Product Designer Cover Letter Guide | Free Templates

When applying to product design jobs, your cover letter is one of the most important things you can send to a potential employer. A strong cover letter is your opportunity to show hiring managers and recruiters that you understand their needs and that you have what it takes to be successful in the role.

In this guide, learn how to write a stand-out product designer cover letter and find helpful cover letter templates and examples for product designers looking for work at any stage in their careers.

But first, let’s get a quick refresher on the role of a product designer.

What does a product designer actually do?

Product designers are responsible for the look, feel, and overall user experience of web and mobile applications that we use every day. They work closely with other members of the product development team to ensure that the product meets user needs and is easy to use.

What is the goal of a product design cover letter?

The goal of your cover letter is to demonstrate why you are the best candidate for the job and how you can contribute to the company’s success. By highlighting your skills and accomplishments, you can give hiring managers a better sense of your value as a potential product designer on their team.

The goal of your cover letter is to demonstrate why you are the best candidate for the job and how you can contribute to the company’s success.

A cover letter is an opportunity to elaborate on your product designer resume and give hiring managers a sense of your personality, style, and your value as a potential product designer on their team. It also gives you a chance to highlight any skills or experience that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Most importantly, a well-written cover letter shows that you have the ability to communicate effectively in writing, which is an important skill for any product designer position.

What should I include in my product designer cover letter?

First, take a look at the product designer job description and use it to identify the key skills and qualifications that the employer is looking for. Then, highlight examples of times when you’ve demonstrated those design skills in your previous work experience. Finally, be sure to express your excitement about the opportunity and why you believe you would be a valuable asset to the team.

A product design cover letter should be no more than one page and should include the following information:

• An introduction explaining why you’re interested in the position
• A brief overview of your product design experience and skills
• Relevant examples of products you have worked on
• Why you are excited about the opportunity to work on this particular product

Write a product designer cover letter in 5 steps

Follow the five steps below to write a strong product design cover letter from scratch. Or, keep scrolling for a few product design cover letter templates and examples to help you get started.

?? Do your research

Before writing your cover letter, it’s important to take the time to do your research so you can tailor the cover letter to the role you’re applying to. A thoughtful cover letter shows that you’re not just sending out the same generic letter to every company — you’ve actually taken the time to research the company and their mission, and you believe that you would be a good fit for their team.

This extra step can help you stand out from the other applicants and show that you’re truly enthusiastic about the position. Start by doing some research on the company and their design ethos:

• What is the company known for?
• What kind of products or services do they offer?
• How do they want their products to be perceived by consumers?

Once you have a good understanding of the company’s business goals and design philosophy, you can start crafting your product designer cover letter.

?? Start with a personalized greeting

When you’ve found the name of the hiring manager or product design team lead, start your cover letter with a personalized greeting or salutation. This shows that you’ve taken the time to research the company and the specific team that is hiring. Then, introduce yourself and explain why you’re interested in the role.

If you can’t find the hiring manager’s name, it’s okay to use a generic opening like “Dear Hiring Manager,” or “To whom it may concern.”

“Hiring managers want to see that you are warm and competent.” — Jessica Ko, Former Design Hiring Manager @Google

?? Highlight relevant work experience

Now’s the time to elaborate on your product design experience. In this section of your cover letter, provide more details about your previous work history and how it relates to the job opportunity.

Include specific product design case studies and explain how you solved the design challenges presented to you. This is a great opportunity to show off any relevant skills to the job posting and highlight any unique methods or processes that you used in your design process.

?? Share your “why”

In the final section of your cover letter, explain why you are excited about this particular opportunity and how your design philosophy aligns with the company’s values or mission. Be sure to reiterate your interest in helping them achieve their business goals through human-centered product design and what value you can bring to the company or design team.

?? Thank the hiring manager for their time

Sign off by thanking the hiring manager for their time and consideration. Include a call-to-action, such as asking to set up an interview or requesting more information about the role. You can also invite them to contact you if they have any questions. Don’t forget to proofread your letter before hitting send!

Product designer cover letter example ??

The fictional cover letter sample below is of an applicant applying for a product design position at Nike.

To Emily McNike,

I’m incredibly excited to express my interest in the Product Designer role at Nike!

I’ve spent the last two years designing products in the health and wellness industry with a heavy focus on user experience design. As a fitness enthusiast, I also have a deep understanding of consumer trends and how to optimize experiences to drive growth in this market.

Experience aside, I am passionate about an active lifestyle and aim to use my design skills to help inspire athletes around the world. Last year, I collaborated with a colleague to develop a mobile app, FitPal, that aims to help users develop better habits to accomplish their fitness goals.

I would love the opportunity to join Nike’s team and further your mission of elevating athletes around the world.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Dan McDribbble

Why it works

The opening paragraph is personalized and includes the name of the hiring manager. The next section goes into detail about the candidate’s product design experience, including specific examples of their work that are relevant to Nike as a product and brand. The cover letter also highlights the applicant’s passion and dedication to Nike’s mission. Finally, the letter expresses excitement to join the team an ends by thanking the hiring manager for their time.

Product design cover letter templates

Ready to get started on your own cover letter? Use one of the product designer cover letter templates below as a starting point. Edit each template based on your unique skills, experiences, and the job you’re applying for.

?? Junior product designer cover letter template

Hi [Hiring manager name],

I am writing to express my interest in the Junior Product Designer role at [company name]! As a recent product design graduate, I am incredibly motivated to apply my skills to [XYZ].

I’ve spent the last [X] years developing a holistic understanding of the product design process and how it applies to business goals. I am passionate about designing user-friendly experiences and have a strong interest in growing my skills in [area of design interest].

I would love the opportunity to help your team build better products that [company mission]. Thank you for your time and consideration!

Sincerely,

[Your name]

?? Senior product designer cover letter template

Hi [Hiring manager name],

I am writing to express my interest in the Senior Product Designer role at [company name].

As a senior product designer with over [X] years of experience working on [types of products you’ve worked on], I am eager to apply my skills and knowledge to help [state company’s mission].

In my previous roles, I have been responsible for leading product design projects from conception to development. I have a deep understanding of the product design process and how to apply it to achieve business goals. My experience has taught me how to manage cross-functional teams, handle difficult stakeholder relationships, and navigate ambiguous design challenges.

I would love the opportunity to join your team and elevate product design at [company name].

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

Get hired in product design

A product designer cover letter is your opportunity to sell yourself to the hiring manager and increase your chances of getting a product design interview. Take the time to customize each cover letter for the specific job posting you are applying for. Be sure to highlight your relevant product design skills, experience, and interests. And don’t forget to proofread your letter before hitting “send.”