First impressions matter. That’s why a cover letter exists. It’s often the first thing a potential employer sees after they check your name, email, and possibly where you’re from, which is why it’s ...

Resumes and LinkedIn profiles may get the lion’s share of attention, but a good cover letter can go a long way toward impressing hiring decision-makers. One survey by ResumeLab found that 83% of ...

Clearly route your cover letter and resume to the right person for the right job opening. Show you can communicate professionally in writing. Reinforce qualifications presented in your resume and show ...

Resumes, cover letters and writing samples are the first, and sometimes only, opportunity to make a positive impression on an employer. They must be perfect. Your entire work history and educational ...

Have you found your dream job and can’t wait to apply? If so, we recommend checking out our sample cover letters, to make sure your application is fully covered. Some employers require a cover letter ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Lucy Paulise is executive coach and author of Timebox, based in Texas. In today’s competitive job market, your cover letter is ...

At best, a cover letter can help a job-seeker stand out from the pack. At worst, it can make a promising candidate seem like an uncreative cut-and-paster. Sadly, the vast majority of cover letters ...

Elainy Mata is a Multimedia Producer at Harvard Business Review. Harvard Business Publishing: Copyright ©2026 Harvard Business School Publishing. All rights reserved ...

I can write a solid resume, interview well, and make sure that my online presence is on point. The one thing that’s always been a struggle? The dreaded cover letter. Cover letters can be absolute ...

The purpose of a resume is to introduce your qualifications and skills to employers. The goal of a resume is to get an interview so that you can further share your qualifications and learn more about ...

Make a strong first impression with a well-written cover letter that demonstrates your fit and enthusiasm for the job. Writing a tailored cover letter shows an employer that you are a serious ...