HR (Human Relations) Cover Letter Examples & Writing Tips

Use our HR cover letter samples and expert writing advice to create a strong cover letter for your job application.

By Ho Nov 05, 2024 3 minutes read

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HR cover letter sample

The first impression a hiring manager will often get of you is from your cover letter. A cover letter gives you a chance to communicate some of your most valuable skills to the hiring manager, while demonstrating them at the same time through the quality of your letter. Communication skills are one of the key parts of an HR job description, so make your cover letter count!

This guide will give you:

Writing tips for the perfect cover letter
Advice on how to format a professional cover letter, including the header
Human resources cover letter examples that you can use

Resources for Your Next Career Move

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

Featured HR cover letter example

Get started with your cover letter by editing this HR cover letter template using our Cover Letter Builder. It offers step-by-step guidance, additional templates and more!

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Free HR cover letter example

[Today’s Date]

[XYZ Company Address]
[Phone Number]
[HiringManagerEmail@xyzcompany.com]

Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. (hiring manager’s name),

I am applying for the human resources position listed on XYZ website. I believe my bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus on human resources, as well as my background as a human resources manager at ABC Company, make me an excellent candidate for the role.

While at ABC Company as the HR manager, I was awarded Employee of the Year three times. I took on many responsibilities at ABC company that I believe I can bring with me to XYZ Company. Some of my day to day responsibilities at ABC Company were:

Managing payroll for a company of 400 people
Conducting background checks and onboarding for new employees
Using Intuit QuickBooks and Human Resources Information System (HRIS) to analyze information and make informed decisions for the HR department
Introducing HR initiatives to increase employee retention

In addition to this, I am a responsible and proactive individual who takes pride in my excellent communication skills and attention to detail. With my unique background and prior HR experience, I feel that I would be able to greatly contribute to XYZ company in the human resources position. I think that I would also gain invaluable experience in a new working environment and aspire to learn from XYZ company to build upon my existing skill set.

I would like to discuss the position further and how I may contribute in some capacity. Please don’t hesitate to reach out by phone or email with any questions. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]

Three tips for writing your HR cover letter

It can be overwhelming to translate the information in cover letter samples to your own cover letter. Here are three tips to help you craft your own winning cover letter by following the format of this example. The perfect cover letter will include all three of these elements.

First paragraph

First, introduce yourself. Tell the hiring manager who you are and what you will bring to this position. To make the biggest impact, list your most impressive achievements first. This will hook the reader in, so they want to keep reading. This is a great place to list hard skills that you have learned that are relevant to the position.

For human resources, these may be things like data or payroll processing software. You can use bullet points to make this section easy to read and keep your cover letter from becoming too long or winding.

Second paragraph

Next, give more information about why you’re a great fit for the job. You can bring in soft skills or interpersonal skills that are relevant to a human resources professional in this section, like communications, collaboration, problem-solving and employee relations.

This section is great if you don’t have many years of experience in the field. You can inform the hiring manager of all of the qualifications you do have that are relevant to the position that may not be as obvious by reading just your resume.

Third paragraph

Finally, close out your cover letter by inviting the hiring manager or recruiter to contact you for a job interview. By personally engaging with the reader, you have a higher chance of your cover letter sticking out in their mind. A call to action will ensure that you are more likely to receive a call back.

For more cover letter writing tips, check our How to Write a Cover Letter article.

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FAQ: HR cover letter examples

Have questions? We’re here to help.

Is a cover letter necessary to get an HR job?

You should always include a cover letter when applying for a job. The only exception is if the job description specifically states not to include one. A cover letter can serve multiple functions that will benefit your job search. A cover letter can show your written communication skills to the hiring manager. It can also provide more details on highlights from your resume that relate to the job you want, as well as additional information such as:

Gaps in employment
When you’re moving from a different area
When you’re making a career change
Your personal referral to the company or job position

How long should my cover letter be to get an HR job?

The ideal cover letter will be about 3/4 of a page long or 250-400 words. This is long enough to include all of the necessary information. At the same time, keeping your cover letter short shows that you can communicate effectively. If your cover letter is too long, then it may seem like you are unable to filter your thoughts down to convey important information.

Does this cover letter example work if I don’t have a lot of experience?

Yes. If you don’t have a lot of work experience, then you can still use this cover letter example to get a job. You can use academic, volunteer, or internship experiences to make the same point and show you are capable of doing the job. You can apply for an entry-level human resources job, such as a human resources assistant.

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WRITTEN BY Ho

Ho is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and editor with two decades of experience in content strategy, creation, and development. He holds a Master’s degree in Creative Writing from Johns Hopkins University and his background includes experience aiding military veterans as they transition to civilian careers.