A cover letter for a resume has a different job from the resume itself. The resume lists what you did. The letter picks the two or three things from that list that matter most for this job and explains why. If the letter repeats the resume in paragraphs, the reader learns nothing new and usually stops reading.
The letter below is a fictional example. Replace every [bracketed] name, company and detail with your own before sending.
Choose the two facts the letter will explain
- Read the job posting and mark its two or three most important requirements.
- Find the line on your resume that best matches each one.
- For each, write the context the resume bullet cannot hold: why you did it, what was hard, what you learned.
- Keep names, dates and titles identical to the resume.
Cover letter for resume (fictional)
Dear [Hiring manager's name or Hiring Team],
I am applying for the [Job title] role at [Company]. My resume is attached; this letter explains the two parts of it most relevant to your posting.
Your posting asks for [requirement 1]. At [employer or project] I [what you did, from your resume], and the part that is not on the resume is [context, e.g. that you set up the process yourself].
You also mention [requirement 2]. In [course, job or volunteer role] I [second piece of evidence], which taught me [specific lesson].
I am available from [date] and would welcome a conversation. Thank you for your time.
Kind regards, [Your Name] · [Phone] · [Email]
Sending the resume and cover letter together
- Send both as PDFs unless the employer asks for Word.
- Name the files clearly: [FirstName]-[LastName]-Resume.pdf and [FirstName]-[LastName]-Cover-Letter.pdf.
- Use matching designs and the same contact details on both.
- If you apply by email, the email itself can be a short version of the letter; see the CV email guide.
Is a cover letter the same as a CV?
No. The CV or resume lists your experience, education and skills. The cover letter is a one-page letter explaining why that experience fits one specific job.
Should the cover letter and resume look the same?
It helps. A matching header and the same contact details make the application look complete. You can use matching templates in the resume and cover letter builders.
How long should a cover letter for a resume be?
Three or four short paragraphs, under one page.
Need a starting point? See the basic cover letter template and the other cover letter examples, and build the pair with the resume builder and cover letter builder.