Types of Cover Letters With Examples

The cover letter is one of the factors in the selection process. It is also a basis for attraction of the employer’s attention to your resume, which will appear later. There are several types of cover letters you should know about, each of which is written for a specific purpose as well as target audience.

It’s important to use the right one for your needs, because different cover letter types call for different approaches and serve different purposes. If you’re sending out resumes to job vacancies and want to impress recruiters, the wrong type of cover letter can prevent you from getting selected for an interview. That’s why we’re going to discuss all the essential elements that make up a perfect cover letter, as well as provide examples of these letters. We will go over the purpose of each type of letter and provide examples so that you can create your customized cover letter!

Why include a Cover Letter?

A cover letter is a document sent alongside your resume when applying for jobs. Its purpose is to introduce you to the hiring manager, and explain why you’re a good fit for the role. Think of it as a way to sell yourself to the company and make a good first impression!

While your resume provides an overview of your qualifications, experience, and skills; your cover letter is where you can explain why you’re the perfect candidate for the job. It’s also an opportunity to show off your writing skills and personality. A well-written cover letter can be the difference between getting your dream job and being rejected outright.

Cover Letter Types : Which One is Right for You?

The type of cover letter you use will depend on the purpose of your application. Are you applying for a specific job that has been advertised? Are you reaching out to a company in the hopes of landing an interview? Or are you networking with someone in your field to learn more about job opportunities?

Depending on your situation, you will want to use a different type of cover letter.

Types of Cover Letters :

1. Application cover letter
2. Prospecting cover letter
3. Networking cover letter
4. Email cover letter
5. Industry-specific or career-specific cover letter
6. Referral cover letter
7. Broadcast letter

Below we will go over the most common types of cover letters and provide examples for each.

1.) Application Cover Letter :

An application cover letter is a standard and formal cover letter that is used along with your resume when you apply for a job. The application cover letter is written for a specific job and should include your skills and qualifications for the job

Let’s take a look at Application Cover Letter example!

Subject: Application for the position of Sales Associate

Dear hiring manager,

I am writing to apply for the Sales Associate position at XYZ company. I am confident that I have the skills and qualifications required for the role and would be a valuable addition to your team.

My sales associate job has given me experience with cash register operation, customer service, and inventory management. I have been recognized for my excellent customer service skills, and my supervisors rely on me to work independently and to help train new employees.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

2.) Prospecting Cover Letter :

The prospecting letter is used when you are not currently applying for a specific job, but are instead reaching out to companies in hopes of landing an interview. This type of letter can be used to network with potential employers or to apply for jobs that haven’t been advertised.

Let’s take a look at the way to write a prospecting cover letter!

Subject: Prospecting for the position of Sales Associate

Dear hiring manager,

I am writing to express my interest in the Sales Associate position at XYZ company. I am confident that I have the skills and qualifications required for the role and would be a valuable addition to your team.

I have previous experience working in customer service and have proven myself to be a reliable and hardworking employee. I am passionate about sales and enjoy working with people. I am confident that I would be a successful Sales Associate and would be an asset to your team.

If you have any openings in the Sales Associate position, I would appreciate being considered for the role. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

3.) Networking Cover Letter :

The networking letter is a less formal type of cover letter that is sent to someone you know in your field, such as a former boss or colleague. This type of letter is used to request information about job opportunities or to learn more about the company.

Let’s have a look at an example of a Networking Cover Letter!

Subject: Request for information about job opportunities

Dear [name],

I am writing to request information about job opportunities at XYZ company. I am interested in the Sales Associate position and would like to know more about what the job entails and what the company is looking for in a candidate.

If you have any openings in the Sales Associate position, I would appreciate being considered for the role. Alternatively, if you know of anyone who is hiring for a position similar to the Sales Associate role, I would be grateful if you could put me in touch with them.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

4.) Email cover letter :

It is also possible to send a cover letter via email. When sending a cover letter via email, be sure to include the job title and company name in the subject line, and format your letter as a PDF.

Let’s have a look at an Email Cover Letter example!

Subject: Job Application – Sales Associate

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am interested in the Sales Associate position at XYZ company and would like to submit my application. I have included my resume and cover letter as a PDF attachment.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

PDF attachments:

When sending a cover letter via email, be sure to include the job title and company name in the subject line, and format your letter as a PDF.

5.) Industry-specific or career-specific cover letter

In some cases, you may also want to consider sending a specialized cover letter. This could be a cover letter for an industry-specific job or a career-specific job. For example, if you’re applying for a job in the healthcare industry, you may want to send a cover letter that is specifically tailored to that industry. Or, if you’re applying for a job in the accounting field, you may want to send a cover letter that is tailored to accounting jobs.

6.) Referral Cover Letter :

Another type of cover letter that you may want to consider is the referral cover letter. This type of letter is sent when you are referred for a specific job opening by someone you know. The referral cover letter should be tailored to match the requirements of the position and should include information about the person who referred you.

Let’s look at a Referral Cover Letter example!

Subject: Referral for the Sales Associate position

Dear hiring manager,

I am writing to apply for the Sales Associate position at XYZ company. I was referred for the position by [name], who is a current employee of the company.

I have previous experience working in customer service and have proven myself to be a reliable and hardworking employee. I am passionate about sales and enjoy working with people. I am confident that I would be a successful Sales Associate and would be an asset to your team.

If you have any openings in the Sales Associate position, I would appreciate being considered for the role. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

Please refer to our guide on How to include a Referral in your Cover Letter with Examples.

7.) Broadcast Cover Letter :

A broadcast cover letter is a document sent with your resume to companies that are not publicly posting job openings.

This type of cover letter allows you to show how you’d be an asset to the company, even though they haven’t advertised an open position. It’s less formal than a traditional cover letter and is the perfect opportunity to really show off your personality and what makes you stand out from other applicants.

The broadcast cover letter can be used as a networking tool or in cases where you want to send an unsolicited application to a company.

Let’s look at a Broadcast Cover Letter example!

Dear [Recipient Name],

I was excited to see your company name pop up on the list of top software developers in Minneapolis. I’ve been doing my best to make a name for myself as a skilled programmer, and it seems like you’re on the cutting edge of the industry.

I want to be there with you.

For the past three years, I’ve been working with a small team developing an open-source data visualization platform in Python, and we just released our first beta version. We’re hoping to get two million downloads by the end of next month, and I’m proud to say that we’ve already got over half that number in our first week.

I understand that your company produces a large volume of software on tight timelines and budgets. I’d love nothing more than to be a part of your team, working on projects that will help people all over the world use data more effectively—just like I hope our product does.

I have attached my resume for your review. Please feel free to contact me at [phone number] or via email at [email address]. Thank you again for your time and consideration!

Sincerely,

[Your name]

Cover Letter Writing Tips

Now that you know what type of cover letter to use, let’s take a look at how to write a cover letter.

When writing a cover letter, be sure to:

Address the letter to the specific person who is hiring for the position
Mention how you heard about the job opening
State why you are interested in the position
Explain how you are a good fit for the position
Thank the person for their time and consideration

Please refer to our Detailed Guide on How to Write a Cover Letter with Examples and Tips.

Key Takeaways :

As you can see, there are many different types of cover letters and you will want to make sure you are writing the one that is best suited to your situation. It’s up to you to decide what kind of format and content works best for you. Use these examples as a guide and experiment to see what resonates with prospective employers. Your goal is to display your professionalism and make it easy for them to find the information they want on your resume.

And remember, the best cover letters are those that are personal and specific to the company in question. If you can find out any information about the company or the job you’re applying for, use it! The goal of a cover letter is to help a company see how you would benefit their company, and that means doing research and tailoring your letter for them specifically.

Good luck!