What should a cover letter say to get you hired? Your cover letter shouldn’t rehash your resume. It explains the story behind your achievements. It shows your personality. It proves you researched the company and understand what they need.
Every sentence should move you closer to landing that interview. Three focused paragraphs beat five rambling ones. Say what matters. Cut the rest.
Most hiring managers spend less than 60 seconds scanning cover letters. You don’t have time to waste on fluff. Get to the point fast. Prove your value immediately.
What to Say in Your Opening Paragraph
Your first paragraph has one job. Hook their attention and make them keep reading.
Start by naming the exact position you want. Copy the job title word for word from the posting. If they call it “Senior Marketing Manager,” use those exact words. This matters for scanning software and shows you pay attention to details.
Then immediately show one strong qualification that matches their biggest need. Look at what they emphasize most in the posting. Lead with your best match to that requirement.
Opening Lines That Actually Work
Here’s what works in real opening paragraphs:
“I’m applying for the Marketing Manager position because my five years running digital campaigns directly matches your need for social media expertise.”
“Your Software Engineer role fits my background building Python apps that serve 100K+ users daily.”
“The Sales Director position is perfect for my track record of beating quotas by 35% for three straight years.”
See the pattern? Each example names the position and proves qualification immediately. No wasted words. No vague enthusiasm. Just clear value stated upfront.
What Not to Say at the Start
These weak openings kill your chances before anyone reads paragraph two:
“I am writing to apply for the position on your website.” This wastes your opening sentence on obvious information. They already know you’re applying.
“I’m excited about this opportunity.” Generic excitement means nothing. Show why you’re excited through specific knowledge about the role.
“I believe I would be a great fit.” Weak language undermines you. Don’t believe. Know. Then prove it with facts.
Your opening determines if anyone bothers reading the rest. Make it count. For more proven opening strategies, check how to begin a cover letter that grabs attention.
What Should a Cover Letter Say About Your Skills
The middle section proves you can actually do the job. Pick two or three key requirements from the posting. Show how your experience matches each one specifically.
Use real numbers and concrete examples. Replace “I have strong project management skills” with “I managed five projects worth $2M total and delivered everything on time.”
Connect every example to their stated needs. Don’t just list what you did. Explain how it applies to this role directly.
Talking About Technical Skills
What should a cover letter say about your hard skills? List the specific abilities and qualifications they’re looking for.
Name relevant certifications exactly. Mention particular software, tools, or systems you’ve mastered. Include specialized training that matches their requirements.
Here’s what to cover when discussing technical skills:
- Specific software you’ve used professionally for years
- Certifications that match job requirements exactly
- Technical wins with measurable results
- Industry expertise they’re actively seeking
- Experience with particular systems they mentioned
Example: “My PMP certification and three years managing agile teams in Jira directly addresses your need for experienced project coordinators.”
That’s specific. That’s relevant. That gets attention.
Showing Your Soft Skills
What should a cover letter say about how you work with others? Focus on soft skills that matter for this specific role. Communication, leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork usually top the list.
Don’t just claim these skills exist. Prove them through real stories. Show how these traits led to actual results you can measure.
Example: “Leading cross-functional teams meant coordinating between engineering, marketing, and sales. We launched our product two weeks ahead of schedule.”
Another example: “I spotted a workflow bottleneck costing us $10K monthly. My solution cut processing time by 40%.”
These work because they connect soft skills to concrete outcomes. They show results instead of just talking about abilities.
What to Say About the Company
Your cover letter should say something specific about why you want this company. Not just any company in this industry. This one specifically.
Do your homework before writing. Visit their website. Check recent news about them. Look at their social media posts. Find one specific detail to mention that connects to your background.
Talk about their recent product launch, expansion, or big achievement. Connect it naturally to your experience. This proves genuine interest instead of mass applications.
Company-Specific Examples That Work
“Your recent healthcare market expansion aligns perfectly with my three years in medical device sales.”
“The sustainability initiatives in your annual report match my background implementing green supply chains.”
“Your remote-first culture appeals to me because I’ve successfully managed distributed teams for five years.”
These examples show research and create real connections. They prove you specifically want this role at this company for legitimate reasons.
Generic praise sounds fake and wastes space. “I admire your innovative approach” could apply anywhere. Skip it. Use that space for specific relevant details instead.
What Should a Cover Letter Say at the End
Your closing paragraph should say three things clearly. You’re still interested in the role. You want an interview. Here’s how to reach you.
Keep this section tight. Three to four sentences maximum. Don’t repeat everything you already said. Push toward the next step instead.
Closings That Drive Action
“I’d welcome discussing how my marketing experience can support your team’s growth. I’m available for an interview anytime next week. Thanks for considering my application.”
“My project management background would benefit your upcoming launches. I’d appreciate the chance to discuss this role further. Contact me at [phone] or [email] to schedule a conversation.”
“I’m confident my sales expertise matches your needs. I look forward to discussing how I can help exceed your revenue targets. I’m available to meet next week.”
Each closing drives action confidently. Each one requests an interview directly. Each provides clear next steps without hesitation.
Weak Closings to Avoid
Skip these uncertain statements:
“I hope to hear from you soon.” Passive and weak. You’re not hoping. You’re requesting action.
“Thank you for taking the time to review my application.” This is fine as one sentence but shouldn’t be your main closing message.
“Please feel free to contact me.” They don’t need permission. Tell them you’re available and ready to interview.
Essential Elements Every Letter Needs
What should a cover letter say structurally? Beyond the content itself, your letter needs these components in this specific order.
Start with a header showing your contact information. Name, phone, email, and location go at the top. Add the date below your details. Then list the company contact information.
Follow with a professional greeting. Use the hiring manager’s actual name when possible. “Dear [Name]” beats generic greetings every single time.
Your opening paragraph states the position and one strong qualification. Your middle paragraphs prove you can handle the job. Your closing drives toward getting that interview.
Sign off professionally with “Sincerely” or “Best regards.” Add your full name typed below.
Format Your Header Correctly
Your header should look like this:
Your Name
Your Phone Number
Your Email Address
City, State
Date
Hiring Manager Name
Company Name
Company Address
This standard format keeps everything clear and professional. It makes you easy to contact immediately.
Greeting Best Practices
Always try finding the hiring manager’s actual name. Check LinkedIn first. Look at the company website carefully. Call the company and ask reception who’s hiring for this role.
Use “Dear [First Name Last Name]” or “Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name]” depending on company culture. Your research helps you match their formality level correctly.
If you absolutely cannot find a name after trying, use “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear [Department] Team.” Never use “To Whom It May Concern.” That sounds outdated and lazy.
Real Examples of What Cover Letters Should Say
Seeing complete examples helps you understand what should a cover letter say in actual practice. Here are real scenarios with language that works.
Example for Marketing Position
“I’m applying for your Digital Marketing Specialist position because my three years managing paid social campaigns align with your growth goals. At my current company, I increased Instagram engagement by 150%. I also drove $500K in revenue through targeted campaigns.
Your recent TikTok expansion particularly interests me. I’ve already built campaigns on that platform generating 2M+ impressions. I also use the marketing automation tools mentioned in your posting, including HubSpot and Salesforce.
I’d welcome discussing how my social media expertise can support your objectives. I’m available for an interview anytime next week.”
This works because it names the position clearly. It proves qualification with real numbers. It shows company research. It requests action directly.
Example for Technical Position
“Your Backend Engineer position matches my five years building scalable APIs serving millions of daily requests. I specialize in Python and Node.js, which are your primary languages mentioned in the posting.
At my current role, I redesigned our database architecture. This reduced query times by 60%. It also cut server costs by $50K annually. I mentored junior developers too, helping three team members advance to mid-level positions.
Your focus on mentorship culture appeals to me. Technical skills and team development both matter for long-term success. I’d appreciate discussing how I can contribute to your engineering team.”
This demonstrates technical expertise clearly. It shows quantifiable wins. It proves cultural fit naturally.
Example for Sales Role
“The Account Executive position fits my track record perfectly. I’ve exceeded quota by 30% minimum for four consecutive years. I also built and maintained relationships with 50+ enterprise clients worth $5M annually.
Your expansion into the healthcare sector particularly interests me. I spent two years selling to hospitals and clinics. I understand their unique purchasing cycles and compliance requirements.
I’m confident I can help your team exceed revenue targets in this new market. I’m available to discuss strategies anytime this week.”
This proves sales success with numbers. It shows relevant industry experience. It positions the candidate as someone who can help with specific business goals.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many applications fail because of what they say wrong. Skip these frequent errors.
Repeating your resume word for word wastes valuable space. Your cover letter should expand on resume bullets with context and results. It shouldn’t just duplicate them.
Using buzzwords without proof sounds hollow and fake. “Results-oriented team player” means nothing concrete. “Led team that increased sales by 40%” means everything.
Focusing on what you want instead of what you offer misses the entire point. They don’t care about your career goals right now. They care about solving their problems.
Writing about unrelated experience confuses your message completely. Everything you mention should connect clearly to the job requirements. Cut everything else.
Making the letter too long loses their attention fast. One page maximum. Three to five paragraphs total. No exceptions ever.
Grammar and Format Errors That Kill Applications
What should a cover letter say about your attention to details? Absolutely nothing negative. These mistakes make you look careless:
- Spelling the company name wrong
- Using the wrong job title
- Typos and grammar errors scattered throughout
- Inconsistent formatting or random fonts
- Forgetting to change the company name from another application
Proofread three times minimum. Have someone else review it too. These small errors destroy otherwise strong applications instantly.
Write Better Cover Letters Faster
Writing what should a cover letter say takes serious time when you do it manually. You research the company thoroughly. Match qualifications to requirements carefully. Write compelling examples. Edit ruthlessly.
Most people spend 45-60 minutes per cover letter minimum. Apply to twenty jobs? That’s twenty hours just on letters. Time you could spend networking or prepping for interviews instead.
Smart tools handle the research and writing while keeping everything personal. You’re not trading quality for speed. You’re using technology the right way.
Create Custom Letters in Minutes
RoboApply’s AI Cover Letter Generator analyzes job postings and your resume together. It figures out what should a cover letter say based on each specific role. Then it writes letters hitting all the right points automatically.
The system pulls keywords from job descriptions. It matches them to your relevant experience. It structures paragraphs effectively. It keeps the length appropriate. All in minutes instead of hours.
You review the generated letter and adjust as needed. Add specific company details the AI might miss. Change phrasing to match your voice better. The hard work is finished. You just polish.
This cuts writing time from an hour to ten minutes per letter. Same quality output. Much faster execution.
Stay Consistent Across Applications
What should a cover letter say when you’re applying to multiple similar roles? The core message stays the same. The specific details change for each company.
RoboApply’s platform handles this automatically. It customizes each letter while keeping your overall message strong and consistent. Your qualifications stay front and center. The company-specific details update for each application.
The AI Resume Builder makes sure your resume supports what your cover letter says. Both documents tell the same story with matching emphasis. This alignment makes your entire application package significantly stronger.
For roles needing specific formatting, AI Tailored Apply adjusts both documents simultaneously. Your cover letter and resume both say the right things for each unique position automatically.
When you’re ready to scale applications up, AI Auto Apply handles everything end to end. It finds relevant jobs continuously. Creates cover letters saying exactly what employers want to hear. Submits applications automatically while you focus on interview preparation.
Your Next Steps
What should a cover letter say to land interviews? Focus on these core messages in this specific order.
Open with the position name and one strong qualification immediately. Show you understand their biggest need. Prove you can address it right away.
Expand with two or three specific examples backed by numbers. Quantify achievements whenever possible. Connect each example directly to their job requirements.
Include one company-specific detail showing you researched them. Explain why you want this role at this company specifically.
Close by requesting an interview directly. Provide clear contact information. Thank them briefly for their time and consideration.
Edit ruthlessly before sending anything. Cut generic statements completely. Remove all repetition. Verify company details are correct. Proofread three times minimum before hitting send.
Start applying now with cover letters saying exactly what hiring managers need to hear. Clear value statements combined with specific proof gets you interviews. That’s what actually matters.
