How to Write a Cover Letter That Gets You Noticed

Cover letters are necessary to make a strong first impression on employers. But how do you write one that stands out?

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of writing an effective cover letter that will catch any hiring manager’s attention and increase your chances of landing an interview.

1. Make sure your contact info stands out

Your cover letter’s header should include your name and contact information so the hiring manager can easily reach out to you if they’re interested in interviewing you.

Make sure the following information is prominently displayed at the top of your cover letter:

• First and last name
• Email address
• Phone number
• City and state (optional)
• Linkedin profile (optional)
• Portfolio or website (optional)
• Pronouns (optional)

2. Greet the hiring manager

After your header, include the date and the company contact information in this format:

Next, address your cover letter to the hiring manager — by name if possible. This personal touch shows that you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in the position.

If you can’t find the hiring manager’s name, use a professional cover letter salutation such as “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear [Department Name] Team.”

Avoid outdated or overly formal greetings like “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir or Madam,” as these can make your letter feel impersonal and old-fashioned.

3. Hook your reader with a strong opening paragraph

Your opening paragraph is your chance to capture the reader’s attention and make them want to read more. Start your cover letter by expressing your enthusiasm for the position and the company.

Briefly mention how you learned about the job opening and provide an overview of your experience. You can also use this paragraph to highlight a key achievement or skill that makes you the ideal candidate.

4. Explain why you’re the perfect fit in your body paragraph(s)

Your body paragraphs should convince the hiring manager that you’re the perfect person for the job. Use this opportunity to market yourself by discussing your relevant work experience, skills, achievements, and enthusiasm for the job.

First body paragraph: Start your first body paragraph by linking your qualifications directly to the job requirements. Read the job description closely to identify the skills and experience the employer is looking for.

Second & third body paragraphs: Then, in the next paragraph(s), bring your resume to life. Share concrete examples of your accomplishments and explain how they tie into the role you’re applying for.

This approach shows that you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in adding value to the company, not just securing a job for yourself.

5. Finish with a confident closing paragraph and sign-off

The last paragraph is the “call to action” part of your cover letter. When ending your cover letter, be polite and confident, and continue to market yourself as the best candidate for the job.

Start by sharing your excitement about the opportunity once more — it’s always a good idea to end on a positive note! Then, invite the hiring manager to schedule an interview and thank them for taking the time to read your application.

Finally, wrap up your cover letter with a professional sign-off. The standard closing is “Sincerely,” but here are some more options:

Then, add two line breaks and type your full name.

Tips for making a cover letter that sets you apart

Here are some expert tips to help you create the best cover letter possible:

Research the company

A little research goes a long way toward showing employers that you’re committed and interested in this job, not just any job.

In your cover letter, mention specific aspects of the company that appeal to you and explain how your skills and experiences align with their mission and values.

Here are some company-related tidbits you can mention:

• Founding or origin story
• Reputation and position in the industry
• Notable successes or growth
• Measurable impact
• Future goals
• Challenges to overcome

Don’t forget to tie in why you find their mission motivating or how you can contribute. Here’s an example:

I’m inspired by EcoPower Solutions’ impressive track record in advancing sustainable energy, shown by the remarkable reduction of carbon emissions by 15% over the past year. Your dedication to environmental stewardship aligns seamlessly with my passion for clean energy, and I’m enthusiastic about contributing to the company’s future impact. My experience in implementing energy-efficient solutions that led to a 20% increase in operational efficiency perfectly complements your commitment to driving positive environmental change.

Tailor it to the job

The worst thing you can do is send the same generic letter to every company. Instead, tailor each cover letter to the specific job and company you’re applying to. Use the job description as a guide, addressing the key requirements and qualifications mentioned.

Show how your skills and experiences directly relate to what the employer is looking for. This approach allows you to strategically incorporate relevant keywords into your cover letter and demonstrates your genuine interest in the position, making it more likely that you’ll stand out from other applicants.

Don’t just repeat what’s on your resume

Your cover letter shouldn’t just be a rehash of your resume — it’s your chance to tell the story behind your experience and show the hiring manager why you’re a perfect fit for the job.

Instead of listing your skills and job titles, focus on connecting the dots between your background and the company’s needs. Highlight specific accomplishments, explain career transitions, or share your passion for the role and industry.

By fleshing out your career narrative, you make your application more compelling and memorable, showing the employer who you are beyond the bullet points.

Be excited, but not desperate

While it’s important to show enthusiasm for the role in your cover letter, there’s a fine line between excited and desperate.

Focus on explaining why the role excites you and how your skills align with their needs, rather than overemphasizing how much you need the position.

Keep it concise

Keep your cover letter’s length to about 250–400 words, or roughly one page.

Every word should count. Focus on your most relevant skills and experiences. A concise, well-written cover letter shows that you can communicate effectively and that you respect the reader’s time.

Check your formatting

Using a consistent cover letter format makes your application look polished and professional. A well-written cover letter is normally:

• 200–400 words (short cover letters are easier to skim)
• Single-spaced
• US Letter (USA) or A4 (elsewhere) page size
• Left-aligned (except for your name and contact details, which can be centered)

Take a look at the checklist below before you submit your application to make sure your cover letter is formatted correctly:

Proofread carefully

Typos and grammatical errors in your cover letter will leave a negative impression on employers.

Here are two quick tricks professional editors use to catch mistakes:

1. Read your writing out loud: Reading your letter aloud forces you to consider every word, sentence, paragraph, and punctuation mark. Plus, it’ll help you notice any hard-to-read sentences, so you can simplify them.
2. Change the font: Switching your cover letter’s font forces your brain to pay attention to mistakes you may have glossed over before.

Ask for feedback

Before you submit your cover letter, ask a trusted friend or colleague to review it. A fresh pair of eyes can help you catch mistakes you may have missed or notice ways to improve your cover letter.

Their feedback can help you refine your tone, content, and clarity, making your letter even stronger.

Address any unusual aspects of your candidacy

If there’s something unique about your background — a gap in your work history, a career change, or an unconventional path — address it directly in your cover letter.

Frame it as a strength by explaining what you’ve learned or how it makes you a better fit for the job. Tackling potential concerns head-on can turn potential red flags into green flags.

Use online tools to save time

If you’re short on time, there are several powerful cover letter builders online that you can try out. In this video, we’ll walk you through our own cover letter generator, so you can create your own in a few quick steps.

What to include in a cover letter

A well-written cover letter should include several key elements to make a strong impression on hiring managers. Here are the essential components:

• Professional header: Include a professional header with your name and current contact information, along with a personalized greeting that addresses the hiring manager by name
• Strong introduction: Structure your opening paragraph to clearly state the position you’re applying for and briefly explain what draws you to the role and company
• Measurable impact: Focus the body paragraphs on specific, quantifiable achievements that demonstrate your value
• Why you’d be a good fit: Research the company’s culture and goals, then explain how your experience aligns with their mission and needs
• Confident closing: End your letter with a confident closing that requests an interview, followed by a professional sign-off like “Sincerely” or “Best regards”

Cover letter example that successfully landed our content manager his job

When you’re trying to figure out how you want to write your cover letter, sometimes what’s most helpful is seeing an example that actually worked.

Here’s a cover letter our very own content manager, Conrad Benz, submitted to land his first role at Resume Genius:

Geoff Scott, Hiring Manager at Resume Genius, provided several reasons he found Conrad’s cover letter effective:

1. Conrad immediately touches upon his relevant experience in the first paragraph, which makes me want to continue reading.
2. It’s important to note that he claims to have extensive experience writing and editing, and also proves his ability to string sentences together coherently, which I appreciate.
3. I like that Conrad focuses first on his most relevant experience, because it makes a more compelling case for him as a candidate.
4. In the closing paragraph, Conrad’s statement of interest in pursuing his passion for writing holds more weight because he’s already used the preceding paragraphs to establish his experience effectively.

In his cover letter, Conrad did an excellent job of describing how his past experiences and the skills he developed translated to the Content Writer position, what interested him about the role, and the value he would add to the team.

However, if we were to suggest one area for improvement in retrospect, it would be to include some quantified achievements that demonstrate the scope of Conrad’s experience and maximize the impact of his cover letter.

Additional examples of effective cover letters

Want to see some more cover letter examples? Check out the industry-specific examples below:

Open Gallery

Office Manager Cover Letter

Open Gallery

Retail Sales Associate Cover Letter

Open Gallery

Video Editor Cover Letter

Open Gallery

Engineering Cover Letter Example

Open Gallery

Bartender Cover Letter Sample

Open Gallery

Elementary Teacher Cover Letter Example

Frequently asked questions about how to write a cover letter

Still unsure about something? Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about writing a cover letter:

Do I always need to submit a cover letter?

Yes, generally cover letters are necessary. A well-written cover letter can complement your resume, explain your fit for the position, showcase your written communication skills, help overcome lack of experience, and provide context for unusual circumstances.

Even when optional, including a tailored cover letter can significantly boost your chances of landing an interview.

Where can I find cover letter templates?

You can find many cover letter templates online, but not all of them are free. Try browsing our library of 200+ free cover letter templates for every profession to find one that works for you.

What makes a good cover letter?

A good cover letter expands upon the information in your resume, providing context for your skills and accomplishments. The best cover letters also give employers insight into your personality so they can determine if you’d be a good cultural fit for the company.

What file format should I use for my cover letter?

PDF is generally the best file type to use, because it looks the same across all devices and platforms. However, if a Word document (DOC/DOCX) is required, follow the employer’s instructions.

How do I write a cover letter if I don’t have work experience?

If you’re writing a cover letter without work experience, you should instead highlight details like your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, or volunteer work: