A one-page document accompanying your resume that explains your interest in a specific role and highlights your most relevant qualifications.
Cover Letter Explained
A cover letter is a personalized letter sent alongside your resume when applying for a job. While not always required, it provides an opportunity to explain why you are interested in the specific role and company, highlight qualifications that may not be obvious from your resume, and demonstrate your communication skills.
Effective cover letters follow a simple structure: opening paragraph (why you are writing and how you found the role), body paragraph(s) (your most relevant qualifications with specific examples), and closing paragraph (call to action and next steps). Keep it under one page and address it to a specific person when possible.
Studies show that about 50% of employers expect cover letters, and a well-written one can differentiate you from candidates with similar resumes.
Example
A strong opening: "As a data engineer who has built real-time pipelines processing 10M+ events daily at [Company], I was excited to see your Senior Data Engineer role focused on expanding streaming infrastructure."
How This Relates to Your Resume
Do not repeat your resume in the cover letter. Instead, tell a story about your most relevant achievement and explain why this specific company and role excites you.
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