Cover Letter Samples
Here are three great examples of cover letters that each demonstrate different ways of formatting and tailoring your content to fit your position of interest.
Classic Cover Letter PDF
The classic style is often what you may think of when you imagine what a cover letter may look like. It is also the formatting that you will see most often when looking up examples and guides online. It allows you to tell your story in a simple format that works wonderfully for putting your best professional foot forward.
Violet Gold
Seattle, WA | (206) 555-1234 | violetg@uw.edu
June 2, 2026
Dear Hiring Committee,
I am excited to apply for your team’s open Marketing Intern – Community Growth position. As a current marketing and data analytics student, I am passionate about using my creativity and data skills to help companies elevate their impact. After learning more about your company’s virtual community growth campaigns and deep commitment to customer support at the UW Info Session hosted by Allen Suzzallo on November 8th, I am confident my previous work and leadership experience make me an excellent fit for this position.
During my three-month internship at Panopto in the summer of 202X, I applied my extensive knowledge of tech product marketing strategies and developed solid skills in HTML and CSS to create a more user-friendly design for online training modules. As a frequent user of Panopto myself, my perspectives helped inform key decisions regarding the modules. Since June, I have also served as a Communications Specialist and Student Assistant for the UW English Department, where I use my HTML and CSS skills to improve the organization and accessibility of the department’s main website. Additionally, I have launched three separate email campaigns promoting upcoming English department events and new resources, resulting in an increase in email tracking engagement. I would be elated to contribute these skills as a Marketing Intern on your team at Highspot.
As the current President of the UW chapter’s American Marketing Association, my strengths in program management, public speaking, and interpersonal communication have allowed me to successfully manage a six-person team. I recently coordinated a banquet for 300 attendees including local industry leaders and prominent UW marketing faculty to increase our student network. I have also become highly skilled at supporting my team through monthly individual check-ins and weekly large group meetings, both in-person and virtually on Zoom. I have been following Highspot’s recent accomplishments in digital marketing and search engine optimization strategies for the past three years. With Highspot’s impact in empowering go-to-market businesses with actionable analytics and AI-driven methods, I am thrilled about the opportunity to contribute to such an innovative team.
I look forward to speaking with you further about my qualifications and interest in joining the Marketing Team at Highspot. Please contact me at (206) 555-1234 or violetg@uw.edu. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Violet Gold
Bullet-Pointed Cover Letter PDF
The bullet-style letter allows you to share your main skills, achievements, and qualifications for a role in succinct bullet points versus fully fleshed out paragraphs. One thing to keep in mind if you decide to write a bullet style cover letter is that you should not simply copy your favorite bullet points from your resume, but instead write new thoughts about tasks and skills that relate to why you will be a good fit for the role you are applying for.
Steven Aoki
206-333-4343 | sakoi@uw.edu | linkedin.com/in/stevenakoi
Tom Douglas Restaurant Group
2030 5th Ave
Seattle, WA 98121
January 2, 2025
Dear Hiring Manager,
It is with great enthusiasm that I am applying to your open Events Coordinator position, which I learned about from Mike Smith, whom I spoke with at the University of Washington Career Fair. In addition to my four years of experience in the restaurant industry, I also have an enormous amount of respect for the Tom Douglas restaurant because I grew up going to Dahlia Lounge for brunch with my family every weekend. I believe the creativity of the dishes, quality of service, and the memorable dining experiences I have had at Dahlia Lounge and other Tom Douglas restaurants has set the standard for the restaurant industry in Seattle. Here are a few skills and accomplishments that make me an excellent candidate for this role:
- My ability to secure venues and facilitate communication between team members and external stakeholders in a variety of professional and academic settings
- I possess strong organizational and prioritization abilities allow me to handle multiple tasks simultaneously throughout each phase of the event planning process
- My keen attention to large and small details ensures my team members stay on track to accomplish their individually assigned tasks
- I creatively promote events through a variety of channels and methods, including social media channels (Instagram, Facebook, and X) and email blasts
Between the experiences included on my resume, and the skills I have highlighted here, I believe I have what it takes to excel in this role. I am dedicated to the fine dining experience and standards that Tom Douglas Restaurants have become known for and welcome the opportunity to speak with you in-person to discuss my fit for this position. If you have any questions, please contact me at (206) 333-1234 or saoki@uw.edu. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Steven Aoki
Skills & Results-Centered Cover Letter PDF
The skills and results centered style allows you to have a hybrid approach. By focusing on a few relevant skill areas (titled in bold), how you’ve gained them, and the results of your work, you can share your fit for a role in a concise and easy-to-read way. Consider naming skill areas directly listed on the job description.
Jeremy Jones
Seattle, WA | 206-555-5555 | email@uw.edu | LinkedIn
Dear Hiring Manager,
As someone deeply passionate about both environmental justice and creating inclusive spaces, I’m excited to apply for the Recruitment Coordinator position at the Seattle Aquarium. With a background in communications and environmental studies alongside direct experience in recruitment, labor organizing, and human resources, I’m eager to bring this trifecta of perspectives into a team that shares my values. Your commitment to building an inclusive community centered on sustainability, learning, and constant improvement reflects exactly why I chose to pursue this career path.
Hands-On Recruitment and HR Experience: During my time as Vice President of Membership Recruitment for my sorority, I led inclusive recruitment efforts that brought in a more diverse group of new members and reshaped how we communicated our values. Beyond designing outreach materials and planning events, I came to understand how much more I could learn about people when I made it a point to emphasize community, accessibility, and authenticity in my recruitment practices. Additionally, as an intern with the UW’s HR department, I gained valuable experience supporting staff onboarding, managing confidential applicant data, and observing how cross-departmental collaboration can lead to more equitable hiring. These experiences gave me a strong foundation in applicant tracking systems, candidate communication, and recruitment logistics.
Rooted in Equity, Passionate About People: While completing my BA in Communications at the UW, I explored how people, systems, and narratives intersect. During my Building a Movement labor internship, I enjoyed collaborating with labor organizers and community partners to support fair labor practices and advocate for historically marginalized workers. This experience shaped my belief that successful recruitment is about more than just filling roles, but helps me open doors and create structures where people from all backgrounds feel welcomed, valued, and empowered to thrive.
A Personal Commitment to Environmental Justice: I’ve long viewed environmental work through a justice-centered lens. My environmental studies coursework and community involvement have taught me that effective conservation must include everyone, especially voices historically excluded from this space. I see this role as an opportunity to combine my HR and outreach skills with my deep belief in climate and social equity.
As a recent graduate, I’m ready to grow in a professional environment that centers people, mission, and impact. I would be honored to support the Aquarium’s People & Culture team in creating recruitment processes that are innovative, inclusive, and inspiring. Thank you for considering my application and I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to this work.
Sincerely,
Jeremy Jones
