Best examples of email cover letter examples for job applications

Short, strong examples of email cover letter examples for job applications

Let’s start with what you probably came for: real, copy‑and‑paste‑ready examples. Then we’ll break down why they work and how to adapt them.

These first examples of email cover letter examples for job applications are built for busy hiring managers: short, skimmable, and focused.

Example 1: Standard email cover letter for a posted job

Subject: Marketing Manager – Application – Jordan Lee

Email body:
Dear Hiring Manager,

I’m writing to apply for the Marketing Manager position at BrightWave, as advertised on LinkedIn. With 7+ years of experience leading digital campaigns and growing organic traffic by over 120% at my current company, I’m excited about the opportunity to help BrightWave expand its B2B reach.

In my current role at Northstar Tech, I manage a team of four, oversee a $450K annual ad budget, and partner closely with Sales to improve lead quality. Over the past year, my team increased marketing‑sourced pipeline by 38% while reducing cost per lead by 22%.

I’ve attached my resume and a brief portfolio of recent campaigns. I’d welcome the chance to discuss how I can support your 2025 growth targets.

Best regards,
Jordan Lee
[Phone] | [LinkedIn URL]

This is a classic example of an email cover letter for job applications: clear subject, quick context, measurable results, and a polite close.

Example 2: Referral-based email cover letter

Subject: Referred by Alex Green – Senior Data Analyst Application

Email body:
Hi [Hiring Manager Name],

Alex Green from your Analytics team suggested I contact you about the Senior Data Analyst opening. I’ve spent the past five years turning messy data into clear, decision‑ready insights at mid‑size SaaS companies, and I’d love to bring that experience to [Company].

Most recently at CloudPath, I led a pricing analysis project that increased average contract value by 14% without hurting churn. I’m comfortable working with SQL, Python, and Tableau, and I enjoy partnering with non‑technical stakeholders to make data easier to use.

I’ve attached my resume and a short portfolio of dashboards. I’d appreciate the opportunity to learn more about the role and share how I can contribute.

Thank you for your time,
[Your Name]

Among the best examples of email cover letter examples for job applications, referral emails like this stand out because they name the mutual connection right away.

Example 3: Career changer applying by email

Subject: Project Coordinator Application – Former Teacher Transitioning to Operations

Email body:
Dear [Hiring Manager Name],

I’m excited to submit my application for the Project Coordinator role at [Company]. After six years as a high school teacher, I’m transitioning into operations and project coordination, where I can apply my planning, communication, and stakeholder‑management skills in a new setting.

In my current role, I manage schedules and priorities for 150+ students, coordinate with a team of 12 colleagues, and design semester‑long projects with clear milestones and outcomes. This year, I implemented a new digital tracking system that reduced late assignments by 27% and improved parent communication.

I’ve completed a Google Project Management Certificate to strengthen my technical skills, and I’m eager to continue learning. My resume is attached, and I’d welcome the chance to talk about how my background can support your operations team.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

This is a good example of how to handle a career change in an email cover letter: you acknowledge the shift, then quickly connect your past experience to the new role.

More targeted examples of email cover letter examples for job applications

Sometimes you need something more specific than a generic template. These examples include situations you’re likely to face in 2024–2025: remote roles, portfolio‑heavy jobs, and early‑career applications.

Example 4: Email cover letter for a remote position

Subject: Remote Customer Success Manager – Application – Taylor Morgan

Email body:
Hi [Hiring Manager Name],

I’m reaching out to apply for the Remote Customer Success Manager position at [Company]. I’ve spent the last four years supporting SaaS customers across time zones, and I’m very comfortable working in fully remote environments.

At my current company, I manage a book of 60+ mid‑market accounts, maintain a 96% retention rate, and lead quarterly business reviews over Zoom. I’m used to collaborating asynchronously using Slack, Notion, and Loom, and I’ve helped build out internal documentation to make our remote processes smoother.

I’ve attached my resume and a short case study describing how I reduced churn in a high‑risk customer segment by 18%. I’d love to talk about how I can help your team continue to deliver a high‑touch experience remotely.

Best,
Taylor Morgan

With remote work still a major part of the job market, examples of email cover letter examples for job applications like this show you understand virtual collaboration tools and habits.

Example 5: Email cover letter for a creative role with portfolio

Subject: UX Designer Application – Portfolio Included – Sam Patel

Email body:
Dear [Hiring Manager Name],

I’m excited to apply for the UX Designer role at [Company]. I’ve spent the past three years designing user‑centered web and mobile experiences for e‑commerce and subscription products.

At Riverlane, I led the redesign of our onboarding flow, which improved activation rates by 23% and reduced support tickets by 19%. I collaborated closely with Product and Engineering, ran usability tests, and iterated based on both qualitative feedback and analytics.

You can view my portfolio here: [Portfolio URL]. I’ve also attached my resume for your review. I’d love the chance to walk you through a few recent projects and learn more about your design roadmap.

Thank you for considering my application,
Sam Patel

For creative roles, the best examples of email cover letters always highlight a portfolio link clearly and tie design work to outcomes, not just visuals.

Example 6: Entry-level email cover letter for a new graduate

Subject: Entry-Level Software Engineer – May 2025 Graduate

Email body:
Hi [Hiring Manager Name],

I’m writing to apply for the Entry‑Level Software Engineer role at [Company]. I’m graduating from the University of Washington in May 2025 with a B.S. in Computer Science and a focus on backend development.

During my internship at Horizon Labs, I built and documented REST APIs in Python, wrote unit tests, and helped improve API response times by 17%. On campus, I’ve worked on team projects using Git, Docker, and PostgreSQL, and I enjoy collaborating through code reviews and pair programming.

I’ve attached my resume and a link to my GitHub profile: [GitHub URL]. I’d appreciate the opportunity to speak with you about how I can contribute as a junior member of your engineering team.

Best regards,
[Your Name]

If you’re early in your career, this example of an email cover letter shows that you can lean on internships, projects, and specific technologies instead of long work histories.

Example 7: Short “in-email” cover letter when you also attach a full PDF

Subject: Application – HR Generalist – Resume Attached

Email body:
Dear [Hiring Manager Name],

Please find my resume attached for the HR Generalist position at [Company]. I have five years of experience supporting recruitment, onboarding, benefits administration, and employee relations in fast‑growing organizations.

In my current role, I’ve helped reduce time‑to‑hire by 21% and led the rollout of a new onboarding program that raised new‑hire satisfaction scores from 3.4 to 4.6 out of 5.

My full cover letter is included as a PDF attachment for your convenience. I’d be glad to discuss how I can support your HR team.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

This is one of those practical examples of email cover letter examples for job applications where the email itself is short, but you still attach a more detailed letter.

Example 8: Cold email cover letter (no posted opening)

Subject: Exploring Opportunities – Senior Product Manager – [Your Name]

Email body:
Hi [Hiring Manager Name],

I hope you don’t mind the direct email. I’m a Senior Product Manager with eight years of experience in B2B SaaS, and I’m very interested in [Company]’s work on [specific product or area]. I haven’t seen a relevant opening on your careers page, but I’d love to be considered for future roles on your product team.

Most recently at AtlasCloud, I led a cross‑functional team that launched a new usage‑based pricing model, increasing expansion revenue by 19% year over year. I’m comfortable working with engineers, designers, and go‑to‑market teams, and I enjoy making roadmap decisions grounded in both data and customer research.

I’ve attached my resume and would be grateful for a brief conversation if you’re open to it. If there’s someone else on your team I should connect with, I’d appreciate any guidance.

Thank you for your time,
[Your Name]

Cold outreach isn’t just for sales. In 2024–2025, many jobs are still found through networking, and examples include emails like this that are respectful, specific, and low‑pressure.

How to write an email cover letter that doesn’t get ignored

Now that you’ve seen several examples of email cover letter examples for job applications, let’s break down the pattern they share. You can use this as a mental checklist every time you apply.

Nail the subject line

Your subject line decides whether your email gets opened quickly, saved for later, or buried.

Aim for three elements:

• The role title
• The word “Application” (or “Referred by…”)
• Your name

For example:

“Data Scientist – Application – Priya Shah” or “Referred by Chris Kim – Sales Engineer Application”

Avoid vague subjects like “Job” or “Resume.” They look spammy and are easy to lose in a crowded inbox.

The U.S. Department of Labor offers general job search guidance, including communication tips, that aligns with this straightforward approach: https://www.dol.gov/general/jobs

Open with context, not fluff

Notice how the real examples above start:

• “I’m writing to apply for…”
• “Alex Green suggested I contact you about…”
• “I’m transitioning from teaching into operations…”

You’re answering three silent questions in the first two sentences:

• Who are you?
• Why are you emailing me?
• Which job is this about?

Skip long origin stories. You can share more detail in your attached resume or a full cover letter.

Show evidence, not just adjectives

Hiring managers see a lot of “hard‑working team players.” What stands out are specifics.

Instead of:
“I’m a results‑driven marketer with strong leadership skills.”

Try:
“I manage a team of four and increased marketing‑sourced pipeline by 38% while reducing cost per lead by 22%.”

Even if you don’t have numbers, you can still show impact:

• “Supported 3 senior project managers across 12 active client projects.”
• “Handled 40–50 customer tickets per day with a 4.8/5 satisfaction rating.”

If you want to build this habit, many university career centers offer action‑verb and accomplishment guides, like this one from the University of Maryland: https://careers.umd.edu/students/prepare-your-search/resumes-cover-letters

Match your tone to the company

The tone in these best examples of email cover letter examples for job applications is professional but human. That works for most U.S. and international employers.

You can adjust slightly based on the company:

• More formal for government, finance, or academic roles
• Slightly more relaxed (but still respectful) for startups and creative fields

A quick scan of the company’s website and LinkedIn posts will tell you a lot about how they communicate.

Keep it short enough to read on a phone

Most hiring managers will first see your email on a phone. That means short paragraphs, clear spacing, and no giant walls of text.

Aim for:

• A subject line that fits on one line
• 3–6 short paragraphs
• Around 150–250 words for the email body

If you need to say more, put it in an attached PDF cover letter and mention it briefly in the email, like in Example 7.

Attach your resume the right way

A few practical tips:

• Save as PDF unless the job posting specifically asks for another format.
• Use a clear file name: Firstname-Lastname-Resume-Company.pdf.
• Mention the attachment in the email: “I’ve attached my resume…”

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics offers data on growing fields and occupations, which can help you tailor your resume and email cover letters toward in‑demand roles: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/

Follow the instructions in the job posting

In 2024–2025, many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS). If the posting says “Apply through our portal,” do that first, then send a short email to the hiring manager or recruiter as a supplement.

When you do both, mention it:
“I’ve submitted my application through your careers portal and attached my resume here for convenience.”

This shows you can follow directions while still taking initiative.

FAQs about email cover letters (with real examples)

What’s an example of a strong email cover letter subject line?

Strong examples include:

• “Operations Manager – Application – Jamie Rivera”
• “Referred by Dana Chu – Product Designer Application”
• “Entry-Level Data Analyst – May 2025 Graduate – Alex Nguyen”

Each one makes it easy for a recruiter to understand who you are and why you’re emailing.

Should my email cover letter be the same as my attached cover letter?

Not necessarily. Many of the best examples of email cover letter examples for job applications use a shorter version in the email and a more detailed, traditional cover letter as a PDF.

Think of the email as a trailer and the attached cover letter as the full movie. The email should stand on its own, but it doesn’t need to repeat every detail.

Can I reuse the same email cover letter for multiple jobs?

You can reuse the structure, but you should customize the details. The most effective examples of email cover letter examples for job applications mention:

• The specific company name
• The exact role title
• One or two details that show you understand their work

If you’re copying and pasting, at least double‑check that you changed the company name and role title. Recruiters notice when you don’t.

How long should my email cover letter be?

Most hiring managers prefer something they can read in under a minute. The examples include emails between about 150 and 250 words.

If you have a complex work history or want to explain a layoff, gap, or career change in more detail, mention it briefly in the email and expand in an attached cover letter.

Is it okay to use AI tools to draft an email cover letter?

Yes, as long as you edit the result so it sounds like you. Many people use AI for a first draft, then add personal details, specific metrics, and their own voice.

You can compare your draft against real examples of email cover letter examples for job applications like the ones above and ask yourself:

• Does this sound like how I’d actually talk at work?
• Did I include at least one concrete result or example?
• Did I clearly state which role I’m applying for?

If the answer is yes, you’re in good shape.

Email cover letters don’t have to be scary or stiff. With a few solid examples to guide you and a simple structure in mind, you can send job application emails that feel confident, respectful, and very readable — even to a hiring manager skimming on a phone between meetings.