A cover letter serves as the introduction to your resume. It is specific to each position and demonstrates interest in a particular employer or job. It should include expanded information from the resume, and should not repeat things.
Because it is often the first contact with a prospective employer, it should be concise, well-written, and demonstrate effective communication.
COVER LETTER SECTIONS
The cover letter typically consists of three parts: introduction, body, and closing. Within these three parts, include: why you are interested in the organization why the organization should be interested in you when and how you will contact the organization to follow up
Introduction Capture the reader’s interest Tell the reader how you learned of an opening If appropriate, mention the name of someone who suggested you apply for the company and/or the job opportunity
Body Demonstrate your ability to do the job in 1-3 paragraphs Promote your education, experiences, past jobs, internships, and student activities Use examples and tell your story Illustrate the skills that are related to the position Enhance your accomplishments with details, do not repeat what is on your resume
Closing Indicate next steps, including a plan to follow up with the employer Thank the employer for taking the time to consider your application materials Close the cover letter with “Sincerely” or “Respectfully”
TIPS
Proofread Personalize each letter, make every attempt to address each letter to a specific individual Limit the cover letter to one page, be concise and compelling Avoid overusing the word “I” Vary writing style, try to offset long sentences with short ones Sign the cover letter Use a 10-12 font size Use paper and font that match your resume to make a consistent application package If including items with the cover letter such as a resume, references or writing samples, use one of the following notations below your name: Enclosure, Encl., or Enc. Keep a copy of every letter you send as part of your job search file
1 COVER LETTER SAMPLE
Utilize block format to
give a professional first impression to the reader.
Address the letter to a
specific person or hiring Note how you found the team. position. If referred by a company employee, include the contact’s State in the first name in the letter. sentence why you are writing the letter. Demonstrate how your career goals align with the position and Explain qualifications organization. and skills in relation to the open position.
Demonstrate your knowledge of the position and company. Frame experiences to focus on skills relevant to a particular job.
Include contact information in the last paragraph of the cover Sign the cover letter letter. before sending it to the employer.
If including other documents with the cover letter, use Enclosure, Encl., or Enc.
A cover letter accompanies a resume and other application documents. It serves as your first impression to an employer and helps you to stand out from other job seekers. Write the cover letter targeted to an industry, company, or job Determine important job requirements from the position description and customize your cover letter to highlight key skills and experiences Do not copy and paste information from the resume; expand on experiences, skills, and accomplishments Proofread, spell check, and edit the cover letter Make your points succinctly and concisely; do not ramble Do not send the same generic cover letter for all jobs
