Resume Builder guide
How to Write a Cover Letter on Your Phone That Gets Read
By Muhammad Shahid Khan · · 5 min read
Quick answer
A strong cover letter is under one page, in four short paragraphs: why you are writing, why you fit the role (with one or two specific achievements), why this company, and a clear close asking for an interview. Address a named person if you can, match the advert's key requirements, and send it as a PDF with your resume.
Resume BuilderAI Resume, Cover Letter PDF · Free on the App StoreDownload free →Not every employer reads cover letters, but the ones who do use them to decide between similar candidates. A short, specific letter can be what gets you the interview. Generic letters, on the other hand, are easy to spot and easy to ignore.
I build Resume Builder – CV Maker AI, a free iPhone and iPad app for résumés, CVs, cover letters, biodata and resignation letters, and the screenshots here come from it. If you want to follow along on your phone, get Resume Builder on the App Store.
Do I still need a cover letter?
Send one when the application asks for it, when there is space for it, or when you have something your resume does not explain, such as a career change, a gap or a relocation. When applying to smaller companies, a good letter often reaches the hiring manager directly.
What is the best structure for a cover letter?
Paragraph 1: why you are writing
Name the job and, in one sentence, say who you are and why you are a strong fit. Skip "I am writing to apply for…" if you can say something more useful.
Paragraph 2: why you fit the role
Pick the two or three most important requirements in the advert and give evidence for each: a result, a number, a project. This is the heart of the letter.
Paragraph 3: why this company
One or two sentences showing you know what they do and why it appeals to you. Be specific: a product, a value, a recent project.
Paragraph 4: the close
Thank them, say you would welcome an interview, and say when you are available.
Cover letter example
Dear Ms Ahmed,
I'd like to apply for the Customer Success Manager role at Brightline. I've spent four years helping SaaS customers get value quickly, and I think I can do the same for your growing mid-market team.
At Tallyworks I managed 60 accounts worth £1.2M a year and kept renewal rates above 94%. I built the onboarding checklist our team still uses, which cut time-to-first-value from 30 days to 12. I also run quarterly business reviews with finance and operations leaders, which your advert lists as a key part of the role.
I've followed Brightline since your launch of automated reconciliation, and I like that your support team publishes its response times openly. It's the kind of customer-first culture I want to work in.
Thank you for your time. I'd welcome the chance to talk about the role and I'm available for an interview any weekday.
Kind regards,
Sara Malik
What should I avoid in a cover letter?
- Repeating your resume. Pick highlights and add context instead.
- "To whom it may concern". Look for the hiring manager's name on the advert or LinkedIn. If you cannot find it, use "Dear Hiring Manager".
- Going over one page. Aim for 250 to 400 words.
- Talking only about what you want. Focus on what you will do for them.
- Sending the same letter everywhere. Change at least paragraphs 2 and 3 for each role.
- Typos, especially in the company or person's name.
How do I write and send a cover letter from my iPhone?
- Open Resume Builder and create a new cover letter.
- Use the same template and colours as your resume so they look like a set.
- Write the four paragraphs, using the writing help to tighten them if needed.
- Check the preview, then export as PDF.
- Attach it to your email or upload it to the job portal with your resume. If the portal has a text box instead, paste the plain-text version.
Can AI write my cover letter?
AI can help you get a first draft and tighten your wording, but it does not know your achievements or why you want this particular job. Use it to edit, not to invent. Recruiters increasingly recognise generic AI-written letters, and every claim in your letter needs to be true when they ask about it in the interview. Resume Builder's writing help works on-device, or with your own AI key if you prefer.
More guides you may find useful:
- How to Write a Resignation Letter (With a Template You Can Copy)
- Resume Summary Examples: 15 Professional Summaries You Can Adapt
- How to Write a Resume With No Experience (Students, Graduates and Career Changers)
How Resume Builder helps
- Unlimited résumés, CVs, cover letters, biodata and resignation letters, free.
- Professional templates with a live preview that matches the exported PDF.
- An ATS check that shows how employer software reads your resume.
- Writing help that works on-device, or with your own AI key.
- Import an old CV from PDF or Word, or scan a printed one with the camera.
- No account: your documents stay on your iPhone unless you share them.
Download Resume Builder free on the App Store and have a clean PDF ready to send in minutes.
Make sure your resume is ready too: how to make a resume on iPhone and how to make it ATS-friendly.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a cover letter be?
Under one page, usually 250 to 400 words in three or four short paragraphs.
Who should I address my cover letter to?
The hiring manager by name if you can find it on the advert or LinkedIn. Otherwise use "Dear Hiring Manager" rather than "To whom it may concern".
Is a cover letter still necessary?
Send one when it is requested, when there is space for it, or when you need to explain something such as a career change or a gap. Many employers still read them.
Should my cover letter repeat my resume?
No. Pick two or three highlights that match the job and add context the resume does not give.
What format should I send my cover letter in?
PDF, matching your resume’s design, unless the employer asks for something else.
Can I write a cover letter on my phone?
Yes. Resume Builder includes a cover letter editor that exports a PDF from your iPhone.
How do I end a cover letter?
Thank the reader, say you would welcome an interview, mention your availability, and sign off with "Kind regards" or "Best regards".
Should I use AI to write my cover letter?
Use it to improve your wording, not to invent content. Every claim must be true and specific to you.
Should I change my cover letter for each job?
Yes. At least the paragraphs about why you fit the role and why this company should be specific to each application.
What if the application has a text box instead of an upload?
Paste a plain-text version of your letter. Resume Builder can produce plain text for job portals.
Is "To whom it may concern" acceptable?
It is outdated. "Dear Hiring Manager" or the person’s name is better.
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