Top 3 Cover Letter Templates in 2020
With the job market the way it is these days, there is a lot of interest in cover letters and cover letter templates. And consequently, there’s a lot of advice out there.
Most of it is pretty good... and pretty standard. Things like “Your cover letter should be formal and professional.” I guess that’s perfectly reasonably sounding, except for one thing... for every position you are applying for, there are 250 other folks out there applying for that same position. All following the same advice, reading the same websites, and doing the same thing. Probably sounding “formal and professional” too!
To stand out among those 250 other people, your cover letter really needs to pop in a way that others don’t. Show your personality, the real you. You might strike out, but you might also STAND out. Here’s a few cover letter templates that show how you can stand out.
Template #1: Avoid the Formal Intro
Many cover letter templates out there encourage you to sound exceedingly formal. Do you talk like that in real life? I don’t either, so why do it when you are introducing yourself? Instead of starting out “Dear sir…” or “To whom it may concern…”, try something like this:
My name is Jonathan, and I think your Marketing Manager position is totally awesome.
I have been following Acme company for several years now, and I got to say, your new widget magoo has got to be the coolest product to come on the market in forever. I love how it lights up AND spins, and don’t get me started on the way that it barks. I mean, who thought that up? Brilliant.
I have several years of Marketing experience, and in my last position initiated a program which increased leads by 6x, which drove a 3x increase in sales. I successfully have led a team of 10, and am familiar with email automation, digital marketing, and all the latest technology.
I know I would be a great fit for the position, and I’d love to talk further about it. Do you have time next week chat?
Jane
Key points
- Informal introduction - similar to how you would greet someone you already know. After all, if this goes well, and you are hired, how are you going to address them?
- Enthusiasm for the product. You aren’t just applying for A job, you are applying for THIS job.
Template #2: Share your Enthusiasm
The second cover letter template we will look at revolves around enthusiasm. Employers want to know you aren’t just spamming a hundred jobs (even if you are, you don't have to look like it), they want to know their job in particular is important, that if they hire you will be passionate about the job.
Conveying that passion in a cover letter can go a long way. Here’s a template:
Wow, I never thought I’d get a chance to work for Sabertooth industries!
I have used your service for years now, bought subscriptions for my friends, and am pretty much a huge fan. Pretty much every third conversation I have involves the words, “you know, you could use Sabertooth to make that easier…”. Seriously, at this point if I even start to utter Saber...” it's fairly certain one of my friends will throw something at me before I even get out the “tooth” part.
And then, I saw your ad for an operations manager, and my jaw nearly dropped. Not only is this a brand I love, but I’m also a perfect fit for the position. I have over 10 years operations experience, most recently reducing costs by over 15% while increasing on-time delivery by over 20%.
I’m totally stoked about this opportunity, and would love to set up some time to talk further. Do you have time next week to chat?
Danny
Key points
- Straightforward and genuine enthusiasm, clearly articulated. After expressing the enthusiasm, we weave in a bit about our fit, just enough, the rest is in the resumé.
Template #3: Colloquially Speaking
It is a small risk to speak colloquially, but in a sea of 250 other people, it can be a way to stand out.
I’m not saying talk exactly like you do at the bar at the end of the night, but speaking in a relaxed tone, closer to how you actually talk, can be a way of getting your message about your skills across while also projecting that you would be a decent person to work with.
The cover letter template for that might look something like this:
My name is Bob and I saw the sales manager position y’all had posted on my school’s alumni website.
When I saw it I was pretty stoked {formtext: name=recipient}, because I have been thinking about changing industries to pet dinosaurs, and I have been looking for just the right opportunity. This seems perfect - a chance to transition to the industry I am passionate about (T-Rex is my favorite) while also being able to leverage my past experience to drive sales.
I have extensive experience in the woolly mammoth industry, having led sales teams to beating our number 38 out of the last 40 quarters, averaging over 120% of quota. Similar to the T-Rex industry, the market for woolly mammoths is primarily large enterprise customers, it is a complex sale with a long sales cycle and multiple decision makers.
I think I would be a great fit, and I’d love to set up some time to talk further. Do you have time on {formdate: LL} to chat?
Bob
Key points
- Speaking like you talk. I say “y’all” and “stoked” in real life when I talk. In an interview I would be likely to use those words, so why not talk that way in the cover letter?
- Pro Tip: In this template, we used Text Blaze form commands to let us to enter the recipient's name and select a suggested date every time we use the snippet. Using a tool like Text Blaze can help save time and avoid mistakes.
Conclusion
There are many different ways to approach the cover letter, and these cover letter templates are just a few examples. The key is to not do what everybody else is doing. You are unique, that should come across in your cover letter. Remember, there are 250 other people competing for the same position, make sure you stand out.
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