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An introduction to cover letter preparation
What is a Cover Letter?
A cover letter introduces you and your resume to potential
employers or organizations such as graduate schools and
scholarship sources. The cover letter is the first document
the reader sees and creates their first impression of your
communication skills, interests, motivation, and knowledge
of the organization and field.
Your cover letter should be brief (3-4 paragraphs), well-written,
and tailored to the organization to which your resume is being sent.
The letter should answer the questions:

Who am I? (major, anticipated graduation date, how I learned of the
position or program)

Why am I interested in this position, organization, industry
or program?

What are my qualifications relating to this
position, organization, industry or program?
(match your experience with actual position
or program qualifications)

How have I demonstrated the skills and
qualifications the employer/organization
wants?
TIPS for Formatting your Cover Letter
 Open a new Word document.
 Set your margins to 1” (left, right, top & bottom).
 Set your line spacing to single.
 Use same font style and size as your resume,
usually 10-12 point font.
When will I use a Cover Letter?
 Left-justify the entire letter including the date,
inside address, salutation, body, and closing.
A cover letter should be sent with every
resume whether you are responding in print
or electronically.
Career Development Center
113 Stratton Administration Center
610-683-4067
careerhelp@kutztown.edu
www.kutztown.edu/careercenter
 Use black text only. Avoid using graphics
or pictures.
 Keep letter to one page usually 3-4 paragraphs.
 Print on a light-colored paper (white, ivory or
gray) that matches your resume.
Email or drop off your cover letter
to have it reviewed by a staff member.
Review Service takes 7-10 business days.
Drafting Your Cover Letter
Sample Job Posting
Review the job posting or program description
to determine the needs and requirements
of the position/program for which you are applying.
In your letter, make every effort to show the
connection between your qualifications
and their requirements/needs.
www.kutztown.edu/careercenter
In the opening paragraph, catch the
reader’s attention with a strong first
sentence. Be sure to include:
Marketing, PR and Community Outreach Specialist
Northeast Youth Programs, Philadelphia, PA
Northeast Youth Programs serves homeless, runaway, and
other youth in crisis. It is a 501c3 private non-profit serving
Delaware county. Our mission is to fill a gap in local support
services for housing homeless youth in addition to providing
temporary emergency shelter to homeless youth ages 10-17.
 The position or program for which
The Marketing, Public Relations, and Community Outreach
Specialist supports the mission of the organization and its
external communications, which are critical to building and
mobilizing support for the program. The Specialist will
maintain the website, develop marketing materials, write
press releases, stories, and articles, and assist with planning
and implementing fundraising campaigns and community
outreach efforts. The Specialist will work in close partnership
with the Executive Director and Board Members.
In the second paragraph
(and possibly the third), explain:
Qualifications:
A Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Public Relations,
Communications or English is required. We are looking for
an individual with excellent interpersonal communication
and writing skills, strong critical thinking skills, excellent
computer skills, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and
Access, prior experience with social media and website
maintenance, outstanding organizational skills with ability
to multitask and follow-through on assignments, strong
attention to detail, and ability to work independently and as
part of a team.
you are applying.
 How you heard about the position.
 Why are you interested in this
position, program or organization.
 How your skill, knowledge, and/or
experience relate to the position
requirements or qualifications.
 What you can contribute to the
organization and how you can help
it meet its goals or support its
mission.
In the closing paragraph, reiterate
your interest in the position or
program.
 Make a request for an interview.
 Thank the reader for his/her
consideration.
Include your contact information with
the closing under your name. Type
the word in Enclosure to indicate you
have sent a resume with this letter.
Warning: Not every job posting or program description will be as detailed as this example. You may need to
do a little research to find the information necessary to tailor your cover letter to the organization. Fortunately,
much of what you will need can be found on the organization’s website. A Google search may also yield valuable
information, as well as recent news and articles. While this research may take a little more time, a well-written,
targeted letter will be far more likely to land you an interview than a generic letter sent to many employers.
Cover Letter Worksheet
(Date of Letter i.e. January 1, 20XX)
(Name of Addressee)
(Job Title of Addressee)
(Name of Employer/Organization)
(Address of Employer/Organization)
(Address of Employer/Organization)
Dear
:
(Salutation: Use prefix Mr./Ms./Dr. and Last Name followed by a colon. If you are unable to find a name, address letter to “Hiring Manager”)
(First paragraph)
(Second paragraph)
(Closing paragraph)
Sincerely,
(Signature)
(Name)
(Address)
(Address)
(Email Address)
(Phone Number)
Enclosure
January 20, 20xx
Ms. Laura Mellner
Executive Director
Northeast Youth Programs
01010 Norway Drive
Philadelphia, PA 19114
Sample Cover Letter
Download the Writing Resumes, Cover Letters & Other Correspondence
Guidebook available from www.kutztown.edu/careercenter.
for additional tips and strategies for composing a cover letter.
Dear Ms. Mellner:
As a senior professional writing major, I was very excited to find your posting on College Central
Network for a Marketing, PR and Community Outreach Specialist. I grew up in Philadelphia and am
familiar with Northeast Youth Programs and the extraordinary service it provides to youth and families
in Delaware county.
You will note on my enclosed resume, I have experience in various areas of public relations and
marketing. My public relations internship with the American Red Cross of Delaware County
provided me with the opportunity to work closely with a Board of Directors in a non-profit setting.
I also worked daily with the Director to plan, market, and execute the agency’s largest fundraiser
of the year: a benefit dance which raised over $30,000. My duties included writing press releases and
articles for the monthly newsletter, updating content on the agency website, soliciting donations from
area businesses, maintaining a guest and donor list in Microsoft Access, and communicating with
vendors. Planning an event of this magnitude requires the ability to multitask, as well as excellent communication skills, close attention to detail, and the ability work both independently and as part of a team.
In addition to this internship, I had the privilege to serve as my sorority’s Community Outreach Chair.
Through this position, I communicated and worked with both campus and community residents to organize volunteer activities for my chapter. I coordinated a small team of volunteers who organized a fundraising project that netted over $5,000 to support a local charity.
I am very excited about the possibility of working at Northeast Youth Programs. I would appreciate the
opportunity to meet with you to discuss my credentials further. Please let me know if you need additional
information or writing samples. I am available for an interview at your convenience. Thank you for your
time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Julie Jones
Julie Jones
432 New Smithville Pike
Philadelphia, PA 19116
215-555-5555
jjones***@live.kutztown.edu
Enclosure