What should I include in a cover letter?

Content

I am applying for several job openings in my field and want to ensure my cover letters stand out effectively. As I’ve received mixed advice before and want to avoid generic or incomplete submissions, what essential elements should I include in a cover letter—specifically beyond just restating my resume—to demonstrate my genuine enthusiasm for the role, align my skills with the company’s needs, and persuade hiring managers to prioritize my application over others?

Here is a comprehensive list of what to include in a cover letter:

  1. Your Contact Information:
    • Full name
    • Street address
    • City, State, ZIP code
    • Phone number
    • Professional email address (e.g., firstname.lastname@email.com)
    • LinkedIn profile URL (optional, but recommended if relevant and professional)
    • Portfolio/Website URL (optional, only if highly relevant and professional)
  2. Date:
    • The date you are writing the letter.
  3. Employer’s Contact Information:
    • Hiring Manager Name (Use “Hiring Manager,” “Recruitment Manager,” or specific name if known)
    • Hiring Manager Title
    • Company Name
    • Company Street Address
    • Company City, State, ZIP Code
  4. Professional Salutation:
    • “Dear [Hiring Manager Name]” (Best if known)
    • “Dear [Title] Hiring Manager” (e.g., “Dear Marketing Hiring Manager”)
    • “Dear [Company Name] Hiring Team”
    • “Dear Hiring Manager” (Generic, but acceptable if specific name/title is unknown)
  5. Introduction Paragraph (Opening Hook):
    • Specify the exact position you are applying for.
    • Clearly state where you found the job posting (e.g., “I am writing to express my interest in the [Job Title] position advertised on [Platform, e.g., LinkedIn, company website].”).
    • Briefly state your key enthusiasm for the role and/or the company.
    • Mention one compelling hook (e.g., relevant mutual connection, significant accomplishment directly tied to the role, admiration for the company’s work).
  6. Body Paragraph 1: Connecting Skills & Experience to the Job:
    • Directly address 1-3 key requirements or qualifications listed in the job description.
    • Provide specific examples of your relevant skills, experiences, and achievements that demonstrate you possess these qualifications.
    • Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) whenever possible to concisely illustrate impact and results (quantify when feasible).
    • Explicitly link your past achievements to how they will benefit their team/organization for this specific role.
  7. Body Paragraph 2: Demonstrating Company Fit & Motivation:
    • Show you’ve researched the company. Mention specific aspects that genuinely appeal to you:
      • Company mission, values, or recent achievements.
      • Specific projects, products, or services you admire.
      • Company culture, reputation, or presence in the industry.
    • Explain why you want to work for this specific company and not just any company.
    • Connect your personal career goals or values to the company’s direction or culture.
  8. Body Paragraph 3 (Optional – Addressing Gaps/Quirks or Adding Strength):
    • Address potential concerns proactively but briefly (e.g., career change, gap in employment, relocation).
    • Highlight an additional relevant skill, accomplishment, or perspective not fully covered elsewhere that strengthens your candidacy for this specific role.
  9. Closing Paragraph: Call to Action & Enthusiasm:
    • Reiterate your strong interest in the position and confidence in your ability to contribute.
    • State clearly that you would welcome the opportunity for an interview.
    • Politely state your willingness to provide further information or discuss your qualifications in more detail.
    • Express appreciation for their time and consideration.
  10. Professional Closing:
    • “Sincerely,” (Standard formal closing)
    • “Best regards,” (Slightly less formal, but acceptable)
    • “Respectfully,”
  11. Your Typed Name:
    • Your full name below the closing salutation.

Key Considerations for Content:

  • Customization is Mandatory: Tailor every paragraph to the specific job and company using keywords from the job description.
  • Quantify Achievements: Use numbers, percentages, and concrete results whenever possible (e.g., “increased sales by 15%,” “managed a $50K budget,” “reduced processing time by 30%”).
  • Match Tone: Maintain a professional, confident, and enthusiastic tone that aligns with the company culture (research this).
  • Conciseness: Aim for 3-4 concise paragraphs (total length: roughly half a page to one full page). Be direct and avoid fluff.
  • Error-Free: Proofread meticulously for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Ask someone else to review it.
  • Relevance: Every sentence should serve a purpose in convincing the employer you are the right fit for this specific role.
  • Address the “Why You”: Continuously answer the implicit question: “Why should you hire me?”

What NOT to Include:

  • Generic statements like “I am a hard worker” without proof.
  • Information irrelevant to the job (e.g., hobbies, personal details).
  • Negative comments about previous employers.
  • Requests for salary expectations unless explicitly asked in the job posting/applications portal (mention it can be discussed later).
  • Excessive jargon or acronyms.
  • Your photograph.
  • References (state they are available upon request).
  • A summary of your resume; instead, use the cover letter to interpret and contextualize that information.

Published: November 29, 2025