While many people claim a cover letter isn’t effective anymore, many recruiters and companies still require candidates to submit a written one when applying for a job.
In fact, knowing how to write a cover letter could be the reason why your job application isn’t sidelined.
Your resume/CV reveals your skills and experience, while your cover letter gives an insight into your personality and why you’re the right fit for the role.
Many job seekers often don’t know where to start or how to merge their professionalism and personality when writing a cover letter.
What is a cover letter and its purpose?
A cover letter is a document that you attach alongside your CV when applying for jobs. It is a one-page personal introduction document that explains why you’re an ideal fit for the position and organization.
The primary purpose of a cover letter is to show authentic interest and enthusiasm in the company and position. Knowing how to write a cover letter also nudges the recruiter to view your resume and consider inviting you for an interview.
Your cover letter is your first dialogue with the employer, giving them the reason to learn more about you.
How to write a cover letter: Excellent tips to follow
Many job seekers make the mistake of writing a cover letter manually or with generative AI without gathering the correct information.
While a cover letter reveals your strengths, it also shows employers that you understand them and can provide value to their organizational needs.
Here are critical areas to focus when learning how to write a cover letter.
1. Research the company
Begin with the company’s official website. Check the “About Us” page, company values, mission, and vision statement. These sections reveal what the company cares about.
For instance, if a company spotlights integrity and creativity, your cover letter should emphasize projects in which these qualities were demonstrated.
Also, learning how to write a cover letter involves checking the company’s social media pages to know what they’re presently up to.
When you mention something recent in your cover letter, it shows genuine interest in the company and not just the role.
2. Interpret the job description
Read the job description carefully and highlight repeated phrases and keywords like time management, collaboration, and other essential soft skills.
These terms highlight what the employer values most. Apart from restating your abilities, a good cover letter connects them to what the employer is specifically looking for.
3. Learn about the hiring manager
If you know who will be reading your cover letter, it might help if you personalize it. Many job descriptions include a contact person to be referenced.
When learning how to write a cover letter, you can make a strong impression by addressing your cover letter directly – Dear Henry/Hello Susan. This personalization is better than generic greetings like – To whom it may concern.
4. Research the company culture and work environment
Concerning hiring decisions, culture fit and alignment are as crucial as the candidate’s skills. To find out more about the company’s work environment, check reviews on platforms like Glassdoor, LinkedIn, or Indeed.
Knowing the company’s culture will help you tailor the cover letter using the right tone. Use a creative and energetic tone for dynamic startups, while traditional workplaces may require a concise and formal style.
5. Stay updated with industry trends
Showing awareness of broader industry happenings sends a signal to your potential employer that you’re a serious candidate.
Before drafting a cover letter, conduct a quick scan of industry reports, news, or even competitor updates. This knowledge could strengthen your cover letter and set you apart from other candidates.
6. Proofread before sending
When writing a cover letter, a misplaced comma or a single typo can make the recruiter question your attention to detail. After writing, take a break for a short while and return to read with a fresh mind.
Using tools like Grammarly or Quillbot to check for grammar, punctuation, and tone is one of the best practies for how to write a cover letter. Double-check essential details like the company’s name, the contact person’s name, job title, and more.
The difference between a cover letter and a resume
Many candidates, especially entry-level applicants, usually confuse the cover letter with a resume. Some assume that one document can replace the other.
However, they’re different but serve complementary purposes. Knowing the difference is vital in curating an application that stands out.
| Cover Letter | Resume |
| It explains why you want the role and how your experience fits the role. | It summarizes your education, skills, work history, and achievements. |
| 1-page document, formatted as a professional letter. | 1-2 pages, structured with headings and bullet points for seamless scanning. |
| Professional and conversational, showing enthusiasm and motivation. | Professional, concise, and factual. |
| Focuses on how your skills meet the employer’s needs. | Focuses on measurable achievements, job titles, responsibilities, and skills. |
| Specifically tailored to each company and role. Addressed to a hiring manager. | Generally consistent across similar job applications, with little adjustments for relevance. |
Structure of a strong cover letter: How to write a cover letter
When applying for a job, your cover letter should be intentionally written and structured.
You need to ensure a seamless flow from the first sentence to the last one. Importantly, it should convince the reader that your interest in the company and job is specific and authentic.
Cover letters usually take this structure:
- Introduction
- Body
- Closing
Introduction
Before writing the introduction, begin with a salutation. You can use “Dear Mr Henry” or “Dear Phil”, depending on the person’s name. However, if you don’t know who will be reading your cover letter, use “Dear Recruiter,” or “Dear Hiring Manager.”
Don’t use generic phrases like “To whom it may concern”.
After the salutation, the opening statement should reveal your intentions for writing the letter. Mention the position you’re applying for and where you found the role.
Also, include a hook that highlights why you’re excited about the role or what makes you the ideal candidate.
Body
This section is where you pitch yourself, and it’s usually the longest part of a cover letter. Instead of repeating what’s on your resume, connect your skills and experiences to the company’s needs.
Here’s a breakdown of how to do it:
- Check the job description and identify the employer’s top priorities.
- Write about how your past work addresses those needs.
- Highlight the results and improvements on tasks you handled.
- Curate your skills and experiences as transferable value.
- Don’t include every achievement in the cover letter, except the ones relevant to the role you’re applying for.
Closing
Conclude the cover letter by restating your interest in the role. Also, appreciate the employer for their time and consideration. End the cover letter with a call to action.
Here are some examples:
- “I look forward to discussing how I can contribute immense value to your team.”
- “I would be delighted to provide more details on how I can support your organizational needs.”
- “I look forward to sharing how I can contribute to your upcoming projects.”
Cover letter samples: How to write a cover letter
Cover Letter 1: Content Marketing
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am applying for the Content Marketing Specialist role at XYZ Digital, which I found on LinkedIn. The role caught my attention because it combines strategy, creativity, and measurable impact, three areas I’ve built my career around.
In my last role at Simple Communications, I created and managed a content calendar that increased blog traffic by 48% in six months.
I also worked with the design and sales teams to develop targeted campaigns, which directly supported lead generation goals.
My approach has always been simple: create content that solves real problems for the audience and back it with data to show results. That balance has helped me consistently deliver work that matters to both the business and its customers.
I’m genuinely interested in how XYZ Digital is expanding into new markets and building thought leadership, and I would like to contribute to that work.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to discussing how my background in content marketing and strategy can be helpful in your team.
Sincerely,
Clark Kent
Cover Letter 2: Cybersecurity
Dear Lionel,
I’m writing to apply for the Cybersecurity Analyst position at Flow.co. I came across the opening on your job board and was drawn to it because of the role your team plays in protecting critical systems and information.
At Bunto, where I worked previously, I was responsible for monitoring networks, conducting security assessments, and responding to incidents.
One of my key projects was leading a vulnerability management program that reduced system risks by 35% over a year. I also built response protocols that cut downtime during security events. T
hese experiences taught me how to balance technical problem-solving with the need to communicate risks clearly across teams.
I want to bring that same focus to Flow.co, where I can help strengthen defenses and contribute to a proactive security culture. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss the role further.
Sincerely,
Lex Luthor
Cover Letter 3: Software Engineering
Dear Hiring Manager,
I would like to apply for the Software Engineer position at CrayVest, which I saw listed on Indeed. I’m interested in this role because it involves solving real-world problems through code, something I’ve done throughout my career.
At VBCC, I worked on a team that built a customer-facing application, which improved user experience and increased daily active users by 30%.
I also contributed to backend systems written in Python and Java, where I focused on performance improvements that cut load times by nearly half. Beyond the technical work, I enjoy collaborating with designers, product managers, and testers to make sure the final product works smoothly for the end user.
I admire the work CrayVest is doing to build cloud-native tools, AI-driven products, and scalable platforms, and I’d like to contribute to that effort.
I look forward to speaking with you about how I can support your engineering team.
Sincerely,
Lois Lane
How to write a cover letter: Common mistakes to avoid
Many job-seekers usually make the same mistakes when writing a cover letter that can cost them the job. By avoiding these errors, you’re on your way to getting your next role.
1. Focusing on yourself alone
Your cover letter isn’t the place to talk about your hobbies, negative experiences, excessive personal achievements, and other casual information.
Instead, use your cover letter to explain why you’re the ideal fit for the company. When thinking about how to write a cover letter, talk about relevant strengths and achievements that you couldn’t explain in your resume.
2. Going beyond one page
Another mistake that candidates make is writing a long cover letter. Some use their cover letter to describe their entire career history, which might discourage employers from reading on.
One of the best practices for how to write a cover letter is ensuring it is between 150-200 words or three to six paragraphs.
3. Using the same cover letter for every application
Your cover letter should be tailored to each job you apply for. Some recruiters can spot a generic cover letter, and it shows you don’t have a genuine interest in the position and company.
If you don’t have enough time to write several cover letters for similar roles, customize some features like the company and the hiring manager’s name.
4. Needless compliments
You don’t need to flatter an organization for the recruiter to like you. However, if the company’s mission, vision, or culture resonates with you, mention how it inspires you professionally. Don’t use your cover letter to give random compliments, hoping the recruiter will like you.
5. Not following specific guidelines
When applying for a role, read all the information to avoid missing specific requirements. In some cases, the hiring manager may request some details to be included in the cover letter. Candidates who pay attention to these specified details will likely move on to the next stage.
6. Not signing off on a cover letter
When your cover letter isn’t signed off, it looks incomplete and gives the impression that you wrote it hurriedly. It also weakens professionalism because your tone could look abrupt. This format is the ideal way to sign off a cover letter.
Best regards,
Chloe Sullivan
While you don’t have to use “Best regards”, there are many other alternatives to use instead:
- Thank you,
- Most sincerely,
- Kind regards,
- Sincerely,
- Respectfully yours,
- Best regards,
- Thank you for your consideration,
How to write a cover letter with AI
Artificial intelligence tools have made it seamless to create professional cover letters, tailored to the role and company you’re applying to.
However, you must be careful not to copy and paste the generated cover letter without tweaking it to ensure relevance to the job.
1. Generate the first draft
If you’re using an AI tool, here’s a prompt example:
“Draft a professional cover letter for a content marketing role at a gaming company. Highlight SEO skills, adaptability, and remote work experience. Use a semi-formal tone.”
2. Personalize with your specifics
AI tools provide suitable results when you feed the correct information about yourself and the job. Upload your resume/CV and ask:
“Highlight three achievements from my resume that best align with this job role. Connect these three achievements to how I can provide measurable results for this company in six months.”
3. Polish tone and language
Go through the company’s website and check their homepage, About us, mission, and vision to have an understanding of their tone.
Here’s a prompt example:
I reviewed ABC Tech’s website(homepage, About us, mission & vision), they stressed the following: Innovation, creativity, customer-centric services, and collaborative culture. Revamp the cover letter draft to reflect these values and use a tone that aligns with their work culture.
4. Adjust with human touch
While AI helps with structure, your personality makes it easier to connect with the employer. Adjust the sentences to feel authentic. Shorten long sentences for clarity and readability. Use tools like Grammarly to edit for grammatical errors and misspellings.
Conclusion: How to write a cover letter that works
Knowing how to write a cover letter is beyond adhering to the employer’s request, it’s your chance to establish a person connection with the employer.
Your cover letter should reflect past achievements and highlights a clear path to replicating much value to the new team. Before writing a cover letter, research the company by checking out their website and social media platforms.
Also, leverage the use of AI tools to guide your cover letter draft and review it to add a human touch.
FAQ Section
What is the difference between a cover letter and resume?
A cover letter is a personalized message to the recruiter that explains why you’re a great fit for the role. On the other hand, a resume is a structured document that shows your work experience, education, skills, and achievements.
How long should a cover letter be?
A good cover letter should be between 150-200 words. It should be long enough to highlight value and short enough to capture attention.
Should I mention my salary expectations in my cover letter?
When mastering how to write a cover letter, it is advisable not to include your salary expectations in your cover letter except the recruiter asks for it.
Should I use the same cover letter for every application?
No, avoid using the same cover letter for every application even if they’re similar roles. Take time to personalize each letter to show genuine interest.
What should I write in a cover letter?
A solid cover letter should include an attention-grabbing introduction and a brief explanation of why you’re applying. It should also contain key skills and achievements, alongside a closing statement showing enthusiasm.
