The biggest mistake high school students make when applying for jobs is treating the cover letter like a summary of their resume; they repeat bullet points and list activities without providing context or connecting those experiences directly to the job opening. This approach signals to the employer that you do not understand the purpose of the document, making it seem like you spent time writing something that could have been cut out entirely.
A Cover Letter is a Persuasive Narrative That Translates Experience Into Job Readiness
At its core, a cover letter is not merely an introduction to your resume—it is a standalone piece of persuasive writing. Its purpose is to answer the question that nobody asked you to answer: "Why should we hire you?" While your resume lists what you have done (the facts), the cover letter provides the necessary interpretation and narrative, showing how those past actions translate into value for the specific employer and role.
Think of it this way: a hiring manager reviewing dozens of applications sees a list of names and dates on the resume. They are looking for immediate red flags or bright spots. The cover letter is