The learner builds a short cover letter that answers the questions “why you” and “why this company.”
Why you need a cover letter and how it's built
Why you need a cover letter and how it's built
A cover letter is a short text (usually 200–350 words) that answers two questions: “why you for this role” and “why this company.” It doesn't retell your résumé — it explains your motivation and highlights what's most relevant.
A good letter has four parts. First, the hook and motivation: one or two sentences on why this position matters to you (specific, not generic). Second, relevant experience: 2–3 achievements or skills that directly meet the job requirements. Third, why this company: show that you've researched the company and understand its challenges. Fourth, a call to action: a short line asking for an interview and thanking the reader for their time.
Compare two examples of the first part. Weak: “I'd like to work at your company because it's successful and well known. I'm responsible and good with people.” Strong: “I saw your data analyst opening — it's exactly where my BI analytics experience meets your focus on product metrics. In my last project, I cut dashboard build time from 3 days to 4 hours.” The difference is clear: the strong version is specific, talks about value to the employer, and proves its claims right away.
Remember: the letter is tailored to each job. An unchanged template is one of the top reasons for rejection.
Lesson notes
Why you need a cover letter and how it's built
A cover letter is a short text (usually 200–350 words) that answers two questions: “why you for this role” and “why this company.” It doesn't retell your résumé — it explains your motivation and highlights what's most relevant.
A good letter has four parts. First, the hook and motivation: one or two sentences on why this position matters to you (specific, not generic). Second, relevant experience: 2–3 achievements or skills that directly meet the job requirements. Third, why this company: show that you've researched the company and understand its challenges. Fourth, a call to action: a short line asking for an interview and thanking the reader for their time.
Compare two examples of the first part. Weak: “I'd like to work at your company because it's successful and well known. I'm responsible and good with people.” Strong: “I saw your data analyst opening — it's exactly where my BI analytics experience meets your focus on product metrics. In my last project, I cut dashboard build time from 3 days to 4 hours.” The difference is clear: the strong version is specific, talks about value to the employer, and proves its claims right away.
Remember: the letter is tailored to each job. An unchanged template is one of the top reasons for rejection.