What you'll get
📝 Personalized opening paragraph
A strong hook that mentions the role, company, and why you're a fit—tailored to the specific job description.
💼 2–3 impact paragraphs mapped to JD requirements
Each paragraph connects one of your achievements to a key requirement from the job posting, with metrics and context.
🎯 Closing + call to action
A confident close that expresses enthusiasm and invites next steps—professional but not pushy.
✏️ Editable bullets / highlights
Full control to adjust tone, add personal stories, or emphasize different aspects before exporting to PDF or Word.
What is a cover letter (job application letter)?
A cover letter (also called a job application letter) is a short document that explains why you're a strong fit for a specific role. A good cover letter is not a summary of your resume—it connects your experience to the job requirements with clear proof.
Cover letters are most useful when:
- You're switching careers and need to explain transferable skills
- You're applying to competitive roles where many candidates have similar backgrounds
- The job posting explicitly asks for one
- You want to show enthusiasm for the company or mission
How to write a cover letter for a job (in 10 minutes)
Follow these three steps to write a targeted cover letter quickly:
1
Pick 3 core requirements
Read the JD and identify the top 3 skills or responsibilities
2
Match with proof
For each requirement, find one real example from your experience
3
Write the structure
Opening → fit proof → closing (keep it under one page)
Cover letter template (copy & paste)
Use this structure as a starting point. Replace the bracketed sections with your information:
Opening (3–4 sentences):
Hello [Hiring Manager Name],
I'm applying for the [Role] position at [Company]. With [X years / X projects] in [relevant area], I've delivered [key outcome]. I'm excited about this role because [1 sentence about company/mission]. I believe my experience in [Skill 1] and [Skill 2] aligns strongly with your needs.
Body (1–2 paragraphs):
In my recent role at [Company], I [did what] by [how], resulting in [metric/outcome]. This maps directly to your requirement for [JD requirement].
Another example: I [did what], collaborating with [stakeholders], and achieved [impact]. This aligns with [JD requirement].
Closing (2–3 sentences):
I'd love to discuss how I can help [Company] achieve [goal]. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Name]
Tailor your cover letter to the job description (without keyword stuffing)
The best cover letters use the JD's language naturally—especially for tools, skills, and responsibilities. Here's how to tailor effectively:
- Use the same skill names: If the JD says "stakeholder management," use that exact phrase (not "working with teams")
- Reference 2–3 keywords naturally: Weave them into your proof paragraphs, not as a list
- Show proof: Metrics, outcomes, and scope matter more than keyword density
- Focus on the top requirements: Don't try to address every bullet—pick the 3 most important
Pro tip: If you tailor only one thing, tailor your opening and your top proof paragraph. That's what recruiters read first.
Cover letter examples (with job-specific tailoring)
Here are three complete examples showing how to connect your experience to specific job requirements:
Software Engineer
Opening
Hello Sarah,
I'm applying for the Backend Engineer position at Stripe. With 4 years building scalable APIs and payment systems, I've shipped features that process over $2M in daily transactions. I'm excited about Stripe's mission to increase the GDP of the internet, and I believe my experience in distributed systems and API design aligns well with your team's needs.
Proof Paragraph
In my current role at PayTech, I built a webhook delivery system that handles 50K events per second with 99.95% reliability. This required designing idempotent APIs, implementing retry logic, and optimizing database queries—all skills mentioned in your job description. I also led the migration from a monolith to microservices, reducing deployment time by 60% and improving team velocity.
Closing
I'd love to discuss how I can help Stripe build reliable, developer-friendly infrastructure. Thank you for your consideration.
Best,
Alex Chen
Data Analyst
Opening
Hello Michael,
I'm applying for the Data Analyst role at Airbnb. With 3 years analyzing user behavior and building dashboards, I've helped product teams increase retention by 22%. I'm drawn to Airbnb's focus on data-driven decision-making, and my experience with SQL, Python, and A/B testing aligns closely with your requirements.
Proof Paragraph
At TravelCo, I built a cohort retention dashboard that became the primary tool for our growth team. I wrote complex SQL queries to track user journeys, automated weekly reports with Python, and designed A/B tests that validated 15+ product changes. One analysis I led uncovered a drop-off point in our booking flow, and the fix increased conversions by 18%—directly impacting revenue.
Closing
I'd be excited to bring my analytical skills to Airbnb and help your team make better, faster decisions. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Jordan Lee
Product Manager
Opening
Hello Emma,
I'm applying for the Senior Product Manager position at Notion. With 5 years leading B2B SaaS products, I've launched features used by 500K+ users and improved activation by 30%. I admire Notion's focus on empowering teams with flexible tools, and my experience in collaboration software and PLG aligns well with this role.
Proof Paragraph
At DocuFlow, I owned the onboarding experience and reduced time-to-value from 7 days to 2 days by redesigning the setup flow and adding in-app guidance. I ran 20+ A/B tests, partnered closely with engineering and design, and used Mixpanel to track every step of the funnel. This work increased our free-to-paid conversion by 25% and became a template for other teams. I also wrote detailed PRDs and ran user interviews to validate assumptions before building.
Closing
I'd love to discuss how I can help Notion continue building products that users love. Thank you for considering my application.
Best regards,
Taylor Kim
Common cover letter mistakes to avoid
-
❌
Sending a generic letter to every job
Recruiters can tell. Tailor at least the opening and one proof paragraph to the specific role.
-
❌
Copying the resume without adding context
A cover letter should explain the "why" and "how," not just repeat bullet points.
-
❌
Writing a long biography
Keep it to one page. Focus on recent, relevant experience—not your entire career history.
-
❌
Making claims with no evidence
"I'm a great communicator" means nothing. Show it with examples and outcomes.
-
❌
Forgetting to update the company name
Classic mistake. Always double-check before sending.
Cover letter FAQ
Do I need a cover letter?
If the job posting asks for one, yes. If it's optional, it depends: cover letters help when you're switching careers, applying to competitive roles, or want to show enthusiasm for the company. If your resume already tells a clear story, you can skip it for roles that don't require one.
How long should a cover letter be?
One page, typically 3-5 paragraphs (250-400 words). Keep it focused: a strong opening, 1-2 proof paragraphs, and a confident close. Recruiters spend less than 30 seconds reading, so shorter is better if it's complete.
What if I have no experience?
Use school projects, volunteer work, internships, or personal projects. Focus on transferable skills (communication, problem-solving, learning speed) and show enthusiasm for the role. Explain what you're excited to learn and how your background prepares you to contribute.
Can AI write a cover letter?
AI can draft a strong starting point by matching your experience to the job requirements. You should still edit it to add personal touches, adjust tone, and make sure it sounds like you. Think of AI as a writing assistant, not a replacement for your voice.
Should I mention salary expectations?
No, unless the job posting specifically asks for it. Salary discussions belong in later interview stages, not in your cover letter.
Should I send my cover letter as PDF or Word?
PDF is safer—it preserves formatting across all devices. Use Word only if the job posting specifically requests it. Always name your file clearly: "FirstName_LastName_CoverLetter.pdf"
Can I reuse one cover letter for multiple jobs?
You can reuse the structure and some paragraphs, but always tailor the opening and at least one proof paragraph to the specific job. Recruiters can tell when a letter is generic.
How do I write an email application letter?
If you're applying via email, your email body IS the cover letter. Keep it short (3-4 paragraphs), use a clear subject line ("Application for [Role] – [Your Name]"), and attach your resume as a PDF. Don't write "see attached cover letter"—just write the letter in the email.