A cover letter isn’t just a formality, it’s your chance to show you have made an effort to speak directly to the role and company, gets you more noticed, gives more context than just a resume drop, and connect your skills to the role, showing the hiring manager why they should shortlist you.

Here’s a simple structure to follow:

Header first
Put your name, email, phone number and LinkedIn profile link right at the top. Make it easy for them to contact you!

Start strong
Scrap the “Dear Sir/Madam” opening line, it’s so outdated…instead, use “Dear Hiring Manager” or, even better, find their actual name. It shows initiative and professionalism.

Intro: Who you are + why you fit
Write 2 to 3 sentences on who you are, your background, and why this role caught your eye. Keep it tailored and avoid generic lines. (This is not a repeat of your CV, they’re already going to read that).

Show them what you bring
Highlight the specific skills, experiences you could bring to their company. This is where you connect the dots between your experience and the job requirements.

Address the job description directly
Use the keywords from the listing —not only does it prove you read it, but also strategically helps with ATS screening that are common in most workplaces now.

Close with purpose
Wrap up by expressing genuine enthusiasm for the opportunity and invite them to contact you for an interview.

Remember again, a cover letter isn’t about repeating your CV, it’s about telling the story of why you’re the right fit for the specific role.