A good cover letter can be the thing that gets you an interview. When a hiring manager has two applicants with similar experience and qualifications, a letter that is clearly written for their role can easily tip the decision.
For neurodivergent job seekers, the cover letter is also a chance to show what you bring beyond a list of jobs and dates: the way you think, what you care about and why this role suits you. Here’s how to write one that does that.
A note from the author
If it wasn’t for the care I put into my cover letter, I wouldn’t be sitting here writing this blog. Below is a snapshot of the reply I received, and you’ll find my full cover letter at the end of this post.
A disclaimer: my letter took me about an hour, because I really wanted the job and kept rewriting sections. You don’t need to spend that long on every application. But when you genuinely want a role, that usually comes through in your words. Good luck!
1. Write a new letter for each job
Tailoring your letter to each role takes effort, but it pays off. It also helps you focus on roles that suit your strengths, so you spend less energy on applications that were never a good fit.
Start from a simple structure
If organising your thoughts on a blank page is hard, build a basic template with four short sections: why this role, your relevant experience, what you would add, and a closing line. Then adapt each section for every application.
Lead with your strengths
You don’t have to disclose that you are neurodivergent. You can still talk about how you think. If you have a strong eye for detail or an unusual approach to problem solving, say so and give an example. If you are weighing up whether to mention it, our guide to disclosing your neurodivergence may help.
2. Open clearly
The first line matters, but it doesn’t need to be clever. Address the letter to a named person if you can find the hiring manager’s name; if that feels like too much, “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear [Company Name] team” is fine. Then say plainly what you are applying for: “I am excited to apply for the role at [company name].” Direct works.
3. Show relevant experience and skills
Many neurodivergent people have particular strengths, such as analytical thinking, creativity or deep knowledge of a subject they love. Use the letter to make those visible.
Be specific. If self-promotion feels uncomfortable, stick to facts about what you did and what changed as a result, for example “I built a tracking system that cut our weekly reporting time in half.” If your way of thinking gives you an edge in the role, such as spotting patterns in data or quality control work, make that link for the reader.
4. Explain what you would add
Connect your skills directly to what the job advert asks for. If the role values new ideas, give an example of when you came up with one. If you care about the organisation’s mission or industry, say why. Real interest is persuasive, and it shows you have done your homework. Our post on finding a neurodiversity-friendly employer has ideas for researching organisations.
5. Close with a clear next step
End with enthusiasm and practical detail. Something simple works: “I’d love the chance to discuss how I could contribute to [company name].” Then say how you prefer to be contacted. If you communicate better by email than phone, it is fine to say “I can be reached most easily by email.” If you will need adjustments at interview, our interview adjustment request template makes asking easier.
Bonus tip: proofread and keep it short
Spotting your own mistakes is hard for everyone, and harder still for some dyslexic and ADHD writers. Use spellcheck or a grammar tool, read the letter aloud, or ask someone you trust to look it over. If writing a full page feels overwhelming, write a sentence or two at a time and piece them together later. One page is plenty.
For more ideas, the careers service Prospects has a thorough guide on how to write a cover letter, and our own guide covers tailoring your CV to match.
Read my cover letter
Here’s the letter that got me the job: Daniella Brookes, Marketing Manager cover letter (PDF).
Where Enna fits in your job search
With your letter written, the Enna jobs board is a good place to find roles at employers who are actively working on neuroinclusion. Register for job alerts to hear about new vacancies first.
Need help with the CV that goes alongside your letter? Visit our CV support page. And once applications are going out, our free job application tracker will help you keep track of them.
