Thursday, October 29, 2020

20 Free Professional Resume Cover Letter Format Templates for Jobs 2020

20 Free Professional Resume Cover Letter Format Templates for Jobs 2020

Are you getting ready to apply to jobs and want to make a cover letter? Using a professional cover letter template will save you time and ensure that you've got a professional design.

Cover Letter Template
This cover letter template and hundreds more can be found on Envato Elements.

Using a premium cover letter template can not only save you time, but you'll have a high-quality template for your letter. All you need to do is add the information you'd like to and customize the template and you're done.

In this article, we'll explore some of the best premium and free cover letter templates available online.

Find the Best Premium Resume Cover Letter Templates on Envato Elements (With Unlimited Use) 

Envato Elements is an all-you-can-download resources for professionals and creatives, including good cover letter templates. With Elements, you pay a low monthly fee to get access to:

  • resume and CV letter templates
  • stock photos and royalty free music
  • WordPress themes and more

Premium templates from Envato Elements are the place to find your next professional resume and cover letter template. Free resume cover letter templates are often not as complete as professional premium templates (like those found on Envato Elements).

Envato Elements - Unlimited creative template downloads for one low price
Thousands of job cover letter templates, icons, fonts and more can be found on Envato Elements.

The key advantage of Elements is that you unlock everything with a single subscription. Each extra cover letter template costs you nothing extra (not to mention the thousands of stock photos, graphics, icons, and other resources). 

Envato Elements
There are tons of resume and cover letter templates on Envato Elements.

Free templates aren't as nice-looking and typically aren't high quality either. With Elements, you'll have a nice-looking template and a high-quality CV letter template.

5 Top Premium Resume Cover Letter Templates From Envato Elements for 2020

Here's a curated list of some of the best resume and cover letter templates from Envato Elements:

1. Minimal Resume & Cover Letter

Minimal Resume Cover Letter

This resume and cover letter template can be used in Adobe InDesign. This template comes with a cover letter template and a resume template. Fully edit the template to suit your needs. This template also has a place for you to put your picture.

2. Word Resume & Cover Letter

Word Resume Cover Letter

Word Resume and Cover letter is a professional cover letter and resume template that's multi-purpose. Here are some key features of the resume:

  • use in Microsoft Word, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Photoshop
  • easily customizable
  • classic design
  • print-ready
  • skills section

This resume template has a professional design that makes it a perfect companion to your letter.

3. Gradient Resume and Cover Letter

Gradient Resume and Cover Letter

Gradient is a cover letter format template that's got a simple and modern layout. This template comes with four color schemes. 

Along with this template, you get free fonts and free icons to help you customize your resume. The cover letter matches the resume template so that your resume and the letter are a set. You won't find this variety in any free creative cover letter templates online.

4. Resume and Cover Letter

Resume and Cover Letter

The Resume and Cover letter template has a nice pop of color to make your resume and letter stand out. Here are some highlights of this template set:

  • comes in A4 & US letter size
  • easily edit the style and colors
  • print-ready
  • can be used in Microsoft Word

This template set is a great pick if you want a classic style resume with a pop of color.

5. Resume and Cover Letter Template

Resume and Cover Letter Template

This resume and cover letter template have a nice contemporary and professional design. Customize everything in this template from the font to the colors. Easily edit this template in Adobe InDesign. The template comes in A4 and US letter size. 

Don't be fooled by free creative cover letter templates. This professional cover letter template set has the features you're looking for.

5 More Great Premium Cover Letter Templates From GraphicRiver

If you're not ready to commit to a subscription like Envato Elements, you can still get a top-quality premium resume cover letter template. Our pay-as-you-go GraphicRiver marketplace lets you download premium templates without committing to a monthly subscription.

GraphicRiver Premium Cover Letter Templates
There are thousands of resumes with professional cover letter templates on GraphicRiver.

Here's a hand-picked list of resume and cover letter templates from GraphicRiver:

1. Resume + Cover Letter

Resume Cover Letter

This resume and cover letter set contain a professional cover letter template. The template comes in two sizes A4 and US letter sizes. You've got two different color schemes to choose from for this resume and cover letter set. This set also comes with free icons.

2. Clean Resume + Cover Letter

Clean Resume Cover Letter

This is template set contains a cover sheet for resume and another for a resume. Here are some highlights of this template:

  • four color schemes
  • comes in two sizes A4 and US Letter size
  • easily customizable
  • can be used in Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, and Microsoft Word

This template set has a simple and professional design.

3. Creative Resume and Cover Letter

Creative Resume and Cover Letter

This CV letter template set contains a creatively designed letter and resume. This set has a unique design that'll catch the attention of the hiring manager. Everything in this set is completely editable. Edit the set in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.

4. 2-PiecePro Resume + Cover Letter

2- Piece Pro Resume Cover Letter

This job cover letter template comes with a matching resume template. Here are some key features of this template set:

  • can be used in Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Microsoft Word
  • completely customizable
  • professional design

This cover letter and resume will set you apart from the other resumes received by the hiring manager.

5. Multipurpose + Cover Letters

Multipurpose Cover Letters

This multipurpose resume includes a professional cover letter. This template comes with logo designs and business card templates. This set is great if you're starting to look for a job. You've got three color schemes to choose from. There are three logos to choose from, pick the one that suits you best.

20 Best Free Cover Letter Templates to Download for 2020

Before looking for a free resume cover letter template on the web, check Envato's free offerings first. Try out various premium template files (not always cover letters) at no cost to you.

Here's the deal: 

If you can find what you're looking for above and there's no budget, you've got no choice but to use free resume and cover letter templates. We've created this curated list for those times. Here's a list of some of the best cover letter template free to download:

1. Traditional Elegance Cover Letter Template (Free Download)

Traditional Elegance Cover Letter

This cover letter template for job application download has a very traditional style. This free cover letter template gives you a good head start if you've never written a letter for a job application before. If you need a letter that doesn't have a distracting design, then this is the template for you.

2. Button-Down Cover Letter

Button-Down Cover Letter is a job cover letter template with no design to distract from the information in your letter. All the text in this letter is aligned to the left to give it a button-down effect. This cover letter template free to download has an organized feel.

3. Goldfish Bowl Cover Letter

The Goldfish Bowl Cover Letter template has a simple and classic design. Here are some highlights of this template:

  • traditional header
  • traditional font
  • no distracting design elements

This free cover letter template is perfect for anyone wanting a really cover sheet for a resume.

4. Plain Divider Cover Letter

Plain Diveder Cover Letter

The plain divider is a free cover letter template download. This free cover letter template is well-organized and separates your personal information with a divider line vertically on the letter. The style of this template is like the style of a newsletter. 

5. Keep It Simple Cover Letter

This resume cover letter template has a simple and classic style. The style of this template is meant to highlight your skills, interests and past experience. Your future employer can pick out the information they need.

6. Free Cover Letter Template

This CV letter template doesn't have a distracting design. Here are some key features of this template:

  • traditional header
  • professional style
  • great for college graduates

This cover letter template free to download will emphasize your experience and skills.

7. Resume Cover Letter (Violet)

This resume cover letter template has a nice pop of color in the header. This pop of color will make your name stand out on the letter. This basic template works for anyone who hasn't written a job application letter before or doesn't have much work experience.

8. Simple Cover Letter

CV Letter Template

This professional cover letter has a colored heading. Having a heading with color helps make your letter more interesting. This is great basic template for anyone who isn't looking for a complicated design.

9. Pink Floral Cover Letter

The Pink Floral Cover Letter has a pretty floral design. Here are some highlights of this template:

  • floral heading
  • colorful
  • professional style

10. Headshot Cover Letter

The Headshot job cover letter template has a place where you can add your picture. This works for any job application that requires that you include your picture with your resume. The letter has a bright border. This is very nice if you're looking for free resume and cover letter templates.

11. Organic Shapes Cover Letter Template (Free Download)

Organic shapes is a professional cover letter template. This template has pastel and navy colors in a border on the left side of the letter. There's also a place for you to put your headshot if needed

12. Green Cube Cover Letter

Green Cube Cover letter

Green cube is a job cover letter template that's got a space for a headshot If needed. There's a green border on this template. The border highlights your info with the dark green header. Overall, a good cover letter template free to download.

13. Sticky Note Cover Letter

This CV cover letter template has bright colors in the header and on one side of the letter. You can customize this template. Easily customize the font or colors to suit your needs.

14. Blue Spheres Cover Letter Template (Free Download)

The Blue Spheres cover letter template has a fresh and professional design. Here are some highlights of this template:

  • headshot section
  • customizable
  • showcases experience and talent

This CV letter template works for anyone looking for a creative job.

15. Contemporary Photo Cover Letter

This colorful resume cover letter template has a modern design. There's space for you to add your headshot if needed. This colorful letter will be memorable to the hiring manager. This template highlights your information.

16. Blue Sky Cover Letter

Blue Sky Cover Letter

Blue sky is a professional cover letter with a sky with wispy clouds as the header. Customize the fonts and colors on this template. There's a place for you to add your headshot to the cover sheet for a resume if you need to.

17. Bold Monogram Cover Letter

Bold monogram is a job cover letter template that'll make a statement with its bold design. This template is great if you want a bold design but a conventional letter. Customize the template from the fonts to the colors to make it suitable for your needs.

18. The Trendy Cover Letter Template (Free Download)

The trendy CV letter template comes with six different colors in the heading. This cover sheet for a resume allows you to add a touch of color to your letter without it being distracting.

19. The Fancy Cover Letter Template

There are six versions of this free cover letter template with different color headings. The font for your name is in a fancier font.

20. The Skills Cover Letter Template

This cover sheet for a resume showcases your skills. There are six different versions of this template each with different colors. This example closes our selection of free resume and cover letter templates.

How to Customize Your Cover Letter Template

One of the first things that you'll want to do after you've selected a cover letter template is to customize it. Here's the premium template that we'll be using in this tutorial to show you how to customize a cover letter. Download the template to follow along or use these steps with your favorite cover letter template.

Cover Letter Template
Premium CV Resume template with cover letter template from Envato Elements.

Learn how to customize your cover letter template:

1. How to Insert a Picture

How to Insert a Picture
How to insert a picture

This resume and cover letter template have a place where you can add a headshot. To add an image, go to the Insert tab above the toolbar. Next click on the Picture button. This will cause a menu to drop-down next click on the location of where you saved you image. 

After you've found the location of the image double click on the image that you want to use. Now the image will appear on you template. Resize it as needed.

2. How to Delete an Object

How to Delete an Object
How to delete an object

You may want to remove an object on your cover letter template. Select the object that you want to get rid of. You'll know the object is selected when handles appear around the object. 

After the object is selected press Delete on your keyboard. The unwanted object is gone.

3. How to Change an Object’s Color

How to Change an Objects Color
How to change an object's color

Click on the object that you want to change the color of. You'll know that the object is selected when handles appear. 

Next right click on the object. Click Format Shape in the menu that pops up. A sidebar will pop up. Click on the Fill tab of the sidebar. Next click on the Color button and choose which color you want to use.

4. How to Change a Text Color

How to Change a Text Color
How  Change a Text Color

Highlight and select the text that you want to change the color of. On the Home tab go to the Font Color button. This will cause a color palette to drop down. Select the color that you want to change the font to from the color palette.

5. How to Replace Text

How to Replace Text
How to replace text

The resume and cover letter template comes with text that you don’t want on your template. To add you own information to your resume and cover letter highlight and select the text that you want to replace. After you've highlighted the text press Delete on your keyboard.

5 Tips to Make Great Resume Cover Letters for When Applying for Jobs in 2020

You've got a CV letter template downloaded and now you're ready to write the cover sheet for your resume. These tips will help:

1. Write a New Cover Letter For Each Job

Write a personalized letter for each job that you apply to. This allows you to add personal details such as the hiring manager’s name or specific skills needed for the job. Creating a personalized letter shows the employer that you're interested in the job and are willing to put in time and effort.

2. Highlight Your Experience

Minimal Cover Letter Template

Highlight your experiences that are relevant to the job that you're applying to. Doing this assists the hiring manager in making the connection that you've got the right skills for the job. Leaving out experience that isn’t relevant means that your letter isn't overcrowded with irrelevant information

3. Edit

Edit your cover letter. Have someone else read and edit your letter too in case you missed something. If you've got typos it can distract from your skills.

4. Add a Call to Action

Add A Call To Action

Add a call to action to your letter. Adding a simple “I look forward to hearing from you” lets the hiring manager know that you want to hear back. This also tells your future employer that you care enough about the job that you want a response back.

5. Keep It Simple

Unless you're asked to submit a longer letter, most cover letters should be around half a page and no more than a full page. If the letter is too long the hiring manager may not even read it due to the length.

5 Professional Resume and Cover Letter Design Trends for 2020

Here are some recent design trends for a professional cover letters:

1. Custom Header

Custom Header
Premium resume and cover letter template with a custom header

Having a unique header on your resume cover letter template makes your cover letter stand out. A custom header can also make important information such as your contact information and name more memorable.

2. Keep It Short

When looking for a resume cover letter template look for one that's a page long. Most hiring managers are really busy and won't read several pages of cover letter. 

An ideal word count for a cover letter is about 300 to 500 words. Having a cover letter this short keeps you from rambling. Be sure to only include the important information.

3. Use a Decorative Border

Decorative Border
Premium cover letter template with a decorative border.

A design trend is to have a minimal resume cover letter template with a decorative border. Having the design element be a border around the cover letter gives your cover letter a nice design without it being distracting. A decorative border is a great way to make your cover letter template unique without being unprofessional.

4. Matching Cover Letter and Resume

Having a cover letter that matches your resume makes your professional cover letter look more polished. When you've got a mismatched cover letter and resume it can look sloppy and unprofessional. You want your resume and cover letter to be visually consistent.

5. Column Layout Design

Column Layout Design
Premium resume and cover letter template with a column layout

When looking for a professional cover letter a column layout design is a classic design that looks professional. The column layout looks neatly organized and shows that you're an organized person. This layout also allows you to organize your information into organized sections.

Discover More Resumes and Cover Letters Templates

I've shown you our premium resumes and cover letters templates and a selection of cover letter templates that are free to download. Now, start your resume today. Get inspired with these high-quality resume cover letter templates: 

5 Benefits of Using Professional Cover Letter Templates

Free resume and cover letter templates are a good resource when the budget is small. But, premium resumes and cover letters templates have way more benefits for you and your career opportunities. Don't miss on the advantage of professional templates!

Here are five reasons premium resume cover letter templates are better than free templates:

  1. Make the best first impression. Your resume is the first impression an employer gets of you. It contains your skills, education, experience and all the relevant information. With our premium resumes and cover letters templates, you can be sure you’re making the best first impression to an employer.   
  2. Have an organized resume. A well-organized resume looks more professional than one that’s cluttered. One of the benefits of using a premium template is that it'll help you properly organize the contents of your resume and keep you from forgetting any important bit. 
  3. No experience required. With our resumes and cover letter templates, you don’t have to worry if you aren't a master of design software. Our templates are easy to fill out and edit.
  4. Save hours of work. Premium resumes and cover letters templates mean you won't have to invest time in writing your resume from scratch. Just download it and fill in your information!
  5. Don't give up on customization. The best of all: a professional cover letter and resume template gives you unlimited customization options. Change the color, fonts, layout, etc. You can edit any detail of our templates from Envato.

Benefits of Envato Elements ( The Power of Unlimited Use)

Envato Elements
Get Envato Elements subscription for a low monthly fee

Envato Elements is a service where you pay a low monthly fee for access to thousands of templates for a flat-rate price.

When you sign up for Envato Elements you'll get access to thousands of graphics and templates for unlimited use. With this subscription, you'll have access to images, templates, ppt templates, and much more.

Common Resume Questions Answered (FAQ)

Next, I've gathered up some of the most common questions people ask about resumes to provide you with some answers: 

1. Why Is It Important to Tailor a Resume to a Job Posting?

When a recruiter is reading a resume, the deciding factor isn't the candidate's experience or skills, but the fit between the job and the applicant. 

That's why is very important you tailor your resume to the vacancy you're interested in. The first step is understanding the hiring requirements of the company. Then, you need to write an inventory of your skills and achievements. Finally, you tailor them to the job opening. Know more in our guide: 

2. What Mistakes Should I Avoid When Writing My Resume?

Whether you're job hunting or just updating your resume, you'll want to keep this information in mind. Some of the top mistakes to avoid are inflating your professional title, choosing a poor layout and design, and including irrelevant skills in your resume.

You can learn more here:

3. What Is a Resume Skills Section?

It's a section dedicated to an applicant’s skills, which makes it easy for recruiters to check their qualifications. 

Also, it’s another opportunity to add keywords and highlight your skills in case the recruiter didn’t read through your professional history.

Remember, there are two main types of skills you need to include in your resume:

  • Hard Skills. These are quantifiable and often learned from school or on the job.  Programming languages, designing graphics and data analysis are examples of hard skills.
  • Soft Skills. Also known as '"people skills," these skills are subjective. That’s why they're harder to quantify. Public speaking, communication, patience, decision making, and conflict resolution are all soft skills.

4. How Long Should My Resume be?

This is a complicated question, as there isn't a definite answer. While nowadays the standard is a one-page-resume, that isn't always the best, or applicable to every candidate. 

Overall, this is a helpful guideline to keep in mind: your resume should be brief so that no one struggles to read it. But make it long enough to include the information recruiters are looking for.

Check more about it here: 

5. What Are the Best Fonts for My Resume?

Choosing the right fonts for your resume is very important and you shouldn't forget about this. Unreadable resume fonts leave a bad impression on recruiters. 

The most important factors to consider when deciding what font you should use are: style, size and space between lines.

Learn more about fonts in our guide:

Learn More About Resumes and Cover Letters

We hope you've found our templates and recommendations useful. Now, let me share with you our complete guide, How to Create a Great Resume (Ultimate Guide). There, you'll find even more handy resources like these:

Get Started on Your Next Resume and Cover Letter

Now that you've seen some premium and free resume cover letter templates, you're ready to take the next step. There are many great cover letter templates in this article. But remember: with free cover letter templates, you get what you pay for. Premium templates are usually a better choice.

Why not get started on your cover letter now? Download a premium resume cover letter template today! 

Editorial Note: Our staff updates this post regularly—adding new resumes and cover letters so you can get the job you want.



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