How to write a cover letter
I've been a hiring manager for 12 years and read over 15,000 cover letters. Most are terrible. Here's exactly what works, what doesn't, and how to write one that gets you interviews—not just polite rejections.
Don't have time to read this whole guide? I get it. Here's what actually works when you're in a rush:
Step-by-Step Cover Letter Writing Guide
I can tell within seconds if someone actually researched our company. The ones who did get interviews. The ones who didn't get deleted.
Key Tips:
- Find the hiring manager's name on LinkedIn (beats 'Dear Hiring Manager' every time)
- Read their last 3 blog posts or press releases—mention something specific
- Check their 'About Us' page for company values—weave one into your letter
- Look up recent company news or product launches to show you're paying attention
Forget what you learned in school. Here's the structure that actually gets read in 2024:
Key Tips:
- Hook them in the first sentence—no 'I am writing to apply...' nonsense
- One paragraph about why you want THIS job at THIS company
- One paragraph with your best achievement that matches their needs
- One sentence asking for an interview—that's it
- Keep it under 150 words total (yes, really)
Your opening line determines if I keep reading. Make it count.
Key Tips:
- Start with your biggest relevant win: 'I increased sales by 40% at my last company...'
- Reference something specific about them: 'Your recent expansion into AI aligns with my...'
- Skip the job title—I already know what you're applying for
- Never start with 'I am excited to apply...' (I've seen it 10,000 times)
Don't list your resume. Pick your best achievement and tell it like a story with numbers.
Key Tips:
- Use the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result
- Include specific metrics: '30% increase' not 'significant improvement'
- Focus on business impact, not just what you did
- Connect it directly to what they need: 'This experience with X would help you achieve Y'
Your closing should assume you're getting an interview, not beg for one.
Key Tips:
- Skip 'I would be honored...' or 'I hope you'll consider...'
- Try: 'I'd welcome the chance to discuss how my experience with X can help you achieve Y'
- Include your phone number again—make it easy for them to call
- Don't mention salary, benefits, or what you want from them
Write it today, send it tomorrow. Fresh eyes catch the mistakes that kill your chances.
Key Tips:
- Read it out loud—if it sounds weird, it reads weird
- Check the company name is spelled correctly (you'd be surprised)
- Make sure you're applying for the right job title
- Send it as a PDF, not a Word doc (formatting stays intact)
- Test your email address works—broken links = instant rejection
The 5-Minute Cover Letter Formula
1. Hook Them in 10 Words or Less
- Bad: "I am writing to express my interest in the Data Analyst position..."
- Good: "I reduced reporting time by 60% at my last company."
- Better: "Your recent AI initiative caught my attention—I just automated similar processes at TechCorp."
2. One Achievement That Matters
- Pick your best win that matches their job posting: "Built a dashboard that saved 20 hours/week of manual reporting"
- Include the business impact: "This freed up our team to focus on strategy, resulting in 3 new client wins"
- Connect it to their needs: "I noticed you're looking for someone to streamline operations—this is exactly what I do"
3. Prove You Did Your Homework
- Mention something recent: "I saw your Q3 earnings call mentioned expanding into mobile analytics..."
- Reference their values: "Your commitment to data-driven decision making aligns with my approach..."
- Show you understand their challenges: "I know scaling data infrastructure is tough—I've been there"
4. Skip the Fluff
- No "I am passionate about..." (everyone says this)
- No "I would be honored..." (sounds desperate)
- No "Please find my resume attached" (I can see it's attached)
- Keep it under 100 words total—seriously
5. End with Confidence
- Weak: "I hope you'll consider my application"
- Strong: "I'd welcome a 15-minute call to discuss how I can help streamline your reporting process"
- Include your phone number again—make it easy to reach you
Reality Check:
I delete 90% of cover letters after the first sentence. If you can't grab my attention immediately, you won't get it back. Make every word count.
Common Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid
Starting with 'I am writing to apply for...'
I've seen this opening 5,000+ times. Start with impact: 'I increased revenue by 30% at my last company and noticed you're hiring for...'
Writing a novel (2+ pages)
I spend 15 seconds on each cover letter. If you can't hook me in 100 words, you won't hook me in 500.
Saying 'I'm passionate about your mission'
Everyone says this. Instead: 'Your recent expansion into renewable energy aligns with my 3 years optimizing solar supply chains.'
Using hotmail or yahoo email addresses
It's 2024. Get a Gmail account with your actual name. firstname.lastname@gmail.com works every time.
Ending with 'I look forward to hearing from you'
Too passive. Try: 'I'd welcome a 15-minute call to discuss how my experience can help you achieve [specific goal].'
Applying to 'Dear Hiring Manager'
Spend 2 minutes on LinkedIn finding the actual hiring manager's name. It shows effort and gets noticed.
Industry-Specific Cover Letter Tips
- Skip the buzzwords. Instead of 'proficient in Python,' say 'built a Python script that automated 40 hours of weekly data processing'
- Link to your GitHub, but only if your code is clean. Messy repos hurt more than they help
- Mention the business impact: 'My API optimization reduced server costs by $2K/month'
- Reference their tech stack: 'I noticed you use React—I just migrated our entire frontend from Angular to React 18'
- Lead with ROI: 'My last campaign generated $180K revenue with a $15K budget'—that's what we care about
- Skip vanity metrics. I don't care about impressions; show me conversions and revenue
- Mention specific tools: 'Used HubSpot to build nurture sequences with 34% open rates'
- Reference their recent campaigns: 'Your Super Bowl ad strategy reminded me of a similar campaign I ran that increased brand awareness by 45%'
- Numbers are your language: 'Identified $2.3M in cost savings through process optimization'
- Mention your certifications upfront: 'As a CFA charterholder, I analyzed portfolio risk that...'
- Show regulatory knowledge: 'Ensured SOX compliance during our audit, with zero findings'
- Reference market conditions: 'In this volatile market, my experience managing downside risk would be valuable'
- Patient outcomes first: 'Implemented a protocol that reduced readmission rates by 23%'
- Mention your licenses clearly: 'Licensed RN with 5 years ICU experience...'
- Show continuous learning: 'Just completed my certification in telehealth—perfect timing for your remote patient monitoring initiative'
- Reference their mission: 'Your focus on underserved communities aligns with my volunteer work at free clinics'
Stop Writing Cover Letters That Get Ignored
You now know the secrets that 90% of job seekers don't. Use our tools to put this knowledge into action and start getting interviews instead of rejections.