How to Write a Cover Letter That Gets Read
Most cover letters repeat the CV and get skimmed in seconds. A good one is short, specific to the company and makes one clear case for why you fit. Here is a structure that works, with examples.
When a cover letter matters
Many applications treat the cover letter as optional, but it carries real weight when you are changing careers, relocating to another country, applying to a small company where the founder reads every application, or when the job ad explicitly asks for one. In those cases it is your chance to explain what the CV cannot.
A structure in four short paragraphs
Opening: name the role and give one reason you want this job at this company. Skip "I am writing to apply for…"; the reader already knows.
Your strongest match: pick the one requirement in the job ad that matters most and show, with a concrete result, that you have done it. Second point: a different skill or experience the ad asks for, again with evidence. Close: say you would welcome a conversation, and mention availability or relocation plans if relevant.
Make it about them, not you
Read the company's website, product and recent news before writing. A line like "Your move into the German market is exactly the kind of launch I ran at Acme, where we reached 10,000 paying users in eight months" shows research and relevance in one sentence. Generic praise ("I admire your innovative culture") does not.
Length, tone and format
Keep it under one page: 250 to 400 words is plenty. Use the same header as your CV so the two look like a set, address a named person when you can find one, and write the way you would speak in a professional meeting. Send it as a PDF unless the form has a text box, in which case paste it in plain text.
Mistakes that get cover letters skipped
Repeating the CV line by line, using one letter for every application, getting the company name wrong, writing more than a page, and focusing on what the job would do for you rather than what you would bring. Proofread twice; a typo in a one-page letter is far more visible than in a CV.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a cover letter be?
Between 250 and 400 words, and never more than one page.
Is a cover letter still necessary?
Not always, but it matters when the ad asks for one, when you are changing careers or relocating, and at small companies.
Who should I address a cover letter to?
The hiring manager by name if you can find them; otherwise "Dear Hiring Team" or the team name is better than "To whom it may concern".
Can I use the same cover letter for every job?
You can reuse a structure, but the opening and the evidence paragraphs should be rewritten for each company.