A cover letter is a persuasive letter that presents knowledge, skills, and experience to a potential employer. The main purpose of a cover letter is to show the employer the applicant’s qualifications by citing explicit examples and details of their education and employment history. This information should make a connection between the company and the applicant, demonstrating their potential to make a valuable contribution.
General Guidelines
- Format the letter as a business letter and limit it to a single page. Use a legible typeface and font size (between 10-12 points). Address the letter to a specific person or committee.
- Write a brief introduction, specify the job title, and state how you learned about it.
- Take the time to research the organization’s social media presence, blog posts, and news releases. Use this information to compose this portion of the letter. Establish a connection with the employer in a statement or two that shows initiative in researching the company and expresses enthusiasm for the job.
- State how personal traits and experiences meet the specific job requirements, using short anecdotes and examples to illustrate the special expertise that will distinguish you from the competition. This section should be the bulk of the letter’s content.
- Include keywords derived from the job posting.
- Compose statements that contain as much evidence as possible of the knowledge, skills, and experience listed in the job description.
- Give concrete examples to support your assertions about your strengths. Adhere closely to the job posting’s requirements.
- Address as many of the preferred qualifications as possible.
- Soft or interpersonal skills, such as creative thinking, communication, or teamwork, can also be mentioned. Be sure to put them in context with the job posting.
- Thank the hiring managers for their consideration, reiterate your enthusiasm for the job, and restate necessary contact information (phone number and email). If you have included your resume in the application, mention that here.
- Close your letter with a formal closing such as “Sincerely” or “Best regards,” your signature, and your printed full name.
Other Resources
- The AppState Career Development Center is an excellent resource and is located on the second floor of the Plemmons Student Union building. Career counselors offer detailed feedback for specific disciplines. These focused readers can assist in tailoring application materials to the demands and expectations of a given field.
- The Career Studio is also an excellent resource; it is located in the Student Union near the entrance to McAllister’s. https://careerexploration.appstate.edu/
- Sample résumés are available from many online sources: CareerBuilder.com, Monster.com (also provides résumé feedback), and Indeed.com.
Many employers are now looking to LinkedIn to get to know more about applicants. Consider creating a LinkedIn profile to give them an opportunity to review your experience and personal qualities. Update that profile regularly to avoid having outdated information. Rachel Clark from Center for Teaching and Learning for Student Success (CETLSS) on campus states, “A solid LinkedIn profile is gradually replacing résumés these days. I would personally never have or send a résumé without a LinkedIn link on it.”