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Writing a cover letter can be hard, but by creating an outline, you can better organize your ideas and experiences. Also, a solid outline is a framework that can be applied to multiple cover letters when you need to tailor each application.
If you’re wondering what is a cover letter outline and how to create one, we’ve got you covered.
Jump to the following sections:
- What Is a Cover Letter Outline?
- How to Outline a Cover Letter
- Cover Letter Outline Example
- Cover Letter Resources
Once you have your outline, you can use our Cover Letter Generator for further help writing your cover letter.
What Is a Cover Letter Outline?
A cover letter outline is a structured framework to organize your cover letter. It includes all the main sections you’ll see in all cover letters and custom sections tailored to you and the role you’re applying for.
It’ll help you prioritize the most relevant skills and experiences for each position. Think of it as a blueprint for crafting a compelling narrative that aligns with the employer’s needs.
Why use a cover letter outline?
You might wonder why it’s useful or necessary to create an outline instead of just writing the letter itself. A cover letter outline helps:
- Organize your thoughts and prevent important details from being overlooked.
- Tailor your message to each role.
- Save time when applying to multiple positions by reusing the outline.
It’s like planning a speech: You want to ensure your message is clear and impactful, without unnecessary fluff.
When to use a cover letter outline?
A cover letter outline will always be useful, regardless of what stage of your career you’re in, as it’ll make writing a cover letter far easier. However, there are certain instances when you’ll find it particularly useful, for example:
- Writing your very first cover letter. If this is the first time you have to write a cover letter, an outline will help organize your thoughts and provide a guide on what to write, which can reduce stress significantly.
- Writing multiple cover letters. Having a clear outline that you can reuse for multiple roles will make the process much faster and smoother.
- Switching careers. If you’ve been in a role (or a field) for a very long time and plan to move from it, you might find it useful to have an outline since it might have been a long time since you wrote a cover letter or had to break down your experience for a potential employer.
- Writing a cover letter with specific requirements. Some employers might request specific information on a cover letter, deviating from the traditional format or structure. In this case, making an outline beforehand and taking that into consideration will make for a much easier writing experience.
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How to Outline a Cover Letter
A professional cover letter outline includes these key sections:
1. Header
In your cover letter header, add your name and contact information. Include your phone number, professional email address and, if relevant, links to your LinkedIn profile and professional portfolio.
- Name
- Address
- Phone number
- LinkedIn profile
- Portfolio link
2. Salutation
Start off with a greeting; the more specific, the better. If you don’t know who the letter is specifically going to, use a formal and general greeting:
- "Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],"
- "Dear [Team/Department],"
3. Opening Paragraph
Your introduction, or opening paragraph, is almost like the professional summary on a resume. It’s the first impression and where you’ll let employers know your overall qualifications and why you’re interested in the role:
- State the position you’re applying for.
- Mention how you found the job posting.
- Grab attention with enthusiasm or a notable accomplishment.
4. Body Paragraph(s)
This is the most important section of both your cover letter and your outline. It’s where you’ll describe your past roles and responsibilities, detail your tasks and talk about specific experiences and accomplishments.
It’s also where you’ll add any requirements the employer has for a cover letter, such as detailing occasions where you had to manage a team, use specific software, apply certain skills and more.
- Highlight achievements and skills relevant to the job.
- Provide specific examples of your contributions.
- Connect your qualifications to the company’s needs and values.
The amount of body paragraphs will depend on how long your cover letter is. If you’re writing a simple cover letter, you have a single body paragraph.
On a longer cover letter, you can separate paragraphs by roles either chronologically or by relevance, by separate anecdotes or by answering each of the posting’s questions.
5. Closing Paragraph
In your closing paragraph, make sure to reiterate your qualifications and your eagerness to work with the employer:
- Summarize why you’re the ideal candidate, connecting with the details you mentioned in your body paragraphs.
- Add a call to action, such as requesting an interview or mentioning some of the points you’d like to expand on.
- Express gratitude and eagerness to join the company or institution.
Get some step-by-step help on our Cover Letter Generator
Cover Letter Outline Example
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Hiring Manager’s Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
[Opening paragraph]
[Body paragraph]
[Closing paragraph]
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Additional Resources to Create Your Cover Letter
Key takeaways
- A cover letter outline makes writing your cover letter much easier.
- An outline helps streamline your process, especially when you’re writing multiple letters.
- Include all the main sections: header, salutation, introduction, body and closing.
- Tailor each letter to the application and the employer’s requirements.
FAQ
Why do I need a cover letter outline?
You don’t need a cover letter outline, but it helps significantly when writing one, especially for the first time. It provides a framework to organize your thoughts, your experience and any requirements the posting has.
An outline can reduce stress due to overthinking and help when writing more than one cover letter by replacing a blank page with a structure to fill out, so to speak.
How long should a cover letter be?
Ideally, a cover letter should be one page long, composed of 3-5 paragraphs, including: opening paragraph, one to three body paragraphs and one closing paragraph. The amount of body paragraphs will depend on your experience or what the employers ask for in the posting.
What should I include in the body of a cover letter?
The body of your cover letter will focus on your actual experience. That could mean describing your past roles, detailing tasks and responsibilities or explaining how your experience and skills can be applied to the new role you’re applying for.
This can be organized in various ways, whether chronologically, by relevance or by answering separate questions. Depending on the posting’s request or your experience, it could also focus on a single aspect of your professional profile.
Do I need to customize my cover letter for every job application?
Yes, your cover letter is arguably the most personalized part of your entire application. It’s where you detail how your experience and your skills will apply to this role and contribute to the company or institution.
Sometimes, postings will have specific requirements or questions about what to include in your cover letter, so be sure to address that. You can also tailor your cover letter to the company’s overall mission and philosophy and talk about how you’d be a good fit.
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How to Write a Cover Letter Outline
Carlos Silva is a content writer with a background in education and personal finance. He is committed to helping readers and job seekers navigate the job market effectively in pursuit of their goals.
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