How to create an impressive cover letter for free

Ready to land your dream job? Armed with Canva’s easy-to-use drag-and-drop tools, you’ll have the know-how to create customized cover letters⁠(opens in a new tab or window) tailored to the company you’re applying for.

We’ll show you everything you need to include in a successful cover letter, from choosing the right template⁠(opens in a new tab or window) for your industry to customizing your letter using design elements from Canva’s content library.

Start your journey by heading over to Canva’s homepage and searching for ‘cover letter’ in the search bar. You’ll uncover thousands of free designer-made templates⁠(opens in a new tab or window), so consider your industry when choosing a layout. If you’re in a more conservative market, opt for something minimalistic and chic. Or, if you’re in a creative industry, opt for vibrant and punchy colors. With just the right combination of colors, fonts, and graphics, you can ensure that your cover letter stands out to hiring managers.

Be sure to look out for templates with a crown symbol. They are specifically designed for Pro and Canva Business users, but all other layouts are free of charge. If you find yourself falling in love with a design that’s only available to Pro subscribers, remember that you can always purchase a one-off license for just a dollar.

A winning cover letter should be well researched and concise.

1. List basic contact details

When it comes to adding your personal information, keep everything at the top of your letter so it’s easy to find. Only include the basics and the methods by which you want to be contacted. The best practice is to include your phone number and email address. Avoid including your home address as it is irrelevant at this stage of recruitment.

Websites and social media handles can be helpful, but only include them if you showcase your portfolio or services on these channels. If you often blend personal and professional posts together on social, it’s best to omit these. You don’t want to overwhelm the recruiter as they should be focused on what’s written, not on your design.

2. Include the name and role of your POC

Keep the name of your point of contact and their role in the body of the letter. Doing this ensures that even if the person has changed roles or left the company, your letter will still be sent to the appropriate team lead. By being mindful of this crucial detail, you can be sure that your application reaches its intended target.

3. Choose the right font

Keep readability in mind when designing your cover letter. Left align, the right ragged text is easiest to read. The right-hand side of the page is uneven, making it easier for the reader's eye to track which line is next. Whatever you choose, don’t opt for centered text. Center-aligned text should only be used for small sections of text, or on movie posters.

4. Create an effective digital signature

Because most applications are submitted digitally, you won’t have the opportunity to sign your cover letter by hand. You could opt for a script font, but a handwritten font won’t have the same authenticity as the real thing.

To create a compelling digital signature⁠(opens in a new tab or window), start by signing your name on a piece of white paper, photographing it, and uploading it into Canva’s ‘Uploads’ tab in your right side panel. If you’re a Pro or Canva Business user, you can easily remove the image background by clicking on ‘Edit image’ and selecting the ‘Background Remover’ tool.

You can also achieve a seamless signature by bringing up the contrast of your image so the white background drops away and adjusting the image transparency to remove any unwanted edges.

5. Stand out with a professional headshot or industry-specific graphics

Including a headshot on your cover letter can be a great way to make yourself relatable and human. However, it's important to note doing so can also invite bias into the equation.

A high-quality photo can help recruiters put a face to a name. But, an unprofessional shot can give them the wrong impression.

If you’ve weighed your options and still want to include a professional headshot on your cover letter, let us show you how with this Canva walk-through.

When it comes time to submit your cover letter, most employers will request a PDF file. Fortunately, this quick and easy task can be accomplished in Canva. All you need to do is click the ‘Share’ button and select PDF Standard. Once you hit download, a copy will save to your desktop and you’ll be able to upload it on recruitment portals, or attach it to an email. For a personal touch, you can even sign your PDF⁠(opens in a new tab or window) before sending it off.

You can also opt to supply recruiters with a view-only link⁠(opens in a new tab or window).

To do this, go back to ‘Share’ and select ‘View-only link.’ Not only will this option save you time, but you will also be able to see how many times the link has been opened. By clicking on the ‘Insights’ icon in your top navigation menu, you’ll be able to see the total number of views and viewers. These numbers are great indicators of how your application is progressing. Maybe there’s been three total views and only one viewer, indicating that someone has looked at your cover letter multiple times and might be seriously considering you for the role.

Creating a professional cover letter doesn't have to be difficult. With our easy-to-use templates, you can quickly craft an eye-catching letter without having to start from scratch.

If you're looking to make a big impact on employers, a cover letter and resume are a powerful combination. A cover letter doesn’t carry much weight without a professional, up-to-date resume to accompany it. Are you looking for an easy way to take your resume up a notch? Then this step-by-step tutorial⁠(opens in a new tab or window) is just what you need. In just a few simple steps, you'll be able to create an impressive resume.