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How to write a cover letter that gets read

By the FreeCVWriter team · · 2 min read

A cover letter answers one question your CV can’t: why you, for this particular job. The hard part is never the format. It is deciding which two or three things about you are worth the reader’s time for this advert, and saying them plainly.

A structure that works

  1. 1.Opening: name the role, say where you saw it, and give the single strongest reason you fit, in one or two sentences.
  2. 2.Middle: one or two short paragraphs matching your actual experience to what the advert asked for. Pick the requirements that decide the shortlist and give a specific example for each.
  3. 3.Close: say you would welcome a conversation, and stop. No grovelling, no “I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience”.

How long it should be

Well under a page — roughly 250 to 400 words. If it is sent as the body of an email or pasted into a form, shorter still. A reader should be able to take it in at a glance and find one concrete reason to open your CV.

Who to address it to

Use the hiring manager’s name if the advert or a minute’s searching gives it to you. If not, “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear [Team name] team” is perfectly acceptable. “To whom it may concern” reads as a letter nobody wrote for anyone.

What to leave out

  • A paragraph-by-paragraph retelling of your CV.
  • Claims with no evidence: passionate, driven, a perfect fit.
  • Salary history, unless the application asks for it.
  • Apologies for what you don’t have. Lead with what you do.
  • A letter so generic it could go to any employer — the reader can tell.
An outline to adapt

Dear Hiring Manager,

I’m applying for the [role] position advertised on [site]. In [number] years as a [current role], I’ve [single most relevant achievement], which is the kind of work your advert describes.

You’re looking for someone who can [requirement one]. At [employer], I [specific example with a result]. You also mention [requirement two]; [one-sentence example].

I’d welcome the chance to talk about how I could help [team or company] with [thing they need]. My CV is attached.

Kind regards, [Name]

If a blank page is the obstacle, the AI cover letter generator writes a first draft from your CV and the job advert. Treat it as a draft: cut anything you wouldn’t say out loud, and make sure every claim is one you can back up in an interview.

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