How to Write a Cover Letter

A good cover letter doesn't repeat your resume — it connects your experience to this specific role and shows genuine interest. It should be short, specific and easy to read. This guide gives you a structure that works for most applications.

The structure

  1. Open with a specific, confident first line that names the role and gives a real reason you're a strong fit — not 'I am writing to apply for…'.
  2. In the first paragraph, state who you are and the single strongest reason you match this job.
  3. In the middle paragraph(s), give one or two concrete examples of relevant achievements, tied to what the role needs.
  4. Show you know the employer: mention something specific about them and why it appeals to you.
  5. Close by restating your interest and inviting the next step, then sign off politely.

Keep it tight

Aim for around half a page — three or four short paragraphs. Hiring managers read many of these, so every sentence should earn its place. If a line just restates your resume, cut it.

Opening example

Weak: 'I am writing to apply for the marketing role advertised on your website.' Stronger: 'After growing a B2B newsletter from 0 to 12,000 subscribers, I was excited to see your opening for a content marketer — building an audience from scratch is exactly the work I do best.' The stronger opening leads with evidence and genuine fit.
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Tips

  • Address it to a named person where you can find one; it shows effort.
  • Never send the same letter to two employers — tailoring is the whole point.
  • Match the tone of the company: more formal for traditional fields, warmer for startups.
  • Don't just restate the resume; add context and motivation it can't show.
  • Proofread, and check you've named the right company throughout.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a cover letter be?

About half a page — three or four short paragraphs. It should be quick to read and focused on your fit for this specific role.

Do I still need a cover letter?

When one is invited or optional, a tailored letter is usually worth writing, because it lets you connect your experience to the role in a way a resume can't. Skip it only when an employer explicitly says not to send one.

What should the first line say?

Something specific that signals fit — a relevant achievement or a genuine reason you're drawn to this role — rather than a generic 'I am writing to apply'.

Should a cover letter repeat my resume?

No. It should add context, motivation and one or two highlighted examples, not restate the same bullet points.

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