Why Do You Need a Cover Letter?
While not all positions require a cover letter, a well-written one can:
- Demonstrate your writing and communication skills - important for many positions
- Explain what your resume can't show - like career transitions or employment gaps
- Show your knowledge of and enthusiasm for the company - proving you're not mass applying
- Highlight your most relevant qualifications - guiding recruiters to focus on key points
- Show your personality - letting recruiters see the person behind the resume
"A cover letter is your opportunity to tell your story. It should answer one question: Why are you the best candidate for this position?"
Cover Letter Structure
Opening Paragraph
Grab attention, state the positionConcisely and powerfully state the position you're applying for and how you learned about the opportunity. If you have a referral, mention them here. Summarize in one sentence why you're the ideal candidate.
Example:
I am writing to express my strong interest in the Software Engineer position at Google, which I learned about through my mentor, Dr. Smith, who is a senior engineer at your company. With my background in full-stack development and passion for building scalable systems, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to Google's mission.
Body Paragraph 1
Showcase relevant experience and skillsChoose 1-2 of your most relevant experiences and explain in detail how you used your skills to solve problems or create value. Use specific examples and data to support your statements.
Example:
During my internship at Amazon, I developed a data pipeline that automated the processing of 10 million daily transactions, reducing manual work by 80% and saving the team 20 hours per week. This experience honed my skills in Python, AWS, and system design, which I believe are directly applicable to the challenges at Google.
Body Paragraph 2
Show knowledge of and enthusiasm for the companyExplain why you're interested in this company, demonstrating your understanding of their products, culture, or mission. Connect your values and goals to the company.
Example:
I am particularly drawn to Google's commitment to organizing the world's information and making it universally accessible. Having used Google products since childhood, I am inspired by how technology can democratize access to knowledge. I am eager to contribute to projects that have such a meaningful impact on billions of users.
Closing Paragraph
Summarize and call to actionBriefly summarize your qualifications, express your anticipation for an interview opportunity, and thank them for their time and consideration.
Example:
I am confident that my technical skills, passion for innovation, and collaborative spirit make me a strong fit for this role. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to Google's engineering team. Thank you for considering my application.
Cover Letter Do's and Don'ts
Do
- Customize each cover letter for the specific position
- Research the company and demonstrate your knowledge
- Use specific examples and data
- Keep it concise, within one page
- Proofread for spelling and grammar errors
- Use a professional tone and format
- Mention your referral at the beginning (if applicable)
- Show the value you can bring to the company
Don't
- Use a generic template without modifications
- Repeat content from your resume
- Write too long (more than one page)
- Use overly formal or outdated language
- Only talk about what you want, not what you can contribute
- Have spelling or grammar errors
- Use inappropriate salutations (like 'To Whom It May Concern')
- Discuss salary unless asked
Complete Cover Letter Example
Hiring Manager
Google LLC
1600 Amphitheatre Parkway
Mountain View, CA 94043
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to express my strong interest in the Software Engineer position at Google, as advertised on your careers page. As a recent Computer Science graduate from UC Berkeley with hands-on experience in full-stack development, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to Google's mission of organizing the world's information.
During my internship at Amazon, I developed a real-time data processing pipeline that handled over 10 million daily transactions. By implementing efficient algorithms and leveraging AWS services, I reduced processing time by 60% and saved the team 20 hours of manual work per week. This experience strengthened my skills in Python, distributed systems, and cloud computing—skills that I am eager to apply at Google.
Beyond my technical abilities, I am drawn to Google's culture of innovation and its commitment to solving complex problems at scale. I have been particularly inspired by Google's work on machine learning infrastructure, and I am excited about the possibility of contributing to projects that impact billions of users worldwide.
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my background in software engineering and my passion for building scalable systems can contribute to Google's engineering team. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
John Smith
Pro Tips
If you know the recruiter's name, use 'Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name]' instead of 'Dear Hiring Manager'
Your cover letter should complement your resume, not repeat it. Use it to tell the story behind your resume
Start each paragraph with the most important information, as recruiters may only read the first few sentences
Use keywords from the job description, but incorporate them naturally
If you have a referral, mention them in the first paragraph to increase your credibility
Read it aloud before sending to check if it flows naturally