Let me guess: you hate writing cover letters. You're not alone. Most people see them as a necessary evil—a box to check before hitting "submit" on a job application.

But here's the truth: a great cover letter can be the difference between getting an interview and getting ignored. The problem is, most people are doing it completely wrong.

So let's fix that.

Short answer: yes. But not in the way you think.

Here's what the data says: 83% of hiring managers say a great cover letter can get you an interview even if your resume isn't perfect. But—and this is important—only 26% of recruiters actually read cover letters.

So what does that mean? It means your cover letter needs to be good enough that when someone does read it, it makes an impact. You're not writing for everyone—you're writing for the people who care.

I read every cover letter. It's the fastest way to see if someone actually wants this job or if they're just mass-applying. The ones who take it seriously stand out immediately.

Mistake #1: Starting with "I am writing to apply..."

We know. They know. Everyone knows you're writing to apply. Don't waste your opening line stating the obvious.

Instead, start with something that grabs attention:

• •A relevant achievement: "When I increased user retention by 40% at Company X, I learned..."
• •A connection to the company: "I've been following Company X's work in AI for three years, and..."
• •A bold statement: "Most product managers focus on features. I focus on outcomes."

Mistake #2: Repeating Your Resume

Your resume lists what you did. Your cover letter should explain why it matters for this specific job.

Bad: "I have 5 years of experience in marketing and have managed multiple campaigns."

Good: "Your job posting mentions scaling user acquisition. At my last company, I grew our user base from 10K to 100K in 18 months using a strategy I'd love to bring to your team."

See the difference? One is generic. The other is specific, relevant, and shows you actually read the job description.

Mistake #3: Making It About You

Here's a hard truth: they don't care about what you want. They care about what you can do for them.

Bad: "This position would be a great opportunity for me to grow my skills in..."

Good: "Based on your recent expansion into European markets, I believe my experience launching products in Germany and France would help you..."

Always frame your experience in terms of their needs, not your wants.

Mistake #4: Being Too Formal (or Too Casual)

"To Whom It May Concern" is dead. So is "Hey there!" Find the middle ground.

Research the company culture. A startup might appreciate a more conversational tone. A law firm probably won't. When in doubt, err on the side of professional but personable.

Alright, enough about what not to do. Here's the formula that actually works:

• •Opening (1-2 sentences): Hook them with a relevant achievement, connection, or bold statement.
• •Why Them (1 paragraph): Show you've done your research. Mention something specific about the company that excites you.
• •Why You (2 paragraphs): Connect your experience to their needs. Use specific examples with numbers.
• •The Ask (1 paragraph): Clearly state you want an interview and suggest next steps.

Total length? 250-400 words. Anything longer and you've lost them.

Here's a cover letter that landed an interview at a Series B startup:

Notice what makes this work:

• •Opens with a specific achievement
• •Shows genuine knowledge of the company
• •Connects experience directly to job requirements
• •Uses numbers to prove impact
• •Ends with a clear call to action
• •Keeps it under 300 words

Not every job application needs a cover letter. Here's when to write one:

• •When it's required: Obviously.
• •When you're changing careers: You need to explain why your experience translates.
• •When you have a connection: "John Smith suggested I reach out" is gold.
• •When you're really excited about the company: Genuine enthusiasm stands out.
• •When your resume needs context: Employment gaps, career pivots, etc.

When to skip it:

• •When the application explicitly says "no cover letter"
• •When you're applying to 50+ jobs and need to move fast (focus on tailoring your resume instead)
• •When it's a very junior role at a large company (they probably won't read it)

Here's a secret: AI can help you write cover letters faster. But—and this is crucial—it can't replace your judgment.

Use AI to:

• •Generate a first draft based on the job description
• •Suggest ways to connect your experience to their needs
• •Polish your language and fix grammar

But always:

• •Add your own voice and personality
• •Include specific details AI can't know
• •Make sure it doesn't sound robotic

Before you hit send, make sure your cover letter:

• •✅ Addresses the hiring manager by name (or at least "Dear Hiring Team")
• •✅ Opens with a hook, not "I am writing to apply..."
• •✅ Mentions something specific about the company
• •✅ Connects your experience to their needs
• •✅ Includes at least 2-3 quantified achievements
• •✅ Is 250-400 words (no longer)
• •✅ Has zero typos or grammar errors
• •✅ Sounds like you, not a robot
• •✅ Ends with a clear call to action

Most people treat cover letters like a chore. And that's exactly why a good one stands out.

You don't need to reinvent the wheel. You just need to show that you:

• •Actually read the job description
• •Understand what the company needs
• •Have relevant experience to offer
• •Care enough to personalize your application

That's it. Do those four things, and you're already ahead of 90% of applicants.

So stop overthinking it. Stop copying templates. Stop making it about you.

Write a cover letter that shows you understand their problem and you're the solution. Everything else is just noise.

The best cover letter is the one that makes the hiring manager think: "I need to talk to this person."