| Phase | What to do | Planning use |
|---|---|---|
| Read the posting | Note the skills and experiences the job description lists, and pick the keywords you can honestly support. | Decide which requirements the letter will answer before you write a sentence. |
| Set the structure | Keep to one page, with a body of 2-3 paragraphs. | Use it as the outline for any letter, whatever the field. |
| Write the paragraphs | Open with the company and the job, then link your studies, projects or part-time work to the role. | Give each paragraph a single purpose so nothing repeats the resume. |
| Check and send | Proofread, because many employers treat the letter as a writing sample. | Leave time for a read-aloud pass before you attach it. |
The figures above come from the University of Illinois Gies College of Business cover letter guidance and Novoresume’s entry-level cover letter guide.
Entry level cover letter examples work best when each paragraph has one job: name the role, connect your studies, projects or part-time work to the posting, and close politely. Keep the letter to one page.
The annotated samples below cover three fields. First, the preparation and structure that make any of them work. For the wider process, see our early career job search tips.
Preparation: read the posting and choose what to prove
An entry-level cover letter is simply the letter you write when applying for an entry-level job. It works only if it answers what the employer asked for. Start with the job description, not a blank page.
- Scan the posting. Look for the required skills and experiences the employer lists, as the Gies guidance recommends.
- Mark the keywords. Circle the terms you can truthfully claim and plan to include some of them in the letter.
- Match evidence to each term. Next to each marked requirement, note a course project, internship, seasonal job or campus activity that shows it.
- Drop what you cannot support. A keyword with no honest evidence behind it does not belong in the letter.
Do employers read entry-level cover letters?
Often, yes, and sometimes the letter decides the outcome. The Gies career resources say many recruiters use the cover letter as a screening tool, so an application can be eliminated without one. Novoresume adds that recruiters receive hundreds of applications daily, which is a reason to make yours quick to scan and specific to the role. Either way, treat it as a document that will be judged, not a formality.
Structure: length, greeting and opening paragraph
How long an entry-level letter should be
Limit the letter to one page. That is the ceiling from the Gies guidance, not a target to fill. Novoresume suggests a body of 2-3 paragraphs for an entry-level letter, and Resume Genius notes that hiring managers are busy, so concision matters in both the letter and the resume. If you are choosing between a fuller second body paragraph and a tighter page, choose the tighter page.
Greeting when you do not know the hiring manager’s name
First try to identify the right person. The Gies guidance says to look for the appropriate person to address when no name is listed. If you cannot find one, use the company’s address and an alternative salutation such as “Dear Hiring Manager.” When you do have a name, a professional greeting that addresses the hiring manager by name is the stronger choice.
The opening paragraph
Your opening paragraph should name the company and the job. The Gies guidance warns that it should not become a biography of your academic history. Novoresume describes the ideal tone as professional but also personal and attention-grabbing. In practice, that means one clear sentence on the role you want and one on why this employer or this work appeals to you.
Content: what to say when your experience is thin
Focus on experiences that align with the role rather than on what you lack, as the Gies guidance puts it. Novoresume frames the letter as your second-best chance, after the resume, to explain why you fit the job, which matters most when the resume is short. Resume Genius’s entry-level sample, written by a recent graduate with limited part-time work experience, follows the same approach: it builds on the qualifications the candidate has rather than apologizing.
Coursework, internships and activities
A recent graduate cover letter should mention coursework and internships, but only where they prove something the posting asks for. The Gies guidance lists college studies, internships, temporary or seasonal work and extracurriculars as material to show how you are prepared. Emphasize the activities you took part in and the responsibilities you held. Avoid leaning on your GPA, grades or other college metrics.
Do not embellish. The same guidance says not to exaggerate accomplishments, skills or qualifications, so describe what you did in plain terms. If the resume already lists a role, use the letter to explain what it taught you in terms the employer cares about. Our guides on a student resume template and a resume with no work experience help make sure the two documents support each other.
Annotated examples by field
These originals are templates written for this page. Replace each bracketed detail with something true about you, and keep each paragraph to its single purpose. Paragraph length targets are relative: together, the body should fit on one page with the greeting and sign-off.
| Paragraph | Purpose | Length target |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | Name the company and job and signal your interest, without a school biography. | Short, a few lines. |
| Body (2-3 paragraphs) | Tie studies, internships, seasonal work or activities to the posting’s keywords. | Most of the page, but never beyond one page in total. |
| Closing | Thank the reader and state your interest in the next step. | Brief, one or two sentences. |
The structure follows the Gies cover letter guidance and Novoresume’s breakdown; each letter below applies it to a different field.
Example one: marketing coordinator
Greeting (purpose: address a named reader). Dear [Hiring manager’s name],
Opening paragraph (purpose: name the job and the company). I am applying for the Marketing Coordinator position at [Company]. Your posting emphasizes social media scheduling and clear writing, two areas I have practiced through [campus publication or student organization].
Body paragraph (purpose: prove the first keyword). In [course or project], I planned and wrote a content calendar for [organization], and I took responsibility for [specific duty]. That work gave me practice with the audience-focused writing your team describes.
Body paragraph (purpose: prove the second keyword). During my [internship or seasonal job], I helped with [task], which taught me to meet deadlines while coordinating with others.
Closing (purpose: invite a next step). Thank you for your time. I would welcome the chance to discuss how I can support your marketing team.
Sincerely, [Your name]
Why it works: every paragraph answers a requirement in the posting, and none of it apologizes for the lack of a full-time marketing title.
Example two: junior accounting or finance role
Greeting (purpose: handle an unknown reader). Dear Hiring Manager,
Opening paragraph (purpose: state the role and a concrete interest). I am writing to apply for the Staff Accountant position at [Company]. The accuracy and reporting responsibilities in your posting match the work I have been preparing for through my accounting studies and [treasurer or volunteer role].
Body paragraph (purpose: show responsibility instead of grades). As treasurer of [student organization], I was responsible for [tracking budgets or reconciling receipts]. I describe this because it shows habits your posting asks for: careful records and dependable follow-through.
Body paragraph (purpose: show tool or method fit). Through [course or internship], I used [software or method named in the posting] to [task]. I would bring that practice to your team while continuing to learn your processes.
Closing (purpose: close politely). Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to talking about how I can contribute.
Sincerely, [Your name]
Why it works: it leads with duties held rather than grades or college metrics, in line with the Gies advice, and uses the posting’s own terms.
Example three: customer support or operations associate
Greeting (purpose: address a named reader found through research). Dear [Name],
Opening paragraph (purpose: connect to the work itself). I am excited to apply for the Customer Support Associate role at [Company]. Helping people solve problems calmly is the part of [part-time job] I valued most, and your posting describes the same priority.
Body paragraph (purpose: evidence from limited work history). In my [seasonal or part-time position], I [handled requests, followed procedures, or trained a new colleague]. I learned to listen first and to keep a clear record of each request.
Body paragraph (purpose: add a school or activity example). In [course or club], I worked with a team on [project], which built the written communication and teamwork skills the posting lists.
Closing (purpose: state interest and thanks). I appreciate your consideration and would be glad to discuss how I can help your support team.
Sincerely, [Your name]
Why it works: it makes a limited, part-time background the evidence rather than a weakness, matching the approach Resume Genius highlights in its entry-level samples.
Final check and submission
The Gies guidance notes that many employers consider the cover letter a writing sample, so proofreading is part of the application, not an extra. Errors in a one-page letter stand out.
- Read it aloud. Awkward phrasing and missing words are easier to hear than to see.
- Check against the posting. Confirm that the company name, job title and keywords match this specific application.
- Compare it with the resume. The letter should explain and connect, not copy bullet points.
- Send both together. Attach the letter and resume in the way the employer’s instructions request.
Troubleshooting common problems
- The letter spills past one page. Cut the academic biography first, then any sentence that repeats the resume.
- It sounds generic. Reread the job description and swap vague claims for the specific requirements you matched earlier.
- It sounds like a list of gaps. Rewrite each negative as the nearest relevant experience you actually have.
- The resume itself is thin. Strengthen it using the resume guides linked above, then let the letter do the explaining.
Frequently asked questions
Should I write a cover letter if the posting does not require one?
Yes, usually. The Gies guidance says it is typically a good idea to write one when applying for jobs, even if the employer does not ask for it.
How does the cover letter relate to my resume?
It introduces the resume. The Gies guidance describes it as an introduction that accompanies the resume and a first chance to communicate with the employer.
Should I apologize for limited experience?
No. Resume Genius’s entry-level sample focuses on the qualifications the candidate has instead of apologizing, which is the model to follow.
