A cover letter introduces you and explains why you suit this job. It supports your resume instead of repeating it. Keep it to one page, with four short paragraphs at most.
Before you write
Read the job advert twice and note the three or four things they ask for most. Your letter should speak to those points. Find the name of the hiring person if you can, and address the letter to them. If not, “Dear Hiring Manager” is fine.
A simple structure
1. Opening (2 to 3 lines). Say which job you are applying for and why it interests you in one sentence.
2. Your best evidence (one paragraph). Pick one or two achievements that match the job. Be specific.
3. Why this company (a few lines). Show you know what they do and what you can add.
4. Closing (2 lines). Thank them, say you would welcome a conversation, and mention that your resume is attached.
A short example
“I am writing to apply for the Customer Support Executive role advertised on your website. In my last role I handled around 60 customer queries a day and cut average reply time by keeping a shared answers list for the team. I would like to bring the same care to your support team. I have attached my resume and would welcome a chance to talk.”
What to avoid
- Repeating your entire resume.
- Generic lines like “I am a hard-working team player” with nothing to back them up.
- Spelling the company or manager’s name wrongly.
- Long paragraphs. Short ones are easier to scan.
- Exaggeration. Only claim what you can discuss in an interview.
Freshers with little experience
Use projects, internships, college activities and skills. Explain what you did and what you learned. Pair the letter with a clear resume. See our guide on resumes for freshers.
Format and send
- One page, simple font, size 11 or 12.
- Save as a PDF named like “Name-CoverLetter.pdf”.
- If you apply by email, a short version in the email body works well.
Use a template
The letter templates tool has a cover letter you can edit and save as a PDF, and you can build the matching resume with the resume maker. Read the letter aloud once before you send it. Everything stays in your browser.