Cover Letter Guide: Write One That Gets You Interviews
ShouldITakeThis Team · 4 min read
Most cover letters are ignored. Not because cover letters do not matter, but because most of them say the same things in the same order: "I am excited about this opportunity," "my skills align well with the role," "I would love to discuss further." Recruiters have read those sentences thousands of times. A cover letter that actually gets read does something different.
Do recruiters actually read cover letters?
Some do, particularly at smaller companies and for roles where communication skills matter. For high-volume hiring at large corporations, many go straight to the résumé. The safest assumption: write one that would work if read, but keep it short enough that it does not hurt you if skimmed.
Structure
Opening sentence
Say something specific. Not "I am writing to apply for" — that is obvious. Lead with a concrete observation, a shared connection, or a direct statement of fit: "I have spent four years building data pipelines at scale, and your infrastructure challenges are exactly the kind of problem I want to work on."
Middle paragraph (the value paragraph)
Name one or two specific things you have done that are relevant to what they need. Numbers work: "reduced support ticket volume by 35%", "managed $2M in ad spend", "led a team that shipped three product features in six weeks." Specifics signal credibility.
Second middle paragraph (optional)
If the role has a specific challenge — a pivot, a build-out, a market expansion — address it directly. Show you read the job description and thought about it. Most applicants do not bother.
Closing
Short and direct: express genuine interest, say you would welcome a conversation, and stop. No "I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience" — it adds no information.
Template — general application
"Hi [Name],
I have been following [Company]'s work on [specific product, initiative, or market] for a while, and the [Role] opening is the kind of work I do well.
In my current role at [Company], I [specific achievement with numbers]. Before that, I [brief relevant experience]. The [key skill or challenge in the JD] is where I spend most of my time and where I can add immediate value.
I would welcome the chance to talk through how my background fits what you are building. Happy to connect at your convenience.
[Your name]"
Template — referral or connection
"Hi [Name],
[Mutual contact] suggested I reach out — I'm applying for the [Role] and she thought there was a strong fit.
[One paragraph on specific relevant experience and achievement].
I've attached my résumé and would welcome a conversation. Happy to work around your schedule.
[Your name]"
Common mistakes
- Starting with "I". It draws focus to you instead of them. Lead with something about the company or the role.
- Restating your résumé. A cover letter should complement the résumé, not repeat it. Add context, not content.
- Exceeding one page. Four paragraphs is ideal. Six is the maximum. Anything longer signals poor editing.
- Generic language. If the letter could apply to any company for any role, it will be treated like it was written for no company in particular.
- Focusing on what you want. Hiring managers care about what you can do for them, not what the role will do for you.
Once you land the interview, preparation is what converts it. See our guide on job interview tips for what to do before, during, and after the conversation — including how to use the interview to evaluate whether the role is actually worth taking.
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