Entry-Level Cover Letter Templates & Example

An entry-level cover letter is for the first real job after school — different from a first-ever job (see the no-experience collection) and from a student internship. The letter inside these templates presents internships, campus work, and coursework as professional evidence, with a number in each, names two or three skills from the posting, says why this employer, and states a start date. Classic currant, contemporary dune, or twotone denim.

Three entry-level letters

Pick a letterhead; the letter inside turns school into evidence.

Classic in currant for business, finance, and government roles, Contemporary in dune for tech, marketing, and startups, Twotone in denim for operations, healthcare admin, and nonprofit work.

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Entry-Level — Classic Currant

The timeless centered letterhead in currant, carrying the entry-level letter — for the first professional job after school — internships and coursework written like work.

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Word Google Docs

Entry-Level — Contemporary Dune

A left-aligned contemporary header in dune, carrying the entry-level letter — for the first professional job after school — internships and coursework written like work.

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Entry-Level — Twotone Denim

A two-tone split header in denim, carrying the entry-level letter — for the first professional job after school — internships and coursework written like work.

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Example · Entry-Level

Entry-Level cover letter example — the letter inside the template.

Read it in full

Jordan A. Bennett

[City, State] · (000) 000-0000 · your.email@email.com · in/yourname

[Month Day, Year]

[Hiring Manager Name]
[Title]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]

Dear [Hiring Manager Name],

I am applying for the [Position Title] position at [Company Name], which I found on [job board / company site]. I graduated in [Month Year] with a [degree] from [School], and through [internships / coursework / campus work / part-time jobs] I have built the foundation the posting asks for — [two or three specific skills or tools from the posting].

As [an intern at X / a member of X / a student employee in X], I [a specific result written like work — e.g., built the weekly sales report in Excel that the regional team still uses; coordinated logistics for a 300-person campus conference under budget; handled 40 customer inquiries a day at the campus bookstore with a 4.9 satisfaction rating]. I learn systems quickly — I taught myself [tool] for a class project and used it to [result].

I am drawn to [Company Name] because [a specific reason — its training program, its product, a value it states that you share, someone you spoke with there]. I am looking for a place to do good work and grow, and I would bring [a strength — reliability, curiosity, clear communication] to a team that is investing in early-career hires.

My resume is attached. I am available to start [immediately / on date] and would welcome an interview at your convenience. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Jordan A. Bennett

This is the actual text inside all three templates above — every [bracketed prompt] is a spot you replace with your own detail. Copy the template to keep the letterhead, or use the text as a sample for your own letter.

The hiring manager's read

What an entry-level cover letter should say.

Managers hiring for entry-level roles know you don’t have years of experience. They’re reading for four things the letter can prove:

Evidence with a number. ’Built the weekly sales report the regional team still uses’; ’40 customer inquiries a day at a 4.9 rating.’ Internships and campus jobs written like work.
The posting’s skills, named. Two or three tools or skills from the posting, with where you used them. Excel, a CRM, a language, a certification.
Learning speed. One line: a tool you taught yourself for a project and what it produced. Entry-level hires are hired on trajectory.
Why here, and when. A specific reason for this employer — training program, product, a person you spoke with — and your start date.

Never had a job at all? The no-experience letter is built from school and volunteering instead. Still a student? The internship letter. Graduated recently with internships? The recent graduate letter leans harder on the degree. Pair this one with an entry-level resume.

Start it

Fill it in.

Open a template in Google Docs or download the Word file.
Fill the [brackets]: one internship or campus result with a number, the posting’s skills, why this employer, your start date.
Trim to one page, export a PDF, and attach it even when the field says optional.

First-job questions

Entry-Level cover letter FAQ

How do I write an entry-level cover letter?

Name the role and where you found it; give one internship, campus-job, or coursework result with a number; name two or three skills from the posting and where you used them; say why this employer specifically and when you can start; ask for the interview. Four short paragraphs. The letter above is that structure.

What's the difference between entry-level and no-experience cover letters?

Entry-level assumes some evidence — internships, campus jobs, a degree — and presents it professionally. No-experience assumes none and argues from school, volunteering, and responsibility. Recent graduate sits between them and leads with the degree. Pick the one that matches what you actually have.

Should I mention my GPA in an entry-level cover letter?

Only if it's 3.5 or higher and the field cares (finance, consulting, engineering, law). Otherwise leave it for the resume or leave it off; a result with a number says more.

How do I show 'skills' with only internships?

Name the skill and the place: 'built the weekly report in Excel at [company]', 'ran the club's HubSpot email list.' A skill with a location and an outcome is evidence; a skill in a list is a claim.

Is it okay to say I'm looking to grow?

Yes — once, near the end, paired with what you'd bring: 'a place to do good work and grow' reads as honest at entry level. Don't make it the theme; the theme is what you've already done.

How long should an entry-level cover letter be?

Under 250 words. You have less to say than a ten-year veteran, and that's fine — say it specifically and stop.