 |
Cover LettersCover Letter Basics
The Purpose of a Cover Letter
Your résumé, when accompanied by a cover letter, is a sign of
a serious and professional approach to job-hunting. A well-written cover letter
is an effective way to present your qualifications to an employer. It should
not simply restate what is on your résumé. It should spell out
how your skills and background match the requirements of the position. Creating
a winning cover letter involves not only researching the organization to uncover
its probable needs, but also writing a clear, concise, and error-free letter
that communicates your credentials as a strong candidate.
Tips on Cover Letters
- Tailor each letter for a specific situation. Duplicated letters and mass
mailings are not appropriate.
- The letter should not exceed one page.
- Use standard business letter format (see samples below).
- Address each letter to a specific individual including her/his title, if
possible.
- Give specific examples of your experience.
- Be sure to sign each letter, and make certain your address is plainly visible.
- It should be error free. Check for correct spelling, punctuation, grammar,
and word usage. Have at least two other people review your letter for these
kinds of errors.
- It should be printed using a high quality desk-jet printer or laser printer.
Use good-quality white or off-white bond paper that matches your résumé.
- Keep a copy of all correspondence, and do not forget to follow-up.
Five Things to Think about Before Writing
by L. Michelle Tullier
If you find yourself struck by writer's block at about the "Dear Mr. or
Mrs. So-and-So" point, then you probably need to take a step back and put
some more thought into your cover letter before diving into it. Asking yourself
the following five questions will help you build a foundation for your letter
and will make the actual writing go much more smoothly.
- What does the prospective employer need? Which skills, knowledge and experience
would be an asset in the job you are targeting?
- What are your objectives? Are you applying for a specific job, trying to
get an interview or simply hoping to get someone to spend 10 or 15 minutes
on the phone with you discussing opportunities in general at that organization?
- What are three to five qualities that you would bring to this employer
or this job? If you're responding to a job listing or classified, then those
qualities should obviously be the job requirements mentioned in the ad. If
you're not applying for a specific job opening, then think of which skills,
knowledge and experience typically would be valued.
- How can you match your experience to the job? What are at least two specific
accomplishments you can mention which give credence to the qualities you identified
in question number 3?
- Why do you want to work for this particular organization or person? What
do you know about them? What is it about their products or services, philosophy,
mission, organizational culture, goals and needs that relates to your own
background, values and objectives?
Cover Letter Formatting and Samples
Note: To access the sample cover letters included in this
guide, you will need the freely available Acrobat Reader.
Cover Letter
Formatting Guide: An outline in standard business format you can use when
writing your cover letter.
Sample Cover
Letter 1
Sample Cover
Letter 2
For assistance with writing a cover letter, to receive a cover letter critique,
or to see more samples of cover letters, stop by Fine Arts Career Services in
DFA 1.103.
Cover Letter Web Sites
National
Association of Colleges and Employers Résumé and Cover Letter
Guide
Bellevue
University Career Services Cover Letter Guide
Quintessential
Careers: Cover Letter Resources
College
Central Network Résumé Starter Kit: Cover Letters
College Grad
Job Hunter
|
