some tips on how to write a simple cover letter for any industry:
Start politely and professionally. Address the reader by name (e.g., “Dear Mr. Smith”), state the position you’re applying for, and share who you are and what your key strengths are in a sentence or two.
Keep it concise and focused. Your cover letter shouldn’t be more than 3–4 paragraphs. Stay on topic at all times by listing a couple of the most prominent skills or accomplishments relevant to the role you’re applying for.
Express your enthusiasm. In addition to listing your qualifications, you want to show genuine interest in the role and the company. Explain why the role excites you and what are the reasons that you want to join their organization in particular.
End with a call to action. In the final paragraph, thank the reader for their time and express your eagerness to talk further over an interview. This will significantly increase your chances of receiving a positive response.
Job-Winning Cover Letter Checklist
Cover Letter Examples FAQ
The three main elements of a professional cover letter are a polite greeting with a catchy introduction, an engaging body of the letter with relevant qualifications, and a strong closing with a call to action.
A professional cover letter should be one page long and between 3 and 5 paragraphs. Aim to have 250–400 words of writing, and make sure that it’s all concise and relevant to the role you’re after.
You should use cover letter templates to save the time you’d spend creating it from scratch. Moreover, our cover letter builder templates are made by industry experts and HR professionals to ensure proper format and layout. By using them, you can rest assured knowing you’re getting the best possible outcome.
You should not use the same cover letter for all job applications. A generic cover letter that isn’t tailored to a specific position won’t have the biggest impact on the recruiter. For optimal results, you should customize your cover letter whenever you apply for a new job.
You should start your cover letter with a polite greeting and a brief introductory paragraph. Address the reader by name, if possible, state the position you’re applying for, and list a couple of your most prominent skills or accomplishments.
Employers look for relevant qualifications and motivation in a cover letter. They want to know whether you have the necessary skills and work experience to contribute to their organization and if you’re genuinely enthusiastic about joining them.
Yes, cover letters are important for job applications as they demonstrate the willingness to go the extra mile. While submitting a cover letter is often optional, doing so shows dedication to getting the role. Plus, the letter represents an extra application document you can use to discuss your qualifications.
All of our cover letter examples for jobs are free, and you can use them for inspiration or to learn how to write your cover letter. If you want to take full advantage of our cover letter templates and software creator, you can opt for a premium option and have your document ready in minutes.
You should format your cover letter with contact information at the top, followed by the body of the letter. Start the body with a cordial greeting, and continue with an introductory paragraph followed by your qualifications. Add a call to action at the end and finish with your sign-off.
Yes, you should match your resume and cover letter to create a sense of cohesion and professionalism. Firstly, the two documents should be similar in format and layout. Additionally, you shouldn’t repeat the details about your skills and qualifications but include unique information in each document.
