TailorLetterMost cover letters don't get read. Not because recruiters are lazy, but because most are generic, long, and say nothing relevant in the first ten seconds.
This guide cuts to the chase: what to include, what to cut, and how to write a letter that makes the reader want to meet you.
Why does the cover letter still matter?
With applicant tracking systems (ATS) and online portfolios, many candidates assume the cover letter is a formality. It isn't. For the companies that do read it, and there are many, it's the first sign of how you communicate, how you prioritise information, and whether you understand what they're looking for.
A well-written letter can compensate for a mediocre CV. A generic letter can sink an excellent one.
The structure that works
Forget outdated formats with "Dear Sir or Madam" and three paragraphs of filler. The structure that works in 2026 looks like this:
1. Opening: why this company, why now
The first paragraph has to answer one specific question: why do you want to work at this company and not any other? If the answer could apply to ten different companies, rewrite it.
Don't start with "I am writing to express my interest in…". Start with something that shows you've done your research.
2. Body: what you specifically bring
One paragraph. Two at most. Pick one or two concrete experiences that are directly relevant to the role and explain what outcome they had. Numbers if you have them. Context if you don't.
Don't summarise your CV. That's what the CV is for.
3. Closing: the next step
End with a clear sentence that leaves the door open. "I'd love to discuss how I can contribute" works. Don't ask for the job as if it's a favour.
What to avoid
- Empty phrases: "I am a proactive and hardworking person" says nothing. Show it with examples.
- More than one page: If you can't summarise it in 300 words, you're including things that don't matter.
- Sending the same letter everywhere: Recruiters spot generic letters within three seconds.
- Talking only about yourself: The letter has to explain what the company gains by hiring you, not just what you want.
- Typos: A spelling mistake in your cover letter says more than you'd like.
A real example
This is the kind of letter that gets interviews. Notice how each paragraph has a specific purpose:
I've been following Stripe's infrastructure blog for two years, particularly the series on how you handle distributed consistency at scale. What caught my attention wasn't the technical depth alone, but the deliberate choice to publish failures alongside the fixes. That kind of culture is what I'm looking to join.
Over the past two years I've worked on the platform team at a Series B startup, where I redesigned the payment reconciliation pipeline and reduced processing errors by 60%. It wasn't glamorous work, but it's the kind of work that keeps things running when the stakes are high.
I'd love to talk about how I could contribute to what you're building on the backend infrastructure side. Available whenever works for you.
Notice what's missing: no "I'm passionate about technology", no random skill list, no asking for the job outright. It gets to the point and demonstrates rather than claims.
Adapting it to each job
The key to writing good letters isn't writing from scratch every time, it's having a solid base and adjusting the elements that change: the company name, the project or product you mention, and the specific achievement you choose to highlight based on the role.
With that approach, a good letter takes 10–15 minutes. A generic one can take just as long and still not work.
Generate your letter in under a minute
Paste the job listing, upload your CV, and TailorLetter writes a letter tailored to that specific role. No prompts, no empty templates.
Try it freeFrequently asked questions
How long should a cover letter be?
Between 200 and 350 words. Enough to say something relevant, too short to get lost in filler.
Should I send one even if they don't ask for it?
It depends. If the job posting doesn't mention it, a short letter can set you apart. If the process is heavily automated (ATS-only form), it may not be read by anyone.
What format should I use?
Always PDF, unless they specify otherwise. Never Word, the formatting can break on other machines.
Can I use AI to write it?
Yes, but thoughtfully. AI can help you structure and draft, but the specific details, your achievements, your context, why that company, have to come from you. A letter generated without personalisation is obvious.