How to Write a Cover Letter

This page contains information and tips on how to write a cover letter. A well-written cover letter is just as important as a great resume.

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How Tos

Introduction
- 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 perfect fit for the position you're applying to, and a good one makes it more likely your resume will be seen. Follow the steps below to craft a great cover letter, and give yourself the best possible shot at a new job.
Step 1: Before You Write Your Cover Letter
1. Always write a cover letter when you submit a resume, even if the job posting did not explicitly request one.
2. A good cover letter can encourage your prospective employer to consider your resume.
3. 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.
4. Look at sample cover letters. Virginia Tech and California State University, Chico have some good sample cover letters online.
  - Note that this should only be a way to get started; you should write your own letter!
Step 2: Choose a Cover Letter Style
- There are slight variations in the kind of cover letter you should send.
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.
2. Include a mention of where you saw the job listing.
3. You understandably want to reply quickly to a job posting, but taking a few minutes to research the company will make your letter stand out.
  - Try keeping a bulleted list of your accomplishments ready, so you can quickly fill in the ones that relate to the listed position.
Step 3: Begin Your Cover Letter
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.
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.
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.
Step 4: Write Your Cover Letter
1. If applying for a specific job, make sure to reference the position in your letter.
  - Mention where you heard about the position.
  - 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 draws in the reader and highlights your interest.
4. Try to include new information when describing how you meet the job requirements, instead of repeating what's in your resume.
  - 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.
6. Be positive in your letter. No one wants to hire an unpleasant co-worker.
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.
  - You can mention this discusion in your letter, as it reinforces your interest in the job.
  - The conversation may give you insight on how to make your letter stand out from the applicant pool.
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.
Step 5: End Your Cover Letter
1. State the best phone number and email address where you can be contacted, and invite the reader to get in touch.
2. You can write that you will follow up on your letter. Just make sure to do so if you write this!
  - You do not need to take up a lot of time in your follow-up; confirming receipt of your resume and cover letter is enough.
  - If the job posting requests no calls, respect this.
Resources for How to Write a Cover Letter

Categories

Introduction

Step 1: Before You Write Your Cover Letter

Step 2: Choose a Cover Letter Style

Cover Letters in Response to a Job Posting

Step 3: Begin Your Cover Letter

Step 4: Write Your Cover Letter

Step 5: End Your Cover Letter

Resources for How to Write a Cover Letter