How to Write a Cover Letter: Step-by-Step + Templates & Examples (2026)

From blank page to offer-ready letter—structure, templates, scenarios, and a fast iteration workflow in one place.

12+ Resources
5 Learning Paths
2026 Updated

On this page

Start Here

What you’ll learn

Cover letter foundations: what it is, how it’s structured, and how to tailor it to a real job. Read this block to go from blank page to your first draft.

3 Resources

Explain the purpose, ideal use cases, and myths so you know exactly when and how a cover letter moves the needle.

A copyable outline that walks through header, opening, proof paragraphs, and sign-off—including word count guidelines.

Break the JD into inputs, map your stories, and iterate quickly so every letter feels written “for” that role.

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Templates & Examples Library

What you’ll learn

Stop guessing what “good” looks like. Use ready-made templates and before/after examples so you can model the structure without copying the content.

2 Resources

Templates for corporate, startup, and creative roles with notes on tone, length, and what to avoid.

Twelve scenario-based examples with “bad vs good” comparisons so you can transplant structure, not fluff.

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Special Situations

What you’ll learn

Zero experience? Applying for internships? Use these playbooks to highlight transferable skills, projects, and momentum even when your resume is light.

2 Resources

How to turn school projects, volunteering, and transferable skills into a confident story.

A walkthrough for internship applicants, including recruiter-approved openings and proof paragraphs.

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Write Faster With a Builder

What you’ll learn

Turn cover letter writing into a repeatable workflow: paste JD + resume, generate draft, iterate twice, and ship. Ideal for high-volume application weeks.

1 Resource

A step-by-step builder demo covering prompts, personalization, and final QA before sending.

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Draft smarter, iterate faster

Use the AI Cover Letter Builder to turn your resume + JD into a polished letter in minutes—then personalize with the playbooks above.

Launch Cover Letter Builder →