Cover Letters
Cover Letters gigs from Buxonline freelancers, starting at $1.
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About cover letters
A cover letter is a document sent alongside a CV or resume when applying for a job, intended to introduce the applicant and explain why they suit the role. Unlike a CV, which lists qualifications and employment history in a structured format, a cover letter is written in prose and addresses the hiring manager directly. It connects the dots between what the employer needs and what the candidate offers, often highlighting one or two relevant achievements or explaining career transitions that might otherwise raise questions.
Writing a strong cover letter means balancing formality with personality, demonstrating genuine interest in the role without repeating the CV verbatim, and keeping the text concise—typically three to four short paragraphs on a single page. A weak cover letter is generic, opening with phrases like "I am writing to apply for the position" without adding context, or simply restating bullet points from the CV in sentence form. A well-crafted letter anticipates what the reader wants to know: why this role, why this organisation, and what the candidate brings that others might not. It also avoids overused phrases, vague claims about being a "hard worker" or "team player," and instead offers specific examples that show rather than tell.
Guides related to cover letters
Cover Letters — questions and answers
- Should a cover letter repeat what's already in the CV?
- No. The cover letter should expand on selected points from the CV, not duplicate them. Use it to explain the relevance of an achievement, clarify a career change, or show how past experience connects to the role. Repeating the same information wastes space and makes the letter feel redundant.
- How do you address a cover letter when you don't know the hiring manager's name?
- Use "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear [Team Name] Team" rather than "To Whom It May Concern," which sounds outdated. If the job listing mentions a department, addressing that group directly feels more targeted. Avoid overly casual greetings like "Hi there" in formal applications.
- What goes in the opening paragraph of a cover letter?
- State the role you're applying for and briefly explain why you're interested or suited to it. A strong opening might mention how you found the listing, reference something specific about the organisation, or lead with a relevant credential. Avoid generic statements that could apply to any job.
- Is it better to write a new cover letter for each application or adapt a template?
- Adapting a flexible template saves time, but each letter must feel specific to the role and organisation. Change the opening, tailor examples to match the job description, and adjust tone to suit the sector. A letter that reads like a mail merge will be obvious to the reader.
- How long should a cover letter be?
- Aim for 250 to 400 words, fitting comfortably on one page with standard margins and a readable font size. Hiring managers spend seconds scanning applications, so brevity matters. Three to four concise paragraphs usually suffice: introduction, relevant experience, why this role, and a polite close.
- When does a cover letter need to explain a gap in employment or a career change?
- Address gaps or changes if they're recent or significant enough to prompt questions. Keep the explanation brief and forward-looking—mention what you did during the gap or what prompted the shift, then pivot to why you're now a strong fit. Avoid sounding defensive or over-explaining.
