A cover letter is a letter sent with a resume to introduce yourself to a prospective employer, explain why you are interested in the position and company, and highlight your relevant qualifications. The cover letter should be tailored to the specific job by mentioning skills that meet the company's needs from the job posting. It is typically one page and includes an introduction, highlights of what you can offer the employer, and a call to action asking them to review your resume. Cover letters come in two forms - letters of application for a specific job listing, or letters of inquiry to obtain informational interviews or conduct research.

1. WRITING
A
GOOD
COVER
LETTER

2. WHAT IS A COVER LETTER?
 A cover letter is a letter sent alongside your resume
to introduce yourself, explain why you are sending
in your resume, and provide more information
about yourself.
 It expresses your interest in
and qualifications for a
position to a prospective
employer.

3. WHAT’S THE POINT OF A COVER LETTER?
 Introduce yourself
 Cover letter should carry a message about you
 Get you noticed
 Project the desired image of you or your business
 Convey special information
 Highlight accomplishments
 Get employers, award judges and scholarship committees
to read your resume

4. A COVER LETTER COMES IN TWO BASIC
FORMS…
 Letter of application
 Targeted for a specific ad
 Outline skills to meet company’s needs
 Helpful to use ad’s terms, lingo
 Letter of inquiry
A marketing tool to…
 Obtain an informational interview
 Correspond with a networking contact
 Conduct company/industry research

5. WRITING TIPS
 Use Keywords from job description
 Always use a reader or readers to review your
materials
 Develop a standard set of phrases for the basics of the
resume cover letter, but target all content to a
particular employer or job
 SPELL AND GRAMMAR CHECK

6. WRITING TIPS (CONTINUED)
 No more than one page
 Standard fonts, single-spaced
 Print on quality paper if sending by mail, white or off-
white
 Make a pdf if emailing to avoid track changes
showing up
 Strive for neatness and personality

7. THE BODY OF THE LETTER
 First paragraph – reason for writing
 Second paragraph – point out qualifications
 Third paragraph – call attention to resume, reiterate
interest

8. COVER LETTER SAMPLE
Ima Good Student
Your Contact Info 800 North University Avenue #22220
Provo, Utah 84601
801 555-5555
Date July 15, 2009
Jane Q. Recruiter, Employment Manager
Contact Info ASuper Employer
123 Broad Street
New York City, NY 10000-0001
Greeting Dear Jane (Ms. Recruiter):
After meeting you at our recent campus Career Fair I have taken the opportunity to learn much more
about ASuper Employer. I would like to accept your offer to consider me as a candidate for your
Introduction internship program and have enclosed my resume for your review.
I believe I bring skills and experience that will benefit the company and add to its already successful
record. Some of my specific abilities related to your job opening follow:
What you offer Valuing teamwork synergy and leadership through employment and class team projects.
them Solving complex and complicated problems using applied analysis techniques and research.
Thinking critically to determine needs in ambiguous settings and thoroughly developing
efficient recommendations and solutions.
Please review my resume for a more detailed synopsis of my experience and qualifications. For the
past year I have worked at Ales Super Employer and appreciate the high regard given to your
organization by its major competition.
I look forward to discussing my background with your recruiting team when you come to interview
What happens this month. It is easiest to contact me via email or at the number listed above. I am in class Monday
through Friday from 10 am until 2 pm each day. If I am unable to answer please feel free to leave a
now/next message and I will return your call as quickly as possible.
Thank you for considering me for an internship at A Super Employer. I will contact you early next
week to determine how we should proceed.
Close Sincerely,
Ima Good Student

9. FOR MORE INFORMATION YOU CAN VISIT US AT
http://www.bestsampleresume.com/resume-cover-
letter.html
http://www.bestsampleresume.com/info/resume-
references.html