TIPS FOR A STANDOUT COVER LETTER

The purpose of a cover letter is to briefy introduce yourself, explain the position for which you are
applying, and highlight your qualifcations enough to peak the employers interest to more closely read
your resume. ou always want to include a cover letter whenever you submit a resume, even if it is not
specifcally requested. !f you email the resume, use your cover letter as the body of your email and attach
your resume as a "#$ document.
CONTENT
!ts important that cover letters are written specifcally for each employer. They need to know that
you want to work for them, not that you %ust want a %ob.
&esearch the employer and the organi'ation before you start writing your cover letter. (ebsites
and informational telephone calls are good ways to do this )*ee our handout on informational
interviewing+. ,tili'e this information in your letter to explain why you are interested in that
particular company.
&emember to write down names of anyone you spoke to regarding the position so that you can
include them in your cover letter.
(hen writing your cover letter, always open with why -, would be an ideal candidate for the
specifc %ob.
#escribe particular experiences and skills, both informal and formal, which would make you a
good ft for the position. &efer to .#- sheet of descriptive words. ou can also use words from the
%ob description to help guide your letter.
/e specifc about courses, skills, and how they apply to the position. ou need to make the
connection between your education and the position clear. /e sure to include details from the %ob
description or your research to show your preparation.
$ocus on accomplishments including achievements, awards, and outstanding honors, particularly
those that relate to the %ob to which you are applying.
.lose your letter with a paragraph which indicates your desire for an interview.
/e sure to state that you will call to make sure your cover letter was received0 learn about your
status, and arrange an interview.
FORMAT & STYLE
1eep your cover letter to one page.
2void lengthy paragraphs in your cover letter, two to three simple sentences per paragraph is
best.
/ulleted lists are one way to make specifc qualifcations prominent.
3ake sure your cover letter is quick and easy to read.
,se personal pronouns )4!,5 4my,5 and 4our5+ in your cover letter, but take care to have varying
sentence structures. !ts not the most interesting read if all sentences start with 4!5 or 4my.5
/e aware that cover letters submitted electronically may have problems with formatting )indents,
bold type, italics, etc.+ so be sure to keep the formatting simple.
Typos in a cover letter are easily missed, so be sure to proofread and have someone else look at it
too. The sta6 at the .#- would be happy to review your cover letter. .ome to (alk7!n 8ours or
schedule an appointment.
"ut your cover letter in front of your resume and do not staple them.
"rint your cover letter on the same high quality bond paper as your resume.
CDO RESOURCES & WEB SITES
No-Nonsensse Cover Letters
The Complete Idiots Guide to The Perfect Cover Letter
Job Choices maga'ine series
.reating a (inning .over 9etter7 http://wwwwetfeetcom/!dvice-tools/resume-cover-letter/cre!te-
!-winnin"-cover-letter
For other tips & questions, contact the CDO at 410-337-6191 or visit the CDO website at
www!ouchere"u#c"o
:;<: #ulaney =alley &oad
/altimore, 3# <:<;>
ggraduate?xxxxx.edu
>:;7@@A7xxxx
Todays date
3s. 3ary Bones
/altimore *un
3anaging Cditor
Dxxxxx *treet
/altimore, 3# <:<;>
#ear 3s. BonesE
3y morning is not complete without a cup of co6ee and the
/altimore *un. !m particularly drawn to the concise writing
style of .ity 8all reporter Bulie *charper and /altimore
.ounty schools reporter 9i' /owie and would en%oy working
on the newsroom foor alongside them. !n addition to my love
for all things /altimore, my strong writing and editing
background make me an asset to my hometown paper. "lease
accept this letter as my application for the reporter position at
the /altimore *un, which was recently advertised on
www.monster.com.
3y writing and editing experience has been developed and
honed in a variety of settings. (hile working as a sta6 writer
for the Foucher newspaper, ! wrote feature articles on
campus events and issues and assisted with editing for
freelance writers. 2s a sta6 assistant for the /altimore .ity
"aper, ! wrote articles on local events and assisted with
editing and layout. $inally, as an editor for the campus
yearbook, ! coordinated the production of a G;7page yearbook.
3y positions gave me the opportunity to develop strong
reporting skills, which include providing clear information to
the reader, meeting deadlines, and checking facts.
*trong organi'ational, computer, and leadership are other
skills ! can bring to the *un. 2s a resident assistant at
Foucher, ! provided supervision to a foor of <; students, and
as *ophomore .lass "resident, ! organi'ed fund raising
activities. ! am profcient with 3* (ord, Cxcel, 2ccess, and
"ublisher.
The combination of my
skills and experiences, as
well as my knowledge of
the area, make me a
defnite asset to the
/altimore *un. ! look
forward to speaking to you
soon to discuss this
position further and will be
contacting you in two
weeks to follow up on my
application. Thank you in
advance for considering
my application.
*incerely,
Foucher H. Fraduate
Cnclosure
Header
ou could format as a
traditional business letter,
shown here. 2nother option
is to use the same header as
your resume, so that its clear
the documents go together.
Address & Salutation
2ddress the letter to the
person managing the hiring
process or making the hiring
decision. .ontact the
organi'ation to inquire and
verify spelling of hiring
managers name, title,
company, and address, unless
they state no phone calls
please. 2s a last resort you
can address to 48iring 3anager5 or 48uman &esource
&epresentative.5
Opening Paragraph
8ook the reader with an interesting opening that clearly articulates
why you want to work for that organi'ation. !dentify the specifc
position to which you are applying and how you learned of it.
3ention any referral if applicable.
Body Paragraph(s)
/riefy describe your strongest qualifcations by using examples
from your internships, employment, coursework, and co7curricular
activities, as it relates to the position description. 8ighlight
particularly relevant experience without repeating your resume.
!nter%ect your own style and personality into the letter by discussing
your skills. ,tili'e wording used by the employer in the position
description.
Closing Paragraph
Cnd your letter with your follow up action plan including when you
will contact the employer. Cxpress your appreciation.
Signature and Enclosure
*ign the letter with a good pen. 2dd 4enclosure5 at the end of the
letter. &emember to include resume or other necessary documents
such as transcripts, writing samples, or references.