2. As much as we despise the idea of writing a cover letters, they are a chance to make a case, personalize our applications, to cover everything we can’t express in our resumes – which is a lot – and come across as real people to potential employers. Don’t throw together a cover letter in the hope that nobody will actually read it… they will!

3. 1. Include a salutation.  If you know the name of the hiring manager, your salutation should be something like "Dear [insert name]" followed by either a comma or a colon. Make sure to address the manager formally using their proper title (Mr., Ms., Dr., etc.).  If you don't know the name of the hiring manager, consider addressing your letter "Dear Hiring Manager," "Dear Recruiting Team," or "Dear [insert company name] Team."  As a last resort, address the letter "To whom it may concern," though we recommend avoiding this salutation, as it could come across as a template letter.

4. 2. First paragraph of your letter This is where you will mention the job for which you're applying and how you found the job listing. It only needs to be 1 to 2 sentences in length.

5. 3. Body paragraphs of your letter. Most cover letters will only have 1 or 2 body paragraphs. You don't want to overwhelm the hiring manager or use up a great deal of his/her time. Try to answer the following questions in your body paragraphs:  Why am I a qualified candidate for this position?  What work experience do I have that fits the job requirements in the company's listing?  Why do I want to work for this company specifically?

6. 4. Final paragraph of your letter. This will be where you wrap up and discuss how you will proceed with the application. Consider including the following:  Reiterate why you feel you're a perfect fit for the position.  Discuss what you'll do next. If you plan on following up with the hiring manager in a week or two, include a specific date. Otherwise, just say that you look forward to interviewing for the position and discussing your qualifications further.  Provide your contact information(new paragraph). Include your email address (professional) and your phone number so the hiring manager can get in touch with you.  Mention that your resume or references are attached (if applicable).  Thank the person for their time.

7. 5. End your cover letter with a respectful closing statement. "Best" or "Sincerely" are both classic options. Also, since you won't be able to sign your email, finish the letter by typing your full name.

8. 1. Add a letterhead at the top of the letter. Your letterhead should include your full name, address, telephone number, and email address. Some guidelines:  Your name should be in bold 14- or 16-point font. Your address and other contact information should be in normal 12-point font.  The font of your letterhead does not need to be Arial or Times New Roman, like the rest of your letter, but it should be professional looking and easy to read. The most important thing to is to include up-to-date information so that employer could contact you.  Consider including an extra line under the letterhead in order to create visual appeal and to separate the letterhead from the rest of the letter.

9. 2. Write the recipient’s name and address and the date below the letterhead. It doesn't matter whether you put the date first or last, or how many blank lines you include between them, as long as it looks professional.  From here on out, use 12-point Arial or Times New Roman throughout the entire letter, set your margins to one inch, and use single spacing. Be sure your font is black, and if you're printing your letter out, use standard-sized paper (8 1/2” by 11”).

10. 3. Address the recipient. Be sure to refer to the recipient by his or her proper title (Mrs., Mr., Dr., etc.). If you’re not sure who the recipient is, write, “To Whom It May Concern:” or “Dear Sir or Madam”; however, it is always best to address a cover letter to a real person to make it look like you’re not sending form letters.

11. 4. State your purpose in the first paragraph. Tell the employer why you are writing to them in two or three sentences. State the position for which you are applying (or the one you would like to have should it become available).  You don't necessarily need to include how you became aware of the position unless it was through a mutual contact or recruiting program—in which case you should make the most of the connection.  If you are writing a letter of interest (also known as a prospecting or inquiry letter) in which you are asking about positions that might be available, specify why you are interested in working for the employer.

12. 5. Outline your qualifications in the middle paragraphs. Make sure to match them to the requirements of the position. If you are writing to inquire about open positions, tell the employer how you can contribute to their bottom line, not what you want to get out of the deal. Do the research about the employer's background and history! Make your qualifications jump out at the reader by tailoring your letter accordingly. This will also be useful if you get an interview. Some questions to keep in mind as you write are:  What is the employer's mission? What do they promote as the one thing that sets them apart from their competitors?  What kind of customer base does the employer have? Who is their target audience?  What is the company's history? Who founded it? How has the business evolved? What are the main highlights of the company's performance over the past few years? (Remember 1/3 page rule)

13. 6. Include a positive statement or question in the final paragraph that will motivate the employer to contact you. Make this closing paragraph between two to four sentences. Direct the employer to your enclosed resume and make sure you specify that you're available for an interview. Finish off by thanking the recruiter for their time and consideration, and welcome them to get in touch with you to continue the conversation.

14. 7. Write an appropriate closing. It’s a good idea to thank the reader for his or her time. After that, write “Sincerely,” “Respectfully,” or “Regards,” leave several spaces, and print your name.

15. 8. Add your signature. If you will be submitting your cover letter digitally, it’s a good idea to scan and add your signature, write it in with a digital writing pad, or make a digital signature stamp with appropriate software.

16. 9. Make a notation of the enclosures. If you enclose something, such as a resume, with a letter, you should indicate that the letter contains enclosures by making the notation “Enclosure” or “Enclosures” at the bottom of the letter.

17. 1. Spell-check and proofread. Use a spell-check feature. Microsoft Word, also include a grammar check that you should use. Proofread your letter yourself. Some things to avoid are:  Common misspellings.  Writing in the passive voice. Own your accomplishments. Stay away from phrases like "This experience gave me the opportunity to...," or worse, "these goals were met by me." You don't want to sound like everything happened to you or that it was done by some other entity. Make yourself the active subject of every sentence (e.g., "In this role, I developed/reinforced/learned/etc."). However, this does not imply that every sentence should start with "I..." so vary your syntax accordingly.  Colloquial (informal) writing. You want to sound professional and educated. Avoid all forms of slang, unnecessary abbreviations, and texting lingo.  Incorrect punctuation.

18. 2. Read your letter aloud to hear how it reads.  Do not rely on the spelling and grammar checks to catch mistakes.  Consider asking a friend, or even two, to proofread your letter as well.  Consider using University Writing Center help. Call 509-963- 1296/1270 for an appointment.  Spend some time away from your final draft (a few hours or even a whole day) so that you can return to it with a fresh perspective.

19.  What is the complete name of the company to which you are applying for a job?  What is the name of the person to whom you are addressing the cover letter?  What is the address of the person to whom you are sending the letter?  What is the title of the job for which you are applying and does it also have a reference number that you should include?  What is the type of job or level of the position you are seeking? "entry-level" "management" "senior level" Find your answers to these important questions before you start writing your cover letter:

20.  What skills do you possess that you are not using enough in your current role? Would the ideal candidate for this new role be required to make more use of those types of skills? What opportunities are missing in your current role? Answering these questions will help you explain why you are interested in leaving current position. For example, are you looking for: "room for advancement" "an opportunity to learn new skills“  What is your current job or educational position? This may seem like an obvious question, but knowing how to clearly define your current role is a tremendous asset. For example, you could be a: "graduate student in environmental science" "customer service professional “…

21.  What is a general description of your accomplishments/experiences in the field to which you are applying? For example, you could have: "five years of excellent customer service experience" "an outstanding background in scientific research and discovery" "a solid history of dependability in the automotive industry“ “three quarters of being a teacher assistant”  What assets can you offer to the company? List a few in your cover letter, such as: "extensive experience with start-ups" "demonstrated ability to solve problems" "refined ability to manage teams“  What will you help the company accomplish, if given the job you desire? "increase its bottom line" "meet its goal of providing only the best in customer service" "expand its customer base and increase its revenue"

22. Cover Letter Template: Salutation Dear [insert name of hiring manager], Body First paragraph: Mention the job you’re applying for and where you found the job listing. Middle paragraphs: Discuss your qualifications. These paragraphs should be specifically tailored to requirements posted in the job listing. You might also consider including why this specific company interested you in the first place. Limit this section to two to three paragraphs. Final paragraph: Discuss the next steps. If you are going to follow up in one to two weeks, mention a specific date. If you would prefer to leave the ball in their court, say that you look forward to discussing your qualifications further. Also provide your email address and phone number. Don’t forget to thank them for their time. Close Best, [insert your name]

23. Dear Mr. Adams, I’m submitting an application for the editorial position you advertised on SuperJobs on September 10. I've spent the last year and a half working full-time as a writer and editor for a publishing company that specializes in educational content. During that time, I've logged thousands of hours doing everything related to the editorial process, including copy editing, proofreading, content entry, and quality assurance. I currently manage a team of over 40 freelance writers who work on a variety of different subjects, and I ensure that the quality of every submission meets our high editorial standards. I'm also very familiar with English grammar and usage and have no trouble adapting to various style guides. What I like most about my current job is that it gives me the opportunity to learn and be creative, and it looks like this position would do the same. I feel that I could be a valuable asset to your team, and I bring to the table all of the skills that you require in an editor. I look forward to discussing my qualifications further and can be reached by email at npeterson@email.com or by phone at 460.555.0198. Thank you so much for your time. Best, Nicole Peterson Sample Cover Letter Email

24. Sample Cover Letter Paper John Doe 200 West First St. Auburn, ME 04211 Phone: 207.555.0145Email: jdoe@email.com September 10, 2012 Sally Jenkins, ABC Company 123 Main St., Auburn, ME 04211 Dear Ms. Jenkins, I am writing to inquire about possible openings at ABC Company for a research assistant. I am interested in a senior level position offering the opportunity for travel and advanced research assignments. As a professional administrative assistant with excellent research skills, I am eager to contribute my abilities and experience to ABC Company. Given my extensive training and background, I believe I can help ABC Company meet its goal of providing only the most accurate and timely information to its clients. Please find enclosed my resume and a list of my references. Feel free to call me at 207.555.0145, to arrange a time to meet. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, John Doe Enclosures

25. New -> Office.com Templates -> Letters Cover letters