# Cover Letter Reference

> A cover letter is optional by default. The resume must earn a screen on its own.

## Decision Gate

Generate a cover letter when at least one is true:

- The posting or portal requests one.
- The employer is a traditional Swiss/DACH institution, public body, NGO or mission-led organization where motivation is material.
- A credible career/location/domain transition needs a short explanation.
- Work authorization, language, relocation or a genuine personal connection materially strengthens the application.
- The user explicitly requests a letter.

Normally skip it when:

- The portal provides no upload field.
- A standardized process already asks motivation questions.
- It would merely repeat the resume or paraphrase company news.

Record `Cover Letter Decision: YES/NO` and the reason in the session file before writing.

## Evidence Rules

1. Read `resume_builder/canonical/claims.json` first.
2. Every work claim must be traceable to the resume and canonical registry.
3. Significance files supply optional context only; reverify external claims from current primary sources.
4. Company or industry scale never becomes Dennis's personal scale or impact.
5. Do not introduce a skill, metric, customer, ownership claim or result absent from the resume.

## International Tech / Industry Letter

- One page, normally 200--300 words.
- Two or three short paragraphs.
- Open with the candidate-role connection, not a company press-release summary.
- Use one or two proof points and explain why they matter for this role.
- Add motivation or context the resume cannot show.
- Close directly and professionally.

## Swiss/DACH Letter

- One A4 page.
- Match the language and formality of the posting.
- Explain motivation, relevant evidence and practical fit such as location/language.
- References and diplomas remain separate attachments when requested.

## Employer-Specific Formats

For NATO, government or academic applications, follow the employer's explicit format and portal fields. Do not force a generic three-paragraph industry structure when the application requests a motivation statement or competency answers.

## Hook Verification

Verify every named product, programme, paper, executive statement or current company initiative before use. Prefer first-party sources. Record the source in the session file. If a hook is not necessary, omit it rather than spending a paragraph proving company familiarity.

## Quality Checks

- The resume stands alone.
- The letter adds motivation, decision context or a meaningful connection.
- The voice is direct and natural.
- No generic opening, credential dump, defensive gap list or copied resume bullet.
- The canonical validator passes for the cover-letter `.tex`.
- The compiled document is one readable page unless the employer explicitly requests otherwise.
