Find the Best Resume Format for You in 2024
To help you choose the best resume format, let’s first understand the differences between the three main resume formats. See the examples and make an informed choice.
Mariusz Wawrzyniak
Career Expert
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Free Cover Letter Templates for Word to Start With
Unlock your dream job with free, editable Word cover letter templates! Discover a collection of expertly designed templates with pro tips. Download now for a winning application!
We've scoured the globe to bring you the ultimate collection of the greatest cover letter templates for Microsoft Word. And the best thing is—
These Word cover letter templates won't cost you a dime. No catch, no spam, no sign-up required. So what are you waiting for? Let's get started on landing your dream job.
In this article, you’ll find:
- A list of 15 free cover letter templates for Word you can download immediately.
- A short review of each Word cover letter template to help you understand their strengths.
- How to get cover letter templates in Word (DOCX format).
Save hours of work and get a cover letter like this. Pick a template, fill it in. Quick and easy. Choose from 18+ cover letter templates and download your cover letter now.
What users say about ResumeLab:
I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your cover letter.”
Patrick
I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work!
Dylan
My previous cover letter was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful!
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If you want to see more cover letter templates check out:
Overview of the Best Free Word Cover Letter Templates
We’ve compiled a curated list of the best cover letter templates for Word you can download for free. Here they are:
1. Minimalist Word Cover Letter Template
Was this free cover letter template given the wrong name? Anything but minimalist, this one pops with shapes and colors. It’s great for writing any kind of short cover letter.
Expert Hint: More applicants send email cover letters today. With email, short and sweet is the key rule. You don’t need to attach a PDF cover letter with an email letter.
2. Classic Food Service Cover Letter for Word
This stunning Word cover letter format instantly draws attention thanks to its unique background color. This template can be used by both inexperienced job-seekers and seasoned professionals. We recommend this free Word cover letter template for crafting a restaurant manager resume.
Expert Hint: Is your potential employer asking for a letter of motivation instead of a cover letter? That’s not a typo. Learn how to write a motivation letter and ace their recruitment process!
3. Classic Management Word Cover Letter
This classic cover letter design puts your contact information in a neat table. Its professional, organized look fits perfectly in a manager cover letter.
4. Impact MS Word Cover Letter Template
If you're in search of an impactful cover letter, consider this one. This free template comes with some basic cover letter tips. It’s a great choice when writing a cover letter with no experience.
Expert Hint: It can be tough to write a cover letter, even with free templates. Want to see how to write a cover letter in 10 minutes? See our cover letter writing guide.
5. Social Media Marketing Word Cover Letter Template
How about this strong cover letter template? It features a fantastic cover letter outline, and the gray color gives it a professionally printed look. As its name suggests, try it for your social media job cover letter.
6. Modern UI/UX Designer Word Cover Letter Template
Stand out with this modern UI/UX designer cover letter template. It features an eye-catching block of color, as well as ample space for your cover letter header.
Expert Hint: All these letter templates are one-page only. Is that the right length? Yes! Your cover letter length should never be more than a single page and usually half a page or less
7. Construction Work Cover Letter Template for Word
Despite its name, this free cover letter template works wonders in most industries. With its unique look, you can be certain your cover letter won’t be generic. Try it when writing an architecture cover letter.
8. Stylish Teaching MS Word Cover Letter Template
This stylish Word cover letter looks simple but is very effective. It showcases your name in a very bold fashion but also leaves you enough space to fit all the information you want to convey easily. Try this free template when writing a cover letter for teaching jobs.
Expert Hint: Writing an entry-level cover letter? You still need to show professional work achievements, but from where? Even if you haven’t had a previous job, you can find great successes from personal pursuits or academic achievements.
9. Polished by MOO Word Cover Letter Template
This corporate cover letter template for Word blazes with polished professionalism. It boasts simple shapes and a two-tone color scheme. It’s the perfect choice for a consulting cover letter.
10. Simple Word Doc Cover Letter
This black-and-white cover letter template may be simple, but that doesn’t mean it’s ineffective. Use it to create an uncluttered letter. It’s a great match for any office job, so pick it for your next data entry cover letter.
Expert Hint: The address on a cover letter matters. Plus, don’t say “Mrs.” or “Miss” when “Ms.” will do. Plus, a simple “Dear” works fine, with the hiring manager’s name, if you can find it.
11. ATS Office Manager MS Word Cover Letter Template
To complement your ATS resume, why not opt for this ATS office manager cover letter design? Its simple style makes it easily readable, and the ample white space ensures this template will not end up looking stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey.
12. Modern Chronological Word Cover Letter Template
This modern free cover letter template works great if you have an accompanying resume in a chronological format. Its design fits both tech-related and journalistic fields well. Try it when writing a journalist’s cover letter.
Expert Hint: Writer’s block? Most people get that. Don’t let it stop you. Knowing how to start a cover letter means finding your biggest selling point.
13. Project Management Word Cover Letter Template
Simple and straight to the point, this free Word template doesn’t drown you in unnecessary detail. Such a polished design fits a project manager cover letter perfectly.
14. Modern Initials Word Cover Letter Template
Make sure they remember you with this free cover letter template. It comes with space for copious contact info, plus your big and bold initials at the top. We recommend it for writing a cover letter for sales positions.
15. Geometric Word Doc Cover Letter Template
A modern, creative design, this Word cover letter template brilliantly showcases your artistic side. Use it when applying for a creative type job, such as for a graphic designer cover letter.
Expert Hint: The perfect cover letter isn’t perfect without a great last paragraph. Not sure how? Knowing how to end a cover letter means writing a good call to action.
Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.
Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Choosing a Microsoft Word Cover Letter Template
Now that you’ve seen so many great free cover letter templates for Word, you’re probably rearing to download one, fill it out, and send it. But before you do so, please answer these questions:
- Are you sure that you can accurately judge cover letter templates? In other words, can you identify if it really is a professionally designed cover letter template that matches both your personal brand AND the culture of your dream company?
- Do you know exactly what to include in a cover letter?
- Do you have a matching resume template on hand?
If you’re a seasoned job-seeker, the first question won’t pose a major challenge: you’ve already developed a gut feeling that tells you if a random letter template you found online will work for you. But if you’re new to the job market and to the world of business letters in general, you might have a hard time estimating the visual impact of different letter templates, especially the more unusual ones.
Now let’s move on to the second question. If you’re not experienced in writing cover letters, it’s very easy to commit one or more cover letter mistakes—and get rejected as a result. Even the most professional-looking template won’t hide any potential weaknesses in the content of your cover letter. To remedy it, we recommend reading our foolproof cover letter writing guide.
Last but not least: don’t forget your resume! Ideally, your resume and your cover letter should have a matching design. But when browsing through cover letter templates for Word, you may notice that not all template designers offer matching resume templates.
This is why we recommend a safe option of going with a dedicated resume and cover letter builder—all the templates are designed with maximal versatility in mind so that you can use them to apply for any job. And it comes with helpful writing prompts you can use to speed up the process of writing your cover letter. You also won’t need to worry about formatting your cover letter. Our builder takes care of it for you.
And what cover letter templates can you expect to see? Here are just five out of all of our templates.
Expert Hint: Wait—do you even need a cover letter? Well, almost half of all employers will skip job applications without them!
Best Alternatives to Word Cover Letter Templates
1. Cascade
Cascade is one of our users’ favorite templates. Its distinctive sidebar highlights your name and contact info, leaving ample space for the content of your cover letter. You can customize the colors, spacing, and fonts to make this template truly yours.
2. Modern
One does not simply overlook a cover letter made using the Modern template. The bold color blocks and the generous whitespace balance each other, creating a unique look that’s particularly suitable for creative jobs.
3. Primo
Consider Primo if you’re looking for a cover letter template with a personal logo. It comes with a sophisticated graphical element based on your initials that appears on your cover letter and resume, creating a uniquely memorable cover letter look.
4. Simple
This minimalist cover letter template offers a functional two-column layout and a sleek design that’s like a Zen meditation for recruiters’ eyes. No matter what job you’re applying for, an understated cover letter (and a resume in a matching design) is always a winning option.
5. Enfold
Because so many of our users loved Cascade, our designers have created a mirror image of it. This time, the statement sidebar is on the right. Pair this cover letter template with a matching resume for the best effect.
Don’t forget to use an equally stunning resume template. If you haven’t chosen one yet, see our guides:
- Best Professional Resume Templates
- Blank Resume Templates
- Free Google Docs Resume Templates
- Free Resume Templates Collection
- Free Word Resume Templates
- Infographic Resume Templates
- LaTeX Resume Templates
- Open Office Resume Templates
With ResumeLab’s resume builder you’ll write your resume in a flash. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Improve your resume in our resume builder now.
Nail it all with a splash of color, choose a clean font, highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You’re the perfect candidate and we’ll prove it. Just pick one of 21 resume templates and get started now.
Do you have any questions about using free Word cover letter templates? Please don’t hesitate to reach out! We can’t wait to talk with you in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions about Free Cover Letter Templates for Word
Does Microsoft Word have free cover letter templates?
Yes, Word offers a selection of free cover letter templates you can access and use. They are available within the application. To find these templates, open MS Word, select "File," then "New," and search for cover letter templates in the gallery. Or you can download them from Microsoft's website.
Should my cover letter be in PDF or Word file type?
PDF is a safe choice because it preserves your document's appearance and is widely accepted. They look the same on various devices or software, ensuring your cover letter looks as you intended. PDFs are also not easy to edit, which can prevent unintended changes to your cover letter.
Is it OK to use a Word cover letter template?
Using a Word cover letter template can be a convenient and efficient way to create a professional cover letter. Word templates are often designed to look polished and visually appealing. But, since they are accessible, other applicants may use the same template, making your application less unique.
Should my resume and cover letter templates match?
Matching your resume and cover letter templates creates visual cohesion in your job application. This consistency in design is visually appealing and shows your attention to detail. The overall style, colors, font type and size, and margins are among the most crucial elements that must match.
