How to write a cover letter employers actually read

Many shortlisters admit they skim cover letters. They still notice a bad one, and a sharp one can tip a borderline CV onto the interview list. The aim is simple: in under 300 words, show you read the advert and explain why you fit.

The four-paragraph structure

1. The opening: which job and why you are writing

Name the role, where you saw it and one line on why you are a strong match. Skip "I am writing to apply for..." if you can. Lead with substance.

"I would like to be considered for the Credit Analyst role advertised on Monica. I have three years of SME credit appraisal at a Tier 2 bank, and your advert's focus on agribusiness lending matches the portfolio I manage today."

2. Evidence: two or three matches with the advert

Choose the two or three requirements that matter most and show, briefly, how you meet each. Use results, not adjectives.

"In my current role I appraise around 25 SME applications a month and have kept my approved portfolio's non-performing loan ratio below 3%. I also led the bank's switch to a new scoring template, which cut turnaround from five days to three."

3. Why this employer

One or two sentences that show you know who they are: a product, a recent expansion, their customers or their mission. Generic praise ("a reputable organisation") adds nothing.

4. Close with a clear next step

Say you would welcome an interview, mention your notice period if relevant, and sign off with your name and phone number.

Application emails are cover letters too

Many Kenyan adverts ask you to email your CV. In that case the email body is your cover letter. Keep it short:

• Use the exact subject line the advert asks for, often the job title and a reference number.
• Write three short paragraphs in the email itself. Do not send an empty email with attachments.
• Attach your CV and any requested documents as PDFs with clear file names.
• Send from a professional email address and check the recipient address twice.

Common mistakes

• Repeating your CV. The letter should explain and connect, not list your history again.
• The wrong company name. If you reuse a letter, check every name and job title. This mistake gets instant rejections.
• Begging or oversharing. Personal hardship does not belong in an application. Keep the tone confident and professional.
• Too long. If it runs past one page, cut it.

A note on salary in cover letters

Only state salary expectations if the advert asks. When it does, give a realistic range based on the role and market, not a single number. Our salary negotiation guide explains how to set one.