Cover Letter Tips
That Actually Get Read
Recruiters spend 7 seconds on a cover letter. Most say the same thing. Here's the opening, structure, and close that earns a second read — and a free AI generator to write it for you.
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The Cover Letter Structure That Works
4 sections. Every sentence needs to earn its place.
Opening (2 sentences)
Works
“Name the role and company. Lead with the most relevant thing about you for this specific job.”
Avoid
“I am writing to apply for the position I saw on your website.”
Open with the role title + company name + one concrete reason you're the fit. Never start with "I am writing to".
Body paragraph 1 (3–4 sentences)
Works
“One specific achievement that proves you can do the hardest part of this job.”
Avoid
“I am a highly motivated team player with excellent communication skills.”
Pick the single most relevant achievement from your experience. Quantify it if possible.
Body paragraph 2 (2–3 sentences)
Works
“Why this company — something specific about their product, mission, or team.”
Avoid
“I believe your company is a great place to work and I would love to grow here.”
Reference something real: a product launch, a values statement, recent news, or a specific team. Generic enthusiasm reads as lazy.
Close (2 sentences)
Works
“Restate fit in one line. Offer a concrete next step.”
Avoid
“I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.”
Recruiters spend 7 seconds on cover letters. End with confidence: "I'd welcome a call to discuss how [X] maps to [role]."
6 Tips From Recruiting Professionals
Match the tone
A startup cover letter should feel different from a law firm letter. Read the job description carefully — the writing style tells you what they value.
One achievement, not ten
One specific, quantified win is more persuasive than a list of traits. "Grew pipeline by 40% in 6 months" beats "strong sales background" every time.
Use their exact job title
Copy the job title from the listing verbatim. "Senior Product Manager, Growth" is more credible than "Product Manager".
Keep it under 350 words
Recruiters spend 7 seconds on cover letters. Short and sharp gets read. Long and comprehensive gets skipped.
Address the hiring manager by name
LinkedIn or the company website usually has the hiring manager's name. "Dear Sarah" lands better than "Dear Hiring Manager".
Mirror keywords from the JD
ATS systems sometimes scan cover letters too. Using the exact terms from the job description (not synonyms) helps with both parsing and relevance.
8 Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid
Repeating your resume bullet-for-bullet
Starting with "I am writing to apply for..."
Longer than one page (or 350 words)
Generic opener with no company-specific detail
Focusing on what you want from the role, not what you offer
No specific achievement — only traits ("hardworking", "passionate")
Missing the job title or company name
Passive close ("I look forward to hearing from you")
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a cover letter be?
One page, 250–350 words. Recruiters spend an average of 7 seconds on cover letters. Short and specific gets read; long and comprehensive gets skipped. Aim for 3–4 short paragraphs.
Should I write a new cover letter for every job?
Yes — at minimum, personalize the opening, the specific achievement you lead with, and the company-specific paragraph. A generic letter signals you are not serious about this specific role.
Do I need a cover letter if the posting says optional?
Yes — "optional" means optional for candidates who do not care about the role. A tailored cover letter is your chance to differentiate when everyone else skips it.
Can AI write my cover letter?
AI can generate a strong first draft in seconds. Nexus uses your resume text and the job description to write a tailored letter. You should then edit it to add your own voice and company-specific details that AI cannot know.
What is the worst cover letter mistake?
Starting with "I am writing to apply for..." — it signals generic effort. Open with the role name, company name, and the single most relevant thing about your background for this specific job.
Let AI Write Your Cover Letter
Analyze your resume, add the job description, and Nexus generates a tailored cover letter in seconds — no templates, no filler.
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