Honestly, the cover letter feels like a relic. In a world of LinkedIn "Easy Apply" buttons and AI-driven resume scanners, sitting down to write a one-page letter feels a bit like sending a carrier pigeon. But here is the thing: hiring managers still open them. Especially at companies where the culture actually matters, that PDF is often the only thing that separates your data points from your personality.
So, what does a cover letter consist of exactly? It isn’t just a repeat of your resume. If you just list your jobs again, you are wasting everyone's time.
A real cover letter is a persuasive argument. It is a bridge. It connects the "what" of your past to the "why" of their future. You've got to hit specific marks—contact info, a hook, the "meat" of your experience, and a call to action—but the magic is in the tone.
The Boring (But Essential) Header
Every document needs a start. You need your name, your phone number, and a professional email. Don’t use that email you made in middle school. Use something clean. If you have a LinkedIn profile that isn't a total mess, link it.
Then comes the date and the recipient’s info. If you can find the name of the hiring manager, use it. "Dear Hiring Manager" is okay, but "Dear Sarah Jenkins" shows you actually did five minutes of research on LinkedIn or the company "About Us" page. It matters. It shows you aren't just spamming 500 companies with the same template.
The Hook: Why They Should Keep Reading
Most people start with: "I am writing to apply for the position of X."
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Stop. They know that. They saw the subject line.
Instead, start with a punch. Mention a recent win the company had or a specific problem you know they are facing. According to career experts like Glassdoor’s Amy Elisa Jackson, the first paragraph should be about them, not you. You want to sound like an insider from sentence one.
Maybe you say: "When I saw that [Company Name] just expanded into the European market, I knew your logistics team was about to hit a massive scaling wall—one I’ve spent the last four years climbing."
That is a hook. It's specific. It’s confident. It makes them think, "Okay, this person gets it."
What Does a Cover Letter Consist of in the Middle?
This is the "Body" of the letter. This is where you prove you aren't lying on your resume.
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Don't just say you are a "hard worker" or a "team player." Those are empty words. Everyone says them. Instead, tell a story. Pick one or two massive accomplishments that directly relate to the job description. If they want a salesperson who can handle high-churn environments, talk about the time you retained 90% of a failing account list during a merger.
Numbers are your best friend here. 20% increase in revenue. 50 hours saved per month. $10k under budget.
Connecting the Dots
You also need to explain the "Why." Why this company? If you are applying to a non-profit, talk about the mission. If it’s a high-growth tech startup, talk about your obsession with fast-paced environments. This section is the soul of the document. Without it, you’re just a robot with a checklist.
The Closing: Don't Just Fade Out
The end of the letter shouldn't just be "Thanks for your time."
You want to wrap it up with a clear call to action. Reiterate that you are excited to chat more about how your specific skills can solve their specific problems. It feels a bit bold, sure, but hiring managers like a little bit of proactivity. It shows you’re ready to get to work.
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Sign off with "Sincerely" or "Best regards." Keep it classic.
Common Myths About Cover Letter Structure
People think there are "rules." There aren't really rules, just conventions that work.
- Myth 1: It has to be a full page. Nope. If you can say everything in 250 words, do it. Brevity is a gift to a tired recruiter.
- Myth 2: You need fancy design. Keep it simple. Standard fonts. Good margins. If it looks like a wedding invitation, you’ve gone too far.
- Myth 3: You have to address it to a specific person or you'll be rejected. Not true, but as we discussed, it helps. If you really can't find a name, "To the [Department] Search Committee" is much better than "To Whom It May Concern," which sounds like a Victorian ghost wrote it.
The Checklist for Your Next Draft
Before you hit send, look at your draft.
- Is your contact info correct? (Check the phone number twice).
- Did you mention the company by name in the first paragraph?
- Did you use a "story" instead of a list of tasks?
- Is the tone conversational but professional?
- Did you save it as a PDF? (Never send a .doc or .docx unless specifically asked).
Putting It Into Practice
Writing a cover letter isn't about being a "writer." It’s about being a problem solver. If you can show a company that you understand their pain and have the tools to fix it, the formatting matters a lot less than the message.
- Read the job description again. Highlight the three biggest pain points they mention.
- Match your stories. Find three things you’ve done that prove you can fix those three points.
- Draft the "Meat." Write those stories out first, then wrap the header and footer around them.
- Proofread aloud. If you stumble over a sentence while reading it, it’s too long. Cut it in half.
- Hit send. Don't overthink it for three days. A 90% perfect cover letter sent today is better than a 100% perfect one sent after the job is filled.
Focus on the value you bring to the table. That is what a cover letter consists of at its core—a value proposition. Everything else is just paper.