Your opening paragraph determines whether the reader continues or moves on.
What to Include
- The specific role you're applying for
- Your most impressive relevant qualification
- A hook that makes them want to read more
Opening Formulas That Work
The Achievement Lead
"After increasing SaaS revenue by 45% in my current role, I'm excited to bring my growth marketing expertise to [Company]'s expanding team."
The Passion Lead
"As someone who has been following [Company]'s innovation in sustainable energy for three years, I was excited to see the opening for [Role]."
The Referral Lead
"When [Name] on your engineering team mentioned you're looking for a backend developer experienced in distributed systems, I knew I had to apply."
The Problem-Solver Lead
"I noticed [Company] is expanding into the European market — as someone who's led three successful international launches, I'd love to help."
Openings to Avoid
- ❌ "I am writing to apply for..." (boring)
- ❌ "To whom it may concern..." (impersonal)
- ❌ "I believe I would be a good fit..." (weak)
- ❌ Starting with your life story
- ❌ Humor (risky in formal contexts)
