Free cover letter templates

Why choose our cover letter templates?

After helping millions of job-seekers around the world, we know how the right job can change lives. That's why we've created compelling cover letter templates that both impress and engage employers. With elegant and professional designs, we can help you create a job-winning cover letter in minutes. 

Here are some of the most unique features of our free cover letter templates:

• Professionally Designed Templates: To cater to the diverse needs and expectations of modern job seekers, our team of professional graphic designers are constantly refining, updating and adding new cover letters to our online cover letter builder.  From modern and creative designs to more professional and simple templates, we’ve got something for everyone.
• Recruiter-Approved Designs: Our partnership with HR and recruitment specialists helps us ensure that our cover letter templates align with the criteria set by employers. By tracking modern employment trends and collaborating with career professionals, we can tailor and modify our templates to cater to the preferences of modern job seekers. 
• Easily Customisation Tools: As part of our commitment to providing our community of job-seekers with high-quality career resources, our online cover letter builder helps applicants customise their cover letters with ease. We have a range of easy-to-use tools and features in our online builder to help you create a cover letter that leaves a positive impression on employers.
• AI-Powered Resources: By integrating pre-written, AI-powered content directly into the cover letter builder, we make it easy to create compelling cover letter content. Additionally, our helpful spelling and grammar checker helps eliminate the risk of typos, so you can type with confidence. 

Choosing the right cover letter template

Each candidate and role is unique, which means that a generic cover letter just won't cut it. For this reason, we've created a diverse collection of cover letter templates with dazzling designs for every professional: 

1. Simple: Our simple cover letter templates are timeless classics that are suitable for a diverse range of roles and individuals. Ideal for students, entry-level job seekers, and those in industries such as hospitality, transportation, logistics, and retail, these templates offer the perfect blend of practicality, versatility and professionalism. 
2. Modern: For industries that value creativity and innovative presentation, our modern cover letter templates are the optimal choice. With clean lines, sophisticated fonts and elegant design layouts, our modern templates are best for professionals in IT, marketing, administration, and sales.
3. Creative: If your industry or job title demands a more bold or unconventional approach, be sure to explore our collection of creative cover letter templates. With vibrant colour schemes, striking fonts, and attractive headers, these templates will ensure your cover letter leaves a big impression upon employers. Ideal for professionals in fields such as film and television, design, photography, art, architecture, content creation, and any position where showcasing your personality is essential. 
4. Professional: Our professional templates feature conventional designs, timeless designs and structured sections that can help bring your cover letter to life. With standard font options and flawless formatting, our professional cover letter templates are best for job-seekers applying for jobs in industries such as business, medicine, education, engineering, accounting, and finance.

What makes a good cover letter template?

A strong cover letter template uses a blend of different structural and design elements to highlight a candidate's skills and qualifications for the job role. While strong written content is essential, here are a few other important components of a cover letter:

An attention-grabbing header: An exceptional cover letter template should have a header that highlights an applicant's name and contact information. Whether situated at the top or at the side of the page, the header should include important contact details, such as a phone number, email address, and links to the candidate's LinkedIn profile or portfolio website.

Balanced white space to text: An outstanding cover letter template must be both well-crafted and visually appealing, striking a perfect balance between text and white space. It's also important that paragraphs are organised in a logical manner and that margins are properly formatted. 

Sensible fonts: The best cover letters use font styles that are easy to read and suitable for the industry or job position they're applying for. Fortunately, all of our cover letter templates have been designed by industry experts, so you don’t have to worry about frustrating formatting. 

Appropriate colour scheme: While it depends on the specific job role and industry you’re applying to, adding a touch of colour can help enhance the overall visual appeal of your cover letter. CVapp.ie offers cover letter templates with attractive colour palettes and design options, so you can get noticed by employers faster. 

Cover Letter FAQs

How do I format my cover letter? 

A good cover letter format is designed to captivate the hiring manager's attention by incorporating an attractive layout, a clear and easy-to-read font, and concise yet comprehensive information showcasing your experience and qualifications. All of our templates are customisable and designed by industry-experts to meet the expectations of employers, so be sure to browse through our cover letter templates in our online cover letter builder.

Main sections of a cover letter

Before you get started, it’s important to know what sections to include in your cover letter. Be sure to include the following: 

1. A warm, polite greeting: How potential employers are greeted at the beginning of the cover letter. For example, “Dear Mr. Gallagher.” 
    
2. An engaging introduction: Your opening sentences that introduce you to employers and indicate what position you are applying for.
    
3. Strong body paragraphs: The main paragraphs of the cover letter where you should discuss your professional experience and the reasons why you're the right candidate for the job. When possible and appropriate, it’s important to include examples backed by facts, figures and strong action verbs. 
    
4. An appropriate conclusion and sign-off: Your final sentences that express interest for the role, followed by your full name as a signature. For example, “Kind regards, Connor O’Grady.” In this section, it's also important to include a strong call-to-action statement that encourages employers to reach out at a later stage.

How long should my cover letter be? 

For an effective cover letter, aim to write about 250-350 words, or around three succinct paragraphs. Going below this word count could result in a lack of clarity about your qualifications, while exceeding it may cause the reader to lose interest before finishing your letter.

Is there anything I should avoid when crafting my cover letter?

Are cover letters really necessary?

Writing cover letters remains one of the most effective ways to improve your chances of securing the job you're applying for. Since cover letters are more free-form than CVs, you can elaborate upon details in your CV and address employers directly. 

Though not every hiring manager may read cover letters, those who do often use them to assess candidates for potential interviews. We encourage all applicants to write a cover letter to help illustrate their qualifications and reiterate their interest in the position they’re applying for, 

How should I end my cover letter? 

We highly recommend concluding your cover letter with a strong call-to-action statement. This statement can help showcase your enthusiasm for the job and encourages the hiring manager to reach out to schedule an interview. 

To conclude your cover letter effectively, finish with a sign-off like "Warm wishes" or "Best regards," along with your full name.

What if I don’t know the name of my hiring manager? 

While using the name of your hiring manager in your cover letter is the most effective way to establish a personal connection with your recipient, sometimes companies don’t disclose this information. In these situations, it's best to opt for a more generic greeting, such as "Dear (Business Name) Hiring Team" or "Dear (Department Name) Team Lead."