How to Write a Cover Letter With No Experience (With Examples)
A cover letter is an important part of your application for any job. But if you don't have any relevant experience--or any experience at all--what on earth are you supposed to say?
Regardless of your experience level or where you're at in your job hunt, there are ways you can strategically craft a cover letter to highlight the experience you do have instead of the experience you don't. And even if you're just beginning your job search, it's better to prepare your application materials sooner rather than later so you'll have them ready to go when you come across that perfect position.
Learn how to write a cover letter with no experience and compete with seasoned professionals for your next job.
What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is a document that you send with a resume or job application when you apply for a job, internship, or other professional opportunity. In this letter, you'll introduce yourself and provide additional information about your qualifications, skills, and experience. The cover letter is usually addressed to the hiring manager or employer. It serves as a way to communicate your interest in a specific job and explain why you're a good fit for the role. Each of the entry level cover letters you send should be personalized for that specific job posting.
A cover letter supplements your resume, providing more context for your application. It allows you to highlight specific achievements, experiences, or skills that are relevant to the job you are applying for, and to demonstrate your overall enthusiasm for the company and the position. A well-crafted cover letter can increase your chances of getting an interview and ultimately landing the job.
Should I write a cover letter if I have no experience?
Maybe this is your first career job, and you truly don't have any other experience--even entry level positions--to include. But even if you don't have any prior job experience, you should definitely still write a cover letter! A cover letter is an important way to highlight your qualifications and help you differentiate yourself from other applicants, while creating a personal connection with hiring managers.
And don't worry--even with less experience, there are ways to position yourself and your relevant skills that will show why you're still a great fit for any job posting. Keep in mind that depending on the position you're applying for, the hiring manager might not expect you to have direct experience in that area. Everyone has to start somewhere, right? The most important thing is for an entry-level, concise cover letter to demonstrate your potential, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn.
How to write a cover letter with no experience
Feeling stuck and unsure where to begin for the perfect cover letter? Teal can help. Use Teal's AI Resume Builder and its AI integration feature to generate cover letters using artificial intelligence. With this tool, you can upload your resume, generate a no experience cover letter using AI, and then make any personal edits needed before sending it off with your job application. This cover letter builder will help you get started with how to write a cover letter with no experience.
You can also use Teal's Job Application Tracker to save the jobs you're applying for. Use the Google Chrome extension to save jobs. Then organize them within Teal according to position details and your application status. This makes it easier to keep up with each entry level position you're interested in.
Ready to get started? Write the perfect cover letter with no experience using the following cover letter tips.
Do your research
Before you write your cover letter, read the job description closely. Look for soft skills or other details that you can mention in your letter to show that you line up perfectly with what they're looking for.
It's also a smart idea to research the company overall. What are the company's values and mission? What does their company culture seem to be like? Press releases, news articles, and industry reports might help provide insights into the company's recent developments, challenges, and opportunities.
Find something that you can keep in your back pocket to mention in your cover letter. You'll stand out as a best candidate if you can mention something personal about that specific company, demonstrating you're truly interested in them.
You can keep track of the research you conduct in Teal's Job Application Tracker. Tips and guidance are offered of where and how to conduct research. You can also log the research completed on any contacts you have made at the company.
Use a professional format
Your cover letter needs to use a professional format that looks visually clean and tidy. A cover letter template generally looks something like this:
- Contact information
- Salutation
- Introduction
- Body paragraphs
- Closing
- Signature
By following this normal cover letter sequence, you'll end up with a concise, professional letter that includes everything the company needs to know.
Get personal
Add your personal contact details in the cover letter header (which is usually located in the top left corner of the document). You'll want to include:
- Name (first and last)
- Address (street address, city, state, ZIP code)
- Phone number
- Email address
Next, include a formal greeting to the hiring manager. This is typically written as "Dear _____." You should also call the hiring manager by name. Use their first and last name to avoid accidentally misgendering anyone or making a mistake on their marital status. For instance: "Dear Jane Doe."
If you aren't sure who is hiring for the position, or you can't find the hiring manager's name, it's okay to begin your letter with "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear ____ Department."
Start strong
Every great cover letter starts out by grabbing the reader's attention with a strong introduction. Your opening statement should introduce yourself and reference the specific job opening you’re applying for.
In your opening paragraph, provide a brief summary of who you are and why you're interested in the position. For example: "As a recent graduate from ABC University with a BA of Marketing, I'm eager to put my skills and education to work in a dynamic and challenging environment." You'll go more in depth about your professional experience (or your education and skills, if you don't have much experience) in the following paragraphs of the letter.
Demonstrate your skills
Even if you're applying for entry level jobs, you can impress the hiring manager by listing out the soft skills that set you apart from other job seekers. Cross-reference the job posting to make sure you're listing skills and achievements that are relevant to the job you're applying for. You should also make it clear that you're eager and willing to learn.
Teal's Job ApplicationTracker helps extract the top keywords so you can quickly customize your cover letter and let a company know exactly why you are applying for a specific position.
Prove why you’d be an asset to the company, and what you can contribute.
In addition to highlighting your transferable skills, talk about any relevant education. Maybe you have a college degree; you're currently in school; or you've completed an internship in the same industry. These might be helpful details to share to make up for any lack of professional experience.
From start to finish, your cover letter should be 3-4 paragraphs long (less than one page, and not more than 400 words).
Finish with a call to action
Wrap up your cover letter with a call to action. Ask the hiring manager if you can set up an informational interview (or a regular interview). This shows that you're truly interested in the job and you're ready to get started.
Be polite and flexible with your ask, showing your willingness to work around their schedule. This might sound like, "If you have any time free next week, I would love to set up an informational interview to get an opportunity to learn more about this role. Please let me know what works for your schedule."
Add a professional closing
End with a closing statement that's both professional and compelling, thanking the recipient for their time and reaffirming your interest in the position. Try one of these key takeaways:
- Thank you for your time. I look forward to speaking with you further about the position.
- I'm eager to learn and grow within a dynamic and collaborative team environment. Thank you for considering my application.
- I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further.
Finish the letter with "Sincerely" or "Thank you" and your name.
Proofread and save
Proofread your cover letter carefully to catch any grammar mistakes or any sentences that could be worded more impactfully. If you aren't a career writer, consider asking a family member or friend to look at the letter, too.
When you're finished, save the letter and submit it to the application as a PDF file.
Cover letter with no experience examples
These cover letter examples can help you get started as you write a no experience cover letter.
Sample cover letter for internship
Dear Mr. Jones,
My name is Jane Doe, and I'm excited to apply for the social media marketing internship position at XYZ Company. As a current college student with a passion for digital marketing, I'm eager to learn more about social media strategy and how it can be used to drive business results.
Throughout my time at ABC University, I've successfully completed courses in digital marketing and social media management, and have been actively involved in managing social media accounts for several student organizations. These experiences have helped me gain a strong understanding of social media best practices such as content creation, community management, and analytics.
I'm impressed by XYZ Company's creative and engaging social media content, and eager to learn more. I believe that my strong writing and communication skills make me a strong fit for this internship. I'm confident that I can bring a fresh perspective and a strong work ethic to your team and make a meaningful contribution to your social media marketing efforts.
I look forward to the possibility of discussing my qualifications further.
Sincerely,
Jane Doe
Entry level cover letter example for recent graduate
Dear Hiring Manager,
My name is Jane Doe and I'm excited to apply for the entry-level marketing position at XYZ Company. As a recent graduate from ABC University with a BA of Marketing, I'm eager to put my skills and education to work in a dynamic and challenging environment.
Last year, I completed a six-month social media marketing internship. I was responsible for creating and curating content for various social media channels, managing social media campaigns, and analyzing data to track the success of our efforts. Through this experience, I developed a strong understanding of social media strategy and best practices, as well as the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
In addition to my internship experience, I have taken courses in marketing research, consumer behavior, and brand management, which have given me a solid foundation in marketing theory and practice. I am also highly skilled in using various marketing tools and software, including Google Analytics, Hootsuite, and Adobe Creative Suite.
I am particularly drawn to XYZ Company's innovative and customer-focused approach to marketing. I'm eager to learn and grow within a dynamic and collaborative team environment.
Thank you for considering my application,
Sincerely,
Jane Doe
Sample cover letter for career pivoter with no experience in the field
Dear Hiring Manager,
My name is Jane Doe and I'm excited to apply for the product manager position at XYZ Company. As a highly motivated and results-driven individual with a passion for innovation and problem-solving, I believe I would be an excellent fit for this role.
While my career experience has primarily been in digital marketing, I've always been drawn to the strategic and analytical aspects of product management. I'm confident that my skills and experience in marketing, combined with my strong communication and project management skills, make me a strong candidate for this position.
As a digital marketing professional, I've had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects that required cross-functional collaboration and coordination. Through these experiences, I have developed a strong understanding of project management principles, including scope definition, resource allocation, risk management, and stakeholder communication. I also completed college courses in product development, marketing research, and consumer behavior while getting my marketing degree.
I'm particularly drawn to XYZ Company's innovative and customer-focused approach to product development, and I'm excited about the opportunity to work with a talented and collaborative team. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further.
Sincerely,
Jane Doe
The best way to write a cover letter with no experience
You might not have much career experience. But you can still feel confident as you write a cover letter for your next job. Don't explicitly state that you do not have any experience. Just let the skills, education, or life experience you do have speak for yourself.
Teal's free AI Resume Builder includes AI integration features that can generate multiple versions of your cover letter, each one tailored to the specific job description.
You should also make sure your resume is optimized with your skills, latest experience, and work achievements! Your resume’s job is to get you in the door. Optimizing it will help you land interviews for the next opportunities that excite you. Teal's AI Resume Builder can also help you keep your Career History up to date and write metric-driven achievements using our Achievement Assistant tool.
Related Articles
