Cover Letters
Cover letters allow you to introduce yourself and tell a brief story to persuade an employer how well your skills, abilities, and attributes match the organization’s needs.
If you are pursuing a specific job or position, customize the cover letter for that position and the employer.
If you are pursuing employment with a particular business or organization, but you don’t have a specific position in mind, customize the cover letter for that employer.
If a job posting asks for a cover letter as part of the application, you must submit a cover letter (along with all other information the employer specifies). If you do not submit everything, the employer will not consider your application complete.
Paragraph 1: Say why you are writing
Dear [Employer’s Name],
- Identify the position you are applying for, if you are targeting a specific position.
- Mention how you heard about the organization or the job opening.
- If you and the reader have a mutual acquaintance, and that person has given you permission to use their name, mention the connection.
- Demonstrate that you have researched the company by mentioning a new project the company has taken on, their organizational mission or management philosophy, or news item you have read.
Paragraph 2: Connect the dots
- If you are applying for a specific position, consider using the format in Example 1 (below) to show how your abilities (including personal effectiveness and leadership skills) and experience meet or exceed the position’s requirements.
- If you are targeting an employer or occupation but using a more genetic cover letter, summarize your most important skills and accomplishments that are relevant to either the employer or the occupation.
Paragraph 3: Wrap it up
- Express confidence that your experience and capabilities will enable you to contribute to the employer’s success.
- State that you look forward to discussing the contributions you can offer in an interview.
Sincerely,
[Your signature]
Type your name
Phone number
Email address
Example 1: Cover letter for a specific position
|
135 Oak Street
July 1, 201X
Mr. William O'Hara
Dear Mr. O'Hara,
Your Key Requirements My Experience
Follow safety and standard operating Three years of successful and accident-
Retrieve, pack, and secure items for Boxed a variety of materials and loaded
Utilize teamwork, problem-solving, Worked effectively with diverse groups
I look forward to meeting with you to learn more about the position and to discuss how my experience can contribute to the success of Expedited Distribution Services.
Sincerely,
Alex Cook |
Example 2: Cover letter for unspecified job with a specific employer
|
222 Oak Street
July 1, 201X
Mr. William O'Hara
Dear Mr. O'Hara,
Mr. Richard Lewis, a supervisor in your shipping department, and I have been discussing some of the growth opportunities Expedited is pursuing. I’m confident that my ability to supervise, support, train, mentor, counsel, discipline, and guide associates in any of your operating departments can help you successfully achieve your goals.
I have attached my resume to this email; it describes in more detail some of the capabilities and experiences that I can draw upon when I join the Expedited team.
I’m available to meet with you and other members of the Expedited leadership team to explore ways that I might be able to contribute to Expedited’s quest to become the nation’s leading logistics firm. I will follow up by phone next week to see if we can arrange to meet in the near future.
Sincerely,
Tracey Waters |
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Short Checklist
- If you can find out the name of the hiring manager or director of Human Resources, use it in the cover letter.
- Do the font and format of your cover letter match those on your resume?
- Did you remember to spell-check the letter?
