From OWL at Purdue
What Is a Cover Letter?
A cover letter introduces you and your resume to potential employers or
organizations you seek to join (non-profits, educational institutions, etc). It is the
first document an employer sees, so it is often the first impression you will make.
Take advantage of this important first impression and prepare the reader for
your application, stating why you are writing, why you are a good match for the
job and the organization, and when you will contact him or her.
Cover letters do more than introduce your resume, though. A cover letter's
importance also includes its ability to:
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Explain your experiences in a story-like format that works with the
information provided in your resume
Allow you to go in-depth about important experiences/skills and relate
them to job requirements
Show the employer that you are individualizing (tailoring) this job
application
Provide a sample of your written communication skills
The following resources are a compilation of tips and strategies to guide you
throughout the writing of your cover letter. Please refer to the sample cover
letters for a picture of the finished product.
What do I include in my introduction?
The introduction of your cover letter should begin with a greeting to a specific
person ("Dear Ms. Kincaid"), followed by a statement of who you are and why
you are writing (why you are a good candidate).
Please refer to the resource section "To Whom Do I Address My Letter" for more
information about the greeting of a cover letter.
How to catch the attention of the reader.
As the purpose of your introduction is to catch the reader's attention and make
you stand out, you need to be as specific as possible in this section. Here are
some tips on how to start your introduction:
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State the university you attend, your major, and what position you are
applying for (if you are a student).
Mention where you heard about the job.
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Mention the name of a professor or other contact who has a positive
connection with the company.
Bring up any previous conversations you have had with your reader (i.e.,
at a job fair).
Some examples:
As a Purdue University junior in Electrical Engineering, I would like to fill the position of Engineering
Internship advertised on General Electric's website.
Professor Gene Smith speaks highly of Western Electric, and he urged me to write directly to you.
I have been thinking about our conversation at Purdue's Career Fair on January 26. I agree that a team
spirit and strong work ethic are vital for success, and I believe I can bring these qualities to your company.
How to make a strong claim for yourself.
After gaining the initial attention of the reader, you must make a strong claim
about your candidacy and that you match the needs of the job and the company.
Clearly state two-three qualifications you have that match the company/position.
These qualifications will then be the focus of your body paragraphs and
arguments. Some examples:
I agree that a team spirit and strong work ethic are vital for success, and I believe I can bring these
qualities to your company.
I believe that my production experience, design skills, and enthusiasm for writing make me a strong
candidate for the Production/Design Internship.
What do I include in my argument/body?
In the body of your cover letter (the argument), you should describe the most
important qualifications to show why you are a good match for the job and the
company.
You should focus your cover letter's body around the two-three qualifications you
mention in the introduction. In each paragraph you can concentrate on one
quality, seeking to answer the following two questions:
1. How can I show I am qualified for this position and that I am a good
match for the organization?
2. What have I done that illustrates these qualifications?
How can I show I am qualified for this position and that
I am a good match for the organization?
You do not want to only mention the skills that you possess; you also have to
show that you possess them! When writing about your skills, you can think of it
as telling a story. You should describe the experiences of how you received and
grew your skills, mentioning specific places you worked and positions you held.
For example:
My communication skills in the workplace have grown because of my internships. When I was an intern at
Newberry & Jones, I wrote memos and letters to customers and colleagues on a daily basis. This experience
taught me to write professionally and to-the-point.
What have I done that illustrates these qualifications?
Along with explaining your skills, you want to describe how your experience with
that skill is unique. Many people may have communication skills, but have you
won an award or scholarship for technical writing? Be specific and match this
information to your resume
Here are some ideas about what might set you apart:
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Special projects
o Explain course work that gives you a type of professional
experience.
Awards
o Show that others have recognized the high quality of your work.
o Include only those awards that relate to the position you desire.
Accomplishments
o Demonstrate how you improved efficiency/productivity at work or
school.
o Include what you did at school that proves your skills.
o Explain how you set a goal and reached it.
For example:
While at Purdue University, I participated in a collaborative web-consulting project for a Technical Writing
class. With two peers, I served as a web consultant for a local business, Patters' Painters. In order to make
feasible recommendations for revisions, additions, and deletions to Patters' Painters' website, we conducted
interviews, observed the workplace, and completed multiple web analyses...I believe these experiences
match the requirements you outline in the job description.
What do I include in my closing?
A closing sums up your qualifications and reveals what you plan to do after your
readers have receive your application packet (resume, cover letter, etc.)
Here are our recommended tips for closing your cover letter:
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Close with a strong reminder of why you are a good match for the job
position and the organization.
Request an interview in some way.
Provide contact information.
Thank them!
Sign your name and print it underneath.
For example:
I am eager to speak with you and discuss my possible contribution to Country Press, as I feel my
experiences in communication and customer service will be an asset to the company. I will be in touch with
you within a week, and if you need to reach me, you can call 423-512-1143, or email me at
anyone@anywhere.com. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Stating that you will contact the potential employer will cause them to read your
application materials with more interest. Therefore, you have a better chance
that your materials will not be filed away. By following up, you can achieve three
goals:
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Inform the employers that you are still interested.
Prove you can take the initiative to call.
Discover where you are in the hiring process.
If you do not feel comfortable informing your readers when you will contact
them, you may simply delete that part of the closing. For example:
I am eager to speak with you and discuss my possible contribution to Country Press, as I feel my
experiences in communication and customer service will be an asset to the company. Please contact me at
423-512-1143, or email me at anyone@anywhere.com. Thank you for your time and consideration.
If you say you will call, though, do not forget to do so.