Tips
Going Under Cover
A cover letter is an important tool for selling yourself to an employer. It’s a brief introductory letter explaining why you’re a good candidate for a position. Your cover letter is what a company reads first—before your resume—so it needs to stand out!
Every resume and job application that you submit should have a cover letter. You should never send a generic cover letter with a job application. Of course, some of the content will be the same, but each letter must be tailored to sell yourself for a particular position.
A cover letter should include:
- A heading with your contact information, the date and the address of the company to which you’re applying.
- An introduction addressed to a specific person, followed by a paragraph about who you are and why you’re applying for the job.
- An argument, explaining your qualifications for the job, why you stand out, a bit about your personality and a little detail of your professional experience.
- One paragraph stating how you can benefit the company, and how valuable you can be in the position.
- A closing statement, thanking them for their time, explaining that you’re also attaching your resume and possibly some sample clips or portfolio pieces.
- Your signature with a salutation such as “sincerely” or “best.”
Before sending out your cover letter, make sure to read it over and check for any spelling or grammatical errors. Nothing kills your employment chances like a spelling error in your cover letter.
Posted: 4/25/24
