Cover letters
Whole letters, annotated, not a template with blanks
The hard part is the first sentence, and a fill-in-the-blank template cannot help you with it. Each example below is a complete letter for a specific situation, with notes on why each paragraph earns its place.
Software Engineer cover letter
Mid-level backend engineer applying to a payments company, no referral, applying cold through the careers page.
“Your engineering blog post on moving settlement off the synchronous fan-out is the reason I am applying. I spent last year on the same problem at Nort…”
Registered Nurse cover letter
Experienced ED nurse applying to a Level I trauma centre in a new city, relocating.
“I am applying for the ED staff nurse position at Memorial. I have spent the last four years as a charge nurse on nights in a 42-bed Level I trauma dep…”
Career Change cover letter
Moving from teaching into corporate learning and development, no direct industry experience.
“I am a secondary school teacher applying for your learning and development specialist role, and I want to be direct about the change: I have not worke…”
No Experience cover letter
Recent graduate with coursework, a part-time job and one project, applying to an entry-level marketing role.
“I am applying for the marketing associate role. I graduated in June with a business degree, and the most relevant thing I have done is not on my trans…”