Cover Page for Resume (Example Cover Sheet)

A resume cover page is a letter sent with your resume when you apply for a job. It gives more in-depth information on your experience and career skill set, and highlights why you’re the perfect candidate for the job. A resume cover page is better known as a cover letter or covering letter.

We’ll show exactly what a resume cover page is, why you want to have one, and how to write a cover page for your resume that will wow recruiters.

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.

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Sample cover letter for a resume—See more cover letter samples and create your cover letter here.

Looking for more guides on how to nail your job application? See:

• What is a Cover Letter
• What is the Difference Between a Resume and a Cover Letter
• What is the Difference Between a CV and a Cover Letter
• Cover Letter Outline
• Top Modern Cover Letter Templates
• Cover Letter Examples for All Professions

What is a Resume Cover Page?

A resume cover page (cover letter) provides the recruiter with information about your qualifications and motivation showing why you are the perfect match for the position you’re applying for.

A resume cover page is going to make just as much as an impression as your resume and so you need to know what a covering page should say. So let’s dive into what it takes to mod up your job application with a resume cover page that’ll knock the socks off hiring managers.

Read more: How to Write a Cover Letter

How to Write a Cover Page for a Resume

It’s essential to get the format of your resume cover page right if you want to make the best impression on your job application. Here’s how to make a resume cover page:

1. Create a professional cover letter header. 

This should include your current contact information, the employer contact information, the date, and a professional cover letter salutation. Be careful with choosing a “To Whom It May Concern” cover letter.

2. Start your cover letter strong in the first paragraph. 

Use an achievement you’re proud of, a recent award, or some interesting fact that shows your interest in the role. Hook the recruiter into reading more about your experience and skills.

3. Explain your motivation in the second paragraph. 

You’ve hooked the hiring manager, don’t let go! Emphasize how your expertise and career skills are just what the doctor ordered for their company pains.

4. End with a call to action. 

Writing a generic “looking forward to hearing from you” isn’t going to get you anywhere. Reiterate your value to the company and ask for a meeting or call.

5. Finish off with a professional cover letter closing. 

Thank the hiring manager for their time, add a professional closing, sign your name, and add a cover letter enclosure if applicable.

Pro Tip: Sending your cover page as an email? The formatting of an email cover letter is a little simpler and you can leave out the addresses from the top and just start from the salutation.

Read more: What to Put in a Cover Letter

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.

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How to Format a Cover Page

Now that you know what you’re writing, you can turn your attention to the formatting. Your resume cover page needs to be just as stylish and professional as your resume, after all, they work best as a team.

Here are the best tips on how to format your resume cover sheet:

• Use a 1” margin on all sides of the page.
• Use left-align to adjust your page contents to the left side of the page.
• Set your cover letter spacing to single or 1.15.
• Include a digital copy of your signature (if you have one) for a nice, personal touch.
• Use a modern, professional cover letter font throughout.
• Save your cover letter in PDF format. This will keep it from looking like something the cat dragged in when opened.
• Check that you have a formatted cover letter title so that your covering sheet doesn’t get lost.

Read more: How Important is a Cover Letter?

Resume Cover Page Example

That may seem like a lot of information to take in, but rest easy, it’s not as hard as it may look.

Take a look at the resume cover page example below to see how all those tips come together:

Sample Cover Sheet for Resume

That’s all there is to it! I told you resume cover pages weren’t as daunting as they sound. Now you can write your own!

Thanks for reading. Do you have any questions about your resume cover page that weren’t answered here? Let us know in the comments down below!