How to Write a Professional Cover Letter in 2026 — With Ready-Made Examples

What Is a Cover Letter?

A cover letter is a short professional letter you attach with your resume when applying for a job. While your resume lists your qualifications and experience, the cover letter answers one question: "Why are you the right person for this job?"

Why Is a Cover Letter Important?

Golden rule: If the job posting asks for a cover letter — send one. If it doesn't — send one anyway. It rarely hurts, and it often sets you apart.

Difference Between a Cover Letter and a Resume

The Ideal Cover Letter Structure

1) Header Information

Include:

• Your full name
• Email and phone number
• Date of submission
• Company name and hiring manager's name (if available)

2) Opening Line — Make an Immediate Impression

The first two sentences are the most important part. The hiring manager decides within 6 seconds whether to keep reading.

Weak openings ❌:

• "I am writing to apply for the position of..." (boring and generic)
• "I am a graduate of..." (about yourself, not the value you offer)
• "I kindly request you to accept my application..." (weak and pleading)

Strong openings ✅:

• "With 5 years of experience managing digital campaigns that achieved over 300% ROI, I believe my expertise aligns perfectly with what you're seeking for the Digital Marketing Manager role."
• "When I read about your project to expand into the Gulf market, I realized my business development experience in the region is exactly what your team needs."
• "I increased customer satisfaction by 45% while managing a team of 12 — and I'm eager to replicate this success at your company."

3) First Paragraph: Why This Company?

Show that you actually researched the company:

• Mention a recent project or achievement by the company
• Connect the company's values with your professional values
• Explain why you want to work here specifically and not just anywhere

4) Second Paragraph: What Do You Offer?

This is the core of the letter — connect your experience to the job requirements:

• Pick 2-3 achievements from your resume that are most relevant
• Use numbers and percentages (30% increase, managed a team of 8, reduced costs by SAR 200,000)
• Link each achievement to a requirement mentioned in the job posting

5) Closing Paragraph: Call to Action

End with confidence, not desperation:

• Express your enthusiasm for joining
• Suggest the next step (interview, call)
• Thank them for their time

Ready-Made Cover Letter Examples

Example 1: Digital Marketing Position

```

Dear Ms. Sarah Johnson,

Hiring Manager — [Company Name]

With 4 years of experience managing digital campaigns and achieving

180% organic growth for clients in the tech sector, I am applying

for the Digital Marketing Specialist position advertised on your

platform.

I've been following your recent launch of [Product Name], and

I believe my experience in tech product marketing would be an

effective addition to your team.

During my time at [Previous Company]:

• Managed an annual ad budget of $150,000 with ROAS of 4.2x

• Grew social media followers from 5,000 to 85,000 within 18 months

• Designed a content strategy that reduced customer acquisition

cost by 35%

I look forward to discussing how I can contribute to your company's

growth goals. I'm available for an interview at your convenience.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

[Phone] | [Email]

```

Example 2: Software Engineer Position

```

Dear Hiring Manager,

As a software engineer with 3 years of experience building scalable

applications using React and Node.js, I was excited to see your

opening for a Full-Stack Developer at [Company Name].

Your recent expansion into AI-powered solutions aligns perfectly

with my background. At [Previous Company], I:

• Built a real-time analytics dashboard serving 50,000+ daily users

• Reduced API response times by 60% through database optimization

• Led the migration from monolith to microservices architecture

I'm particularly drawn to your mission of making technology

accessible in the MENA region, and I'd welcome the opportunity

to contribute to your engineering team.

I'd love to discuss how my experience can support your goals.

I'm available for an interview at your convenience.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

[Phone] | [Email] | [LinkedIn]

```

Example 3: Fresh Graduate With No Experience

```

Dear [Company Name] Hiring Team,

As a recent graduate from [University Name] with a Business

Administration degree and a GPA of 3.9/4.0, I am applying for

the Junior Business Analyst position.

Although I'm at the beginning of my career, my academic projects

and internships have given me real-world experience:

• Completed an internship at [Company] where I analyzed sales data

for 3 branches and delivered recommendations that improved

operational efficiency by 15%

• Led a capstone project in partnership with [Company] to improve

customer experience, which received honors recognition

• Certified in Google Data Analytics and Power BI

What excites me about your company is your commitment to innovation

and talent development. I look forward to being part of your

distinguished team.

Respectfully,

[Your Name]

[Phone] | [Email]

```

Example 4: Accountant Position

```

Dear [Hiring Manager Name],

[Company Name]

With 6 years of experience in financial accounting and auditing,

and holding CPA and CMA certifications, I am applying for the

Senior Accountant position.

During my time at [Previous Company]:

• Managed the full accounting cycle for a company with annual

revenue exceeding $12 million

• Reduced monthly reporting time from 10 days to 4 days through

process automation using SAP

• Led the implementation of new IFRS standards with 100% compliance

I'm looking for an opportunity where I can leverage my expertise

in a dynamic environment like yours. I'd be happy to discuss how

I can add value to your finance team.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

[Phone] | [Email]

```

10 Golden Tips for a Standout Cover Letter

1) Customize Every Letter for Every Job

Copying the same letter for every application is the biggest mistake applicants make. Hiring managers spot generic letters immediately.

2) Mention the Company Name and Job Title

Don't write "I'm applying for the advertised position." Write "I'm applying for the Data Analyst position at Noon."

3) Use Numbers and Concrete Achievements

Instead of "I worked in marketing," write "I managed campaigns with a SAR 200,000 budget achieving 350% ROI."

4) Don't Repeat Your Resume

A cover letter is not a summary of your resume. It's a chance to tell a story that shows your passion and value.

5) Keep It Short and Focused

Ideal length: 250–400 words (half a page to one page). Anything longer won't be read.

6) Address a Specific Person

Instead of "Dear Sir/Madam," find the hiring manager's name on LinkedIn and write "Dear Mr. Ahmad." Personalization makes a big difference.

7) Avoid Overused Phrases

Avoid: "I am an ambitious, hardworking person who works well under pressure." Everyone writes these and they mean nothing.

8) Proofread Multiple Times

One spelling error could cost you the opportunity. Read it aloud and ask someone else to review it.

9) Match Your Resume's Formatting

If your resume uses a certain font and color scheme, use the same in your letter. Consistency shows professionalism.

10) Pair It with a Strong Resume

The best cover letter in the world won't help if your resume is weak or not ATS-compatible.

• Build a professional resume for free that's ATS-compatible
• Check your resume's ATS compatibility before applying

Common Mistakes That Destroy Your Cover Letter

When You Don't Need a Cover Letter

• If the online application form has no field to upload a cover letter
• If the job is on a platform like LinkedIn Easy Apply with no place to attach one
• If the job posting explicitly says "Do not send a cover letter"

In all other cases — send a cover letter. Even if it's optional, sending one shows seriousness and interest.

Cover Letters with AI: Is It a Good Idea?

Using AI to write cover letters has become common in 2026. But there are rules:

✅ Use AI for:

• Generating ideas and initial structure
• Improving wording and correcting errors
• Suggesting keywords from the job posting

❌ Don't use AI for:

• Copying the entire letter without editing (looks generic and impersonal)
• Fabricating achievements or fake numbers
• Sending the same AI-generated text for every job

The rule: AI helps you start, but the personal touch and customization must come from you.

FAQ: Common Questions About Cover Letters

Is a cover letter necessary in Saudi Arabia?

Not always required, but it sets you apart from other applicants — especially at large and multinational companies. For government sector applications through Jadarat, it's usually not required.

How long should a cover letter be?

The ideal length is 250 to 400 words (half a page to one page). Shorter seems incomplete, and longer won't be read.

Should I write my cover letter in Arabic or English?

Write it in the same language as the job posting. If the ad is in English, write in English. If it's in Arabic, write in Arabic.

Should I mention my expected salary in the cover letter?

No. Salary negotiation comes at the interview stage. Mentioning salary too early may eliminate you if it's higher than their budget, or lower their offer if it's less than what they planned to pay.

What's the best format for a cover letter?

Use PDF when sending via email (preserves formatting). Use a clean font (Tajawal or Arial for Arabic, Calibri or Helvetica for English), size 11-12, with comfortable margins.

Should I send the cover letter in the email body or as an attachment?

Both: Put a shortened version in the email body (3-4 lines), and attach the full version as a PDF file along with your resume.

Conclusion

A cover letter isn't just an extra piece of paper — it's your golden opportunity to showcase your professional personality and explain why you're the ideal candidate. In a competitive job market where hundreds of people apply for the same position, a customized, professional cover letter could be the difference between an interview and being ignored.

But remember: a strong cover letter needs an even stronger resume to go with it. Build your resume for free | Check ATS compatibility