How to Write a Cover Letter [Full Guide & Examples for 2024]
![cover letter good definition Background Image](https://cdn-blog.novoresume.com/articles/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-guide/bg.png)
After weeks of heavy job searching, you’re almost there!
You’ve perfected your resume.
You’ve short-listed the coolest jobs you want to apply for.
You’ve even had a friend train you for every single interview question out there.
But then, before you can send in your application and call it a day, you remember that you need to write a cover letter too.
So now, you’re stuck staring at a blank page, wondering where to start...
Don’t panic! We’ve got you covered. Writing a cover letter is a lot simpler than you might think.
In this guide, we’re going to teach you how to write a cover letter that gets you the job you deserve.
We're going to cover:
![](http://writinghelp.online/777/templates/cheerup/res/banner1.gif)
What Is a Cover Letter?
- How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter, Step by Step
- 15+ Job-Winning Cover Letter Examples
Let’s get started.
A cover letter is a document that you submit as part of your job application, alongside your resume or CV.
The purpose of a cover letter is to introduce you and briefly summarize your professional background. On average, it should be around 250 to 400 words long .
A good cover letter is supposed to impress the hiring manager and convince them you’re worth interviewing as a candidate.
So, how can your cover letter achieve this?
First of all, it should complement your resume, not copy it. Your cover letter is your chance to elaborate on important achievements, skills, or anything else that your resume doesn’t give you the space to cover.
For example, if you have an employment gap on your resume, the cover letter is a great place to explain why it happened and how it helped you grow as a person.
If this is your first time writing a cover letter, writing about yourself might seem complicated. But don’t worry—you don’t need to be super creative or even a good writer .
All you have to do is follow this tried and tested cover letter structure:
![cover letter good definition structure of a cover letter](https://cdn-blog.novoresume.com/articles/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-guide/structure-of-a-cover-letter.webp)
- Header. Add all the necessary contact information at the top of your cover letter.
- Formal greeting. Choose an appropriate way to greet your target audience.
- Introduction. Introduce yourself in the opening paragraph and explain your interest in the role.
- Body. Elaborate on why you’re the best candidate for the job and a good match for the company. Focus on “selling” your skills, achievements, and relevant professional experiences.
- Conclusion. Summarize your key points and wrap it up professionally.
Now, let’s take a look at an example of a cover letter that follows our structure perfectly:
![cover letter good definition How to Write a Cover Letter](https://cdn-blog.novoresume.com/articles/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-guide/How-to-Write-a-Cover-Letter.webp)
New to cover letter writing? Give our cover letter video a watch before diving into the article!
When Should You Write a Cover Letter?
You should always include a cover letter in your job application, even if the hiring manager never reads it. Submitting a cover letter is as important as submitting a resume if you want to look like a serious candidate.
If the employer requests a cover letter as part of the screening process, not sending one is a huge red flag and will probably get your application tossed into the “no” pile immediately.
On the other hand, if the job advertisement doesn’t require a cover letter from the candidates, adding one shows you went the extra mile.
Putting in the effort to write a cover letter can set you apart from other candidates with similar professional experience and skills, and it could even sway the hiring manager to call you for an interview if you do it right.
Need to write a letter to help get you into a good school or volunteer program? Check out our guide to learn how to write a motivation letter !
How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter
Now that you know what a cover letter is, it’s time to learn how to write one!
We’ll go through the process in detail, step by step.
#1. Choose the Right Cover Letter Template
A good cover letter is all about leaving the right first impression.
So, what’s a better way to leave a good impression than a well-formatted, stylish template?
![cover letter good definition cover letter templates for 2024](https://cdn-blog.novoresume.com/articles/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-guide/cover-letter-templates-for-2024.webp)
Just choose one of our hand-picked cover letter templates , and you’ll be all set in no time!
As a bonus, our intuitive AI will even give you suggestions on how to improve your cover letter as you write it. You’ll have the perfect cover letter done in minutes!
![cover letter good definition cover letter templates](https://cdn-blog.novoresume.com/articles/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-guide/cover-letter-templates.png)
#2. Put Contact Information in the Header
As with a resume, it’s important to start your cover letter with your contact details at the top. These should be in your cover letter’s header, separated neatly from the bulk of your text.
![cover letter good definition Contact Information on Cover Letter](https://cdn-blog.novoresume.com/articles/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-guide/Contact-Information-on-Cover-Letter.png)
Here, you want to include all the essential contact information , including:
- Full Name. Your first and last name should stand out at the top.
- Job Title. Match the professional title underneath your name to the exact job title of the position you’re applying for. Hiring managers often hire for several roles at once, so giving them this cue about what role you’re after helps things go smoother.
- Email Address. Always use a professional and easy-to-spell email address. Ideally, it should combine your first and last names.
- Phone Number. Add a number where the hiring manager can easily reach you.
- Location. Add your city and state/country, no need for more details.
- Relevant Links (optional). You can add links to websites or social media profiles that are relevant to your field. Examples include a LinkedIn profile , Github, or an online portfolio.
Then it’s time to add the recipient’s contact details, such as:
- Hiring Manager's Name. If you can find the name of the hiring manager, add it.
- Hiring Manager's Title. While there’s no harm in writing “hiring manager,” if they’re the head of the department, we recommend you use that title accordingly.
- Company Name. Make sure to write the name of the company you're applying to.
- Location. The city and state/country are usually enough information here, too.
- Date of Writing (Optional). You can include the date you wrote your cover letter for an extra professional touch.
![cover letter good definition matching resume and cover letter](https://cdn-blog.novoresume.com/articles/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-guide/matching-resume-and-cover-letter.png)
#3. Address the Hiring Manager
Once you’ve properly listed all the contact information, it’s time to start writing the content of the cover letter.
The first thing you need to do here is to address your cover letter directly to the hiring manager.
In fact, you want to address the hiring manager personally .
Forget the old “Dear Sir or Madam” or the impersonal “To Whom It May Concern.” You want to give your future boss a good impression and show them that you did your research before sending in your application.
No one wants to hire a job seeker who just spams 20+ companies and hopes something sticks with their generic approach
So, how do you find out who’s the hiring manager?
First, check the job ad. The hiring manager’s name might be listed somewhere in it.
If that doesn’t work, check the company’s LinkedIn page. You just need to look up the head of the relevant department you’re applying to, and you’re all set.
For example, if you’re applying for the position of Communication Specialist at Novorésumé. The hiring manager is probably the Head of Communications or the Chief Communications Officer.
Here’s what you should look for on LinkedIn:
![cover letter good definition linkedin search cco](https://cdn-blog.novoresume.com/articles/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-guide/linkedin-search-cco.png)
And there you go! You have your hiring manager.
But let’s say you’re applying for a position as a server . In that case, you’d be looking for the “restaurant manager” or “food and beverage manager.”
If the results don’t come up with anything, try checking out the “Team” page on the company website; there’s a good chance you’ll at least find the right person there.
Make sure to address them as Mr. or Ms., followed by their last name. If you’re not sure about their gender or marital status, you can just stick to their full name, like so:
- Dear Mr. Kurtuy,
- Dear Andrei Kurtuy,
But what if you still can’t find the hiring manager’s name, no matter where you look?
No worries. You can direct your cover letter to the company, department, or team as a whole, or just skip the hiring manager’s name.
- Dear [Department] Hiring Manager
- Dear Hiring Manager
- Dear [Department] Team
- Dear [Company Name]
Are you applying for a research position? Learn how to write an academic personal statement .
#4. Write an Eye-Catching Introduction
First impressions matter, especially when it comes to your job search.
Hiring managers get hundreds, sometimes even thousands, of applications. Chances are, they’re not going to be reading every single cover letter end-to-end.
So, it’s essential to catch their attention from the very first paragraph.
The biggest problem with most opening paragraphs is that they’re usually extremely generic. Here’s an example:
- My name is Jonathan, and I’d like to work as a Sales Manager at XYZ Inc. I’ve worked as a Sales Manager at MadeUpCompany Inc. for 5+ years, so I believe that I’d be a good fit for the position.
See the issue here? This opening paragraph doesn’t say anything except the fact that you’ve worked the job before.
And do you know who else has similar work experience? All the other applicants you’re competing with.
Instead, you want to start with some of your top achievements to grab the reader’s attention. And to get the point across, the achievements should be as relevant as possible to the position.
Your opening paragraph should also show the hiring manager a bit about why you want this specific job. For example, mention how the job relates to your plans for the future or how it can help you grow professionally. This will show the hiring manager that you’re not just applying left and right—you’re actually enthusiastic about getting this particular role.
Now, let’s make our previous example shine:
Dear Mr. Smith,
My name’s Michael, and I’d like to help XYZ Inc. hit and exceed its sales goals as a Sales Manager. I’ve worked as a Sales Representative with Company X, another fin-tech company , for 3+ years, where I generated an average of $30,000+ in sales per month and beat the KPIs by around 40%. I believe that my previous industry experience, passion for finance , and excellence in sales make me the right candidate for the job.
The second candidate starts with what they can do for the company in the future and immediately lists an impressive and relevant achievement. Since they’re experienced in the same industry and interested in finance, the hiring manager can see they’re not just a random applicant.
From this introduction, it’s safe to say that the hiring manager would read the rest of this candidate’s cover letter.
#5. Use the Cover Letter Body for Details
The next part of your cover letter is where you can go into detail about what sets you apart as a qualified candidate for the job.
The main thing you need to remember here is that you shouldn’t make it all about yourself . Your cover letter is supposed to show the hiring manager how you relate to the job and the company you’re applying to.
No matter how cool you make yourself sound in your cover letter, if you don’t tailor it to match what the hiring manager is looking for, you’re not getting an interview.
To get this right, use the job ad as a reference when writing your cover letter. Make sure to highlight skills and achievements that match the job requirements, and you’re good to go.
Since this part of your cover letter is by far the longest, you should split it into at least two paragraphs.
Here’s what each paragraph should cover:
Explain Why You’re the Perfect Candidate for the Role
Before you can show the hiring manager that you’re exactly what they’ve been looking for, you need to know what it is they’re looking for.
Start by doing a bit of research. Learn what the most important skills and responsibilities of the role are according to the job ad, and focus on any relevant experience you have that matches them.
For example, if you’re applying for the position of a Facebook Advertiser. The top requirements on the job ad are:
- Experience managing a Facebook ad budget of $10,000+ / month
- Some skills in advertising on other platforms (Google Search + Twitter)
- Excellent copywriting skills
So, in the body of your cover letter, you need to show how you meet these requirements. Here’s an example of what that can look like:
In my previous role as a Facebook Marketing Expert at XYZ Inc. I handled customer acquisition through ads, managing a monthly Facebook ad budget of $40,000+ . As the sole digital marketer at the company, I managed the ad creation and management process end-to-end. I created the ad copy and images, picked the targeting, ran optimization trials, and so on.
Other than Facebook advertising, I’ve also delved into other online PPC channels, including:
- Google Search
Our example addresses all the necessary requirements and shows off the candidate’s relevant skills.
Are you a student applying for your first internship? Learn how to write an internship cover letter with our dedicated guide.
Explain Why You’re a Good Fit for the Company
As skilled and experienced as you may be, that’s not all the hiring manager is looking for.
They also want someone who’s a good fit for their company and who actually wants to work there.
Employees who don’t fit in with the company culture are likely to quit sooner or later. This ends up costing the company a ton of money, up to 50% of the employee’s annual salary , so hiring managers vet candidates very carefully to avoid this scenario.
So, you have to convince the hiring manager that you’re passionate about working with them.
Start by doing some research about the company. You want to know things like:
- What’s the company’s business model?
- What’s the company’s product or service? Have you used it?
- What’s the company’s culture like?
Chances are, you’ll find all the information you need either on the company website or on job-search websites like Jobscan or Glassdoor.
Then, pick your favorite thing about the company and talk about it in your cover letter.
But don’t just describe the company in its own words just to flatter them. Be super specific—the hiring manager can see through any fluff.
For example, if you’re passionate about their product and you like the company’s culture of innovation and independent work model, you can write something like:
I’ve personally used the XYZ Smartphone, and I believe that it’s the most innovative tech I’ve used in years. The features, such as Made-Up-Feature #1 and Made-Up-Feature #2, were real game changers for the device.
I really admire how Company XYZ strives for excellence in all its product lines, creating market-leading tech. As someone who thrives in a self-driven environment, I truly believe that I’ll be a great match for your Product Design team.
So, make sure to do your fair share of research and come up with good reasons why you're applying to that specific company.
Is the company you want to work for not hiring at the moment? Check out our guide to writing a letter of interest .
#6. Wrap It Up and Sign It
Finally, it’s time to conclude your cover letter.
In the final paragraph, you want to:
- Wrap up any points you couldn't make in the previous paragraphs. Do you have anything left to say? If there’s any other information that could help the hiring manager make their decision, mention it here. If not, just recap your key selling points so far, such as key skills and expertise.
- Express gratitude. Politely thanking the hiring manager for their time is always a good idea.
- Finish the cover letter with a call to action. The very last sentence in your cover letter should be a call to action. This means you should ask the hiring manager to do something, like call you and discuss your application or arrange an interview.
- Remember to sign your cover letter. Just add a formal closing line and sign your name at the bottom.
Here’s an example of how to end your cover letter :
I hope to help Company X make the most of their Facebook marketing initiatives. I'd love to further discuss how my previous success at XYZ Inc. can help you achieve your Facebook marketing goals. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at the provided email address or phone number so that we may arrange an interview.
Thank you for your consideration,
Alice Richards
Feel free to use one of these other popular closing lines for your cover letter:
- Best Regards,
- Kind Regards,
Cover Letter Writing Checklist
Once you’re done with your cover letter, it’s time to check if it meets all industry requirements.
Give our handy cover letter writing checklist a look to make sure:
Does your cover letter heading include all essential information?
- Professional Email
- Phone Number
- Relevant Links
Do you address the right person?
- The hiring manager in the company
- Your future direct supervisor
- The company/department in general
Does your introductory paragraph grab the reader's attention?
- Did you mention some of your top achievements?
- Did you use numbers and facts to back up your experience?
- Did you convey enthusiasm for the specific role?
Do you show that you’re the right candidate for the job?
- Did you identify the core requirements for the role?
- Did you show how your experiences helped you fit the requirements perfectly?
Do you convince the hiring manager that you’re passionate about the company you’re applying to?
- Did you identify the top 3 things that you like about the company?
- Did you avoid generic reasons for explaining your interest in the company?
Did you conclude your cover letter properly?
- Did you recap your key selling points in the conclusion?
- Did you end your cover letter with a call to action?
- Did you use the right formal closing line and sign your name?
15 Cover Letter Tips
Now you’re all set to write your cover letter!
Before you start typing, here are some cover letter tips to help take your cover letter to the next level:
- Customize Your Cover Letter for Each Job. Make sure your cover letter is tailored to the job you're applying for. This shows you're not just sending generic applications left and right, and it tells the hiring manager you’re the right person for the job.
- Showcase Your Skills. Talk about how your skills meet the company’s needs. And while your hard skills should be front and center, you shouldn’t underestimate your soft skills in your cover letter either.
- Avoid Fluff. Don’t make any generic statements you can’t back up. The hiring manager can tell when you’re just throwing words around, and it doesn’t make your cover letter look good.
- Use Specific Examples. Instead of saying you're great at something, give an actual example to back up your claim. Any data you can provide makes you sound more credible, so quantify your achievements. For example, give numbers such as percentages related to your performance and the timeframe it took to accomplish certain achievements.
- Research the Company. Always take time to learn about the company you're applying to. Make sure to mention something about them in your cover letter to show the hiring manager that you're interested.
- Follow the Application Instructions. If the job posting asks for something specific in your cover letter or requires a certain format, make sure you include it. Not following instructions can come off as unattentive or signal to the hiring manager that you’re not taking the job seriously.
- Use the Right Template and Format. Choose the right cover letter format and adapt your cover letter’s look to the industry you’re applying for. For example, if you’re aiming for a job in Law or Finance, you should go for a cleaner, more professional look. But if you’re applying for a field that values innovation, like IT or Design, you have more room for creativity.
- Express Your Enthusiasm. Let the hiring manager know why you're excited about the job. Your passion for the specific role or the field in general can be a big selling point, and show them that you’re genuinely interested, not just applying left and right.
- Address Any Gaps. If there are any employment gaps in your resume , your cover letter is a great place to mention why. Your resume doesn’t give you enough space to elaborate on an employment gap, so addressing it here can set hiring managers at ease—life happens, and employers understand.
- Avoid Quirky Emails. Your email address should be presentable. It’s hard for a hiring manager to take you seriously if your email address is “[email protected].” Just use a [email protected] format.
- Check Your Contact Information. Typos in your email address or phone number can mean a missed opportunity. Double-check these before sending your application.
- Mention if You Want to Relocate. If you’re looking for a job that lets you move somewhere else, specify this in your cover letter.
- Keep It Brief. You want to keep your cover letter short and sweet. Hiring managers don’t have time to read a novel, so if you go over one page, they simply won’t read it at all.
- Use a Professional Tone. Even though a conversational tone isn’t a bad thing, remember that it's still a formal document. Show professionalism in your cover letter by keeping slang, jargon, and emojis out of it.
- Proofread Carefully. Typos and grammar mistakes are a huge deal-breaker. Use a tool like Grammarly or QuillBot to double-check your spelling and grammar, or even get a friend to check it for you.
15+ Cover Letter Examples
Need some inspiration? Check out some perfect cover letter examples for different experience levels and various professions.
5+ Cover Letter Examples by Experience
#1. college student cover letter example.
![cover letter good definition college or student cover letter example](https://cdn-blog.novoresume.com/articles/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-guide/college-or-student-cover-letter-example.png)
Check out our full guide to writing a college student cover letter here.
#2. Middle Management Cover Letter Example
![cover letter good definition Middle Management Cover Letter](https://cdn-blog.novoresume.com/articles/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-guide/Middle-Management-Cover-Letter.png)
Check out our full guide to writing a project manager cover letter here.
#3. Team Leader Cover Letter Example
![cover letter good definition Team Leader Cover Letter Example](https://cdn-blog.novoresume.com/articles/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-guide/Team-Leader-Cover-Letter-Example.webp)
Check out our full guide to writing a team leader cover letter here.
#4. Career Change Cover Letter Example
![cover letter good definition Career Change Cover Letter](https://cdn-blog.novoresume.com/articles/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-guide/Career-Change-Cover-Letter.png)
Check out our full guide to a career change resume and cover letter here.
#5. Management Cover Letter Example
![cover letter good definition Management Cover Letter Example](https://cdn-blog.novoresume.com/articles/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-guide/Management-Cover-Letter-Example.webp)
Check out our full guide to writing a management cover letter here.
#6. Senior Executive Cover Letter Example
![cover letter good definition Senior Executive Cover Letter Example](https://cdn-blog.novoresume.com/articles/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-guide/Senior-Executive-Cover-Letter-Example.webp)
Check out our full guide to writing an executive resume here.
9+ Cover Letter Examples by Profession
#1. it cover letter example.
![cover letter good definition IT Cover Letter Example](https://cdn-blog.novoresume.com/articles/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-guide/IT-Cover-Letter-Example.webp)
Check out our full guide to writing an IT cover letter here.
#2. Consultant Cover Letter Example
![cover letter good definition Consultant Cover Letter Example](https://cdn-blog.novoresume.com/articles/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-guide/Consultant-Cover-Letter-Example.webp)
Check out our full guide to writing a consultant cover letter here.
#3. Human Resources Cover Letter
![cover letter good definition Human Resources Cover Letter](https://cdn-blog.novoresume.com/articles/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-guide/Human-Resources-Cover-Letter.webp)
Check out our full guide to writing a human resources cover letter here.
#4. Business Cover Letter Example
![cover letter good definition Business Cover Letter Example](https://cdn-blog.novoresume.com/articles/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-guide/Business-Cover-Letter-Example.webp)
Check out our full guide to writing a business cover letter here.
#5. Sales Cover Letter Example
![cover letter good definition Sales Cover Letter Example](https://cdn-blog.novoresume.com/articles/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-guide/Sales-Cover-Letter-Example.webp)
Check out our full guide to writing a sales cover letter here.
#6. Social Worker Cover Letter
![cover letter good definition Social Worker Cover Letter](https://cdn-blog.novoresume.com/articles/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-guide/Social-Worker-Cover-Letter.webp)
Check out our full guide to writing a social worker cover letter here.
#7. Lawyer Cover Letter
![cover letter good definition Lawyer Cover Letter](https://cdn-blog.novoresume.com/articles/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-guide/Lawyer-Cover-Letter.webp)
Check out our full guide to writing a lawyer cover letter here.
#8. Administrative Assistant Cover Letter
![cover letter good definition Administrative Assistant Cover Letter](https://cdn-blog.novoresume.com/articles/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-guide/Administrative-Assistant-Cover-Letter.webp)
Check out our full guide to writing an administrative assistant cover letter here.
#9. Engineering Cover Letter Example
![cover letter good definition Engineering Cover Letter Example](https://cdn-blog.novoresume.com/articles/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-guide/Engineering-Cover-Letter-Example.webp)
Check out our full guide to writing an engineer cover letter here.
#10. Receptionist Cover Letter Example
![cover letter good definition Receptionist Cover Letter Example](https://cdn-blog.novoresume.com/articles/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-guide/Receptionist-Cover-Letter-Example.webp)
Check out our full guide to writing a receptionist cover letter here.
Need more inspiration? Check out these cover letter examples to learn what makes them stand out.
Plug & Play Cover Letter Template
Not sure how to start your cover letter? Don’t worry!
Just copy and paste our free cover letter template into the cover letter builder, and swap out the blanks for your details.
[Your Full Name]
[Your Profession]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Location]
[Your LinkedIn Profile URL (optional)]
[Your Personal Website URL (optional)]
[Recipient's Name, e.g., Jane Doe],
[Recipient's Position, e.g., Hiring Manager]
[Company Name, e.g., ABC Corporation]
[Company Address]
[City, State/Country]
Dear [Recipient's Name],
As a seasoned [Your Profession] with [Number of Years of Experience] years of industry experience, I am eager to express my interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. With my experience in [Your Industry/Sector] and the successes I've achieved throughout my education and career, I believe I can bring unique value and creativity to your team.
In my current role as [Your Current Job Title], I've taken the lead on more than [Number of Projects/Assignments] projects, some valued up to $[Highest Project Value]. I pride myself on consistently exceeding client expectations and have successfully [Mention a Key Achievement] in just a [Amount of Time] through [Skill] and [Skill].
I've collaborated with various professionals, such as [List Roles], ensuring that all [projects/tasks] meet [relevant standards or objectives]. This hands-on experience, coupled with my dedication to understanding each [client's/customer's] vision, has equipped me to navigate and deliver on complex projects.
My key strengths include:
- Improving [Achievement] by [%] over [Amount of Time] which resulted in [Quantified Result].
- Optimizing [Work Process/Responsibility] which saved [Previous Employer] [Amount of Time/Budget/Other Metric] over [Weeks/Months/Years]
- Spearheading team of [Number of People] to [Task] and achieving [Quantified Result].
Alongside this letter, I've attached my resume. My educational background, a [Your Degree] with a concentration in [Your Specialization], complements the practical skills that I'm particularly eager to share with [Company Name].
I'm excited about the possibility of contributing to [Something Notable About the Company or Its Mission]. I'd be grateful for the chance to delve deeper into how my expertise aligns with your needs.
Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
The Heart of Your Job Search - Creating a Killer Resume
Your cover letter is only as good as your resume. If either one is weak, your entire application falls through.
After all, your cover letter is meant to complement your resume. Imagine going through all this effort to leave an amazing first impression in your cover letter, only for the hiring manager to never read it because your resume was mediocre.
But don’t worry; we’ve got you covered here, too.
Check out our dedicated guide on how to make a resume and learn everything you need to know to land your dream job!
Just pick one of our resume templates and start writing your own job-winning resume.
![cover letter good definition resume examples for cover letters](https://cdn-blog.novoresume.com/articles/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-guide/resume-examples-for-cover-letters.png)
Key Takeaways
Now that we’ve walked you through all the steps of writing a cover letter, let’s summarize everything we’ve learned:
- A cover letter is a 250 - 400 word document that’s meant to convince the hiring manager that you’re the best candidate for the job.
- Your job application should always include a cover letter alongside your resume.
- To grab the hiring manager’s attention, write a strong opening paragraph. Mention who you are, why you’re applying, and a standout achievement to pique their interest.
- Your cover letter should focus on why you’re the perfect candidate for the job and why you’re passionate about working in this specific company.
- Use the body of your cover letter to provide details on your skills, achievements, and qualifications, as well as make sure to convey your enthusiasm throughout your whole cover letter.
- Recap your key selling points towards the end of your cover letter, and end it with a formal closing line and your full name signed underneath.
At Novorésumé, we’re committed to helping you get the job you deserve every step of the way!
Follow our career blog for more valuable advice, or check out some of our top guides, such as:
- How to Make a Resume in 2024 | Beginner's Guide
- How to Write a CV (Curriculum Vitae) in 2024 [31+ Examples]
- 35+ Job Interview Questions and Answers [Full List]
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Cover Letter Examples
Cover Letter Samples
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The Ultimate Cover Letter Writing Guide
The complete guide to writing an effective cover letter.
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Any of these sound familiar? The simple answer is yes, having an effective cover letter is completely necessary and highly recommended and we’ll tell you why you need a cover letter as well as a resume!
When you’re applying for a job, whether it be for an entry-level position after graduating or for a high-level executive vacancy with a professional resume , a cover letter is essential to make your application stand out .
Without this extra introductory letter, a resume alone could easily be discarded by a hiring manager. CareerBuilder estimates you’re 10% more likely to miss out on an opening if you don’t include a cover letter.
Writing a good cover letter it’s not a skill many many people master, but that doesn’t mean it’s an impossible feat!
With our complete cover letter guide , you’ll learn how to write a cover letter that will attract the hiring manager and convince them to read your winning resume.
What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is an extension to your job application. It is not obligatory but including a well-written cover letter is strongly advised by all human resource experts . By definition, a cover letter is an accompanying, explanatory letter.
All jobseekers need a sales pitch of sorts, they need to hook the reader and demonstrate to the hiring manager why they are the right person for the vacancy on offer. This style of self-marketing for a job application must come in the form of a winning resume and cover letter combination that complement one another.
A simple cover letter is an introduction to the candidate behind the qualifications and experience. The aim is to show a prospective employer how you can take on the role and what you can offer the company in question.
Cover letters generally follow a basic structure and can be in either hard or digital format, that is to say, either printed and sent via regular mail or as a document scanned and attached to send digitally, or written directly in an email cover letter .
Why include a cover letter on a job application?
If you want to stand any chance at all of catching the eye of a potential employer , it is imperative to include a cover letter with your job application.
Simple – even if you create an effective, outstanding resume , using all the right keywords and qualifications etc. it’s possible there are candidates more qualified than you or with more experience so it’s necessary to add a cover letter to back up your resume and allow the hiring manager to see more of your personal side that is relevant to the vacancy.
- The cover letter demonstrates your communication skills.
- The cover letter serves as an introduction to the resume.
- The cover letter can be used to emphasize certain skills, or mention skills that you couldn’t fit on the resume (it serves as an addendum).
- The cover letter is what you customize for each position, to show why you are the right person for “That” role, as opposed to the resume which stays pretty much the same for all applications.
A cover letter is the added value that you need in a job application to ensure the call-back you’ve been waiting for.
To create a unique, tailor-made job application , each candidate should use a cover letter to highlight their strengths and elaborate on relevant achievements that demonstrate their ability to take on the new responsibilities.
Is it practically always sensible and appropriate to write a cover letter to accompany a resume for a job application that should be customized for the role you’re applying to including any explanations of information that might be missing from the resume, such as employment gaps, traveling, periods of study etc.
The only time it is acceptable to not include a cover letter in your job application is if the job listing specifically requests that you do not.
Advantages of Writing a Cover Letter
A cover letter directly adds to the likelihood that you are called in for an interview and gives you a better chance of being hired .
If you’re successful in writing an effective cover letter , it will offer you the following advantages:
- Hiring managers will see your added effort
- Demonstrates you put in the time to learn about the company
- It will add a personal touch to your application
- It shows your enthusiasm for the opening
- Hiring managers will become acquainted with your best qualities
Knowing exactly what is in a cover letter will ensure that it gives you a major advantage over the other applicants.
What are the 3 Types of Cover Letters?
Adding a cover letter is almost always essential, but choosing the appropriate letter will also be key. Depending on the job post you are applying for, you will need to select the best type of letter to send along with your resume.
There are 3 types of cover letters that you can send to a hiring manager. The 3 types are:
- Application cover letters
- Letters of Interest
- Email Cover letters
The letter you write is influenced by whether you are going to apply for a job directly , citing a referral, or asking about vacancies that are not advertised.
Whatever the case may be, ensure that the cover letter is specific to the job vacancy . It’s always important to avoid making a generic cover letter for every single job you apply for.
So, what are the 3 types of cover letters you should consider sending to a job recruiter?
Application Cover Letter
This is your classic cover letter that you send to a hiring manager when you spot a company advertising a job opening. When you want to directly apply for a position, it is mandatory to send this, unless you are specifically asked not to.
Using this letter, you can mention why you want to work for a specific company and why you are the perfect candidate for the position.
Letter of Interest
Say you notice a company that you would really like to work for. It fits your sector, and you know it offers great benefits and good pay. However, you can’t find any openings that match your skill set.
If that’s the case, you don’t need to sit around and wait for the company to have a job vacancy. You can take action with a letter of interest. This type of cover letter states your interest in being employed by a company that isn’t currently advertising any vacancies.
This type of letter goes by a couple of other names, such as:
- Letter of intent
- Statement of interest
Of course, since there is no vacancy there is no role you can specifically mention, which is the major difference between a letter of intent and a traditional cover letter. Your objective will be to advertise yourself well enough that an employer will just have to interview you.
Email Cover Letters
Over the years, the job application process has shifted to a nearly 100% online hiring process . Due to this, it may be necessary to send your cover letter in an email as part of your job application.
While applying, there may not be an option to upload your cover letter. Or maybe you would just like to send it in the body of your email along with your resume . You can send it in one of two ways, in the body of your email or as an attachment (in PDF).
How to write a cover letter
A cover letter, although short in length generally, can take time to elaborate as it is important to get it right. Sometimes, due to the scarce space for writing, candidates find it difficult to know what to include in a cover letter and what to leave out .
However, knowing how to do a cover letter can make all the difference to your job application and be the just the thing to capture the attention of a hiring manager.
A professional cover letter should be well-formatted, following a structure with a header, an opening paragraph, a second main paragraph, a final closing paragraph and a closing with signature/electronic signature.
To begin writing a cover letter for a job application , candidates should analyze their skills, qualifications, accomplishments and experience to decide which are the most fundamental aspects to include in their personalized cover letter.
Next, each jobseeker will have to select the most job-relevant of these elements to include by comparing them with the required or desired qualifications and experience in the job description.
Finally, the applicant should choose some memorable examples which demonstrate evidence of each element included in their cover letter, aiming to tell a story which shows their aptitude concerning each skill or qualification.
Jobseekers should also ensure to explore how to make a cover letter for their specific role or industry because, similarly to resumes, each cover letter should be tailored for the vacancy and company to which it will be sent.
It is vital for candidates to consider several factors when it comes to writing their professional cover letter . A jobseeker must review their resume work history section as well as any skills and honors included to find the most pertinent experiences that can be explored further. Detailing examples of when a candidate demonstrated certain abilities or expertise is how a candidate can convince a hiring.
One way to create a winning cover letter is to use an online cover letter creator or take advantage of cover letter templates as a stepping stone as well as checking out cover letter examples that can serve as a great source of inspiration for you to make your own unique cover letter .
Our cover letter builder forms part of our resume builder and allows jobseekers to create a more complete job application. Users can write their cover letter with pro tips and design help thanks to our pre-designed templates. Read our cover letter writing guide to get to grips with cover letter writing techniques and tips before using our online cover letter builder!
How to Structure a Cover Letter
The structure and layout of a cover letter is essential to make sure the letter displays each point that you wish to get across clearly and concisely . This means it’s necessary, in general, to follow a commonly-accepted format for an effective cover letter.
Similarly to a resume format , designing and writing a cover letter has certain rules which should be adhered to in order to convey the necessary information in a brief and to the point introductory letter.
Check out some of the cover letter best practices as advised by human resources experts below:
- It’s imperative to begin a cover letter with a header , including the candidate’s name and contact information as well as the date. This primary cover letter section can also include the job title, website and other relevant personal information.
Following this, the letter should include the details of the company and person to whom you are writing, with the full name, job title or team, company name and address.
- The main body of a cover letter should be divided into three sections : an introduction, a bullet list of accomplishments followed by a paragraph highlighting skills, and a closing paragraph inviting the hiring manager to contact you. By using bullet points when detailing your achievements and capabilities, you can make sure that recruiters will be able to quickly pick out key information. This is especially important as studies have found that recruiters spend very little time reading each individual application.
- Finally, the letter should be electronically or physically signed with your full name in a formal manner.
The universally-accepted cover letter length is no longer than one letter page, which in total has about 250-300 words for the main body of text.
Don’t repeat information or be too detailed because hiring managers simply do not have the time to read it all and will simply skip to the next one. Resumes that run over 600 words get rejected 43% faster and cover letters can easily fall into this trap too.
Keep your cover letter short and sweet and to the point!
Get more cover letter formatting advice in our guide on how to format a cover letter with tips and information about all aspects of a good cover letter structure.
Cover letter advice
The importance of including a cover letter with your job application is often overlooked by jobseekers of all categories, however this can seriously reduce your possibilities of getting an interview with a prospective employer.
Therefore you need not ask yourself when to write a cover letter because the answer is just that simple – it is always appropriate to include a cover letter in your job application , unless the listing explicitly requests that you do not.
Check out the following expert cover letter tips to create a winning cover letter that will convince the hiring manager to give you a call:
- We may be quite repetitive with this one but the sheer quantity of resumes and cover letters that are disregarded simply for forgetting this vital and basic rule is incredible: USE A PROFESSIONAL EMAIL ADDRESS for your contact details and that does not include your current work email but a personal, suitable email address.
- It is essential to remember to maintain your focus on the needs of the company you’re applying to and the requirements and desired abilities of the ideal candidate for the role. Do not focus on how you can benefit by becoming a member of their team, but on how the team can make the most of your experience and knowledge.
- Remember to highlight your transferable skills , especially in cases where you may not meet all the required qualities in the job description such as in student resumes and cover letters.
- Each cover letter for a job application, cover letters for internships , for further study or even volunteer experience should be tailored to their specific organization and position with the pertinent keywords.
- Use specific examples to demonstrate the candidate’s individual capacity to take on the role and tell a story with your cover letter to convey more of your personality and passion towards the sector or profession.
- Towards the end of a cover letter , each candidate should write a convincing finish to entice the hiring manager and in sales terminology “ seal the deal ”.
- Finally when you have completed your polished cover letter, potentially one of the most important steps in the process is to PROOFREAD . Candidates should request that a friend, mentor, teacher or peer takes a look at their cover letter for not only grammatical and spelling errors but also any unwanted repetition or unrelated information .
Some jobseekers doubt whether a cover letter is necessary or not , but as most human resource professionals agree without a well-written cover letter, candidates lose the possibility to demonstrate different aspects of their profile from those included in their resumes which could easily be the deciding factor in your application!
An easy and fast way to write an effective cover letter for a job application is to employ an online cover letter creator that will offer advice on how to complete a cover letter with examples and HR-approved templates.
Cover Letter FAQs
What do employers look for in a cover letter, can a cover letter be two pages, what is the difference between a cover letter and a resume, should you put a photo on a cover letter.
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How and Why to Write a Great Cover Letter
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A cover letter is a one-page business letter that you submit when applying to a job, along with your resume. As a piece of persuasive writing, your cover letter will aim to convey to the employer why you’re a great candidate for the role.
What is the purpose of a cover letter?
Your cover letter complements your resume by making it easy for the employer to see how your experience and interest connect to the position. Your goal is to convince the employer to interview you.
With your cover letter, you’ll aim to:
- Highlight your qualifications: You’ll show how your skills and experience relate to the employer’s needs for a specific position.
- Showcase your motivation: You’ll demonstrate your enthusiasm for the specific position and the organization.
- Reflect your voice and written communication skills: You’ll give the employer a sense of your personality and writing style.
When should I write a cover letter?
Not all jobs require cover letters. So, how do you decide whether to submit one?
Submit a Cover Letter when…
- The posting explicitly requests that you do so
- You’re applying to an opportunity at a mission-driven organization
- You think that doing so could provide important information to the employer that they wouldn’t get from your resume
Consider Submitting a Cover Letter when…
- It’s marked “optional” in an application, and you have the bandwidth to do so
- You have content that you can easily recycle or repurpose into a tailored cover letter
No Need to Submit a Cover Letter when…
- A posting specifically tells you not to submit one
- There’s no way to submit one in an application portal, and doing so would require a serious workaround
If you’re applying to several similar opportunities, creating a draft cover letter in advance, geared toward that type of opportunity, can be a helpful way to save time in your actual application process.
How do I write a cover letter?
Your cover letter should articulate your qualifications and motivation for the position. Read the job description closely and research the organization. As you craft your cover letter, use examples that demonstrate your relevant skills, knowledge, and interests. The cover letter should be concise, clear, and well-organized.
Before Writing
Research the employer.
Learn enough about the organization to articulate why you are a strong fit for that firm.
- Review the firm’s website and LinkedIn page.
- Speak with current or previous employees.
- Read articles and social media for current news.
Analyze the job description
Look for skills, duties, and qualifications of the job so you can design your letter to match these as much as possible.
Reflect on your experience and motivation
Identify skills and personal qualities you have developed which will be useful in this role. Ask yourself:
- What attracts you about this role/company/industry?
- What have you have done in your work experiences, classes, internships, activities, projects, volunteer work, travel, etc., that is similar to the duties required of the job?
Cover Letter Structure
As a business letter, the cover letter should include:
- Heading: Include your name and contact information in the same format as your resume
- Salutation: Address your letter to the specific individual who can hire you, if this is known. If the name is not included in the job description, address the letter to the Hiring Manager or title mentioned in the job description.
- Body Paragraphs: Discuss your experiences, interests, and skills to show the employer how you can add value to their team. See the section below for more guidance.
- Signature Line: Include a closing and your name.
The cover letter should be one page, about three or four paragraphs, and single spaced. Use 10-12 point font and one inch margins.
When applying online, upload your cover letter as a PDF file, unless another format is specified. When sending your resume and cover letter by email, you may write a short note or paste your cover letter in the body of your email (without the address header) and also attach the PDF file.
Cover Letter Content
Your cover letter should answer who, what, when, where and why you are applying for the opportunity.
Introduction
State the position for which you are applying. If you have a referral or spoke with someone from the company, you can mention it in the introduction. Provide some basic information about yourself; this can include your class year and what you’re studying at Columbia. Briefly outline why you’re interested in the organization and what you bring in terms of relevant experience and skills.
Body Paragraphs
These paragraphs will highlight your qualifications and strengths that are most relevant to the organization and position. Use the job posting and your research as clues to determine what the employer is seeking in a candidate. Have your resume beside you and reflect on what you want the employer to know about you. Are there experiences you want to expand upon that demonstrate your understanding of the role and ability to do the job requirements?
Structure the paragraphs based on relevance, not chronology. Lead with your most relevant skill or strongest experience.
Start each body paragraph with a clear topic sentence. This can highlight a key skill set, a transferable experience, or a core area of knowledge you’ve built through your studies. Walk the reader through a project or experience, integrating the relevant skills you used and qualities you demonstrated. Provide details about your accomplishments and impact. Connect how these experiences have prepared you for this role and why you are motivated to do this job. There is no need to apologize if you feel you lack experience; focus on the accomplishments that you have.
Recap what you would bring to the organization and your interest in the position. Thank the employer for their consideration. Keep your tone positive and enthusiastic.
Check out our example of how to structure your cover letter content .
Editing Tips
Use our Cover Letter Checklist to make sure your format and content is in line with best practices.
- Ensure that the content reflects the requirements in the job description
- Keep the cover letter concise, at one page or less
- Correct any errors in grammar, sentence structure, and spelling
- Use the active voice
- Avoid beginning too many sentences with “I”
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What is a Cover Letter? Definition, Structure, Purpose, Types & Meaning
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In This Guide:
What is a cover letter, what is the purpose of a cover letter in a job application, what to include in a cover letter, cover letter format and layout, should you use a cover letter template or example, what is a cover letter - takeaways.
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Asking yourself, “What is a cover letter?”
In this article, we break down for you the basics about cover letters, their purpose, and what to include in yours.
When you’re applying for a job, a cover letter is just as important as your resume in a lot of ways. You always want to include a cover letter when you’re submitting your resume, to personalize the facts about your work history and to tailor your application to the job.
But if you haven’t written a cover letter before, it can be intimidating to figure out what to include. Don’t worry, this expert guide boils it all down into a quick read that gives you an overview and points you in the right direction to find everything you need to know about them.
In this post, we’re going to cover:
- What is a Cover Letter?
- What is the Purpose of a Cover Letter in a Job Application?
- What to Include in A Cover Letter
We also describe how you can lay out your cover letter to amp its impact, and we’ve even made it dead simple for you by including some perfect cover letter examples for you to check out.
A cover letter is a one-page document that you include with your resume as part of your application for a job. A good cover letter grabs a Hiring Manager’s attention and gets you to the next step of the hiring process.
While every job you apply for will have either a specific application form or will ask for a resume, not every one will ask for a cover letter. But you should always include one – it’s a game changer.
The upshot is that a resume is a summary of your work and education experience, while your cover letter adds relevant context to that experience for the specific job.
A cover letter is tailored to a specific job you’re applying for, and it highlights what your qualifications are and how they relate to that role and company. You can use it to give examples of how your experiences relate to the role and show how you’re the best person for the job.
Just as its name implies, a cover letter is written in a letter format, including a greeting, three or four body paragraphs, and a closing. Unlike a resume, your cover letter should be written in full sentences, and you want to use the first-person – “I’m writing to you today to…”.
You don’t want to just rhyme off the same things that are in your resume, though. Use your cover letter to give real life examples of how your experience, skills, or interests make you perfect for the job.
Head to our full article on the differences between a resume and a cover letter to learn more on this.
Put simply, it’s your chance to make a great first impression. It’s a tool you use to grab a hiring manager’s attention long enough that they look over your resume a bit closer and call you in for an interview.
A cover letter may not be something a job posting asks you to include, but don’t think that means you shouldn’t. A good cover letter is always a good idea, here’s why:
- You can tell a story in a cover letter that dives deeper into your qualifications,
- experience, and interests to show why you’re the best candidate for the job.
- A lot of candidates skip writing a cover letter, so by including one you immediately put yourself ahead of the competition!
- You can introduce yourself in a more personalized way and tailor your application specifically for the job.
- You can add a bit of flair or personality that gets a hiring manager to ask you in for an interview
- It shows that you put effort into your application, which again, puts you ahead of most of the competition.
This is just a snapshot of how a cover letter can help you. We’ve got a great article for you to look over if you want to know more about the purpose of a cover letter .
Should you send a cover letter for a job?
There is no question, yes, you should absolutely include a cover letter with your application.
We’ve done our homework on this and can tell you: a majority of hiring managers need or expect a cover letter, even if it’s not specified in the job posting.
Not only are they expected, but they’re a great tool for you too:
- Explain the reasons for any work gaps
- Clarify how the experience you have from other jobs applies
- Show how you fit their company culture
- Let them know why you’re changing jobs or fields
So, while a cover letter may not absolutely be necessary, they’re extremely useful, and always something you should take the time to write and include with your application.
Cover letters should usually include some of the same basic elements. We’ve put together a quick list below, but head over to our complete guide on what to include in your cover letter for a full explanation.
- A header – This is where you’re going to include all the contact info the hiring manager is going to expect to see. You want to be sure to give them what theyère looking for.
- Opening statement – You can get right to it here and make sure this is an attention grabber. Summarize your skills or experience and give them one good reason why it’s important for the job you’re applying to.
- Body – This paragraph should give some more details about you personally. Employers often hire someone for who they are, not what they know; this is your time to show them you’d be a great fit on their team.
- Closing and Call to Action – You want to close your cover letter with a thanks for the time they’ve taken and a professional sign-off. You should also let them know you’re eager to hear from them, and let them know to contact you to follow up.
Try to end with a great impression. It’s key that you know how to close your cover letter well to hit all the right notes.
A hiring manager takes about 7.4 seconds to look at each resume that comes across their desk, and there may be hundreds of those. A strong cover letter design can grab their attention long enough for them to set you into the callback pile instead of in the recycling bin.
We’ve put together the details on how you can really grab a recruiter’s attention with your cover letter design , but here’s the basics:
- Font - Always use a standard, easy-to-read font like Times New Roman or Arial. It should be 12pt or slightly bigger.
- Heading – Always use a professional format of heading, which includes your name and contact info, the date of writing, and the contact info for the person you’re writing to.
- Spacing – You want to single space the body of your cover letter, but leave spaces between the heading, the greeting, each paragraph, and your sign-off.
- Length – We know that it’s tempting to try to fit in as much as possible in the cover letter, but this is definitely a case of less is more. You want the content to be about half a page, so shoot for between 250-400 words.
Keeping your cover letter lean can be hard the first few times you write one. Check out our article on ideal cover letter length to get more tips on how to hit the sweet spot.
If you’re already a pro, maybe you can go it on your own and write a killer cover letter. But if this is your first cover letter, or you have any doubts, use our Cover Letter Examples to get some great ideas on how to write and format yours – we’ve got a few samples below.
Our examples cover different industries and positions, so you can fine tune the fit of your letter for exactly the job you’re applying to without trying to reinvent the wheel! Plus, these are cover letters that work to get interviews, so you can be sure you’ve got a great start.
If you want a real head start, we’ve even got a Cover Letter Templates page where you can head to get all the basics covered for you. Head there, input your specifics, and you’ll have a winning cover letter, easy-peasy.
- A cover letter is a one-pager you include with a job application to dive deeper into exactly why you are the best fit for the job.
- You always want to include a cover letter, even if it’s not specified in the job posting.
- Hiring managers get hundreds of resumes, and they fly through them - your cover letter can and should be designed to grab their attention.
- Personalize your cover letter and tailor it to the specific job you’re sending it in to, this includes relating specific skills, letting your personality shine, and getting the hiring manager’s name.
- Make sure it’s in perfect shape to get great results. Use our Cover Letter Checklist to make sure you’ve covered all the bases and haven’t overlooked any little mistakes that could cost you the job.
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What Is a Cover Letter?
Understanding cover letters, types of cover letters, how to write a cover letter, tips for writing a cover letter.
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What Is a Cover Letter? Types and How To Write One
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A cover letter is a written document commonly submitted with a job application outlining the applicant's credentials and interest in the open position. Since a cover letter is often one of only two documents sent to a potential employer, a well- or poorly-written letter can impact whether the applicant is called for an interview .
Key Takeaways
- A cover letter is commonly submitted with a job application explaining the applicant's credentials and interest in the position.
- A good cover letter complements the resume and explains why the candidate is the ideal person for the job.
- Common cover letter mistakes can sink a job applicant.
Investopedia / Joules Garcia
Most job postings are done online and no longer require a physical application. Instead, applicants send companies a copy of their resume along with a cover letter either by email or with a hard copy through the mail. A resume offers a glimpse into the professional and academic experience of a potential employee. The cover letter, on the other hand, acts as an introduction written by the candidate to express their interest in the position and what makes them the best fit for the job.
A good cover letter complements a resume by expanding on items relevant to the job. In essence, it's a sales pitch that describes why the applicant is the best person for the position. Career experts advise job seekers to spend time customizing each cover letter for the particular position, rather than using a generic missive. Although this requires extra effort, it can be very helpful in allowing an applicant to stand out above the competition.
The cover letter provides information to the employer about who the candidate is as a professional and as a person. This includes their areas of interest, professional goals, knowledge, skills they've gained over the years, achievements, passions, and aspirations. The cover letter should be a one-page document that provides a clear and concise idea about why the candidate is the best person for the job . It should also highlight the cultural fit.
While there is no set template for a cover letter, the type of letter that you write will depend on the requirements of each individual company or employer. The information that is included in a cover letter will vary depending on the goals and purpose of your application.
- An application cover letter is the most familiar type of cover letter. This is generally written in response to a vacancy that is posted on a company's website or a job board. In addition to answering any specific questions posted in the job ad, it may also highlight any experience or skills that are suitable for the position.
- A referral cover letter is similar to an application letter, but it includes the name of a colleague or employee who recommended the applicant for the open position. A strong referral can help you stand out against other applicants.
- A prospecting cover letter , also known as a letter of interest, is written by a job seeker and addressed to a company where they would like to work. However, it is not aimed at a specific role or vacancy. Instead, this type of letter inquires about open positions in general and may highlight any special skills that make the writer suitable for the company.
When employers post a job ad that requires a cover letter, they may specify certain requirements for the cover letter to address. For example, they may require applicants to answer certain questions, or to respect a certain word limit. It is important to follow these requirements, as they reflect on the applicant's ability to understand and follow directions.
If the employer does not set any expectations, a typical cover letter should be about a page or less, and may include a formal greeting, contact information, and links to the applicant's portfolio or work. It should highlight any special skills, and explain why you would be a good fit for the position. This is your chance to impress the employer: Even if your resume does not have everything an employer wants, a well-written cover letter can make the applicant stand out from the crowd.
However, it is possible to include too much information. Most employers will simply glance at the majority of their cover letters, and a long-winded essay might end up at the bottom of the pile. A few short paragraphs explaining your skills, and why you chose that specific employer, should be enough to put your best foot forward.
Writing a cover letter doesn't have to be tedious—even though it may seem like it's a chore. Here are a few simple tips you may want to consider when composing your cover letter:
- Personalize your letter for each role. Never use a generic cover letter. This means you have to write a new one for each position. Be sure to include your strengths and skills, and explain why you’re the perfect candidate.
- Include contact information. If the posting doesn't include the hiring manager's name, call the company , or check its website. Including this person's name gives your letter a proper greeting and also shows you have initiative. And don't forget to add your contact information, too. This is important if your resume gets separated from your cover letter.
- Simplify your letter. Communicate clearly and concisely. Using complex words and sentences would most certainly fail to convey your intentions with the company and the person reading the letter probably won't bother with the rest of your application.
- Be specific when needed. Don't rehash your resume, so be sure to quantify your accomplishments. For instance, expand on your marketing experience in your cover letter by saying you brought in 200 additional clients each month and increased revenue to $10,000. This can set you apart from candidates with vague personal details.
- Proofread. After you’ve written the letter, go over it a few times to ensure there are no errors. Then ask someone else to do a once-over and recommend any changes you may need to make.
A simple, focused cover letter without any typos or grammatical errors will get you noticed by potential employers.
A perfect resume can often be sabotaged by a poorly thought-out cover letter or one that is laden with mistakes. Whether you include the letter as per required submission guidelines, or you simply want to emphasize your interest in the job, make sure you avoid making these blunders.
- Names matter. This includes the name of the hiring manager, the company, and yes, even yours. Make sure you have the right names and the correct spelling. And don't forget to change the names if you're using the same cover letter for multiple jobs.
- Restating your resume. Since the cover letter is used to identify your skills and explain how your previous experience is applicable to the desired position, don't restate the stuff on your resume. Remember, the cover letter should complement your resume, not just summarize it.
- Keep your letter tight. Recruiters often go through hundreds of applications and don't have time to read through a three-page missive. The absolute maximum length for a cover letter should be one page, with a few concise paragraphs.
- Omit unnecessary details. Stay on topic. There's no need to mention your graphic-design skills if you're applying for an accounting position. It's a good idea to leave out personal things like your IQ, recreational accomplishments, interests, and hobbies. That is unless they relate to the job or company.
- Avoid sounding arrogant. Ensure your cover letter does not make you appear arrogant . While the cover letter is about you and your accomplishments, find a way of saying "I'm the best" without actually saying it. Avoid overusing words like "I," "me," or "my."
- Remember that spelling counts. Typos and grammatical errors can show you didn't bother to proofread your own letter. And make sure to be consistent—don't convey a dash with "--" in one place and "—" in another.
- Design matters : with the proliferation of publishing, design trends, and software, candidates have become creative in making their cover letter stand out from a design perspective. Make sure your cover letter projects your personality in terms of design while remaining professional. That is personal signature and branding.
How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?
According to Indeed , a leading job-seeking site, a typical cover letter should be about three or four paragraphs long and highlight any special experience or achievements that make the applicant exceptionally well-suited to the position.
How Do You Start a Cover Letter?
A cover letter should start with a formal greeting, preferably addressed to the hiring manager. If you do not know who will be reading your cover letter, a generic "to whom it may concern" is an acceptable, albeit old-fashioned, way to address a cover letter. It is also acceptable to address the letter to a title, such as "Dear Hiring Manager," or "Dear Talent Acquisition Team."
What Should a Cover Letter Contain?
An effective cover letter should highlight the applicant's skills, experience, and any achievements that make them a good fit for their prospective employer. It is also a good chance to mention anything that is not included in the resume: For example, if an applicant is drawn to a certain employer because they love a certain product, the cover letter is a great place to mention it. Make sure your cover letter also includes your name and contact information.
In a competitive jobs market, an effective cover letter is one way to make a job application stand out. This is a chance for an applicant to demonstrate why they think they would be a good fit. However, a poorly-written or meandering cover letter can hurt an application more than it helps.
Harvard Extension School. " Resources and Cover Letters: An Extension School Resource ," Pages 3 and 5.
Harvard Extension School. " Resources and Cover Letters: An Extension School Resource ," Page 5.
Jobscan. " Cover Letter Formats ."
Indeed. " What Is a Cover Letter? "
Indeed. " How to Address a Cover Letter (With Examples). "
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The Only Cover Letter Guide You’ll Need in 2024 (+Examples)
- Kaja Jurcisinova ,
- Updated January 16, 2024 13 min read
Oh, the dreaded cover letter. Job seekers hate writing it and nobody knows if anybody even reads cover letters anymore. And yet, not attaching one to your application would be a terrible mistake. This cover letter guide will tell you not only why to write one, but also how to write a really good one.
But first , why does everyone hate writing cover letters so much? After all, a cover letter gives you a unique opportunity to distinguish yourself from others.
In comparison with a resume, the cover letter allows you to provide details that didn’t fit in on your resume and demonstrate your passion.
All the negativity that surrounds the cover letter probably comes down to the fact that good cover letters require a bit of alchemy. They also take time to write.
This guide will help you avoid any mistakes and write a strong cover letter that will catch the recruiter’s attention. We also include cover letter examples.
Generally speaking, you want to make your cover letter:
- easy to read for the recruiter;
- well-structured;
- max 4 paragraphs/1 page long;
- professional in both tone and greetings;
- tailored for the specific opening.
Let's get to it!
Table of Contents
Click on a section to skip
Why should you write a cover letter?
How do recruiters read cover letters, how to write a great cover letter in 9 simple steps.
- What if you're told to NOT submit a cover letter?
Final cover letter tips and hacks
Cover letter examples.
So, how exactly is the cover letter important for your job application?
Some may argue that the cover letter in 2024 isn't really relevant anymore. In fact, one study stated that only 18 percent of hiring managers think cover letters are a key part of an application.
However, don’t get fooled by these statistics. While your resume may be considered more important during the hiring process, including a well-written cover letter can increase your chances of landing a job.
For instance, 83% of hiring managers would be convinced by a really good cover letter — even if the resume wasn’t good enough, according to this study .
And there's more to it.
Some of the key advantages of the cover letter are:
- It’s much less structured than the resume and lets you develop a story.
- It gives you space to get a little more creative.
- Your personality can shine through thanks to it.
- You can elaborate on key achievements mentioned in your resume.
- It helps explain a lack of experience, career change, or an employment gap.
In other words, the cover letter is a perfect chance to bridge the distance between you and a recruiter even before the actual job interview .
Pro tip: Before writing a cover letter, make sure that you have a powerful resume that matches the job description. Because if your resume doesn’t fit a desired profile, your cover letter probably won’t get read at all. To learn more, you may want to check out our Ultimate Resume Guide .
First, they read them to decide if you’re the right fit for a position. For this reason, avoid generic write-ups at all costs. What recruiters love to see is a short persuasive argument of why you fit the role and the company. Something like this:
“I was happy to hear about this job opening from my former manager, Jane Anne. She and I have worked together on many projects throughout the years and she thought that I would be the perfect match for this position.“
Second, recruiters are looking for inconsistencies . For instance, if your resume shows attention to detail but your cover letter is addressed to the wrong person, wrong company, and is filled with typos, it's inconsistent. You want to ensure the number of inconsistencies is kept to a minimum.
Third, they're trying to get a hint of your personality . Cultural fit is important to many companies.
So, throughout the process of cover letter writing, it's essential to keep in mind the recruiter who's going to be the recipient of your letter.
Because at the end of a day, a good cover letter shouldn't be solely about you — it's supposed to be written with the hiring manager in mind.
So ask yourself:
- Is my cover letter easy to read?
- Have I addressed the right person in the opening?
- Will it help them decide if I'm the right fit?
- Did I use the right tone of voice that fits their company culture?
If you answered “no” to any of these questions, our cover letter guide is exactly for you.
Writing a cover letter may seem like a challenging task at first but if you know a few key cover letter rules, the process can become much easier.
Before you start writing your cover letter, find out more about the company you're applying for. Look at their website and LinkedIn . The research also includes looking at the job description very closely and identifying any recurring keywords. Also, search for specific cover letter examples for the role online.
Placed at the very beginning of your cover letter, the header is where you include your contact information (i.e. your full name, email address, phone number) and the company's contact information (i.e. the manager’s or recruiter’s name, job title, department, the name of the company, company’s address).
When in doubt, try to use this formula: Number or Trigger word + Adjective + Keyword + Promise. The result can look something like this: 5 Ways I Can Help You Improve Your Company’s [insert a position-related keyword]
If the name of the hiring manager isn't written in the job posting, research their name and contact information online. For example, look at the company's page or LinkedIn. Then, greet them by saying "Dear [first name]" . If, however, the company culture is very formal, go for the classic "Dear Hiring Manager" .
The first paragraph is the perfect place to shortly explain why the job seems exciting to you and why you’re the right person for it . You can also compliment the company or name a mutual acquaintance who referred you.
Try to answer these questions: 1. What did you do at a previous position that gave you relevant experience? 2. How could this experience help the new company grow? 3. Which of the projects you have worked on would benefit their business? 4. Which of your skills make you well-equipped for the position? 5. Do any of these skills give you an edge over other candidates?
The following questions should help you : What excites you about the idea of working at this company? How do the company goals align with your own? What do you hope to gain and learn from working there?
In the cover letter closing paragraph : reiterate that your experience and enthusiasm make you a great candidate, add a confident call to action, express gratitude, and always use a formal sign-off.
You can either attach the cover letter as a separate document in the email when sending your resume , or send it directly in the body of the email (that way they can't ignore it).
In the following chapters we look at each step more closely and include specific examples you can copy and paste.
Step 1: Prepare and do some research
Knowledge is power. Before you begin writing:
- Find out more about the company and the position you're applying for. Spend some time on the company’s website, its executives’ Twitter feeds, and employee profiles on LinkedIn. It will also help you decide on the tone of your cover letter. For example, if it’s a company like Kickresume , you can easily get away with more unusual approaches. But if it’s a conservative institution, like a bank or a lawyer's office, you should probably keep it formal.
- Search for specific cover letter examples for your role online . Pick some examples that fit your role and use these for inspiration. (By the way, that link just now will take you to our database of successful cover letters from real people who got hired. Totally worth checking out.)
- Look at the job descriptions of the roles you’re applying for . Identify major experience and hard skill keywords, so you can insert them in your letter in the relevant sections.
Once you've done this basic research, you can finally start thinking about the structure of your cover letter.
This short infographic will show you that writing a cover letter is a lot simpler than you might have thought:
Step 2: Include a header with basic info rmation
Placed at the very beginning of your cover letter, the header is the place where you should include your contact information and the contact information of the company.
A cover letter is still a letter, after all.
At the left side of the page include the information based on which you can be reached by the recruiter.
Here, make sure to include:
- your full name
- your email address
- phone number
Optionally, you can also add:
- your professional title
- address (if it vaguely matches the location of the job offer)
- current date
- personal website/LinkedIn
The top right side of the page is reserved for company-related information. Here, you should put:
- the manager’s or recruiter’s name (if available)
- job title
- the name of the company
- company’s address
Not a fan of writing?
Our AI writer will write the first draft of your cover letter for you.
Step 3: Write a strong cover letter headline
When you’re browsing the web, what articles usually catch your attention? Those with great headlines, of course!
The same applies to cover letter headlines.
Start by paying attention to the headlines around you — especially in tabloids and websites like Buzzfeed (Is Buzzfeed still a thing? How very 2010s of me). These are usually designed to stir up your interest and make it impossible to not click through.
Notice how they use numbers, questions, and interesting adjectives to promise the reader to learn something valuable.
And you can do the same in your cover letter.
When in doubt, try to use this formula: Number or Trigger word + Adjective + Keyword + Promise.
The result can look something like this:
- 3 Reasons Why I’m An Excellent Fit For [Job Position]
- Are You Still Looking To Fill The Position Of [Job Position]? This Is Why I Believe I’m Exactly Who You’re Looking For
- 5 Ways I Can Help You Improve Your Company’s [insert a position-related keyword]
Finally, don’t forget to adjust your header to the company’s level of formality and put your headline in the subject of the email.
Step 4: Use the correct form of greeting
In this time and age, there’s no excuse for using “To Whom It May Concern.”
If the name of the hiring manager isn't written in the job posting, you’re expected to research their name and contact information online. For example, look at the company's page or LinkedIn.
Once you have their name, feel free to go for a personalized greeting:
“Dear [first name]” or “Dear Mr./Mrs. [last name]”
Honorifics (e.g. Mr., Mrs., Ms .) are more appropriate if the company’s culture is formal.
And if you cannot find the recruiter’s name, it's okay to go for a generic:
“Dear Hiring Manager”, or “Dear Recruitment Officer”
Alternatively, you can address the letter to the whole company team or the HR department. In this case, your greeting should look like this:
“Dear [name of the company/department] Team” or “Dear Human Resources”
Step 5: First paragraph: Introduce yourself with a BANG!
The best way to start a cover letter is to open strong. The first impression matters the most and busy recruiters often have a chance to properly dive into only a few selected cover letters.
So if you make your first paragraph captivating, chances are that your letter will be one of the lucky ones that actually end up being read.
In fact, the first paragraph is the perfect place to shortly explain why the job seems exciting to you and why you’re the right person for it.
While most people begin their letters with “I’m applying for the position X I saw in Y place,” it's a waste of space.
Instead, open with a sentence like this:
“I’m a content marketing professional with more than 5 years of experience and I’d love to bring my ability and passion to your team.”
In the first paragraph, you can also:
- Compliment the company. Show that you know details about the company and you’re approaching it for a reason. For example, demonstrate appreciation for what the company does. Not only will this flatter them, but it will also provide them with insight into who you are.
- Name a mutual acquaintance if you can. This is sometimes called a “magic bullet,” as it’s the one thing that will assure the hiring manager reads your cover letter until the end.
However, limit the introduction to 1-3 sentences. This isn’t the place to go into detail about what makes you ideal for the role — save that for the second and third paragraphs.
Step 6: Second paragraph: Explain why you’re a great fit for the company
The second paragraph is the place where you should sell yourself and your experience.
Here, write a short summary of your career, skills and accomplishments, tailored to fit what the company is looking for.
You already did your research, so now it's time to ask yourself these questions and try to address them in your cover letter:
- What did you do at a previous position that gave you relevant experience?
- How could this experience help the new company grow?
- Which of the projects you have worked on would benefit their business?
- Which of your skills make you well-equipped for the position?
- Do any of these skills give you an edge over other candidates?
After you’ve picked the most relevant accomplishments, put them at the start of your letter.
However, when talking about them, avoid sounding like you’re bragging. The best way of doing this is to focus on your experiences rather than yourself . Ideally, support your claims with concrete examples.
Also, mention any other additional relevant hard skills or knowledge areas they’re looking for, as well as any qualifications.
Finally, the second paragraph is the perfect place for showing that you’ve done your research. Demonstrate that you’re familiar with some of the challenges that the company faces and present how you can help them.
Pro tip: Don’t simply repeat the same things you’ve already put on your resume. You want to go beyond that (this applies to every other section of your cover letter).
Step 7: Third paragraph: Explain why the company is a great fit for you
In this paragraph, you want to show that you’re serious about developing your career at this new company. And good companies want to know why they appeal to you and how will your professional relationship be mutually beneficial.
Consider addressing the following questions:
- What excites you about the idea of working at this company?
- How do the company goals align with your own?
- What do you hope to gain and learn from working there?
For example, you can say something like this: “I've seen on your website that you heavily focus on cryptocurrency projects. As a cryptocurrency enthusiast, I would love to join your team”.
However, don’t go overboard with flattery and stay professional.
Also, don’t say anything that isn't true or you don’t mean it, as it will probably come up again in the later stages of the application process.
Step 8: Closing paragraph: Finish strong and stay in touch
Now that you’ve nailed the main part of your cover letter, you also want to finish strong. This way, the recruiter will remember you in a good light. But how do you achieve that?
- Reiterate that your experience and enthusiasm make you a great candidate. This is to emphasize the two main points from the previous paragraphs. Do this in one or two sentences, not more.
- Add a confident call to action. In a sentence or two, you should suggest the next steps. Something like “ I would love the opportunity to meet with you and discuss the value I can bring to [company]."
- Express gratitude. Simply thank them for their time and for considering your application.
- Always use a formal sign-off. Something like “ Sincerely , Best wishes , or Respectfully” . Finish by typing out your full name.
Step 9: How do you send a cover letter?
I can’t stress this enough — unless it's specifically required to attach the cover letter to the body of the email, consider not sending your cover letter as a document attached to your email.
Instead, put it inside the body of the email . The email itself is now your cover letter! This way the recruiter won't ignore it.
However, remember that hiring managers receive hundreds of emails a day. So if you want your email to get read, it's the subject line that's likely to play the most important part.
As we've advised before, if you have a good resume headline, simply put it in the email subject.
However, if you’re unhappy with the result, you have other options, too.
For instance, if you have a reference, include it already in your email subject line:
Referral from Jose Nachos: Pedro Tacos, candidate for a senior software analyst position
If you don't have a reference or a catchy headline, check out more tips on how to write the best subject line for your email .
Finished writing your cover letter?
Make it stand out with an eye-catching design.
What if you're told to NOT submit a cover letter?
Today, many companies are using online application systems that discourage applicants from attaching a cover letter.
Instead, they have their own application systems where in different sections you're required to fill in the information you would normally place in your cover letter.
If this is the case, just work with the format they gave you.
In other words, include the same information that you'd normally have in your cover letter but place it in the correct sections.
And don’t forget to follow the cover letter principles:
- explain why you're the right candidate;
- make it clear that you've researched the company well;
- indicate in what way you'd be an asset;
- mention your biggest past achievements.
Because no matter the format, you're still expected to present your skills and convey enthusiasm about the job.
Alternatively, you can also try to find a relevant manager or a recruiter online (either on the company pages or LinkedIn) to whom you can send a brief follow-up email with an attached cover letter.
Now that we've covered the basics, there are several other tips that you should keep in mind to elevate your cover letter to the next level:
- Keep it short. Limit your cover letter to three to four paragraphs and a maximum of one page. Hiring managers are busy people who often don't have time for reading long texts.
- Keep it clean and easy on the eye. Take a look at how this article is written. It’s replete with short paragraphs, sentences typed in bold letters, bullet points, and numbers. All of these make reading and searching for specific information easier. So, never send a letter that looks like an unreadable wall of text. The easiest way to achieve a sleek cover letter design is to use a pre-formatted cover letter template .
- Don’t risk being funny if it ’ s a company with a formal work culture. Poorly executed humor will hurt your chances rather than help. Being direct and dynamic is a much surer way to catch the recruiter’s attention than a number of jokes. On the other, if the company is smaller or known for its creative products, being original may in fact help your chances!
- Show, don’t tell. Usually, there’s no point in saying you’re “a dependable hard worker” or “a creative thinker.” Why should anyone believe such generic statements? Instead, offer an example of how these qualities helped you achieve something in the past.
- Never write the same letter twice. A cover letter should always be tailored to a specific job application. Remember the previous sections? You’ve made a great effort to research the company and its hiring managers, so you’ve written your cover letter accordingly. This is a process you need to repeat with every application (ugh, I know).
- Check for typos. This goes without saying but make 100% sure your cover letter is without typos. There’s no reason to believe you're competent if you can't even type without errors. Moreover, typos automatically reveal almost criminal carelessness on your part, since every text editor nowadays has a spellchecking feature.
- Don't use any buzzwords. Your cover letter needs to be authentic and persuasive — and buzzwords are neither. If anything, they simply give the impression of you being someone who's just trying to fit a skewed idea of what an ideal corporate employee should be. Instead, focus on using relevant keywords from job descriptions.
Now, if you have no experience yet because you're just starting out or you're changing careers, writing a cover letter can be scary. However, a well-written letter can actually be your best friend.
And this is how you write the perfect cover letter with no experience .
In the end, there are many different ways to write a great cover letter. And even if you follow the cover letter guide above, you’ll end up with a cover letter that's invariably your own.
It all depends on your own personality, the position you’re applying for, and the hiring manager’s preferences.
And that's good, actually!
Still, there's a lot to learn from cover letters written by other people. That's why we've selected five cover letter samples that deserve your attention.
Each of these helped real job seekers find real jobs in real companies. They'll teach you valuable lessons you can use in your own cover letter.
1. Norwegian — Cabin Crew Cover Letter Example
This cover letter sample was provided by a real person who got hired with Kickresume’s help.
2. Volvo — Machine Learning Intern Cover Letter Example
3. tory burch — account executive cover letter example, 4. lush — sales associate cover letter example, 5. romeo — social media officer cover letter example.
Do you still need some more inspiration? You can find more examples in our cover letter library
FAQ: How to write a cover letter
250 to 400 words is the standard cover letter length range. A cover letter should never exceed one page.
Yes! Show that you can go that extra mile and stand out from the crowd of applicants.
Ideally, use a pre-formatted cover letter template. Then use a simple and professional font, such as Times New Roman. The font size should be between 10-12.
If you have the name of the hiring manager, try to find their contact on the company page or LinkedIn. If you still can't find the right person, you can address it to the whole team or HR.
This article was recently updated. The original article was written by Martin Poduska in 201 7.
Kaja Jurcisinova is a junior copywriter at Kickresume. Kaja completed her undergraduate degree in Art History at the University of St Andrews in 2018 and graduated with a Master’s in Arts and Culture from the University of Groningen in 2021. She was an intern at multiple cultural institutions across Europe, including the Dutch Museum Association in Amsterdam, the Matter of Art Biennale in Prague, and the European Cultural Centre in Venice. At the moment, she resides in Visby on the Swedish island of Gotland.
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The 46 Best Cover Letter Examples: What They Got Right
![cover letter good definition Amanda Zantal-Wiener](https://53.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/53/hubfs/IMG_2808.jpg?width=48&height=48&name=IMG_2808.jpg)
Published: May 22, 2024
I’ve sent plenty of cover letters throughout my career, so I know it isn’t usually fun to write one. Fortunately, the cover letter examples I painstakingly gathered below show that it’s possible to have a little fun with your job search — and maybe even make yourself a better candidate in the process.
![cover letter good definition person types of a cover letter](https://www.hubspot.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20%2860%29.jpg?width=595&height=400&name=Untitled%20design%20%2860%29.jpg)
I was shocked upon learning 45% of job seekers don’t include a cover letter when applying for a job. I definitely don’t recommend following the crowd on this matter because your cover letter is a chance to tell the stories your resume only outlines.
It’s an opportunity for you to highlight your creativity at the earliest stage of the recruitment process.
Are you ready to showcase your unique skills and experience? Or are you looking for more tips and cover letter inspiration?
Keep reading for 40+ cover letter examples, then check out tips for cover letter formatting and what makes a cover letter great.
![cover letter good definition → Click here to access 5 free cover letter templates [Free Download]](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/53/3f347702-d7e9-4e59-9fe4-be4cd7bad191.png)
Table of Contents
Customizable Cover Letter Examples
Best cover letter examples, short cover letter examples, creative cover letter examples, job cover letter examples, career cover letter examples, what is a good cover letter, what’s on a cover letter, what makes a great cover letter.
In a hurry for a cover letter example you can download and customize? Check out the ones below from HubSpot’s cover letter template kit .
1. Standard Cover Letter Example
![cover letter good definition good cover letter examples, standard](https://knowledge.hubspot.com/hubfs/best-cover-letter-examples-1-20240712-5716570.webp)
5 Free Cover Letter Templates
Five fill-in-the-blank cover letter templates to help you impress recruiters.
- Standard Cover Letter Template
- Entry-Level Cover Letter Template
- Data-Driven Cover Letter Template
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What does a good cover letter look like in practice, and how can you make yours stand out? I found six examples from job seekers who decided to do things a bit differently.
Note: Some of these cover letters include real company names and NSFW language that I've covered up.
4 . The Cover Letter That Explains ‘Why,’ Not Just ‘How’
You may already know how to talk about how you’ll best execute a certain role in your cover letter. But there’s another question you might want to answer: Why the heck do you want to work here?
The Muse , a career guidance site, says that it’s often best to lead with the why — especially if it makes a good story.
I advise against blathering on and on, but a brief tale that illuminates your desire to work for that particular employer can really make you stand out.
![cover letter good definition good cover letter examples, explains why](https://knowledge.hubspot.com/hubfs/best-cover-letter-examples-4-20240712-133276.webp)
![cover letter good definition good cover letter examples, short and sweet](https://knowledge.hubspot.com/hubfs/best-cover-letter-examples-8-20240712-9918439.webp)
![](http://writinghelp.online/777/templates/cheerup/res/banner1.gif)
26. Law Cover Letter Example
![cover letter good definition good cover letter examples, law](https://knowledge.hubspot.com/hubfs/best-cover-letter-examples-27-20240712-8391291.webp)
In an increasingly digitized world, where customer-centric strategies are vital for business success, I am thrilled to apply for the [Job Title] position at HubSpot."
Unhelpful Cover Letter Introduction:
"To Whom it May Concern,
I am applying for the [Job Title] position at HubSpot. I have some experience in marketing and can help your clients grow their businesses."
Relevant Professional Experience
It can be tempting to use the same cover letter for every job. After all, it‘s about your experience, isn’t it? But it's not enough to rephrase the work history in your resume.
Recruiters and hiring managers are looking to fill a specific role, so you need to show how your experience translates to their unique needs.
So, the body of a great cover letter should showcase the specific professional experiences that are relevant to the job you're applying for. Emphasize your accomplishments and skills that directly relate to what the job needs.
To speed up this part of the cover letter writing process, start by creating a list of your transferable skills . Drafting this list can help you quickly focus on the skills to highlight in your cover letter.
Then, use AI tools to summarize job descriptions and narrow in on where your experience and the needs of the role you're applying for overlap. This post is full of useful AI assistant tools if you're new to AI.
Helpful Cover Letter Experience:
“At [Company Name], I had the opportunity to assist a global ecommerce retailer in enhancing their online customer experience. By conducting in-depth market research and customer journey mapping, I identified pain points and areas of improvement in their website navigation and user interface.”
Unhelpful Cover Letter Experience:
“I also worked with an ecommerce retailer to improve the customer experience. We did some surveys and training, and they were happy with the results.”
Useful Examples
To make your cover letter stand out, add specific examples that show how you've solved problems or gotten results in past roles.
Quantify your accomplishments whenever possible, using data to give the reader a clear understanding of your impact.
Helpful Cover Letter Example:
“I lead a team of five content writers while increasing website traffic by 18% year-over-year.”
Unhelpful Cover Letter Example:
“I have a great track record of leadership and achieving fantastic results.”
Research and Company Knowledge
Hiring teams aren‘t hiring anyone with the skills to do the job. They’re hiring a person they'll work alongside at their specific company.
So, to show that you‘re not just looking for any job anywhere, share your knowledge of the company’s industry, values, and culture in your cover letter.
Spend some time on the company website and take notes on what makes this business interesting to you and why you would want to work there.
Then, explain how your skills align with the company's mission and goals and explain how you could add to their chances of success. This will showcase your interest in the company and help them see if you are a good cultural fit.
Helpful Cover Letter Research:
“I was particularly drawn to HubSpot not only for its industry-leading solutions but also for its exceptional company culture. HubSpot's commitment to employee development and fostering a collaborative environment is evident in its recognition as a top workplace consistently. I strongly believe that my passion for continuous learning, self-motivation, and dedication to contributing to a team will make me a valuable asset to HubSpot.”
Unhelpful Cover Letter Research:
“I have been inspired by HubSpot's commitment to inbound marketing and its comprehensive suite of solutions. HubSpot's dedication to providing valuable content and fostering meaningful relationships aligns with my own values and aspirations.”
Clear Writing
Your cover letter needs to pack in a lot of important information. But it's also important that your cover letter is clear and concise.
To accomplish this, use professional but easy-to-understand language. Be sure to remove any grammar or spelling errors and avoid lengthy paragraphs and avoid jargon or overly technical language.
You may also want to use bullet points to make your letter easier to skim. Then, proofread your cover letter for clarity or ask a friend to proofread it for you.
- Guide to Becoming a Better Writer
- Tips for Simplifying Your Writing
Helpful Cover Letter Writing:
"In addition to my academic accomplishments, I gained valuable practical experience through internships at respected law firms.
Working alongside experienced attorneys, I assisted in providing legal support to clients. This hands-on experience helped me develop a deep understanding of client needs and enhanced my ability to effectively communicate complex legal concepts in a straightforward manner."
Unhelpful Cover Letter Writing:
"Furthermore, as a complement to my academic accomplishments, I have garnered invaluable practical experience through internships at esteemed law firms.
Throughout these placements, I actively collaborated with seasoned attorneys to conduct due diligence and furnish clients with comprehensive legal support. Notably, these experiences fostered a profound comprehension of client necessities, whilst honing my legal acumen to articulately convey intricate legal principles within a lucid and concise framework, adhering to applicable precedents and statutes of limitations."
Genuine Interest and Enthusiasm
Find ways to convey your passion for the role and how excited you are to contribute to the company you're applying to. At the same time, make sure your interest feels authentic and outline how it aligns with your career goals.
Your ultimate goal is an enthusiastic letter that feels honest and leaves a lasting positive impression.
Showing excitement in writing doesn't come naturally for everyone. A few tips that can help you boost the genuine enthusiasm in your letter:
- Record audio of yourself speaking about the role, then use voice-to-text technology to transcribe and add these sections to your letter.
- Choose your words carefully .
- Write in active voice.
Helpful Cover Letter Tone:
“I am genuinely enthusiastic about the prospect of joining [Company/Organization Name] as an accountant. My combination of technical proficiency, eagerness to learn, and strong attention to detail make me an ideal candidate for this role. I am confident that my dedication, reliability, and passion for accounting will contribute to the continued success of your organization.”
Unhelpful Cover Letter Tone:
“Honestly, I can hardly contain my excitement when it comes to reconciliations, financial statement analysis, and tax regulations! Engaging in spirited discussions with professors and classmates has allowed me to foster an unbreakable bond with the fascinating world of accounting, and I'm positively bursting with enthusiasm at the prospect of applying my skills in a professional setting.”
Memorable Conclusion
End your cover letter on a strong note. Summarize your top qualifications, restate your interest in the position, and express your interest in future communication.
Then, thank your reader for their time and consideration and include your contact information for easy follow-up.
To make your conclusion memorable, think about what parts of your letter you‘d most like the hiring manager to keep top of mind. Then, consider your word choice and phrasing. If you’re feeling stuck, this list of ways to close an email can help.
Helpful Cover Letter Conclusion:
"Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the opportunity to further discuss how my qualifications align with the needs of Greenpeace. Please feel free to contact me at your convenience to arrange an interview.
Together, let's make a lasting impact on our planet.
[Your Name]"
Unhelpful Cover Letter Conclusion:
"Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of discussing my qualifications further and how I can contribute to Greenpeace's mission. Please feel free to contact me at your convenience to arrange an interview.
I’d like to add another stage to the job search: experimentation.
In today’s competitive landscape, it’s so easy to feel defeated, less-than-good-enough, or like giving up your job search.
But don’t let the process become so monotonous. Have fun discovering the qualitative data I’ve discussed here — then, have even more by getting creative with your cover letter composition.
I certainly can’t guarantee that every prospective employer will respond positively — or at all — to even the most unique, compelling cover letter. But the one that’s right for you will.
So, get inspired by these examples and templates. Write an incredible cover letter that shows the hiring team at your dream job exactly who you are.
Editor's note: This post was originally published in October 2020 and has been updated for comprehensiveness. This article was written by a human, but our team uses AI in our editorial process. Check out our full disclosure to learn more about how we use AI.
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What Is a Cover Letter and How to Write One? (Expert Guide)
![cover letter good definition Kaja Jurčišinová — Staff Writer](https://d2xe0iugdha6pz.cloudfront.net/person-photos/kaja-jurcisinova.jpg)
A cover letter is an integral part of the job search process . Often, a good cover letter is what gets you the job. However, not many people know how to write a good one. Some may not even know what a purpose of a cover letter is.
In this expert guide, you can find not only a definition of what is a cover letter and how to write a good cover letter, but also tips on how to structure it and send it. Finally, get inspired by the examples, that our experts prepared for you.
Keep on reading and you will also learn:
- why do you need a cover letter;
- what types of cover letters exist;
- the difference between a cover letter and a letter of interest;
- the difference between a cover letter and a motivation letter;
Find out your resume score!
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What is a cover letter (Definition + Purpose + Types)
The purpose of a cover letter is to introduce yourself to your future potential employer.
A cover letter illustrates your background and explains why the offered position would be a good fit for you. In a cover letter, you have a unique chance to present yourself, show your personality, and add details that one cannot fit into a structured resume.
In addition, with your cover letter, you can also make up for the lack of previous experience. That is if you can make your enthusiasm and positive qualities shine through.
Over the years the importance of a cover letter grew significantly, and a cover letter became a standardized part of the process of a job application.
With the highly competitive job market, a resume alone – no matter how strong – is simply not enough to get hired. In fact, in 45% of cases, the reason for not being called to an interview is a missing cover letter.
What is the difference between a cover letter and a letter of interest?
While the cover letter and a letter of interest are rather similar, there is a subtle difference between these two. Based on the specific circumstances in which you find yourself, you can decide which one is the right one to write.
- A letter of interest is commonly used in situations when there is NO specific job opening. You send a letter of interest when you find a company interesting, and you believe you would fit in well. However , you are not applying for a concrete job position. Therefore, you can write about your skills and professional experiences more broadly so you can make yourself available to a wider range of possible positions . Furthermore, in a letter of interest, you can always politely request an interview.
- A cover letter is a response to a concrete job opening. Therefore, you focus on a more limited set of qualities that would make you the perfect candidate for this specific role.
Moreover, a cover letter always comes hand in hand with a resume. Because of that, a cover letter should always mention your CV and match it. In a cover letter, you can also elaborate on the information, which is already listed in your resume.
If you want to learn how to write a good resume, have a look at our ultimate resume guide . You can even turn your LinkedIn profile into a polished resume .
What is the difference between a cover letter and a motivation letter?
If you are deciding whether to write a cover letter or a motivation letter , it is again important to look at the situation in which you find yourself.
One writes a motivation letter when applying for a study program, a university placement, or a volunteering position. In a motivation letter, you should first and foremost focus on expressing your enthusiasm. Moreover, in a motivation letter, you can put the focus on your personality and on what makes you unique.
In the cover letter, you are advised to do this too; however, the key thing is to demonstrate why are you the perfect fit for a specific role. A cover letter also tends to be shorter than an average motivation letter.
What are different types of cover letters?
When it comes to the cover letter itself, there are three standardized types of cover letters . Each type has a slightly different format. Therefore, it is important to correctly identify which type of cover letter you need and adjust its format accordingly.
Networking cover letter
This very specific type of cover letter is sent out to your professional network in a situation when you are looking for a job but there is no specific job opening to which you are reacting. However, you want to inform your connections that you are open to a new role.
While using your network to get a job is usually the right move, one needs to be extra careful when sending out a networking cover letter. It needs to be formulated with politeness and delicacy.
Unofficial cover letter
Sometimes, only a resume is required by the company. In this situation, it is not necessary to attach an official structured cover letter.
Nonetheless, if you want to demonstrate the depth of your interest and elaborate on your professional experience in more detail, you can always write a short, un-official, and more casual cover letter. It should not follow the strict cover letter format and it can be only around two paragraphs long.
If you want to, you can even place it in the body of an email, to which you are attaching your CV.
Application cover letter
This is the standard and most common type of cover letter. You write it when you want a specific job position for which you saw an opening.
There are several unwritten rules on how to write it. So, if you are asking what makes a good cover letter and what you should do to write one, just scroll down to the next chapter.
How to write a cover letter in 2022
Writing a good cover letter is not as hard as it may seem at first. There are a few unspoken rules that if you follow, you have a high chance of being called for an interview. All you need to know is what to include in your cover letter and how to format it.
What to include in your cover letter and what is the cover letter structure?
If you are wondering what to put in your cover letter and how to structure it, what follows is a simple step-by-step list of elements that cannot be missing from a good cover letter.
At the start of your cover letter , you should have the correct heading and contact information. Don’t forget, this is your one chance to make a good first impression. Always include:
- your full name in large font as a heading. Possibly, you can also use a catchphrase, if you really want the attention of the recruiter;
- follow it by contact details, such as a phone number or email;
- include the information about your employer: such as the name of the recruiting person (if applicable), the name of the company, the address, phone number, and an email address;
- address the cover letter to the person who is listed as a recruiter/hiring manager. If their name and contact details are not available online, go for the standard " Dear Sir/Madam" ;
- don’t forget to mention how you came across the offer - their webpage, LinkedIn, or a friend who works there already;
![cover letter good definition cover letter good definition](https://uploads-kickresume-com.s3.amazonaws.com/editor-uploads/2022/01/21/image-20220121111825-1.png)
In the body of the cover letter, write about your professional skills, past experiences, and hopes and aspirations for your professional future. Describe how your previous experiences shaped you and why does it make you the perfect fit for the job. Mention also that this job is, in exchange, a good fit for you, too.
Here, you should not exceed three paragraphs. Don't be repetitive, or too descriptive - rather demonstrate your qualities.
![cover letter good definition cover letter good definition](https://uploads-kickresume-com.s3.amazonaws.com/editor-uploads/2022/01/21/image-20220121111841-2.png)
At the end of a cover letter, try to catch the attention of the recruiter again. Emphasize your motivation and repeat, why are you the right person for the job.
Never forget to thank the hiring manager for their time and express your high hope for hearing back from them. Mention your resume and remember to sign the letter with your full official name.
![cover letter good definition cover letter good definition](https://uploads-kickresume-com.s3.amazonaws.com/editor-uploads/2022/01/21/image-20220121111849-3.png)
Cover letter formatting
The cover letter is usually read by the HR department. In large corporates, there are on average 250 applicants per one open position. Because of this, the hiring manager has an extremely limited time to look at your cover letter. Thanks to this, you must make sure your cover letter is simple, not too long, well-structured, and easy to read.
- Your cover letter must have the correct length. A cover letter should never exceed one A4 page. At the same time, it should not be shorter than half a page. A good cover letter is 250-300 words long, with 400 words being the maximum limit.
- It consists of approximately three to four paragraphs and the maximum acceptable number of paragraphs is six.
- The best font to use for a cover letter is a classic, simple, and professional one. For instance, with the good-old Arial, Calibri , or Times New Roman, you can never make a mistake. However, if you work in a creative business, you can always consider using a more eye-catching design. Remember though, it should always remain easy to read and navigate.
- The size of letters should be between 10.5 and 12, the margins 1 or 1.5.
If you want to have a clearer idea about how to write the perfect cover letter, have a look at this video tutorial .
How to write a cover letter with no experience
If you are in an early stage of your career and only fresh out of school, do not despair. A cover letter can be your biggest help in this situation. As opposed to your resume, in a cover letter, your positive attitude can change a lot. Make it clear how enthusiastic and eager to learn you are.
Focus on your qualities, skills, extracurricular, or volunteering experience. Possibly, you may have some related experience from your personal life. If it is truly relevant, include it, too.
How experts do it: best cover letter examples
Now that you know what a finished cover letter looks like and how to write one, you can get inspired by cover letter examples written by our experts. This will make sure that from now on you will write truly perfect cover letters.
Example 1: Cover letter for the position of nanny
![cover letter good definition Nanny cover letter sample](https://uploads-kickresume-com.s3.amazonaws.com/editor-uploads/2022/01/19/image.png)
Example 2: Cover letter for the position of s oftware engineer
![cover letter good definition Software Engineer Cover Letter Example](https://uploads-kickresume-com.s3.amazonaws.com/editor-uploads/2022/04/05/software-engineer-cover-letter-example.png)
Example 3: Cover letter for a position of marketing intern
![cover letter good definition Marketing intern cover letter sample](https://uploads-kickresume-com.s3.amazonaws.com/editor-uploads/2022/01/19/image-2.png)
Have a look at other cover letter examples, too. And you can have a cover letter just like this as well! Just use one of our Kickresume cover letter templates . You can choose a free or a premium one.
Tips for sending a cover letter by email
Once you have the cover letter written, it is time to hit the send. But be careful, don’t make any mistakes that could lead to your application being rejected. Here are some tips on how to send the cover letter properly via email:
- Don’t forget to properly read the instructions written in the job opening. Usually, the instructions are placed at the bottom of the job advertisement. Here, one can find the name and the email address of the hiring manager who will receive the applications. Double-check the information and make sure you address the person in the email, as well as the body of the cover letter.
- Do not forget to write an appropriate email subject, in which you mention the job position and the fact that you are applying for it
- In the email itself, be polite and brief . Remember to mention the Cover Letter in the attachment.
- Make sure your email address sounds professional . Your email must have your full name and surname in it. Nicknames, extra letters, or numbers are not recommended.
- Don’t forget to attach the cover letter, and/or Resume. We have all forgotten to attach something before. However, do not let it happen in this instance – you have only one chance to make a good first impression.
- Save the cover letter properly. Use a format, which is easy to open for most computers (such as .pdf). Don’t forget to name the document properly – mention your name, the position for which you are applying, and consider adding a date. Always match it with the name of your CV.
- Don’t forget to thank the recruiter for their time. Politeness can get you far.
- End the email with your full name and best regards. Be official and professional, this is no time for being casual.
Other cover letter tips and ideas
- Make it easy to read, always. A simple and larger font, shorter sentences, and captivating beginning of paragraphs will get you far.
- Put the most important information at the beginning.
- Do not send the same cover letter to multiple openings. Always tailor the perfect resume for each job offer.
And there you go! Now when you know how to write the perfect cover letter. For the best result, use one of our Kickresume cover letter templates!
Kickresume wishes you the best of luck with your application. Get that dream job!
![cover letter good definition Kaja Jurčišinová — Staff Writer](https://d2xe0iugdha6pz.cloudfront.net/person-photos/kaja-jurcisinova.jpg)
Kaja Jurčišinová
Kaja Jurcisinova is a fresh graduate and a junior copywriter at Kickresume. Kaja completed her undergraduate degree in Art History at the University of St Andrews in 2018 and graduated with a Master’s in Arts and Culture from the University of Groningen in 2021. She was an intern at multiple cultural institutions across Europe, including the Dutch Museum Association in Amsterdam, the Matter of Art Biennale in Prague, and the European Cultural Centre in Venice. At the moment, she resides in Visby on the Swedish island of Gotland.
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How to write a professional resume summary [+examples], how to put your education on a resume [+examples], how to describe your work experience on a resume [+examples], let your resume do the work..
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- Career Blog
What Is a Cover Letter for a Job? Definition and Examples
![resume-47 cover letter good definition](https://resumehead.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/resume-47-1920x960.jpg)
A cover letter is a personalized document submitted alongside your resume or CV when applying for a job. It is designed to introduce yourself to the employer, showcase your qualifications, and establish a connection with the hiring manager.
Cover letters are crucial in the job application process, as they are the first impression you give to a potential employer. They demonstrate your communication skills, highlight your unique strengths that align with the job requirements, and show the employer that you have put in the effort to tailor your application specifically to them.
In this article, we will cover the essential elements of a cover letter, including the structure, content, and format. We’ll also provide you with tips on how to make your cover letter stand out and share specific examples that you can use as inspiration.
Specifically, we will discuss:
- The purpose of a cover letter
- The different types of cover letters
- The structure and format of a cover letter
- How to tailor your cover letter to the job and company
- Tips on how to write an effective cover letter
- Examples of successful cover letters
Whether you are a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, this article will provide you with the knowledge you need to create a compelling cover letter that will impress any employer. So, let’s get started!
The Definition of a Cover Letter
Defining what a cover letter is.
A cover letter is a one-page document that accompanies your resume when applying for a job. It provides a personalized introduction to the employer and serves as a sales pitch highlighting your qualifications, skills, and experience.
![cover letter good definition](https://resumehead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/next-level-web-2-65fe980da02bc.webp)
Explaining the Purpose of a Cover Letter
The purpose of a cover letter is to showcase your interest in the job and the company while presenting yourself as the best candidate for the position. It should not duplicate the content of your resume but rather expand on it by providing specific examples of how your skills match the job requirements.
A cover letter is also an opportunity to demonstrate your writing skills and personality. It should be carefully crafted and tailored to the employer’s needs to make a positive impression and stand out from other applicants.
Differentiating a Cover Letter from a Resume
While a resume provides a comprehensive summary of your work history, education, and achievements, a cover letter is more focused on your motivation and fit for the specific job.
A resume is typically structured in a chronological or functional format, whereas a cover letter follows a specific format with a heading, introduction, body paragraphs, and a closing.
A cover letter is an essential job application tool that complements your resume and allows you to shine as a candidate. By personalizing your application and demonstrating your fit for the job, you can increase your chances of landing an interview and securing the job you want.
The Purpose of a Cover Letter
One of the most critical components of a job application is a cover letter. It provides the candidate with an opportunity to introduce themselves and explain why they are an excellent fit for the position. The following section explores why a cover letter is essential for job seekers and highlights the benefits of including it in a job application.
Demonstrating Why a Cover Letter is Important for Job Seekers
A cover letter is the first part of your job application that a recruiter or employer will see. Therefore, it is essential to make a positive first impression. The cover letter should highlight your strengths, experiences, and qualifications that are relevant to the job description. It should be well-structured, error-free, and customized for the specific job you are applying for.
Cover letters provide the candidate with an opportunity to explain their motivation for applying for the job. They can also showcase their personality, communication skills, and writing style. A well-crafted cover letter can set the tone for the entire application and make the candidate stand out from other applicants.
Exploring the Benefits of Including a Cover Letter with a Job Application
Including a cover letter with a job application has several benefits. Firstly, it shows initiative and effort, indicating that the candidate is genuinely interested in the job. It also demonstrates attention to detail and professionalism.
A cover letter can also provide valuable insights that may not be apparent from the resume alone. It allows the candidate to elaborate on their skills and experiences, as well as to address any gaps or challenges in their career history. Additionally, a cover letter provides an opportunity to express enthusiasm for the company and the position.
Furthermore, a cover letter can help job seekers overcome potential obstacles or barriers. For instance, if the candidate is transitioning into a new career, lacks relevant experience or has gaps in employment history or has faced any limitations such as disabilities, a cover letter can be a valuable tool to address these concerns sensitively.
A cover letter is a crucial component of job seeking. It can make the difference between landing an interview and getting passed over. By demonstrating motivation, professionalism, and enthusiasm for the position, a well-crafted cover letter can set the applicant apart from the competition. Therefore, job seekers should take the time to create an outstanding cover letter that highlights their strengths and illustrates why they are the best fit for the job.
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The Basic Cover Letter Format
When it comes to formatting your cover letter, it’s important to stick to a standard structure that potential employers expect to see. Here is a breakdown of the basic cover letter format:
Heading and contact information
At the very top of your cover letter, include your name, address, phone number, and email address. Next, include the date you are sending the letter and the contact information for the employer, including their name, title, company, and address.
Begin your cover letter with a salutation, such as “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear [employer’s name]”. It’s important to address the letter specifically to the person who will be reviewing your application.
Opening paragraph
In the opening paragraph, introduce yourself and explain why you are interested in the position. If someone referred you to the job, mention their name and connection to the employer.
Body paragraphs
The body of your cover letter should highlight your qualifications and explain why you are the best candidate for the job. Use specific examples from your work experience or education to demonstrate your skills and achievements.
Closing paragraph
In the closing paragraph, thank the employer for considering your application and express your enthusiasm for the opportunity to interview. Include your contact information again and invite the employer to contact you with any further questions.
End the letter with a professional closing, such as “Sincerely” or “Best regards”, and sign your name.
Tone and style of writing
When it comes to the tone and style of your cover letter, it’s important to strike a balance between professionalism and personality. You want to sound knowledgeable and competent, but also friendly and engaging. Here are some tips for writing an effective cover letter:
- Use a conversational tone, but avoid slang or casual language.
- Tailor your language to the specific job and company you are applying to. Use keywords from the job description and research the company culture to get a sense of the appropriate tone.
- Show enthusiasm and passion for the job, but avoid going overboard or sounding desperate.
- Be confident and assertive, but also humble and gracious.
- Use examples and anecdotes to demonstrate your skills and qualifications, but avoid rambling or repeating information from your resume.
By following the basic cover letter format and using an appropriate tone and style, you can create a compelling letter that stands out to potential employers and increases your chances of landing the job.
How to Write a Cover Letter
In this section, we will provide a step-by-step guide to creating a successful cover letter.
Paragraph 1: Introduction
The first paragraph is your chance to introduce yourself to the employer and explain why you’re interested in the position. Start off with a clear and concise statement of the job you’re applying for and where you saw the opening. You can also include a sentence or two about your qualifications and why you’d be a good fit for the role. Remember to keep it brief and to the point.
Paragraph 2: Your Qualifications
In the second paragraph, highlight your qualifications and experiences that match the job description. Be specific and use examples to demonstrate your skills and achievements. This is your chance to prove that you have what it takes to succeed in the role. Make sure to use keywords from the job description to show that you understand the requirements of the position.
Paragraph 3: Your Value Proposition
The third paragraph is where you can really sell yourself. Explain what sets you apart from other applicants and why the employer should hire you. This is your opportunity to showcase your strengths and explain how you can bring value to the company. You can also use this paragraph to express your enthusiasm for the company or industry.
Paragraph 4: Call to Action
In the final paragraph, thank the employer for considering your application and reiterate your interest in the position. End with a strong call to action, such as expressing your availability for an interview or follow-up call. Remember to include your contact information, such as your phone number and email address, so the employer can easily reach you.
By following this step-by-step guide, you can create a strong and effective cover letter that will help you stand out from the competition. Keep in mind that every cover letter should be tailored to the specific job and company you’re applying to. Good luck!
Specific Details to Include in a Cover Letter
When it comes to writing a cover letter, including specific details can greatly enhance your chances of landing your dream job. Here are some examples of information that should be included in your cover letter:
- Contact information: Your full name, phone number, email address, and home address. This info helps the hiring manager contact you quickly and easily.
- Job reference number or title: If the job you are applying for has a reference number, include it in your cover letter. If not, it’s essential to mention the job title in your introduction.
- Dates of availability: Let the hiring manager know when you’re available to start the job. This detail helps the employer to determine your readiness and to plan accordingly.
Crafting a perfect cover letter for a job isn’t just about including the necessary details. It is also essential to tailor the cover letter to the job posting and company. Here are some tips to do so.
Tips for Tailoring the Cover Letter to the Company and Job Posting
- Research the company: Before writing a cover letter, research the company to understand how they operate and their values. Use this information to personalize the cover letter.
- Match your skills to the job: The job posting lists the required skills and qualifications. Make sure to mention them and link them to your experience and skills.
- Use the right tone of voice: The tone of the cover letter should align with the company’s values and culture. If the company is serious and formal, use a professional tone. If it’s more relaxed, your tone can be conversational.
- Address the hiring manager by name: Addressing the hiring manager by name shows professionalism and interest in the job.
- Highlight your achievements: In the main paragraphs of your cover letter, highlight your significant achievements that relate to the job posting.
It is essential to follow these tips to create a compelling and personalized cover letter that catches the hiring manager’s attention. By focusing on the specific information and tailoring the letter to the company, you increase your chances of standing out among the other candidates.
How to Customize a Cover Letter
When applying for a job, it’s important to customize your cover letter to the specific job posting. This helps to show your potential employer that you have a genuine interest in the position and that you understand what they’re looking for. Here are some tips on how to effectively customize your cover letter for different job postings.
1. Research the Company
Before you start writing your cover letter, it’s important to research the company you’re applying to. Look for information on their mission statement, values, and any recent news or events. This will give you a better understanding of what they’re looking for in a candidate and help you tailor your letter accordingly.
2. Use the Job Description
The job description is your guide to what the employer is looking for in a candidate. Read it carefully and make note of the qualifications, skills, and experience they’re seeking. In your cover letter, use this information to highlight your relevant experience and qualifications.
3. Show Your Enthusiasm
When customizing your cover letter, it’s important to show enthusiasm for the job and company. Use specific examples from your research and experiences to demonstrate why you’re excited about the opportunity. This can help to set you apart from other applicants and show that you’re genuinely interested in the job.
4. Address Specific Concerns
If there are any specific concerns or requirements mentioned in the job posting, make sure to address them in your cover letter. For example, if the employer is looking for someone with experience working with a certain software program, mention your experience with that program specifically.
5. Keep it Professional
While you want to customize your cover letter, it’s also important to keep it professional. Avoid using slang or overly casual language, and make sure to proofread carefully for any spelling or grammar errors.
Customizing your cover letter may take some extra time and effort, but it can make a big difference in your job search. By showing the employer that you understand their needs and are enthusiastic about the job, you’ll be more likely to stand out from other applicants and land your dream job.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Cover Letters
In order to create an effective cover letter, it is important to understand the common mistakes that many applicants make. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
1. Repeating Information from Your Resume
It is important to remember that your cover letter is not simply a summary of your resume. One of the biggest mistakes that applicants make is repeating information from their resume in their cover letter. Instead, use your cover letter to highlight specific achievements and experiences that demonstrate your qualifications for the position.
2. Writing a Generic Letter
Another mistake that many applicants make is writing a generic cover letter. This means that they use the same cover letter for every job application. Instead, tailor your cover letter to the specific position you are applying for. Research the company and the job requirements, and use this information to customize your letter.
3. Focusing Too Much on Yourself
While your cover letter is a chance to sell yourself, it is important to remember that the letter should focus on how you can benefit the company, not just on your own achievements. Make sure that you highlight how your skills and experience can help the company succeed.
4. Making Grammar and Spelling Mistakes
It may seem obvious, but it is important to make sure that your cover letter is free from grammar and spelling mistakes. A poorly written letter can create a negative impression and may even result in your application being rejected. Proofread your letter carefully before submitting it.
5. Failing to Follow Instructions
Many job postings include specific instructions for submitting a cover letter. Failing to follow these instructions can make a bad impression on the hiring manager. Make sure that you carefully read the job posting and follow all instructions for submitting your cover letter.
Suggestions for Avoiding These Mistakes
To avoid making these common mistakes, take the time to carefully craft your cover letter. Research the company and the position, and use this information to personalize your letter. Highlight specific achievements and experiences that demonstrate your qualifications for the job. And always proofread your letter carefully to avoid embarrassing mistakes. By putting in the effort to create a strong, tailored cover letter, you can increase your chances of standing out to potential employers.
Tips for Writing a Cover Letter
A cover letter is a crucial part of the job application process. It’s a chance to introduce yourself to the hiring manager, highlight your qualifications for the job, and express your interest in the position. To make a great first impression, it’s essential to write an exceptional cover letter.
Here are some helpful tips for writing a standout cover letter:
Do your research: Before writing your cover letter, research the company and the job you’re applying for. This will help you tailor your letter to the specific position and show the employer that you’ve done your homework.
Include a strong opening: A strong opening sentence can grab the employer’s attention and make them want to keep reading. Use an attention-grabbing phrase or statistic to start your letter.
Highlight your qualifications: Your cover letter should highlight your most relevant skills and experience for the job. Use specific examples that show how your past experience can be applied to the position you’re applying for.
Use active voice: To make your letter more engaging, use active voice rather than passive voice. This will make the letter more dynamic and show the employer that you’re confident and assertive.
Avoid clichés: Clichés like “I’m a team player” or “I’m a self-starter” are overused and don’t add anything to your letter. Instead, use specific examples to demonstrate these traits.
Be concise and to the point: Your cover letter should be one page or less and easy to read. Use short paragraphs and bullet points to break up the text and make it easy to scan.
Show enthusiasm: Your cover letter should express your interest and excitement for the job. Show the employer that you’re passionate about the position and eager to contribute to the company.
By following these best practices, you can write an outstanding cover letter that sets you apart from other applicants and impresses the employer. Remember to proofread your letter carefully and tailor it to each job you apply for. Good luck with your job search!
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Opinion Frank Bruni
What Joe Biden Just Did Is Utterly Extraordinary
Credit... Damon Winter/The New York Times
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By Frank Bruni
Frank Bruni is a contributing Opinion writer who was on the staff of The Times for more than 25 years.
- July 21, 2024
In the hours and days to come, many political observers will say that President Biden was backed into a corner and had no choice but to end his re-election campaign. His limitations had been laid painfully bare. He’d lost the confidence of the Democratic Party. And he was staggering toward an increasingly ugly revolt within it or a potentially harrowing defeat by Donald Trump. Bowing out wasn’t an act of grace. It was a saving of face.
All correct. But that’s not the whole truth. Not the full story. It misses the bigness of what Biden just did — its historical rarity, its emotional agony, its fundamental humility.
Yes, his decision to abandon his aspirations for a second term and let another, younger Democrat seek the presidency came weeks later than it should have, after too much secrecy, too much arrogance, too much denial. He pushed wishful thinking to the limit, scoffing at polls, sniping at the news media and claiming omniscience in a manner that eerily echoed Trump’s populist bluster. (“I’m getting so frustrated by the elites.” “Look at the crowds.”) But that doesn’t erase the enormous impact and extraordinary example of relinquishing his candidacy.
His exit from the presidential race creates a kind and magnitude of uncertainty about who one of the major party’s nominees will be — and what sort of late-stage, rushed operation that person can put together — that has no real precedent in modern American politics. Maybe his endorsement of Kamala Harris and the vice-president’s traditional status as heir apparent will amount to her speedy anointment. Maybe not. She has doubters aplenty, and many prominent Democrats crave a real competition, not a segue from obligatory indulgence of Biden to forced allegiance to Harris.
This is terra incognita. While Republicans in 1964 and Democrats in 1968 began their summer conventions without clarity about the outcome, the candidates in the hunt for the nomination had been making their pitches and jockeying for position for much of the year. They weren’t in a mad dash after a mid-July swerve that has many Americans reeling.
Nor was their party puzzling over what to do in a climate of panic this intense. Democrats aren’t simply thinking and talking about the best way to beat Republicans; they’re thinking and talking about the sturdiest bulwark against a second Trump administration that they rightly consider a dire threat to American democracy itself. And they’re confronting a version of Trump, with his wounded ear and his swollen claims of divine mission, as confident of victory and in command of his followers as he has ever been.
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Group Registration of Updates to a News Website
A Rule by the Copyright Office, Library of Congress on 07/22/2024
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Supplementary information:, i. background, ii. final rule, a. eligibility requirements, 1. works that may be included in the group, i. constitutional challenge, ii. news website limitation, iii. website limitation, 2. scope of collective work, 3. one-month limitation, 4. authorship, ownership, and work made for hire requirements, 5. subjects of inquiry, i. permitted additional title information, ii. permitted archived urls, b. filing fee, c. deposit requirements, 1. “home page” requirement, i. timing of deposit capture, ii. “complete copy”, 2. site maps, 3. additional deposit suggestions, 4. other comments, e. application requirements, f. conclusion, list of subjects, 37 cfr part 201, 37 cfr part 202, final regulations, part 201—general provisions, part 202—preregistration and registration of claims to copyright, enhanced content - submit public comment.
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U.S. Copyright Office, Library of Congress.
Final rule.
The U.S. Copyright Office is creating a new group registration for frequently updated news websites. This option will enable online news publishers to register a group of updates to a news website as a collective work with a deposit composed of identifying material representing sufficient portions of the work, rather than the complete contents of the website. The final rule is nearly identical to the provisions set forth in the January 2024 notice of proposed rulemaking, with one modification in response to public comments and one to reflect a technical change in the process for submitting these claims.
Effective July 22, 2024.
Rhea Efthimiadis, Assistant to the General Counsel, by email at [email protected] or by telephone at 202-707-8350.
The Copyright Act authorizes the Register of Copyrights to specify by regulation the administrative classes of works for the purpose of registration and the deposit required for each class. [ 1 ] In addition, Congress gave the Register the discretion to allow registration of groups of related works with one application and one filing fee. [ 2 ] This procedure is known as “group registration.” [ 3 ] Pursuant to this authority, the Register has issued several regulations permitting group registrations for certain types of works, including newspapers, newsletters and serials, unpublished works, unpublished and published photographs, contributions to periodicals, secure test items, works on an album of music, short online literary works, and database updates. [ 4 ]
This rulemaking expands the available group registration options because of several factors specifically impacting news websites. Along with receiving requests from online publishers, the Office observed the increase in news content offered online and the dynamic nature of such material. [ 5 ] It also reviewed stakeholder comments in prior proceedings that discussed the challenges associated with registering online news content, including those submitted in response to its 2022 Copyright Protections for Press Publishers report. [ 6 ] Finally, the Office acknowledged the deposit challenges associated with websites, particularly news websites, in its 2011 publication titled Priorities and Special Projects of the United States Copyright Office (October 2011-October 2013) . [ 7 ]
On January 3, 2024, the Office published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) to establish a new group registration option for frequently updated news websites. [ 8 ] The proposed rule would allow an applicant to register a news website as a collective work (including any individual component works it fully owns, such as literary works, photographs, and/or graphics) [ 9 ] with a deposit composed of identifying material, rather than the complete contents of the website. The proposed rule would also allow registration of the news website and any updates published within one calendar month, if the deposit evidences a sufficiently creative selection, coordination, or arrangement within each collective work to constitute a copyrightable compilation. [ 10 ] Each Start Printed Page 58992 collective work must have been created as a work made for hire, with the same person or entity named as both the author and copyright claimant. The proposed rule stated that applicants would be required to submit their claims through the online copyright registration system, using the application currently in use for a group of newspaper issues. [ 11 ]
The Office received twenty comments in response to the NPRM. [ 12 ] All but one [ 13 ] supported the Office's proposal to create the new group registration option, though the majority requested various modifications. Two commenters, however, expressly conditioned their support on substantive changes to the rule, which would substantially change its scope. [ 14 ] In general, commenters were interested in expanding eligibility for this option to a greater number of works and changing the deposit requirement. Proposals included revising the definition of “news website,” removing the work made for hire and author/claimant requirements, increasing the time limitation for updates to the news website, clarifying the “home page” deposit requirement, and asking the Office to confirm the scope of remedies for copyright infringement of a collective work. [ 15 ] Finally, one commenter encouraged the Office to “identify opportunities for improvement” and to remain “adaptive to technological changes.” [ 16 ]
Having reviewed and carefully considered each of the comments, the Office now issues a final rule that is nearly identical to the proposed rule, with one modification reflecting concerns raised by some commenters regarding the “home page” deposit requirement and one modification concerning the application form for this option. These modifications are discussed in more detail below. With respect to requests that we received to expand the scope of the rule, the Office will closely monitor how the new group option performs, including the number and complexity of the claims submitted, the amount of time needed to examine these claims, and the modest filing fee for this option. The Office remains open to revisiting these issues in the future based on this rule's performance.
In the NPRM, the Office proposed to limit this group registration option to updates to a “news website,” defined as “a website that is designed to be a primary source of written information on current events, either local, national, or international in scope, that contains a broad range of news on all subjects and activities and is not limited to any specific subject matter.” As described in the NPRM, the proposed rule stems from the rapid development and predominance of news websites over print newspapers, [ 17 ] and requests from news publishers for a feasible way to register “newspaper websites” that are “updated frequently.” [ 18 ] Thus, the proposed rule is an extension of the existing group newspaper option that has been available for decades. [ 19 ] Consistent with the Compendium of U.S. Copyright Office Practices, the proposed rule defines a “website” as “a web page or set of interconnected web pages that are accessed using a uniform resource locator (“URL”) organized under a particular domain name.” A number of commenters encouraged the Office to expand the type of works eligible under the rule and recommended revisions to both definitions.
Before turning to the requests to expand the rule, the Office addresses the argument made by a small number of commenters that the proposed group registration option would violate the First Amendment by limiting the option to a particular type of work. In a joint comment, NWU, NPPA, and NASW stated that restricting the option to “news” websites constitutes “[c]ontent-based discrimination,” which they considered “[c]onstitutionally suspect and subject to strict scrutiny” that the rule “cannot meet.” [ 20 ] In support of this argument, they cited Arkansas Writers Project v. Ragland, 481 U.S. 221 (1987), which reviewed a state sales tax scheme that taxed general interest magazines, but exempted newspapers and religious, professional trade, and sports journals. Because Arkansas “advanced no compelling justification for selective, content-based taxation of certain magazines,” the Supreme Court held the tax scheme invalid under the First Amendment. [ 21 ] Analogizing the tax scheme in Arkansas Writers Project to the proposed registration option, NWU, NPPA, and NASW argued that the exclusion of any web content that does not meet the “news website” definition is unconstitutional. [ 22 ]
Aligned with NWU, NPPA, and NASW, another commenter, Gordon Firemark, contended that, by limiting the group option to updates to news websites, the proposed rule “excludes other types of content from [its] benefits” and denies content creators “relief from the burdens of the current system.” [ 23 ] He argued that recent Supreme Court precedent concerning trademark registration requires a content-neutral approach. [ 24 ]
The Office disagrees with these arguments. It is correct that the Supreme Court has held that content-based laws—laws restricting or compelling Start Printed Page 58993 speech based on its communicative content—are presumptively unconstitutional, [ 25 ] and subject to strict scrutiny, under which the government must show that the law is the “least restrictive means” of advancing a “compelling” governmental interest. [ 26 ] A regulation can be content-based “on its face,” if its text applies to speech based on the subject matter, topic, or viewpoint of that speech. It can also be content-based if it has a discriminatory purpose that “cannot be justified without reference to the content of the regulated speech” or was “adopted by the government because of disagreement with the message” conveyed. [ 27 ] However, a regulation that places “a differential burden on speakers is insufficient by itself to raise First Amendment concerns.” [ 28 ] The tax scheme in Arkansas Writers Project was found to violate these principles by being directed at particular subjects, thus targeting a small group within the press. [ 29 ] That is not the case here.
The Office's proposed group registration option is not analogous to the unconstitutional tax statute in Arkansas Writers Project for multiple reasons. First, the option does not restrict or compel speech based on its communicative content. Nor does it favor or disfavor particular topics or subjects, or exclude a small group of the press. [ 30 ] Instead the option is available for updates to news websites that contain a broad range of topics regardless of the content of the speech involved.
Second, the registration option is viewpoint neutral and operates not as a restriction on speech, but as a condition for qualifying for one of many options available to register copyrights, including online websites and other publications. The Standard Application is available to any type of author for any type of work within the statutory categories. [ 31 ] Group registration options are discretionary accommodations offered by the Office in a number of areas. Currently, the Office administers ten group options covering unpublished works, short online literary works, works on an album of music, serials, newspapers, newsletters, contributions to periodicals, published and unpublished photographs, automated databases, and secure test items. [ 32 ] For online publications, group serials and group newsletters are other registration options for publications that fall outside of the “newspaper” or “news website” definitions.
The Supreme Court's recent ruling in a case involving trademark regulations supports the Office's view. There the Court reviewed a rule of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) barring the registration of trademarks that use the names of particular living individuals without their written consent. [ 33 ] The Court held that this bar, though content-based, is viewpoint neutral and does not violate the First Amendment. [ 34 ] The Court noted that while its precedents “distinguish between content-based and content-neutral regulations of speech,” [ 35 ] they further distinguish “a particularly `egregious form of content discrimination'—viewpoint discrimination,” which targets not merely a subject matter, “but particular views taken by speakers on a subject.” [ 36 ] The Court identified “[s]everal features of trademark [law]” that “counsel against a per se rule of applying heightened scrutiny to viewpoint-neutral, but content-based trademark regulations.” Most notably, it found that “trademark rights have always coexisted with the First Amendment, despite the fact that trademark protection necessarily requires content-based distinctions.” [ 37 ] Accordingly, the Court held that USPTO's “content-based, but viewpoint-neutral, trademark restriction [ ] is compatible with the First Amendment.” [ 38 ]
Similarly, copyright registration, and the broad administrative classification authority Congress granted to the Register, necessarily requires content-based distinctions. Indeed, since its passage in 1976, the Copyright Act has authorized the Register “to specify by regulation the administrative classes into which works are to be placed for purposes of deposit and registration” and to permit “ for particular classes, the deposit of identifying material instead of copies or phonorecords, the deposit of only one copy or phonorecord where two would normally be required, or a single registration for a group of related works.” [ 39 ] Like the USPTO's name bar, these administrative distinctions are not based on the particular views taken by authors and have always coexisted with the First Amendment. The addition of an administrative classification for this new group registration option, which adopts near-identical criteria for determining “news” content to that of the existing group option for newspapers, is “a matter of policy and discretion” [ 40 ] fully compatible with the First Amendment.
Further, unlike the viewpoint-based trademark provisions held unconstitutional for barring registration of scandalous or disparaging marks, [ 41 ] the Office's viewpoint-neutral administrative classification does not bar registration for non-news content or websites. Quite the opposite: to increase participation in the registration system, the Office has created several group options for the registration of works that are published online. [ 42 ] The Standard Application also remains available to any type of author for any type of work within the statutory categories. This rule does not prevent anyone's ability to register non-news works.
Multiple commenters urged the Office to expand the rule's definition of “news website” by removing the condition that the website must contain news on all subjects and activities. [ 43 ] In encouraging Start Printed Page 58994 the Office “not to exclude . . . specialized websites,” the ABA-IPL noted that the “proposed rule may provide especially meaningful benefit to smaller news websites—including those that focus on certain `specific subject matter.' ” [ 44 ] HBP argued that “websites, like HBR.org, that focus on a particular area of news . . . still face the same registration problems afflicting all news websites.” [ 45 ] The Authors Guild also expressed concern that the rule would exclude more specialized news publications, such as those that focus on political news. It argued that “these publications clearly qualify as news websites under any ordinary understanding of that term.” [ 46 ] Relatedly, commenters claimed that content restrictions “put[ ] examiners in an untenable position of deciding what is or is not `news.' ” [ 47 ] Finally, four commenters asked the Office to abandon the “news website” definition and extend the group option “to any periodically-produced content distributed through the internet.” [ 48 ]
After considering this request and in the interest of implementing this final rule as quickly as possible, the Office declines to revise the definition at this time. As an extension of the newspaper group option, the “news website” definition is modeled on the Office's longstanding regulation defining a “newspaper” as a publication that is “mainly designed to be a primary source of written information on current events, either local, national, or international in scope,” that “contains a broad range of news on all subjects and activities and is not limited to any specific subject matter.” [ 49 ] This definition is very broad and it is intended to “make any newspaper eligible for a group registration.” [ 50 ] It is also intended to distinguish a “newspaper” from a “newsletter,” which is defined elsewhere in the regulations as a publication that contains “news or information that is chiefly of interest to a special group, such as trade and professional associations, colleges, schools, or churches.” [ 51 ]
Under this definition, newspapers are aimed at any member of the general public who may be interested in newsworthy information or events that are reported on a given day. [ 52 ] By applying a similar definition to websites, the final rule recognizes that “news websites” are also intended to have universal appeal.
This definition would encompass news websites that cover current events and provide information on diverse topics, including some political websites like those identified in the Authors Guild's comment. [ 53 ] Although these sites focus primarily on issues involving politics and events with political implications, they do not limit their coverage to a particular subject matter nor are they directed at narrow or discrete groups of readers. [ 54 ]
The Office also disagrees with commenters that the “news website” eligibility requirement places a burden on examiners. Indeed, the definitions for “news website” and “newspaper” are similar, in part, to enable consistent application of both rules. Examiners are accustomed to assessing eligibility based on this definition.
However, if the definition proves too rigid or unworkable, the Office is willing to revisit this issue based on its experience in administering this rule. Importantly, however, this new group option is not intended to extend to the websites of all serials or newsletters, which in print or ePrint form have the benefit of separate group registration options. [ 55 ]
The Office received requests to expand the rule beyond websites. Commenters recommended that the proposed rule be amended to include mobile applications (“apps”) in the definition of “website.” [ 56 ] They argued that “[m]any news publishers encourage users to access content on an app rather than a website.” [ 57 ]
The Office declines to amend the definition. It considers an app to be “a computer program that is used directly or indirectly in a computer or handheld electronic device.” [ 58 ] The Office has a procedure for registering the underlying code that operates the app. [ 59 ] To the extent that news publishers seek to register the works published on the app, a registration for a newspaper or a news website would protect those works if they contain the same content.
AIPLA encouraged the Office to revise the definition of “website” to clarify that a website is not limited to content accessed using a single domain name. [ 60 ] It explained that “web pages are composed of various elements, like text, images, and videos” that “might be hosted on a different server than the one hosting the main web page for reasons such as efficiency, speed, and cost.” [ 61 ] The Office appreciates this distinction but declines to revise the definition. To qualify for this option, each collective work in the group must be published under one particular domain name. For registration purposes, the Office does not assess eligibility based on where component digital works may be stored. The Office believes the “particular web page” requirement is necessary to prevent applicants from using the option to register collective works published under different domain names on the same application, which would make it difficult to identify the website that is covered by the registration. Therefore, the final rule retains the definition proposed in the NPRM.
The proposed rule provides that claims registered under this option will be limited to the collective work authorship based on the selection, coordination, and/or arrangement of the individual component works, and that all parts of the collective work will constitute one work for purposes of 17 U.S.C. 504(c)(1) . [ 62 ] Additionally, the Start Printed Page 58995 Office made clear that the registration will also cover the individual contributions contained within the collective work if they are fully owned by the copyright claimant and were first published in that work.
NPR asked the Office to confirm that “the scope of the collective work will explicitly include all copyrightable contributions made by the claimant, not just textual works.” [ 63 ] As noted above, a “news website” is defined as “a website that is designed to be a primary source of written information.” [ 64 ] If the collective work contains individual contributions that are fully owned by the copyright claimant and were first published in the work, then the registration will cover those contributions, so long as they are copyrightable subject matter. However, a component work “that is perceptible to the user only by downloading or separately purchasing that particular work is not considered part of the website for registration purposes and must be registered separately.” [ 65 ] Additionally, any “externally linked content [ i.e., content residing on another website] is not considered part of the website's content for registration purposes.” [ 66 ]
HBP recommended that the Office permit applicants to disclaim content that is licensed and not owned by the applicant. As with group newspapers, the Office does not see the need for a limitation of claim for news websites, because the proposed rule expressly states that “[e]ach update to the website must be [an original] collective work.” A registration issued by the Office pursuant to this rule will only cover the new contributions owned by the copyright claimant. Consistent with any collective work registration, any articles, photos, or other contributions included in the collective work that were previously published, previously registered, owned by another party, or in the public domain are automatically excluded from the claim. As a practical matter, therefore, a disclaimer to expressly exclude material in the application is unnecessary.
Port. Prerogative Club asked the Office to “[c]larify whether updates to numerical information, such as prices, volumes, retweets, or other metrics, qualify as registrable under the rule, and whether the Office has changed its policy on the registrability of short phrases and headlines.” The Office states that its longstanding regulation denying protection for words and short phrases has not changed. [ 67 ] Regarding “prices, volumes, retweets, or other metrics,” it is unclear whether the commenter is referring to individual works of authorship, or whether these items appear in a compilation. Individual numbers and short phrases are not copyrightable. However, a copyrightable compilation of these items may be registrable.
The proposed rule permits an applicant to include updates published on the same website within the same calendar month. Three commenters urged the Office to remove the limitation, arguing that it is too “onerous.” [ 68 ] NPR recommended that the Office allow for the option to cover “three months, or six months, or a calendar year” to “reduce registration costs.” [ 69 ] Noting that “attorneys' fees and statutory damages can be awarded as long as copyright is registered within three months of first publication,” NWU, NPPA, and NASW requested that the rule be amended to allow registration of updates published “during any specified three-month period.” [ 70 ]
At this time, given administrative capabilities, the Office cannot expand the option to cover more than one month of updates. As the NPRM explained, to deliver the option promptly, and to minimize development time, the Office is adapting the existing group application for newspapers, which is used to register up to one month of newspaper issues and contains technical validations that prevent applicants from entering publication dates that are more than one month apart. Changing the limit would require additional modifications to the application and delay implementation of the final rule. Further, the Office seeks an appropriate balance between the interests of copyright owners and the administrative burden to the Office. Based on the modest fee set for this option, some limit on the number of works included in each claim is necessary. The Office will reassess whether the limit can be increased after it has gained sufficient experience administering the rule.
Under the proposed rule, to be eligible for the option, each collective work in the group must have been created as a work made for hire, with the same person or entity named as the author and copyright claimant. Multiple commenters questioned this requirement. [ 71 ] The Authors Guild argued that the work made for hire requirement “arbitrarily and unfairly confines the benefit of the rule to corporate entities even where other creators are producing substantially the same type of content.” [ 72 ] While they recognized that this requirement reflects practical and technical limitations, NMA and AIPLA noted that “there does not seem to be a fundamental reason for such a limitation in principle, and in many business cases, the work may be fully owned by the publisher, or obtained via assignment or operation of law.” [ 73 ]
The Office acknowledges that the work made for hire requirement may not reflect every business case of ownership. However, this requirement streamlines the registration procedures, which, as noted above, will adapt the existing group application option for newspapers. Under that option, the same person or entity must be named as the author and copyright claimant, and each issue must be a work made for hire. The Office retains the same requirements for the news websites option to minimize the need for additional development time that would otherwise be required. Start Printed Page 58996
Additionally, under general Copyright Office practice, if the author and claimant are not the same person, the applicant is statutorily required to provide a transfer statement explaining how the claimant acquired all of the rights initially belonging to the author. [ 74 ] If an applicant names a third party as the copyright claimant, but fails to provide a transfer statement, then the Office must correspond to determine whether the claimant actually owns all of the exclusive rights in the works, which delays the registration decision. The corresponding additional time and costs that the Office would incur are inconsistent with the reduced fee for examination of multiple collective works.
Moreover, imposing a work made for hire limitation is consistent with the goal of this rulemaking, which is to address obstacles to registering online news content produced by news publishers, who often also publish newspapers. Based on its experience with the existing group newspaper registrations, the Office expects that this requirement will produce an optimal public record, while reducing the administrative burden that these claims impose. The final rule accordingly retains the work made for hire requirement. Applicants who do not qualify for the option may still register their works individually using the Standard Application.
The Office invited public comments on whether it should give applicants the opportunity to provide additional information, such as individual article or photograph titles, as part of this group registration option. Commenters expressed support for the implementation of an opportunity to include granular information concerning individual component works at the applicant's discretion. [ 75 ] The Authors Guild noted that “in the event an individual article is the subject of a later infringement action, the applicant may need to rely on its own recordkeeping to establish that the article was on the website during the period covered by the registration.” [ 76 ] It concluded, “[t]he listing of individual titles or other information on the application may provide additional evidence relevant to that showing.” [ 77 ] The Office agrees and will provide instructions on its website explaining how applicants may submit additional information regarding component works on an optional basis. [ 78 ]
The Office also invited public comments on the availability and effectiveness of technological solutions for saving or archiving websites that could assist or supplement news websites' recordkeeping efforts while also informing the public of the contents of the website and/or any updates registered. The Office suggested that applicants may provide in the “Note to Office” field additional information regarding the contents of the work, such as archived URLs that capture the complete content of each collective work submitted for registration. The Copyright Alliance expressed support for this suggestion, provided that doing so is voluntary. [ 79 ] Therefore the Office encourages applicants to submit archived URLs in the “Note to Office” field on a voluntary basis.
The NPRM provided that the filing fee for this option will be $95, the same fee that currently applies to a claim in a group of newspapers. It noted that the Office believes it is reasonable to charge the same fee as for the group newspaper option, given the similarities in expected workflow associated with examining these claims. The NMA expressed support for this modest fee, describing it as “reasonable and unarbitrary.” [ 80 ] The final rule establishes this fee.
The NPRM proposed that for each collective work submitted under this group registration option, applicants must “submit a deposit that is sufficient to identify some of the updates that were made to the website.” [ 81 ] The Office specified that “applicants will need to submit separate PDF files that each contain a complete copy of the home page for the site. Each PDF must show how the home page appeared at a specific point during each day of the calendar month when new updates were published on the site.” [ 82 ] Additionally, the NPRM required that each deposit demonstrate “that the home page contains a sufficient degree of selection, coordination, and/or arrangement to be registered as a collective work.” [ 83 ] Several commenters requested that the Office consider different deposit requirements, though commenters varied on the specific changes they requested or discussed deposits generally. The Office addresses each suggested change below.
After considering NMA's request to resolve a purported ambiguity in the proposed rule regarding the time of day for daily deposits of home pages, the Office is clarifying the time period for capturing deposits. [ 84 ] The language within section (m)(6)(i) requiring “[e]ach PDF [to] show how the home page appeared at a specific point during each day of the calendar month” does not require applicants to capture PDFs of home pages at the same exact time every day. [ 85 ] Instead, PDFs of home pages must show how the home page appeared at some point during each day, in addition to satisfying other applicable deposit requirements.
Three commenters specifically requested that the Office expand the identifying material it will accept to encompass more than “a complete copy of the home page for the site.” [ 86 ] The NAB stated that “the Office should amend the deposit requirements proposed in § 202.4(m)(6)(i) to allow for the submission of a copy of identifying material in lieu of a complete copy of the home page.” [ 87 ] It explained that “many news websites utilize an `infinite scroll' feature that automatically and continuously loads more content as users scroll down the web page” making Start Printed Page 58997 it “technologically impossible for an applicant to satisfy the deposit requirement of providing a PDF of the home page in its entirety.” [ 88 ] Copyright Alliance echoed this sentiment stating “a user is able to continuously reveal additional content on the web page without having to leave the page to view the content on a separate web page. For such web pages, it is not possible to capture an `entire copy' of the page since the user can endlessly reveal the contents of the page.” [ 89 ] Similarly, NMA noted that, due to the difficulties posed by “extensive or close-to-infinite scroll,” the Office should clarify that an applicant could meet the deposit requirement “as long as [the PDF] captures the masthead, URL identifier, and a defined minimum amount of the homepage (which in most cases will encompass all of it), including representative updates from the previous deposit copy.” [ 90 ]
After considering these comments, the Office concludes that the requested modification to the proposed rule is reasonable and supports the overall goal of this group registration option. Accordingly, the final rule includes an alternative to the “complete copy of the home page” requirement where submitting a complete copy is not feasible due to the size or continuous nature of the home page. In such circumstances, applicants may “submit the first 25 pages of the home page that demonstrates updates from the previous deposit copy.” This portion of the rule is designed to decrease the burden on applicants that wish to utilize this group registration option, but are unable to satisfy the “complete copy” deposit requirement. The Office believes that this modification will facilitate registration, while also ensuring that the deposit provided is sufficient to identify the work and the copyrightable authorship covered by the registration. Applicants utilizing this provision are advised that any deposit should only include updates within the time period covered by the application. In the event that an applicant includes updates outside the time period, they would be considered previously published material, and would not be covered by the registration. Additionally, as stated in the NPRM, if a copyright owner is required to prove to a court or an alleged infringer “the specific contents of a website at any particular point in time, it will need to preserve and maintain its own copy of the site and rely on its own recordkeeping to provide such proof.” [ 91 ]
NWU, NPPA, and NASW disagreed that a home page would constitute sufficient identifying material for registration. [ 92 ] They asserted that “requiring deposit of PDFs of images of the home page is disconnected from the reality that updates aren't necessarily visible on the `home page' of a website.” [ 93 ] While “[u]pdates appear on the home pages of some—but far from all—newspaper publishers' websites,” the home pages of other websites, such as self-published or references websites, are “mostly or entirely static,” with updates occurring on other “inside” pages that are not indexed or referenced on the home page. [ 94 ] Instead, NWU, NPPA, and NASW suggested that the Office accept a “sitemap page or set of sitemap pages,” “as the way to indicate which pages of a site have most recently been added or modified, and when.” [ 95 ] Sitemaps, they alleged, “are structured, standardized, machine-readable, and human-readable” and “all updates in a given period can be identified by a single sitemap or set of sitemaps,” which the Office could “use[ ] immediately.” [ 96 ]
The Office declines to permit applicants to submit a sitemap page or a set of sitemap pages as identifying material for several reasons. First, it is not clear that sitemaps themselves provide information that would allow an examiner to determine whether each collective work within the group application contains sufficient creative selection, coordination, or arrangement. [ 97 ] Second, sitemaps do not satisfy the public notice function that deposits serve, as they do not display the work requested for registration and are not sufficient to identify the updates made to the websites. [ 98 ] As explained in the NPRM, any deposit requirement must “satisfy the public notice function of capturing, and making available for public inspection, a deposit that should be sufficient to identify” the work covered by the application. [ 99 ] Lastly, accepting sitemap deposits would likely not aid in efficiency as suggested. [ 100 ] If an examiner receives a sitemap, they would likely need to correspond with the applicant to determine what exactly the application covers. For these reasons, the Office declines to modify the final rule to include sitemaps.
Commenters also suggested that the Office accept deposits comprised of annotated Portable Document Formats (“PDFs”) [ 101 ] or PDF deposits of apps. [ 102 ] Specifically, one commenter encouraged the Office to consider accepting annotated PDFs of a single web page, where “[a]nnotations could circle content that is not included in registration, such as licensed content as compared to original news organization content” or “content already registered.” [ 103 ] Other commenters, including Copyright Alliance, NMA, and the Authors Guild, proposed that the Office should accept PDFs that “contain a complete copy of the home page of . . . mobile application[s]. ” [ 104 ] Start Printed Page 58998 They discussed the ease with which applicants could submit app PDFs [ 105 ] and how PDFs address record-keeping concerns and “concerns over whether the collective works stem from the same source.” [ 106 ] Copyright Alliance and NMA also suggested that the absence of a uniform resource locator (“URL”) from app PDFs, a requirement of the proposed rule, is immaterial because apps “generally prominently feature the logo or other visible identifier of the publication in question” and news content on an app is “organized and contained,” similar to a website. [ 107 ] NMA further recommended that because the USPTO has “long accepted” app screenshots for trademark specimens, subject to certain requirements, the Office should adopt similar standards. [ 108 ]
The Office declines to permit parties to submit annotated PDFs of a single web page. As discussed above, each update will be registered as a collective work. For that reason, there is no need to identify component works that are not owned by the claimant or component works that have been previously registered, because as a general rule, a registration for a collective work does not cover this type of preexisting material.
The Office also declines to accept PDF deposits of apps to represent a news website. Initially, it is unclear whether the selection, coordination, and/or arrangement of material encompassed within the PDFs would be identical to the selection, coordination, and/or arrangement of a website's home page, regardless of whether the same content is present on both. [ 109 ] Further, the Office continues to believe that the rule's deposit regulations offer flexibility, while still satisfying the public notice function of deposits. The regulation will permit applicants to submit a complete copy of the website's home page, and when that is not feasible due to the size or continuous nature of the home page, applicants may submit the first 25 pages of the home page demonstrating updates from the previous deposit copy.
Commenters made additional suggestions and remarks on the proposed rule's deposit requirements and the Office's deposit requirements generally. With respect to the Office's modernization efforts, ABA-IPL suggested that the Office consider generally expanding the “format of deposit copies accepted” and regularly reviewing and updating registration regulations. [ 110 ] ABA-IPL stated that the Office should accept deposits in .xml format for regularly updated news content, such as content covered under the proposed rule, “as [.xml] and similar formats are widely used in digital content creation and management.” [ 111 ] The University of Michigan Library (“UM-Library”) expressed concerns with the proposed regulations regarding fixation and preservation. [ 112 ] They asserted that the proposed deposit requirements are not “sufficiently fixed for copyright purposes” and that if deposit “materials are not collected and preserved—even as facsimiles or through emulation—then as a practical matter there will be a huge gap in the possibilities for research, scholarship, and understanding.”
The Office is sympathetic to commenters' desires to expand the file formats accepted for deposit purposes generally, including regularly updated news content. As stated above and in the NPRM, the current registration system only accepts certain file types. [ 113 ] The Office anticipates revisiting its acceptable file formats in connection with ongoing improvements to its technology systems. Until then, the Office continues to actively engage in research about the suitability of other file formats. [ 114 ]
The Office appreciates the fixation and preservation concerns about the proposed deposit requirements, codified in the final rule. It continues to believe, however, that the deposit requirements are sufficient. As stated above and in the NPRM, the Copyright Act imbues the Register with broad authority to accept identifying material in lieu of complete copies or phonorecords [ 115 ] where such copies or phonorecords are “bulky, unwieldly, easily broken, or otherwise impractical to [serve] . . . as records identifying the work[s] registered.” [ 116 ] This provision, and its legislative history, give the Register flexibility in determining the deposit requirements when identifying material is involved, and the Office has used this authority in the past. Within this rulemaking, the Office believes the proposed deposit requirements are appropriate, and less burdensome than general deposit requirements for websites. [ 117 ] As the Office discussed in the NPRM, the proposed deposit requirements satisfy the public notice function and still require that deposits sufficiently “identify some of the updates” made to the website. [ 118 ] Any fixation concerns may be alleviated by the fact that the proposed regulations are merely registration deposit requirements. They do not relieve a registrant from complying with other legal obligations, such as the obligation to maintain and preserve copies of a website, including its content, in the context of an infringement claim. [ 119 ]
The NPRM explained that the Office planned to use one of its existing group registration application forms to process these claims. Specifically, it said applicants would be required to submit their claims through the current electronic registration system using the application designated for a group of newspaper issues. None of the commenters objected to this proposal.
After consulting with the Library of Congress's Office of the Chief Information Officer, the Office determined that it would be feasible to create a separate application for news website claims that will be cloned from the corresponding application that is used for group newspaper claims. This should simplify the registration process for both applicants and Office staff by preventing potential confusion between claims involving newspaper issues and claims involving updates to a news website. The cloned application will include the same technical specifications and system validations that appear in the group newspaper Start Printed Page 58999 form. The final rule has been modified to reflect this change. Information and instructions on how to submit these claims will be provided in the application itself and on a dedicated page on the Office's website.
Based on requests from affected parties for the expeditious implementation of the rule [ 120 ] and the absence of arguments supporting a delay, the Office finds that good cause exists to issue these regulations as a final rule with an immediate effective date. Commenters have presented a record supporting “the demonstrable urgency of the conditions [the rule is] designed to correct.” [ 121 ] Finally, the registration option authorized by the final rule will be available to registrants at or near the rule's publication date.
- General provisions
- Copyright claims, preregistration and registration
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Copyright Office amends 37 CFR parts 201 and 202 as follows:
1. The authority citation for part 201 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 17 U.S.C. 702 .
Section 201.10 also issued under 17 U.S.C. 304 .
2. In § 201.3, amend table 1 to paragraph (c) by redesignating paragraphs (c)(12) through (c)(29) as (c)(13) through (c)(30), respectively, and adding a new paragraph (c)(12) to read as follows:
Table 1 to Paragraph ( c )
3. The authority citation for part 202 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 17 U.S.C. 408(f) , 702 .
4. Amend § 202.4 by adding paragraph (m) and revising paragraph (r) to read as follows:
(m) Group registration of updates to a news website. Pursuant to the authority granted by 17 U.S.C. 408(c)(1) , the Register of Copyrights has determined that a group of updates to a news website may be registered with one application, the required deposit, and the filing fee required by § 201.3 of this chapter, with each update being registered as a collective work, if the following conditions are met:
(1) Definitions. For the purposes of this paragraph (m):
(i) News website means a website that is designed to be a primary source of written information on current events, either local, national, or international in scope, that contains a broad range of news on all subjects and activities and is not limited to any specific subject matter.
(ii) Website means a web page or set of interconnected web pages that are accessed using a uniform resource locator (“URL”) organized under a particular domain name.
(2) Requirements for collective works. Each update to the website must be a collective work, and the claim must be limited to the collective work.
(3) Author and claimant. Each collective work in the group must be a work made for hire, and the author and claimant for each collective work must be the same person or organization.
(4) Updates must be from one news website; time period covered. Each collective work in the group must be published on the same news website under the same URL, and they must be published within the same calendar month. The applicant must identify the earliest and latest date that the collective works were published.
(5) Application. The applicant must complete and submit the online application designated for a group of updates to a news website. The application may be submitted by any of the parties listed in § 202.3(c)(1).
(6) Deposit. (i) For each collective work within the group, the applicant must submit identifying material from the news website. For these purposes “ identifying material ” shall mean separate Portable Document Format (PDF) files that each contain a complete copy of the home page of the website. In case a complete copy is technically unfeasible due to the size or continuous nature of the home page, the applicant may submit the first 25 pages of the home page that demonstrates updates from the previous deposit copy. Each PDF must show how the home page appeared at a specific point during each day of the calendar month when new updates were published on the website.
(ii) The identifying material must demonstrate that the home page contains sufficient selection, coordination, and arrangement authorship to be registered as a collective work If the home page does not demonstrate sufficient compilation authorship, the deposit should include as many additional pages as necessary to demonstrate that the updates to the news website can be registered as a collective work.
(iii) The identifying material must be submitted through the electronic registration system, and all of the Start Printed Page 59000 identifying material that was published on a particular date must be contained in the same electronic file. The files must be submitted in PDF format, they must be assembled in an orderly form, and each file must be uploaded to the electronic registration system as an individual electronic file ( i.e., not .zip files). The file size for each uploaded file must not exceed 500 megabytes, but files may be compressed to comply with this requirement.
(7) Special relief. In an exceptional case, the Copyright Office may waive the online filing requirement set forth in paragraph (m)(5) of this section or may grant special relief from the deposit requirement under § 202.20(d) of this chapter, subject to such conditions as the Associate Register of Copyrights and Director of the Office of Registration Policy and Practice may impose on the applicant.
(r) The scope of a group registration. When the Office issues a group registration under paragraph (d), (e), or (f) of this section, the registration covers each issue in the group and each issue is registered as a separate work or a separate collective work (as the case may be). When the Office issues a group registration under paragraphs (c), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k), or (o) of this section, the registration covers each work in the group and each work is registered as a separate work. When the Office issues a group registration under paragraph (m) of this section, the registration covers each update in the group, and each update is registered as a separate collective work. For purposes of registration, the group as a whole is not considered a compilation, a collective work, or a derivative work under section 101, 103(b), or 504(c)(1) of title 17 of the United States Code.
Shira Perlmutter,
Register of Copyrights and Director of the U.S. Copyright Office.
Approved by:
Carla D. Hayden,
Librarian of Congress.
1. 17 U.S.C. 408(c)(1) .
2. Id.
3. See generally 37 CFR 202.3(b)(5) , 202.4 .
4. Id. at 202.3(b)(5), 202.4(c)-(k), (o).
5. See 89 FR 311 , 311-12 (Jan. 3, 2024).
6. U.S. Copyright Office, Copyright Protection for Press Publishers (June 2022), https://copyright.gov/policy/publishersprotections/202206-Publishers-Protections-Study.pdf .
7. See 89 FR 311 , 312 .
8. Id. at 311. The final rule defines a “news website” as “a website that is designed to be a primary source of written information on current events, either local, national, or international in scope, that contains a broad range of news on all subjects and activities and is not limited to any specific subject matter.” 37 CFR 202.4(m)(1)(i) .
9. Because the Office will not examine each component work within the collective work, the copyright claimant bears the burden of proving that it owns the individual component works claimed in the submission.
10. A “collective work” is a type of compilation. See 17 U.S.C. 101 . A “compilation” is “a work formed by the collection and assembling of preexisting materials or of data that are selected, coordinated, or arranged in such a way that the resulting work as a whole constitutes an original work of authorship.” Id.
11. As noted in the NPRM, “in appropriate circumstances, the Office may waive the online filing requirement, subject to the conditions the Associate Register of Copyrights and Director of the Office of Registration Policy and Practice may impose.” 89 FR 311 , 316 n.55.
12. The Office also received a letter from several organizations reflecting their collective support for finalizing the rulemaking in a timely manner and in-line edits to the Office's proposed regulatory language. Letter from Ass'n of Am. Publishers et al. to Suzanne Wilson, Gen. Counsel and Assoc. Register of Copyrights (Apr. 4, 2024), https://www.copyright.gov/rulemaking/newswebsite/Association-of-American-Publishers-et-al%E2%80%93Letter-to-Copyright-Office.pdf .
13. See Am. Ass'n of Independent Music, Ass'n of Am. Publishers, Inc, and Recording Industry Ass'n of Am., Inc. (“A2IM, AAP, & RIAA”) Comment at 2 (“Commenters express no position on the primary focus of the NPRM—whether the Office should create a new group registration option for frequently updated news websites—or on the details of how such an option should be implemented.”).
14. See generally Nat'l Writers Union, Nat'l Press Photographers Ass'n, Nat'l Ass'n of Sci. Writers (“NWU, NPPA, & NASW”) Comment; Gordon Firemark 2 Comment.
15. A handful of commenters also proposed that the Office should adopt the NPRM immediately, as an interim rule. See, e.g., Copyright All. Comment at 11; Nat'l Pub. Radio (“NPR”) Comment at 3-5; News Media All. (“NMA”) Comment at 2.
16. Am. Bar Ass'n Section of Intell. Prop. L. (“ABA-IPL”) Comment at 4.
17. 89 FR at 311-12 (noting that “[m]ore than eight in ten Americans get news from digital devices, and, as of 2021, more than half prefer digital platforms to access news”).
18. Id. (citing Newspaper Association of America Comments at 12-18, Submitted in Response to July 15, 2009 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Mandatory Deposit of Published Electronic Works Available Only Online, U.S. Copyright Office Dkt. No. 2009-3 (Aug. 31, 2009) (emphasis omitted), https://www.copyright.gov/rulemaking/online-only/comments/naa.pdf ).
19. 37 CFR 202.4(e) . The Office's definition of newspapers is based on the Library of Congress's collection policy definition. Library of Congress, Collections Policy Statements: Newspapers—United States 1 (Sept. 2023), https://www.loc.gov/acq/devpol/neu.pdf .
20. NWU, NPPA, & NASW Comment at 12-13; Gordon Firemark 2 Comment (asserting that “the proposed regulation is not Content Neutral, as required under the First Amendment”).
21. Arkansas Writers Project, 481 U.S. at 234.
22. NWU, NPPA, & NASW Comment at 12-13.
23. Gordon Firemark 2 Comment.
24. Id. (citing Iancu v. Brunetti, 139 S. Ct. 2294 (2019), and Matal v. Tam, 582 U.S. 218 (2017)).
25. Reed v. Town of Gilbert, 576 U.S. 155, 163 (2015).
26. Sable Commc'ns of Cal. v. FCC, 492 U.S. 115, 126 (1989).
27. Reed, 576 U.S. at 164 (internal quotes omitted).
28. Leathers v. Medlock, 499 U.S. 439, 452-53 (1991) (citing Mabee v. White Plains Publ'g Co., 327 U.S. 178 (1946), and Oklahoma Press Publ'g Co. v. Walling, 327 U.S. 186 (1946)).
29. Arkansas Writers Project, 481 U.S. at 229 (finding the tax scheme impermissibly targets a small group of the press because “the magazine exemption means that only a few Arkansas magazines pay any sales tax”).
30. Arkansas Writers Project, 481 U.S. at 229-30.
31. 37 CFR 202.3(b)(2)(i)(A) .
32. See generally id. at 202.4.
33. Vidal v. Elster, No. 22-704, slip op. at 1 (2024).
34. Id.
35. Id. at 4 (2024) (quoting National Institute of Family and Life Advocates v. Becerra, 585 U.S. 755, 766 (2018)).
36. Id. (2024) (quoting Rosenberger v. Rector and Visitors of Univ. of Va., 515 U. S. 819, 829 (1995)).
37. Id. at 6.
38. Id. at 12.
39. 17 U.S.C. 408(c)(1) (emphasis added).
40. Leathers, 499 U.S. at 452 (quoting Regan v. Taxation with Representation, 461 U.S. 540, 549 (1983)).
41. See Gordon Firemark 2 Comment (citing Iancu v. Brunetti, 139 S. Ct. 2294 (2019), and Matal v. Tam, 582 U.S. 218 (2017)).
42. See, e.g., 85 FR 37341 , 37345 (June 22, 2020) (final rule for group registration of short online literary works); 83 FR 61546 , 61546-48 (Nov. 30, 2018) (final rule for group registration of newsletters and serials); 82 FR 29410 , 29410-11 (June 29, 2017) (final rule for group registration of contributions to periodicals).
43. See ABA-IPL Comment at 2; Am. Intell. Prop. L. Ass'n (“AIPLA”) Comment at 1 (“We encourage the Office to reconsider [the definition of `news website'] and clarify the final clause—`not limited to any specific subject matter'—which could be construed as excluding news websites with an industry-specific focus ( e.g., wired.com), and thus unnecessarily limiting access to this group registration option.”); Copyright All. Comment at 4 (“We urge deletion of the phrase `. . . on all subjects and activities and is not limited to any specific subject matter' in the proposed rule . . . .”); Harvard Bus. Publ'g (“HBP”) Comment; Nat'l Ass'n of Broad. (“NAB”) Comment at 3; NWU, NPPA, & NASW Comment at 12-13; NMA Comment at 8; The Authors Guild Comment at 2; see also Letter from Ass'n of Am. Publishers et al. to Suzanne Wilson, Gen. Counsel and Assoc. Register of Copyrights (Apr. 4, 2024).
44. ABA-IPL Comment at 2.
45. HBP Comment.
46. The Authors Guild Comment at 1-2.
47. John Murphy Comment; The Authors Guild Comment at 2 (arguing that “making eligibility determinations based on the substantive content of the materials submitted for registration . . . goes well beyond the Office's ordinary examination process”).
48. Gordon Firemark 1 Comment; see NWU, NPPA, & NASW at 12-13; Brenda Ulrich Comment; John Murphy Comment.
49. 37 CFR 202.4(e)(1) .
50. 82 FR 51369 , 51371 (Nov. 6, 2017).
51. 37 CFR 202.4(f)(1)(i) .
52. Id. at 202.4(e)(1) (“Newspapers are intended either for the general public or for a particular ethnic, cultural, or national group”).
53. The Authors Guild Comment at 1-2.
54. Cf. 37 CFR 202.4(f)(1)(i) (designed for newsletters that “contain news or information that is chiefly of interest to a special group”).
55. Group registration of serials provides a registration option for serial issues within a three-month period that meet the eligibility requirements for that option. Id. at 202.4(d)(1). Group registration of newsletters provides an option for registering a group of newsletters published within a one-month period. Id. at 202.4(f)(1).
56. Copyright All. Comment at 6; NAB Comment at 4; NMA Comment at 10.
57. The Authors Guild Comment at 2; Copyright All. Comment at 6; NAB Comment at 4.
58. U.S. Copyright Office, Compendium of U.S. Copyright Office Practices sec. 722 (3d ed. 2021) (“ Compendium (Third) ”).
59. Id.
60. AIPLA Comment at 1-2.
61. Id.
62. In the NPRM, the Office also noted that when a website is registered as a compilation, the statute provides that the copyright owner may seek only one award of statutory damages for infringement of the compilation as a whole—rather than a separate award for each individual work that appears on the website—even if the defendant infringed all of the works covered by the registration. 17 U.S.C. 504(c)(1) (“For the purposes of this subsection, all the parts of a compilation or derivative work constitute one work.”). Some commenters urged the Office to acknowledge and adopt the “ `independent economic value' test to determine when copyrighted material constitutes a separate `work' for the purpose of determining eligibility for statutory damages.” A2IM, AAP, & RIAA Comment at 2-3; Copyright All. Comment at 8; NAB Comment at 6-8. Acknowledging that the NPRM correctly states “that the group registration option will extend to individual works that make up the collective work if they are fully owned by the applicant,” NMA asked the Office to confirm that its statement “do[es] not reflect a substantive opinion on eligibility for statutory damages.” NMA Comment at 11-12. The Office stands by its restatement of section 504(c)(1) and declines to address the matter further in this rulemaking. See H.R. Rep. No. 94-1476, at 162 (1976), reprinted in 1976 U.S.C.C.A.N. 5659, 5770 (“Subsection (c)(1) makes clear, however, that, although they are regarded as independent works for other purposes, `all the parts of a compilation or derivative work constitute one work' for this purpose.”).
63. NPR Comment at 7.
64. 37 CFR 202.4(m)(1)(i) (emphasis added).
65. Compendium (Third) sec. 1002.2.
66. Id.
67. See 37 CFR 202.1(a) .
68. John Murphy Comment; see NPR Comment at 5 (“[T]he office should further relax the frequency”); NWU, NPPA, & NASW Comment at 16-17.
69. NPR Comment at 5.
70. NWU, NPPA, & NASW Comment at 16.
71. The Authors Guild Comment at 3; NWU, NPPA, & NASW Comment at 11; NMA Comment at 11; AIPLA Comment at 2; Letter from Ass'n of Am. Publishers et al. to Suzanne Wilson, Gen. Counsel and Assoc. Register of Copyrights (Apr. 4, 2024).
72. The Authors Guild Comment at 3; NWU, NPPA, & NASW Comment at 11.
73. NMA Comment at 11; AIPLA Comment at 2 (“[W]e see no clear policy reason to disfavor registration of copyrights acquired through other means ( e.g., by assignment).”).
74. Compendium (Third) sec. 620.4.
75. ABA-IPL Comment at 3; AIPLA Comment at 2; Copyright All. Comment at 6-7; NAB Comment at 5; NMA Comment at 7; The Authors Guild Comment at 4.
76. The Authors Guild Comment at 4.
77. Id.
78. Note, however, the Office will not certify the accuracy of such additional information based on the identifying material deposited.
79. Copyright All. Comment at 7.
80. NMA Comment at 7.
81. 89 FR at 316.
82. Id.
83. Id.
84. NMA Comment at 11.
85. 37 CFR 202.4(m)(6)(i) (emphasis added); see also 89 FR at 316 (“Each PDF must show how the home page appeared at a specific point during each day of the calendar month when new updates were published on the site.”).
86. Copyright Alliance Comment at 10-11; NAB Comment at 4-5; NMA Comment at 11. See also Letter from Ass'n of Am. Publishers et al. to Suzanne Wilson, Gen. Counsel and Assoc. Register of Copyrights at App. at 2 (Apr. 4, 2024) (proposing regulatory language altering the deposit requirement when “a complete copy is technically unfeasible or unreadable due to the size or continuous nature of the home page”); Nexstar Media Group Inc. Comment (stating that Nexstar “would like to see even more modification of the requirements for article submission, so that each local television station or other news site would not be required to have dedicated staff purely for depositing copyrighted materials, which may be updated several times per day”).
87. NAB Comment at 5.
88. Id.
89. Copyright All. Comment at 10-11.
90. NMA Comment at 11.
91. 89 FR at 316.
92. NWU, NPPA, & NASW Comment at 17-20.
93. Id.
94. Id.
95. Id.; see also id. at 20 (proposing “submission of `a file or set of files linked from a master file listing in structured form the text files on the site added or modified during the time period covered by the application, including the URL and the date each file was added to the site or most recently modified' ”).
96. Id. at 17, 20. NWU, NPPA, and NASW asserted that “the `sitemap.xml' standard has been widely accepted and adopted by website publishers, web publishing platforms, and developers of content management systems (CMSs).” Id. at 17-18.
97. See 17 U.S.C. 410(a) ; Compendium (Third) sec. 204.3 (“[D]eposit copy(ies) should be clear and should contain all the authorship that the applicant intends to register.”). This finding is bolstered by the examples cited in NWU, NPPA, and NASW's comment, which do not provide any information that would allow the examiner to determine any copyrightability of the collective work. See NWU, NPPA, & NASW Comment at 18 nn.19-22; id. at 19 nn.23-26.
98. See H.R. Rep. No. 94-1476, at 153 (1976), reprinted in 1976 U.S.C.C.A.N. 5659, 5769 (“As a general rule the deposit of more than a tear sheet or similar fraction of a collective work is needed to identify the contribution properly and to show the form in which it was published.”).
99. 89 FR at 316.
100. See NWU, NPPA, & NASW Comment at 20 (suggesting that sitemaps “could be used immediately in manual Copyright Office work flow but would also lend themselves to efficiencies through automated parsing”).
101. Erik Gottlieb Comment.
102. Copyright All. Comment at 6; NMA Comment at 10; The Authors Guild Comment at 2. See also Letter from Ass'n of Am. Publishers et al. to Suzanne Wilson, Gen. Counsel and Assoc. Register of Copyrights at 1 & App. at 2 (Apr. 4, 2024) (proposing the Office “include[e] mobile app content in the scope of the rule”). The Office also received a comment from Port. Prerogative Club, suggesting that the Office “evaluate whether native [version control systems (“VCS”)] files would satisfy [the Office's] internal requirements for deposit copies.” Port. Prerogative Club Comment at 2. The Office currently does not accept this file format, but will revisit file formats as part of its ongoing work in developing the Enterprise Copyright System.
103. Erik Gottlieb Comment.
104. NMA Comment at App. at 16 (proposing regulatory language). See Copyright All. Comment at 6; NMA Comment at 10; The Authors Guild Comment at 2. See also Letter from Ass'n of Am. Publishers et al. to Suzanne Wilson, Gen. Counsel and Assoc. Register of Copyrights at 1 & App. at 2 (Apr. 4, 2024) (proposing the Office “includ[e] mobile app content in the scope of the rule”).
105. Copyright All. Comment at 6; The Authors Guild Comment at 2.
106. Copyright All. Comment at 6.
107. Id. (noting that “news content on an app is already organized and contained in an interconnected and uniform ecosystem, much like a website”); NMA Comment at 10 (stating that app screenshots serve the same “identifying function as URLs”).
108. NMA Comment at 10.
109. See 89 FR at 313 (“[T]he organization and arrangement show in a PDF package may vary depending on whether it depicts the website as it would appear on a desktop computer, a mobile phone or other electronic device.”). But cf. ABA-IPL Comment at 4 (“The Section is aware of no substantive difference between what is published at a URL and what is published on an app.”).
110. ABA-IPL Comment at 4-5.
111. Id. at 4.
112. UM-Library Comment at 1-2.
113. 89 FR at 313; see also eCO Acceptable File Types, U.S. Copyright Office, https://www.copyright.gov/eco/help-file-types.html (last visited July 5, 2024) (listing acceptable file formats).
114. For example, the Office is researching the web archive file format (“WARC”) that is utilized by the Library of Congress' Web Archiving Team. Research has shown that there are many publicly available options for adapting websites in the WARC format, including through internet browser extensions.
115. 17 U.S.C. 408(c)(1) ; see also 89 FR at 311 (discussing identifying material).
116. H.R. Rep. No. 94-1496, at 154 (1976), reprinted in 1976 U.S.C.C.A.N. 5659, 5770.
117. See 89 FR at 313, 316 (discussing how depositing complete copies of websites poses difficulties for applicants and the Office).
118. Id. at 316.
119. Id.
120. See Letter from Ass'n of Am. Publishers et al. to Suzanne Wilson, Gen. Counsel and Assoc. Register of Copyrights (Apr. 4, 2024); Copyright All. Comment at 11.
121. H.R. Rep. No. 79-1980, at 260 (1946). See 5 U.S.C. 553(d) (30-day notice not required where agency finds good cause).
[ FR Doc. 2024-15880 Filed 7-19-24; 8:45 am]
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A great cover letter showcases your personality, argues why you're the best person for the role, and even explains unique circumstances (if you have any). These are the most common types of cover letters: Application cover letter. Cover letter for internal position. Referral cover letter. Scholarship cover letter.
A cover letter is a short introduction to you that concisely communicates your interest in a job opportunity along with your top skills and relevant experience. It's important to customize your cover letter for each role to demonstrate that you've researched the organization's mission and values. — Genevieve Northup, MBA, SHRM-CP, HCI-SPTD.
Cover letter format. Your cover letter should be one page long and use a simple, professional font, such as Arial or Helvetica, 10 to 12 points in size. Your letter should be left-aligned with single spacing and one-inch margins. Jenn shares her advice on how and why to write a cover letter.
How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter #1. Choose the Right Cover Letter Template #2. Put Contact Information in the Header #3. Address the Hiring Manager #4. Write an Eye-Catching Introduction #5. Use the Cover Letter Body for Details #6. Wrap It Up and Sign It Cover Letter Writing Checklist 15 Cover Letter Tips 15+ Cover Letter Examples 5 ...
A cover letter is a one-page document you send with your resume that features additional information about skills and experiences related to the job you're seeking. It is typically three to four short paragraphs. In these paragraphs, you should meet these goals: Mention the role you want by name.
Emailing a cover letter to an employer after you sent in your application is also a great way to ensure that an employer reviews your application. Conveys your knowledge and interest in a company: Your cover letter is a great way to convey the research you completed on an employer and the things you admire about their company and its mission ...
By definition, a cover letter is an accompanying, explanatory letter. ... It's always a good idea to keep the letter more straightforward, instead of rambling on. A good cover letter tip, is to make sure your letter remains between half a page and one full page. It should only contain between 250-400 words.
The cover letter is a tool to help introduce yourself in a memorable, personal way during a job application. A well-crafted cover letter goes over information on your resume and expands this information for the reader, taking them on a guided journey of some of your greatest career and life achievements.. Its purpose is to elaborate on the information contained in your resume while infusing ...
A cover letter is a document that typically forms a key part of a successful job application, and candidates use it to introduce themselves to an employer. This introductory letter should influence a hiring manager to learn more about the applicant through their other documents. Key components in the cover letter include a statement of interest ...
With your cover letter, you'll aim to: Highlight your qualifications: You'll show how your skills and experience relate to the employer's needs for a specific position. Showcase your motivation: You'll demonstrate your enthusiasm for the specific position and the organization. Reflect your voice and written communication skills: You ...
A cover letter is a type of letter you include in your job application. Its main role is to let the reader know what motivated you to apply, and what you can offer. A cover letter is not synonymous with a resume or CV. Typically, a cover letter's main body consists of three paragraphs, each for a different purpose.
A cover letter is a one-page document that you include with your resume as part of your application for a job. A good cover letter grabs a Hiring Manager's attention and gets you to the next step of the hiring process. While every job you apply for will have either a specific application form or will ask for a resume, not every one will ask ...
Cover Letter: A cover letter is a written document submitted with a job application explaining the applicant's credentials and interest in the open position. Since a cover letter is often one of ...
The purpose of a cover letter is to support your resume by providing further detail on how your skills and experience align with the job at hand and ultimately win you the role. Cover letters will: Introduce you to employers before they dig into the details of your resume. Highlight your skills and qualifications for the job.
This guide will help you avoid any mistakes and write a strong cover letter that will catch the recruiter's attention. We also include cover letter examples. Generally speaking, you want to make your cover letter: easy to read for the recruiter; well-structured; typo-free; max 4 paragraphs/1 page long;
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A cover letter is a response to a concrete job opening. Therefore, you focus on a more limited set of qualities that would make you the perfect candidate for this specific role. Moreover, a cover letter always comes hand in hand with a resume. Because of that, a cover letter should always mention your CV and match it.
1. Begin by introducing yourself. To start your cover letter, introduce yourself. This means including your full name, your specific interest in the position and the reasons you've chosen to apply. If you got a referral to the job from another party, ensure to mention this in the first paragraph. 2.
Definition + Example. Here's a brief roundup of what a cover letter for a job is: A cover letter is a document attached to your job application that shows why you're the best candidate. Not everyone expects cover letters, but a significant proportion of employers still do.
Definition and Examples. A cover letter is a personalized document submitted alongside your resume or CV when applying for a job. It is designed to introduce yourself to the employer, showcase your qualifications, and establish a connection with the hiring manager. Cover letters are crucial in the job application process, as they are the first ...
A cover letter accompanies your CV as part of most job applications. It provides the hiring manager with further detail on how your skill set aligns with the role, what you can bring to the team and why you want the position. Cover letters also allow the recruiter and hiring manager to develop a better understanding of your suitability for a ...
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By applying a similar definition to websites, the final rule recognizes that "news websites" are also intended to have universal appeal. This definition would encompass news websites that cover current events and provide information on diverse topics, including some political websites like those identified in the Authors Guild's comment.