Cover Letter Examples & Templates That Actually Work (2026)

Most job seekers dread writing cover letters, and it shows — 60% of cover letters are generic templates that recruiters immediately recognize and skip. But a well-written cover letter can be the difference between your resume being read carefully or being glossed over. Here's how to write one that actually works.

Does Anyone Still Read Cover Letters?

The short answer: yes, when they matter. A 2025 survey by Resume Lab found that 83% of hiring managers said a great cover letter can land an interview even if the resume isn't perfect. However, most recruiters only read cover letters for candidates they're already somewhat interested in — it's the tiebreaker, not the first filter.

Rules of thumb:

• Always include one if the application has a cover letter field
• Skip it if the posting says "no cover letter needed" or there's no upload option
• Make it count for your top-choice positions

The Structure That Works

Effective cover letters follow a simple structure: Hook, Bridge, Evidence, Close.

Paragraph 1: The Hook

Start with something specific that shows you've done research. Never open with "I am writing to apply for..." — everyone does that.

Generic: "I am writing to apply for the Product Manager position at Slack."

Better: "When Slack launched Huddles, I immediately recognized it as a response to the async-vs-sync communication debate that's been reshaping how distributed teams work. As a PM who's shipped similar real-time collaboration features, I'm excited about the opportunity to join the team driving this evolution."

Paragraph 2: The Bridge

Connect your background to their needs. This is where you explain why you're a match — not a summary of your resume, but a narrative that ties your experience to their specific challenges.

"In my current role at [Company], I lead the collaboration tools team where I've shipped 4 major features to 50K+ users. My approach combines quantitative rigor — every feature we ship has pre-defined success metrics — with deep user research. Our last launch increased daily active usage by 28%."

Paragraph 3: The Evidence

One or two specific achievements that demonstrate you can do this job. Pick your best story — the one with the clearest results.

"My most relevant project was redesigning our notification system, which had become overwhelming for power users. Through 40+ user interviews and A/B testing across 3 months, we reduced notification fatigue by 45% while actually increasing engagement with critical alerts. This required navigating competing priorities from 6 stakeholder teams — exactly the cross-functional leadership your posting emphasizes."

Paragraph 4: The Close

Express enthusiasm and make it easy for them to take the next step.

"I'd welcome the chance to discuss how my experience building collaboration products aligns with Slack's roadmap. I'm available for a conversation at your convenience and have attached my resume for your review. Thank you for your time."

Cover Letter Examples by Situation

Career Change Cover Letter

When switching industries, your cover letter does the heavy lifting of explaining why your previous experience is relevant.

Key approach: Focus on transferable skills and explain your motivation for the change. Don't apologize for lacking direct experience — frame your diverse background as a strength.

Entry-Level Cover Letter

With limited experience, emphasize: academic projects, internships, volunteer work, relevant coursework, and your learning speed.

Key approach: Show enthusiasm and research. Hiring managers expect you to be less experienced — they're looking for potential, curiosity, and cultural fit.

Internal Transfer Cover Letter

Applying within your current company? Reference your knowledge of the company culture, existing relationships, and internal achievements.

Key approach: Show you understand the new team's challenges and explain why you want to make the move.

Formatting Rules

• Length: 250-400 words. One page maximum. Aim for 3-4 paragraphs.
• Tone: Professional but personal. Write like you'd speak in an interview — confident, specific, and warm.
• Font: Match your resume. Same font, same size.
• File format: PDF, named FirstName-LastName-CoverLetter.pdf

Common Mistakes

• Restating your resume — The cover letter should add context, not repeat information
• "To Whom It May Concern" — Find the hiring manager's name on LinkedIn. Use "Dear Hiring Team" as a last resort
• Focusing on what you want — "This role would help me grow" is about you. Focus on what value you bring to them
• Typos in the company name — An instant rejection. Triple-check.
• Using one template for all applications — The whole point is specificity

Key Takeaways

• Use the Hook-Bridge-Evidence-Close structure
• Open with something specific to the company, not "I am writing to apply"
• Include one or two measurable achievements
• Keep it under 400 words — hiring managers are busy
• Always customize for each application