My 5️⃣ Tips for a Cover Letter That Stands Out
Read time: 2 minutes
Writing cover letters sucks. But you know what’s worse? Missing out on a job that was meant for you.
I get why so many people skip them.
They feel awkward, time-consuming.
Halfway through, you're wondering, "Does anyone even read these?"
But here’s what most people don’t realize:
Your CV is what you did.
Your cover letter is who you are.
Recruiters spend an average of 6 seconds scanning a CV.
A great cover letter buys you more time.
It’s where you can:
✅ Show your personality (they hire people, not robots).
✅ Explain how you're the perfect role-fit (they want alignment).
✅ Address any gaps on your CV (they’ll appreciate your honesty).
Your cover letter can make them pause and say: “I HAVE to meet this person.”
Here’s 5️⃣ tips how to make yours stand out:
1. Personalize it - always
Skip the standard "Dear Hiring Manager" whenever possible.
Find the recruiter’s name (a quick LinkedIn search or the company website can help).
It shows effort, and effort gets noticed.
✅ Example: "Dear Ms. Mueller,"
❌ Example: "To whom it may concern,"
2. Connect your story to theirs
Show genuine enthusiasm for the company and explain why their work, culture or mission as well as this role speak to you, tying it back to your personal story or career journey.
This makes your letter feel personal, not a generic copy-pasted.
✅ Example:"As a data-driven marketer, I’ve followed Company's innovative campaigns for years. Your bold approach to storytelling excites me, and I’d love to bring my skills in customer engagement to your team."
❌ Example:"I’m applying for the Marketing Manager position at Company."
3. Show, don’t just tell
Buzzwords won’t impress.
Results will.
Tie your achievements directly to the role, using the same language from the job posting.
✅ Example:"Your job posting mentions expertise in Python and machine learning. In my previous role, I developed a predictive model using Python that reduced processing time by 30%."
❌ Example:"I have experience in various programming languages and enjoy problem-solving."
4. Optimize for readability
Hiring managers don’t have time - remember, 6 seconds per CV.
Keep it concise and structured.
Less than one page.
Short paragraphs.
Clean formatting.
Typo-free.
✅ Example:"I’m excited about the opportunity to bring my project management skills to your team. I'd love to discuss how my experience in leading cross-functional teams could bring value..."
❌ Example:"In my previous role, I managed multiple projects. One project involved developing a new workflow system, which required extensive planning, stakeholder meetings, and coordination with the IT team. This project took over a year to complete and involved extensive research, team training, and implementation, resulting in increased efficiency."
5. Use an active tone
Throughout the letter, write in an active voice and show confidence.
Avoid overused buzzwords, braggy or overly humble language.
✅ Example:"I developed and implemented a new CRM system that improved customer retention by 20%."
❌ Example:"A new CRM system was implemented under my supervision, which helped improve customer retention."
✅ Example:"I’d love to discuss how my skills align with your team’s needs."
❌ Example:"I hope to hear from you soon. Thank you for your time."
A standout cover letter doesn’t need to be long - it just needs to be thoughtful and tailored.
Personalize it, back up your skills with examples, and show your enthusiasm for the role.
Do that, and you’re already ahead of most applicants.
Actions for today:
Pick a job posting and write a 3-sentence opening that connects your story to the company.
Create a template to keep your formatting clean and consistent, including font style and size.
Define who (or which tool) will proofread your next cover letter.
Don’t let that blank page hold you back.🚀