How to write a cover letter

A good cover letter is three or four short paragraphs: who you are, why this job, and how you'll help this company. It's written fresh for every job, because a generic letter shows at once.

What a cover letter is, and when you need one

A cover letter is a short letter you send with your CV. The CV shows what you've done. The letter explains why you want this particular job and how you'll help this company.

You need one when the job ad asks for it. When it doesn't, a short, specific letter still makes you stand out, especially when you're changing fields or your experience isn't an exact match.

The structure: 4 paragraphs

  1. Opening: which role you're applying for, and who you are in one sentence.
  2. Why you: your 2 or 3 strongest results that answer the job's main requirements.
  3. Why this company: what you like about their work and how it fits your experience. Specifically, not in general.
  4. Close: you're ready to talk, and thank you.

Length: 200 to 300 words, about half a page. Recruiters rarely read more.

A full example

The job: Marketing Manager at Nabiji LLC. Requirements: digital advertising, budget management, working with a team.

Dear Nabiji team,

I'm writing about the Marketing Manager role. I've worked in digital marketing for five years and would like to bring that experience to your team.

At Mziuri I run Meta Ads and Google Ads campaigns with a ₾15,000 monthly budget. In one year we grew online sales by 40%. I also lead a team of four, and I know how to plan the work so campaigns go out on time and on budget.

Nabiji is expanding its online sales, and your ad says growing digital channels is your main goal. That's exactly what I've been working on for the past three years.

I'd be glad to tell you more in an interview. Thank you for your time.

Kind regards,

Ana Kapanadze

What this letter gets right

  • It uses the job ad's words: digital advertising, budget, team.
  • It shows numbers: ₾15,000, 40%, a team of four.
  • It's about the company, not just the candidate: the third paragraph is about Nabiji's goal.
  • It's short: four paragraphs, one screen.

Common mistakes

  • One letter for every company. "Your successful company" fits everyone, so it fits no one. A generic letter shows at once.
  • Repeating the CV. The letter should explain and connect, not list.
  • Too long. Nobody reads a two-page letter.
  • Only about you. "I want to grow" is fine, but the employer wants to know what you'll give them.
  • Getting the name wrong. Check the company's and the contact's name twice.

Format and sending

If the ad asks you to apply by email, you can put the letter in the body of the email and attach your CV as a PDF. If they want it as a file, send a PDF in a design that matches your CV.

A letter written fresh for every job

A good cover letter, like a good CV, is written for each job separately. Vailo writes your letter from the same job ad and the same experience it uses to tailor your CV, so the two always agree. More in how to tailor your CV to a job.

You might also be wondering

Do I need a cover letter?

Only when the job asks for one: in our study, 4% of jobs.ge vacancies did. But you mostly send your CV by email, and the email's text works as a short cover letter.

What should I write in the email when I send my CV?

Start with the subject: in our study, 50% of vacancies asked you to put the position's name or code there. In the body, two or three sentences: which job you're applying for, why you fit, and that your CV is attached as a PDF.

How long should a cover letter be?

Three or four short paragraphs, under a page. Write it fresh for every job: a generic letter shows at once.

How to tailor your CV to a jobA tailored CV shows exactly what this employer is looking for: it answers the job's requirements with your real experience, in the job's own words. Both the ATS and the recruiter pick it far more often than one generic CV sent to every job.5 min read →How to write a CVA good CV is short, easy to read and shows in every line what you did and what came of it. Below, step by step: the sections, the wording, the length, and the mistakes that most often spoil a CV.4 min read →CV templatesA template decides how your CV looks, but the content is what gets you the job. Pick a design that suits the job and the company, then tailor what's in it to every job.2 min read →