A cover letter is a one-page document that accompanies your resume and explains why you are applying for a specific position and what makes you the most suitable candidate. It should be 250-400 words, structured into roughly four paragraphs, and customized for each application.
12 steps across 2 sections
1. Steps Process
- Research the company and role — Understand the company's mission, recent news, and the specific requirements of the position before writing.
- Find the right contact — Address the letter to a specific person (hiring manager, department head) rather than using "To Whom It May Concern." Check LinkedIn or the company website.
- Write a compelling opening — State the role you are applying for and immediately convey why you are interested and what you bring. Grab their attention in the first sentence.
- Build the body paragraphs — Each paragraph should highlight one key skill or experience that relates to the job. Use specific examples and concrete results rather than general claims.
- Connect your experience to their needs — Use the language from the job description and show how your background directly addresses their requirements.
- Close with confidence — Restate your interest, summarize your fit, and include a call to action (e.g., "I welcome the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to your team").
- Format professionally — Use a standard font (Arial or Helvetica, 10-12pt), single spacing, one-inch margins, left-aligned.
2. Key Tips
- Never restate your resume in paragraph form — the cover letter should add new context and personality
- Start each body paragraph with a topic sentence that highlights a relevant skill
- Tell a brief story or give a specific example to demonstrate your capabilities
- Keep it to one page — hiring managers spend very little time on cover letters
- Match the tone to the company culture (formal for law firms, conversational for startups)
Common Mistakes
- Sending a generic, untailored cover letter
- Focusing on what you want from the job rather than what you offer the employer
- Being too long or too short (aim for 250-400 words)
- Repeating your resume bullet points verbatim
- Typos, wrong company name, or wrong hiring manager name
Pro Tips
- Mirror the company's language and values from their website and job posting
- Mention something specific about the company that shows genuine interest (a r...
- If you have a referral or connection at the company, mention it in the openin...
- Use the cover letter to address potential concerns (career gaps, career chang...
- Save as PDF with a clear filename like "FirstName_LastName_CoverLetter_Compan...