Writing Cover Letters

WHAT IS A COVER LETTER? A cover letter is a one-page document that accompanies

your resume. Cover letters are an opportunity for you to take three steps:

1. Introduce yourself to the employer

2. Express interest in a position
3. Demonstrate that you are an ideal candidate
Think of a cover letter as a marketing tool, one that allows you to market yourself as the ideal
candidate using persuasive information, background, and details that may not appear in your
resume. The prose of a cover letter (in contrast to the bullet points of a resume) provides the
employer with an impression of your personality, encouraging the employer to look at and
consider your resume further. In addition to acting as a marketing tool, cover letters also provide
a writing sample.

There are two types of cover letters:

• A letter of application: Write a letter of application to express interest in a particular

position. This kind of letter explains why you are a good candidate for that particular
job and requests an interview for that job.
• A letter of inquiry: Write a letter of inquiry to contact an employer when no known
opening exists. This kind of letter expresses interest in the company and requests an
opportunity to interview for a position appropriate for your interests and skills.
HOW DO I WRITE AN EFFECTIVE COVER LETTER?

An effective cover letter should answer the following questions:

• Why do you want this job at this company, specifically?

An effective cover letter should express the answers to these questions efficiently (in no more
than one page) using specific evidence. Effective cover letters are written in a professional and
personable style. Make sure your writing is polished and respectful, but don’t be afraid to let
your voice shrine through.

Questions to Ask

Before writing, ask yourself the following questions:

• What do you know about the company? Research the company’s mission statement,
products, services, or other past work.
• What kind of skills does the position you are applying for require? (Find this info in the
job ad or in an ad for a similar position.)
 • What experience do you have that shows you have those skills? Consider past work,
volunteer, or extracurricular experiences; projects from coursework; or
accomplishments. Provide specific examples (evidence) to support your claims.

The answers to these questions should help you identify your audience, the claims you wish to
make about your qualifications, and the evidence you can provide to support those claims. As a
brainstorming exercise, try using the table below to identify and align the skills the company is
looking for with your own skills and experience.

Skills or character traits Your applicable skills, Evidence (anecdotes,

the job/company requires qualifications, experience, recommendations,
or values etc. accomplishments) that
demonstrates skill

Strategies to Use

Below are 5 strategies for writing an effective cover letter.

1. Tailor your cover letter to the company and position. Cover letters should be
tailored to the company and position you are writing for.
• Research the company’s mission statement and review its past work. How do your work
values, skills, and past experience align with the company’s? What kind of writing style
and conventions does the company operate in? Should you write your cover letter in a
similar style?
• Tie your skills and qualifications back to the job posting. Use examples that demonstrate
you have the required skills as outlined by the job posting.
• Address your salutation to the specific person who will be doing the hiring. This may
require you to research online or call the department. Avoid the generic and stuffy, “To
whom it may concern.”
Not only does tailoring your cover letter help you present yourself as the ideal candidate, it also
demonstrates that you are an invested and enthusiastic candidate.
2. Show, don’t tell. When discussing your skills, do not simply say you have
them, show that you have them. Use examples of your experiences or
accomplishments that demonstrate specific skills or qualifications. In other words, if
you make a claim about yourself, provide evidence to support that claim. In general,
it’s better to show character traits like enthusiasm, passion, and work ethic rather
than to make explicit claims about possessing them.
3. Do not merely duplicate your resume. Cover letters are an opportunity to interpret
your resume to show how your experience is relevant to the position. Use the letter
to describe a particular experience in depth or to gather all of your experience that
demonstrates a single skill into one paragraph. The letter also illustrates your
personality, writing skills, and, perhaps, other information that may not be in your
resume. Cover letters should complement your resume—not repeat (or replace) it.
4. Focus on what you can do for the company. Don’t focus on what you want
from the company; focus on what you can do for the company.
5. Consult Career Services (or another industry expert). Career Services is an on-
campus resource that provides guidance for students exploring and pursuing career
paths. Career Services offers samples and guides, as well as walk-ins for students to
have their cover letter reviewed by an industry expert. These experts can provide
insight into the values and conventions of the industry you are entering, which you
can use to further tailor your cover letter and demonstrate an understanding of your
industry.

Sample to Examine Attached below is an example of a strong cover letter.

Reading samples is a useful strategy for familiarizing yourself with the genre of cover
letters and gaining inspiration. The comments in the margins of this sample point out
some writing choices the writer makes, discussing how they function and why they
are effective.
General Cover
Letter Sample

Aadhira.Goswami@gmail.com (908) 122-9182 167 Roosevelt Ave., Jersy,

City, NJ07097

[Today’s Date]

[Hiring Manager’s Name]

[Company Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]

Dear [Mr./Ms./Mrs.] [Hiring Manager’s Surname],

I was excited to see your listing for the [Position Name] position at [Company Name] on
[Website Name] recently. As a dynamic [Your Occupation] with [# Years] of professional
experience doing [Primary Work Task] in order to drive results, I’m confident that I would be
a valuable asset to your team.

Your job listing mentions a need for someone knowledgeable in [Area of Expertise], which is
an area I have extensive experience in. I’m currently employed at [Current Company Name],
where I’ve honed my skills doing [Relevant Tasks Performed]. While employed here, I have
successfully raised our [Achievement] by [%] over the course of [Time Period], contributing
substantially to the department’s annual goals.

I’m confident that my proven track record of excellent work ethic, unparalleled attention to
detail, and knack for [Relevant Skill] will make me an immediate asset at [Company Name],
and allow me to contribute to the team’s success.

I look forward to discussing the [Position Name] position and my qualifications with you in
more detail. I’m available to talk at your soonest convenience. I’ll be in touch next week to
follow up, just to make sure you’ve received my application.

Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]