Help writing a cover letter
A cover letter isn't a second resume. It's a short note explaining why this job, why you, and why now. If you've been staring at a blank page, this method makes it manageable.
1. Use four short parts
Greeting (a name if you can find one, otherwise "Dear Hiring Manager"). Opening: the job title and one sentence on why it appeals to you. Middle: one or two real examples that match the posting. Close: thank them and say you'd welcome a conversation.
2. Pull two needs from the posting
Underline the two requirements that seem most important. Write one or two sentences proving you meet each one, using a real example.
3. Keep it to about 250 words
Three or four short paragraphs fit on half a page. Hiring managers skim, and shorter letters get read.
4. Write it for this one job
Generic letters are easy to spot. Mention the company's name and something specific about the role. Reusing your structure is fine, but change the details each time.
5. Leave out what doesn't help
Your life story, salary history, why you left your last job, and phrases like "I am the perfect candidate". Let the examples do the persuading.
6. Check the basics
Spell the company and contact names correctly, match the job title exactly, and save it as a PDF unless they ask for something else.
Fictional sample letter
Fictional sample letter: "Jordan Ellis" is made up. Every name, business, number and date below is invented to illustrate the advice. It isn't from a real customer.
Jordan is a made-up applicant for a receptionist job at a veterinary clinic.
Dear Dr. Patel,
I'm applying for the Front Desk Receptionist position at Maple Street Animal Clinic (fictional). I've been a client for years, and I'd love to help other pet owners feel as welcome as I always have.
Your posting mentions a busy phone line and appointment scheduling. In my four years at a dental office front desk, I answered about 60 calls a day and managed the schedule for three providers. I'm also calm with anxious customers, a skill I suspect transfers well to anxious pets.
Thank you for considering me. I'd welcome the chance to talk.
Jordan Ellis
How we can help
Our cover letter service is $25 for one letter for one posting, written from what you tell us. Paste the posting and your resume into the order form. Go to the order form.
Prices
Flat prices with no add-ons or upsells. You always get a Word file you can edit and a PDF, at no extra charge.
| What you get | Price | Ready in |
|---|---|---|
| Resume refresh We rewrite and reformat your resume for the kind of job you want. Up to 2 rounds of changes. | $59 | 2 business days |
| Resume + cover letter The resume refresh, plus one cover letter for a specific job. | $79 | 2 business days |
| Cover letter only One letter for one job posting. Send us the posting and your resume. | $25 | 1 business day |
We'll email you a draft; pay only after you approve it. If it isn't right, tell us what to change. You owe nothing until you approve it.
An honest note: we use AI to help
We use AI writing tools to help draft and format your resume. A real person reads, checks and edits every page before it reaches you.
- We never make anything up: no invented jobs, dates, degrees, licenses or skills. If something is unclear, we ask you.
- We take out your phone number, email and street address before using any AI tool and put them back at the end.
- You can ask us to delete your information at any time. See our privacy note.
What we won't do
- We will never ask for passwords, PINs, bank or card numbers, or your Social Security number. Please don't send them. Anyone who asks you for these is not us.
- We don't log into job websites or accounts for you.
- We don't give legal, medical, or financial advice, and we don't make those decisions for you.
- We can't promise you'll get a job or an interview. Nobody honestly can.
Related guides: Resume without a degree · Laid off after 20+ years at one company · One page or two?
Want us to do it for you?
Email orders@scantoolmatch.com with your old resume (or a phone photo of it) and the kind of job you want. Rough notes are fine. We'll email you a draft within 2 business days; pay only after you approve it.