Cover Letter Templates and Samples for Job Seekers

Use the referral format to contact employers to whom you've been referred. The effective job seeker will receive referrals to many job opportunities through networking and informational interviews. The referral may be to a specific job opening (advertised or unadvertised) or to an employer who may not be hiring. In a referral letter the individual who provided the referral is mentioned in the letter. It's always important to match your qualifications to the job and/or employer in the cover letter. This is generally done as part of the body of the letter. In the "T" letter format this is done as bullet points targeting the specific requirements and your corresponding qualifications. Some sources for information to help you match your qualifications include: employment advertisements, company websites, position descriptions, phone conversations with the employer and informational interviews.

Breaking the Cover Letter Down into Three Paragraphs

First Cover Letter Paragraph:

Identify the position you are applying for, mentioning how you heard of the position and why you are interested in both the position and organization. Keep it short, simple, and to the point.

Second Cover Letter Paragraph:

Write a short summary explaining why you would be a good fit for this position. Be sure to go over the job description and mention all the skills you have that are listed as qualifications. Explain how you will benefit their organization.

Third Cover Letter Paragraph:

Thank the person you are writing and include the phone number that you are most easily reached at. Let them know you will embrace any questions that they may have for you.

The Cover Letter is a Way to Personalize Your Resume

You can look at all the templates in the world but if you are sending out a mass cover letter that isn't personalized to whom you are sending it to, you can kiss that peace of paper goodbye.

Cover Letter Template:

Your address

City, State, and Zip

Person in charge of hiring

Position, Department

Company Name

Company address

City, State and Zip

Dear Recruiter/ Hiring Manager [use name]:

I am writing in response to your ad for a Sales Manager on Career Builder. I believe my education, experience and familiarity with the telecommunications sector make me an ideal candidate for this position. I possess fifteen years of both product and service sales in the telecommunications industry. My experience with the western region of the company has allowed me to achieve several accounts with successful fortune 500 companies. My ability to think outside the box and strategize has kept me consistent in my sales roles and allowed me to develop innovative solutions that have addressed all the exciting challenges I have been faced with. I have consistently been able to achieve and exceed one hundred percent of my quota in all fifteen years of my related work history. I possess the technical skills required as well as eight years experience managing a sales team. I would like to thank you for taking the time to read this resume and am looking forward to answering any questions you may have. I can be reached at 1-888-888-8888 any time after 5pm.

Sincerely,

John Doe