How to Make a Cover Letter: Essential Tips

Writing a cover letter feels kinda like trying to impress someone on a first date. You’re trying to look smart, confident, and put-together… but not too try-hard. And if you overshare or sound robotic? Yeah, ghosted. Cover letters are basically your dating profile for jobs—except instead of “I love long walks on the beach,” you’re saying, “Please hire me, I’m actually good at this!”

But hey, don’t panic. I got you. In this post, we’re gonna break down exactly how to make a cover letter that doesn’t suck. I’ll walk you through essential tips, do’s and don’ts, format suggestions, and all that good stuff. Think of this as your friend giving you the inside scoop before you shoot your shot at that dream job.

Grab your coffee, or idk, your iced matcha, and let’s dive in.

Why Cover Letters Still Matter (Yes, Seriously)

So you might be thinking: Do people even read cover letters anymore? Like, isn’t the resume enough? Short answer: yes, some recruiters skip them. But here’s the tea—when they do read them, your cover letter can be the thing that makes you stand out.

Imagine two people applying for the same role. They both have solid resumes. But one attaches a thoughtful, engaging cover letter that shows their personality and connects their skills directly to the job posting. Who do you think is more likely to get that callback? Exactly.

A cover letter is basically free real estate to tell your story. It’s your chance to say the stuff your resume can’t explain, like:

• Why you actually care about this role (and not just about getting paid, though let’s be honest, that’s part of it).
• How your experiences actuallly fit, even if your resume doesn’t scream “perfect match.”
• A little flavor of your personality (without going full stand-up routine).

---

Essential Tips for Writing a Good Cover Letter

Let’s start with the basics. Think of these as the essential tips that’ll keep your cover letter from ending up in the “meh” pile.

1. Keep it short and sweet

Nobody wants to read your entire life story. One page, max. Shoot for 3–4 paragraphs. Think of it like texting a crush: you wanna be intriguing, not overwhelming.

2. Personalize it

“Dear Hiring Manager” feels… stale. If you can find the recruiter’s or manager’s actual name? Use it. It shows effort. If not, keep it classy with something like “Dear [Team Name] Team.” Just don’t go with “To Whom It May Concern”—that’s like sending a “hey” DM in 2025.

3. Match your vibe to the company

Applying to a law firm? Keep it formal. Trying for a startup? You can be a little more casual and creative. It’s like picking your outfit—suit for the interview, hoodie for the hackathon.

4. Show, don’t just tell

Don’t just say you’re “a strong communicator.” Give an example. Like: “I led a group project where we had to present to 200+ students, and I got actual applause.” Recruiters love receipts.

5. End strong

Your closing line shouldn’t just be “thanks.” End with something like: “I’d love the chance to bring my creativity to your team and discuss how I can contribute.” Confident, but not pushy.

---

The Do’s and Don’ts of Cover Letters

Here’s where we spill the tea on what flies and what flops.

Do’s

• Do tailor each cover letter to the job. Copy-paste vibes are easy to spot.
• Do highlight achievements, not just duties. Brag a little—it’s your moment.
• Do proofread. Typos scream “I rushed this at 2am.”
• Do mirror the job description’s keywords (without stuffing them like Thanksgiving turkey).

Don’ts

• Don’t repeat your resume word-for-word. They already have that.
• Don’t overshare personal struggles unles they directly tie into why you’re a killer fit.
• Don’t use clichés like “hardworking team player.” That’s like saying you “like music” on a dating app. Duh.
• Don’t make it too long. Again, one page. Max.

Format Suggestions That Actually Work

Okay, let’s talk layout. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel here. The format suggestions are actually pretty straightforward:

1. Header – Your info (name, email, phone, LinkedIn) + the company’s info.
2. Greeting – “Dear [Name],” or a solid alternative.
3. Intro paragraph – Hook them. Mention the job you’re applying for and a quick reason you’re excited about it.
4. Middle paragraph(s) – Show how your skills and experiences connect to the job. Use specific examples.
5. Closing paragraph – Wrap up with enthusiasm and a call to action.
6. Signature – Simple “Sincerely, [Your Name].” Or “Best regards” if you wanna keep it less stiff.

Extra tip? Use a clean font, decent spacing, and keep margins normal. Don’t go full Comic Sans energy.

Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Even with the best intentions, people trip up. Here are a few common mistakes I’ve seen (and ngl, made myself once or twice):

• Being too generic – If your letter could apply to any job, it’ll connect with none.
• Talking only about yourself – Remember, it’s about how you can help them.
• Forgetting enthusiasm – If you don’t sound excited, why should they be excited about you?
• Ignoring the instructions – If the job post says “upload as PDF” or “include salary expectations,” do it. Don’t test them.

Adding Personality Without Going Overboard

Now, here’s the tricky part: how do you sound like you without sounding unprofessional? My take—sprinkle in just enough personality to feel authentic.

Like instead of saying:

“I am a highly organized individual who thrives in fast-paced environments.”

Try:

“I kinda geek out over keeping projects organized—I’m the friend with the color-coded Google Calendar and way too many sticky notes.”

See? Still professional, but it shows your actual voice.

When You Don’t Have Much Experience

This one’s for my fellow early-career folks (or career changers). If your resume feels a little… empty, your cover letter can save the day.

• Focus on transferable skills – Like teamwork, leadership, communication.
• Mention projects or volunteer work – Doesn’t have to be paid to be valuable.
• Highlight your motivation and willingness to learn – Employers actually love this.

Sometimes enthusiasm + growth mindset > fancy credentials.

A Quick Example (Not Perfect, But Real)

Here’s a mini-sample so you can see how it all comes together:

Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],

I’m excited to apply for the Marketing Assistant position at [Company]. As someone who can’t stop analyzing TikTok ad trends (yes, it’s a problem), I’d love the chance to bring that curiosity and creativity to your team.

During my internship at [Other Company], I managed a social media campaign that increased engagement by 45% in three months. I also coordinated cross-team projects, which taught me how to keep everything on track without losing my mind (mostly).

I admire [Company]’s fresh approach to digital storytelling and would be thrilled to contribute to future campaigns. I’d love to chat more about how I can add value to your team.

Best,
[Your Name]

See? Short, personal, achievement-focused. No fluff.

Template 1: Professional / Traditional

Your Name
Your Address
City, State, Zip
Your Email | Your Phone | LinkedIn

Date

[Hiring Manager’s Name]
[Their Job Title]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
City, State, Zip

Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],

I am writing to express my interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name], as advertised on [Job Board/Company Website]. With my background in [your field/skill set] and proven success in [specific accomplishment], I am confident in my ability to contribute effectively to your team.

In my previous role at [Previous Company], I [describe a specific responsibility or project], which resulted in [tangible outcome—numbers are great here]. This experience strengthened my ability to [skill or strength relevant to the new job]. I am particularly drawn to [Company Name] because of your commitment to [something you admire about the company], and I am excited about the opportunity to be part of such impactful work.

Beyond my technical skills, I bring strong [soft skill—e.g., communication, leadership, adaptability] and a genuine enthusiasm for contributing to team success. I am confident that my mix of experience and motivation will allow me to thrive in this role and deliver results that align with your organization’s goals.

Thank you for considering my application. I would welcome the chance to discuss how my skills and experience can support [Company Name]’s success.

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]

Template 2: Casual / Creative

Your Name
Your Email | Phone | LinkedIn (no need to put full address if you don’t want—totally optional)

Date

Hi [Hiring Manager’s First Name],

I’m excited to apply for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. Honestly, when I saw the posting, it felt like a match on a dating app—except instead of awkward small talk, I actually get to tell you why I’d be a great fit.

At [Previous Company/School Project/Internship], I worked on [specific project] and managed to [cool outcome—example: “grow engagement by 30%,” or “launch a campaign ahead of schedule”]. I learned how to juggle priorities, work with different teams, and still keep my sense of humor (important skill, ngl).

What really excites me about [Company Name] is your approach to [something unique about the company culture, product, or mission]. It lines up perfectly with how I like to work—creative, collaborative, and always pushing for better results.

I’d love the chance to bring my [skill set—like “writing chops,” “problem-solving brain,” or “obsession with design details”] to your team and help [Company Name] keep doing awesome things.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I’m looking forward to (hopefully) chatting more and showing how I can add value to your team.

Best,
[Your Name]

✨ These two templates give you flexibility: one polished and recruiter-friendly, the other more personality-driven for startups, creative fields, or comnpanies with casual vibes.

Quick Plug-and-Play Cover Letter Checklist

[Your Name]
[Your Email] | [Your Phone] | [LinkedIn]

Date

[Hiring Manager’s Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]

Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],

I’m excited to apply for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. I was drawn to this role because [specific reason you’re interested—mission, culture, project, product, etc.].

In my previous experience at [Previous Company/Project], I [specific achievement or responsibility], which resulted in [tangible outcome—like numbers, improvements, or success story]. This helped me strengthen my skills in [skill 1, skill 2], which I believe directly apply to this position.

What excites me most about [Company Name] is [something unique about the company or role]. I’d love to bring my [specific skill or trait] to the team and help [Company Name] achieve [specific goal or value related to their work].

Thank you for considering my application. I would be thrilled to discuss how my background and enthusiasm can contribute to your team’s success.

Best,
[Your Name]

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, writing a cover letter isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being clear, genuine, and showing why you’re a fit. Keep it short, personalize it, avoid the boring clichés, and let a little bit of you shine through.

So yeah, making a cover letter might feel like a chore, but it’s also a low-key power move. With the right essential tips, do’s and don’ts, and format suggestions, you’ll stand out way more than the people who just hit “submit” with a resume.

Now go on—open that Google Doc, pour yourself a coffee, and start typing. Your dream job is literally waiting for you to make the first move.