Cover Letter Template Date
Name of Employer Title if known Company Address
Dear Mr. or Ms. Last Name: (If no name is given it is perfectly ok to address the letter as: To Whom It May Concern:) First Paragraph, Should include a statement on why you are writing, the exact position title (and corresponding number if mentioned), mention a name that the employer may know or where you saw the job advertisement, and write a sentence that would encourage the reader to complete the letter. Middle Paragraph, Take apart the job description and use the job description phrases to describe your experience whenever possible. You want to be sure the reader connects your skills and experience with the requirements of the job. Use a few real examples, so to add creditability to your letter. Speak with confidence, but don’t overdo it. Your goal is to get an interview, so be sure to request an interview. Highlights from your resume should be used, but don’t mention everything, since it will look too busy and you won’t have room on the cover letter. Final Paragraph, Briefly summarize your skills and experience and repeat how they are needed for the position. Thank the reader for their time and ask to set up a time for an interview. Mention that you will contact this person within two weeks to discuss this position and the possibility of an interview.
Sincerely yours,
Sign each cover letter Print your name, address And all contact information
Cover Letter Do’s and Don’ts Target the letter to the employer Spell the readers name correctly, even if you have to call someone to get it right Must be one or two pages long at the most. Must have ABSOLUTELY NO TYPOS OR MISTAKES Should be read by at least two other people to look for typos and for ease of readability Must be in easy to read font: 12 Times New Roman or 12 Arial are examples Keep a balance of “white space” and “wording” so the cover letter is easy to read. Must be professionally written, no jokes or sarcasm should be written Keep paragraphs within two to six sentences long-if a paragraph is much longer than that, the reader may find it too hard to finish reading the letter 10. Don’t CAPITIZE WORDS to emphasize, it may be interpreted as a negative to the reader (sometimes the reader will interpret this as if you are talking down to them). 11. Use the underline technique very rarely for emphasis 12. Connect your qualifications from the position announcement into your cover letter. For example, if a PhD in Soils is a requirement, be sure to mention it, but don’t belabor the point. 13. A suggestion is: don’t start the letter with, “I am writing because…” it is better to say, “I am excited to read about the job opportunity that you posted…” 14. Somehow show that you are enthused about the possibility of filling the job position and that you are enthused about working for this company, university, or department. 15. Encourage the reader to examine your resume. Example, “As you can see in my résumé, I gained management experience while attaining my PhD, which would make it an easy transition for me into this new position.” 16. Usually all cover letters, resumes and letters of reference are sent by email- be very careful that everything is sent correctly to the right address and on time 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.