A résumé tells employers what you’ve done—but a cover letter explains why it matters. It’s the difference between listing ingredients and describing a dish that makes someone want to take a bite.

Yet, too many job seekers treat cover letters as an afterthought, a formality that repeats their résumé in paragraph form. That’s a waste of space. Done right, a cover letter can persuade, intrigue, and make a hiring manager want to meet you.

Let’s talk about how to do it right.

First: Do Cover Letters Still Matter?

Yes. A well-written cover letter can tip the scales in your favor, even if your résumé isn’t a perfect match.

A ResumeLab study found that 83 percent of recruiters say a strong cover letter can secure an interview, even when the résumé itself is lacking. Why? Because a résumé is a cold list of facts, while a cover letter lets you tell your story—and hiring decisions are driven by more than just checkboxes.

What a Cover Letter Is (and Isn’t)

A cover letter is not a longer version of your résumé. It’s a sales pitch—your chance to make an employer say, “I need to meet this person.”

What it is:

• A personalized letter showing why you're a perfect fit
• A place to connect your experience to the company’s needs
• A demonstration of your personality and communication skills

What it isn’t:

• A list of everything you’ve ever done
• A generic, copy-paste template
• A boring formality that starts with “I am excited to apply”

How to Structure a Cover Letter That Gets Noticed

Your cover letter should be one page, three to four paragraphs, and purposeful. Every sentence must earn its place.

Here’s how to craft it:

1. Start with a Strong Hook (No Boring Openers)

Hiring managers skim cover letters. If your first sentence is weak, they won’t keep reading.

Bad opening:
"I am excited to apply for the [Job Title] at [Company Name]."

This tells them nothing. They already know what you’re applying for. Instead, grab their attention immediately.

Better opening:
"Last year, I led a campaign that increased customer engagement by 47 percent—without increasing ad spend. When I saw your opening for a Digital Marketing Manager, I knew my expertise in organic growth strategies could help your team achieve similar results."

This immediately establishes value and makes them want to read on.

2. Make It About Them, Not Just You

Most candidates focus on why they want the job. Big mistake. A hiring manager’s main concern is what you can do for them.

Instead of this:
"I am looking for a role that will allow me to grow my leadership skills."

Try this:
"Your company’s recent expansion into international markets presents an exciting challenge. With five years of experience in global logistics, I can help streamline your supply chain as you scale."

Notice the difference? The second version connects your skills to their needs—that’s what hiring managers care about.

3. Show Proof, Not Just Claims

Hiring managers see “strong communicator” and “team player” on every cover letter. Those words mean nothing without proof.

Instead of this:
"I have strong project management skills."

Use this:
"At [Previous Company], I managed a cross-functional team of 12, coordinating product launches that delivered $1.5 million in new revenue within six months."

If you don’t have hard numbers, describe impact in other ways—“helped reduce processing time by 30 percent,” or “trained new employees, improving onboarding efficiency.”

4. End with a Confident Call to Action

Close by reinforcing what you bring to the role and suggesting next steps. Skip weak endings like:
"I hope to hear from you soon."

Instead, go with:
"I would love the opportunity to discuss how my experience in audience growth and digital strategy can drive measurable results for your team. Let’s set up a time to talk."

Common Cover Letter Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

1. Using a Generic Template

If you can swap out the company name and send the same letter everywhere, it’s not good enough. A generic cover letter is worse than none at all.

2. Repeating Your Résumé

Your cover letter should complement, not copy your résumé. Instead of rehashing your experience, explain why it’s relevant to this company.

3. Writing More Than One Page

Hiring managers don’t have time for a novel. Keep it concise, compelling, and to the point.

4. Making It All About You

This is about how you help them. Shift the focus from “I want” to “Here’s how I can contribute.”

Final Checklist: Is Your Cover Letter Strong?

Before hitting send, ask yourself:

• Does the opening grab attention immediately?
• Have I tailored it to this specific company and role?
• Does it connect my experience to their needs?
• Have I used examples and proof, not just generic claims?
• Is it one page and easy to read?

If the answer is yes, your cover letter is ready to make an impact.  

Conclusion: Your Cover Letter is a Sales Pitch—Make It Count

A weak cover letter is a missed opportunity. A strong one makes hiring managers pause, take notice, and want to meet you.

By focusing on engagement, storytelling, and proof, you’ll stand out—not just as a qualified candidate, but as the right candidate.

Now go write the cover letter that gets you in the door.