How to write an effective cover letter

By: Amanda Phagan, Edited by: Rebecca Munday

Last updated: December 4, 2025

Do you know the recipe for crafting a top-notch cover letter? This document should showcase your knowledge of the role you're applying for, demonstrate your genuine interest, and summarize your eligibility for the position. A cover letter can make or break your chances of getting hired, so it's important to include all the essential elements.

Find out what makes an effective cover letter, and learn from a recruiting specialist, in our guide below.

Why are cover letters still important?

While some employers may not require cover letters, many still do. A cover letter is an opportunity to add context and personality to your application. Your cover letter can help you:

• Differentiate yourself from other applicants
• Show enthusiasm for the organization's mission or values
• Express your communication style and demonstrate your soft skills
• Demonstrate persuasiveness and attention to detail
• Explain any employment gaps or career development achievements not listed on your résumé

A well-written cover letter can even help you stand out to an applicant tracking system (ATS), an increasingly popular artificial intelligence (AI) technology used to assist recruiters throughout the hiring process.

Senior Recruiting Specialist Dan Howie explains: "A cover letter allows you to differentiate yourself, create a sense of identity, express specific interest, and make connections that go beyond the fact that your résumé says you can do this job. It can also go into why you want this job, what you're looking for, and what about your experience applies directly to this in a way that I think is much more personable ... in a crowded field of applicants."

Keep in mind

Some employers, especially in creative and tech spaces, may approach the job application process in a nontraditional manner. Study the job description before submitting your application to get a feel for the organization's personality, culture, and stance on the application process. Some listings may request a special assignment in addition to or instead of a cover letter.

Parts of a cover letter (with examples)

1. Header

The header of your cover letter is the first section that a hiring manager (or ATS) encounters. Like the "from" section of a letter, it should specify who the document is from and include your contact information. While formatting depends on your preferences and template, the header is typically positioned in the top left of a cover letter. Here's an example of a cover letter header:

In practice, this may look like:

2. Greeting

A cover letter greeting addresses the reader and sets the tone for the rest of the document. For this section, you'll ideally want to know who will be reading your application.

If you know your hiring manager's name, use it here. If you can't track down their name, "Dear hiring manager," followed by a comma, is an acceptable greeting. Just like in a written letter, the greeting should be left-aligned and above the rest of the letter (with the exception of the header).

Avoid using a trite, impersonal greeting like "To whom it may concern" or "Dear Sir or Madam."

3. Introduction

The introduction of your cover letter is key to capturing your reader's interest. In this section, you should demonstrate that you're familiar with the position and company you're applying for. Your introduction is also a great place to express your enthusiasm for the role and showcase your knowledge of the industry. Here's an example of this in practice:

It may be tempting to reuse the same cover letter for multiple job applications, but the key is to do your research and make a case for yourself as an ideal candidate for each specific role. Your attention to detail should be evident in this first paragraph of your cover letter.

"The more excited and ambitious and well-read and researched you come into those recruiter conversations, the better chance you stand of that recruiter coming away from the chat with you and saying, 'This person really came with their A-game,'" stresses Howie.

4. Body

After capturing your reader's attention in the introduction, it's time to go into more detail about how your background relates to the position. As you describe your relevant experience, be sure to pepper in some keywords from the job description. You also need to substantiate the claims you make about your experience with measurable outcomes or examples, when possible.

Howie says, "Really put some time and thought into what you want to say. Obviously, mention the specifics of what they're looking for in the job description. One thing I like to see is cover letters where people will have an introduction to themselves, express their interest, but then they'll pull out specific bulleted points from our job description and fill in why they're a good fit for that specific bullet point."

The body of your cover letter is also a great place to include relevant information that doesn't fit on your résumé, such as a passion, hobby, or favorite project. But try not to include too much information; you don't want to overwhelm the reader or lose their interest. Here's an example:

5. Closing

The closing is the final paragraph of your cover letter. This section aims to succinctly summarize your eligibility for the position and leave the reader confident in your ability to fill the role and mesh with the rest of the hiring team. Your closing may read something like:

Top tips for writing a cover letter

As you craft the perfect cover letter, remember the following advice:

Complete cover letter example

Here's a complete cover letter example that incorporates all the elements and best practices discussed above: