Cover letter template: 3 paragraphs and a full example
An effective cover letter has three paragraphs: what the employer needs, what you have already done that meets it, and what you offer together. Under one page.
The You, Me, Us structure
- You: show you understand the organisation and the role.
- Me: two or three concrete achievements matching the ad.
- Us: what you can deliver in the first months, then ask for an interview.
Example for an accounts assistant
Example
Dear Finance Manager,
Your firm supports some fifty SMEs in Accra and is looking for an accounts assistant who can keep their books up to date. This is what I have done for two years.
At X & Co, I keep the accounts of 12 clients, prepare their monthly VAT returns and halved our data-entry backlog by filing documents by client.
I would like to bring this discipline to your clients from day one and would welcome the chance to discuss it in an interview.
Yours sincerely,
| Method | Cost | Strength | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Write it yourself from an outline | Free | Truly personal letter | Slow, structure mistakes are common |
| Template found online | Free | Fast | Copied phrases recruiters recognise |
| General AI (ChatGPT, Gemini…) | Free or subscription | First draft in seconds | May invent skills or figures |
| EmploiZen | Free guided outline, AI letter from 300 CFA francs | Uses your CV and the job ad, flags invented figures | AI writing is paid; proofread as with any letter |
Whatever the method, read it aloud: you must be able to defend every line in an interview.
Phrases that hurt
- "I am writing to apply for…" as a whole first paragraph.
- "Hard-working and passionate" with no proof.
- Rewriting the CV as sentences.
- The same letter for every employer.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a cover letter be?
Should I sign a cover letter?
Do recruiters still read cover letters?
Kpak is published by the EmploiZen team, one of the tools mentioned in this article. Our transparency policy
