How To Create Cover Page For Resume

Writing a great cover page is a key element in a strong job application. While having a quality resume is important, a cover page can be an opportunity to demonstrate your personality and elaborate on your professional aims. You may have similar qualifications or experiences as other applicants, but a cover page allows you to communicate why you are a great fit for a role, which could help you advance in the interview process. Whether you are applying for your first job or are in the middle of a career transition, use the information and tips in this guide to help you write an effective cover page.

Cover Letter Format

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Cover Letter Format
1. Date and contact information
2. Salutation or greeting
3. Opening paragraph
4. Middle paragraph(s)
5. Closing paragraph
6. Letter ending and signature

What is a cover page?

A cover page is a letter or email sent with a resume, and it is often the first thing an employer will read. While a resume outlines your education, professional qualifications and work experience, a detailed cover letter expands on your skills and suitability for a role. For example, you may include an overview of a project you previously worked on to show you have a particular skill required for a role.

A job listing usually specifies if you should provide a cover letter, but you should consider providing one regardless to demonstrate professionalism and enthusiasm for the position.

What goes on a cover page?

Cover pages generally adhere to a specific format, depending on the type of job you are applying for. For example, writing a cover page for a digital content writer role may be different than for a finance officer role. In some fields, applicants can use the opportunity to express their flair and creativity.

To get an idea of how to write cover pages for specific roles, you can read cover page examples.

A cover page for most jobs will include these elements:

Header
Salutation
Introduction
Main body
Closing paragraph
Signature
Formatting

Header

Include your name and address and the employer's name and address as you would in a business letter.

Also be sure to write the date you are sending the job application in "date, month, year" format. Insert the date in between your address and the recipient's address.

If you are sending a cover page via email, you do not need to create a header. You can include your contact details at the end of the email below your signature, instead.

Read more: Business Letter Format and Example

Salutation

If you know the full name of the contact you are writing to, begin the cover letter with "Dear Mr. Suarez." You can also address them as "Mr.," "Mrs." or "Ms." if you know their gender. If you do not know the name of the contact, you could write "To whom it concerns at (Company Name)."

Introduction

It is important to write a clear and strong introduction to engage the employer's attention. Begin by stating the job you are applying for and where you found the job advertisement. You can also include a brief overview of your skills and a statement of enthusiasm about the company, but keep it short as the goal is to make the employer read on.

Main body

In the second paragraph, you can give an overview of why you are the right person for the role, including your background and skills. Aim to provide examples of your skills by discussing your experience or projects in your current job. Remember to reference the key skills mentioned in the job listing.

In the third paragraph, discuss one or two key achievements or career highlights to demonstrate why you are well suited for the role. Focus on your recent work experiences, as employers are usually most interested in what you have been doing over the past couple of years. If you are a graduate applying for your first job, talk about your key achievements in college and your enthusiasm to start your career and develop your skills.

You can write a couple of sentences about why you are a strong fit for the company, as well as the role itself. Research the organization, and consider training opportunities, company mission and working culture. Explain in your cover page what you like about the organization and why you want to work there.

Closing paragraph

The closing paragraph should be a couple of sentences summing up the reasons you are applying for the role, and why you are a great fit. Include a sentence saying that you look forward to hearing from the employer regarding the next stage, and thank them for considering your application.

Signature

Close off with "Sincerely," or "Best regards," followed by your full name. If you are sending an email, put your contact details under the signature.

Formatting

A great cover page follows professional standards for formatting. Use the same font as your resume—Arial, Georgia, Calibri and Times New Roman are good choices. Font size should be 10 or 12 points. Add a space between each section or paragraph, and reduce the margin size to ensure the document fits on one page.

How do I write a cover page?

First impressions can be just as important on paper and email as they are in person, so it's crucial to know what information to include, what to leave out and how to craft a cover page. Here is a how-to guide for writing a cover to your resume:

1 . Do your research

It's important to explain why you are suitable for a role, but employers also want to know if you are a good fit for the company on a personal level. Research the company's website and social media channels to get an idea of their values, goals and working culture. Expressing your interest in the company on your cover page demonstrates initiative and creates a good first impression.

Read more: 21 Job Interview Tips: How to Make a Great Impression

2 . Know your skills

Carefully read the job listing and identify whether your skills match the ones the posting lists. If you are a good team player or have excellent problem-solving skills, share an example from a previous job, a career highlight or a key achievement. Including strong examples will show you have experience that will help in the job you're applying for.

If you do not have the skills or experience listed but still think you are suitable for the role, explain any transferrable credentials you do have. Employers are often open to considering people from various backgrounds if they have applicable skills. For example, a waiter applying for a call center advisor role should note their experience with customer service, teamwork and the ability to work under pressure.

3 . Keep it focused

A cover letter should be specific, brief and contain only relevant information. The ideal length for a cover page is one page with 10 or 12 point font size. A concise letter will be more likely to hold the reader's attention.

4 . Be professional

A cover page is a professional document, so try to avoid talking about your personal life, hobbies or family. It is also appropriate to wait until later in the hiring process to discuss salary expectations and employee benefits. A good cover page will be more likely to secure you an interview, so save any questions you have for the next stage.

5 . Pay attention to detail

Keep things simple by using correct grammar and avoiding elaborate language. Proofread the cover page to correct typos and ensure the letter is focused and readable. You can ask a friend to review your cover page as well, to be certain there are no errors.

Many people apply for several jobs at once, but make sure to write a unique cover page for each job you apply to. It's fine to use a cover page template, but take the time to change more than just the company name. Instead, reference specific information from the job posting, such as duties and qualifications, to show you're attentive to the job's specifications.

Cover page example

Below is an example of a cover page for an administration assistant manager position that lists "organization" and "communication" skills in the job description:

javierbloggs@email.com
178 Park Lane
Austin, TX
(800) 111-1234

May 2, 2019

Hiring Manager
Business Works
11 Watson Drive
Austin, TX
(800) 222-4321

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to apply for the administration assistant manager role at Business Works, which I saw advertised on Indeed.

The role appeals to me for a number of reasons. Over the past five years, I have worked as an administrator in two very different companies—a small legal firm and a private bank. In these roles, I was responsible for a variety of administrative duties which enabled the business to run smoothly. My organization skills were crucial for planning and booking travel for staff, communicating with other departments to organize events and meetings, processing stationery orders and collaborating with external providers to resolve IT issues. The role demanded excellent communication skills with all staff and external contacts. As a result of working in companies that varied so much in size and structure, I have developed and refined my skills and could confidently apply them to this role.

I have not previously worked in a formal assistant manager role, but in my previous roles, I often had responsibilities that exceeded those listed in my job description. One of my biggest achievements at the legal firm was creating a staff training database to record all previous and scheduled training. This was crucial for the firm's compliance during the expansion of their offices. I also suggested several changes to streamline existing administration processes, which were then implemented by senior management. I do not doubt that my experience and skills would allow me to work effectively and competently with the administration manager to support the rest of the team.

The role also appeals to me because of Business Works' company culture and career opportunities. I am excited by your training and development program for new employees, and I value your commitment to ensuring employees are continually challenged through ongoing training.

I look forward to discussing my application and experience with you in further detail. Thank you for your consideration.

All the best,

Javier Bloggs