How to Write a Cover Letter in 2026: Templates, Tips, and Examples

A cover letter remains one of the most powerful tools in your job search arsenal. While your resume lists your qualifications, your cover letter tells your story and explains why you're the perfect fit for a specific role. Understanding how to write a cover letter that captures attention and demonstrates your value can be the difference between landing an interview and getting lost in a sea of applicants. In today's competitive job market, where hiring managers often spend just seconds reviewing applications, a well-crafted cover letter provides the context and personality that makes your application memorable.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about crafting compelling cover letters that get results, from basic structure to advanced personalization strategies.

When to Include a Cover Letter

The question of whether to include a cover letter comes up frequently among job seekers. The simple answer: always include one unless the job posting explicitly states not to. Even when a cover letter is listed as optional, submitting one demonstrates initiative and genuine interest in the position.

Cover letters are particularly valuable when you're:

• Changing careers or have employment gaps to address
• Applying for internships or entry-level positions with limited professional experience
• Leveraging a referral or personal connection to the company
• Explaining how your unique background makes you ideal for a role that might not be obvious from your resume alone

How to Write a Good Cover Letter

The foundation of an effective cover letter starts with proper formatting and structure. Begin with a professional header that includes your full name, address, phone number, email, and the current date. Below that, add the employer's name, title, company, and address when available.

Salutation and Opening

Address your letter to a specific person by name, "Dear Ms. Johnson" or "Dear Mr. Chen", rather than using generic greetings. This shows you've done your research. If you cannot find a name, "Dear Hiring Manager" is acceptable.

Your opening paragraph should immediately capture attention by stating the specific position you're applying for and where you found the listing. Express genuine enthusiasm for both the role and the company, and briefly hint at what makes you a strong candidate.

Body Paragraphs

Rather than repeating your resume, use specific examples to demonstrate how your background aligns with the job requirements. Research the job posting carefully and identify keywords related to required skills. Then, provide concrete instances from your experience that showcase these abilities.

For example, if the job requires strong project management skills, describe a specific project you led, the challenges you faced, the actions you took, and the measurable results you achieved. This approach creates a clear picture of your capabilities while demonstrating your potential to succeed in the role.

Closing

Your closing paragraph should summarize why you're an ideal fit and reinforce your excitement about the opportunity. Thank the hiring manager for their time and include a clear call to action, such as expressing your desire for an interview. End with a professional sign-off like "Sincerely" or "Best regards," followed by your name.

How to Write a Cover Letter with No Experience

Writing a compelling cover letter without traditional work experience requires a strategic focus on transferable skills and relevant experiences from non-professional settings. The key is to shift the narrative from what you lack to what you can offer.

What to Emphasize

• Transferable skills from academic projects, volunteer work, extracurricular activities, or part-time roles
• Education and relevant coursework that relates to the job
• Specific instances that showcase your talents rather than simply listing them
• Your enthusiasm to learn and contribute to the organization

For instance, if you organized events for a student organization, you developed project management, communication, and leadership skills. If you completed a challenging group project, you demonstrated teamwork, problem-solving, and time management abilities.

Maintain a positive, confident tone throughout. Rather than apologizing for your lack of professional experience, focus on what you can offer the company. Employers hiring for entry-level positions understand you're early in your career, they're looking for potential, enthusiasm, and the right attitude.

How to Write a Cover Letter for an Internship

Internship cover letters require a slightly different approach that balances demonstrating your current capabilities with expressing your desire to learn and grow.

Key Components

For example, if you're applying for a marketing internship, discuss a social media campaign you ran for a campus organization, including metrics that demonstrate its success. This shows both capability and initiative.

How to Write a Cover Letter for a Resume

Your cover letter and resume should work together as a cohesive package that presents your professional brand. While your resume provides a comprehensive overview of your qualifications, your cover letter offers context, personality, and a narrative that connects your experience to the specific opportunity.

Best Practices

• Create visual consistency between documents using matching headers, fonts, and styling
• Elaborate on the most relevant aspects of your resume rather than repeating it verbatim
• Reference specifics from the job description to demonstrate your familiarity with the role
• Provide depth by explaining the strategy behind your achievements and what you learned

For more detailed guidance on formatting, check out this resource on cover letter format best practices.

How to Write a Cover Letter Template

Creating a reusable cover letter template saves time while ensuring you maintain professional standards across applications. However, the key to an effective template is building in flexibility for customization, a truly effective cover letter is never one-size-fits-all.

Basic Template Structure

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]

[Date]

[Hiring Manager's Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]

Dear [Hiring Manager's Name],

I am writing to express my enthusiasm for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name], as advertised on [where you found the listing]. With [number of years] years of experience in [industry or field] and a proven track record of [specific achievement], I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to your team.

In my previous role at [Previous Company Name], I [describe an achievement that aligns with the job requirements]. This experience strengthened my skills in [relevant skill] and taught me the importance of [a quality valuable to the company].

[Add a second paragraph with another relevant example that addresses a key requirement from the job description.]

Thank you for considering my application. I welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experiences can contribute to your team's success. I look forward to speaking with you soon.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

The bracketed sections are your customization points. For each application, research the company thoroughly and replace these placeholders with specific, relevant information. For inspiration and additional examples, explore these cover letter examples that get interviews.

Streamline Your Application Process with PitchMeAI

While crafting a strong cover letter is essential, the modern job search requires efficiency alongside quality. PitchMeAI helps you personalize your resume for each job in a single click, ensuring your qualifications align perfectly with the job description, a critical factor when your cover letter references specific skills and experiences.

The platform can increase your interview rate by up to 3x by ensuring your cover letter and resume work together seamlessly, both tailored to the specific opportunity. When you're ready to reach out directly to hiring managers, learn more about crafting effective messages to hiring managers that complement your application materials.

Final Thoughts

Mastering how to write a cover letter in 2026 means understanding that this document is more than a formality, it's your opportunity to make a personal connection with a potential employer and demonstrate why you're the ideal candidate for the role. By following the structure and strategies outlined in this guide, you can create compelling cover letters that showcase your qualifications, personality, and genuine interest in each opportunity.

Remember that the most effective cover letters are tailored to each position, highlighting the specific skills and experiences that match the job requirements while maintaining an authentic, professional tone. Whether you're applying for your first internship, transitioning careers, or seeking your next professional challenge, a well-crafted cover letter sets you apart from other candidates and opens doors to interviews. Take the time to research each company, personalize your approach, and proofread carefully before submitting.