How to Write a Cover Letter That Gets Interviews (2026)

What Is a Cover Letter?

A cover letter is a one-page document that accompanies your resume when you apply for a job. While your resume lists your qualifications, a cover letter explains why those qualifications matter for this specific role at this specific company.

The UC Berkeley Career Center recommends that you should always include a cover letter for each application, even if the application indicates the cover letter is optional. It’s your chance to make a case for yourself beyond bullet points.

The 3-Part Cover Letter Structure

Career advisors at MIT recommend a clear three-part structure:

1. Introduction (1 paragraph)

State the role you’re applying for and why you’re interested. Open with something specific — a connection to the company’s mission, a relevant achievement, or what drew you to the position. MIT advises: “State clearly in your opening sentence the purpose for your letter and a brief professional introduction.”

2. Body (1-2 paragraphs)

This is where you make your case. Connect your experience and skills to what the employer is looking for. Use concrete examples — don’t just repeat your resume in paragraph form. Pick 2-3 achievements that directly relate to the job requirements and explain the impact you made.

3. Closing (1 paragraph)

Restate your interest in the role, summarize why you’re a strong fit, and include a call to action. Something like: “I’d welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience with [specific skill] could contribute to [specific goal]. I’m available for an interview at your convenience.”

What to Include in a Cover Letter

• The specific job title you’re applying for
• Why you’re interested in this company (not just any company)
• 2-3 relevant achievements with concrete results
• Skills that match the job description’s requirements
• Your contact information (matching your resume header)
• A professional greeting addressed to a specific person when possible

What to Leave Out

• Your entire work history — that’s what the resume is for
• Salary expectations — save this for the negotiation stage
• Generic statements like “I’m a hard worker” or “I’m a team player” without evidence
• Negativity about past employers or your current situation
• Personal information unrelated to the job
• “To Whom It May Concern” — use “Dear Hiring Manager” if you don’t have a name

How to Format a Cover Letter

UC Berkeley recommends that your cover letter have the same format style as your resume, including the header with your contact information, same font and font size, and same margins.

Formatting essentials:

• One page maximum — MIT advises no longer than one page with a font size between 10-12 points
• 0.5” to 1” margins
• Same font as your resume
• Professional header matching your resume
• Left-aligned text
• Save as PDF to preserve formatting

Cover Letter vs Resume — What’s the Difference?

They work together — your resume shows what you’ve done, your cover letter explains why it matters for this role. Read our complete resume guide for detailed resume-writing advice.

Common Cover Letter Mistakes

1. Using a generic template without customizing it — MIT emphasizes that each cover letter must be specifically tailored to the company you’re writing to
2. Repeating your resume in paragraph form — the cover letter should complement your resume, not duplicate it
3. Writing too much — keep it to one page and 3-4 paragraphs
4. Starting with “I am writing to apply for…” — this wastes your opening line on something obvious
5. Forgetting to proofread — a typo in a cover letter is worse than a typo in a resume because the letter is a writing sample
6. Not addressing it to anyone — at minimum use “Dear Hiring Manager”
7. Talking about what the job can do for you instead of what you can do for the employer

Next Steps

Explore the specific topics in this guide to strengthen your cover letter for any situation. Each article below answers a common cover letter question with clear, actionable advice.

Ready to build a resume that matches your cover letter? Create your resume for free with JobScoutly’s ATS-optimized resume builder. Then prepare for your interview with our complete guide covering common questions, the STAR method, and follow-up etiquette.