Best Cover Letters of 2025 (10 Good Examples)

During my 4 years as a career coach, I’ve reviewed hundreds of good (and bad) cover letters. This experience has taught me what works and what doesn’t when it comes to cover letter writing.

So, I decided to make a list of the best cover letters I’ve seen and give you my thoughts on what makes them special, so that you can learn from these examples and write the best cover letter for your next job application.

1. The professional cover letter

Why this is a good cover letter example

This is a textbook example of a professional cover letter. While it doesn’t include any creative flair, it excels in delivering all the information that employers are looking for.

Bart does a great job of highlighting relevant achievements backed up by hard numbers. Additionally, he mentions discussing the company’s future goals with a current employee. If you have a contact at your target company, I highly recommend including their name in your cover letter. Name-dropping shows genuine interest in the organization, which hiring managers appreciate.

2. The funny cover letter

Why this is a good cover letter example

This social media cover letter is one of the best examples I’ve seen of how to balance professionalism with humor.

The key to a successful funny cover letter is ensuring the humor doesn’t overshadow your accomplishments. The focus of Heather’s cover letter is still her professional achievements, but she lets a lighthearted touch shine through.

3. The short and sweet cover letter

Why this is a good cover letter example

This short cover letter doesn’t waste any time explaining why the candidate is the right fit for the role. In just a few concise paragraphs, Robert states his interest in the position and confidently summarizes his professional achievements.

This strategy is especially effective if you’re an experienced candidate in a field where licenses or certifications are necessary, like nursing. When your qualifications and years of experience already meet the core requirements of the job, a short cover letter shows your efficiency and confidence.

4. The unique cover letter

Why this is a good cover letter example

This sales cover letter expertly mixes creativity with professionalism, which is key in an industry as competitive as sales. Joseph’s approach is both fresh and memorable, setting him apart from other applicants right from the start.

To make his key accomplishments stand out, he uses a creative, eye-catching format that includes:

• a numbered list
• bolded paragraph headers
• italicized company names

By blending a unique introduction with a structured, results-driven summary of his career, Joseph creates a cover letter that’s both memorable and convincing.

5. The video cover letter

Why this is a good cover letter example

Video cover letters may be unusual, but they can be very effective. Mariah’s video is well-produced and clear, with a focus on examples of her work.

While video cover letters are obviously a good choice for video editor positions, they can be valuable in a range of jobs. Video cover letters can also help you land jobs that require you to appear in front of an audience, or where a strong personality is an asset, like PR, teaching, sales, or entertainment.

But when you submit a video cover letter — whether the job ad requests it or to stand out from other applicants — always remember to send a written one as well. Some hiring managers are more traditional and might prefer reading about your qualifications

6. The creative cover letter

Why this is a good cover letter example

I review large numbers of cover letters regularly, and a colorful, creative letter like this immediately stands out from the typical black-and-white ones I see daily. Before even reading it, you can immediately tell Anthony has a creative side.

For fields that require innovation and a strong eye for design, like marketing or fashion, a visually appealing cover letter tells hiring managers you have the skills they’re looking for.

That said, it’s important to strike the right balance between creativity and professionalism. Anthony achieves this by sticking to simple fonts and a traditional cover letter layout: an introduction, two body paragraphs, and a brief conclusion that restates his interest in the position.

7. The career change cover letter

Why this is a good cover letter example

A great career change cover letter focuses on bridging the gap between your background and where you want to go in your career, and this cover letter does it better than any other I’ve reviewed.

Kate highlights all the reasons why her background in fashion is a strength, not a weakness. This tells me that she has carefully considered how her skills can transfer to her new target industry.

But she doesn’t stop there. Kate also explains the concrete steps she’s taken to upgrade her skill set, showing that she’s actively developing the industry-specific abilities she’ll need to succeed.

8. The enthusiastic cover letter

Why this is a good cover letter example

This cover letter not only highlights why Benjamin is a great teacher, but demonstrates his enthusiasm for the opportunity to work at a school that aligns with his educational philosophy.

Employers are always looking for candidates who are passionate for the job, because it means they’re more likely to stay long-term, rather than using the position as a stepping stone.

Just keep in mind that enthusiasm alone isn’t always enough. While Benjamin’s excitement makes his cover letter stand out, it’s his track record of helping students achieve their academic goals that makes him a strong candidate.

9. The well-researched cover letter

Why this is a good cover letter example

This cover letter stands out from the very first sentence because Peter demonstrates that he has invested time in learning about InnoTech’s mission and values.

What makes this cover letter even stronger is how he connects his own skills and experiences to the company’s goals and needs. Instead of just stating that he’s a good marketer, he shows he’s the right fit for this particular job.

10. The potential-focused cover letter

Why this is a good cover letter example

I’ve seen many early-career professionals get discouraged during their job hunt because they feel like they need 1–2 years of experience to be considered for even entry-level jobs. That’s why I’m including this internship cover letter by Dallas: It’s a great example of how to communicate your value even if you don’t have full-time work experience yet.

When applying for an internship or your first full-time role, focusing on your potential and growth mindset is key. While Dallas was lucky enough to gain hand-on experience through a part-time engineering job, this isn’t the only way to prove your abilities.

Academic achievements, volunteer experience, hobbies, and personal projects are all valuable additions to your cover letter. Just make sure to explain what skills you developed through these activities and how they’ll help you succeed in the role.

The best cover letter template

Here’s the best cover letter template you can use to write your own. I’ve made it available for free so you can download it and fill in the blanks with your information:

Download the Best Cover Letter Template (MS Word)

Why this is the best cover letter template

I designed this cover letter template with several key features to help you stand out:

• Proper formatting: The structure ensures your application looks professional
• Writing prompts: Bracketed prompts guide you on what to write to stand out to hiring managers
• Bullet points: These enhance readability

How to write a perfect cover letter every time

While every employer and company is unique, there are a few strategies you can use to write a good cover letter that stands out. Here are my top tips to help you make the best cover letter for your target job:

Open with a catchy first sentence

Avoid starting with “I’m writing to apply for X role,”: This wastes precious space and doesn’t grab attention. Don’t get me wrong, do specify what role you’re applying for, but do it in a way that tells a story.

• Were you inspired to apply after reading about a company project?
• Did you just discover an amazing new product?
• Did a friend rave about the work culture at the company?

At a time when AI has made it easier than ever to send out dozens of generic applications, mentioning something unique about your connection to the company or its services shows that you aren’t just looking for an easy paycheck from anyone that will hire you.

Select your featured achievements carefully

Many articles will tell you to quantify your achievements in your cover letter, and while that’s generally good advice, simply throwing numbers into your cover letter won’t automatically impress employers. It’s about which accomplishments you choose to include and how they connect to the job.

Let’s say you’re a teacher applying for a new job. While mentioning your charity work, like baking 500 cookies for the school bake sale, shows dedication, it doesn’t speak to your qualifications as an educator.

On the other hand, sharing a story about helping a shy student overcome their fear of public speaking can be much more powerful, even if it’s an achievement that can’t be quantified.

Mirror the company’s vibe

This method works particularly well for companies that are known for their quirky cultures. These companies might host regular table tennis tournaments, have creative office décor, or celebrate fun holidays like Pi Day.

In these environments, the hiring manager is looking for someone who won’t just excel in the role but also fit seamlessly into their culture. In this case, a funny or otherwise original cover letter can work in your favor.

For more traditional companies, however, stick to a formal tone. Instead, focus on researching the organization’s values and corporate responsibility initiatives, and find something that resonates with you. Mentioning what you found in your research can help your cover letter stand out.

Keep it concise

I can promise you that you don’t need more than one page for a great cover letter. If your cover letter is too long, it sends the wrong message: That you haven’t defined your unique selling points. Employers want to quickly understand what makes you the right person for the job. Keep your cover letter focused and concise, showing that you understand the role and have carefully considered why you’re the best fit.

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The best cover letter format

Before you send your job application off, it’s important to format your cover letter in a professional and clear way. A good place to start is by following this outline:

• your name and contact information at the top
• the hiring manager’s name and company contact details
• a salutation addressing the hiring manager by name
• 3–4 paragraphs and a bulleted list
• a polite sign-off (like “Sincerely,”) and your name
• margins between ½ and 1 inch
• a professional font between 10 and 12pt (Calibri and Georgia are examples of the best cover letter fonts)