Entry Level Cover Letter Example: How to Make a Powerful First Impression
Learn how to craft an effective entry level cover letter with our examples and tips. Increase your interview chances with our proven templates and professional advice.
On This Page
Template Information
Keywords
Popularity
Last Updated
Ready to Create Your Cover Letter?
Use our AI-powered tool to create a professional cover letter in minutes.
Get StartedIntroduction
Entering the job market for the first time can feel like standing at the edge of a vast ocean—exciting yet intimidating. Your entry level cover letter serves as your professional introduction, often determining whether your resume gets a thorough review or is quickly passed over. As someone with limited work experience, this crucial document bridges the gap between your academic achievements and the professional world, translating classroom success into workplace potential. I've witnessed countless qualified candidates miss opportunities simply because their cover letters failed to capture attention in those critical first seconds.
The stakes are particularly high for entry level positions where dozens—sometimes hundreds—of similarly qualified candidates compete for the same role. Your cover letter must work harder to differentiate you when you don't have extensive work history to showcase. It's your opportunity to demonstrate enthusiasm, relevant transferable skills, and cultural fit before you ever step into an interview room. The good news? A well-crafted entry level cover letter can significantly boost your chances of landing that crucial first job, even when competing against candidates with more experience. In this guide, I'll share proven strategies to help your application rise to the top of the pile and open doors to your career journey.
Key Statistics
Interview Rate
Higher with personalized cover letters
Application Rejection
Due to generic entry level cover letters
Hiring Manager Preference
Value enthusiasm over experience for entry roles
Key Components of an Effective Cover Letter
A well-structured cover letter should include several essential elements to make a strong impression on potential employers. Here are the key components you should include:
1. Compelling Introduction
Your introduction must immediately capture the hiring manager's attention and clearly state which position you're applying for. This section should convey genuine enthusiasm for the specific role and company, establishing why you're interested in this particular opportunity rather than just any job.
A strong introduction also briefly mentions how you learned about the position, especially if through a personal connection or because of genuine interest in the company's work.
Example:
As a recent graduate with a Bachelor's in Marketing from State University, I was excited to discover the Junior Marketing Assistant position at Bright Innovations through your company's presentation at our campus career fair. Your team's creative approach to digital marketing campaigns for small businesses aligns perfectly with my academic focus and personal passion for helping local enterprises thrive.
2. Relevant Skills and Qualifications
This section should clearly connect your academic achievements, internships, volunteer work, and campus activities to the job requirements. Focus on translating classroom projects, leadership roles, and extracurricular activities into valuable workplace skills.
Avoid simply repeating your resume; instead, elaborate on 2-3 key experiences that demonstrate your capabilities most relevant to the position. Use specific examples that showcase problem-solving, teamwork, or initiative.
Example:
During my internship at Local Digital Marketing, I collaborated with a team to develop social media content that increased client engagement by 27%. Additionally, as Social Media Coordinator for my university's Business Club, I implemented a content calendar that grew our following by 300 members in one semester, demonstrating my ability to develop strategic communication plans and execute them effectively.
3. Knowledge of the Company
Demonstrate that you've researched the organization by mentioning specific company achievements, values, projects, or news that resonates with you. This shows initiative and genuine interest in the specific company rather than just seeking any entry-level position.
Connect the company's mission or recent developments to your own career goals or values, explaining why you see yourself as a good fit for their culture. This personalization helps employers envision you as part of their team.
Example:
I was particularly impressed by Bright Innovations' recent campaign for the Downtown Small Business Association, which increased foot traffic for local shops by 45%. Your company's commitment to supporting community businesses through innovative digital strategies aligns perfectly with my passion for using marketing to create positive local impact. I would be thrilled to contribute to future projects that continue this important work.
4. Transferable Skills Highlight
For entry-level positions, emphasizing transferable skills from academic projects, part-time jobs, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities is crucial. Focus on universal professional skills like communication, problem-solving, time management, and teamwork that apply across industries.
Use concrete examples that demonstrate how you've successfully applied these skills in real situations, even if not in a professional setting. Quantify results whenever possible to add credibility to your claims.
Example:
As treasurer for my university's Student Government Association, I managed a $50,000 annual budget, developed financial tracking systems that reduced reporting errors by 90%, and collaborated with diverse campus organizations to allocate funds fairly. This experience developed my attention to detail, financial accountability, and ability to work with stakeholders across different departments—skills directly applicable to the Administrative Assistant role at your organization.
5. Confident Closing with Clear Next Steps
Your closing paragraph should confidently restate your interest in the position and summarize why you're a strong candidate. This section should demonstrate professionalism while maintaining enthusiasm for the opportunity to interview.
Include a clear call to action that indicates your availability for an interview and appreciation for the reader's time and consideration. The closing should leave the impression of a proactive, courteous professional.
Example:
I am excited about the possibility of bringing my analytical skills, creative problem-solving abilities, and passion for digital marketing to the Junior Marketing Assistant role at Bright Innovations. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my background and enthusiasm would benefit your team. Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward to the possibility of speaking with you soon.
Tips for Writing a Great Cover Letter
1. Quantify Achievements Whenever Possible
Numbers and specific metrics make your accomplishments more concrete and impressive, even for entry-level positions. Instead of saying you 'helped increase social media engagement,' specify that you 'grew Instagram followers by 35% over three months' or 'managed a $5,000 budget for student events.'
Look for opportunities to quantify academic achievements, volunteer work, or internship results. These specific details help hiring managers visualize your potential impact and demonstrate your attention to measuring results.
2. Address Employment Gaps Proactively
If you have gaps in your academic or early work history, address them briefly and positively rather than hoping employers won't notice. Explain how you used this time productively—perhaps for volunteer work, online courses, personal projects, or developing specific skills relevant to the position.
Frame gaps as periods of growth rather than limitations, focusing on what you gained rather than what you missed. This demonstrates maturity and transparency that employers value in potential team members.
3. Customize for Each Application
Resist the temptation to create one generic cover letter for all applications, even when applying to multiple entry-level positions. Research each company thoroughly and tailor your letter to address their specific needs, values, and culture.
Mention the exact job title, reference recent company news or projects, and adjust which skills and experiences you highlight based on each job description. This extra effort significantly increases your chances of making it past initial screening.
4. Proofread Meticulously
For entry-level positions where your professional track record is limited, flawless presentation becomes even more critical. Spelling errors, grammar mistakes, or formatting inconsistencies can immediately signal carelessness to employers.
Have at least two other people review your cover letter before submission, and read it aloud to catch awkward phrasing. Consider using tools like Grammarly for an additional check, but never rely solely on automated proofreading.
Language Tips for Cover Letters
Power Words to Strengthen Your Cover Letter
Including these powerful words and phrases can make your cover letter more impactful and memorable:
Achievement Words
- Achieved - Shows results and completion
- Delivered - Demonstrates fulfillment of goals
- Increased - Shows growth and improvement
- Transformed - Indicates significant change
Leadership Words
- Spearheaded - Shows initiative and leadership
- Orchestrated - Coordinated complex activities
- Pioneered - First to implement or create
- Mentored - Guided others to success
Skill Words
- Analyzed - Shows analytical abilities
- Streamlined - Improved efficiency
- Collaborated - Worked well with others
- Innovated - Created new solutions
Phrases to Avoid
These common phrases can weaken your cover letter. Use the alternatives instead:
| Avoid | Use Instead | Why |
|---|---|---|
| "To Whom It May Concern" | Research the name of the hiring manager | Shows lack of research and effort |
| "I think I would be a good fit" | "My experience in X has prepared me to excel in Y" | Sounds uncertain; be confident instead |
| "This job would help me" | "I would bring value to your team by..." | Focus on what you can offer, not what you'll gain |
| "I'm a hard worker" | Specific example of your work ethic | Generic claim without evidence |
Additional Tips
Do's
- Do research the company thoroughly and mention specific aspects that interest you
- Do highlight relevant coursework, projects, and extracurricular activities that demonstrate job-related skills
- Do mention internships, volunteer work, and part-time jobs that show transferable skills
- Do keep your cover letter to one page with concise, impactful language
Don'ts
- Don't apologize for lack of experience—focus on what you do bring to the table
- Don't use the same cover letter for every application
- Don't include irrelevant personal information or hobbies
- Don't use overly casual language or slang, even when applying to modern startups
- Don't forget to proofread multiple times for errors and clarity
Cover Letter Template
Entry Level Software Developer Cover Letter Template
Header
Date
Recipient
Salutation
Opening
Body Paragraph 1
Body Paragraph 2
Closing
Signature
Ready to Create Your Professional Cover Letter?
Use our templates to create a standout cover letter that gets you noticed by employers and makes a strong first impression.