Cover letters help you introduce yourself and demonstrate how your skills and experience make you a qualified candidate for a job. While cover letters are often optional components of a job application, they can help set you apart from other applicants. Sometimes, employers narrow down their hiring options to two very similar applicants, and the cover letter is used to determine which applicant is more passionate about the job. Thus, cover letters, though often optional, can be very helpful for your application.
The most important thing to remember when writing a cover letter is that it should give more detail on your resume and highlight experiences that show that you are the best fit for the position you’re applying for. The cover letter should NOT be a word for word copy of your resume. Here are a few tips and a template to help you write a strong cover letter.
- Tips
- Always address the letter to the appropriate individual by name and professional title. If you are not able to obtain a name, address it to the apparent job title of the individual receiving your application, “Dear Human Resources Director,” or “Dear Hiring Manager.”
- Be sure to start your cover letter by introducing yourself and explaining how you heard of the position. This is especially important if you met the recruiter or hiring manager at a career fair or some other networking event because it reminds them of your interaction and sets you apart from other applicants.
- Explain your SPECIFIC interest in the employer. Give details that show that you’ve done your research and really care about the work that the company is doing.
- Your cover letter is an opportunity to give more details on things on your resume that you might not have had room for and are relevant to the position. Write about what you learned from your experiences and how it applies to the job you’re applying to rather than just listing what you’ve done.
- At the end, thank the employer for their time and consideration and reiterate your interest in the role.
- Template
- Your Present AddressCity, State, Zip Code
Date of Letter
Individual’s Name
Title
Employer
Street Address
City, State, Zip Code
Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. OR if you don’t know who you’re writing to: Dear Recruiting Manager,
Paragraph 1-INTRODUCTION & INTEREST: Introduce yourself and state which position you’re applying for. Explain how you heard about the position. Describe your SPECIFIC interest in the specific company. Mention things that show that you have done your research. You can mention their company culture, specific projects/products they’re working on, the type of work they’re doing, etc..
2-EVIDENCE: Explain how your experience (can be work, projects, or coursework) makes you qualified for the role. Do NOT just repeat your resume. Discuss the RELEVANT elements of your resume and explain what you LEARNED from them. Make it clear that your experience directly relates to the tasks you will have in the role you are applying for. You need to provide evidence to the employer of how your experience and skills will be useful to them.
3-APPRECIATION: Reiterate your interest and passion for the position and state that you look forward to hearing from the employer/that you are interested in an interview. Finish by thanking the employer for his/her time and consideration.
Sincerely,
(Your Handwritten Signature)
(Your Name Typed)
Enclosures (denotes resume, applications, etc. that are enclosed)
- Your Present AddressCity, State, Zip Code