How to write a cover letter to land your dream job

A cover letter isn’t just a formality – it’s your golden ticket to making a memorable first impression. Think of your CV as the blueprint of your work experience and history, while your cover letter is where you can demonstrate your unique value as an employee.It’s your moment to articulate why you’re not just another candidate, but the ideal candidate. 

This guide will equip you with game-changing strategies to craft a cover letter that doesn’t just get noticed, but gets you closer to landing that dream job.

What is a cover letter and why is it important?

A cover letter is a one-page document that complements your CV. It explains your motivation for applying, showcases your skills and helps employers understand your alignment with the role and company.

Employers often expect a cover letter that:

• Adds a personal touch to your application, demonstrating enthusiasm and what you’ll bring to the team dynamic.
• Shows your understanding of the company and the role.
• Highlights relevant skills, achievements and experiences that make you the ideal candidate for the job. 

A great cover letter can be the deciding factor between landing an interview or being overlooked, so it’s essential to get it right.

Do you still need a cover letter in 2025?

While some employers may now say cover letters are optional, they still remain a valuable tool in specific scenarios:

• When explicitly requested in the job description.
• To bridge employment gaps or explain career transitions.
• In industries where soft skills and communication are critical, such as healthcare and education.

Even when optional, submitting a tailored cover letter can make you more memorable, reflecting the kind of effort and attention to detail that employers value.

Preparing to write your cover letter

Preparation lays the groundwork for a strong, tailored cover letter. Here’s how to get ready:

Researching the company and role

• Explore the company’s website, including their mission statement and values.
• Study recent press releases, projects, or cultural initiatives.

Understanding the job description

• Identify the essential skills, attributes, and qualifications the employer is seeking.
• Highlight the keywords they mention, such as “team player,” “data analysis,” or “project leadership.” These not only help you focus your application at hand, but also ensure alignment with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

Identifying key skills and experiences

• List achievements that demonstrate how you’ve successfully demonstrated the skills required in the job ad.
• Include examples where you’ve added value, such as improving processes or hitting your KPIs.

Step-by-step guide to writing a cover letter

1. How to start a cover letter

Begin by addressing the hiring manager directly. If their name isn’t listed, you can say “Dear Hiring Manager” or “To the [Role] Recruitment Team.”

Example opening: Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name], I’m excited to apply for the [Position Name] role at [Company Name]. My [X years] of experience in [Industry/Area], combined with my passion for [specific attribute relevant to the role], make me eager to contribute to your team.

2. Writing the body of your cover letter

When you write your cover letter, clearly show how your skills and past jobs match what the new job needs. Keep the main part of your letter to two or three short paragraphs. Each paragraph should focus on one reason why you’re a good fit for the job, so it’s easy to read and makes a strong impression.

• Focus on showcasing your relevant skills.
• Reference the company’s challenges or goals and your ability to help achieve them.

3. How to tailor your cover letter to the job description

When writing, make sure to use words and phrases directly from the job advertisement. If you’re applying for a job in a specific industry, mention any important measurements or tools they commonly use.

Example: Your job posting highlights a need for strong project leadership and stakeholder management. At [Company Name], I successfully led [specific project], coordinating [key achievements], which resulted in [measurable results].

5. Highlighting achievements using the STAR method

Using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) ensures your examples are compelling and relevant.

Example: 

• SITUATION: Sales leads were declining in my territory. 
• TASK: Increase new client acquisition by 20%. 
• ACTION: Introduced a new CRM platform and launched a targeted email campaign. 
• RESULT: Exceeded annual sales targets by 35%.

6. How to end a cover letter

Close your cover letter with a confident statement about your enthusiasm, availability and a call to action that invites a conversation with the hiring manager. 

Example closing: Thank you for considering my application. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my skills and experiences align with [Company Name]’s goals. Please feel free to contact me at [phone/email].

How to avoid common cover letter mistakes

Mistakes can weaken even the strongest applications. Avoid these errors:

• Regurgitating your CV: Focus on adding new value rather than repeating what is already covered by your CV.
• Being too generic: Clearly demonstrate how your skills align with the role by using specific examples.
• Poor formatting: Stick to a one-page standard using a clean, professional layout. Always submit your cover letter as a PDF to ensure any formatting or design elements stay intact on the employers’ side. 

Cover letter templates and examples for 2025

Templates can simplify the writing process. Here are examples targeted for different contexts:

Cover letter example 1

To the hiring manager, 

I’m excited to apply for the position of Social Media Coordinator at Green Thumb Garden Centre. I love your mission of ‘making gardening easier and more rewarding than ever’, and I believe my unique set of digital skills – plus passion for all things plants – would make me a great candidate.

I am currently working as a Social Media Assistant for Cool Beans Cafe, where I have been essential in growing our social media presence. In this role I create Instagram, TikTok and Facebook video content, taking full ownership of the scripting and shooting process. 

A key objective in my role was boosting our TikTok engagement. I wanted to create a piece of content that would be fun and interactive, so I shot and scripted a TikTok video titled ‘What your coffee order says about you’. This video was one of our strongest performers, with over 70 duets and a total reach of 8.5k users over a week long period. 

I’m eager to stay ahead of all social media trends and use social media platforms in an advanced way, which is why I recently completed my Social Media Certificate at City University, building on my Bachelor of Marketing completed in 2021. 

Through this I gained a deep understanding of the latest content trends and how to access powerful analytics on Facebook Business Manager and TikTok for business. I’m eager to apply these learnings to Green Thumb’s social media channels. I look forward to discussing my skills and experience with you soon.

Thank you for considering my application,

Jane Smith

Career change cover letter example

To the hiring manager, 

I’m excited to apply for the position of Social Media Coordinator at Green Thumb Garden Centre. I love your mission of ‘making gardening easier and more rewarding than ever’, and I believe my unique set of skills – plus passion for all things plants – would make me a great candidate.

I am currently working in administration for Cool Beans Cafe, where I have been responsible for organising orders, managing events calendars and liaising with suppliers. In this role I have supported the business by creating streamlined processes, and in January I successfully implemented a rostering software which has received great feedback from the team. I believe these organisational, technological and communication skills will be highly valuable in a social media role.

In my personal time I run a design Instagram account @minimalistvibes, which has taught me so much about creating interesting content for those who care about home decor. By experimenting with different content types – photography, carousels, videos and Reels – I have been able to create a small but dedicated followership, with each post averaging 30 comments and shares. 

To support my development as a social media marketing professional I completed the Social Media Certificate at City University. Through this I gained a deep understanding of the latest content trends and how to access powerful analytics on Facebook Business Manager and TikTok for business. I’m eager to apply these learnings to Green Thumb’s social media channels. 

I look forward to discussing my skills and experience with you soon. 

Thank you for considering my application,

Jane Smith

Graduate cover letter example

To the hiring manager, 

I’m excited to apply for the position of Social Media Coordinator at Green Thumb Garden Centre. I love your mission of ‘making gardening easier and more rewarding than ever’, and I believe my unique set of skills – plus passion for all things plants – would make me a great candidate.

I have recently completed my Bachelor of Marketing at City University, and I am now seeking my first full time role where I can apply my up-to-date knowledge of digital marketing. During my studies, I completed a work placement at Dynamic Social Media Agency. Assisting the Manager of Social Growth, I was able to gain a useful understanding of what makes a great social media content calendar, which analytics are the most helpful to monitor while growing a following, and which content types work best on different platforms.

I’m a great team player and will always go above and beyond to support my team members and customers. In my part time role of Sales Assistant at Clothing Shop, I received a Customer Service Award for my ability to respond effectively to customer queries. 

I believe that these communication skills will be especially useful for community management on Green Thumb’s social media channels. I am always learning in my spare time and often take steps to gain a deeper understanding of the latest content trends and analytics. I have recently completed the Facebook Blueprint certification which has expanded my knowledge on developing brands and creating paid campaigns across Facebook and Instagram. 

I’m eager to apply these learnings with Green Thumb. I look forward to discussing my skills and experience with you soon. 

Thank you for considering my application,

Jane Smith

Addressing unique situations in your cover letter

Unique career paths often require explanations to provide context and showcase strengths:

• Employment gaps: Highlight training, freelancing or volunteering during the gap to demonstrate continued growth.
• Career changes: Focus on your transferable skills, such as problem-solving or leadership, and other soft skills that can be an asset in various roles.
• A lack of work experience: Position academic or volunteer experiences as evidence of your abilities.

Optimising your cover letter for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

An ATS scans cover letters for job-related keywords and standard formatting. If your cover letter isn’t easy to read the system may deprioritise your application. To optimise yours:

• Use clean, ATS-friendly formatting (e.g., no columns or images).
• Include keywords from the job description.
• Stick to traditional fonts like Arial or Times New Roman.
• Submit as a PDF to retain any formatting

Leveraging AI tools to craft your cover letter

AI tools can really help you write cover letters faster, giving you a first draft quickly. But remember, these tools are just helpers, not replacements for your own effort. Always change and improve what AI writes for you, to ensure it truly shows your skills, experiences, and excitement for the job and company.

Making it your own not only makes it original but also shows employers you’re genuinely interested and pay attention to details.

When using AI tools, give them clear and specific instructions. Think of these instructions as directions that help the AI write exactly what you need. For example, instead of just saying “Write a cover letter,” try something more focused like:

• “Write an opening for a junior accounting cover letter, highlighting problem-solving skills.” This tells the AI to focus on a specific skill from the start, making the introduction stronger and more fitting.

Other good instructions could be:

• “Write a middle paragraph for a marketing coordinator cover letter, focusing on experience with social media campaigns and looking at data.”
• “Write a closing paragraph for a project manager cover letter, showing excitement for the company’s eco-friendly projects and suggesting a follow-up.”
• “Make a list of key achievements for a software engineer cover letter, putting numbers on them if possible (e.g., ‘Reduced system downtime by 15%’).”

By using exact instructions, you can guide AI to create content that is more relevant, convincing, and matches your career goals. This helps you write a cover letter that stands out and increases your chances of getting an interview. Remember, AI is a great tool, but your careful review and personal touch are what truly make your application unique.

Take your career to the next level

Take the next step and check out Employment Hero Jobs, your shortcut to the best roles with great Kiwi employers. Simply create a profile and we’ll match you to great roles based on your relevant skills, strengths and interests. Get your profile in front of employers and uncover exclusive hidden opportunities you won’t find on any regular job board.

Frequently asked questions about cover letters