Recruiters claim to read cover letters; candidates spend hours writing them; and yet most cover letters are utterly forgettable. Here's how to write one that actually makes a recruiter stop, read, and pick up the phone.
It depends on the employer and the role. In a high-volume hiring process with hundreds of applicants, cover letters may be skimmed at best. For professional roles, senior positions, or companies that specifically request one, a strong cover letter can be a genuine differentiator. The safe rule: always write one unless the application specifically says not to.
The most effective cover letters follow a simple three-paragraph structure:
The one rule: Your cover letter should answer one question — "Why this role, at this company, with this person?" If it could be sent to any employer without modification, it's not doing its job.
One A4 page maximum. Three to four paragraphs. Hiring managers are time-poor — a cover letter that runs to two pages will likely not be read in full. Every sentence should earn its place.
If at all possible, find the name of the hiring manager and address the letter to them directly. LinkedIn, the company website, or a quick phone call to reception can usually identify the right person. "Dear Hiring Manager" is fine; "Dear James Carter" is better.
Read your finished cover letter from the hiring manager's perspective. After reading it, can they immediately articulate what makes you stand out from the other 80 applicants? If not, your letter needs another pass.
If applying by email, the cover letter goes in the body of the email — not as a separate attachment. Keep it shorter: two to three paragraphs. Attach your CV as a PDF.
Once your cover letter is strong, make sure your CV matches. Use our free CV generator to create a professional PDF CV in minutes. Or hire a specialist cover letter writer on Fiverr to craft a compelling application for your target role.