How to Write a Formal Cover Letter: Examples, Format & Guide

Every job application needs a formal cover letter like the sample in this guide. Without a formal cover letter letter, almost half of all employers will discard a resume. Put the right info in the right places—heading, address, salutation, and the right three paragraphs—to show you’re worth their time.

This guide will show you a formal cover letter sample and the best tips on how to write a formal covering letter step-by-step. Let's get started.

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Sample cover letter for a resume—See more cover letter examples and create your cover letter here.

Sample Formal Cover Letter

That’s a job-getting formal cover letter sample.

Your resume matters, too. See our guide: How to Make a Resume for a Job

Want to see formal cover letter examples for a specific career? See these guides: Best Cover Letter Samples for All Careers

Formal Cover Letter Template

Here’s how to write a cover letter for a formal job application:

1. Choose a professional cover letter format and layout

• Cover letter outline: consisting of three paragraphs.
• First paragraph: mention the job you’re applying to and your biggest work accomplishment.
• Middle paragraph: describe the top ways you fit the job.
• Final paragraph: explain why you want this job and a request for an interview.
• Cover letter font: choose a respected and easily readable font (Trebuchet, Lato, Calibri, Garamond).
• Line spacing: set to 1.15.
• Cover letter margins: 1 inch on all sides of the page.

Read more: Cover Letter Format

2. Create a formal cover letter header

• List your first and last name and job title. Then add your contact information address (including zip code), email, and phone number.
• Include your LinkedIn profile. (87% of hiring managers use LinkedIn to screen job candidates.)
• Add a blank line, the date, another blank line, and then write the hiring manager’s contact details.
• Use the same cover letter header in your resume for continuity and a professional look.

Read more: How to Address a Cover Letter

3. Opening paragraph: say what job you’re applying for

• Start with “Dear [Hiring Manager Name],”, avoid “To Whom It May Concern” cover letters. Again, always try to include the name of hiring manager.
• State the job you’re applying for when writing a cover letter.
• Add your most impressive work accomplishment to keep employers reading.

Read more: How to Start a Cover Letter

4. Middle paragraph: show your understanding of the job

• In the body of your cover letter, mention a top few job duties to show you understand the role.
• Share a few examples of accomplishments that show when you excelled at those tasks.
• Do this right, and the hiring manager will get excited about your resume.

How should your cover letter look? See our guide: What Does a Good Cover Letter Look Like?

5. Prove you really want this job

• Show you’re interested in this job with this company.
• To do it, share something you like about the company.
• Can’t think of anything? Check their mission statement and find recent news about them online.
• This step proves you’ll be committed and hard working.
• You can actually do it in any paragraph, or in every paragraph. Passion helps to sell you as a candidate.

Did you know? The fastest-growing careers are in green energy, healthcare, and information security. That’s according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

6. Last paragraph: end your formal cover letter with an offer

• Ask for a meeting or call to discuss the role further.
• Reference a couple more of your skills and show how they can help your prospective employer.   
• Promise to help the organization reach an important goal or overcome a challenge.

Read more: The Best Cover Letter Endings

7. Add a professional sign-off at the bottom of the page

• End your cover letter with, “Best regards,”
• Include a digital version of your signature for extra professionalism.
• Add your name, phone, and email at the bottom.

Follow up your cover letter within a week, so they don’t forget about you. Learn more: Job Application Follow-Up Email Templates

Creating a resume with our builder is incredibly simple. Choose a resume template and follow our step-by-step guidance to have a professional resume ready in minutes.

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When you’re done, our online resume builder will score your resume and our resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.

Questions? Concerns? We’re here for you. If you’re still unsure how to write a job-winning cover letter for formal applications, drop me a line in the comments.

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This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

Sources

• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/fastest-growing.htm