How to Start a Cover Letter: Tips and Examples for Job Seekers

Starting a cover letter can be difficult when you are unsure what an employer expects. The opening paragraph needs to explain which job you are applying for, why you are interested in the position, and what makes your qualifications relevant.

A cover letter introduces your application and provides context for the information in your resume or curriculum vitae (CV). Rather than repeating your employment history, it connects your skills, education, and experience to the requirements of a specific job.

Not every employer requires a cover letter. Some request one as part of the application, while others make it optional or accept applications without one. Checking the job advertisement before preparing your documents can help you follow the correct application process.

According to Yale University's Office of Career Strategy, a cover letter should introduce the applicant, explain their interest in the position, demonstrate relevant qualifications, and remain concise.

The following guidance explains how to start a cover letter, structure its main paragraphs, avoid common mistakes, and prepare a professional job application.

What Is a Cover Letter?

A cover letter is a short professional document submitted with a resume or CV to explain your interest in a job and show how your qualifications relate to the position.

A resume generally summarises your education, work experience, skills, and achievements. A cover letter provides an opportunity to explain why those qualifications matter for the role.

For example, a resume may state that you completed an internship involving customer communication. In a cover letter, you can explain how that experience prepared you to respond to customer enquiries or work with a service team.

A cover letter generally serves three purposes:

• Introduces you and identifies the position you are applying for.

• Connects your relevant qualifications and experience to the job requirements.

• Explains your interest in the role and the organisation.

A well-written cover letter gives employers additional information about your suitability. However, submitting one does not guarantee an interview or influence every employer's selection process.

How to Start a Cover Letter Professionally

The opening of a cover letter should be direct, relevant, and easy to understand. It should establish the purpose of your application without lengthy introductions or unrelated personal information.

A practical opening paragraph generally includes the job title, a relevant qualification or experience, and a specific reason for applying.

For example:

"I am applying for the Administrative Assistant position at your organisation. My experience maintaining records, coordinating schedules, and communicating with customers has prepared me for the administrative responsibilities described in the job advertisement."

This introduction identifies the position and links the applicant's experience to the work involved.

Applicants should use only qualifications and experiences they can accurately support.

6 Tips for Writing a Professional Cover Letter

1. Address the Cover Letter to the Appropriate Person

Begin your cover letter with a professional greeting. When the recruiter's name is available, addressing that person directly can make the letter more specific.

You may find the recipient's name in the job advertisement, recruitment instructions, or the organisation's official website.

Suitable greetings include:

• Dear Hiring Manager,

• Dear Recruitment Team,

• Dear Selection Committee,

• Dear [Recipient's Name],

Use the recipient's correct name and title when known. Avoid assuming someone's gender or professional title.

If you cannot identify the recipient, "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear Recruitment Team" is generally appropriate.

There is no need to spend excessive time searching for an individual recruiter's name. A respectful, accurate greeting is more useful than addressing the letter to the wrong person.

2. Begin with the Job Title and a Relevant Qualification

The first paragraph should make the purpose of your application clear.

State the position you are applying for and briefly introduce a skill, qualification, or experience connected to the role.

Avoid lengthy opening statements that provide no information about your suitability.

For example, instead of writing:

"I am writing this letter because I saw your advertisement and would like to apply for a job in your company."

You can write:

"I am applying for the Customer Service Assistant position. My experience handling customer enquiries and maintaining service records matches several responsibilities outlined in the job description."

The second version gives the employer a clearer reason to continue reading.

For applicants without previous employment experience, relevant coursework, internships, volunteer activities, and academic projects can provide useful evidence of their abilities.

3. Explain How Your Skills Match the Job Requirements

A cover letter should explain the connection between your qualifications and the responsibilities of the position.

Before writing, read the job description and identify the skills the employer is seeking.

Select two or three requirements that match your background and provide relevant examples.

For instance, if the job involves preparing reports, you might discuss your experience collecting information, organising records, or using spreadsheet software.

If the position requires teamwork, describe a relevant project in which you coordinated responsibilities or worked with others to complete an assignment.

Use specific examples rather than unsupported statements such as:

"I am hardworking and have outstanding communication skills."

A more informative explanation would be:

"During my internship, I responded to customer enquiries, updated service records, and coordinated information with other team members."

This allows the employer to understand what you have done.

The University of Michigan Career Center recommends connecting relevant academic, professional, volunteer, or extracurricular experiences to the qualifications listed in a job description.

4. Explain Why You Are Interested in the Position

Employers may want to understand why you are applying for a particular role.

A useful explanation should relate to the responsibilities of the job, your professional interests, or your relevant experience.

Research the organisation through reliable information, including its official website and the job advertisement.

Focus on details that genuinely relate to your application.

For example:

"I am interested in this position because it involves coordinating educational activities and communicating with students, responsibilities that relate to my previous volunteer experience."

Avoid including exaggerated praise about the organisation or making claims about its reputation without evidence.

You also do not need to suggest that the organisation is superior to other employers.

A clear explanation of how the position connects to your skills and interests is sufficient.

5. Use Professional Language and Avoid Exaggeration

Your cover letter should communicate interest in the job without sounding impatient, demanding, or overly confident.

Use clear language and support statements about your abilities with relevant examples.

Avoid expressions such as:

• "I am the perfect candidate for this position."

• "No other applicant has my abilities."

• "I expect to receive an interview invitation."

• "You should hire me immediately."

These statements do not provide useful evidence of your qualifications.

Instead, use wording such as:

"I believe my experience in office administration and record management is relevant to the requirements of this position."

When closing the letter, you can express interest in discussing your application further.

For example:

"Thank you for considering my application. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my qualifications relate to the position."

Do not promise to call or visit the employer unless that approach is appropriate under the recruitment instructions.

Professional communication involves respecting the employer's application process.

6. Keep the Letter Concise and Check for Errors

A standard cover letter for a non-academic job application should generally fit on one page.

The University of Maryland Career Center recommends keeping cover letters concise, tailoring them to the role, and checking the information carefully.

Three or four short paragraphs are often sufficient to introduce your application, explain your qualifications, and close the letter.

Before submitting, review the following:

• Spelling and grammatical accuracy.

• Correct job title and organisation name.

• Accurate recipient information.

• Clear and complete sentences.

• Relevant qualifications and examples.

• Consistent formatting and readable text.

• Correct contact information.

• Compliance with application instructions.

Reading the letter aloud can help you identify awkward sentences and repeated expressions.

You can also ask someone familiar with professional writing to review your draft.

If you are applying for several positions, review each cover letter separately. Reusing a previous application without updating the job title or employer's name can create avoidable errors.

Cover Letter Opening Examples for Different Applicants

The opening paragraph should reflect the applicant's actual background and the position being sought.

The following examples are illustrative and should be adapted using accurate personal information.

Example 1: Cover Letter Opening for Freshers

"I am applying for the Junior Accounts Assistant position. Having completed coursework in accounting and financial record management, I am interested in applying my academic knowledge to the responsibilities described in the job advertisement."

This approach is suitable for applicants who have relevant education but limited professional experience.

Example 2: Cover Letter Opening for Experienced Candidates

"I am applying for the Office Administrator position. My previous responsibilities included maintaining records, coordinating schedules, and supporting daily administrative activities. I am interested in bringing this experience to a role involving office coordination and document management."

This example connects existing experience to the duties of the advertised position.

Example 3: Cover Letter Opening for an Internship

"I am applying for the Marketing Internship position. As a student with coursework in marketing and communication, I am interested in developing practical experience in content preparation, market research, and team coordination."

Students can adapt this approach by mentioning relevant projects, coursework, or volunteer work.

Example 4: Cover Letter Opening for a Career Change

"I am applying for the Human Resources Assistant position. My experience in customer service has involved maintaining records, communicating with different people, and handling confidential information. I am interested in applying these transferable skills to administrative responsibilities in human resources."

Applicants changing careers can focus on skills that apply across different fields.

How to Structure a Complete Cover Letter

A clear structure helps employers understand the purpose of the application and assess the information presented.

For a standard job application, a cover letter can be organised into four parts.

The exact format may depend on the employer's instructions, profession, and application method.

For academic, research, or specialised positions, different expectations may apply.

Sample Cover Letter for a Job Application

The following example shows how the main sections can work together. It is a general sample for an administrative position and should be adapted to the applicant's actual experience.

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am applying for the Administrative Assistant position at your organisation. My experience managing office records, coordinating schedules, and communicating with customers has prepared me for several responsibilities described in the job advertisement.

In my previous administrative role, I maintained documents, responded to routine enquiries, and supported the coordination of meetings. These responsibilities required attention to detail, organised recordkeeping, and clear communication with colleagues.

I am interested in this position because it involves document management and office coordination, areas in which I have developed relevant experience. I would welcome the opportunity to apply these skills while continuing to learn the procedures and responsibilities associated with the role.

Thank you for considering my application. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further.

Sincerely,

[Applicant's Full Name]

Applicants should replace the example information with their own accurate qualifications and experiences. The content should also be adjusted to the requirements of the advertised position.

Common Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid

Some mistakes can make a cover letter less clear or prevent it from addressing the job requirements.

Repeating the Entire Resume

A cover letter should add context to your qualifications rather than reproduce the information already included in your resume.

Select experiences that relate directly to the advertised role and explain their relevance.

Using the Same Letter for Every Application

A general cover letter may overlook important differences between positions.

Adjust the introduction, qualifications, and examples to reflect the responsibilities of each job.

Making Unsupported Claims

Avoid statements about achievements or abilities that you cannot explain or verify.

Describe your experience accurately and use examples that reflect your actual responsibilities.

Including Unnecessary Personal Information

Focus on qualifications, professional experience, and job-related interests.

Personal details unrelated to the position are usually unnecessary unless specifically required by the application process.

Writing Long and Complicated Sentences

Lengthy sentences can make a cover letter difficult to read.

Use direct language and organise related information into short paragraphs.

Ignoring the Employer's Instructions

Follow the requirements stated in the vacancy announcement.

Some employers require a separate cover letter document, while others provide an online text field or request information in a particular format.

If the employer specifies a word limit, file format, or application procedure, follow those instructions.

Should You Include a Cover Letter If It Is Optional?

An optional cover letter can provide additional context when you have information that is relevant to the position but not fully explained in your resume.

It may be useful when:

• You are applying for your first job.

• You are changing careers.

• You have relevant experience from internships or volunteer work.

• You want to explain a connection between your previous responsibilities and a different role.

• You have a specific reason for applying that is not evident from your resume.

However, an optional cover letter is not necessary for every application.

If the employer instructs applicants not to submit one, respect that requirement.

The value of a cover letter depends on its relevance and the information it provides, not on its length or the number of claims made about the applicant.

Conclusion

A professional cover letter should begin with a clear explanation of the position you are applying for and the qualifications that make your application relevant.

Address the appropriate recipient, connect your experience to the job requirements, use professional language, and support statements about your abilities with accurate examples.

Keep the letter concise, review it for errors, and follow the employer's application instructions.

A cover letter cannot guarantee an interview, but it can help employers understand information that may not be fully explained in your resume.