Customizable Opening Paragraphs for Cover Letters: Referral Letters that Spring from Networking

When it comes to cover letters, have you got writer’s block? Do you feel that if you could just start the letter, you’d be OK? Help is here. We have a collection of customizable opening paragraphs for cover letters. Remember Mad Libs, the fill-in-the-blank game that resulted in wacky stories? This collection is a little like Mad Libs, except that the intended result is not wacky, but serious, effective openers for cover letters.

Following each customizable opening paragraph, you’ll find a sample paragraph with the blanks filled in. This set of 19 customizable opening paragraphs is for “referral letters,” which are the product of networking, the most effective method of job-hunting.

In its simplest form, networking involves requesting (and giving in return) advice, support, job leads, and referrals with the goal of finding a new job. A referral letter prominently displays the name of a person your addressee knows.

Referral letters can come about from a variety of (networking) sources. You might talk with someone at a meeting of a trade association in your field who will tell you of an opening she knows of.

An acquaintance at a party might tell you of someone he knows whose company could use an employee with your experience. A friend might tell you about a job she saw through her company’s internal job posting.

The value of the referral letter is in its name-dropping. If you can grab the potential employer’s attention by mentioning someone he or she knows and respects in the first line of the letter, you will have gained a terrific advantage over the competition.

A special kind of referral letter is the “self-referral” based not on a mutual acquaintance who knows the letter’s recipient, but based on a meeting or conversation you have had with the recipient.

Customizable Opening Paragraphs

Customizable Opening Paragraph #1:

[name of person from whom you learned of this job] suggested I contact you about the [name of position] position you currently have open. My fresh and innovative [type of skills] skills, along with total [type of proficiency] proficiency make me the [name of position] you’ve been looking for.

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Customizable Opening Paragraph #2:

[name of person from whom you learned of this job] and I have been talking about how my skills might fit at [name of employer]. He said he’d discussed [content of discussion between recipient and referral person], so I wanted to introduce myself, and tell you a little of what I’ve done since working with [name of person from whom you learned of this job] at [name of employer].

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Customizable Opening Paragraph #3:

[name of person from whom you learned of this job] [reminder of how the recipient knows the referral person] suggested I contact you about the [name of position] position you currently have open. My solid experience in [field] would enable me to make a significant contribution to your organization in a [name of position] capacity. My background in several [types of positions] positions further bolsters my qualifications in that I am extremely adept at providing business services of all kinds and functioning as a productive team member.

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Customizable Opening Paragraph #4:

[Name of person from whom you learned of this job] tells me that you are looking for a [characteristic] employee for the job of [name of position]. I offer the background and the personality to excel in this position.

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Customizable Opening Paragraph #5:

Our mutual acquaintance [name of person from whom you learned of this job], [circumstances under which you know referral person], suggested I contact you to describe the contribution I might make in [job function] at your organization.

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Customizable Opening Paragraph #6:

I’m writing to follow up on a phone conversation you had with [title and name of referral person] about the [name of position] position you expect to have available in [timeframe]. I’ve developed a strong foundation in [field], I am highly [characteristic], and I stand poised to bring my skills to your fine organization.

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Self-Referral Cover Letter Openers

Customizable Opening Paragraph #7:

I very much enjoyed talking with you [timeframe] about your need to fill your firm’s [name of position] position. My [number of years] years of experience as [name of position] at a [description of former employer] and as a(n) [name of position] qualify me well for this position.

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Customizable Opening Paragraph #8:

You’ll find that my proven track record in [field] and [field] makes me the ideal candidate for the [name of position] position we discussed in [where you talked with recipient].

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Customizable Opening Paragraph #9:

I very much enjoyed talking with you [timeframe] and appreciate your time. [Sentence that reflects recipient’s critique of your resume]. My solid experience in [job function] and [job function] would enable me to make a significant contribution to the [name of position] position we discussed. My [education or other credential] further bolsters my qualifications.

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Customizable Opening Paragraph #10:

When I spoke with you at [occasion], I thought about what an interesting person you would be to work for. I was very excited when [name of person from whom you learned of this job] suggested that I apply for the position you have available in the [name of department] department. It would be wonderful to work for your prestigious company, and I am ready to make outstanding contributions to your workforce.

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Customizable Opening Paragraph #11:

I enjoyed meeting you in [timeframe] when [circumstances under which you met recipient]. I am now approaching graduation and actively seeking a job such as the [type of position] position you are advertising.

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Customizable Opening Paragraph #12:

I’m so glad I met you at the [name, location] career fair [timeframe]. Because I know that you plan to fill the [name of position] position quickly, I am e-mailing my resume immediately.

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Customizable Opening Paragraph #13:

After speaking with you [describe method] [timeframe], I am clearly interested in the opportunity as a(n) [name of position].

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Customizable Opening Paragraph #14:

When we met [timeframe] ago [circumstances under which you met recipient], I was amazed how well you orchestrated the event. Now, after [describe experience], I am interested in applying for a position with your firm.

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Customizable Opening Paragraph #15:

Thank you for spending time on the phone with me [timeframe]. I am definitely enthusiastic about your upcoming opening in [name of position]. I am enclosing my resume and [other relevant materials].Sample customized paragraph based on above:

Customizable Opening Paragraph #16:

It was wonderful meeting you at [event]. I would never have guessed that we have so much in common, nor would I have imagined that a conversation with you would spark a career change for me.

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Customizable Opening Paragraph #17:

Back in [timeframe], I wrote to you about the possibility of employment with your dynamic [type of employer]. [Description of recipient’s response]. I have just learned [vacancy you’ve learned of]. I’m writing to ask you to consider interviewing me as her possible replacement.

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Customizable Opening Paragraph #18:

I am following up our telephone conversation of [date] to reinforce to you how well my background aligns with the [name of position].

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Customizable Opening Paragraph #19:

It was truly delightful to meet you at [circumstance under which you met recipient] on [timeframe]. [Sentence that flatters recipient]. I’d like to [execute an action relevant to the targeted position]. You mentioned at the [circumstance under which you met recipient] that the time has come to hire a [name of position]. I’m convinced I could make a significant contribution in that position.

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