“Dear hiring manager, I am…”
If you’ve sent a dozen or more job requests in the past, this line should spark a “Urgh, here we go again” moment. You’re not the only one feeling that way; it’s just as dull, repetitive, and unremarkable for HRs and hiring managers too.
Cover letters should spark interest right from the greetings and keep your potential employer engaged through the lines instead of blending into the pile of generic applications.
Interestingly, 49% of US hiring managers say a strong cover letter can convince them to interview an otherwise under qualified candidate, whereas 18% will trash the job application due to a poor CV, even if it’s from a strong candidate.
Feels like your CV could use some tweaks, too, before job hunting again? We’ll discuss some expert-vetted steps to keep you running right away.
Tailor each cover letter to a specific job
Adam Young, CEO and Founder of Event Tickets Center, says, “There’s no hard-and-fast rule against using a single resume to apply to multiple companies for the same role, and that’s why they’re most times generic. But the opposite is true for CVs. And that’s one mistake most people make—writing a cover letter like resumes.”
Cover letters are highly personalized pieces that should address each recipient uniquely, even if it’s for the same job.
First, every employer’s job posts slightly or significantly differ in requirements from others. Two employers looking for a TikTok manager will likely not have the same goals, follower count, challenges, and budget.
Second, each company has its unique culture, values, and expectations. Third, hiring managers can instantly spot a generic cover letter. A one-size-fits-all approach often lacks the depth and enthusiasm that make an application stand out.
To tailor your cover letter, do the following for every job post:
Do a detailed research of the company you’re applying to. Dig out offerings, challenges and pain points, competitors, budget, and other essentials critical to your services. Your CV should mention how you’ve solved similar pain points for others—more on this later.
“Visit social media channels like LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and other relevant ones. The job posting platform can also give you some details to enhance personalization. ‘Dear hiring manager’ is a cliché and should be substituted with the hiring manager’s name”, John Grant, Founder & CEO at Premier Bidets, recommends.
Review their website for brand vision and goals. If you’re in the content niche, you should check their tone of writing and brand style. Most hiring managers look out for these tiny details in your texts to know if you did any home assignments before sending your CV in. For instance, some brands love a mix of professionalism and jovialism, while others want a formally formal CV.
Address challenges head-on. Let them know you read the job description. Subtle details—like mentioning a company’s recent campaign and its mission you can contribute to—can make a huge difference. A line or two of your enthusiasm will also do.
Remember to do this for each job you apply to. If you’re bidding on Upwork and similar sites, where you may not have the luxury of time to fully personalize your CV, at least ensure that a significant percentage of it is unique to the task posted.
“Your resume tells hiring managers what you've done, but your cover letter tells them who you are. It can feel tedious to tailor a cover letter for each role you're applying for, but when it's your dream job, the extra effort is worth it and goes a long way. I suggest pulling the top ten keywords from the job description and using the cover letter to map your experience to those competencies,” says Cara Heimbaugh, Content marketing leader at Happeo.
Highlight what benefits you bring, not skills
‘I have this, I have that.’
“Your skills are incredible, but tons of applicants boast the same. So, there’s no need to spam HRs with them. Better still, leave your skill galore for resumes. When you’re writing a CV, focus on the results you can replicate”, Yury Byalik, CMO at Faith & Glory, advises.
Assume you are a hiring manager looking for a project manager. Which of the two below would you favor for an interview?
The first:
Dear hiring manager,
I have strong analytical skills, excellent communication abilities, and expertise in project management. I am proficient in multiple software tools and have experience leading teams to success.
The second:
Hi Oyinmade,
I saw your listing on this website, and I was thrilled to see it because it’s exactly the kind of job I’ve been looking for to apply my project management skills.
Recently, I led Klevio’s project team to increase operational efficiency by 30% through streamlined project workflows. It was a thrilling achievement.
I replicated the same with Ralphli by spearheading its marketing campaign, which boosted customer engagement by 50%, resulting in a 20% revenue increase within six months.
I’d like to do the same, or even better, at your [company name].
We’d go for the second because it emphasizes your value rather than a bunch of skills that would have been better left for a resume.
Now another question is, what if you lack the appropriate experience?
Peter Čuček, Owner at Tuuli, says you should “simply highlight internships, volunteer work, community services, Bootcamps, freelance projects, or personal initiatives that demonstrate your potential contributions. Employers value problem-solvers, not just job titles.”
Avoid genericity and be enthusiastic
Murtaza Oklu, Owner of OMO Transfer, believes “Genericity often comes from repetitions—when you spam the same cover letter over and over again. And it irks hiring managers to know you’ve not dedicated enough time to find out about them. On the other hand, personalization affords you the chance to impress your HR and seize an interview ticket.”
For instance, consider this paragraph from a complete cover letter:
I am particularly impressed by Klevio’s recent "Green Initiative" campaign, which aligns with my passion for sustainable practices. I am eager to bring my expertise in digital marketing to further such impactful projects at your organization.
Highlighting the current initiatives of Klevio's dream company tells HR that you pay attention to detail and are research-oriented. These are soft skills almost all organizations need today, and they help your CV stand out from the crowd.
Jeffrey Zhou, CEO and Founder of Fig Loans, says, “You also need to show them you’re excited to join the team. Reflect that energy with your word choices and statements. Of course, you don’t want to appear pushy, overly eager, or desperate.”
Here’s an example of that:
Dear Tamra and the hiring team,
I was thrilled to come across your posting for the Project Manager role. The opportunity to lead impactful projects while collaborating with a dynamic team is exactly what I thrive on.
At Klevio, I led a product launch that increased customer retention by 30%, ensuring seamless coordination between engineering, marketing, and operations. I don’t just manage timelines—I anticipate roadblocks, align teams with a shared vision, and keep projects moving forward with clarity and momentum.
I was particularly impressed by your recent PMO expansion and how your team enhances operational efficiency. The chance to contribute to that kind of work excites me I’d love to bring my experience in optimizing workflows, managing stakeholders, and delivering projects on time to help drive even greater results.
Let’s connect—I’d love to discuss how I can contribute to your team’s success. Looking forward to the conversation!
Most importantly, keep it short. 82% of HRs want your CV to be less than a page long.
Include referrals to boost credibility
Tom Golubovich, Head of Marketing & Media Relations at Ninja Transfers, says, “Referrals here include past employers you’ve worked with before. Well, you don’t want to over-populate your CV by including their past reviews. That’s also not necessary unless absolutely necessary or you have a portfolio showcasing them.”
“Instead, reference the companies you’ve worked with before and subtly mention how you scaled their business”, Golubovich continues.
We did that with Klevio in our examples above.
You could also outline other reputable companies that add credibility to your submission so long as you have provable samples. Let’s use a content writer this time.
As a content writer at Klevio, I played a key role in scaling the company’s online visibility by increasing organic traffic by 40% within six months through SEO-optimized blog posts and compelling content. I've also worked with reputable brands like Shopify, HubSpot, Trello, Moz, and Neil Patel Digital to generate over 100k leads in six months.
Proofread, format, and reformat before submitting
You’ve built a credible image by discussing your values and refining each statement to make land a positive impression. But a single typo can throw all that in a bin. Just so you know, 76% of HRs will automatically reject a CV if it has typos or grammatical errors.
To avoid that, proofread your CV before submitting it.
“If there’s a luxurious timeframe for submission, sleep on the draft and brutally retouch multiple times. Alternatively, you can hire a proofreader for a couple of bucks to get it done faster”, Michael Nemeroff, Co-founder & CEO at RushOrderTees, suggests.
Also, check your CV’s format—arrangement, tone, and style—before turning it in. For instance, 26% of HRs see “Hi” as a serious problem. If your dream company looks overly formal, adjust your CV to follow suit. Others might welcome informal greetings, but it’s generally best to keep the tone professional.
Eliminate cliche statements like “I believe I’m the ideal candidate for the role.” 42% of HRs view such lines as a moderate problem, but 20% take it more seriously and that could land your CV in the bin.
Wrapping up
Cover letters can make or mar your chances of landing a job. And that’s why you should put considerable effort into crafting a good one. To do that, ensure each job application has a tailored CV. Focus on the value you can add instead of advertising your skills.
Avoid genericity and be more enthusiastic, but don’t appear desperate. Also, reference past results and reputable companies you’ve worked with in the past. Lastly, keep it short, proofread each draft before submitting it, and format it appropriately.
