The Best Cover Letter Layout in 2024

This is the greeting you use to address the hiring manager or recipient of your cover letter. When possible, you should avoid a generic salutation like, “To whom it may concern” or “Dear hiring manager.” Instead, use the hiring manager’s name and the “Dear Mr.” or “Dear Ms.” salutation. If you cannot find the name of the hiring manager anywhere, or the letter is addressed to a panel of people, a generic salutation can be acceptable as long as it is professional in nature. Remember that your header should include your full name and contact information.

The first paragraph in any cover letter should be an introductory paragraph, no matter what layout you choose. Even a simple cover letter will have an introduction, main summary and closing statement. This section of your cover letter should give a potential employer an idea of who you are and why you want the job. If you are applying to be a flight attendant, for example, you might write: “As a flight attendant with five years of experience, I have long wanted to work for [XYZ] because of the excellent reputation the company holds within the industry. As an experienced attendant with First Aid training and excellent people skills, I know I would be an excellent addition to the [XYZ] family.” This simple introduction tells a potential employer that the job seeker has the experience, that they are familiar with the company and that they have key skills that could be useful. This sets the foundation upon which the rest of the letter can build.

The middle or second paragraph of a one-page cover letter should be devoted to giving the recruiter or hiring manager additional information that can supplement your resume. Don’t just copy and paste information from your resume; instead, provide more details on your relevant experience and skills. Use this section to talk about your achievements and give examples of your strongest skills in action. For example, a project manager might write: “While managing [ABC], I created a filing system that reduced human error by 15%.” Using active language like “created” and “managing” and providing specific examples can make your cover letter far more persuasive and increase your chances of a follow-up call or an invitation to a job interview.

The final paragraph of a good cover letter should include a call to action. Reemphasize your enthusiasm for the job opportunity and invite the hiring manager to follow up with you. This is why you provide your contact information in the header, after all. The best cover letter is one that prompts a recruiter to read your resume, helps you to stick in their mind and encourages them to invite you for an interview.

Just as it is important to start your cover letter the right way, the way you sign off is also crucial. Tie the information in your cover letter together in your third or final paragraph and end with a professional sign-off, such as “Yours sincerely” or “Best regards” Remember to use your full name, and if you are sending a resume and cover on paper, be sure to sign the cover letter by hand.  As you can see, this cover letter layout is comprehensive and easy to adapt. Because it covers all of the most important bases, it gives you plenty of flexibility to create the right cover letter for their needs. It is simply a matter of adapting the layout and personalizing the contents. ResumeHelp can offer a professional cover letter template to get you started if you want some inspiration.