A cover letter is a short formal letter that you send with your CV when you apply for a job. It names the post, explains why you are suitable for it and politely asks for an interview. The samples below cover teaching, office, bank, health, IT, sales and technical jobs.
Parts of a Cover Letter
| Part | What to Write | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Heading | Your own address, at the top right | House No. 12, Johar Town, Lahore. |
| 2. Date | The date on which you write the letter | 10th October, 2026 |
| 3. Employer's address | Post, organisation and city | The Principal, X.Y.Z. School, Karachi. |
| 4. Salutation | A polite greeting | Dear Sir or Madam, |
| 5. Opening paragraph | The post and where you saw the advertisement | I am writing to apply for the post of ... |
| 6. Why-me paragraph | Education, skills, experience and good qualities | I hold a B.Ed. degree and have two years of experience. |
| 7. Closing paragraph | CV enclosed, a request for an interview, thanks | I would be grateful for an opportunity to meet you. |
| 8. Sign-off | Closing words, name, phone and enclosure | Yours faithfully, A.B.C. |
Tips for a Good Cover Letter
- Keep the letter to one page, with three or four short paragraphs.
- Write a fresh letter for every job, and mention the exact name of the post and the organisation.
- Do not copy your CV. Choose two or three skills or achievements that match the job and explain them briefly.
- Use a formal, polite and confident tone. Avoid slang, short forms such as "I'm" and "don't", and begging words.
- Write "Yours faithfully" after "Dear Sir or Madam", and "Yours sincerely" when you address a person by name, such as "Dear Mr. X.Y.Z.".
- Never give false information about your degrees, marks or experience.
- Write "Enclosure: CV" at the end when you send your CV with the letter.
- Check the spelling, grammar, names and dates carefully before you send the letter.
Cover Letter, CV and Job Application
| Point | Cover Letter | CV | Job Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Introduces you and shows why you suit one particular job | Lists all your education, skills and experience | Formally requests a post |
| Form | A letter written in paragraphs | Headings, lists and short points | A letter, often with a short list of personal details |
| Changed for each job? | Yes, written fresh every time | Changed only a little | Yes, written for each post |
| Common use | Private companies, banks, NGOs and the media | Almost every job | Schools, government offices and simple local jobs |
Note: In short, the CV tells the employer what you have done, while the cover letter tells why it matters for this job.