Cover Letter Format printable pdf download

Cover Letter Format

Your Address

City, State, ZIP Code

Phone and Email address

Date

Mr., Ms., Dr. First Name Last Name

Title

Employer Organization

Street Address

City, State, ZIP Code

Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. Last Name: (Do NOT use Sir or Madam. If there is absolutely no way you can find out

the correct name, use the title, such as Director of ________, or Recruiter. Never send your résumé to

"whom it may concern!")

First paragraph: Note the name of the position for which you are applying and tell when and where

you heard about it. If you don't know of a specific opening, ask if there are any available openings as a

________, or if there are any positions available in the area of ________. Summarize the primary

accomplishments that qualify you for the position, such as degree, major, years of related experience. Note

somewhere in the letter that you have enclosed a résumé.

Middle paragraph(s): Tell why you are interested in the position and/or the organization. Explain how

your academic and/or experiential background qualifies you for the position/organization. Point out any

related experience or training. Show how your skills fit the description in the ad or how they relate to the

organization's needs based on your research. Do not just repeat or summarize what is in your résumé.

Concluding paragraph: Express your appreciation for their consideration and request the opportunity to

meet. Provide specific information about when and where you may be reached. (Be sure your

answering machine greeting sounds professional.) You may or may not wish to say that you will contact

the addressee in a week to ten days to discuss the possibility of an interview. (In either case, you should

follow up to confirm receipt of your correspondence as well as to promote yourself for the job, unless you

have reason to believe that such calls are regarded as an annoyance in that particular organization or field.)

Sincerely,

Your Signature

Your First and Last Name

Enclosure

Cover Letter Format