The Art of the Cover Letter: Why It Still Matters and How to Write One

"Do I really need a cover letter?" It's the most common question I get. The answer is nuanced: 60% of recruiters might not read it, but for the 40% who do, it can be the deciding factor between "Maybe" and "Interview."

Furthermore, if you are a career changer, have an employment gap, or are applying to a small mission-driven company, the cover letter is mandatory. It is the only place you can explain the "Why" behind the "What" on your resume.

The Golden Rule: Don't Repeat Your Resume

The biggest mistake candidates make is rewriting their resume in paragraph form. "I worked at Company X, then I worked at Company Y."

Boring. The recruiter has your resume. They know what you did. The cover letter is for:

• Context: Why are you leaving? Why this company specifically?
• Personality: Are you funny? Serious? Passionate?
• Storytelling: Connecting the dots between disparate experiences.

The 4-Paragraph Framework

Paragraph 1: The Hook

Don't start with "I am writing to apply for..." Start with passion or knowledge.

"I've been using Proton Resume's tools since 2020, and they helped me land my first junior dev role. Now, as a Senior Developer, I want to help build the tools that launched my career."

Paragraph 2: The "Greatest Hit"

Pick ONE achievement from your resume and tell the story behind it. The struggle, the solution, the result.

"In my last role, we faced a 40% churn rate. I didn't just analyze the data; I called 50 customers personally. I discovered a UX flaw that..."

Paragraph 3: The "Why You"

Prove you've done your homework. Connect your values to theirs.

"I see that Company X is expanding into the APAC region. My experience launching products in Tokyo would allow me to hit the ground running..."

Paragraph 4: The Call to Action

Keep it confident and short.

"I'd love to discuss how my background in X can help your team achieve Y. Thank you for your time and consideration."

Format Matters

Keep it under 300 words. Use lots of white space. Use the same header (name, contact info) as your resume so they look like a branded package. And please, find the hiring manager's name on LinkedIn. "Dear Hiring Manager" is okay, but "Dear Ms. Jenkins" proves you are proactive.