how to make your cover letter stand out

How to Write a Cover Letter That Stands Out: 3 Steps

By Biron Clark

Published: November 10, 2023

Cover Letters

Biron Clark

Writer & Career Coach

People have a love-hate relationship with cover letters. Most hate writing them. When it comes to hiring managers, some love them and some loathe them. But if you want to make a good impression, you NEED a cover letter that stands out.

In my experience, cover letters get read about half the time when they are not required and 100% of the time when they are.

So it’s definitely important to spend time writing a cover letter that stands out and gets you noticed.

So in this article, I’m going to walk you through the 3 steps you need to write a cover letter that stands out.

How to Write a Cover Letter That Stands Out and Gets You Interviews

A stand-out cover letter contains 3 essential sections , designed to show the reader you’re ideally suited for the role.

Let’s start with the first section that you need in order to stand out:

Step 1: Verbalize the Pain

Use the cover letter to show the reader that you understand the company’s challenges, struggles, etc., and how you are the perfect candidate to solve these issues. In other words, show them that you understand the pain and can make it better.

Pain takes many shapes and forms, from seamless project execution in order to not disrupt business, to building or growing a team to capture market share, launching a new product or service to elevate the brand, to saving money by introducing process efficiencies and automation.

In order to do this, you’ll need to research the company and put yourself in their shoes. Read the job description and think about what they seem to need help with.

That leads us perfectly into the second step of how to write a stand-out cover letter…

Step 2: Examples that Show Pain Solving

Once you’ve effectively shown the reader you understand the challenge or the pain, the next step is to convince them that you are the person who can mitigate it.

If it says they need someone who can work in a fast-paced environment and handle a high workload, then they probably have too much work coming in and are stressed/overwhelmed. Show them that you can ease this burden.

If they say they need someone who can make a great impression on clients to help them grow their business, the best way to write a stand-out cover letter is talk about how you can do this – or better yet – how you’ve done this in the past for other employers.

This should NOT be accomplished by describing yourself with adjectives, but by sharing career highlights that quickly show how you’ve solved similar problems in past roles.

You need to give them real accomplishments, and the more detail, the better. Give facts, statistics, numbers, and results. This is really important when you get to the interview  too, so don’t forget this.

(If this is your first job search and you have no past accomplishments you can talk about, read this article on writing a cover letter with no experience ).

Step 3: Moving Past the Pain

Part 3 of a stand-out cover letter should recap your skills and how they can contribute to not just solving pain, but to moving forward to achieve a company’s higher mission, vision or goal.

You need to pull the two previous pieces of your argument together and make your conclusion.

Tell them how their company will improve by having you. What will happen when these problems are solved? Get them excited about a future with you as a part of the company… and show them you’re excited to do the work as well!

The “Secret Weapon” to End Your Stand-Out Cover Letter

After you’ve followed the 3 steps above, you have the main body of your cover letter, and you’ve written it in a way that will stand out to employers and get you interviewed.

But there’s one more thing you should do to stand out further…

You want to finish your cover letter by directly asking for the interview! This seems obvious, but more than 50% of job seekers don’t do this!

So give them your contact details and TELL them to contact you to set up a time to talk. Tell them you’re looking forward to sharing more detail and answering any questions they have about your background, and you’d like to schedule an interview with them to talk further.

This is the final essential piece for how to write a cover letter that will stand out.

Formatting Your Cover Letter Before Sending

So let’s walk through how to format your cover letter well for an electronic format like email:

#1 Contact Information

Unlike a printed cover letter where your contact details must appear at the top, on a digital version, this info should be located below your name in the form of an email signature. Make sure at the very least you include your full name, contact number, email, address, and a LinkedIn  URL.

#2 Screen v. Print Reads

Reading online is a whole different ballgame than print reading. In fact, it is much harder. This is in large part due to the fact that our eyes have a tough time digesting dense blocks of text (large paragraphs, long lists of bullets) on a screen.

To ensure smooth online reading of your electronic cover letter, aim for paragraphs that are two to three lines maximum.

Keep this in mind when you format your resume, too, if you expect it to be read in an online format.

A Stand-Out Cover Letter Can be the Difference Between an Interview and a Rejection

Not every hiring manager puts a lot of weight on cover letters, but some do! And when hiring managers require it, then there’s a high probability that they care a lot and use it to decide who to interview.

If you follow the steps above for how to write a cover letter that stands out to employers, you’ll get more interviews and find a job faster.

The following expert contributed to this post:

Virginia Franco is a multi-certified executive resume and LinkedIn writer and founder of Virginia Franco Resumes. She offers customized executive resume and LinkedIn profile writing services for the 21st century job seeker.

About the Author

Read more articles by Biron Clark

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How to Write a Graphic Designer Cover Letter (3 Examples)

How to write a paralegal cover letter (2 examples), how to write a medical assistant cover letter (3 examples), how to write a research assistant cover letter (3 examples), how to write a software engineer cover letter (3 examples), how to write a hr cover letter (4 examples), how to write a data analyst cover letter (3 examples), how to write a bartender cover letter (3 examples).

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Find a Job You Really Want In

There’s a lot that goes into writing a cover letter . If you’re new on the job scene, you’ve got to scrounge up some experience to include, learn how to make your writing readable to someone other than yourself, and you have to find out which mistakes to avoid so you don’t end up looking like a job-hunting rookie. Ugh, when does it end? Here’s the deal: Writing a cover letter can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be scary. In fact, there are many tips and tricks of the trade that can make your cover letter better than you ever thought possible. Lucky for you, we’ve got them all right here. You’re welcome. Here’s everything you need to make your cover letter stand out in 12 easy steps: 1 Address Your Cover Letter to a Specific Person

Do what you can to find the exact name of the person who’s going to be reading your letter. This will make your cover letter more personalized, and they’ll appreciate that you took the steps to learn about who you’re writing to.

If the person’s name isn’t available directly anywhere in the job listing or on the company website, call the company and ask who the HR representative or hiring manager is for the position.

Never use outdated salutations like “Dear Sir or Madam” or “ To Whom It May Concern .” Using phrases like these shows that you didn’t do your homework and that you’re probably 100 years old.

If you’ve tried your best but haven’t been able to find the recipient’s name, you can use “Dear Hiring Manager” or one of its better-sounding alternatives .

2 Keep It Simple and Concise

Yes, it can be a challenge to describe how awesome you are within one page , but try not to go overboard. Cover letters should be a page or less, and the longer your cover letter is, the more you risk losing the employer’s attention.

Most hiring managers and recruiters agree that the ideal cover letter length is closer to half a page — these are busy people, after all. If you can say everything you need to say in 200 words, that’s great; don’t feel pressured to add more just to fill up space. 400 words is an absolute maximum, but sub-300 is the sweet spot.

If your cover letter is too lengthy, cut out unnecessary information and just leave in only the most important information.

3 Leave Plenty of White Space

You don’t want your cover letter to look cramped or overcrowded with information — this makes you appear to be sloppy and unprofessional. Include spaces between your greeting, the body of your letter, and your signature, and make sure to have appropriate margins (the standard 1-inch margins are fine).

A cover letter that’s tidy and concise is much easier to read than one that’s overloaded with unnecessary details. The hiring manager will thank you for not wasting their time.

4 Use the Same Font as Your Resume

Using a cohesive font with your application materials will make it look like you really have your life together. Using a clean, readable font like Times New Roman or Arial for your cover letter and resume will look neat and professional.

Font sizes should generally be 12-point, and you should avoid busy or distracting visual elements like underlined, highlighted, colored, or capitalized text.

Bold or italics can be used to emphasize key information or separate bullet point entries, but choose one or the other; don’t include both bold and italic text in your cover letter.

5 Don’t Just Rehash Your Resume

Your cover letter should complement your resume and specifically tell the employer how you meet their qualifications and what you can do for their company.

Regurgitating all of the information the hiring manager has already read on your resume is a huge waste of everyone’s time — including yours. Use your cover letter to focus on the specific skills that will benefit the company and provide a fuller picture of you as an employee.

Think of your resume as answering the “who, what, where, when” and your cover letter answering the “how” and “why.” That means your personality, work style , and unique perspective on how to get your job done should come through alongside your passion for the profession. That’s the kind of stuff you can’t find in a resume.

6 Open Strong

What better way to show off your candidacy than to highlight your most impressive skills from the very beginning? Describe your previous leadership positions, relevant achievements, and advanced skills in your first paragraph — this will ensure that you grab their attention as soon as they start reading.

If you’re not sure which of your many amazing experiences or skills to include , refer to the qualifications included in the job listing. When you show that you meet the employer’s top requirements, you’ll make them want to keep reading the rest of your cover letter.

7 Use Numbers and Statistics

Employers love to see numbers, and using statistics to illustrate the achievements you’ve earned with a company is a great way to show them that you’re focused on making an impact and getting results.

If you’ve improved employee participation in company fundraisers, include the percent increase. If you earned more money for your division than your predecessor, share the monetary difference. Using numbers will add value to your past work experiences, and make you seem more credible.

Numbers are your friend, even if you failed math repeatedly in college — we’ll just keep that our little secret.

8 Give Examples of Your Skills

Employers love stories — it helps them visualize you putting to use the skills you claim to have, and it makes you seem like you’re not just talking out of your ass.

Use a descriptive statement to show off a skill, like “I’m an expert maintenance technician with experience working on utility-scale solar fields,” and follow them up with a short anecdote:

“I have personally performed operations and maintenance on utility-scale, high voltage solar farms across the state, repairing and maintaining solar inverters and installing panels as needed.”

And just like that, you’ve made your cover letter more compelling. Way to go.

9 Customize Your Cover letter for Every Application

You should never use a generic, one-size-fits-all cover letter for every job you apply for. Employers can tell, and it basically just says “I literally could not care less about your company or the position.” Ouch.

Customize your letter for the specific job you’re applying for. Mention the company name, the title of the position, and directly address any of your qualifications that match the job requirements.

Your cover letter is your sales pitch to get an interview, so you’ll want to show what you can do for their company specifically.

A good way to make sure you hit all of the employer’s needs is by reviewing the job description and highlighting action verbs in one color and skills or adjectives in a different color. Then, look for ways to naturally incorporate that same language into your cover letter.

10 Leave Out Unnecessary Information

If a sentence doesn’t directly show off your candidacy for the job at hand, it’s not worth including in your cover letter. Never include personal information, and leave out your salary requirements unless the employer specifically asks for them.

Leave out details about leaving your last job , particularly if you were fired, and never badmouth any of your former bosses. Keep your cover letter focused on your credentials and make sure it stays professional.

11 Proofread, Proofread, and Proofread Again

There’s nothing worse than sending in a cover letter and realizing five minutes later that you spelled the company name (or your own name) wrong. Yikes, that would just be embarrassing.

Carefully proofread your letter, and even read it out loud to pick up any mistakes in grammar or syntax. You could even ask a friend or relative to look over it for you. If you can’t find a helper , we recommend reading your cover letter backwards — seeing each sentence in a different order does wonders for recognizing awkward phrases.

Whatever you do, just make sure to proofread your cover letter to avoid any embarrassing spelling or grammar mistakes. You probably won’t get the job of your dreams if your letter is addressed to Walt Fisney World.

12 Include an Email Signature

When you send in your cover letter, include a signature with your name, email address, and phone number. It shows that you’re interested in following up and makes it easier for the employer to get in contact with you. Simple as that.

You can also include a hyperlink to an online portfolio , personal website, or LinkedIn profile . That way, the hiring manager has a ready way to find out more information about you if they’re interested. Just make sure that any extra info you include directs them to a page you’re proud of, not a LinkedIn page with nothing but a headshot and 2 connections.

Final Thoughts

Cover letters can be tricky. You have to learn how to sell yourself the specific wants and needs a particular company is looking for, and you have to do so in a way that’s believable and compelling.

It sounds tough, but it’s not as hard as it seems! Follow these 12 steps and you’re sure to impress employers and land an interview.

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Maddie Lloyd was a writer for the Zippia Advice blog focused on researching tips for interview, resume, and cover letter preparation. She's currently a graduate student at North Carolina State University's department of English concentrating in Film and Media Studies.

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How to Start a Cover Letter: 30 Creative Opening Sentences Recruiters Will LOVE

Wondering how to start a cover letter? Traditional cover letter wisdom might tell you to begin with something like, “Dear Hiring Manager, I am writing to apply for the marketing manager position with the Thomas Company.” But we say: A cookie cutter cover letter intro feels as outdated as a Hotmail address.

A cover letter is your chance to introduce yourself to a hiring manager—who you are, what you have to offer, and why you want the job—but you have an extremely limited amount of space to do it. If you really want to get noticed, you’ve got to start right off the bat with something that grabs your reader’s attention.

What do we mean? Well, we won’t just tell you, we’ll show you. Keep reading to find tips on how to start a cover letter, along with 30 creative cover letter opening lines and sentence examples.

Still looking for that perfect next role? One of these open jobs on The Muse just might be the one »

5 tips on how to start off a cover letter

Here are a few pointers to guide you as you use our example cover letter openings—we’re getting there, we promise!—to craft your own:

1. Avoid boring or overused openers

Recruiters have read cover letters that start with lines like “I’m excited to apply for the front-end engineering position,” or “Your job posting on The Muse prompted me to…” so often they could wallpaper their homes with them. While those are OK and still acceptable, you'll have a better shot at impressing potential employers with a less cliché opening line.

2. Be lively and personable

People like reading interesting, engaging stuff—the kind that paints a picture, tells a story, and maybe even makes them smile. People like it when you’re human, genuine, and memorable. So figure out something about yourself and your background that relates to the company or position you're interested in, and use that to build a connection.

3. Show what you bring the company

You’ll get more into the details after your opening paragraph, of course. But your cover letter opener should still tell the reader, “This person can do something for us,” rather than, “This job would really help them.”

4. Stick to the point

Your opener, while creative, should still be relevant to the job. Don’t begin by highlighting an unrelated accomplishment or recounting an anecdote that never connects back to why you’re applying for the job. Part of writing an effective cover letter is curating key information that relates to that specific job opportunity and shows the reader that you're a good fit for the role.

5. Don't start with “To Whom It May Concern”

Find an alternative to “ To Whom It May Concern .” Seriously, banish those five words from your cover letter vocabulary forever. Nowadays, this phrase is seen as outdated, overused, and even rude—especially when better options exist.

30 cover letter opening sentence examples

We’ve come up with 30 creative cover letter opening sentence examples and separated them by the method they use to grab the reader’s attention. We don’t recommend copying and pasting because, well, your cover letter should be unique to your stories, background, and interests.

But you can most definitely use these examples to get inspired for your next application. (If you’re looking to see what an entire cover letter might look like, check out our article on the best cover letter examples for every type of job seeker .)

Start with passion

Employers want to hire people who care about what they’re doing. If you start your cover letter off talking about your passions and how they relate to the job, you’re telling the reader that you’ll be an engaged and motivated employee who’s likely to stick around. Plus, it’s a good way to tell the company a bit about who you are as a person right off the bat. Just be honest and realistic.

If truly loving data is wrong, I don’t want to be right. It seems like the rest of the folks at [Analytics Company] feel the same way—and that’s just one of the reasons why I think I’d be the perfect next hire for your sales team.

I’ve been giving my friends and family free style advice since I was 10, and recently decided it’s time I get paid for it. That’s why I couldn’t believe it when I found an open personal stylist position at [Company].

After about three years of trying out different roles at early-stage startups around San Francisco, watching more “ find your passion “ keynotes than I’d like to admit, and assuring my parents that, yes, I actually do have a real job, I’m starting to come to terms with the fact that I’m happiest when I’m doing two things: writing great content and getting it out into the world.

The other day, I took a career assessment , which told me I should be a maritime merchant. I’m not quite sure what that is, but it did get me thinking: A role that combines my skills in business development with my lifelong passion for the ocean would be my absolute dream. Which is how I found this role at Royal Caribbean.

As a kid, I once gave up a day of a family vacation to transport an injured lizard I found by our hotel two hours each way to the nearest animal hospital (and talked my dad into driving me pre-GPS!). When I was a bit older, I found out I could care for animals every day for a living, and I’ve been working toward that goal ever since.

I am constantly checking my LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram feeds—and not because of FOMO. Because I’m someone who wholeheartedly believes in the power of sharing ideas in online communal spaces, and I’m positive that I can help spark meaningful conversations as your next social media assistant.

When I was growing up, I wanted to be one of those people who pretend to be statues on the street. Thankfully, my career goals have become a little more aspirational over the years, but I still love to draw a crowd and entertain the masses—passions that make me the perfect community manager.

Start with admiration

Companies often want to hire people who already know, love, eat, and sleep their brand. What better to kick off your cover letter than a little flattery? Of course, remember when you’re telling a company why you love it to be specific and genuine. Because while everyone likes a compliment, no one likes obvious self-serving B.S.

I pretty much spent my childhood in the cheap seats at Cubs games, snacking on popcorn and cheering on the team with my grandfather. It’s that memory that’s shaped my career—from helping to establish the sports marketing major at my university to leading a college baseball team to an undefeated season as assistant coach—and what led me to apply for this position at the Chicago Cubs.

It was Rudy, my Golden Retriever, who first inspired me to apply to your operations assistant opening—not only have we used your app to find other dogs to play with in our neighborhood, he’s really excited about the prospect of coming to work with me every day. As I learned more about how [Company] is using modern tech to help pets thrive in cities, I couldn’t help but get excited to be part of it, too.

Example 10:

When I was seven, I wanted to be the GEICO gecko when I grew up. I eventually realized that wasn’t an option, but you can imagine my excitement when I came across your events manager position, which would have me working side by side with my favorite company mascot.

Example 11:

When I attended SXSW for the first time last month, I didn’t want to leave. So I decided I shouldn’t—and immediately went to check out job openings at the company.

Example 12:

If I could make the NYC apartment rental process better for just one person, I would feel like the horrors of my recent search would all be worth it. So a customer service role at [Apartment Search Company], where I could do it every day? I can’t think of anything more fulfilling.

Example 13:

[Vacation Rental Company] is synonymous with luxury and escape, known for spaces that inspire. I’ve felt this firsthand every time I’ve stayed at one of your properties—whether I was throwing a bachelorette party or working from home in a new locale—and I would love the chance to contribute to this reputation as your destination manager.

Example 14:

I was an hour out from hosting my first big dinner party when I realized I had forgotten to pick up the white wine. In a panic, I started Googling delivery services, and that’s when I first stumbled across [Delivery Service Company]. I’ve been hooked ever since, so I couldn’t help but get excited by the idea of bringing this amazingness to nervous hosts like me as your next social media and community manager.

Example 15:

Though I’m happily employed as a marketing manager, seeing the job description for your company’s PR director position stopped me in my tracks. I’ve been wearing your glasses for many years, and have always been impressed by the way the company treats its customers, employees, and the community at large.

Example 16:

A group of us IT folks were sitting around talking about our favorite Pacific Northwest companies this morning (coincidentally, over coffee). As you might figure, Starbucks was among the first names that came up. What makes you such a standout among Seattle-based corporations? Here’s the list we compiled:

Start with accomplishments

For any given job, you’re going to be competing with a lot of other job seekers—presumably, a lot of other similarly qualified people. A great way to stand out in your cover letter is to highlight something about yourself—a character trait, an accomplishment, a really impressive skill—that’ll quickly show how you stand out.

Example 17:

My last boss once told me that my phone manner could probably defuse an international hostage situation. I’ve always had a knack for communicating with people—the easygoing and the difficult alike—and I’d love to bring that skill to your open office manager position.

Example 18:

Among my colleagues, I’m known as the one who can pick up the pieces, no matter what amount of you-know-what hits the fan. Which is why I think there’s no one better to fill this customer service leader position.

Example 19:

Last December, I ousted our company’s top salesperson from his spot—and he hasn’t seen it since. Which means, I’m ready for my next big challenge, and the sales manager role at your company is exactly what I’m looking for.

Example 20:

After spending three years managing the internal communications for a 2,000-person company, I could plan a quarterly town hall or draft an interoffice memo in my sleep. What do I want to do next? Put that experience to work as a consultant for executives looking to level up their communications strategy.

Example 21:

While you won’t find the title “community manager” listed on my resume, I’ve actually been bringing people together online and off for three years while running my own blog and series of meetups.

Example 22:

If you’re looking for someone who can follow orders and doesn’t like to rock the boat, I’m probably not the right candidate. But if you need someone who can dig into data, see what’s working (and what’s not), and challenge the status quo, let’s talk.

Example 23:

I recently relocated my family to Texas. As we neared our new home, I noticed with intrigue the many wind turbines dotting the landscape. Suddenly, it hit me: “This is the career for me.” After unloading the moving van, I promptly researched companies in this sector that may benefit most from a skilled field engineer with expert electromechanical skills. And I discovered that [Company] is where I want to be.

Example 24:

You might be wondering what a 15-year veteran of the accounting world is doing applying to an operations role at a food startup. While I agree the shift is a little strange, I know you’re looking for someone who’s equal parts foodie and financial expert, and I think that means I’m your person.

Example 25:

Over the last 10 years, I’ve built my career on one simple principle: Work smarter. I’m the person who looks for inefficient procedures, finds ways to streamline them, and consistently strives to boost the productivity of everyone around me. It’s what’s earned me three promotions in the supply chain department at my current company, and it’s what I know I can do as the new operations analyst for [Company].

Start with humor and creativity

OK, before you read any of these, we have to stamp them with a big, blaring disclaimer: Do your homework before trying anything like this—learn everything you can about the company and the hiring manager to gauge whether or not they’d appreciate some comedic relief or a bit of snark. If it seems like they would, it’s a great way to make them smile (then call you). If they don’t? Try a different approach.

Example 26:

Have you ever had your mom call five times a day asking for a status update on how your job search is going, and then sound incredulous that you haven’t made more progress since the last phone call? That’s my life right now. But I’m hoping that soon my life will revolve around being your full-time social media manager. The good news is, I bring more to the table than just an overbearing mom. Let me tell you more.

Example 27:

Thank you so much for offering me the marketing manager position at [Company]! I wholeheartedly accept. OK, I know we’re not quite there yet. But if we were, here are just a few ideas for what I would do once in the role.

Example 28:

I considered submitting my latest credit card statement as proof of just how much I love online shopping, but I thought a safer approach might be writing this cover letter and describing all the reasons I’m the one who can take [E-Commerce Company]’s business to the next level.

Example 29:

I never thought that accidentally dropping my iPhone out of a second story window would change my life (it’s a funny story—ask me about it). But thanks to my misfortune, I discovered [Phone Repair Company]—and found my dream job as an expansion associate.

Example 30:

If we were playing “Two Truths and a Lie,” I’d say: I’ve exceeded my sales quotas by at least 20% every quarter this year, I once won an international pie-eating contest, and I have an amazing job at [Company]. The last, of course, is the lie. For now.

Frequently asked questions

How do you start off a cover letter.

When unsure how to open a cover letter, a good rule of thumb is to steer clear of clichés or overused opening lines. Instead, start by highlighting a passion or accomplishment relevant to the company or role you're applying for. You could also mention something about the company that caught your attention. Get creative, but keep it professional and make sure your narrative makes sense in that context.

How to start a cover letter greeting?

Try to find the hiring manager's name on LinkedIn or the company's website and address them directly, like “Dear Jane Doe”. If you can't find their name, “Dear Hiring Manager” is a good alternative. Avoid using “To Whom It May Concern” as it sounds outdated and impersonal.

How do I introduce myself in a cover letter?

Introducing yourself in a cover letter is straightforward: just share a bit about yourself. For example, “I'm a copywriter with seven years of experience in online content writing. At least officially. Since my first year of college I've been working on personal projects and keeping a track record of my accomplishments throughout the years.” No need to repeat your name since it's already in your contact information at the beginning of the letter.

How to start a cover letter without a name?

If you don't know the name of the person receiving your cover letter, start with “Dear Hiring Manager” or similar. Other possibilities include: “Dear Hiring Team”, “To the Hiring Team”, “To the Hiring Team”, “Dear Recruiter/Recruiting Team”, or “Dear Hiring Committee” if your industry evaluates cover letters and applications through a board.

Jenny Foss , Erica Breuer , Regina Borsellino , Amanda Cardoso also contributed writing, reporting, and/or advice to this article.

How to Write a Stand-Out Cover Letter

Contrary to popular belief, your cover letter is just as important as your resume (and yes, hiring managers do actually read them). But is your current cover letter following the best practices? Read on to learn how to write a cover letter that will make a lasting impression.

What exactly is a cover letter?

Definitions abound, but here's our take: A concise single-page letter that introduces you, illuminates your pertinent experiences and skills, clearly manifests your interest in a specific job, and offers you the chance to extend gratitude to your potential interviewer. It accompanies your resume when applying for a job, adding a personal touch.

In essence, it showcases respect for the company and position, showcases your unique tone, and may even unveil a personal narrative.

Do I really need one?

The answer resides in the gray area, but if uncertain, veer toward yes. Typically, white-collar roles (think office environments) often demand a cover letter, while blue-collar positions (think manufacturing facilities) may not.

However, the core takeaway is this: Even when an employer doesn't explicitly request a cover letter, it's still advisable to draft and send one. Why? Because while a resume delineates your chronological journey and technical expertise, a cover letter delves deeper into your personality, enthusiasm for the opportunity, and intangible skills like communication, ambition, and leadership. It's a testament to how earnestly you regard the job prospect, something discernible to perceptive hiring managers.

Is my cover letter too long?

Human attention spans, shorter than even that of a goldfish, often lead us to flit between tasks and screens. In a world where time is a precious commodity, especially for hiring managers, the art of crafting a well-composed, easily digestible letter is crucial. Everything you need to convey should fit within one page. (Refer to our sample cover letter at the conclusion of this piece.)

Should I include personal information?

When it comes to injecting your personal sentiments, be candid. Embrace transparency in expressing your excitement for the role. If a story or a particular reason underscores your enthusiasm for the job, share it! Strive for naturalness without descending into unprofessionalism. This genuineness resonates well with hiring managers, who are not only assessing your suitability for the position but also your compatibility with the company's culture.

Is it ok to brag?

Confident boasting is the name of the game, staying clear of arrogance. Don't simply state, "I'm Adam" or "I'm Jessica." Delve deeper. Share an aspect of your work journey that's distinctive and aligns with the role. Is there a relevant project you've successfully undertaken? Expressing passion for the industry or the company's mission is also a great avenue to explore. If executed well, this self-assured showcase could linger in the hiring manager's memory and prompt thoughts like, "Nicole could be a remarkable fit."

Do I need to thank the hiring manager?

Absolutely! Including a line of gratitude is always a good move. You might want to begin and conclude your letter with a "Thank you for your time" or "I appreciate this opportunity." Placing it at the outset is particularly beneficial in case the hiring manager's attention spans aren't conducive to reading the entire letter. Yes, it's a reality, but don't take offense – attribute it to the attention span quirk we highlighted. The essential aspect is to genuinely convey your appreciation. While you may have expressed thanks via email or plan to do so during an interview, incorporating it into your cover letter won't hurt.

OK, my cover letter is ready to go.

Hold on! Prior to finalizing your cover letter (or resume), it's wise to enlist a trusted friend or colleague for proofreading. Task them with identifying any spelling or grammar errors. Once that's squared away, it's time to start exploring job opportunities.

Already have your cover letter perfected? Take a look at our current job opportunities   and see if any align with your aspirations.

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Cover Letter Tips: How to Stand Out

Learn how to craft a cover letter that highlights your expertise while aligning with a company’s needs.

When you apply for a job, your application will often go through two stages before a recruiter invites you to interview. The first is the applicant tracking system (ATS) , which scans your resume for specific keywords to identify whether your experience matches the job requirements.

If the ATS determines that you are a match, a human recruiter will likely look at your application materials next. This is the point where including a cover letter—even if it doesn't seem necessary —may help you secure more interviews.

In a ResumeGo experiment, applications with a job-specific cover letter led to an interview offer 16.4 percent of the time, while applications with no cover letter led to an interview offer only 10.7 percent of the time [ 1 ]. That means to get one interview, you’d have to apply for about six jobs with a tailored cover letter, or about nine jobs without a cover letter.

In this article, we'll go over the sections you should include in a cover letter and additional tips to write a compelling one.

Cover letter basics

As you prepare to write your cover letter, here are a few basic tips to get started:

Header: Your cover letter is a formal document, so use a formal header. To streamline your application documents, you can use the same header that tops your resume , including your name, email address, phone number, city and state, and the URL for your online portfolio or LinkedIn profile, if you have one.

Format: Use standard margins for your cover letter—usually one inch on each side—and keep your font size around 11 or 12. Use a common font, like Arial or Times New Roman, to make your letter easier to read.

Length: Your cover letter should be about a half page to one page long , or about 250 to 400 words. The majority of recruiters and hiring managers will only spend one minute or less reading your cover letter [ 1 ]. Help them focus on the details you want to highlight by writing concisely and precisely.

Part 1: Introduction

The first part of your cover letter is your introduction, where you can share a bit about who you are and why you’re reaching out. Similar to a resume objective , you’ll get to define yourself as you’d like a recruiter or hiring manager to see you in this section.

Address the hiring manager.

Open your letter with a personal greeting directed toward the hiring manager. Most job listings won’t include the hiring manager’s name, but there are methods to find the right recipient for your cover letter , using resources such as LinkedIn or the company website.

Addressing the hiring manager by name adds a sense of intention behind your application and shows that you want to start a dialogue with a specific person. Some examples of personal greetings include “Dear” or “Hello,” followed by their name.

Introduce yourself and share your why .

You can show a bit more personality in your cover letter than you’re able to in your resume. In fact, your cover letter should be a different document than your resume —a place where you expand on what you've accomplished.

Introduce yourself in a way that feels true to the type of employee you are and want to be. Write with a voice that feels natural to your communication style and a tone that matches the one you might use when writing work emails or giving a presentation. The introduction is also a prime space to explain why you're interested in this job at this company.

Part 2: Relevant experience

In the next paragraph (or two), go into more detail about your past work experiences and the impact you've had. Generally, hiring managers don't want to know what you did so much as what you were able to achieve.

It’s also worth tailoring this section to the specific role you’re applying for and highlighting how your experience connects to the company’s needs based on the job description. The majority of recruiters and hiring managers surveyed—77 percent—said that it is either “very important” or “absolutely imperative” that applicants tailor their cover letters to the job descriptions [ 1 ].

Demonstrate fit.

As you read the job description, you likely identified several technical , workplace , and transferable skills you can bring to this role. It is not necessary to list all of those skills in your cover letter. (You should, however, list all of those skills on your resume .)

To keep your cover letter concise, use the job description to identify the skills most necessary for success in this role and show how you’ve used those skills in the past to address similar needs.

Share your accomplishments.

Once you’ve connected your skills to their needs, take it one step further by sharing the results you’ve seen when you’ve employed those skills in the past. Results can be either quantitative or qualitative:

Qualifying your experience: This typically pertains to explanations you offer about what you did. For example, "I spent months building a new data set to help us analyze our performance and improve our KPIs based on those findings."

Quantifying your experience: This typically pertains to explanations that draw on numbers to show the impact of what you did. For example, "I built a new data set that provided valuable insights, and in turn helped us lower our bounce rate by 23 percent."

Part 3: Closing

The final part of your letter is your conclusion, where you leave the hiring manager with one last impression of who you are, what you want to achieve, and how that’s relevant to their company.

Ask for what you want.

As you end your letter, reiterate your desire to use your qualifications to meet the company’s needs, and explicitly ask for the next step you’re hoping to take with this hiring manager, typically a meeting or phone call. Invite the conversation to continue by letting them know that there’s more you want to share and more you want to learn from them.

Formally sign off.

Maintain the honest tone you set in the introduction all the way through your signature. Include a line expressing gratitude for their time and use a simple sign-off, such as “Thank you,” “Sincerely,” or “Best.”

Following up on an application

After you apply for a job, you can follow up on your application by directly reaching out to a recruiter. This may help you stand out among the pool of applicants and can help you form a direct relationship with the recruiter. Learn more about reaching out to a recruiter .

Create your cover letter template

Recruiters and hiring managers notice when applicants submit a generic cover letter—78 percent of those surveyed said it’s “easy” to distinguish between generic and tailored cover letters. At the same time, 81 percent of the same group said they value tailored cover letters “significantly more” than generic ones, indicating that submitting a tailored cover letter with your resume could distinguish you from other equally qualified candidates [ 1 ].

However, writing a tailored cover letter for each application can quickly become a laborious task for a job seeker. According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), most job seekers apply for 21 to 80 roles before receiving a job offer [ 2 ].

One way to reconcile these at-odds statistics is to create a personalized cover letter template that enables you to easily tailor your cover letter for each application.

You’ll likely be applying for similar roles at different companies and presenting yourself similarly at each, so your introduction and conclusion probably won’t change too much from one application to the next. Once you write your introduction and conclusion, you can templatize the body of your cover letter. Here’s how:

1. List common responsibilities, skills, and needs. As you read through job descriptions that pique your interest, you’ll likely notice common responsibilities and skills associated with the roles. You also may recognize similar company needs or problems you’re excited to help solve. Compile all of these in a list.

2. Write bullets reflecting your experience with each list point. Connect your experience to each of those common responsibilities, skills, and needs with one sentence for each.

3. Where relevant, add proof. Offer specific evidence of your success with your quantitative and qualitative accomplishments.

4. Insert points into your tailored cover letters. Mix and match your pre-written points as they apply for various positions. Remember to edit the points as needed to better align with specific roles.

Cover letter examples

To help you get started, here are two examples of cover letters, one for a data analyst position and another for a project manager position .

Cover letter example 1: Data analyst

Dear Mr. Harland Sanders,

My name is Cindy Liu, and I’m a tech-savvy manager looking to flex my talents to identify new growth strategies for Corelight as a Junior Data Analyst. I’ve always been fascinated by numbers, and working in data analytics has been a long-term goal of mine. My career in the restaurant business has taught me to think strategically about problems and identify solutions. I believe this experience has prepared me for Corelight’s Junior Data Analyst role.  

Your job posting mentioned that you’re looking for an analyst with experience in SQL, proficiency in a statistical programming language, and strong time management skills. During my previous role as a restaurant manager, I had to multitask to balance the needs of the company (revenue) and the customer (service and quality standard). I’ve also been pursuing my passion for data, both at work and in my spare time. Over the past year, I’ve been able to achieve the following:

Automated repetitive restaurant payroll and accounting tasks with Python, freeing up three hours per week

Completed a case study using point-of-sales data from the restaurant to optimize our menu and pricing, leading to a revenue increase of 10 percent

Completed the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate, which included extensive coursework in both SQL and R

I’m thrilled at the opportunity to use these experiences to fuel data-driven decisions at Corelight, and I’m keen to continue developing my skill set on the job. I am available for a Zoom call or in-person meeting to discuss how I can help Corelight with improving market product performance through data.

Thank you for your consideration,

Cindy Liu, Data Analyst

Cover letter example 2: Project manager

My name is George Lee, and I am excited to be applying to the Junior Project Manager position at Animax. I am currently a Project Coordinator at Square Paws, where I have supported several projects successfully to completion. I have long admired Animax’s work to improve animal adoption processes and would be delighted to contribute my skills to the team.

At Square Paws, I oversaw multiple aspects of running numerous projects. I worked closely with the project manager to develop project schedules, ensure team members had the resources they needed to complete their tasks, and coordinated communication with stakeholders on project updates. I am particularly proud of a project to roll out a feature on our app that users could use to book appointments with veterinarians. As a complex project that involved multiple stakeholders, it was important to be mindful of the details and listen continuously to feedback from users. My efforts to coordinate an early feedback system in a trial period led to the discovery of several bugs and pain points that we fixed for the launch. We were able to reduce customer concerns by 80% and ultimately completed the project under budget by $3,000.

I have long been familiar with animal adoption centers and believe wholeheartedly in Animax’s mission. I have volunteered consistently at animal shelters since high school and am familiar with their processes. In college, I took several courses that I believe can be useful to the project manager role, including zoology and business administration. Working as a project manager in this field will allow me to expand my knowledge of the industry, and assist in my ultimate goal to make the world a more livable place for shelter animals.

I believe that my past experience, skill set, and passions make me a strong candidate for Animax’s team. I hope to hear from you soon. Thank you for your time.

Get additional guidance as you prepare your resume and cover letter with the Guided Project Create a Resume and Cover Letter with Google Docs on Coursera. Further demonstrate your skills in various areas like data analysis, social media marketing, and UX design with a Professional Certificate from industry leaders like Google, Meta, and IBM. Sign up for Coursera today and begin a 7-day, full-access free trial to browse more personal development courses.

Article sources

ResumeGo. “ Cover Letters: Just How Important Are They? , https://www.resumego.net/research/cover-letters/.” Accessed January 19, 2023.

US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “ How do jobseekers search for jobs? New data on applications, interviews, and job offers , https://www.bls.gov/opub/btn/volume-9/how-do-jobseekers-search-for-jobs.htm.” Accessed January 19, 2023.

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