Cover Letter Guide
Overview
A cover letter explains why you are a good fit for the job. It allows you to elaborate on your resume with specific examples that build a case why you should be invited for an interview. Always include a cover letter with a job application, even if one is not required on the job posting.
Salutation
Open the letter with a formal salutation. Try to identify the person who has the power
to hire you in
that department or organization. Use the directory on the company website or even
call their help
desk directly and ask to whom to address the cover letter. Spell their name and title
correctly and
include their credentials.
- Dear Dr. Martinez or Dear Ms. Martinez, PhD
- Dear Hiring Manager or Dear Search Committee
First Paragraph: The Introduction
Explain why you are sending this letter and what specific opportunity you are applying
for, including
the position number if it is in the announcement. This paragraph will also mention
the person who
referred you to this position or how you heard about it. Include a one-sentence introduction
of why
you are a good fit for the position.
Second Paragraph: The Argument
Describe what you have to offer the employer, forming an argument why you should be
called in for
an interview. Tell a story that specifically states how your skills and experience
meet the needs of
the job description. Remember, you are interpreting your resume, not repeating it.
Support each
statement you make with an example. Knowing your audience is key. For example, if
your field is
something traditional like accounting, use more traditional language and formatting,
while other fields might permit more creative ways to tell your story. This paragraph
is a persuasive argument to
convince the reader to interview you for the position in person.
Third Paragraph: The Conclusion
This closing paragraph should be simple and designed to reiterate your interest in
the position and
the organization. Express your gratitude for their attention and mention an interview
or meeting, if
appropriate, which will hopefully spark an invitation to extend the conversation.
Quick Tips
- Always include a customized cover letter for professional job or internship applications, even if it is not listed as a requirement
- Your cover letter should be no longer than one page
- Specifically address your letter to a person (if possible)
- Customize your letter to the requirements of the position and directly to the employer’s needs
- Demonstrate knowledge of your reader and his/her organization
- Your letter should be easy to read and free of spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors
- Have someone with writing and language proficiency proofread your letter
Cover Letter Example
|
LOUIE LOBO April 14, 2020 Mr. James Yazzi Dear Mr. Yazzi: As a recent graduate from UNM with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, I learned about the goal proximity effect: the closer a campaign is to its fundraising goal, the more likely people are to donate. As the Marketing Chair for LoboTHON, I applied this concept to potential donors, resulting in more than a 75% increase in fundraising during that year. I was also the contact person for the event coordination of the last two annual fundraising events. Working as a Volunteer Mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central New Mexico, I discovered a desire to help the community at large as well as developed a knack for customer service. I also contributed to fundraising efforts via my own social media output for the organization. I believe I can apply all of these skills in a dynamic environment such as The Company. Thank you for your time and consideration for this position. I look forward to discussing my qualifications and how I might support your organization in achieving its goals. I hope to discuss my qualifications with you in an in-person interview. Kind Regards, |
Solicitation Letter Example
|
Lucy Lobo September 1, 2020 Dear Ms. Martinez, This semester I am a junior at The University of New Mexico (UNM), working toward my Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. I am eager to gain experience in the civil engineering field and am seeking an internship for this summer. Josh Nguyen, a past Cherry Silver employee, recommended that I explore opportunities at your organization. While researching your company, I found that Cherry Silver, Inc. works with local municipalities to reach mutually beneficial goals for the community, particularly underserved areas, which matches directly with my core values. As a military veteran, I know what it takes to work on a team, set goals, and accomplish them on deadline. I also have strong leadership skills, an effective communication style as well as technical expertise. I currently serve as the co-lead for a project through UNM’s student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Our team project was to help rebuild and revitalize the city’s dilapidated and abandoned railyards. We spent six months researching, conceiving, designing a plan, and focusing on implementation options. This project involved interaction with the team of six students, one local civil engineering firm, two architects and the city planners from the city of Albuquerque. The city was so impressed with our plans that they were sent to the mayor for implementation. I hope to continue to work on such exciting projects in the future. Please do not hesitate contacting me should any internship or volunteer opportunities arise in the coming months as I would love to be considered. I hope to meet with you at your convenience to learn more about your organization. Thank you very much for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response. Sincerely, |