On average, plan to spend 3-4 hours developing an initial cover letter and 1-2 hours tailoring it to future roles you apply to. Find tips on writing a great cover letter that can add clarity to your experiences with more granular details and context.A cover letter shows an employer how your experience qualifies you for a particular position. To apply for a job: 1. Click on the Apply tab from job details: 2. The cover letter allows you to demonstrate your ability to write and offers the first statement of why you should be hired. The skills you illustrate in your resumé must match the requirements of the job. Resumés serve as a marketing tool to get you to an interview. Always write a cover letter from scratch. The intro of a recent grad or early career cover letter should be far more than a "this is what I want out of my career.