Cover Letters

A cover letter typically accompanies your resume. It creates a first impression that leads the reader to want to read your resume.

• Enhance (not just rehash) the information on your resume.
• Personalize and focus your presentation on what you have to offer.
• Stress how you match the job from the employer's viewpoint.
• Be concise (bullets are OK), enthusiastic (don't use passive voice) and error-free.
• Demonstrate your good writing abilities.

LETTER CONTENT

Paragraph 1:

Why you are writing the letter:

• Answering an ad? Name of specific position? Referred by someone?

Paragraph 2:

Why they would want to hire you:

• Include a few of your key accomplishments or qualities that fulfill the company's main needs.
• Mention facts that you know about the organization that show you researched the organization and why you are interested in the particular organization (or include in another paragraph)

Paragraph 3 (or include in paragraph 4):

Ask for what you want:

• Interview? Meeting? Information.

Paragraph 4:

State that you will contact them.

• State a date that you will follow-up with them. Then, be sure to do it!
• Thank them.

HINTS FOR WRITING BETTER COVER LETTERS

Research the position, company, industry or person so that your statements reflect your knowledge of them. Match yourself as closely as possible to the job requirements. Send your resume and cover letter to others in the company besides the Human Resources recruiter, such as the manager of the job position's department or even the president, if it is a small company. Do your best to address the letter to an actual person, spelling their name correctly and including their title. You may need to do some research to uncover this information. Never send it "To whom it may concern." If you can't discover who is to receive the letter, use a term such as Human Resource Director or Hiring Director. Type "Confidential" in the lower left corner of the envelope to increase your chances of being noticed. Do not mention salary. If salary requirements are requested, state that "salary requirements are negotiable."

Cover Letter Guidelines

Sample Cover Letter

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Updated 05/16/07