Free Killer Cover Letter Examples to Use This Year

Cover letters are important in a job search process so recruiters can find viable candidates. Here’s how to write a killer cover letter to blow away the competition.

By Maria Sep 16, 2024 3 minute read

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Killer cover letter example

Many job seekers think writing cover letters is unnecessary to the job process. However, career experts agree that writing a cover letter is essential. These letters are important and help hiring managers choose viable candidates for the role. Here’s how to write a killer cover letter for your next job application.

Free killer cover letter example

Use this cover letter example as a base to write your own. You can easily do it in our Cover Letter Builder! Our free Cover Letter Builder is a versatile tool for crafting various business letters. From reference letters to letters of interest, we offer hundreds of examples across different industries. Plus, our tool can assist you in crafting a professional letter of absence from work due to family emergency when necessary.

Ricky Miller
357 Main Street
Los Angeles, CA 12345
(210) 567-8123
ricky.miller@example.com

May 1, 2022

Jane Smith
Example Company
916 Main Street
Los Angeles, CA 12345
(210) 531-9750
janesmith@example.com

Dear Mrs. Smith,

If you are looking to hire a successful and proven assistant manager who can step in and immediately contribute to [Example Company], look no further. If you take a moment to review my resume, you will see that I’ve successfully progressed in my career, advancing to challenging positions in the office administration field. My background includes roles such as administrative assistant at [Sample Inc.] and administrative intern at [Ex Ample Co.] that have allowed me to master organizational skills crucial for the job.

My recent experience as an administrative assistant at [Sample Inc.] resulted in a productivity increase of 30% due to my integration of a new filing system in my department. I have maintained up-to-date industry knowledge and continued to hone my professional skills. I am committed to guaranteeing that managing office protocol is handled with efficiency and accuracy.

When you are ready, I look forward to meeting to discuss [Example Company’s] business needs and how I can contribute to your success.

Best regards,
Ricky Miller

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Why is the cover letter important?

The cover letter is a hiring manager’s first impression of you as a candidate. It gives them a general idea of why your specific skill sets and work experience make you the perfect fit for a specific job opening.

A great cover letter can highlight your communication skills and help you stand out from other candidates who didn’t bother writing one. And most importantly, it allows you to ask for a job interview!

Basic cover letter format

Writing a good cover letter typically requires you to follow a neat cover letter format. Here is the general format you should use:

Header

The header should contain all your current contact information, including your:

Full name
Address
Phone number
Email address
LinkedIn profile, online portfolio or website link

You should also address your cover letter to the hiring manager directly. Including the hiring manager’s contact information can create a more personal connection with them. Include the following information in your header:

The hiring manager’s name
The company name and address
The company phone number
The hiring manager’s email address

Opening paragraph: Salutation and hook

The first paragraph of your cover letter needs to hook the reader’s attention to motivate them to keep reading. Usually, addressing the hiring manager by name directly can do just that. Can you say Dear Hiring Manager in a cover letter? While it might seem like a safe choice, using a generic salutation such as “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Hiring Manager” come off as impersonal and lazy. You should also discuss your most relevant skills and experience in the opening to keep them interested in learning more about your qualifications.

Second paragraph: List relevant skills and work experience

In this paragraph, you should discuss your relevant skills and experience in more depth. You don’t want to parrot your resume again, but rather, explain how these skills and experiences are perfectly in line with what the role entails. Be mindful of the job titles you use as well as the achievements you discuss here.

If you aren’t sure what skills or experiences to include, then use keywords from the job description or the company website. Doing so can help your application get through an applicant tracking system (ATS), which is designed to scan for these keywords in every application. The more keywords it detects, the better the chances that your application will get through to an actual hiring manager.

Third paragraph: Why you’re the best fit for the role

You will then want to elaborate on why your skills and experience make you the best fit for the role. You can also bring up how you appreciate the company culture based on your research. Framing this job position as your dream job is always a plus. If you have any relevant work-related anecdotes that further highlight your skills, then you can briefly talk about that here as well.

Closing paragraph: Call to action

The last paragraph should briefly summarize what you just wrote to help remind the hiring manager why you are a great fit for the job posting. Additionally, you should include a call to action statement requesting a follow-up job interview with the hiring manager at their earliest convenience.

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FAQs: Killer cover letter example

Have questions? We’re here to help.

What should you never include in a cover letter?

Every detail you discuss in your cover letter should always be relevant to the job opening. A generic cover letter that you send out with every application can almost be worse than not sending one at all. Proofread your cover letter before you send it off. Typos and grammatical errors will result in your letter being tossed out, even if the content itself is great.

Do I need to write a cover letter for every job application?

Yes, you should always write a cover letter for every new job you apply to. The cover letter can be the deciding factor in whether or not a recruiter calls you in for a job interview. Always read the job posting carefully to see the required skills and experience before wording your cover letter.

Where can I find free cover letter samples?

Cover letter writing can be a chore. When you have to write a perfect cover letter for every job application, it can start to take its toll on your time and energy. This is why a cover letter builder can come in handy. These tools have tons of cover letter examples, cover letter templates and other cover letter tips to help you craft the best cover letter for your next job search.

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WRITTEN BY Maria

Maria is a Puerto Rico-based Content Writer with ample background in digital marketing and copywriting. She graduated from the University of Puerto Rico with a B.A. in English and enjoys making information accessible to others.