How to Write a Cover Letter That Actually Gets You Interviews

Many recruiters skim a cover letter in under a minute, and some skip it entirely. So why write one? Because when a hiring manager is choosing between two similar resumes, a sharp, specific cover letter is often what tips the decision. It is your chance to explain why you want this job and why you are a good fit in a way a list of bullet points cannot.

This guide shows you how to write a cover letter that is short, specific and persuasive, with a simple structure you can reuse for every application.

What a good cover letter does

A strong cover letter does three jobs:

• Connects your experience to the employer's needs. It highlights the two or three things from your background that matter most for this role.
• Shows genuine interest. It proves you know something about the company and are not sending the same letter everywhere.
• Explains what the resume cannot. A career change, a relocation, a gap, or why you are applying for a role that looks like a step sideways.

The ideal length

Aim for 250 to 400 words, or three to four short paragraphs. That is long enough to make your case and short enough to be read in full. If your letter runs onto a second page, cut it.

A simple four-part structure

1. The opening: say what you want and why you are a fit

Skip "I am writing to apply for…". The reader already knows that. Instead, open with the role and your strongest qualification in one or two sentences.

Weak: "I am writing to express my interest in the Marketing Coordinator position advertised on your website."

Stronger: "I'm applying for the Marketing Coordinator role because it combines the two things I've spent the last three years doing well: running email campaigns and turning customer data into content ideas."

2. The middle: prove it with one or two examples

Pick the requirements in the job ad that matter most and match each one with a short, concrete example. Numbers make examples believable.

Example: "At my current company I took over our monthly newsletter, cleaned the subscriber list and tested new subject lines. Within six months our open rate went from 18% to 27%."

One strong example is better than five vague claims such as "I am hardworking and a team player".

3. Why this company

Write two or three sentences that could only be about this employer. Mention a product you use, a recent project, the company's customers or its values, and connect it to your own goals. This is the part most applicants skip, which is why it stands out.

4. The close: confident and polite

End by restating your interest and inviting the next step. For example: "I'd welcome the chance to discuss how I could help your team grow its email programme. Thank you for your time and consideration."

Formatting tips

• Use the same font and header as your resume so your application looks consistent.
• Address a real person if you can find the hiring manager's name. If not, "Dear Hiring Manager" is fine.
• Keep paragraphs to three or four lines with space between them.
• Save and send as a PDF unless the employer asks for another format.
• Name the file clearly, for example FirstName-LastName-Cover-Letter.pdf.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Repeating your resume. Your letter should add context, not list every job again.
• Making it all about you. Focus on what you can do for the employer, not only what the job will do for your career.
• Generic praise. "Your company is a leader in its industry" says nothing. Be specific.
• Wrong company name. When you reuse a template, double-check every name and job title.
• Typos. Read the letter aloud before sending. Errors suggest carelessness.

A quick template you can adapt

Dear [Name],

I'm applying for the [Job Title] role at [Company] because [one-sentence reason linking your strongest skill to the role].

In my current role at [Employer], I [specific achievement with a number]. I also [second relevant achievement]. These experiences match your need for [requirement from the job ad].

I'm especially drawn to [Company] because [specific reason: product, project, mission, customers]. I'd love to bring my experience in [skill] to help your team [goal].

Thank you for considering my application. I'd welcome the chance to talk about how I can contribute.

Kind regards,
[Your Name]
[Phone] | [Email] | [LinkedIn URL]

Final checklist

• Under one page and roughly 250–400 words
• Opens with the role and your strongest qualification
• At least one specific, measurable example
• A paragraph that could only be about this company
• Correct names, no typos, saved as a PDF

Write one strong master letter, then spend ten minutes tailoring the opening, examples and "why this company" section for each job. That small effort is what separates letters that get read from letters that get skipped.