When applying for jobs, your CV – or curriculum vitae – is often just the beginning. Many job applications require you to include a cover letter as well. Cover letters are your chance to flaunt your personality and demonstrate what makes you the perfect fit for the role.

In most cases, your cover letter will often be the first impression you make to hiring managers, recruiters and employers. As daunting as it sounds, it doesn’t have to be hard to pull together a stand-out cover letter. Simply use these expert cover letter examples to help you work out the structure and layout, then add your own details and creative flair to show them exactly who you are.

Create a cover letter with free professional templates and get ahead of the competition with top tips from Adobe Express.

What makes a good cover letter?

One of the first things a potential employer sees when you apply for a job is your cover letter. Not only does a cover letter support your CV, but it also gives you an opportunity to stand out from the crowd and secure a spot for an interview.

To do this, you’ll need to include the following elements seen in all good cover letter examples:

• Background details. Include your contact information, such as your name, home address, phone number and email address, followed by the date. Underneath, add a personal touch with the recipient’s name, title and address.
• Formal greeting. Address the employer or hiring manager directly. “Dear Mr/Ms” is an appropriate start. If there is no contact name, or you’re unsure who to address, “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear [Job Area] Team” are also common salutations.
• Opening paragraph. Introduce yourself and explain how you learned about the position, whether through a job advertisement or personal referral. Show enthusiasm to set the tone for the rest of the cover letter.
• Body paragraphs. Provide a summary of your background and relevant skills and experience. Link them to the specific job requirements and explain why you’re a suitable candidate for the role. You might need to split this section into several paragraphs, to hit different parts of the job description – with examples to support.
• Ending and sign-off. Reiterate why you believe you’re the right fit for the company, with details of your availability and where or how to reach you. Then include a short thank you note and a formal sign-off.

Free editable cover letter examples for your next job application.

So, you know what to include – but how do you put it into action? Cover letter examples can be a helpful starting point. Not only do they give you an idea of structure, but they also provide insight on what elements to include when drafting your own.

Adobe Express offers free, editable cover letter templates that cater to different job application requirements, so you can find one that works for you.

6 classic cover letter examples.

Classic cover letters are suitable for traditional professions such as law, finance, business and retail. As the name suggests, these cover letters follow a conventional format with a formal letter structure.

You’ll want to avoid overly colourful language with classic cover letters. Instead, lean on the professional nature of your desired role and build your letter accordingly. Stick to the status quo with a simplistic font, standard 1-inch margins and a PDF file for compatibility.

Don’t be afraid to show some passion in your cover letter. The more formal the better, but using words like ‘excited’ and ‘enthusiastic’ can inject some personality.

Here are six classic cover letter examples to help you format your own.

6 creative cover letter examples.

A creative cover letter is what it says on the tin. Ideal for art, copywriting or graphic design, these cover letters call for authenticity and creative flair. The aim is to flaunt your imagination while displaying your capabilities.

Creative cover letters may include unconventional elements, such as a conversational tone, a short story, humour or even audio components. You may even use a quirky font, as long as it is readable and reflective of your role and message.

Your sign-off should be just as creative. Depending on your messaging and overall tone, show some whimsy and leave a lasting impression.

6 short cover letter examples.

You may use a short cover letter if you are writing a CV with no experience, or if a cover letter is optional on your job application. Short cover letters are useful for adding context to your CV and encouraging action. This style of cover letter enables you to include pieces of information that is most relevant, demonstrating your communication skills.

Short cover letters can be between two to three paragraphs. Some consist of just three sentences – brief enough to read at a glance. Keep your tone formal and light, with a plain font and standard format.

6 speculative cover letter examples for job enquiries.

You might want to enquire about a role that isn’t formally advertised. In this case, a speculative cover letter is a great way to get your foot in the door, especially in competitive industries. Enquiring can also demonstrate a proactive nature and dedication to the company.

Speculative cover letters don’t follow a traditional structure. Your opening paragraph should explain the role you’re looking for and why you’re attracted to this specific company. Highlight your skills and any experience relevant to them. The trick is to show that you’re an all-rounder, so be careful not to restrict yourself to one skill or area.

If you happen to have any connection to the company, through a referral, volunteering or an internship, don’t forget to highlight it. Lastly, end on a positive note, thanking them for their time and that you’re looking forward to hearing more about any opportunities they may have.

6 finance cover letter examples.

When applying for a job in finance, accounting or something similar, a well-written cover letter can help convince a potential employer that you’re the perfect fit for the role. A finance cover letter should be concise and error free, emphasising your numerical skills and ability to present financials and insights in a comprehensive way.

Use a traditional cover letter structure to show you understand the importance of process in your sector, and embody the qualities the company is looking for.

6 software engineer cover letter examples.

A good software engineer cover letter should draw on your career history, industry skills and education. Make sure to call-out specific experience with different programming and coding languages, as well as any successful projects you’ve worked on in the past – including the data to back it up.

6 law cover letter examples.

A legal or law-focused cover letter is a great opportunity to highlight your motivations for becoming a lawyer and for wanting to work at a specific firm. Make sure that your cover letter is concise, with a consistent format and clear font. It’s also important to check for spelling mistakes or other grammatical errors – as reviewing documents and writing statements will be a key part of your role, especially in the early stages of your career.

6 cover letter examples for retail workers.

When hiring for retail roles, recruiters typically look for individuals with proven experience, excellent communication skills and a customer-focused attitude. However, they might also be more open to those with non-retail experience, so long as they have the relevant transferable skills to succeed in the role.

Alongside a tailored retail CV, a well-written cover letter can be a great opportunity to convince a hiring manager that you are the best candidate for the job.

6 architecture cover letter examples.

Architecture can be a competitive industry, so to land your dream job, you need to make sure your application resonates with recruiters. Pulling together a tailored cover letter that showcases your passion for buildings and design, and experiences working within the industry could help you stand out from the crowd.

You should also highlight key skills, such as your ability to collaborate and work as part of a wider team. After all, a key part of architectural design is working with builders, engineers, electricians and interior designers to bring your creation to life.

6 hospitality cover letter examples.

Applying for a hospitality role? Make sure to showcase your ability to provide excellent customer service in your cover letter. Your cover letter should also draw on any relevant work experience you have and characteristics that make you an ideal fit for this high-pressure role.

6 customer service cover letter examples.

Like all cover letters, a customer service cover letter should be tailored to the specific role and the company you’re applying for. So be sure to highlight your interest for the role and why you want to work at that company.

You’ll also want to mention any prior experience you have dealing with customers or clients – whether that’s working in a coffee shop, working in a call centre or acting in a client-facing role as part of a previous career.

6 consulting cover letter examples.

A well-crafted consulting cover letter can help you stand out from the crowd when applying for a consultant role. It’s the perfect opportunity to demonstrate why you’re the best candidate for the role and why the company should hire you over other applicants.

Stick to a traditional or more formal format, but make sure to add your own personal touches that help the recruiter get to know you. After all, they’re investing in your personal brand of expertise.

6 acting cover letter examples.

Being an actor can be a rewarding and exciting profession, but it can also be highly competitive. That’s why it’s vital to make a great first impression. Your cover letter should highlight any prior performances that could help you grab the attention of hiring agents. It should also capture your passion for acting and dedication to your profession over the years.

6 cover letter examples for graphic design jobs.

A graphic design cover letter is the perfect opportunity to showcase your creative skills and experience. Rather than sticking to a more traditional template, you might want to use your creativity to enhance your cover letter with customised features – such as a personal logo, colour-coded icons and stylised fonts. Not only does this show off your talent and attention to detail, but also your passion for graphic design in everything you do.

Combine one of these creative cover letter examples with a graphic design portfolio and you’re good to go.

6 career change cover letter examples.

If you’ve decided on a career change, you’ll need to explain why in your cover letter. This follows a similar format to the rest, just with some extras. Begin with a statement on why you want to change career. Try to keep this brief – there’s opportunity to go into more detail if you’re invited for an interview.

Then discuss your past experiences, linking to the job if possible. Here’s where you’ll highlight your skills and knowledge. It’s also worth including any professional qualifications from your past jobs.

Don’t forget to mention what attracted you to the job. You may get extra points for showing knowledge of what the company does. Finally, outline how you can contribute to the organisation, and sign off with a thank you.

Using Adobe Express to create your own cover letter.

Adobe Express lets you easily design your own cover letter. Open Adobe Express in your web browser and create a new project. The template library provides numerous designs, and the Generative AI function lets you write a prompt that creates a template based on your description.

Whether you want to go the creative or classic route, highlight your skillsets and experience with style using free customisable templates. Choose different fonts, add effects and colours or edit images and graphics. When you’re happy with your design, you can choose to download or print with Adobe Express.

Try Adobe Express for free now

Good to know.

What do you write in a cover letter?

A cover letter should include a:

• Header with your personal information.
• Formal greeting to the hiring manager.
• Attention-grabbing opening paragraph.
• Main section explaining why you’re a suitable candidate for the job.
• Formal thank you, with details on how and where to reach you.

How should you start your cover letter?

Your cover letter should begin with an appropriate greeting based on the hiring manager or who will be reading it, followed by an introduction. For example:

Dear Ms. Smith,

I’d like to apply for the Marketing Manager position at Smith Marketing & Co. As a passionate, results-driven individual with over eight years of experience in the marketing industry, I’m committed to building a fast-growing marketing team at your up-and-coming brand.

What should you not do on a cover letter?

Cover letters should be concise and snappy with only relevant information. Avoid including personal details unrelated to the job, as well as salary expectations, negative comments on past experiences, lies or exaggerations, and empty claims. You should also check for spelling mistakes, as this can give a poor first impression.

Is Adobe Express free?

Yes, Adobe Express has a free plan that includes core features like photo editing tools and effects and thousands of free templates. You can create a cover letter catered to different job application requirements that’ll boost your CV. Learn more about our plans and pricing.