Cover Letters Presented by: University Career Services 270 University Center

Purpose Be specific! Be specific! Explain your interest in the job and company Explain your interest in the job and company Highlight how you fulfill the job requirements Highlight how you fulfill the job requirements Demonstrate your writing ability Demonstrate your writing ability

Format Your address (no name) Date Employer name Employer address Dear Hiring Manager:

Format Dear Hiring Manager: 3 paragraph letter Sincerely,Signature Typed name

Paragraph # 1: Introduction Who you are Who you are Why you are writing Why you are writing How you heard about the opening How you heard about the opening Mention network contact if appropriate Mention network contact if appropriate Special considerations Special considerations Example: relocation, career transition Example: relocation, career transition

Transition Between 1 st and 2 nd paragraph Between 1 st and 2 nd paragraph Tell the reader what he or she can expect Tell the reader what he or she can expect Example: Example: “The following explains how my qualifications match the job requirements.” “The following explains how my qualifications match the job requirements.”

Paragraph # 2: Qualifications Why are you qualified? Why are you qualified? Not a list of what’s on your resume Not a list of what’s on your resume Think about the top job requirements and illustrate how you meet them Think about the top job requirements and illustrate how you meet them Example: Example: Company requires customer service skills Company requires customer service skills “With 3 years of customer service experience…” “With 3 years of customer service experience…”

Paragraph # 3: Conclusion What your unique experience will bring to the job What your unique experience will bring to the job Enthusiasm for this opportunity Enthusiasm for this opportunity A flattering line about the company A flattering line about the company Invite to contact you Invite to contact you

Questions?