Cover Letters emphasize your interest in a specific position and employer. They showcase how your background matches the needs of the employer. Cover letters are not long. A half-page, between 200 – 300 words, is best. We can’t stress it enough: all cover letters should be individually created for a specific job.

Use simple, direct language and correct grammar; letters should be flawless ― no typos or spelling errors.  Single-space your letters and put them in business letter format.  When printing, use high-quality, white or off-white paper that matches your resume paper. If applying by email, your cover letter is the email and your resume should be an attached PDF.

Outline of a Cover Letter:

First Paragraph

• State why you are writing the employer.
• If applying for a specific job opening, indicate the position and how you learned of it
• Insert a brief sentence that gives your degree, major, college affiliation, and graduation date.

Middle Paragraph

• Describe how your education, experience, and personal skills make you a good match for the position.
• Be specific, offering proof of your experiences and clearly describe ways you will contribute. 
• Outline one or two specific examples of how your skills and experiences will meet the company’s needs.
• Refer to the organization you are applying to, and speak to what it is about them and the job opportunity that appeals to you.
• Emphasize your knowledge of the organization (from your research efforts) and your familiarity with the field.
• A genuine show of enthusiasm and knowledge will set you apart from those sending generic form letters.

Final Paragraph

• Always thank the employer for considering your application.
• Say what you’ll be doing to follow up on your letter.
• An assertive statement explaining what you plan to do is generally more effective.

Some employers will request that you include salary requirements in the cover letter.  Steer clear of stating the specific salary you are seeking. However, conduct salary research of the industry and position to learn what the hiring range and common benefits would be. Useful websites include: www.salary.com, www.simplyhired.com, and www.payscale.com.