Quick Tips for Strong Cover Letters

Writing a cover letter doesn't have to take hours. Most job seekers overthink it and end up with a generic letter that sounds like everyone else's. The truth is, hiring managers spend about 6 seconds scanning your cover letter before deciding if they'll read more.

So how do you make those 6 seconds count? Here are the tips that actually work.

Start with Why You Care

Skip the "I am writing to apply" opening. Everyone knows why you're writing. Instead, start with something specific about the company or role that caught your attention. Maybe they just launched a product you admire, or their mission aligns with your values. Show them you actually researched the company.

For example: "When I saw that your team is building tools to help small businesses compete online, it reminded me why I got into marketing in the first place."

Keep It Short and Scannable

Your cover letter should be 3 to 4 short paragraphs. That's it. If you're going over half a page, you're writing too much. Hiring managers are busy. They want to see that you can communicate clearly without wasting their time.

Use short paragraphs with plenty of white space. This makes your letter easier to skim. Break up dense text into bite-sized chunks that are easy to digest.

Tell One Good Story

Don't try to list every achievement from your resume. Pick one specific example that shows you can do the job. Walk them through what you did, how you did it, and what the result was.

For instance: "At my last job, our customer support tickets were piling up. I created a knowledge base that cut response time by 40% and improved satisfaction scores. I'd love to bring that same problem-solving approach to your team."

Match Their Language

Read the job description carefully and use some of the same words they use. If they mention "collaborative environment," you might write about how you've "worked collaboratively with cross-functional teams." This isn't about gaming the system. It shows you understand what they're looking for.

Tools like CoverSnipps can help you save these keyword-rich phrases as reusable snippets, so you're not starting from scratch every time.

End with a Clear Next Step

Don't end with "I look forward to hearing from you." Be more specific. Say something like: "I'd love to discuss how my experience with customer retention could help your team hit its Q2 goals. When's a good time to chat?"

This shows confidence and makes it easier for them to imagine the next step.

Use a Template (But Make It Yours)

Having a solid template saves time, but you need to customize it for each job. Create a library of strong opening lines, proven examples, and compelling closing statements. Then mix and match based on what each role needs.

This is exactly what CoverSnipps was built for. You can store your best paragraphs and pull them into new letters in seconds. It's like having a personal library of your greatest hits, ready to go whenever you need them.

Proofread Like Your Job Depends on It

Because it does. A single typo can make you look careless. Read your letter out loud. Better yet, paste it into a text-to-speech tool and listen to it. You'll catch mistakes your eyes miss.

Check the company name, the hiring manager's name, and the job title. Getting these wrong is an instant rejection.

The Bottom Line

A strong cover letter is clear, specific, and shows you understand what the company needs. It doesn't have to be perfect, but it does need to show that you put in the effort. Keep it short, tell a good story, and make it easy for them to see why you're the right fit.

And remember, you don't have to reinvent the wheel every time. Build a system that works for you, whether that's keeping notes in a document or using a tool like CoverSnipps to organize your best material. The faster you can put together a solid letter, the more applications you can send, which means more chances to land the job you actually want.