Student Cover Letter Examples and Templates for 2023

Written by: Jacob Meade (CPRW, ACRW)
Updated: April 19, 2023

Downloadable Examples
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Jacob Meade

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, ACRW)

Jacob Meade is a resume writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience. His writing method centers on understanding and then expressing each person’s unique work history and strengths toward their career goal. Jacob has enjoyed working with jobseekers of all ages and career levels, finding that a clear and focused resume can help people from any walk of life. He is an Academy Certified Resume Writer (ACRW) with the Resume Writing Academy, and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches.

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A good cover letter can be crucial in landing your first full-time job when you’re just out of college. But many young jobseekers spend far less time on their cover letter than on their resume. The result is that entry-level cover letters often come off as a faint echo of a resume rather than a ringing endorsement. They can make the hiring manager less not more inclined to read your resume or call you for an interview.

You can easily avoid this pitfall, however. Just take some time to get specific about your goals and the points you want to showcase. By giving your cover letter a clear focus up front, you can inject it with the confidence and relevance that makes hiring managers eager to give you a call.

The following guide can help you get a strong start on writing your cover letter. Read on for three cover letter examples and three key strategies that make them effective.

Downloadable Cover Letter Examples

Example #1
Student_Example-1.pdf

Example #1

Example #2
Student_Example-2.pdf

Example #2

Example #3
Student_Example-3.pdf

Example #3

Student Text-Only Cover Letters

Years of Experience
  • Example #1 #1
  • Example #2 #2
  • Example #3 #3

Liam Greene
(555) 789-1234 | [email protected] | 678 Your Street, Boston, MA 20138

Friday, August 12, 2022

Mx. Pat Martin
Hiring Manager
Biotech Engineering Inc.
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]

Dear Mx. Martin:

Recently as a member of Boston University’s robotics club, I co-designed a robot that won our intercollegiate competition. I’d love to uphold that same standard of quality and innovation at your engineering firm.

Your job posting jumped out at me, particularly the call for someone who “wants to build human-technology interfaces to help those stricken with disabling diseases.” During the course of my education and work activities, I’ve gained a strong knowledge base and interest in robotics, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence. Below are four more highlights from my experience to date:

  • As a research intern for Wallops NASA Flight Facility, created a program to detect conductivity that may impact satellite launch times
  • In the same role, designed prototype of Mars Mission with other research interns
  • Recently completed Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering with honors from Boston University
  • Extensive formal and independent education on data modeling and structural analysis

I’d appreciate the chance to discuss how I can contribute to your firm. Please call or email me to schedule an interview. I appreciate your time and look forward to speaking with you.

Sincerely,
Liam Greene

Walter Thomas
(555) 123-4567 | [email protected] | 678 Your Street, Boulder, CO 98765

Friday, August 12, 2022

Mr. Matthew Johnson
Hiring Manager
SSB Client Services, Inc.
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]

Dear Mr. Johnson:

As a retail sales assistant, I recently won “Employee of the Month” for excellent customer relations and new hire training. I’d love to bring that same level of service to your company.

Your job posting caught my attention, particularly the call for someone “experienced in customer relations that require tact, enthusiasm, and a strong work ethic.” Those are three core qualities I’ve demonstrated most during my school and work experience, which include these three highlights:

  • Provided top-quality customer service as a Banana Republic retail sales assistant, helping the store earn a 97% satisfaction rating
  • In the same role, trained and coached new staff on effective sales and product promotion strategies
  • Recently finished BA degree from the University of Colorado-Boulder with a 3.95 GPA

I’d welcome the chance to speak with you further about how I can help your business grow positive client relationships. I appreciate your time and look forward to possibly hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,
Walter Thomas

Ellen Bibo
(555) 765-4321 | [email protected] | 234 Your Street, Atlanta, GA 12345

Friday, August 12, 2022

Mr. Hector Santos
Hiring Manager
The Atlanta Journal
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]

Dear Mr. Santos:

Recently as assistant editor of Columbia Journalism School’s student newspaper, The Bronx Beat, I redesigned our Facebook page for more timely reporting of top stories. I’d be thrilled to uphold that same standard of efficiency and innovation at your paper.

I’m a deadline-driven professional who takes pride in delivering high-quality written content. Above all, I’m passionate about informing and engaging readers. Below are four highlights from my experience to date:

  • Recently completed Master’s Degree with honors from Columbia University Journalism School
  • As an editorial intern for Wilkins & Wilkins (New York), polished final drafts of speeches given by the firm’s partners
  • In the same role, met 100% of deadlines for press releases and other PR materials
  • As assistant editor of The Bronx Beat, devised a faster process for choosing and assigning student newspaper articles based on writer availability

Please see the attached resume for a complete overview of my background and the skills I offer. I look forward to hearing from you and possibly learning more about this opportunity soon.

Sincerely,
Ellen Bibo

Student Cover Letter Tips

Below are three key tips to follow in working on your cover letter for entry-level positions:

1. Center on your top experience

Give the hiring manager at least an outline of your recent experience on your resume. But on the cover letter, you can train their attention on whatever you like. So, step back for a minute and think of your very top credential for the job. Is it your college education? Or an internship or volunteer experience? Or something else? Whatever your top credential is, make it your letter’s primary focus. You may view this as a form of “cherry-picking,” but it fulfills the primary purpose of a cover letter: to intrigue hiring managers and have them take in the broader career overview of your resume.

2. Strike a confident tone

Cover letters work best when they project confidence. But many entry-level applicants start their cover letter with a timid line like “Please accept my enclosed application to your advertised [Job Title] opening.” Phrases like this are the written equivalent of a clammy handshake. You’ll need a more confident tone if you want to really catch the hiring manager’s attention. Luckily, there’s a simple way to do this. Start your letter by citing a specific, impressive achievement from your previous experience.

Example

Dear Mr. Johnson:

As a retail sales assistant, I recently won “Employee of the Month” for excellent customer relations and new hire training. I’d love to bring that same level of service to your company.

3. Show your interest in the company

You can boost your cover letter by directly expressing your interest in the job at hand. A great way to do this: Quote text right from the job posting, then explain how it aligns with your background. By tailoring your letter this way, you can show the hiring manager you’re specifically interested in their organization.

Example

Your job posting jumped out at me, particularly the call for someone who “wants to build human-technology interfaces to help those stricken with disabling diseases.” During the course of my education and work activities, I’ve gained a strong knowledge base and interest in robotics, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence.

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