What to Write in Your Cover Letter

The First Paragraph

• States WHY you are writing
  - Responding to an advertised opening
  - Inquiring about a possible opening

• States WHY you are applying to or are interested in this employer
  - Company’s training program
  - Company’s product or service
  - Demonstrate your company research

• Make mention of your contact/referral if you have one

The Second Paragraph

• States WHAT qualifications you bring to the position
• Highlights two or three key experiences and/or academic achievements that directly relate to the qualifications the employer is seeking
• Illustrates brevity
• Proves through examples of experiences and activities that you have some of the key skills for the position – such as hard-work, career commitment, communication, problem solving ability, and analytical skills
• Is NOT a repetition of the wording on your resume
• May close with a summary sentence of your qualifications and a confident statement that you can make a contribution to the firm/company/organization

The Third Paragraph

• States WHAT you WANT – an interview and/or an opportunity to further discuss your qualifications and any employment opportunities the employer may have
• May reference your enclosed resume
• Indicates flexibility as to time and place
• Thanks the person and indicates that you look forward to speaking to or meeting with him/her
• Can state that you will call the contact person at a certain time/week to discuss scheduling a time to meet or an interview