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Here’s a truth many job seekers miss: nearly 40% of HR professionals admit they don’t read cover letters at all.
So why write one? Because for the 60% who do, it’s your single best opportunity to go beyond the résumé.
While your résumé lists what you’ve done, your cover letter tells who you are and why you’re the perfect fit for the role.
Too often, people treat cover letters like a chore—rehashing bullet points in dull paragraphs or using generic templates that fade into the background. A great cover letter does the opposite: it connects your past achievements to the company’s current needs, reveals your personality, and proves you’ve done your research.
It doesn’t just inform—it persuades. It makes the hiring manager want to meet you.
If you’re going to write a cover letter, don’t waste the chance. Make it sharp, personal, and powerful.
Make it work.
Andrei Kurtuy of Novorésumé shows you how.
The Cover Letter That Gets Read
Ditch the lengthy, stuffy letters. Modern cover letters should be concise, punchy, and scannable—aim for one page with a handful of impactful paragraphs.
1. Start With a Professional Header
Keep the header clean and professional: include your name, phone, email, LinkedIn, and the date at the top. Below that, add the hiring manager’s name, title, company, and address. If you don’t know their name, find it on LinkedIn. “To Whom It May Concern” signals you didn’t bother.
2. Grab Their Attention Right Away
Hiring managers have no time to waste. You’ve got one sentence to hook them. Skip the boring “I’m writing to apply…” and lead with fire.
Try:
“A longtime admirer of [Company]’s bold marketing, I was thrilled to spot the Marketing Manager opening.”
“In my last role, I grew territory revenue by 30%—and I’m ready to drive that same impact at [Company].”
Make the Connection in the Middle
This is where most cover letters fall flat. Don’t just repeat your résumé—show how your experience fixes their challenges.
Split this section into two tight paragraphs:
Your Skills in Action
Pick 2–3 key skills from the job post. Share a short, vivid story of how you used them. Numbers make it real.
Instead of “managed social media”, say:
“Grew Instagram by 50% in six months through a targeted content strategy.”
Why You’re the Right Fit
Prove you’ve done your homework. Reference a recent company win, mission, or value that genuinely excites you.
This isn’t a form letter—it’s a conversation starter.
Close With Confidence
Close with confidence. Skip “I look forward to hearing from you.”
Instead, say: “I’d love to explore how my experience can help your team hit its next goals.”
The Little Mistakes That Sink Your Letter
Avoid These Common Cover Letter Mistakes:
- Generic Templates: Hiring managers instantly recognize copy-paste letters. Tailor every line to the specific role and company.
- Typos & Grammar Errors: Even one mistake signals carelessness. Read it aloud, run it through a grammar tool, and have someone else proofread.
- Poor Formatting: Your cover letter should visually match your résumé. Consistency reflects attention to detail.
Writing a standout cover letter takes effort—but it’s worth it. In a crowded job market, it’s your chance to rise above the stack and be remembered.
Cover Letters Are Making a Comeback—and Here’s Why
You might think cover letters are old-school, but the data disagrees. 83% of hiring managers read them—even when they’re optional. Nearly half review the cover letter before the résumé. How you open determines whether the rest gets read.
More than that: a strong, tailored cover letter increases your interview odds by up to 50%. Hiring managers say it’s often the tiebreaker between equally qualified candidates.
74% expect a custom letter and reject generic ones outright. Sending the same version to every job? You’re leaving opportunity on the table.
What Type of Letter Works Best in 2025?
The top-performing cover letter format today is the Problem-Solution approach. Instead of reciting your résumé, you identify a key challenge the company faces and position yourself as the fix. It delivers instant value and grabs attention fast.
Another strong option is the Story-Impact letter: share a short, vivid success story that reveals your personality and cultural fit. This shines in companies that value collaboration and shared values.
The Takeaway
Cover letters aren’t dead—they’re your secret weapon for turning applications into interviews. A sharp, tailored, one-page letter that links your skills to the company’s goals is your fastest path to standing out.
So next time you’re tempted to skip it or reuse a generic template—don’t. This is your shot to make a real impression, show you’re invested, and land the role you want.
Need help writing a cover letter that actually works? The Novorésumé Career Blog has cover letter templates, examples, and tips ready—just say the word.
About Andrei Kurtuy
Andrei combines academic knowledge with over 10 years of practical experience to help job seekers navigate the challenges of resumes, interviews, and career growth. Through the Novorésumé Career Blog, he offers actionable advice to simplify and ace the job search process.