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Free Cover Letter Templates for Microsoft Word

• Microsoft Word Cover Letter Templates
• Access Letters From Your Computer

Access Templates Online

• Create a Customized Cover Letter

Tips for Writing an Interview-Winning Cover Letter

• More Free Templates

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A good cover letter can mean the difference between catching the hiring manager’s attention and languishing in job search limbo. But many job seekers find it hard to stare down that blank page. How do you summarize your most important qualifications in a way that makes it clear that you’re the best candidate for the job? Cover letter templates can help.

A cover letter template provides a "fill-in the-blank" format. You can use it to create your own letter to send with your resume when you apply for a job.

Using a template saves you a few steps and helps you structure your letter in a professional way.

Free Microsoft cover letter templates are available online from Microsoft Office Online, as a download for Microsoft Word users, or are available within your Word program.

Note that not all templates may work with all versions of Word, so check before you download. There will be a message next to the download button advising if there are restrictions.

Not a Microsoft user? Google Docs also has  free template samples  available for letters and resumes. Using any of these templates can help you to feel confident that you are properly writing and  formatting your cover letter .

Free Microsoft Word Cover Letter Templates

There are a variety of templates available for Microsoft Word. Template options include  general cover letters  and both job- and career-specific cover letter samples. For example, there are cover letter templates for professionals, temporary workers, and candidates who are sending in their resumes unsolicited.

Microsoft Word also offers a variety of different cover letter template designs, with resume templates to match. Note that if you choose one of these fancier template designs, you’ll want to choose a resume template to match.

Be consistent in your application materials, whether it’s matching your cover letter to your resume or choosing a font or format. That way, hiring managers can focus on your work experience—not your stylistic choices.

Access Cover Letters From Your Computer

Open Microsoft Word, then click on:

Then, search for online templates by typing your keywords (e.g., “cover letter”) in the field provided. You can also click on the "Resumes and Cover Letters" category to get more options. Review the available options and choose the design you like best.

If you don’t own a copy of Microsoft Office or a subscription to Microsoft 365, you can still access  cover letter templates . These templates are free and editable online.

Visit the  Microsoft Cover Letter Templates  website, browse the cover letter templates, then click on the title to preview the sample. You'll need to sign up for a free account to edit the document.

Once you find a template you like, click Edit In Browser, then follow the instructions to customize and save your cover letter. There are also sets, which include matching resumes and cover letters, available to use.

Use the Template to Create a Customized Cover Letter

Once you have downloaded or opened  a cover letter template file , type over the text in the file to create your own  personalized cover letter .

The template will include all the relevant information that you need to include in your document. Simply change the generic version to include your personal and professional information.

It's a good idea to include additional details about your qualifications and experience. Take the time to  match your qualifications to the job description . Include  keywords related to your skills and achievements.

To  customize your cover letter  further, look for a contact person at the company, ideally the hiring manager or HR contact, and address the letter to this person. If you have an employee contact at the company who is willing to refer you, be sure to mention them in the first paragraph of your cover letter. Employee referrals carry a lot of weight with hiring managers.

Double-check to make sure there is none of the template information left in your final saved version. Finally, carefully proofread for grammar and typographical errors before saving and sending your cover letter.

To avoid sending a blank template or the wrong version of your cover letter,  choose a file name  that’s easy to remember. It should always include your name and may also contain the name of the position for which you’re applying. 

Avoid version numbers and cutesy nicknames when choosing a file name for your resume.

• Send one.  Even when an employer does not directly ask for one, be sure  always to send a cover letter . The only time you don’t want to send one is when the job listing says not to.
• Review examples . Review cover letter examples and tips for how to write a cover letter , so yours makes the best impression.
• Customize each letter.  It might seem tedious, be it is important to  customize each cover letter  to fit the specific job you are applying for. It will make your letter stand out.
• Highlight relevant qualifications.  In your cover letter, address one or two skills or qualifications that you have that match the job description. Provide a specific example of a time you demonstrated each of these qualifications. These examples will make your cover letter different from your resume, which is important.
• Explain any potential issues.  You can use your cover letter to go into detail about something in your resume that needs explaining. For example, a cover letter is a good place to talk about a  career shift  or  explain an extended gap in employment .
• Carefully edit your letter.  Be sure to edit each cover letter before sending it thoroughly. Consider asking a friend or family member, or a  career counselor , to read over your cover letter.

More Templates for Resumes and Letters

Microsoft letter templates are available as a free download for Microsoft Word users or are available within your Word program, to use to create a variety of letters. There are letter templates for cover letters,  resignation letters ,  reference letters , thank you letters, interview letters, and a variety of business letters.

Additionally,  Microsoft resume templates  are available as a free download for Microsoft Word users to use to create a resume. Microsoft Word resume options include basic resumes, job-specific resumes, and career-specific resumes.

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Job Application Letter Template in Word

If You are Writing an Application Letter, Template.Net Houses a Vast Assortment of Free Job Application Letters and Sample Resume Formats in Microsoft Word to Impress Hiring Managers. These High-Quality Document Templates are Equipped with Sample Text to Increase Your Chances of Securing the Job Vacancy Position at Any Firm.

Get Access to All  MS Word Templates

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Are you an employee struggling in looking for a job application letter template you can use to apply for a professional job? Then look no further and download one of our high-quality job application letter templates for free in MS Word. Get to write application letters that are effective and formal, and can highlight your skill, experience, and qualification for immediate employment. Our templates are 100% customizable in any version of Microsoft Word. Available in A4 and US letter sizes. The files are easily editable and professionally-designed so that you can make an unforgettable and positive impression towards the administrative. Do not hesitate, save time and effort, and download our job application letter templates anytime, anywhere, at any device!

How To Create Job Application Letters in Microsoft Word?

To impress your future boss, you need to make yourself a market presentation through your job application letter to refer you for a job vacancy. A job application letter (also known as cover letter) should be with your resume in applying for a job. Even if employers would not require one, it is a custom to help you showcase your skills and achievements to impress the manager of your dream company. Writing this type of letter might be an intimidating task. However, if you will take these steps slowly but surely, creating a job application letter would be in no time.

1. Write Your Letter In Business Format

In writing your job application letter, it must be in a business format. Like your resume format, include your contact information, date, and the employer's full contact information. For business language, make sure to include a salutation at the beginning of your letter. Also, make sure to address them in the right honorifics and do not use vague greetings like 'To whom it may concern.' Also, indicate your signature at the end.

2. Market Yourself

Your job application letter is your passport towards your dream work. If you want to be an accountant in a real estate agent firm, you need to market yourself. Showcase what you can do to make positive changes towards the company. Provide skill or ability specifications that you have, have a sample checklist about it, especially if it will be a requirement for the job.  Pro tip—numerical values offer a sturdy work foundation, so include it as much as possible.

3. Highlight Your Keypoints

Navigate for the job description that your dream company establishes. Make a simple checklist about it. Make it as a reference and if possible, include it in your job application letter. It will open the eyes of the employers for the possibility that you are the perfect fit for the job. 

4. Keep It Brief Yet Impactful

A manager will likely be bored if your cover letter is two pages long. Keep it a single page leaflet as possible with no more than four paragraphs. You will only showcase your skills and abilities and not your background story. Your simple job letter will likely be accepted if you will present it in this way.

5. Open Your Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word is a go-to editing application that you can access anytime and anywhere. In making your job application letter, Microsoft Word is the best resort you can use. They offer user-friendly editing features and enables you to save time in editing. Do not worry about the compatibility of your file as you can edit your data in any Microsoft Word version.

6. Review, Edit, and Publish

Employers hate to see typographical errors in any job application letters. Review your letter from up to down, left to right. Check it not once, not twice but many times. If you are sure that your letter is polished, you can now print it. Submit it together with your simple resume and get that dream job!

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How to Create a Compelling Cover Letter in Microsoft Word

E very time you apply for a job, it's a good idea to include a cover letter. Deciding how to write each one is hard, but at least you don’t have to start from scratch with their design.

Microsoft Word offers templates and welcomes third-party designs to help you create compelling cover letters. Here’s how to use such options in Word and make the best first impression possible to potential employers.

Use Microsoft Word’s Cover Letter Templates

Formal letters don’t have to be bland. Go to File > More templates on Word, and type “cover letter” in the search box. You’ll find several stylish designs that add structure and color to your document.

What reflects you better, a subtle or sharp color scheme? If you’re considering a bold header for your professional details, learn how to design letterheads on Word , too. You can even add your portrait to your cover letter.

Microsoft Word’s built-in templates also include fields for you to fill in with your information and that of your potential employer. They guide you in these small ways, some even providing a sample for your letter’s main body. It’s a good idea to rephrase that, though, to fit each job application.

If you don’t like any of the options on Word’s desktop app, explore more Microsoft cover letter templates online and download your favorites from there.

Use Third-Party Templates in Microsoft Word

You can create cover letters for your dream job on platforms besides Microsoft. If you’d rather stick with it, you’ll even come across third-party templates specifically designed for you to download and customize on Word. Here are some examples.

1. ResumeLab

Explore over 50 cover letter templates, ranging from minimalist to eye-catching designs. Keep in mind that a few of them are meant to be created on ResumeLab. The rest you can bring onto Word by clicking their Download it free here link.

You’ll be redirected to websites like Good Resume and Resume Genius , which help you quickly download your documents. Then, all you have to do is open them in Microsoft Word.

You’ll also notice that some cover letters on ResumeLab are edited versions of Word’s built-in templates, but this just adds to your selection and gives you more ideas.

2. Template.net

This is a popular site for templates of all kinds, including cover letters. For some designs, you pay a small fee, but Template.net has an impressive range of free options, too. What’s more, the download process is very easy.

Just browse its collection, click on a design you like, and select the Word button under Download Free Template . In the next window, hit Free Download . If you’re not signed in already, you’ll be asked to as the final step.

Follow Best Practices for Cover Letters

Familiarize yourself with the dos and don’ts of writing a cover letter . Remember these guidelines when selecting and customizing a template or crafting a cover letter from scratch. They boil down to the following rules.

1. Research Potential Employers

Do your research before writing or designing your cover letter. Get to know each company and even the recruiter you’re addressing. It’s the same strategy as tailoring your resume for different job types .

2. Tailor Your Cover Letter

When showcasing your skills and interest in a position, use your research to tailor your letter so that it grabs the recruiter’s attention and impresses them. Be smart, enthusiastic, and concise with your words.

3. Use Your Blank Space Wisely

Aim to limit your cover letter to one page. Any more than that, and you risk losing the recruiter’s interest. Think about what you need to say, including important and relevant details not covered in your resume. Express these things as succinctly as possible.

4. Your Visuals Should Complement and Not Overwhelm the Letter

Add a bit of color and texture, going for a subtle effect. You could even use some small icons, as long as they’re tasteful and discreet. Whatever you choose, keep these visuals on the letter’s edges, and don’t let them dominate the text.

5. Master Word’s Features That Benefit Cover Letters

For example, you can create your cover letter more efficiently by setting the text’s boundaries from the get-go. To do this, go to Layout > Margins . From the same toolbar, you can adjust paragraph spacing and indentation.

Through Insert > Pictures , you can import an image of your signature and place it at the end of the letter. Your header and footer can be customized from here, too.

Even the Mailing toolbar might be of interest. It can help streamline the process of writing and sending letters, as well as keeping track of recipients.

Good Planning and Wording Make the Best Cover Letters

Between Microsoft and other providers, you have access to a wide selection of templates for simple but attractive cover letters that you can personalize on Word. The app itself is full of useful writing and editing tools.

With this leg up, designing a cover letter for every occasion is easier. Sound research and planning in terms of how to approach each application can help polish the letter even more.

Free printable letter templates

The art of letter writing is alive and well. find a free letter writing template for word and customize your correspondence. letters are about more than letterhead; make sure you're structuring your notes for maximum readability..

Customize a heartfelt letter with these templates

In this digital age, getting a handwritten letter in the mail is a rare but wonderful surprise. Although writing out a message takes more effort than just sending a text message, a letter will mean so much more to the recipient. And by writing your letter on custom-made paper, you can personalize your letter even more. Make your letter more graphically appealing in a flash using templates. To start, choose your favorite template on Microsoft Create. You can give your letter a simple look with a modern design, go back in time with a vintage template, or keep it playful with some fun illustrations. Once you've picked your template, you can customize your paper to make your letter special. Whether you're writing a nice note to grandma or want to keep in touch with a pen pal, adding some graphics to your letter will make it so much more memorable. After completing your design, you can print it out, write your letter, and add it to an envelope. Don't forget the stamp before heading to the post box! Letters are also great to send for special occasions such as weddings and holidays . Enhance any letter or invitation with a personalized celebration template.