What to Include in a Cover Letter

Short answer: A cover letter should include: a greeting to a named person if you can find one, an opening that names the job and why you're writing, one or two paragraphs that connect your experience to what the posting asks for, and a closing that asks for an interview. Keep it to one page, three or four short paragraphs, and write a new one for each job.

What do you write in a cover letter?

Alberta’s alis career site says a cover letter should “introduce your resumé to an employer” and “show them how your skills and accomplishments make you a good fit for the job” (alis). That’s the whole job. Everything you include should help with one of those two things.

Here’s what goes in, from top to bottom.

1. Your contact details and the date

Use the same name and contact line as your resumé: name, city and province, phone and email. Add the date. If you know the hiring manager’s name and the company address, add them under the date.

2. A greeting to a real person

alis says to “address a specific person, not Sir or Madam” (alis, Cover letter outline). Check the posting, the company website or LinkedIn for the hiring manager’s name. If you can’t find one, alis suggests “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear [Company] Team.”

3. An opening paragraph: why you’re writing

alis says your first paragraph should “explain your reason for writing.” Name the job, say where you found it, and mention anyone who referred you. The University of Calgary’s career services adds that your introduction “should demonstrate that you’ve done your research about the company and the role” (University of Calgary).

For ideas, see best opening lines for a cover letter.

4. One or two body paragraphs: why you fit

This is the most important part. alis says to “explain what makes you a good fit for this job,” and to connect your skills to what the posting asks for.

A simple way to do it:

Pick the two or three most important requirements in the posting.
For each one, give a real example from your work, school or volunteering.
Add a number or result where you can.

The University of Calgary says to “connect critical information from your resume to the requirements outlined in the job posting,” and warns: “Don’t repeat the information from your resume.” alis agrees: “Focus on highlights and leave the facts for your resumé.”

5. A closing paragraph: ask for the interview

alis says your last paragraph should “request an interview,” and say you’ll follow up. If you’re emailing, mention that your resumé is attached. Thank them for their time.

6. A sign-off

“Sincerely,” then your name. On a printed letter, alis says to leave space for your signature. An email doesn’t need it.

How long should a cover letter be?

No more than one page. alis says a cover letter should be “brief” and use “simple, direct language.” The University of Calgary says the body should be two to three paragraphs, and “unless otherwise directed, keep your cover letter to one page.” In practice that’s about 250 to 400 words.

Fill-in outline

Dear [Name],

I’m applying for the [job title] role at [company], which I found on [where]. [One sentence on why this company or role interests you.]

[Requirement 1 from the posting]: In my role at [employer], I [what you did and the result]. [Requirement 2]: [example and result].

[Optional second body paragraph: one more example, or a quick note on a career change or move.]

I’d welcome the chance to talk about how I can help [company] with [goal from the posting]. My resumé is attached. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely, [Your name]

For full sample letters, see our cover letter examples and template.

Should you use bullet points in a cover letter?

You can, but keep it to one short list of two or three points inside the body, for example to match the posting’s top requirements. The rest should be in paragraphs. A letter that’s all bullets reads like a second resumé.

Sources

All accessed 2026-10-29.

Government of Alberta, alis. What should I include in my cover letter? https://alis.alberta.ca/tools-and-resources/questions-and-answers/what-should-i-include-in-my-cover-letter/
Government of Alberta, alis. Cover letter outline. https://alis.alberta.ca/look-for-work/cover-letters/cover-letter-outline/
University of Calgary, Career Services. Cover letters. https://ucalgary.ca/career-personal-development/advising/job-search-resources/cover-letters