Cover letters that get read to the end
Most cover letters are a paraphrase of the CV in paragraph form, and most are skimmed in five seconds or skipped entirely. The ones that get read do something the CV cannot: they explain why this particular person is applying to this particular employer.
Keep it to one page and four paragraphs. If it runs longer, it is a second CV and it will not be read.
The four-paragraph structure
- Opening — the role, where you saw it, and one sentence on why you are a serious candidate. No 'I am writing to apply for'.
- Evidence — the single most relevant thing you have done, with the result. Not a list; one story told properly.
- Fit — something specific about this employer that you actually know, and why it matters to you.
- Close — availability, notice period, and a plain request for an interview.
Openings that work, and openings that do not
A complete sample letter
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am applying for the Accountant position advertised on Ajirika on 2 September. I have spent six years in finance roles in manufacturing and FMCG, most recently closing the monthly accounts for a TZS 4bn business.
In my current role I inherited a monthly close that took fifteen working days and consistently missed the board deadline. By rebuilding the accruals schedule and moving three reconciliations into the ERP, I brought it down to six days. It has not slipped since, and the audit has come back clean four years running.
Your advert mentions consolidating three entities onto one reporting calendar. That is the piece of work I did last year, and I know where it goes wrong — usually in intercompany balances that nobody owns. It is the part of the job I would most like to take on.
I am available at one month's notice and can attend an interview at short notice. My CV is attached, and I would welcome the chance to discuss the role.
Practical rules
- Address a person if the advert names one; 'Dear Hiring Manager' if it does not. Never 'To Whom It May Concern'.
- Quote the reference number in the subject line if the advert gives one.
- Follow the stated application method exactly — the subject line, the file names, the address.
- Send one PDF containing the letter and the CV, unless told otherwise.
- Check the employer's name twice. A letter addressed to their competitor ends the application.
Common questions
Is a cover letter still necessary?
How long should a cover letter be?
What is the difference between a cover letter and an application letter?
Should I send the cover letter as a separate file?
Build this CV in about ten minutes
Ajirika's CV builder fills these sections for you, formats them into any of 20 templates, and tailors the wording to whichever job advert you are applying for.