Cover letters are an effective means to advertise and promote the qualities and skills in which you are most prominent. Cover letters should capture the reader's attention, stress your potential value and benefit, and invite an in-depth reading of your resume. 

Always Make It Specific

Your cover letter should never start with “To Whom it May Concern.” Take the time to conduct research on the organization’s website, Handshake and LinkedIn.

The body of your paragraph should address the top two or three skills listed in the job description. This means you will need to craft a new statement, or heavily edit a previous statement, for each position. Is this a lot of work? Yes, but if you aren’t willing to put in the time, the employer doesn’t want to hire you.

Emails Might Suffice

Your “electronic cover letter” can just be a formal email with your resume attached. This should be abbreviated from a traditional cover letter that you would attach to an application. However, if a cover letter is specifically request in the application, it should be one page and attached to the email.

Name Drop and Make Connections

If you know someone within the company or have previously spoken with an employee, make sure to mention their name in the opening paragraph. This can help your application get noticed by hiring managers. Don’t know anyone in the company? Consider doing an informational interview prior to applying for a job and expanding your network.

View Samples and Learn More

Review the CCES Cover Letter Guide 

Have your Cover Letter Reviewed

Visit the Howe Writing Initiative in FSB.

Or request a Career Advising Appointment via Handshake.