How to Write a Great Cover Letter

  1. Put name (in bold or slightly larger font), address, telephone number and email address on top to let employers immediately know who you are.
  2. Address someone by name and title who could hire you; Call the company and ask for the name of the person responsible for hiring for the position in which you have an interest or ask for the Human Resource Manager's name and address the letter to them.
  3. Demonstrate you have done your homework; know who they are, what they do, and how good they are to determine what you can do to make them better. Indicate in one or two sentences what you know about the company.
  4. Convey your excitement for the opportunity to be a part of their organization. Let the employer know you want to be a part of their team and that you really believe you have the qualifications they are seeking.
  5. Answer the question "What can you do for them?" Select two or three of the employer's specific needs and indicate how you can help achieve them. Give specific examples of personal accomplishments/results that demonstrate your ability to meet the needs of the employer. In other words, their bottom line.
  6. Use keywords relevant to your job objective and the industry. Read the job listings, postings, advertisements, etc. to know how to "talk the talk!" Words used in one field are not always appropriate to other fields. Keep the information relevant!
  7. Initiate the next step. Indicate you will be calling on a specific day to determine if the prospective employer has any further questions and to set up a personal interview. When you call, tell the secretary that he/she is expecting your call.
  8. Remember this is a personal letter. Don't use phrases like "Enclosed please find" or "To Whom It May Concern". You are not writing a paper, you are writing a letter.
  9. Keep your cover letter as brief, focused and relevant as possible. A great cover letter should be no longer than 1 page.