Graphic Designer Cover Letter Example (w/ Tips for 2024)

Graphic Design Cover Letter Example

5 Steps for the Perfect Graphic Design Cover Letter

You've got a clear picture of what a great graphic designer cover letter looks like, and now you're all set to write your own.

Just follow these easy steps:

#1. Put Contact Information in the Header

Your graphic designer cover letter should kick off with your contact information. Just like your resume, this should be placed in the header.

Here's what you should include:

• Full Name. Your first and last names should be at the top of the page.
• Job Title. Make sure that the job title on your graphic designer cover letter matches the exact position you're applying for. The hiring manager is probably hiring for several positions, and specifying which one you’re after is always a great plus.
• Email Address. Opt for a professional and straightforward email address. Avoid using any quirky addresses from your school days. (e.g., emilytheenot@hotmail.com isn't suitable, but smith.s.emily@gmail.com is perfect).
• Phone Number. Double-check that your provided phone number is accurate. If you're applying for an international position, include the dialing code in front of your number.
• Location. Typically, your city and state or country are sufficient. But if you're looking for a remote job or you’re open to relocation, specify it on your resume and cover letter.
• Relevant Links (optional). You can include links to important websites, such as your relevant social media profiles and your portfolio.

Now, it's time to add the hiring manager's contact information:

• Company Name. Add the name of the company you're applying to.
• Hiring Manager's Name. Find the name of the hiring manager for the specific department you're interested in and write it down.
• Hiring Manager's Title. If you discover the hiring manager's name and see that they're the head of the department, use their title instead of "Hiring Manager."
• Location. Include the city and state or country, especially if the company operates globally. You can add their exact street address if they have more than one location in your city.
• Email Address (optional). If available, add the hiring manager's email address.
• Date of Writing (optional). For a professional touch, you can include the date you wrote your cover letter on.

#2. Address the Hiring Manager

Once you've got all your essential contact information sorted, it's time to personalize your graphic design cover letter by addressing it to the right person—no generic "To Whom It May Concern" here.

Making the effort to address your graphic designer cover letter correctly can make a positive impression on the hiring manager, which is exactly what you want.

Start by doing a bit of research. Dive into the job ad, explore the company's website, or take a peek at their LinkedIn profile to discover who's hiring for the job you're interested in. Find their name and email address, if possible.

Now, let's talk formalities. We suggest using "Ms." or "Mr." followed by their last name. However, if you're unsure about their gender or marital status, simply using their full name works perfectly. For example:

In those rare cases where you can't unearth information about the hiring manager or the head of the graphic design department, you can still address your letter thoughtfully:

#3. Write an Eye-Catching Opening Statement

Hiring managers typically spend just a few seconds glancing at a candidate's application before deciding if they want to read further, and your cover letter makes no exception here.

That’s why knowing how to start your graphic designer cover letter is crucial. Use the opening paragraph to introduce yourself and why you’re writing, expressing your genuine interest in the role. Demonstrating your passion for the design field or the specific job can capture the hiring manager's attention.

Doing some homework on the company is always a great idea. The more you know about the employer, the better you can emphasize how well you'd fit into their work culture or how your values align with their mission. This shows that you're not applying randomly to every job out there—you actually want this position.

You can also start your graphic designer cover letter with an impressive achievement or by highlighting some of your skills that align with the role. Just keep this paragraph short. All you need to do here is spark the hiring manager's curiosity and encourage them to explore your cover letter further.

#4. Use the Cover Letter Body for the Details

The point of your graphic designer cover letter is that you get an opportunity to delve into the details that can set you apart as the best candidate for the job.

But this only works if you don’t parrot the same information from your resume. The hiring manager expects your cover letter to tell them something they don’t already know.

So use the body of your cover letter to show off your expertise and qualifications, but make every word count. Your objective is to persuade the hiring manager that you're the ideal fit, and just listing some of your skills or qualifications won’t get you there. Instead, highlight any related achievements within the field of graphic design.

If you’re not sure how don’t worry. Just use the job ad as a reference. The more you tailor your graphic designer cover letter to the exact job description, the better. Emphasizing skills and experiences that align with the employer’s requirements immediately tells the hiring manager that you’ve got what it takes to excel. For example, if you're applying to be a graphic designer in the field of social media marketing, emphasize your industry know-how and familiarity with creating social media content.

Make sure to show off some knowledge about the company, such as its products and services. If you're well-acquainted with them as a customer, don't hesitate to mention it in your cover letter. Your familiarity with their work culture or mission statement can also convey how your values align and signal that you’d be a good fit to join their team.

And make sure to weave your enthusiasm through your entire graphic designer cover letter. Show your genuine excitement for the role and your confidence that you have the necessary skills and experience to make a valuable contribution to the company's success. This can be the final touch that leaves a lasting impression on the hiring manager.

#5. Wrap It Up and Sign It

The finishing touch to crafting the perfect graphic designer cover letter is knowing how to end it.

You want to make sure that your conclusion leaves a good impression on the hiring manager and reinforces their confidence in what you have written so far.

Start by confidently summarizing why you're an ideal fit for the graphic designer role and highlighting the standout skills that set you apart from other candidates. Then follow up with a compelling call to action. Encourage the hiring manager to take the next step, such as initiating a discussion about your application. This proactive approach can leave a lasting mark and boost your chances of securing an interview.

Finally, sign off on your cover letter professionally. Choose an appropriate signature line and follow it with your full name. Here's an example:

If you find "Warm regards" a bit overused, here are some alternative sign-off options to consider:

• Sincerely,
• Kind regards,
• Respectfully,
• Thank you for considering my application,

3 Essential Graphic Designer Cover Letter Tips

Now that you've got the fundamentals of cover letters down, it's time to elevate yours with some cover letter tips tailored for graphic designers.

#1. Match Your Resume

Visual appeal makes a real difference.

Your graphic designer cover letter shouldn’t be the one piece of your application that lacks style or creativity, so make sure it matches the rest of your documents.

Create a cover letter design and layout that are in harmony with your resume. Align your text neatly on the page by setting the right margins and adjusting the line spacing. Then match the font styles and be consistent with their size so your cover letter never spills over to page two.

Or Use A Cover Letter Template Instead

Feeling overwhelmed by the whole process?

No worries! Just try our resume builder. You can create a stellar graphic designer resume and pick one of our cover letter templates to match.

Crafted with input from hiring experts worldwide, each of our templates is designed to meet industry standards while looking stylish. Give them a shot and spare yourself the stress of starting from scratch.

#2. Mention Skills (Properly!)

One of the first things a hiring manager will be looking for in your graphic designer cover letter is what skills you’re bringing to the table.

But don’t just sprinkle in every skill you can think of. You want your graphic designer cover letter to tell a story, and your most important skills should have the starring role.

Start by referencing the job ad. Check out what skills are listed in the requirements and what else their specific industry might be looking for, and focus on the ones you have. Then connect the dots for the hiring manager by talking about how these skills helped you excel as a graphic designer.

This shows your potential employer that you’ve got the exact graphic designer skills they’re looking for and that you’re a perfect fit for the job.

#3. Add Any Relevant Links

As a graphic designer, it’s crucial to include a link to your online portfolio in plain view. An easy-to-find portfolio can be what tips the balance for any graphic designer’s application. 

It’s especially important to make sure these useful links are available on your graphic designer cover letter since they can make the hiring manager’s job easier. If they’re reading your cover letter and they’re impressed with the work you mentioned, they’ll naturally want to see it right away.

So why not add a link for convenience instead of having them search for your resume again and risk losing interest along the way? Including a link to your LinkedIn profile also makes it easier for the hiring manager to see your full career history and even reach out directly through the platform.

Key Takeaways

And that’s a wrap!

Hopefully, after reading our guide, you feel better equipped and ready to chase that graphic designer role you’ve set your sights on.

Before we wrap up, let's revisit some of the essentials:

• Do some research on the company, and start your graphic designer cover letter by addressing the hiring manager by name. If you can’t find their name, you can address the department or company as a whole.
• Use the body of your graphic designer cover letter to highlight your most relevant achievements and skills. Reference the job ad to make sure that you match what the employer is looking for.
• Visual appeal and consistency between your cover letter and resume can make a difference. If you're looking for a head start, consider using our online resume builder and cover letter templates to save time.
• Make the hiring manager’s job a little easier by including convenient links to your portfolio and relevant social media profiles like LinkedIn. This small step could encourage them to reach out to you faster.