COVER LETTER
What is a cover letter?
Also known as a letter of introduction,
letter of application, transmittal letter, or
broadcast letter, it’s a letter that no smart
job-seeker should send his or her resume
without. Few employers seriously consider
a resume that is not accompanied by a
cover letter; thus, a dynamically written
cover letter needs to be part of your job-
search strategy
Why is a cover letter so important?
A resume is useless to an employer if he or
she doesn’t know what kind of work you
want to do. A cover letter tells the employer
the type of position you’re seeking and
exactly how you are qualified for that
position.
A cover letter highlights the aspects of your
experience that are most useful to the
potential employer and you can earn points
for knowing what those aspects are.
Employers get hundreds of resumes,
especially when they advertise a choice
position. Employers are also very busy. Often
the person screening resumes skims each for
only a few seconds. You cover letter can call
attention to the skills, talents, and
experience the employer is looking for
A cover letter is a little window
into your personality. A good
cover letter can suggest to an
employer, “I’d” like to interview
this person; she sound like
someone I’d like to get to know
better. This seems like just the
kind of dynamic person this
company needs.”
There are roughly three kinds of cover letters,
each corresponding to a different method of
job-hunting. Most successful job-seekers will
find that they do not employ any one method
or use any one kind of cover letter, but rather a
combination of all three. To understand the
three kinds of cover letters, it is helpful to look
at these 3 types of job searches.
The invite cover letter
Enables you to speak to the
requirements of the ad, you can offer
the employer the requirements sought
because you know the requirements
sought; it’s all spelled out in the ad
The uninvited cover letter
Enables you to take a proactive approach to job-hunting
instead of reactive approach, n which you merely answer
ads. It can be a great tool for uncovering hidden jobs
where supposedly no openings exist. Your letter can make
such an impression that you’ll be remembered as soon as
a vacancy opens. You may also be able to create an
opening for yourself by convincing the employer that the
company needs someone with your talents. At the very
least, you may obtain an interview in which the employer
can refer you to others in the field that might have use for
you.
Referral letters
Can come about from a variety of sources.
You might talk with someone at a meeting
of a trade association in you field who will
tell you of an opening she knows of. An
acquaintance at a party might tell you of
someone he knows whose company could
use an employee with your experience. A
friend might tell you about a job she saw
through her company’s internal job-posting.
The value of the referral letter is in its name-
dropping. If you can grab the potential employer’s
attention by mentioning someone he know and
respects in the first line of the letter, you will have
gained a terrific advantage over the competition.
Some variations on the referral letter.
• Example; “ John Ross of Technology Unlimited
suggested you might have openings for systems
analysts.”
Sample cover letter in Response to an advertisement
• Provide an answer to the question “why should I hire you?
• Is direct and to the point
• Is one page or 2 no more than that
• Matches your resume, font style, and paper (if hard copy)
Writing the Cover letter
• Remember, a cover letter must be well
written, its purpose is to transmit and
present your resume to a recruiter. Because
it establishes the very first impression of
you, it must put your very best foot forward.
Essentially, cover letters can be written in
three or four basic paragraphs:
Salutation
Use a formal title such as “Dr.” or “Professor”
even if you know the individual, because the
letter normally will be read by many people.
Examples:
Dr. Mr. Seberry,
Dear sir/Madam,
Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms,
Dear Hiring manager,
The introductory paragraph, in which you apply for the
position, giving its title and how you learned about it.
Explain why you are witting and indicate how you learned
about the position, for example:
I am writing regarding the tenure-track position of Assistant
Professor of Sociology. I learned about this position through
Professor Name at the University of X, Where I am currently
completing a doctoral program in demography with the support of
a mellon fellowship. I expect to fulfill all the degree requirements
by August 20---
I am writing to apply for the tenure-track assistant professorship in
Renaissance Drama that you advertised in the MLA job information
list. I am currently at the University of X, where I hold one of the
English Department’s two Postdoctoral fellowship. I received my
Ph.D from X in August of this year after completing my dissertation,
Romancing the globe.
I am interested in the
author’s position at Acme
Company, as advertised on
Linkedh. I am currently
employed as legislative I would like to express my
director for interest in Joyhut Executive
Assemblywoman Nora Kiel, position described on your
Chairperson of the NYD agency
Assembly. I believe that the
skills and experiences I have
gained at this position make
me an ideal candidate for
the job of author’s assistant.
Middle Paragraph (s)
• which reference(s) your resume and sell(s) you by mentioning your
key attributes or traits. This section works well when it is divided into
two separate paragraphs to highlight separate areas such as experience
and skills and your education.
• This is the heart of your letter. Your vita describes your
accomplishments up to the present. Your letter refers to these, but
extends them into the future by demonstrating that you understand the
requirements of the position and will be able to meet them
• he closing paragraph, which asks for an
interview and indicates the follow-up you
will do.
• Offer to provide extra materials or
Final additional information, Indicate how you
Paragraph can be reached and your availability for an
interview.
• I am confident that my experience in the Legislature and my
research and writing skills qualify me for consideration. If you
would like, I can provide you with current samples of my work. I
have also enclosed my resume. I look forward to meeting with
you and discussing my qualification in more details.
Signing off:
Finally, sign off using the more
professional sounding –
“Sincerely”, followed by your full
name.
It is important to look at the advertisement and highlight
the qualifications, the company is looking for that match
your own. Do not address the qualifications that you do not
have. Sometimes you will find it useful to bold key points or
bullet a list of qualifications in the letter. If the company
uses a job number in the ad, it is very important to highlight
this in your letter. When responding to an advertised
position you must follow up by phone or indicate that you
will in your letter.
• C:\Users\ivett\OneDrive\Escritorio\cover letter
example.docx
C:\Users\ivett\OneDrive\Escrit
orio\cover letter example.docx
• Reference:
• Rhodora CorreaBook: Career Focus Canada: A personal job
search Guide, Fifth Edition.
• The Academic Jos Search Handbook 4th edition Julia Miller
Vick and Jennifer S. Furlong
• https://arrivein.com/career-ca/how-to-write-an-effective-
cover-letter/
