What Belongs in a Cover Letter?

When I start working with a new career coaching client, I ask them to provide three things: a current resume, links to a few jobs they’re interested and a copy of their cover letter. I always add “if you have one” after “cover letter” because I know that this isn’t a required job application element across all industries.

I started my career in TV news. To apply for jobs, I mailed a paper resume and a VHS resume tape with a montage of my reporting/anchoring/weather forecasting experience. Yes, I am THAT old (be kind, rewind).

Those positions still don’t require cover letters, so most of my TV news coaching clients have had to start with an intimidating blank document.

As I wrote this newsletter, I decided to put my research skills to work and find some current numbers regarding cover letters. In a March 2025 Harvard Business Review article, Cover Letters Still Matter - Even If They’re Not Required, a few sentences stood out to me.

• In a 2023 survey of 625 U.S. hiring managers by Resume Genius, 83% of  hiring managers said they frequently or always read the cover letters they received.

• In a June 2024 survey of 753 recruiters by Zety—a career service that helps people improve their resumes and cover letters—89% of recruiters said they expect candidates to submit cover letters, and an amazing 81% report rejecting candidates based solely on their cover letters.

Now, I do realize these numbers come from businesses that are trying to get you to pay them to help with your resume and cover letter, so I’m looking at them with a healthy dose of skepticism.

A slightly older 2022 survey from Arcadia University’s Office of Career Education found 83% of hiring decision-makers say “cover letters are important for their hiring decisions”. Separately, 83% also said that “a great cover letter can secure you an interview even if your resume isn’t good enough”.

That last number is particularly import for my clients who are changing industries and whose resume doesn’t scream, “I’m the ideal candidate!”

Finding Your Focus

During my August 21st masterclass “Yes, I am a Human” (which you can watch for free), we talked about my VAST Technique_©. This technique involves analyzing the Verbs and Adjectives (the V and A in VAST) in a job description. You then use them to Strategically Translate (S and T) your experience and why you’re the right person for the position.

The verbs are more applicable to the bullet points in your resume while the adjectives show what type of person they’re looking for. And that’s where the cover letter comes into play.

I look at creating cover letters as a BOGO (buy-one-get-one free) opportunity. While you’re going through the writing process, you’re also preparing an outline of possible responses to likely interview questions.

Bryce, one of my masterclass attendees, asked a question which I didn’t have time to fully explain. Here’s her question and my more complete response.

How you recommend deciding which skill to really hone in on in your cover letter when there's so little space to really tell your story. Do you go back to the mode verbs and adjectives and just count on your resume to fit in the rest?

If you’re reading that and saying, “what’s a mode??” this goes back to elementary math class. You learned about mean, median and mode of a set of numbers. The mode is just the number that shows up most frequently. They are one of the category of words I refer to as the MIV and MIAs (Most Important Verbs/Adjectives) Check out the free recording for more explanation.

When it comes to the role of the cover letter vs the resume, the resume is the primary place to talk about the skills you have, particularly the tangible skills. Those are the verbs like “lead”, “manage”, “analyze” and “write”.

The MIVs do have a place in your cover letter, but it is more important to focus on the MIAs that don’t always fit into the resume.

This is where you get to:

• Summarize what makes you uniquely qualified for the position based on your experience. Sprinkle in a MIV or two here.

• Share a BRIEF story or two that shows (instead of tells) them that you are the type of person they’re looking for. Instead of writing, “I thrive in fast-paced environments” given an example. Make them curious to learn more about you.

• If there are any potential red flags in your resume (large gaps, industry changes etc), this is a place you can explain them in one SHORT sentence.

• Name drop, if applicable and appropriate, to show how you’re already connected to the business or organization.

• Talk about your excitement, your passion and your commitment to the mission of the business or organization. You stand out compared to other applicants, because you’ve taken the time to research more about your potential employer.

Cover letters should only be one page, with three to four paragraphs. As Bryce said, it’s impossible to truly tell your story in that space. But it is a place to summarize who you are and your relevant experience, why you’re excited about the position, and, as they say in the theater, “leave them wanting more”.

The Challenge of the Summary

If you’re a complex person and reading the sentence “summarize who you are and your relevant experience” strikes fear into your heart…fear not! I’m offering something new to help you with this process!

I'm beta testing a 1-hour session called Find Your Golden Thread. 

Together, we'll create language for your LinkedIn "About" section. This material can be reused for your cover letter and bio. We'll walk through what you need to do to update other important aspects of your LinkedIn profile to accurately show where you've been, where you are now, and where you want to go. We'll reflect on the essence of your multi-passionate soul and find the golden thread that weaves throughout your journey to today.

I'm offering this at half price for beta testers ($35) and I'm looking for two more people I can work with in the next couple weeks. If you're sick of saying “someday I'll get around to it”, grab your spot today.

LinkedIn Sprint for Job Seekers

Find Your Golden Thread will set you up PERFECTLY for my next LinkedIn Sprint! Once again, my focus is on all job seekers (a complex, difficult to explain background is not required).

When: September 26 - October 3 (Optional kickoff meeting September 25)

Why: Join fellow job seekers for support and accountability in your use of LinkedIn as a tool in your job search. This Sprint is a chance to genuinely connect with others and move from lurker to active community member. We’ll show up for one another and for ourselves. Let’s connect, learn, and grow together in a way that feels good, not gross.

How: Participants post on LinkedIn each weekday and engage with a select number of posts from fellow sprinters (no more feeling like you’re screaming into the void). You’ll receive thought-provoking daily prompts to assist with this process.

Cost: $24 (pay-what-you-can option available for those who are currently unemployed)

Registration: Deadline September 24

Note: There is always an “incognito option” for job seekers who don’t want to let everyone on LinkedIn know that they’re looking for their next opportunity.

If you find a job between when you register and when the event begins, I’ll provide a full refund OR you can pass on your spot to support another job seeker.

Resource Roundup

I’ve decided to mix things up in this section of my newsletter and share a variety of types of resources.

• I was interviewed for the podcast Job Search for High-Performing Misfits hosted by Melissa Vining. Check out my episode, Multipotentialites: Blending Ideas, Interests, & Experience with Sara Kobilka.

• Looking for folks to follow on LinkedIn who regularly post job opportunities? Check out the list at the bottom of my newsletters from November 29, 2024 to January 16, 2025.

• Struggling after being laid off? Listen to the podcast, Proxy with Yowei Shaw. Yowei is the former host of the NPR podcast Invisibilia but was laid off in 2023. She started Proxy as a way of trying to understand why she felt so terrible. She began this new podcast with “The Layoff Trilogy”. This series does an amazing job of combining research and storytelling as it address a devastating situation with compassion and generous helpings of humor. This is a must-listen resource if you’ve been laid off or if someone you care about has been.

Hi! I’m Sara Kobilka, owner of Renaissance Woman Consulting.

I am a Renaissance Woman (what’s THAT? Good question! Here’s my answer). My wide-ranging background includes time as a TV meteorologist/reporter, non-profit leader, higher education program coordinator, curriculum designer, and now, business owner. During each leg of this journey, I gained new skills that I was able take with me in my next step. Now, I work remotely with clients to help them confidently tell their story and navigate the transition to the next leg of their career journey.

Take the Next Step

• Follow me on LinkedIn where I actively cross-pollinate impactful ideas across industries and disciplines (and regularly share job opportunities I come across)

• Check out my one-on-one career coaching program and work through my VAST Technique_©

• Purchase my workshop Building Community with LinkedIn

• Participate in a LinkedIn Sprints (September is for job seekers)

• Join my Renaissance People community

Did you find this newsletter valuable?

Please share it and consider buying me an oat milk cappuccino so I can keep offering it for free to all job seekers.