The purpose of a modern cover letter
A strong cover letter connects your resume to the job requirements. It should show how your experience translates to the role, not repeat your resume word for word.
The 3-paragraph structure
- Opening. Lead with the role title, your current title, and one high-impact achievement.
- Evidence. Pick two accomplishments that map directly to the job requirements.
- Close. Reinforce why you are a fit and express interest in the next step.
Example opening
"I am a Senior Product Manager who has launched revenue-driving onboarding experiences, including a program that improved activation by 22%."
The evidence paragraph formula
Use one or two of these patterns:
- Action + Result + Metric
- Problem + Fix + Outcome
- Scope + Strategy + Impact
Example: "Led lifecycle experiments that reduced churn by 17% across 14,000 accounts."
Tips that make letters stand out
- Use the same language as the job description.
- Keep it to 250 to 350 words.
- Focus on outcomes, not responsibilities.
- Name the company once or twice to show attention.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Writing a generic cover letter for every role.
- Repeating your resume bullets word for word.
- Going over one page.
What to do next
Use the ATS checker to spot gaps, then tailor your resume and get a cover letter automatically.