Cover letters
How to Write a Cover Letter That Gets Read
By the MyResumeExpert Team · Updated October 3, 2026 · 3 min read
A cover letter explains what your resume cannot: why you want this particular job, and how your experience solves this employer’s problems. A short, specific letter can be the difference between two similar candidates.
This guide covers the format, what to write in each paragraph, and a complete example you can adapt.
Cover letter format
- Header: your name and contact details, matching your resume. Add the date and the employer’s name and address if you are sending a formal letter.
- Greeting: "Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name]," or, if you cannot find a name, "Dear Hiring Manager,".
- Opening paragraph: the role you are applying for and your strongest reason to be considered.
- One or two body paragraphs: evidence that you can do the job, tied to the employer’s needs.
- Closing paragraph: why this company, and a clear next step.
- Sign-off: "Kind regards," or "Sincerely," followed by your full name.
Keep it to 250–400 words and one page. Use the same font and header as your resume so the two look like a set. Our cover letter templates match every resume design.
Write an opening that earns attention
WeakI am writing to express my interest in the Marketing Manager position at your company.
StrongLast year I grew organic traffic for an e-commerce brand by 140% while cutting paid spend by a third. I would like to bring that same mix of SEO and performance marketing to Bright Leaf as your Marketing Manager.
Leads with a relevant result and names the role and company.
Name the role, mention how you found it if there is a referral, and give one concrete reason you are a strong fit.
Show evidence in the body
Pick the two or three requirements that matter most in the job posting and give one example for each. Use short stories with a result: the situation, what you did and what changed.
- Connect each example to something the employer needs.
- Add numbers where you can: budgets, growth, time saved, customers served.
- Do not repeat your resume line by line; expand on the most relevant achievements.
- Show you understand the company: a recent product, project, value or challenge.
Close with confidence
Restate your interest in one sentence, thank the reader, and suggest a next step.
I would welcome the chance to discuss how I can help Bright Leaf reach its growth targets for next year. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Full cover letter example
Dear Ms. Patel, Last year I grew organic traffic for an e-commerce brand by 140% while cutting paid acquisition costs by a third. I would like to bring that same balance of SEO and performance marketing to Bright Leaf as your Marketing Manager. In my current role at Northwind Home, I manage a $1.2M annual marketing budget across search, social and email. I rebuilt our keyword strategy around high-intent product searches, which doubled revenue from organic search within 18 months. I also introduced weekly A/B testing on landing pages, raising conversion from 2.1% to 3.4%. Your job description emphasises team leadership. I currently lead a team of four, and I have hired and trained two junior marketers who now run our email programme independently. I admire how Bright Leaf has built a loyal community around sustainable products, and I would welcome the chance to help it grow further. Thank you for your time; I look forward to hearing from you. Kind regards, Jordan Lee
See more role-specific letters in our cover letter examples.
Cover letter mistakes to avoid
- Sending the same generic letter to every employer.
- Starting with "I am writing to apply for…" and nothing else.
- Focusing on what you want instead of what you can offer.
- Going over one page or repeating your entire resume.
- Getting the company name or the hiring manager’s name wrong.
- Typos: proofread it as carefully as your resume.
Frequently asked questions
- How long should a cover letter be?
- Between 250 and 400 words, on a single page. Three or four short paragraphs are usually enough.
- Do I still need a cover letter?
- It is not always required, but a short, tailored letter can set you apart, especially when the posting asks for one, you are changing careers, or you have a referral.
- How do I address a cover letter without a name?
- Use "Dear Hiring Manager," or address the team, for example "Dear Marketing Team,". Avoid "To whom it may concern".
- Should my cover letter match my resume?
- Yes. Use the same header, font and style so the two documents look like a professional set.
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