What Should Cover Letter Say

Here's a question I hear all the time: "What do I even say in a cover letter?" Honestly, it's one of those things a lot of people overthink. They either freeze up and stare at the blank page forever, or they end up just repeating their resume in paragraph form, which, let's face it, no hiring manager needs. It's a cover letter, not a novel, so let's talk about what actually works.

Don't rehash your resume

Look, your resume already tells them what you've done. Your cover letter should answer a different question: why you're excited about this particular role. That's your chance to show you're not just blindly applying everywhere. If you're applying to a marketing position, for example, talk about how their brand stands out to you, or how you saw one of their campaigns and thought, "I want to be part of a team that does that. " It's not about listing accomplishments; it's about making a personal connection.

The Part Nobody Tells You About

Here's the thing: the person reading your cover letter is probably skimming. They're looking for something (anything) that makes them think, "This person gets us. " So be specific. Mention the company's mission, recent projects, or even its reputation in the industry. And tie it back to why you're the right fit. Saying "I'd love to contribute to your team" is fine, but saying "I admire how your team tackled [specific project] and I believe my experience in [related skill or project] could bring value to similar initiatives"? Way better.

Tone matters

This trips up a lot of people. Don't write like you swallowed a thesaurus, but don't be overly casual either. It's about striking that balance between professional and conversational. You want them to think, "Okay, this person sounds sharp but approachable. " If it helps, imagine you're talking to someone you respect but feel comfortable with. Keep it straightforward and skip the fluff.

Stop trying to be perfect

I still can't believe how many people agonize over every single word in these letters. It's not about being perfect; it's about being real. If you stare at your screen too long trying to make it sound "just right, " you're probably going to end up sounding rehearsed or robotic. Write like you mean it, and don't stress too much about fancy wording. The funny part is, most hiring managers will remember your enthusiasm more than your sentence structure.

Think about this: What would make you stop and take notice if you were reading the letter? That's your guide. And if you're still worried, just keep it simple. Talk about why you're interested, what you bring to the table, and why you think you'd be a great fit for their team. No fluff, no filler.

Honestly, cover letters aren't as scary as they seem, once you stop overthinking them. So go make your case, be genuine, and don’t be afraid to let your interest shine through. That’s what they’re looking for anyway.