claude-resume-kit/resume_builder/reference/cl_reference.md

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.