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The Cover Letter-Rules to Live By
Career Center Resource Library
A cover letter is your introduction to a prospective employer. It should demonstrate that you can think clearly and write persuasively. An effective cover letter makes you stand out as a candidate and should always accompany your resume. Your cover letter should create a link between the skills outlined on your resume and the specific employment needs of the organization, not simply restate what is on your resume. It should enhance your resume by detailing how your skills and background directly match the requirements of the position and also demonstrate that you know specific information about the company or organization.
A thank-you letter is an essential follow-up step to an interview. It is your chance to present yourself again and to answer or address specific concerns raised during the interview about whether or not you have the qualifications the organization is seeking. For example, if an interviewer had doubts about your supervisory experience, you can emphasize that you have, indeed, demonstrated leadership and supervision abilities in much of your volunteer work. You may also use your letter to mention a specific area of related expertise that you did not have an opportunity to discuss in the interview. The thank-you letter is a courtesy that is expected and noticed by interviewers. You may fax or e-mail your letter if you know that the hiring time line is drawing to a close. It is important to send your letter as soon after the interview as possible.
The Cover Letter—Rules to Live By
- Address the letter to a specific person. If you do not have a name, call the organization and ask for the name and title of the person who should receive your letter.
- Limit the letter to one page. Keep it simple and to the point. Note: Spelling and grammar must be perfect. Have someone who is knowledgeable review your letter and provide feedback.
- Research the organization carefully. Demonstrate in your cover letter that you appreciate and understand the organization’s principal activities. Think about the skills necessary to do the job for which you are applying. Demonstrate that you possess these skills by highlighting an experience or achievement that you think would interest the reader.
- Be as specific as possible. Tell the reader what you want and why you think you should be given what you want (cite your qualifications) and suggest the next course of action (e.g., you will follow up with a phone call). Do not recount your educational history in general, but focus on what is relevant to the employer.
- In general, you should not indicate a disability or salary requirement or make references to religious affiliation on your resume or in a cover letter. Because federal law requires that employers consider only job-related criteria throughout the application and interview phase, you should highlight your skills and abilities. In all aspects of cover letter writing, Career Center advisors are available to assist you.
- Other types of letters include responding to a specific job or classified ad, applying for a position through someone you know, applying for a position after you have had a conversation with someone from the organization, accepting or rejecting a position, and follow-up letters after conducting an informational interview
See the Career Center Web site at <www.american.edu/careercenter> for more information and examples of these types of letters or see an advisor at the Career Center. We urge you to contact us
Career Center Resource Library
If you would like more information on cover and thank-you letter writing, look in the cover letter section of the Career Center Resource Library. You will find helpful books that provide sample letters as well as great advice on how to write cover and thank-you letters.
Make an effort to understand the employer’s needs. How can you show that you are a good fit for the organization? Focus on clarity. Letters precede, confirm, and serve as evidence of your interactions.
Your street address
City, state, zip code
Your phone number
E-mail
Date
Mr./Ms. Individual’s name
Title
Company name
Street address
City, state, zip code
Dear (Ms. or Mr.) Last Name:
Paragraph 1: State why you are writing, how you learned of the organization or position, basic information about yourself, and your status in school. If you are writing at the suggestion of someone who knows the addressee, this is a good place to say so. Draw attention to your knowledge of the company or organization and to your resume.
Paragraph 2: Spell out exactly (through examples) how your experiences, skills, and education fit the position and can benefit the company. Use the position description to give you guidance to focus this paragraph.
Paragraph 3 (optional): Should be used only to describe further what you can bring to the position. It is an extension of the theme of paragraph two.
Paragraph 4: Indicate that you are enclosing your resume. Reiterate your interest in the position. State your next course of action (e.g., contacting the employer within 7–10 days to check on the status of your application ). Thank the reader for their attention and consideration. Say that you are looking forward to hearing from the potential employer and provide a phone number and e-mail address where you can be reached.
Sincerely,
(Your signature)
Your name (typed)
enclosure(s)
For Examples of Actual Letters, Please CLICK HERE.