should i write a cover letter if it's optional

Should You Submit an Optional Cover Letter? The Answer is Yes

The job application process is riddled with uncertainty, and one common dilemma job seekers face is whether to submit a cover letter when it is listed as optional. This article aims to answer that question by shedding light on the importance of cover letters in job applications and the potential drawbacks of not submitting one. We will also provide practical tips for crafting a compelling cover letter and share real-life examples of successful cover letters as well as expert opinions on the topic. So, let's dive in and explore the reasons why submitting an optional cover letter can significantly increase your chances of landing an interview.

The Importance of Cover Letters in Job Applications

Cover letters serve a vital purpose in job applications by showcasing the applicant's dedication and interest in the position. They complement resumes by offering a space to elaborate on one's skills, experiences, and motivations, providing context to the facts listed in a resume. As a result, cover letters can help create a more comprehensive picture of the applicant, ultimately increasing their chances of securing an interview.

Several studies highlight the impact of cover letters on interview chances. For instance, a study by ResumeGo found that job applications with tailored cover letters had a 53% higher callback rate than those without cover letters, emphasizing their significance in the application process. Despite these statistics, misconceptions persist about the importance of cover letters, with some job seekers underestimating their value and opting not to include them in their applications.

Reasons to Submit an Optional Cover Letter

Submitting an optional cover letter can be advantageous for job seekers in various ways:

• Demonstrates interest in the position : A well-crafted cover letter shows that the applicant has put in the effort to understand the job requirements and is genuinely interested in the position.
• Conveys professionalism and commitment : Taking the time to write a cover letter, even when optional, signals a high level of professionalism and dedication to potential employers.
• Helps the applicant stand out from the competition : Including a cover letter can differentiate an applicant from others who chose not to submit one, potentially improving their chances of being noticed by the hiring manager.
• Addresses potential concerns or gaps in the resume : A cover letter offers an opportunity to explain any gaps in employment, career changes, or other concerns that may arise from the resume.
• Personalizes the application : Tailoring a cover letter for the specific job and company demonstrates an understanding of the employer's needs and requirements, which can leave a lasting impression on the hiring manager.

Potential Drawbacks of Not Submitting a Cover Letter

Not submitting a cover letter, even when optional, can have negative consequences for the job seeker:

• Gives the impression of a lack of interest or dedication : Choosing not to include a cover letter may signal to the employer that the applicant is not fully committed to the position or lacks enthusiasm for the role.
• Risk of being overlooked in favor of candidates who submitted cover letters : In a competitive job market, not submitting a cover letter can put an applicant at a disadvantage compared to others who took the time to include one.
• Missed opportunities to address potential concerns : Not providing a cover letter means losing the chance to explain any discrepancies or concerns that may arise from the resume, which could negatively affect an applicant's chances of securing an interview.
• Not maximizing one's chances in the job market : In today's highly competitive job market, it is crucial for job seekers to take every opportunity to stand out and increase their chances of landing an interview. Not submitting a cover letter, even when optional, can hinder those chances.

Tips for Writing an Effective Optional Cover Letter

Crafting a compelling optional cover letter requires following certain best practices and guidelines:

• Personalize the cover letter for the specific job and company : Research the company's values, culture, and recent projects or achievements, and incorporate this information into the cover letter to demonstrate a genuine interest in the organization.
• Address the employer's needs and requirements : Make sure to review the job posting carefully and identify the key skills and qualifications the employer is looking for. Highlight how your experiences and skills align with these requirements and address how you can contribute to the company's success.
• Highlight relevant skills and experiences : Use the cover letter as an opportunity to elaborate on the specific skills and experiences that make you a strong candidate for the position. Provide concrete examples and anecdotes to support your claims.
• Maintain a professional tone and error-free content : Ensure your cover letter is well-written, free of grammatical errors and typos, and maintains a professional tone throughout.
• Make the cover letter engaging and memorable : Start with a strong opening that captures the reader's attention and use storytelling techniques to make your cover letter memorable and engaging.

"As a long-time admirer of XYZ Company's commitment to sustainability, I was thrilled to see the opening for a Project Manager on your team. With my background in environmental engineering and proven track record of managing successful green initiatives, I am confident that I can contribute significantly to your ongoing efforts to reduce the company's environmental footprint."

In conclusion, submitting an optional cover letter is an important step in the job application process that should not be overlooked. A well-crafted cover letter can demonstrate your interest in the position, convey your professionalism and commitment, help you stand out from the competition, address potential concerns, and add value by personalizing your application. By following the tips and insights provided in this article, you can maximize your chances of securing an interview and make a lasting impression on potential employers. So, don't hesitate – start crafting your optional cover letter today and increase your chances of landing that dream job.

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Do You Need a Cover Letter When It's Not Required?

When you do (and don't) need a cover letter to apply for a job

Why Write a Cover Letter?

Reasons to include a cover letter, reasons not to include a cover letter.

• Tips for Writing a Cover Letter

Do you really need a cover letter if a company doesn't ask for one? Writing a lot of cover letters during a job search is often both challenging and time-consuming. Because of this, it's not surprising that applicants often hesitate to include a cover letter when it is not explicitly required by an employer.

If you're wondering if you should include a cover letter, the short answer is yes. That said, there are a few exceptions.

You should  almost always submit a cover letter , even if the company doesn't ask for one. 

Here's what you need to know about the value of cover letters, along with the situations where you can skip a cover letter. 

If you're serious about landing the job, a well-written  cover letter  gives you a chance to sell yourself to the employer in a narrative format, and explain why you are an ideal candidate. Taking the time to  match your qualifications to the job  can help you get selected for an interview.

All of your efforts in the cover letter will help hiring managers do their job of screening applicants, and may get your resume a closer look.

A cover letter also affords you the opportunity to highlight your strongest qualifications.

An effective, well-written, and  customized cover letter  also makes it clear that you are highly interested in the job. That's because it shows the hiring manager that you want the job enough to go the extra distance.

To Share Extra Information

A cover letter gives you an opportunity to include details that your resume does not contain. For example, if you are applying from a distance, your cover letter will enable you to present a rationale for relocation and to mention that you will be in the area shortly for a possible interview. 

To Explain a Gap

Gaps in employment  with reasonable explanations can also be addressed in your letter. A cover letter is also an ideal place to provide specific examples that prove you have the skills and experience listed on your resume.

The Employer May Expect One

Additionally, some employers expect to receive cover letters even though they did not stipulate that a cover letter was required in their job advertisements.

Candidates who don't take the time to compose a letter are often viewed as less motivated for the job.

In many cases, employers won't even look at a job application that doesn't contain a cover letter or letter of interest.

For some jobs, you won't need a cover letter to apply. Some employers don't accept cover letters as part of the application process. For other positions, there may be no way to submit one. If a cover letter is optional, it's better to skip it if you don't have the time to compose a well-written one.

When the Employer Doesn't Want One

If the job application instructs that you should not include a cover letter, then it's definitely best to follow directions so as not to annoy your potential employer.

When You Don't Have Time

No letter is much better than a poorly written one. A well-composed cover letter serves as a sample of your writing ability, but the opposite is also true. If you don't have time to write a well-crafted cover letter that pitches your skills and positions you for the job, forego the effort.

When There's No Way to Submit One

Also, if the company asks you to submit your application through an online platform, and there is no place for you to submit a cover letter, don't worry about it. 

Tips for Writing a Cover Letter That Will Impress

When you do include a cover letter with your resume, it's important to make it a good one. Here are tips for writing a cover letter that will make the best impression and add value to your application.

Kelly Miller. / The Balance

• Make it targeted.  Be sure to compose a  targeted letter  that is written with the job listing in mind. Focus on the skills and abilities you possess that make you a strong fit for the specific job.
• Keep it short.  Make sure that your  letters are concise  (no more than one page topping out at five paragraphs) and that every statement you make conveys something significant about your qualifications for the candidacy.
• Go beyond your resume.  Avoid simply repeating your resume. Provide examples not listed in your resume, and expand upon things mentioned only briefly in your resume. Your cover letter should have a distinct purpose regarding your application.
• Edit, edit, edit.  Errors in your cover letter  can hurt your chances of getting an interview. Errors make you look sloppy, or worse, not educated. Be sure to thoroughly read your letter before submitting it. Consider asking a friend or colleague to read it as well to check for typos, grammatical errors, and confusing language.

Key Takeaways

• Writing a cover letter makes the hiring manager's job easier, by highlighting exactly why you're the right match for the role. That gives your application an edge. 
• Even if the company doesn't specifically request a cover letter, it's a good idea to write one if you're interested in the role at hand. 
• Skip a cover letter if the employer says not to write one, or if there isn't a place to include one in an online application form. 

A simple guide for writing the perfect cover letter

No one loves writing cover letters.

They can seem awkward or even boring when you’ve written many. And they are time-consuming.

So when a job posting includes the words “cover letter optional,” it can seem like a relief. With those three words, you are blissfully let off the hook on that arduous but tedious task. Right?

The bad news is that the cover letter is never really “optional.”

The only time you don’t need one is when the job description specifies: “No cover letters, please.”

For many years, I’ve advised professionals as they navigate their career searches. As the director of MBA Career Coaching at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, I help candidates get jobs in consulting and professional services, among other fields. Before this job, I spent several years as a recruiter for PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Today, in the wake of the “Great Resignation,” a lot of companies are scrambling to fill record numbers of employment vacancies. It’s a great time to be looking for work. And it may seem reasonable in this environment to assume that, as a jobseeker, you’re in the driver’s seat and don’t need to write those “optional” cover letters.

But a cover letter — a good cover letter — is worth the time and energy when you want the job. It introduces who you are in a way that goes beyond the resume, it demonstrates your interest in the position and the organization, and it inspires the reader to take action. The cover letter can be the difference between getting the offer or not.

A large percentage of today’s job postings either require a cover letter or make it optional. Only a small percentage will indicate no cover letters. That means you should be prepared to submit a cover letter as part of your application 80% to 90% of the time.

As a former recruiter, I know there are times when two candidates end up closely ranked in the hiring team’s estimation. In those times, a cover letter can make the difference and help you inch ahead of the competition.

Here’s my advice for writing a good one, without a ton of effort each time.

Create a boilerplate. This part does take time and effort. For the first paragraph: Write an introductory paragraph that you’ll adapt for each new role and each new company. For the second paragraph: Write out several of your skills, or competencies, in a skimmable, bulleted format. Each competency will be in bold type, with a sentence or two that tells a short story of how you have used this skill and what outcome it produced. Focus here on direct evidence — facts, not judgments. For the third paragraph, describe what drives you and what you’re like to work with. That is your value proposition. For that final, closing paragraph, restate your interest, thank the hiring team for its consideration and look ahead to next steps.

Customize, customize. That boilerplate is going to do so much heavy lifting. Using it, you’ll modify the introductory paragraph, asserting your interest in the role and the company. Then, you’ll select two or three of the bullet points from your boilerplate list to specifically highlight the skills mentioned in the job posting. The third and fourth paragraphs can likely remain just as they are. That’s the beauty of this strategy. It’s far less daunting to modify an old cover letter than to start from scratch each time.

Find an editor. It should go without saying, but a good cover letter is well-written and free of grammatical errors and other silly mistakes — like accidentally leaving in a reference to the last company you applied to. Achieving that requires a second pair of eyes or even a third. Enlist a friend or loved one who will be your editor, and be prepared to return the favor someday.

One final tip: Always re-read the job description once or twice. Make sure you know what the posting is asking for, so the cover letter speaks directly to that. And remember, it’s not about what you want the hiring team to know — it’s about what they need to know.

Dori Jamison is the director of MBA Career Coaching at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. Prior to coming to Maryland Smith, she worked for eight years as a recruiter for PricewaterhouseCoopers.

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The Optional Cover Letter: Do You Still Need to Add One?

We all want to put our best face forward when we are applying for a job. This includes supplying a top-notch resume and an engaging cover letter . But what if the job ad states “cover letter optional”? Do I still need to provide one or not? Will I lose some potential brownie points in the eyes of the employer? 

Career experts have done some research around optional cover letters and how you should treat such requests. Let’s take a closer look at this hot topic.

Should You Write a Cover Letter if It is Optional?

Yes, it’s best to provide a cover letter even if it’s stated as optional. Why? Because it’s another “touchpoint” between you and the potential employer. Use it to draw more attention to your resume (and skill set respectively) and give a preview of your personality. Candidates who provide a professionally written cover letter are usually viewed as more professional and interested in the position than those who don’t.

Also, actually taking the time to write a cover letter can set you apart from the competition. One small-scale study, done by a recruiter, suggests that 73% of applicants don’t bother filing a cover letter or even write a short introduction in an email. So doing the courtesy of writing a formal or more informal email cover letter can be pretty refreshing for some employers.

OK, But Why State ‘Optional Cover Letter’ At All?

If data suggests that employers prefer cover letters, why some companies state that the “cover letter is optional”? That’s totally confusing. Yeah, we get that. 

But there are two possible reasons for that:

• By “cover letter optional”, some companies mean that you should write a less formal letter of introduction (email), rather than attach a “traditional” cover letter. They still expect more than a resume, sent without any further notice. 
• Others treat the “optional” thing as a quick applicant test. Many large companies, receiving hundreds of submissions, may want to easily weed out those candidates that don’t put in any extra effort. A company may begin its candidate analysis process by eliminating those who are not interested in the job enough to submit a cover letter. In some cases that could be potentially hundreds of letters or emails that they don’t need to waste time on.

The bottom line: If a cover letter is optional, it’s not an excuse to skip it altogether. 

Are cover letters necessary when you are applying via an on-site hiring form? It depends. Some job application forms, however, provide extra questions that allow you to talk about your personality, skills, and reasons for applying. But even in such cases, it’s best to add a quick introductory letter if you feel like you’ve got a few more things to say. 

Does The Cover Letter Content Matter?

So, if we have already established that most employers want you to provide a cover letter, along with your resume. But do you need to bother making the cover letter content relevant to the position?

Oh yes, you do! The purpose of a cover letter is not simply to “check a box” with the employer – it’s a sales tool to persuade them to meet with you for an interview . For that to happen, your letter has to be personalized to the job. 

• Research the hiring person’s name and add it to the letter 
• Specify if you have a “shared connection” (even on LinkedIn)
• Reference a recent company event or accomplishment 
• Explain how the company values align with yours

To personalize your cover letter, do some company research in advance. 

Also, treat your cover letter as an opportunity to explain why you are interested in taking on the position – something that you cannot really do with your resume. When your cover letter is done well it may be the deciding factor for you landing an interview with the company.

What Else Should Be Included In An Optional Cover Letter?

Optional or not, a cover letter should do two things well:

• Communicate your interest in the role 
• Highlight your “fit” for the opportunity 

To convey the above, the lengths of the resume may not be enough. 

In essence, a cover letter is an opportunity to showcase how you use your core competencies (listed as skills on your resume)  in your day-to-day work. For example, if the job on offer is to support a certain area, such as product development, then you can use your cover letter to mention how you would be able to fit in with their plans. Mention how you previously led product development within your current company, what results you’ve achieved and how you plan to replicate this success if given a chance. You can check cover letter examples on your website to get a better sense of how to convey your skills via extra context. 

Apart from the above, a good cover letter should include:

• A strong opening
• Two-three paragraph, centered around your skills
• Closing statement with a call-to-action

What If You Don’t Send In An Optional Cover Letter?

You might not have enough time to write a decent cover letter to go with your job application. Or you are facing the worst writer’s block of all time. What happens if you don’t end that optional cover letter after all? 

If you are short on time, focus on your resume instead. Put your available time into making sure it is perfect and send it in. Also, prioritize answering other questions on the job application platform. 

Finally, instead of a full-length letter, provide a quick personalized note that briefly introduces you and expresses your interest. You can re-use a variation of your personal statement . For example, as a recent graduate applying for a business analyst job you may write something like this:

“Good day, [Name], I’m looking forward to becoming part of the XYZ BA Office and applying my skills in process analysis, requirements gathering, quantitative and qualitative research, to help XYZ maintain its position as a leader in industry X”. 

Also, for the next time around, prepare a generic cover letter — a pre-written cover letter template you can quickly personalize to different job offers. Having one will say you heaps of time (and stress)!  

Conclusion 

When a cover letter is optional, a lot of job applicants may be tempted to skip it. Don’t be one of them! A cover letter is a great means to convey your interest in the job and provide a quick “preview” of your personality and work abilities. Given that a lot of employers now seek out “cultural fits”, rather than applicants who tick all the job requirement boxes, a well-written cover letter can majorly increase your chances of landing a job with a prestigious employer!

Elena runs content operations at Freesumes since 2017. She works closely with copywriters, designers, and invited career experts to ensure that all content meets our highest editorial standards. Up to date, she wrote over 200 career-related pieces around resume writing, career advice... more

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How to Write a Cover Letter: Your Full Guide (With Tips and Examples)

It’s a familiar cycle: You sit down to write a cover letter, open a blank document, check your email, browse cover letter examples , do some chores, watch that cursor blink a few more times, and finally Google something like “how to write a cover letter”—which hopefully brought you here. But you still might be thinking, does anyone really read cover letters? Why do they even exist?

First: Yes, we can assure you that cover letters do, in fact, get read. To some hiring managers, they’re the most important part of your job application. And regardless, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to tell prospective employers who you are, showcase why they should hire you, and stand out above all the other candidates.

To ensure your letter is in amazing shape (and crafting it is as painless as possible), we’ve got easy-to-follow steps plus examples, a few bonus tips, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Get that cover letter out there! Browse open jobs on The Muse and find your dream job »

What is a cover letter and why is it important?

A cover letter is a brief (one page or less) note that you write to a hiring manager or recruiter to go along with your resume and other application materials.

Done well, a cover letter gives you the chance to speak directly to how your skills and experience line up with the specific job you’re pursuing. It also affords you an opportunity to hint to the reviewer that you’re likable, original, and likely to be a great addition to the team.

Instead of using cover letters to their strategic advantage, most job applicants blabber on and on about what they want, toss out bland, cliché-filled paragraphs that essentially just regurgitate their resume, or go off on some strange tangent in an effort to be unique. Given this reality, imagine the leg up you’ll have once you learn how to do cover letters right.

How long should a cover letter be?

An ideal cover letter typically ranges from a half page to one full page. Aim to structure it into four paragraphs, totaling around 250 to 400 words, unless the job posting states otherwise. Some employers may have specific guidelines like word or character limits, writing prompt, or questions to address. In such cases, be sure to follow these instructions from the job posting.

How to write a cover letter hiring managers will love

Now that you’re sold on how important cover letters are, here are eight steps to writing one that screams, “I’m a great hire!”

Step 1: Write a fresh cover letter for each job (but yes, you can use a template)

Sure, it’s way faster and easier to take the cover letter you wrote for your last application, change the name of the company, and send it off. But most employers want to see that you’re truly excited about the specific position and organization—which means creating a custom letter for each position.

While it’s OK to recycle a few strong sentences and phrases from one cover letter to the next, don’t even think about sending out a 100% generic letter. “Dear Hiring Manager, I am excited to apply to the open position at your company” is an immediate signal to recruiters and hiring managers that you’re mass-applying to every job listing that pops up on LinkedIn.

At the same time, there’s nothing that says you can’t get a little help: Try out one of our free cover letter templates to make the process a bit easier.

Step 2: Add your contact info

At the top of your cover letter, you should list out your basic info. You can even copy the same heading from your resume if you’d like. Some contact info you might include (and the order to include it in):

• Your pronouns (optional)
• Your location (optional)
• Your email address
• Your phone number (optional)
• Your Linkedin, portfolio, or personal website URL (optional)

Note that only name and email are mandatory, and you don’t need to put a full address on a cover letter or resume anymore. A city and state (or metro area) are more than enough. So your header might look like this:

Inigo Montoya he/him Florin Metropolitan Area [email protected] 555-999-2222

If the job posting tells you to submit your cover letter in the body of an email, you can add your contact info at the end, after your name (and if you’d like to forgo the email address here, you can—they have it already). So your sign off could look like this:

Violet Baudelaire she/her [email protected] 123-123-1234

https://www.linkedin.com/in/violet-baudelaire/

Step 3: Address your cover letter to the hiring manager—preferably by name

The most traditional way to address a cover letter is to use the person’s first and last name, including “Mr.” or “Ms.” (for example, “Dear Ms. Jane Smith” or just “Dear Ms. Smith”). But to avoid accidentally using the wrong title—or worse, inadvertently misgendering someone—first and last name also work just fine.

If “Dear” feels a bit too stiff, try “Hello.” But never use generic salutations like “ To Whom it May Concern ” or “Dear Sir or Madam.”

For more help, read these rules for addressing your cover letter and a few tips for how to find the hiring manager .

Step 4: Craft an opening paragraph that’ll hook your reader

Your opening sets the stage for the whole cover letter. So you want it to be memorable, friendly, conversational, and hyper-relevant to the job you’re pursuing.

No need to lead with your name—the hiring manager can see it already. But it’s good to mention the job you’re applying for (they may be combing through candidates for half a dozen different jobs).

You could go with something simple like, “I am excited to apply for [job] with [Company].” But consider introducing yourself with a snappy first paragraph that highlights your excitement about the company you’re applying to, your passion for the work you do, and/or your past accomplishments.

This is a prime spot to include the “why” for your application. Make it very clear why you want this job at this company. Are you a longtime user of their products? Do you have experience solving a problem they’re working on? Do you love their brand voice or approach to product development? Do your research on the company (and check out their Muse profile if they have one) to find out.

Read this next: 30 Genius Cover Letter Openers Recruiters Will LOVE

Step 5: Convey why you’d be a great hire for this job

A common cover letter mistake is only talking about how great the position would be for you. Frankly, hiring managers are aware of that—what they really want to know is what you’re going to bring to the position and company.

So once you’ve got the opening under wraps, you should pull out a few key ideas that will make up the backbone of your cover letter. They should show that you understand what the organization is looking for and spell out how your background lines up with the position.

Study the job description for hints . What problems is the company looking to solve with this hire? What skills or experiences are mentioned high up, or more than once? These will likely be the most important qualifications.

If you tend to have a hard time singing your own praises and can’t nail down your strengths , here’s a quick trick: What would your favorite boss, your best friend, or your mentor say about you? How would they sing your praises? Use the answers to inform how you write about yourself. You can even weave in feedback you’ve received to strengthen your case (occasionally, don’t overuse this!). For example:

“When I oversaw our last office move, my color-coded spreadsheets covering every minute detail of the logistics were legendary; my manager said I was so organized, she’d trust me to plan an expedition to Mars.”

Step 6: Back up your qualifications with examples and numbers

Look at your list of qualifications from the previous step, and think of examples from your past that prove you have them. Go beyond your resume. Don’t just regurgitate what the hiring manager can read elsewhere.

Simply put, you want to paint a fuller picture of what experiences and accomplishments make you a great hire and show off what you can sashay through their doors with and deliver once you land the job.

For example, what tells a hiring manager more about your ability to win back former clients? This: “I was in charge of identifying and re-engaging former clients.” Or this: “By analyzing past client surveys, NPS scores, and KPIs, as well as simply picking up the phone, I was able to bring both a data-driven approach and a human touch to the task of re-engaging former clients.”

If you're having trouble figuring out how to do this, try asking yourself these questions and finding answers that line up with the qualifications you’ve chosen to focus on:

• What approach did you take to tackling one of the responsibilities you’ve mentioned on your resume?
• What details would you include if you were telling someone a (very short!) story about how you accomplished one of your resume bullet points?
• What about your personality, passion, or work ethic made you especially good at getting the job done?

Come up with your examples, then throw in a few numbers. Hiring managers love to see stats—they show you’ve had a measurable impact on an organization you’ve worked for. Did you bring in more clients than any of your peers? Put together an impressive number of events? Make a process at work 30% more efficient? Work it into your cover letter!

This might help: How to Quantify Your Resume Bullets (When You Don't Work With Numbers)

Step 7: Finish with a strong conclusion

It’s tempting to treat the final lines of your cover letter as a throwaway: “I look forward to hearing from you.” But your closing paragraph is your last chance to emphasize your enthusiasm for the company or how you’d be a great fit for the position. You can also use the end of your letter to add important details—like, say, the fact that you’re willing to relocate for the job.

Try something like this:

“I believe my energy, desire to innovate, and experience as a sales leader will serve OrangePurple Co. very well. I would love to meet to discuss the value I could add as your next West Coast Sales Director. I appreciate your consideration and hope to meet with you soon.”

Then be sure to sign off professionally , with an appropriate closing and your first and last name. (Need help? Here are three cover letter closing lines that make hiring managers grimace, plus some better options .)

Step 8: Reread and revise

We shouldn’t have to tell you to run your cover letter through spell-check, but remember that having your computer scan for typos isn’t the same as editing . Set your letter aside for a day or even just a few hours, and then read through it again with fresh eyes—you’ll probably notice some changes you want to make.

You might even want to ask a friend or family member to give it a look. In addition to asking them if they spot any errors, you should ask them two questions:

• Does this sell me as the best person for the job?
• Does it get you excited?

If the answer to either is “no,” or even slight hesitation, go back for another pass.

Cover letter examples

Here are four example cover letters that follow the advice given above. Keep in mind that different situations may require adjustments in your approach. For instance, experienced job seekers can emphasize accomplishments from previous roles, while those with less experience might highlight volunteer work, personal projects, or skills gained through education.

Example #1: Cover letter for a job application

Alia Farhat San Francisco Bay Area [email protected] 444-000-1111

Hello Danny Tanaka,

If I’m being honest, I still haven’t fully gotten over the death of my first Tamagotchi pet when I was six years old. (His name was Tommy, and I’ve gotten far more creative since then, I promise.) When I was older, I discovered NeoPets and I was hooked for years—not just on the site, but on the community that surrounded it. So when I heard about FantasyPets last year, I immediately started following news about your development process, and that’s how I saw your post looking for a marketing strategist. Not only do I have eight years of experience in digital marketing, but as a lifelong gamer with a passion for pet-focused titles who’s spent years in online communities with like-minded people, I also know exactly what kind of messaging resonates with your target audience.

You’re looking for someone to help you craft a social media marketing campaign to go along with your game launch, and I’ve been a part of three launch-day marketing campaigns for mobile and web-based games. In my current role as social media manager at Phun Inc., I proposed a campaign across Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok based on competitor research and analysis of our social campaigns for similar games to go along with the launch of the mobile game FarmWorld. Using my strategy of featuring both kids and adults in ads, we ended up driving over one million impressions and 80k downloads in the first three months.

I’ve always believed that the best way to find the right messaging for a game is to understand the audience and immerse myself in it as much as possible. I spend some of my research time on gaming forums and watching Twitch streams and Let’s Plays to see what really matters to the audience and how they talk about it. Of course, I always back my strategies up with data—I’m even responsible for training new members of the marketing team at Phun Inc. in Google AdWords and data visualization.

I believe that my passion for games exactly like yours, my digital marketing and market research experience, and my flair for turning data into actionable insights will help put FantasyPets on the map. I see so much promise in this game, and as a future player, I want to see its user base grow as much as you do. I appreciate your consideration for the marketing strategist role and hope to speak with you soon.

Alia Farhat

Example #2: Cover letter for an internship

Mariah Johnson

New York, NY [email protected] 555-000-1234

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am excited to submit my application for the software development internship at Big Tech. As a student at New York University majoring in computer science with a keen interest in social studies, I believe I would be a good fit for the role. Big Tech's mission to promote equality and a more sustainable world is deeply inspiring, and I would be thrilled to contribute to this mission.

In a recent hackathon, I demonstrated my ability to lead a team in designing and developing an app that directs members of a small community to nearby electronics recycling centers. My team successfully developed a working prototype and presented it to a panel of industry experts who awarded us second place.

I’ve also been an active volunteer at my local library for over four years. During this time, I organized book donation drives, led book fairs, and conducted reading sessions with children. This experience strengthened my presentation and communication skills and confirmed my motivation stems from supporting a good cause. I would be more than happy to bring my passion and dedication to an organization whose mission resonates with me..

Through these experiences, along with my coursework in software engineering, I am confident I am able to navigate the challenges of the Big Tech internship program. I look forward to the opportunity to speak with you about my qualifications. Thank you for your consideration.

Example #3: Cover letter with no experience

Sarah Bergman

Philadelphia, PA [email protected] 1234-555-6789

Dear Chloe West,

I’m excited to apply for the entry-level copywriting position at Idea Agency. As a recent graduate from State University with a major in mass communications, I’m eager to delve deeper into copywriting for brands, marketing strategies, and their roles in the business world.

Over the past two years, I’ve completed courses in creative writing, copywriting, and essentials of digital marketing. I’ve also been actively involved in extracurricular activities, creating content and promoting student events across multiple online platforms. These experiences expanded my creativity, enhanced my teamwork skills, and strengthened my communication abilities.

As an admirer of your visionary marketing campaigns and Idea Agency’s commitment to sustainability, I’m enthusiastic about the prospect of joining your team. I'm confident that I can contribute to your future projects with inventive thinking and creative energy.

I welcome the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further. Thank you for considering my application.

Best regards,

Example #4: Career change cover letter

Leslie Smith

Chicago, IL [email protected] 111-222-3344

Dear Paul Jones,

Over the past year, I’ve volunteered to represent my company at a local fair and there I discovered how much fun working face to face with clients would be. Everytime I sold a product for The Solar Company, I often wished it was my full-time job. Now, I'm excited to submit my application for the sales coordinator position with Bloom Sales.

After completing a degree in business administration, I decided to put my outgoing personality and strong communication skills to work as a sales specialist at The Solar Company. I’ve sharpened my presentation and critical thinking skills in client meetings and sourced more than $20,000 in new partnerships. This experience has given me an invaluable foundation, and now I’m confident it's the time to move business administration to sales coordination.

I’m comfortable seeking out new business opportunities, making cold calls, and selling potential clients on the advantages of Bloom Sales products. I attend an average of 10 in-person meetings a week, and interacting with a lot of different personalities is what excites me the most. As a detail-oriented, tech-savvy professional, I have advanced knowledge of Excel and data analysis.

I would love to learn more about your sales strategy for the second semester and discuss how my experience in business administration and client-facing sales exposure would help Bloom Sales achieve its goals. Thank you for your consideration.

Extra cover letter examples

• Pain point cover letter example
• Recent graduate cover letter example
• Stay-at-home parent returning to work cover letter example
• Sales cover letter example
• Email marketing manager cover letter example
• No job description or position cover letter example (a.k.a., a letter of intent or interest)
• Buzzfeed-style cover letter example
• Creative cover letter example (from the point-of-view of a dog)

Bonus cover letter tips to give you an edge over the competition

As you write your cover letter, here are a few more tips to consider to help you stand out from the stack of applicants:

• Keep it short and sweet: There are always exceptions to the rule, but in general, for resumes and cover letters alike, don’t go over a page. (Check out these tips for cutting down your cover letter .)
• Never apologize for your missing experience: When you don’t meet all of the job requirements, it’s tempting to use lines like, “Despite my limited experience as a manager…” or “While I may not have direct experience in marketing…” But why apologize ? Instead of drawing attention to your weaknesses, emphasize the strengths and transferable skills you do have.
• Strike the right tone: You want to find a balance between being excessively formal in your writing—which can make you come off as stiff or insincere—and being too conversational. Let your personality shine through, for sure, but also keep in mind that a cover letter shouldn’t sound like a text to an old friend.
• Consider writing in the company’s “voice:” Cover letters are a great way to show that you understand the environment and culture of the company and industry. Spending some time reading over the company website or stalking their social media before you get started can be a great way to get in the right mindset—you’ll get a sense for the company’s tone, language, and culture, which are all things you’ll want to mirror—especially if writing skills are a core part of the job.
• Go easy on the enthusiasm: We can’t tell you how many cover letters we’ve seen from people who are “absolutely thrilled for the opportunity” or “very excitedly applying!” Yes, you want to show personality, creativity, and excitement. But downplay the adverbs a bit, and keep the level of enthusiasm for the opportunity genuine and believable.

The bottom line with cover letters is this: They matter, much more than the naysayers will have you believe. If you nail yours, you could easily go from the “maybe” pile straight to “Oh, hell yes.”

Cover letter FAQs (a.k.a., everything else you need to know about cover letters)

• Are cover letters still necessary?
• Do I have to write a cover letter if it’s optional?
• Can I skip the cover letter for a tech job?
• What does it mean to write a cover letter for a resume?
• How can I write a simple cover letter in 30 minutes?
• How can I show personality in my cover letter?
• What should I name my cover letter file?
• Is a letter of intent different from a cover letter?
• Is a letter of interest different from a cover letter?

Regina Borsellino , Jenny Foss , and Amanda Cardoso contributed writing, reporting, and/or advice to this article.

The Pulsifer Career Development Center's hours of operation are 8:30am - 4:30pm on Monday - Friday.  Bentley University strives to make web content accessible to all users. If you are having difficulty accessing information and need this content in an alternate format, please contact The Pulsifer Undergraduate Career Development Center  at  781-891-2165  or  [email protected] .

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Should You Write a Cover Letter if it is Not Required?

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When applying for jobs, writing cover letters can seem like a hassle, especially when you are applying to as many jobs as you can. Sometimes, you may come across an application where it says “optional” next to the cover letter. In this case, should you write a cover letter? The answer is yes because writing a cover letter even when it is optional shows that you are hardworking, care about the position, and take initiative. There are lots of other reasons why writing a cover letter can set you apart from other job applicants.

Writing a cover letter shows that you care

A lot of job postings nowadays are Easy Apply. What this means is that all you must do is click a button and submit your resume. As a result, companies are getting a ton of job applications. One way to make your application stand out is by writing a cover letter. Writing one shows that you took the time to research the company and are really interested in the position. Showing employers that you care and are willing to take the time to submit a cover letter may very well be the reason you get an interview or not.

Allows you to highlight your personality

Resumes only highlight your accomplishments and skills. By reading a resume, an employer won’t get a feel of who you are as a person in terms of personality. To combat this, you can write a cover letter. A well-written cover letter can convey the type of person you are and show the employer how you would fit in on the team. Soft skills are just as important as technical skills and one way to highlight your soft skills is through a cover letter.

You can mention something that doesn’t fit on your resume

Resumes are only supposed to be one page long, so you might not be able to fit everything on it. As a result, you can use a cover letter to talk about experiences that you couldn’t highlight on your resume. For instance, maybe you’re involved with a club on campus but because of your professional experiences, you cannot highlight it on your resume. Writing cover letters allows you to show off other experiences and activities that you are not able to do on your resume.

Overall, it is ultimately your decision if you want to write a cover letter if it is optional. However, writing one does show that you care, allows you to highlight who you are as a person, and lets you show off experiences that you otherwise would not be able to on your resume. While applying for jobs, keep these thoughts in your mind when you see the word “optional” next to a cover letter!

Insights gathered from: https://www.themuse.com/advice/cover-letter-optional