Cover letter examples

What does a simple, basic cover letter look like?

A plain, one-page cover letter template with the five parts every letter needs and a note on what to change each time you use it.

A basic cover letter does not need a clever opening or a design. It needs five parts in order, each doing one job, and details that change for every application. The template below is deliberately plain so it works for most jobs, from retail to office roles.

The template below is fictional. Replace every [bracketed] detail with your own and change the evidence paragraph for each job.

The five parts of a basic cover letter

  • Header: your name and contact details, the date, and the employer's name.
  • Greeting: the hiring manager's name if you know it, or "Dear Hiring Team".
  • Opening: the job you are applying for and one sentence on why you fit.
  • Evidence: one or two paragraphs linking a requirement in the posting to something you did.
  • Close: availability, thanks and your name.

Basic cover letter template (fictional)

[Your Name] · [Phone] · [Email] · [City]

[Date]

[Hiring manager's name], [Company], [City]

Dear [Name or Hiring Team],

I am applying for the [Job title] position advertised on [where you saw it]. I have [experience, qualification or project] that matches what you are looking for.

In my role at [employer, school or volunteer place], I [task you did] for [who], which [result]. Your posting mentions [requirement], and this is work I have done regularly.

I am available to start [date] and would be glad to discuss the role. Thank you for considering my application.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

What to change every time

  • The job title, company name and where you saw the vacancy.
  • The evidence paragraph: pick the example closest to this posting.
  • The greeting, if you can find the hiring manager's name.
  • Nothing else should need to change, which is what makes a basic template useful.
Is a basic cover letter good enough?

For most jobs, yes. A clear, specific basic letter beats a long, generic one. What matters is that the evidence paragraph fits this job.

How long should a simple cover letter be?

Three to four short paragraphs, well under a page.

Can I use this template in Word?

Yes. Copy the text into Word or Google Docs, replace every bracket and save it as a PDF before sending.

See how to pair it with your resume in the cover letter for resume example, or open the cover letter builder with a matching template.