Cover Letters

A cover letter is often requested when you apply for a job. Think of your cover letter as a chance to connect your skills and experience to the specific job you're applying too. An opportunity to let your personality and unique qualities shine. Sometimes cover letters have specific prompts (in which case follow them!) and other times the request is simply for a cover letter. We want you know that your cover letter is important! This page is all about how to write, format, and deliver a super cover letter for your next job application!

Maybe you're thinking...I have nothing to write about! Don't worry, we've been there too. Stick with us and we'll dive into how to come up with content for your cover letter, and a few strategies for formatting it too. 

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Anne Morrow Lindbergh is an American author and Aviator. Click the image above for more about her.

Cover Letter Content

A cover letter is not just re-hashing your resume in paragraph form. A cover letter is a unique part of your job application, and a chance to provide information that cannot be found in your resume. You cover letter takes your experiences, and a few key examples, and explains why they make you a great candidate for the job you are applying too. 

Prewrite

Before you dive into the cover letter we recommend you take some time to review the job description, and jot down a few personal examples that relate to the position you are applying for.

For example, if you're applying to be a be a coach for a local youth soccer team, and one of the requirements is experience working with youth, you might write down the time you provided childcare during parent night at your high school.

Or, if one of the requirements is taking initiative, you might write down the time you organized a beach clean up on Earth Day for your classmates. Pay attention to what appears to be the most important attributes of a candidate, and illustrate through your examples how you have demonstrated these skills in other areas. 

Cover Letter Format 

The Opening Paragraph

Always begin by stating the position you are applying for and if it is relevant how you find out about it, like a referral, as well as formally asking to be considered for the position based on your skills. Then make a general statement or two about how you are skilled or qualified for the job. Make sure you do all of this using succinct and positive language, but be yourself.

The Middle Paragraph

The middle paragraph is about speaking to what the EMPLOYER wants and is most likely what you will want to change to fit each individual job you're applying for. You will want to make directions connections between what the employer is looking for based on the job description and experiences you've had, which is where the pre-writing will come in handy. Make sure not to simply restate what is on your resume like "I taught soccer to kids for a year," but to expand on what is on your resume in a way that explains how that experience makes you fit for the job: "While teaching kids soccer for a year, I learned how to manage students in a classroom environment, connect with youth, and be both a mentor and leader." 

The Last Paragraph

The last paragraph is about yourself, where the middle paragraph is convincing the employer that you are right for the job, this paragraph is about convincing the employer that the job is right for you. Briefly describe your personal background, interests, or motivations that relate to the job or any connections you have to it, to convince the reader you have a vested interest in the job, company, or industry. 

In the last sentence in the cover letter, you should restate your interest in the position and how you are a good fit for the position. Thank the reader for reading or considering you.

General Formatting

  • Use 12 point, normal font like Times New Roman or Arial, with normal margins. 
  • Use business letter format. You can look up templates online, but you start with your name, phone, and address (if you're a college student you can use your school's address), then the person or company you're sending to and their address (you may have to look it up!), and then the date you'll be sending the letter.
    • You will also need an opening line like all letters. We recommend "Dear ______" if you have the person's name, and if not, "Dear Hiring Manager," 
  • You will want to have a closer at the end of the letter, like "Sincerely" or "Best Regards" and then your name. You can also sign your signature, by hand or electronically, to make it look more formal.
  • Only 1 Page!

Other Tips

  • Mess with the formatting if you want, but keep all the basic elements laid out above. People use different language, break things up into 5 instead of 3 paragraphs, or add more aggressive language like "I will contact you to schedule an interview." 
  • Look at lots of samples of cover letter and figure out what best fits you. 
  • Proofread! You don't want any typos or awkward language. Have a close friend, family, or support person read over a template of your cover letter to help with this. 

DON'T:

  • Be long-winded. Keep things short and sweet and clear. 
  • Write more than 1 page. 
  • Send the same generic cover letter to each employer (each one should include the specific job title, and be addressed to a specific person/company/address, and have information from the job description worked into your middle paragraph). Employers can tell when they've received a generic letter.
  • Talk about yourself without explaining how it would make you a good fit for the job.

Click next to learn how to write a great Resume!