Cover Letters YEAH!

AGENDA  Cover letter basics  Preliminary research  Header  Introductory paragraph  Body  Conclusion  Language

COVER LETTER BASICS  Expresses interest and qualifications for a particular position  Personal, but professional  Tailored to position and company  Explains how you fit with the organization and how you will help them  Expands main points from your resume  Sells qualifications to the prospective employer

PRELIMINARY RESEARCH  Make sure you know: -general job information -desired qualifications and skills -key values and words  Research helps you tailor your cover letter -look for mission statements, organization “vision,” goals, etc.

HEADER Your street address City, State Zip Date Name of person Title Company Address Dear Dr. / Mr. / Ms. Last Name:  Address by name the individual with the power to hire you, if at all possible.  Try to avoid sir, madam, or to whom it may concern.

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH  You must establish a sense of ethos from the very beginning  Forecast the next section; make them believe you have something more to say and they ought to read the rest of the letter in order to see to what extent your experience meets their needs.

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH  Purpose: -capture the reader’s attention -introduce yourself -explain purpose of the letter (position you’re applying for) -explain why you are interested in the position or company -explain how you will help the organization -preview the rest of the letter

BODY PARAGRAPHS  This is your persuasive claim, requiring evidence that you are a good fit for the company and the job.  NOT a repeat of your resume, but an advertisement for it

BODY PARAGRAPHS  Highlight your skills and benefit to the company  Emphasize interest in the company  Provide concrete evidence -show, don’t tell (use information from resume) -include specific, credible examples of qualifications for the position  Begin paragraphs with topic sentences

Example  As a banking representative at Chase, I provided quality customer service while promoting the sale of products to customers. I also handled close to $20,000 each day and was responsible for balancing the bank’s ATM machine. My experience with customer relations and money management can help your accounting firm expand its Middle East division located in Dubai.

CONCLUSION  Conclude with the next step  Provide contact information  I would like to discuss these and other qualifications with you to further explain how I can contribute to your Middle East operations. I look forward to meeting you soon. If you have any questions, please call me at or me at

CLOSING FORMAT Sincerely, (sign your name in black ink) Simon Smith (typed name) Enclosure: Resume

EXTRA TIPS  Only the strongest and most relevant qualifications should be highlighted  Make it clear and easy to read (topic sentences)  Appeal to company values, attitudes, goals, projects, etc.  Explain how you will help the organization  Elaborate on information in your resume  Provide specific evidence of your qualifications

FORMATTING AND MECHANICS  Proper format eases employer’s task of reading your letter.  Consider: the greater it strays from set conventions, the less likely your words will gain and keep attention.  Standards for correctness are incredibly high for cover letters.  One error signals carelessness to employers.

FORMATTING AND MECHANICS  Letter should be no longer than one page single-spaced  Use the same paper and font for your cover letter as you did for your resume  Don’t indent. Double-space between paragraphs  Cover letter should be organized into 3-4 paragraphs.

WRITING STYLE  Use the active voice  Emphasize the “you” (as opposed to the “I”)  I’ve always been keenly interested in molecular biology, and I know I would enjoy working in your research lab.  I’ve always been keenly interested in molecular biology; and with my extensive coursework, as well as the microscopy and research skills I learned in my internship, I know that I would be a valuable contributor to your lab.

INEFFECTIVE COVER LETTERS  The vague letter in which an applicant asserts that he has certain skills without providing any evidence.  The “resume-again” letter in which the writer mentions everything from the resume but fails to provide additional, or deeper, support.  The aggressive letter in which the writer overly-asserts herself.  The timid letter in which the writer practically apologizes for asking for the job.