How To Nail Your Human Resources Cover Letter (+ Samples & Tips)

Human Resources Cover Letter
Created by Cake

The human resources department is critical for the operation of any company and oversees the recruiting, hiring, management, and firing of employees. In many ways, HR is the backbone of an organization, with its representatives being the first point of contact between a company and its employees. 

Although evaluating cover letters may be a core task in your HR career, having the introspection to develop one of your own may prove to be quite challenging. Luckily for you, writing your own human resources cover letter provides a great opportunity to hone your critical analysis skills of a successful cover letter and demonstrates your proficiency in HR-related duties. 

The perfect HR cover letter will demonstrate your added value to achieving company missions and values through your qualifications, hard and soft skills, and experience. Cover letters should not only aim to display your proficiency but should be tailored specifically to the position AND company you are applying to. 

Use these samples and tips to craft your own perfect human resources cover letter!

Human Resources Cover Letter Examples

Everyone starts somewhere. These sample cover letters for various HR jobs will provide a guide on the ways that you can craft your own:

Cover letter for an HR position

George Wilson
Human Resource Manager
42 Manchester Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94016
+1 (822) 491-5662
[email protected]

June 12, 2022

Martina Alvarez
Hiring Manager
Travel Star
San Francisco, CA 90231

Dear Ms. Alvarez, 

Your job offering called out to me because the position appears to be closely aligned with my skills and qualifications. As an experienced professional with over a decade of working in Human Resources, I believe my skills and qualification are an ideal match for the Human Resource Coordinator position and will add immediate value to Travel Star’s goals and continued operation. 

Throughout my career, my proven consistency and professionalism are evidenced by my top accomplishments:

  • Synthesized recruitment methods that expedited the hiring process by 30%
  • Developed a new filing system that streamlined employee benefit programs, increasing employee morale by 60%
  • Collaborated with other company departments to improve interdepartmental communications and shorten the wait time for cross-department communication by 81%

In my current position as a Human Resource Manager, I have developed programs to expedite various internal tasks that have grossed over $500,000 in savings in the past year. In my time, employee satisfaction has risen by over 20% and the company culture has never been stronger. 

My independence and adaptability are key strengths, yet I thrive in a team setting and can effectively increase group efficiency. I believe that my resourcefulness, interpersonal communication, and organizational skills will both support and drive your continued organizational success. 

Please take a moment of your time to review my attached resume and portfolio. I would be happy to provide further information regarding my qualifications and experience. I appreciate your evaluation and forthcoming response.

Sincerely, 
George Wilson 

Talent acquisition cover letter

Patrick Edwards
Human Resource Administrator
81 Sunset Avenue
Phoenix City, AZ  24862
+1 (202) 579-2211
[email protected]

June 12, 2022

Natasha Johnson
Hiring Manager
InSight
Phoenix City, AZ 44326

Dear Ms. Johnson, 

When I first heard of your company, I resonated deeply with the company’s mission and goals. Upon seeing your job listing, I immediately gravitated towards it as it is perfectly aligned with my skills, qualifications, and personal developmental goals. With over eight years of working in Human Resources, I believe that I have developed the necessary skills and qualifications to meet and exceed the demands of the Talent Acquisition position and will add immediate value to InSight and its mission. 

During my eight years as an HR administrator, my professional development has provided me with the space to garner invaluable insight into the demands of a company. This unique perspective is indispensable as it aids me in recognizing the qualities that individuals need to be considered a good fit, in terms of both professional expertise and personal traits. In my current position, I have increased the employment processing speed by 39%. Furthermore, I have worked closely with previous talent acquisition officers to develop a keen sense of job potential and have been involved with the hiring of 140 employees over 2 years while retaining an employee satisfaction rate of 97%. 

Looking past my professional qualifications, my critical thinking and adaptability are key strengths. My proven tenacity and track record of consistent returns lend a hand to my strong position as a candidate for this position. I believe that my resourcefulness, interpersonal communication, and organizational skills will both support and drive your continued organizational success. 

I have attached my resume and recommendations for your perusal and evaluation. I am happy to supply further information regarding my qualifications and experience, should they be required. Thank you for your evaluation and I look forward to your forthcoming response.

Respectfully, 
Patrick Edwards

HR cover letter with no experience

Henry Goldstein
Undergraduate Student
674 Olive Road
Charlottesville, VA 55829
+1 (747) 219-6829 
[email protected]

June 12, 2022

Robert Jackson
Hiring Manager
Epsilon Technology Int.
Charlottesville, VA 68592 

Dear Mr. Jackson,

I am writing this letter to express my interest in the HR fresher program at your company, Epsilon Technology Inc. As an undergraduate student preparing to enter the job market, I wish to leverage my existing experience and develop new skills in the Human Resource Assistant position. I resonate with your company’s developmental objectives and I wish to be a part of your growth and expansion.

In my current position as a Student Administration Assistant, I have worked on several projects and have developed strong interpersonal and communications skills. I have also developed a high proficiency in statistical software and the Microsoft Office suite of applications. Some of my achievements that have allowed me to develop my skills include: 

  • Coordinating student events and onboarding talent to assist in the execution of activities, raising student satisfaction by 47%
  • Working in the Student Administration office to manage students’ sick leave applications
  • Compiling data into charts for annual financial meetings for various departments

Outside the realm of academia, I have 4 years of volunteer experience in public administration. Throughout volunteering, I have developed a keen interest in business and management. I believe that the organizational skills I have learned during this time will help me meet the demands that this position requires.

My ability to organize and produce quality-driven results on time is what I consider my key strength. I have a track record of resourceful independence and leadership, as well as functioning efficiently in a group setting. I believe that my technical experience in the digital workspace, coupled with my adaptable and transferable skill set, will lend a great hand in developing your continued success as a pioneer in the fintech field. 

Thank you for taking the time to review my application. Please do not hesitate to ask for additional information regarding my qualifications as I would be more than happy to supply them. I look forward to your response and thank you for your time and consideration.

Yours sincerely, 
Henry Goldstein

How to Write an HR Cover Letter

In terms of content, a cover letter for an experienced HR executive position will be different from a cover letter for an HR assistant with no experience. That said, the root format will be the same. Now that you’ve seen several HR cover letter examples and gotten the gist of what an HR cover letter requires, let's break it down.

Part 1: The HR cover letter formatting

Start strong. The first thing a hiring manager will see when looking at your HR cover letter (aside from the content itself) is the layout of the letter itself.

When crafting your HR cover letter, keep in mind the following guidelines. 

  • Page margins: 1-inch 
  • Font: Choose a professional font such as Times New Roman 
  • Font size: 11 or 12 pt. size
  • Font color: Black
  • Line spacing: Single

Apart from the technical specifications, it is also noteworthy to distinguish between an HR application letter and an HR cover letter. 

An HR application letter will contain more detailed information on work and professional experiences. On the other hand, an HR cover letter is always accompanied by a CV and, therefore, focuses less information on professional experience and instead describes an applicant’s skill set and personality as being the right fit for the job. 

Remember to ascertain which type of letter is required or would suit your needs better before writing!

Part 2: Cover letter header

An HR cover letter header is divided into three parts: your contact information, the date, and your recruiter/hiring manager’s contact information. Contact information includes your full name, current position (if applicable), address (optional), phone number, and e-mail address. The letterhead should be in left alignment.

Part 3: Salutation

Try to avoid generic and overused greetings.

Personalizing your HR cover letter with individually addressed greetings such as “Dear [hiring manager’s name]” comes across more pleasantly and less like the copy-pasted “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Hiring Manager” that many people use.

Taking the time to address your cover letter individually portrays a sense of respect and shows the hiring manager that you care enough about the position to craft a cover letter that is tailored to the company you are applying to. 

Part 4: Content

This section is where you sell yourself. The content of your HR cover letter should be direct and not too long – around 200-400 words is best. To sell yourself in the best way possible, try to include action verbs when describing yourself and your accomplishments.

Action verbs are powerful verbs that serve to amplify a sentence by directly affirming your experience and qualifications. The following are the paragraphs that your HR cover letter should be divided into:

  • Self-introduction – This is the opening of your cover letter, so making a good impression is crucial. An HR cover letter, like any other, must include the motivation for your application.

💡 Conduct prior research into the company you are applying to and decide how you will contribute to its growth. Your HR cover letter must show your authenticity and passion for the job being applied, and that you understand the company’s goals and wish to develop alongside it.

  • Qualifications – This is the most important section of your HR cover letter. You should include technical and transferable skills and your RELEVANT work experience, soft and hard skills, and academic achievements.

💡 Examples of human resource cover letters that require the more extensive elaboration of experience are cover letters for HR executives and coordinators.

  • Supplementary information – This part of your HR cover letter could include your non-HR-related experience and is particularly useful for writing an HR cover letter for an internship or with no HR experience. 

💡 Bear in mind the following points when writing this section:

  • Cover letters for HR positions with no experience should leverage non-professional experiences such as volunteering and personal interest reasons for your hire
  • Only include information relevant to the position and avoid filling it with arbitrary information

Part 5: Call to action

End strongly and confidently. Thank the hiring manager for reading your application and cover letter, and ensure that you portray yourself as being open to further communication with the company. 

Part 6: Complimentary close and signature

End your HR cover letter with a complimentary closing that is appropriate for the occasion. Avoid casual closings such as “Cheers” or “Best”, and opt for something more formal such as “Yours Sincerely” or “Respectfully”. A comma directly follows the closing salutation. Finally, finish your HR cover letter with your signature directly below the closing. 

And there you have it! A well-crafted human resources cover letter takes time but is definitely worth it in the long run. Remember to consider the company’s needs as well as your own to better market yourself as the ideal candidate. 

Human Resources Cover Letter Template

Now, it's your turn. Use this HR cover letter template as a guide to developing one of your own!

[Your name]

[Your job title]
[Address] 
[Phone number]
[E-mail address]


[Date]


[Name of Hiring Manager]

[Hiring Manager’s position]
[Company name]
[Company address]


Dear [Mr./Ms./Mrs.][Hiring Managers Name]:

I am writing to express my interest to apply in the opening for the [position title] position at [name of company]. As a [current position title] with [years of experience], I believe that my skills and qualifications will add immediate value to [name of company]’s mission and meet developmental objectives.

In my current position as [current job title], my [technical skill] and [transferable skill] are evidenced by my top achievements: 

  • [List most noteworthy professional accomplishments]

Aside from my professional qualifications, my proven [skill] has aided me in my professional and personal development. My knowledge of [technical skill(s)], coupled with my strong [transferable skill] will provide the necessary tools to meet and exceed the requirements of the [position title]

Please take a moment of your time to review my attached resume and recommendations. I would be happy to provide supplemental information regarding my professional and educational qualifications should the need arise. I appreciate your evaluation and look forward to your forthcoming response. 


[Complimentary close],

[Your signature]

[Your full name]

Tips for Writing an HR Cover Letter

💡 Emphasize your relevant HR skills.

In an HR cover letter, hiring managers generally look for quick learners that have strong organizational, interpersonal communication, and management skills. Here are a few strong examples of technical and transferable skills that you can add to your HR cover letter:

  • Interviewing skills
  • Data analysis 
  • Adaptability
  • Confidence
  • Punctuality
  • Proficiency in computer skills
  • Detail-focused
  • Strong interpersonal communication
  • Problem-solving
  • Discretion
  • Strong writing skills
  • Organizational skills
  • Management skills

Here is an excerpt from an HR generalist cover letter to show how these skills can be formatted into a powerful description of yourself:

Apart from my professional accomplishments, my actionable leadership and diligent organizational skills have propelled the employee satisfaction rate of my current place of employment by 57%. I believe that my strong background in data analytics and proficiency in a broad base of HR-related software are drivers of my independently motivated and adaptable work ethic. I believe that these qualities make me a strong contender for the HR generalist position and will aid me in contributing to the continued success of your organization. 

💡 Demonstrate a willingness to learn.

No experience? No problem! The primary objective of HR cover letters with no experience is to absorb as much first-hand experience as possible.

For example, to qualify, an HR intern cover letter should demonstrate that you have the potential to succeed in the company and that you would be able to actually learn something from the experience and usefully apply it in your future. 

💡 Call on previous educational qualifications and work experience (if any).

Entry-level positions are generally filled by fresh graduates with little to no experience in the field they wish to enter. Entry-level HR cover letters should lean on your educational qualifications and existing expertise to validate your eligibility for the position you are seeking to fill.

HR cover letters with no experience should aim to replace experience with a willingness to grow and develop alongside the company, which will show employers that investing in a (relatively) inexperienced applicant will pay off in the long term. 

💡 Include substantial proof of seniority in the HR field.

When applying to more senior HR positions, experience is mandatory. For example, Human Resource Manager (HRM) cover letters require you to substantiate your ability to coordinate employment and ensure that the logistical flow of the hiring process, from recruitment to onboarding, is smooth and expedient.

Unlike the previous examples, your HR cover letter must include experience, as this position demands about 5 years of HR-related experience.

💡 Let experience and technical knowledge speak for themselves.

Your HR cover letter should lean heavily on empirical data that exemplifies your technical and transferable skills, and include a skillset that aligns with your ability to manage and lead a team.

For example, when writing an HR executive cover letter, strong leadership and organizational skills, as well as proven technical experience are good examples of qualities that hiring managers look for. 

🔑 Key Takeaways

At this point, you should be well on your way to writing the ultimate HR cover letter that is sure to land you the job you’re looking for! Let’s review the most important things to keep in mind:

  • Stick to the correct format: Keeping in line with the HR cover letter format shows that you are both detailed-oriented and attentive to small details in your work.  
  • Don't over-embellish: sounding like the most qualified person in the world is not always the goal. Consider the position you are applying for and insert appropriate skills that will satisfy the requirements. 
  • Support your claims: back up any experience you have with empirical statistics to give a more tangible representation of your accomplishments. This adds credibility to your relevant work experience and can serve to separate you from others with similar base qualifications (i.e. degrees, years of working experience, etc.). 

Remember, your HR cover letter is a reflection of you. Stick to what you know and search deep to discover skills and talents that are useful to the job you are applying to. Nailing the perfect HR cover letter isn’t easy and it’s not supposed to be. But, if you stick to the guideline and honestly represent yourself, you are on the way to success! Best of luck!

With Cake, you can easily create a resume online, free download your resume’s PDF formats, and utilize ATS-compliant templates to create a resume. Land your dream job, create your resume online (free download) now!

--- Originally written by Alexander Coye ---

3 Benefits of Subscribing to Cake's Newsletter

  • Bi-weekly newsletter updates
  • Industry trends and skills recommendation
  • Latest job openings and job search information
Newsletter

Resume Builder

Build your resume only in minutes!

More Articles you might be interested in

Latest relevant articles
Cover Letter
Mar 12th 2024

How to Write an Application Letter for University (+Sample Included)

A well-written and attractive university application letter is an integral part of your university application package. This article will cover everything you need to know about college application letters and will give you the tips and tricks you need to take yours to the next level!