Which cover letter template should I use?

Use the standard template if you have experience in the field, the email template when you apply by email with attachments, and the referral template when someone suggested you apply. Students start from no experience, entry level or internship; career changers, senior and remote applicants, academics, teachers and nurses have their own.

What is the correct cover letter format?

Seven parts in order: your header, the date and the employer's details, a greeting to a named person, an opening that names the job, one or two paragraphs of proof, a closing that thanks the reader and asks to talk, and your sign-off. Boston University advises using your resume's header, font and margins.

Who do I address a cover letter to if I do not know the name?

First search the posting, the team page and LinkedIn. If no name exists, MIT suggests "Dear Hiring Manager", and the University of Maryland suggests "Dear [Organization Name] Hiring Manager" while advising against "To Whom it May Concern". In the UK, "Dear Sir or Madam" is still used and ends with "Yours faithfully".

Do I need a cover letter for every application?

Usually yes. Boston University's career center advises including one with every resume or CV unless the posting says not to, and the National Careers Service says to include one whenever you apply with a CV. An optional letter is still a chance to show your fit.

Should the cover letter go in the email body or as an attachment?

Follow the posting first. If it says nothing, St. Olaf's Piper Center advises attaching the resume and cover letter, with PDF the most commonly accepted file, and keeping the email to one or two short paragraphs. The National Careers Service notes you can also write the letter as an email when applying online.

How do I write a cover letter with no experience?

Lead with something you have already done that the job needs, from school, volunteering, a club or a part-time job, then give one example for each of two requirements in the posting. For summer jobs and internships, MIT advises stressing transferable skills such as leadership and communication. State when you are available.

How do I mention a referral in a cover letter?

Put the referrer's full name and job title in the first sentence, say they suggested you apply, and add one line on how you know them. The University of Maryland's career center advises naming the person who referred you. Ask the referrer's permission first and spell their title as the organization does.

How is an academic cover letter different?

It is longer and built around research, teaching and service. UChicagoGRAD says it is required for nearly all academic job applications, should show how your work fits the institution, lead with what the department values most, and run to two pages, or one for some STEM research positions. Name specific courses and colleagues.

Can NOXI write my cover letter?

Yes. Choose the Letter format, attach your CV and write one request with the job, the reader, two requirements you want to answer, your evidence and the tone. NOXI writes from those facts and exports Word to edit, or PDF. The free plan covers five documents a month, and every change after that, by chat or by hand, is free.

Cover Letter Template: 12 Examples for 2027 Job Hunts

Cover letter template, NOXI guide cover: twelve cover letters written out in full, from no experience, entry level and internship to career change, senior, remote, academic, teacher and nurse letters, with the one-page format and length rules from university career centers

Disclosure: NOXI publishes this guide and is one of the tools it mentions. Every template below works in any editor, from Word or Google Docs to a plain email, and none of them needs NOXI.

Cover letter template: your contact details and date, the employer's details, a greeting to a named person, an opening that names the job, one or two paragraphs of proof, and a closing that asks to talk, on one page. Below are 12 full templates, from no experience to career change, teacher and nurse. Checked 10 November 2026.

A cover letter has one job: to give the reader a reason to open your resume and invite you to talk. The format barely changes between jobs; the opening line and the proof do, and they depend on who you are. The twelve templates below are grouped that way.

In short

The formatHeader and date, the employer's details, a greeting, an opening, one or two paragraphs of proof, a closing and your name, as MIT's and Boston University's career centers teach [1] [2].
12 templatesStandard, email, referral, no experience, entry level, internship, career change, senior, remote, academic, teacher and nurse.
LengthOne page for a job letter [1] [2]; about two pages for a faculty post, one for some STEM research posts [6].
GreetingA named person if you can find one, "Dear Hiring Manager" if not [1]; in the UK, "Dear Sir or Madam" ends "Yours faithfully" [3].
By emailWith no instructions, attach the letter and resume (PDF is the most commonly accepted file) and keep the email to one or two short paragraphs [8].
When to send oneWith every application unless the posting says not to, Boston University advises [2].

Find your situation, then its template. Examples are invented; the words in [brackets] are the fields you replace.

#	Template	Use it when	The opening leads with	Length
1	Standard	You have experience in the field	The job and your strongest match	One page
2	Email	You apply by email with attachments	The job and what is attached	1 or 2 short paragraphs
3	Referral	Someone suggested you apply	The referrer's name and role	One page
4	No experience	A first job, or no paid work in the field	What you have done at school, volunteering or part-time	Under one page
5	Entry level	You are graduating or just graduated	Your degree and one internship result	One page
6	Internship	You are a student applying for an internship	Your course, year and why this team	Under one page
7	Career change	You are moving into a different field	The move, and the skills that carry over	One page
8	Senior	You lead people, budgets or a function	One measurable result at scale	One page
9	Remote job	The role is remote or hybrid	Proof you deliver without supervision	One page
10	Academic	A faculty or postdoctoral post	The post, your field and your research	About two pages
11	Teacher	A school or district teaching post	Grade or subject, and your license	One page
12	Nurse	A post on a ward, unit or clinic	Your license and the unit	One page

A map of the twelve cover letter templates sorted by who is applying: any job (standard, email, referral), starting out (no experience, entry level, internship), moving on or up (career change, senior, remote) and by profession (academic, teacher, nurse), each with what its opening line leads with. — Twelve templates in four groups. Find yourself first, then the opening line.

Key numbers

Six figures from university career centers and a national careers service, opened on 10 November 2026. If a job posting asks for something different, the posting wins.

1 page

the most a job cover letter should run, in the guides of MIT's career office and Boston University's [1] [2]

10 to 12

point font size, the range MIT's Career Advising and Professional Development gives [1]

3 to 4

paragraphs at most, on one page, Boston University's Center for Career Development [2]

3 to 5

paragraphs, the usual length according to England's National Careers Service [3]

2 pages

for an academic job letter, one page for some STEM research positions, UChicagoGRAD [6]

1 or 2

short paragraphs in the email when the letter and resume are attached, St. Olaf College's Piper Center [8]

Which cover letter template fits you: six quick routes

Facts checked on 10 November 2026.

If you are a student or graduate with a university career center → start from its own template and book a review: Boston University offers early-career and experienced-career templates, and MIT recommends an advisor appointment [1] [2].
If you write in Word → open Microsoft's free cover letter templates, which open in Word for the web, or paste a template from this page into a blank document [10].
If you write in Google Docs → open Google's templates from the top right of the Docs home screen: Google's help says a copy of the template you click opens [11].
If you apply in the UK → follow the National Careers Service: a named reader ends with "Yours sincerely", "Dear Sir or Madam" with "Yours faithfully" [3].
If you apply for a faculty post → use Template 10 at about two pages, one for some STEM research positions, as UChicagoGRAD advises [6].
If you want the letter written and laid out from your own facts → use NOXI's Letter format: one request with the job, your real experience and the tone, your CV attached, then a Word file to edit.

What is a cover letter?

Definition Cover letter: a one-page letter or email sent with a resume or CV that names the job you want, shows with one or two examples why you fit it, and asks for an interview. Harvard's Mignone Center for Career Success describes it as introducing yourself "in a narrative form that will accompany your resume" [5].

The resume lists what you did; the letter picks two or three things that matter for this job and adds detail the resume cannot [1].

Cover letter format: the seven parts in order

Every template here uses these seven parts, filled below for a fictional applicant, Jordan Rivera.

Part	What goes in it	Filled example (fictional)
1. Header	Name, city, phone, email, optional link; the same header as your resume [2]	Jordan Rivera · Portland, OR · (503) 555-0142 · jordan.rivera@example.com
2. Date and employer	The date with the month spelled out [2], then the reader's name, title and organization	November 16, 2026 · Dana Whitfield, Marketing Director, Harbor and Pine Outfitters
3. Greeting	A named person if you can find one [1] [2]	Dear Ms. Whitfield,
4. Opening	The job, where you found it, any reference number, your strongest match [1] [3]	I am applying for the Marketing Coordinator position (reference MC-2611) posted on your careers page.
5. Proof	One or two paragraphs of examples that answer the posting [1]	At Brightline Studio I ran 24 email campaigns in 2026 and raised the average open rate from 21 percent to 29 percent.
6. Closing	Restate interest, thank the reader, say how to reach you [1] [2]	Thank you for your time. I would welcome a conversation about your spring launch.
7. Sign-off	"Sincerely," and your full name [2]; in the UK "Yours sincerely" or "Yours faithfully" [3]	Sincerely, Jordan Rivera

A filled one-page cover letter for a fictional applicant, Jordan Rivera, applying for a Marketing Coordinator position at Harbor and Pine Outfitters, with the parts labelled down the margin: header, date and employer, greeting to Ms. Whitfield, an opening with the reference number, a proof paragraph with 24 campaigns and an open rate up from 21 to 29 percent, a closing and the sign-off, marked as a fictional example. — Template 1, filled: the opening names the job, the middle carries the proof, the closing asks to talk.

Who to address a cover letter to

Look for the hiring manager on the posting, the organization's website or LinkedIn [2]. If no name exists, the safe greetings differ by place and sector:

"Dear Hiring Manager," is MIT's choice [1]; the University of Maryland suggests "Dear [Organization Name] Hiring Manager" and advises against "To Whom it May Concern" and "Dear Sir/Madam" [4].
"Dear Hiring Administrator:" is the University of Iowa's greeting for teaching posts [7].
"Dear Sir or Madam," is the National Careers Service's fallback in the UK, paired with "Yours faithfully" [3].

Font, margins and file

Keep the type between 10 and 12 points [1] and use your resume's font, size and margins, left-aligned [2]. Save a PDF unless the posting asks otherwise: St. Olaf's Piper Center says PDF is the most commonly accepted attachment [8].

How long should a cover letter be?

One page for almost every job, and shorter is fine. What each source says, opened on 10 November 2026:

Letter	Length	Source
Job cover letter	No longer than one page, 10 to 12 point font; an introduction, two to three body paragraphs and a closing	MIT Career Advising and Professional Development [1]
Job cover letter	One page, three to four paragraphs at most	Boston University Center for Career Development [2]
Job cover letter, UK	Usually 3 to 5 paragraphs	National Careers Service [3]
Nursing post, UK	No more than a page of A4 if possible	Royal College of Nursing [9]
Academic job	Two pages; one page for some STEM research positions	UChicagoGRAD [6]
Email with attachments	No more than 1 or 2 short paragraphs in the email	St. Olaf College, Piper Center [8]

The sources count pages and paragraphs, not words. As printed, brackets included, the eleven job templates below run from about 80 to 200 words and the academic skeleton about 260, leaving room for your examples. Over a page? Cut adjectives first, examples last.

A length guide for cover letters: a job letter on one page with three to five paragraphs and 10 to 12 point type, an email with one or two short paragraphs and the letter and resume attached, a UK nursing letter at no more than a page of A4, and an academic letter at about two pages, each with its source: MIT, Boston University, National Careers Service, St. Olaf, Royal College of Nursing and UChicagoGRAD. — One page for most jobs, a short email when the letter is attached, about two pages for a faculty post.

How to write a cover letter in 7 steps

1. Pick two or three requirements from the posting

Read the job description and the organization's website or LinkedIn page for what it values, as MIT suggests [1]; the requirements that come first or repeat are the ones to prove.

2. Find a name

Check the posting, the team page and LinkedIn [2]; the fallbacks are listed above.

3. Open with the job and your strongest match

The position, where you saw it and any reference number [1] [3], then the one fact that makes you worth reading.

4. Prove each requirement with one example

What you did and what changed; back up claims with evidence and do not repeat everything in your CV, as the Royal College of Nursing advises [9].

5. Say why this organization

One specific sentence on what you know about the organization and why it interests you [2].

6. Close and ask to talk

Restate your interest, thank the reader and give your phone and email [1] [2].

7. Match your resume, proofread, send as asked

Same header, font and margins as your resume [2]; read it aloud once; with no instructions, attach PDFs and test the email on yourself [8].

Cover letter templates for any job: standard, email and referral

Templates 2 to 12 use Template 1's header and date block unless they show their own.

1. Standard cover letter template

For: any job where you have relevant experience. Why it works: MIT's order of introduction, body with examples and closing [1], with two requirements answered by proof. Check: the letter adds to your resume; for the resume itself, our AI resume builder ranking compares tools.

Template 1 · Standard · replace the words in brackets

[Your name] [City, State] · [Phone] · [Email] · [LinkedIn or portfolio link, optional] [Month day, year] [Hiring manager's name] [Their job title] [Organization name] [Street address, City, State ZIP] Dear [Mr., Ms., Mx. or Dr.] [Last name], I am applying for the [job title] position at [organization name] [, reference (number)], which I found on [where you saw it]. With [number] years of experience in [field] and a record of [one result in a few words], I would bring [the strength the posting asks for most] to your [team or department]. In my current role as [job title] at [employer], I [what you did], which [result, with a number if you have one]. Your posting also asks for [requirement 2]. At [employer or project], I [one example that shows it, and what changed]. I am drawn to [organization name] because [one specific reason: a product, a program, a value or recent work you read about]. Thank you for your time and consideration. I would welcome the chance to talk about how I could help [team or goal]. You can reach me at [phone] or [email]. Sincerely, [Your name]

2. Email cover letter template

For: applications sent by email with the letter and resume attached. Why it works: one or two short paragraphs that introduce you and say what is attached, as St. Olaf advises [8]. Check: if the posting wants the letter in the email body, paste Template 1 below the greeting instead, which the National Careers Service also allows [3]; test the attachments on yourself first [8].

Template 2 · Email body · replace the words in brackets

Subject: [Job title] application, [Your name] [, reference (number)] Dear [Hiring manager's name], I am applying for the [job title] role at [organization name], advertised on [where]. My cover letter and resume are attached as PDF files. In short, I am a [current job title or course] with [one result that matches the posting], and I would welcome the chance to discuss the role. Thank you for your time. Best regards, [Your name] [Phone] · [LinkedIn or portfolio link]

Email cover letter subject lines: five that work

Use the posting's own wording if it gives one.

[Job title] application, [Your name]
Application: [Job title], reference [number], [Your name]
[Job title] role, referred by [Referrer's name]
[Your name], [degree or current role], for [Job title]
[Internship title], [season and year], [Your name]

3. Referral cover letter template

For: anyone an employee, professor or former colleague suggested should apply. Why it works: the referrer's name comes first; the University of Maryland says to name the person who suggested you apply [4]. Check: ask the referrer before using their name, and spell their title as the organization does.

Template 3 · Referral · replace the words in brackets

Dear [Hiring manager's name], [Referrer's full name], [their job title] at [organization name], suggested I apply for the [job title] position. [Referrer's first name] and I worked together at [place] for [length of time], where [one line on what you did together], and [he, she or they] thought my experience in [area] would fit your team's work on [project or goal]. At [current employer], I [one example that matches the main requirement, with a result]. I also [a second example that matches another requirement]. I would welcome the chance to talk about how I could help with [team's goal]. Thank you for your time. You can reach me at [phone] or [email]. Sincerely, [Your name]

Cover letter templates for starting out: no experience, entry level and internship

With little paid work behind you, the proof comes from school, volunteering, clubs, part-time jobs and projects; for summer jobs and internships without direct experience, MIT's guide advises stressing transferable skills such as leadership, communication and problem-solving [1].

4. Cover letter template for no experience

For: a first job, a student job or a return to work. Why it works: it leads with something you have already done that the job needs, and states your availability. Check: a gap can be explained by the skills you gained during it, the National Careers Service says [3]; one honest sentence is enough.

Template 4 · No experience · replace the words in brackets

Dear [Hiring manager's name, or Hiring Manager], I am applying for the [job title] position at [organization name] that I saw on [where]. I am [a recent high school graduate, a college student in (subject), or returning to work after (time)], and while this would be my first [paid role in this field], I have already [one thing you have done that the job needs]. The posting asks for [requirement 1, for example: reliable time-keeping] and [requirement 2, for example: friendly service]. As [a volunteer at (place), captain of (team), or in my part-time job at (place)], I [what you did, with a number if you have one]. In [a class project, a club or a family business], I [a second example that shows requirement 2]. I am keen to learn [one skill the job will teach you], and I am available [days, hours or shifts] from [date]. Thank you for considering my application. I would be glad to come in for an interview at a time that suits you. You can reach me at [phone] or [email]. Sincerely, [Your name]

5. Entry level cover letter template

For: new and recent graduates. Why it works: the degree and one internship result sit in the first paragraph, and each requirement gets one example. Check: the degree title and graduation date exactly as on your resume.

Template 5 · Entry level · replace the words in brackets

Dear [Hiring manager's name], I am applying for the [entry-level job title] position at [organization name] [, reference (number)]. I [graduated, or will graduate] in [month year] with a [degree] in [subject] from [university], and during my [internship, co-op or part-time role] at [employer] I [one result with a number]. Your posting lists [requirement 1] and [requirement 2]. In my [internship or capstone project], I [what you did for requirement 1, and the result]. In [a course, a society or a job], I [what you did for requirement 2]. What draws me to [organization name] is [one specific reason]. I would like to start my career on a team that [what the team does], and I am ready to [one thing you would take on in the first months]. Thank you for your time. I would welcome a conversation about the role and can be reached at [phone] or [email]. Sincerely, [Your name]

6. Cover letter template for internship

For: students applying for a summer, semester or co-op internship. Why it works: course, year and dates come first, so the recruiter sees at once that you fit the program's window. Check: your dates fall inside the program's dates.

Template 6 · Internship · replace the words in brackets

Dear [Recruiter's or manager's name], I am a [year, for example second-year] student in [subject] at [university], and I am applying for the [season and year] [internship title] at [organization name]. [One sentence on why this team: a project, a product or a person whose work you know.] In [course name or project], I [what you built, researched or organized], which [result]. As [your role in a club, a job or volunteering], I [a second example of a skill the posting names, such as teamwork, data or writing]. I am available from [start date] to [end date], [full time, or number of hours a week], and I would especially like to learn [one thing the internship offers]. Thank you for considering my application. I would be glad to talk at a time that suits you: [phone] or [email]. Sincerely, [Your name]

Moving on or up: career change, senior and remote cover letters

Here the reader asks why this move, whether you can lead at this level, or whether you deliver without a manager in the room. The second paragraph answers it.

7. Cover letter for career change

For: anyone moving into a different field. Why it works: it names the move and the preparation early, then three skills that carry over; MIT advises explaining your interest and the value you bring when your background has no obvious link to the role [1]. Check: keep the reason for leaving positive and short.

Template 7 · Career change · replace the words in brackets

Dear [Hiring manager's name], I am applying for the [job title] position at [organization name]. After [number] years as a [current job] at [employer], I am moving into [new field] because [one honest reason in one sentence], and I have prepared for it by [course, certificate, project or volunteer work, with the date]. Three of my skills carry straight over. In [current job], I [skill 1 in action, with a result]. I also [skill 2 in action]. And I [skill 3, for example: explain complex changes to non-specialists every week]. In [course or project in the new field], I [what you did], which [result or what you learned]. I would bring that experience to [what the role does], together with [one thing your old field gives you that others in the new field may not have]. Thank you for considering an application from a different path. I would welcome the chance to talk about the role: [phone] or [email]. Sincerely, [Your name]

8. Senior cover letter template

For: managers, directors and executives. Why it works: it opens with scope and one measurable result, answers the role's two priorities with results, and ends with how you would start. Check: it still fits on one page [1] [2]; confidential figures stay out.

Template 8 · Senior · replace the words in brackets

Dear [Hiring manager's or search chair's name], I am applying for the [senior job title] role at [organization name]. As [current title] at [employer], I lead [scope, for example: a team of (number) and a budget of (amount)], and over the past [period] we [one measurable result at scale]. The role asks for [priority 1, for example: building a team in a new market]. At [employer], I [what you did, how, and the result]. It also asks for [priority 2]. In [year or role], I [example and result]. I am interested in [organization name] because [one specific reason tied to its plans, from its own announcements or reports]. In my first [number] months, I would [listen to the team, review (area) and agree priorities with you], then [one concrete aim]. Thank you for your time. I would welcome a conversation about the role and [the organization's goal]. [Phone] · [Email] Sincerely, [Your name]

9. Remote job cover letter template

For: remote and hybrid roles. Why it works: the proof shows clear writing and reliable delivery, and the time-zone line answers a practical question early. Check: name only tools you really use.

Template 9 · Remote job · replace the words in brackets

Dear [Hiring manager's name], I am applying for the remote [job title] position at [organization name], posted on [where]. I have worked [remotely, or in a hybrid team] for [length of time] as a [job title] at [employer], where I [one result delivered without day-to-day supervision]. Remote work runs on clear writing and reliable delivery. In my current role, I [how you report progress, for example: write a weekly update for (number) colleagues in (number) time zones], and I [an example of solving a problem on your own, with the result]. I work from [city or time zone] and can overlap [hours] with your [team's time zone or core hours]. I use [tools the posting names that you use] every day. Thank you for considering my application. I would be glad to talk on a video call at a time that suits you: [email] or [phone]. Sincerely, [Your name]

Cover letters by profession: academic, teacher and nurse

A longer letter for faculty posts, and a license line for teachers and nurses.

10. Academic cover letter template

For: faculty and postdoctoral applications. Why it works: UChicagoGRAD says the letter should show how your research, teaching and service fit the institution, lead with what the department values most, and run to two pages, or one for some STEM research positions [6]. This one leads with research; move teaching up for a teaching-focused college. Check: the posting's list of documents; for the campus visit, our teaching demonstration guide has a 20-minute plan.

Template 10 · Academic · replace the words in brackets

[Your name] [Department], [University] [Address] · [Email] · [Phone] [Month day, year] [Chair's name], Chair, [Search committee or Department of (field)] [Institution name] [Address] Dear [Professor (last name), or Members of the Search Committee], I am writing to apply for the position of [title, for example Assistant Professor of (field)] at [institution], advertised [where, with the reference number]. I am a [current position] in [department] at [university], where I [completed my PhD in (year), or hold a postdoctoral fellowship in (lab or group)]. My research examines [your research question in one plain sentence]. Research. My [dissertation or current project], [title or topic], shows that [main finding in plain words]. [It has appeared in, or is under review at, (journal or press), exactly as it stands.] My next project, [topic], will [aim], and it connects with [the department's strength or a center at the institution]. Teaching. I have taught [courses, as instructor or assistant] to [level and number of students]. In [course], I [one teaching practice and what it changed for students]. At [institution], I would be glad to teach [named courses from its catalog] and to develop [a new course]. Service and fit. [One sentence on mentoring, outreach or committee work.] [One sentence on why this department: colleagues, programs, students or the institution's mission.] I have enclosed my [CV, research statement, teaching statement and writing sample, as the posting asks], and [number] letters of recommendation will arrive separately. Thank you for your consideration. I would welcome the chance to discuss my work with the committee. Sincerely, [Your name]

11. Cover letter template for teachers

For: teaching posts in a school or district. Why it works: it follows the University of Iowa's advice for educators: a named person or "Dear Hiring Administrator:", the posting's language with two or three sentences on how you have done the work, why this school, and your phone and email in the last paragraph [7]. Check: Iowa describes position-specific, district-wide and broad-style versions [7]; for a district-wide letter, drop the school's name. A sample plan helps at interview: see our lesson plan template guide.

Template 11 · Teacher · replace the words in brackets

[Your name] [Address] · [Phone] · [Email] [Month day, year] [Principal's or hiring administrator's name] [School name], [District name] [Address] Dear [Principal (last name), or Hiring Administrator]: I am applying for the [grade or subject, for example fourth-grade or high school chemistry] teaching position at [school name], [posting number]. I hold [a teaching license or certificate in (state or country) for (subject and grades)] [or: expect my license in (month year)], and I completed my student teaching in [grade or subject] at [school]. The posting asks for [requirement 1, for example: experience with small-group reading]. During [student teaching, or my (number) years at (school)], I [what you did, in two or three sentences, with what changed for students]. It also asks for [requirement 2], and I [example]. I am drawn to [school or district] because [a program, a community or a priority you read about on its website or social media]. I would be glad to [lead or support a club, a team or a program]. Thank you for considering my application. You can reach me at [phone] or [email], and I would welcome the chance to discuss the position. Sincerely, [Signature] [Your name]

12. Cover letter template for nursing

For: registered nurses, new graduates and nursing students. Why it works: it follows the Royal College of Nursing's suggested shape: the job and where you saw it, a short introduction, about three key criteria from the advert with evidence, what you know of the employer, then thanks and availability, on no more than a page of A4 if possible [9]. Check: write your license status exactly as your licensing body shows it, or give your exam date.

Template 12 · Nurse · replace the words in brackets

Dear [Nurse manager's or recruiter's name], I am applying for the [job title, for example Registered Nurse, Medical-Surgical Unit] position at [hospital or clinic name], reference [number], which I saw on [where]. [I am a registered nurse licensed in (state or country), with (number) years on (unit type).] [Or: I will graduate with a (degree) in (month year) and take (licensing exam) on (date).] Your posting asks for [criterion 1], [criterion 2] and [criterion 3]. On [unit or placement], I [evidence for criterion 1, with a number if you have one]. I [evidence for criterion 2]. [Evidence for criterion 3, for example: I helped train (number) new colleagues on (system).] I would like to work at [hospital or clinic name] because [one specific reason: its care model, a service, a value it publishes, or what you saw on a visit]. I would bring [one strength] to your team. Thank you for considering my application. I am available for a call or a visit on [days], and you can reach me at [phone] or [email]. Sincerely, [Your name], [credentials] [License number and state or country, if the employer asks for it]

How to use a cover letter template in Word or Google Docs

Start a blank document, or a built-in template. Microsoft's free cover letter templates open in Word for the web [10]; in Google Docs, Google's templates (top right of the Docs home screen) open as a copy [11].
Paste the template and copy your resume's header, font, size and margins [2].
Set the body between 10 and 12 points [1], left-aligned [2].
Replace every bracket, then search for "[" to catch any you missed.
Save as PDF unless the posting asks for Word [8], with a name such as Jordan-Rivera-Cover-Letter.pdf.

Two ways to send a cover letter, side by side for the same fictional applicant: on the left a short email with the subject line Marketing Coordinator application, Jordan Rivera, one short paragraph and two PDF attachments for the cover letter and resume; on the right the full letter pasted into the email body below the greeting with only the resume attached, each with the rule from the St. Olaf Piper Center and the National Careers Service. — Attached or in the body: follow the posting; if it says nothing, attach PDFs and keep the email short.

Cover letter examples: five weak lines and stronger versions

Five swaps, using the fictional example above.

Weak	Stronger	Why
To Whom It May Concern,	Dear Ms. Whitfield,	The University of Maryland advises against the generic greeting [4]
I am writing to apply for the position.	I am applying for the Marketing Coordinator position (reference MC-2611) posted on your careers page.	Names the job and reference, so HR can track it [1]
I am a hard-working team player.	I briefed two designers each week and shipped 24 campaigns on schedule.	Evidence instead of adjectives [9]
As you can see on my resume, I have many skills.	One story the resume cannot tell: the campaign that lifted the open rate to 29 percent, and how.	Adds detail beyond the resume [1]
I look forward to hearing from you.	Thank you for your time. I would welcome a conversation about your spring launch: (503) 555-0142.	Restates interest, thanks the reader, gives contact details [2]

What not to put in a cover letter

Your resume, line by line. Pick two or three things and tell them as evidence [1] [9].
A generic greeting when a name is findable [2] [4].
Claims you cannot back up. Every number must be one you can explain at interview.
Complaints about a current or past employer.
Salary, unless the posting asks for it.
Private details the job does not need. Mentioning a disability is your choice, the National Careers Service notes, linking to Disability Rights UK for advice [3].

Check before you send

A cover letter is a statement about you, so every fact in it has to be yours and true, whoever or whatever helped you draft it.

The posting's instructions.File type, attached or in the body, any reference to quote [1] [8].
The reader's name and title, spelled right.From the posting, the team page or LinkedIn [2].
The job title and reference number.Exactly as the posting prints them [1] [3].
Every fact matches your resume.Dates, titles, degrees, license status and numbers.
One page.Two for most faculty posts [6].
Same header and font as your resume.10 to 12 points [1] [2].
A test email to yourself.The text reads right and the attachments open [8].

Next, the interview. If it includes a presentation, our job interview presentation guide has three structures and a 30-60-90 day plan, and the drills in presentation skills help you rehearse. If you need references, share our recommendation letter templates with the people writing for you. And when the offer arrives, our resignation letter templates cover leaving the old job well.

Three ready requests to paste into NOXI

For a finished, laid-out letter instead of filling brackets by hand, paste one of these into NOXI with your own facts.

Prompt 1 · A cover letter from your attached CV (Letter format)

A one-page cover letter for the [Marketing Coordinator] position at [Harbor and Pine Outfitters], reference [MC-2611], posted on [their careers page]. My CV is attached; use only the facts in it and in this request. Address it to [Dana Whitfield, Marketing Director]. The two requirements I want to answer: [running email campaigns] and [working with a small design team]. My evidence: [at Brightline Studio I ran 24 email campaigns in 2026 and raised the average open rate from 21 percent to 29 percent]; [I briefed two designers each week]. Tone: [warm and direct]. Sign off "Sincerely".

Prompt 2 · An internship letter with no paid experience (Letter format)

A cover letter for the [Summer 2027 Data Analyst Internship] at [Lakeside Transit Authority]. I am [Priya Nair], a [second-year statistics student at Northgate University], available [June 7 to August 20, 2027, full time]. No paid experience yet; my evidence: [in my regression course I modelled bus delays from 14 months of public data]; [I run the budget spreadsheet for the 60-member hiking club]. Address it to [the internship coordinator, Alex Moreno]. Tone: [eager and plain]. Use only these facts, under 300 words, one page.

Prompt 3 · One change, by chat

Cut the letter to 280 words and make the opening line more direct. Keep both examples, every number and the sign-off exactly as they are, and change nothing else.

Make it in NOXI: a cover letter in Word from one request

NOXI (noxi.ai) is an AI maker for presentations and documents: you describe what you need in one request, and it builds a designed deck or document in one of 14 formats; the free plan covers five documents a month, downloads carry no watermark, and files export to PowerPoint, Word and PDF.

Letter is one of the 14 formats in NOXI 2.0, and the launch article lists cover letters among its uses. No credit card is needed to start.

Step 1. Open NOXI and choose Letter

Go to noxi.ai and sign in, or create a free account. On Home, open More and choose Letter. The format is a starting point, and a clear request wins.

Step 2. Write one request with the job, your real experience and the tone

Paste Prompt 1 or 2 with your own facts: the job, the reader, the two requirements you want to answer, your evidence and the tone. NOXI writes from the facts you give it; when a fact cannot be confirmed, it leaves a clear field for you to fill instead of guessing.

Step 3. Attach your current CV

Attach your CV and NOXI builds the letter from it, so dates and job titles come from your own record. The CV is input for a new letter; the attached file stays as it was.

Step 4. Read it through, then change it by chat or by hand

NOXI reads the whole document through and fixes what does not agree, such as a name spelled two ways. Read every line as your own, then send Prompt 3 (NOXI changes only what you asked) or edit by hand. Every change can be undone.

Step 5. Export Word, then send it as the posting asks

Export Word for editable pages and make any last change, or export PDF directly. Each file is rendered and compared with the pages before the download appears.

Frequently asked questions

Which cover letter template should I use?: Use the standard template if you have experience in the field, the email template when you apply by email with attachments, and the referral template when someone suggested you apply. Students start from no experience, entry level or internship; career changers, senior and remote applicants, academics, teachers and nurses have their own.
What is the correct cover letter format?: Seven parts in order: your header, the date and the employer's details, a greeting to a named person, an opening that names the job, one or two paragraphs of proof, a closing that thanks the reader and asks to talk, and your sign-off. Boston University advises using your resume's header, font and margins.
How long should a cover letter be?: One page for a job application. MIT's career office says no longer than one page in 10 to 12 point type, and Boston University says three to four paragraphs at most. England's National Careers Service says usually 3 to 5 paragraphs. UChicagoGRAD puts academic letters at two pages, or one for some STEM research positions.
Who do I address a cover letter to if I do not know the name?: First search the posting, the team page and LinkedIn. If no name exists, MIT suggests "Dear Hiring Manager", and the University of Maryland suggests "Dear [Organization Name] Hiring Manager" while advising against "To Whom it May Concern". In the UK, "Dear Sir or Madam" is still used and ends with "Yours faithfully".
Do I need a cover letter for every application?: Usually yes. Boston University's career center advises including one with every resume or CV unless the posting says not to, and the National Careers Service says to include one whenever you apply with a CV. An optional letter is still a chance to show your fit.
Should the cover letter go in the email body or as an attachment?: Follow the posting first. If it says nothing, St. Olaf's Piper Center advises attaching the resume and cover letter, with PDF the most commonly accepted file, and keeping the email to one or two short paragraphs. The National Careers Service notes you can also write the letter as an email when applying online.
How do I write a cover letter with no experience?: Lead with something you have already done that the job needs, from school, volunteering, a club or a part-time job, then give one example for each of two requirements in the posting. For summer jobs and internships, MIT advises stressing transferable skills such as leadership and communication. State when you are available.
How do I mention a referral in a cover letter?: Put the referrer's full name and job title in the first sentence, say they suggested you apply, and add one line on how you know them. The University of Maryland's career center advises naming the person who referred you. Ask the referrer's permission first and spell their title as the organization does.
How is an academic cover letter different?: It is longer and built around research, teaching and service. UChicagoGRAD says it is required for nearly all academic job applications, should show how your work fits the institution, lead with what the department values most, and run to two pages, or one for some STEM research positions. Name specific courses and colleagues.
Can NOXI write my cover letter?: Yes. Choose the Letter format, attach your CV and write one request with the job, the reader, two requirements you want to answer, your evidence and the tone. NOXI writes from those facts and exports Word to edit, or PDF. The free plan covers five documents a month, and every change after that, by chat or by hand, is free.

Sources & methodology

Every rule, length and quote comes from its publisher, opened on 10 November 2026, signed out, nothing downloaded; no page showed an update date, so each carries the date we read it. Templates and examples are editorial, with invented names and numbers.

[1] No longer than one page, font size between 10 and 12 points; include your contact information and any job reference number; address the hiring manager by name, or "Dear Hiring Manager"; an introduction, two to three body paragraphs with examples that add detail beyond the resume, and a closing that restates interest and thanks the reader; transferable skills for summer jobs or internships without direct experience; explain your interest and value when your field has no obvious link to the role; an appointment with a career advisor · MIT Career Advising and Professional Development, How to write an effective cover letter (with samples), checked 10 November 2026 (no date shown).
[2] One page, three to four paragraphs at most; the same header, font, font size and margins as the resume, left-aligned; the date with the month spelled out; "Sincerely," and your full name; address a specific person found on LinkedIn, the website or the listed contact, or a generic greeting such as hiring committee; include a cover letter with every application unless the posting says not to; early-career and experienced-career templates offered (not downloaded) · Boston University Center for Career Development, Cover Letters, checked 10 November 2026 (no date shown).
[3] "a short letter, usually 3 to 5 paragraphs long"; always include one when you apply with a CV; a named person, or "Dear Sir or Madam"; the job title and any reference number in the opening; employment gaps explained by the skills gained; mentioning a disability is optional, with a link to Disability Rights UK; "Yours sincerely" for a named reader and "Yours faithfully" after "Dear Sir or Madam"; the letter can be written as an email when applying online · National Careers Service (England), How to write a cover letter, checked 10 November 2026 (no date shown).
[4] Keep the letter to one page; name the person who referred you and say they suggested you apply; if no name is found, "Dear [Organization Name] Hiring Manager"; avoid "To Whom it May Concern" and "Dear Sir/Madam" · University of Maryland University Career Center, Cover letter resources, checked 10 November 2026 (no date shown).
[5] A cover letter introduces you to organizations "in a narrative form that will accompany your resume", explaining your qualifications and interest in the job and the organization · Harvard FAS Mignone Center for Career Success, Create a Resume/CV or Cover Letter, checked 10 November 2026 (no date shown).
[6] Academic cover letters are required for nearly all academic job applications; two pages, with one page for some STEM research positions; show how your research, teaching and service fit the hiring institution; lead with the priority the department cares about most; business correspondence conventions · UChicagoGRAD, Application Documents for Academic Jobs, checked 10 November 2026 (no date shown).
[7] Three types of educator cover letter: position-specific, district-wide and broad-style for state or national posting boards; language from the job description with 2 to 3 sentences showing how you have done the work; why this school or district; phone number and email in the final paragraph; a named person or "Dear Hiring Administrator:"; standard business letter format, "Sincerely," with space to sign above the typed name · University of Iowa Pomerantz Career Center, Educator Cover Letters, checked 10 November 2026 (no date shown).
[8] Follow the application's instructions; if there are none, attach the resume and cover letter; PDFs or Word documents are preferred and PDF is the most commonly accepted attachment; a simple subject line; no more than 1 or 2 short paragraphs in the email; send a test email with the attachments to yourself first · St. Olaf College Piper Center for Vocation and Career, How do you deliver your cover letter, checked 10 November 2026 (no date shown).
[9] No more than a page of A4 if possible; tailor it to the advert, person specification and job description; a suggested shape of introduction, a short section about you, about three key criteria with evidence, knowledge of the employer, and a conclusion with thanks and availability; back up claims with evidence and do not duplicate everything already in your CV · Royal College of Nursing, Covering letters, checked 10 November 2026 (no date shown).
[10] Page titled "Free cover letter templates to edit and download online", with simple, bold, playful and other categories; templates open in Word for the web · Microsoft Word, cover letter templates, checked 10 November 2026.
[11] Use a Google template: open the gallery at the top right, click the template you want, and "A copy of the template opens"; File, New, From a template inserts a template into an open document ·Google Docs Editors Help, Use templates, checked 10 November 2026 (no date shown).