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What You Need to Know
A good cover letter should include a clear introduction, relevant qualifications, specific examples of your experience, and a confident closing.
Your cover letter should complement your resume by providing context for your experience rather than repeating your work history.
Specific examples and measurable results offer employers concrete evidence of your skills and professional accomplishments.
Your cover letter shouldn’t include unsupported claims about your qualifications or personal details that don’t demonstrate your suitability for the role.
A strong cover letter gives employers a clearer picture of who you are, why you’re interested in the role, and what you can bring to the team. But knowing what to include—and what to leave out—can be challenging, especially when you’re starting from a blank page.
The good news? You don’t need to write a long or overly formal letter to make an impact. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what to include in a cover letter, how to structure each section, and tips for tailoring your letter to the job.
Want to save time and have your cover letter ready in 5 minutes? Try our Cover Letter Generator. It’s fast and easy to use, and you can match your cover letter and resume templates for a polished and cohesive job application.
A cover letter should include an introduction, your most relevant qualifications, specific examples of your experience, and a strong closing. It should also explain why you’re interested in the role and how your skills can contribute to the employer’s needs.
Here’s an overview of what goes in a cover letter:
Section
What to Include
Purpose
Header
Your name and contact information, the date, and the employer’s contact information
Identifies you and gives the employer a way to contact you
Salutation
The hiring manager’s name when available, or a professional alternative
Establishes a professional, direct connection with the reader
Opening paragraph
The position you’re applying for, your interest in the role, and a relevant qualification
Gets the employer’s attention and gives them a reason to keep reading
1–3 body paragraphs
Relevant skills, experience, accomplishments, and examples that connect to the job
Shows how your background meets the employer’s needs
Closing paragraph
A brief restatement of your interest, a call to action, and a thank-you
Reinforces your interest and encourages the employer to take the next step
Sign-off
A professional closing and your name and signature
Provides a polished ending to your letter
Header Section
Your cover letter header should include your full name, address (city and state only), phone number, professional email address, and the date. You can also include your LinkedIn profile or professional portfolio if the cover letter template you use has a natural place for it.
Below your contact information and the date, list the recipient’s name and title, company name, and business address.
Here’s an example of how to structure your header:
Emily Carter Portland, OR 97205 (503) 555-0186 emily.carter@email.com
October 8, 2026
Sarah Mitchell Marketing Director Brightside Creative Agency 920 SW Sixth Avenue, Suite 1200 Portland, OR 97204
💡 Pro tip: Keep it professional—no emails like “fancypants77@yahoo.com.” Also, keep your contact information consistent with your resume so hiring managers can easily identify and reach you.
Professional Salutation
Your cover letter salutation should address the hiring manager by name whenever possible. Check the job posting, company website, or LinkedIn to find the correct name and spelling.
Use a professional, inclusive greeting such as “Dear Alice Chen,” or “Dear Harper Davis,” when appropriate. If you’re unsure of someone’s preferred name or title, use their full name or a neutral greeting such as “Dear Hiring Manager.”
If you can’t identify the hiring manager, use a role-specific greeting such as “Dear Hiring Manager,” or “Dear Marketing Team,” rather than the outdated “To Whom It May Concern.”
Keep your greeting professional and follow it with a comma before starting your opening paragraph on a new line. For example:
Dear Sarah Mitchell,
Opening Paragraph (Your Hook)
Your opening paragraph should state the position you’re applying for, explain why you’re interested in the opportunity, and highlight one or two qualifications that make you a strong candidate. If someone referred you, mention their name here.
Keep your introduction focused and specific to the role rather than relying on generic statements about seeking a new opportunity. Your goal is to give the hiring manager a clear reason to keep reading and learn more about what you can bring to the team.
I’m excited to apply for the marketing specialist position at Brightside Creative Agency. With three years of experience developing digital campaigns, managing social media content, and analyzing campaign performance, I’ve built a strong foundation in creating marketing strategies that connect with audiences and support business goals. I’m especially interested in Brightside’s collaborative approach to creative work and would welcome the opportunity to contribute my skills to your team.
1 to 3 Body Paragraphs (Metrics & Keyword Alignment)
Your cover letter should include one to three body paragraphs that connect your experience and accomplishments to the job requirements. Highlight two or three relevant skills, and support them with specific examples of your work. Whenever possible, include measurable results, such as increasing sales or managing a project that came in under budget.
Review the job description for important skills, qualifications, and industry terms, then incorporate relevant keywords naturally into your letter. Focus on the requirements that match your background rather than trying to include every keyword.
Here’s an example of what to include in the body of your cover letter:
In my current role as a marketing coordinator, I manage email campaigns, develop social media content, and track performance across digital channels. By testing subject lines and refining audience segments, I increased email click-through rates by 22% over six months. I also collaborate with design and sales teams to keep campaigns aligned with brand guidelines and business objectives.
Beyond execution, I use analytics tools to spot trends and inform marketing decisions. I recently helped coordinate a product launch across email, social media, and paid advertising, contributing to a 17% increase in website traffic during the first month. My experience in content planning, campaign reporting, and cross-functional collaboration would let me support Brightside Creative Agency’s clients and deliver results-driven marketing strategies.
Closing Paragraph (Call-to-Action)
The closing paragraph brings your cover letter to a confident, professional finish. Reaffirm your interest in the position, briefly connect your qualifications to the employer’s needs, and express your interest in discussing the opportunity further.
Thank the hiring manager for their time and consideration, and use a clear call to action that invites them to contact you for an interview. Keep the tone positive and direct without sounding demanding or repeating details from your opening paragraph.
I’m excited about the opportunity to bring my digital marketing experience and data-driven approach to Brightside Creative Agency. I’d welcome the chance to discuss how my skills in campaign management, content strategy, and performance analysis could support your team and clients. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Always end on a strong note! Close your cover letter with a confident call to action, expressing your eagerness to discuss how your skills can benefit the company. A positive, proactive conclusion leaves a lasting impression and encourages the hiring manager to reach out.
—Anna Berkolec, Senior Talent Acquisition & Career Development Specialist
Formal Signoff
Your cover letter should include a professional sign-off, such as “Sincerely,” “Best regards,” or “Thank you.” Place the sign-off on a new line after your closing paragraph, followed by a comma.
Leave a few lines of space for a handwritten signature if you’re submitting a printed letter, then type your full name. For a cover letter submitted digitally, your typed name is sufficient.
Keep the sign-off simple and professional to end your letter on a polished note. For example:
Sincerely,
Emily Carter
How to Address Career Transitions, Relocation, & Employment Gaps in a Cover Letter
If you’re changing careers, relocating, or returning to work after an employment gap, your cover letter can help employers understand your circumstances and see how your experience aligns with the role. Keep explanations brief, focus on relevant qualifications, and use the opportunity to reinforce what you can bring to the team.
Career Transitions
When applying for a role in a new industry or career field, connect your previous experience to the position you’re pursuing. Highlight transferable skills, relevant training, certifications, or projects that demonstrate your ability to succeed in the new role.
Explain what interests you about the transition, but spend more time showing how your background prepares you for the opportunity than explaining why you’re leaving your previous field. For example:
My experience managing client relationships and coordinating cross-functional projects has strengthened my communication and problem-solving skills. I’m eager to apply these strengths to a project management role, where I can help teams stay organized, meet deadlines, and deliver results.
Relocation
If you’re moving to a new city or region, briefly mention your plans when your location could raise questions for the employer. Include your expected relocation date if it’s relevant, particularly if you’re moving before starting the position. Here’s an example:
I’ll be relocating to Denver in November and am excited to continue my career in the area’s growing technology sector. My experience supporting software implementation projects and building client relationships aligns well with your customer success team’s needs.
💡 Pro tip: If you’re already settled in the area, you generally don’t need to call attention to the move unless it helps explain your application. For remote positions, clarify your location or availability when it affects your eligibility.
Employment Gaps
If you’ve taken time away from work, you can briefly address the gap if doing so helps explain your career history. You don’t need to share private details about health, caregiving, family responsibilities, or other personal circumstances.
Instead, focus on your readiness to return, relevant skills, professional development, or experience that prepares you for the role. If the reason for the gap isn’t necessary to understand your application, you can leave it out entirely.
After taking time away from full-time work to focus on family responsibilities, I’m ready to return to a marketing role. Throughout my career, I’ve built experience in content strategy, campaign management, and performance analysis, and I’m excited to bring those skills to your team.
Examples of What to Include in a Cover Letter by Job Title
What you include in your cover letter depends on the role you’re applying for and the qualifications employers in your industry value most. See how to highlight job-specific skills, relevant experience, and key accomplishments to show employers why you’re a strong fit.
Registered Nurse
A registered nurse cover letter should highlight clinical experience, relevant certifications, and patient care skills that match the job requirements. Include examples of how you’ve supported patients, collaborated with healthcare teams, and applied clinical knowledge in practice.
A software engineer cover letter should showcase technical skills, relevant programming languages, and experience developing or improving software. Include specific projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities, collaboration, and impact.
A teacher cover letter should highlight your teaching experience, instructional skills, and ability to support student learning. Include examples of how you’ve developed lesson plans, managed classrooms, or adapted instruction to meet diverse student needs.
Avoid including personal details unrelated to the job, negative comments about past employers, salary expectations unless requested, or information that simply repeats your resume. Keep your tone professional, proofread for spelling and grammar errors, and remove generic statements that don’t explain why you’re a good fit for the position.
Irrelevant Personal Information
Leave out personal details unrelated to the job, such as your age, marital status, family situation, or religion. Focus on your professional qualifications, relevant experience, and the value you can bring to the role.
Negative Comments About Past Employers
Avoid criticizing former managers, coworkers, or workplaces. Even if you’re leaving a difficult situation, keep your explanation professional and focus on what you’re looking for in your next role.
Salary Expectations Unless Requested
Don’t include salary requirements or benefits expectations unless the employer specifically asks for them. Use your cover letter to demonstrate your qualifications and interest in the position rather than introducing compensation discussions prematurely.
Generic Statements Without Examples
Phrases such as “I’m a hard worker” or “I’m a team player” don’t tell hiring managers much on their own. Instead, demonstrate these qualities through specific examples of how you’ve contributed to a team, solved a problem, or achieved a goal.
A Summary of Your Entire Resume
Your cover letter should complement your resume, not repeat it. Choose a few relevant accomplishments and explain how they connect to the employer’s needs. Your letter should provide context and highlight strengths that may not be immediately apparent from the work history details included on your resume.
Exaggerated or Unsupported Claims
Avoid overstating your experience or listing skills you can’t demonstrate. Use accurate examples and measurable accomplishments when possible to establish credibility and show what you can contribute.
Apologies for Your Qualifications
Don’t undermine your application by apologizing for limited experience or drawing unnecessary attention to perceived weaknesses. Instead, emphasize transferable skills, relevant training, certifications, and your willingness to learn. If you’re changing careers or entering the workforce, explain how your background prepares you for the role.
Overly Casual or Demanding Language
Avoid slang, overly familiar greetings, and statements that assume you’ll receive an interview or job offer. Use a professional, confident tone that communicates genuine interest without sounding presumptuous.
Unnecessary Details & Lengthy Explanations
Keep your cover letter concise and focused on the role. Long anecdotes, unrelated work history, and repeated points can make your strongest qualifications harder to find. Aim for a letter that fits on one page and gives hiring managers a clear reason to consider your application.
Spelling, Grammar, & Formatting Errors
Typos and inconsistent formatting can distract hiring managers from your qualifications. Proofread your letter carefully, verify the hiring manager’s name and company details, and use a professional format that matches your resume.
Turn Your Experience Into a Stronger Application
Your cover letter is an opportunity to bring your experience to life and show employers what makes you a strong candidate.
By highlighting relevant accomplishments, tailoring your message to the role, and keeping your writing focused, you can make a stronger case for your candidacy.
Put these tips into practice, pair your cover letter with a tailored resume, and take the next step toward your career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the three golden rules in writing a cover letter?
The three golden rules of writing a cover letter are to tailor it to the job, highlight relevant qualifications, and keep it concise and professional. Review the job description and connect your skills and experience to the employer’s needs. Support your claims with specific examples or accomplishments instead of repeating your resume. Keep your letter focused, use a confident and professional tone, and proofread it carefully before submitting.
Should you include keywords from the job description in a cover letter?
Yes, using relevant keywords from the job description helps show that you understand the role and its requirements. Employers may look for specific technical skills, certifications, or industry knowledge when reviewing applications. Weave these terms into examples of your work to demonstrate how you’ve applied those skills in practice. Avoid forcing keywords into your letter or mentioning qualifications you don’t have.
How long should a cover letter be?
A cover letter should typically be three to five paragraphs and fit on one page, with about 250 to 400 words. Include an opening paragraph introducing your interest in the role, one to three body paragraphs highlighting relevant qualifications and accomplishments, and a closing paragraph expressing interest in next steps. Keep each paragraph focused, and follow any specific length or formatting instructions in the job posting.
What is the best structure for a cover letter?
The best structure for a cover letter is the standard business letter layout with one-inch margins, left-aligned text, and a professional font such as Arial or Times New Roman in 10- to 12-point size. Place your contact information and the date at the top, followed by the employer’s details, greeting, body paragraphs, closing, and sign-off. Use single spacing within paragraphs, leave a blank line between sections, and keep the letter to one page for easy reading.
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