Apr 1, 2026

How to Write a Cover Letter That Gets You Noticed (With Examples)

7 min read

Most cover letters are forgettable. They restate the resume, open with “I am writing to express my interest in…” and close with “I look forward to hearing from you.” Recruiters have read thousands of them.

A great cover letter does something different: it tells a story, shows genuine interest in the company, and makes a clear case for why you’re the right fit in a way your resume alone can’t.

This guide will show you exactly how to write one.

Do Cover Letters Still Matter?

Yes but not always, and not in the way most people think.

A cover letter rarely gets you a job on its own. But a bad one can lose you an opportunity. And a genuinely good cover letter one that’s specific, clear, and interesting can push you ahead of equally qualified candidates.

When a job posting says “cover letter optional,” send one anyway. It signals motivation and effort. When it says “cover letter required,” treat it as the first real test of your communication skills.

Cover Letter Structure: The 4-Paragraph Formula

Here’s a simple structure that works for almost any role or industry:

Paragraph 1 The Hook (2–3 sentences)

Open with something specific and genuine. Name the role, explain why you’re interested in this company, and lead with your strongest relevant credential.

Don’t write: “I am writing to apply for the Marketing Manager position at your company.”

Do write: “I’ve been following Notion’s work on collaborative tools for the past three years it’s one of the few products I use every single day. When I saw the Marketing Manager opening, applying felt like an obvious next step. I’ve spent the last five years growing product marketing teams at B2B SaaS companies, and I’m genuinely excited about the problems Notion is solving.”

Paragraph 2 Your Strongest Achievement (3–4 sentences)

Pick one or two specific accomplishments that are directly relevant to the role. Don’t summarize your resume go deeper on one thing that proves you can do this job.

Example: “At my previous company, I led the launch of our enterprise tier a product line that hadn’t existed before. I built the go-to-market strategy from scratch, coordinated across sales, product, and design, and helped close our first 30 enterprise accounts within six months of launch. That experience taught me how to move fast with limited resources and bring cross-functional teams into alignment around a shared goal.”

Paragraph 3 Why This Company (2–3 sentences)

Show that you’ve done your research. Reference something specific a product decision, a recent launch, a value from their website that genuinely resonates. Generic flattery (“I admire your company’s innovative culture”) reads as filler.

Example: “I was particularly interested in your recent shift toward AI-assisted project management. The way you’ve approached it augmenting human decision-making rather than replacing it aligns closely with how I think about product development, and I’d be excited to work on a team pushing in that direction.”

Paragraph 4 The Close (2 sentences)

Express your enthusiasm, say you’d love to discuss further, and thank them for their time. Keep it brief and confident don’t grovel.

Example: “I’d love to talk about how my background fits what you’re building. Thank you for your time and consideration.”

Full Cover Letter Example

Here’s what the complete letter looks like when assembled:

Jane Smith jane.smith@gmail.com | linkedin.com/in/janesmith

March 15, 2025

Hiring Manager Notion Labs, Inc.

Dear Hiring Team,

I’ve been following Notion’s work on collaborative tools for the past three years it’s one of the few products I use every single day. When I saw the Marketing Manager opening, applying felt like an obvious next step. I’ve spent the last five years growing product marketing teams at B2B SaaS companies, and I’m genuinely excited about the problems Notion is solving.

At my previous company, I led the go-to-market launch of our enterprise tier a product line that hadn’t existed before. I built the strategy from scratch, coordinated across sales, product, and design, and helped close our first 30 enterprise accounts within six months of launch. That experience taught me how to move fast with limited resources and bring cross-functional teams into alignment around a shared goal.

I was particularly drawn to your recent shift toward AI-assisted project management. The way Notion has approached it augmenting human decision-making rather than replacing it aligns closely with how I think about product development, and I’d love to work on a team pushing in that direction.

I’d love to discuss how my background fits what you’re building. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely, Jane Smith

Cover Letter Formatting Tips

Length: One page maximum. Aim for 3–4 short paragraphs. If it’s longer than half a page, cut it.
Font: Match your resume same font, same size (10–12pt)
Address: Use “Dear [Name]” if you know the recruiter’s name. If not, “Dear Hiring Team” or “Dear [Team Name] Team” works fine. Avoid “To Whom It May Concern.”
File name: Save as FirstName-LastName-CoverLetter.pdf
Send as PDF: Same rule as your resume always PDF unless instructed otherwise

What NOT to Include in a Cover Letter

Avoid these common mistakes:

Restating your resume. The cover letter is not a summary of your CV. Pick one or two points to go deeper on, not a list of everything.
Opening with “I.” It’s a minor thing, but starting with “I am writing…” or “I have always been passionate about…” makes a weak first impression. Lead with the company or the opportunity instead.
Generic enthusiasm. Saying you’re “passionate,” “hardworking,” or “a great team player” without evidence is meaningless. Show, don’t tell.
Salary expectations (unless specifically requested)
Why you need the job employers care about what you can do for them, not what the job would do for you
Apologies for lacking experience don’t draw attention to weaknesses; focus on strengths

Cover Letter Templates by Situation

Template: Standard application

Dear [Hiring Team / Name],

[Opening: Why this company, and your strongest credential in 2–3 sentences.]

[Achievement: One specific result that proves you can do this job. Be concrete numbers, outcomes, scope.]

[Company connection: Something specific you’ve researched about them and why it resonates.]

I’d love to talk about how I can contribute to [Company Name]. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Template: No experience / entry level

Dear [Hiring Team / Name],

[Opening: Why this field or company genuinely interests you. Be honest and specific not “I’ve always been passionate about marketing.”]

[What you have: A relevant project, internship, coursework, or transferable skill with as much specificity as possible.]

[What you bring: Energy, adaptability, fresh perspective but frame it around what you’ll contribute, not what you hope to learn.]

I’d welcome the chance to discuss what I can bring to [Company Name]. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

For a full guide on writing a cover letter with no experience, see: Cover Letter With No Experience: Template and Examples

FAQ

How long should a cover letter be? Half a page to one full page. Three to four paragraphs is ideal. Recruiters don’t have time for long cover letters, and a concise one signals that you respect their time.

Should I write a cover letter if it’s listed as optional? Yes. It takes 20–30 minutes and can meaningfully increase your chances. Most candidates skip it submitting one already sets you apart.

What if I don’t know the hiring manager’s name? “Dear Hiring Team” or “Dear [Department] Team” (e.g., “Dear Marketing Team”) is perfectly acceptable. Try to find a name first check LinkedIn or the company website but don’t stress if you can’t.

Can I reuse the same cover letter? You can reuse the structure and achievement paragraphs, but paragraphs 1 and 3 (the hook and company connection) must be tailored for each application. A cover letter with the wrong company name is worse than no cover letter at all.

Should my cover letter match my resume’s design? Ideally yes a consistent header, same font, same style. It signals attention to detail and looks professional when submitted together.

How do I write a cover letter for a job I’m underqualified for? Focus entirely on what you do have, not what you lack. Lead with your strongest relevant experience, show genuine enthusiasm for the company’s work, and let them decide. Recruiters often have more flexibility than the job description suggests.

Cover Letter Checklist

Before you send, run through this list:

Opens with something specific not “I am writing to apply for…”
Names the specific role and company
Includes at least one concrete achievement with a measurable result
Shows genuine knowledge of the company (not generic flattery)
No longer than one page (ideally half a page)
No typos or grammatical errors
Addresses to a person or team (not “To Whom It May Concern”)
Saved as PDF with a professional file name
Does not repeat the resume line by line

Now that your cover letter is ready, make sure your resume is just as strong: How to Write a Resume From Scratch.

Also read: The Top 10 Resume Mistakes That Get You Rejected.