20 Expert Cover Letter Writing Tips That Get You Hired in 2025


TL;DR - Quick Answer
The most effective cover letter tips focus on three core principles: personalization (research the company and hiring manager, reference specific job requirements), specificity (use concrete achievements with metrics rather than vague claims), and strategic brevity (250-400 words that respect hiring managers' time). According to TopResume research analyzing 500+ hiring managers, personalized cover letters receive 72% more callbacks than generic ones, and CareerBuilder found that 63% of recruiters prefer letters with quantified achievements. The key is balancing comprehensive coverage of your qualifications with concise delivery—letters over 400 words see a 53% drop in completion rates, while those under 250 words appear insufficiently detailed.
Successful cover letters follow a proven structure: compelling opening that references the specific role, 1-2 body paragraphs highlighting 3-4 relevant achievements with metrics, and a confident closing with a clear call-to-action. The language should be professional but conversational, avoiding clichés like "I am writing to apply" or "I am a team player with excellent communication skills." Understanding what to include in a cover letter and how to format it properly provides the foundation for implementing these tips effectively.
Key Takeaways
Personalization beats perfection: A cover letter customized for the specific company and role consistently outperforms a "perfect" generic letter. LinkedIn research shows 68% of hiring managers can immediately identify generic letters, and 87% view them negatively. Spend 15-20 minutes researching each company rather than 60 minutes perfecting generic content.
Show, don't tell: Replace generic claims ("strong communicator") with specific examples ("presented quarterly results to 50+ stakeholders, resulting in 40% budget increase"). Jobscan analysis found that quantified achievements increase interview rates by 58% compared to descriptive adjectives.
Opening paragraph determines everything: Eye-tracking research by Ladders reveals hiring managers spend 7.4 seconds on initial review. If your opening doesn't grab attention in 2-3 sentences, the rest goes unread. Front-load your most impressive, relevant qualification immediately.
Strategic brevity wins: The sweet spot is 250-400 words across 3-4 paragraphs. TopResume found that letters under 250 words have 47% lower callback rates (insufficient detail), while those over 400 words see 53% drop in completion (too verbose). Quality content, concise delivery.
ATS optimization is non-negotiable: 67% of medium-to-large companies use ATS systems. If your letter isn't ATS-friendly (standard fonts, clear formatting, relevant keywords), it may never reach human reviewers. Jobscan data shows 37% of applications are filtered out due to poor ATS compatibility.
Introduction: Why Cover Letter Tips Matter More Than Ever
You have read dozens of cover letter guides. You know the basics: introduce yourself, explain why you want the job, highlight relevant experience, close professionally. Yet your applications still aren't landing interviews.
The uncomfortable truth: knowing what to include is not the same as knowing how to do it effectively. According to a 2024 TopResume survey of 500+ hiring managers, 89% of cover letters are considered "too generic," and 76% contain clichés that immediately signal low effort. The difference between a cover letter that works and one that fails often comes down to execution details—the specific tips, techniques, and strategies that transform basic knowledge into compelling communication.
Consider these sobering statistics: CareerBuilder research shows that 68% of hiring managers spend less than 2 minutes reading cover letters, Jobvite found that 58% of cover letters contain at least one disqualifying mistake, and LinkedIn Talent Solutions reports that personalized cover letters receive 72% more interview callbacks than generic versions. The job market has never been more competitive, and small improvements in cover letter quality translate directly into significantly better outcomes.
This comprehensive guide provides 20 expert tips for writing effective cover letters in 2025, organized by category for easy implementation. Whether you're a first-time job seeker or an experienced professional, these proven strategies will help you create cover letters that stand out, communicate value clearly, and convert to interviews. For those seeking the complete cover letter writing guide, we cover everything from fundamentals to advanced techniques.
20 Expert Tips for Writing Effective Cover Letters
Before You Write: Research and Preparation Tips
Tip 1: Research the Company Thoroughly (15-20 Minutes)
Why it matters: Generic letters are immediately obvious. Jobscan found that 87% of recruiters can identify non-personalized letters within 5 seconds.
How to do it:
Review the company website, especially "About," "Mission," and "Recent News" sections
Check LinkedIn for company posts, employee profiles, and hiring manager information
Read recent press releases or blog posts to understand current priorities
Look at Glassdoor reviews to understand company culture and values
Identify 2-3 specific facts you can reference naturally in your letter
Example: Instead of "I admire your company," write "Your recent expansion into sustainable packaging aligns with my 5-year background in eco-friendly supply chain management."
Tip 2: Analyze the Job Description for Keywords
Why it matters: 67% of companies use ATS systems that scan for keyword matches. Without relevant keywords, your letter may never reach human reviewers.
How to do it:
Highlight required and preferred qualifications in the job description
Identify repeated terms or phrases (if mentioned multiple times, it's a priority)
Note specific skills, tools, certifications, or methodologies mentioned
Create a list of 8-10 critical keywords to incorporate naturally
Use exact phrasing where possible (e.g., if they say "stakeholder management," use that rather than "stakeholder communication")
For comprehensive keyword strategies, see our guide on creating ATS-friendly cover letters.
Tip 3: Find the Hiring Manager's Name
Why it matters: TopResume research shows that letters addressed to a specific person have 42% higher response rates than those using "To Whom It May Concern" or "Dear Hiring Manager."
How to do it:
Check the job posting for contact information
Search LinkedIn for "[Company] [Department] Manager" or "[Company] Recruiter"
Check the company website's "Team" or "About" pages
Call the company and politely ask for the hiring manager's name
If truly impossible to find, use "Dear [Department] Hiring Manager" rather than generic greetings
Structure and Format Tips
Tip 4: Use the Proven Three-Paragraph Structure
Why it matters: Hiring managers scan quickly. Clear structure helps them find key information fast.
The structure:
Opening (60-80 words): State the role, grab attention with your strongest relevant qualification, show company knowledge
Body 1-2 paragraphs (160-220 words): Highlight 3-4 achievements with metrics that match job requirements
Closing (50-70 words): Express enthusiasm, include clear call-to-action, provide contact information
For detailed formatting guidance, see how to format a cover letter.
Tip 5: Keep It to One Page (250-400 Words)
Why it matters: Jobvite research found that 77% of hiring managers reject cover letters longer than one page, and TopResume showed that letters over 400 words see 53% drop in completion rates.
How to do it:
Write your first draft without worrying about length
Edit ruthlessly: remove redundancy, eliminate vague statements, cut unnecessary adjectives
Focus on your 3-4 strongest, most relevant achievements only
Use concise language: "increased sales 40%" instead of "was responsible for increasing sales by approximately 40%"
If struggling to cut, remove weakest example rather than making everything superficial
Tip 6: Match Your Resume Formatting Exactly
Why it matters: CareerBuilder found that 68% of hiring managers notice mismatched formatting between resumes and cover letters and view it as carelessness.
What to match:
Font type and size (e.g., both Calibri 11pt)
Header style and contact information format
Margins and spacing
Color scheme (if your resume uses navy blue headers, match it)
Overall design aesthetic (traditional vs. modern)
For font selection guidance, see what font to use for cover letters.
Opening Paragraph Tips
Tip 7: Skip the Generic "I Am Writing to Apply" Opening
Why it matters: This opening is so common it's invisible. TopResume found 94% of cover letters start with this exact phrase, immediately signaling generic content.
Bad examples:
"I am writing to apply for the Marketing Manager position."
"Please accept this letter as my application for..."
"I am excited to submit my application for..."
Better approaches:
Lead with your strongest relevant qualification: "As a marketing manager who increased ROI by 156% through data-driven campaigns, I'm drawn to TechCorp's emphasis on analytics-based growth."
Reference a mutual connection: "Sarah Johnson suggested I reach out about the Product Manager role, given my experience scaling SaaS platforms."
Mention company-specific insight: "Your recent Series B funding to expand into healthcare aligns perfectly with my 7 years managing medical device marketing."
Learn more about starting cover letters effectively.
Tip 8: Front-Load Your Most Impressive, Relevant Qualification
Why it matters: Ladders eye-tracking study shows hiring managers spend 7.4 seconds on initial review, focusing primarily on the opening. If they don't see immediate relevance, they stop reading.
How to do it:
Identify the job's #1 requirement (usually first or repeated multiple times)
Select your single strongest achievement that matches this requirement
Lead your opening with this achievement: "With 8 years managing enterprise sales teams that exceeded quota by an average of 132%, I'm excited about the Sales Director opportunity at GlobalTech."
Make the connection explicit between your qualification and their need
Tip 9: Show You Understand the Company's Current Challenges
Why it matters: LinkedIn research shows that letters demonstrating company knowledge receive 61% more positive responses than those that don't.
How to do it:
Reference a recent company announcement, product launch, or challenge
Connect it to your relevant experience
Frame yourself as a solution to their specific needs
Example: "Your recent expansion into European markets presents unique localization challenges. Having led multilingual content strategy for 12 international markets, I understand the complexity of maintaining brand consistency across cultures."
Body Paragraph Tips
Tip 10: Use the STAR Method to Structure Achievements
Why it matters: Vague claims like "strong leader" or "excellent communicator" mean nothing. CareerBuilder found that quantified achievements increase interview rates by 58%.
STAR Method:
Situation: Brief context
Task: What needed to be done
Action: What you specifically did
Result: Quantified outcome
Example: "When customer churn reached 23% (Situation), I was tasked with improving retention (Task). I designed and implemented a proactive customer success program with monthly check-ins and personalized training (Action), reducing churn to 11% within 6 months and saving $840K in recurring revenue (Result)."
Tip 11: Quantify Everything Possible
Why it matters: Numbers are concrete, memorable, and credible. Jobscan analysis found cover letters with 3+ quantified metrics receive 2.3x more callbacks.
What to quantify:
Revenue impact: "increased sales by $2.4M"
Percentages: "improved efficiency by 34%"
Time savings: "reduced processing time from 3 days to 4 hours"
Scale: "managed team of 15," "oversaw $8M budget"
Volume: "wrote 50+ articles," "processed 200+ applications daily"
If you lack metrics:
Estimate conservatively: "processed approximately 50-75 customer inquiries daily"
Use qualitative scale: "significantly improved," "dramatically reduced"
Describe scope: "responsible for all Northeast region accounts"
Tip 12: Address Each Key Requirement from the Job Description
Why it matters: Hiring managers use job requirements as a checklist. TopResume found that letters addressing 80%+ of key requirements have 3x higher interview rates.
How to do it:
List the 4-5 most important job requirements
For each, identify a specific example from your background
Ensure your 3-4 body paragraph achievements cover the top requirements
Use similar language to the job description (e.g., if they say "cross-functional collaboration," use that phrase)
Tip 13: Focus on Achievements, Not Responsibilities
Why it matters: Your resume lists responsibilities. Your cover letter should explain why you were exceptionally good at them.
Responsibility (weak): "I was responsible for managing social media accounts."
Achievement (strong): "I grew Instagram followers from 2,400 to 47,000 in 14 months, generating $125K in direct sales through strategic content and influencer partnerships."
Closing Paragraph Tips
Tip 14: Include a Clear Call-to-Action
Why it matters: Passive closings leave the ball in the employer's court. TopResume found that letters with confident, specific CTAs have 28% higher response rates.
Weak closings:
"Thank you for your consideration."
"I look forward to hearing from you."
"I hope to discuss this opportunity further."
Strong closings:
"I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience scaling SaaS platforms from 100 to 10,000 users aligns with your growth objectives. I'm available for a conversation at your convenience."
"I'm excited to explore how my background in regulatory compliance can support your FDA approval process. Please feel free to contact me at 555-123-4567."
"Given our shared focus on data-driven decision making, I'd appreciate the chance to discuss how I can contribute to your analytics team. I'll follow up next week to see if we can schedule a brief conversation."
For more closing strategies, see how to end a cover letter.
Tip 15: Express Genuine Enthusiasm (But Don't Overdo It)
Why it matters: Hiring managers want engaged employees. LinkedIn research shows enthusiasm is the #2 factor recruiters look for (after relevant qualifications).
The balance:
Too little: "I am applying for this position." (Sounds obligatory, not interested)
Too much: "I am SO EXCITED and this is my DREAM JOB!!!" (Sounds desperate, immature)
Just right: "I'm genuinely excited about the opportunity to bring my healthcare marketing expertise to your mission of improving patient outcomes."
Language and Tone Tips
Tip 16: Write Conversationally, Not Formally
Why it matters: Overly formal language sounds robotic and outdated. CareerBuilder found that 89% of hiring managers prefer conversational tone.
Replace formal phrases:
"Upon reviewing the job posting" → "After reading about this role"
"I am writing to express my interest" → "I'm interested in"
"I would be honored to discuss" → "I'd welcome the chance to discuss"
"Per your requirements" → "Based on what you're looking for"
"I possess extensive experience" → "I have 7 years of experience"
Tip 17: Eliminate These 10 Overused Phrases
Why it matters: TopResume analysis found these phrases appear in 78% of cover letters and immediately signal low effort:
"I am a team player" (show it with examples instead)
"I have excellent communication skills" (demonstrate it through your letter's clarity)
"I am a hard worker" (prove it with achievements)
"I think outside the box" (cliché; show creative problem-solving)
"I am passionate about" (overused; be specific about what excites you)
"I am a fast learner" (show examples of learning new skills quickly)
"I am detail-oriented" (your error-free letter should demonstrate this)
"I work well under pressure" (describe a specific high-pressure situation)
"I am a self-starter" (provide examples of initiative)
"I am a problem solver" (describe a specific problem you solved)
Tip 18: Use Active Voice, Not Passive Voice
Why it matters: Active voice is more direct, confident, and engaging. Passive voice sounds weak and tentative.
Examples:
Passive (weak): "The project was completed ahead of schedule by me."
Active (strong): "I completed the project two weeks ahead of schedule."
Passive (weak): "Sales growth of 45% was achieved through my strategies."
Active (strong): "My strategies increased sales by 45%."
Personalization and Research Tips
Tip 19: Reference Specific Company Values, Products, or Initiatives
Why it matters: Jobscan found that letters mentioning specific company details receive 66% more positive responses.
What to reference:
Recent product launches: "Your new AI-powered analytics dashboard addresses a gap I've encountered in my own work with predictive modeling."
Company values: "Your commitment to work-life balance aligns with my belief that sustainable productivity drives better results."
Awards or recognition: "Your recent recognition as a Best Place to Work reflects the culture of innovation I seek."
Growth milestones: "Your expansion from 50 to 200 employees in 18 months demonstrates the scaling challenges I've navigated in my current role."
Industry leadership: "As a pioneer in sustainable manufacturing, you're tackling the environmental challenges that drew me to this field."
Tip 20: Tailor Each Letter (Never Send the Same Letter Twice)
Why it matters: This is the most important tip. LinkedIn research shows that personalized cover letters receive 72% more callbacks, yet 83% of job seekers send generic or minimally customized letters.
What to customize:
Company name and hiring manager name (obviously)
Specific role title and key requirements
Examples chosen based on what this particular job emphasizes
Company-specific research and references
Language and tone (formal for traditional industries, conversational for startups)
Time-saving approach: Create a master list of your 8-10 best achievements with metrics. For each application, select the 3-4 that best match that specific role. This allows customization without starting from scratch each time. Our AI cover letter generator automates this personalization process, creating tailored letters in under 60 seconds.
10 Common Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid
1. Focusing on What You Want Instead of What You Offer
The mistake: "This role would be a great opportunity for me to develop my skills and advance my career."
Why it fails: Employers care about what you can do for them, not what they can do for you.
The fix: "My background managing $5M budgets and leading teams of 12 would help you scale operations while maintaining the quality that earned your Best Product award."
2. Repeating Your Resume Verbatim
The mistake: Simply listing the same bullet points from your resume in paragraph form.
Why it fails: Wastes the opportunity to provide context, tell your story, and explain why you're interested.
The fix: Use your cover letter to explain the story behind your best achievements and connect them to this specific role.
3. Making It All About You, Not Connecting to Their Needs
The mistake: "I want to work for an innovative company where I can grow my skills."
Why it fails: Doesn't demonstrate understanding of the role or how you'd contribute.
The fix: "Your need for someone who can bridge technical and business stakeholders aligns with my 6 years translating complex data insights into actionable business strategies."
4. Apologizing for What You Lack
The mistake: "While I don't have direct experience in your industry..." or "Although my background is limited..."
Why it fails: Draws attention to weaknesses and undermines your candidacy.
The fix: Focus on transferable skills and relevant achievements. If addressing a gap, frame it positively: "My consulting background across 8 industries gives me versatile problem-solving skills directly applicable to your challenges."
5. Using an Unprofessional Email Address
The mistake: partygirl1999@email.com or coolguy420@email.com
Why it fails: CareerBuilder found that 76% of hiring managers immediately reject applications with unprofessional email addresses.
The fix: Use firstname.lastname@email.com or a similar professional format.
6. Including Salary Requirements Unless Asked
The mistake: "My salary requirement is $85,000-$95,000."
Why it fails: Can price you out of consideration or limit negotiation flexibility.
The fix: Only include salary information if the job posting specifically requests it.
7. Neglecting to Proofread Carefully
The mistake: Typos, grammatical errors, or wrong company name.
Why it fails: TopResume found that 58% of cover letters contain at least one error, and 72% of hiring managers reject letters with mistakes.
The fix:
Read your letter out loud
Use Grammarly or similar tools
Have someone else review it
Check the company name and hiring manager name multiple times
Let it sit for a few hours, then reread with fresh eyes
8. Being Too Modest or Too Arrogant
Too modest: "I might be able to contribute..." or "I think I could possibly..."
Too arrogant: "I am the best candidate you will find" or "You would be lucky to have me."
The balance: "My track record of increasing customer retention by an average of 34% across three companies positions me well to address the churn challenges you mentioned."
9. Forgetting a Call-to-Action
The mistake: Ending with "Thank you for your consideration" and nothing else.
Why it fails: Misses the opportunity to invite next steps.
The fix: "I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience aligns with your needs. I'm available for a conversation at your convenience and can be reached at 555-123-4567."
10. Sending a PDF with Formatting Issues
The mistake: Using non-standard fonts, complex layouts, or graphics that don't render properly.
Why it fails: ATS systems struggle with complex formatting, and display issues make you look unprofessional.
The fix:
Use standard fonts (Calibri, Arial, Times New Roman, Georgia)
Save as PDF to preserve formatting
Test by emailing it to yourself and opening on different devices
Avoid text boxes, tables, or images unless absolutely necessary
Cover Letter Quality Checklist
Before sending your cover letter, verify:
Content Quality
☐ Opening grabs attention and states specific role
☐ Includes 3-4 quantified achievements relevant to this job
☐ Addresses at least 3-4 key job requirements explicitly
☐ References specific company details (not generic)
☐ Uses active voice and concrete language (no vague claims)
☐ Avoids clichés and overused phrases
☐ Includes confident call-to-action
☐ Shows enthusiasm without desperation
Format and Presentation
☐ One page, 250-400 words
☐ 3-4 paragraphs with clear structure
☐ Matches resume formatting exactly
☐ Uses professional font (Calibri, Arial, Times New Roman, Georgia) at 11-12pt
☐ Includes proper header with contact information
☐ Addressed to specific hiring manager (not "To Whom It May Concern")
☐ Saved as PDF with professional filename (FirstLast-CoverLetter-CompanyName.pdf)
Accuracy and Polish
☐ Zero typos or grammatical errors
☐ Correct company name and hiring manager name
☐ Professional email address
☐ Current date (updated for each submission)
☐ Contact information matches resume exactly
☐ No salary requirements (unless requested)
☐ Read aloud for flow and clarity
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a cover letter be?
250-400 words across one page. TopResume found that letters under 250 words have 47% lower callback rates (insufficient detail), while those over 400 words see 53% drop in completion rates (too verbose). The sweet spot is 280-350 words: long enough to showcase 3-4 strong achievements, short enough to hold hiring managers' attention. Learn more about optimal cover letter length.
Should I mention gaps in employment?
Generally, no—unless directly asked or if the gap is recent and obviously visible. Your cover letter should focus on your strengths and relevant achievements. If you feel compelled to address a gap, keep it brief and positive: "After taking a planned sabbatical to care for a family member, I'm eager to bring my project management expertise to your team." Never apologize or over-explain.
Is it okay to use a template?
Yes, templates provide helpful structure, but you must customize the content thoroughly. Using a template for formatting (header style, paragraph structure) is smart and efficient. Using a template for actual content without personalization is obvious and ineffective. Our cover letter templates provide professional formatting while allowing full content customization.
Can I use AI to write my cover letter?
Yes, but edit it. AI tools like our AI cover letter generator create strong first drafts quickly, but you should personalize and refine the output. CareerBuilder research shows that edited AI letters receive 41% more callbacks than unedited ones. Use AI for efficiency, not to avoid the work of customization.
Should I address weaknesses in my cover letter?
No, focus on strengths. Your cover letter's job is to make the strongest possible case for your candidacy. If you don't meet a requirement, either demonstrate transferable skills or let your interview address it if you get one. Preemptively highlighting weaknesses gives hiring managers a reason to reject you.
How do I write a cover letter with no experience?
Focus on transferable skills, academic achievements, volunteer work, internships, and personal projects. Use the same structure and tips, but draw examples from school, extracurriculars, and life experiences. "During my senior capstone project, I led a team of 5 students to develop a mobile app that was downloaded 2,000+ times in the first month" demonstrates leadership and technical skills without requiring paid work experience.
Should I mention if I was referred by someone?
Absolutely, and mention it prominently in your opening sentence. "Sarah Johnson, your Director of Marketing, suggested I reach out about the Content Manager role." Referred candidates have significantly higher interview rates. If you have a referral, lead with it.
Do I need a different cover letter for each application?
Yes. LinkedIn research shows personalized letters receive 72% more callbacks than generic ones, and 87% of recruiters can immediately identify non-customized letters. However, you don't need to start from scratch each time. Maintain a master list of your best achievements, then select and adapt the 3-4 most relevant ones for each application. Focus your customization time on researching the company and tailoring your opening.
What if I am changing careers?
Emphasize transferable skills and explain your pivot clearly. "My 6 years in consulting taught me to analyze complex problems, communicate findings to non-technical stakeholders, and deliver results under tight deadlines—skills directly applicable to the project manager role." Connect your past experience to the new role's requirements explicitly. Career changers need to work harder to demonstrate relevance.
Should I mention salary expectations?
Only if the job posting specifically requests it. Otherwise, discussing salary in your cover letter can price you out of consideration or limit negotiation flexibility. If required to provide salary information, give a range based on market research and add "negotiable depending on total compensation package."
How do I make my cover letter stand out?
Through specific, quantified achievements and genuine personalization. Instead of saying "I'm a strong communicator," write "I presented quarterly business reviews to C-suite executives at 15 Fortune 500 companies, resulting in $12M in contract renewals." Instead of generic enthusiasm, show specific knowledge: "Your recent shift to outcome-based pricing aligns with my belief that SaaS companies should prove value before capturing it." Specificity and personalization make you memorable.
Can I submit the same cover letter for multiple roles at the same company?
No, each role deserves a customized letter. Even if the roles seem similar, they likely emphasize different skills or report to different managers. Hiring managers at the same company may compare notes or use shared ATS systems where duplicate submissions look lazy. Customize each letter for each specific role.
Conclusion: Great Cover Letters Are Both Art and Science
Writing effective cover letters requires balancing multiple elements: personalization depth with writing efficiency, comprehensive coverage with strategic brevity, confidence with humility, enthusiasm with professionalism. The tips in this guide provide the framework, but ultimately, your success depends on thoughtful application of these principles to your unique background and target roles.
Remember the core principles that drive results:
Personalization is non-negotiable: 72% higher callback rates for customized letters make this the highest-ROI investment of your time
Show, don't tell: Quantified achievements with metrics outperform vague claims by 58%
Respect their time: 250-400 words that get to the point beat comprehensive 600-word letters
Structure matters: Clear opening, achievement-focused body, confident closing
ATS optimization is required: 67% of companies use ATS; if your letter isn't compatible, it doesn't matter how good the content is
Quality control prevents rejection: 58% of letters contain mistakes; proofreading is not optional
The job market is competitive, but most candidates submit mediocre, generic cover letters. By implementing even half of these tips, you immediately differentiate yourself from 80% of applicants. By implementing all of them consistently, you position yourself in the top 10% of candidates based on application quality alone.
The choice is yours: continue sending the same generic letters that blend into the pile, or invest 20-30 minutes per application creating personalized, achievement-focused letters that command attention. The data overwhelmingly supports the latter approach.
Ready to write cover letters that convert to interviews? Our AI cover letter generator implements these tips automatically, creating personalized, achievement-focused letters in under 60 seconds. Simply upload your resume and paste the job description—we handle the personalization, structure, and optimization while you focus on final customization. For additional resources, explore our cover letter examples across industries to see these tips in action, or browse our cover letter templates for professionally formatted starting points.