How to Write a Cover Letter That Sounds Like YOU (and Gets Noticed), by Harvard Business Review on YouTube. 8 min 1 s.
- Video length
- 8 min 1 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Keep the letter to one page, about three short paragraphs. Hiring managers skim, so cut any sentence that does not add value.
Read the job ad and the company website. Note the skills the employer asks for and one recent piece of company news.
Find the hiring manager's name on LinkedIn or the company site. Address the letter to that person, not 'To whom it may concern'.
Open with a strong line that names the role and shows why you fit. Skip 'I am writing to apply for'.
Show your value with one or two short examples. Pick two qualities the job needs and prove each with a result.
If you lack experience, use coursework, projects, volunteering or part-time jobs to show the same skills.
Sound keen, not desperate. Say why you want this job and this company, not why you need any job.
Ask a friend or mentor to proofread for typos, tone and clarity. Read it aloud before you send.
Tips and common mistakes
Mirror the words in the job ad so the letter reads as relevant and passes keyword checks.
Use the company's recent news to show you did your homework, but keep it to one line.
Write in your own voice. A plain, clear sentence beats a fancy one you would never say.
Save a copy of each letter so you can reuse the best lines for the next application.
Questions
How long should a cover letter be?
One page is plenty. Aim for three short paragraphs: an opener, your value and a closing line.
What if I cannot find the hiring manager's name?
Use a team name such as 'Dear marketing team' or 'Dear hiring team'. Avoid 'To whom it may concern'.
Do I need to repeat my CV?
No. Pick two or three points from the job ad and show how your experience matches them.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
