
Top Cover Letter Examples Every Employer Should Know

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Hire NowBefore an interview happens, the first impression usually comes from a resume and the cover letter that comes with it.
For employers, this one-page message can reveal more than just experience. It can show motivation, writing skills, and culture fit.
To help you hire smarter, we’ve prepared this guide with useful tips and cover letter examples you can use to compare candidates across different roles and backgrounds.
What Is a Cover Letter?
A cover letter is a short, personalised letter that job applicants send along with their resumes.
It introduces the candidate, explains why they are applying, and highlights how their experience aligns with the job. It is not just a repetition of the resume, but a narrative that adds context.
Unlike resumes, which list experience and skills, cover letters help employers understand how a candidate communicates and thinks.
For example, a resume might tell you someone worked at a call centre. The cover letter might explain how they learned to handle pressure, resolve complaints, and improve customer satisfaction by 25%.
Why Employers Should Care About Cover Letters
For employers in Malaysia, especially those receiving high volumes of applications, a good cover letter can make screening faster and more focused. It shows how serious a candidate is and whether they took the time to understand the job.
A well-written cover letter shows:
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The applicant took the time to understand your business.
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They can express themselves clearly.
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They know how to connect their experience to the job they’re applying for.
On the flip side, a weak or generic cover letter often signals a lack of effort, interest, or understanding.
Key Components of a Strong Cover Letter
An effective cover letter is usually no more than one page or around 300 words.
Here are the parts employers should expect to see:
1. Professional Salutation
Candidates should use a respectful greeting. If the hiring manager’s name is unknown, "Dear Hiring Manager" is preferred over outdated or informal greetings like "To Whom It May Concern" or "Hi there".
2. Personalised Opening
The opening should state the position they are applying for, where they found the job ad, and a sentence about why they’re interested. Good candidates often tie this to your company’s values or recent initiatives.
3. Summary of Relevant Experience
This section summarises how their experience fits your job. Look for concrete examples: achievements, responsibilities, and tools they’ve used. It should connect directly with your job description.
4. Motivation for Applying
Here’s where candidates show that they’ve done their homework on your company. Do they mention your work culture, product, or values? This helps assess how well they might integrate.
5. Call to Action
The closing paragraph usually reiterates their interest and invites follow-up. Phrases like "I look forward to the opportunity to discuss further" are common.
6. Complimentary Close & Signature
A professional sign-off, such as "Sincerely" or "Best Regards," followed by the candidate’s full name.
Cover Letter Examples to Use as a Benchmark
Fresh Graduate Cover Letter Sample
Dear Hiring Manager, I am writing to express my keen interest in the Marketing Executive position at [Company Name], as advertised on your careers page. As a recent graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Universiti Malaya, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute my fresh perspective and strong academic foundation to your growing team. Throughout my university years, I actively participated in marketing-related projects, including a campus-wide campaign for a local SME that increased their Instagram engagement by 45% over three weeks. I also served as the marketing lead for our university entrepreneurship club, where I managed content calendars, wrote copy, and coordinated small campaigns—skills I am eager to apply in a professional setting. What drew me to [Company Name] is your commitment to digital innovation in reaching younger demographics. I’ve followed your recent “#BukaHatiBukaKerja” campaign, and I admire how you creatively combined brand purpose and relatable storytelling. I am confident that my background in digital marketing tools like Canva and Meta Ads Manager, coupled with my willingness to learn and contribute, will bring value to your team. I would appreciate the opportunity to further discuss how I can support your marketing goals. I’ve attached my resume for your reference and am available at [your phone number] or [your email address] for an interview at your convenience. Thank you for considering my application. Sincerely, |
Experienced Professional Cover Letter Sample
Dear Hiring Manager, Ten years ago, I stepped into my first HR role with a notebook full of policies and a head full of questions. Today, I lead a regional HR team across five business units, and I still believe the best HR work begins with listening. I’m excited to bring that mindset to the People & Culture Lead role at [Company Name]. Over the last decade, I’ve built HR systems from scratch in companies that scaled from 50 to 500 employees. At my current workplace, I redesigned the performance review process to align better with team feedback, resulting in a 40% increase in participation. I also developed a mentorship programme that helped six mid-level executives move into senior roles within 18 months. What drives me is the chance to help people grow while solving business challenge,s whether through better onboarding, smarter data use, or building a culture of trust. What drew me to [Company Name] wasn’t just the job description. It was your reputation for putting values at the centre of decision-making. I believe a good HR leader supports strategy, but a great one also protects culture. That’s where I know I can contribute. Thank you for reviewing my application. I’d love to speak further about how my experiences can support your next phase of growth. I’ve attached my resume, and you can reach me anytime at [your email] or [your phone number]. Warm regards, |
Career Switcher Cover Letter Sample
Dear Hiring Manager, After eight years managing logistics in the manufacturing sector, I never expected that a side project would open a whole new career path. When the pandemic disrupted supply chains in 2020, I volunteered to build a simple internal tool to help our team track incoming shipments. That spreadsheet became a dashboard. Then the dashboard became a process. And before I knew it, I was leading a cross-functional team to digitise our operations. That’s how I discovered my passion for product management. Today, I’m applying for the Associate Product Manager role at [Company Name] because I’m ready to make that switch, not just in title, but in focus. While I may not have formal PM experience, I’ve led cross-departmental projects, translated user needs into system requirements, and worked closely with engineers and vendors to deliver results. My background in logistics gives me a unique lens: I understand how frontline users think, and I’ve built solutions that stick because they solve real problems. I’ve been following [Company Name]’s journey for a while, especially your work in simplifying digital services for underserved markets. That mission speaks to me. I’m eager to learn, contribute, and grow in a space that values practical impact over perfect resumes. I’d be grateful for the opportunity to speak further. You’ll find my resume attached, and I’m reachable at [your email] or [your phone number]. Sincerely, |
Tech Industry Cover Letter Sample
Dear Hiring Manager, I’m writing to express my interest in the Frontend Developer position at [Company Name], as advertised. With over three years of experience in building fast, responsive web interfaces, I’ve seen how clean code and thoughtful design can directly impact business goals and I’m excited about the chance to do that with your team. At my current role with a mid-sized fintech firm, I rebuilt our payment page, reducing load time by 42% and improving conversion rates significantly. I also introduced a reusable component system that cut development time for new pages by half. These changes didn’t just improve performance—they made life easier for the designers, QA team, and users. I’m especially drawn to [Company Name] because of your recent open-source projects and your focus on inclusive design. I believe tech should be accessible and usable by everyone, and I’d love to contribute to a team that builds with that mindset. While my strength lies in JavaScript and React, I’m always learning—recently, I’ve picked up TypeScript and started exploring web accessibility audits. I work best when collaborating closely with designers, product teams, and backend engineers to solve real user problems. Thank you for reviewing my application. I’d love to talk more about how I can contribute to [Company Name] and the projects you’re building. You can reach me at [your email] or [your phone number]. Best regards, |
Customer Service Sample
Dear Customer Experience Team, I came across the Customer Support Officer role at [Company Name] and felt drawn to it immediately. For me, customer service isn’t just a job, it’s something I genuinely enjoy. I’ve always believed that how we treat people during problems says a lot about who we are as a company. As a former call centre agent at a logistics firm, I’ve handled hundreds of enquiries from customers all over Malaysia, some calm, some frustrated, some just needing someone to explain things clearly. I learnt early on that listening well and responding with empathy makes all the difference. One customer had lost a parcel meant for their small business. Instead of passing the issue along, I traced the item myself, gave updates daily, and even followed up after it was delivered. That effort turned a complaint into a thank-you call. I’m applying to [Company Name] because your values match how I work: quick response, clear answers, and treating customers with patience and sincerity. I admire your recent campaign on customer trust, and I’d love to contribute to that mission. I’m familiar with live chat, call centre systems, and email support platforms. I speak Bahasa Malaysia and English fluently and work well under pressure, especially during peak seasons. Thank you for reviewing my application. I’m ready to join a team that sees customer care as more than just a task. I see it as a reputation we build daily. I’d be happy to speak further at your convenience. Best regards, |
How Employers Should Evaluate a Cover Letter
When reviewing cover letters, watch out for:
Red Flags:
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Vague or generic letters that don’t mention your company.
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Obvious use of templates with no customisation.
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Spelling or grammar mistakes.
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Overly long letters that repeat the resume.
Positive Indicators:
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Tailored content referencing your job posting.
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Quantifiable achievements (e.g., "cut costs by 15%").
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Natural, concise writing that is free of clichés.
Tips for Employers to Encourage Better Cover Letters
Sometimes, poor cover letters come from unclear instructions. Employers can help by:
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Stating whether a cover letter is required.
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Asking applicants to address specific questions or prompts, such as "Tell us why you want to work with us."
This leads to more focused and useful applications.
Common Mistakes Candidates Make in Cover Letters (That Employers Notice)
Candidates often repeat their resumes, use generic phrases, or submit one-size-fits-all templates. If you see:
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Sentences like “I am a hard-working individual” with no examples.
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Long letters that don’t say anything specific.
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Cover letters that don’t mention the job or your company.
…then it’s likely the candidate didn’t tailor their application and may lack attention to detail.
FAQ
Do I need to request a cover letter in every job posting?
Not always. But if the role involves writing, communication, or stakeholder engagement, a cover letter can give insight into those skills.
Should I prioritise resumes or cover letters during screening?
Start with the resume for qualifications. Use the cover letter to assess interest, motivation, and communication style.
What if a candidate doesn’t include a cover letter?
If you requested one, this may reflect a lack of attention. But for junior or high-volume roles, you might still consider their resume.
How long should a good cover letter be?
One page or around 250–300 words.
Can AI-generated cover letters be trusted?
Some candidates use AI to draft letters, but strong ones still reflect personal insight and relevance. Look for signs of real engagement with your company.
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