Best Cover Letter Examples for U.S. Jobs

If your resume is the first step toward landing a job, your cover letter is what helps you stand out. Many U.S. job seekers make the mistake of either skipping the cover letter or writing one that simply repeats their resume. A strong cover letter can convince a recruiter or hiring manager that you’re the right fit.

In this article, you’ll find the best cover letter examples for U.S. jobs, tips for writing an effective letter, and free templates you can download and edit.

While some companies don’t require a cover letter, in the U.S. it is still considered a professional standard. Submitting a thoughtful letter shows you are serious about the role and willing to put in effort. A well-crafted cover letter can:

Highlight skills not obvious in your resume

Show enthusiasm for the company and role

Explain career changes or gaps in employment

Demonstrate your communication skills

We’ve created ready-to-use cover letters tailored to the most common situations for U.S. job seekers:
Entry-Level Cover Letter Example – For students and recent graduates with little experience.
Professional Cover Letter Example – For candidates with several years of work history.
Executive Cover Letter Example – Tailored to leadership and management roles.
Career Change Cover Letter Example – Perfect for job seekers switching industries.
Creative Cover Letter Example – For marketing, design, or media professionals.

Personalize each letter – Always address it to a hiring manager when possible.

Keep it short – Aim for 3–4 concise paragraphs.

Match it to your resume – Use the same style and formatting as your resume template.

Focus on value – Explain how your skills will benefit the company, not just what you’ve done.

End with a call-to-action – Politely ask for an interview or a chance to discuss further.

Copying your resume word for word.

Writing too long (more than one page).

Using generic openings like “To Whom It May Concern.”

Overly casual or unprofessional tone.