How to Write a Cover Letter in 2026 (Examples & Expert Tips)

A well-crafted cover letter is your chance to show how your skills, experience, and motivation make you the ideal candidate.

In today’s job market, employers expect concise, tailored cover letters that highlight your unique value and alignment with the requirements of the role.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to write a cover letter step by step, with clear examples and modern best practices you can use for any job application.

We know the job application process is already time-consuming, so we created a simple guide to help you write a polished, compelling cover letter faster. Watch the video below for quick tips on creating a cover letter with LiveCareer’s Cover Letter Generator.

What Is a Cover Letter & When Should You Use One?

A cover letter is a one-page document you submit with your resume to explain why you’re a strong fit for a specific job. It adds context to your application by highlighting additional relevant skills, details of your career growth, and insights into your motivation and goals.

You should include a cover letter when a job posting requests one, when you’re applying for a competitive role, or when you want to explain something your resume can’t, such as a career change, employment gaps, or limited direct experience.

While some employers may not require a cover letter, submitting one can still help you stand out when it’s done well.

What to Include in a Cover Letter

A strong cover letter includes a clear introduction, relevant skills and achievements, and a compelling closing that connects your experience to the job. It should follow a standard business letter format, with the sections placed in this order: 

• Your contact information
• The date you send your letter, the recipient’s information, and a formal greeting
• Opening paragraph introducing yourself
• Body paragraph(s) outlining your accomplishments
• Closing paragraph with a call to action for a future interview
• Sign-off with your name or signature

How to Write a Cover Letter for a Job Application

By following a structured approach—researching the company, crafting a strong introduction, highlighting relevant achievements, and closing confidently—you can write a compelling letter that improves your chances of landing an interview.

Step 1

Create Your Cover Letter Header

Create a cover letter header that includes your full name, professional email address, phone number, and location (city and state). Below your contact information, add the date, followed by the employer’s name and contact details.

Here’s a closer look at what to include in the header of your document:

• Your contact information: Full name, professional email address, phone number, location (city and state), and LinkedIn profile (optional)
• Date: The date you’re submitting your letter
• Employer’s contact information (if available): Hiring manager’s name, job title, company name, and company address

Here’s an example of how it should look:

Step 2

Add a Personalized Greeting

Address your cover letter to the appropriate recipient by name to show attention to detail. A personalized greeting shows you’ve taken the time to research the company and helps create a stronger connection compared to generic openings like “To Whom It May Concern.”

Start with “Dear” followed by the hiring manager’s name (e.g., “Dear Ms. Smith”). Avoid overly casual or outdated salutations. Keeping your greeting professional and tailored sets a positive tone and encourages the reader to continue reading your cover letter.

If you’re unsure of their name, check the job posting, company website, or LinkedIn. If you can’t find a specific person, use a role-based greeting, such as “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear [Department] Team,” instead of a generic greeting.

Step 3

Write a Strong Opening Paragraph

A well-written cover letter begins with a compelling opening paragraph that tells the employer who you are, what your intentions are, and why you’re a worthwhile candidate.

In just a few sentences, you should clearly state:

• Your profession or background
• The role you’re applying for
• A compelling reason why you’re the best candidate

This can be addressed in several effective ways, depending on your situation. Explore a few examples of how to write the first line of your cover letter to grab attention right away. 

Skills-Match Approach

Focus on your most relevant skills and experiences that directly align with the job requirements. Highlight a key achievement or qualification that immediately signals you’re a strong fit.

For example:

Company Compatibility or Mission-Driven Approach

Show that you share the company’s values or are passionate about its mission. Demonstrating cultural fit and genuine interest can set you apart as a committed candidate.

For example:

Employee Recommendation or Referral Approach

If a current employee in good standing has agreed to recommend you, mention it in the opening paragraph of your cover letter. A referral from an employee can help establish credibility and may strengthen your application in the eyes of the employer.

For example:

Pro Tip

The key to writing a strong cover letter opening paragraph is to tailor it to the job and make it engaging. Show the employer right away why they should keep reading, and avoid generic phrases like “I’m excited to apply” without context.

Step 4

Write One to Three Body Paragraphs

Use one to three concise body paragraphs to highlight relevant skills, achievements, and results to show how you can contribute to the company. The body paragraphs are where you demonstrate your value by connecting your experience to the job requirements.

Start With Your Relevant Qualifications

Use your body paragraphs to highlight your most relevant qualifications, including job-specific skills, experience, and accomplishments that directly relate to the role’s responsibilities.

Provide context for key achievements by explaining your thought process, strategies, and results for specific projects.

Here are a few tips for highlighting your relevant qualifications in your body paragraphs:

• Connect your experience to the role. Review the job posting and choose two to three key qualifications you can address in your letter.
• Use quantifiable achievements. Numbers make your impact more tangible. For example, “Increased social media engagement by 35% in six months” is more compelling than “Managed social media accounts.”
• Focus on transferable skills. If you’re changing careers or have gaps in your experience, emphasize transferable skills relevant to the new role, such as project management, teamwork, or communication.

For example:

Explain Why You Want the Job

In addition to outlining your achievements, your cover letter’s body paragraphs should also show employers that you’re not just looking for any job—you want this job at this company. 

Explain why the role excites you and how your values align with the company’s mission. You can also highlight shared industry interests and demonstrate that you understand the company's mission and values. Hiring managers want to see that you’ve done your research and are motivated to contribute.

Research the company’s mission, values, products, or recent initiatives, and reference the ones that genuinely resonate with you. Connect them to your own experience by explaining why they matter. For example, mention how a similar project or core value has shaped your career.

For example:

Step 5

End With a Confident Closing Paragraph

End your cover letter with a confident call to action that encourages the employer to take the next step, such as inviting you for an interview or reviewing your portfolio. Keep your tone professional and courteous, and thank the reader for their time.

Keep this section focused—avoid introducing new information and instead reinforce your strongest qualifications and interest in the position.

For example:

Pro Tip

Avoid apologizing for employment gaps, begging for an interview, or using casual phrases like “Hope to hear from you soon,” as these can undermine your professionalism and confidence. Instead, close with a concise, positive statement that reinforces your enthusiasm and value.

Step 6

Sign Off Professionally

Use standard sign-offs, such as “Sincerely,” “Best regards,” or “Kind regards,” followed by your full name on the next line. Avoid overly casual closings like “Thanks” or “Talk soon,” which can feel unprofessional in formal job applications.

Cover Letter Formatting Guidelines

Clean formatting helps hiring managers quickly scan your qualifications and ensures your letter looks polished. Use these guidelines when formatting your letter, or take advantage of pre-formatted cover letter templates for a faster writing process.

• Keep your cover letter between half a page and one page for easy scanning.
• Use a professional, easy-to-read font, such as Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, or Times New Roman, between 10 and 12 points.
• Single-space your cover letter and leave one blank line between paragraphs.
• Use 1-inch margins on all sides for a balanced layout.
• Align text to the left for readability and visual consistency.

Match the font, spacing, and header style of your resume to create a cohesive application. If you need inspiration, explore our resume templates to align both documents.

How to Make a Cover Letter Stand Out: Examples for Popular Jobs

To make a cover letter stand out, tailor it to the specific role, highlight measurable achievements, and use language that reflects the employer’s priorities. The best way to get inspired to write a cover letter is by looking at solid examples written for the same role you’re applying for.

Check out our collection of cover letter examples for various industries and job titles for inspiration to write your letter.

Here are six of the most-searched cover letter examples in our database:

Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid

Some mistakes can become instant red flags in a cover letter. They can hurt your chances with recruiters and may also affect how your application performs in applicant tracking systems (ATS).

Here are common cover letter mistakes to avoid when writing your cover letter:

• Repeating your resume: Your cover letter should add context and insight, not restate bullet points from your resume.
• Using a generic template: A one-size-fits-all cover letter makes it easy for employers to skip your application because it doesn’t highlight role-specific skills and experience.
• Being too long or unfocused: Keep your cover letter concise so hiring managers can quickly scan your most relevant skills and achievements.
• Using outdated or overly formal language: Phrases like “To whom it may concern” or overly stiff openings can feel impersonal.
• Focusing on what you want instead of what you offer: Emphasize how you can help the employer, not just what you hope to gain.
• Apologizing or underselling yourself: Avoid highlighting gaps, lack of experience, or self-doubt. Focus on strengths and transferable skills instead.
• Ignoring formatting and proofreading: Typos, inconsistent spacing, or messy formatting can hurt your credibility.

Can You Use AI to Write Your Cover Letter?

You can use AI to help write your cover letter, but it should be used as a tool—not a replacement for your voice. Always review, edit, and personalize the content to reflect your unique experience, achievements, and genuine interest in the role.

How to Create a Cover Letter With AI Support

AI can speed up the writing process, generate ideas, and improve clarity, but your final letter should still reflect your experience, personality, and the specific job you’re applying for.

Here are a few ways you can use AI tools to support the writing process:

• Generate a first draft based on your resume and the job description.
• Rewrite or improve existing paragraphs for clarity and tone.
• Identify keywords and skills from the job posting.
• Create multiple versions tailored to different roles.
• Check grammar, spelling, and overall readability.

How to Use AI Responsibly for Cover Letters

Use AI as a starting point, then customize the output to ensure it accurately reflects your voice and highlights your most relevant achievements.

Here are a few tips for using AI responsibly:

• Use AI as inspiration, not a final draft. Let it help with structure and phrasing, but tailor the output to your background and voice.
• Check facts and accuracy. Ensure AI hasn’t introduced skills, dates, or details that don’t match your experience.
• Customize for each role. Adapt suggestions to fit the company, industry, and job description.

Add your own perspective. Include personal insights, motivations, and alignment with the role to make your letter stand out.