What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is a written document commonly submitted with job and internship applications that provides specific examples of the skills and experience listed on your resume and explains why you are qualified for the position. It serves as a marketing tool to present your unique qualifications, demonstrate the value you bring to the role, and show why you are passionate about the company.
A cover letter complements your resume by connecting the dots between your previous experiences and the position requirements. It allows you to communicate your fit for the role through concrete examples rather than simply listing credentials. The document is typically one page and uses the same font style and point size as your resume.
Related terms: application letter, letter of interest, motivational letter, job application
Is a cover letter required for job applications?
A cover letter is required when the job posting explicitly states it as a mandatory document. When listed as optional, career advisors still recommend submitting one because it provides hiring managers with additional information about what you have to offer in a competitive job market.
Cover letters are highly recommended when you have limited experience in a role or industry, are making a career transition, are a strong writer who wants to showcase communication skills, or need to explain an employment gap. Certain industries may not require cover letters, so pay attention to the required documents and directions for every position.
What should I write about in a cover letter?
Your cover letter should focus on your most relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications that match the job description. The job description serves as your guide because it describes the employer's ideal candidate, and your job is to show how much you have in common with that candidate.
A typical cover letter follows this structure:
- Who you are, what you want, and what you believe in
- A transition statement summarizing what you will bring to the company
- Two skill and qualification matches with specific examples
- Why you want to work at this specific company
- Conclusion thanking the employer and expressing interest in further discussion
Your letter should demonstrate that you understand the employer's mission, the work its team does, and the clients it serves. Provide evidence from your experiences and coursework to show how you will contribute to support that mission and work.
Do I have to write a new cover letter for every application?
Technically yes, each cover letter should be tailored to the specific position. However, you can create different versions of your cover letter that highlight the most relevant skills for the types of positions you are applying for and adjust the employer contact information and position title as needed.
Always write a cover letter from scratch for the most important positions. It is better to apply for five relevant positions with complementing cover letters than to apply for fifty positions without any background research. Writing generic letters that lack customization communicates to employers that you did not care enough about the position to personalize your application.
There is no such thing as a truly general cover letter. If you do not have a specific job description, find one that reflects the type of opportunities you would apply to so you can write about the skills and experience most important to that type of employer.
How long should a cover letter be?
A cover letter should be one page in length. Use the same font style and point size that match your resume to maintain consistency across your application documents.
Remember that the reader is busy, so less is more. Your cover letter should be concise while still providing specific examples and demonstrating your fit for the role. Ensure your cover letter is error-free, as it serves as your first writing sample to the employer.
What is a cover letter NOT supposed to do?
A cover letter is not a repeat of your resume. While your resume lists your experiences and qualifications, your cover letter should provide context and specific examples that demonstrate how those experiences make you qualified for the position.
A cover letter should not be the same for every application or consist of just a few lines about why you want a job. Generic letters fail to show employers that you researched their organization or understand how your skills match their needs. Instead, your letter must demonstrate the unique value you bring to the specific role and organization.
How do I analyze a job description for my cover letter?
Start by identifying the two main parts of a job description: what you will do and what the company is looking for (qualifications). Focus first on the "what you'll do" portion, as the first few bullets are the most important and need to be addressed in your cover letter.
Highlight the responsibilities you have experience carrying out. Then review the qualifications section and note the ones you can comfortably meet, including any preferred or nice-to-have items. Qualifications are always negotiable and should never deter you from applying if you think you are almost there but missing a few requirements.
Create a table with two columns. In the left column, list the highlighted skills you identified. In the right column, write down how you match the advertised qualifications. Try to use as many of the same words as the job description, and if a job description mentions specific software like "QuickBooks," do not just say you have used "accounting software."
How do I address a cover letter?
Address the cover letter to an actual person whenever possible. Research the company website or call the employer to determine the recipient's name. If you cannot find the name of a hiring contact, address your letter to the head of the unit, department, or office.
In the salutation, include the recipient's title and last name (for example, "Dear Ms. Raintree") or write the recipient's entire name (for example, "Dear Jamie Morales"). While this is the least-preferred option, you may address your letter to "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear Hiring Committee" if you cannot locate the name of an actual person.
What are common cover letter story themes?
There are 8 common themes you can use to link your qualifications to the employer's needs:
- Leading people
- Taking initiative
- Affinity for challenging work
- Affinity for different types of work
- Affinity for specific work
- Dealing with failure
- Managing conflict
- Driven by curiosity
Pick the theme that best connects your qualifications to the job requirements. Use this theme to transform your bullet points into compelling sentences that tell a story about your fit for the role. The goal is to help you solidify the type of story you want to tell and guide your body paragraphs to show how your previous experiences demonstrate the skills the employer seeks.
How do I explain why I want to work at a specific company?
Research the company by asking yourself questions about their mission, the problem they are trying to solve, what is unique about the company compared to competitors, and what policies or values they feature on their homepage. Look at interviews that their founders or executives have done and read the company blog.
Pick your two most favorite aspects about the company. Choose one value-driven reason and one industry or current topic-related reason. If you use their product, that should be first on your list. Craft a paragraph that weaves these reasons together to show you resonate with both the company's values and its general direction.
If you cannot think of anything you genuinely like about the company, you need to rethink why you are applying. Your enthusiasm will shine through when you have been using their product or genuinely connect with their mission.
How does a cover letter compare to similar documents?
A cover letter is often compared to 3 related application documents:
| Related Document | Key Distinction | Usage Context |
|---|---|---|
| Resume | Resume lists experiences and qualifications; cover letter provides context and specific examples | Both submitted together for job applications |
| CV (Curriculum Vitae) | CV is a comprehensive academic document listing all accomplishments; cover letter is a one-page marketing tool | CV used for academic, research, and international positions |
| Personal Statement | Personal statement focuses on your background and motivations; cover letter focuses on employer needs and your fit | Personal statement used for graduate school applications |
Cover Letter vs. Resume
A resume provides a structured list of your work history, education, and skills, while a cover letter explains how those experiences make you qualified for the specific position. The resume shows what you have done; the cover letter shows why it matters to this employer.
Cover Letter vs. CV
A CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a comprehensive document that lists all your academic achievements, publications, presentations, and professional history, often spanning multiple pages. A cover letter is a one-page marketing document that highlights your most relevant qualifications for a specific position.
Cover Letter vs. Personal Statement
A personal statement tells your story and explains your motivations, typically for graduate school applications. A cover letter is employer-focused, demonstrating how your skills and experiences meet the specific needs of the organization and role you are applying for.