Application Letter Template – 6 Free Examples You Can Copy

Short answer: An application letter template is a proven structure (header → salutation → opening hook → qualifications → fit → closing) that you customize with your own details. Below are six free templates for the most common situations: entry-level, experienced, career change, internship, remote, and career gap. Copy the one that matches your situation, swap in your specifics, and you can send a polished cover letter in under ten minutes.

An application letter (also called cover letter) is your chance to make a strong first impression. Using a proven template helps you structure your thoughts, maintain professionalism, and save time.

Application Letter Structure (6 parts)

Every strong cover letter has the same six-part structure:

Header – Your name, email, phone, LinkedIn; employer’s name and address; date
Salutation – “Dear [Hiring Manager Name]” (research the name on LinkedIn if not given)
Opening hook – Position you’re applying for + one-sentence reason you’re a fit
Body (1–2 paragraphs) – Relevant experience, quantified results, skills that match the job description
Fit paragraph – Why this specific company, not just any employer
Closing – Call to action, thank-you, signature

Aim for half a page to one full page, never longer. Recruiters spend 30–60 seconds scanning cover letters.

Template 1 – Entry-Level / Recent Graduate

Dear [Hiring Manager Name],

I am writing to apply for the [Position] role at [Company]. As a recent [Degree] graduate from [University], I was excited to see your team is [specific detail from the job ad — a product, initiative or value].

During my studies I [relevant project, internship, or coursework] which gave me hands-on experience in [skill 1] and [skill 2]. In my capstone project I [measurable result, e.g. “built a web app used by 200+ students”].

What draws me to [Company] is [one specific reason — product, mission, team]. I would love the opportunity to contribute my [top skill] to your team and grow under experienced mentors.

Thank you for considering my application. I’d welcome the chance to discuss how I can contribute.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Template 2 – Experienced Professional

Dear [Hiring Manager Name],

With [X years] of experience in [field] and a track record of [key achievement — e.g. “scaling B2B sales from €1M to €8M ARR”], I am writing to express my interest in the [Position] role at [Company].

In my current role at [Current Company] I [one bullet with a measurable result]. Previously at [Previous Company] I [second result, ideally quantified].

I am particularly drawn to [Company] because [specific reason — strategy, market, culture]. I see a strong match between your need for [requirement from job ad] and my background in [matching expertise].

I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to your team’s next chapter.

Best regards, [Your Name]

Template 3 – Career Change

Dear [Hiring Manager Name],

After [X years] building a career in [previous field], I am making a deliberate transition into [new field], and the [Position] role at [Company] is exactly the opportunity I’ve been preparing for.

While my background is in [previous field], the skills I’ve developed — [transferable skill 1], [transferable skill 2], [transferable skill 3] — translate directly to this role. For example, [one concrete example of the skill applied].

Over the past [months/year] I have actively built [new field] expertise through [course, certification, side project, freelance work]. I recently [tangible proof point — shipped a project, completed a cert, contributed to open source].

I’m excited by [Company]‘s work on [specific thing] and would be grateful for a conversation.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Template 4 – Internship

Dear [Hiring Manager Name],

I am a [year] student in [Major] at [University], and I am writing to apply for the [Internship Title] at [Company].

My coursework in [relevant subjects] has given me a strong foundation in [skill 1] and [skill 2]. I’ve applied these in [project, student organization, or part-time role], where I [concrete outcome].

I was drawn to [Company] because [specific reason — product, technology, mission]. An internship on your team would let me deepen my skills in [area] while contributing to [something specific from the job ad].

I am available [dates] and would welcome the chance to discuss how I can support your team this summer.

Thank you for your time, [Your Name]

Template 5 – Remote Role

Dear [Hiring Manager Name],

I am applying for the remote [Position] role at [Company]. I bring [X years] of experience in [field] and have worked fully remotely for [time period], so I am comfortable with async communication, written decision-making, and self-directed work.

At [Current Company] I [achievement that required remote collaboration — e.g. “led a distributed team of 6 across three time zones, shipping X on schedule”]. I default to writing things down, over-communicating context, and protecting focus time.

[Company]‘s [specific value or product] resonates with me because [one-sentence reason]. I’d love to discuss how I can contribute to your remote team.

Best regards, [Your Name]

Template 6 – After a Career Gap

Dear [Hiring Manager Name],

I am writing to apply for the [Position] role at [Company]. After a [X-month/year] career break for [brief reason — caregiving, study, health, travel — no over-explanation needed], I am returning to [field] with fresh perspective and renewed energy.

Prior to my break I [achievement at last role, ideally quantified]. During the break I kept my skills current by [relevant activity — freelance, course, open source, volunteering]. I recently [most recent tangible proof].

I am excited about [Company]‘s [specific thing] and believe my experience in [area] aligns well with the role.

Thank you for considering my application. I would welcome a conversation.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Opening Paragraph Templates (Copy-Paste)

“I am writing to express my strong interest in the [Position] role at [Company]…”
“With [X years] of experience in [field], I am excited to apply for…”
“As a passionate [profession] with a proven track record in [skill], I was immediately drawn to…”
“After reading about [Company]‘s work on [specific project], I knew I had to apply for the [Position] role…”
“Your job posting for [Position] resonated with me because [specific reason tied to your experience]…”

Customization Checklist

Before you send, verify:

Hiring manager’s actual name (not “To whom it may concern”)
Correct company name everywhere (easy to miss when copying a template)
Correct job title matching the posting
2–3 specific details about the company, not generic praise
At least one quantified achievement
Keywords from the job description woven in naturally
No typos — read aloud or paste into a grammar checker
Saved as PDF, named Firstname-Lastname-Cover-Letter-[Company].pdf

Common Mistakes

Generic template sent to every employer without customization
Repeating the resume verbatim instead of telling a story
Over-explaining a career gap or reason for leaving
Too long (more than one page)
Wrong company name, wrong position title, or wrong salutation
Using “I” to start every sentence
Claims without evidence (“I’m a team player” with no example)

Application Letter vs Cover Letter vs Motivation Letter

These three terms are often used interchangeably in English, but with subtle differences:

Cover letter (US) – Standard term in the United States, tends to be concise and achievement-focused
Application letter (UK / international) – Often more formal, common in UK and European hiring
Motivation letter (Europe / academia) – Common for scholarships, internships, and EU institutions; emphasizes why you want the role

For most international applications from Finland, cover letter and application letter are interchangeable. Use the same template.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ideal length of an application letter?

Half a page to one full page. Aim for 250–400 words. Recruiters spend 30–60 seconds scanning a cover letter, so every sentence has to earn its place.

Do I need a cover letter if the employer doesn’t ask for one?

Yes, in almost all cases. A strong cover letter is often the deciding factor between two candidates with similar resumes. Skip it only if the application system explicitly says “no cover letter.”

Should I use the same cover letter for every job?

No. At minimum, customize the opening, the fit paragraph, and the company-specific details. A fully tailored letter takes 10–15 minutes — far less than you’d lose with a generic one that gets rejected.

How do I address a cover letter if I don’t know the hiring manager’s name?

Search LinkedIn for “[Company] recruiter” or “[Company] [team] manager” to find a name. If nothing surfaces, use “Dear Hiring Team” or “Dear [Department] Team” — avoid “To whom it may concern,” which feels dated.

What’s the difference between a cover letter and a resume?

A resume lists facts (jobs, dates, skills). A cover letter tells the story behind those facts and explains why you’re the right fit for this specific role at this specific company.

Can I use AI to write my application letter?

Yes — and many candidates already do. The key is customization: AI drafts a solid structure, but you must add the specific details about the company, the concrete achievements, and your own voice. duuni.ai is built specifically for this: it reads the job posting and your background and produces a tailored first draft you can refine in minutes.

duuni.ai creates professional, customizable application letters in minutes. AI-powered suggestions match the letter to the job description, and PDFs are ATS-compatible out of the box. Start free – one application per month at no cost.