About this template
The Frost White template is a minimal cover letter on pure white with a single very thin silver-grey rule beneath the header. Light sans-serif body, generous line spacing — the most reductive minimal variant, almost a printed memo. Compatible with every text-based ATS (Workday, Greenhouse, Lever, iCIMS, Cornerstone, Taleo Enterprise) because it contains no graphic element that could disrupt parsing.
Who is it for?
It suits candidates whose pitch needs no decoration: academic researchers, senior journalists, intellectual-property lawyers, philosophers, classical translators, scholarly-journal editors and literary authors. Right for profiles where any colour accent would distract from the writing itself. Out of place in creative sectors where total absence of visual signature reads as a lack of design attention.
How to use it
The silver-grey rule is the only graphic element — it must stay at 0.3 pt and never double. The light sans-serif body (such as Inter Light or Avenir Light) stays justified with hyphenation on. The hook enters the subject with a short declarative sentence ("I am writing to apply for the role of..."). Paragraph 2 cites your publications or achievements in shorthand without ornament. A handwritten signature in black ink, scanned at 600 dpi, completes the register — no paraph, no cartouche.
Frequently asked questions
Is it suitable for journalism applications?
Yes for The Times, The Guardian, The Financial Times, The Economist, The New York Times, The Atlantic, The New Yorker, Bloomberg — which appreciate Frost White restraint in senior correspondence. Mention your journalism awards (Pulitzer Prize, Polk Award, Bayeux Calvados-Normandie Award) and signature beats in paragraph 2.
Should I list my published translations?
Yes in shorthand in paragraph 2: "Translated 4 titles for Penguin Classics, 12 years of literary-journal translation". For the full list, attach a separate bibliography. Editorial committees at Penguin Random House, Faber & Faber, FSG appreciate the concision.
Is the letter suitable for IP lawyers?
Yes for Allen & Overy IP, Hogan Lovells IP, Bird & Bird, Fieldfisher, Kirkland & Ellis IP, Finnegan Henderson — which appreciate Frost White for partner and senior-counsel applications. List your managed patents by number (US 10,123,456 B2) and your USPTO or EPO registration in the signature block.
