One page - 4 paragraphs - single space COVER LETTER

WHAT IS A COVER LETTER? The purpose of a cover letter is to convince an employer that your skills and background make you a candidate worth interviewing. While a résumé summarizes your experience, a cover letter persuasively relates that experience to a particular job.

A good cover letter will make you a more attractive candidate by demonstrating: • Knowledge about the job, the company, the industry • Effort in your job search and enthusiasm for the job • Professionalism and detail orientation • Writing skills • Organized thinking • Understanding about yourself

Many employers pay great attention to cover letters; increase your chances by sending a well-written cover letter with every application.

ANATOMY OF A COVER LETTER A cover letter generally consists of three or four paragraphs; very experienced candidates applying for senior positions may write more.

PREPARE • Review the job description in detail • List each type of experience and skill the employer is seeking • Outline how your qualifi cations answer each of the employers needs • Choose the best two or three qualifi cations to describe in your letter • Research the employer to decide what about the organization or its products

appeals to you • Outline how your interests, values and goals match those of the employer

SALUTATION • Address your letter to a specifi c person whenever possible • Be sure of the correct spelling and appropriate title (Dr., Miss, Mrs., Ms., etc.) • Acceptable alternatives include “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear Search

Committee” or “Dear Sir or Madam.”

FIRST PARAGRAPH • Explain clearly and succinctly why you are writing • State the full name of the position and how you learned about it, including the

name of the person, publication or website, and the date of the listing

WRITING A COVER LETTER

RÉSUMÉ AND COVER LETTER GUIDELINES

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SECOND/THIRD PARAGRAPH • Write these paragraphs using the outline you prepared, tailoring your letter to

the job • Explain how your qualifi cations match the job description by highlighting

relevant experience and briefl y describing accomplishments that demonstrate your capabilities

• Explain why this job and this organization appeal to you and fi t into your career goals

• Demonstrate that you have researched the organization by referring to specifi c products, services, philosophy or mission in your explanation of why you are a good match

LAST PARAGRAPH • Stress your enthusiasm for the position and your interest in meeting for an

interview • State how and when you can be best contacted • Thank the individual and end with an appropriate ending

Ensure your cover letter has no grammatical errors or mistakes. Spell checkers do not catch every type of error, so proofread your letter very carefully after spell check.

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