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Cover Letter Template Reference

Cover Letter Template Reference

Access to Jobs — Workforce Navigator — Module 3

flowchart TD subgraph CL ["Cover Letter Structure"] P1["Paragraph 1: HOOK<br/>Why this company + role<br/>DO NOT start with 'My name is...'"] P2["Paragraph 2: PROOF<br/>2-3 accomplishments matched to JD<br/>Quantify. Mirror JD keywords."] P3["Paragraph 3: FIT<br/>Why this company specifically<br/>Mission, values, reputation"] P4["Paragraph 4: CLOSE<br/>Confident, not begging<br/>Request next step"] end P1 --> P2 --> P3 --> P4 style P1 fill:#2563eb,color:#fff style P2 fill:#059669,color:#fff style P3 fill:#7c3aed,color:#fff style P4 fill:#d97706,color:#fff

STRUCTURE (3–4 paragraphs, under 400 words)

Paragraph 1 — HOOK

  • State the exact job title and where you found it
  • One sentence on why this company/role specifically appeals to you
  • Do NOT start with "My name is..." or "I am writing to apply..."

Paragraph 2 — PROOF (strongest paragraph)

  • 2–3 concrete accomplishments that match the JD requirements
  • Quantify where possible
  • Mirror language from the job description

Paragraph 3 — FIT (optional but recommended)

  • Why this company specifically (mission, values, reputation, location)
  • Connect your background to their needs in 1–2 sentences

Paragraph 4 — CLOSE

  • Confident, not begging
  • Request next step (interview, call, conversation)
  • Thank them briefly
  • Sign off: Sincerely, / Best regards, / With appreciation,

FULL TEMPLATE

[Date]

[Hiring Manager Name or "Hiring Team"]
[Company Name]
[Company Address if known]

Re: Application for [Job Title]

Dear [Hiring Manager Name / Hiring Team],

[HOOK: Opening sentence connecting to company + role. 1–2 sentences.]

[PROOF: 2–3 accomplishments. "In my role as [X], I [action verb] which resulted in [outcome]."
Keep each to 1–2 sentences. Use numbers when available.]

[FIT: Why this company. Connect their mission or reputation to your background.]

I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience can contribute to [Company Name].
Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[Full Name]
[Phone] | [Email]

TONE VARIANTS

Professional (default)

Formal, confident, clear. No contractions. No slang. Best for: corporate, government, healthcare, finance roles.

Confident

Direct, results-first, assertive but not arrogant. Best for: sales, management, technical roles.

Friendly

Warm, conversational, still professional. Best for: nonprofits, education, social services, retail.

COMMON MISTAKES

  • Starting with "I" (weak opener)
  • Summarizing the resume instead of adding to it
  • Generic letters not tailored to the company
  • Over-explaining employment gaps (address briefly or not at all)
  • Ending with "I hope to hear from you" (passive — replace with confident CTA)

Nonpartisan informational resource for Missouri — District 2 — not legal, medical, or financial advice. Source: dougdevitre/access-to-jobs.

Paid for by Matt Grant for Congress.