There is no one "right" cover letter. Each cover letter that you create is individualized to the position, industry, organization, and recipient. However, there are conventions that all cover letters share to make them clear, sharp, engaging, and, above all, informative. A good cover letter is an asset to your career exploration and job search: it interests the reader in taking a careful look at your resume and your candidacy for whatever opportunity you seek. It's worth investing time, atttention, and energy to craft an excellent document.
A cover letter, which typically accompanies a copy of your resume:
- introduces you and your career objectives to the reader
- summarizes skills and experiences relevant to the opportunity
- serves as a sample of your writing abilities
- is your opportunity to respond to an opportunity in a targeted manner
Each cover letter should express genuine enthusiasm and interest, whether you are applying for a position, inquiring about internship possibilities, or networking with a potential mentor. It should be written in your own voice and based on your own experiences and passions.
Hiatt encourages you to use Optimal Letter Builder, a great software aid to help you create cover letters and other documents essential in your career exploration and job search! The examples in Optimal Letter Builder are meant to give you an idea of the purpose and form of each type of letter - you'll put your own stamp on the content!
Action Steps and Resources
- Use Optimal Letter Builder to help create career exploration and job search letters
- Anatomy of a Cover Letter
- Tips to Keep in Mind
- Don't Forget to Say Thank You!
- What Comes Next - have your documents reviewed!
Anatomy of a Cover Letter
The documents linked below provide: 1) a generic sample letter (there will be many more in Optimal Resume Builder) and 2) a concise overview of the sections of a cover letter and the purpose each serves.Cover Letter Tips
The Basics:
- Limit the length of your cover letter to one page.
- Use standard business letter format.
- Take the time to carefully write, edit and proof your letter.
- If possible, address your letter to an individual, otherwise use openings such as "Dear Sir or Madam"or "Dear Selection Committee Members." If you are addressing your letter to an individual, take the time to verify the correct spelling of the person's name and his or her exact address and title.
For Each Letter:
- Clearly communicate in the first paragraph the reason you are contacting this employer (e.g. I am responding to your listing with the Hiatt Career Center for a Research Analyst).
- Demonstrate that you have done your research about the field and the employer (e.g. I recently read in the Wall Street Journal about XYZ's prominent role forging new business initiatives in Russia).
- Identify and discuss two or three main points about your resume that are particularly relevant to the position. You can discuss activities, internships, work experience, courses, language or computer skills - anything that would be helpful for the reader to know about you.
- Remember to discuss workplace skills that you feel you have developed and that are important to the position or opportunity, for example, leadership, quantitative and analytical abilities, written and oral communication, teamwork, and problem solving.
- Express enthusiasm for the position and the employer (e.g. I am very eager to begin my career as an Account Executive with ABC Advertising).
- Ask for the opportunity to interview and (if possible) suggest how and when you plan to follow up to check on the status of your application.
Don't Forget to Say Thank You!
A thank you letter is a brief note sent to each person with whom you met during the interview process. In most cases, it is best to send a neatly typed letter on resume quality paper. For some types of employers, you can send a neat handwritten note on personal stationery. A thank you letter accomplishes three goals:
- It reminds the interviewer of your interest in the organization and the specific job.
- It provides an opportunity to add pertinent information that was not covered in the interview.
- It can accompany any follow-up information that was requested (e.g. a transcript, letters of recommendation, a writing sample).
What Comes Next - have your cover letter drafts reviewed!
Hiatt has great resources to help you write great cover letters. Use them all!
- Optimal Letter Builder
- Make an appointment for an individual meeting with a Hiatt adviser (6-3618)
- Come to Hiatt drop-in hours for a quick review of your letter: Monday-Thursday, 2-4:30 p.m. and Wednesday evenings 5-6:30 p.m. during the academic year
- Check JAMIN for up-coming programming and workshops related to job search skills