How to Write a Cover Letter That Doesn’t Sound Like Everyone Else’s

Generic cover letters do little to set you apart in a crowded job market. They often repeat résumé details and use stock phrases such as "I am writing to apply" or "team player" without evidence. A distinctive cover letter, by contrast, shows you’ve researched the organisation, highlights your unique contributions and conveys your personality. In a survey conducted by career site Zety, 89 % of recruiters said they expect candidates to include a cover letter and 81 % admitted rejecting a candidate based on it ². Clearly, a thoughtful letter can make or break an application. Here are strategies to craft a cover letter that doesn’t sound like everyone else’s.

Start with research and tailor every letter

A cover letter should be written for one employer. The University of Cincinnati emphasises that personalising your content—researching the company’s culture, mission and recent achievements—helps it stand out ¹. Begin by reading the job description carefully and exploring the company’s website and social channels. Note keywords, skills and values the organisation emphasises. In Creative Lives in Progress’ cover‑letter guide, the author notes that reading a company’s mission and recent work helps you craft a message that shows genuine interest ². Tailoring your letter demonstrates effort and signals that you understand the employer’s needs.

Personalisation also extends to addressing the hiring manager by name. LiveCareer warns that greetings like “To whom it may concern” feel impersonal and are now a red flag for many recruiters ³. If you cannot find the hiring manager’s name, use a title such as “Dear Marketing Manager” or a team greeting such as “Hi team Studio Name!” ².

Open with a hook instead of a template

The opening line sets the tone. Creative Lives in Progress recommends beginning with a snappy introduction that explains why you’re excited about the role or company rather than a bland statement like “I’m writing to apply for the role” ². For example, start with a specific connection (“As an avid reader of your publications, I was thrilled to see an editorial assistant opening ²”) or a brief anecdote that signals your passion.

The body of your letter should also avoid summarising your résumé. MIT’s Career Advising & Professional Development office notes that an effective cover letter complements your résumé by providing examples that illustrate your skills rather than repeating bullet points ⁴. Use one or two concise stories to demonstrate how your experiences match the role.

Tell a brief story to demonstrate your impact

Stories make your achievements memorable. Braven, a nonprofit focused on career development, argues that storytelling is “your secret weapon” and that cover letters should convey personality and tell a story ⁵. Select one achievement that aligns with the job description and frame it using a simple narrative structure: introduce the context, explain the challenge, describe the action you took and highlight the result. The TeachingCove explains this “STAR” framework—Situation, Task, Action and Result—as a way to ensure each example paragraph stays focused . For instance, if the role requires project management experience, you might describe how you coordinated a cross‑functional team to deliver a project on time and under budget, emphasising the impact (“reduced delivery time by 20 %” or “increased sales by 30 %” ¹). Quantitative outcomes make your contributions tangible and memorable.

Showcase your personality and voice

A distinctive cover letter sounds like you. The University of Cincinnati encourages writers to inject personality and authenticity while maintaining professionalism ¹. This could mean using a conversational tone, sharing why the organisation’s mission resonates with your values or highlighting passions outside of work that tie into the role. At the same time, avoid clichés and empty adjectives. LiveCareer warns against vague phrases like “team player” or “works well under pressure,” advising candidates to back up claims with specific examples ³.

Conveying personality also means being honest. Braven notes that authenticity builds trust and deepens connections ⁵. Don’t embellish or invent stories; instead, reflect on experiences that genuinely reveal your strengths, resilience or creativity.

Keep it concise and proofread meticulously

Even a compelling story loses impact if it rambles. Creative Lives recommends keeping your letter between 300–500 words (ideally one page) and cutting any unnecessary fluff ². Use short paragraphs and bullet points if appropriate. The University of Cincinnati similarly advises limiting cover letters to three to four paragraphs and focusing on the most relevant details ¹.

After drafting, proofread carefully. Spelling a company or hiring manager’s name incorrectly can doom an otherwise strong application. Creative Lives suggests printing your letter and reading it aloud to catch awkward phrases or typos ². Tools like Grammarly can help, but a human review is essential. This step is particularly important because, according to LiveCareer, hiring managers routinely reject cover letters riddled with errors ³.

Final thoughts

Writing a cover letter that doesn’t sound like everyone else’s requires time, research and reflection. By tailoring each letter to the company, opening with a hook, telling a concise story about your impact and letting your personality shine through, you show that you’ve invested in the opportunity. In an era where many applications are screened by applicant‑tracking systems and generic AI outputs abound, a personalised, well‑crafted cover letter remains a powerful differentiator. Don’t view it as a formality; use it as a platform to humanise your résumé and connect with your future employer.

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