Cover Letter Guide
A step-by-step guide to writing cover letters that get you interviews
Yes — more than most people think. Research consistently shows that around 49% of hiring managers read cover letters and factor them into their decision. Even when a cover letter is listed as optional, submitting one signals initiative and professionalism that a CV alone cannot convey.
A strong cover letter gives you something a CV can never do: the chance to explain why this role, at this company, at this moment in your career makes perfect sense — in your own voice. Candidates who skip cover letters leave that opportunity on the table.
A well-structured cover letter follows a clear, logical flow. Each section has a job to do.
1. Header
Your name, email, LinkedIn URL (optional), and the date. Match the formatting of your CV header for a consistent, professional look.
2. Greeting
Address the hiring manager by name whenever possible ("Dear Sarah Chen,"). If you can't find a name, "Dear Hiring Team," works — avoid the dated "To Whom It May Concern."
3. Opening Hook
Your first sentence is prime real estate. Lead with genuine enthusiasm, a relevant achievement, or a specific observation about the company. Never open with "I am applying for…"
4. Body — Paragraph 1
Connect your background directly to the role. Highlight the most relevant experience and demonstrate you understand what the team is trying to achieve.
5. Body — Paragraph 2
Bring in specific accomplishments with numbers where possible. This is where you show, not just tell. Tie your impact to what the employer cares about.
6. Closing Paragraph
Express enthusiasm, include a clear call to action ("I'd welcome the chance to discuss…"), and thank them for their time.
7. Sign-off
"Sincerely," or "Best regards," followed by your full name. Keep it simple.
Your opening sentence determines whether a hiring manager reads the next paragraph or moves on. The most common mistake is starting with a generic declaration:
Avoid
"I am applying for the Product Manager position advertised on LinkedIn. I am a passionate and driven professional with five years of experience…"
Instead, lead with why you are genuinely excited about this company, or open with a relevant achievement that immediately demonstrates your value:
Strong opening — excitement-led
"When Stripe announced its new embedded finance APIs last quarter, I spent the weekend building a prototype integration — that curiosity is exactly what I bring to product work."
Strong opening — achievement-led
"In my last role I reduced customer onboarding time by 40% by rebuilding our activation flow — and I'm looking for a team where I can do that at scale."
The body of your cover letter is where most candidates lose the reader. Vague claims like "I am a strong communicator" or "I thrive in fast-paced environments" tell a hiring manager nothing they haven't read a hundred times today.
Instead, use the body to do three things:
Your second body paragraph should connect your experience to the company's specific context — their market, their recent news, their stated mission. This shows you've done the research and aren't sending the same letter to fifty companies.
A strong closing does three things in three to four sentences:
Reiterate your enthusiasm.
One sentence reminding them why you're genuinely excited about this specific role.
Include a call to action.
"I'd love the opportunity to discuss how my background in X can help your team achieve Y." — don't be passive.
Thank them.
A brief, sincere sign-off. Avoid over-the-top phrases like "I would be forever grateful."
Paragraph count
3–4 paragraphs
Word count
Under 400 words
Font
Same as your CV (Arial, Calibri, or Georgia)
Font size
10.5–12pt body, readable margins
File format
PDF — unless the job posting specifies Word
File name
FirstLast_CoverLetter_CompanyName.pdf
Too long
If it doesn't fit on one page or exceeds 400 words, cut it. Hiring managers skim.
Generic content
If you could send it to any company, it's not good enough. Personalise every letter.
Repeating your CV verbatim
Your cover letter should add context and personality — not just re-list your job history.
Typos and grammar errors
Read it aloud. Paste it into a fresh doc and re-read it. Then ask someone else to read it.
Focusing on what you want
The letter should answer the employer's question: "What can this person do for us?" — not "what do I want from this job?"
Weak opener
"I am applying for…" wastes your strongest real estate. Start with your hook.
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