In the body of a cover letter, explain why you are applying, show how your relevant skills and experience match the role, and support your claims with a concise example. Connect your contribution to the employer’s needs, then close by expressing interest in discussing the position; tailor these points to the job rather than repeating your résumé.
What the Body Is Meant to Do
The body is the main argument of your cover letter. A résumé lists experience and qualifications; the letter helps a hiring manager see which details matter for this particular opening and how you might contribute. It should add context, not copy résumé bullets into paragraph form.
Most bodies work well as two or three short paragraphs. The opening identifies the role and gives a focused reason for applying. The middle connects relevant evidence to the job requirements. The final paragraph reinforces interest and points toward a conversation. The greeting and sign-off sit outside the body, but they should fit its professional tone.
What to Include, Paragraph by Paragraph
- Opening: Name the position and, if useful, where you found it. State a specific reason the work, organization, or role interests you. Avoid generic claims such as “I have always wanted to work for a great company” unless you can explain what that means.
- Evidence: Choose one or two relevant qualifications and demonstrate them with an example. Explain the situation or responsibility, what you did, and the result or lesson. Include measurable results only when they are accurate and you can stand behind them.
- Connection: Make clear how your evidence relates to the advertised work. A skill is more persuasive when linked to an actual responsibility, such as coordinating schedules, explaining technical information, or resolving customer concerns.
- Closing: Reaffirm your interest, briefly summarize the value you would bring, and say that you would welcome an interview or further discussion. Do not demand a response or assume you have already been selected.
You do not need to include every qualification you have. Prioritize the requirements that appear most important in the posting, and use the space to make those qualifications credible.
Choose Evidence That Makes the Match Clear
Before drafting, compare the job description with your experience. Look for repeated responsibilities, essential skills, and stated priorities. Then select examples that show you can handle similar work. A relevant example may come from paid employment, volunteering, education, a personal project, or another setting; identify the context honestly so the reader understands what you did.
For example, instead of writing, “I am an excellent communicator,” describe a real task: “In my campus volunteer role, I explained event instructions to new participants and followed up when schedules changed.” If the position involves clear written communication, explain that connection. Do not imply that a school or volunteer project was paid professional work.
Use numbers selectively. A verified result—such as the number of events coordinated or a documented improvement—can make an example concrete. If you cannot confirm a figure, leave it out. Specific responsibilities and outcomes are useful even without statistics.
Tone, Length, and Common Problems
Keep the body focused and easy to scan. In most applications, a few compact paragraphs are more effective than a long career history. Use plain language, active verbs, and a confident but courteous tone. Match the formality of the employer and role without trying to imitate jargon.
- Repeating the résumé: Select a relevant accomplishment and explain why it matters instead of restating several bullets.
- Making unsupported claims: Replace “I am a natural leader” with an example of leading a project or helping a group meet a goal.
- Writing one letter for every job: Keep a reusable structure, but change the role, priorities, and evidence to fit each application.
- Overexplaining personal history: Address a career change or employment gap briefly if relevant, then return to the qualifications you offer. Share only details needed to explain your fit.
- Using a generic opening or ending: Name the position and make your interest specific; close with a polite invitation to continue the conversation.
A cover letter is not a place to claim skills you do not have or to promise results you cannot guarantee. If you meet many—but not all—requirements, emphasize your strongest relevant evidence without misrepresenting your experience.
Cover Letter Body Template
I am applying for the [position title] role. I am interested in this opportunity because ________________________________________________.
In my experience with [relevant work, study, or activity], I ________________________________________________. This helped me develop or demonstrate ________________________________________________, which relates to the role’s need for ________________________________________________.
I would bring ________________________________________________ to the position. I welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience could support your team. Thank you for your consideration.
Sample (fictional): “I am applying for the library assistant role. In my volunteer work at Northside Community Center, I helped visitors locate resources and kept shared materials organized. That experience strengthened my customer-service and organizational skills, both relevant to helping library users. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my application.” Northside Community Center and the applicant in this example are fictional.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many paragraphs should the body of a cover letter have?
Usually two or three short paragraphs are enough: an opening, a paragraph with relevant evidence, and a closing. A particularly short letter may combine the evidence and closing.
Should I repeat my résumé in a cover letter?
No. Refer to a relevant experience, but add context: explain what you did, what it demonstrates, and how it relates to the job. The letter should complement the résumé rather than reproduce it.
Can I use the same cover letter for different jobs?
You can reuse a basic structure, but tailor the body for each role. Update the position, the employer-specific reason for applying, and the examples that best match that job’s requirements.
What if I do not have direct experience?
Use honest, transferable evidence from education, volunteering, projects, or other responsibilities. Explain how the skills apply, and do not present unrelated experience as if it were direct professional experience.
Should I include salary expectations in the body?
Usually, focus the body on your fit for the role unless the application explicitly requests salary information. If asked, follow the stated instructions and keep the response factual and concise.