Cover Letter Writer

Overview

This skill writes a short, specific, genuinely persuasive cover letter that complements (never repeats) the resume. A good cover letter answers three questions fast: Why this company? Why this role? Why you? — backed by one or two concrete proof points.

Keywords: cover letter, motivation letter, letter of interest, application letter, Anschreiben, job application, career change, why this company.

When to use vs. not

Use this whenever a role asks for (or allows) a cover letter, or when the candidate needs to explain something a resume can't (a pivot, a gap, an unusual fit). Don't pad — if there's nothing role-specific to say, a tight 3-paragraph letter beats a generic page. Never fabricate enthusiasm with invented facts about the company; use real, verifiable specifics.

Inputs to gather first

1. The job description and company name.
2. The candidate's 2–3 strongest relevant achievements (ideally quantified).
3. One genuine reason they want this company/role (product, mission, team, problem).
4. Anything to address head-on: career change, gap, relocation, over/under-qualification.
5. Tone target: formal (finance/law/gov) vs. warm-professional (startup/creative).

Workflow

1. Research the hook. Find one specific, true thing about the company (a product, value, recent launch, problem they solve) the candidate authentically connects to. This becomes the opener. Generic "I am writing to apply for…" openers are dead on arrival.
2. Map proof to needs. Read the JD's top 3 requirements. Pick the candidate's achievements that directly answer them.
3. Write the opening (2–3 sentences). Name the role, lead with the hook or a punchy proof point. Make the reader want the next paragraph.
4. Write the body (1–2 short paragraphs). Each makes one claim about fit and backs it with a concrete, quantified example. Show impact, not a duty list. This is "the resume's greatest hits, with narrative."
5. Address the elephant (if any). One confident sentence on the gap/pivot/relocation — framed forward, never apologetic.
6. Close (2 sentences). Restate enthusiasm, state availability, and a light call to action ("I'd welcome the chance to discuss…"). Thank them.
7. Trim to ~250–350 words / under one page. Cut every sentence that could appear in any other letter.
8. Match format. Email body vs. attached letter; for DACH, follow the formal Anschreiben layout (sender/recipient blocks, date, subject line).

Decision framework

| Situation | Emphasis | | --- | --- | | Strong direct fit | Lead with the single most relevant quantified win | | Career change | Lead with transferable skills + why the pivot is deliberate, not random | | Employment gap | One forward-framed sentence; spend the rest on value | | Dream company, stretch role | Lead with genuine mission alignment + fastest-ramp evidence | | Referral exists | Name the referrer in the first line |

Worked example

See examples/career-change.md for a full letter from a teacher moving into UX research.

Best Practices

• One specific company detail proves you didn't mass-mail it.
• Show, don't claim. "Increased newsletter open rates 40%" beats "I am passionate about marketing."
• Complement the resume, don't recite it. Add narrative and the why.
• Confident, warm, concise. No begging, no arrogance.
• Address it to a person when you can find the name.

Common Pitfalls

• Generic opener that could be sent to any company.
• Summarizing the whole resume in prose.
• Making it about what the candidate wants, not what they offer.
• Apologizing for gaps or missing requirements.
• Too long. Recruiters skim; one page max, ideally less.
• Typos / wrong company name from a recycled letter — fatal.