Let’s be real. Most people treat the beginning of a cover letter like a chore they just want to finish. You’ve probably seen the templates. They all start with that soul-crushing line: "I am writing to express my interest in the position of..."
Stop. Just stop doing that.
Hiring managers at places like Google or even your local startup are drowning in PDFs. If you start your letter with the same robotic drone as the last fifty applicants, you’ve basically invited them to skim right past you. You’ve got maybe three seconds to prove you aren't a template-copying bot before their eyes glaze over.
Learning how to start a CV letter isn't about following a secret formula or using "power verbs" from a 2005 blog post. It’s about being a human being who actually understands what the company needs.
The death of "To Whom It May Concern"
Seriously, if I see "To Whom It May Concern" one more time, I might lose it. It’s the professional equivalent of saying, "I don’t know who you are and I didn't care enough to check LinkedIn for five minutes."
It feels lazy.
In 2026, information is everywhere. You can usually find the hiring manager's name with a quick search on the company’s "About Us" page or by looking up the department head on LinkedIn. If you absolutely cannot find a name, "Dear [Department] Hiring Team" is infinitely better than the ghostly "Whom." It shows you at least know which room in the building you’re aiming for.
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Specifics matter.
A study by CareerBuilder once noted that personalized applications have a significantly higher response rate than generic blasts. It sounds obvious, but you'd be shocked how many people skip this step because they’re playing a numbers game. Quality beats quantity every single time in a competitive job market.
Why the "Hook" is your only chance
Think about the last thing you read that actually made you stop scrolling. It probably started with a bang, right? Your CV letter—often called a cover letter in the US—needs that same energy.
You need a hook.
A hook isn't a gimmick. It’s a statement of value. Instead of saying you want the job, tell them why you’re the solution to the problem they’re currently having. If a company is hiring a Marketing Manager, they don’t just want someone to "manage marketing." They likely have a specific pain point. Maybe their lead generation is tanking. Maybe their brand feels old.
The "Problem-Solver" Opening
Try something like this: "When I saw that [Company Name] is expanding into the European market, I knew I had to reach out. Having spent three years navigating the regulatory hurdles of EU tech launches at my previous firm, I’ve seen exactly where most US companies trip up—and how to avoid it."
Boom.
You haven't even mentioned your degree yet, but you've already told them you have the map to the destination they're trying to reach. That’s how to start a CV letter that actually gets read. It’s assertive without being arrogant.
The "Genuine Fan" Opening
Sometimes, you just really love the brand. That’s fine! Use it. But don't be weird about it.
"I’ve been using [Product] since it was in beta, and while I love the interface, I’ve always felt the customer onboarding flow could be 20% faster. That’s why I was so excited to see an opening for a UX Designer."
This works because it proves two things: you use the product, and you’re already thinking about how to improve it. Hiring managers love people who don't need a "ramp-up" period to understand the mission.
Forget the "I am" and try "You are"
Most people write their letters entirely from their own perspective. I am a hard worker. I have a degree. I want this role. Flip the script.
Focus on the company. Reed Hastings, the co-founder of Netflix, famously talked about "The Keeper Test." Managers want to know if they’d fight to keep you. You start proving that value in the very first paragraph by showing you understand their culture.
If you're applying to a high-growth startup, your opening should be punchy and fast-paced. If it’s a legacy law firm, keep it sophisticated but still avoid the "I am writing to..." trap.
The psychology of the first 50 words
Psychologists often talk about the "primacy effect." Basically, humans remember the beginning of an experience more vividly than the middle. If your first 50 words are boring, the reader assumes the rest of the page—and your entire professional personality—is also boring.
I’ve seen candidates start with a bold claim: "In my first six months at my last job, I reduced overhead by $50,000 without cutting staff."
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That’s a heavy hitter. It’s hard to stop reading after a line like that. You’re leading with your "Greatest Hit."
Common traps that kill your credibility
There are a few things that act like a "close tab" button for recruiters. Avoid these like the plague:
- Regurgitating the CV: Don't start by listing your past titles. They have your CV for that. The letter is the context for the CV.
- The "Fluff" Opening: Phrases like "I am a highly motivated self-starter with a passion for excellence" mean absolutely nothing. Everyone says that. It’s filler.
- The "Me, Me, Me" Approach: If your first paragraph has the word "I" more than four times, you’re probably talking too much about yourself and not enough about how you'll help them.
- Wasted Space: Saying "My name is John Doe and I am applying for..." is a waste of ink. Your name is at the top of the page. They know who you are. Get to the point.
Adjusting for 2026: The AI filter reality
We have to talk about Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). While these systems mostly scan your CV, some modern versions do parse the cover letter for keywords.
However, don't write for the machine.
Write for the human who sees the letter after the machine clears it. If you over-optimize for keywords in your opening paragraph, you’ll end up with a clunky, unreadable mess. Use the keywords naturally. If the job description emphasizes "Agile project management," mention a specific Agile success in your opening hook.
A quick reality check on "Creativity"
Don't get too weird.
I once saw a guy start a CV letter with a joke about a penguin. It was... bold. But it failed because it had nothing to do with the accounting job he wanted. Creativity is only useful if it’s relevant. If you’re applying for a creative director role, sure, take a risk. If you’re applying to be a surgical nurse, maybe stick to being professional and clear.
The goal of knowing how to start a CV letter isn't to be the "funniest" applicant. It's to be the most "necessary" applicant.
Actionable steps to nail your opening today
If you’re sitting in front of a blank Word doc right now, do this:
- Find one recent news item about the company. Did they just win an award? Launch a new product? Mention it in the first two sentences.
- Identify the "Big Problem." Read the job description carefully. If they mention "tight deadlines" three times, your hook should be about your ability to deliver under pressure.
- Write three different openers. Write one that’s data-driven, one that’s mission-driven, and one that’s a "straight talker" version. Pick the one that feels most like you.
- Read it out loud. If you stumble over a sentence, it’s too long. If you feel bored reading it, they will too.
- Check the name again. Seriously. Double-check the spelling of the hiring manager's name. Spelling "Katherine" as "Catherine" is a fast way to show you lack attention to detail.
The best way to start is to just be direct. Tell them you know what they need, prove you can do it, and do it with enough personality that they’d actually want to grab a coffee with you.
Your CV gets you through the door, but the way you start your letter is what determines if they actually invite you to sit down. Keep it sharp. Keep it human. Forget the templates and just talk to the person on the other side of the screen.