Free Cover Letter Templates

Need a cover letter template? Download any one of our 200+ free cover letter templates for Wordthen fill it out to pair with your resume and complete your job application.

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Templates reviewed by Career Advice Experts

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How to Use a Free Cover Letter Template

To use one of our professionally-designed cover letter templatessimply:

Choose the template you like and make sure your preferred file format is available (all templates are available as Word documentssome are available as Google Docs).
Click on the download icon in the bottom-right corner andif promptedchoose the format you want. (If you want to use a Google Docmake sure to select the color option you want before making a copy.)
Edit the documentusing the template text as a guide to fill in your own experience.
Save your cover letter as a Word document or PDF to send to employersusing a professional file name like “your-name-cover-letter.pdf”.

To write a good cover letterread the job description and demonstrate why you’re a good fit for the specific company. Cover letters give you an opportunity to expand on the accomplishments in your resume and make a case for why you’re the best choice.

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Using a template helps you create a professional application and makes it much easier to quickly modify your cover letter for different jobs.

Copy & Paste Cover Letter Template

You can copy and paste this template into a doc to use as an easy-to-follow outline:

Copy and Paste Cover Letter Template

Your Name
Street Address
City and Zip Code
Your Phone Number

Today’s Date

Addressee’s/Hiring Manager’s Name
Job Title
Organization/Company Name
Street Address
City and Zip Code

Dear Name,

Opening paragraph: State who you aresay where you found the job listingand explain why you’re interested in the position.

Body paragraphs: Give an overview of your previous job experienceskillsqualificationsand accomplishments. Don’t repeat your resume. Explain what makes you a unique candidate and how you can help the company meet its goals. Use numbers to back up your claims.

Closing paragraph: State that you’d like to schedule an interview and provide your contact information. Say you’ll be in touch within a week if you don’t hear back. Finish by thanking the employer for their time and consideration.

Warm regards,

Your Name

As many as 94% of hiring managers think cover letters are influential when it comes to deciding who to interviewso use your cover letter as an opportunity to connect with employers and highlight why you’d make a smart hire.

More Cover Letter Resources

Now that you’ve got a templatecheck out these extra resources to help you write a cover letter that scores your next interview:

Frequently asked questions

See answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about cover letters below.

What should a cover letter include?

A cover letter should include five essential parts:

Contact information
A personalized greeting
An eye-catching cover letter introduction
Convincing body paragraphs about your achievements
A powerful cover letter closing and sign off

What should not be included in a cover letter?

You shouldn’t include any false information in a cover letteror the same information that’s already on your resume. It’s also important to avoid these mistakes:

Spelling and grammar errors
Addressing your cover letter to the wrong person
Including your salary expectations
Adding personal details unrelated to the job

Do I need a unique cover letter for every job?

While it’s not necessary to create a unique cover letter for every jobit does improve your chances of making a good first impression and landing an interview.

Each company has different challenges they’re trying to tackle through hiring. By writing a new cover letter draft for every jobyou can explain why you’re uniquely qualified to contribute.

How long should my cover letter be?

Your cover letter should be between half a page and one full page in lengthor about 200 to 500 words. This is the standard cover letter length because it’s conciseand keeps the hiring manager’s attention.

Do I really need a cover letter?

You need a cover letter if:

The job you’re applying to requires one
You’ve been recommended for the job
You want to provide information that isn’t included in your resume

Should my resume and cover letter template match?

Your job application will look much more consistent and professional if you use a matching resume and cover letter template.

Using mismatched templates can come across as unprofessional and might make it look like you didn’t put much thought or effort into your job application.

Free Cover Letter Templates

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How to Use a Free Cover Letter Template

Copy & Paste Cover Letter Template

More Cover Letter Resources

Frequently asked questions

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