A Basic Cover Letter Template That Still Works
Use this basic cover letter template to write a clear, tailored letter fast, with examples, customization tips, and mistakes to avoid.
A basic cover letter still works when it does three things well: names the job, proves you can do it, and gives the hiring team a clear reason to keep reading your resume. It does not need a flashy layout, a dramatic opening, or five paragraphs of career history.
If you searched for a cover letter basic template because you need something simple and dependable, use the version below. Then customize the bracketed sections so it sounds specific to the role, not copied from the internet.
Copy-ready basic cover letter template
[Your Name]
[Phone Number] | [Email Address] | [LinkedIn or Portfolio] | [City, State]
[Date]
[Hiring Manager Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address or City, State]
Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
I’m excited to apply for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. In my [current role, recent training, or years of experience] as a [your role or background], I have developed strengths in [Skill 1], [Skill 2], and [Skill 3]. What stood out to me about this opportunity is [specific reason tied to the company, team, or job posting], and I believe my experience with [most relevant responsibility or achievement] would help your team [goal or outcome related to the role].
In my recent work at [Company, School, Organization, or Project], I [specific action you took] that led to [measurable result or concrete outcome]. I also [second relevant action or skill] by [brief example]. These experiences match your need for someone who can [requirement from the job posting] while [another requirement, value, or team priority].
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my background can support [Company Name] in [goal related to the role]. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
If you are sending your cover letter in the body of an email, you can remove the address block and date. Keep the greeting, the three short paragraphs, and your signature.
Why this basic cover letter template still works
A strong cover letter is not supposed to repeat your resume. Its job is to connect your resume to this specific job. Hiring teams are usually scanning for fit, clarity, and proof. A simple structure helps them find those things quickly.
| Template section | What it does | What to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Opening paragraph | Shows the role, company, and your strongest fit | “I am writing to apply” with no specific detail |
| Proof paragraph | Gives evidence that you can do the work | A long list of duties copied from your resume |
| Company connection | Explains why this role or employer makes sense | Empty praise like “your company is amazing” |
| Closing paragraph | Invites the next step professionally | Pushy language or vague endings |
The basic format also works because it is easy to tailor. You can use the same structure for different jobs, but the details inside each paragraph should change. That balance saves time without making your application look mass-produced.
For more layout guidance, you can also review this guide to the cover letter format hiring managers expect.
How to customize the template in minutes
The fastest way to make a basic template sound personal is to pull language directly from the job posting, then connect it to one or two real examples from your background. You do not need to rewrite your entire career story. You only need to show why you are relevant now.
Start with the job, not with yourself
A weak opening focuses only on the applicant. A stronger opening connects the applicant to the employer’s need.
| Generic opening | Better opening |
|---|---|
| I am writing to apply for the Marketing Coordinator position. | I’m excited to apply for the Marketing Coordinator position at Brightline because the role combines campaign execution, analytics, and cross-team coordination, three areas I used daily in my internship with a regional ecommerce brand. |
| I believe I would be a great fit for your company. | My background in customer onboarding and support documentation aligns closely with your need for someone who can improve the first 90 days of the client experience. |
| Please consider me for this role. | I would bring hands-on experience in scheduling, vendor communication, and detail-heavy project tracking to your Operations Assistant role. |
A basic cover letter becomes much stronger when the first paragraph names something specific: the department, product, mission, job requirement, or challenge mentioned in the posting.
Choose one proof point, not every achievement
The middle paragraph is where many cover letters become too long. Instead of summarizing your resume, choose one strong example that matches the role.
A useful proof sentence follows this pattern:
In [context], I [action] using [skill or tool], which resulted in [outcome].
For example:
In my customer service role, I created a shared response guide for the five most common billing questions, which helped new team members answer customers more consistently during peak hours.
If you do not have metrics, use concrete evidence instead. Mention the size of the team, the type of project, the tools used, the audience served, the deadline, or the problem solved. Specific beats impressive-sounding every time.
Match the job posting without copying it
You should echo important language from the job description, especially skills and responsibilities. But do not paste entire phrases into your letter without context. The hiring team wants to know how you have used those skills.
If the posting asks for “strong stakeholder communication,” do not simply write, “I have strong stakeholder communication skills.” Instead, write something like:
I regularly coordinated updates between sales, support, and product teams, turning customer feedback into weekly notes that helped the team prioritize fixes.
That sentence proves communication through an example. It is more convincing than a claim.
A finished example using the basic template
Here is what the template looks like after it has been customized for a real role.
Jordan Lee
(555) 214-9081 | jordan.lee@email.com | linkedin.com/in/jordanlee | Denver, CO
May 15, 2026
Hiring Manager
Northstar Digital
Denver, CO
Dear Hiring Manager,
I’m excited to apply for the Customer Success Associate position at Northstar Digital. In my current support role, I have developed strengths in client communication, issue tracking, and onboarding documentation. What stood out to me about this opportunity is your focus on helping small businesses adopt new software with confidence, and I believe my experience translating technical steps into clear customer guidance would help your team improve the onboarding experience.
In my recent role at ClearPath Services, I supported customers through account setup, billing questions, and product troubleshooting across email and live chat. I also created a short internal guide for common setup issues, which helped our team respond more consistently to new-user questions. These experiences match your need for someone who can communicate clearly with non-technical customers while keeping accurate notes for product and support teams.
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my background can support Northstar Digital’s customer success goals. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Jordan Lee
Notice that this example is simple. It does not use complex formatting or exaggerated language. It works because it is clear, specific, and easy to scan.
Basic cover letter variations for different situations
The same structure can work for most applicants, but your opening angle should change depending on your situation.
| Situation | What to emphasize | Example angle |
|---|---|---|
| Recent graduate | Coursework, projects, internships, leadership, volunteer work | “My capstone project in data visualization gave me practical experience turning raw survey results into usable insights.” |
| Career changer | Transferable skills and a clear reason for the shift | “My background in retail management has given me direct experience with team training, scheduling, and customer escalation, which aligns with your HR Coordinator role.” |
| Referral | The connection and why it strengthened your interest | “After speaking with Maya Patel about the team’s upcoming expansion, I was especially interested in the project coordination side of this role.” |
| Employment gap | Current readiness and relevant recent activity | “During my career break, I completed a project management certificate and supported a local nonprofit with event planning and donor tracking.” |
| Internal applicant | Company knowledge and proven performance | “Having supported the operations team for two years, I understand the systems, priorities, and communication style this role requires.” |
If you were recently laid off and are unsure whether to mention it, keep the focus on your qualifications unless the gap needs brief context. This guide on writing a cover letter after a layoff explains how to handle that situation without overexplaining.
Formatting rules for a basic cover letter
Simple formatting is usually best. Applicant tracking systems and busy hiring teams favor readable documents over decorative designs.
| Formatting element | Best practice |
|---|---|
| Length | 200 to 350 words for most roles |
| Page count | One page maximum |
| Paragraphs | 3 short paragraphs, or 4 if needed |
| Font | Simple fonts like Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, or Times New Roman |
| Font size | 10.5 to 12 points |
| Margins | Around 1 inch when submitting as a document |
| File name | FirstName-LastName-Cover-Letter.pdf |
| Tone | Professional, direct, and natural |
If the application system asks for a PDF, save it as a PDF unless the employer requests another format. If you are pasting the letter into a form field, remove extra spacing and check that special characters copied correctly.
What to remove from a basic cover letter
A basic template should not become a generic template. Before sending, remove anything that does not help the hiring team understand your fit.
Avoid these common lines:
- “I am a hardworking and passionate professional.”
- “I think outside the box.”
- “I am the perfect candidate for this role.”
- “As you can see from my resume...”
- “I have always dreamed of working for your company.”
These phrases are not always wrong, but they are usually unsupported. Replace them with evidence. Instead of saying you are hardworking, show what you completed. Instead of saying you are passionate, explain what specifically interests you about the role.
Quick checklist before you send
Use this final review to make sure your letter is basic in the right way: clean, focused, and professional.
- The company name and job title are correct.
- The first paragraph mentions a specific reason for applying.
- The middle paragraph includes at least one real example.
- The letter does not repeat your resume line by line.
- The tone sounds like you, not like a generic template.
- The letter is under one page.
- The file name is professional.
- You proofread names, dates, and contact details.
If you want more examples across roles and industries, this collection of cover letter examples that got interviews can help you see how different applicants adapt the same basic idea.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a basic cover letter template too simple? No. A basic cover letter template is often stronger than an overly designed or overly long letter. The key is customization. A simple letter with one specific company detail and one relevant proof point is more effective than a polished but generic letter.
Can I use the same cover letter template for every job? You can use the same structure, but you should not send the exact same text. Change the job title, company name, opening reason, and proof point for each application.
How long should a basic cover letter be? For most jobs, aim for 200 to 350 words. If the role is entry-level or the application is high-volume, shorter can be better. If the role is senior, specialized, or requires explaining a transition, you may need closer to one full page.
What if I do not know the hiring manager’s name? Use “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear [Department] Team.” Avoid outdated greetings like “To Whom It May Concern” unless the application is very formal and no team information is available.
Should my cover letter be an attachment or an email body? Follow the employer’s instructions first. If no instructions are given, attach a PDF for formal applications. If you are emailing someone directly, you can use a shorter version in the email body and attach your resume.
Can AI help me write a basic cover letter? Yes, as long as you personalize the draft. AI can help with structure, tone, and wording, but you should add real examples, company-specific details, and your natural voice before sending.
Create a polished cover letter faster
A basic cover letter works best when it is simple, specific, and tailored to the job. If you want to skip the blank page, LetterCraft AI can generate a personalized cover letter in under 30 seconds.
Choose your letter type, add a few details about the role and your background, select the tone you want, and get a ready-to-edit draft. LetterCraft AI supports 65+ letter types, PDF export, letter history tracking, multiple tone options, and 5 languages. It is free to try with no credit card required, and it uses simple one-time pricing instead of subscriptions.