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Cover letters

Generate Cover Letters

Create tailored cover letters that complement your refined resume and highlight your fit for the role.

Start in WorkflowTailor a resume first

What makes a strong cover letter

Complement your resume without repeating it.

A cover letter should tell the story behind your resume—why you're interested in this specific role, what drives your career choices, and how your background uniquely positions you for success. CV Refinery generates cover letters that:

  • Reference the job specifically: Pull language and priorities from the job description.
  • Connect career dots: Explain transitions, skill pivots, or why this role fits your trajectory.
  • Add personality: Show enthusiasm and cultural fit beyond bullet points.
  • Stay concise: 3-4 paragraphs, under 400 words, focused on value and fit.
Resume first, cover letter second
Always tailor your resume before generating a cover letter. The cover letter uses insights from your tailored resume to maintain consistency.

Generating a cover letter

Step-by-step from the workflow.

  1. Open a job in the Workflow view (or create a new job).
  2. Tailor your resume for the job if you haven't already.
  3. Click the Generate Cover Letter button in the job actions panel.
  4. The AI analyzes the job description, your resume, and your facts database to draft a cover letter.
  5. Review the draft, edit as needed, and download as PDF or copy to clipboard.

Customizing the output

Edit tone, length, and emphasis.

The generated cover letter is a starting point. You have full control to:

  • Adjust tone: Make it more formal, conversational, or enthusiastic based on company culture.
  • Emphasize specific experiences: Highlight particular projects or outcomes that align with the job.
  • Shorten or expand: Some roles benefit from brevity; others need more context.
  • Add personal touches: Include why you're drawn to the company, team, or mission.
Company research helps
Before generating, spend 5 minutes researching the company's recent news, values, or product updates. Mention one relevant detail in your edited version to show genuine interest.

Export and delivery

Download, copy, or save for later.

  • Download PDF: Export a clean, professional cover letter PDF matched to your resume styling.
  • Copy to clipboard: Paste directly into application portals or email.
  • Save draft: Store the cover letter with the job for future reference or editing.
ATS compatibility
Some ATS systems parse cover letters separately. Keep formatting simple (no tables, minimal styling) to ensure readability.

Cover letter best practices

Lead with value
Open with a strong hook: a relevant achievement, a shared value, or specific excitement about the role. Avoid generic openings like "I am writing to apply..."
Show, don't tell
Instead of "I am a great communicator," write "I presented quarterly roadmaps to C-suite stakeholders, securing $2M in budget allocation."
Proofread carefully
Cover letters are scrutinized more closely than resumes. A single typo can derail an otherwise strong application. Read aloud or use a tool like Grammarly.
Related: Tailor to a Job →