Writing a personalized, emotionally appealing cover letter is an art.
Anyone can crank out a copy-paste template now, thanks to online guides & platforms. The ones who will win the hiring game are not the ones who can “write more generic letters, faster.” Not at all!
Instead, it’s about who can connect with more people in a deeper way.
Yup, we’re talking about authenticity. But saying “authentic” & being “authentic’ are 2 totally different things.
Whether you’re a freelancer looking for your first clients or a recent graduate hunting for your dream job, it has never been more important to have a standout cover letter than it is right now.
A 2021 survey by ResumeLab found that 83% of recruiters say a good cover letter can convince them to interview a candidate, even if their resume isn’t perfect.
Now, don’t get me wrong. Crafting a killer cover letter is nothing new.
But thanks to the massive influx of AI-generated resumes & automated applications, the old rule of “Just send the same generic letter to every job” is no longer how you rise to the top.
Let me break this down for you. The job application world is changing rapidly right before our eyes. And that’s a good thing.
As marketing guru Seth Godin says, “Change is not a threat. It’s an opportunity.”
Simple Edits to Make Your Cover Letter Stand Out
1. Start with a Strong Opening
Say goodbye to the boring “Dear Hiring Manager, I am applying for this position” message.
So many people put off writing a compelling cover letter until they have “everything perfect.” Or they wait to write something until they have the perfect professional tone.
Absolutely not.
Just start writing. A great cover letter is not about sounding like a corporate robot; it’s about showing who you are.
Hiring managers prefer candidates who show genuine personality.
Example:
Boring: I am applying for the Marketing Assistant position at XYZ Company.
Awesome: Your store’s marketing campaign last month? It literally made me stop scrolling & think, ‘I have to work with these people’.
2. Customize Your Letter to the Job
Generic cover letters are the worst.
Would hiring managers accept an application if the cover letter isn’t tailored to the job?
Not at all! Right?
Mention the company name. Reference the job description. Show why you’re the real applicant.
For example, if they care about teamwork, don’t just say you’re a team player. Show receipts: “At my last gig, I collaborated with cross-functional teams to launch a product that increased revenue by 15%. I’m ready to bring that same energy to your organization.”
3. Cut the Fluff
A study showed that recruiters spend an average of 7.4 seconds scanning a cover letter or resume.
That means your wordy, self-important paragraphs? They are garbage.
Skip the corporate wording. Skip the filler. Get to the point.
Avoid using dump phrases like “I am writing to inform you.” Replace vague wording with actual results. Show; don’t just tell.
Example:
Mediocre: I have skills that would benefit your organization.
The best: I boosted sales by 20% in six months. Your team looks like they’d appreciate that kind of impact.
Pro Tip: Stuck on paraphrasing complicated sentences to make an impact? A good free paraphrasing tool can help you turn corporate clichés into engaging language.
Just be careful: while online paraphrasing tools are great for inspiration, always add your personal touch to keep things authentic.
4. Match the Job Description
Listen. Hiring managers are over generic applications.
The more templated content sounds useless. What to do then? It’s simple. Grab keywords from their job description.
But don’t just copy-paste. Integrate them with your story.
How to Edit?
- Pick 2-3 phrases from the job ad
- Tell a real story that proves you embody those skills
Example:
Job Ad wants: “detail-oriented team player”
Boring: “I’m hardworking & collaborative“
Amazing: “I once reorganized my team’s chaotic project tracking & cut our reporting time by 50%.”
5. Focus on Achievements, Not Responsibilities
Avoid repeating the job description back to hiring managers. They want to hear more than that.
They want real results.
Don’t say, “I managed social media accounts.”
Replace with: “I grew our Instagram following by 43% in six months, turning followers into actual customers and driving a 25% website traffic spike.”
Numbers talk. Vague statements walk.
6. Keep It Concise
Look, attention spans are shorter than our patience for boring content.
Aim for 3-4 paragraphs. One page.
A survey showed that 70% of employers prefer cover letters that are half a page or shorter.
The structure is simple:
- Paragraph 1: Who are you & why are you excited?
- Paragraph 2: Your most crucial skills & achievements
- Paragraph 3: Why you & this company are a match made in heaven
- Closing: A call to action that screams, “Interview me!”
7. Show Genuine Enthusiasm
Employers can smell fake enthusiasm from a mile away.
Research the company. Find something that genuinely excites you & then include it in the cover letter.
8. End with a Strong Closing
Don’t be passive. Be confident.
“I’m eager to discuss how my skills align with your goals. Let’s talk. [Phone Number] or [Email Address].”
Bonus Tips for a Standout Cover Letter
Use a Professional Format
Clean. Simple. Professional.
Standard fonts. Readable size. Your contact info front & center.
Add a Personal Touch
Got a connection? Mention it.
“As a longtime user of your products, I’ve watched your innovation up close.”
Follow Up
After submitting, send a follow-up email. Hiring managers usually appreciate this.
Final Remarks
Your cover letter is not about being perfect. It’s about being real. Mix in your real thoughts, opinions, reflections, & personality.
That’s how you stand out. That’s how you get the interview. Now, go write an amazing cover letter. Good luck with that job search!