How to write a cover letter
To write a cover letter, pick the three things the job ad asks for most, prove each one with a short example from your experience, and say why you want to work for that employer, all on one page. Here is how to do it in eight steps, with before-and-after examples.
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1.Read the job ad and pick three requirements
Before you write a word, print or copy the job ad and mark the requirements that appear first or more than once. Those are what the hiring manager cares about most. Pick the three you can best prove.
Write each one down with a real example from your work, studies or life next to it. These three pairs become the middle of your letter.
2.Find one specific thing about the employer
Spend ten minutes on their website, news page or social media. Look for a recent project, a product you use, the people they serve or a value they actually act on. You need one real detail, not a paragraph of praise.
If you cannot find anything, think about why you chose to apply. "Your shop is the only one in town that repairs bikes on the same day" is specific, and true.
3.Set up the header and greeting
Put your name and contact details at the top, in the same style as your CV. Add the date and the employer’s details below.
Find the hiring manager’s name if you can: it is often in the ad, on LinkedIn, or one phone call away. "Dear Ms Adeyemi" is better than "Dear Hiring Manager", and both are better than "To whom it may concern".
4.Write an opening that gives a reason to read on
In two or three sentences: name the job, say where you saw it, and give your strongest reason to keep reading.
Weak
I am writing to apply for the position advertised on your website. I believe I would be a great fit for this role.
Stronger
I am applying for the Weekend Supervisor role advertised on Indeed. I have run Saturday shifts at a busy garden centre for two years, and I would like to bring that experience to your new Riverside branch.
5.Prove you can do the job
This is the longest paragraph. Take the three requirements from step one and give evidence for each: what you did, and what changed because of it. Use numbers where you can.
Weak
I am a highly organised and motivated team player with excellent communication skills.
Stronger
I plan rotas for a team of nine and have not had an uncovered shift in eighteen months. When our till system changed, I wrote a one-page guide that the area manager later shared with four other stores.
6.Say why you want this job, here
Use the detail from step two. Connect it to what you want from your next job, so it reads as a genuine reason rather than flattery.
Weak
Your company is a leader in the industry and I have always wanted to work for you.
Stronger
I like that your stores run free repair workshops on Sunday mornings. I would enjoy helping to run them, because explaining things to customers is my favourite part of the job.
7.Close politely and practically
Thank them, say you would welcome an interview, and add anything practical they need to know: your notice period, the days you can work, or when you can start. Sign off with "Yours sincerely" (UK, named) or "Sincerely" (US).
8.Check it, then send it as a PDF
Read it aloud. Cut any sentence that would be true of every applicant. Check the company name and the job title twice: sending a letter with another employer’s name in it is the fastest way to be rejected.
Keep it to one page, save it as a PDF with a clear file name, and send it with a CV in a matching style.
Put it together
The free cover letter builder follows these steps: a prompt and example text for each paragraph, a live preview, and styles that match your CV. Download the PDF free, with no watermark, and you just need a free account to download.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a cover letter be?
One page: around 250 to 400 words in three to five short paragraphs. Hiring managers often skim, so every sentence needs to earn its place.
Do employers still read cover letters?
Many do, especially for smaller employers, career changers and roles with lots of similar applicants. When an ad asks for one, always send it. When it is optional, a short, specific letter can still set you apart.
Should I repeat my CV in my cover letter?
No. Pick two or three highlights and explain them in more depth, or give context the CV cannot, such as why you are changing career or moving to a new city.
Is it OK to use a template?
A template for the layout is fine and saves time. The content should be written for each job. Our free cover letter builder gives you the structure and prompts, and you write the words.
Should I mention salary?
Only if the job ad asks you to. If it does, give a range based on research and say you are open to discussing it.
Related
- Free cover letter builder Follow these steps with a live preview.
- Cover letter examples Ten full letters for different situations.
- Cover letter format Layout, spacing and length, with a diagram.
- Cover letter hub All our cover letter guides and tools.
- Free CV builder Make the CV that goes with your letter.