How to write a cover letter
A useful cover letter does not repeat the resume. Choose one need from the job, show evidence from your background and explain why you want that conversation. One short page is enough.
5-minute readUpdated on 19.10.2026
In this guide
1. What is a cover letter for?
It explains the link between your background and a specific job. The resume organises the facts; the letter chooses one or two and shows why they matter for that role.
2. What structure should the letter have?
- Opening: identify the job and say why you are writing.
- Evidence: present a relevant experience, project or skill.
- Connection: explain how that evidence answers what the role requires.
- Closing: show that you are available to talk and sign with your name.
Structure to adapt
I am applying for the role of [job title]. In [experience, education or project], I completed [specific task] and learned to [skill linked to the job]. I would welcome the chance to explain how I can apply that experience to [need in the advert].
3. What should you write when you have no experience?
Do not apologise for starting out. Use a practical subject, a project, a curricular internship, volunteering or a real responsibility. Say what you did, which tools you used and what was completed.
Says little
«Although I have no experience, I am motivated and learn quickly.»
Says more
«For my final course project, I organised an association’s requests in Excel and presented the team with a proposal to reduce duplicate records.»
Why: The second sentence does not hide that you are starting out: it gives concrete evidence of organisation, tool use and communication.
4. How do you tailor the letter to each job?
Choose one priority from the advert and answer it with a fact. If the job highlights customer service, describe a situation where you received and followed up requests. If it highlights organisation, show a process, deadline or set of information you organised.
Says little
«Your company is a leader and it would be an honour to join the team.»
Says more
«The job requires following up requests by phone. At the student association I recorded registrations, answered questions and confirmed every request through to closure.»
Why: The second version addresses the advertised task and presents verifiable experience without empty praise.
Emily Carter · Administrative assistant
Profile
Administrative assistant with three years of customer service and order handling. Applying for the customer support role advertised, with shifts and daily phone contact.
5. What should never go in a cover letter?
Remove before sending
- Personal information unrelated to the application.
- Generic praise for the company with no link to the work.
- Skills or results you cannot explain.
- A complete summary of every job on the resume.
- Criticism of your current job or people you worked with.
- Another company or job name copied from an old letter.
6. How do you review the letter before sending?
Final review
- The job and organisation are written correctly.
- The letter presents at least one concrete piece of evidence.
- The text fits on one page without shrinking the type.
- It does not repeat whole paragraphs from the resume.
- The phone number and email match the resume.
- The file opens and has a clear name.
Start your resume.
Apply these tips in the ArrobaCV editor. This guide does not change your data, and opening the editor does not automatically import the examples in this article. A watermarked PDF is free and needs no account. Exporting without a watermark or in Word requires an account and paid access.