A cover letter is a short note that says why you want this job and why you can do it. It is your chance to sound like a person.
Direct answer
A good cover letter is three or four short paragraphs: why this role and company, two or three things you have done that match the job, and a polite close. Address it to a named person where you can, use words from the job post and keep it under one page. Don't repeat your CV; add the story behind it.
Structure
- Opening: the role and your strongest reason you fit.
- Evidence: two or three examples with results.
- Why them: something specific about the company.
- Close: thank them and say you would welcome an interview.
Example: internship
Dear Ms Okafor,
I'm applying for the marketing internship at Brightly. I've run my university society's social media for a year, growing our followers from 200 to 900 and bringing in two new sponsors.
In that role I learned to plan content weekly, test posts and read simple analytics. I'd like to bring that to your campaigns, and learn from your team.
I admire how Brightly explains products in plain language, which is how I try to write. Thank you for considering my application. I would be glad to talk.
Kind regards, Sam Lee
Change the details to your own true ones.
With no experience
Use school, volunteering and personal projects as your evidence. Show reliability, willingness to learn and why you want this kind of work.
Tips
- Find the hiring manager's name if you can.
- Mirror two or three keywords from the post.
- Use plain language.
- Read it aloud to catch awkward lines.
- Proofread twice.
Mistakes
- Starting with "To whom it may concern" with no effort to find a name
- Copying your CV
- Long paragraphs
- Wrong company name from a previous application
By email
Put a brief version in the email, attach your CV and use a clear subject: "Application: Marketing Intern, Sam Lee".
Where Teyro fits
Teyro's How to Get Noticed by Employers course includes writing a cover letter, a CV and a LinkedIn profile recruiters actually read. It is free to start.
The bottom line
Short, specific and warm. See also how to write a CV.
