Cover letter examples for job application no experience

Applying for a job when you don't have much experience can be a challenge. Discover how to get a job with no experience by reading our cover letter example

While you may lack relevant experience it's rare for a person to not have any experience at all. All experience is transferrable in some way; you just need to figure out how the experience you possess can be used in the job you're applying for. Use your cover letter to highlight the knowledge and skills you do have, rather than focusing on the experience you don't.

First, talk about your degree, listing any relevant modules. Studying at university provides a wealth of transferrable skills so mention things you learned that will help you in the job.

Next, mention any part-time jobs you've had and the skills you've gained. While it may not always seem relevant to the job you're applying for it will show employers that you have some knowledge of the working world.

You can also use your cover letter to mention any clubs and societies you're part of or any hobbies you have. Explain what's involved and the skills you've learned and how you'd be able to use these in the role. This will show employers that there's more to you than just your qualifications.

Please be aware that this is an example. Use this cover letter template to help generate ideas and structure your own document but avoid copying and pasting. Your cover letter needs to be original and tailored to the job you're applying for.

Laura Markmann 114 Grove Way Anywhere LK2 4WP 07575432432

Sharon Grenfell Regional HR manager Big Stores Ltd Big Stores House Hawthorn Way Greentown PX19 4KJ

15th April 2021

Dear Ms Grenfell

Re: Graduate management programme

I am writing to apply for your graduate scheme advertised on the Prospects.ac.uk website. I am enclosing my CV. As you will see, I spent time on placement at Big Stores Ltd.

I have just finished my degree in English and communication studies which included modules on business communication, marketing communication, communication theory and social media. This gave me an insight into the way language can be used effectively to different audiences to convey a particular message. I analysed this further in my final-year project on Persuasive Writing in Advertising.

As you can see from my CV, I had a weekend/holiday job in a local nursery and garden centre for more than two years. From this I gained skills and knowledge including:

  • customer service (including dealing with complaints)
  • business awareness
  • ability to work indoors or outside in all weathers
  • willingness to take on any task needed for the business.

Throughout school I played for various sports teams as well as local cricket and rugby clubs. I remain committed to these sports and now play for university teams. I feel this involvement has developed my:

  • commitment and reliability in turning up for training and matches
  • time management so I can play sport at a high level alongside my studies
  • resilience in working through the defeats and striving to improve
  • ability to work with others to achieve a common aim.

I'm also very interested in motor sport. As well as spectating, I contribute to a national motor sports blog. This demonstrates my written communication skills by contributing to a national forum to be read by all ages. I also liaise with blog moderators to agree content which helps to improve my verbal communication skills.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

(Sign your name here)

Laura Markmann

Find out more

  • Learn more about cover letters.
  • Take a look at the 5 things to avoid when writing a cover letter.
  • Discover ways to boost your CV with work experience and internships.

An entry level cover letter is a document you can include along with your resume and application when applying for your first job. The purpose of this letter is to showcase your skills, knowledge, and make a good impression on the hiring manager even if you have no experience.

Keep your chin up as you scroll on down, and we’ll walk through this together, step by step. You’ll soon have a perfect cover letter for entry-level jobs that will soon get you your first paycheck.

Want to write your cover letter fast? Use our cover letter builder. Choose from 20+ professional cover letter templates that match your resume. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.

One of our users, Nikos, had this to say:

[I used] a nice template I found on Zety. My resume is now one page long, not three. With the same stuff.

We’ve got dedicated cover letter guides for several positions. Follow our advice here, and move on to: 

  • Barista Cover Letter
  • Cover Letter for Receptionist with No Experience
  • Customer Service Cover Letter
  • Entry Level Marketing Cover Letter
  • Software Engineer Cover Letter
  • Software Developer Cover Letter
  • Information Technology Cover Letter
  • Administrative Assistant Cover Letter
  • Accounting Internship Cover Letter
  • Cover Letter for an Architecture Internship
  • Retail Cover Letter
  • Engineering Cover Letter
  • Electrician Cover Letter
  • Nanny Cover Letter
  • Waitress Cover Letter
  • Teacher Cover Letter
  • Research Associate Cover Letter
  • Computer Science Cover Letter
  • Cover Letter for an Internship
  • Cover Letter for Career Change
  • Recent Graduate Cover Letter
  • Research Assistant Cover Letter
  • Formal Cover Letter
  • Security Officer Cover Letter

For more example check these Sample Cover Letters for 200+ Jobs.

1

What’s the Best Structure for Entry-Level Cover Letters?

Cover letters allow you to write with flexibility, creativity and style. This can be quite refreshing, especially if you’re coming straight from writing a robotic-sounding resume with no experience.

However, your cover letter for entry-level positions is still a formal letter, so there is a layout we recommend you follow. 

But what’s that structure look like, and what should you include on a first-time cover letter?

Here’s what you should include on a no-experience cover letter:

  • your name, professional title, and contact details,
  • the address of the company,
  • a salutation using the hiring manager's name
  • an intro paragraph,
  • why you’re perfect for this particular company,
  • why this particular entry-level position is perfectly suited for you,
  • a closing statement that seals the deal,
  • a closing sentiment and your name.

For more on the various cover letter parts, as well as other possible additions to your entry-level cover letter, check out this guide: What to Include in a Cover Letter

Pro Tip:  Though you should follow our formal cover letter structure, you’ll have some leeway in your writing style. On the resume, you’d use fragmented sentences and clipped phrases, but here you can flex a bit.

Didn’t get an opportunity to use our guide for making a resume without work experience to ensure that’s done right? Now’s your chance: Resume with No Work Experience

2

How to Address Your Cover Letter for First Jobs

When putting together a cover letter for entry-level jobs, you’ll first put your personal information and theirs in the header area. Its look and design varies depending on the template you use.

Your Contact Details

Your contact information (name, job title, address) goes at the top of the entyr-level cover letter. It may be aligned to the left, center, or right, but stick to the same layout as you chose for your resume.

Pro Tip: Don’t add other social media links, website URLs, and portfolio information here as you did on your resume, unless the entry-level cover letter template you choose includes an area for them.

The Date

Because an application letter is a formal document, always include the date of writing.

The Company’s Details

Next, add the addressee, which is the company or agency you’re applying at. Try to find the specific name of the HR director to insert at the top of the company address. This will make it feel more personalized and will be much more compelling.

Put the specific person’s name (if you found it) then the organization’s name and address. 

Here’s what the finished cover letter address area could look like:

contact information on a no experience cover letter

Not addressing your cover letter with no work experience correctly is just as bad as not including one at all! Make sure you get it right: How to Address a Cover Letter

Pro Tip: Just how important is a cover letter? Super important! Nearly half of HR managers say they’ll reject your application if you don’t include one!

3

Starting Off on the Right Foot 

It’s crucial to get the opening area of a cover letter for any entry-level position just right. The top location gets the most eye time, after all!

Succeed, and you’ll get actual eye time at the interview.

Greeting / Salutation

Finding the name of the hiring manager or recruiter is important. It makes the difference between your first cover letter feeling personalized and it seeming like it was spammed out to everyone.

Something like “Dear Mr. Steinhoff,” works perfectly. You can also skip the formal tone by calling them by their first name: “Dear Marcel,”.

Now, about that “Dear” part—Dear is one of the best salutations, but if you can’t find a name or want to change it up, we’ve got other options: How to Start a Cover Letter

Introductory Statement

You know that elusive, perfect pickup line you’d want to use when you see The One across the bar? Well, the opening paragraph should grab the employer’s attention the same way. Make them want to talk to you.

Let’s look at an example of a great entry-level cover letter opening:

As a longtime user and fan of SmogTech’s peerless cloud services, I was thrilled to see the opening for an entry-level IT researcher. With my IT university background as well as a dedicated consumer of your cloud offerings, I know I can use my skill set and knowledge to quickly become a valuable member of the SmogTech team.

How ‘bout that? This intro is written specifically about the company, and it gives them an enticing taste of how you would be a perfect addition to their team. This makes a great cover letter opening paragraph, and it will make them want to read on.

Pro Tip: As we did above, mention the firm’s name in the beginning paragraph, as well. It feels more personalized, and it assures the hiring manager that they’re reading a dedicated cover letter.

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4

You + Company = A Picture-Perfect Partnership

Now we get down to the fundamentals—it’s time to sell them on why you’re the best candidate out of that stack of 200+ others.

While this shocking HR statistic might seem like the odds are against you—

—but they won't be if you get this core section right.

Though opposites, these next two cover letter of interest sections have a symbiotic relationship. We suggest a paragraph for each, which will allot you plenty of room to make your case. 

Why You’re Perfect for Them

You’ve hooked them with that great introduction statement—way to go!

Now, start reeling them in by showing how you’re the perfect fit for their company.

Here’s what a fresh graduate or first-time applicant might say on a sample entry-level cover letter for a job application:

In my former role in my university’s IT laboratory, I had numerous responsibilities and achievements which would serve me well in this entry-level role at SmogTech. I’m proud to have been on a team which pioneered some innovative new IT best practices. On top of that, my diverse set of projects there have often maintained an enviable position as public-sector winners, and I’m sure that I could garner similar results at SmogTech, such as:

  • New method for documenting bugs which reduced operational downtime by 52%
  • Initiated system for merging data streams into single output which led to a 26% increase in productivity.

See that? With that paragraph, you show that your acquired skills and experience would make you the ideal new hire for the job offered. You also add specific numbers so they get a taste as to what you could bring to their table, rather than just vague words.

Even though you have no on-the-job experience, you look supremely competent, nonetheless.

Why They’re Perfect for You

A healthy relationship should be a two-way street, and that holds true for entry-level positions, as well.

You’ve told them why you’re the best possible future employee. Now, show them that this company and the entry-level position on offer is the finest choice for you:

Obtaining the IT research position at SmogTech would be a digital dream come true. You see, SmogTech’s user-friendly cloud development platform is what inspired my fondness for tech. As such, there is no other firm that would make me as happy to work for. I know that, should I be granted the researcher position, I’d be the envy of my circle of friends!

How about that? You praised the company and explained how no other company could make you as happy to work for. Who can resist that?

Pro Tip: Remember using keywords on your resume to ensure that it’s tailored? Add them on your no-experience letter of interest, as well. Oh, and make sure you use the best cover letter fonts so they can read it!

We’ve got a wealth of tips on writing a cover letter that will let you stand out above the rest: 35+ Successful Cover Letter Tips, Advice & Guidelines

5

A Compelling & Strong Finish

You started off strong, and you’ve kept that momentum going this far. 

Now, don’t give up just yet! 

Use a powerful closing statement, a concluding sentence or paragraph, to briefly sum up:

I would welcome the chance to discuss your current tech and research objectives and show you how my successes at university can translate into growth for SmogTech.

See that? You bring it to a satisfying end by summarizing your entry-level cover letter and then leaving the decision in their hands.

Complimentary Close

Add a closing sentiment and your name, and then you can let out a sigh of relief at your impressive application letter accomplishment. 

Here’s how painless that is:

Sincerely,

Siobhan Keenan 

That closing sentiment is called a complimentary close (or complimentary closing). That’s followed by your name to end the cover letter.

Pro Tip: Just as with the formal header area where you addressed the company, keep the complimentary close formal, as well.

Having a solid closing on a cover letter is just as critical as an attention-grabbing beginning. Read this for more examples: How to End a Cover Letter

6

A Postscript to Seal the Deal

Before you berate me for saying you’re done and then giving you one more, hear me out just a sec, if you will.

Adding a P.S. (postscript) is a great cover letter writing hack. All the best cover letters include one.

Let me show you what I mean:

P.S. - I’d love the opportunity to sit down with you and go over how I can bring similar results (26% productivity increase) to your office, as well.

What do you think? A P.S. at the bottom of your cover letter with no working experience always draws the attention of the reader, even if they didn’t care to read the rest of it. It’s a clever way to get one final word in before they finish reading. 

Key Takeaway

As you can see, writing your first-time or no-experience cover letter is certainly not as complicated as you thought—and definitely nowhere near as tough as the wizardry you’ll perform once you get that job.

Remember to follow these key points to write a successful cover letter for entry-level jobs:

  • Start with a bang. Your opening statement on your cover letter is important because it’ll determine if the hiring manager reads on.
  • Show you belong together. Use the majority of the entry-level cover letter’s body area to show that you’re a perfect fit for the company and they’re the ideal workplace for you.
  • Finish strong. You held their attention till the end, now use a powerful ending so they’ll be sure to move on to your enclosed resume and an interview.

Do you have any questions on how to write an entry-level cover letter? Not sure how to show you’re the right candidate in your cover letter without experience in the field? Get at us in the comments below, and we’ll answer your questions. Thanks for reading!

What to write in a cover letter if you have no experience?

How to Write a Cover Letter With No Experience.
List your contact information..
Include the hiring manager's contact details..
Address the hiring manager by name..
Write an attention-grabbing opening paragraph..
Explain why you're the best fit for the role..
Describe your relevant skills..
Mention your top achievements..

How do I start a cover letter with no experience?

Start your no experience cover letter with the supervisor's name. Mention the job in your first paragraph, and why you want it. Show entry-level achievements in the second paragraph. To end your cover letter with no experience, request the interview.

How do you say no experience but willing to learn?

Using your own words, try something along the lines of: "I am interested in an entry-level position. I know I have much to learn, and I'm looking for an opportunity that will let me build a solid professional foundation.

How do you fill out a job application with no experience?

What Do You Put on Your Resume When You Have No Work Experience?.
Sell Your Skills, Not Your Experience. ... .
Showcase Your Volunteer Work or Academic Projects. ... .
Write a Killer Cover Letter. ... .
Include a Clear Career Goal. ... .
Don't Wait for Your References to Be Called..