Cover Letter Kit
Two free templates you can download now, plus power verbs, dos & don’ts, and a plug-in paragraph for career changers.
Power Verb List
Instead of “Responsible for…”, consider stronger, specific action verbs:
- Led — “Led a team of five…”
- Created — “Created a new filing system…”
- Implemented — “Implemented a customer service ticketing tool…”
- Streamlined — “Streamlined onboarding processes…”
- Facilitated — “Facilitated team training workshops…”
- Improved — “Improved data accuracy by 35%…”
- Collaborated — “Collaborated across departments…”
- Managed — “Managed calendars, budgets, and travel logistics…”
- Increased — “Increased social media engagement by 50%…”
- Resolved — “Resolved 95% of support tickets within 24 hours…”
- Orchestrated — “Orchestrated a multi-department project launch, ensuring all deliverables were completed ahead of schedule.”
- Drafted — “Drafted internal policies and training materials to support…”
- Secured — “Secured vendor partnerships that reduced annual costs by 18%.”
- Compiled — “Compiled monthly executive reports using data from 5+ departments for leadership review.”
Do / Don’t
Do
- Address the hiring manager by name if possible.
- Tailor the letter to each job.
- Use numbers or outcomes.
- Mention why you like the company.
- Keep it to 3–4 short paragraphs.
- Use a professional, friendly tone.
Don’t
- Use “To Whom It May Concern” unless you have no choice.
- Copy/paste the same letter to every company.
- Say “I’m a hard worker” without proof.
- Only talk about yourself — tie to their needs.
- Write a full page or dense block of text.
- Be overly casual or robotic.
Plug-in Paragraph for Career Changers
While my background is in [Previous Field], I’ve developed transferable skills such as [Relevant Skill #1] and [Skill #2], which directly apply to this role. I’ve also completed [Course, Certification, or Project] to strengthen my qualifications in [New Industry]. I’m excited to bring a fresh perspective and strong work ethic to [Company Name] as I pivot into this new opportunity.
Cover Letter Tips
- Open with a relevant hook (recent project, impact, or referral).
- Mirror language from the job description naturally (skills, tools, outcomes).
- Use 1–2 short body paragraphs with quantified examples.
- Close with next steps (availability, enthusiasm, value you’ll bring).
- Match formatting to your resume for a consistent “brand.”
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