How to Write a Cover Letter

Your cover letter header should match your resume for a polished, cohesive look. Include your full name, phone number, email, and the date. Below that, add the recipient's name, title, company name, and address.

Always address the letter to a specific person when possible. "Dear [Hiring Manager's Name]" is ideal. If you cannot find a name, "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear [Department] Team" are acceptable alternatives. Avoid outdated greetings like "To Whom It May Concern" or "Dear Sir/Madam."

Your opening paragraph should grab attention immediately. Mention the specific position, how you learned about it, and one compelling reason why you are an excellent fit. Avoid generic openers like "I am writing to apply for..."

Strong example: "When I saw the Senior Product Manager opening at Acme Corp, I knew my experience launching three successful SaaS products with combined ARR of $12M made this a perfect match."

Use 1-2 paragraphs to demonstrate why you are the right candidate. Each paragraph should:

• Connect a specific requirement from the job posting to your experience
• Provide concrete examples and quantified results
• Show you understand the company's challenges or goals
• Demonstrate skills that complement what is on your resume

Do not simply repeat your resume. Instead, tell the story behind your accomplishments and explain how they are relevant to the new role.

Your closing paragraph should:

• Reiterate your enthusiasm for the role
• Summarize why you are a great fit in one sentence
• Include a clear call to action (request for interview)
• Thank the reader for their time

Sign off with "Sincerely," "Best regards," or "Thank you," followed by your full name.

• Keep it to one page (250-400 words)
• Use the same font and header as your resume
• Use 10-12pt font and 1-1.15 line spacing
• Maintain 1-inch margins
• Use standard business letter format
• Save as PDF with a clear filename