How do you start a cover letter?

Lead with your strongest reason for being a good fit, such as a result, a problem you have solved or a specific motivation. Avoid opening with "I am writing to apply for".

Who should I address a cover letter to?

If the advert names a contact person, address them by name, for example "Dear Lise Holm". If not, "Dear Hiring Manager" works, and in Denmark you can also go straight to your headline.

Should a cover letter have a headline?

In Denmark, yes – it is standard practice. A headline such as "Project manager who delivers construction projects on time" tells the reader what you offer at a glance.

Is it OK to use AI to write a cover letter?

Yes, AI can help you with a first draft, but the letter must be accurate and sound like you. Check every fact and rewrite anything that feels generic.

Do I need a cover letter if it says optional?

It is usually worth sending one. A short, tailored letter gives you a chance to explain your motivation and fit, which a CV alone cannot do.

How to Write a Cover Letter: Structure and Examples

Updated September 24, 2026

To write a strong cover letter, show that you understand the job, then prove with two or three concrete examples that you can do what the employer needs – all on a single page. A cover letter is not a summary of your CV; it is your argument for why you are the right person for this particular role.

This guide gives you a structure that works for almost any job advert: headline, opening, why this job, what you bring and closing. You will also find opening lines to adapt, the clichés worth deleting, and a checklist before you hit send. If you are applying for jobs in Denmark, you will find notes on local expectations along the way.

What should a cover letter include?

Most hiring managers skim your CV and cover letter quickly before deciding whether to read on. Your CV shows what you have done. Your cover letter explains why that experience matters to them, and why you want this job rather than any job.

A good cover letter covers five things:

A headline that states what you offer – not just "Cover letter".
An opening that grabs attention and connects you directly to the role.
Why this job: what draws you to the work, the organisation or the sector.
What you bring: two or three relevant strengths, each backed by an example.
A closing that wraps up and shows you look forward to an interview.

Put your contact details, the date and the job title at the top. Leave out personal details such as age or marital status unless they are relevant to the role. In Denmark, a headline is standard and expected; in the UK it is less common but still a good way to stand out.

How to structure a cover letter, step by step

Read the job advert closely. Highlight the three or four requirements and tasks that come up most. Those are what your letter must answer.
Write a headline with a promise. For example: "Payroll specialist who delivers accurate, on-time payroll every month". It is the first thing the reader sees, so make it about you in relation to the job.
Lead with your strongest point. Use your first paragraph to link your background to the role. Skip "I am writing to apply for…" – the reader already knows.
Explain why you want this job. Be specific: mention a project, a product, a value or a recent change at the organisation that appeals to you. Vague praise such as "an exciting company" says nothing.
Prove your strengths. Pick the two or three requirements you match best and give a concrete example for each: the situation, what you did and what came of it.
Show personal qualities through action. Instead of writing that you are organised, describe something you organised.
Close briefly and warmly. One or two sentences saying you would welcome the chance to discuss the role. Sign off with "Kind regards" and your full name.

How long should a cover letter be?

Keep your cover letter to one page. That is roughly 250 to 400 words with a readable font size and some white space. In Denmark, a one-page letter is the clear norm, and a two-page letter is likely to be skimmed rather than read.

Aim for four or five short paragraphs of three to five lines each, plus the headline. If you need more space than that, you are probably trying to tell your whole story rather than choosing what matters most for this job.

If the advert asks for a short letter, or an online form has a character limit, stick to it. Saying the same thing in fewer words is almost always an improvement.

How to start a cover letter: opening line examples

Your opening decides whether the reader keeps going. The best openings show straight away that you understand what the job is about and that you bring something concrete. Here are five types to adapt:

Examples of strong opening lines

The result: "Over two years I cut the customer service backlog at Nordlys Retail from four days to under one – and I would like to do the same for your customers."

The task: "Your advert says you need warehouse planning under control before peak season. I have solved exactly that problem three times as a logistics coordinator."

The motivation: "I have followed your work on district heating since writing my master's thesis on energy storage, and I want to help bring it to more cities."

The connection: "Thank you for a great conversation at your stand at the Copenhagen career fair. It confirmed that your graduate programme is the right next step for me."

The career change: "Eight years as a secondary school teacher have taught me how to explain complex ideas simply – which is the core of your e-learning designer role."

What they have in common is that they are about the job and what you can contribute. Pick the type that fits your situation and write it in your own words.

How do you show what you can bring to the role?

The middle of your letter is where you win or lose. The employer wants to know whether you can do the work, so every claim about yourself needs evidence.

A simple method is to take one requirement from the advert at a time and answer it with a short example: the situation, your action and the result. Numbers and specific details make it credible, but only if they are true and you can talk about them in an interview.

Example: from claim to evidence

Weak: "I am highly organised and good at keeping an overview."

Strong: "When our team rolled out three new systems in six months, I built a shared tracker for tasks and deadlines. We did not miss a single VAT filing during the transition."

Use the same words as the job advert when they describe something you can genuinely do. Many organisations screen applications in an applicant tracking system, and matching language also helps a busy reader see the fit. Read more about how to tailor your CV and cover letter to the job description.

Your cover letter and CV should work together: the letter selects and interprets, the CV documents. If your CV needs work first, see our guide on how to write a CV. Applying in Denmark? Our guide to the Danish CV format explains local expectations.

Which cover letter clichés should you avoid?

Clichés take up space without telling the reader anything about you. When every applicant writes the same phrases, they become noise. Here are the most common ones and what to do instead:

"I am writing to apply for the position of…" – The reader knows. Open with something that says something about you.
"I am a hard-working team player with excellent communication skills" – Show it with one situation where you actually were.
"I am passionate about…" – Describe what you have done that shows the interest.
"Your company is a leader in the industry" – Name the specific thing that makes them interesting to you.
"I can work independently and as part of a team" – Nearly everyone can. Give one example of a collaboration that worked.
"I hope you will give me a chance" – Write from strength. You are offering something, not asking for a favour.
Repeating your CV line by line – Choose the two or three things that matter most for this job.

Avoid apologising for what you lack, too. If you miss one requirement, focus on what you do have or briefly show how you are closing the gap. A single sentence can explain a career change or a gap in your CV.

How to end a cover letter

Keep your closing short, friendly and confident. One or two sentences are enough. You can restate your strongest point and show that you look forward to discussing it.

Examples of closing lines

"I would welcome the chance to discuss how I can strengthen your customer service ahead of the holiday season. I look forward to hearing from you."

"If my experience in construction management sounds useful, I would be glad to talk about what it could look like in practice."

Sign off with "Kind regards" followed by your full name. Your phone number and email are usually at the top, so there is no need to repeat them.

Checklist before you send your cover letter

Are the company name and job title spelled correctly – and are they the right ones?
Does the letter answer the main requirements in the advert?
Is every claim about you backed by an example?
Does it fit on one page?
Have you read it aloud, or asked someone else to proofread it?
Is it saved as a PDF with a clear file name, such as "Cover_letter_Sarah_Jones_Payroll.pdf"?

Writing a new letter for every job takes time. CVm8 can create a cover letter in one click for the same job advert as your tailored CV, grounded in your own profile – you then edit it in your own words. For full letters to learn from, see our cover letter examples.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a cover letter be?: One page, which is roughly 250 to 400 words. Shorter is fine as long as you still address the main requirements in the job advert.
How do you start a cover letter?: Lead with your strongest reason for being a good fit, such as a result, a problem you have solved or a specific motivation. Avoid opening with "I am writing to apply for".
Who should I address a cover letter to?: If the advert names a contact person, address them by name, for example "Dear Lise Holm". If not, "Dear Hiring Manager" works, and in Denmark you can also go straight to your headline.
Should a cover letter have a headline?: In Denmark, yes – it is standard practice. A headline such as "Project manager who delivers construction projects on time" tells the reader what you offer at a glance.
Is it OK to use AI to write a cover letter?: Yes, AI can help you with a first draft, but the letter must be accurate and sound like you. Check every fact and rewrite anything that feels generic.
Do I need a cover letter if it says optional?: It is usually worth sending one. A short, tailored letter gives you a chance to explain your motivation and fit, which a CV alone cannot do.