Skills to Put on Resume (List of Good Examples for All Jobs)
You have ideas about which skills to put on a resume, but they seem out of place? Give this article a read to find the know-how with a list of skills for your job application.
You need an interior design cover letter that stands out like Bernhardt. Without one, employers won’t know you from a hobbyist. For all they know, you copy-pasted your ID cover letter from somewhere online. The right letter shows you’re a living, breathing version of Kelly Hoppen or Phillipe Starck.
But—how do you write it? Just like you design a space. Use free space, air and light, and quality over quantity. And just like you get to know your clients before you work for them, do the same thing with employers. Learn their needs, then match your cover letter to them like the perfect color palette.
This guide will show you:
- An interior designer cover letter better than 9 out of 10 others.
- How to write a cover letter for interior design that lands 10x more interviews.
- Why getting hired comes down to what you highlight from your past.
Want to write your cover letter fast? Use our cover letter builder. Choose from 20+ professional cover letter templates that match your resume. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.
Sample cover letter for a resume—See more cover letter examples and create your cover letter here.
Thinking about other jobs? See:
- Architecture Cover Letter Sample
- Real Estate Cover Letter Sample
- Graphic Design Cover Letter Sample
- Production Assistant Cover Letter Sample
- Construction Cover Letter Sample
- Electrician Cover Letter Sample
- Cover Letter for an Architecture Internship Sample
- Best Cover Letter Examples for All Professions
First job? Career change? See:
This interior design cover letter template is hygge:
Interior Design Cover Letter Sample
Your Name
Interior Designer
Mailing Address
Phone Number
Email Address
Date
Hiring Manager Name
Title
Company Name
Mailing Address
Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
I’m a CIDQ-certified interior designer, applying to the ID position at Handel Bungalow. As the lead designer at Renée Doherty Designs, my creations were personally responsible for winning the recompete for our $8 million contract with Radisson Hotels.
I’m so excited about Handel Bungalow because of your emphasis on collaboration with your clients over dictation. More, I know you need someone skilled in designing for both commercial and residential spaces. You also value CAD proficiency and creative and intriguing design skills. Here’s why I think I’m a match:
- Commercial & residential. Delivered hundreds of residential and commercial designs, including clients like Salesforce and Wells Fargo.
- CAD: Created 300+ compelling interiors with AutoCAD.
- Creativity: 7 of my projects were written up favorably in Dezeen Magazine.
[Manager Name], I look forward to speaking with you about how my skills in project management and budgeting can help extend Handel Bungalow’s renown and realize its commitment to make a positive difference in the world.
Best regards,
[Your Name], Interior Designer
[Phone Number]
[Email]
A cover letter for interior design jobs like that is layered and honest.
Your chic cover letter needs an equally refined resume. See our guide: Interior Design Resume: Sample & Complete Guide
Now, here’s how to write interior design cover letters that work:
1. Use the Right Interior Design Cover Letter Template
Your interior design cover letter isn’t just a lot of words. It’s a way to show off your design skills. The font, cover letter layout, and margins will say a lot about you. Use free space to let your letter breathe. Then follow the 3-paragraph format to get your points across in an elevated way.
Use this template for a perfect cover letter format:
Sample Interior Design Cover Letter—Checklist
- your contact info
- the company’s contact info
- Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
- first paragraph: get their attention like reclaimed wood
- second paragraph: show a few key skills the job offer mentioned
- third paragraph: mention next steps
- best regards, name & title
When designing your cover letter remember about such details as:
- Saving your cover letter in PDF with the right cover letter title.
- Using a font for a cover letter that is professional and easy to read.
- Creating a heading of your cover letter that matches the heading of your resume.
- Line spacing for a cover letter should be 1.5 and margins 1”.
Pro Tip: Do interior design job applications need a cover letters? Absolutely. Your resume can only show your work history and education. It can’t show who you are.
2. Start Your Interior Design Cover Letter Right
“We had to meet you. Your cover letter was so exciting!” Your interior design cover letter can get that reaction. But first employers have to read it. Make it aspirational by starting with their name. Then sit down and think of your biggest icebreaker. Usually that's a timeless interior design accomplishment.
See these interior designer cover letter examples:
Interior Design Cover Letter Examples [First Paragraph]
| Right Example |
|---|
Stephanie Molina Interior Designer, CIDQ 3196 Small Street New York, NY 10013 917-749-5567 linkedin.com/in/stephanieqmolina
3/14/20
Jeanne Grantham CEO Handel Bungalow 2390 Godfrey Road New York, NY 10017
Dear Ms. Grantham,
I’m a CIDQ-certified interior designer, applying to the ID position at Handel Bungalow. As the lead designer at Renée Doherty Designs, my creations were personally responsible for winning the recompete for our $8 million contract with Radisson Hotels. |
That cover letter sample for interior design jobs will make the hiring manager stop thinking about The Elements of Style. It starts with her name, then gives a conversational fact.
But this interior design cover letter example is colorless:
| Wrong Example |
|---|
Dear Manager,
I’m a proven interior designer with 5+ years of experience working with clients and delivering intriguing designs. I can work with corporate and residential clients alike and am adept at gathering requirements, budgeting, and sourcing the best materials, furniture, and accessories. I’m applying to your opening because I think I’m the perfect fit. |
Fake fancy.
That sample flops because it’s all your opinion. You can’t expect anyone to believe opinions. We need facts. Plus, where’s the hiring manager’s name? You can almost smell the photocopy toner on this one.
But—what if you don’t have a big achievement? What if you’re writing an interior designer cover letter with no experience?
Entry-Level Interior Design Cover Letter Sample
An entry-level cover letter for interior design can start with:
- Something you like about the company
- Impressive successes from school
- Achievements from non-interior design jobs
- A referral from an employee at the firm
See these interior design cover letter examples with no experience:
- Congratulations on your inclusion in the Elle Decor A-List for 2020. Your designs are so...
- Walter Osbourne suggested I apply. He commented recently that my portfolio...
- Having one of my designs written up in “Living the Country Life” was...
- Winning the ASID Student Portfolio Award in 2019 was great. But the next step...
- Scoring in the top 1% on the NCIDQ exam was a great moment. My love of design...
- I read your article in “Dwell” last month. Your belief that interior design should resonate throughout people’s lives is...
Clean.
Those beginnings for cover letters with no experience beat, “Please find my resume enclosed...”
Pro Tip: Don’t waste valuable job search time interviewing with low-ball companies. To put salary requirements in a cover letter, get a ballpark figure first on Glassdoor.
3. Connect Your Interior Design Cover Letter to the Job
Once you’ve got them saying, “Wow!” don’t stop. The second paragraph of your interior design covering letter has a job to do. It has to fit your past achievements to this interior design role like batten molding. Do that, and they’ll know you’re up there with Nate Berkus or Kelly Wearstler.
In your second paragraph:
- Say why this ID job interests you.
- Prove you’ve read their job requirements.
- Show your matching track record.
See these interior design cover letter examples:
Interior Design Cover Letter Examples [Middle]
| Right Example |
|---|
I’m so excited about Handel Bungalow because of your emphasis on collaboration with your clients over dictation. More, I know you need someone skilled in designing for both commercial and residential spaces. You also value CAD proficiency and creative and intriguing design skills.Here’s why I think I’m a match:
|
Here come the phone calls.
But—
The next of our interior design cover letter examples clashes:
| Wrong Example |
|---|
I’m highly experienced and skilled in CAD, having used it to create many designs for breathtaking interiors. I can work in both the commercial and residential industries, developing creative designs that meet with client specifications for aesthetics and budget. I deliver inspired and efficient designs that exceed specs and milestones for a long list of satisfied clients. |
Ouch.
Again, this is all your opinion. You hit on the right skills in the job ad—so that’s a point in your favor. But you just said, “I’m good at CAD, industrial, and residential work.” You didn’t give us anything solid to pin the interview on.
Two pages is a page too long. See our guide: How Long Should a Cover Letter Be? Sample & Guide
When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building a professional resume template here for free.
When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.
4. End Your Interior Design Cover Letter Strong
The last paragraph of your cover letter can’t be off-the-shelf. It has to motivate employers to pick up the phone. How can it do that? Well, not by saying, “Call me.” Reference next steps in the last section of your letter. Also—give them a reason to want to take those steps.
See these examples:
Cover Letter Examples for Interior Design [Ending]
| Right Example |
|---|
Ms. Grantham, I look forward to speaking with you about how my skills in project management and budgeting can help extend Handel Bungalow’s renown and realize its commitment to make a positive difference in the world.
Best regards,
Stephanie Molina Interior Designer, CIDQ 917-749-5567 |
Perfect.
You added two more interior design skills. Then you showed an enticing possible future, tied to the company’s mission statement.
But the next of our interior design cover letter samples has an echo:
| Wrong Example |
|---|
Thank you for your time. I’m available to interview at any time. |
That’s flat-out desperate.
Pro Tip: What else should a cover letter say? Though it shouldn’t be a rework of your resume, it should focus on what you can do for the company. That gets interviews.
Key Takeaway
Here’s how to write an interior design cover letter:
- Use the right interior design cover letter format. Add ASID-worthy accomplishments.
- Start your cover letter with the employer’s name and your most Jonathan-Adler-level icebreaker.
- In your second paragraph, show excitement for the job, and the top few reasons you’re a fit.
- Finish with a glimpse of your goal for the firm and a suggestion of next steps.
Not sure how to start your interior design job cover letter? Want to write a cover letter for interior design positions that makes the phone ring? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!
