Cover Letter Tips: Detailed Content

A cover letter is the first writing sample you provide to a potential employer. Therefore, the letter should be concise, descriptive, and persuasive. Ultimately, a cover letter must positively distinguish you from other applicants. See below for some tips on the detailed content of your letter:

The opening paragraph should introduce you to the reader by acknowledging your status as a student or recent graduate. Explain briefly your reason for writing such as in response to a job posting or at the suggestion of an individual. Indicate your knowledge about the employer by including what interested you about the employer’s business or practice areas, commitment to the community, clients, or innovative programs.

You can also acknowledge any previous contact with the reader, with one of his or her peers or colleagues, or why a mentor or colleague encouraged you to contact the reader. If you are applying for a position outside of your current residence, the opening paragraph is a great place to connect yourself to the employer geographically.

Your cover letter’s middle paragraph(s) are the opportunity to really distinguish yourself from other applicants. You should demonstrate that you have the credentials the employer is seeking by integrating, but not cutting and pasting, language from the job posting. If your letter is unsolicited and therefore there is no enumerated set of ideal characteristics, take guidance from the employer’s website. Note any similarities between you and other employees and highlight accordingly. This is your opportunity to convince the reader to examine your resume.

The middle paragraph(s) need to sell your strengths by emphasizing your educational credentials, experience, skills, and abilities using concrete examples. For example, instead of simply indicating that you meet a particular requirement, provide an example from work or school that demonstrates that requirement in action. Every sentence counts.

Your cover letter's closing paragraph is your call to action. Thank the reader for his or her consideration of your application. Indicate that you look forward to hearing from him or her. It need not be a long paragraph. You can also list any other special considerations in this paragraph. For example, if the employer is located in a different geographic location, indicate when you expect to visit the area for a potential visit.

You should always follow up after sending an unsolicited letter, so tell the reader in the final paragraph what your next action item will be. For example, “I will contact you in the next two weeks to discuss my interest in working for your organization and to schedule an interview.” If the employer is located outside where you currently live, let the reader know when you will be in the area and that you are available to meet during that time frame. It may seem overly forward or confident yet it is critically important to be proactive and professional.