How to Write a Cover Letter That Stands Out in 2025

Cover letters may be evolving, but they aren’t going away in 2025. In fact, a well-crafted cover letter is often the secret ingredient that makes you stand out from a sea of applicants. It’s your chance to speak directly to the hiring manager in your own voice, showcase your enthusiasm, and connect the dots between your experience and the job. But a generic, rehashed cover letter won’t cut it – it needs to stand out. Here’s how to write a cover letter in 2025 that truly shines.

The Role of Cover Letters in 2025

First, let’s set the stage. Do employers still read cover letters? Many do – especially when hiring for roles where communication or writing is important, or when deciding between closely qualified candidates. In 2025, cover letters are often submitted as part of online applications or as the body of an email. They might not always be formally labeled “Dear Hiring Manager” letters on paper anymore, but the purpose is the same: an introduction that complements your resume.

A standout cover letter can achieve what a resume alone cannot: it can convey your personality, motivation, and fit for the company culture. It’s also a test of your written communication. Think of it this way – if a hiring manager is on the fence about your resume, a compelling cover letter can push them to schedule that interview. Conversely, a sloppy or boring cover letter can eliminate an otherwise decent candidate.

So, treat the cover letter as a crucial part of your application, not an outdated formality. It’s an opportunity to market yourself and show you care enough to put in the effort.

Tailor Each Cover Letter to the Job

Just like your resume, every cover letter should be tailored to the specific job and company you’re applying to[27]. Nothing will turn off an employer faster than a generic letter that could apply to any company on the planet.

How to tailor effectively:

• Start fresh each time. It’s fine to have a basic template for yourself, but avoid the temptation to just swap out the company name. Instead, begin by jotting down a few notes about why this job excites you and why you’re a great fit.
• Address the hiring manager by name, if possible. Do a bit of research on LinkedIn or the company website to find the appropriate contact. A personalized greeting (e.g., “Dear Ms. Johnson,” or “Dear Hiring Team at XYZ Corp,” if you can’t find a name) immediately shows that you’ve made an effort[28].
• Reference the company and role in the opening. For example: “I’m excited to apply for the Marketing Coordinator position at XYZ Company because I’ve long admired your innovative campaigns….” This signals a tailored approach from the get-go.
• Use keywords from the job description. Subtly weave in the qualities or skills they’re looking for: if the posting emphasizes data analysis and teamwork, make sure those ideas appear in your letter (assuming you have those skills). Many employers use similar filtering for cover letters as resumes, and seeing familiar terms can resonate with the reader[29].

A targeted cover letter demonstrates respect: it shows you respect the employer enough to invest time in them, and it increases the chances your application will resonate. It answers, “Why do you want this job at this company?” in a way that a generic letter simply can’t.

Grab Attention with a Strong Opening Paragraph

The opening paragraph of your cover letter is your hook. In 2025, attention spans are short – a busy recruiter might skim the first few lines and decide whether to keep reading. So make those lines count.

Tips for an engaging opening:

• Express enthusiasm. Employers want to see that you’re genuinely interested in their job, not just any job. Open with something that lights you up about the role or company: “As a longtime user of your product, I was excited to see the opening for a UX Designer on your team.”
• Lead with an accomplishment or skill. Another approach is to start with a bang by highlighting a top qualification: “Having increased my current team’s sales by 30% last year, I’m excited by the prospect of driving growth as a Sales Manager at ABC Inc.” This immediately tells the reader you can deliver results.
• Mention a referral or connection if you have one. If a mutual contact or current employee suggested you apply, name-drop in the first sentence (with their permission): “When John Doe on your marketing team told me about the Content Strategist opening, I was immediately intrigued.” This creates an instant personal link.
• Show passion for the company’s mission or industry. For example: “I’ve been following XYZ’s mission to revolutionize renewable energy, which is why I’m thrilled to apply for…”. It shows you’re not just job-hunting; you’re purpose-driven.

The key is to avoid a bland, obvious opening like, “I am writing to apply for X position which I saw on Y site.” That doesn’t differentiate you at all. By infusing excitement and relevance right at the start, you’ll make the hiring manager want to read on.

Connect Your Skills and Experience to Their Needs

After the intro, the body of your cover letter (typically one or two paragraphs) should make the case that you’re well-qualified. But remember, this is not just a repeat of your resume. Instead of listing everything you’ve done, cherry-pick a few key experiences that align closely with the job requirements, and expand on them with a personal touch.

Strategies for the body:

• Highlight relevant achievements: Pick 2–3 accomplishments that mirror what the employer is looking for. If the job calls for improving processes, describe how you saved time or money in a process at your last job. Use numbers if possible (e.g., “implemented a new scheduling system that cut admin backlog by 40%”)[30]. Quantified achievements immediately demonstrate impact.
• Tell a brief story: Humans remember stories. You might share a quick anecdote that shows a soft skill or problem-solving ability. For example, how you led your team through a challenging project deadline (showcasing leadership and resilience). Keep it concise, but a narrative can be more memorable than a bullet point.
• Align with the job description: If the posting says they need someone who can “manage cross-functional teams and communicate with clients,” you could write a sentence like: “In my current role, I frequently coordinate across departments – for instance, I led weekly sync-ups between engineers and sales – and I pride myself on clear client communication, having received positive feedback from every client I’ve managed.” You’ve just touched on two key qualifications in a natural way.
• Balance confidence with humility: Use confident language to describe your skills (avoid weak phrases like “I think I could…” and say “I am confident I can…”) but also express that you’re eager to contribute and learn, not that you already know everything. For example: “I’m eager to bring my expertise in digital marketing to your team and continue to grow my skills in SEO under the guidance of your talented marketing department.”

One effective format is to focus one paragraph on a major relevant achievement and another on why you fit with the company/team, including soft skills or culture fit. But the exact structure can vary as long as you cohesively connect your experience to their job.

Show You Know the Company (and Why You Care)

A standout cover letter goes beyond qualifications – it shows you’ve done your homework on the company and understand what makes them unique. This can often be woven into the opening or closing, or be its own couple of sentences somewhere in the middle.

Here’s how to demonstrate that insight:

• Mention recent news or projects: If the company was in the news or on social media for a project, and it’s relevant, bring it up. “I was impressed by the launch of your new app last month – the buzz it generated shows how in tune your team is with customer needs, and as a product manager I would love to contribute to such user-centric innovation.” Just be sure it’s positive and shows genuine interest.
• Align with their mission/values: Many companies have mission statements or core values. Identify one that resonates with you and reference it. “I’m particularly drawn to XYZ Corp’s mission of customer obsession, as I’ve built my career on finding creative ways to delight customers.”
• Culture and fit: If you gathered from your research that the company values collaboration, or has a fast-paced environment, you can nod to that: “I thrive in fast-paced environments like XYZ, where innovation and collaboration are at the heart of the culture.” It signals “I get what you’re about, and I’d fit in.”
• Name specific products or aspects: Using specifics (like the name of a product, tool, or program unique to the company) shows you’re not recycling the letter. For example: “As a longtime user of your ABC software, I appreciate its intuitive design – it’s one reason I’m excited by the prospect of joining the development team that creates it.”

This level of detail will differentiate you. Many candidates won’t bother to customize beyond a generic compliment (“Your company is a leader in the industry…”). Going a step further demonstrates a genuine desire to be a part of their organization – that’s flattering to a company and strategically smart for you.

Keep the Tone Professional Yet Personable

In 2025, the trend is toward more conversational, authentic cover letters – but with the right level of professionalism. Imagine you’re speaking to the hiring manager with respect and enthusiasm, not writing a stiff academic essay.

• Write in the first person and use active voice. It’s your story, so words like “I accomplished…”, “I led…” are expected. Active voice keeps it engaging (e.g., “I designed a new onboarding program,” rather than passive “a new onboarding program was designed by me”).
• Show some personality. If appropriate, a touch of humor or a unique personal insight (just a line or two) can make you memorable. For example, “I admit – I’m the kind of person who loves checking things off a to-do list; in project management at my last job, this trait became a real asset in meeting tight deadlines.” This gives a hint of who you are. Adapt the tone to the company culture (a cover letter to a bank will sound different from one to a hip tech startup).
• Avoid overly formal clichés. Phrases like “Dear Sir or Madam,” “Herewith enclosed please find my resume,” and “I respectfully submit for your consideration” are outdated. You can be polite and respectful while sounding modern and genuine. For instance, instead of “I beg to state that I am keenly desirous of the position,” just say “I am excited to apply for the position.”
• Be careful with AI tools or templates. While using tools (like AI writing assistants) to get started is becoming common, ensure the final product sounds like you, not a generic robot. Personalize it so it doesn’t read like a canned form letter – hiring managers can spot those a mile away.

Your goal is a confident, upbeat tone. You’re essentially saying: “I have what you need, I’m excited about this opportunity, and I’m someone you’d enjoy having on the team.” If that feeling comes through, you’re doing great.

Brevity and Structure: Less is More

An outstanding cover letter doesn’t have to be long. In fact, keeping it concise can amplify its impact[31]. Aim for about 3-4 paragraphs on one page (or the equivalent of 250-400 words).

A classic and effective cover letter structure:

• Paragraph 1: Strong intro – who you are and why you’re writing (the position), plus a hook about why you’re excited/qualified.
• Paragraph 2: A key example of your relevant experience/achievement (show how you meet a major job requirement).
• Paragraph 3: Another example or a combination of qualifications and fit/values – this can also be where you talk about the company, culture fit, etc.
• Paragraph 4: Conclusion – wrap up with a summary of your interest, a thanks, and a call to action or looking forward statement.

You can combine some of these if needed (for example, a longer middle paragraph instead of two separate ones). The main point is to cover the bases without rambling.

Why keep it brief? Recruiters have limited time. A study-like approach recommended by career experts is to use a three-paragraph format: intro, body, closing[31]. Each paragraph has a clear purpose, and you avoid overwhelming the reader. It forces you to choose your words and examples carefully – which means only your best points make it in.

Before sending, read your letter aloud and trim any redundant or filler sentences. Every sentence should add value: either showcasing a qualification, demonstrating knowledge of the company, or conveying enthusiasm.

Close with Confidence and a Call to Action

Your closing paragraph is the final impression you leave. You want to strike a balance of polite and proactive:

• Reiterate your interest: Don’t be shy to plainly state that you’re very interested in the role. For example: “I am confident that my background in ___ and my passion for ___ would enable me to contribute significantly to your team, and I would love the opportunity to discuss how I can help [Company Name] achieve its goals.” It reinforces that you really want this job, not just any job.
• Thank the reader: A simple thank-you goes a long way. “Thank you for considering my application.” is perfectly sufficient and respectful.
• Call to action (lightly): You can express that you look forward to the possibility of an interview. Some candidates say, “I look forward to hearing from you.” Others take a slightly more proactive tone: “I would welcome the chance to discuss how I can contribute to your team; I’m available for an interview at your earliest convenience.” This isn’t pushy – it shows enthusiasm and readiness.
• Professional sign-off: Use a formal closing phrase like “Sincerely,” or “Best regards,” followed by your full name. Since many cover letters are digital submissions, you might also include your email and phone number under your name (like an email signature) just to make it easy for them to contact you.

After the sign-off, if you’re sending a physical letter or PDF, you can also indicate that your resume is attached/enclosed (e.g., “Enclosure: Résumé”) – but if it’s an email, you likely will mention in the email body “Attached is my resume” earlier on.

By ending on a confident note, you leave the impression that you believe in yourself and your fit for the role – encouraging the hiring manager to believe in you too.

Proofread – Then Proofread Again

Finally, meticulous proofreading is a must. A cover letter that “stands out” for the wrong reasons (typos, errors) will hurt your chances. Use spell-check, but also manually read through your letter multiple times. It can help to read it line by line from the bottom up (this tricks your brain into focusing on each sentence in isolation). You can also ask a friend or family member to review it – fresh eyes catch mistakes you might overlook.

Double-check names (company name, the hiring manager if used – make sure you spell them correctly!), positions, and any numbers or details you referenced. Ensure the formatting is clean and professional.

Errors in a cover letter can signal a lack of attention to detail. Don’t let a simple mistake undermine the fantastic content you’ve written. In 2025, with tools and technology at our disposal, there’s really no excuse for sending out a cover letter that hasn’t been thoroughly polished.

In summary, a cover letter that stands out in 2025 is one that is personalized, compelling, and concise. It demonstrates your value, connects with the company’s needs, and shows off your communication skills and personality. It doesn’t rehash your entire resume – instead, it spotlights a few key things that will make the hiring manager say, “I need to talk to this person!”

Put in that extra effort to tailor and refine your cover letters. Many candidates won’t – which means you automatically move ahead by doing so. With a standout cover letter, you’re one step closer to landing that interview and ultimately the job you want. Happy writing, and go get that opportunity!

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