The cover letter you send with your resume is an important document you can use to further demonstrate to the prospective employer your past experience and how it parallels the needs of the job opening. Unlike your resume, which provides a short, sometimes bland assessment of your abilities, your cover letter allows for eloquent expression of your skills. A good cover letter, written specifically for the open position, can help you stand out from other job applicants.
Step 1
Review the job advertisement and write a list of your past work experience that applies to the offered position. Jot down the name of the company offering the job, the contact information and the contact's name if one is given. Determine if you are delivering the resume in person, by mail, fax or e-mail; e-mailing your cover letter requires a different format, according to Career.VT.edu.
Step 2
Research the company to determine how your experience relates to the offered position.
Step 3
Open your word processing program and write the body of the letter in 3 to 4 paragraphs, says SIPA.Columbia.edu. Include the title of the job for which you are applying where you read about the position in the first paragraph as well as the name of any referrals. Explain how your past experience, as listed in Step 1, suits you for the open position using research points found in Step 2 in the second and third paragraphs. Conclude the body of the letter by reiterating your interest in the position, include your salary requirements, if necessary, and write how you look forward to discussing the position with the hiring manager.
Step 4
Address the letter to the contact found in Step 1, or, if no contact is given, "To Whom It May Concern."
Step 5
Create a standard valediction, such as "Sincerely," and your name, and provide enough room to sign the letter. Sending your cover letter through e-mail does not require the extra space for a signature.
Step 6
Write your contact information in the top left corner of the cover letter using the following format:
Your Name
Your Street Address
Your City, State, Zip Code
Your Phone Number
Your E-mail Address
Provide this contact information at the end of the cover letter under your valediction if you are sending the cover letter by email.
Tips and Warnings
- Be concise but precise when writing your cover letter. Using specific examples from your past experience and explaining how they relate to the open position increases the chances your application will stand out from the rest.
- Check your grammar and spelling before sending out the letter.
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