How to Start a Cover Letter: Prompts to Help You Begin

A cover letter is a tool that helps you make a strong first impression, effectively introducing yourself and your strengths to potential employers while adding personality and context to your resume. To make a strong impression, start your cover letter with a compelling introduction that grabs the hiring manager’s attention. Using the proper greeting, addressing the letter to the appropriate person, and starting with a strong first sentence can help you make the best first impression possible.

A resume lists your credentials, while a cover letter can help employers see you as a well-rounded candidate.

Learn more about what to include in your cover letter and how to start your cover letter in a way that gets you noticed by potential employers.

Build job-ready skills with Coursera Plus

Start 7-day free trial

• 
• 
• 
• 

Start 7-day free trial

How to start a cover letter

The opening paragraph can help you accomplish a few different things. First, it’s your chance to introduce who you are and why you're writing the cover letter in the first place. Second, you can use it to show that you’ve researched the company and believe you would be a good fit. Mention the position you’re applying for and the credentials that make you a good fit for the role. You need to identify why an employer would choose your resume over another.

You should mention where you learned about the job posting, whether you found the job on LinkedIn or Indeed, for example, or if you have a reference or contact in the organization who might provide a positive word on your behalf. You’ll have limited space in your cover letter, so hit each important point with concise and precise language.

How to start a cover letter: Greeting

Before you write your opening paragraph, address the letter to the person you want to read it and use a salutation or greeting. A common way to greet someone in a cover letter is with “Dear,” followed by their name, title, or department or title, such as “Hiring Manager.” Whenever you can, use a personalized greeting rather than a generic one.

What is a good opening sentence for a cover letter?

Because cover letters should be tailored to each specific job and company, what counts as a 'good' opening sentence can differ based on the role and the employer. However, your cover letter's first sentence and paragraph can set the tone for a future interview. The person reviewing applications will likely look at many resumes and cover letters, all using roughly the same layout and format. Your first sentence can help you differentiate yourself from other applicants and grab the recruiter’s attention. 

Explore some prompts to help you write an engaging first sentence: 

• “I’m writing with enthusiasm to express interest in [specific job posting] because I recently graduated with my [degree] in [field], and this position would be an ideal next step for my career goals.”

• “I’m excited to apply for [job title] because my skills in [relevant fields] will be well matched to help you achieve your organizational goals [organizational goals you want to help achieve].”

• “As a long-time fan of [brand or product], I was delighted to see a job opening for [job title] because [what you enjoy about the brand or product and what it would mean to join the company].”

• "When I saw the listing for [job title], I immediately felt thrilled by the possibility of leveraging my experience in [prior position] to contribute to the company’s goals, making this role a natural next step in my career."

• “I learned about the job posting for [job title] from [contact] who I met at a recent job fair. In our conversation, I realized that [the company] would be a great fit for my skills in [skill area] and my experience with [past positions].”

How to address a cover letter

When possible, address your cover letter to a particular person rather than a title or department. Doing so helps increase the personalized feel of your cover letter while demonstrating that you're willing to research the company if needed.

If you apply for a job posting on LinkedIn, you may see the recruiter’s name with the job posting. You can also look at the company’s website to find the appropriate person. Otherwise, you can directly call the company, explain that you’re writing a cover letter for a position, and ask who the appropriate person might be. 

How long should a cover letter be?

A cover letter should typically be one page, single-spaced with an extra line between paragraphs, using a professional font in the 10- to 12-point range. While a two-page cover letter may be appropriate for some fields or employers, most future employers will expect a one-page cover letter.

What else should go in a cover letter?

After your first paragraph, you will have more space in the rest of the letter to give specific details about your credentials and why you would be a good fit for the job. You can write four or five paragraphs, depending on your experiences and expectations, but it should include three main parts: the first paragraph introducing yourself and explaining why you're applying to the job, the second paragraph giving more details about your most relevant work experience, and the third paragraph wrapping up with logistics and thanking the recruiter for their time.

• Second paragraph: The second paragraph of your cover letter is a chance to provide more details about the most relevant and important parts of your resume. You will already include your resume with your application, so you can avoid listing everything you’ve accomplished in your cover letter. Instead, select two or three experiences relevant to the job you're applying for, and use the second paragraph in your cover letter to highlight these experiences and add details that may not fit on your resume. 

• Third paragraph: The third paragraph allows you to summarize your cover letter and provide logistical information, such as the items you’ve enclosed or attached. You can also offer additional information, such as offering to provide a writing sample or a portfolio of your work on request. You should also thank the recruiter for meeting with you and reiterate your interest in the position and your excitement about hearing from them about the position. 

Do you always need a cover letter?

A cover letter isn’t always necessary, but including one can be a good idea, even if the job posting doesn’t specifically call for one. You should always add a cover letter if the posting specifies that you should or if you feel the employer would benefit from the additional context a cover letter can provide. If the job posting indicates that a cover letter is optional, submitting a cover letter sets you apart from other applicants who might not be willing to go that extra mile.

You can skip the cover letter if the job posting specifically says not to include one or if the application's structure makes it impossible to add one. 

Build in-demand skills to add to your cover letter on Coursera

Writing an effective cover letter involves starting with the right greeting, addressing it to the appropriate person, and crafting a compelling first sentence that captures the reader's attention. If you’re thinking about starting a new career, learn new skills and improve your professional readiness with Coursera Plus. With courses and programs from over 350 educational partners, you can explore more than 10,000 learning programs to achieve your goals.

Build job-ready skills with Coursera Plus

Start 7-day free trial

• 
• 
• 
• 

Start 7-day free trial