SAMPLE COVER LETTER
COVER LETTER FORMAT
Your Address City, State, Zip Code Date Contact’s Name, Title Company Name Address City, State, Zip Code Dear Mr./Ms. (Contact’s Last Name): Your opening paragraph should arouse interest on the part of the reader. Tell why you are writing the letter. Give information to show your specific interest in this company. Your middle paragraphs should create desire. Give details of your background that will show the reader why you should be considered as a candidate. Be as specific as possible about the kind of job you want. Don’t make the reader try to guess what you would be interested in. Refer the reader to your general qualifications on your enclosed resume or other material. In your closing paragraph, ask for action. Ask for an appointment suggesting a time when you will be available. A positive request is harder to ignore than a vague hope. Sincerely yours, Your Handwritten Signature Your Typed Name Enclosure
Always enclose a cover letter when you mail out resume,application or other documentation to an employer. Cover letters should be written specifically to the employer and should be brief, usually one page.
SAMPLE COVER LETTER
Your Address City, State, Zip Code Date Kentucky Education Television Stephen Smith, Director of Human Resources 123 Broadcasting Drive Lexington, KY 40404 RE: Education Consultant Position Dear Mr. Smith:
Be sure to proofread your Letter carefully! Leave a 1" margin on all sides, if possible.
It was with great interest that I read your advertisement for an Education Consultant for the south east region of the Commonwealth. The description you provided for this position seems a perfect fit with my educational background and interest in assisting students and administration to reach the goal of equal access and opportunities for all students in Kentucky. In addition to a Bachelor’s degree from Eastern Kentucky University in Mathematics, I will receive a Master’s of Science in Secondary Special Education upon graduation in May. My program’s primary emphasis is literacy and my chosen area of content is mathematics. I embrace cultural diversity and the importance of curriculum design with diversity in mind. My Master’s thesis is based on language development and the importance of equal access for all students, especially with respect to literacy, mathematics, and science. For many years I have watched and supported the efforts and success of Kentucky Educational Television. It would be a delight to have the opportunity to combine my educational background, management and communication skills to serve the diverse population of Kentuckians and KET. Enclosed please find my resume and a list of references for your review. I welcome the opportunity to interview with you at your earliest convenience. Feel free to contact me at the number or email listed above. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to speaking with you soon. Sincerely, Your Handwritten Signature Your Typed Name
SAMPLE THANK-YOU LETTER
THANK-YOU LETTER FORMAT
Date Your Address City, State, Zip Code Name of Interviewer Title of Interviewer Address City, State, Zip Code Dear Mr./Ms. (Interviewer’s Last Name) In the first paragraph, state when and where you had your interview and thank the interviewer for his or her time. Reaffirm your interest in the organization. In the second paragraph, mention something that particularly appeals to you about working for them, and reinforce a point or two in support of your application. If after the interview you thought of something you wish you had said, the third paragraph of the letter is a good place to bring that up. You can also restate your understanding of the next steps in the hiring process. In the last paragraph, thank the employer for considering your application and ask for further communication. Sincerely yours, Your Handwritten Signature Your Typed Name
Reinforce your interest in the position and the organization, along with thanking them for their time and consideration.
SAMPLE THANK-YOU LETTER
Date Your Address City, State, Zip Code Name of Interviewer Title of Interviewer Address City, State, Zip Code Dear Name of Interviewer: Thank you for meeting with me last Thursday, August 8, to discuss the position of copywriter at Modern Advertising, Inc. I am impressed with the enthusiasm of your advertising team and the helpfulness of your office personnel. Learning about Modern’s present media campaign for the Pennsylvania Sausage Company was exciting and demonstrated your creative approach to advertising and Modern Advertising is a company with which I want to be associated. Your description of the special qualifications needed for this position was especially interesting. My ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines has already been proven in the advertising position I held with The Eastern Progress. As I stated at our meeting, I enjoyed the challenges of a competitive environment in which success is based on achievement. I would also like to mention that since our meeting I have received the College Reporter’s Award for an article of mine published in the Eastern Progress. This is my first national award, and I am definitely encouraged by this approval of my work. Again, thank you for considering me for the position of copywriter. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Sincerely, Your Handwritten Signature Your Typed Name
Be sure to send a thank-you note to each person that participated in your interview.