How to Write a Great Cover Letter

When applying to any job, you need a good and comprehensive cover letter to serve as an introduction between you and your potential employer. This letter will be your first opportunity to make a great impression so be sure you spend time and effort composing it. If this is your first time writing a cover letter, there a few helpful tips to know before you start:

The Cover Letter Format

A good cover letter should follow the standard business format. This means placing the name of the letter's recipient, his or her title, and the address in the top left portion of your page. Microsoft Word has a very good program that automatically puts letters in business format, and there are many helpful sites online that can guide you in this process. If you are sending your cover letter in via email, the business model is less strictly followed, but the closer you get to the format, the more professional you will look.

Addressing the Letter

Whenever possible you should find out the recipient's name as opposed to "To Whom This May Concern." A quick call to the human resources department of the company can help you with making sure your letter is directed to the right source. If you cannot find out whom to address the letter to and you feel you've exhausted all your options, don't fret. Addressing the letter to the company can help as well because it shows the letter is not a generic cover letter you send to everybody.

The Body

The body of your letter should consist of three paragraphs max. More than that can cause employers to lose interest. Remember, they are flipping through hundreds of applications. This makes brevity highly appreciated. The first paragraph should consist of an introduction. State who you are, where you grew up, and your educational background. End the paragraph by stating how interested you are in working with the company and what a fantastic fit you feel you would be.

This leads into your second paragraph where you are essentially showing them why you be a fantastic fit. State your academic and previous work achievements. You should include your GPA and any additional honors. Try to briefly expand on those items on your resume that had a great influence in shaping your personality. Also, don't list accomplishments that have nothing to do with the position you are applying for. Remember, being concise is better.

Finally, in the third paragraph, sell yourself to the company. What do you like about the company? How do you feel that your skills mentioned in the previous paragraph make you the most qualified candidate? Sound confident and sure of yourself in this paragraph. Make sure they know how much you want this position.

Proofreading

Once you have finished your first draft, it is important that you proof and then proof again. You might also consider asking a friend or family member to review the letter as well. A cover letter needs to be professional but also personal. You can certainly keep the basic information of your biography and achievements as the same but consider adapting each letter for the specific companies where you are applying. This should not mean merely dropping in a new name but really understanding that whoever is reading your application is looking for somebody who has researched the company and seen it as a good fit. The more you know about a company, the better you look.

Article Resources

Job Star Central
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Career Services at Virginia Tech