How to write a cover letter that gets results

What is a cover letter?

A cover letter is a letter of introduction you submit along with your résumé to a hiring manager or recruiter, detailing your qualifications for a job. This letter does more than just list your skills like a résumé. A professional cover letter forms personal connections with potential employers by introducing you in a single-page document that explains how your experiences make you a good fit for the job and why you’re interested in working for their company. 

This letter instantly differentiates you from other applicants and increases your chances of getting an interview. Serious job hunters invest time tailoring high-performing cover letters for a specific job or company to help boost their prospects in the recruitment process.

But creating a cover letter that doesn’t feel formulaic can be challenging. In this article, we’ll identify the key features of an effective cover letter and provide step-by-step instructions, strategies, and examples for how to write a letter that gets results.

What makes a cover letter strong?

A professional cover letter should highlight key traits that will catch the eyes of hiring managers. These features let you stand out without exaggerating your abilities, making you appear professional, qualified, and sincere. When writing a cover letter, make sure to

• Address a specific person: Learn the hiring manager’s name and then address your letter to them. 
• Demonstrate your knowledge of the company: Research the company and mention their mission and values in your letter to show you understand their goals.
• Connect your skills to company goals: Show how valuable you are by providing examples of how your skills and expertise can help further the company’s goals.
• Show enthusiasm and professionalism: Don’t just list information. Write with an excited tone that clearly shows your interest in being part of the team.
• Be succinct: Cover letters that get straight to the point are more impactful.
• Proofread carefully: Follow a standard cover letter format and proofread your document. Double- and triple-check for spelling and grammatical errors.

How to write a cover letter (with examples)

Staring at a blank page as you begin to write a cover letter can be intimidating, but successful job applicants know the process for writing a letter that gets results. Keep these six steps in mind:

1. Research the company

Before you write a single word, do some research on the company and your desired job. Review the job description, taking a close look at the required skills and qualifications for the position. Do you meet all the requirements? Make a list of all your skills and experiences that match the company’s needs.

Visit the company’s website and read its mission statement. Check out employee profiles on LinkedIn to learn more about the people who work there. Are they like you? LinkedIn and the company website are also great places to search for the hiring manager or recruiter you want to contact.

2. Structure your cover letter

Create an outline that includes all the essential elements of a professional cover letter. Use a template as a guide for your letter’s structure. Your letter should include:

• A header that includes your name, city, phone number, and email address
• The date
• The addressee’s name and title
• A formal greeting
• An introduction stating the job that you’re applying for
• Body paragraphs that explore your qualifications in depth 
• A professional closing that reiterates your interest and thanks the reader for their consideration 

3. Write a strong opening

Grab your reader’s attention in the opening lines of your cover letter. Don’t just introduce yourself by name — emphasize your enthusiasm for the job and provide specific examples of how your past accomplishments and experiences have prepared you for this role. 

For instance, if you’re applying for a position as a company’s social media marketing manager, you might start your cover letter like this:

I’m very excited to apply for the position of Social Media Marketing Manager for Pantheon Industries. As a digital marketing manager with over twenty years of experience building social media branding strategies, I can enhance your online presence and increase your website traffic.

You could also mention a mutual connection in your opening to help build rapport with the recruiter or hiring manager. Here’s an example:

My colleague Steve Rogers informed me of your open Social Media Marketing Manager position at Pantheon Industries and suggested I reach out to you. Steve and I worked together on an Instagram campaign for Olympus that increased the company’s monthly website visits by 235 percent. Steve believes my skills can help your marketing campaigns achieve similar success. 

4. Highlight your value in the body paragraphs

The body paragraphs of your letter should delve deeper into your qualifications, explaining how your skills and experience make you a good fit for the job. You could share a work-related story here, like this one:

As project manager for ABC Industries, I often managed situations that required quick action. For instance, when a software project developed a critical system failure before product launch, I mobilized the IT team to find and resolve the issue. Simultaneously, I provided regular updates to all stakeholders, using communication tools like Zoom to ensure full transparency. As a result, the issue was resolved before launch. I am confident I can apply the same problem-solving for Pantheon.

You could also demonstrate how your work history aligns with a company’s values. Here’s an example::

I’m eager to work for a company with such a strong commitment to sustainability and environmentalism. At my last job, I led an initiative to develop a biodegradable packing material that would reduce the company’s waste production by 60 percent. I look forward to the opportunity to support related initiatives at your company.

5. Offer a memorable closing

Leave recruiters and hiring managers with a positive impression by briefly reiterating your qualifications and providing a call to action.

I am confident that my background in digital marketing makes me a strong candidate for this role. I am eager to learn more about this job opportunity and welcome any chance to discuss how my qualifications can help your company. Thank you for your consideration. I hope to hear from you soon.

6. Proofread your letter

Before sending your cover letter, proofread your document carefully. This means more than just checking for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Pare down any wordy sentences and delete redundant information.

Read your letter aloud to identify any awkward phrasing. Find areas where you can tighten the language and make it more impactful. Consider asking a colleague or a friend to review your letter,and use your app’s spellchecker and grammar tools to catch any mechanical errors.

Don’t want to write it from scratch? Use an AI cover letter generator

If you’re still feeling stuck or unsure of how to write a cover letter, there’s an easy way to get started. The Jotform AI Cover Letter Generator can create a first draft of your letter based on the work experiences listed in your résumé and the details of the job you’re applying for. From there, you can customize your message.

Choose from one of the templates below to help create your cover letter — or build one from scratch using  Jotform’s clean, professional structure:

Cover letter template

Jotform’s e-sign Cover Letter template makes building personalized cover letters a breeze. Use a variety of form fields to provide details about your education, job history, and personal qualifications that show how well you fit into a company’s job role. Then let Jotform do the rest.

Take advantage of the electronic signature feature to make the application process faster. You can even reuse your document and refine it for multiple applications, saving you time. Download the cover letter template and see how it can make applying for jobs simpler.    

Cover letter for internal position

Want to apply for an open position within your current company? Jotform’s Cover Letter for Internal Position template is ideal for employees seeking a promotion or applying for a new job.

As with Jotform’s other templates, you can customize your cover letter using the drag-and-drop Form Builder tool that allows you to add or remove form fields. This lets you highlight your past work experiences (including the time you spent working at your current company) and the reasons why you would be an asset in a new job role. Download the template to see how it can help advance your career.

Promotion cover letter template

If you’re seeking a job promotion, Jotform’s Promotion Cover Letter template can help you make the right impression. This template provides an outline that showcases why you’re ready for a promotion, the positive impact you’ve already made at your company, and the skills you’ll bring to your new role. You can even upload awards and personal branding to help make your case.

Applying for a promotion can be a strenuous process. Download the template to see how it can help guide you, making sure you include all the relevant details.

Cover letter template (step-by-step walk-through)

Let’s take a closer look at the key elements of Jotform’s Cover Letter template.

Header

The header section lets you enter the company contact information, the name of the hiring manager or recruiter you’re contacting, the date, and your own contact information. It makes sure your letter gets to the right person and makes it easy for the recruiter to reach out to you for an interview.

Salutation

This section lets you offer a formal greeting to the recruiter or hiring manager you’re contacting. When possible, include the person’s actual name to generate rapport and show professionalism.

Opening paragraph

This section lets you state your interest in a particular job role along with your qualifications. By conveying enthusiasm about the position and the company, you can quickly catch a recruiter’s interest and stand out from other applicants.

Body paragraphs

This section lets you share your work history, education, and other qualifications in more detail. Focus on how your skills and experience can benefit the company, and you’ll show recruiters why you’re a good fit for the job.

Closing paragraph

Use this section to reiterate your interest in the position and your relevant job qualifications. The template allows you to include key contact details here, such as your email address and phone number. Provide a call to action, encouraging recruiters to reach out to you for an interview.

Formal closing and signature

The template lets you close with the date and your name. You should also include an e-signature, which adds professionalism and a personal touch to your letter. 

Ready to write your own cover letter?

Promoting yourself in a cover letter may seem intimidating, but with the proper template to guide you, you can confidently present yourself as a highly qualified job candidate. Now that you know the proper structure of a cover letter and the key traits to emphasize, start building or refining your own job application letters. Review the Jotform cover letter templates to see which one applies to your situation — Jotform makes applying for a job a lot easier and more effective.

Frequently asked questions about cover letters

Here are some answers to the most common questions about writing effective cover letters. 

What are the three main parts of a cover letter?

Professional cover letters include an introduction that grabs a recruiter’s attention, body paragraphs that elaborate on your job qualifications, and a closing with a call to action that encourages recruiters to contact you or schedule an interview.

What should you not do in a cover letter?

Avoid just listing information from your résumé — instead, reveal how your skills and accomplishments can benefit the company you’re contacting. Don’t make your letter too wordy or too long. And don’t forget to proofread your letter for spelling, grammar, and mechanical errors.

What is the best opening line for a cover letter?

A good opening line communicates your interest and enthusiasm for an open job position. Mention a mutual connection, if possible, and indicate your qualifications. Here’s an example:

I was excited to hear about your opening for a new Marketing Manager from my colleague Barry Allen — he feels my expertise in building award-winning ad campaigns for Lightning Bolt Agency could benefit your team.

What are good phrases to use in cover letters?

It’s a good idea to include phrases in your cover letter that show you understand a company’s mission and the requirements of a job role. You should also highlight any relevant experience related to the role. 

I’m impressed by your company’s dedication to sustainable practices in the construction industry. Having spent the last 20 years as a sustainability engineer designing buildings and products that comply with environmental regulations, I’m confident I have the skills to fulfill the role of your Chief Sustainability Officer.