2 of 10

What is a Cover Letter?

To be considered for almost any position, you will need to write a letter of application. Such a letter introduces you, explains your purpose for writing, highlights a few of your experiences or skills, and requests an opportunity to meet personally with the potential employer.

Precisely because this letter is your introduction to an employer and because first impressions count, you should take great care to write an impressive and effective letter. Remember that the letter not only tells of your accomplishments but also reveals how effectively you can communicate.

The appropriate content, format, and tone for application letters vary according to the position and the personality of the applicant. Thus, you will want to ask several people (if possible) who have had experience in obtaining jobs or in hiring in your field to critique a draft of your letter and to offer suggestions for revision.

3 of 10

What to include in a cover letter

Try to limit your letter to a single page. Be succinct.
Assess the employer’s needs and your skills. Then try to match them in the letter in a way that will appeal to the employer’s self-interest.
As much as possible, tailor your letter to each job opportunity. Demonstrate, if possible, some knowledge of the organization to which you are applying.
Write in a style that is mature but clear; avoid long and intricate sentences and paragraphs; avoid jargon. Use action verbs and the active voice; convey confidence, optimism, and enthusiasm coupled with respect and professionalism.
Show some personality, but avoid hard-sell, gimmicky, or unorthodox letters. Start fast; attract interest immediately. For more information see Business Letter Format.
Arrange the points in a logical sequence; organize each paragraph around a main point.

4 of 10

How to organize a cover letter

OPENING PARAGRAPH

**State why you are writing.

**Establish a point of contact (advertisement in a specific place for a specific position; a particular person’s suggestion that you write): give some brief idea of who you are (a Senior engineering student at UW; a high school honors student, a prospective A.A. graduate, etc.).

5 of 10

How to organize a cover letter part 2

PARAGRAPH(S) 2(-3)

Highlight a few of the most salient points from your enclosed resume.

Arouse your reader’s curiosity by mentioning points that are likely to be important for the position you are seeking.

Show how your education and experience suit the requirements of the position, and, by elaborating on a few points from your resume, explain what you could contribute to the organization.

(Your letter should complement, not restate, your resume.)

6 of 10

How to organize a cover letter part 3

CLOSING PARAGRAPH

Stress action. Politely request an interview at the employer’s convenience.

Indicate what supplementary material is being sent under separate cover and offer to provide additional information (a portfolio, a writing sample, a sample publication, a dossier, an audition tape), and explain how it can be obtained.

Thank the reader for his/her consideration and indicate that you are looking forward to hearing from him/her.

7 of 10

How to format a cover letter

Type each letter individually, or use a word processor.
Use good quality bond paper.
Whenever possible, address each employer by name and title.
Each letter should be grammatically correct, properly punctuated, and perfectly spelled. It also should be immaculately clean and free of errors. Proofread carefully!
Use conventional business correspondence form.

8 of 10

Sample Cover Letters

Looking at examples of strong cover letters is a great way to understand how this advice can become implemented. Look through these letters and see these real world examples.

Cover Letter Example 1.�Student applying for a restaurant hosting position.
Cover Letter Example 2.�Undergraduate sophomore applying for an internship with a non-profit, political organization.
Cover Letter Example 3.�Graduate student applying for a Project Assistant position.
Cover Letter Example 4.�A graduated student with an English literature and Spanish language double major applying to work as a law firm legal assistant.

9 of 10

Assignment

Create a cover letter. You can one of the following options for the cover letter:

Address the letter to me, Dr. Brian Reeves, articulating why you would be a good student intern in X field;
Address the letter to a real employer in a real business that you would like to work in;
Address the letter to a fictional employer in the field in which you would like to be employed.

Submit the cover letter to me via Google Classroom.

10 of 10

Reference

Information from: https://writing.wisc.edu/handbook/assignments/coverletters/#2

Questions? Contact me at breeves@farmington.k12.mo.us

1 of 10