What makes a good cover letter in 2026?
Short and specific beats long and generic. Open with the role and one reason you fit, give one or two concrete examples with numbers, connect them to what the company needs, and close with a clear next step. Three to four short paragraphs is plenty.
Recruiters now read many letters that were obviously generated. Phrases like 'I am writing to express my keen interest' and 'a testament to' are instant tells — HiredBound flags them so your letter reads like a person wrote it.