cover letter journalist example

8 Professional Journalist Cover Letter Examples for 2024

In your journalist cover letter, showcase your ability to tell a story compellingly. Highlight your knack for uncovering the truth and connecting with readers. Demonstrate your versatility across different media platforms. Your cover letter should also reflect your understanding of the ever-evolving journalistic landscape.

All cover letter examples in this guide

Student Journalist

News Director

Sports Journalist

Magazine Journalist

Broadcast Journalist

Multimedia Journalist

Fashion Journalist

Cover letter guide.

Journalist Cover Letter Sample

Cover Letter Format

Cover Letter Salutation

Cover Letter Introduction

Cover Letter Body

Cover Letter Closing

No Experience Journalist Cover Letter

Key Takeaways

By Experience

Crafting a journalist cover letter can be a daunting step in the job application process. You've meticulously updated your resume and now realize a cover letter is required—one that doesn't just mimic your resume, but spotlights your proudest journalistic triumph through an engaging narrative. Striking a balance between formality and originality, avoiding clichés, and condensing your story into a single page adds to the challenge. Let's navigate these hurdles together and pen a cover letter that stands out.

• Create a journalist cover letter to persuade the recruiters you're the best candidate for the role;
• Use industry-leading journalist cover letter templates and examples to save time;
• Dedicate your journalist cover letter space to your best achievement;
• Make sure your journalist cover letter meets recruiters' expectations and standards.

Avoid starting at the blank page for hours by using Enhancv's AI - just upload your resume and your journalist cover letter will be ready for you to (tweak and) submit for your dream job.

If the journalist isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:

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Journalist cover letter example

San Francisco, CA

+1-(234)-555-1234

[email protected]

• Highlighting relevant experience such as the exclusive scoop on AI in autonomous vehicles showcases the candidate's ability to deliver impactful and newsworthy content, which is crucial for a journalist role.
• Emphasizing the results of the candidate's work, including the 30% increase in website traffic, demonstrates data-driven accomplishments and an understanding of audience engagement, both important for a digital publication.
• Expressing enthusiasm and alignment with the publication's standards and goals suggests a cultural fit and an appreciation of the company's values, making the candidate potentially more appealing to the hiring manager.

Structuring and formatting your journalist cover letter

Here's what the structure of your journalist cover letter should include:

• Header (with your name, the position you're applying for, and the date);
• Salutation (or greeting);
• Introductory paragraph (or your opening statement);
• Body paragraph (or further proof of your experience);
• Closing paragraph (with a call to action);
• Signature (that is optional).

Use the same font for your journalist resume and cover letter - modern fonts like Lato and Rubik would help you stand out.

Your journalist cover letter should be single-spaced and have a one-inch margins - this format is automatically set up in our cover letter templates and our cover letter builder .

When submitting your cover letter, always ensure it's in PDF, as this format keeps the information intact (and the quality of your document stays the same).

On one final note - the Applicant Tracker System (ATS or the software that is sometimes used to initially assess your application) won't read your journalist cover letter.

The top sections on a journalist cover letter

• Header: Include your contact information at the top of the cover letter so the recruiter can easily reach you; for journalists, having a professional header signals attention to presentation and detail, which are relevant to the role.
• Personalized Greeting: Research and use the name of the hiring manager or editor; personalization shows you've done your homework, an essential trait for a journalist.
• Introduction: Begin with a compelling hook and showcase your passion for journalism; this sets the tone and demonstrates your storytelling ability.
• Career Highlights: Detail relevant reporting experiences, key stories covered, or significant achievements in journalism; this section shows your practical expertise and credibility in the field.
• Closing Paragraph: Conclude with a strong finish, reiterating your enthusiasm for the position and explaining how you plan to contribute to their team; as a journalist, your concluding remarks should leave a lasting impression, prompting the recruiter to take action.

Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter

• Strong writing and storytelling skills: Demonstrates the ability to create compelling content that engages readers.
• Nose for news: Shows an instinct for digging up newsworthy stories that are relevant and interesting to the audience.
• Investigative research abilities: Reflects the capacity to conduct thorough and accurate research, crucial for credibility and in-depth reporting.
• Multimedia proficiency: Indicates the capability to use various platforms and tools, like video, audio, and social media, for modern, multi-channel journalism.
• Ethical integrity: Recruiters look for journalists who adhere to high ethical standards, maintaining trustworthiness and impartiality.
• Resilience under pressure: Illustrates the potential to perform efficiently against tight deadlines and in potentially stressful or dangerous situations.

Kick off your journalist cover letter: the salutation or greeting

When writing your journalist cover letter, remember that you're not writing for some complex AI or robot, but for actual human beings.

And recruiters, while on the lookout to understand your experience, would enjoy seeing a cover letter that is tailored to the role and addresses them . Personally.

So, if you haven't done so, invest some time in finding out who's the hiring manager for the role you're applying to. A good place to start would be LinkedIn and the corporate website.

Alternatively, you could also get in touch with the company to find out more information about the role and the name of the recruiter.

If you haven't met the hiring manager, yet, your journalist cover letter salutation should be on a last-name basis (e.g. "Dear Mr. Donaldson" or "Dear Ms. Estephan").

A good old, "Dear HR Professional" (or something along those lines) could work as your last resort if you're struggling to find out the recruiter's name.

List of salutations you can use

• Dear [Hiring Manager's Name],
• Dear [Editor-in-Chief's Name],
• Dear [Mr./Ms./Dr. Last Name],
• Dear [Publication Name] Team,
• Dear [Department Name] Search Committee,
• Dear [Hiring Manager's Title],

Your journalist cover letter intro: showing your interest in the role

On to the actual content of your journalist cover letter and the introductory paragraph .

The intro should be no more than two sentences long and presents you in the best light possible.

Use your journalist cover letter introduction to prove exactly what interests you in the role or organization. Is it the:

• Company culture;
• Growth opportunities;
• Projects and awards the team worked on/won in the past year;
• Specific technologies the department uses.

When writing your journalist cover letter intro, be precise and sound enthusiastic about the role.

Your introduction should hint to recruiters that you're excited about the opportunity and that you possess an array of soft skills, e.g. motivation, determination, work ethic, etc.

Storytelling in the middle (or body) of your journalist cover letter

You've got your whole resume sorted, detailing your achievements and skills. What else can you write in your journalist cover letter ?

For starters, take the time to re-assess the job requirements and re-discover the most crucial skills and requirements (or keywords).

After making a list of these important keywords, look back on your experience to select just one of your past accomplishments.

Choose the achievement that is the most noteworthy, relevant to the role, and matches the required skills.

Use the next between three and six paragraphs to narrate how:

• you've grown your skill set, thanks to your achievement;
• you'd use the know-how you've gained in your new role;
• your accomplishment could help your potential employers grow.

Remember that recruiters don't need a retelling of your whole resume, but want to find out what makes you, you.

Final words: writing your journalist cover letter closing paragraph

The final paragraph of your journalist cover letter allows you that one final chance to make a great first impression .

Instead of going straight to the "sincerely yours" ending, you can back up your skills with a promise of:

• how you see yourself growing into the role;
• the unique skills you'd bring to the organization.

Whatever you choose, always be specific (and remember to uphold your promise, once you land the role).

If this option doesn't seem that appealing to you, close off your journalist cover letter with a follow-up request.

You could even provide your availability for interviews so that the recruiters would be able to easily arrange your first meeting.

Which story should you tell in your journalist cover letter when you have zero experience

Candidates, lacking professional experience in the field - this one is for you.

Your journalist cover letter is an exercise of integrity, honesty, and, above all, spinning a positive narrative around your strengths.

And what better way to capture recruiters' attention than with your most job-relevant achievement (this could be from your internship or volunteering experience)?

Make sure to back up your success with transferrable skills that are relevant to the job (e.g. how your year, studying abroad, has taught you to be more motivated and handle multicultural environments).

Another safe card you can bet on is your career dream: in the body of your journalist cover letter, go into the details of how your ambitions would help make the company you're applying for better.

Key takeaways

Within this Enhancv guide, we've provided you with plenty of advice and inspiration on writing your journalist cover letter:

• Always make sure your journalist cover letter is tailored to the role you're applying for to make a good impression on recruiters;
• In your journalist cover letter include a header (with your name, the role you're applying for, date, and contact details) and an introduction of up to two sentences that highlight your key accomplishment or why you'd fit the role;
• Focus your journalist cover letter body on one sole achievement through your career and all the valuable lessons, skills, and know-how you've learned (that are relevant to the role);
• Ensure your journalist cover letter closing statement isn't generic and includes either a call to action or a promise;
• If you lack professional experience, shift recruiters' focus to a relevant achievement (thanks to your academic or versatile experience) or toward your dreams and goals for professional growth.

Journalist cover letter examples

Explore additional journalist cover letter samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.

Cover letter examples by industry

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from training.npr.org: https://training.npr.org/2021/03/05/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-for-a-public-media-job-or-internship/

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My letterhead doesn’t have to be fancy, it just has to exist!

Dear Specific Person Whose Name I Obtained, Showing I Have Reporting Skills,*

I am starting this cover letter with literally ANYTHING other than “I am applying for [job].” Also I’m not telling you how I found the job listing, unless someone influential told me to apply. Yes, I am defying the advice of my career center, professor and/or friend who is applying to law/automotive/sales jobs. And my name’s in the letterhead so I don’t need to mention it again.

Instead, I will use my first 100 words or less to tell you something interesting — yet relevant to the job — that will make you want to talk to me. Because that’s what this is all about: Scoring an interview so I can dazzle you! Maybe that thing will not be how I reported on a Sad Person and learned a Valuable Lesson About Journalism, though, because everyone is doing that and also this isn’t a college admissions essay.

Now, instead of listing ALL my awesome experiences and achievements, since they are already on my resume, I will look at the job requirements and curate accordingly. I will make clear how my experiences/achievements prepare me for this particular job , which I researched extensively to see what, exactly, it is! Because I’m definitely not applying for all 20 openings at your organization. Or maybe I am (Wait, you can see that in your recruitment software?!), but THIS is the job I REALLY want. And it’s not because I’m PERFECT for the position (pobody’s nerfect! haha) or a great fit (because what am I, jeans?).

Next I’ll tell you what I can do for your organization besides work hard and utilize my strong track record in communication skills and high proficiency with Microsoft Word! I will skip the part about how this will advance my goals, which are to grow in my career, master new skills and have health insurance. Rather, I’ll tell you how I will advance your goals.

I will not make this paragraph about how I love [station/show/podcast] because I grew up listening to it in the backseat of my parents’ car, nor will I remind you that your organization is an esteemed news outlet with high standards that serves the public. I will give examples of work you do that I liked (and why), preferably at least two. Oh yeah, and I def won’t tell you how much I love a podcast your competitor produces. (That would be silly, I say as I delete a reference to The Daily .) Nor will I confuse Idaho Matters and Talk of Iowa . Thank goodness I always ask someone to proofread my letters and they caught that embarrassing mistake!

After reviewing your job description, it’s clear that you’re looking for a candidate that is extremely familiar with the responsibilities associated with this role, and can perform them confidently. Given these requirements, I am certain that I have the necessary skills to successfully do the job adeptly and perform above expectations. What? I’d never cut and paste a paragraph I found in a random template ! You must have me confused with 40% of your applicant pool.

Finally, I will not use words more suited for accepting a marriage proposal to express my excitement about this job! Yes I would love it, be honored to have it and be passionate about every aspect of it! But I will use normal words. And, because I am not a free online career personality test, my ability to craft phrases like “successfully utilize my core competencies and soft skills in the workspace” will remain implied. In conclusion, I bet you’re aware I’m available for an interview at your convenience. Thank you for your consideration.

P.S. I saved this as a PDF so it will open in your browser, instead of a .docx file that will download and pollute your already-overflowing desktop. You’re welcome! Did you know I’m proficient in Microsoft Word?

How to make all-purpose letterhead

• Choose a sans-serif font with a heavy bold face. Proxima Nova is safe enough .
• Type your name. Make it between 25 and 30 points.
• Now choose a thinner version of your font.
• Type your email address, phone number and website URL. Separate them with this character: |
• Optionally, include your street address (but why?) and non-embarrassing social accounts.
• Make this stuff between 10 and 12 points.
• Feeling dangerous? Add a horizontal line!

How to add your signature

There are several phone apps that will “scan” a document:

Notes instructions (iOS) Dropbox instructions (iOS, Android) Any free scanning app in either app store

You don’t need photo editing software to crop your “scan.” Do this:

• Get the PDF or image created by the app onto your computer.
• Open the file in anything that opens files.
• Take a screenshot of just your signature. On a Mac, use Command-Shift-4 to do this. On a PC, use the Snipping Tool .
• Drag the screenshot into your document.

*Or team name  (updated 1/18/2022).

Holly J. Morris is the NPR Training team's Digital Journalism Trainer. 

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Journalist Cover Letter Example

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Start your journalist cover letter by addressing the hiring manager directly, if possible. Then, introduce yourself and briefly mention the position you're applying for. For example, "Dear [Hiring Manager's Name], I am a seasoned journalist with over five years of experience in investigative reporting, and I am excited to apply for the [Job Title] position at [Company's Name]." This approach is professional and immediately communicates your interest in the role. Follow this with a compelling hook that highlights your most relevant achievements or experiences. This could be a significant story you've covered, an award you've won, or a unique skill you possess. This will grab the reader's attention and make them want to learn more about you.

The best way for journalists to end a cover letter is by expressing enthusiasm for the opportunity and a desire for further discussion. This can be done by saying something like, "I am excited about the possibility of contributing to your team and would welcome the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further." It's also important to thank the reader for their time and consideration. This shows respect and appreciation. Lastly, sign off professionally with "Sincerely" or "Best regards," followed by your name. This ending strikes a balance between professionalism and eagerness, which is crucial in the journalism field.

In a cover letter, journalists should include the following: 1. Contact Information: At the top of the letter, include your name, address, phone number, and email address. If you have a professional website or online portfolio, include that as well. 2. Salutation: Address the letter to a specific person if possible. If you can't find a specific name, use a general salutation like "Dear Hiring Manager." 3. Introduction: Start by introducing yourself and stating the position you're applying for. Mention where you found the job posting. 4. Body: This is where you sell yourself. Highlight your relevant skills, experiences, and achievements. As a journalist, you might want to discuss your ability to research and write stories, meet deadlines, and work under pressure. If you have any specializations (like investigative journalism or political reporting), mention them here. 5. Examples of Work: Provide examples of your work that demonstrate your skills. If you're applying for a print journalism job, for example, you might mention articles you've written that were particularly well-received. If you're applying for a broadcast journalism job, you could discuss a news segment you produced. 6. Knowledge about the Company: Show that you've done your homework. Mention something specific about the company or publication that you admire and explain how you could contribute to it. 7. Closing: In your closing paragraph, express your enthusiasm for the potential job opportunity. Thank the reader for their time and consideration. 8. Signature: End with a professional closing like "Sincerely" or "Best," followed by your name. Remember, a cover letter is your chance to make a strong first impression. It should be well-written, free of errors, and tailored to the specific job and company you're applying to.

Related Cover Letters for Journalist

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3 Journalism Cover Letter Examples Written for 2024

• Journalism Cover Letter
• Journalist Cover Letter
• Reporter Cover Letter
• Write Your Journalism Cover Letter

You’re passionate about stories and providing accurate reports on the latest news. Publications will highly benefit from your research-driven and engaging writing style that brings articles and scripts to life.

Are your cover letter and complementary journalist resume ready to show why your writing skills are best for each publication’s needs?

You have the writing chops to create engaging content, so you probably just need a few pointers and guidelines to choose the right tone and skills as you create your cover letter . We’ll help you out with our journalism cover letter examples and cover letter generator that are consistently landing jobs at top media outlets.

Journalism Cover Letter Example

USE THIS TEMPLATE

Microsoft Word

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Block Format

Why this cover letter works

• Taking Mateo’s lead, show that Hootsuite, Google Analytics, Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, Facebook Ads, and LinkedIn Campaign Managers aren’t just software names for you. Describe how these tools were instrumental in your previous roles, whether they refined data analysis or performance optimization or aided visual content creation and ad management.

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Journalist Cover Letter Example

• For example, If the hiring company’s news coverage has left an impact on you, do share that you’re looking forward to contributing to their commendable work quality.

Reporter Cover Letter Example

• In this case, Emilia recounts a field trip to the San Francisco Examiner that exposed her to the mesmerizing world of real-time journalism. Alternatively, talk about an enthralling experience with the company’s software or equipment.

Related cover letter examples

• Journalist resume
• Social media manager

How to Format a Journalism Cover Letter

Writing your cover letter is like adding the right details to a news story to grab a target audience’s attention. 

In this case, it involves reviewing the job description to get an idea of each company’s needs so you can include the right skills and connections to their mission. For example, you could write about how you’ll use your interviewing skills to gather industry-leading details for a cutting-edge news outlet.

Journalism cover letter introduction

In journalism, the introduction is crucial to grab a reader’s attention. It works the same way in a cover letter. Ideally, you want to tailor it to the hiring manager by using your research skills to find the name of a contact person in the job description or on the company’s website to provide a personalized touch. 

Then, optimize your opening paragraph by connecting the top skills needed by each publication and how you’ll help achieve their mission. For example, you could include how you’ll use your data analysis skills to help a publication uphold its accuracy and integrity in the reporting space. 

The opener below gets off to a decent start. However, it could use extra details about the applicant’s specific journalism skills and how they connect with the company they’re applying to.

Not quite enough detail here! 

Upon coming across your publication’s journalism job opening, I was immediately eager to apply since this looks like a great company to work for. With tons of writing experience, I believe my skills will be an asset to your team.  

Instead, aim for an opener like the one below that shows the applicant’s passion for the impact WIXT Channel 4’s reporting makes and how their research and multimedia abilities fit in. 

A top-notch opener with relevant journalism skills! 

Dear Mr. Thomas,

Having seen the impact WIXT Channel 4’s reporting makes in Jacksonville, I felt instantly drawn to your open journalist position. Your news coverage doesn’t just inform; it tells stories that resonate with a diverse audience. As your journalist, I aim to bring engaging stories from our communities, accentuated by meticulous research and vivid multimedia support.

Journalism cover letter body

The body of your journalism cover letter is similar to the one in an article. You need facts and figures to back up your claims. In this case, it’s metrics and examples based on previous journalistic achievements. 

For example, you could write about how you optimized introductions to boost reader retention rates or applied a new data review model to boost reporting accuracy. 

If you don’t have much work experience , you can also add achievements from obtaining a journalism degree or transferable experiences like working on a school newspaper.

A great body paragraph with journalistic achievements!

At SWAYE, I harnessed the power of mobile journalism to bring news to audiences in real-time. There, I produced more than nine live streams weekly, which improved the reach of news articles by 33%. Additionally, my expertise in live reporting and streaming saw me delivering breaking news with superior efficiency, surging our viewership by 28%.

Journalism cover letter closing

Just as every article should have a conclusion that wraps up your key points, so should your journalism cover letter. This involves rephrasing your top skills and connection to the publication’s mission. For example, you could write about how you’re eager to use your social media skills to present up-to-date news to a broader audience.  

Then, wrap things up by saying thank you and using a call to action, such as “I’m excited to discuss this journalism role with you further.” It’s similar to ending a thought leadership piece where you want the reader to take a specific action. 

The closer below could use some work since it’s missing a call to action or any connection to the news outlet’s mission or the journalism skills they’re seeking.

Add more detail than this! 

I believe my skills will be a great fit for your news outlet’s needs. Thank you for considering me for the journalism role. 

Donna Mason

Instead, aim for a closer like the one below that showcases a great overview of the skills in content creation, performance metrics, and paid promotions that Dell Technology is seeking. 

A high-performing closer based on company needs! 

I’m confident that my deftness in understanding audience behavior, creating engaging content, analyzing performance metrics, and strategizing paid promotions will harmonize with Dell Technology’s social media strategy. Thank you for considering me.

Mateo Rodriguez

The best way to optimize your tone will be to match the one used in the job description . It’ll help showcase how your writing style aligns with each publication’s culture and audience. 

One page will work best for your journalism cover letter. It’s similar to news stories where you want to include relevant information but keep it concise with the most essential details. In this case, it would be the skills needed for each role, such as editorial research or storytelling. 

Sometimes, media outlets and publications won’t have a hiring manager listed anywhere. So, simply using “Dear [name of company] hiring team” will still work well. Then, make the rest of your cover letter highly specific to the broadcasting and reporting skills they’re seeking. 

Journalist Cover Letter: Sample & Guide [Entry Level + Senior Jobs]

Create a standout journalist cover letter with our online platform. browse professional templates for all levels and specialties. land your dream role today.

Are you looking to become a journalist? Writing a cover letter is an important step in your job search. Our comprehensive guide will provide you with the tips and tricks you need to create an impactful cover letter that stands out from the competition. We'll help you learn how to write a cover letter that speaks to an employer and grabs their attention. Follow our guide and you'll be on your way to landing your dream job.

We will cover:

• How to write a cover letter, no matter your industry or job title.
• What to put on a cover letter to stand out.
• The top skills employers from every industry want to see.
• How to build a cover letter fast with our professional Cover Letter Builder .
• What a cover letter template is, and why you should use it.

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Journalist Cover Letter Sample

Dear Editor,

I am writing to apply for the journalist position at your esteemed company. I believe I have the necessary skills and experience to be an excellent addition to your team.

I am a highly motivated and experienced journalist with over 5 years of experience in the field. I have a strong background in investigative journalism, and I am adept in all aspects of the craft. I have a knack for uncovering stories and digging deep into the facts. I have written articles for a variety of publications, from local newspapers to international magazines. My writing is always well-researched and accurate, and I have received many accolades for my work.

In addition to my journalistic experience, I also have a strong background in social media marketing. I am familiar with the various platforms and strategies used to engage audiences and promote content. I am also experienced in using digital tools and analytics to measure the success of campaigns.

In addition to my writing and marketing skills, I am also an excellent communicator and public speaker. I have spoken at several conferences and events on the topics of journalism and social media marketing. I am confident in my ability to engage with audiences and to effectively communicate my ideas.

I am confident that I possess the skills and experience necessary to be an excellent addition to your team. I am eager to put my talents to work and I am excited to contribute to the success of your company. Please find my resume attached. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Why Do you Need a Journalist Cover Letter?

• A journalist cover letter is essential to help you stand out from the crowd when applying for journalism jobs.
• It’s an opportunity to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the job and highlight your most relevant skills and experiences.
• It also gives you a chance to show employers that you understand the role and the organisation you’re applying to, and that you are committed to making a positive contribution.
• A well-written cover letter can make you more memorable to potential employers and help you stand out from the competition.
• It’s also a great way to show employers why you would be a great fit for the job and the organisation, and to demonstrate your knowledge of the industry and your commitment to the profession.

A Few Important Rules To Keep In Mind

• Keep your cover letter to one page or less.
• Start with a professional greeting and address the letter to the correct person.
• Include a brief introduction about why you are interested in the position.
• Highlight relevant qualifications and experience.
• Include specific examples to illustrate your skills and accomplishments.
• Demonstrate how your experience makes you a perfect fit for the role.
• Close with a call to action and thank the recipient for their time.
• Make sure to proofread your letter and double-check that the information is accurate.

What's The Best Structure For Journalist Cover Letters?

After creating an impressive Journalist resume , the next step is crafting a compelling cover letter to accompany your job applications. It's essential to remember that your cover letter should maintain a formal tone and follow a recommended structure. But what exactly does this structure entail, and what key elements should be included in a Journalist cover letter? Let's explore the guidelines and components that will make your cover letter stand out.

Key Components For Journalist Cover Letters:

• Your contact information, including the date of writing
• The recipient's details, such as the company's name and the name of the addressee
• A professional greeting or salutation, like "Dear Mr. Levi,"
• An attention-grabbing opening statement to captivate the reader's interest
• A concise paragraph explaining why you are an excellent fit for the role
• Another paragraph highlighting why the position aligns with your career goals and aspirations
• A closing statement that reinforces your enthusiasm and suitability for the role
• A complimentary closing, such as "Regards" or "Sincerely," followed by your name
• An optional postscript (P.S.) to add a brief, impactful note or mention any additional relevant information.

Cover Letter Header

A header in a cover letter should typically include the following information:

• Your Full Name: Begin with your first and last name, written in a clear and legible format.
• Contact Information: Include your phone number, email address, and optionally, your mailing address. Providing multiple methods of contact ensures that the hiring manager can reach you easily.
• Date: Add the date on which you are writing the cover letter. This helps establish the timeline of your application.

It's important to place the header at the top of the cover letter, aligning it to the left or center of the page. This ensures that the reader can quickly identify your contact details and know when the cover letter was written.

Cover Letter Greeting / Salutation

A greeting in a cover letter should contain the following elements:

• Personalized Salutation: Address the hiring manager or the specific recipient of the cover letter by their name. If the name is not mentioned in the job posting or you are unsure about the recipient's name, it's acceptable to use a general salutation such as "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear [Company Name] Recruiting Team."
• Professional Tone: Maintain a formal and respectful tone throughout the greeting. Avoid using overly casual language or informal expressions.
• Correct Spelling and Title: Double-check the spelling of the recipient's name and ensure that you use the appropriate title (e.g., Mr., Ms., Dr., or Professor) if applicable. This shows attention to detail and professionalism.

For example, a suitable greeting could be "Dear Ms. Johnson," or "Dear Hiring Manager," depending on the information available. It's important to tailor the greeting to the specific recipient to create a personalized and professional tone for your cover letter.

Cover Letter Introduction

An introduction for a cover letter should capture the reader's attention and provide a brief overview of your background and interest in the position. Here's how an effective introduction should look:

• Opening Statement: Start with a strong opening sentence that immediately grabs the reader's attention. Consider mentioning your enthusiasm for the job opportunity or any specific aspect of the company or organization that sparked your interest.
• Brief Introduction: Provide a concise introduction of yourself and mention the specific position you are applying for. Include any relevant background information, such as your current role, educational background, or notable achievements that are directly related to the position.
• Connection to the Company: Demonstrate your knowledge of the company or organization and establish a connection between your skills and experiences with their mission, values, or industry. Showcasing your understanding and alignment with their goals helps to emphasize your fit for the role.
• Engaging Hook: Consider including a compelling sentence or two that highlights your unique selling points or key qualifications that make you stand out from other candidates. This can be a specific accomplishment, a relevant skill, or an experience that demonstrates your value as a potential employee.
• Transition to the Body: Conclude the introduction by smoothly transitioning to the main body of the cover letter, where you will provide more detailed information about your qualifications, experiences, and how they align with the requirements of the position.

By following these guidelines, your cover letter introduction will make a strong first impression and set the stage for the rest of your application.

Cover Letter Body

When writing a journalist cover letter, it is important to highlight your best qualities and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the position. Your cover letter should explain why you are the best candidate for the job and why you are passionate about journalism. Below are some components to include in your cover letter body.

• Background: Briefly explain your previous experience, including any relevant internships, volunteer work, or courses you have taken.
• Motivation: Describe what motivates you to pursue a career in journalism and why you are the perfect fit for the position.
• Skills: Mention any skills or abilities that you possess that make you a particularly strong candidate for the job. This could include writing skills, research skills, or knowledge of a foreign language.
• Personality: Showcase your personality by discussing your enthusiasm for the job and what makes you different from other applicants.
• Questions: Ask relevant questions about the position and the company to demonstrate your interest in the job.
• Conclusion: End your cover letter by summarizing your qualifications and expressing your enthusiasm for the job.

Your cover letter is a great opportunity to make a strong impression on the hiring manager. Make sure to showcase your unique skills and qualifications and explain why you are the perfect fit for the job. With a well-written cover letter, you can increase your chances of landing an interview for the job.

Complimentary Close

The conclusion and signature of a cover letter provide a final opportunity to leave a positive impression and invite further action. Here's how the conclusion and signature of a cover letter should look:

• Summary of Interest: In the conclusion paragraph, summarize your interest in the position and reiterate your enthusiasm for the opportunity to contribute to the organization or school. Emphasize the value you can bring to the role and briefly mention your key qualifications or unique selling points.
• Appreciation and Gratitude: Express appreciation for the reader's time and consideration in reviewing your application. Thank them for the opportunity to be considered for the position and acknowledge any additional materials or documents you have included, such as references or a portfolio.
• Call to Action: Conclude the cover letter with a clear call to action. Indicate your availability for an interview or express your interest in discussing the opportunity further. Encourage the reader to contact you to schedule a meeting or provide any additional information they may require.
• Complimentary Closing: Choose a professional and appropriate complimentary closing to end your cover letter, such as "Sincerely," "Best Regards," or "Thank you." Ensure the closing reflects the overall tone and formality of the letter.
• Signature: Below the complimentary closing, leave space for your handwritten signature. Sign your name in ink using a legible and professional style. If you are submitting a digital or typed cover letter, you can simply type your full name.
• Typed Name: Beneath your signature, type your full name in a clear and readable font. This allows for easy identification and ensures clarity in case the handwritten signature is not clear.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Journalist Cover Letter

When crafting a cover letter, it's essential to present yourself in the best possible light to potential employers. However, there are common mistakes that can hinder your chances of making a strong impression. By being aware of these pitfalls and avoiding them, you can ensure that your cover letter effectively highlights your qualifications and stands out from the competition. In this article, we will explore some of the most common mistakes to avoid when writing a cover letter, providing you with valuable insights and practical tips to help you create a compelling and impactful introduction that captures the attention of hiring managers. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your career journey, understanding these mistakes will greatly enhance your chances of success in the job application process. So, let's dive in and discover how to steer clear of these common missteps and create a standout cover letter that gets you noticed by potential employers.

• Not customizing the cover letter to the specific job opportunity.
• Failing to proofread for grammar, spelling, and formatting errors.
• Including irrelevant information or going on too long.
• Not addressing the cover letter to a specific person.
• Using a generic introduction.
• Using a generic conclusion.
• Not including enough information about yourself.
• Omitting contact information.
• Using jargon or overly technical language.
• Not including relevant links or media.
• Not being honest or exaggerating your experience.

Key Takeaways For a Journalist Cover Letter

• Highlight any relevant experience in the field.
• Showcase your ability to communicate effectively.
• Demonstrate your understanding of the profession.
• Share any awards or special recognition.
• Express enthusiasm and passion for the work.
• Discuss your research and investigative skills.
• Focus on creating a positive impression.
• Provide examples of your writing ability.
• Convey the value you can bring to the publication.
• Edit your letter for clarity, grammar, and punctuation.

Journalist cover letter examples

You’ve got a way with words and you can turn even the most mundane topic into a masterpiece. But when it comes to your cover letter, you’ve got writer’s block.

In the guide below, we’ll help you write a standout application that effectively pitches your skills and experience to the recruiter.

We’ve also put together some journalist cover letter examples to inspire you.

CV templates 

Journalist cover letter example 1

Journalist cover letter example 2

Journalist cover letter example 3

These 3 Journalist cover letter examples will provide you with some good ideas on how to format a cover letter, along with the type of message you should be trying to put across to recruiters .

To further understand exactly how you can write a cover letter that will get you noticed, check out our further guidance.

How to write a Journalist cover letter

Here’s a simple process to write your own interview-winning cover letter.

Write your cover letter in the body of an email/message

When you send a cover letter with a job application, you should always write your message into the body of your email – or the body of the messaging system if you are sending via a job website.

Why do this?

Simply because you want to get your message seen as soon as the recruiter opens your application.

If you attach the cover letter as a separate item, this means the recipient will have to open it before they can read it – slowing down the process and potentially causing frustration along the way.

So, write your cover note in the body of your email/message to ensure you make an instant connection with the reader.

Start with a friendly greeting

To kick your cover letter off, start with a friendly greeting to build rapport with the recruiter instantly.

Your greeting should be personable but professional. Not too casual, but not too formal either

Go with something like…

• Hi [insert recruiter name]
• Hi [insert department/team name]

Avoid old-fashioned greetings like “Dear sir/madam ” unless applying to very formal companies.

How to find the contact’s name?

Addressing the recruitment contact by name is an excellent way to start building a strong relationship. If it is not listed in the job advert, try these methods to find it.

• Check out the company website and look at their  About page. If you see a hiring manager, HR person or internal recruiter, use their name. You could also try to figure out who would be your manager in the role and use their name.
• Head to LinkedIn , search for the company and scan through the list of employees. Most professionals are on LinkedIn these days, so this is a good bet.

Identify the role you are applying for

Once you have opened the cover letter with a warm greeting, you need to explain which role you are interested in.

Sometimes a recruitment consultant could be managing over 10 vacancies, so it’s crucial to pinpoint exactly which one you are interested in.

Highlight the department/area if possible and look for any reference numbers you can quote.

These are some examples you can add..

• I am interested in applying for the role of Journalist with your company.
• I would like to apply for the role of Sales assistant (Ref: 40f57393)
• I would like to express my interest in the customer service vacancy within your retail department
• I saw your advert for an IT project manager on Reed and would like to apply for the role.

See also: CV examples – how to write a CV – CV profiles

Highlight your suitability

The bulk of your cover letter should be focused around highlighting your suitability for the job you are applying to.

Doing this will show the recruiter that you are suitable candidate and encourage them to open your CV.

The best way to do this, is by studying the job advert you are applying to, and find out what the most important skills and knowledge are.

Once you know the most important requirements, you then need to highlight your matching skills to the recruiter. In a few sentences, tell them exactly why you are a good fit for the job and what you can offer the company.

Keep it short and sharp

It is best to keep your cover letter brief if you want to ensure you hold the attention of busy recruiters and hiring managers. A lengthy cover letter will probably not get read in full, so keep yours to around 3-6 sentences and save the real detail for your CV.

Remember the purpose of your cover letter is to quickly get recruiters to notice you and encourage them to open your CV, so it only needs to include the highlights of your experience.

Sign off professionally

To round of your cover letter, add a professional signature to the bottom, giving recruiters your vital contact information.

This not only gives various means of contacting you, it also looks really professional and shows that you know how to communicate in the workplace.

Include the following points;

• A friendly sign off – e.g. “Warm regards”
• Your full name
• Phone number (one you can answer quickly)
• Email address
• Profession title
• Professional social network – e.g. LinkedIn

Here is an example signature;

Warm regards,

Gerald Baker Senior Accountant 07887500404 [email protected] LinkedIn

Quick tip : To save yourself from having to write your signature every time you send a job application email, you can save it within your email drafts, or on a separate document that you could copy in.

What to include in your Journalist cover letter

So, what type of information should you write about in your Journalist cover letter?

The specifics will obviously depend on your profession and the jobs you are applying to, but these are the key areas you should be covering.

• Your industry experience – Tell recruiters the types of companies you have been working for and the roles you have held in the past.
• Your qualifications – Highlight your most important relevant qualifications to show employers you are qualified to do the roles you are applying for.
• The impact you have made – Demonstrate the positive impact you have made for employers in previous jobs. Have you saved money? Improved processes? Made customers happy?
• Your reasons for moving – Employers will want to know why you are leaving your current/previous role, so provide them with a brief explanation here.
• Your availability – When will you be able to start a new job ? Check your current contract to find out your notice period if you are in a position already.

Journalist cover letter templates

Copy and paste these Journalist cover letter templates to get a head start on your own.

I hope you’re well. I would like to express my interest in the Journalist vacancy at The Telegraph. As a passionate individual with a track record of delivering engaging and impactful content, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute my skills and experience to your world-rewound company.

During my 5 years as a Journalist at Hearst Media Services, I have honed my abilities in investigative reporting, feature writing, and multimedia storytelling. My dedication to delivering accurate and objective information has consistently driven me to pursue stories that resonate with vast audiences and shed light on important societal issues.

Some accomplishments I contributed towards include, covering the Russia-Ukraine war and other political developments that increased web traffic by 70%, as well as authoring an article on the European heat wave which went viral and boosted the organisation’s social media following by 40%. In addition, I was pivotal in hosting a successful podcast series on natural disasters that reached 8K downloads.

Thank you for considering my application. I have attached my CV and a portfolio for your review and look forward to attending an interview at your convenience.

Kind regards

I hope you are well. As a dedicated Journalist with 12 years of experience working for Argus Media, I am keen to apply for the Senior Journalist role at the BBC. Given my exceptional investigative reporting, feature writing, and editorial leadership skills, I am confident in my ability to supervise a team and elevate your organisation’s journalistic endeavours.

Throughout my career, I have immersed myself in breaking news coverage and long-form pieces, while striving for excellence when providing accurate and thought-provoking content that informs and engages readers. I focus on executing targeted audience engagement campaigns to boost readership numbers.

My notable achievements include, guiding reporters and editors who produced compelling content and improved editorial quality by 15%, as well as enhancing business efficiency by 75% through spearheading the newsroom’s digital transformation and introducing multimedia storytelling formats across various platforms.

I look forward to attending an interview where we can further discuss my qualifications and skills which align with your goals. Thank you for considering my application.

Daniel Patterson

Good afternoon, Samuel

I am writing to express my enthusiasm for the Junior Journalist vacancy at PA Media Group, as advertised on Career Moves. As an aspiring journalist, I am eager to contribute my skills, creativity, and dedication to delivering captivating and informative content across various formats and platforms.

Having recently graduated with a BA (Hons) in Journalism from the University of Birmingham, I excelled in mastering the art of crafting clear, concise, and engaging narratives. I also reported for the university newspaper, where I covered local events and human-interest stories. I believe my writing and research abilities, ethical integrity, and eye for uncovering compelling stories will resonate with diverse readers.

Furthermore, I completed an 18-month internship at Chronicle Media, where I received the June 2023 Best Feature Article Award and composed a story that elevated online engagement by 10%, as well as helped produce a multimedia package featuring articles, photographs, and videos which led to 20% increase in the Instagram following.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to me regarding scheduling an interview. Thank you for considering my application.

Alex Dickson

Writing a strong attention-grabbing cover letter is a vital step in landing a good Journalist job.

Use the tips, strategies and examples above to get more responses from you job applications and start lining job interview up.

Good luck with your job search!

Magazine Journalist Cover Letter: Examples, Format & Sample Letter

A magazine journalist cover letter serves as a gateway to the exciting world of journalism, where words have the power to captivate and inform readers. Crafting a compelling cover letter is crucial for magazine journalists who want to make a strong impression and stand out from the competition.

In this article, we will explore the best format for a magazine journalist’s cover letter and provide you with a sample letter to help you create an impactful document. Whether you’re an experienced journalist or a budding writer looking to break into the industry, understanding the key components of an effective cover letter is essential.

By following the guidelines outlined here and infusing your unique voice and experiences, you can create a standout cover letter that grabs the attention of editors and showcases your passion for storytelling. So, let’s dive into the best format and sample letter for a magazine journalist cover letter, and get ready to embark on an exciting journey in the world of journalism.

Table of Contents

Magazine journalist cover letter template, what should the cover letter include, best format for a magazine journalist cover letter, mistakes to avoid when writing a cover letter.

[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP Code] [Email Address] [Phone Number] [Today’s Date]

[Editor’s Name] [Magazine Name] [Address] [City, State, ZIP Code]

Dear [Editor’s Name],

I am writing to express my strong interest in the magazine journalist writer position at [Magazine Name], as advertised on [Source]. With my passion for storytelling, extensive writing experience, and keen eye for capturing compelling narratives, I believe I am an ideal candidate for this role.

As an accomplished journalist with [X] years of experience, I have had the privilege of writing for reputable publications such as [Publication Name]. My work has encompassed a wide range of topics, including lifestyle, travel, culture, and current affairs. I am confident in my ability to produce engaging content that resonates with readers and aligns with the unique voice and vision of [Magazine Name].

Throughout my career, I have demonstrated a strong ability to conduct thorough research, interview diverse sources, and craft well-structured articles that inform and entertain readers. I pride myself on my versatility as a writer, capable of adapting my style to suit the tone and audience of different publications. This adaptability is reflected in my portfolio, which showcases my ability to deliver high-quality, thought-provoking pieces that capture the essence of a story.

In addition to my writing skills, I am highly adept at meeting tight deadlines and working collaboratively with editors and fellow journalists. I am well-versed in the editorial process, and I understand the importance of adhering to style guidelines and incorporating feedback to produce polished, publication-ready content.

I am particularly drawn to [Magazine Name]’s commitment to in-depth reporting and its dedication to exploring diverse perspectives. The strong reputation of your publication and its influence in the industry make it an exciting platform for me to contribute my skills and expertise.

I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience and passion align with the goals of [Magazine Name]. Thank you for considering my application. I have attached my resume and writing samples for your review. I look forward to the possibility of contributing to the continued success of [Magazine Name] as a magazine journalist writer.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Name]

A cover letter for a magazine journalist writer position should effectively showcase your skills, experiences, and passion for storytelling. Here are the key elements that should be included in your cover letter:

• Introduction : Start with a strong opening paragraph that grabs the reader’s attention and clearly states your interest in the magazine journalist writer position. Briefly mention how you came across the job opportunity and express your enthusiasm for the publication.
• Relevant Experience : Highlight your relevant writing experience, particularly any previous work in magazine journalism or related fields. Discuss your accomplishments, such as published articles, interviews, or awards, that demonstrate your ability to write compelling stories and engage readers.
• Understanding of the Publication : Show that you have done your research on the magazine and understand its target audience, style, and voice. Discuss why you are drawn to the publication and how your writing style aligns with its goals and values.
• Writing Skills : Emphasize your strong writing skills, including your ability to craft engaging narratives, conduct thorough research, and adapt your writing style to different topics and tones. Provide specific examples of your work that highlight your versatility and ability to capture readers’ attention.
• Passion for Storytelling : Convey your passion for storytelling and your dedication to producing meaningful and impactful content. Discuss why you are passionate about journalism and how you believe your writing can make a difference in the lives of readers.
• Collaboration and Adaptability : Highlight your ability to work collaboratively with editors, sources, and fellow journalists. Showcase your openness to feedback and your willingness to adapt your writing to meet editorial guidelines and publication standards.
• Closing : End your cover letter by expressing your gratitude for the opportunity to be considered for the magazine journalist writer position. Reiterate your interest in the role and your enthusiasm for contributing to the success of the publication. Provide your contact information and express your willingness to provide additional writing samples or discuss your qualifications further.

Remember to keep your cover letter concise and focused, ideally not exceeding one page. Tailor your letter to the specific requirements and values of the magazine you are applying to, and proofread carefully to ensure there are no grammatical or spelling errors. By including these key elements, your cover letter will effectively demonstrate your suitability and passion for the magazine journalist writer position.

The format of a magazine journalist’s cover letter plays a crucial role in making a strong impression on potential employers. Here is a breakdown of the best format to follow for a magazine journalist cover letter:

• Header : Begin with your contact information at the top of the letter, including your full name, address, phone number, and email address. Follow this with the current date.
• Recipient Information : Below the date, include the name, title, and address of the recipient, typically the hiring manager or editor-in-chief of the magazine. If you are unsure of the recipient’s name, research and address the letter to the appropriate contact person.
• Salutation : Address the recipient by name, using “Dear [Recipient’s Name].” If you are unable to find a specific name, use a generic salutation such as “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear Editor.”
• Introduction : Begin the letter with a captivating opening paragraph that grabs the reader’s attention and clearly states your interest in the magazine journalist position. Mention how you discovered the job opportunity and express your enthusiasm for the magazine.
• Relevant Experience : In the subsequent paragraphs, highlight your relevant experience as a journalist, focusing on magazine writing, reporting, or any related work. Discuss your accomplishments, internships, or freelance work that demonstrate your ability to write engaging articles and capture readers’ interest.
• Skills and Qualifications : Showcase your writing skills, research abilities, and knowledge of various topics. Emphasize your ability to meet deadlines, work collaboratively with editors and sources, and adapt your writing style to fit the magazine’s tone and target audience.
• Passion for the Publication : Demonstrate your understanding of the magazine’s brand, values, and audience. Express your genuine interest in the publication and explain how your skills and experiences align with its goals. Show that you are familiar with the magazine’s content and highlight specific articles or features that resonate with you.
• Closing : Wrap up the letter by expressing your gratitude for considering your application. Restate your interest in the magazine journalist position and your eagerness to contribute to the publication’s success. Provide your contact information and express your willingness to provide additional writing samples or discuss your qualifications further.
• Signature : End the letter with a professional closing, such as “Sincerely” or “Best regards.” Leave space for your handwritten signature, followed by your typed name.

Remember to keep the cover letter concise and focused, ideally not exceeding one page. Proofread the letter carefully for any grammatical or spelling errors. By following this format, you can create a well-structured and compelling magazine journalist cover letter that showcases your skills, experiences, and passion for the role.

When writing a cover letter for a magazine journalist position, it’s important to avoid certain common mistakes that can undermine your chances of landing the job. Here are some basic mistakes to avoid:

• Generic Content : Avoid using generic and vague language in your cover letter. Tailor your letter to the specific magazine and position you are applying for, showcasing your knowledge of the publication and its target audience.
• Overly Long or Short Length : Your cover letter should be concise and focused, ideally not exceeding one page. Avoid rambling or including unnecessary information. On the other hand, don’t make it too short, as it may seem insincere or lacking in substance.
• Grammatical and Spelling Errors : Proofread your cover letter carefully to eliminate any grammatical or spelling mistakes. These errors can create a negative impression and suggest a lack of attention to detail, which is particularly detrimental to a writing position.
• Lack of Research : Avoid submitting a generic cover letter without conducting thorough research on the magazine. Show that you understand the publication’s style, values, and target audience. Tailor your letter to demonstrate your genuine interest in the specific magazine and how you can contribute to its content.
• Repeating Information from Your Resume : Your cover letter should complement your resume, not repeat it verbatim. Instead of rehashing your work history, focus on highlighting relevant experiences, skills, and achievements that make you a strong candidate for the magazine journalist position.
• Lack of Personalization : Address the cover letter to a specific individual whenever possible. Avoid using generic salutations like “To Whom It May Concern.” Taking the time to find the name of the hiring manager or editor-in-chief demonstrates your attention to detail and personalization.
• Negativity or Desperation : Maintain a positive and confident tone throughout your cover letter. Avoid sounding desperate or focusing on why you need the job. Instead, emphasize what you can bring to the magazine and how your skills and experiences align with its goals.
• Failure to Proofread : Before submitting your cover letter, carefully proofread it to ensure it is error-free and coherent. Read it aloud or ask someone else to review it for clarity and effectiveness.

By avoiding these basic mistakes, you can enhance the quality and impact of your cover letter for a magazine journalist position. Remember to showcase your unique skills, experiences, and passion for storytelling, while demonstrating your understanding of the magazine and its audience.

Crafting a well-written and impactful cover letter is essential when applying for a magazine journalist position. By following the best format and avoiding common mistakes, you can create a cover letter that effectively showcases your skills, experiences, and passion for storytelling.

The format of a magazine journalist cover letter should include a clear and concise introduction, highlighting your interest in the position and demonstrating your understanding of the publication. It is crucial to tailor your letter to the specific magazine, showcasing your research and knowledge of its target audience, style, and voice.

Avoid common mistakes such as using generic content, excessive length, grammatical errors, and lack of personalization. Instead, focus on highlighting your relevant experience, writing skills, adaptability, and collaboration abilities. Showcasing your passion for storytelling and dedication to producing meaningful content will set you apart from other applicants.

Remember to proofread your cover letter meticulously to eliminate any mistakes and ensure clarity. Your conclusion should express gratitude for considering your application and reiterate your interest in the magazine journalist position. Provide your contact information and express your willingness to provide additional writing samples or discuss your qualifications further.

By following these guidelines, you can create a compelling cover letter that captures the attention of hiring managers and demonstrates your suitability for a magazine journalist role. A well-crafted cover letter will help you stand out from the competition and increase your chances of landing your dream job in the dynamic and exciting field of magazine journalism.

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Resume Worded   |  Career Strategy

14 broadcast journalist cover letters.

Approved by real hiring managers, these Broadcast Journalist cover letters have been proven to get people hired in 2024. A hiring manager explains why.

Table of contents

• Broadcast Journalist
• Junior Broadcast Journalist
• Senior Broadcast Journalist
• Multimedia Journalist
• Investigative Reporter
• Alternative introductions for your cover letter
• Broadcast Journalist resume examples

Broadcast Journalist Cover Letter Example

Why this cover letter works in 2024, highlighting relevant experience.

By mentioning experience in reporting on various topics, the writer shows versatility and adaptability, which are important skills for a broadcast journalist.

Showing Impact Through Numbers

Quantifying achievements, like the increase in viewership and social media growth, provides concrete evidence of the writer's capabilities and potential value to the company.

Expressing Excitement and Eagerness to Learn

Conveying enthusiasm for the role and a desire to learn from the team demonstrates genuine interest in the position and a growth mindset.

Highlighting Relevant Skills with Concrete Results

What stands out here is not just the mention of relevant skills, but how they're tied to concrete outcomes. Speaking about your 'knack for compelling storytelling' is one thing, but it's the added context of leading a team that increased audience engagement by 40%, that really packs a punch. It shows you're not just a wordsmith, but a leader who can drive results. This is the kind of evidence that hiring managers love to see.

Demonstrating Alignment with Company Values

Expressing excitement about the prospect of working with the company is a good starting point, but what really impresses here is the specific mention of the company's commitment to 'innovative and impactful journalism'. By doing this, you're demonstrating a deep understanding of what the company values and how it aligns with your own professional goals. This shows you're not just looking for any job, but that you're specifically interested in this role at this company.

Show sincere passion for the job

When you connect your personal story or childhood dream to the job you're applying for, it creates an emotional connection and shows genuine interest. It's not just about getting a job, it's about fulfilling a dream. This makes your application memorable and sincere.

Align your work style with the company’s

By relating your approach to the style and values of the company, you show that you're already in tune with their culture. This can reassure the hiring team that you would fit well into the existing team and dynamics.

Highlight shared values

When you express excitement about the company’s values, you demonstrate a deeper understanding of what they stand for. Sharing these values can make you a more attractive candidate as it indicates you're likely to stay committed and passionate about their mission.

Express gratitude

Always end your cover letter by thanking the reader for their time. It shows respect and leaves a positive impression.

Show your broadcast journalism passion

Telling us about your lifelong interest in news and admiration for Sinclair shows us you're not just looking for any job, but you're passionate about this role.

Highlight your journalism skills and achievements

Mentioning your experience in crafting stories and making a real impact demonstrates your ability to take on meaningful projects.

Emphasize your unique blend for the broadcast journalist role

By discussing your storytelling prowess, technical proficiency, and integrity, you make a strong case for why you'd be a perfect fit for Sinclair.

Express excitement for team collaboration

Your eagerness to work with Sinclair's team shows you value teamwork and are ready to contribute to collective goals.

Show gratitude and eagerness to contribute

Ending your letter with thanks and a forward-looking statement demonstrates professionalism and a readiness to engage in further discussions.

Does writing cover letters feel pointless? Use our AI

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Start with personal connection

Begin by sharing a personal story about why you like the station. It shows your long-term interest and passion.

Highlight journalism school achievements

Talk about your big projects in school. It shows you've been committed to journalism from the start.

Show real-world impact

Share a story where your work made a difference. It proves your journalism can have a positive effect.

Demonstrate teamwork and success

Explain how you helped your team do great things. It shows you work well with others to achieve goals.

Express eagerness to contribute

Say how excited you are to add your skills to the team. It shows you're ready to help and grow with them.

Show your early passion for journalism

Talking about your childhood interest in becoming a broadcast journalist helps me see your long-term commitment to this field.

Highlight impactful stories you've covered

By mentioning the opioid crisis series and its results, you're showing me the tangible impact of your work, which is impressive.

Demonstrate your adaptability as a journalist

Your confidence in thinking quickly and delivering clear reports under pressure tells me you're a strong candidate for live reporting scenarios.

Connect personally with the station's mission

Understanding the value of local news from personal experience shows me you are genuinely interested in our mission, making you a more relatable candidate.

Express enthusiasm for the role

Your closing statement is polite and shows eagerness to discuss how you can contribute, which is always a good note to end on.

Junior Broadcast Journalist Cover Letter Example

Turning internship experience into proven capabilities.

As a recent graduate, it's essential to show how your education and internships have equipped you with the necessary skills for the job. Here, you've done exactly that. You didn't just mention your internship; you shared specific achievements like the articles that increased website traffic and the successful podcast. This not only shows you can do the job, but also that you can deliver results. It's a great way to make your application stand out even if you're just starting in your career.

Illustrating Potential Contributions

By stating how you can help the company 'continue to create compelling content', you're making it easy for the hiring manager to envision you in the role. You're not just a candidate with skills and qualifications; you're a potential contributor to their ongoing mission. This proactive, forward-thinking approach can be very persuasive, especially when combined with your previous claim about your abilities to engage audiences, backed up by your achievements.

Senior Broadcast Journalist Cover Letter Example

Express alignment with the company's mission.

By demonstrating that your personal mission aligns with that of the company, you show a deeper level of commitment. This can make you stand out as a candidate who genuinely cares about the impact of their work, not just the job itself.

Highlight your key strengths

Detailing your unique abilities - in this case, identifying and telling compelling stories - and how they've played out in your career, makes you more memorable and helps the hiring manager get a sense of what you could bring to the team.

Express enthusiasm for specific responsibilities

By showing eagerness to take on certain aspects of the job - such as mentoring younger journalists - you show your enthusiasm for the role, and that you've considered what you could contribute beyond just fulfilling the job description.

Show ambition and commitment

When you express that the role would be the pinnacle of your career, it shows the hiring manager that your ambition aligns with their company. This can indicate both commitment to the role and a desire to perform at your best.

End on a positive note

Once again, it's important to thank the reader for their time. This displays professionalism and leaves them with a positive impression of your communication skills.

Demonstrate your investigative journalism strength

Explaining how you uncover stories and cultivate sources shows your proactive approach and dedication to the truth.

Showcase your ability to handle pressure

Mentioning your composure and clear reporting under pressure highlights your reliability in critical situations, a valuable trait for a senior broadcast journalist.

Highlight your interest in mentorship

Expressing your passion for guiding upcoming journalists aligns with Hearst's focus on development, showing you're a good fit culturally.

Connect your experience with organizational growth

Linking your background to the potential for impact at Hearst demonstrates an understanding of your role within the larger mission of the organization.

Express your alignment with the company's mission

Closing with an eagerness to discuss alignment with Hearst's values shows you've thought deeply about how you can contribute to their goals.

Share your experience in storytelling

Mentioning your extensive experience and the power of storytelling positions you as a seasoned professional in broadcast journalism.

Showcase leadership and achievements

Leading a team to produce award-winning investigative reporting not only spotlights your leadership but also your commitment to high-quality journalism.

Emphasize your dedication to local news

Your personal connection to local news and its importance in the community adds depth to your application, showing you're a perfect fit for a station with a local focus.

Highlight your confidence and track record

Expressing confidence in your achievements and how they align with the job demonstrates a strong understanding of your own value as a candidate.

Show eagerness to contribute to the team

Your forward-looking statement about contributing to Hearst Television's success signals your readiness to bring positive change and innovation to their team.

Multimedia Journalist Cover Letter Example

Show your multimedia journalism skills.

Explain how you have used different types of media to tell stories. This shows you can reach people in many ways.

Prove you can handle pressure

Talk about working fast and still doing a good job. It shows you are reliable when things get busy.

Connect with the company's mission

Share why you like the company. It makes it clear you care about your work and where you do it.

Be confident in your contribution

Say how you can help the company do better. This shows you believe in your skills and what you bring to the team.

Finish your letter by looking forward to talking more. It's polite and shows you're excited about the chance to work there.

Show your local connection

Talking about your local roots helps us see you're not just familiar with the area but also care deeply about our community's stories.

Highlight impactful work

When you share how your stories led to a significant increase in engagement, it proves you can create content that grabs and keeps the audience's attention.

Demonstrate teamwork in multimedia journalism

Describing your ability to work well with others in our field shows you're a team player who values collaboration to produce quality journalism.

Express excitement for the role

Stating your enthusiasm for the job makes us feel confident that you'll bring energy and passion to our team.

Assert your added value

Asserting that you can make a valuable addition to our team helps us envision your potential impact on our work and audience.

Show your passion for multimedia journalism

Starting your cover letter with a clear expression of passion for multimedia storytelling immediately sets a positive tone.

Demonstrate real-world impact

Highlighting a project that not only showcases your skills but also made a noticeable impact in the community proves your ability to produce meaningful work.

Connect with the digital audience

Understanding and mentioning the importance of reaching audiences through digital platforms shows that you are ready to meet the current demands of multimedia journalism.

Making it clear that you are not just looking for any job, but are specifically interested in bringing your unique skills to the team, demonstrates genuine interest.

Invite further discussion

Ending with an invitation to discuss your potential contributions further shows initiative and openness for dialogue, making you a more appealing candidate.

Investigative Reporter Cover Letter Example

Emphasize dedication to accountability.

Mentioning your admiration for our accountability in reporting shows that your values align with ours, making you a fitting candidate for our team.

Showcase investigative achievements

Describing a successful investigation that led to real-world changes highlights your ability to enact impact through journalism.

Illustrate storytelling that sparks conversation

When you talk about how your reporting increased viewership and started community conversations, it shows you can tell stories that matter to our audience.

Share enthusiasm for investigative reporting

Your excitement about joining our investigative team suggests that you're highly motivated to contribute to our mission of impactful journalism.

Communicate confidence in elevating our work

Asserting that you can help take our reporting to new heights tells us you're dedicated to excellence and growth in investigative journalism.

Alternative Introductions

If you're struggling to start your cover letter, here are 6 different variations that have worked for others, along with why they worked. Use them as inspiration for your introductory paragraph.

Cover Letters For Jobs Similar To Broadcast Journalist Roles

• Broadcast Journalist Cover Letter Guide
• Broadcast News Analyst Cover Letter Guide
• Entry-Level Journalist Cover Letter Guide
• Journalist Cover Letter Guide
• Print Journalist Cover Letter Guide

Other Other Cover Letters

• Business Owner Cover Letter Guide
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• Plant Manager Cover Letter Guide
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Thank you for the checklist! I realized I was making so many mistakes on my resume that I've now fixed. I'm much more confident in my resume now.

WTO / Letters and Emails / Cover Letters / Journalism Cover Letter Examples

Journalism Cover Letter Examples

A journalism cover letter is a brief, formal letter that accompanies the resume of someone applying to be a journalist.

The cover letter usually includes information about the applicant’s qualifications, including their journalism experience, to show employers that they have the necessary skills, such as reporting, investigating, interviewing, etc., that are needed in a journalist.

The main purpose of a cover letter is to introduce the applicant to the potential employer and provide a summary of their background and qualifications. Therefore, it should be brief yet informative. The letter can be addressed to different individuals, such as an editor or reader at a particular media/publishing company, as well as any hiring managers for an individual position within that company.

It is an effective way of distinguishing yourself from other applicants with similar credentials. This can greatly boost your chances of securing the job, especially in entry-level positions.

In addition, writing a cover letter ensures you create a lasting impression on the employer by offering them additional information that was not communicated through your resume. As such, your cover letter will outline your specific skills with context, reasons why you want and qualify for the job, your contribution to your previous job position, and other details that illustrate your suitability and competency.

Often the personalization of the cover letter is advised. A personalized letter shows that you are dedicated to the job offered and are not just applying for the position with a generic journalism cover letter.

This article will competently guide you on how to write a solid journalism cover letter and offer examples of how to write its components and other informative details.

How to Professionally Format a Journalism Cover Letter

The format of a cover letter usually depends on the job description and its requirements. However, some standard formatting essentials will aid you in creating a professional cover letter. Knowing how to format a cover letter requires you to have an understanding of what information should be included in it.

Here are some tips and guidelines for professionally formatting a journalism cover letter:

• Use a one-inch margin on all sides.
• Ensure the spacing of the letter is 1 or 1.15. Also, leave empty spaces between sections of the letter and paragraphs.
• Write the letter in an elegant and professional font the same one that you used in your resume.
• Use a font size of between 11 to 12 points.
• Align the contents of the letter to the left.
• Maintain the length of the letter at a maximum of one page.

6 Steps to Writing a Good Journalism Cover Letter

If you are looking for work as a journalist, you will want to create a cover letter that shows your journalism experience as well as your interest in and suitability for the position. The cover letter should follow all of the standard rules for writing and formatting it.

The following are the six steps to follow when writing a good journalism cover letter:

Step 1: Briefly introduce yourself

Briefly mention who you are and the purpose of the letter, which is to apply for the journalist position. A strong introduction prepares the reader for what to expect in the cover letter. Mention the position you are applying for as well as an achievement or a testament to why you are suitable for the job.

I want to apply for the editor-in-chief position at your company. My work experience is as a full-time reporter and editor at The Phoenix. In addition, I was the assistant editor of The Drape Newspaper. I have also worked as a staff reporter for Sunlight Times and as a news editor at the local print publication, The Daily Journal. As such, I believe my vast experience qualifies me as a suitable candidate for the position.

Step 2: Show that you are the perfect candidate

The body paragraphs should include information about the applicant’s related experience or credentials that are relevant to the job description . Each point should be relevant. Look at the employer’s needs and expectations in the job description before you begin writing your cover letter.

This gives you an idea of the ideal candidate the employer is looking for. Ensure to check out each organization’s specific job description and what they are looking for in an employee.

Reference your portfolio. For example, if you have worked as a reporter or columnist for your school magazine or newspaper, then be sure to mention that in your cover letter by inserting relevant links. If you have received awards or professional accomplishments in journalism, be sure to mention them.

I worked as a news reporter and editor while attending New York State University, earning Outstanding Achievement awards for my work both in my journalism career and in other professional settings. I am currently a staff reporter at the local newspaper, The Flag News. In my recent seven months there, I have been able to conduct investigations into major crimes such as mass shootings and sexual assault. My local reporting experience has also prepared me to work with ABC Inc. as a journalist on investigative projects.

Step 3: Explain why you want the position

This is one of the key sections of the letter that should be highlighted. Explain how the opportunity to work for the employer would positively impact your career and personal growth in this step. You can achieve this by referencing any of the publisher’s past articles that have caught your attention and/or interest.

Show genuine interest in the organization and indicate your intentions to stay with them for a significant period by mentioning any long-term benefits you can gain from the job, for example, networking.  You can also achieve this by expressing shared professional beliefs and shared values.

This is one that should be highlighted. Explain this step. You can achieve this by referencing any of the publisher’s past articles that have caught your attention and/or interest.

Show genuine interest in the organization and indicate your intentions to stay with them for a significant period by mentioning any long-term benefits you can gain from the job, for example, networking. You can also achieve this by expressing shared professional beliefs and shared values.

As a journalist and editor, I have developed the skills to research, write, and publish investigative reports as well as more traditional news reports and stories. I also possess excellent interpersonal communication skills. I am familiar with modern journalism practices from my experience in online media and blogging, regularly contributing to sites including The Daily Journal, Sunlight Times, Blogging for Change, and others.

Step 4: Discuss what impact you can make on them 

In the body of your letter, you should focus on a few key points that demonstrate why you can be an asset to the company. It is important to address this by using examples from previous job positions and highlighting qualifications specifically in terms of the job description.

Quantify what you can do for them by referring to the achievements in the resume. Avoid reiterating your duties in detail and focus on the impact or results of your contributions at work. You can determine what to include by identifying the challenges the employer is currently facing and the primary job requirement. 

My work has been published widely in local newspapers. I intend to produce industry-standard publications. I’m able to produce 5 columns of reports per week. My ability to convey information guarantees to attract a wide audience and retain returning readers. I can bring my expertise in article blogging to help The Mirror News transition into online publishing.

Step 5: Show how passionate you are about the job

You should establish how serious you are about performing the job in addition to wanting to work for their organization. This is a good way to demonstrate your enthusiasm, which employers look for in their employees.

Demonstrate how you are driven by your career and ensure that you show your commitment by emphasizing how your background will positively contribute to the organization. Also, show how your goals and those of the organization align.

I enjoy working with companies such as yours that support the community’s interests by promoting positive solutions to social issues. I’d like to join your organization in informing your readers and ensuring the people have a voice and medium to reach authorities.

Step 6: Incorporate a call to action and sign off

The closing paragraph should re-emphasize why you are an ideal candidate for the job and how you would like to be contacted about an interview or job offer. This should be a call to action.

You can request a call or a meeting. This demonstrates that being hired will be more valuable to the organization than to you. Then sign off the letter with a complimentary close and your name.

I am highly motivated and eager to work with you and help build your business. If you’re interested in my application, please contact me at [email protected] for an interview.

Sincerely, Cindi Gibbons

Sample Cover Letter

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to express my interest in the journalist position at NewsVoice Daily, as advertised on your website. With a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Springfield University and three years of experience in investigative reporting, I believe I am a strong candidate for this role.

At my current position at City Times, I have honed my skills in fact-checking, interviewing, and delivering compelling news stories under tight deadlines. My dedication to uncovering the truth and presenting it in an engaging manner has led to a 20% increase in readership for my column. I specialize in political reporting but have also covered a wide range of topics, from local events to international news.

What excites me most about the opportunity at NewsVoice Daily is your commitment to unbiased and impactful journalism. I am particularly impressed by your recent series on climate change, which not only informed the public but also initiated meaningful discussions. I am eager to bring my expertise in investigative journalism and my passion for storytelling to your esteemed publication.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of contributing to your team and am available for an interview at your earliest convenience. 

Jordan Smith

The cover letter provided serves as a practical example for writing a professional cover letter, specifically tailored for a journalism position. Its structure is logically divided into four distinct paragraphs, each serving a specific purpose, which provides a clear framework for conveying the necessary information. The first paragraph efficiently sets the context by stating the intent and the applicant’s relevant educational background. In the subsequent paragraphs, the focus shifts to the applicant’s professional experience and skills. Here, the writer effectively uses specific examples and quantifiable achievements, such as the increase in readership due to their contributions, which illustrates their competence and potential impact.

Key aspects to observe from this example include:

• Structured Approach: The letter is organized into an introduction, a detailed professional background, specific accomplishments, and a concluding section.
• Detail-Oriented Content: The writer provides detailed information about past experiences, demonstrating their skills and achievements.
• Relevance to Position: The letter specifically addresses the requirements and ethos of the prospective employer.
• Professional but Approachable Tone: While the language is formal and professional, it avoids being overly promotional, maintaining an informative yet approachable tone.
• Clear Conclusion: The writer ends the letter with an invitation for further discussion, which is a standard practice in cover letters.

This cover letter can be a useful guide for individuals looking to draft their cover letters for journalistic roles. It demonstrates how to present qualifications and experiences in a way that is both informative and aligned with the requirements of the prospective job.

Journalism Cover Letter Templates 

How Long Should a Journalism Cover Letter Be? 

An employer typically has limited time to go over the multiple cover letters they receive, so you should keep your cover letter to a maximum of one page. It should be clear and concise. Include a few relevant skills and noteworthy achievements to ensure the length is retained.

Key Takeaways

• A journalism cover letter is fundamentally a document that briefly introduces a candidate and their experience to the employer.
• It should have a concise introduction and body paragraphs that demonstrate your interest in the specific job, relevant skills and qualifications, and the impact you can make on the organization.
• They are often attached to CVs, which are mailed or delivered to employers.
• It should be brief, professional, and focused on attracting an employer.
• In the cover letter, you can reference the experience gained from writing news items from primary sources, conducting interviews, and editing news items for accuracy.

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How To Write An Entry-Level Cover Letter (With Examples)

• Cover Letter Examples
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Find a Job You Really Want In

If you’re an entry-level jobseeker, your cover letter is your best friend.

Your cover letter is an opportunity to stand out as an entry-level candidate – because sadly, your resume probably won’t. Most people applying for the position will have fairly similar resumes, trying to make the best out of their limited experience .

And like their similarly limited work experience and resumes, many of those other entry-level candidates make a lot of the same mistakes in their cover letters.

But a cover letter that’s tailored to the specific position you’re looking for will open doors for you – even when your resume alone won’t.

Key Takeaways:

Entry-level cover letters should be between 250 and 300 words. Do not go over 400 words.

Entry-level cover letters should be crafted for a specific position.

Address what position you’re applying for, how you will fulfill the job’s responsibilities, and a bit of your personality.

Specifically address your cover letter if you can and avoid generalizations in your opening.

Make your cover easy to read and quantify your accomplishments.

What Is an Entry-Level Cover Letter?

How to structure an entry-level cover letter, elements of an entry-level cover letter, common mistakes in entry-level cover letters, entry-level cover letter tips, examples of entry-level cover letters, entry-level cover letter faq, final thoughts.

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An entry-level cover letter is a document expressing your interest and qualifications for a job that qualifies as “entry-level.” Entry-level jobs typically don’t require much (if any) prior experience, so job-seekers can be at a loss for how to summarize their suitability for a job they have no background in.

Alongside your resume , your cover letter is the first impression a hiring manager or recruiter will have of you. Unlike a resume, a cover letter gives you a chance to explain why you’re interested in the role and how you’ll perform it.

The best cover letters will land you interview requests , so make sure you’re hitting your most impressive skills , experiences, and qualities.

Even without formal experience, everyone has a background that served to prepare them for success. The trick is understanding how your background fits into what the employer wants .

The average amount of time hiring managers spend reading cover letters is six seconds. That means that they’ll spend as much time reading your cover letter as you spent reading this two-sentence introduction.

We’re even giving you the benefit of the doubt here on your reading speed.

You want to get their attention quickly and spend 250 words – but no more than 400 – showing the hiring manager:

What position you’re applying for

How you will fulfill the job’s responsibilities

A bit of your personality

Meanwhile the structure of a cover letter should be:

Contact information

Closing and signature

Contact Information

There’s not too much to say here, except don’t get it wrong. You wouldn’t be the first person to accidentally leave old company information and dates on a reworked cover letter.

Your contact information goes near the top left margin. Put a space between theirs, space then the date, and then a space and the salutation. That’s how to address your cover letter :

City, state, zip code

Phone number

Break it up with a space, then:

A big caveat here is that if you’re sending an email cover letter, you put your personal contact info in the email signature. Also, remove the contact information for the person you’re contacting.

You should make your subject line informative and brief, something like “Bilingual Creative Writer seeks content creation position.” Or just use your name and the position title.

Salutations

Keep in mind that they’ll be skimming, so anything that screams “this is from a template” gets the boot pretty quickly.

No “Dear Sir or Madam:” and no “To Whom It May Concern:” – this just shows that you didn’t figure out who you’ll be addressing the letter to .

You may have forgotten, but “Mrs.” indicates marriage, so play it safe on the title – “Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name]”

If you can’t figure out someone’s gender based off of their name, don’t guess. “Dear [Full Name]” is the safest road

You can use either a comma or colon – we prefer commas.

Do what you can to figure out who will be reading your letter. If it’s not in the posting, try searching the company website and LinkedIn . You might have success calling and asking the human resources department .

But if you’ve truly exhausted your search options, don’t fret. Some companies keep it on the down-low to keep people like you from spamming their inboxes with follow-up emails – “Dear Hiring Manager” or one of its variations will do.

The Opening Sentence(s)

Hiring managers read a lot of cover letters, and plenty of those are from people who don’t care much about landing that particular job.

So don’t open with “My name is [name] and I am applying for the [position] at [company] because [I need money].” You’ve given them your contact info and you’re applying for a job – they already know all of that. Start your cover letter off right.

Remember that you’re fighting to get noticed at this stage, so anything that they’ve already read from you – and other applications – makes their eyes glaze over.

Examples of Opening Sentence(s)

A solid opening statement can accomplish the three goals from earlier in one move:

Tell them what you want

How you’ll do it

Show them personality

Let’s look at some examples:

“I’ve wanted to work in broadcast journalism since a reporter interviewed me for winning my third grade spelling bee. The realization that I’m responsible for thousands of people’s “truths” resonated with me then, even if the truths were just how to spell prestidigitation.”

Why it works: So here the writer has announced that she wants a job as a broadcast reporter, she was an academic achiever (sort of), and that she has an appreciation for the solemnity of the profession. And it’s kinda cute.

Cute’s good; just don’t be too cute.

‌“My approach to management was drilled into me during my military training: be the kind of leader you want to follow.”

Why it works: This example identifies the job, obliquely mentions military experience , and also tells the reader that the writer knows what separates good bosses from bad ones.

“It didn’t land me on the cover of Forbes, but my college laundry delivery startup did teach me this: in sales, if you don’t measure it with reliable data, you can’t manage it reliably. Also, raise your prices before student loan checks arrive.”

Why it works: And here we know the writer is applying for a sales position, appreciates the value of metrics, is entrepreneurial, and has a sense of humor.

Be careful with the jokes though. You don’t have any idea what your hiring manager’s sense of humor is going to be like. If your joke doesn’t land, you’ll waste precious space and seem nonsensical – or worse, you’ll be deemed unfunny.

These examples have two important things in common: you don’t need experience to write them and they don’t explicitly state the job title.

Describing the job in the first sentence is a convention that can be done without — odds are that the reader will know what position you’re applying for, and if they don’t then you can more or less tell them in the introduction .

The Cover Letter Body

The biggest offense entry-level candidates make is handing over another version of your resume minus the bullets. Think of your resume as the “who-what-where-when” and the cover letter as the “how and why.”

The goal in the body of your cover letter isn’t just to tell them that you’re qualified; it’s to tell them that you’re the most qualified. And like the introductory statement, implication is a key element to the rest of the body. You’ll presumably have done research on the company and the job description – resist the urge to list them off in paragraph form.

The goal is to connect the dots for the reader without writing a sentence that sounds like this: “I’m a recent graduate of [your university] with [skill from posting #1], [skill from posting #2], and [skill from posting #3] skills.”

If the job posting describes someone who is a multi-tasker that meets deadlines, mention your time writing for your school paper while balancing a part-time job and schoolwork.

If they want someone who’s detail-oriented and a team player , bring up that fundraiser you organized for your fraternity. If they want someone who takes the initiative, tell them you unplug the thing and plug it back in before you call IT.

Volunteer experiences , internships , related classes , projects, leadership experience, extracurricular activities, and your skills that pertain to the position you’re applying for all can be mentioned in your cover letter. Just make sure to relate them to the job.

Don’t beg and don’t be overly effusive in your thanks. Even if it’s your dream job , you still want to make it seem like they’re offering you a business deal, not charity.

We’re fans of a standard closing :

I’d love to discuss the role with you further, and I appreciate the opportunity to tell you how my skills and ideas can benefit [company]. Thanks again for your consideration and I hope to hear from you soon. Many thanks, [Sign here if it’s a hard copy] [Name]

If it’s an email, just close with your email signature that includes contact information.

And after all of that stuff that you should do, here’s a big list of things you shouldn’t do – because I hate to break it to you, but hiring managers normally have so many applicants that they look for reasons not to advance past cover letters.

Don’t send generic cover letters. You shouldn’t give employers an easy reason to move you into the reject pile. It’s not your fault that you don’t have much experience, but it is if you don’t look like you’re even trying.

Don’t forget about the reader. It might be your cover letter, but it’s their job to fill. Make it about how you’ll do the job well.

Don’t use too much jargon or difficult vocabulary. Give them something that they can read naturally and easily.

Don’t be too modest. This isn’t the time to sell yourself short .

Don’t go over 400 words. Ideally, your cover letter should be between 200-300 words. Just remember, keep it short , honest, and ­– of course – real.

Now that we’ve got the basic cover letter formatting down, let’s turn to some tips that apply to every entry-level cover letter:

Include universally-important skills. It’s good practice to incorporate skills from the job description into your cover letter. However, you should also take time to note your strongest transferable skills . These are mostly soft skills , like your interpersonal abilities, communication skills , and attention to detail.

You can also incorporate skills you’re learning or discuss areas where you have a baseline knowledge but wish to develop further.

Research the company. While you’re researching to find the hiring manager’s name, also look into the company. Identify their values, their way of doing things, their competition, and their primary short and long-term goals . Then, you can use that information to make your cover letter pop by showcasing what a great cultural fit you are.

Emphasize education. This one holds more true for recent college graduates than career-changers, but it’s important nonetheless. Without much formal, professional experience, you’ll need to rely on your educational excellence to carry your application.

You can mention relevant coursework, but it’s even better if you can discuss specific projects you worked on and had an impact on. Group projects, research, and any relevant extracurriculars are all fair game, as long as they tie into the job’s duties somehow.

Quanitfy accomplishments . This goes for school and any professional experience you have. If you don’t think you can quantify your achievements, try harder; think of things like frequency, scale, time, money, percentage changes, time saved, etc.

For example, instead of saying “answered phones,” say “responded to an average of 25 customer inquiries each day.”

Proofread. This is probably the most important tip for all of your professional correspondence. Use a spell-check tool, read your cover letter aloud, and have a trusted friend look it over for you. If you have the time, let your cover letter sit for a day so you can read it with fresh eyes.

A cover letter with even a single error tells recruiters and hiring managers that you don’t care very much about this job prospect.

John Brown 123 Brook Ln. Towne, MD 123-456-7890 [email protected] 08/24/2020 Ashley Smith Senior Analyst 456 Technology Way Landon, MD Dear Ms. Smith, As a senior sports management student at Roothers State College, I was excited to see your posting for equipment interns. Within my degree program, I have been able to gain experience working with athletes across football, basketball, and baseball. I have been one of only four students to successfully complete rotations in all three sports in four semesters. I have maintained a 3.8 cumulative G.P.A throughout my academic career, while also being active in several campus recreational leagues. I have found that participating in sports gives operations staff a unique perspective when it comes to working with athletes. This has also helped me to interact with diverse groups of people and maintain a working knowledge of each sport. I know how to organize, coordinate, and assist with all aspects of equipment management due to my experience. It has been a dream to work for a professional sports team, but the Maryland Tigers is a franchise that I truly believe in. I have watched as the organization supports young players and always gives back to the local community. Being that I have also volunteered with little league teams, I know that the core values of the organization align with my own. I am confident that I would make an ideal candidate for the equipment intern role. Whether assisting coaches with drills or maintaining inventory, I can be an asset to the team. I look forward to learning more about the internship and discussing my qualifications in detail. I have provided my contact details for your convenience. Best regards, John Brown

Subject Line: Amy Grant – Junior Copywriter Dear Mr. Jones, At a recent Job Fair, I had a great conversation with ABC’s recruiter Doris Kelly about the Junior Copywriter positions opening up. As a graduating student of English, I was ecstatic to learn more about the content marketing strategy ABC is currently implementing. As an English student at UVM, I have strong written communication skills that I have developed through writing 10 undergraduate research papers for the Honor’s program, including my 20,000-word undergraduate thesis that won an award for excellence. I’ve also worked as a team to develop marketing for three different English-department-sponsored fundraising drives. Additionally, I’ve mentored fellow students by working at UVM’s writing center since my sophomore year. Since the Junior Copywriter position involves working together with the product, design, and marketing teams, my background working with people from different backgrounds would be an asset. I also know the importance of deadlines, and never missed an assignment deadline in my undergraduate experience. I’m proficient with Microsoft Office and Google Suites and have a working knowledge of WordPress developed from working on my personal blog and UVM’s writing center website. I appreciate you considering me for the role of Junior Copywriter at ABC, and I look forward to speaking more with you about the position. Sincerely, Beverly Brown [email protected] 555-654-3210 www.bevbrownwrites.com

Do entry-level jobs require cover letters?

Yes, entry-level jobs require cover letters. Crafting a cover letter for an entry-level job is especially important because it can help you stand out to your potential employers and help you land your first job after school.

What do you write in a cover letter if you have no experience?

When writing a cover letter with no experience, be sure to highlight the soft skills you may have acquired through hobbies, educational courses, or volunteer work. Soft skills are especially important to discuss in your cover letter with no experience because they can be difficult to teach.

These skills are typically naturally developed throughout your life, whereas hard skills can be taught on the job. Additionally, it’s a good idea to include how passionate you may be to learn new skills for the job you’re applying for.

Do employers read cover letters?

Yes, employers read cover letters. This is especially true when a cover letter is specifically required for your application.

A recent Career Builder study suggests that almost half of HR managers consider a cover letter the second best thing to give your resume a boost during the candidate selection process.

How do you start an entry-level cover letter?

Start an entry-level cover letter by enthusiastically describing why you’re interested in the role. The first paragraph of your cover letter is your opportunity to make a strong impression on the hiring manager.

Writing a cover letter without much experience can be difficult. Just remember that everyone has skills, passions, and success stories. The important part is distilling those things down into a half-page document that paints you as the ideal candidate for a job.

Follow these cover letter tips, and you’ll have hiring managers and recruiters calling you for interviews in no time.

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David Luther was the Content Marketing Editor for the Zippia Advice blog. He developed partnerships with external reporting agencies in addition to generating original research and reporting for the Zippia Career Advice blog. David obtained his BA from UNC Chapel Hill.

Matt Warzel a President of a resume writing firm (MJW Careers, LLC) with 15+ years of recruitment, outplacement, career coaching and resume writing experience. Matt is also a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Certified Internet Recruiter (CIR) with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Marketing Focus) from John Carroll University.

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