Cover letter must not repeat the resume in text format. When used well, it explains motivation, fit and context that the CV cannot resolve alone. When generic, it only increases the recruiter’s work.

In the European market, the cover letter can be important in international applications, institutions, public programs, universities, Germany, Nordic countries, organizations with a formal process and vacancies that require specific motivation.

When is it worth writing

Write when you need to explain:

• why that company;
• change of area;
• relocation;
• gap in CV;
• spontaneous application;
• regulated sector;
• connection between previous experience and new role;
• motivation for the program, scholarship or institution.

You may not write when:

• the application does not allow attachment;
• the vacancy only asks for CV;
• you have nothing specific to add;
• you will send generic text.

If the company asks for a cover letter, send it. If you don’t ask, evaluate whether it resolves a real doubt.

4 paragraph structure

1. Specific opening: vacancy, company and real reason.
2. Fit test: 2-3 experiences linked to the requirements.
3. Additional context: relocation, transition, language, authorization, motivation.
4. Short closure: availability and next step.

Example of a weak opening:

I hereby apply for the published vacancy, as I believe I have the ideal profile.

Best:

I applied for the Operations Analyst position because the role combines commercial reporting, process improvement and coordination between European teams, three areas in which I have worked in the last five years.

Complete example

Hello, recruiting team,

I applied for the Operations Analyst role because the position combines commercial reporting, process improvement and coordination between European teams. Over the last five years I have worked in B2B operations, focused on CRM, pipeline analysis and reducing rework between sales and support.

In my most recent experience, I automated weekly Power BI reports used by 12 people on the sales team and helped standardize onboarding for new clients in Portugal and Spain. I saw that the role requires contact with international teams and continuous improvement, both contexts where I have already worked.

I live in Portugal, work in Portuguese and English, and am available for a hybrid model in Lisbon. I believe I can contribute quickly by making commercial processes and data clearer for the team.

Thank you for your time. I would be happy to discuss how my experience fits the role.

Short, specific and linked to the vacancy.

Example for changing area

I applied for the Customer Success Associate role because I want to use my experience in B2B support, problem solving and client communication in a role closer to retention and onboarding.

Over the last four years I worked in technical support, supporting business clients, documenting recurring requests and collaborating with product teams to reduce frequent questions. This experience gave me direct contact with adoption, expectation and perceived value problems.

To prepare the transition, I developed a CRM onboarding project with stages, messages and risk metrics. I am looking for a team where I can apply this foundation and grow into customer success in a SaaS context.

The point is to show strength, not ask for a discount due to lack of experience.

Example for relocation

I applied for the Data Analyst role in Madrid because the position combines SQL, commercial reporting and analysis for international teams. I have four years of experience in data for B2B operations and have already worked with stakeholders in Portugal and Spain.

I am available to relocate to Spain and have B2 Spanish, used in meetings with Iberian clients. I do not yet live in Madrid, but I have flexibility to move within the company's expected timeline.

Relocation should appear as objective information, not as a long personal story.

What not to put

Avoid:

• repeat the entire CV;
• use generic phrases;
• tell a long personal story;
• praise the company without specificity;
• ask for opportunities out of a “desire to learn”;
• explain other gaps;
• write more than one page;
• use an excessively formal tone if the company is direct.

Checklist before sending

• Does the letter mention the company and function?
• Explain why this vacancy, not just any vacancy?
• Do you use 2-3 concrete pieces of evidence?
• Does it solve a question that the CV would leave?
• Is it less than one page?
• Don’t repeat the entire curriculum?
• Is it in the right language of the application?
• Does the tone match the company and country?
• Does the file have a professional name?

To align cover letter and CV, read How to write a CV for the European market.

Useful sources

• Europass: Create your Cover Letter, which recommends highlighting motivation, CV examples and relevance to the vacancy.
• Europass: Create your CV, to keep your letter and CV consistent.

A good cover letter doesn’t ask for attention. It reduces doubts that the curriculum alone would not resolve.