About this template
The Minimal Centered template is a minimal cover letter with the entire header — name, contact line, date — centred on the page. The body returns to left-aligned as every parser expects. The single centred opening creates a discreet symmetrical entry without compromising the structure. Compatible with every text-based ATS (Workday, Greenhouse, Lever, iCIMS, SuccessFactors) because the centred zone stays parseable plain text.
Who is it for?
It suits candidates who want a touch of formality without tipping into classic: MBA candidates fresh out of school, junior consultants applying to traditional firms, civil-service entrants, postdoctoral-fellowship candidates and profiles transitioning into organisations with formal codes. The centred header signals respect for form without typographic pretension. Out of place for creative profiles or tech scale-ups.
How to use it
Centring applies exclusively to the three header lines (name, contact, date) — extending centring to the body makes the document unreadable for ATS pipelines. The hook stays left-aligned, no first-line indent. Paragraph 2 cites your academic background in shorthand ("HBS Class of 2023, dual degree with Wharton") and your signature internships. A handwritten signature in black ink, scanned at 600 dpi, is centred to echo the header — the only visual coherence of the document.
Frequently asked questions
Is it suitable for MBA graduates?
Yes for HBS, Wharton, MIT Sloan, Stanford GSB, Columbia Business School, Tuck, INSEAD, HEC Paris. The minimal-centered register matches top-tier consulting-firm expectations that source on graduation. Mention your class and concentration in paragraph 2.
Should I list my internships in the letter?
Only signature internships of more than 4 months at a recognised organisation (Big Four, MBB, Magic Circle, UN, Treasury Department). For shorter or anonymous internships, keep them on the CV. The letter cites experiences that already justify your application to the target role.
Is the letter suitable for civil-service exams?
Yes for State Department, Treasury Honors Program, Foreign Office Diplomatic Service, Singapore Administrative Service — which appreciate the centred formal register. Mention your exam class or rank in the signature block.
