How to Write a Cover Letter That Gets Read
Most cover letters are not read. The pattern most follow is: 'I am applying for X. I have Y years of experience. I am a hardworking team player.' This adds nothing. Here is how to write one that actually gets read.
The Opening: Make Them Want to Continue
Do not start with 'I am writing to apply for...' — the most common opening and immediately signals generic content. Instead, open with something demonstrating you know the company: 'When Razorpay announced its Southeast Asia expansion, I immediately thought about the infrastructure challenges that kind of scale requires — and why I would want to be part of solving them.' Or open with a relevant achievement: 'In my last role I reduced customer onboarding from 14 days to 3 days by redesigning the verification workflow.'
The Middle: Connect Experience to Their Needs
One or two paragraphs connecting your specific experience to specific role requirements. Be concrete — 'strong communication skills' is meaningless; 'I have presented technical architecture proposals to C-suite stakeholders at three organisations, consistently translating complex system decisions into clear business impact language' is specific and credible. Reference the job description explicitly.
The Paragraph Most People Forget: Why Them
The most commonly missing element is a genuine, specific reason why you want to work for this particular company. Recruiters can tell the difference between someone who researched the company and someone who sent the same letter to 50 employers. Mention a specific product, initiative, or aspect of their culture that genuinely interests you. This paragraph often separates candidates who get called from those who do not.
Length, Tone and Format
Three to four short paragraphs, maximum one page. Conversational but professional. Never 'Dear Sir/Madam' if you know the hiring manager's name. End confidently: 'I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience in X and Y could contribute to your team's goals in 2026.'