Examples of Great and Mediocre Cover Letters

Examples of cover letters explaining why they are classified as mediocre or excellent are extremely useful. This format goes beyond stating generic writing tips by showing practical applications of those tips. Reading through real-life examples allows candidates to discern the subtleties and nuances that make a cover letter stand out or fall flat, teaching them how to inject personality, relevance, and clarity into their writing.

This article is for individuals aiming to refine their cover letter writing skills to enhance their job-seeking effectiveness. 

Jobalope’s personally customized cover letter creator can turn your career journey and skills into a unique value proposition that will help you stand out from the crowd.

We hope these examples serve as templates or inspiration. For someone uncertain about how to start or structure their cover letter or simply wanting to improve their already good letters, seeing concrete examples provides a framework they can adapt to their own experiences and the positions they’re applying for. It’s one thing to know what components make up a good letter; it’s another to see those components in action. Presenting numerous examples with thorough explanations helps candidates develop a more concrete yet nuanced understanding of what makes a cover letter effective. 

Let’s dive in with three examples of great cover letters and three examples of mediocre cover letters and explanations that point out the specific way in which these examples succeed or fail at their task.

Mediocre Cover Letters

Example 1

To Whom It May Concern,

I am applying for the Project Manager position I saw advertised on your website. I am confident that my skills are well-aligned with the role and that I would be an excellent fit for your organization.

My resume outlines my experience and knowledge in project management, but I would like to highlight my strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. I believe these traits make me uniquely suited for the Project Manager position.

I look forward to the opportunity to discuss this exciting opportunity with you, and thank you for considering my application.

Sincerely,  

John Smith

Why is mediocre?

• Lacks specificity: It doesn’t mention the company’s name or how the candidate’s specific experiences align with the company’s goals.
• No examples or achievements: It claims skills without backing them up with specific experiences or accomplishments.
• No customization: It could be sent to any company for any project management position, showing no research or genuine interest in the company.

Example 2

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to apply for the Marketing Specialist position. I have a marketing degree and experience in social media management, which I think would be beneficial for your team.

At my previous job, I was responsible for managing social media accounts, which I believe is relevant to what you are looking for. I am a hard worker and a fast learner, and I am eager to bring my skills to your company.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the chance to interview for the position.

Best,  

Samantha Jones

Why is mediocre?

• Vague: It mentions a relevant degree and experience but doesn’t delve into specific projects, campaigns, or measurable outcomes.
• Lacks enthusiasm and specificity: The letter does not convey a strong interest in the company or outline why the candidate prefers this company over others.
• Generic closing: It ends on a passive note, lacking a proactive call to action or mention of the next steps.

Example 3

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to express my interest in the Entry-Level Customer Success position listed on your website. I recently graduated with a degree in Business Administration and believe I have the necessary qualifications for the role.

During my university studies, I took several courses related to customer service and communication, which I feel have prepared me to work effectively with customers. I enjoy helping others and solving problems, which I understand is a key part of success in a customer success role.

I am excited about the opportunity to start my career with TechStart Solutions and am confident that my academic background will allow me to contribute positively to your team.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my application further.

Sincerely,  

Gary Foster

Why is mediocre?

• Generic: The letter does not specify why Gary is particularly interested in TechStart Solutions or how his personal skills align with the company’s specific needs.
• Lacks specificity: Gary mentions coursework related to the role but does not detail any direct experience or practical application of his skills.
• Passive tone: The closing is polite but passive, lacking a solid call to action or expression of enthusiasm for an interview or further engagement.

Great Cover Letters

Example 1

Dear Mr. Johnson,

I was thrilled to see the opening for the Environmental Analyst position at Green Solutions, Inc., as listed on LinkedIn. Your commitment to developing sustainable and innovative environmental projects deeply resonates with my personal mission and my professional background. With over five years of experience in environmental analysis, including a specialized role in waste management optimization for EcoTech Solutions, I am eager to bring my expertise in reducing carbon footprints and implementing sustainable practices to your dynamic team.

At EcoTech Solutions, I spearheaded a project that resulted in a 20% reduction in industrial waste. This was achieved through the development of a comprehensive recycling program and the optimization of manufacturing processes, showcasing my ability to contribute effectively to Green Solutions, Inc.’s goals.

I am particularly impressed by Green Solutions, Inc.’s recent project on Urban Green Spaces, and I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to similar initiatives that combine environmental sustainability with community well-being.

I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my background, skills, and enthusiasm align with the needs of your team. Please feel free to contact me at 512-9876 or via email at maria.gonzalez@email.com to arrange a convenient meeting time.

Thank you for considering my application. I am keen to help Green Solutions, Inc. lead the way in sustainable project development and am excited about the opportunity to be a part of your team.

Sincerely,  

Maria Gonzalez

Why is great?

• Company-specific interest: Shows genuine interest in the company’s projects and aligns them with her motivations and experiences.

Example 2

Dear Dr. Roberts,

I have long admired Tech Innovate Inc. for its relentless pursuit of breakthrough technologies that disrupt traditional markets. I’m very excited to apply for the Software Engineer position, especially after learning about your recent work in quantum computing applications in “Tech Future Today.” As a Software Engineer with a focus on developing scalable machine learning models for NextGen Analytics, I am eager to bring my expertise in AI and passion for innovation to help Tech Innovate Inc. revolutionize how businesses leverage quantum computing.

During my tenure at NextGen Analytics, I led a team that developed a machine learning model that predicted market trends with 95% accuracy, contributing to a 40% increase in investment efficiency for our clients. This experience has equipped me with the cutting-edge skills and inventive mindset that Tech Innovate Inc. values.

Moreover, my recent project, “QuantumML,” a side venture exploring the use of quantum algorithms in machine learning, underscores my capability and enthusiasm for contributing to your team. I am particularly excited about the potential for collaboration with Tech Innovate Inc.’s research team to push the boundaries of what is possible in quantum computing and AI.

I am looking forward to the possibility of discussing this exciting opportunity and how I can contribute to the pioneering projects at Tech Innovate Inc. I am available at your convenience for an interview and can be reached at 408-5555 or via email at alex.taylor@email.com.

Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the prospect of contributing to and growing with Tech Innovate Inc.

Warmest regards,

Alex Taylor

Why is great?

• Direct and customized opening: Immediately expresses admiration for the company’s work, demonstrating knowledge and interest in their specific projects.
• Quantifiable accomplishments: Provides a specific example of past success, using numbers to quantify the impact.
• Proactive closing: Ends with a call to action, expressing eagerness for an interview and providing clear contact information.
• Aligned interests: Clearly shows how the candidate’s personal projects and professional interests align with the company’s strategic directions.
• Engaging and action-oriented close: It ends with eagerness for an interview, suggesting a proactive desire for further discussion, and provides clear next steps.
• Specific achievements: The candidate mentions a particular project and its results, demonstrating their capability and relevance.

Example 3

Dear Ms. Blackburn,

I was thrilled to find the opening for an Entry-Level Customer Success Specialist at InnoTech Solutions, a company renowned for its innovative approach to technology solutions and a customer-first philosophy. As a recent graduate from the University of Washington with a B.A. in Communications, I am eager to bring my enthusiasm for technology and exceptional interpersonal skills to contribute to the success of your clients and team.

Throughout my academic journey, I embraced hands-on learning opportunities, volunteering for tech startups at campus events. This experience allowed me to assist in troubleshooting software issues and effectively communicate solutions to diverse user groups. Notably, I led a project that improved the user onboarding process for a campus app, enhancing user satisfaction by 30%. I am passionate about using technology to solve problems and am committed to continuous learning to support customers more effectively.

Your team’s dedication to empowering users with state-of-the-art customer service solutions particularly inspires me. I am impressed by InnoTech Solutions’ commitment to not only addressing customer needs but also anticipating them. I aspire to contribute to this dynamic environment by leveraging my problem-solving skills and my ability to quickly adapt to new technologies.

I am excited at the prospect of joining InnoTech Solutions and am eager to bring a fresh perspective and unwavering commitment to excellence to your customer success team. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my background, skills, and passions can contribute to achieving and exceeding the goals of InnoTech Solutions.

Thank you for considering my application. I hope to have the chance to discuss further how I can contribute to the InnoTech Solutions team and support your clients in achieving success.

Warmest regards,

Emily Watson

Why is great?

• Personalized: Addressing the letter to a specific person shows Emily did her homework and is genuinely interested in the position.
• Specific Examples: Emily provides concrete examples of her relevant experience, including quantitative results, demonstrating her potential value to the team.
• Alignment with Company Values: She clearly articulates how her personal values and experiences align with the company’s mission, showing deeper engagement and understanding.
• Proactive and Passionate Closing: The closing paragraph reflects Emily’s enthusiasm and eagerness to contribute, along with a polite and direct invitation for further discussion.