Letter Samples

When you are applying for a job a cover letter should be sent or uploaded with your resume.  Your cover letter should be specific to the position you are applying for, relating your skills and experience to those noted in the job posting. Your cover letter is your first (and best) chance to make a good impression - and to secure an interview.

Review these cover letter samples and templates to get ideas on what to include in your own cover letters, then take some time to customize your cover letter, so it shows the hiring manager, at  a glance, why you are qualified for the position.

When you're writing a cover letter, formatting is important regardless of what type of cover letter you send. An email cover letter needs to be as properly - and professionally - formatted as a typed cover letter.

Here are examples of cover letters and cover letter email message formats to review including formatted targeted cover letters, general cover letters, letters of interest, and email cover letter messages.

When you are using email to job search, it's important that all your communications are as professional as they would be if you were writing an old-fashioned paper letter.  Your email messages need to include an appropriate Subject line and your signature, as well as a message that is direct, well-written, and grammatically correct.

Take some time to review these email message samples for a variety of employment-related scenarios, including cover letters, follow-up letters, and thank you letters. Then tailor the examples to fit your personal circumstances.

A letter of application typically provides detailed information on why are you are qualified for the job you are applying for. Effective application letters explain the reasons for your interest in the specific organization and identify your most relevant skills or experiences. 

Here are sample job application letters you can personalize to send with your job application or resume when seeking employment.

Saying thank you is really important.  Employers think more highly of candidates who send thank you notes after a job interview.  Colleagues appreciate being thanked for providing job search advice and assistance.  It's well worth taking a few minutes to thank everyone who helps with your job search.

There are various ways you can send a thank you letter, including handwritten thank you notes, formal thank you letters, and email than you messages.  Here are sample thank you notes and letters for first and second interviews, group interviews, general thank you letters, letters of appreciation, and a variety of other thank you note examples.

What happens when your resume is lost in the black hole or wherever it is that resumes end up when you just don't hear back from an employer?  Whether your resume has been purposefully put aside or accidentally misplaced, sending a follow up letter can be the catalyst that gains you a call back or even an interview.

Use these follow up letters and follow up email message examples to send after an interview, and to follow up on a resume or a job application you have submitted.

Networking works.  Reaching out to friends, families, college alumni, and everyone else you know is one of the best ways to obtain job search assistance.

Here are networking letters, including referral letters, letters of introduction, and outreach letters, you can personalize and use for your own networking correspondence.  There's also advice on the best way to ask for help with your job hunt.

Whether it's a reference letter, a LinkedIn recommendation, or another online reference, you'll need to get references when you're job seeking. You'll probably also be asked to write references at some point in your career and you will need to ask for recommendations, as well.

Here's information on who and how to ask for a reference, plus sample reference letters, academic references, personal references, letters asking for a reference, and lists of references.

It can be tempting to consider saying "I Quit!" and walking out the door, but that really isn't a good way to resign. How you write a resignation letter is important, because it usually isn't easy to resign and stay on good terms with the company you are leaving.

Even if you hate your job and can't wait to start your new job, it can be difficult to resign diplomatically and tactfully. Well-written resignation letters can help ensure your resignation goes smoothly.  Use these resignation letters to ensure you resign with class.

You have lost your job or you've found a new one and you're moving on.  Saying goodbye can be sad and it's not always easy.  However, it's important to take the time to say farewell to your co-workers. Both to let them know you're leaving or have left and because you want to be able to stay in touch and provide them with your personal contact information.

Use these sample farewell letters to say goodbye to colleagues and clients when you resign, retire, are laid-off, or otherwise leave your job.