What is a cover letter?

A cover letter is a concise, personalized letter sent with a resume as part of a job application. It highlights relevant achievements, explains why you are interested in the role, and shows how your background aligns with the employer’s priorities. Unlike a resume, which lists skills and dates, a cover letter lets you tell a brief narrative about fit and motivation that can make your application more memorable.

A well-crafted cover letter also addresses practical details that a resume cannot, such as relocation plans, the reason for a career shift, or specific examples that clarify how your skills were applied. Recruiters often use it to assess written communication, attention to detail, and cultural fit, so clarity and concision matter.

How a cover letter complements your resume

A resume provides the factual backbone of your job application—roles, dates, responsibilities, and measurable results. The cover letter connects those facts to the employer’s needs by explaining the relevance of your achievements. For example, a resume line about increasing sales by 20% becomes more persuasive when the cover letter explains the strategy you used and the context in which the improvement occurred.

Pairing both documents effectively reduces friction for the reviewer. Use the cover letter to call out the two or three resume items most relevant to the position, and avoid repeating your entire resume verbatim. This approach makes it easy for hiring managers to see why they should read your resume and consider you for the next step.

Tailoring a cover letter for each job application

Generic cover letters are easy to spot and less likely to persuade. Tailoring means researching the company, reading the job description carefully, and aligning your examples with the listed responsibilities. Start by mentioning the specific role and one or two reasons you’re interested in that employer—this demonstrates genuine attention and avoids a one-size-fits-all tone.

Next, match your most relevant accomplishment to a key job requirement. Use numbers or brief outcomes when possible, and explain the methods you used. Conclude by indicating how you would contribute to the team’s priorities. Tailored content shows that you thought about the employer’s needs rather than simply submitting mass applications.

Cover letters and long-term career planning

Cover letters can serve career planning beyond a single job application. They are tools for positioning yourself for a desired career trajectory by emphasizing transferable skills and the strategic choices behind your experience. If you’re shifting industries or aiming for a step up, the cover letter provides space to explain how your skills transfer and why the move is logical.

Maintaining versions of cover letters for different target roles also helps you to track evolving narratives about your career. Over time, comparing tailored letters can reveal patterns employers respond to and areas where additional training or experience may strengthen future applications.

Writing tips: structure, tone, and key phrases

Structure your cover letter in three succinct parts: an opening that names the role and why it appeals to you, a middle that connects two or three achievements to the role’s needs, and a closing that reiterates fit and next steps. Keep paragraphs short and avoid dense blocks of text. Use active verbs and concrete outcomes—phrases like “led a team that reduced churn by 15%” are clearer than generic claims.

Tone should be professional but not overly formal; mirror the company’s culture as indicated by its website or job posting. Proofread carefully for grammar and formatting consistency with your resume. Avoid clichés such as “hard worker” without supporting examples. Finally, include contact information and, if applying locally, mention availability or willingness to meet in person for local services or interviews in your area.

Conclusion

A cover letter is a targeted narrative that complements your resume and enhances your job application by explaining relevance, showing motivation, and demonstrating communication skills. When tailored, structured, and proofread, it can clarify career moves and improve the chances that a hiring manager will take a closer look at your candidacy.