Cover Letters

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Published on Center for Career Education (http://www.careereducation.columbia.edu)

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Cover Letters
WHAT ARE COVER LETTERS? WHY ARE THEY IMPORTANT?
A cover letter introduces you as an applicant and outlines your qualifications. Most importantly, cover letters enable employers to get a sense of your personality, creativity, and writing style. Cover letters also give you a chance to make a good impression and express your enthusiasm for the position or organization. Cover letters should always accompany resumes unless the posting specifically states not to send a cover letter. (During campus recruiting, some employers may choose not to receive cover letters.) Do not write one general letter to use for all of your applications. You should uniquely tailor your letter for each organization and position to make your letter more effective. For academic cover letters, click here [1].

CONTENT & STRUCTURE

A cover letter is structured as a business letter with your contact information (address, perhaps phone number and email) on top; the date; the employer's name, title, and address; a greeting; the paragraphs (introduction, body, and conclusion); "Sincerely," and your signature. Keep cover letters shortthree or four paragraphsand do not exceed one page. Your cover letter should answer who, what, when, where, and why you are applying for the job.

Before Writing
1. Research the employer: Learn enough about the organization so that you can articulate why you are a strong fit for that firm. Review the website, speak with current or previous employers, and read articles. 2. Analyze the job description: Look for skills, duties, and qualifications of the job so you can design your letter to prove you match these as much as possible. 3. Analyze your background: Ask yourself what you have done that is similar to the duties required of the job, including classes, projects, work experiences, internships, volunteer, activities, travel, etc.

Introduction
This paragraph should state why you are writing by naming the position for which you are applying, where you found out about the job. Briefly introduce yourself and state why you are interested in this job or company in particular.

Body
This is the place to highlight your qualifications that are relevant to the position and to the organization. Market yourself and your abilities by highlighting, in order of importance, your skills and experiences that are most valuable to the employer. If you feel you lack any necessary qualifications, do not mention them or apologize. Instead, emphasize your strengths with examples, but avoid restating your resume. Pick two or three experiences from your resume to highlight your qualifications in depth. You should describe the expertise you gained through your experiences and how your skills prepare you for this job. The body of the cover letter may be several paragraphs and should be specific and relevant to the industry, organization, and position. Let the company know why you are interested in working for them by demonstrating what you know about them.

Conclusion
In your concluding paragraph, reaffirm your interest in the position and indicate the next stepyour availability for an interview or willingness to supply additional material, and/or stating a time when you will call to follow up. Avoid endings that lack assertiveness. Be sure to sign the letter if you are mailing or faxing it to the employer.

ADDITIONAL TIPS
Your letter should be addressed to the specific individual who has the capacity to hire you. If you do not know who this person is, research the organization online or call them to find out the correct name and spelling as well as the individual's appropriate title and current mailing address.

http://www.careereducation.columbia.edu/print/717

8/31/2010

Cover Letters

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If you cannot find a name, you can address the letter to the department director/manager or to the recruiting coordinator. Cover letters should be freshly printed or typed, not photocopied. Print each cover letter on the same high quality paper that you are using for your resume, unless it is to be faxed or scanned, in which case it should be printed on standard white copy paper. Use the active voice, keeping your tone natural, positive, and professional. Avoid beginning all sentences with "I" and use perfect grammar and sentence structure. Make sure to have at least two people proofread your letter. Make your letter interesting, clear, and specific. Try to distinguish it from the others that will pass across the employer's desk. Gear your letter toward the interests of the prospective employer. Think about who is likely to read your letter and how you can spark their interest.

MATERIALS AVAILABLE IN THE CENTER FOR CAREER EDUCATION

Cover Letters That Knock Em Dead by Martin Yate High Impact Resumes and Letter by Ronald Krannich and William Banis Cover Letter Cover Letters Copyright 2010 The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York Privacy Policy Terms of Use

Source URL: http://www.careereducation.columbia.edu/resources/tipsheets/cover-letters Links: [1] http://www.careereducation.columbia.edu/node/718

http://www.careereducation.columbia.edu/print/717

8/31/2010