Entry Level Cover Letter Examples, Template, and Guide

Why use an entry-level cover letter sample?

It can be especially overwhelming to write a cover letter for an entry-level job application when you have little job experience to talk about.

How can you ensure your job application still gets the attention it deserves? Follow these steps on how to write an entry-level cover letter with no experience and you’ll be well on your way to scoring an interview for your dream job.

Resources for Your Next Career Move

Explore our complete cover letter examples selection for tips and resources tailored to every career path.

How to write an entry-level cover letter

At the beginning of every cover letter is always a header. This includes contact information like your phone number, often your address and social media links, including your LinkedIn profile. Include a salutation that uses the hiring manager’s name. A greeting like, “To Whom It May Concern” sounds stuffy and old-fashioned and “Dear Hiring Manager” in a cover letter can come off as overly generic. Make the best first impression with a great introduction.

First paragraph: Introduce yourself with a hook and list your best achievements.

The first thing to make sure of in any cover letter is that you’re writing to the correct contact person, at the right company and for the specific position you desire. You should also start your cover letter with some kind of hook that draws a recruiter in, and makes them want to keep reading. In this letter, the applicant mentions his college experience and how he came to find his love of human resources.

Be sure the objective in the resume matches the job for which you’re applying, and mention the position you’re interested in up front. While this may seem like common sense, it’s easy to forget about them, especially for those new to the job search.

Second paragraph: Provide more information about why you’re perfect for the job.

Next, you need to explain what makes you different from all the other job seekers who are applying to this job. Typically, in an entry-level cover letter, you’re going to be drawing on the resume skills you already have to show that you’re the ideal candidate. However, you can also include details about your education, training and any extracurricular activities for a resume or internships you’ve had in the past.

For instance, on the example on this page, the job seeker mentions his knowledge in Microsoft Office thanks to his summer internships. Share experience you have gained through related coursework, internship or volunteer experiences. Talk about any leadership positions you’ve had in college or awards you have won. Discuss your transitional skills or traits that are valued in any position.

Be sure you can relate the information you include on your cover letter to the job for which you are applying. While your cooking club prize in high school is helpful for a cook position, it is so much for bookkeeping. If you want to include accomplishments in bullet point form, do so underneath this second paragraph.

Third paragraph: Call to action

The closing paragraph is your call to action where you can request a job interview. Note how the applicant states, “Let me know when I can come in.” This puts the ball back in the recruiter’s court to reach out to you. Remember to be succinct and concise and present the facts of your letter in a direct manner. Write in short paragraphs and make sure your wording flows easily. You want your cover letter to be easy to read and scan.

Remember that hiring professionals don’t have much time to spend on each letter received. Hiring managers want to get to the point quickly or else they toss the letter aside and move on.

Key tipFocus on revising and double-checking your own work. 

Check all your details and verify that you have everything right. Don’t just send your letter to the head of human resources, if you can help it. Review the job posting or go online to find the name of the correct person who should receive your correspondence.

For more tips, read our How to Write a Cover Letter article.