How to Write a Cover Letter (Example)

How to write a cover letter

Anyone applying to a role that accepts (or asks for) a cover letter, and unsure what to put in the four paragraphs between "Dear Hiring Manager" and "Sincerely."

A cover letter's job is to connect the dots a résumé can't: why you, why this role, why now.

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Letter shape Every paragraph earns its place

Opening
Proof
Fit
Close

Illustrative — the shape only, not real text.

The essentials

What it's for, who it's for

What it's for

A cover letter's job is to connect the dots a résumé can't: why you, why this role, why now. It should read like it was written for one posting, not pasted for a hundred — leading with a specific strength that matches what the employer is actually trying to solve, backed by one concrete piece of proof.

Who it's for

Anyone applying to a role that accepts (or asks for) a cover letter, and unsure what to put in the four paragraphs between "Dear Hiring Manager" and "Sincerely."

The blueprint

What goes in each paragraph

Opening

Name the role and lead with the single most relevant strength you bring — not "I am writing to apply." Connect that strength to the problem the posting describes.

Proof

Give one concrete, quantified accomplishment that mirrors what the job needs. This is the paragraph a hiring manager remembers.

Fit

Show you understand the company/team and why this role is a deliberate next step — not just any job.

Close

A short, confident ask: you would welcome the chance to discuss how you can help. No pleading, no restating the résumé.

See it built

Anatomy of the letter

Select any paragraph to see the job it's doing, matched to the blueprint above.

Illustrative example — a program coordinator applying for a program-manager role at a mid-size nonprofit. Invented for teaching; not a real person or organization.

Avoid these

Common mistakes

Opening with "I am writing to apply for…" — it wastes the one line you are guaranteed to have read.
Restating the résumé in paragraph form instead of adding the context a résumé cannot.
Writing one generic letter for every posting — reviewers can tell in a sentence.
Ending by asking for the job instead of offering to help solve their problem.

Do these

Tips that make it land

Mirror two or three exact phrases from the posting so the letter reads as tailored.
Lead every paragraph with the point, not the wind-up.
Keep it to under a page — three to four tight paragraphs beats a wall of text.
Pull your proof from accomplishments you have already written down, so each letter is assembly, not invention.

Narrative Pro

Don't start from a blank page.

Narrative Pro drafts a cover letter from your current résumé content, then tailors it to a job posting you paste in — free to start, more with Pro.

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FAQ

Common questions

How long should a cover letter be?

Three to four short paragraphs, under one page. Hiring managers skim — the goal is one memorable, relevant point, not completeness.

Do I still need a cover letter in 2026?

When a posting asks for one, yes — skipping it reads as low effort. When it is optional, a tailored letter is a cheap way to stand out; a generic one adds nothing.

What if I don't know the hiring manager's name?

"Dear Hiring Team" or "Dear [Team] Hiring Manager" is fine. Avoid "To Whom It May Concern," which reads dated.

Can I reuse one cover letter for every job?

Reuse the structure, not the content. The opening and proof paragraph should change per posting; that is where "written for this job" comes from.

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