Best Examples of Entry-Level Cover Letter Examples for Beginners (2024-2025 Guide)

Real examples of entry-level cover letter examples for beginners

Let’s start where you actually need help: seeing how this looks on the page. Below are several realistic examples of entry-level cover letter examples for beginners in different situations. You can copy the structure, then swap in your own details.

Example of an entry-level cover letter for a recent college graduate

Scenario: You just finished a bachelor’s degree and have internships, projects, or campus leadership, but not much full-time experience.

Why this works in 2024–2025: Recruiters care less about job titles and more about skills, impact, and the ability to learn quickly. This example leans on class projects and internships.

Sample:

Dear Hiring Manager,

I’m excited to apply for the Marketing Assistant position at BrightWave Media. As a recent graduate with a B.A. in Communications from the University of Texas, I’ve developed strong writing, research, and digital marketing skills through internships and hands-on projects that closely match this role.

In my final semester, I led a team project to create a social media campaign for a local nonprofit. I managed the content calendar, wrote copy for Instagram and TikTok, and analyzed engagement data. Our campaign increased the nonprofit’s Instagram followers by 32% in six weeks and helped them raise over $4,000 during their spring fundraiser.

During my internship at Lone Star Fitness, I supported the marketing team by drafting email newsletters, updating website content, and tracking open and click-through rates. I also learned the basics of Google Analytics and Canva, which I see listed in your job description.

I’m drawn to BrightWave Media’s focus on data-informed storytelling and would love to contribute my writing skills, curiosity, and willingness to learn to your team. I’d welcome the chance to talk about how I can support your upcoming campaigns.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Jordan Rivera

This is one of the best examples for new grads because it turns schoolwork into evidence of real-world skills.

Example of an entry-level cover letter with no work experience at all

Scenario: You have no formal jobs or internships. Maybe you’ve done volunteering, school activities, or self-study.

Sample:

Dear Ms. Patel,

I am writing to express my interest in the Customer Service Representative position at NorthPoint Bank. While I do not yet have formal work experience, I have developed strong communication, problem-solving, and people skills through volunteer work and leadership roles in school.

As a volunteer at CityCare Food Pantry, I regularly greeted visitors, answered questions, and helped resolve scheduling and delivery issues. On busy days, I helped organize the check-in line and worked with other volunteers to make sure families were served quickly and respectfully.

In high school, I served as secretary of the Student Council, where I recorded meeting notes, created flyers for events, and communicated with students and staff about schedule changes. These experiences taught me how to stay calm under pressure, listen carefully, and explain information clearly.

I’m excited about the opportunity to bring that same energy and reliability to NorthPoint Bank’s customer service team. I’m eager to learn your systems and procedures and to grow within the company.

Thank you for considering my application.

Sincerely,

Alexis Johnson

This is a simple example of how beginners can turn everyday responsibilities into a professional narrative.

Example of an entry-level cover letter for a career changer

Scenario: You’ve worked before, but you’re switching fields and feel “entry-level” in the new area.

Sample:

Dear Hiring Committee,

I’m excited to apply for the Entry-Level Data Analyst position at Horizon Health. After three years in retail management, I am transitioning into data analytics and recently completed the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate.

In my role as an Assistant Store Manager at MetroMart, I regularly analyzed weekly sales data, identified underperforming product categories, and recommended changes to store layouts and promotions. One of my suggestions helped increase sales of a slow-moving product line by 18% in a single quarter.

Through the certificate program, I gained hands-on experience with spreadsheets, SQL, and data visualization tools. For my capstone project, I cleaned and analyzed a large public dataset, then presented insights and recommendations in a dashboard and written report.

I’m particularly interested in Horizon Health’s mission to improve patient outcomes through data-driven decisions. I’d love the opportunity to bring my customer-focused mindset and new technical skills to your analytics team.

Thank you for your consideration.

Best regards,

Morgan Lee

Among the best examples of entry-level cover letter examples for beginners who are changing careers, this one shows how to connect old experience to new goals.

Example of an entry-level cover letter for an internship (2024–2025)

Scenario: You’re a student applying for a 2024–2025 internship.

Sample:

Dear Mr. Chen,

I am writing to apply for the Summer 2025 Software Engineering Internship at Skyline Tech. I’m a junior Computer Science major at Arizona State University with hands-on experience in Python, Java, and web development.

In my Software Engineering course this year, I worked on a team of four to build a task management web app using React and Node.js. I focused on the front-end interface and collaborated with teammates using Git and GitHub for version control.

I also completed a personal project where I built a simple budgeting tool in Python that tracks expenses and visualizes spending patterns. Through these projects, I’ve become comfortable reading documentation, troubleshooting bugs, and writing clear, maintainable code.

I’m excited about Skyline Tech’s focus on mentoring early-career engineers and would love the chance to grow my skills while contributing to real projects this summer.

Thank you for considering my application.

Sincerely,

Priya Desai

This is a solid example of entry-level cover letter writing for beginners in tech, where projects matter as much as jobs.

Example of an entry-level cover letter for a part-time or retail job

Scenario: You’re applying for a first job in retail, food service, or another hourly role.

Sample:

Dear Store Manager,

I’m interested in the Sales Associate position at GreenLeaf Outfitters. As a recent high school graduate who enjoys working with people and learning about outdoor gear, I’m excited about the chance to join your team.

At school, I often helped organize events such as the annual fundraiser and club fairs. I coordinated sign-up tables, answered questions from students and parents, and helped set up and clean up after events. Teachers and classmates frequently relied on me because I was on time and followed through on what I promised.

I’m confident I can bring that same reliability and positive attitude to GreenLeaf Outfitters. I’m eager to learn your products, help customers find what they need, and support the team during busy seasons.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Diego Martinez

These kinds of real examples show that even without paid experience, you can still write a strong, professional cover letter.

Example of an entry-level cover letter for remote or hybrid roles

Scenario: You’re applying for a beginner-friendly remote position, which is increasingly common in 2024–2025.

Sample:

Dear Hiring Manager,

I’m excited to apply for the Remote Administrative Assistant position at ClearView Consulting. I recently completed a one-year business administration certificate and have experience managing schedules, documents, and communication in virtual settings.

During my program, I served as the virtual coordinator for a group project involving classmates in three different time zones. I scheduled Zoom meetings, shared agendas, took notes, and tracked action items in Google Sheets. I also became comfortable using tools such as Slack, Google Drive, and Calendly.

I understand the importance of clear communication and self-management in remote work. I’m confident I can support your consultants by organizing files, preparing documents, and responding promptly to client requests.

Thank you for considering my application. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to your team.

Best regards,

Taylor Brooks

As more entry-level jobs move online, examples of entry-level cover letter examples for beginners that highlight remote skills are becoming more valuable.

Simple structure you can reuse for your own letter

If you read through these examples of entry-level cover letter examples for beginners, you’ll notice the same basic pattern over and over. You can follow that same pattern for almost any role:

Opening paragraph: Say which job you’re applying for and how you found it. Add one sentence that connects you to the company or role. Keep it short and direct.

Middle paragraph(s): Pick two or three experiences that show you can do the job. These can be:

• Classes or academic projects
• Internships or part-time work
• Volunteering and community work
• Clubs, sports, or leadership roles
• Self-taught projects or online courses

For each example, mention what you did, how you did it, and what happened as a result. Even a small outcome, like “helped reduce wait times” or “kept accurate records,” makes your story stronger.

Closing paragraph: Re-state your interest, mention that you’d like to talk further, and thank them for their time.

This structure keeps your letter focused and readable, which matters in 2024–2025 when many recruiters skim quickly and applicant tracking systems (ATS) scan for keywords that match the job description.

2024–2025 trends that affect entry-level cover letters

When you look for the best examples of entry-level cover letter examples for beginners today, you’ll notice a few patterns shaped by current hiring trends:

Shorter, sharper letters. Recruiters are busy. Most entry-level cover letters now run about three to four short paragraphs. You don’t need your life story; you need a clear snapshot that shows, “I can do this job.”

More skills, fewer buzzwords. Instead of saying you’re a “hard worker” or a “team player,” show it with a quick story. For example, “I coordinated a team of five volunteers during weekend events” says more than “I have strong teamwork skills.”

Keywords that match the job posting. Many companies use ATS software to screen applications. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission notes that AI tools are increasingly used in hiring and can affect how resumes and cover letters are evaluated (EEOC.gov). That means it helps to echo a few key skills from the job description in your letter, as long as you do it honestly.

Evidence of learning. Online courses, certificates, and self-directed projects are more valued than they used to be. If you’ve taken a reputable online course (for example, from a university or a major platform), it’s worth mentioning.

Interest in the organization’s mission. Especially in areas like healthcare, education, and nonprofits, employers want to see that you care about their work. A single sentence that shows you understand their mission can set you apart from generic letters.

How to customize these examples for your own situation

It’s tempting to copy a favorite example of a cover letter word-for-word. Don’t. Recruiters see the same copied templates over and over, and some companies even run applications through tools that flag repeated content.

Instead, treat these as patterns:

• Keep the same overall shape: clear opening, two or three proof points, confident close.
• Swap in your specific details: class names, project topics, tools you used, numbers you improved.
• Match the tone to the company: slightly more formal for banks and hospitals, slightly more relaxed for startups and creative fields.

If you’re stuck, talk out loud as if you’re explaining to a friend why you’d be good at the job. Then write down what you said and clean it up. Many of the best examples of entry-level cover letter examples for beginners start as a simple, honest explanation in plain language.

Quick checklist before you send your cover letter

Use this as a final pass after you adapt any of the real examples above:

• Your letter is one page or less.
• You’ve mentioned the exact job title and company name.
• You included 2–3 concrete experiences that connect to the job.
• You used numbers or outcomes at least once (even small ones).
• You echoed a few skills or tools from the job posting.
• You avoided long, dense paragraphs. Shorter ones are easier to skim.
• You proofread for spelling, grammar, and the correct employer name.

If you’re unsure about basic grammar or structure, resources like the Purdue Online Writing Lab (purdueowl.purdue.edu) offer clear, updated guidance on cover letter writing.

FAQ about examples of entry-level cover letter examples for beginners

How long should an entry-level cover letter be?
Most hiring managers prefer something around three to four short paragraphs, or about half a page to one page. For beginners, shorter is usually better, as long as you include at least two specific examples of your skills.

Can I use the same cover letter for every job?
You can reuse the same basic structure, but you should always customize details. Swap in the correct company name, job title, and two or three experiences that best match that specific role. Even the best examples of entry-level cover letter examples for beginners only work if they’re tailored.

What if I have no experience at all?
Use examples from school, volunteering, clubs, sports, caregiving, or personal projects. Employers know beginners won’t have long work histories. They’re looking for signs that you’re reliable, willing to learn, and able to communicate clearly.

Do employers still read cover letters in 2024–2025?
Many do, especially for entry-level and office-based roles. Surveys from major hiring platforms continue to show that well-written cover letters can help candidates stand out when their resumes are light on experience. Some companies mark them as optional, but when you’re a beginner, including one often helps.

Is it okay to mention online courses or certificates?
Yes. If they’re relevant to the job, include them. For example, a data analytics certificate, a project management course, or a coding bootcamp can strengthen your letter. Just be honest about your level and focus on any projects or hands-on work you completed.

Where can I find more examples of entry-level cover letter examples for beginners?
University career centers and reputable educational sites often publish real examples. For instance, many U.S. colleges share sample cover letters through their career services pages, and federal resources like CareerOneStop from the U.S. Department of Labor (careeronestop.org) offer templates and tips for beginners.

If you use the patterns and real examples in this guide as a starting point, you’ll be able to write a clear, confident entry-level cover letter that sounds like you—and that’s exactly what hiring managers want to see.