What is a Cover Letter?
A cover letter is an opportunity to bring additional focus to your resume with a specific reader in mind. To write a unique and well-researched cover letter, you will consider the lens of the person who will make the hiring decision. You will show how your experiences have a direct correlation to this role and this company.
Purpose: Your cover letter should be able to answer the following questions:
- Why this role?
- Why you?
- What pick our organization?
Expectations Vary by Sector
- Nonprofits, Government, Education: Speak to your match with their mission.
- Finance, Business, Consulting: Results-oriented, brief.
Format Basics
One page long, single space, standard margins (0.5″-1″ on all four sides)
Header Includes:
- Your contact information (name, address, email)
- Use the same header from your resume for consistency
- Date
- Recruiter’s contact information (name, position, company, address)
Structure:
- Opening Paragraph: Make your case. Who are you? What motivates you to apply for this role? Identify mission, values, and priorities. What do you have to offer?
- Body: Demonstrate skills, values, and job qualifications through specific experiences.
- Closing: Restate your skills/what makes you qualified and thank them for their time and consideration.
Extra Tips:
1. Make sure there are NO spelling or grammatical errors. Run your piece through a free grammar checker such as Grammarly.
2. Have a classmate or Comms Studio Fellow read it over and provide feedback.
3. Start EARLY. Set yourself up for success by giving yourself time to revise and edit.
4. Always print a copy before you send it. Send in PDF.
(Source: https://www.teachingcove.com/writing/how-to-write-a-cover-letter)
CPDC Cover Letter Resources, Handshake