US cover letter writing
Cover Letter Writing for US Applications
A one-page US cover letter that makes the case for one specific role in direct, confident American English, and handles questions like relocation and work authorization before the reader has to ask.
Quick answer
A US cover letter writing service produces a one-page letter, usually three or four short paragraphs, that connects your strongest results to the requirements of one role, in American English with US business-letter conventions. Chanuka Jeewantha writes each letter personally, including how to frame relocation or work authorization, with prices from $79 USD and standard delivery in 5 to 7 days.
US market
What a US cover letter has to do that a generic one does not
US cover letters are direct and specific, and they get to the point fast. They open by naming the role and giving the reader one strong reason to keep going, spend two or three paragraphs proving fit with real evidence, and close without ceremony. Letters that open with 'I am writing to apply for the position of' or spend a paragraph on personal qualities before mentioning a single result read as generic, and generic is the fastest way a letter gets skimmed and set aside.
American business-letter convention is simpler than some markets: 'Dear Mr. Chen' or 'Dear Hiring Manager' when no name is available, and 'Sincerely' as the sign-off in almost every case. There is no equivalent to the formal split some countries use between a named and unnamed greeting. What matters more than the salutation is whether the letter says something a form-filled application cannot: why this company, why this role, and what you would bring on day one.
For candidates outside the US, the cover letter is also the natural place to address what the resume should not carry: your timeline, your interest in relocating, and your work authorization position, stated factually and without apology, so it reads as a plan rather than an obstacle.
US at a glance
- Length
- One page, three to four short paragraphs
- Greeting
- A named hiring manager where possible, otherwise 'Dear Hiring Manager'
- Sign-off
- 'Sincerely' followed by your name
- Price
- $79, $119 or $159 USD by experience
- Bundle
- Save 20 percent with a US resume
What you get
What is included.
- A one-page letter written for a specific US role and employer
- An opening that names the role and gives the reader a reason to keep reading
- Two or three paragraphs connecting your strongest results to the role's main requirements
- Relocation, availability and work-authorization wording framed factually where relevant
- Correct US greeting, sign-off and formatting conventions
- Editable Word and PDF files, plus one revision round
Conventions
US document conventions.
| Opening | Name the role and give a direct reason to keep reading in the first sentence or two |
|---|---|
| Evidence | Two or three specific results matched to the role's main requirements |
| Tone | Direct, confident, specific, no filler phrases |
| Date format | Month Day, Year, for example September 27, 2026 |
| Length | One page, roughly 250 to 350 words, shorter than many international letters |
| When it is optional | Some job portals mark the letter optional; write one anyway when the role matters to you |
Where US clients most often need this
- Corporate roles applied for directly through a company site
- Startups and scaleups that read letters closely
- Nonprofit and mission-driven organizations
- Healthcare roles alongside a resume
- Academic-adjacent and research-support roles
- Overseas applicants explaining relocation and availability
Process
How it works.
- Step 1
Choose your tier and share the role
Pick your experience tier and send the job posting with your current resume.
- Step 2
Answer a short brief
Tell Chanuka why this role and company, your availability, and your relocation or work-authorization position if you are outside the US.
- Step 3
Receive, revise, send
You get a draft letter, one revision round and final Word and PDF files, ready to adapt for similar roles.
Pricing
Priced by experience, in USD.
Bundle two services to save 20%, or all three to save 30%. Faster delivery is available at checkout.
Under 2 years
$79
Cover letter writing, delivery in 5 to 7 days
3 to 9 years
$119
Cover letter writing, delivery in 5 to 7 days
10+ years
$159
Cover letter writing, delivery in 5 to 7 days
FAQ
Cover letter writing in United States: questions
Do US employers still read cover letters?
Many do, especially for direct applications to smaller companies, startups, nonprofits and roles where the posting specifically asks for one. Large-volume corporate hiring through an ATS sometimes skips the letter entirely. When a letter is requested or clearly welcomed, a generic one costs you little upside and a strong one gives you a real edge, so it is worth writing well when it counts.
How long should a cover letter be in the US?
A US cover letter should fit on one page, usually three or four short paragraphs and roughly 250 to 350 words. The reader wants the role, your fit and your availability, not a second resume. If an online application form sets a character or word limit, write to that limit instead of the general guideline.
What is the correct greeting and sign-off for a US cover letter?
Use 'Dear' followed by the hiring manager's name when you can find it, such as 'Dear Ms. Alvarez', and 'Dear Hiring Manager' when you cannot. Close with 'Sincerely' followed by your name in almost every case. Finding a name takes a few minutes on LinkedIn or the company site and makes the letter read as more deliberate.
Do I need a cover letter if the application marks it optional?
Not always, but it usually helps when the role matters to you or when your background needs a sentence of context, such as a career change or relocation. Skipping it costs nothing when the posting is truly indifferent. Writing a strong, specific letter rather than a generic one is what makes the difference either way.
Should my cover letter mention that I need visa sponsorship?
Usually yes, briefly and factually, when the employer's posting mentions sponsorship or welcomes international applicants. State your current work-authorization position in one sentence near the end and keep the rest of the letter focused on the value you bring. Leaving it out rarely helps, since it comes up during hiring anyway, and a plainly stated position reads as more confident than an evasive one.
Have your US cover letter writing written.
Choose your package, your experience level and how fast you need it. The price is shown before you commit.