Cover Letter Tips

Advice for creating memorable content

The cover letter is your introduction to the employer. It should summarize who you are and what you want.

The cover letter displays your writing skills, highlights your professional approach, communicates your motivation, and demonstrates your research on the employer and/or field. It can also illustrate your awareness of those skills or training that are relevant to effective job performance.

Tips for Writing a Great Cover Letter

In these letters you are explaining who you are and why you are writing to the person reading your resume.

  • Introduce yourself and make the request for an interview. 
  • Always send a cover letter unless you are handing your resume directly to the recipient during a meeting to discuss job opportunities.
  • Do not repeat your full resume. Briefly highlight your achievements, accomplishments, and qualifications and how they relate to the job posting.
  • Be sure to address these four topics:
    • The name/title of the position you are applying for.
    • How you learned about the position. Demonstrate your research and indicate what motivated you to apply.
    • Why you are suitable for the position. How can you make a contribution to the goals, mission, vision, values, objectives, etc.?
    • How you can be contacted. State your interest in meeting with the employer for an interview. Make it easy for the person to contact you by listing a phone number or email address where they can reach you or leave a message. 
  • Proofread and have someone else read the letter for clarity and editorial purposes.
  • Use the same font (size and type) as your resume – be consistent.