The Cover Letter
The purpose of a cover letter is to introduce yourself to a prospective employer and describe how your skills and abilities match the employer's needs. Before you write a cover letter, research the employer and the position or field using company annual reports and web sites, as well as CWS Library resources. The more familiar you are with the organization and its work the more you can target your experience in the letter. Only you can write a letter, which expresses your personality and experiences.
A resume should always be accompanied by a cover letter. The cover letter acts as an introduction to your resume and can emphasize or further explain those aspects of your background and skills, which most suit the employer's needs. It should mention your knowledge of the company and express an understanding of where your abilities could be utilized best.
The cover letter is usually the first thing a prospective employer sees when he or she opens correspondence from you. Be sure that your letter is well written and visually appealing. You want to encourage the prospective employer to read your resume and decide to interview you.
Style and Format of a Cover Letter
Letters to prospective employers are business communications. Use 8½ x 11 high quality bond paper with a matching envelope. The stationery should match that of your resume. Each letter should be individually produced on a laser or other top quality printer, and should be kept to one page.The parts of a cover letter are as follows:
- your address
- the date
- the employer's address
- salutation (Dear Ms./Mr. with specific name )
- text (three or four paragraphs)
- complimentary closing (Sincerely, Yours truly,)
- signature
- typed name
- enclosure
Your cover letter will be more effective if addressed to a specific individual, not merely "Director of Marketing." Individual names can be found in business directories. (Consult the Center for Work and Service bibliographies in your fields of interest.) Alternatively, call the organization and ask the receptionist to give you the name, correct spelling, and title of the person in the department to whom you should address your correspondence. If you absolutely cannot come up with a contact name, it is better to write "Dear Director of College Relations (or Marketing or Human Resources)" in the salutation, rather than "Dear Sir/Madam."
Outline for a Cover Letter
Opening Paragraph:
State your reason for writing. Identify the position or type of work for which you are applying. Include a sentence about why the position interests you, and/or how you learned of the opening. For example, "I will receive my BA degree from Wellesley College in June and am seeking a position as editorial assistant with a national news magazine." If you are inquiring about an advertised position, indicate how you heard about it. If someone known to the reader referred you, state this.Middle Paragraph(s):
State why you want to work for this employer or in this field. Include information showing that you have conducted research on the field and the employer. Relate your background and qualifications to the position. Emphasize or expand those parts of your resume that are most relevant.Explain what aspects of the industry, company, and position you find most interesting and how they fit with your career goals. As appropriate, refer to information interviews or sessions and research you have conducted.
State specific examples, which illustrate your skills and abilities, to differentiate yourself from other candidates.
Last Paragraph:
Indicate the next step. Express your interest in discussing the position. An assertive closing is recommended; for example, "I will call you next week to follow up." If you are writing a cover letter to accompany a resume for on-campus recruiting, an assertive closing is not necessary.Four sample cover letters
