How to Write a Winning Cover Letter
Learn the structure, see real examples, and use our AI assistant to craft cover letters that get interviews.
Why Cover Letters Still Matter
In a world of online applications and ATS systems, cover letters remain one of the few opportunities to show your personality, explain career transitions, and demonstrate genuine interest in a specific role.
A well-crafted cover letter can be the difference between your resume being skimmed and being seriously considered.
The Perfect Structure
Every great cover letter follows this proven framework
Opening
Hook the reader with a compelling opening that shows enthusiasm and relevance.
- Mention the specific role and company
- Lead with your strongest qualification or achievement
- Avoid generic openings like "I am writing to apply..."
Example
“When I saw the Product Manager role at Acme Corp, I immediately thought of my experience scaling the checkout flow at TechStart, which increased conversion by 34%.”
Body
Connect your experience to the job requirements with specific examples.
- Address 2-3 key requirements from the job description
- Use specific achievements with numbers
- Show you understand the company's challenges
Example
“In my current role at TechStart, I led cross-functional teams of 8+ members to ship products used by 500K+ users. My experience with agile methodologies and data-driven decision making aligns directly with your need for someone to drive product strategy.”
Closing
End with a clear call to action and express genuine interest.
- Reiterate your interest in the specific role
- Include a clear call to action
- Thank them for their time
Example
“I would love the opportunity to discuss how my product leadership experience could benefit Acme Corp. I am available for an interview at your convenience and look forward to hearing from you.”
Cover Letter Do's and Don'ts
Do
- Customize for each application
- Address the hiring manager by name
- Keep it to one page (3-4 paragraphs)
- Match keywords from the job description
- Quantify your achievements
- Show enthusiasm for the specific company
- Proofread multiple times
Don't
- Use a generic template without customizing
- Repeat your resume word-for-word
- Write more than one page
- Use "To Whom It May Concern"
- Focus on what you want from the job
- Include salary expectations (unless asked)
- Forget to include your contact information
Write Cover Letters Faster with AI
Our AI cover letter tool analyzes the job description, matches it with your experience, and generates a personalized cover letter in seconds. Then customize it to make it your own.
Cover Letter FAQ
Common questions about cover letter writing
Yes, in most cases. Even when listed as "optional," submitting a well-written cover letter can set you apart from candidates who skip it. Studies show that 83% of hiring managers consider cover letters when making hiring decisions.
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