Post 05
Writing a cover letter that is not filler
Most cover letters add no information. Here is the 4-paragraph structure we keep seeing on accepted applications.
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If a recruiter can paste your cover letter into any other role at any other company, it is filler. A good cover letter is specific enough that the swap would not work.
The 4-paragraph structure
- Opener (1-2 sentences). Name the role and the team. If you have a personal reason for the interest, lead with it. No "I am writing to express my interest in…".
- Proof (3-5 sentences). One concrete thing you did that maps to the top requirement of the role. Numbers if you have them; specific nouns if you do not.
- Fit (2-3 sentences). Why this company, not just any company in the space. A line about a product decision, blog post, or public artifact goes here.
- Close (1 sentence). A simple, non-apologetic ask: "I would love to walk through the specifics on a call."
Length: about 200-280 words. Longer than that and you are reciting your resume. Shorter and you skipped "proof".
ClearHire's cover letter builder scaffolds this structure and pre-fills the opener with the role name so you never forget to change it between applications.