Cover Letters

A cover letter should accompany each résumé that you send. The cover letter basically "introduces" your résumé to the reader. In composing each cover letter be sure to:

Write to a specific person:

* Your cover letter should be targeted to a specific individual.
* Use the person's name and title.
* Make sure that the spelling is accurate.
* Names of individuals can often be found in various directories, or on the organization’s website.
* If you don't find the name in a directory, you can always call the company to ask for the name of the appropriate person.
* Cover letters should never carry the salutation "To whom it may concern"

Write Individual Letters:

* Avoid using pre-printed cover letters   
* Each cover letter should be customized to the position and organization to which you are applying.

Include the following points in your letter:

Explain why you are writing

Indicate the position you are applying for and how you learned about it (i.e. Referral, Newspaper ad, etc.).
Indicate why you are applying for the position.

Describe your qualifications

Tell what you can contribute to the organization.
Refer the reader to information on your résumé.

State your follow-up action:

Be proactive as opposed to reactive.
State the action that you want: ask for an interview.
Indicate the follow-up action you will take.

Each cover letter should be typed, and free of spelling and typing errors. Limit your cover letter to one page; it should not be a repetition of all of the information on your résumé, but rather should highlight your skills and qualifications.

Sample cover letter

Related Links

JobStar Central-Coverletters