Types of Cover Letters

Different cover letters serve different purposes.

Choose the cover letter type that matches your situation.

Invited Cover Letter

Use this format when responding to an ad or other listing. It matches your qualifications to the position requirements.

Invited Cover Letter Sample (pdf)
Invited Cover Letter Sample - No Paid Work Experience (pdf)

The Cold-Contact Cover Letter

Use this format to contact employers who have not advertised or published job openings. Research careers to find the requirements for the job you're applying for. Research the employer to find out specifics about the company. Then focus the cover letter on matching your qualifications with that research.

Cold-Contact Cover Letter Sample (pdf)

The Referral Cover Letter

Use this format if you were referred to a job opening through networking, informational interviews, or contact with employers. A referral may be to a specific job opening (advertised or unadvertised) or to an employer who may or may not be hiring now. Make sure you mention the person who referred you.

Referral Cover Letter Sample (pdf)

The Job Match or "T" Cover Letter

Use this format to match the specific requirements of the job with your qualifications. You can learn about the requirements from a job ad, position descriptions, phone conversations, career research, and informational interviews.

Job Match Cover Letter Sample 1 (pdf)
Job Match Cover Letter Sample 2 (pdf)
"T" Cover Letter Sample (pdf)

Source: Creative Job Search, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.