Cover Letters

Write Compelling Cover Letters That Complement Your Résumé.

Is it Worth the Time and Effort?

Short answer: It depends.

In today’s competitive job market, your time is valuable—and so is your personal brand. So how do you decide when a cover letter is worth the effort?

A well-crafted cover letter can be a powerful tool to set yourself apart, tell your story, and communicate the specific value you bring to a role. In some cases, it may be the deciding factor in landing an interview. In others, it might go unread.

Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, we suggest a strategic framework to help you decide when to invest your time—and how to make your cover letter count when you do.

On this page, I’ll walk you through:

A simple decision-making framework to guide your efforts
What hiring managers really look for in a letter
Tips to write high-impact cover letters efficiently and effectively

Whether you're pivoting industries, applying to a dream role, or networking into a new opportunity, this guide is designed to help you use your time wisely—and make every word work harder for you.

Decision Framework: When to Write a Cover Letter

1.

If the employer specifically says "no cover letters" and / or doesn't provide a place to include one in the application process, then don't worry about it.

2.

If the employer specifically says a cover letter is required, then write a good one. The level of time and energy you put into it should be in proportion with how much you want that specific job (vs. how much you just want to be employed).

3.

If the employer says cover letter is optional, consider how much you want that specific job.

- Is it a dream job? Then write a killer cover letter that shows you are their dream candidate.
- Is it a job that would meet your needs for now? Write a cover letter that shows you can meet their needs.
- Is it a job you're not sure about? Maybe skip the cover letter.
- Is it a job you would decline if offered to you? Don't apply.

Essential Elements

Hiring managers don’t want a repeat of your résumé—they want context, connection, and clarity.

A great cover letter gives insight into why you’re interested in the role, how your experience aligns with the company’s needs, and what makes you a strong culture fit. It’s your chance to show that you’ve done your homework, that you understand the business, and that you can clearly articulate the value you bring.

If you decide to write a cover letter, following are some best practices. These strategies, combined with a concise and error-free format, will make your cover letter stand out to hiring managers.

✏️ Tailor It to the Role and Company

Personalization: Address the hiring manager by name and reference the company's mission, products, or recent developments.
Alignment: Highlight how your skills and experience match the needs of the role, using specific keywords from the job description.

Example

"As someone deeply passionate about creating customer-centric solutions, I admire [Company]'s commitment to revolutionizing the SaaS industry through innovative tools like [specific product]. With my experience leading cross-functional collaboration and delivering impactful features, I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute to [Company]'s mission to [specific problem the SaaS solves]."

📢 Showcase Specific Achievements

Quantify Success: Highlight specific, measurable outcomes that show how you get results using the required skillsets.
Tell a Story: Provide a brief, specific anecdote to demonstrate your impact.

Example

"I understand you are looking for someone who can x, y and z.

x: In my previous role as a product manager at a SaaS startup, I led the development of a new onboarding feature that reduced customer churn by 25% within six months. Collaborating closely with engineering and design, I translated user feedback into actionable features that improved the customer experience and increased NPS scores by 15 points.
y: add another specific example
z: add another specific example

Given these experiences, and so many more, I believe I can start making an immediate impact in this role."

🙂 Inject Personality and Passion

Tone: Use a confident, authentic voice to convey enthusiasm and make your letter engaging.
Motivation: Share why you’re excited about the company and role and how it aligns with your long-term goals.

Example

"Having worked in SaaS product management for the past five years, I truly enjoy innovating technology to meet user needs. I am particularly excited about [Company]'s emphasis on leveraging AI to enhance customer workflows—an area where I’ve delivered success by launching an AI-powered recommendation engine that drove a 30% increase in user engagement."

Cover Letter Formula

Here’s a simple yet effective formula for crafting a compelling cover letter:

Hook

(Opening Paragraph)

Goal: Grab the reader’s attention and introduce yourself while expressing enthusiasm for the role and company.

Mention the role you're applying for and why you're excited about the opportunity.
Include a personalized detail about the company’s mission, values, or products.

Value Proposition (UVP)

(Second Paragraph)

Goal: Highlight your unique skills, accomplishments, and what makes you a strong fit for the role.

Focus on specific, quantifiable achievements that align with the job description.
Show how you’ve solved problems or added value in similar roles.

Connection

(Third paragraph)

Goal: Tie your skills and experiences directly to the company’s goals, showing why you’re the right fit.

Explain how your background aligns with the company’s mission, values, or challenges.
Mention specific initiatives, products, or values you’re excited about.

Call to Action (CTA)

(Closing paragraph)

Goal: Wrap up with enthusiasm and invite the next step.

Reiterate your excitement for the role and company.
Thank the reader and express interest in discussing your fit further.

Hook Example

"I’m here to apply for the Product Manager role at [Company Name]. As someone passionate about creating user-focused SaaS solutions, I’ve long admired [specific company achievement, mission, or product]. With over [X years] of experience in product development, I’m excited to contribute to [Company Name]’s innovative work in [specific area]."

UVP Example

"At [Previous Company], I led the development of [specific product or feature], resulting in a [specific measurable outcome, e.g., ‘25% reduction in customer churn’]. I collaborated cross-functionally with engineering, design, and customer success teams to ensure product alignment with user needs, driving a [specific achievement, e.g., ‘30% increase in feature adoption’]. These experiences have honed my ability to translate customer insights into impactful product strategies."

Connection Example

"What excites me most about [Company Name] is your focus on [specific company focus, e.g., ‘revolutionizing team collaboration through AI-powered solutions’]. My experience in [relevant experience] where I [specific achievement] make me confident in my ability to drive similar results at [Company Name]."

CTA Example

"Thank you for considering my application. Let's talk soon about ways I can contribute to your team’s success, specifically in the area of [their need]."

Additional Tips:

Length: Keep it concise—no more than one page.
Tone: Use professional yet conversational language (prompt your AI copywriter to match your personal values, tone and vibe).
Proofread: Ensure your letter is free of errors—especially if you used AI to write your first draft.
Customization: Tailor each letter to the company and role.

Cover Letter Example:

➡️ Here's a sample cover letter for a Product Manager role at a SaaS company.

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