what not to do in a cover letter

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What Not to Include in a Cover Letter

The Purpose of a Cover Letter

• 15 Things You Shouldn't Include

What to Include in a Cover Letter

A cover letter is an important part of your job application. In some cases, employers require a cover letter to be submitted with your resume. In others, a cover letter is optional or not required.

A cover letter can boost your application for a job. It can also cost you an interview if it doesn't include the right information or if it's sloppy or badly written. A Career Builder survey reports that typos or grammatical errors are an instant deal breaker for 77% of hiring managers.  

It’s always a good idea to provide a cover letter if you have the option . Your cover letter can make the difference between getting selected for an interview—or not. It gives you a chance to sell your qualifications to the hiring manager, and shows them why you are a strong candidate for the job.

A well-written cover letter gives you the opportunity to frame your background so that employers draw the right conclusions about your qualifications as they review your resume.

In your cover letter, it’s important to convey how your character, interests, motivations, knowledge, skills, and experiences equip you to excel in the job. This is your opportunity to show the employer why you’re an excellent candidate for the position and should be considered.

Here are  tips for matching your qualifications to the job , so that you can make a match between your credentials and the employer's job requirements.

There is such a thing as too much information when it comes to cover letter writing. Your cover letter should be short, concise, and focused on what you can offer the employer.

You don’t need to share non-relevant information, personal information, or anything else that doesn’t connect you with the position for which you’re applying.

Your letter should avoid making the wrong impression about your candidacy. Furthermore, it shouldn’t provide useless information that makes it more difficult for the recruiter to focus on your most compelling qualifications.

15 Things You Shouldn't Include

1. any spelling or grammar errors.

Your cover letter is viewed as a sample of your ability as a writer and evidence of your attention to detail. Even a minor typo or error can knock you out of contention for the job. Review these proofreading tips to make sure your letters are perfect.

Even better, if you can get someone else to review it for you then do that too. It can be hard to catch our own mistakes.

2. The Wrong Company Name or the Wrong Name of the Contact Person

Double-check to be sure that you've addressed your cover letter to the correct person at the right organization. If you get it wrong, it is a tip-off that you are mass producing your documents and may lack attention to detail.

Nobody likes it when they are called by the wrong name, and that's especially true when you're reading letters from someone who wants you to hire them.

3. Anything That Isn't True

It shouldn't need to be said, but it's important to keep your cover letter as honest as your resume. A ResumeLab survey reports that 93% of respondents know someone who has lied on their resume.  

Facts can be checked, and lies are grounds for rescinding offers and dismissing employees. The ResumeLab survey notes that 65% of the people who were caught lying were either fired or not hired.  

I’ve heard from job seekers who were in a panic because they stretched the truth or outright  lied in their cover letter or resume  and didn’t know how to rectify it. You don’t want to be one of those people. Make sure your cover letter accurately reflects your qualifications for the job.

Don't embellish your work history or qualifications. Employers can and do check with references and previous employers.

4. Paragraphs That Are Too Long

Employers will skip over your cover letter and move right to your resume if it is too difficult to read.

• Each paragraph of your letter should include 5 - 6 lines of text with no more than three sentences in each. 
• Include plenty of white space at the top and bottom of your letter and in between paragraphs.

Here’s  how long a cover letter should be .

5. Your Salary Requirements or Expectations

Don't include salary requirements or expectations unless directed to do so by the employer. It’s important to demonstrate to the employer your interest in the job itself and not make it seem like money is your primary motivation.

It’s always wise to let the employer mention salary first, if possible. Here’s  when and how to mention salary  to a prospective employer.

6. Negative Comments About a Current or Past Employer

Avoid including any negative comments about your current or previous employer as part of why you are looking for work. Employers tend to view such comments as an indication of possible attitude or performance problems.

Keep your letter positive and focused on why you're the right person for the job.

7. Information Not Related to the Job

Don’t include any text that is not directly related to your assets for the position or why it appeals to you. Empty language can distract the employer from your core messages. It's better to write a short letter than one filled with irrelevant information.

Your letter should focus on why you're the best-qualified person for the job, and what you have to offer the employer.

8. Personal Information

The employer doesn't need to know you want this job because of personal reasons. Keep your focus on the professional reasons you'd love to be hired, and keep the personal ones to yourself.

Your goal is to sell yourself to the hiring manager as a quality candidate, not to get someone to consider you because you would really love the employee discount or the hours, for example.

9. Any Portrayal of the Position as a Stepping Stone

Most employers will be looking primarily for someone who is motivated to do the job that they are advertising for a reasonable length of time. Mentioning future advancement can lead them to believe you would not be satisfied doing that job for long.

The exception, of course, would be if the employer has referenced the issue or if the position is part of a training program.

10. What You Want

Your cover letter isn't about what you want; It's about what you have to offer. Don’t mention what you want to get out of the job or the company. The precious space in your cover letter should focus on what you have to offer the employer. Here’s what to include in the  body section of your cover letter .

11. What You Don't Want

Don't mention anything you don't like about the job, the schedule, the salary, or anything else. Save your thoughts for when you're offered a job and in a position to negotiate. There are many applicants for most jobs, and the ones who get the interviews will be the candidates who don't have a list of requirements.

12. Qualifications You Don’t Have

Addressing what might be missing in your candidacy with statements like "Despite my lack of sales experience... " is not a good idea. Don't draw attention to your limitations as a candidate. Keep the focus on your credentials and how they will enable you to get the job done.

13. Explanations for Leaving Past Jobs That Sound Like Excuses

Any excuses may needlessly direct attention to less-positive chapters in your work history. Pointing out that you were recruited for a better job is fine, but there's no need to mention that you were fired or had difficulties in previous positions. Keep your job application materials positive and focused on the future.

14. Excessive Modesty or Overly Flattering Language

You need to convey positives in your letter but do so in a matter-of-fact way. Speak about accomplishments and results, but avoid using adjectives to describe yourself that may suggest you are arrogant or conceited.

15. An Overwhelming Amount of Interest in the Job

Promote your credentials, but don't oversell yourself. Excessive interest can hint of desperation or undercut your leverage for salary negotiation. You’re pitching your candidacy, not begging for an interview. Showing desperation is a surefire way to turn off the hiring manager.

Keep in mind that your cover letter has one goal: to get you a job interview.

Take time to  match your qualifications carefully to the job requirements  and to  write a personalized cover letter  that shows the hiring manager, at a glance, why you're a terrific candidate.

Career Builder. "Employers Share Their Most Outrageous Resume Mistakes and Instant Deal Breakers ." Accessed Sept. 3, 2020.

ResumeLab. " Lying on a Resume (2020 Study) ." Accessed Sept. 3, 2020.

CVs & Résumés

• Aug 28, 2024
• 11 min read

20 Horrifying Cover Letter Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The hiring managers have spoken.

Chris Leitch

Editor-in-Chief & Résumé Expert

Reviewed by Electra Michaelidou

While cover letters have, to some extent, a bad rep and are viewed as unnecessary by many jobseekers and hiring managers alike, they can be a great way to introduce yourself to potential employers, market your unique selling points and demonstrate your written communication skills.

But there’s a right way and a wrong way to go about this document. And going the wrong way can only spell disaster for your job search efforts — and even your professional reputation.

We spoke to our recruiters and hiring decision-makers to share with you the 20 most common cover letter mistakes they hate seeing — so you know what to avoid to land your dream job.

1. Not writing one

The first of a very long list of cover letter mistakes, and perhaps the worst of all, is foregoing it entirely. Not including a cover letter in your job application only signals that you’re not genuinely interested in the job and, worse, you were too lazy to write one.

Even if the job description doesn’t specifically request a cover letter, it’s crucial that you send one, anyway. The only time you absolutely, categorically shouldn’t send a cover letter is when you’re asked not to. Which rarely ever happens.

2. Making it too long (or too short)

Hiring managers are busy creatures and don’t have the time (or the will) to read a novel in the form of a cover letter, which only suggests that you struggle to communicate concisely or prioritize the most relevant information.

Equally a turn-off is a cover letter of only a few lines, which tells hiring managers you have difficulty expressing your qualifications and enthusiasm effectively.

Aim for a total word count of between 250 and 400 words, and about 3–6 paragraphs. This translates to between three-quarters of a page to a maximum of one full page.

3. Discussing why you’re looking for a job

Overwhelming hiring managers with the reasons behind your job search can shift the attention away from the value you bring to the role — especially if those reasons have anything to do with financial need or dissatisfaction in your current job.

Focus on why you’re interested in the specific position and company that you’re applying to. Remember that the purpose of your cover letter is to demonstrate how and why you’re an asset.

4. Ignoring instructions

Employers will often include special instructions for applicants in job descriptions, such as answering a specific question in your cover letter or using a preferred file format.

Even accidentally missing these instructions could mean instant disqualification, as it demonstrates carelessness and disobedience — two things that employers are certainly not looking for.

Carefully read the job description (and then read it again ) to make sure you haven’t missed any instructions or specific requirements for your cover letter and overall job application.

5. Talking about salary expectations

When you include salary expectations in your cover letter, the only thing it tells employers is that you don’t really care about the job and that you’re only in it for the money. It can also be perceived as rude and unprofessional on your part.

Keep talk of salary to the job interview or when negotiating a job offer. Make sure you’re not the one to bring up the subject, though — leave it up to the hiring manager. Only ever discuss salary expectations in your cover letter if the job description requests this information.

6. Failing to end your letter with a compelling CTA

Not ending your cover letter with a call-to-action — or, worse, ending it with a generic or passive closing like “Thank you for your time and consideration” — is a wasted opportunity to reinforce your interest in the position and encourage the hiring manager or recruiter to reach out.

Always close your letter with a compelling CTA that will elicit a response. This should invite hiring managers to contact you, request an interview, or remind them why your accomplishments make you a great fit for the job — or a combination of these.

7. Addressing your letter to no one in particular

Starting your cover letter with “Dear Sir or Madam” or, worse, “To Whom it May Concern” is nothing short of impersonal. It also implies a lack of effort and interest in the job.

Worse, still, is foregoing the greeting entirely.

Address your letter (professionally!) to the person who will be reading it — you will often find their name listed in the job ad as a point of contact. If not, take the initiative to contact the company directly and ask them for a name. If all else fails, use “Dear Hiring Manager” — but only as a last resort.

8. Repeating your résumé

Simply using your cover letter to restate or recycle the same information from your résumé is a waste of space — and opportunity. Even if it’s worded slightly differently, hiring managers will lose interest, as it demonstrates a lack of creativity and originality.

Use your cover letter to complement — not regurgitate — your résumé by offering more context or sharing anecdotes that showcase your qualifications in action, and generally expanding on what you couldn’t in your résumé.

9. Not adding any value

A generic cover letter that reads like “Here’s my résumé — whatever” or a stock example of what hiring managers have already read won’t get you far. It shows a lack of interest and purpose.

Focus your letter on your achievements to provide proof of what you can do for the company you’re targeting. Make sure to quantify those achievements, too, with numbers, dollar amounts and percentages.

10. Using a different design from your résumé

One of the many things to avoid when putting your cover letter together is making it look completely different from your résumé. This is largely because it can give hiring managers the impression that the two documents aren’t connected — or, worse, that they belong to two different candidates.

Use the same fonts, colors and design elements across all your application documents (including your résumé, cover letter and list of references) to ensure a consistent personal brand. Consider investing in one of our résumé template packages if you’re not confident in your graphic design skills.

11. Ignoring employment gaps

While you typically won’t have the opportunity to address any employment gaps in your résumé , you will in your cover letter. If you waste this opportunity, it can raise red flags for hiring managers, who may assume the worst or become skeptical about your qualifications and commitment.

Make it a point to address employment gaps, but don’t dwell on them too much. Focus on how you stayed productive during those gaps (like freelancing, volunteering or upskilling), while emphasizing the skills and qualifications you gained.

12. Using a weak opening

“My name is John Smith and I’m applying for the X position at Company ABC.” That’s how most of the cover letters we’ve seen start off. And it’s bland and boring, and it loses the hiring manager’s interest from the get-go.

Feel free to be a little creative with your cover letter’s opening to really grab the reader’s attention. Take this opening paragraph for a proofreader cover letter for example: “Can you spot the the mistake? If so, kudos to you! But if not, it’s my job to catch those little typos so you don’t have to.”

13. Failing to research the company

When you don’t research the company that you’re applying to before you start writing your cover letter, you effectively miss the opportunity to learn about and really understand the company’s values, goals and culture. This amplifies the risk of writing a generic, impersonal letter.

Take the time to research the company , and use the information you gather to write your letter. This includes mentioning specific projects, news or challenges the organization is facing.

14. Making it all about you

“It’s my cover letter, so it should be about me.” While that is true to some extent, a cover letter that’s centered entirely on your own needs can seem self-serving, which isn’t the kind of quality that employers look for in employees.

Instead of mentioning what the job and company can do for you (for example: “to further develop my retail skills”), focus on what you bring to the role and how your skills and past experiences can help the company succeed.

15. Going off topic

One of the worst cover letter mistakes you can make is going off topic, as it shifts the focus away from what really matters: why you’re the right candidate for the job. This includes sharing uncomfortable life or professional experiences, the reason you quit your last job, or details about every job you ever had.

Keep your letter focused and aligned with the job you’re applying for, and only share the most relevant information that markets your top skills, achievements and qualifications.

16. Using the wrong tone

While the cover letter is a professional document, that doesn’t mean the tone should be overly formal. Indeed, it only makes your letter sound impersonal, cold and rather stiff. Likewise, an overly casual tone can come across as unprofessional.

Strike the right balance between professional, and friendly and conversational. You can achieve this by using clear, concise and easy-to-understand language, while avoiding jargon and complex sentence structures.

17. Sending the same letter for every application

Hiring managers can spot a one-size-fits-all cover letter from a mile away. And the worst thing about a generic, impersonal cover letter is that it tells employers you’re not exactly bothered whether you work for them or potentially their competitor. This calls your loyalty into question, if you were to land a job with them.

Tailor your cover letter to every company that you apply to. This can be achieved by mentioning company details and addressing job-specific details in your letter, as well as naturally incorporating important keywords from the job description.

18. Bringing attention to weaknesses

You might feel the urge to address, explain or even apologize for any weaknesses (for example, when you’re not familiar with a specific software), but doing so will only make hiring managers start to question your qualifications and candidacy as a whole.

Focus on showcasing your strengths and value. If you’re concerned about a weakness, subtly address it by demonstrating how you’re actively working on it, or frame it as an opportunity for growth without explicitly mentioning it.

19. Using flattery

While it’s okay to mention how you hold the company’s values, mission or culture in high regard, throwing in random compliments or going overboard with unnecessary flattery will make you sound insincere, insecure or desperate.

Feel free to mention specific aspects of the company that you admire, but frame them in the context of how you can contribute, and align your skills, experience and values to the employer’s needs.

20. Forgetting to proofread before submission

Many hiring managers will often review your application by first reading your cover letter. And if it’s riddled with grammar and spelling mistakes , they likely won’t even bother reading your résumé, as their initial impression of you is one of carelessness, poor communication skills and a lack of professionalism.

Always make the time to proofread your cover letter (and proofread it again!) before sending your application. It’s also a good idea to ask a trusted friend or relative to read over it, too, as they’ll be able to give you some constructive feedback.

Final thoughts

Because cover letters are so intimidating to write, it’s easy to mess them up. And when that happens, it can get in the way of securing the job you’re applying for, even if you’re the most qualified candidate.

But if you’re aware of the things to avoid when writing your cover letter, including the mistakes we covered in this article, you’ll know what to do instead — and get one step closer to your dream job .

Can you think of any other cover letter mistakes worth mentioning? Let us know in the comments section below.

This article is a complete update of an earlier version originally published on March 28, 2018.

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• Resume and Cover Letter
• 10 of the Worst Cover Letter...

10 of the Worst Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid

8 min read · Updated on March 10, 2022

Make sure your cover letter helps your candidacy by avoiding these all-too-common mistakes.

Once you've updated your professional resume , it's time to prepare your job applications for submission to hiring managers. This usually involves making some small tweaks to your resume and creating a cover letter to accompany your application.

But aren't cover letters a thing of the past?

Yes and no. While 74 percent of recruiters don't find the cover letter to be an important factor when evaluating candidates, the remaining percentage do. And since you have no way of knowing which type of recruiter will receive your application, it's best to cover your bases and include a cover letter with every job application. As an added bonus, a reported 53 percent of employers admit they prefer candidates to send a cover letter when applying for a job.

However, not just any cover letter will do. If you're going to take the time to craft this document, make sure it helps, not hurts, your candidacy, by following cover letter dos and don'ts. Below are 10 common and costly mistakes to avoid when writing your next cover letter .

Cover Letter Mistake #1: Lack of research

Thanks to the Internet, there's little excuse to not personalize your cover letters. Whenever possible, research the name of the hiring manager or recruiter (if it's not listed on the actual job post) and the company who's filling the position, and use this information to customize your opening document.  If you skip this step, you're sending the message to the reader that you don't really care enough about the position to do your homework. In a world where employers are inundated with applications, any excuse to eliminate candidates along the application process will do. Don't let this cover letter mistake give them a reason to cut you from the pile.

There are some exceptions to this rule. If you're responding to an anonymous job posting, you're not expected to include the name of the company or the hiring manager in the cover letter. When a company goes out of its way to keep its name and the names of its employees confidential, you can assume the hiring manager won't take off points if you use a generic opener.

Cover Letter Mistake #2: Overly formal or casual greetings

Whenever you're applying for a position or preparing for an interview, take the company's culture into account. You can get a better sense of the employer's brand by checking out its Careers section online, reading reviews on Glassdoor, searching for its profile on The Muse , following the social media accounts the company set up for recruitment purposes, and talking to your networking connections who've worked at the organization. This will help you decide if you're better off going with a “Hello Jeff” or a “Dear Mr. Berger” type of greeting.

If you're unable to address your cover letter to a specific person, steer clear of incredibly formal introductions, such as “To Whom It May Concern,” as they are not conversational and can be considered off-putting. The same goes for super casual openers like “Hi!” Even if you're dealing with a startup that prides themselves on being non-traditional, this cover letter greeting is a little too laid back for your first communication and may have the reader questioning your professionalism.

Play it safe and stick with a gender-neutral opener such as “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear Recruiter.”

Cover Letter Mistake #3: Talking all about me, me, me

Think of your cover letter as your sales pitch to the hiring manager. Instead of spending the entire time talking about yourself and your wants and needs, consider the needs of your prospective employer. Your potential boss is the one who will (hopefully) read your cover letter, after all.

Review the job description again and check out the latest news on the company. Ask yourself why the organization is hiring for this role. In other words, what pain point will this position solve? When you can relate to the hiring manager's concerns and position your skills as the solution to his or her needs, you have a better chance of avoiding cover letter mistakes and capturing the reader's attention.

Cover Letter Mistake #4: Repeating your entire resume

Remember, the recruiter already has your resume - there's no need to rehash your entire job history when writing your cover letter. In fact, I believe this is why so many employers disregard the cover letter; they've read so many bad cover letters that merely summarize their candidates' resumes, that they see no need to read them.

One cover letter tip is to surprise the hiring manager by using your opening to demonstrate your understanding of the company's position in the marketplace and its needs and then highlight your work experience and accomplishments that speak to these requirements.

Avoid these common cover letter mistakes.  Hire a TopResume writer today .

Cover Letter Mistake #5: Generic messaging

Even if you're applying to an anonymous job listing, a common cover letter mistake is using boilerplate text. While your introduction may not be as specific as it would be for a position where the employer is known, this doesn't give you license to use a generic template for the main sections of your cover letter.

Based upon the job description, make a list of the top 3-5 requirements for the role. This may have to do with your knowledge, skills, and experience of a certain topic or an industry, your experience performing a particular task, or your education and other credentials. Then, brainstorm how you possess each prerequisite, referencing a specific contribution, accomplishment, or experience from your work history that illustrates these qualifications. Summarize this information in a paragraph or a set of bullets. This is a great way to customize your cover letter and grab the reader's attention.

Cover Letter Mistake #6: Not following instructions

As I previously mentioned, some employers, especially those in the healthcare, education, and legal sector, still value a cover letter and will request one in their job description. Do yourself a favor and re-read the job description carefully to provide context to your cover letter dos and don'ts. Oftentimes the employer will request certain information to be included in the cover letter. The last thing you want to do is ignore this request, as the reader will assume you are not detail-oriented and unable to follow the simplest of instructions.

Cover Letter Mistake #7: Typos

When you're competing against a large pool of candidates for one role, the smallest cover letter mistakes could be used to eliminate you from the pile. These days, we've grown all too reliant on spell-check and autocorrect to edit our communication. It's easy to overlook the small mistakes, such as using “higher” when you really meant to say “hire.” Don't let these silly details derail your job application.

Follow this simple cover letter tip: Reread your cover letter. Then read it again. Then hand it over to a trusted friend. You know, the one that majored in English. If you're looking for some resources to improve your grammar and punctuation, check out Lynne Truss' book, “ Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation ,” and “ Woe is I: The Grammarphobe's Guide to Better English in Plain English ” by Patricia T. O'Conner. They're great reads!

Cover Letter Mistake #8: Writing a novel

If recruiters spend an average of six seconds scanning your resume before deciding if you're a fit, how long do you think they'll spend reading your cover letter? Here's another set of cover letter dos and don'ts: your cover letter shouldn't be any longer than is necessary to get your points across. And it definitely shouldn't exceed one page.

Also, keep its readability in mind. Similar to your resume, try to create white space in your cover letter by avoiding dense blocks of text.

Cover Letter Mistake #9: Going off brand

Whether you're searching for a new job or managing your career path, it's important to pay close attention to how you present your professional brand to others — online, on paper, and face to face. To that end, another cover letter tip is to give it the same look and feel as your resume. If you're uploading your cover letter as a separate document to an online application, ensure it uses the same header as your resume. Also, make sure the font type, color, and size, the contact information you provide, and even the name you use on both documents remain consistent.

Cover Letter Mistake #10: TMI

While you can use a cover letter to explain an employment gap or your interest in relocating to a new city, don't overshare your personal details with a prospective employer. The recruiter doesn't need to know the gory details of your back surgery or how you had your heart broken and need to find a new city to call home. These extraneous details can't be used as selling points and will only detract from your qualifications and candidacy.

Your resume should be mistake free as well. Is yours? Find out with a free resume review .

Recommended Reading:

• Do Hiring Managers Actually Read Cover Letters?
• How to Be a Great Candidate Even if You're Under-Qualified for the Job
• How to Write a Catchy Cover Letter

Related Articles:

How to Maximize Your Resume Action Words to Wow the Employer

Short Cover Letter Samples: Effective Examples for Job Applications

Resume Spelling and Accent Explained

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20 Cover letter do’s and don’ts

1. Outline your value to your future boss

2. feel free to share some personality, 3. research the company and specific role, 4. tailor the letter with selective examples, 5. say that you really want the job, 6. unobtrusively include selected keywords, 7. positive focus on your future activity, 8. share rare skills that set you apart, 9. share content that isn’t on your resume, 10. include a call-to-action to ask for an interview., 1. copy/paste a generic cover letter, 2. assume that it won’t be read , 3. be selfish about your motivations, 4. use informal language or too much jargon, 5. stick rigidly to the job description, 6. criticize previous employers, 7. send an unedited cover letter, 8. mention your salary expectations, 9. write more than a page, 10. highlight your shortcomings.

A cover letter can make or break your application. While the factual nature of a resume makes it relatively straightforward to fill in, there is a lot of opportunity to mess things up when you need to fill a blank page with why you would be a good fit for the role.

While the hiring manager will likely receive similar resumes for the position, the cover letters that they receive can vary wildly. In this blog is a simple list of do’s and don’ts that will ensure you are on the right side of the equation:

• 10 things to do for an ideal cover letter
• 10 cover letter don’ts if you want that interview invite

As with all advice, hopefully, you will be able to work out what makes sense for you. Your cover letters will be different for each position, so don’t feel that you must adopt the same tactics every time.

Which pieces of advice are most important for you to bear in mind? Discipline is important when you have a limited number of words to outline your value.

10 Cover letter do’s

While every job search is different, there is much advice that is universal. Before you sit down to write, think about the sort of letter that you wish to produce. What are the essential ingredients? When you start writing it is hard to stop the flow, so take the time to think things through first. A hiring manager who is interested in your candidature will take the time to read it, so make it worthwhile for them. 

• Outline your value to your future boss.
• Feel free to share some personality.
• Research the company and specific role.
• Tailor the letter with selective examples.
• Say that you really want the job.
• Unobtrusively include selected keywords.
• Positive focus on your future activity.
• Share rare skills that set you apart.
• Share content that isn’t on your resume.
• Include a call-to-action to ask for an interview.

A great cover letter should complement a resume – follow the following cover letter do’s to make the most of that precious page.

While the cover letter will be read by many people, there is only one person that truly matters. While HR managers and recruiters will have their views, it is your future boss who will be making decisions on your application. Put yourself in their shoes and think about what they would like to read. What problems are they facing? What hidden drama lies behind the bland job description? The cover letter should talk directly to them and hint that you could be a solution to their problems. 

While social media has made it much easier for a hiring manager to get to know a potential new hire, it doesn’t hurt to share a bit of personality in a cover letter. Outline how you went about your work and why your approach made a difference to those around you. Avoid adjectives without justification – anyone can reel off a list of appealing words. Your personality will be conveyed in the context of what you have achieved. 

Be unapologetic about who you are – pretending to be someone different may secure you the role but it will also ensure that you are miserable. Be yourself, everyone else is taken.

While you don’t need to mention your research in the cover letter, the content should make it clear that you possess a deep understanding of the challenges that face your future employer. Don’t be afraid to conduct some personal research on socials – you never know what a random conversation with a company insider might uncover. Only network with those within your current network – cold messaging strangers won’t work out well for you. 

Think about the role in the context of where the company is going. Don’t make assumptions based on your previous experiences. Every company does things differently. Position yourself as someone who will fit in seamlessly.

This is one of the tough choices to make in the job application process. It is likely that you will have your own list of top career achievements that make you glow with pride, but if they are not directly relevant to the role, then you focus on something else. Think about the accomplishments that will highlight your potential in the future role. Something may be objectively impressive, but if it isn’t relevant then question marks will remain.

Try to find a balance between sharing niche examples of your skillset and proving that you have what it takes to smash the basics. Your resume should serve to hint that you have basic experience but don’t be too cute with your cover letter content. Sometimes you need to spell out the obvious of why you should be given the job. Remember to back it up with context and quantifiable accomplishments. 

Okay, so this might be obvious, but you need to remember that the hiring manager is “meeting” you for the first time as they are reading your words on the cover letter. They will have checked you out on social media, so they will know what you look like, and you can be sure that they will be imagining you speaking out loud as they read your words.

If the cover letter is devoid of any passion for the role, they won’t feel any kind of emotional connection. That is a missed opportunity. You can’t expect them to be excited about meeting you if you are not making it clear that this is the role for you. Don’t be coy about “exploring opportunities.” This faux professionalism will not work in your favor. Let them know that you want the job and explain why you would be successful. 

When you are seeking to influence someone, it is important that they do not feel that they are being influenced. That may produce the opposite effect. While there is an argument to include a select number of keywords to indicate to the ATS that you are a suitable candidate, it is important to integrate them into the cover letter in such a way that your career story does not seem artificial.

Finding synonyms for the keywords in the job description may be one solution, but do not be too obvious about it. Read into the job description to think about what it means rather than simply parrot its content.

You know that you have what it takes to do the job, so base the majority content of the cover letter on how your past achievements can highlight your future potential. No cover letter should be a list of “I did this, this, and this” without any consideration of why you are sharing this information. It is okay to leave a whole raft of unanswered questions – that is what an interview is for. Awaken the hiring manager’s curiosity.

Your future boss will likely be reading a lot of cover letters. If you only focus on the core requirements of the role, you won’t stand out much. Take a calculated risk and dedicate some space to some of your rarer attributes. Let the hiring manager assume that you can do the more mundane stuff. A sentence that shares a couple of your more unique skills is enough and make sure that you have the stories to back them up during an interview.

Present yourself as someone who is eager to learn new things and not afraid to take risks in the search for knowledge. Not everything that you try will work out as you expect, but if you do not try then you will never grow.

It is sensible to view a resume and cover letter as a tag team. While the resume should contain all the information that you would wish to talk about during an interview (the hiring manager will rarely have a cover letter open when they interview you), a free-flowing cover letter format allows you to explore certain aspects of your experience in more depth. Repeating what is included in the resume is a wasted opportunity. 

Offer some more depth on the stories that you would wish to tell during an interview. If a cover letter explores other aspects of your application, the hiring manager will get a sense that there is much more to come.

The end of your cover letter is no time for modesty. Interviewers will read the cover letter after a resume, so now is the time that they will be wondering whether you are worthy of an interview. You have made your best case in the application, so use the last paragraph to share that you are curious to find out more during a potential interview. Why wouldn’t you be? It is all about the mutual fit, so say that you can’t wait to find out more.

Avoid any kind of arrogant or presumptuous tone – you can’t possibly know who else has applied for the position. Every other candidate will include a call-to-action in their final paragraph – don’t stand out as the person who doesn’t do it.

10 Cover letter don’ts

Some of the don’ts are linked directly to the do’s. For example, do include keywords, but don’t stuff the cover letter full of them. When you really want the job, it is easy to overdo something and cause the wrong impression. Judgment can go out of the window when you have spent a little too long obsessing about your prospects. 

• Copy/paste a generic cover letter.
• Assume that it won’t be read.
• Be selfish about your motivations.
• Use informal language or too much jargon.
• Stick rigidly to the job description.
• Criticize previous employers.
• Send an unedited cover letter.
• Mention your salary expectations.
• Write more than a page.
• Highlight your shortcomings.

Pay attention to this list and make sure that you are avoiding falling into these traps.

When you are applying for several jobs, attending in-person interviews , preparing for virtual chats, and trying to give yourself a little bit of mental breathing space in between, it is often tempting to take shortcuts. Sending off a generic cover letter is often a sacrifice that candidates make, assuming that it is a formal requirement rather than a document that is read and analyzed carefully.

If you send a generic cover letter you are indicating that the role is not that important to you. When compared with other (maybe less qualified) candidates who have taken the time to tailor the cover letter, your application will suffer. Hiring managers are keen to retain the talent that they hire, so show that you are thorough in your application.

Your cover letter won’t be read if you are not suitable for the role. A brief glance at your resume will give a hiring manager enough information to awaken an interest, but once that threshold has passed, they will want to find out everything that they can about you.

Resume writers like to suggest that a fantastic resume is enough (after all, that is their livelihood), but you can be sure that your cover letter will be read at some stage in the hiring process. It may not be immediately, but you never know when the hiring manager may need an extra nudge in your direction. 

Don’t make the cover letter all about why you need the job. The needs of the employer should be at the heart of every paragraph – talk about what you can do for them rather than what they can do for you. Sure, you might want the job because your partner is moving to the area and you like the idea of free childcare, but that doesn’t give them any information about why they should hire you. They will assume that you have weighty personal reasons why you want the job but don’t include them at this initial stage of the application process.

While a cover letter should be lightly conversational, do not fall into the trap of being too informal . You cannot truly judge how you pitch yourself to someone until you have met them in person, so err on the side of formality.

Do not use too much industry jargon in the cover letter as it will make your application sound somewhat formulaic. Anyone can include a ton of industry buzzwords – stand out by telling your career story in your own words.

Seeking to mirror every aspect of the job description may also backfire on you. Employers want to hire people who broadly fit the demands of the role, but they are also interested in those who have different experiences to bring to the team. A new hire is like an injection of fresh inspiration, but there will not be much effect if they are a carbon copy of everyone else in the organization. Highlight your suitability in the cover letter but leave space to revel in your unique differences.

This is a big red flag within any application. Never criticize a previous employer, no matter how much it might be justified, especially when you are taking the time to think about what to include in a cover letter . Being negative about a past experience reflects badly on you as a person and hints that you may be one of those people who complains all the time and feels that the whole world is against them.

Proofreading the cover letter and asking a friend to give you their thoughts is a crucial part of the application. It doesn’t have to be the same friend or ex-colleague every time (as their advice may get a little stale), but an alternative opinion can sometimes be beneficial.

It goes without saying that any spelling or grammar errors can be catastrophic for any job that requires attention to detail. If you don’t care enough to take five minutes to run your cover letter through an online program such as Grammarly, how careful will you be once you have got a regular monthly salary coming in?

The salary dance should not begin at this early stage. It is a normal part of the recruitment process to put feelers out in terms of potential compensation, but few roles will be specific about the exact salary on offer. If you are working with a recruiter, you can be open with them about your expectations. They will likely inform the employer but never include your salary expectations in a cover letter. It just isn’t the place for it.

Breaking this golden rule displays a shocking lack of awareness. Of course, you have plenty to say about why you are a great fit for the role but do not burden an employer with all this detail before they have even expressed a firm interest. Any kind of extreme in the application process may be seen as an act of desperation, so keep the cover letter to a one-page concise and compelling career story.

While modesty and humility are admirable qualities in certain situations, there should be no hint of any shortcomings in your character or experience within your 300-400 word cover letter . When you are limited in space, why would you choose to mention any negative aspects of your application? Doing so may hint that you do not have enough redeeming qualities to discuss. Focus exclusively on the good stuff – everyone else will be.

Key takeaways

• Much of the above advice is suitable for any job search, but please do think about your specific situation.
• Cover letters should be intensely personal, so if you have a good reason to ignore any of this advice, then go ahead.
• The goal of a great cover letter is to secure an interview and serve as a conversation starter for the rest of the job search process.
• Bearing these pieces of advice in mind will give you every chance of taking the next step toward your dream job .

How to Write a Cover Letter: Your Full Guide (With Tips and Examples)

It’s a familiar cycle: You sit down to write a cover letter, open a blank document, check your email, browse cover letter examples , do some chores, watch that cursor blink a few more times, and finally Google something like “how to write a cover letter”—which hopefully brought you here. But you still might be thinking, does anyone really read cover letters? Why do they even exist?

First: Yes, we can assure you that cover letters do, in fact, get read. To some hiring managers, they’re the most important part of your job application. And regardless, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to tell prospective employers who you are, showcase why they should hire you, and stand out above all the other candidates.

To ensure your letter is in amazing shape (and crafting it is as painless as possible), we’ve got easy-to-follow steps plus examples, a few bonus tips, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Get that cover letter out there! Browse open jobs on The Muse and find your dream job »

What is a cover letter and why is it important?

A cover letter is a brief (one page or less) note that you write to a hiring manager or recruiter to go along with your resume and other application materials.

Done well, a cover letter gives you the chance to speak directly to how your skills and experience line up with the specific job you’re pursuing. It also affords you an opportunity to hint to the reviewer that you’re likable, original, and likely to be a great addition to the team.

Instead of using cover letters to their strategic advantage, most job applicants blabber on and on about what they want, toss out bland, cliché-filled paragraphs that essentially just regurgitate their resume, or go off on some strange tangent in an effort to be unique. Given this reality, imagine the leg up you’ll have once you learn how to do cover letters right.

How long should a cover letter be?

An ideal cover letter typically ranges from a half page to one full page. Aim to structure it into four paragraphs, totaling around 250 to 400 words, unless the job posting states otherwise. Some employers may have specific guidelines like word or character limits, writing prompt, or questions to address. In such cases, be sure to follow these instructions from the job posting.

How to write a cover letter hiring managers will love

Now that you’re sold on how important cover letters are, here are eight steps to writing one that screams, “I’m a great hire!”

Step 1: Write a fresh cover letter for each job (but yes, you can use a template)

Sure, it’s way faster and easier to take the cover letter you wrote for your last application, change the name of the company, and send it off. But most employers want to see that you’re truly excited about the specific position and organization—which means creating a custom letter for each position.

While it’s OK to recycle a few strong sentences and phrases from one cover letter to the next, don’t even think about sending out a 100% generic letter. “Dear Hiring Manager, I am excited to apply to the open position at your company” is an immediate signal to recruiters and hiring managers that you’re mass-applying to every job listing that pops up on LinkedIn.

At the same time, there’s nothing that says you can’t get a little help: Try out one of our free cover letter templates to make the process a bit easier.

Step 2: Add your contact info

At the top of your cover letter, you should list out your basic info. You can even copy the same heading from your resume if you’d like. Some contact info you might include (and the order to include it in):

• Your pronouns (optional)
• Your location (optional)
• Your email address
• Your phone number (optional)
• Your Linkedin, portfolio, or personal website URL (optional)

Note that only name and email are mandatory, and you don’t need to put a full address on a cover letter or resume anymore. A city and state (or metro area) are more than enough. So your header might look like this:

Inigo Montoya he/him Florin Metropolitan Area [email protected] 555-999-2222

If the job posting tells you to submit your cover letter in the body of an email, you can add your contact info at the end, after your name (and if you’d like to forgo the email address here, you can—they have it already). So your sign off could look like this:

Violet Baudelaire she/her [email protected] 123-123-1234

https://www.linkedin.com/in/violet-baudelaire/

Step 3: Address your cover letter to the hiring manager—preferably by name

The most traditional way to address a cover letter is to use the person’s first and last name, including “Mr.” or “Ms.” (for example, “Dear Ms. Jane Smith” or just “Dear Ms. Smith”). But to avoid accidentally using the wrong title—or worse, inadvertently misgendering someone—first and last name also work just fine.

If “Dear” feels a bit too stiff, try “Hello.” But never use generic salutations like “ To Whom it May Concern ” or “Dear Sir or Madam.”

For more help, read these rules for addressing your cover letter and a few tips for how to find the hiring manager .

Step 4: Craft an opening paragraph that’ll hook your reader

Your opening sets the stage for the whole cover letter. So you want it to be memorable, friendly, conversational, and hyper-relevant to the job you’re pursuing.

No need to lead with your name—the hiring manager can see it already. But it’s good to mention the job you’re applying for (they may be combing through candidates for half a dozen different jobs).

You could go with something simple like, “I am excited to apply for [job] with [Company].” But consider introducing yourself with a snappy first paragraph that highlights your excitement about the company you’re applying to, your passion for the work you do, and/or your past accomplishments.

This is a prime spot to include the “why” for your application. Make it very clear why you want this job at this company. Are you a longtime user of their products? Do you have experience solving a problem they’re working on? Do you love their brand voice or approach to product development? Do your research on the company (and check out their Muse profile if they have one) to find out.

Read this next: 30 Genius Cover Letter Openers Recruiters Will LOVE

Step 5: Convey why you’d be a great hire for this job

A common cover letter mistake is only talking about how great the position would be for you. Frankly, hiring managers are aware of that—what they really want to know is what you’re going to bring to the position and company.

So once you’ve got the opening under wraps, you should pull out a few key ideas that will make up the backbone of your cover letter. They should show that you understand what the organization is looking for and spell out how your background lines up with the position.

Study the job description for hints . What problems is the company looking to solve with this hire? What skills or experiences are mentioned high up, or more than once? These will likely be the most important qualifications.

If you tend to have a hard time singing your own praises and can’t nail down your strengths , here’s a quick trick: What would your favorite boss, your best friend, or your mentor say about you? How would they sing your praises? Use the answers to inform how you write about yourself. You can even weave in feedback you’ve received to strengthen your case (occasionally, don’t overuse this!). For example:

“When I oversaw our last office move, my color-coded spreadsheets covering every minute detail of the logistics were legendary; my manager said I was so organized, she’d trust me to plan an expedition to Mars.”

Step 6: Back up your qualifications with examples and numbers

Look at your list of qualifications from the previous step, and think of examples from your past that prove you have them. Go beyond your resume. Don’t just regurgitate what the hiring manager can read elsewhere.

Simply put, you want to paint a fuller picture of what experiences and accomplishments make you a great hire and show off what you can sashay through their doors with and deliver once you land the job.

For example, what tells a hiring manager more about your ability to win back former clients? This: “I was in charge of identifying and re-engaging former clients.” Or this: “By analyzing past client surveys, NPS scores, and KPIs, as well as simply picking up the phone, I was able to bring both a data-driven approach and a human touch to the task of re-engaging former clients.”

If you're having trouble figuring out how to do this, try asking yourself these questions and finding answers that line up with the qualifications you’ve chosen to focus on:

• What approach did you take to tackling one of the responsibilities you’ve mentioned on your resume?
• What details would you include if you were telling someone a (very short!) story about how you accomplished one of your resume bullet points?
• What about your personality, passion, or work ethic made you especially good at getting the job done?

Come up with your examples, then throw in a few numbers. Hiring managers love to see stats—they show you’ve had a measurable impact on an organization you’ve worked for. Did you bring in more clients than any of your peers? Put together an impressive number of events? Make a process at work 30% more efficient? Work it into your cover letter!

This might help: How to Quantify Your Resume Bullets (When You Don't Work With Numbers)

Step 7: Finish with a strong conclusion

It’s tempting to treat the final lines of your cover letter as a throwaway: “I look forward to hearing from you.” But your closing paragraph is your last chance to emphasize your enthusiasm for the company or how you’d be a great fit for the position. You can also use the end of your letter to add important details—like, say, the fact that you’re willing to relocate for the job.

Try something like this:

“I believe my energy, desire to innovate, and experience as a sales leader will serve OrangePurple Co. very well. I would love to meet to discuss the value I could add as your next West Coast Sales Director. I appreciate your consideration and hope to meet with you soon.”

Then be sure to sign off professionally , with an appropriate closing and your first and last name. (Need help? Here are three cover letter closing lines that make hiring managers grimace, plus some better options .)

Step 8: Reread and revise

We shouldn’t have to tell you to run your cover letter through spell-check, but remember that having your computer scan for typos isn’t the same as editing . Set your letter aside for a day or even just a few hours, and then read through it again with fresh eyes—you’ll probably notice some changes you want to make.

You might even want to ask a friend or family member to give it a look. In addition to asking them if they spot any errors, you should ask them two questions:

• Does this sell me as the best person for the job?
• Does it get you excited?

If the answer to either is “no,” or even slight hesitation, go back for another pass.

Cover letter examples

Here are four example cover letters that follow the advice given above. Keep in mind that different situations may require adjustments in your approach. For instance, experienced job seekers can emphasize accomplishments from previous roles, while those with less experience might highlight volunteer work, personal projects, or skills gained through education.

Example #1: Cover letter for a job application

Alia Farhat San Francisco Bay Area [email protected] 444-000-1111

Hello Danny Tanaka,

If I’m being honest, I still haven’t fully gotten over the death of my first Tamagotchi pet when I was six years old. (His name was Tommy, and I’ve gotten far more creative since then, I promise.) When I was older, I discovered NeoPets and I was hooked for years—not just on the site, but on the community that surrounded it. So when I heard about FantasyPets last year, I immediately started following news about your development process, and that’s how I saw your post looking for a marketing strategist. Not only do I have eight years of experience in digital marketing, but as a lifelong gamer with a passion for pet-focused titles who’s spent years in online communities with like-minded people, I also know exactly what kind of messaging resonates with your target audience.

You’re looking for someone to help you craft a social media marketing campaign to go along with your game launch, and I’ve been a part of three launch-day marketing campaigns for mobile and web-based games. In my current role as social media manager at Phun Inc., I proposed a campaign across Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok based on competitor research and analysis of our social campaigns for similar games to go along with the launch of the mobile game FarmWorld. Using my strategy of featuring both kids and adults in ads, we ended up driving over one million impressions and 80k downloads in the first three months.

I’ve always believed that the best way to find the right messaging for a game is to understand the audience and immerse myself in it as much as possible. I spend some of my research time on gaming forums and watching Twitch streams and Let’s Plays to see what really matters to the audience and how they talk about it. Of course, I always back my strategies up with data—I’m even responsible for training new members of the marketing team at Phun Inc. in Google AdWords and data visualization.

I believe that my passion for games exactly like yours, my digital marketing and market research experience, and my flair for turning data into actionable insights will help put FantasyPets on the map. I see so much promise in this game, and as a future player, I want to see its user base grow as much as you do. I appreciate your consideration for the marketing strategist role and hope to speak with you soon.

Alia Farhat

Example #2: Cover letter for an internship

Mariah Johnson

New York, NY [email protected] 555-000-1234

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am excited to submit my application for the software development internship at Big Tech. As a student at New York University majoring in computer science with a keen interest in social studies, I believe I would be a good fit for the role. Big Tech's mission to promote equality and a more sustainable world is deeply inspiring, and I would be thrilled to contribute to this mission.

In a recent hackathon, I demonstrated my ability to lead a team in designing and developing an app that directs members of a small community to nearby electronics recycling centers. My team successfully developed a working prototype and presented it to a panel of industry experts who awarded us second place.

I’ve also been an active volunteer at my local library for over four years. During this time, I organized book donation drives, led book fairs, and conducted reading sessions with children. This experience strengthened my presentation and communication skills and confirmed my motivation stems from supporting a good cause. I would be more than happy to bring my passion and dedication to an organization whose mission resonates with me..

Through these experiences, along with my coursework in software engineering, I am confident I am able to navigate the challenges of the Big Tech internship program. I look forward to the opportunity to speak with you about my qualifications. Thank you for your consideration.

Example #3: Cover letter with no experience

Sarah Bergman

Philadelphia, PA [email protected] 1234-555-6789

Dear Chloe West,

I’m excited to apply for the entry-level copywriting position at Idea Agency. As a recent graduate from State University with a major in mass communications, I’m eager to delve deeper into copywriting for brands, marketing strategies, and their roles in the business world.

Over the past two years, I’ve completed courses in creative writing, copywriting, and essentials of digital marketing. I’ve also been actively involved in extracurricular activities, creating content and promoting student events across multiple online platforms. These experiences expanded my creativity, enhanced my teamwork skills, and strengthened my communication abilities.

As an admirer of your visionary marketing campaigns and Idea Agency’s commitment to sustainability, I’m enthusiastic about the prospect of joining your team. I'm confident that I can contribute to your future projects with inventive thinking and creative energy.

I welcome the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further. Thank you for considering my application.

Best regards,

Example #4: Career change cover letter

Leslie Smith

Chicago, IL [email protected] 111-222-3344

Dear Paul Jones,

Over the past year, I’ve volunteered to represent my company at a local fair and there I discovered how much fun working face to face with clients would be. Everytime I sold a product for The Solar Company, I often wished it was my full-time job. Now, I'm excited to submit my application for the sales coordinator position with Bloom Sales.

After completing a degree in business administration, I decided to put my outgoing personality and strong communication skills to work as a sales specialist at The Solar Company. I’ve sharpened my presentation and critical thinking skills in client meetings and sourced more than $20,000 in new partnerships. This experience has given me an invaluable foundation, and now I’m confident it's the time to move business administration to sales coordination.

I’m comfortable seeking out new business opportunities, making cold calls, and selling potential clients on the advantages of Bloom Sales products. I attend an average of 10 in-person meetings a week, and interacting with a lot of different personalities is what excites me the most. As a detail-oriented, tech-savvy professional, I have advanced knowledge of Excel and data analysis.

I would love to learn more about your sales strategy for the second semester and discuss how my experience in business administration and client-facing sales exposure would help Bloom Sales achieve its goals. Thank you for your consideration.

Extra cover letter examples

• Pain point cover letter example
• Recent graduate cover letter example
• Stay-at-home parent returning to work cover letter example
• Sales cover letter example
• Email marketing manager cover letter example
• No job description or position cover letter example (a.k.a., a letter of intent or interest)
• Buzzfeed-style cover letter example
• Creative cover letter example (from the point-of-view of a dog)

Bonus cover letter tips to give you an edge over the competition

As you write your cover letter, here are a few more tips to consider to help you stand out from the stack of applicants:

• Keep it short and sweet: There are always exceptions to the rule, but in general, for resumes and cover letters alike, don’t go over a page. (Check out these tips for cutting down your cover letter .)
• Never apologize for your missing experience: When you don’t meet all of the job requirements, it’s tempting to use lines like, “Despite my limited experience as a manager…” or “While I may not have direct experience in marketing…” But why apologize ? Instead of drawing attention to your weaknesses, emphasize the strengths and transferable skills you do have.
• Strike the right tone: You want to find a balance between being excessively formal in your writing—which can make you come off as stiff or insincere—and being too conversational. Let your personality shine through, for sure, but also keep in mind that a cover letter shouldn’t sound like a text to an old friend.
• Consider writing in the company’s “voice:” Cover letters are a great way to show that you understand the environment and culture of the company and industry. Spending some time reading over the company website or stalking their social media before you get started can be a great way to get in the right mindset—you’ll get a sense for the company’s tone, language, and culture, which are all things you’ll want to mirror—especially if writing skills are a core part of the job.
• Go easy on the enthusiasm: We can’t tell you how many cover letters we’ve seen from people who are “absolutely thrilled for the opportunity” or “very excitedly applying!” Yes, you want to show personality, creativity, and excitement. But downplay the adverbs a bit, and keep the level of enthusiasm for the opportunity genuine and believable.

The bottom line with cover letters is this: They matter, much more than the naysayers will have you believe. If you nail yours, you could easily go from the “maybe” pile straight to “Oh, hell yes.”

Cover letter FAQs (a.k.a., everything else you need to know about cover letters)

• Are cover letters still necessary?
• Do I have to write a cover letter if it’s optional?
• Can I skip the cover letter for a tech job?
• What does it mean to write a cover letter for a resume?
• How can I write a simple cover letter in 30 minutes?
• How can I show personality in my cover letter?
• What should I name my cover letter file?
• Is a letter of intent different from a cover letter?
• Is a letter of interest different from a cover letter?

Regina Borsellino , Jenny Foss , and Amanda Cardoso contributed writing, reporting, and/or advice to this article.

Top 10 Cover Letter Tips (+ Mistakes To Avoid)

Mike Simpson 0 Comments

By Mike Simpson

Ah, the cover letter. While it seems like writing a cover letter would be so incredibly simple, it’s often one of the most intimidating parts of the application process. Why? Well, there are quite a few reasons.

With a cover letter, you have to showcase your capabilities differently than you would in a resume. If you’re new to cover letters, that alone could be enough to set you on edge.

Plus, cover letters can feel a lot like bragging. It’s a one-sided conversation, where you tout your abilities to an audience that isn’t answering. That, too, can be a bit uncomfortable.

But that doesn’t mean you should shy away from creating one. With the right cover letter tips, you can create an effective cover letter that boosts your job search prospect. Ready to make the most of this little document? Then, come with us as we explore how to do just that.

What Is a Cover Letter? What Are They Used For?

Before we dig into any cover letter tips, let’s take a step back and answer a couple of basic questions.

First, what is a cover letter?

Well, a cover letter is a critical document that takes the form of a traditional letter. It lets you introduce yourself to the hiring manager in a way that isn’t possible with a resume alone. In many ways, it allows you to extend a more meaningful digital handshake.

Generally speaking, resumes are fact-based documents. You list your achievements, using a bullet point approach. It’s succinct, targeted, and straightforward.

Cover letters have more flow. You can use “I” statements and describe yourself. You can showcase your personality, both in the way you write and the points you choose to cover. While it needs to be relevant to the position you want to land, a cover letter is more conversational.

A second question that frequently crosses job seekers’ minds is, what are cover letters used for? After all, your resume highlights your skills, traits, and achievements. Do you really need anything more than that? Well, yes, you do.

Your resume has to be incredibly focused and concise , and the presentation of your abilities often feels a bit rigid. It’s hard to showcase your personality in a resume. Plus, you don’t have a lot of room to explain various details. Sometimes, that works against you.

With a cover letter, you give yourself that room. You can cultivate a narrative, sharing aspects of your story that have no place on a resume. Got a gap in your work history? You can discuss why in your cover letter. Switching careers? You can explain your choice and tap on how your skills are transferable in a cover letter.

Now, that doesn’t mean you want to get too personal – we’ll dig into that more in a bit – a cover letter does give you some freedom of expression. When used well, it can make a world of difference, helping you stand out from the pack and land an interview.

Characteristics of a Good Cover Letter

What to put in a cover letter? That’s likely a question running through your mind. Luckily, the answer isn’t challenging.

Now, we’ve covered the various structural aspects of an effective cover letter before, so we’ll just tap on them briefly here.

Just like resumes, cover letters need the right components and structure. You want to address a cover letter the right way and choose the correct cover letter format .

If you aren’t sure where to begin, your best bet is to start with a cover letter template . You can also review some cover letter examples to get moving in the right direction.

Just remember, if you’re using examples, don’t copy them verbatim even if they are a good match for your capabilities. There’s always a chance that a hiring manager is going to check your cover letter for plagiarism and, if they discover you pulled yours straight from another website, you can kiss that job goodbye.

At the opening of your cover letter – after you’ve covered your and the hiring manager’s contact information along with a greeting – you need to introduce yourself. Also, in the first paragraph, mention the job title and department of the position you’re going after. If you’re applying to a recruiter that fills openings at multiple businesses, list the company name, too. That way, there’s no doubt as to why you’re writing.

After that, when you are deciding what to put in a cover letter, drawing the hiring manager in needs to be your goal. How do you do that? By targeting the content.

You already know that tailoring your resume is important; the same is true of your cover letter. You don’t want to send out a generic form letter. That won’t pack a punch.

Instead, you want your cover letter to showcase why you’re the best fit for this specific job. When you’re writing a cover letter, it’s all about creating a standout value proposition. You need to highlight how your capabilities will help the company thrive. You can’t do that without tailoring the content.

Luckily, the process isn’t unlike targeting a resume. If you get to know the STAR Method and the Tailoring Method , you can use many of those techniques in your cover letter, too.

Awesome, right?

Usually, you’ll extol your virtues and present a standout value proposition in two or three body paragraphs. Then, it’s time for an amazing closing.

Express your appreciation. Reaffirm your interest. Say, “thank you.” Let them know you’re looking forward to hearing back and how you intend to follow up. Then, sign off, listing your LinkedIn page or personal branding website after your signature.

Keep the overall length of your cover letter reasonable. Usually, you are aiming for about one page, with one opening paragraph, two or three body paragraphs, and a closing paragraph.

Common Cover Letter Mistakes

Alright, we are getting closer to the amazing cover letter tips that will help you stand out from the masses. But before we start on those, let’s take a minute to cover something else important: what not to do.

Cover letter mistakes can turn a great cover letter into a terrible one. That’s why avoiding missteps is essential. So, without further ado, here are three things you don’t want to do.

1. Not Writing a Cover Letter

In reality, the biggest cover letter mistake you can make is not writing one. Even if the application doesn’t make one mandatory, skipping it will usually hurt you.

After all, 26 percent of recruiters view cover letters as important when they are trying to make hiring decisions. Why? Think about it. Cover letters help them learn more about candidates. If they really want to find the cream of the crop, reviewing job seeker cover letters can help them do it.

Plus, 52 percent of hiring managers would give more attention to a resume with a cover letter. When you add a good cover letter to your resume, you’re going the extra mile. It takes effort to create one of the best cover letters around, and hiring managers will notice that you gave it your all.

In nearly all cases, creating an effective cover letter works in your favor. That’s why skipping it is generally a bad move.

There is one situation where you don’t want to submit a cover letter: when the instructions specifically say not to. If you send one in anyway, you’re not following the directions. Even if you literally wrote the most spectacular cover letter ever created, you failed to do what the instructions said, and that usually means a one-way trip to the discard pile.

2. Making It All About You

Alright, we admit this mistake is a bit counter intuitive. After all, aren’t you supposed to tell the hiring manager why you’re amazing? Well, yeah, you are.

The trick is how you approach it. It shouldn’t be “me, me, me.” Instead, it needs to explore what you can do for the company.

You’re creating a value proposition. You need to position yourself as a solution to specific company challenges. How do you do that? Start by scouring the job description .

As you look at the vacancy announcement, look for insights about how this role functions based on the bigger picture. What critical duties will the new hire handle? How does this employee push the company towards its goals and broader success?

Once you figure that out, showcase how you can do that for the company.

Now, this doesn’t mean you rehash what’s on your resume. No, no, no. Redundancy is never good. Instead, you want to cover points that don’t work in your application elsewhere, or add context about your capabilities that didn’t fit on your resume. That’s how you make your value proposition stronger.

3. Being Too Personal

Showcasing your personality is a good idea, but that doesn’t mean you need to give the hiring manager intimate details about your life. The focus needs to be on your professional capabilities, not your strange hobby, your recent back surgery, or that you’re relocating because your ex was a nightmare.

If you cross the line, there’s a good chance that the hiring manager is going to have immediate doubts about you as a candidate. They may figure that you don’t know what is or isn’t appropriate to discuss in a professional environment, at a minimum.

Oversharing doesn’t help you stand out, at least, not in a good way. So, resist the urge to tell them about any aspect of your life that isn’t highly relevant to the job.

Remember, cover letters are short. Don’t waste real estate on something that isn’t making your value proposition stronger.

Top 10 Cover Letter Tips

Now it’s time for what you’ve been waiting for. Here are 10 cover letter tips that can help you make yours as awesome as possible.

1. Make It a Document, Not Just an Email

Alright, this piece of cover letter advice might seem a bit weird in the digital age. After all, if you’re applying via email, why shouldn’t you just put your cover letter in the body of the message?

Well, the thing is, many hiring managers still print out the attachments. A surprising number of companies rely heavily on paper files. If your cover letter isn’t in a separate document, it might not get printed. That means it gets detached from the rest of your application.

Make sure your cover letter is printable, and not just as an email. That way, if this hiring manager prefers to review paper documents, you’re covered.

2. Use Keywords

If the company you want to work for uses an ATS, there’s a chance your cover letter and resume will go through a keyword screening. That can work in your favor, giving you another place to get some valuable keywords in.

Now, you don’t want to just regurgitate what’s in your resume. Instead, if you didn’t get a chance to tap on a keyword in your resume (or could only fit it in once), you can use your cover letter to cover it.

3. Watch Your Sentence Structure

Since you’re writing about yourself, you may have a tendency to start every sentence with “I.” While you can do that on occasion, if every sentence starts “I,” one after another, the tone of your cover letter is going to be a miss.

Similarly, if every sentence is the same length, you’ll run into trouble. It makes your cover letter sound monotonous and, monotonous often equals boring. You’re trying to catch the hiring manager’s attention, so mix things up a bit.

Make sure you use different starting words and vary your sentence length. It’ll make your cover letter more interesting, and that’s ridiculously important.

4. Talk About Them

Creating a value proposition means showing how your skills will make life easier for them. Discuss yourself but only in the context of applying your capabilities to solve their problems. That makes you look like a solution, and that’s what you really want.

One of the simplest ways to pull this off is to identify a pain point. Then, you can mention it briefly and follow that up with how you can make it easier to overcome. Easy peasy.

5. Match Tone

Hiring managers need to find candidates that are also great culture fits. If you want to highlight yourself as a potential match, use the company’s tone as a guide.

See what language they use in social media posts, mission and values statements, website, and job ad. Then, convey a similar tone, while keeping things professional. It’ll make you seem like a better fit, and that’s a great thing.

6. Use Numbers

Quantifying your cover letter is just as important as quantifying your resume. Numbers stand out visually and provide valuable context. So add in some digits whenever it’s appropriate.

7. Make the Most of Your Opening Line

While your first paragraph needs to serve as an introduction, that doesn’t mean you have to start with, “My name is…” In fact, you shouldn’t. Your name is at the top of the page, so you don’t need to repeat yourself.

Similarly, starting with, “I’m applying to [position]…” won’t help you stand out. While you do need to cover that information, consider making your first sentence something different.

Use a relevant quote. Highlight your professional motto. Lead with a brief anecdote. Any of those options are fairly unique, and may increase your odds of standing out.

8. Go Image-Free

Pictures, graphics, emojis… they don’t usually have a place in a cover letter. Plus, if your cover letter is screened by an ATS, anything other than text can confuse the system, and that could hurt you. So, leave the images out.

9. Skip Cliches

If you want to be unmemorable, rely on cliches. Phrases like “go-getter” and “team player” won’t help you. You’re better off using your achievements to showcase those traits than telling the hiring manager you have them.

10. Follow the Directions

If there are any directions regarding the cover letter, follow them to the letter, period. Failing to follow the instructions won’t result in anything but a rejection.

Putting It All Together

Ultimately, all of the cover letter tips above can help you stand out from the crowd. Make use of every single one. That way, you can stand out from the crowd for all of the right reasons.

Remember, you’re an exceptional candidate. Let that shine through in your cover letter.

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com.

His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others.

Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

About The Author

Mike simpson.

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com. His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

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11 Common Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid at All Costs

When it comes to the job application process, cover letters are as relevant as ever.

They complement your resume and can effectively set you apart from a sea of other candidates…

And yet, most job-seekers tend to make the same common cover letter mistakes (which can even cost them the job).

To prevent you from making the same mistakes, we compiled this list of job-seekers' 11 most common cover letter mistakes.

Avoid these mistakes, and you’re well on your way to landing your next job!

Ready? Let’s dive in! 

11 Cover Letter Mistakes (That You Should Avoid)

Mistake #1. making it all about yourself.

“How can I not make it about myself,” you might think. “After all, this is my cover letter.”

Well, yes, but here’s the thing.

You should use your cover letter to better explain why you’re the perfect fit for the company, not as free space to talk about yourself. Think about what the recruiter wants to read, not only what you want to say. 

Specifically, do talk about a few relevant strengths and noteworthy achievements that will highlight your skills for the position (that you couldn’t elaborate on your resume). 

Don’t overuse “I,” don’t start sharing your life story as if your cover letter is your autobiography, and don’t come up with irrelevant competencies you just assume will make you look good. Huge cover letter mistakes.   

Mistake #2. Repeating your resume

There’s a quote by Zig Ziglar that says: “ repetition is the mother of learning. ” Great quote, but it still doesn’t justify using your cover letter to repeat your resume. 

Recruiters want you to prove that you’re worth the job. But if they open your cover letter and re-read your resume (which they’ve surely already read), you’d have made a big cover letter mistake. 

If you have nothing new to say, you can explain in more detail how one of your achievements prepared you for the job you’re applying for, or how you can contribute to the company’s mission. Anything that will add value instead of just listing out your job history and responsibilities will do.  

Want to promote your personal brand and make a lasting impression as a candidate? Match your cover letter with your resume! All of the Novorésumé resume templates come with a matching cover letter design. So, just pick a style you like and get started now!

Mistake #3. Exceeding one page 

Your cover letter shouldn’t be an autobiography.

You might be tempted to go on and on and describe your entire career history, but that’s simply not what the cover letter is for.

A good cover letter has 3 main objectives:

• To (briefly) introduce you and your career goals
• To summarize your (relevant) professional background
• To explain anything that you didn’t have space for in your resume, but that the recruiter should know

As such, the ideal cover letter length is 250-400 words long or between three to six paragraphs . 

Mistake #4. Mass sending a cover letter

Ideally, your cover letters should be tailored to each job that you apply for. 

A generic cover letter that you just copy and paste from an internet sample shows you submitted one just because you have to, not out of genuine interest for the position. 

Your cover letter should show that you put in the effort—that’s what makes all the difference. 

If, however, you’re applying to many jobs and don’t really have the time to write, say, 20 cover letters, make sure to at least customize the company’s and the hiring manager’s name in each. 

Wondering how to start off your cover letter? Our guides on how to start a cover letter can help you with that! 

Mistake #5. Using cliches without backing them up

As you’re writing your cover letter, you might be tempted to use phrases like “I’m an excellent team player,” “dedicated problem-solver,” or “great communicator.” 

Which is fair - these are very important skills but any job out there.

Here’s the thing, though: these buzzwords are used so often in resumes & cover letters today that they’ve become cliches.

Sure, you can claim to be a “great communicator,” but so do all the other applicants.

The only case we do recommend mentioning such cliches is when you can actually back them up with your past experiences.

So instead of saying “I’m a great communicator,” you say “I’m a great communicator, as proven by Experience A, B, and C.”

Developed teamwork skills by coordinating with 10 other people on my project team to develop and deliver software solutions for the client both behind budget and ahead of schedule.

Mistake #6. Being too formal...or too informal

Look, extremes are rarely your friend. 

So, just like your instinct probably tells you that addressing the hiring manager like you would a friend isn’t the brightest idea, you should also refrain from being overly formal. 

Dear Sarah,

I’d like to apply for the role of junior project manager at Company X.

Hey Sarah, what’s up?

Name’s John and I’m here for that project manager gig!

Our guide on how to address a cover letter shows you the best ways to address a cover letter without being overly formal, or informal. 

Mistake #7. Typos and grammar mistakes

Out of all cover letter mistakes to avoid, typos and grammar mistakes should be the easiest. 

Microsoft Word will underline your typos red and your grammar mistakes green, but you have the option of easily proofreading your cover letter no matter where you’re writing it. 

A simple spell-checker and software like Grammarly should be enough to save you from this dreary, but easily avoidable, mistake.  

Mistake #8. Unnecessary flattery

You don’t need to write a love letter to the company for the hiring manager to like you. 

Sure, if you hold the company’s values, mission, or culture at a high standard, feel free to mention how it inspires you professionally. 

But if you just use your cover letter to throw random compliments at the company with the hopes the recruiter will like you, you’re in for an unpleasant surprise. 

Remember: you want to (smartly) flatter your achievements, not the company. 

Mistake #9. Going off-topic

Going off-topic is a big no-no when it comes to cover letters.

You might think it’s OK, as long as you’re talking about work, but explaining the backstories of your professional decisions will get you nothing but a yawn from the recruiter.

For example, opening up to the hiring manager about how you decided to leave your job because you broke up with your girlfriend is (as you might imagine) totally going off-topic and definitely too much information (even if that’s the reason you did quit your job). 

Generally, in your cover letter, refrain from discussing:  

• Your weaknesses (unless they’re asking about them at an interview)
• Uncomfortable life/professional experiences
• Details of every job you ever had 
• Reasons, excuses, or details on why you were fired from a past job (again, unless asked at an interview)

Mistake #10. Not following specific instructions

Did your teacher ever tell you to carefully read the test questions before starting to answer? 

Rightfully so! Sometimes, we hurry so much to get something done that we completely miss what we are being asked in the first place. 

You don’t want that cover letter mistake to happen to you, so read the job description carefully before you start writing your resume and cover letter.

If the hiring manager has any specific requirements about the cover letter’s content or format, you’ll find them in the job description. It might even happen that the position doesn’t require a cover letter at all, so give this part its due attention. 

If the job description doesn’t provide any specifications, your best bet is to submit your cover letter in PDF format.

Want to go the extra mile and impress the recruiter with your attention to detail? Use the same design as in your resume.

Mistake #11. Forgetting to sign your cover letter

Signing your cover letter goes a long way to showing business etiquette and attention to detail, so make sure to do that! 

If you’re sending your cover letter and job application as part of an email, though, then you don’t have to sign your cover letter. 

In any case, pay extra attention to how you end your cover letter. People are bound to remember the ending of things, so you want to conclude your cover letter as politely and memorably as possible. 

Not sure what that means? Our article on how to end a cover letter will show you all you need to know! 

Key Takeaways

And that’s a wrap! We hope you know what cover letter mistakes to look out for when you start writing. Here are a few of the main points we covered: 

• Don’t overuse “I” in your cover letter. Instead, focus on describing a few of your most noteworthy achievements, relevant to the position.
• Using your cover letter to repeat your resume is a cover letter mistake you must avoid.
• Avoid using cliches such as “team player,” “great communicator” and the sorts when you’re describing yourself. Instead, prove your skills by backing them up with your professional experiences.
• Make sure you proofread your cover letter before submitting it; typos and grammar mistakes are intolerable cover letter mistakes.

Related Readings: 

• Top Cover Letter Examples in 2024
• How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?

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10 Cover Letter Do’s and Don’ts

Some people think that the cover letter is a relic of the past and there is no need to create it now. At the same time, statistics say the opposite: 77% of recruiters prefer those candidates who sent not only a resume but also a cover letter.

The Relevance of the Cover Letter

A cover letter, along with a resume, is an element that must be worked on to find a job. You can not only introduce yourself and highlight your strengths, but also motivate the hiring manager or recruiter to invite you for an interview. For this to happen, you need to highlight the reasons why you are better for this position than other candidates.

10 Cover Letter Do’s and Don’ts

Therefore, for a cover letter to be effective, it must be written flawlessly and avoid even minor mistakes. The ResumeEdge team has prepared a list of what to do and what not to do in a cover letter.

Related:  Is It Necessary To Write A Cover Letter?

TOP 10 Cover Letter Do’s and Don’ts

✔️ do: be concise.

The cover letter is not a complete biography. Also, it should not duplicate or contradict your resume. The task of this document is to highlight information that hiring managers and recruiters would be interested in, thus grab their attention and make a favorable impression upon you.

❌ Don’t: Send everyone the same cover letter

The cover letter should be written for a single position and a specific company. This means that in each case, you need to focus on various aspects of your education, character traits, and skills.

This is obvious when a job seeker uses the same cover letter for each application, and this is always a dangerous signal. In most cases, this means that they do not know anything about the company and send applications en masse in the hope that at least one of them will bring good luck.

✔️ Do: Take an interest in the company

Before sending a letter to an employer, every job-hunter should try to find out as much as possible about the company. The candidate should visit the organization’s website to find out more about it, to know its principles and values, and its corporate culture. It would also be a good idea to check out its profiles in social media, especially the organization’s page on LinkedIn. In their cover letter, it is advisable for a job seeker to briefly describe what attracted them to the company and show that they share its values.

❌ Don’t: Send your cover letter without checking it for errors

If there are many mistakes in the cover letter, it creates the impression of an absent-minded employee or someone who simply does not know the correct language and principles of communication. Therefore, many candidates are automatically rejected due to poor grammar or spelling errors. Check the letter as many times as necessary to make sure it is correct.

✔️ Do: Format

There should be a heading, opening paragraph, several body paragraphs, and a closing paragraph. Since there is a lot of information, it is worth structuring, aligning, and, of course, using the same font. A neat shape, a good font, a consistent style – all this shows the effort put in by the candidate.

❌ Don’t: Criticize your former employer

Criticizing a company you used to work for is not the best way to present yourself. Even if your previous boss was not pleasant, keep that judgment to yourself and just bring up relationship difficulties during the interview to explain your departure from your previous job.

✔️ Do: Personalize your cover letter

The cover letter should allow you to distinguish yourself from other candidates. Therefore, personalizing your cover letter for each position can make a huge difference to your potential employer.

It takes experience to make a cover letter more attractive and show your personality. Professional writers from ResumeEdge know the powerful ways to make an outstanding cover letter, so feel free to contact us for help.

❌ Don’t: Lie

Lying about your experience, writing about non-existent degrees, or claiming about the participation in projects you have nothing to do with is a bad idea. The temptation to embellish reality is understandable, but all this can be easily verified, from imaginary skills to large-scale professional qualities.

✔️ Do: Include keywords

Many companies use the Applicant Tracking System to select candidates for vacant positions. If the software or hiring manager doesn’t find any of the keywords in your resume or cover letter, your application might get dumped. By embedding keywords in your cover letter, you also will immediately demonstrate that you meet the requirements for a position.

❌Don’t: Indicate education only

The essence of a cover letter is just to tell how your skills and experience will be useful to the future employer. This means that it will not be enough to simply list your diplomas and courses taken. Give reasons for how you can solve the company’s problems, show your enthusiasm, and that you will be a positive addition to the team.

Think of cover letters as your first conversation with a hiring manager or a recruiter. You should be friendly, but also confident. This is a difficult balance, but it is possible to achieve it.

If writing a new cover letter for every job application seems like a chore, you can find help on our service. ResumeEdge writers always know what not to write in a cover letter, which will help you get noticed by the company and get the job of your dream.

Related:  Cover Letter for an Internal Position or Promotion

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What Not to Put in a Cover Letter?

The old saying goes, “it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.” However, when you are planning on sending in a job application, the entire process matters.

A good introduction to your job application is vital, and that’s why you need to write an excellent cover letter.

It is always the wise choice to include a cover letter unless the job posting specifies otherwise.

A  cover letter  shows that you’re genuinely interested in the position, and it gives you an extra opportunity to sell yourself.

Your letter is the first thing a prospective employer sees. It is your chance to grab their attention and make a  positive first impression . It should be clear, concise, and snappy. To get this right, you need to know  what to write and how to write it .

It’s essential to understand the cover letter dos and don’ts before starting to write your letter.

You may not think about it, but that also includes understanding  what not to put in a cover letter .

Remember that employers receive hundreds of resumes and  cover letter samples  and generally scan them very quickly.

You need to make sure that yours stands out, and doesn’t look like a few generic lines thrown together without care if you want to progress through to the first interview stage.

A common mistake many job applicants commit is trying to  stuff way too much information in their cover letters .

There are a number of other  common cover letter mistakes  that many candidates make that severely hurt their chances of landing an interview.

Below is a list of  things you should never include in a cover letter .

What not to include in a cover letter

A thoughtful,  well-written cover letter  can compliment your resume. Many candidates get it wrong as they don’t know how to format a cover letter.  What not to put in a resume cover letter?  There are a number of things.

One of the most important concerns is the length, as it needs to be  concise and snappy . Read these  cover letter tips  on  how long a cover letter should be . Make sure you avoid the following cover letter don’ts.

Spelling mistakes

For any job position you may be applying for,  this is a cardinal sin .

By submitting a job application with spelling or grammar mistakes, you are demonstrating you have a  lack of attention to detail .

Making silly mistakes such as typos on your cover letter gives a  poor first impression . It looks sloppy and unprofessional.

Make sure you  proofread your cover letter  at least a few times and give it to someone else to look at too, as spotting your own mistakes can be difficult.

Personal information

Employers are not interested in your personal life. Keep your  cover letter format  professional and avoid too many personal details. Focus on your strengths as a worker and the  key job requirements .

You don’t need to say your marital status, religion, ethnicity, age, hobbies, or anything else  unrelated to your ability to do the job .

Save any personal discussions or humor for once you get the job.

Salary expectations

Maybe you want to discuss your potential salary, however, this should wait. During the interview process or  once you receive an offer  would be a much better time.

Only include this if the job posting specifies that you should. And even if you’re required to, be vague and give a  very wide salary bracket .

You don’t want to give the impression that your money is your  primary motivation for applying , and you also want to put yourself in a strong position to  negotiate your salary  when the time comes.

Too much information

This is one of the most important  cover letter mistakes to avoid . You should be clear, concise, and snappy, cut to the chase.

This is one of the most common mistakes when writing a cover letter. Many applicants include skills or work experience that has nothing to do with the vacancy.

You can avoid this by carefully reading the job description, and that will allow you to create a great cover letter.

The same applies to your resume, using a  resume template  can also help you avoid putting too much unnecessary information.

You should  focus on a few key strengths  and not simply reword your entire resume in the form of a letter. Your cover letter  should be a short summary  that is kept under a single page.

Negative comments

Complaints about past or present employers are things your cover letter should never say.

Doing this  reflects poorly on your attitude  and doesn’t explain how you will help your potential new employer.

Apart from bringing negativity to your job application, it is also irrelevant information to include that could  lead to a hiring manager ending your candidacy .

Stay positive and focus on  what you can bring to the role  you’re applying for. You want to make a positive first impression, not a negative one.

Lies or exaggerations

Facts can easily be checked  and  lying on your resume  or cover letter can put you in a difficult position.

Don’t include qualifications that you don’t have or made up past job positions. With improving technology it is now easier than ever to fact-check and  many candidates get caught out .

Sooner or later,  the truth will come out , because you show you aren’t capable of performing the tasks you say you can do, or because your employer fact-checks your previous experience.

Empty claims

Don’t be modest  by hiding your talents but if you do make a claim, back it up with evidence. You can’t expect an employer to just take your word from it.

Provide examples  of when you’ve shown your strengths in past positions.

Your resume will help to support the claims you make in the cover letter. Make sure it’s up-to-scratch by using a  resume builder .

By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll have a much better chance of landing an interview and getting hired for the job you want.

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15 Cover Letter Mistakes You Might Not Realize You’re Making

• How To Write A Cover Letter
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• Free Cover Letter Templates
• Cover Letter Mistakes To Avoid
• Cover Letter Tips
• How To Sell Yourself In A Cover Letter

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Writing a cover letter can be difficult, but how good yours is can determine whether or not you get the job. To make matters worse, you could be making a bunch of mistakes that are getting you screened out of the hiring process — and you might not even realize you’re making them. So now you’ve got to write a cover letter that’s good enough to make an employer want to call you in for an interview. Lucky for you, you’ll find it’s easy to make sure that your cover letter is convincing and mistake-free. Here are 15 common cover letter mistakes to avoid so you can land an interview and get the job. Key Takeaways: Cover letter mistakes are fast way to have your job application ignored. Common cover letter mistakes include forgetting to proofread, adding irrelevant information, and not addressing the company’s needs. The best way to avoid cover letter mistakes is to spend time editing your letter. If possible have someone you trust read your cover letter before you submit it. In This Article    Skip to section 15 cover letter mistakes Frequently asked questions about cover letter mistakes Final thoughts on cover letters Sign Up For More Advice and Jobs 15 cover letter mistakes

Forgetting to Proofread. Sending a cover letter that’s full of typos and errors is a quick and easy way to get yourself screened out of a possible interview.

We all know that writing a cover letter can be a painful process, but do yourself a favor and just proofread. Use free editing software like Grammarly or spell-check in Microsoft Word to catch the obvious mistakes.

For more nuanced changes, try reading your cover letter backwards — it’ll minimize the risk of reading over the same mistake over and over without noticing it.

If you can, ask a friend to look over your cover letter and point out any mistakes before you send it in. A second pair of eyes is great for finding errors you might not realize you’ve made.

Sending a Generic Cover Letter to Every Job You Apply For. This mistake is so common that employers will be able to tell right away if you’re using a one-size-fits-all cover letter when applying for jobs.

Make sure you mention the specific position you’re applying for in your first paragraph, address the company’s specific concerns and desired qualifications, and explain how your skills and experiences make you the best fit for the job.

A good way to optimize your cover letter is to start by reading the job description closely . Highlight all the action verbs in one color, all the hard skills in another, and the adjectives in a third color. Then, look for ways to incorporate some of those words into your cover letter, paying special attention to keywords that get used multiple times in the job description.

Not Getting Basic Company Facts Right. Getting basic information incorrect, like referencing the wrong company or addressing your cover letter to the wrong person, basically tells employers “I literally could not care less about this job opportunity and I’m using this same letter to apply for 20 other jobs right this second.”

Double check your cover letter greeting and make sure that you list the right company and the right contact, and mention the company name a few times throughout your letter.

Also, have a basic sense of what the company does , who their target audience is, what competition they face, and the challenges they are currently up against. When you can communicate like an insider, the hiring manager or recruiter will have a much easier time envisioning you as a member of the company.

Using an Outdated Greeting. Save the “ Dear Sir or Madam ” cover letter greetings for the grave. Instead, just use gender neutral terms like “Dear Hiring Manager,” when you’re unsure of who’s going to be reading your cover letter.

If you know exactly who’s going to be reading your letter, mention their name specifically, and always address women with the title “Ms.” rather than “Mrs.”

You should always do your best to find the name of the hiring manager . Check the job posting, the company’s career page on their website, or LinkedIn to find a name. If all else fails, simply call the company and ask who the hiring manager is for the given position.

If you can’t find a name and don’t want to use “ Dear Hiring Manager ,” try another greeting that’s a bit more specific like:

Dear [Department] Manager

Dear Hiring Committee

Dear [Title of Person You’d Report To]

Dear [Department] Hiring Team

Making Your Cover Letter Too Short. Submitting a cover letter that’s less than half a page will send the wrong message to employers about your work ethic or your interest in the job at hand. Plus, you’re completely blowing off the opportunity to highlight your skills and experience and show off why you’re the best person for the job.

Making Your Cover Letter Too Long. A good cover letter shouldn’t be any longer than one page . Unless you’re applying for a managerial or executive position, there’s really no reason why your cover letter should be any longer. Plus, you risk burdening the employer and losing their interest.

Hiring managers read about a million cover letters and resumes everyday, and you’ll want to make sure yours is concise to avoid wasting their time. Keep your cover letter brief, and only include the most important information need to make an employer want to invite you in for an interview.

Including Too Much Information or Over-Explaining. Don’t include more information than the employer needs to know. Address their concerns and let them know that you have all of the necessary qualifications.

Some people feel the need to explain career changes or why they’re applying for a job from somewhere far away. Keep your explanations short to make sure that the employer is able to focus on your skills and experiences.

Not Giving Concrete Examples. The skills and qualifications you claim to have in your cover letter are meaningless if you can’t back them up. Support your statements by giving examples of jobs or roles where you used these strengths.

For example, instead of just saying “I have great organizational skills and I’m a hard worker,” say something like, “I personally organized our annual fundraiser and increased employee participation by 30%.” Much more convincing.

Notice how the above example also quantifies the writer’s accomplishments. Whenever you can, include numbers to make a bigger impact with your statements. Recruiters and hiring managers love to see verifiable proof of your deeds, so make it easy to see how you’ve added value in the past.

Starting Your Introductory Paragraph With Your Name. Nothing says “rookie mistake” like opening your cover letter with “My name is Joe Schmo.” Your name should be listed in the sign off of your cover letter, in your resume, and elsewhere in your application materials.

Making Your Cover Letter a Written-Out Version of Your Resume. Your cover letter shouldn’t be your resume in paragraph form. Your resume is the first thing most employers look at, so you’re just wasting everyone’s time if you use your cover letter to write out everything that’s already on your resume.

Use your cover letter to focus on one or two examples of your work experiences that show what you can bring to the table. Help employers picture you doing the work by explaining what you’ve done in your previous positions.

Using the Wrong Format. There’s no one-size-fits-all format for every cover letter , and how you write yours depends on your experience and what you have to offer.

If you’re describing one or two particular relevant experiences, it may make sense to go with the standard three-paragraph format . On the other hand, if you’re listing your skills or detailing your career path , a more creative approach like bullet points may be more suitable.

Always include these sections in your cover letter:

Your contact information

An opening paragaph that grabs the reader’s attention

2-3 body paragraphs that highlight your relevant professional achievements and interest in the company/job

A closing paragaph with a call-to-action and a thank-you

A professional sign-off

Focusing Too Much on Education and Training. We’re all super proud that you finally finished that college thing and got your degree, but what employers really care about is your relevant experience and what you can bring to the table on day one.

Briefly mention education if it’s relevant to the job, but make the main focus of your cover letter your relevant experiences. If you’re new on the job scene and your education is your most relevant experience, describe projects you worked on and the skills you gained, instead of just the course content .

Sharing Completely Irrelevant Information. If you have a good idea of the company’s culture, it makes sense to show your compatibility in your cover letter.

Instead of describing your weird hobbies or your booming social life, talk about your values and how they align with the core values of the company. Check their website to get a good feel for their culture and values and use that information to show you’re the perfect fit.

Not Showing Any Actual Interest in the Job. If you don’t sound genuinely interested or excited for the job opportunity, you’re probably not going to land an interview. Show enthusiasm for the job so the hiring manager knows that you’re highly motivated, and not just looking for a paycheck.

Forgetting to Address the Employer’s Concerns. While you’re talking about how awesome and qualified you are, make sure to do so in the context of the job requirements and the company’s needs. If the hiring manager can see that everything about you is perfect for the specific job, you’re bound to land an interview.

Frequently asked questions about cover letter mistakes

Are there weaknesses to a cover letter?

Yes there is a big disadvantage to a cover letter if it has too many mistakes. If you send a cover letter that has a lot of mistakes, you care going to give the hiring manager a bad impression of yourself. Whether or not you’re a good candidate will no longer matter if you cannot ably present your qualifications. That is why it is important to review your cover letter before you submit it.

What are the advantages of a cover letter?

Cover letters have to advantage of explaining your qualifications in more detail while adding a personal touch. A cover letter will also underscore how serious you are about the position, especially if you have done your research and show how your skills will fulfill the needs of the position. Just make sure to use specific examples that directly connect back to the job description.

Is it OK to use “Dear Hiring Manager”?

Yes, it is OK to use “Dear Hiring Manager” if you do not have a specific name to address your cover letter. Obviously it is always better to address a specific person, which is why you should do your research before you send the letter, however sometimes it is impossible to know the name of the person. In this case, the generic “Dear Hiring Manager” is acceptable.

Final thoughts on cover letters

One of the first things employers notice about a job candidate is their cover letter. A good cover letter shows that you’re an effective communicator and that you have what it takes to get the job done, so you’ll want yours to be effective and error-free.

Many cover letters don’t get the attention they deserve, and a lot of people just write one at the last minute, attach it to their resume , and hope that it gets the job done — and these cover letters happen to be full of these common errors.

Make sure to check through your resume and make sure you don’t make any of the mistakes we’ve mentioned in this article, and you’re sure to get called in for an interview!

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Maddie Lloyd was a writer for the Zippia Advice blog focused on researching tips for interview, resume, and cover letter preparation. She's currently a graduate student at North Carolina State University's department of English concentrating in Film and Media Studies.

Matt Warzel a President of a resume writing firm (MJW Careers, LLC) with 15+ years of recruitment, outplacement, career coaching and resume writing experience. Matt is also a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Certified Internet Recruiter (CIR) with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Marketing Focus) from John Carroll University.

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The Only Cover Letter Guide You’ll Need in 2024 (+Examples)

• Kaja Jurcisinova , 
• Updated January 16, 2024 13 min read

Oh, the dreaded cover letter. Job seekers hate writing it and nobody knows if anybody even reads cover letters anymore. And yet, not attaching one to your application would be a terrible mistake. This cover letter guide will tell you not only why to write one, but also how to write a really good one.

But first , why does everyone hate writing cover letters so much?   After all, a cover letter gives you a unique opportunity to distinguish yourself from others.

In comparison with a resume, the cover letter allows you to provide details that didn’t fit in on your resume and demonstrate your passion.

All the negativity that surrounds the cover letter probably comes down to the fact that good cover letters require a bit of alchemy. They also take time to write.

This guide will help you avoid any mistakes and write a strong cover letter that will catch the recruiter’s attention. We also include cover letter examples.

Generally speaking, you want to make your cover letter:

• easy to read for the recruiter;
• well-structured;
• max 4 paragraphs/1 page long;
• professional in both tone and greetings;
• tailored for the specific opening.

Let's get to it!

Table of Contents

Click on a section to skip

Why should you write a cover letter?

How do recruiters read cover letters, how to write a great cover letter in 9 simple steps.

• What if you're told to NOT submit a cover letter? 

Final cover letter tips and hacks

Cover letter examples.

So, how exactly is the cover letter important for your job application? 

Some may argue that the cover letter in 2024 isn't really relevant anymore. In fact, one study stated that only 18 percent of hiring managers think cover letters are a key part of an application.

However, don’t get fooled by these statistics. While your resume may be considered more important during the hiring process, including a well-written cover letter can increase your chances of landing a job. 

For instance, 83% of hiring managers would be convinced by a really good cover letter — even if the resume wasn’t good enough, according to this study .

And there's more to it.

Some of the key advantages of the cover letter are:

• It’s much less structured than the resume and lets you develop a story. 
• It gives you space to get a little more creative. 
• Your personality can shine through thanks to it.
• You can elaborate on key achievements mentioned in your resume.
• It helps explain a lack of experience, career change, or an employment gap.

In other words, the cover letter is a perfect chance to bridge the distance between you and a recruiter even before the actual job interview . 

Pro tip: Before writing a cover letter, make sure that you have a powerful resume that matches the job description. Because if your resume doesn’t fit a desired profile, your cover letter probably won’t get read at all. To learn more, you may want to check out our  Ultimate Resume Guide .

First, they read them to decide if you’re the right fit for a position. For this reason, avoid generic write-ups at all costs. What recruiters love to see is a short persuasive argument of why you fit the role and the company. Something like this: 

“I was happy to hear about this job opening from my former manager, Jane Anne. She and I have worked together on many projects throughout the years and she thought that I would be the perfect match for this position.“

Second, recruiters are looking for inconsistencies . For instance, if your resume shows attention to detail but your cover letter is addressed to the wrong person, wrong company, and is filled with typos, it's inconsistent. You want to ensure the number of inconsistencies is kept to a minimum.

Third, they're trying to get a hint of your personality . Cultural fit is important to many companies.

So, throughout the process of cover letter writing, it's essential to keep in mind the recruiter who's going to be the recipient of your letter. 

Because at the end of a day, a good cover letter shouldn't be solely about you — it's supposed to be written with the hiring manager in mind. 

So ask yourself:  

• Is my cover letter easy to read?
• Have I addressed the right person in the opening?  
• Will it help them decide if I'm the right fit?
• Did I use the right tone of voice that fits their company culture?

If you answered “no” to any of these questions, our cover letter guide is exactly for you.

Writing a cover letter may seem like a challenging task at first but if you know a few key cover letter rules, the process can become much easier. 

Before you start writing your cover letter, find out more about the company you're applying for. Look at their website and LinkedIn . The research also includes looking at the job description very closely and identifying any recurring keywords. Also, search for specific cover letter examples for the role online.

Placed at the very beginning of your cover letter, the header is where you include your contact information (i.e. your full name, email address, phone number) and the company's contact information (i.e. the manager’s or recruiter’s name, job title, department, the name of the company, company’s address). 

When in doubt, try to use this formula: Number or Trigger word + Adjective + Keyword + Promise.  The result can look something like this: 5 Ways I Can Help You Improve Your Company’s [insert a position-related keyword]

If the name of the hiring manager isn't written in the job posting, research their name and contact information online. For example, look at the company's page or LinkedIn. Then, greet them by saying "Dear [first name]" . If, however, the company culture is very formal, go for the classic "Dear Hiring Manager" .

The first paragraph is the perfect place to shortly explain why the job seems exciting to you and why you’re the right person for it .  You can also compliment the company or name a mutual acquaintance who referred you.

Try to answer these questions: 1. What did you do at a previous position that gave you relevant experience?  2. How could this experience help the new company grow? 3. Which of the projects you have worked on would benefit their business? 4. Which of your skills make you well-equipped for the position?  5. Do any of these skills give you an edge over other candidates?

The following questions should help you : What excites you about the idea of working at this company? How do the company goals align with your own? What do you hope to gain and learn from working there?

In the cover letter closing paragraph : reiterate that your experience and enthusiasm make you a great candidate, add a confident call to action, express gratitude, and always use a formal sign-off.

You can either attach the cover letter as a separate document in the email when sending your resume , or send it directly in the body of the email (that way they can't ignore it).

In the following chapters we look at each step more closely and include specific examples you can copy and paste.

Step 1: Prepare and do some research 

Knowledge is power. Before you begin writing:

• Find out more about the company and the position you're applying for. Spend some time on the company’s website, its executives’ Twitter feeds, and employee profiles on LinkedIn. It will also help you decide on the tone of your cover letter. For example, if it’s a company like Kickresume , you can easily get away with more unusual approaches. But if it’s a conservative institution, like a bank or a lawyer's office, you should probably keep it formal.
• Search for specific cover letter examples for your role online . Pick some examples that fit your role and use these for inspiration. (By the way, that link just now will take you to our database of successful cover letters from real people who got hired. Totally worth checking out.)
• Look at the job descriptions of the roles you’re applying for . Identify major experience and hard skill keywords, so you can insert them in your letter in the relevant sections.

Once you've done this basic research, you can finally start thinking about the structure of your cover letter. 

This short infographic will show you that writing a cover letter is a lot simpler than you might have thought: 

Step 2: Include a header with basic info rmation

Placed at the very beginning of your cover letter, the header is the place where you should include your contact information and the contact information of the company. 

A cover letter is still a letter, after all. 

At the left side of the page include the information based on which you can be reached by the recruiter. 

Here, make sure to include: 

• your full name
• your email address
• phone number

Optionally, you can also add:

• your professional title
• address (if it vaguely matches the location of the job offer)
• current date
• personal website/LinkedIn

The top right side of the page is reserved for company-related information. Here, you should put: 

• the manager’s or recruiter’s name (if available)
• job title 
• the name of the company
• company’s address

Not a fan of writing?

Our AI writer will write the first draft of your cover letter for you.

Step 3: Write a strong cover letter headline

When you’re browsing the web, what articles usually catch your attention? Those with great headlines, of course! 

The same applies to cover letter headlines.

Start by paying attention to the headlines around you — especially in tabloids and websites like Buzzfeed (Is Buzzfeed still a thing? How very 2010s of me). These are usually designed to stir up your interest and make it impossible to not click through. 

Notice how they use numbers, questions, and interesting adjectives to promise the reader to learn something valuable.

And you can do the same in your cover letter.

When in doubt, try to use this formula: Number or Trigger word + Adjective + Keyword + Promise. 

The result can look something like this: 

• 3 Reasons Why I’m An Excellent Fit For [Job Position]
• Are You Still Looking To Fill The Position Of [Job Position]? This Is Why I Believe I’m Exactly Who You’re Looking For
• 5 Ways I Can Help You Improve Your Company’s [insert a position-related keyword]

Finally, don’t forget to adjust your header to the company’s level of formality and put your headline in the subject of the email.

Step 4: Use the correct form of greeting

In this time and age, there’s no excuse for using “To Whom It May Concern.”  

If the name of the hiring manager isn't written in the job posting, you’re expected to research their name and contact information online. For example, look at the company's page or LinkedIn. 

Once you have their name, feel free to go for a personalized greeting: 

“Dear [first name]” or “Dear Mr./Mrs. [last name]” 

Honorifics (e.g. Mr., Mrs., Ms .) are more appropriate if the company’s culture is formal. 

And if you cannot find the recruiter’s name, it's okay to go for a generic: 

“Dear Hiring Manager”, or “Dear Recruitment Officer”

Alternatively, you can address the letter to the whole company team or the HR department. In this case, your greeting should look like this: 

“Dear [name of the company/department] Team” or “Dear Human Resources”

Step 5: First paragraph: Introduce yourself with a BANG!

The best way to start a cover letter is to open strong. The first impression matters the most and busy recruiters often have a chance to properly dive into only a few selected cover letters. 

So if you make your first paragraph captivating, chances are that your letter will be one of the lucky ones that actually end up being read. 

In fact, the first paragraph is the perfect place to shortly explain why the job seems exciting to you and why you’re the right person for it. 

While most people begin their letters with “I’m applying for the position X I saw in Y place,” it's a waste of space. 

Instead, open with a sentence like this:

“I’m a content marketing professional with more than 5 years of experience and I’d love to bring my ability and passion to your team.”

In the first paragraph, you can also:

• Compliment the company. Show that you know details about the company and you’re approaching it for a reason. For example, demonstrate appreciation for what the company does. Not only will this flatter them, but it will also provide them with insight into who you are.
• Name a mutual acquaintance if you can. This is sometimes called a “magic bullet,” as it’s the one thing that will assure the hiring manager reads your cover letter until the end. 

However, limit the introduction to 1-3 sentences. This isn’t the place to go into detail about what makes you ideal for the role — save that for the second and third paragraphs. 

Step 6: Second paragraph: Explain why you’re a great fit for the company

The second paragraph is the place where you should sell yourself and your experience.  

Here, write a short summary of your career, skills and accomplishments, tailored to fit what the company is looking for. 

You already did your research, so now it's time to ask yourself these questions and try to address them in your cover letter:

• What did you do at a previous position that gave you relevant experience? 
• How could this experience help the new company grow?
• Which of the projects you have worked on would benefit their business?
• Which of your skills make you well-equipped for the position? 
• Do any of these skills give you an edge over other candidates?

After you’ve picked the most relevant accomplishments, put them at the start of your letter. 

However, when talking about them, avoid sounding like you’re bragging. The best way of doing this is to focus on your experiences rather than yourself . Ideally, support your claims with concrete examples.

Also, mention any other additional relevant hard skills or knowledge areas they’re looking for, as well as any qualifications.

Finally, the second paragraph is the perfect place for showing that you’ve done your research. Demonstrate that you’re familiar with some of the challenges that the company faces and present how you can help them.

Pro tip: Don’t simply repeat the same things you’ve already put on your resume. You want to go beyond that (this applies to every other section of your cover letter). 

Step 7: Third paragraph: Explain why the company is a great fit for you 

In this paragraph, you want to show that you’re serious about developing your career at this new company. And good companies want to know why they appeal to you and how will your professional relationship be mutually beneficial. 

Consider addressing the following questions:

• What excites you about the idea of working at this company?
• How do the company goals align with your own?
• What do you hope to gain and learn from working there?

For example, you can say something like this: “I've seen on your website that you heavily focus on cryptocurrency projects. As a cryptocurrency enthusiast, I would love to join your team”.  

However, don’t go overboard with flattery and stay professional. 

Also, don’t say anything that isn't true or you don’t mean it, as it will probably come up again in the later stages of the application process.

Step 8: Closing paragraph: Finish strong and stay in touch

Now that you’ve nailed the main part of your cover letter, you also want to finish strong. This way, the recruiter will remember you in a good light. But how do you achieve that? 

• Reiterate that your experience and enthusiasm make you a great candidate. This is to emphasize the two main points from the previous paragraphs. Do this in one or two sentences, not more. 
• Add a confident call to action. In a sentence or two, you should suggest the next steps. Something like “ I would love the opportunity to meet with you and discuss the value I can bring to [company]."
• Express gratitude. Simply thank them for their time and for considering your application.
• Always use a formal sign-off. Something like “ Sincerely , Best wishes , or Respectfully” . Finish by typing out your full name. 

Step 9: How do you send a cover letter?

I can’t stress this enough — unless it's specifically required to attach the cover letter to the body of the email,  consider not sending your cover letter as a document attached to your email. 

Instead, put it inside the body of the email . The email itself is now your cover letter! This way the recruiter won't ignore it.

However, remember that hiring managers receive hundreds of emails a day. So if you want your email to get read, it's the subject line that's likely to play the most important part. 

As we've advised before, if you have a good resume headline, simply put it in the email subject. 

However, if you’re unhappy with the result, you have other options, too. 

For instance, if you have a reference, include it already in your email subject line: 

Referral from Jose Nachos: Pedro Tacos, candidate for a senior software analyst position

If you don't have a reference or a catchy headline, check out more tips on how to write the best subject line for your email .

Finished writing your cover letter?

Make it stand out with an eye-catching design.

What if you're told to NOT submit a cover letter? 

Today, many companies are using online application systems that discourage applicants from attaching a cover letter. 

Instead, they have their own application systems where in different sections you're required to fill in the information you would normally place in your cover letter.  

If this is the case, just work with the format they gave you.

In other words, include the same information that you'd normally have in your cover letter but place it in the correct sections. 

And don’t forget to follow the cover letter principles: 

• explain why you're the right candidate;
• make it clear that you've researched the company well;
• indicate in what way you'd be an asset;
• mention your biggest past achievements.

Because no matter the format, you're still expected to present your skills and convey enthusiasm about the job.

Alternatively, you can also try to find a relevant manager or a recruiter online (either on the company pages or LinkedIn) to whom you can send a brief follow-up email with an attached cover letter. 

Now that we've covered the basics, there are several other tips that you should keep in mind to elevate your cover letter to the next level: 

• Keep it short. Limit your cover letter to three to four paragraphs and a maximum of one page. Hiring managers are busy people who often don't have time for reading long texts.
• Keep it clean and easy on the eye. Take a look at how this article is written. It’s replete with short paragraphs, sentences typed in bold letters, bullet points, and numbers. All of these make reading and searching for specific information easier. So, never send a letter that looks like an unreadable wall of text. The easiest way to achieve a sleek cover letter design is to use a pre-formatted cover letter template . 
• Don’t risk being funny if it ’ s a company with a formal work culture. Poorly executed humor will hurt your chances rather than help. Being direct and dynamic is a much surer way to catch the recruiter’s attention than a number of jokes. On the other, if the company is smaller or known for its creative products, being original may in fact help your chances! 
• Show, don’t tell. Usually, there’s no point in saying you’re “a dependable hard worker” or “a creative thinker.” Why should anyone believe such generic statements? Instead, offer an example of how these qualities helped you achieve something in the past.
• Never write the same letter twice. A cover letter should always be tailored to a specific job application. Remember the previous sections? You’ve made a great effort to research the company and its hiring managers, so you’ve written your cover letter accordingly. This is a process you need to repeat with every application (ugh, I know). 
• Check for typos. This goes without saying but make 100% sure your cover letter is without typos. There’s no reason to believe you're competent if you can't even type without errors. Moreover, typos automatically reveal almost criminal carelessness on your part, since every text editor nowadays has a spellchecking feature. 
• Don't use any buzzwords. Your cover letter needs to be authentic and persuasive — and buzzwords are neither. If anything, they simply give the impression of you being someone who's just trying to fit a skewed idea of what an ideal corporate employee should be. Instead, focus on using relevant keywords from job descriptions.

Now, if you have no experience yet because you're just starting out or you're changing careers, writing a cover letter can be scary. However, a well-written letter can actually be your best friend.

And this is how you write the perfect cover letter with no experience .

In the end, there are many different ways to write a great cover letter. And even if you follow the cover letter guide above, you’ll end up with a cover letter that's invariably your own. 

It all depends on your own personality, the position you’re applying for, and the hiring manager’s preferences. 

And that's good, actually! 

Still, there's a lot to learn from cover letters written by other people. That's why we've selected five cover letter samples that deserve your attention. 

Each of these helped real job seekers find real jobs in real companies. They'll teach you valuable lessons you can use in your own cover letter.

1. Norwegian — Cabin Crew Cover Letter Example

This cover letter sample was provided by a real person who got hired with Kickresume’s help.

2. Volvo — Machine Learning Intern Cover Letter Example

3. tory burch — account executive cover letter example, 4. lush — sales associate cover letter example, 5. romeo — social media officer cover letter example.

Do you still need some more inspiration? You can find more examples in our cover letter library

FAQ: How to write a cover letter

250 to 400 words is the standard cover letter length range. A cover letter should never exceed one page.

Yes! Show that you can go that extra mile and stand out from the crowd of applicants.

Ideally, use a pre-formatted cover letter template. Then use a simple and professional font, such as Times New Roman. The font size should be between 10-12.

If you have the name of the hiring manager, try to find their contact on the company page or LinkedIn. If you still can't find the right person, you can address it to the whole team or HR.

This article was recently updated. The original article was written by Martin Poduska in 201 7.

Kaja Jurcisinova is a junior copywriter at Kickresume. Kaja completed her undergraduate degree in Art History at the University of St Andrews in 2018 and graduated with a Master’s in Arts and Culture from the University of Groningen in 2021. She was an intern at multiple cultural institutions across Europe, including the Dutch Museum Association in Amsterdam, the Matter of Art Biennale in Prague, and the European Cultural Centre in Venice. At the moment, she resides in Visby on the Swedish island of Gotland.

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8 common cover letter mistakes to avoid.

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Nowadays, your cover letter is kind of like a spare tire. You want to have it with you just in case you need some backup.

We live in a world where 90% of hiring managers don’t read cover letters , yet 53% of employers admit that they prefer candidates who send a cover letter. Meaning, your cover letter is positively acknowledged, but it probably won’t get read.

…So if nobody's reading it, why bother?

Because anything that sets you apart from the candidates you're up against is an absolute must.

For example, if a company is wavering on your application, they may read your cover letter as an effort to get more background on you. This could mean they’re passing your resume up the chain and want to learn more about you before they decide to give you the green light… Or it could mean they have a small stack of resumes on hand and are looking for a way to weed someone out, in which case they’d read a select few cover letters to see if there’s any stark errors that permit them to throw a candidate out of the running. 48% of hiring managers will throw out a cover letter that’s not customized, and 49% will toss out a cover letter with spelling errors. You’ve got to weed people out somehow.

That being said, it's important to know which cover letter errors could cost you the interview. Here are a few common cover letter mistakes to avoid.

1. Focusing too much on yourself

The company you're applying to is hiring because they need someone to do something for them. Meaning that above all else, they want to know what it is that you can do for the company. While it's key to share your accomplishments, get in touch with why you’re able to fill the void that they have in place. Then make your achievements known in a way that lends well to the duties of the position.

2. Sharing all the details of every single job you’ve ever had

Depending on your job history, this could translate into a very crowded and confusing cover letter. Instead of focusing in on each position you've ever held, ask yourself: What experience do I have that’s relevant to the job I'm seeking? Tailor your cover letter to speak to those skills instead of giving a full synopsis of your time at each position.

3. Writing about something uncomfortable

Your cover letter is not the place to tell your potential new boss about the recent struggles you've faced. Don’t go into why you were laid off or fired from a job, or why you recently relocated to a new city. Candidates need to focus on the now. Employers want current information. Why you were laid off or quit is not important, and will be seen as a red flag. Your intention to address an issue can and will come across more as shining a spotlight on your insecurities. Focus on achievement and the job at hand.

4. Writing a novel

Nothing is worse than a long, novel-like cover letter that makes the hiring manager tired just looking at it. Almost 70% of employers prefer a cover letter that's half a page or less. Keep your cover letter concise and to the point.

5. Rehashing your resume

The hiring manager has already read your resume in order to pre-qualify you as someone whose cover letter should be read. Do not just vomit your resume out entirely. They'll know, and they'll hold it against you.

6. Being too trite

Phrases like, “I’d like to apply for a job at…” or “I believe I am the perfect candidate for this position,” will make people cringe. Avoid trite comments like calling yourself a “team player.” Instead, be more specific and provide examples of how you work well as part of a team.

7. Being a superfan of the company

Don’t waste your cover letter talking about how much you love the company in an over the top way. Use your cover letter to tell the company how you’ll serve them. It’s great to flatter them, but don't go overboard and get all Swimfan on them.

This one sounds simple enough, but when you're applying to many jobs or are just exhausted, mistakes can happen that end up costing you the interview. In fact, 70% of hiring managers say they'd automatically dismiss a cover letter with a typo. Triple check that you've addressed your cover letter to the right person, and that everything is spell checked and grammar correct.

Not sending a cover letter is as irresponsible to your career as driving without a spare tire is to your well-being.

You wouldn’t take a road trip without having a spare tire. Don’t set out on your job search without having all the back up you need to get you to where you want to be.

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How To End a Cover Letter (With 7 Examples and Tips)

Written By : Pitch N Hire

Thu Sep 12 2024

Key Takeaways

• Step-by-step guide and strategies for writing cover letter conclusions
• Importance of making a strong final impression
• Key elements to include in the conclusion
• Effective writing methods for a powerful closing
• Common mistakes to avoid in cover letter endings
• Examples of strong cover letter conclusions

Crafting a strong conclusion for your cover letter is crucial to leaving a good impression on employers. This final paragraph capitalizes upon your last chance of how serious you are about working with them that matters most, something which will be remembered long after they've read hundreds of other letters.

We'll cover such things as:

• Key elements
• Effective Writing Techniques
• Common Mistakes to Avoid

Strong Application Letter Closing Statement

All-in-one Hiring OS

Revolutionizing Interviews, Hiring, and Job Opportunities

Tailored to the Specific Job:

• Highlights relevant skills: A cover letter allows you to showcase the skills and experiences that are most required and relevant to the position, showcasing your understanding of the company's needs .
• Demonstrates Research: Show that you've taken the time and effort to make sure the company and role suit your skills, something which is appreciated by all concerned.

Humanizes Your Application:

• Introducing your Personality: Express your unique qualities, motivations, and perspectives.
• Creates a Personal Connection: It helps you in competition by making a positive image for the recruiter.

Addresses Gaps or Inconsistencies:

• Provides Context: By providing additional context, you can give reasons for any employment gaps , or career changes in your work history.
• Shows Ownership: Challenges contribute to your personal and professional development and make you strong enough to tackle problems.

Showcase Your Writing Skills:

• Impresses the Reader: Show Off Your Creativity - a good application letter closing statement showcases your ability to communicate effectively and professionally and makes a positive impression on the hiring manager .
• Assess Communication Skills: Highlight your professional communication skills to communicate with clients or employees.

Increases Your Chances of an Interview:

• Sets you apart: Your cover letter should be so compelling that it separates you from other job applicants . You will be memorable and possibly more likely to go in for a second interview.
• Shows your enthusiasm: It demonstrates to the employer that you do want this job and company--a factor that can make employers take one look at your resume.

Boosts Your Confidence:

• Prepares for Interview: Highlights your technical , soft , and interpersonal skills and experiences, increasing your confidence for the interview process .
• Confirms Your Credentials: Increase your confidence while highlighting your skills and achievements.

Key Elements of a Well-Written Closing

Here's a closer look at some key things to include in your closing:

Reiterate Your Interest and Qualifications:

• Personalize Your Enthusiasm: Express your passion and commitment to the position. Show examples of what you have done earlier, they probably don't want too much information.
• Quantify Your Achievements: Use metrics and numbers to showcase your impact in your previous role as proof.

Call to Action:

• Be Direct and Assertive: Ask for an interview directly and show your excitement to tell about your achievements.
• Leave Room for Flexibility: Showcase your flexibility with time that you can give an interview at any time and tell them how proactive you are with your life.

Leave a Positive Impression:

• End on a High Note: Use cheerful words, and confident voice in the whole interview process .
• Show Professionalism: Make sure that your closing is well written, free of errors, no grammatical or spelling mistakes, and highlight your attention to details.

Personalize Your Closing:

• Reference Details from the Job Posting: This shows that you have read the requirements carefully.
• Connect on a Personal Level with the Company: Highlight your experience, value, or goals fulfilling jobs requirements .

Offer a Unique Selling Proposition:

• Differentiate Yourself from Other Candidates: Position yourself differently from others in your field, tell them why you are best suited for this particular job and what makes you unique from other generic CVs.
• Make a Feature Out of Your Special Skills or Experience: Showcase your strengths and skills and how they can benefit the company.

Show Your Initiative:

• Provide Additional Information: Show your desire to help the company with your skills and you can extend yourself for the benefits of the company.
• If there is a follow-up action to be taken, suggest it yourself: Take the first step to move the process forward by calling for an interview or offering your references.

Consider the Company Culture:

• Accordance with the Company's Values: Let them see that you fit well with their corporate culture and agree to align your tactics and targets with those of their company with your application letter closing.
• Use Language and Tone that Resonate with the Company's Brand: Use language and tone that goes with the company's identity. Copy their style and values.

Express Gratitude:

• Thank the Hiring Manager: Thank the recruiter for taking the time to read your application and for their patience in this whole process.
• Repeat Your Enthusiasm: to show that you want it, again highlight your interest in this position and the company.

Effective Writing Techniques: Crafting a Powerful Impact

Strong language and vivid imagery:.

• Use Descriptive Language: Use words and phrases that attract recruiters.
• Describe the Details: Try to include as many details as possible to help your reader imagine it.
• Use Metaphors and Similes: Use literary language to make your cover letter more professional and attract hiring managers.

Clear and Concise Communication:

• Avoid Jargon and Technical Terms: Write in a way so that everyone can understand it. Don't confuse people with tough words.
• Keep Sentences Concise: Keep the sentences and paragraphs short. Break long paragraphs into short so readers don't get bored.
• Use Active Voice: Try using verbs instead of passive voice. This will make your writing even more connected.

Persuasive Rhetoric:

• Use Questions: Asking questions from readers gets them thinking about the content.
• Use Repetition: Repeating important skills will highlight their importance.
• Appeal to Emotions: Connect with your reader emotionally to create a stronger impact.

Strong Sentence Structure:

• Vary sentence length: Use short, medium, and long sentences to maintain reader interest.
• Use Parallel Structure: The use of similar sentence structures can create both rhythm and balance.
• Begin with Strong Subject: Start your sentences with forceful subjects and action verbs, attracting readers and take notice immediately.

Appropriate Tone and Style:

• Consider Your Audience: Craft your tone and style according to your target reader.
• Use a Consistent Voice: Use the same tone and style from start to end.
• Be Aware of Formality: Deciding how formal or informal you should be while writing.

Proofreading and Editing:

• Check Grammar and Spelling Errors: Ensure that there are no errors in your cover letter.
• Clarity and Coherence: Make sure ideas flow together well.
• Ask for Review: Ask your friend or trustworthy person to proofread once again to find the mistakes.

How to Avoid These 8 Common Mistakes in Your Cover Letter?

Even the most experienced writers can make mistakes. To help prevent that from happening, here are some things to avoid:

Generic Content:

• Avoid Pre-written language: Don't use boring, common templates that don't match your role.
• Tailor Your Letter: Create your cover letter according to the job specification and company.

Excessive Length:

• Be Concise: Keep it simple and short 1-2 pages.
• Get to the Point: Highlight your most relevant experiences and qualifications.

Incorrect Formatting:

• Follow Guidelines: If formatting instructions are given, use them.
• Proofread: Make sure your letter has no spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors.

Lack of Research:

• Understand the Company: Research the mission, values, and recent news of the company.
• Add Specific Details: Include relevant references in your cover letter.

Overselling Yourself:

• Be Honest: Don't lie about your skills and achievements.
• Focus on Relevant Achievements: showcase your skills and experience that added new knowledge or gained more experience.

Using Passive Voice:

• Use Active Voice: Writing should be strong and active.
• Avoid Broad Language: Make descriptions as specific as you can by using numbers, units, or any other items appropriate for measuring how much work went into what was achieved.

Not Proofreading:

• Check for Errors: Carefully proofread your cover letter before submitting it.
• Get a Second Opinion: Consider having someone else review your letter for errors.

Neglecting to Follow Up:

• Send a Thank-you Note: After submitting your application, send a thank-you note to the recruiter for giving you their precious time.
• Express Continued Interest: Showcase your enthusiasm for the position.

7 Examples of Easy Written Strong Cover Letter Closings

Here are several tips if you feel the job offer is becoming ever more real.

• Highlighting a Specific Achievement:
• My recent success in [achievement] showcases my ability to [relevant skill]. I am eager to apply these skills to [specific role] at [Company Name].
• Referencing a Shared Value or Experience:
• I am excited to work with [Company Name] because of your commitment to [value or experience]. I believe my experience in [ field] fulfills your company's requirements.
• Expressing Enthusiasm and Gratitude:
• I am truly enthusiastic to join [Company Name]’s new future goals. Thank you for considering my application.
• Requesting a Follow-Up Meeting:
• I would be very grateful for the chance to showcase my experience for this job. Please let me know as well, at your convenience or just earlier than whenever provides the least interference, about when you may have time for a meeting.
• Offering Additional Information:
• I have attached my resume for your review. There, you will find further details about my skills and experience. Let me know about any further procedure.
• Quantifying Your Achievements:
• In my previous role, I successfully increased [metric] by [percentage]. I am confident that I can bring similar results to [Company Name].
• Personalizing Your Closing:
• I was especially impressed by the recent [job item/achievement that has been succeeded]. I think my experience in [field or skill] would be of great value to your team.

A closing that is well written within your cover letter can help you stand out and get an interview. This is the last place to cement your success or lose it all, and it is our final chance to make a good impression on someone who might not be giving us his full attention. Follow these guidelines, and you can present your enthusiasm, professionalism, or qualifying features in the cover letter conclusion. A positive job application letter closing is essential to give you a better shot at winning your dream job .

Related Articles:

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How to end a cover letter

Your cover letter is your first impression when trying to land a job – so it’s important to get every part of it right. While it’s essential to focus on highlighting your skills and experience, remember that the ending is just as important as the beginning. 

This ending of  your cover letter is your chance to reinforce your enthusiasm for the position, restate your unique value, and leave a memorable impression. Just as the conclusion of a speech aims to resonate with the audience, knowing how to sign off a cover letter well can have a lasting impact on potential employers. 

Here is everything to know about ending your cover letter.

Why does the closing of the cover letter matter? 

How to finish a cover letter 

Cover letter conclusion examples 

Common mistakes to avoid when ending a cover letter

Why does the closing of the cover letter matter.

Your cover letter ending helps shape the hiring manager’s  overall impression of you . It’s your final pitch, so it should say something that sets you apart from other applicants. 

The closing paragraph reinforces your qualifications and reiterates your interest in the role. If there are multiple applicants for a role that have similar qualifications, how you sign off your cover letter can make you more memorable. A good closing should share enthusiasm, show your professionalism and give the reader a clear call to action that motivates them to  invite you for an interview .

How to finish a cover letter  

Knowing how to end a cover letter effectively is important in making a strong final impression and setting a positive tone that could tip the scales in your favour. This closing paragraph of a cover letter is your last opportunity to share your enthusiasm for the position and persuade the employer that you’re the right person for the job.

Express gratitude

Expressing gratitude to the reader for their time and consideration is an essential part of ending a cover letter. It’s polite to acknowledge the effort the hiring manager has put into reviewing your application, and to do so creates a positive connection, showing respect for the process and those involved. 

Reiterate your enthusiasm

In the closing of your cover letter, it's important to restate your eagerness to join the team and the company. This helps the hiring manager see your genuine interest in the job and that you fit in with the company’s values and goals. Mention specific aspects of the company or role that excite you, and express how keen you are to contribute. Showing a personal interest in the company leaves a strong final impression.

Call to action 

A compelling call to action in your cover letter’s closing paragraph should prompt the hiring manager to take the next step. A good call to action for a cover letter should invite them to contact you for an interview and potentially mention how and when you can be reached. Include a sentence like,  Feel free to contact me for an interview at your earliest convenience, I’m looking forward to discussing how I can contribute to your team

Professional closing salutation or valediction 

Choosing the right closing salutation (known as a valediction) in your  cover letter reinforces a professional tone. Here are a few examples.

Sincerely: this is one of the most widely used sign-offs and conveys professionalism and respect without being overly familiar.

Best regards:  slightly less formal than  Sincerely, but still professional, this closing works well when you have some prior interaction or connection with the recipient.

Kind regards: this is a warm yet professional closing salutation that is best used when you want to convey a friendly tone.

Respectfully: this is particularly suitable when applying to positions that require a high level of respect and formality, such as jobs in the legal or educational fields.

Thank you: this is a less formal valediction, and best used if you want to emphasise your gratitude, particularly if the interviewer has already given you considerable time (like in a preliminary interview).

Cover letter conclusion examples  

Closing a cover letter well can improve your chances of moving forward in the hiring process. Here are  three tailored examples of how to conclude a cover letter for different career stages: internship openings, entry-level positions and manager-level positions.

1. Internship openings

I am excited about the opportunity to intern with ABC Company, and am eager to bring my passion for digital marketing to your team. Thank you for considering my application and feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience to schedule an interview.

2. Entry-level positions

Thank you for considering my application, I’m keen to start a career with [company], having aspired to work at the company from a young age. I look forward to discussing my suitability in more detail during an interview.

3. Manager-Level Positions

I appreciate your time in reviewing my application for this role. With my extensive experience in similar positions, I am keen to take the next step and confident I can drive the success of the [name of team/department]. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at your convenience to schedule a discussion.

Your cover letter conclusion is important in making a lasting impression, so be aware that there are some common pitfalls to avoid. Here are some mistakes that can impact your cover letter sign off.

Generic closings

When penning your cover letter closing, avoid generic salutations such as  Best without any personal touch. Instead, try to personalise your closing to reflect the tone of your letter and the nature of the job you're applying for, referencing a detail about the company or the conversation you hope to have.

Informal language 

Maintaining a professional tone throughout your cover letter is essential, and this extends to the closing. Avoid informal language, including slang, contractions, or overly casual salutations like  Cheers . This can undermine the professional image you’re trying to present.

Grammatical errors and typos 

Proofread your cover letter’s closing paragraph to ensure it’s polished and free of errors. Typos or grammatical mistakes can leave a negative impression, suggesting a lack of attention to detail. Always double-check your closing, and consider having someone else review your letter as well.

Lack of enthusiasm 

The closing of your cover letter should show enthusiasm for the job opportunity. It’s a mistake to simply thank the reader without expressing your keen interest in the role. Make sure to share your excitement and that you look forward to potentially joining their team.

Unrealistic requests 

Avoid making unrealistic demands, such as insisting on an interview or proposing specific dates for one, which might make you seem inflexible. While it’s important to let them know your availability, you should allow the employer to take the initiative for the next steps. 

Including salary expectations

Discussing  salary expectations in your cover letter is generally not a good idea.  Salary negotiations are more appropriate for after an interview invitation, when you have a better understanding of the employer’s interest, the details of the role, and the full  employee benefits package .

Mentioning irrelevant Information

Keep the closing of your cover letter concise and focused on why you’re a good fit for the position. Avoid the temptation to ramble or include unnecessary personal details. This helps keep the reader’s attention on your qualifications and suitability for the role.

Redundant information 

Finally, avoid repeating information that you’ve already covered above. Instead, use the closing to highlight a particular skill or state your enthusiasm about the opportunity, adding a personal touch or a detail that connects to the company’s goals or culture. 

A strong and impactful closing to your cover letter is as important as the introduction and body. It’s your last chance to leave a positive impression, express gratitude, state your enthusiasm, and invite further discussion through a clear call to action.  A well-written cover letter ending can set you apart from other applicants, demonstrating your professionalism and keen interest in the role. 

How do you conclude a cover letter?

If you’re wondering how to close a cover letter effectively:

• Express gratitude for the reader’s time 
• Restate your interest in the position
• Include a call to action, inviting the employer to contact you for an interview 

This reinforces your enthusiasm and professional approach.

What’s the last thing you put on a cover letter?

The last thing you put on a cover letter is your professional closing salutation (valediction) such as  Sincerely  or  Best regards,  followed by your name. Ensure you leave space for a signature if you are submitting a hard copy.

What is an example of a cover letter conclusion?

An example of a cover letter conclusion might be: 

"Thank you for considering my application for the apprentice electrician position. I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to complete my training and launch my career with your company. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at your earliest convenience for an interview—I look forward to speaking with you.

Best regards, ⁠Name"

What are some generic closings I should avoid in my cover letter?

Avoid overly generic closings like  Yours truly,  or  Yours faithfully or closings that don’t show gratitude or include a call to action. These can seem impersonal and don’t convey any enthusiasm for the role or the company.

Is it okay to use contractions like “don’t” or “I’m” in my cover letter closing?

It’s generally recommended to avoid contractions in a cover letter to maintain a formal and professional tone throughout. Instead of contractions, use the full forms such as do not  and  I am.

Should I mention my salary expectations in the cover letter closing?

No, it’s not advisable to mention salary expectations in your cover letter unless specifically requested by the employer.  Salary discussions are more appropriate after an interview invitation.

How do you end a professional letter?

End a professional letter with a polite closing, such as  Sincerely, Respectfully, or  Kind regards,  followed by your name. This formal sign off helps maintain the professional tone of your letter.

How do you start and end a cover letter?

Start a cover letter with a polite greeting and an opening statement that conveys your enthusiasm for the job opening. End it with a professional closing that includes a thank you, a summary of your interest, and a call to action, followed by your signature and name.

How do you express enthusiasm in a cover letter?

Express enthusiasm in a cover letter by clearly stating your excitement about the role and the company. Use phrases like I am thrilled at the prospect of working with [company name] or  I am highly enthusiastic about contributing to your team, and provide specific reasons or aspects of the company or position that excite you.

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