# Cover Letter Craft
**Generate persuasive, role-specific cover letters that get read — not recycled.**
Most cover letters are generic fluff. This skill writes letters that prove you did your homework.

## Philosophy
A cover letter has one purpose: make the reader WANT to look at your resume.

It's not about you. It's about **what you can do for them**, proven by what you've already done.

The formula:
1. **Hook** — Show you know who they are and what they need
2. **Proof** — Demonstrate you've solved their exact problem before
3. **Value** — Paint a picture of what you'll deliver in the first 90 days
4. **Close** — Make the next step effortless for them

## Input Required
- Target job posting (URL or text)
- Your resume or career summary
- Company research notes (from jobhunter-master Phase 1)
- Hiring manager name (if known)

## Workflow

### Phase 1: Research Synthesis
```
Gather company intelligence:
- Recent product launches or feature updates
- Company mission/values language
- Tech blog posts or engineering challenges
- Recent funding or growth news
- Glassdoor culture themes
- Hiring manager's background (LinkedIn)
```

**Output:** 3-5 specific hooks unique to this company.

### Phase 2: Pain Point Mapping
```
From job post, identify:
- What problem does this role solve?
- Why is this position open? (growth, backfill, new initiative)
- What's the urgency signal?
- What would success look like in 6 months?
```

**Output:** The problem statement this letter addresses.

### Phase 3: Story Selection
```
From your experience, pick 1-2 stories that:
- Directly solve their stated problem
- Use the same technologies they mentioned
- Show measurable impact (numbers, percentages)
- Demonstrate cultural fit signals
```

### Phase 4: Letter Assembly

**Paragraph 1 — The Hook (2-3 sentences)**
```
Opening options (pick one):

Option A (Product-led):
"I've been following [Company]'s work on [specific product/feature], and I was excited to see the [Role] position open up. [Specific observation about their product/challenge]."

Option B (Mission-led):
"[Company]'s mission to [specific mission language from their site] resonates deeply with me. [Brief personal connection to the mission]. When I saw the [Role] position, I knew I had to reach out."

Option C (News-led):
"Congratulations on [recent funding/product launch/news]. [Specific thought showing you understand the implications]. This is exactly why the [Role] position caught my eye."

Option D (Referral/Warm):
"[Mutual connection] mentioned [Company] is looking for a [Role]. After looking at [specific thing], I'm convinced I can contribute from day one."
```

**Paragraph 2 — The Proof (3-4 sentences)**
```
Template:
"At [Previous Company], I [specific action] that [specific result with metric]. I achieved this by [method/technology relevant to target role]. This experience is directly applicable to [Company]'s need for [specific need from job post]."

Rules:
- One concrete example, not a laundry list
- Include at least one number
- Mirror their language and tech stack
- Connect YOUR past to THEIR future
```

**Paragraph 3 — The Value (2-3 sentences)**
```
Template:
"In my first 90 days at [Company], I would [specific, realistic contribution]. I'm particularly excited about [specific challenge or opportunity] because [why you're uniquely qualified]."

Rules:
- Be specific, not aspirational
- Show you understand their current stage
- Reference something they're actively working on
```

**Paragraph 4 — The Close (2 sentences)**
```
Template:
"I'd love to discuss how my experience with [relevant skill] can help [Company] [specific goal]. Are you available for a 15-minute call [specific time suggestion]?"

Rules:
- Make it easy to say yes
- Suggest a specific next step
- Don't beg or grovel
```

### Phase 5: Tone Calibration
```
Match tone to company type:

Startup (Seed-Series B):
- Casual but competent
- Use "I" not "we" for achievements
- Show scrappiness and ownership
- Mention specific product features

Scale-up (Series C+):
- Balance scrappiness with scale thinking
- Reference growth metrics
- Show you can build for 10x current size
- Data-driven language

Enterprise:
- Formal and structured
- Emphasize process and reliability
- Reference compliance, security, governance
- Team-oriented achievements

Agency/Consultancy:
- Client-facing language
- Emphasize adaptability
- Reference diverse project experience
- Show business impact for clients
```

## Templates

### Software Engineer
```
Hi [Name],

I've been using [Company]'s [product] for [context], and I'm impressed by [specific thing]. When I saw the [Role] position, it felt like the perfect intersection of my skills and your mission.

At [Current Company], I [built/shipped/led] [specific thing] that [metric — reduced latency 40%, scaled to 1M users, etc.]. I did this using [tech from their stack], which I noticed is central to your engineering approach. I'm particularly drawn to [Company] because [specific challenge they're facing that matches your expertise].

In my first quarter, I'd focus on [specific, realistic contribution]. I've been thinking about [relevant technical topic] and would love to bring that perspective to your team.

Would you have 15 minutes this week to chat? I'm available [specific times].

Best,
[Name]
[LinkedIn] | [GitHub]
```

### Career Changer
```
Hi [Name],

[Hook showing genuine passion for the new field]. While my background is in [previous field], I've spent the last [timeframe] [building/shipping/learning] in [new field].

[Specific project or achievement in new field with metric]. This taught me that [transferable skill] translates directly — in fact, my experience with [previous domain] gives me a unique angle on [their challenge].

I know transitioning fields requires proving yourself twice. That's why I've [concrete step: built a portfolio project, earned certification, contributed to open source]. I'm ready to hit the ground running.

I'd love to discuss how my unconventional background can be an asset to [Company]. Free for a quick call anytime this week.

Best,
[Name]
```

### Senior/Leadership
```
Hi [Name],

After [X] years building [domain] teams and systems, I'm drawn to [Company] because [specific strategic reason — not generic].

Most recently at [Company], I [leadership achievement with org-level metric]. The key insight: [strategic lesson applicable to their challenge]. I see parallels with what [Target Company] is tackling in [area].

I build teams that [specific culture/outcome]. My approach: [1-2 sentence leadership philosophy relevant to their stage]. I believe this aligns with [something from their values/culture page].

I'd appreciate the chance to discuss the [Role] and how I can contribute to [Company]'s next chapter. Would [specific time] work for a conversation?

Best,
[Name]
[LinkedIn]
```

## Anti-Patterns (Never Do These)
- "I am writing to apply for..." (wastes the first sentence)
- "I believe I would be a great fit because..." (show, don't tell)
- Repeating your resume in paragraph form
- Generic compliments ("great company", "innovative team")
- More than 4 paragraphs or 300 words
- "Please find attached my resume" (they know)
- BCC-ing multiple companies

## Integration with Other Skills
- **resume-architect**: Shares job fingerprint for keyword consistency
- **jobhunter-master**: Receives company research and hiring manager data
- **nano-pdf**: Final formatted output
- **gog**: Direct email sending

## Files
- `memory/cover-letters/[company]-[role].md` — Per-application letters
- `memory/company-research/[company].md` — Research notes feeding into letters