What Should a Cover Letter Include (With Examples & Tips)

A cover letter should clearly explain why you’re a strong match for the job, highlight relevant achievements, and show genuine interest in the company.

More than a summary of your resume, it connects your experience to the employer’s needs and demonstrates how you can add value.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly what to include in a cover letter, how to structure each section, and see examples you can follow to write your own targeted cover letter.

What to Include in a Cover Letter

A cover letter should include your contact information, a professional greeting, a clear introduction, body paragraphs highlighting relevant qualifications, and a confident closing. 

Each section should be tailored to the job description, showing how your experience aligns with the employer’s needs and why you’re interested in the company.

Take a look at the infographic below for a quick snapshot of the key components of a cover letter:

Place Your Contact Information in the Header

Your cover letter header should include your full name, location (city and state), email address, and, if you have one, your LinkedIn profile or professional website. Place this information at the top of the page so employers can easily identify you and contact you for the next steps.

The layout of your contact details will vary depending on your header design. Check out how to format a cover letter for further details and examples. 

Write the Current Date

Including the current date in your cover letter ensures it appears timely and professional. Place it below your contact information and above the employer’s details. 

Using the full date format (e.g., February 26, 2026) is preferred, as it clearly shows when the letter was written and helps employers organize applications.

If you spend a few days writing your cover letter, remember to update the date when you’re finished to reflect the date that you submit your application. 

Find the Recipient’s Contact Information

Include the recipient’s contact information below the date, listing the hiring manager’s name, their title, the company name, and the company’s address. For example:

This shows professionalism and ensures your letter reaches the correct person. If you cannot find a specific name, use the department or company name instead.

Choose a Professional Salutation

Start your cover letter with a professional salutation to greet the recipient. The most widely accepted way to address your cover letter is “Dear [recipient’s name].” Avoid informal salutations such as “Hi,” “Hey,” or “Good afternoon.” 

If you know the hiring manager’s name, you can address them directly (e.g., “Dear Mr. Fuller” or “Dear Ms. Jones”). When greeting a female recipient, use “Ms.” rather than “Mrs.” or “Miss,” which both imply that you are assuming their marital status.  

If you’re not 100% certain of the hiring manager’s gender, you can opt for using their full name instead (e.g., “Dear Dana Fuller”). 

If you don’t know the hiring manager’s name, you can use “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear Hiring Team.” Another option to show you’ve done your research is to address the recipient by their job title if you know it (e.g., “Dear Director of Marketing”).

Alternatively, you can address the team or department connected to the role you are applying for. For example, “Dear HR Team” or “Dear [Company Name] Marketing Team.” 

Write a Compelling Introduction

Your cover letter introduction should immediately state the position you’re applying for and capture the reader’s attention. Highlight a key achievement, skill, or relevant experience that makes you a strong fit for the specific role. 

A compelling opening sets the tone for the rest of the letter and shows employers why they should continue reading. Here are a few examples of how to start a cover letter effectively: 

Showcase Your Fit in the Body Paragraphs

Your cover letter should include one or two body paragraphs that describe the qualifications that make you a great fit for the role. This is your chance to demonstrate your enthusiasm and explain how the accomplishments and skills listed on your resume align with the job description.

A cover letter should be a complement to your resume, and should illustrate your key accomplishments, why you're the right fit for the job, and why you want to work for the company.— Toni Frana, Career Professional

If there are gaps in your resume or you’re changing careers, use the body paragraphs to address any potential concerns the employer may have. Explain how your interpersonal skills and experiences are transferable to the new role.

When you make a resume with our Resume Builder, you can instantly generate a matching cover letter populated with ready-made content specific to the job titles and skills listed in your resume.

Conclude With a Call to Action

Your cover letter conclusion should express gratitude to the reader, reiterate your interest in the role, and include a clear call to action. Take a look at the example below to get inspired: 

In the closing paragraph of your cover letter, it's important to maintain an enthusiastic, confident, and professional tone. You want to leave a positive impression on the hiring manager and show them that you are excited about the opportunity to join their team. 

Close With a Professional Sign-Off

End your cover letter with a professional sign-off followed by your name. If you are handing in a physical copy of your cover letter, sign your name with ink. If not, you can use a digital signature or simply type out your full name. 

Here are some professional sign-offs you can use for a cover letter:

When choosing a sign-off for your cover letter, it's important to consider the tone and level of formality of the letter. Avoid using overly casual sign-offs like "Cheers" or "Take care," as these can come across as unprofessional. Instead, opt for a sign-off that is respectful and professional.

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How to Feature Keywords in a Cover Letter

Using keywords in a cover letter helps your application pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS) and catch the employer’s attention. Identify important terms from the job description and naturally incorporate them into your letter to show that your experience aligns with the role.

Many employers use ATS tools to scan job applications for cover letter and resume keywords that are relevant to the role. Typically, these keywords are skills or job titles that the employer wants to see in the candidate’s application. 

It’s important to optimize your cover letter for ATS by incorporating keywords that show ATS and hiring managers that you are a great fit for the role. 

Here are a few tips on how to use cover letter keywords effectively:

What Not to Include in a Cover Letter

A cover letter should avoid irrelevant personal details, repeating your resume word-for-word, or using generic statements. Don’t include salary expectations, negative comments about past employers, or excessive jargon. Here’s a closer look at what not to include in your letter: 

What Makes a Cover Letter Stand Out?

A cover letter stands out when it’s tailored to the specific role, highlights measurable achievements, and shows a clear understanding of the company’s goals and culture. 

Here are a few topics to include in your cover letter to stand out:

Focus on highlighting a story or accomplishment that makes you memorable. Connect your personal mission to the organization’s mission when possible, and use the space to showcase what you did during any career gaps, especially if it’s relevant to the role. Think of your cover letter as a place to stand out and show the human side of your experience.— Jasmine Escalera, Career Professional

Examples of Effective Cover Letters

From internships to full-time jobs, we’ve got you covered with professionally made cover letter examples for a variety of roles and industries. 

Internship Cover Letter

A cover letter for an internship should include the same key elements as a cover letter for a full-time role, plus a detailed account of relevant education or transferable skills.

This sample internship cover letter clearly describes how the job seeker’s educational background has developed relevant skills for the position.

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Teaching Cover Letter

In this example cover letter, you’ll notice the job seeker emphasizes their experience with lesson planning and cultivating a positive learning environment for students. They also note that their teaching experience will enable them to uphold the school’s learning standards.

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Nursing Cover Letter

This nursing cover letter example details the job seeker’s commitment to providing high-quality patient care. In addition to listing job-relevant nursing skills, the job seeker includes compelling metrics on their patient satisfaction rates to back up their claims.

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Acting Cover Letter

This acting cover letter example demonstrates how to effectively detail acting and modeling experience in a cover letter. It highlights measurable achievements from the job seeker’s acting and modeling career to capture the employer’s attention. 

The job seeker effectively details how their work and style align with the agency’s, making this cover letter compelling and personalized.

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Research Cover Letter

Take a look at this cover letter example to craft a standout job application for your next research position. It details prior research experience and measurable results to showcase that the job seeker is a great fit for the position.

The job seeker also touches on what they admire about the institution’s approach to research and explains how they will maintain the same dedication to rigorous research practices.

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Key Takeaways