A strong cover letter does something a resume cannot. It tells the story behind the bullet points and shows a human being why this role, at this company, matters to you. Done well, it is often what earns the interview.
Tailor it to the role
Write to the specific job, not to whom it may concern. A letter that clearly responds to their description tells the employer you are serious and paying attention.
Make it easy to read
Simple layout, clean font, short sentences, and a single page. A cover letter that respects the reader's time earns more of it.
Show your impact, with examples
This is your space to make the case for yourself. Use specific moments from your past work, ideally with a result attached, instead of a list of adjectives.
Say why this company
Name what draws you to their mission, specifically. This is where a good letter separates itself from a template, and where a climate employer sees whether you actually understand what they do.
Proofread, then have someone else do it too
Typos undercut a strong letter. Read it aloud, then ask a friend or mentor to catch what you missed. Fresh eyes always find something.
A compelling cover letter turns your qualifications into a story worth reading. Get these five things right and you give a real person a reason to want to meet you.