The Cover Letter Page 2
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Show you have both a broad business background and depth in a particular major.
“I have the finance and accounting knowledge needed for this position. In my coursework, I have taken five courses in Finance
and four courses in Accounting.”
Highlight how your education has prepared you for the job you seek.
“As part of my Operations specialization, I had the unique opportunity to take a two-quarter Six Sigma course and earn a Green
Belt. This is a certification that few undergraduates attain.”
Explain how electives like writing, communication or computer courses reinforce and diversify your qualifications.
“Knowing the importance of excellent writing skills, I minored in English with an emphasis on composition. I put those skills to
work by writing numerous articles for Fisher INK, a student-run business publication.”
Give examples of how you’ve supplemented academic experience with internship or part-time work experience.
“As you can see on my resume, I have worked for Applebees for three years. In addition to developing my customer service skills
through my role as a server, I have also worked in an office setting as an administrative assistant for the company. This allowed
me to interact with upper level management and be a daily part of what goes on internally in a business to keep it running
smoothly.”
Give examples demonstrating you can handle responsibility and manage your time well.
“In addition to my coursework and working part-time, I have been actively involved in a professional business fraternity, Delta
Sigma Pi, with leadership roles the past two years. I am able to plan ahead, prioritize, and manage my time effectively.”
Show that you have the ability to work well with other people.
“I recently completed an internship at the Target Distribution Center where I worked with a diverse group of individuals. I was
named Most Valuable Employee in July for my teamwork in getting the job done.”
Demonstrate that you understand the importance of the role to which you are applying.
“I know that you rely on your Account Managers to help you increase your market share and I have the interpersonal and
organizational skills to help you achieve those results.”
Closing.
The last paragraph of the letter identifies the next steps in the process. It calls for action without begging or
commanding and is where you should express your interest in an interview. Make action easy by indicating that you will
follow up and say when you plan to do so. Give employers the chance to follow up by giving your phone number and, if
necessary, the best hours to call. It is best to give a personal number that goes directly to you. A voicemail makes you
even more accessible to potential employers; make sure your voicemail has a professional message for callers that
includes your name so employers know they reached the correct person.
Formatting Your Letter
Your cover letter should observe the following format:
Use a professional business format including your address, the date, and the employers address at the top (see
attached samples)
Should be only ONE PAGE in length, but there should also be enough text so that the page is nicely filled with text.
Has at least one inch margins, but the margins could be larger in order to center the text on the page.
Written in a font and point size that is easy to read – you may want to use the same font as your resume.
Your cover letter is an example of your ability to write a professional business letter, so having the correct format is
important. The examples that follow will be using block format where everything (the date, address, salutation,
paragraphs, and closing) is lined up on the left margin. There are other formats that are appropriate for professional
business letters, but refer to a formatting guide to ensure that you are formatting your letter appropriately.
You will note that there is an inserted TEXT box on the samples that point out formatting styles and tips.
Additionally.
Watch grammar and spelling. Remember that this is an example of your writing skills.
Keep the tone and content professional. Avoid using humor.
Don’t minimize your experience. The purpose of the letter is to highlight your skills, not to apologize for where they
may be lacking. Be able to support the statements you make about yourself with examples.
Proofread multiple times, and ask others to edit your letter for mistakes.
If you would like additional information, please set up an appointment to meet with a Career
Consultant: (614) 292-6024.
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