Writing a Cover Letter

All the ins and outs of a cover letter, including a step-by-step breakdown and a sample that you can use to recreate your own!

Why Include a Cover Letter?

• Like the resume, it’s a great selling tool.
• Informs the reader (employer) why you are interested in this specific position for this specific company.
• While the resume is usually generic (can be sent to multiple employers), the cover letter is tailored to a specific job opening and specific company.
• Makes the employer want to read your resume.
• A summary of your best qualities and skills in relation to the specific job you are applying for.

Cover Letter Basics

• Your name and contact information:
  • Formatted the same way it is in your resume.
• Who you are and what you do (or hope to do):
  • Introduce yourself and inform the reader of your reason for writing.
  • Include the job title and job code, if applicable.
• Why you are writing:
  • State that you hope to gain an interview.
  • Example: “I am confident that my skills and experience will grant me an interview.”
• Indicate where the resume is located:
  • Attached to an email? Uploaded separately? Enclosed (hard copy)? Indicate this.
• Signature:
  • If supplying a hard copy, make sure to sign it. It looks professional!

Elements of the Cover Letter

• Your contact information (header)
• Date
• Company contact information under header
• Re: line:
  • Great place to put job name and code.
• Address line–“Dear [name]”:
  • If the name of the reader is known, use it!
  • If not, “Dear Hiring Manager.”
• Introduction:
  • A concise paragraph summarizing your interest in the position and your qualifications.
• Body:
  • 1-2 short paragraphs highlighting your qualifications and accomplishments.
  • Choose these based on the job posting.
  • Do company research! Based on your experience, what specifically would benefit the company’s mission?
  • Can do this in a bulleted list, but DO NOT copy/paste from the resume.
• Conclusion:
  • 1 paragraph
  • Indicate where your resume is located.
  • Why you are writing (usually to get an interview).
• Close the letter.
  • “Respectfully”; “Sincerely”

Formatting the Cover Letter

• 1 page
• 1” margins
  • If necessary, 0.5” margins are okay, but on left and right ONLY)
• 10-12 point font size
  • Formal font type (Times New Roman; Arial)
• Paragraph style
  • Single spaced lines with a space between paragraphs
  • Keep sentences short but informative
• If bullets are used, these should only be for part of the body. Be sure to conclude with a paragraph.
• Header (your contact information) should match the resume header.

Formatting a Cover Letter Using Google Docs

Your Cover Letter: Key Points

• A brief letter (3-4 paragraphs) highlighting your qualifications and accomplishments.
• Tailor the cover letter toward the specific position and specific company.
• Don’t regurgitate the resume. Be sure to select those qualifications and accomplishments that best match the specific position.
• Do company research. Describe how your unique experience would benefit their unique company mission.
• Be sure to indicate the specific job title (and job code, if applicable), the reason you are writing (to get an interview), and the location of the resume.