Knowing what should go in your cover letter can absolutely help you to start writing down your ideas and generating an effective cover letter. We’re going to go over the two best types of cover letter outlines you can use for your next job application.

In this article, we’re going to cover:

• What should go inside your cover letter
• The best cover letter outline for those who are applying for corporate positions or positions with a significant amount of discretion behind them
• The best cover letter outline for those who are applying for certification style positions, like teachers, nurses, economists, and much more

Ready to get started? Let’s dig in!

Table Of Contents

What Should Go Inside Your Cover Letter

When you’re generating your cover letter, even when using our outlines. Be sure that these components are in your cover letter:

• Your contact information
• Your email address
• The position you are applying for
• The current date
• The recipients contact information
• Your formal greeting to the reader
• The body of your cover letter, which may contain information like why you are a fit for the position, why you are passionate about the position, and when you might be able to start your position
• Your formal salutation to the reader
• A hand signature, if possible

These are the components that make up a cover letter of any kind. While a hand signature is not required, it can be a nice touch. Especially if it is digitalized and you are able to embed the signature into the bottom of your PDF document (Tip: Use a PDF document as your cover letter format versus a Word Document).

Cover Letter Outline for Corporate Positions

This is the best cover letter outline for those who are applying for corporate positions where the position has a significant amount of discretion as part of it. That means that you are judged by your ability to be passionate for the job versus your prior quantitative successes as a professional.

Your Name
Your Street Address
Your City, State, and Zip Code
Your Email Address
Applying for Position Title

Current Date

Recipients Name
Their Title
Company Name
Company Street Address
Company City, State, and Zip Code

Dear Mr./Mrs. _____ —

Opening paragraph:
Your opening paragraph should tell a short story about why you are a perfect fit for the position. This could be a short story of how you grew up or how you came to find yourself in this industry. Keep it under 200 words at most.

Reasoning paragraph:
In your second paragraph, focus on your soft skills, hard skills, and what you might be able to bring to the company. Keep your insights short, and the metrics that you bring up impactful. Focus on your achievements.

Closing paragraph:
In this closing paragraph, you want to focus on making sure the future employer has all of the documents that you are attaching in your email, and ask if they have any questions. You should be assistive in helping the reader with their objectives of analyzing you as a potential candidate. Keep your word count to 150 words or less.

Thank you so much,
Your name
Your signature

Cover Letter Outline for Certificate Required Positions

This is the best cover letter outline for those who are applying for positions where there are a number of certifications required. For example, a preschool teachers, attorneys, registered nurses, or other. These positions require your future employer knowing that you have state and federal licenses to practice the position you are applying for.

Your Name
Your Street Address
Your City, State, and Zip Code
Your Email Address
Applying for Position Title

Current Date

Recipients Name
Their Title
Company Name
Company Street Address
Company City, State, and Zip Code

Dear Mr./Mrs. _____ —

Opening paragraph:
Your opening paragraph should tell a short story about why you are a perfect fit for the position. This could be a short story of how you grew up or how you came to find yourself in this industry. Keep it under 200 words at most.

Certifications bullet points:

• CPR certification
• State educators license
• In-classroom certification
• Special Education MBA

In this second paragraph section, it can be very beneficial to list your certifications in a few bullet points. Don’t take up considerable amounts of space. We want your cover letter to be one-page, at most. By listing your certifications here, it can bring attention to the fact that you understand the requirements for the job and are legally able to practice the position you’re applying for.

Closing paragraph:
In this closing paragraph, you want to focus on making sure the future employer has all of the documents that you are attaching in your email, and ask if they have any questions. You should be assistive in helping the reader with their objectives of analyzing you as a potential candidate. Keep your word count to 150 words or less.

Thank you so much,
Your name
Your signature