Job Guide

Cover Letter Basics

A resume will give a prospective employer a brief summary of who you are, however, when accompanied by a cover letter, your chances of successfully being hired increase significantly. The Human Resource Directors we interviewed all stated that when two resumes are equal, a key differentiator may be a candidate’s cover letter.

A cover letter is a one page letter that expresses your interest to join a company; it should be clear and concise. Below are the basics of what information to include when writing an effective cover letter:

At the top:

Type the date when you will submit your resume to a prospective employer.
Address a specific person, include that person’s title, company name and address.

Paragraph one:

Clearly state why you are contacting the employer and include the job title you are interested in.

Paragraph two:

Enthusiastically express interest in the job position and company.
Briefly describe how you learned about the opening.
Select three skills or qualifications that make you the most attractive candidate for this company.

Paragraph three:

In one sentence, explain what you want to achieve with your cover letter.
Request a response to what you want to achieve with your cover letter or clearly state your plans to follow-up.

Key things to remember:

Your letter should be clear, well-organized and grammatically correct.
Have a friend read your cover letter and ask for their feedback.
When printing a hard copy, use the same type of paper you used for your resume.
Print two copies of your cover letter – one for your prospective employer and one for your professional portfolio.

There are many online resources that you may review before submitting your cover letter. You don’t have to re-invent the wheel, only improve upon it.

Need help writing your cover letter? Visit Cover Letter Samples

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