Proven Cover Letter Formats That Deliver First Interviews
Get your foot in the door of your preferred employers and grab the job of your dreams. Our cover letter formats strike the right balance between showcasing your skills and making a great first impression.
Cover Letter Formatting Made Easy
Get yourself in front of the interviewer — show them you have what it takes. But that first part isn’t easy. Here’s a simple way to stand out.
How do you impress prospective employers when you have dozens of competitors? A free cover letter format from LetsMakeCV could be the key to success.
Common questions we answer
- What goes where?
- How do you introduce yourself?
- What’s the best way to introduce your key skills and achievements?
- How do you leave a lasting impression when signing off?
These are all questions we’ve already answered — that’s why our cover letter formats are the best in the business!
Standard Cover Letters
Need a great base for a universal cover letter format? We’ve got you covered. Our standard options are suitable for most roles and industries. They offer the perfect balance between work history, skills, and qualifications — and they have a proven track record of landing interviews.
What’s included?
- Contact information
- Date
- Employer’s details
- Formal greeting
- Impactful opening paragraph
- Two paragraphs for the body of the cover letter
- A closing paragraph that leaves a lasting impression
- A professional sign-off
Take a look at a cover letter format example to see if this is the right option for your application. It’s perfect for professional services such as legal, healthcare, and finance. If you can’t decide which type of cover letter to go with, this is your best bet.
Academic Cover Letters
Pursuing a position in academia? Our academic cover letter formats are designed to highlight your achievements and demonstrate your suitability for the educational role in question. Tailored for roles in research, teaching, and higher education, these formats emphasize intellectual contributions and your long-term academic vision.
What’s included
- Header with academic credentials
- Formal greeting
- Statement of interest
- Research experience and interests
- Teaching philosophy and experience
- Service and professional activities
- Future goals
- Request for an interview
Explore an academic cover letter format example to ensure it fits your scholarly profile. Ideal for applications in fields such as humanities, sciences, and social studies, this format shines when you need to demonstrate depth in research and teaching.
Creative Cover Letters
Our creative cover letter formats infuse personality and flair while maintaining professionalism, perfect for roles that value innovation and originality. These formats have a track record of capturing attention from hiring managers in dynamic industries.
What’s included
- Visual header or brand element
- Creative but professional salutation
- Opening that showcases personality
- Body highlighting creative achievements
- Portfolio or work samples reference
- Call-to-action for next steps
- Unique sign-off with personal touch
Ideal for jobs in graphic design, marketing, journalism, entertainment, and design, these creative cover letters help you blend artistry with substance. Take a peek at a creative cover letter format example to ignite your own ideas.
Digital Cover Letters
These digital cover letter formats are optimized for online applications, direct emails, and modern communication channels. They help you deliver a concise, impactful message that captures attention quickly.
What’s included
- Professional email subject line
- Concise opening paragraph
- One body paragraph highlighting key qualifications
- Brief closing with call-to-action
- Professional email signature
- Attachment note for resume
Candidates have successfully used these cover letter formats to get jobs via online portals, LinkedIn, networking emails, cold outreach campaigns, and referral-based applications.
How Does Each Cover Letter Format Compare
Still not sure which cover letter format is right for you? Compare the four different options below.
| Format | Best For | Length | Tone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Business | Corporate, Traditional Industries | 3–4 paragraphs | Formal, Professional |
| Academic | Education, Research | 1–2 pages | Scholarly, Detailed |
| Creative | Design, Media, Arts | Varies | Personable, Innovative |
| Digital/Email | Online Applications | 2–3 paragraphs | Conversational, Concise |
How to Format a Cover Letter the Right Way
We know how to create cover letters that deliver interviews. Follow these tips to maximize your chances of success.
Save as a PDF
Save as PDF to preserve formatting across devices and avoid surprises for the hiring manager.
Perfect the Structure
Structure with contact info, greeting, engaging opening, 2–3 body paragraphs, and strong closing.
Name Your Attachments
Name files clearly and distinctly for quick recruiter identification.
Watch Your File Sizes
Keep sizes under 1MB by optimizing images and fonts for fast loading.
Stay Consistent
Use matching fonts, colors, and formatting across all materials for a polished image.
Proofread Your Application
Proofread repeatedly or get feedback to fix errors that damage credibility.
Choose Your Ideal Cover Letter Format. Land the Job of Your Dreams
Our professionally formatted cover letters are designed to get you noticed and make a lasting first impression. Download yours today.
