How To Write a Cover Letter: Key Findings
- 65.3% of employers consider cover letters essential, especially for higher-level roles, making it a critical part of your job application.
- Personalizing your cover letter — by aligning it with the company’s culture, using job-specific keywords and citing achievements with numbers —can significantly increase your chances of getting noticed.
- Common mistakes like typos, vague clichés and poor tone can undermine your efforts, with 76% of HR professionals rejecting cover letters with spelling errors.
Knowing how to write a cover letter is important.
65.3% of employers think it's essential when hiring, especially for higher-level positions.
Cover letters can help you stand out by providing an opportunity to highlight your personality, skills and interest in the role.
In this article, we will explain what a cover letter is, how to write an effective one and offer examples to serve as guides.
How To Write a Cover Letter: Key Findings- What Is a Cover Letter?
- Steps To Take Before Writing Your Cover Letter
- What To Include in a Cover Letter?
- 7 Tips for Creating an Outstanding Cover Letter
- Cover Letter Examples
- Examples of Bad Cover Letters
- Subscribe to OysterLink for the Latest Insights and Industry Trends
- How To Write a Cover Letter: Conclusion
What Is a Cover Letter?
A cover letter is a one-page document you send with your Curriculum Vitae (CV) when applying for a job. It lets you show you're a good fit for the job by explaining how your skills match what the company needs.
Steps To Take Before Writing Your Cover Letter
Writing a cover letter can feel overwhelming, especially when trying to share your experience clearly and concisely. With the right approach, though, you can keep it brief and impactful. Here are steps to help make the process easier and catch a hiring manager’s attention.
Step 1: Reflect on Your Experiences
When you take the time to consider your past experiences, you can pinpoint key achievements, skills and contributions that align with the requirements of the position you're applying for.
This reflection enables you to craft a focused narrative to capture the employer's attention.
Step 2: Research the Company
Companies often have unique cultures that influence their work environment and team dynamics.
By researching the company's culture, you can showcase how your working style and personality align with theirs.
This emphasis on cultural fit can be a huge factor for employers seeking candidates who can blend well into their teams.
One way to research a company is by using social media platforms.
According to a survey, LinkedIn stands out as the top choice for exploring potential employers.
Step 3: Clarify Your Motivation
Consider why you are interested in the position and the company. What specific aspects appeal to you?
Clarifying your motivation helps you show genuine interest in the role and the company.
Being sincere shows the employer that you're committed to the specific job and not just looking for any job.
What To Include in a Cover Letter?
A well-written cover letter includes essential elements such as contact information in the header, a proper greeting, an engaging introduction, paragraphs highlighting your skills and a strong conclusion or closing statement.
Below, we’ll discuss each element.
Contact Info in the Header
Start your cover letter by adding your contact details such as your full name, phone number and professional email address in the header.
Avoid using informal email addresses such as [email protected], as they come across as unprofessional.
This section is important as it allows potential employers to reach out to you easily.
A Greeting for the Hiring Managers
Guffey and Loewy’s acclaimed business communication book titled Essentials of Business Communication states that an effective cover letter begins with a formal greeting that addresses the hiring manager by name.
Using the name of the hiring manager shows professionalism and attention to detail.
If the job posting didn't include the manager's name, contact the company and ask to whom you should address your application.
An Introduction
The first paragraph should convey enthusiasm, specify the job you're applying for and mention how you learned about it.
Recruiters can see your name at the top and bottom of the page so avoid common phrases such as “My name is.”
If someone in the company refers you, it's important to mention their name. Employers trust the judgment of their current employees.
Research shows that applicants significantly increase their chances of getting the job, over 13 times, through an employee referral compared to applying through a job board.
Body: Highlight Your Skills
Show how you’ll support the company’s goals using specific, results-based examples from your experience. Use keywords from the job description to help pass ATS filters.
Conclusion: Wrap Up Clearly
Express interest in discussing your fit for the role, thank the hiring manager, and end with a professional signoff like “Sincerely.”
7 Tips for Creating an Outstanding Cover Letter
Here are bonus tips to help you create a cover letter that stands out and effectively communicates your qualifications and enthusiasm for the position.
Proofread Thoroughly
76% of HR professionals would automatically reject a cover letter with typos or spelling mistakes.
So, before sending your cover letter, use tools like Grammarly to proofread it.
Otherwise, you risk your application being dismissed without the hiring manager reviewing your CV.
Alternatively, you can ask friends or colleagues for feedback to make sure your letter is clear and organized.
Prioritize Employer Needs
Focus on how your skills meet the employer’s requirements. Instead of listing traits, show how they directly support the role’s goals—framing your strengths as solutions to their needs.
Beware of Clichés
Clichés dilute the impact of your message. With limited space, every word must serve a specific purpose and contribute meaningfully to your narrative.
Some of the most common clichés in cover letters include “hardworking”, “go-getter” and “proactive”.
Highlight Achievements with Numbers
Use figures to show impact. Saying “cut costs by 15%” is more powerful than a vague claim — it makes your value clear and measurable.
Use Action Verbs
Replace passive phrases with active ones like “led,” “managed,” or “created” to show initiative and energy.
Match the Tone
Mirror the tone of the job description. A formal listing calls for professional language, while a casual one allows for a more relaxed tone.
Follow Directions
Stick to all formatting and submission instructions. It shows attention to detail and respect for the employer’s process.
Cover Letter Examples
Explore these cover letter examples that exemplify effective communication, tailored content and professionalism.
Observe how keywords from the job descriptions are strategically integrated.
Job Ad Example 1: QA Engineer
Job Overview:
We are looking for a Quality Assurance Engineer. Your responsibilities include performing exploratory and automated tests to maintain our product quality. We want proactive people who can find and fix system issues in software development.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Oversee and contribute to the overall quality planning strategy
- Ensure end-to-end testing before software delivery within an agile environment
- Develop and implement standards and procedures to guide developers in their work
Experience Requirements & Skills:
- Proven work experience in software development and quality assurance
- Expertise in UI testing, automated testing and test driven development strategies
- Proficiency in coding using JAVA, HTML5, DB2 and XML
Education & Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering or a related field; a Master’s degree is a plus
Cover Letter:
Improve your job application strategy by downloading our free QA Engineer Cover Letter Template.
Job Ad Example 2: Shift Supervisor
Job Overview:
Join us as a Shift Supervisor. Manage staff schedules, assign tasks and ensure timely completion according to company standards. Apply now if you have discipline, leadership qualities and commitment to our organization.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Oversee and manage daily task
- Foster a positive and collaborative work environment
- Implement and enforce company policies and procedures, ensuring staff compliance
- Train and onboard new employees, ensuring they understand their roles and responsibilities
- Conduct periodic performance evaluations to enhance team productivity and maintain optimal operations
Experience Requirements & Skills:
- Minimum of 2 years of experience as a Shift Supervisor or similar role
- Demonstrated ability to manage and lead a team effectively in a fast-paced environment
- Excellent problem-solving abilities, addressing issues efficiently to ensure smooth operations
- Capability to conduct performance evaluations and provide constructive feedback
Education & Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Human Resources or a related field
Cover Letter:
Example 3: Data Analyst
Job Overview:
Join us as a Data Analyst to shape and optimize our data analytics. Work with different teams for seamless interpretation and maintenance of data sets. Use your expertise to plan and deploy data analysis processes, tools and techniques. Apply now if you're good at problem-solving and dedicated to optimizing data performance.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Collect, clean and analyze large datasets to extract meaningful insights
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand data requirements and business objectives
- Utilize statistical methods and data visualization tools
- Develop and implement data collection systems and strategies
Experience Requirements & Skills:
- Proven experience as a Data Analyst
- Demonstrated proficiency in data analysis techniques and statistical methods
- Ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams
Education & Qualification Requirements:
- Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in Data Sciences, Statistics or a related field
Cover Letter:
Stand out from the crowd with our free Data Analyst Cover Letter Template - available for download.
Examples of Bad Cover Letters
Let's explore examples of less-than-ideal cover letters, highlighting common mistakes to avoid when writing a cover letter.
Example 1:
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am a hard worker, quick learner and always give my best effort, making me a great fit for your team.
Attached is my resume for your review. Looking forward to the opportunity to discuss my application further.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Why it’s not effective:
The use of vague phrases such as 'hard worker,' 'quick learner,' and 'give my best effort' does not effectively convey the candidate’s qualifications. Additionally, this example lacks specific details about the company the candidate is applying to. The closing statement is also rather abrupt and generic.
Example 2:
Hey,
Hope this email finds you well! Just wanted to drop a line about the [Job Title] position. I saw it on your site and thought, "Hey, I could totally rock that job!"
Your company seems cool, and I'm all about that life. I did some stalking on your website. It looks like you guys know how to have a good time while still getting stuff done. That's my jam.
Anyway, hit me back if you're into my vibe. Let’s chat about how I can bring my A-game to your squad.
Cheers,
[Your Name]
Why it’s not effective:
While expressing enthusiasm is good, the level of informality in phrases like "I did some stalking" and "That's my jam" might be perceived as unprofessional. It's important to use professional language to make a positive impression.
In addition, this example also lacks information about the candidate's qualifications, skills or experiences.
Example 3:
Dear Hiring Manager,
I'm applying for the [Job Title] position at your company.
At my previous company, I faced challenges due to poor management and lack of support. This taught me the value of finding a workplace that values its employees.
My previous employer had a toxic environment, and I'm seeking a change. I believe your company aligns more with my values. I hope to find a healthier and more supportive work culture here.
Thank you for considering my application.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Why it’s not effective:
This example criticizes the candidate's past employer. While it's understandable that you are seeking a positive change, expressing dissatisfaction with a previous employer in a cover letter may not create the best impression.
It's generally better to focus on the positive aspects of what you are seeking in the new position rather than dwelling on negative experiences.
Writing an effective cover letter is a crucial step in presenting yourself as the ideal candidate to potential employers.
By focusing on clarity, conciseness and personalization, you can make a lasting impression that sets you apart from the competition.
Subscribe to OysterLink for the Latest Insights and Industry Trends
Explore the Spotlight section on OysterLink for additional job application insights and tips.
We also offer interview questions and sample answers designed to assist you in preparing for a job interview. These resources provide insights on questions to avoid posing to employers and offer guidance on effectively answering the most common interview questions.
How To Write a Cover Letter: Conclusion
Writing a great cover letter doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right structure, tone and attention to detail, you can craft a letter that complements your resume and highlights your fit for the role.
Avoid common mistakes, personalize each application and use real examples to back up your claims. Done right, your cover letter can set you apart and get you one step closer to landing the job.
