Basic Cover Letter Examples by Job Type
Published September 2019
Writing a pitch-perfect cover letter can be overwhelming—to say the least. Whether you’re applying to 20 companies or just one dream job, I’m sure you’re thinking, “How can I stand out from all those other applicants with my cover letter?”
Believe it or not, differentiating yourself in a cover letter isn’t that hard! In this article, we’ll show you some a few great, basic, and unique cover letter examples to spark inspiration. Oh, and if you want to start at the beginning, you can check out our guide on How to Write a Cover Letter for Internships.
While there is no one-size-fits-all cover letter that’s suitable for every position, these examples will give you a solid place to start. Use them as a guide, but don’t forget to infuse them with your own voice and personality, highlighting what makes you exceptional. The last thing you want to do is submit a generic cover letter! If you’re submitting the same exact cover letter to multiple positions: Stop. You’re doing it wrong.
Before we get to the examples, a quick reminder: The purpose of a cover letter is to tell a company why they should hire you. This requires you to thoroughly read the job description. Think of that description as your cheat sheet, cluing you in on what qualities the employer seeks in an applicant.
The actual content of your cover letter will also vary based on the type of position you’re applying for. Do you have your sights set on a full-time position, a part-time job, or an internship? To illustrate the differences, we’ll show you three different cover letter examples. Plus, we have over 25 awesome cover letter examples, broken out by major and by sector, if you need a little more encouragement.
- Internship Cover Letter
- Part-Time Position Cover Letter
- Entry-Level Position Cover Letter (post-graduate)
The examples below highlight all the important points of these three types of cover letters. To highlight the differences, we’ve chosen to look at graphic design roles.
1. Internship Cover Letter
You’re on Chegg Internships, so chances are you’re quite familiar with internships! Since an internship is a position in an organization where a student can gain work experience, companies don’t expect interns to possess years of experience—but they do want interns who are eager to learn. Because of this, a cover letter for an internship must explain what you want to learn and why you want to learn it. At the same time, you’ll still need to explain how you’ll bring value to the organization.
Let’s look at an example:
Internship Cover Letter Example
Dear [HIRING MANAGER’S FULL NAME],
Growing up, I took a box of markers and a pad of paper everywhere I went, so I should have known I was destined for a career in graphic design. When I discovered the graphic design internship with ABC Company on Chegg Internships, I was immediately drawn to the opportunity to join an organization renowned for its innovation. I can’t wait to gain design experience by executing creative concepts and producing a range of print and digital materials. As a junior majoring in digital arts at University of Utah, I am passionate about developing clients’ visual brands to express their distinct personalities. My coursework, creative leadership, and communication skills make me a qualified applicant for this role.
- Coursework: I’ve completed courses in Visual Art, Art & Technology, Print Media, and Computer Animation.
- Creative leadership: As a member of the art club, I founded Community Craft Nights, held every week to provide a relaxed environment in which students can learn and practice different projects, from calligraphy to scrapbooking.
- Communication skills: As an employee with University of Utah’s Office of Student Life, I work with 25+ student groups to design event materials and handle student outreach.
I am excited by the chance to contribute to ABC Company, honing my design skills and learning from your pioneering team of industry experts as I prepare for a career in graphic design. Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
[FULL NAME]
2. Part-Time Position Cover Letter
According to a study conducted by Georgetown University, approximately 40 percent of undergraduate students work at least 30 hours a week. If you need to secure a part-time job to pay for your education, or simply want to make some spending money, you’ll probably need to write a cover letter. And one more thing: just because the position is part-time doesn’t mean you should spend less time writing and applying!
Here’s an example:
Part-Time Position Cover Letter Example
Dear [HIRING MANAGER’S FULL NAME],
Growing up, I took a box of markers and a pad of paper everywhere I went, so I should have known I was destined to be a graphic designer. After reviewing the posting for a part-time designer and print assistant at XYZ Agency, I am confident that I can add value for the company through my current coursework, creative leadership, and organizational skills.
At present, I am a full-time student at University of Utah, majoring in digital arts. There, my Visual Art and Print Media courses provided me with vital foundational knowledge. As a member of my school’s art club, I founded Community Craft Nights, providing students with a space in which to learn and practice different projects and growing membership from 25 to 32 students in 16 months. These creative leadership and communication skills will allow me to implement innovative solutions with XYZ Agency, while connecting with colleagues to meet their day-to-day needs.
I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you regarding this position. I am primarily available for evening and weekend shifts. I appreciate your time and consideration, and look forward to speaking with you soon.
Sincerely,
[FULL NAME]
>>> Find your next part-time position
3. Entry-Level Position Cover Letter
If you’re counting down the days until graduation, this one’s for you. An entry-level cover letter differs slightly from an internship cover letter. While it’s still important to communicate how the position aligns with your professional goals, you need to place an even greater emphasis on how you’re qualified for the position. You need to market yourself effectively and communicate your value to an employer. In short, convince them to hire you!
Here is an example of what to write:
Entry-Level Cover Letter Example
Dear [HIRING MANAGER’S FULL NAME],
Growing up, I took a box of markers and a pad of paper everywhere I went, so I should have known I was destined for a career in graphic design. When I discovered the assistant graphic design role with ABC Company, I was immediately drawn to the opportunity because it combines my passion for developing clients’ visual brands to express their distinct personalities with my experience producing a range of print and digital materials. In May 2020, I will graduate with a BA in digital arts from University of Utah. My coursework, creative leadership, and communication skills make me a qualified applicant for this role.
In addition to my academic coursework, I have extensive experience in creative leadership. Most recently, I founded University of Utah’s Community Craft Nights, held every week to provide a relaxed environment in which students can learn and practice different projects. I grew membership from 25 to 32 students in 16 months, and I am confident in my ability to achieve similar growth for ABC Company. Lastly, I have strong communication skills, having worked as an employee with University of Utah’s Office of Student Life, partnering with 25+ student groups to design event materials and handle student outreach.
I am excited by the chance to contribute to ABC Company, honing my design skills and providing superlative, creative service to your clients. Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
[FULL NAME]
Whether you’re applying for an internship, part-time position, or full-time job, I hope the above examples inspire you and set you up for cover letter success. The examples in this article are just a stepping stone for you to start writing. Be sure to read our cover letter format guide, which takes you to the next step of the cover letter writing process: formatting and editing.
If you need some more inspiration, check out our internship cover letter examples and entry-level cover letter examples. And remember: you’re a qualified applicant—you just need prove it in your cover letter.
