How to write a cover letter that gets read (not skimmed)
A modern cover letter is short, specific, and not a rewrite of your resume. Here's the four-paragraph structure that works.
Cover letters aren't dead — the boring ones are. A good one earns you an interview when your resume alone would have been passed on.
The four-paragraph structure
- Hook: one line about why this specific company.
- Proof: your strongest quantified achievement, framed for this role.
- Bridge: what you'd bring in the first 90 days.
- Close: one line inviting the next step.
The opening line
Don't say 'I am writing to express my interest'. Say something a recruiter hasn't read 400 times. 'I've been quietly following Northwind since your 2023 rebrand — the way you handled the pricing shift was the case study I keep sending my team.'
Length
250–400 words. Half a page. Nobody reads long cover letters.
Never do these
- Restate your resume — the recruiter already has it.
- Say 'I believe I would be a great fit.' Show it.
- Address 'To Whom It May Concern'. Find a name or use the team.
- Use the same letter for every job.
FAQ
Do I need a cover letter if the application doesn't ask for one?
For competitive roles, yes. It's a free chance to say something your resume can't.
Put this into practice.
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