The Cover Letter
Beyond Factual Information in Resume and Application
Sample Cover Letters
Basic Formatting Rules of Writing Cover Letters
- Use paper matching your resume
- Keep the letter brief and to the point; use short paragraphs
- Prepare the cover letter using a word processor and print using a laser quality printer
- Vary the font size between 10 and 12 points
- Don't get too cute with novelty graphics, gothic fonts, shadowed letters, or fancy borders
- A crisp, clean, professional look
An Outstanding Cover Letter
- Tailored to each company to which you are applying
- Addressed to a specific person (Call the HR office and ask who is responsible for hiring for the position of _______)
- Identifies the position for which you are applying and the way you learned about the opening
- Indicates why you are applying for the position
- Shows you can perform the items listed in the job descriptions
- Indicates your main qualifications (Highlight important experiences that directly relate to the position, but take care not to restate your resume)
- Refers reader to your enclosed resume
- Indicates how to reach you
- Sells yourself (Go beyond the facts outlined in your resume and show the reader what makes you stand out from everyone else)
- Uses power words (see below)
- Contains no typos/no misspelled words and no grammatical errors
- Tenses agree
- Projects enthusiasm and confidence (Gives a picture of your personality)
- Makes the most of your experiences
- Paints a picture of what you will do for the employer's company
- Showcases knowledge of the employer's company (Check the company website for information to include here)
An Unacceptable Cover Letter
- Addressed to "To Whom it May Concern" or "Dear Sir or Madam"
- Restates your entire resume
- Starts every sentence or paragraph with "I"
- Not signed
- Addressed to the wrong company
- Typos and misspelled words
- Long sentences that ramble on and on
- Lack of organization
- Poor print quality
- Handwritten corrections or information that has been crossed out
- A worn appearance (bent corners, creases, smudges or stains)
Never send your resume without a cover letter!!
Power Words
Words that bring a cover letter to life
Verbs
Achieved
Acquired
Acted
Addressed
Administered
Attained
Advised
Advocated
Applied
Assisted
Attained
Briefed
Brought
Budgeted
Built
Cared
Checked
Coached
Collaborated
Collected
Comforted
Communicated
Compared
Completed
Conducted
Coordinated
Counseled
Created
Delegated
Demonstrated
Developed
Directed
Designed
Displayed
Documented
Drafted
Drove
Edited
Enabled
Encouraged
Ensured
Established
Evaluated
Examined
Expedited
Facilitated
Formulated
Gained
Gathered
Gave
Generated
Guided
Handled
Helped
Identified
Illustrated
Implemented
Improved
Increased
Influenced
Initiated
Installed
Instituted
Instructed
Interacted
Interviewed
Introduced
Judged
Kept
Learned
Led
Logged
Made
Maintained
Managed
Mastered
Mentored
Met
Molded
Monitored
Negotiated
Observed
Obtained
Offered
Operated
Ordered
Organized
Oversaw
Participated
Perfected
Performed
Planned
Prioritized
Produces
Programmed
Promoted
Provided
Ran
Recorded
Recommended
Reported
Researched
Resolved
Revamped
Reviewed
Scheduled
Selected
Set goals
Shaped
Specialized
Strengthened
Studied
Succeeded
Supervised
Supported
Taught
Tested
Trained
Troubleshot
Updated
Utilized Won
Skill Words
Active
Adaptable
Adept
Broad-minded
Committed
Competent
Conscientious
Creative
Dedicated
Dependable
Determined
Diligent
Disciplined
Effective
Efficient
Energetic
Enthusiastic
Exceptional
Experienced
Fair
Familiar
Firm
Honest
Independent
Innovative
Instrumental
Keen
Logical
Loyal
Mature
Methodical
Objective
Open minded
Outgoing
Personable
Pleasant
Positive
Practical
Productive
Receptive
Reliable
Resourceful
Self-motivated
Sensitive
Sincere
Strong
Successful
Tactful
Well-organized
