Federal Cover Letter Sample

Last Updated on 12/26/2023

Sample cover letters for government jobs provide clear guidance to help you craft an enticing message to a job recruiter. Your letter should be no more than one page and quickly highlight your best qualifications for the desired position.

A government cover letter template will guide you through the elements that a strong cover letter needs to succeed. In general, the letter must:

• Name the open job position and employer
• Cite technical skills and training
• Refer to the candidate’s strongest work experience.

When writing your letter, keep in mind the priorities of the person who’ll read it. That person does not have much time to look at your letter. The reader’s whole goal will be to spot details that match the job description.

A closer look at a sample letter reveals specific techniques for conveying technical skills and real-world experience.

Federal Cover Letter Example

In this sample cover letter for a government job, you see a simple format. The job candidate’s contact information is at the top of the page. The salutation addresses the exact person screening job candidates. It’s important to add the exact name when you know it to demonstrate your attention to detail.

The Opening Paragraph

The opening paragraph states the job position and department. This immediately communicates to the reader that the candidate took the time to customize the letter for the application.

Second Paragraph 

The 2^nd paragraph recognizes the issues that form the department’s operational purpose. The recruiter will favor candidates who frame the discussion around the employer’s needs. The candidate’s references to an analytic and quantitative background fit with the job’s work duties. In the rest of the paragraph, the job candidate makes strong statements about academic training, international work, and communication skills.

Read on How to Write a Cover Letter for a Government Agency

Third Paragraph 

The 3^rd paragraph strives to portray the candidate as someone who never stops learning. The letter provides information about the candidate’s current participation in an intense graduate training program at a prestigious university. Details about the finance and econometric content of the curriculum sharpen the focus on the candidate’s advanced skills.

Fourth Paragraph 

The 4^th paragraph highlights a person’s international experience. The candidate cites two accomplishments in business and finance. The closing paragraphs describe the person’s process for solving problems while accomplishing goals overseas. The candidate emphasized the creativity and leadership necessary to succeed in the projects. This information shows that the person has the ability to work independently.

The Final Word

The letter finishes with a summary of the person’s technical skills and a desire to serve the public. The strong examples within the sample letter have a high potential to motivate the recruiter to look at the resume.

Need more information? See another government resume template.

Jim Madson

Jim is an executive resume writer who stays abreast of the newest trends in the employment industry. He develops high-performance federal resumes to build a successful career.