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Employment & Career Assistant

This guide will assist students in creating resumes, cover letters, portfolios, and help prepare for an interview so they can land a job and start a new career.

Cover letters

How to Write a Cover Letter

Cover Letter

What is a Cover Letter?

A cover letter is a one-page document that you submit alongside your resume. It is usually between 200 to 350 words, in a standard font like times new roman with a font size between 10.5 and 12. The margins should be 1" or .05 on all sides of the page.

The purpose of a cover letter is to provide a brief background about yourself and your professional accomplishments and how your skills make you a perfect candidate for the job you are applying to.  A cover letter should not simply repeat what is on your resume; instead, it should provide deeper, more specific, details about why you are perfect for that position. The cover letter is the first thing a hiring manager will see and your job is to draw attention to yourself, your skills, and your enthusiasm to join the company in order for them to look at your resume and potentially land you an interview.

Tips for Writing a Cover Letter

In order to complete a good cover letter you must do your research in order to articulate that you are a good fit for the company. Conduct a detailed background on the company and find out all there is to know about the company through their website, previous employees or current employees, and articles or newspapers. This will help you to be able to Include information about the companies values, recent accomplishments, and your enthusiasm to join the company because of these. 

Analyze the job duties of the position you are applying for so you can tailor your skills to match what the company is looking for.

A cover letter should be formatted in a easy to read format and should contain no grammatical errors. A cover letter should include the following:

  • Header with your name and contact information
  • A Greeting to the hiring manager
  • Opening paragraph- try to draw the readers attention with a good background of your skills and why you are seeking the job position. Make sure you tailor your accomplishments to the job you are applying to. Show how your skills and experience relate to the employer’s needs for a specific position
  • Second paragraph - Explain why you’re the perfect candidate for the job your applying for. Demonstrate in your writing things like work ethics, skills, or credentials.
  • Third paragraph - Explain why you would be a great match for the company. Show how your values and work skills align with the companies.
  • Formal closing