Cover Letter

Developing a Strong Cover Letter: Cover letters allow you to clarify, detail, and expand on your most relevant skills and competencies. In addition, a cover letter allows you to showcase your written communication skills.

• Using the job description, identify three skills or qualifications that match your background and type them out. 
• Next, using the format suggestions from both the webinar and cover letter sample, create a three- to four-sentence paragraph that communicates the three matching skills and/or competencies you would like to highlight for the employer. The goal is to tailor the body of your cover letter to the position you seek. 
• It is important that you have a compelling cover letter. To write an impactful cover letter, you need to answer the following questions before you begin composing it. Starting with these questions will help provide a clear and concise message for the person reading your cover letter. 
  
  • Why are you interested in the position? Consider what makes the position, organization, or company of interest to you. 
  • What three skills or competencies do you possess that match the skills the employer is seeking in a candidate? 
    • You can find these skills by viewing the job description. These specific skills are the reason every cover letter should be unique for each job for which you apply. 
  • The Cover Letters (Links to an external site.) resource contains step-by step instructions for creating a cover letter including: formatting suggestions, tips regarding how to highlight your best skills and qualification and how to tailor your letter for specific job you wish to apply to.