How to write a cover letter

Explain why this role fits

Draft three short paragraphs: why this role, what evidence you bring and how to continue the conversation. Use a named contact only when you have verified it; a neutral greeting is fine otherwise. A career change or a gap can be explained briefly if it matters to this application. Keep the tone professional and specific, without exaggerated praise or promises. Close with a clear statement of interest and suitable contact details. Before sending, check the organization’s name, the position title and any attachment instructions carefully.

For US and Canadian applications, focus on skills and experience, keep personal details limited and follow the employer’s document instructions.

Registered Nurse

For Registered Nurse, the evidence should focus on Patient Assessment, Emergency Care, IV Therapy. The sample tools are EHR, BLS; keep only the ones you have used. Treat the sample action below as a structure to study, not an achievement to copy. Notice how it identifies a task and an output. In your own version, clarify the scope, the people you worked with and what changed because of your contribution. If the outcome belongs to a team, say which part you completed. If the data is confidential, describe the method and deliverable without exposing customer records or internal figures.

Providing emergency care for 30+ patients daily. Triage assessment, IV therapy, wound management. Mentoring new graduate nurses and coordinating with physicians for treatment plans.

Apply “How to write a cover letter” to this example by writing a fresh paragraph in your own words. Start with Patient Assessment, Emergency Care, IV Therapy, pick a relevant action and identify the evidence you can show. Compare the result with the vacancy and remove details that do not help the reader judge your fit. Ask whether each sentence answers a useful question about responsibility, tools or outcome. Keep the wording natural and specific; a recruiter should be able to ask you about the example in an interview. Record any facts you need to confirm before the application, rather than leaving an uncertain claim in the final version.

• Put your license type, years of practice and the state where you are licensed near the top.
• Name the units and patient populations you worked with, along with typical patient-to-nurse ratios.
• List certifications with expiry dates: BLS, ACLS, PALS, TNCC or specialty credentials.
• Mention the EHR you know, such as Epic, Cerner or Meditech — it shortens onboarding for the employer.

Teacher

For Teacher, the evidence should focus on Curriculum Design, AP Exam Preparation, Classroom Management. The sample tools are Google Classroom, Moodle; keep only the ones you have used. Treat the sample action below as a structure to study, not an achievement to copy. Notice how it identifies a task and an output. In your own version, clarify the scope, the people you worked with and what changed because of your contribution. If the outcome belongs to a team, say which part you completed. If the data is confidential, describe the method and deliverable without exposing customer records or internal figures.

Teaching AP Calculus AB/BC and AP Statistics to 120+ students annually. Developing engaging lesson plans using technology-integrated methods. Mentoring student math competition teams - 3 state-level wins.

Apply “How to write a cover letter” to this example by writing a fresh paragraph in your own words. Start with Curriculum Design, AP Exam Preparation, Classroom Management, pick a relevant action and identify the evidence you can show. Compare the result with the vacancy and remove details that do not help the reader judge your fit. Ask whether each sentence answers a useful question about responsibility, tools or outcome. Keep the wording natural and specific; a recruiter should be able to ask you about the example in an interview. Record any facts you need to confirm before the application, rather than leaving an uncertain claim in the final version.

• State your teaching license and the grade levels and subjects you are certified for.
• Give evidence of impact: test results, reading-level gains, better attendance or new programs you launched.
• Mention classroom technology such as Google Classroom, interactive whiteboards or learning platforms.
• Include roles outside the classroom: clubs, mentoring new teachers, curriculum committees or parent workshops.

Cashier

For Cashier, the evidence should focus on POS Systems, Cash Handling, Customer Service. The sample tools are POS, Excel; keep only the ones you have used. Treat the sample action below as a structure to study, not an achievement to copy. Notice how it identifies a task and an output. In your own version, clarify the scope, the people you worked with and what changed because of your contribution. If the outcome belongs to a team, say which part you completed. If the data is confidential, describe the method and deliverable without exposing customer records or internal figures.

Process cash, card and mobile payments at a high-traffic grocery store. Balanced the cash drawer with zero variances in 2025, signed up 150+ customers for the loyalty program and trained four new cashiers on the POS system.

Apply “How to write a cover letter” to this example by writing a fresh paragraph in your own words. Start with POS Systems, Cash Handling, Customer Service, pick a relevant action and identify the evidence you can show. Compare the result with the vacancy and remove details that do not help the reader judge your fit. Ask whether each sentence answers a useful question about responsibility, tools or outcome. Keep the wording natural and specific; a recruiter should be able to ask you about the example in an interview. Record any facts you need to confirm before the application, rather than leaving an uncertain claim in the final version.

• Mention the POS systems you have used and the payment types you process.
• Quantify accuracy and volume: transactions per shift, balanced drawers, shrinkage reduced.
• Show extra responsibilities such as opening and closing, training new staff or restocking.
• List your availability for weekends, evenings and holidays — it matters a lot in retail.

Put this advice into practice

Read the completed application as if you were seeing it for the first time. Verify names, dates and contact details. Open every portfolio link and inspect the exported file on a small screen. Follow the vacancy’s requested file type and naming convention. Save a copy of the version you sent so you can prepare for an interview with the same evidence.