What to Put in a Resume Cover Letter: Complete Guide 2025
TL;DR - Quick Answer
A resume cover letter should include seven essential elements: your contact information, the hiring manager's details, a compelling opening paragraph with your strongest qualification, 1-2 body paragraphs showcasing relevant achievements with metrics, a confident closing with call to action, and a professional sign-off. The key is complementing your resume with context and personality—not repeating it.
While your resume lists what you've done, your cover letter explains why it matters for this specific role. According to a ResumeGo study, 87% of hiring managers read cover letters, and candidates who include them are 50% more likely to get interviewed. Understanding exactly what to include—and what to leave out—can be the difference between landing an interview and being overlooked.
This guide breaks down every element you should include in your resume cover letter, with examples and templates you can use immediately. For a step-by-step writing process, see our complete guide on how to create a cover letter.
Key Takeaways
Header with contact info: Include your name, phone, email, and LinkedIn—make it easy for recruiters to reach you.
Personalized greeting: Address the hiring manager by name whenever possible; 'Dear Hiring Manager' as a fallback.
Achievement-driven opening: Lead with your most relevant accomplishment and specific interest in this company.
Quantified body content: Include 2-3 achievements with metrics that directly address job requirements.
Confident closing: Express enthusiasm, summarize your value, and include a clear call to action.
The 7 Essential Elements of a Resume Cover Letter
Every effective cover letter contains these seven components, arranged in a specific order that guides the reader from introduction to action. Missing any of these elements creates gaps that can cost you the interview.
Element 1: Your Contact Information Header
Your header should appear at the top of your cover letter, making it immediately clear who you are and how to reach you. This section establishes professionalism from the first glance.
What to Include in Your Header
Full name: Use the same name format as your resume for consistency
Phone number: Your primary contact number with voicemail set up professionally
Email address: A professional email (firstname.lastname@email.com, not partyguy99@email.com)
LinkedIn URL: Optional but recommended—customize your URL for a cleaner look
City and state: Full address is optional; city/state shows you're local or willing to relocate
Header Format Example
Sarah Chen sarah.chen@email.com | (555) 123-4567 | linkedin.com/in/sarahchen | Austin, TX
For detailed formatting guidance, see our article on how to set up a cover letter.
Element 2: The Date and Employer Information
Below your header, include the date and the recipient's information. This formal business letter structure signals professionalism and attention to detail.
What to Include
Date: The date you're sending the letter (November 28, 2025)
Hiring manager's name: Research to find the specific person if possible
Their title: Director of Marketing, Hiring Manager, etc.
Company name: Double-check spelling—errors here are deal-breakers
Company address: Optional for digital submissions, include for mailed applications
Finding the hiring manager's name shows initiative. Check LinkedIn, the company website, or call the company directly. For strategies on finding and addressing the right person, see our guide on how to address a cover letter with a name.
Element 3: A Professional Salutation
Your greeting sets the tone for everything that follows. A personalized salutation demonstrates that you've done your research and aren't sending a mass application.
Salutation Best Practices
Best option: 'Dear Ms. Thompson,' or 'Dear Mr. Johnson,' (use the name you found)
Good fallback: 'Dear Hiring Manager,' or 'Dear [Department] Team,'
Avoid: 'To Whom It May Concern,' 'Dear Sir/Madam,' 'Hey there,'
For comprehensive guidance on salutations, read our article on how to address hiring manager in cover letter.
Element 4: A Compelling Opening Paragraph
Your opening paragraph has approximately 7 seconds to capture attention. This is where you hook the reader with your strongest qualification and demonstrate specific interest in this opportunity.
What Your Opening Should Include
The position you're applying for: State it clearly—companies often have multiple openings
Your strongest relevant qualification: Lead with an achievement that proves you can do this job
Why this company: Show you've researched them and have genuine interest
Opening Paragraph Examples
Strong opening: "After increasing customer retention by 34% through strategic account management at TechCorp, I was excited to see your Customer Success Manager opening. Acme's commitment to customer-centric growth—especially your recent expansion of the success team—aligns perfectly with my passion for building lasting client relationships."
Weak opening to avoid: "I am writing to apply for the Customer Success Manager position I saw on your website. I believe I would be a good fit for this role."
Element 5: Body Paragraphs That Prove Your Value
The body of your cover letter is where you prove the claims made in your opening. This is typically 1-2 paragraphs that showcase your most relevant achievements and explain how they translate to value for the employer.
What to Include in Body Paragraphs
2-3 relevant achievements: Choose accomplishments that directly address job requirements
Quantified results: Include numbers—percentages, dollar amounts, timeframes
Skills demonstration: Show how you've used the skills they're seeking
Connection to their needs: Explicitly link your experience to their challenges
Body Paragraph Example
"In my current role at DataFlow Inc., I've developed expertise directly applicable to your needs. When our enterprise accounts faced a 40% increase in churn risk, I implemented a proactive outreach program that reduced churn by 28% and increased upsell revenue by $450K annually. I also built and trained a team of three junior CSMs, creating onboarding materials that reduced ramp time from 8 weeks to 4."
For more on structuring your cover letter effectively, see our guide on what to include in a cover letter.
Element 6: A Confident Closing Paragraph
Your closing paragraph is your final opportunity to leave a strong impression. It should reiterate your enthusiasm, summarize your value proposition, and include a clear call to action.
What Your Closing Should Include
Enthusiasm statement: Express genuine excitement about the opportunity
Value summary: Briefly remind them of your key qualification
Call to action: Request a meeting or conversation
Thank you: Express appreciation for their consideration
Closing Paragraph Example
"I'm excited about the opportunity to bring my track record of reducing churn and driving revenue growth to Acme's expanding customer success team. I'd welcome the chance to discuss how my experience building high-performing CS programs could contribute to your ambitious growth goals. Thank you for your consideration—I look forward to speaking with you soon."
For detailed closing strategies, see our guide on how to conclude a cover letter.
Element 7: Professional Sign-Off
End your cover letter with a professional closing salutation followed by your name. This small detail reinforces the professional tone of your application.
Appropriate Sign-Offs
Best choices: 'Sincerely,' 'Best regards,' 'Kind regards,'
Acceptable: 'Thank you,' 'Respectfully,'
Avoid: 'Cheers,' 'Thanks!' 'Best,' 'Yours truly,'
Follow your sign-off with your full name. If submitting digitally, you can include a typed name. For physical letters, leave space for a handwritten signature above your typed name.
What NOT to Put in Your Resume Cover Letter
Knowing what to exclude is as important as knowing what to include. These common mistakes can undermine an otherwise strong application.
Content to Avoid
Salary requirements: Unless specifically requested, save compensation discussions for later
Negative comments: Never criticize current or former employers
Personal information: Age, marital status, religion, and political views don't belong
Resume repetition: Don't just restate your resume—add context and personality
Desperation: 'I really need this job' signals weakness, not enthusiasm
Irrelevant information: Hobbies and interests unless directly relevant to the role
Lies or exaggerations: Everything should be verifiable—dishonesty will be discovered
Formatting Mistakes to Avoid
Exceeding one page: Keep it concise—250-400 words maximum
Tiny fonts: Don't shrink text to fit more content; edit ruthlessly instead
Walls of text: Use paragraph breaks and white space for readability
Inconsistent formatting: Match your cover letter design to your resume
Tailoring Your Cover Letter Content to the Job
A generic cover letter that could be sent to any company is almost as bad as no cover letter at all. Tailoring your content to each specific opportunity dramatically increases your success rate.
How to Customize Effectively
Analyze the job description: Highlight key requirements and repeated phrases
Match your achievements: Select 2-3 accomplishments that address their specific needs
Mirror their language: Use similar terminology to what they use in the posting
Reference company specifics: Mention recent news, initiatives, or values
Address their pain points: Show how you solve the problems that led them to hire
Learn how to make your cover letter stand out with personalization strategies that get noticed.
Cover Letter Content for Different Career Situations
Entry-Level Applicants
Without extensive professional experience, focus on:
Academic achievements and relevant coursework
Internships, volunteer work, and extracurricular leadership
Transferable skills from part-time jobs
Projects and research relevant to the role
Genuine enthusiasm and eagerness to learn
Career Changers
When transitioning fields, emphasize:
Transferable skills that apply to the new role
The 'why' behind your career change
Relevant training, certifications, or side projects
How your diverse background adds unique value
Genuine passion for the new field
Experienced Professionals
With extensive experience, be selective:
Focus on achievements most relevant to this specific role
Highlight leadership and strategic contributions
Demonstrate continued learning and adaptability
Show you understand current industry trends
Address potential overqualification concerns proactively
Browse our cover letter examples to see how others in your situation have presented their qualifications effectively.
Using AI to Create Your Cover Letter Content
AI tools can help you generate professional cover letter content quickly, but they work best as a starting point that you customize with your personal touch.
Benefits of AI Cover Letter Tools
Speed: Generate a quality first draft in under 60 seconds
Structure: Ensure proper formatting and organization
Language: Professional phrasing and grammar
Keywords: Include relevant terms from the job description
Our AI cover letter generator analyzes your resume and the job description to create tailored content that highlights your most relevant qualifications. Use it to generate your foundation, then add personal stories and company-specific details.
Complete Cover Letter Example
Here's a complete example showing all seven elements:
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Michael Torres michael.torres@email.com | (555) 234-5678 | linkedin.com/in/michaeltorres | Denver, CO
November 28, 2025
Jennifer Walsh Director of Product Marketing TechGrowth Inc. 789 Innovation Way Denver, CO 80202
Dear Ms. Walsh,
After launching three successful product campaigns that generated $2.1M in pipeline at SaaS Solutions, I was thrilled to see your Senior Product Marketing Manager opening. TechGrowth's recent expansion into the enterprise market—and your commitment to product-led growth—aligns perfectly with my experience positioning B2B products for enterprise buyers.
In my current role, I've developed expertise directly applicable to your needs. I led the go-to-market strategy for our flagship product launch, creating positioning and messaging that contributed to a 45% increase in qualified demos. I also built our competitive intelligence program from scratch, producing battlecards that helped sales close 23% more competitive deals. My experience navigating complex enterprise sales cycles would be immediately valuable as TechGrowth moves upmarket.
I'm particularly drawn to TechGrowth's focus on data-driven marketing decisions—an approach I've championed throughout my career. I'd welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience launching products in competitive markets could support your ambitious growth goals. Thank you for your consideration.
Best regards, Michael Torres
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long should my cover letter be?
Your cover letter should be 250-400 words, fitting on one page. Research shows hiring managers prefer concise letters that respect their time. Every sentence should add value—if you can make your case in 300 words, don't pad it to reach 400.
Should I include my resume in my cover letter?
No. Your cover letter should complement your resume, not repeat it. Reference key achievements but add context, motivation, and personality that your resume can't convey. Think of your cover letter as explaining why your resume matters for this specific role. For more on this distinction, see does a resume need a cover letter.
What if I don't know the hiring manager's name?
First, try to find it through LinkedIn, the company website, or by calling the company. If you truly can't find a name, use 'Dear Hiring Manager' or 'Dear [Department] Team.' Avoid outdated phrases like 'To Whom It May Concern.'
Should I mention salary expectations?
Only include salary expectations if the job posting specifically requests them. Otherwise, save compensation discussions for the interview stage when you have more leverage and information.
How do I address employment gaps?
Address gaps briefly and positively. Focus on what you did during the gap (education, freelance work, caregiving, skill development) and how it makes you stronger. Keep it to one sentence and move on to your qualifications.
Can I use the same cover letter for multiple jobs?
You should customize each cover letter, but work strategically. Create a strong base template with your core achievements, then customize 3-4 elements for each application: the opening hook, company-specific research, relevant achievements, and closing.
What format should I save my cover letter in?
Save your cover letter as a PDF to preserve formatting across different systems. Only submit in Word format if specifically requested. Name your file professionally: 'FirstName-LastName-Cover-Letter.pdf'. For more formatting tips, see our guide on cover letter formatting guidelines.
Should I include references?
No. References belong on a separate document provided when specifically requested. Don't include 'References available upon request'—it's outdated and wastes valuable space.
How do I quantify achievements if I don't have obvious metrics?
Look for time saved, volume handled, money managed, people trained, or comparison to benchmarks. Transform 'Managed social media' into 'Managed social media accounts with 50K+ followers, increasing engagement by 35%.'
What if I'm overqualified for the position?
Address it proactively. Explain why you're genuinely interested—perhaps you want work-life balance, passion for the mission, or to focus on a specific skill. Show you understand the role and are excited about it, not taking it as a last resort.
Conclusion: Your Cover Letter Content Checklist
Before submitting, verify your cover letter includes all essential elements:
Contact information header with name, phone, email
Date and recipient information
Personalized salutation
Opening paragraph with achievement + company interest
Body paragraph(s) with quantified, relevant achievements
Closing paragraph with enthusiasm + call to action
Professional sign-off with your name
Remember: your cover letter should complement your resume by adding context, personality, and specific interest in this role—not simply repeat information the hiring manager can find elsewhere.
Ready to create a compelling cover letter in minutes? Our AI cover letter generator creates personalized content tailored to your experience and target role. Generate your first draft in under 60 seconds, then add your personal touch to make it uniquely yours.
