Introduction to Writing Cover Letters
A Cover Letter Check List
Do Your Research
Types of Job Search Correspondence
Standard Business Letter Format
What to Include
Final TipsSample Cover Letters:
Letter of Application
Letter of Inquiry
Alumni Networking Letter: Exploration
Alumni Networking Letter: Inquiry
Thank You Letter
COVER LETTERS ARE VERY IMPORTANT
TYPES OF JOB SEARCH CORRESPONDENCE
FORMAT FOR A STANDARD BUSINESS LETTER
WHAT TO INCLUDE
IN A COVER LETTER
(YOUR ADDRESS) Box 0000
Colgate University
CURRENT DATE
(3-4 spaces)
(ADDRESS) Ms. Jane Smith
Title
ABC Company
123 Main Street
Any City, State 11111
(double space)
Dear Ms. Smith:
(double space)
(FIRST PARAGRAPH)- State the reason that you are writing,
identify the specific position or type of work for
which you are applying, indicate from which source you learned
of the opening. Grab the readers attention in the
first paragraph compelling the person to continue reading the
entire letter. (1) refer to a personal contact you made,
(2) add some relevant information about the company, (3) state
your qualifications. (double return here)
(SECOND PARAGRAPH) - This paragraph gives you the opportunity
to sell your skills to an employer. Write
about you! Discuss personal qualities, skills, knowledge,
training, experiences and achievements which are relevant
to this job. Imagine yourself in the employer's shoes and ask
yourself, (1) why should I hire this person?, (2) What
can he/she do for me?, (3) Why is this person different from the
other applicants? The second paragraph could
concentrate on your
academic background, training, preparation, performance, concentration,
international
study ,etc. (double return here)
(THIRD PARAGRAPH - if necessary) - If your second paragraph
becomes too long. Use the third paragraph to
break
up the personal skills you possess. The third paragraph could
concentrate on your work experience including
leadership activities
where you may emphasize budget management, public speaking, organizational
skills,
delegation, communication, time management, and more.
(double return here)
(CLOSING PARAGRAPH) - Request an interview. Let the
employer know you will be following up with a phone
call to arrange a meeting. Take the initiative, you are the person
looking for work! (double return here)
Sincerely,
sign your name here in ink
(3-4 spaces)
Your Name
(4-5 spaces)
(YOUR ADDRESS) Box 0000
Colgate University
CURRENT DATE
(3-4 spaces)
(ADDRESS) Ms. Jane Smith
Title
ABC Company
123 Main Street
Any City, State 11111
(double space)
Dear Ms. Smith:
(double space)
(FIRST PARAGRAPH)- State the reason that you are writing;
identify the type of work for which you are interested; your career
objective should give focus without limiting opportunities. (In
a letter of Inquiry you are seeking information about possible
opportunities and market yourself to this potential employer)
Grab the readers attention in the first paragraph compelling the
person to continue reading the entire letter. (1)indicate a desire
to join this organization (2) include relevant information about
the company (3)relate your qualifications to the needs
of the employer. (double return here)
(SECOND PARAGRAPH) - This paragraph gives you the opportunity
to sell your skills to a potential employer. Write about you!
Discuss personal qualities, skills, knowledge, training, experiences
and achievements which are relevant to the career field, position,
organization, etc. Discuss qualifications which reinforce your
career interest/goal. The second paragraph could concentrate on
your academic background, training, preparation, performance,
concentration, international study, etc. Imagine yourself
in the reader's shoes and ask yourself,
(1) What potential benefit could this person offer the organization?
(2) Why should I take the time to look further at this person?
(double return here)
(THIRD PARAGRAPH - if necessary) - If your second paragraph
becomes too long. Use the third paragraph to break
up the personal skills you possess. The third paragraph could
concentrate on your work experience including leadership activities
where you may emphasize budget management, public speaking, organizational
skills, delegation, communication, time management and more.
(double return here)
(CLOSING PARAGRAPH) -Reiterate your interest in the organization. Ask for more information about the company including application information. Let the employer know you will be following up with a phone call to arrange a meeting. Take the initiative, you are the person looking for work! NOTE: You might indicate here that you are enclosing a resume to provide more information. You could also include your phone number here. (double return here)
Sincerely,
sign your name here in ink
(3-4 spaces)
Your Name
(4-5 spaces)
enc. (refers to your enclosed resume)
In the preliminary stages of career exploration it is
important to gather information to learn more about your intended
career field, ie: job descriptions and industry/organizational
information. In order to gain a clear understanding of the nature
of the workplace, types of entry-level positions and the qualifications
necessary, etc., it is helpful to speak with individuals who are
involved with the work. ALUMNI ARE A GREAT RESOURCE to students
involved in the information gathering stage of the job search.
Alumni can provide you with insight into the nature of the work,
and also offer advice about what you should be doing NOW to better
market yourself to potential employers for both full time employment
and internships. The Networking LETTER OF EXPLORATION is intended,
not as an inquiry into job leads, but rather, as a way to connect
with alumni to gather information through either a phone conversation
or a face to-face meeting.
(YOUR ADDRESS) Box 0000
Colgate University
CURRENT DATE
(3-4 spaces)
(ADDRESS) Ms. Jane Smith
Title
ABC Company
123 Main Street
Any City, State 11111
(double space)
Dear Ms. Smith:
(double space)
(FIRST PARAGRAPH) - Introduce yourself to the alumni/ae.
Indicate where you learned of the alumni/ae; whether it was through
the Center for Career Services, another alum, friend, parent,
etc. (Through the Center for Career Services I learned of your
involvement with..., or John Doe suggested that I contact you...)
Remind alumni/ae about common Colgate experience. State the
reason you are writing in the first paragraph. (that you are
interested in a career in advertising and would appreciate any
advice and information the alumni/ae could offer) Appeal to
the alums knowledge of the industry and/or organization you are
interested in. (double return here)
(SECOND PARAGRAPH) -This paragraph gives you the opportunity
to share your interests, skills and experiences with the
alumni/ae. Let the alumni/ae know what you have done in the summers
and what activities you are involved in on campus. Inform alums
of work experience in the field and highlight educational training.
Discuss
your intended career goals and interests. c c When you write a
networking letter at this stage it is not necessary to sell yourself
as you would in a letter of application. You are sharing background
information with the contact so she/he will know more about you.
(double return here)
(THIRD PARAGRAPH - if necessary) - If your second paragraph
becomes too long use the third paragraph to break
up the skills you possess. (double return here)
(CLOSING PARAGRAPH) -Thank the alumni/ae in advance. Reiterate
your interest in learning more about the industry, organization,
etc. Alumni expect you to follow-up this letter with a phone
call. Let the alum know how and when you intend to follow-up.
NOTE: You might indicate here that you are enclosing a resume
to provide more information. You could also include your phone
number here.**Make sure that your answering machine message is
clear and professional. You are making an impression as soon as
you send this letter. (double return here)
Sincerely,
sign your name here in ink
(3-4 spaces)
Your Name
(4-5 spaces)
In this stage of networking, you are writing to the
alumni/ae for assistance, advice and information about possible
job/internship opportunities and/or information about the specific
organization you are interested in. YOU ARE NOT ASKING FOR A JOB.
You are asking the alum for help in locating potential openings
and assistance in securing the position. What is important at
this stage of the job search is to develop relationships with
alumni/ae who can help to promote you to those who ARE in
a position to hire. It is important to provide background information
about your goals, interests, skills, accomplishments and experiences.
At this stage of your search you should have a good understanding
of the type of work you are interested in and be able to articulate
your interests and skills. Networking develops contacts, allies;
people who can help you market yourself to potential employers.
(YOUR ADDRESS) Box 0000
Colgate University
CURRENT DATE
(3-4 spaces)
(ADDRESS) Ms. Jane Smith
Title
ABC Company
123 Main Street
Any City, State 11111
(double space)
Dear Ms. Smith:
(double space)
(FIRST PARAGRAPH) - Do not begin you letter by asking for
a job. Alumni/ae are to be used for information gathering, advising
and referrals; if they can help in other ways, let them initiate
the ideas. Introduce yourself to the alumni/ae. Indicate where
you learned of the alumni/ae; whether it was through the Center
for Career Services, another alum, friend, parent, etc. (Through
the Center for Career Services I learned of your involvement with...,
or John Doe suggested that I contact you...) Remind alumni/ae
about common Colgate experience. State the reason you are writing
in the first paragraph. (that you are interested in a career
in advertising and would appreciate any advice and information
the alumni/ae could offer) Appeal to the alums knowledge of
the industry and/or organization you are interested in. (double
return here)
(SECOND PARAGRAPH) -This paragraph gives you the opportunity
to share your interests, skills and experiences with the
alumni/ae. Let the alumni/ae know what you have done in the summers
and what activities you are involved in on campus. Inform alums
of work experience in the field and highlight educational training.
Discuss
your intended career goals and interests. cc When you write a
networking letter at this stage it is important to stress and
market your skills, accomplishments and goals. (double return
here)
(THIRD PARAGRAPH - if necessary) - If your second paragraph
becomes too long use the third paragraph to break
up the skills you possess. (double return here)
(CLOSING PARAGRAPH) -Thank the alumni/ae in advance. Reiterate
your interest in learning more about the industry, organization,
etc. Alumni expect you to follow-up this letter with a phone
call. Let the alum know how and when you intend to follow-up.
NOTE: You might indicate here that you are enclosing a resume
to provide more information. You could also include your phone
number here.**Make sure that your answering machine message is
clear and professional. You are making an impression as soon as
you send this letter. (double return here)
Sincerely,
sign your name here in ink
(3-4 spaces)
Your Name
(4-5 spaces)
(YOUR ADDRESS) Box 0000
Colgate University
CURRENT DATE
(3-4 spaces)
(ADDRESS) Ms. Jane Smith
Title
ABC Company
123 Main Street
Any City, State 11111
(double space)
Dear Ms. Smith:
(double space)
(FIRST PARAGRAPH)-Express your gratitude for the interview.
Be sure to identify the position you interviewed for and include
the date of the interview. (double return here)
(SECOND PARAGRAPH) -This paragraph gives you the opportunity
to reiterate qualifications and illustrate your suitability for
the available position. Highlight pertinent information discussed
during the interview and/or refer to information received during
the interview. Highlight significant accomplishments and these
how skills/accomplishments will benefit the organization. Express
eagerness to work for employer. *NOTE: You should send a
Thank You Letter to each person involved in the interview process.
Make sure that you individualize each letter if sending more than
one. (double return here)
(CLOSING PARAGRAPH) - Restate your interest in the position.
Thank the employer once again. *NOTE: If this was your 1st screening
interview-state your desire to proceed with the 2nd round interviews.
(double return here)
Sincerely,
sign your name here in ink
(3-4 spaces)
Your Name
(4-5 spaces)
