If writing a cover letter feels like guessing what someone wants to hear, you’re not alone. But when done right, a cover letter can do more than check a box in your job application. It’s your chance to make a case for yourself, show you understand the position, and share why you actually care about it. These cover letter tips are here to help you write one that feels clear, confident, and worth reading.
Why Cover Letters Still Matter
Let’s be honest, cover letters have a reputation for being pointless. But nowadays, they’re far from irrelevant. In a sea of job applications, they’re still one of the few chances you get to make a strong first impression before a hiring manager even opens your resume.
The truth is, employers aren’t just looking for someone who can do the job. They’re looking for someone who wants this job, at this company, for the right reasons. A thoughtful cover letter shows them that you’re not just firing off applications at random. It gives potential employers insight into your personality, your motivation, and how you see yourself contributing, things a resume just can’t capture.
It also helps with the robots. Applicant tracking systems (ATS) often scan for keywords and context beyond the resume. A sharp, tailored cover letter can boost your chances of making it past that first digital gate and into the hands of a human being.
Is every hiring manager going to read it? No. But plenty still do, especially when they’re narrowing down a stack of qualified applicants. So skipping it? That could mean handing the edge to someone else who took the time to show why they’re the better fit.
How to Write a Cover Letter That Stands Out
The goal of your cover letter isn’t to summarize your resume. It’s to convince the reader why you're the right person for this position at this moment. A strong cover letter grabs attention fast, connects your background to the role, and makes it easy for employers to picture your success on their team. Here’s the basic structure to help you write one that actually lands interviews.
Use the Cover Letter to Tell Your Story
Think of your cover letter as the “why” behind your resume’s “what.” It’s your shot to explain how your experience aligns with the role and what drives you. Instead of rehashing bullet points, use them to connect the dots between your background, passion, and the position.
Maybe your resume shows five years in customer service, but your cover letter can reveal that what you really love is solving problems and building trust. That’s the kind of personality and purpose that makes your qualifications feel human. Hiring managers aren’t just hiring skills. They’re hiring people. So use this space to give your story some voice.
(Pro Tip: Not sure how to frame your background into a compelling story? Huntr’s AI Resume Review can surface which parts of your resume are strongest, so you know what to highlight in your cover letter.)
Customize It for Each Role
You don’t need to start from scratch every time, but you do need to tailor your cover letter. Employers can tell instantly when someone has copied and pasted the same generic paragraph for every job application. And if they can tell, they’ll skip it.
Start by reading the job description closely. What’s the company focused on? What kind of language do they use? What problems are they hiring you to solve? Your job is to mirror that back in a way that feels genuine. Mention something specific about the organization that caught your interest. Show you’ve done the research. Even a sentence or two of thoughtful customization can go a long way in showing that this isn’t just any job to you, it’s the job for you.
Keep It Brief but Powerful
Your cover letter should never feel like a chore to read. Keep it to one page, max. Three to four short paragraphs are plenty if each one pulls its weight.
Open strong, avoid long-winded intros, and don’t let the formatting get weird. Stick to a clean, professional font and leave enough white space to make it readable. Each paragraph should include specific details that relate to the job, not just vague claims about being a “hard worker” or “team player.”
When done right, your cover letter feels focused, confident, and easy to skim while still leaving a strong impression. That's the sweet spot.
15 Cover Letter Tips That Actually Help You Get Hired
A solid cover letter won’t magically get you hired, but it can move you past dozens of other applicants who didn’t bother to make theirs count. These tips are here to help you write one that actually gets read and remembered.
1. Start with a headline that hooks
Think of your opening paragraph like a headline. Skip the polite throat-clearing and get straight to why you're excited about the job or what makes you a standout. Hiring managers have a stack to get through, so your first few lines need to earn their attention, fast.
2. Show genuine excitement about the company
Don’t fake enthusiasm. If you’re applying, there’s something that drew you in; maybe it’s their mission, product, or the way they work. Say it. Employers can tell the difference between canned compliments and real interest, and the latter makes your personality and passion come through.
3. Ditch the generic intro
Everyone’s writing to apply. The hiring manager knows that. Starting your cover letter this way is a wasted first impression. Instead, kick things off with something more specific to the role or your value. Make your first paragraph worth reading.
4. Tell them what problem you solve
Employers don’t hire people just because they’re nice or qualified. They hire to fix problems. Use your cover letter to explain the kind of challenges you’re great at tackling and how that experience aligns with what this job needs. Show your value clearly.
5. Include one strong, relevant success story
Pick a single example that highlights your key achievements and ties into the role. A quick story with a measurable outcome is more convincing than a laundry list of tasks. Think quality over quantity here.
6. Mirror the tone of the job posting
If the job description is buttoned-up, keep your tone polished. If it’s playful or quirky, you’ve got more room to show your voice. Match their vibe while keeping it professional. It shows you understand their brand and how you’d fit in.
7. Use keywords without stuffing
Skim the job description and note the words that come up more than once. Then use them naturally in your cover letter and don’t just drop in a pile of buzzwords. Smart keyword use shows your skills match what they’re looking for without feeling forced.
(Pro Tip: Worried about missing the right keywords? Huntr’s Resume Keyword Scanner highlights what matters in each job description so you can naturally include the right terms without turning your letter into a buzzword salad.)
8. Align with their mission or values
If you genuinely care about what the company stands for, say so. Talk about how your passion or background connects with their values. That shared alignment can move your application to the top of the pile.
9. Be specific, not vague
Empty phrases don’t land. Instead of saying you’re a “team player,” talk about leading a project that required cross-functional teamwork. Specific details beat generic labels every time. They prove your qualifications rather than just claiming them.
10. Share what you want from this role too
Your goals matter. If you’re looking to grow in a certain area or work in a new industry, say so… briefly. It adds context and shows you’re not just chasing any job, but that this position fits where you’re headed.
11. Add personality without going off script
You don’t need to sound like a robot, but don’t treat your cover letter like a blog post either. Let your voice come through in small ways: your word choice, your phrasing, and your enthusiasm. Just keep it focused and professional.
12. Address your gaps or changes upfront
If you’re switching industries, re-entering the workforce, or have a gap in your background, it’s better to explain it. Briefly. Own the shift, focus on how your experience still aligns, and move on. Employers appreciate the clarity.
13. Avoid over-explaining or repeating your resume
The cover letter isn’t a resume rehash. Don’t walk through your work history job by job. Instead, highlight a few key things your resume can’t fully explain, like why you made a career move or what connects everything together.
14. Proofread, then proofread again
A typo in a resume is bad. A typo in a cover letter is worse. It signals you didn’t take the time to edit it. Read it aloud. Run it through a spell check. Ask a friend. Attention to detail is part of the impression you're making.
15. End with confidence, not desperation
Wrap it up with clarity and confidence. Reinforce your interest in the position and your readiness to talk more. Skip the vague “I hope to hear back” and go for something stronger like, “I’d love to discuss how I can contribute to your team.” Then sign off clean.
How to Tailor Your Cover Letter Faster
If you’re applying to one job, take your time. If you’re applying to ten? You need a system. The trick is learning how to personalize each cover letter without starting from scratch every time. These time-saving strategies help you move fast without sounding generic.
Build a flexible base template
Start with a strong base you can adapt. That means writing a cover letter that has a clear structure that includes an intro, body, and close, but leaves space to plug in job-specific info. Keep the core story and tone consistent, and save the customizing for the details that matter most to each position.
Know which parts actually need editing
You don’t need to rewrite every paragraph. Focus on updating the first few lines, the parts where you name the job or company, and any role-specific examples. These are the key moments where you prove you’re not just spamming applications. The rest can stay the same if it still fits.
Save a shortlist of phrases or examples to swap in
Keep a doc of phrases, success stories, and sentences that show off your skills from different angles. Then, when it’s time to write, pull in the examples that match the job best. No, this is not being lazy. This shortcut saves serious time and keeps your voice consistent.
(Pro tip: Huntr’s AI Cover Letter Generator can do this in seconds. It pulls from your experience and the job description to instantly generate tailored letters that don’t sound robotic. Just tweak, check, and send.)
Conclusion
Writing a strong cover letter isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up with intention, adding a human touch, and making the most of the few lines you get before a hiring manager moves on. The details you include or don’t include can shape your first impression and set you apart from other applicants with similar resumes. If you’re putting effort into the job search, make sure your cover letter reflects that same value. Sign up for Huntr today for free to start creating smarter, faster applications that actually get noticed.
Ashliana Spence
Ashliana is a freelance marketer and virtual assistant who supports startups like Huntr with content creation, research, and marketing operations. With a background in integrated marketing and a developing focus in AI automation, she’s passionate about helping small teams work smarter and move faster while building innovative systems that unlock new possibilities.