How to Write a Cover Letter

No matter how good your resume is, you need to have a well-written cover letter to stand alongside it. Your cover letter can explain why you are the ideal candidate for the position. A concise cover letter is similar to a "sales pitch" in that it encourages the employer to further review your resume and expresses your desire and interest in working for the company. To learn how to write a cover letter, there are several steps outlined in this page that can help you to compose a cover letter to include with your resume submission.

When writing a cover letter, keep in mind that all of your detailed employment history and educational accomplishments will be included in your resume. A cover letter should be easy to read and to the point. Remember that a cover letter serves as your first impression when applying for a job, therefore proper grammar is important.http://www.trincoll.edu/depts/career/guides/cover_ltr.shtml

Before writing a cover letter, follow these steps to prepare yourself and gather information that you will need to complete the letter.

1. Always include a cover letter when you submit a resume, even if the job posting did not explicitly request one.http://content.monster.com/articles/3475/17043/1/home.aspx
2. Research the company you're sending your cover letter to before writing your letter. Knowing about current needs and future plans will help you write a letter that shows what an asset you will be.http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/Careers/11/04/cover.letter/index.html
3. Look at sample cover letters. Virginia Tech and California State University, Chico have some good sample cover letters online. http://www.career.vt.edu/JOBSEARC/coversamples.htm http://www.csuchico.edu/plc/coverltr-ex.html These can provide ideas for how to style your letter.

Because of the many resources that are used for career postings, there may be variations in the writing style used to compose a cover letter. Three basic types of cover letters are explained here, and can be used when sending correspondence to a potential employer.

Cover Letters in Response to a Job Posting

1. Reference the job posting, either on a separate line in your cover letter or in the letter body.http://careerpath.org/jobhunting/resumes/20040309-kursmark.html
2. Include a mention of where you saw the job listing.http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/resume/Five_Common_Cover_Letter_Mistakes__2003228-1318.html?subtopic=Cover+Letters
3. Take a few minutes to research the company to make your cover letter more specific and engaging.
4. Try keeping a bulleted list of your accomplishments ready, so you can quickly fill in the ones that relate to the listed position.http://careerpath.org/jobhunting/resumes/20040309-kursmark.html

Cover Letters Via Email

Many cover letters are sent via email, which means they influence whether your prospective employer will take the time to open your attached resume.http://careerpath.org/jobhunting/resumes/20050829-loeb.html

1. Email letters are usually shorter than traditional letters, so take advantage of the subject line to make your email stand out. Do not include a generic "Resume Submission" subject line, unless specifically requested to do so.http://careerpath.org/jobhunting/resumes/20040309-kursmark.html
2. Formatting like fancy fonts or italics may not translate to the recipient's email, so do not bother with them.
3. Make sure to include your full name and contact information in the email.
4. Spelling and grammar still count, even in email!

Cold Call Cover Letters

A cold call letter is sent to the general hiring manager for a company, not in response to a job posting.

1. A cold call letter should still explain what type of position you desire.http://careerpath.org/jobhunting/resumes/20040309-kursmark.html
2. Even if you are not applying to a particular job posting, you still want to show you've researched the company and explain how your skills meet the company's needs. Show how you would be an asset to them.
3. Write that you will follow up to talk about possible openings, then do so!http://www.career.vt.edu/JOBSEARC/coversamples.htm

1. Make sure your name, address, phone number, and email address are in the header of your letter.
   • Rules for email are more relaxed, but you still want this information to be in your message.
2. Never send a letter to a generic HR department or addressed as Dear Sir/Madam. Instead, find out who is in charge of hiring for your position and address the letter to that person.http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/Careers/11/04/cover.letter/index.html
3. Make sure you spell the name correctly, and use the proper title.
   • Call the company to get this information, if necessary, unless the ad specifies no calls.http://content.monster.com/articles/3475/17043/1/home.aspx
4. Use a professional salutation:
   • Dear Sara: - Too informal
   • Dear Ms. Harris: - Good opening
   • Use the addressee's full name if you cannot determine which title to use.

1. If applying for a specific job, make sure to reference the position in your letter.
   • Mention where you heard about the position.http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/resume/Five_Common_Cover_Letter_Mistakes__2003228-1318.html?subtopic=Cover+Letters
   • If there's a job ID number, list that.
   • You do not want to be thrown in the wrong pile by a harried recruiter.
2. Show that you've researched the position and the company.
3. Talk about how the skills you have match the position's requirements in a way that highlights your interest.
4. Try to include when describing how you meet the job requirements, instead of repeating what's in your resume.http://careerpath.org/jobhunting/resumes/20050829-loeb.html
   • This can mean a more in-depth exploration of something on your resume or a related topic that did not fit on your resume.
5. Do not overuse "I" or "me" and talk about your needs and desires; explain how you will be an asset to the company and help them.http://content.monster.com/articles/3475/17043/1/home.aspx
6. Be positive in your letter. No one wants to hire an unpleasant co-worker.http://www.careerone.com.au/jobs/job-search/get-that-job/improve-your-cover-letter
7. Personalize your letter with humor or another aspect of your personality.
   • Personalization does not mean sharing intimate details or using cute gimmicks in your letter. This is still a professional presentation!
8. If you know someone at the company you're approaching, ask him about the job opening.
9. And if you know someone at the company, check if this person can give you a recommendation.
   • If you can reference an employee and his recommendation in your letter, this may help you get to the next step- an interview!
10. Remember, a cover letter should be brief; being verbose and writing more than three paragraphs will not help your chances.

Using a Cover Letter Template

1. Microsoft Word and online services like Interactive-Resume.com offer templates for writing cover letters.http://www.interactive-resume.com/cover-letter.php
2. If you use a template, make it a starting point only. Practically everyone has access to these templates. If you do not personalize the letter, you are missing a great chance to stand out from the crowd.

1. Microsoft Word and online services like Interactive-Resume.com offer templates for writing cover letters.http://www.interactive-resume.com/cover-letter.php

2. If you use a template, make it a starting point only. Practically everyone has access to these templates. If you do not personalize the letter, you are missing a great chance to stand out from the crowd.

When concluding your cover letter, be sure to state your current contact information. Also, as a courtesy, include follow up information if you intend to contact the company to inquire about the status of your resume. Be sure to thank the reader for their time and include a professional closing.

1. Make sure your cover letter is free of typos and grammatical errors. A cover letter is a chance to show you can write clearly and competently.

2. Ask friends and family to proofread the letter for you.

3. If there is no one you can ask, hire someone to check the letter for mistakes. It is important to be error-free!

4. Getting feedback on your letter, whether it is from people in your circle or an outside source, is another way to discover what impression your cover letter makes on people.

5. Did your enthusiasm and interest shine through? If not, rewrite the letter.

6. Your cover letter is as important as your resume, so take time to make it perfect.

Check out the videos below to learn more about jobs and careers.

1. How to Write a Resume
2. What Not to Include in a Resume
3. How to Write a Cover Letter
4. What to do in an Interview
5. What Not to do in an Interview
6. How to Dress For a Job Interview
7. What Not to Wear to a Job Interview For Men
8. What Not to Wear to a Job Interview for Women
9. How to Network at an Event
10. How to Network Online
11. How to do an Elevator Pitch
12. How to Make a Cold Call
13. How to Prepare For a Job Interview
14. How to Write a Related Experience Resume
15. How to Write a Resume For the Medical Field
16. How to Write an Acting Resume
17. How to Design a Business Card