cover page for resume example

• Search Search Please fill out this field.
• Career Planning
• Finding a Job
• Cover Letters

Cover Letter Sample for a Resume

Alison Doyle is one of the nation’s foremost career experts.

When to Write a Cover Letter

How to write a cover letter for a job, customize your cover letters.

• Explain What's On Your Resume
• Review Examples and Templates

Sample Cover Letter for a Resume

Sending an email cover letter, more cover letter examples.

The Balance / Alex Dos Diaz

Do you need to  write a cover letter  (also known as a  job application letter ) for a job? You may feel as though the document is unnecessary since you are already providing a resume with plenty of information.

Not so! A cover letter serves an important purpose: it presents the case for why you should be hired and distinguishes you from other candidates. Your cover letter is where you can show your passion for the position and the company, and highlight your most relevant qualifications. A well-written cover letter will supplement your resume by focusing on why you're a well-qualified candidate for the job.

Many employers require cover letters as part of the  job application process . However, even when an employer does not explicitly ask for a cover letter, you should send one. A Robert Half survey reports that 58% of employers prefer to receive a cover letter and find them to be valuable.

A strong cover letter can make your application stand out from the crowd. 

Review these tips for writing and sending a cover letter. Then, use the cover letter sample below as a guide for when you write your own cover letter.

Even when an employer does not directly ask for one, be sure to  always send a cover letter . When  shouldn’t  you send a cover letter?

The only time you should avoid sending a cover letter is when a job listing explicitly says not to send one. In that situation, it's more important to follow the directions on the job listing.

Make a Match

In your cover letter, address the top  skills and abilities you have that match the job description . Ideally, you should select the qualifications that are most relevant to the position for which you are applying:

• Review the job description and try to determine which qualifications seem to add the most value to the position.
• Provide a specific example of a time you demonstrated each of these qualifications.

Consider Using Bullets

One great way to showcase your skills and achievements is to include a bulleted list of your most impressive qualifications in the body of your cover letter. Using four or five bulleted items helps this information to “pop” on the page.

Quantify Your Achievements

When describing significant professional successes, make this information even more impressive by quantifying your contributions with numbers, percentages, or dollar amounts in boldface.

While it might seem tedious, you should always  customize each letter  to fit the specific job for which you are applying. After all, an effective cover letter must illustrate how your experience matches up to the requirements outlined in the job listing. Failing to do so can quickly get your application eliminated from the pool.

Echo the keyword phrases that are emphasized on the job announcement in your cover letter.

Employers often now use sophisticated applicant tracking systems to provide a first review of the cover letters and resumes they receive. The more industry-specific keywords your cover letter includes, the more likely it is that your application will be advanced for a deeper review.

Explain What's On Your Resume

You can use your cover letter to go into detail about something in your resume that needs explaining.

For example, a cover letter is a great place to talk about a  career shift , a  career break , or to  explain an extended gap in employment .

Proof and Edit Your Cover Letter

A CareerBuilder survey reports that typos and grammatical errors can cost you an interview, as can not including a cover letter.

Be sure to thoroughly proofread each cover letter before sending it, looking for grammar and spelling errors. Consider asking a friend or family member, or even a  career counselor , to read over your cover letter. It can be helpful to print a copy of your cover letter and edit it with a pen in hand. Reading it out loud is another good way to catch mistakes.

Review Examples and Templates

For help writing your cover letter, read samples like the one below, as well as  cover letter templates . Remember to tailor any example or template to fit your own experiences and the job for which you are applying.

Want more tips? Review the  top 10 cover letter writing tips  for more details on how to craft a successful cover letter. It’s smart to familiarize yourself with what it takes to write an effective cover letter before you get started writing. That way, you can spend less time on editing and more time on getting it right from the start.

You can also use a cover letter sample, like the one below, for inspiration.

Be sure to tailor any samples you use to match your own background and the job for which you are applying.

As a reminder, always rework your cover letter to fit each specific position that you apply for. In addition to tweaking the content, don’t forget to update the salutation, the job title, and the company name.

This is a cover letter sample for a resume. Download the cover letter template (compatible with Google Docs or Word Online) or read the example below.

Sample Cover Letter for a Resume (Text Version)

Joseph Q. Applicant 123 Main Street Anytown, USA 12345 555-212-1234 josephq@email.com

August 17, 2020

Jane Smith Director, Human Resources Acme Company 123 Business Rd. Business City, NY 54321

Dear Ms. Smith,

I am interested in the author's assistant position at Acme Company, as advertised on LinkedIn. I am currently employed as legislative director for Assemblywoman Nora Kiel, Chairperson of the NYS Assembly. I believe that the skills and experiences I have gained at this position make me an ideal candidate for the job of author’s assistant.

As legislative director, I have developed strong writing and editing skills. For example, one of my main duties is to prepare Assemblywoman Nora Kiel’s personal legislation, which deals with issues related to her position as Senior Member of the NYS Assembly Standing Committee.

This duty requires meticulous writing and editing skills, and an ability to convey complex legal ideas clearly. I have prepared dozens of pieces of legislation and received praise for the clarity of my writing.

I have also gained extensive experience in legal and policy research – fields that you state the author’s assistant must be familiar with. My experience in the NYS Assembly has afforded me the opportunity to become familiar with the consolidated and unconsolidated laws of the State of New York. In particular, through my work with Assemblywoman Nora Kiel, I have become heavily involved in the current welfare and Medicaid reform movement. I am always eager to learn more about state legislation, reading up on these topics on my own time to become more knowledgeable. I would love to bring this passion for policy and law to your company.

I am confident that my experience in the Legislature and my research and writing skills qualify me for consideration. If you would like, I can provide you with current samples of my work. I have also enclosed my resume. I look forward to meeting with you and discussing my qualifications in more detail.

Joseph Q. Applicant (signature hard copy letter)

Joseph Q. Applicant

If you're sending your cover  letter via email , list your name and the job title in the  subject line  of the  email message . Include your contact information in your email signature, but don't list the employer's contact information. Skip the date, and start your email message with the salutation.

Ready to get started? You can  review 100+ free cover letter examples  for more inspiration. Or, follow this guide on  how to write a cover letter in 5 easy steps .

Robert Half. " How to Write a Cover Letter That Will Stand Out ." Accessed March 17, 2021.

CareerOneStop. " How Do I Write a Cover Letter? " Accessed March 17, 2021.

CareerBuilder. " Employers Share Their Most Outrageous Resume Mistakes and Instant Deal Breakers ." Accessed March 17, 2021.

By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.

Share this page

Resume templates

Put your best qualities on display with professional, customizable resume and cv templates. no matter your line of work or length of professional history, you'll find resume and cv templates that'll help you get the gig..

Download free resume templates

Land your dream job with free, customizable resume templates. Showcase your potential to recruiters and stand out from other candidates with a professional template. Whether you're applying to corporate positions or creative roles, go with a sleek design or show your creativity with bold colors .

Resumes don't need to look boring—add flair to your professional experience with a creative resume template. There are plenty of resume designs to choose from, like simple resume templates and modern resume templates. Each resume template is fully customizable in Microsoft Word , so you can personalize each design element and add your own text. Using a template also makes it easier to customize your resume for each position you apply to.

Print out as many copies as you'd like or download the template for free to share digitally when applying online. These professional resume templates are perfect for any stage of life or career. Whether you're a high school student, actor, or seeking a career in nursing, you can find any format for any job type.

There are also a variety of free CV (Curriculum Vitae) templates to choose from. A CV is often longer than a resume and contains an in-depth look at your education and professional accomplishments. Like our resume templates, these CV templates are also customizable in Word.

Remember, your next job is only a template away! Once you've customized your resume, explore free cover letter templates to help you land the job.

An official website of the United States government

Help Center

• Application
• What to include

What should I include in my federal resume?

Whether you’re a current federal employee or new to the federal government, your resume is the primary way for you to communicate your education, skills and experience.

Before you get started

Read the entire job announcement. Focus on the following sections to understand whether or not you qualify for the position. This critical information is found under:

• Duties and Qualifications
• How to Apply (including a preview of the assessment questionnaire, if applicable)
• How You Will be Evaluated

Make sure you have the required experience and/or education before you apply. Hiring agencies use the job announcement to describe the job and the required qualifications, including:

• Level and amount of experience

What to include in your resume

Federal jobs often require that you have experience in a particular type of work for a certain period of time. You must show how your skills and experiences meet the qualifications and requirements listed in the job announcement to be considered for the job.

Include important contact information

Don’t forget to add current contact information. Most job applications require this information:

• Phone number

Read the job opportunity carefully to make sure you have included all required contact information.

Include dates, hours, level of experience and examples for each work experience

For each work experience you list, make sure you include:

• Start and end dates (including the month and year).
• The number of hours you worked per week.
• The level and amount of experience—for instance, whether you served as a project manager or a team member helps to illustrate your level of experience.
• Examples of relevant experiences and accomplishments that prove you can perform the tasks at the level required for the job as stated in the job announcement. Your experience needs to address every required qualification.

Program Analyst GS-343-11 January 2009—Present 40 Hours/Week $63,000/Year

• Experience/Accomplishment

Include volunteer work and roles in community organizations

Don’t limit yourself to only including paid work experience. Include relevant volunteer work or community organizations roles that demonstrate your ability to do the job.

Use numbers to highlight your accomplishments

Use numbers, percentages or dollars to highlight your accomplishments—you can find this information in things like your performance reviews, previous job descriptions, awards and letters of recommendation.

When explaining your accomplishments:

• Include examples of how you saved money, earned money or managed money.
• Include examples of how you saved or managed time.
• “Improved efficiency of document processing by 25 percent over the previous year”.
• “Wrote 25 news releases in a three-week period under daily deadlines”.
• “Managed a student organization budget of more than $7,000”.
• “Wrote prospect letter that has brought in more than $25,000 in donations to date”.

These statements show in concrete terms what you accomplished.

More resume writing tips

Customize your resume.

You should tailor your resume to the job announcement rather than sending out the same resume for every job. Customizing your resume helps you match your competencies, knowledge, skills, abilities and experience to the requirements for each job. Emphasize your strengths and include everything you’ve done that relates to the job you’re seeking. Leave out experience that isn’t relevant.

Use similar terms and address every required qualification

Your experience needs to address every required qualification in the job announcement. Hiring agencies will look for specific terms in your resume to make sure you have the experience they’re seeking.

For example, if the qualifications section says you need experience with “MS Project” you need to use the words ” MS Project” in your resume.

Organize your resume to make it easy to understand

You need to organize your resume to help agencies evaluate your experience. If you don’t provide the information required for the hiring agency to determine your qualifications, you might not be considered for the job.

• Use reverse chronological order to list your experience—start with your most recent experience first and work your way back.
• Provide greater detail for experience that is relevant to the job for which you are applying.
• Show all experiences and accomplishments under the job in which you earned it. This helps agencies determine the amount of experience you have with that particular skill.
• Use either bullet or paragraph format to describe your experiences and accomplishments.
• Use plain language—avoid using acronyms and terms that are not easily understood.

Hiring agencies often receive dozens or even hundreds of resumes for certain positions. Hiring managers quickly skim through submissions and eliminate candidates who clearly are not qualified. Look at your resume and ask:

• Can a hiring manager see my main credentials within 10 to 15 seconds?
• Does critical information jump off the page?
• Do I effectively sell myself on the top quarter of the first page?

Review your resume before you apply

Check your resume for spelling and grammatical errors and have someone else, with a good eye for detail, review your resume.

Important facts about the federal hiring process

• The federal government does have a standard job application. Your resume is your application.
• Hiring agencies use the job announcement to describe the job and list the required qualifications and responsibilities.
• After applying, the hiring agency uses the information in your resume to verify if you have the required qualifications stated in the job announcement.
• Once the hiring agency has determined who is qualified, they may use other assessments such as interviews or testing to determine the best qualified applications.

Learn more about the federal hiring process .

Additional resources

• What should I leave out of my resume?
• How to build a resume
• How to create a resume

Please use the form below to contact us. We will get back to you within one business day. Your interest and patience are appreciated.

USAJOBS does not provide direct phone support. The form below will allow you to send an email to the Help Desk where you can request assistance by phone or email.

Please provide your phone number in case your issue cannot be resolved via email.

Please do not include your Social Security Number.

(2000 characters remaining)

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in eight minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.

• Advertising
• Applications
• Assessments
• Certificates
• Announcement
• Invitations
• Newsletters
• Questionnaires
• Food & Beverages
• Recruitment
• Marketing Examples
• Transportation

Resume Cover Page Examples – PDF

Resume Cover Page Examples

One page resume cover letter, electrician resume cover letter, driver resume cover letter, draftsman resume cover letter, dietitian resume cover letter, internship resume cover letter example, math teacher resume cover letter example, project manager resume cover letter example, loan associate  resume cover letter example, resume cover letter example, sports resume cover letter example, account executive resume cover letter example, airline resume cover letter example, airline resume cover letter example 2, financial analyst resume cover letter example, admin assistant cover letter example, resume cover letter guide, sample cover letters and resumes, basic resumes cover letters, creative resume cover letter guide, modern resume cover page, standard resume and cover letter guide, printable resume and cover letters, what is a resume cover page, how to create a resume cover page, what are hard skills and soft skills, and why are they important on a resume cover page, how should i format the paragraphs on my resume cover page, what is the optimal text structure for a resume cover page.

• Google Docs

• Apple Pages

Step 1: Understand the Job Requirements

Step 2: research the company, step 3: personalize your introduction, step 4: highlight your skills, step 5: connect with your career goals, step 6: showcase your work experience, step 7: maintain a professional tone, step 8: proofread and edit, step 9: tailor for each application, step 10: use an effective closing, more business, 79+ formal letter examples & samples in pdf | doc | microsoft word | apple pages | google docs, 28+ examples of sports certificate in publisher | ms word | psd | ai | pages | indesign, 65+ project proposal examples in pdf | ms word | pages | google docs, 8+ reminder email examples & samples in pdf | doc, 85+ report examples in pdf, 7+ formal email examples and samples in pdf | doc, 27+ email examples & samples in microsoft word | apple pages | editable pdf | google docs, 10+ goodbye emails to coworkers examples & samples in word, 17+ leave application email examples & samples in pdf | doc, 58+ incident report examples & samples in pdf | google docs | pages | doc, 4+ introduction email examples & samples – pdf, doc, 38+ business proposal letter examples in pdf | doc | microsoft word | apple pages.

Related Articles

• 15+ Market Research Proposal Examples – PDF, Word
• 19+ Report Writing Examples

Privacy preference center

We care about your privacy

When you visit our website, we will use cookies to make sure you enjoy your stay. We respect your privacy and we’ll never share your resumes and cover letters with recruiters or job sites. On the other hand, we’re using several third party tools to help us run our website with all its functionality.

But what exactly are cookies? Cookies are small bits of information which get stored on your computer. This information usually isn’t enough to directly identify you, but it allows us to deliver a page tailored to your particular needs and preferences.

Because we really care about your right to privacy, we give you a lot of control over which cookies we use in your sessions. Click on the different category headings on the left to find out more, and change our default settings.

However, remember that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of our website. Finally, note that we’ll need to use a cookie to remember your cookie preferences.

Without these cookies our website wouldn’t function and they cannot be switched off. We need them to provide services that you’ve asked for.

Want an example? We use these cookies when you sign in to Kickresume. We also use them to remember things you’ve already done, like text you’ve entered into a registration form so it’ll be there when you go back to the page in the same session.

Thanks to these cookies, we can count visits and traffic sources to our pages. This allows us to measure and improve the performance of our website and provide you with content you’ll find interesting.

Performance cookies let us see which pages are the most and least popular, and how you and other visitors move around the site.

All information these cookies collect is aggregated (it’s a statistic) and therefore completely anonymous. If you don’t let us use these cookies, you’ll leave us in the dark a bit, as we won’t be able to give you the content you may like.

We use these cookies to uniquely identify your browser and internet device. Thanks to them, we and our partners can build a profile of your interests, and target you with discounts to our service and specialized content.

On the other hand, these cookies allow some companies target you with advertising on other sites. This is to provide you with advertising that you might find interesting, rather than with a series of irrelevant ads you don’t care about.

Art Director Resume Samples

Useful art director resume writing tips.

Behind every record cover, TV commercial, packaging of a product or a poster promoting a theatrical play, there is an art director in charge of achieving the final result.

They turn the creative vision for the company's products and branding into a reality, keeping in mind client satisfaction.

Each creative project is unique, and so is every resume depending on one’s trajectory. There is, however, a number of fundamental sections that a proper art director resume should never miss.

Still looking for a job? These 100+ resources will tell you everything you need to get hired fast.

1. Must-have personal details to put on your art director resume

The key is the right balance of information. Make your personal details section simple and avoid oversharing. Remember to include your full name, telephone, email and, ideally, your portfolio link.

A great art director portfolio can certainly get you one step closer to landing a great job. Showcasing your artistic capabilities and strategic thinking through a variety of projects is crucial.

Nevertheless, remember that the right choice of work can have a bigger impact on recruiters than all the projects you have overseen so far. Accordingly, pick the best of your best projects, making sure that they are relevant to the job you are applying for.

Get inspired by these 10 amazing personal websites.

2. Compelling professional summary to include in your art director resume

Just as a film needs a teaser that captivates the attention of viewers, your art director resume needs a compelling professional profile .

Focus on your greatest achievements and skills to offer your future employer. As a creative professional, you will certainly pick accomplishments that best predetermine you for the role you want.

Art director professional summary example

"Enthusiastic Art Director with a master’s degree in Graphic Design and 7+ years of solid experience in advertising and marketing. Supervised 120+ advertising campaigns, employing strategic planning, measurement of results and reputation management. Spearheaded the delivery of best in class brand narratives celebrating innovation of the product. Won the 2017 Communication Arts Award for milligoes.com."

3. The most fitting skills to put on your art director resume

As an art director, you supervise all graphics production activities, develop print specifications and deliver creative solutions. 

This clearly indicates your expertise in design software, and that is when listing hard skills in your resume comes in handy. 

Best hard skills for an art director resume

• Adobe Suite: InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop
• Print design
• Photography
• HTML & CSS
• Drawing and painting
• Project management

Not only is your role defined by your software expertise, but you may as well be best characterized by your creative vision and persuasion. You motivate your team to be original and innovative in order to meet your client’s expectations. 

Best soft skills for an art director resume

• Strategic and critical thinking
• Communication
• Active listening
• Problem solving
• Taking criticism
• Time management

Check out for more of the best soft and hard skills to put on your resume in 2021.

Find out your resume score!

4. Make your art director work experience resume section shine

Professional experience is undoubtedly one of the most crucial resume sections. Besides allowing space for listing your past roles, it most importantly reveals your capabilities and achievements in given positions.

Start with your most recent role, and mention your most significant accomplishments. Are they measurable? Even better! Quantifying your achievements gives recruiters a better sense of your contribution. Remember to target each work experience to the job you are applying for.

Art director job description example

Markem Designs Lear Art Director 2015–2018

• Skillfully Developed 25+ concepts for products in partnership with the communication and account teams.
• Spearheaded the team of 7 designers and production staff to ensure the desired results.
• Increased client’s sales by 24% in a 3-month period.
• Enhanced art department and organization reputation.

5. Make your art director resume education section stand out

An art director would typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in a design or art subject. Mentioning your academic achievements turns out to be useful especially if you lack work experience in the field.

Art director education section example

University of Europe BA in Graphic Design 2010–2013

• Excelled in Publication and Packaging Design
• Winner, Student Advertising Competition 2013
• Area of interest: Marketing & Advertising Graphic Design

6. Complement your art director resume with extra sections

You know when and where to best invest your energy, and how to most effectively get the job done. Pick the most suitable extra sections to complement your art director resume, depending on your preference and accomplishments in each:

• Certifications
• Volunteering Activities
• Language Skills

7. Format your art director CV flawlessly

For a professional at developing art concepts into layouts, a faultless resume format is a walkover.

Here are some golden rules that will help you impeccably format your art director resume:

• Select the best, ideally a two-column, layout.
• Use white space for readability and navigation.
• If you opt to use color or graphic elements, make them subtle, so that they do not distract from the content.
• Use a professional font between 10-12 points.
• Save your resume as a PDF document unless the job ad states differently.

Check out these 10 art resume samples to score an art job that pays the bills.

Julia Gergelova

Julia is a professional writer, translator and graphic designer. She holds degrees in translation and interpretation, and has international work experience from a number of different countries in Europe as well as China and Panama. Julia formerly taught academic writing and as a graphic designer contributed to outlets such as  The Business of Business . She has a passion for lifelong learning and good coffee.

All art / design resume examples

• Graphic Designer
• Interior Designer
• Photographer
• Product Designer
• Video Editor

All art director resume examples

Related art director cover letter examples

Resume guides

How to write a professional resume summary [+examples], how to put your education on a resume [+examples], how to describe your work experience on a resume [+examples], let your resume do the work..

Join 3,600,000 job seekers worldwide and get hired faster with your best resume yet.