Cover+Letters

​​​​ **Cover Letter How-To **

**Writer's Materials **


 * Functioning computer
 * Microsoft Office Word (or another word processing program)
 * Paper
 * Printer (with ink)
 * Job listing and description
 * Writing utensil

**Definition of Cover Letter- General **

A cover letter is a letter sent with other documents to clarify more fully or supply a better understanding of what the items following the cover letter are indented to mean to the reader. The cover letter is usually an introduction to another document, or goes together with another document such as a resume.

**Definition of Cover Letter- Specific **

The cover letter contains details for the items accompanying the letter. When sent with a resume, the cover letter is provided in order to give additional information on your skills and previous job experience. A cover letter is very important because the letter may be the first item the hiring manager will read. Without a professionally written cover letter, a hiring manager may not even continue to read over the resume you have provided them.

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">**For more help on understanding what a cover letter is about and how cover letters can help you in your job application process, please visit:** [|Cover letter help]

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">**<span style="color: #310080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Components **


 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Contact Information
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Introduction
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Body
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Conclusion
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Formatting

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">**<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Contact Information **

<span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Within the contact information there should be all relevant information for a potential employer to contact you. This information should include your full name, telephone number, e-mail and current address.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">**<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Introduction **

<span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Within the introduction is where there should be a statement of what position is being applied for. This is the time to show why, and how much you want this position. By identifying the job you want, you let the employer know of your desire for this position. You could also start off an introduction by praising on accomplishments, which a lot of employers enjoy.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">**<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Body **

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Within the middle section of a cover letter there should be details on education (major), experience (work, years, and qualifications), and also the interest in the position and why. The body is sometimes called the qualification section. This is your time to explain why and how you can contribute. This section is sometimes divided into the education section and work experience.

<span style="color: #800080; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">**Conclusion**

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Lastly there is the conclusion which should include a thank you, contact information and a statement that personalizes the letter. If you’re planning to call or follow up with a letter there should be an indication of this in your conclusion. An even better idea is to be almost bold with your reader and say that you WILL call them in one week asking if you can have an interview.

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">**<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Formatting **

When it comes to the formatting of the cover letter make sure that you use a conventional format, where you include

<span style="color: #310080; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">**Tips for a Cover Letter**
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Date
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Proper contact information
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">The heading should match the resume
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Complimentary closing
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Signature
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Make sure the cover letter is customized with the name of the person it’s being sent to.
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Make sure to focus on the most important thing.
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Format Strategically
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Be specific in what it is you’re looking to do and bring to the job.
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Reference some of your strengths, relevant and retaining to the position.
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Make sure to check for spelling and grammatical errors.
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Follow up

<span style="color: #310080; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">**Steps for Completing a Cover Letter**

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">1. Research the company if you are writing a cover letter for your resume.
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Researching the company will not only make your cover letter seem more appealing but this research will also help you be prepared to answer questions in your interviews. Researching can come from your own knowledge, knowledge from someone who already works at the company, by contacting the company, by searching the web, or by visiting the library. (Examples Anderson Text pg 51.)

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">**2. Address the cover letter to someone that has a direct influence or authority to hire you.**
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Addressing the cover letter to the hiring manager will help bring their attention to the page. This may also help them feel respected and therefore more likely to read your cover letter and resume.

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">3. Explain how your qualifications match the needs of the organizations.
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">You want the employer to hire you so listing ways that make you favorable for the organization will greatly increase your chance of being hired into the organization.

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">**4. Include the date and inside address to the person reading the cover letter.** <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">**5. Business letters have three parts: introduction, body and conclusion.** <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">In the letter do the following:
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Including the date and address will add a professional touch to the cover letter and show that you want to personally send this cover letter to one specific company.
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Identify the job you want.
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Demonstrate your knowledge of the employer’s company or organization.
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Explain why you have chosen to apply to this employer.
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Explain how your qualifications enable you to contribute to the employer’s success.
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Indicate the next step you will take. (Steps for letter Anderson Text pg 51.)

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">**6. Pay attention to the appearance of your cover letter, making sure that the letter is neat and organized.** <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">**7. Revise your cover letter.**
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">A cover letter that is neat and organized will affect your readers in a positive way and help them to continue reading through the entire letter.
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Review the personality you project, make sure your tone is not overconfident or ineffective and change your cover letter for each employer.

<span style="color: #310080; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">**Troubleshooting for Cover Letters**

<span style="color: #800080; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">**Customization**

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Make sure that the cover letter is customized and specific to the job that you are looking to do. Customization of a cover letter will help lead the company to see how serious you are about applying to their specific organization and job. The cover letter being customized will also help to show an overview of the skills that you have that are similar to the experiences need to obtain a certain job.

<span style="color: #800080; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">**Reference Your Strengths**

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">A cover letter should be a place to express strengths that you posses that would be important if you were to be hired by the company. The cover letter can contain any relevant skills to the job. You can also include awards and achievements the may help you to be hired for the position.

<span style="color: #800080; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">**Spelling and Grammar**

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Spelling and grammar of your cover letter should be reviewed before handing over your cover letter to a hiring manager. Spelling errors can easily be corrected by using spell check and re-reading your cover letter. Grammar should also be reviewed and checked for problems with run-on sentences, commas, and other grammatical errors.

<span style="color: #800080; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">**<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Length **

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">The length of your cover letter should be about one page. The cover letter should contain an introduction, body and conclusion. The introduction should identify the job that you would like and relate your experiences to the job. The body should show specifically your qualifications related to the employer’s company. The conclusion should explain how you will follow up your cover letter or if you are planning to be contacted then this is when you can state where and when you can be reached by the employer.

<span style="color: #800080; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">**﻿Types** <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">There are three different types of cover letters.
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Invited cover letters adress a response to a job ad.
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Uninvited cover letters are when you are applying to a job without an ad.
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Referral cover letters are when you know someone at the company or have had an internship at the company and know how the company works on a daily basis.