Writing a cover letter with no experience might feel like an intimidating task. The anxiety of facing a blank page—often with that inner voice whispering you may not be qualified enough—can indeed be paralyzing. But guess what? We’ve all been there, and trust me, you can do it too.
Everyone who has a job today started with no experience and had to write their first cover letter. Some of us even did it in a time when technology wasn’t around to help out (thankfully, things have changed!).
Need some guidance on writing yours? Here is everything you need to know to craft a cover letter with no experience, plus examples to guide you through the process.
What is a cover letter?
First things first: A cover letter is a document that you send to introduce yourself when applying for a job or internship. It complements your resume, providing more insight into who you are and the skills and qualifications that make you perfect for the role.
Think of it like a virtual handshake with the hiring manager. It’s your first interaction and your chance to quickly introduce yourself to secure an interview. Together with your resume, the cover letter is your opportunity to make a strong impression.
Why should you write a cover letter
Writing a cover letter, even if you lack experience, can set you apart from other candidates. It gives you space to delve more deeply into the skills and qualifications mentioned on your resume.
“Rather than focusing on what you have not accomplished yet in your career, focus on what you bring to the table: your skills, competencies, personality traits, and the values that you have developed in your life and education,” says Eloïse Eonnet, career coach and communication skills expert.
How to write a cover letter with no experience: 7 tips
When writing your cover letter, keep in mind your goal: leaving a positive first impression on the reader. It should include relevant information for the position you're applying for and maintain a professional yet engaging tone.
That’s your chance to convince the recruiter that you are the right person for the job and schedule an interview. “So, make sure you are clear on what skills and competencies you bring, and what personality traits make you a great fit,” says Eonnet.
If you still feel stuck and don’t know where to start, here's our seven-step guide on how to write a cover letter with no experience:
1. Check the company and job description
The first step in crafting a well-written cover letter is to research the company where you want to work. Carefully review what the organization shares about its values and culture on social media or its website to understand how you can relate to it in your letter.
The job description should also be examined closely because it typically includes keywords that you can incorporate into your cover letter when explaining your skills and competencies.
2. Include contact details
Mastering the cover letter format is as important as the content itself. Traditionally, a cover letter begins with your name and contact details—ensuring that if the recruiter decides to interview you, the information will be visible and easy to find.
And below your information, right before your opening paragraph, should be the hiring manager contact details. This format is considered more professional and is what is typically expected from candidates.
For example:
[Your First and Last Name]
[Phone number]
[Email]
[LinkedIn]
[Optional, unless it’s asked for: Your address]
[Date you're sending the letter]
[Hiring managers First and Last Name]
[Company]
[Address]
[Phone number]
[Email]
3. Begin with a friendly yet professional greeting
Remember, a cover letter is your initial interaction with the hiring manager, but in a virtual setting. Like in the real world, you begin with a greeting and then proceed to introduce yourself.
Choose a formal greeting such as “Dear First and Last Name”, avoiding casual words like “Hi” or “Hey” to keep a professional tone. After that, you can start your first paragraph by introducing yourself and stating the position you are applying for.
For example:
Dear Lucia Carter,
My name is Alana Reeves, and I’m excited to apply for the Copywriter position at ABC Agency, which I discovered on LinkedIn. As a recent graduate from Columbia University, I’d be thrilled to work for a company that aligns with [Company’s values and/or culture].
4. Highlight relevant qualifications
Now, it’s time to showcase that you have what it takes to fulfill the desired position. When writing a cover letter with no experience, the key is to emphasize any relevant skills and competencies, detailing how they were developed.
“If a candidate has no work experience to pull from, I suggest that they talk about projects they completed at school, courses they took, extracurricular activities and community based projects they focused on, and even personal life events and projects they have experienced,” says Eonnet.
Filter what’s most relevant to the role you’re applying for and create a link between your skills and the job description.
For example:
“Since my first semester at school, I’ve cultivated a passion for producing digital content for companies and institutions. I acted on this by creating a blog for the Mass Communication's website, where I wrote stories that captured the daily lives of the students on campus and the Columbia University culture. I also created a series providing recommendations of books, websites, films and TV shows relevant to a Mass Communication graduate.”
5. Showcase hard and soft skills
At this point, you’ve probably heard about hard and soft skills, right? Hard skills are technical abilities or knowledge that you can acquire through education, work experience, or training, whereas soft skills are linked to behavior and interpersonal relationships.
Recruiters seek candidates with a good mix of both types of skills, and the second and third paragraphs of your cover letter are perfect to show that you have what they are looking for.
“Show, do’’t tell! Rather than list your traits, they need to be in context of your past experience, even if it’s not official ’work experience,’” says Eonnet. So, use what you know about the company to show why you’re a good fit—be sure to explain how your skills match their needs.
For example:
“During my four years as a blog content creator, I developed a strong understanding of SEO strategy, creative copywriting, and data analysis using Google Analytics, attracting approximately 1000 monthly visitors to the blog. I also applied my communication and self-management skills by interviewing students and managing the content by myself.”
If you have any top accomplishments, whether personal or academic, you can also include them in this section of your cover letter.
6. Close professionally
Wrap up your cover letter by reiterating your interest in the position and closing with a professional sign-off. You can use an engaging and friendly tone—and even ask for an interview—but don’t go overboard. Avoid overly casual language like “See you soon” or “Cheers”.
For example:
“I’m impressed by ABC Agency’s culture and creative approach to copywriting. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further in an interview.
Thank you for considering my application.
Best regards,
Alana Reeves”
7. Proofread carefully
This should go without saying, but make sure to submit a flawless letter free from grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors. Unfortunately, even great candidates can be overlooked if their cover letter or resume has too many mistakes.
To avoid this, take time to proofread your writing before submission. Remember, you’re not the only one job hunting, and recruiters probably go through tons of cover letters and resumes daily. Anything less than impeccable could be a deal-breaker.
Cover letter examples with no experience (but willing to learn!)
Ready to see these tips in action? Check out two examples of cover letters with no experience to guide you.
1# Sample cover letter for internship with no experience
Alana Reeves
123-456-7890
alane@reeves.com
February 26, 2024
Lucia Carter
Abc Agency
123 Payne St.
123-456-7890
lucia@carter.com
Dear Lucia Carter,
I’m excited to apply for the marketing internship position at ABC Agency. As a recent graduate from Columbia University, I’m eager to delve deeper into marketing strategies and their role in the business world.
In addition to my commitment to college studies, over the past year, I’ve completed courses in digital marketing essentials and inbound marketing. I’ve also been actively involved in extracurricular activities, creating content and promoting student events across multiple platforms. These experiences have not only expanded my creativity but also enhanced my teamwork skills.
I’m enthusiastic about the prospect of joining your marketing team, as I’m an admirer of your creative marketing campaigns and ABC Agency’s commitment to social responsibility. I'm confident in my ability to contribute to your growth by offering innovative solutions and fresh perspectives for the business.
I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further.
Best regards,
Alana Reeves
2# Sample cover letter for job with no experience
Alana Reeves
123-456-7890
alane@reeves.com
February 26, 2024
Lucia Carter
Abc Agency
123 Payne St.
123-456-7890
lucia@carter.com
Dear Lucia Carter,
My name is Alana Reeves, and I’m writing to express my interest in the entry-level social media management position at ABC Agency, which I discovered on LinkedIn. As a recent graduate with a major in Mass Communication from Columbia University, I am eager to apply my education in a dynamic and innovative company like yours.
During my four years of undergraduate studies, I initiated and managed a TikTok and Instagram page to share my study routine. I was successful in creating a community of 5,000 followers, including students from Columbia University and other universities nationwide.
This experience equipped me with a robust understanding of content creation, image and video editing, community management, and social media analytics. I strengthened my self-management and organization skills, effectively balancing my academic responsibilities with this project.
Being an admirer of ABC Agency’s creative and humorous content, I am enthusiastic about the prospect of contributing to your team. I believe I can bring fresh ideas and an innovative approach to enhance your social media presence.
Thank you for considering my application.
Sincerely,
Alana Reeves
What to avoid when writing your cover letter
Understanding what not to say is also helpful when crafting a cover letter without experience. Here are two things to steer clear of:
Don’t be too apologetic
It’s easy to fall into the trap of downplaying your past experiences just because they weren’t formal jobs. However, you should—or at least try to—avoid this negative and overly apologetic approach at all costs.
“I would definitely avoid qualifying any past experience (school projects, odd jobs, internships, community service, personal projects) as ’not work experience.’ I see candidates use an apologetic tone sometimes, which is counterproductive.” says Eonnet.
Don’t focus on your lack of experience
If you’re searching for tips on how to write a cover letter with no experience, examples and such, chances are you're applying for an entry level position. In this case, avoid dedicating too much space in your letter to the fact that you haven’t had a traditional job.
“Recruiters who are looking to fill an entry-level role do not expect you to have a bunch of full-time work experience. Rather, they’re looking for candidates who are self-aware, ready to work, and interested in the position.” says Eonnet.