[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"detail-sidebar-cat-1-en-105":3,"doc-seo-170842-105":53,"doc-detail-170842-en":127},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"success",[7,14,19,24,29,34,39,44,49],{"id":8,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":11,"show_sort_weight":12,"slug":13},11,1,"Template","Presentations",90,"presentations",{"id":15,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":16,"show_sort_weight":17,"slug":18},12,"Resumes",80,"resumes",{"id":20,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":21,"show_sort_weight":22,"slug":23},14,"Invoices",70,"invoices",{"id":25,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":26,"show_sort_weight":27,"slug":28},15,"Posters",60,"posters",{"id":30,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":31,"show_sort_weight":32,"slug":33},16,"Social Media",50,"social-media",{"id":35,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":36,"show_sort_weight":37,"slug":38},17,"Forms",40,"forms",{"id":40,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":41,"show_sort_weight":42,"slug":43},18,"Letters",30,"letters",{"id":45,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":46,"show_sort_weight":47,"slug":48},21,"Paper Templates",5,"papers-templates",{"id":50,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":51,"show_sort_weight":4,"slug":52},158,"General","general-158",{"code":4,"msg":54,"data":55},"ok",{"site_id":56,"language":57,"slug":58,"title":59,"keywords":60,"description":61,"schema_data":62,"social_meta":120,"head_meta":122,"extra_data":124,"updated_unix":126},105,"en","writing-effective-cover-letters","Writing Effective Cover Letters","","Effective cover letters introduce applicants and summarize qualifications in a way that draws a prospective employer’s attention. The guide emphasizes aligning cover-letter content with a resume without duplicating it verbatim, using persuasive structure and tailored messaging for each role. It provides strategies for attention-grabbing openings, demonstrating research and specific interest, highlighting education and experience, and concluding with thanks, a proper sign-off, and careful proofreading.",{"@graph":63,"@context":119},[64,80,102],{"@type":65,"itemListElement":66},"BreadcrumbList",[67,71,74,77],{"item":68,"name":69,"@type":70,"position":9},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",{"item":72,"name":10,"@type":70,"position":73},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/",2,{"item":75,"name":41,"@type":70,"position":76},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/letters/",3,{"item":78,"name":59,"@type":70,"position":79},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/writing-effective-cover-letters/170842/",4,{"url":78,"name":59,"@type":81,"image":82,"author":87,"headline":59,"publisher":90,"fileFormat":93,"inLanguage":57,"description":61,"dateModified":94,"datePublished":95,"encodingFormat":93,"isAccessibleForFree":96,"interactionStatistic":97},"DigitalDocument",{"url":83,"@type":84,"width":85,"height":86},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/writing-effective-cover-letters/170842.png","ImageObject",442,249,{"name":88,"@type":89},"Rowan","Person",{"url":68,"name":91,"@type":92},"DocShare","Organization","application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document","2026-10-19","2026-09-01",true,{"@type":98,"interactionType":99,"userInteractionCount":101},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":100},"ViewAction",20,{"@type":103,"mainEntity":104},"FAQPage",[105,111,115],{"name":106,"@type":107,"acceptedAnswer":108},"How long should a cover letter be and what should it do?","Question",{"text":109,"@type":110},"A cover letter should be 3 to 5 paragraphs long and act as a more persuasive document that helps the employer notice and remember the application.","Answer",{"name":112,"@type":107,"acceptedAnswer":113},"What should you avoid when writing a cover letter compared with your resume?",{"text":114,"@type":110},"Do not duplicate resume content word for word; instead, highlight key information and explain how it supports the position.",{"name":116,"@type":107,"acceptedAnswer":117},"What is the recommended paragraph structure for a cover letter?",{"text":118,"@type":110},"Use a First Paragraph for attention and how you learned of the opening, a Second Paragraph for interest in the organization, a Third Paragraph for fit based on education and experience, and a Fourth Paragraph for follow-up and interview interest, ending with thanks.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":78,"og:type":121,"og:title":59,"og:site_name":91,"og:description":61},"article",{"robots":123,"canonical":78},"index,follow",{"doc_id":125,"site_id":56},170842,1788276509,{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":128},{"doc_id":125,"user_id":129,"nickname":88,"user_avatar":130,"doc_module":9,"category_id":40,"category_name":41,"doc_title":59,"doc_description":61,"doc_content":131,"file_id":132,"file_url":133,"file_type":134,"file_size":135,"view_count":101,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":9,"is_downloadable":9,"audit_status":9,"page_count":136,"language":137,"language_code":57,"site_id":56,"html_lang":57,"table_of_contents":138,"faqs":139,"seo_title":140,"seo_description":61,"update_tm":126,"read_time":73},1099514067415,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/avatar/100002539d78ffe74a7?x-image-process=image/resize,m_fixed,w_180,h_180&k=1779092875211072502","Writing Effective Cover Letters\nThe cover letter is used to introduce yourself and to briefly explain your qualifications to a prospective employer. The purpose of the cover letter is to arouse the employer’s interest and gain his/her attention to your application for employment. A cover letter should always accompany your resume when applying for a position.\nThe cover letter should highlight the information included in your resume. It should not duplicate information on your resume word for word.\nTop Tips & Strategies\n1. Cover letters should be 3 to 5 paragraphs long and they should be a more persuasive document.  When describing your skills and strengths, talk about how they relate to the position you are applying for.\n2. A cover letter should ALWAYS accompany a resume or application (unless the employer/job description notes otherwise).\n3. Tell the reader why you are interested in the employer. What is it about the organization that makes you want to work for them and what sets them apart from their competitors?\nDescribe your specific interest in the company in the first paragraph, then use the body of your cover letter to talk about unique strengths and why you are the strongest fit.  Show what sets that company apart from other companies.\nIndicate what you can do for the employer rather than what the employer can do for you.\n4. If sending it electronically, include the cover letter in the text of your email and attach the resume, unless instructed otherwise.\n5. Always address the letter to the appropriate individual by name and professional title. If you are not able to obtain a name, address it to the apparent job title of the individual receiving your application, “Dear Human Resources Director,” or “Dear Hiring Manager.”\n6. Create a separate cover letter for each job.  Generic letters convey a lack of interest and can lead an employer to believe you are not interested.  Generic cover letters also can lead to mistakes such as putting the wrong company/name (an automatic disqualification).\n7. Mix up how you start each sentence and avoid beginning every sentence or paragraph with the word “I.”\n8. Attract the employer’s attention by beginning your cover letter with a strong statement. Many employers receive hundreds of applications, and you want yours to be one that is remembered.\nTo do this, develop a bridge or common bond between yourself and the employer. Tell how you learned of the company/organization and/or the vacancy. The best introduction to a potential employer is to remind him/her of the face-to-face or telephone conversation you have already had relating to your job search or to mention that you have heard about the job vacancy from a friend or other contact that works for the organization.\n9. Use the center of your letter or next paragraph to arouse the employer’s curiosity by stating brief facts from your resume about your education, experience and accomplishments. Highlight your talents and particular points in your background that complement the type of job you are seeking. The employer will be looking for skills that you possess to benefit the organization.\n10. Always thank the employer for their time and consideration in the final paragraph.\n11. Always sign your letter. If sending electronically, make sure you type “Sincerely” and print your name. An electronic signature is not expected.\n12. Proofread to correct all spelling and punctuation errors. Both the cover letter and resume must be free of mistakes.\nCover Letter Outline\nYour Present Address\nCity, State, Zip Code\nDate of Letter\nIndividual’s Name\nTitle\nEmployer\nStreet Address\nCity, State, Zip Code\nDear Mr./Ms./Dr. : or Dear Recruiting Manager:\nFirst Paragraph—ATTENTION In your initial paragraph, indicate the reason for writing, the specific position or type of work for which you are applying, and how you learned of the opening. (Include prior contact with an employer or employees of the organization you are applying to, newspaper advertisement, the i","cbCaidLnGizfCd4f","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaidLnGizfCd4f","docx",49959,6,"English","# Top Tips & Strategies\n## Cover letter requirements and structure\n# Cover Letter Outline\n## Present address and contact details\n## Paragraph structure (attention, interest, fit, follow-up)\n# Cover Letter Example 1","[{\"question\":\"How long should a cover letter be and what should it do?\",\"answer\":\"A cover letter should be 3 to 5 paragraphs long and act as a more persuasive document that helps the employer notice and remember the application.\"},{\"question\":\"What should you avoid when writing a cover letter compared with your resume?\",\"answer\":\"Do not duplicate resume content word for word; instead, highlight key information and explain how it supports the position.\"},{\"question\":\"What is the recommended paragraph structure for a cover letter?\",\"answer\":\"Use a First Paragraph for attention and how you learned of the opening, a Second Paragraph for interest in the organization, a Third Paragraph for fit based on education and experience, and a Fourth Paragraph for follow-up and interview interest, ending with thanks.\"}]","Writing Effective Cover Letters | DOCX"]