The cover letter introduces you to the employer and is your
first marketing tool.
Short, Clear, and Concise
- It should be typed on white or off-white
bond paper.
- Avoid using contractions, informal language
or jargon.
- Avoid using "I have" or "I am" to
excess.
- Call the department of human resources at
the institution to find out who is in charge of hiring.
- Get the correct spelling of that
person's name, his or her title and phone number. Address
your letter to that individual.
There should be three paragraphs in a cover letter.
First, there is the introductory paragraph. In this paragraph,
explain who you are, identify the position you are seeking, and
state how you found out about this job. The second is the main
paragraph. Here you should highlight your accomplishments that
pertain to the position for which you are applying. Focus on your
professional and personal strengths. Show why you would be a
valuable asset to this organization. In the closing paragraph,
remind the employer in one sentence of what you can offer the
organization.
Important Elements
- Request an interview and include a specific
day and time when you will call to set up an appointment for
an interview. Allow about two weeks.
- Tell him or her how you can be reached
including your day and evening phone numbers including area
codes.
- Thank the reader for his or her time.
- Check for neatness and proofread several
times!
- Keep a copy of the cover letter and resume
for your records.
- Contact the person as arranged to set up an
interview and be prepared to answer questions on the
phone.
