Cover Letters
Sometimes a great Resume is not enough. Oftentimes, companies ask for both a resume and cover letter when they post jobs online. While a Resume is used to highlight your past experiences and your background, a cover letter is where you share why you want to work for this company, how your previous experiences make you an ideal candidate, and other things of that nature. It is also perfectly acceptable to include experiences that you did not include in your resume onto the cover letter, but only if they bring some additional light to something that an employer would not be able to see just based on your resume. Your cover letter is where employers will see your personality, so be respective, clear, concise while also showcasing who you are as a person and potential employee.
Cover Letter Tips
Just like with Resumes, there is no single way to write a cover letter. There are multiple ways of writing one, and the examples shown below will just be a template where you can make changes as they work best for you. As with your resume, your cover letter should only be one page.
Also, it is important to note that while you may send the same resume to every company, you would most likely have to create a new cover letter for every new job you apply to. DO NOT SEND THE SAME EXACT COVER LETTER TO EVERY COMPANY!
Who to address your cover letter to?
You should always address your cover letter to a specific person. It shows you're willing to do your research. Plus, seeing "Dear John Doe/Jane Doe" will impress the person reading it (even if he or she is not John/Jane Doe) much more than "To whom it may concern" will.
If the job posting doesn't include a name, look up the company's hiring manager. No luck? Search for the person in charge of the department to which you're applying. If you're still striking out, you can always call HR of that company and they can tell you who the proper person to address in the cover letter will be.
In Your Opening Paragraph
The first section of your cover letter is the perfect opportunity to tell the hiring manager that you understand what makes this organization and job special. One way to start is:
I am excited to apply for [job title].
Then launch into your explanation. For example:
I am excited to apply for the Sales Analyst position. TravelClick has become a leader in the hospitality industry by always focusing on its clients-whether they're huge global brands or local hotels. Your commitment to customer satisfaction is something I've always strived for in my own career. I'd love to bring this dedication, along with my relevant skills and experience, to your award-winning company.
You should be able to explain why you're enthusiastic about this opportunity in particular (oh, and make sure you're describing how you can help the company, rather than how the company can help you!)
In Your Body Paragraphs
Your next two paragraphs should describe your most relevant previous roles, the skills you've learned and experiences you've gotten from them, and how you'd apply those skills and insight to this position. There are multiple different ways to do this:
During [time period], I worked as [job title] for [company name].
In your next couple of sentences, talk about the specific responsibilities you had in that role that are the closest to the responsibilities you'd have in this job.
As [job title], I was responsible for [Task 1, Task 2, and Task 3].
Or:
In this role, I worked on several projects, including [Project 1, Project 2, and Project 3].
Now, it's important not to regurgitate your resume here; rather, you want to take the most relevant experiences from your resume, expand on them, and describe why they're so fitting for the job.
It's even more important to bring it home in your last one or two lines by discussing how you'd use what you learned from those experiences in this position.
In your closing points
Most people use their closing paragraph to essentially say, "Thanks for reading, looking forward to hearing back." But just like the rest of your cover letter, your closing should be personalized.
Perhaps you're not quite qualified for the position. You should never say, "I know I'm not as qualified as other candidates, but..." However, you can say, "My background in [industry or profession], combined with my passion for your company and this role, would make me uniquely qualified to tackle [specific responsibility]." Ending on a strong note and highlighting why your unexpected experience is actually an asset will put the hiring manager's mind at ease.
Alternatively, you can use your closing to reinforce your strong interest in the job.
Example:
Again, TravelClick's focus on customer service has made a huge impression on me. I would be thrilled to work at an organization where every employee-from an intern to the CEO-cares so much about the people they help.
Thank you for your time,
Aja Frost
When writing your cover letter, as well as your resume, avoid glittery generalities. Be sure that your descriptions are clear. For example instead of saying, "I am a team player or I am a people's person", make clearer, descriptive statements like "I'm an expert communicator with experience bringing together diverse departments to develop a cohesive program." It's longer, but it's also stronger.
Format for Cover Letters
Remember that a cover letter is a letter. Therefore, you should include your address and the company address at the top, and address it like a written letter (even though you're sending it electronically). Your cover letter should be typed into a word document then saved as a pdf and attached to your job application. It usually makes sense to save your resume and cover letter as two separate files. Your cover letter should be one page or less.
Cover Letter Template
[your name]
[address]
[company name]
[company address]
Dear hiring manager [use a name instead if you have the name of the manager or if there is a name on the job listing],
I am writing to apply for the position of [position title] at [company name]. I am excited about the opportunity to [list a few things you'd be doing in the job that are interesting to you]. As a [year in school] studying computer science at Hunter College, I [something you enjoy doing that relates to the job or some experience you've had that relates to the job]. My coursework and personal projects have prepared me well for this position.
[some skill you have or something you've done that fits this position] [talk a little about what that skill or experience is/was and how it prepare you for this job]
[same thing with another skill or experience]
[same thing with another skill or experience]
I believe my [knowledge or experience] in [some relevant programming languages or skills or environment] will help me contribute to [company's] success. My enclosed resume expands on my coursework and experience. Feel free to contact me anytime at [your phone number] or [your email]. I am excited to talk with you more about this opportunity.
Best,
[your name]
Cover Letter Examples
Example 1
October 4, 2017
Ms. Lori Hopkins
VP of Information Technology
ABC Corporation
245 Maple St.
Sometown, NJ 55555
Dear Ms. Hopkins:
I found your posting on Monster for a network administrator and knew I wanted to apply immediately. ABC Corporation's reputation for responsive service and proactive support differentiates your company from the rest, and I would like to be part of your dynamic team.
Since graduating from XYZ College with a BS in computer science, I have worked for three years as a network administrator for DEF Company. In this role, I am valued as a solutions-focused manager of networks, IT systems, user support functions and technology projects. I have experience in all areas covered in your job ad, including:
Network and Server Design and Administration
LAN, WAN, VPN, SAN and VoIP Infrastructure
Network Analysis and Optimization
System Security, Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Plans
Cloud Computing and Data Storage
Enterprise System and Software Implementations
Known as a keen technical troubleshooter, I am dedicated to providing cost-effective and expedient solutions optimizing network stability and security; improving performance of systems and equipment; and resolving issues such as network crashes, system slowdowns and virus outbreaks.
At DEF Company, I provide world-class service technical support in an enterprise environment, and I am confident I would quickly become a productive network administrator at ABC Corporation. If you agree, please call me at (555) 555-5555 to set up an interview.
I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Barbara Holt
Enclosure: Résumé
Example 2:
Ms. Elisa Thompson
XYZ Company
Hartford, CT 56789
When I discovered the software engineering internship with XYZ Company on internships.com, I was excited by the opportunity to develop test cases, open bug reports, and triage test case failures. As a sophomore majoring in Computer Science at University College, I enjoy developing and improving testing technologies. My coursework, employment, and campus involvement have prepared me well for this position.
Coursework. After completing courses in software development methods, programming languages, network systems, and embedded system design, my Major GPA is 3.8.
IT Help Desk employment. As a student employee with IT services, I troubleshoot a wide variety of computing issues and communicate technical information to non-technical customers.
Campus involvement. As a member of the Association for Women in Computing, I attend Tech Talks and conferences to expand my industry knowledge and network with full-time professionals.
I have experience with Java, Python, JavaScript, and SQL. This knowledge will be an asset to this position. I would be thrilled to learn more alongside your cross-functional team of engineers and developers.
My enclosed resume expands on my coursework, employment, and campus involvement. As I prepare for a career in computer science, I am dedicated to gaining practical experience to complement my coursework. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Peyton Java
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