How to Write a Cover Letter in 2026 (Structure + Example)
A cover letter isn't a summary of your CV — it's your pitch for why you, for this role, right now. Done well in four short paragraphs, it makes a hiring manager want to open your CV. Here's the structure and an example.
Paragraph 1 — the hook
Your opening two sentences decide whether the rest of the letter gets read, so make them work. Name the role you're applying for and lead with a sharp, specific hook instead of a throat-clearing cliché. Delete "I am writing to apply for the position of…" — the hiring manager already knows that from the subject line. Open instead with the single most relevant thing about you, framed as a fit for their problem: "I've spent three years turning messy data pipelines into reliable products — exactly the problem your data engineer role describes." Notice what that does: it states experience, ties it directly to the posting, and signals you read the job description. Keep it to two sentences, confident but not boastful, and resist summarising your whole CV here — the hook earns attention, and the proof paragraphs that follow spend it.
Paragraph 2–3 — proof
Pick one or two achievements that match the job's top requirements and tell them as short stories with results. Mirror the language of the posting. This is where you connect your experience to their needs, not repeat your CV line by line.
Paragraph 4 — the close
Show genuine interest in the company, state your availability, and end with a confident call to action: "I'd welcome the chance to discuss how I can help your team hit its Q3 targets."
Keep it short and tailored
One page, three to four paragraphs, addressed to a real person where possible. Never send the same letter twice — tailoring is the whole point. Match the tone and keywords to each role.