How to Write a Cover Letter That Gets You Hired

Meaning 1：cover letter (Cover letter)

Cover letter 🔊

/ˈkʌvər ˈlɛtər/

A short letter you send with your resume to introduce yourself and explain why you're a good fit for the job.

cover letter 🔊

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/ˈkʌvər ˈlɛtər/

A short letter you send with your resume to introduce yourself and explain why you're a good fit for the job.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：中级

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Cover (to protect) + letter (written message) = document accompanying a resume.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a letter that 'covers' your resume like a protective sheet.

📖 Example

I spent the whole weekend perfecting my cover letter for my dream job at the animation studio. 🔊 I spent the whole weekend perfecting my cover letter for my dream job at the animation studio.

🔗 Collocations

write a cover letter – to compose a cover letter for a job application

submit a cover letter – to send your cover letter along with your resume

tailor your cover letter – to customize your cover letter for a specific job

🔄 Synonyms

application letter (n.) – a letter sent with a job application to introduce oneself

letter of interest (n.) – a letter expressing interest in a job, often before a position is posted

📖 Cultural Story

The term 'cover letter' emerged in the early 20th century as job seekers enclosed a handwritten note with their resume. Today, it's a standard part of job applications.