Your Header
- Can be the same header you use for your contact information in your resume
- You should put the date on the letter along the left margin
Employer Information
- Hiring Manager’s name if known
- Hiring Manager’s title if known
- Company name if known
- Full street address of company if known
All information should be aligned along the left margin in letter format.
First Paragraph: The Introduction
- Introduce yourself and identify why or for what role you are writing.
- State how you learned about the position.
- Identify why you are interested in the position or employer.
- Indicate what qualifies you for the position as a preview of the next paragraphs by listing 2-3 key skills or qualifications you possess relevant for the role.
Second Paragraph: The Evidence
- Choose 1-2 experiences, courses, or projects that support your strength for the role and connect reflections of those individually with the needs of the employer based on the job description.
- Provide specific examples of how you have fulfilled similar requirements or responsibilities in the past, highlighting your results and achievements and making your skills transferrable this way.
Third Paragraph: The Connection
- Identify specifically what you know about the employer (their mission, brand, values, etc.) and how that excites you for the career opportunity given your experiences and interests.
- Make explicit how you will support, enhance, and/or innovate within such a setting.
Final Paragraph: The Wrap-Up
- Reiterate your interest in the position
- Note your preferred method of follow up (email, phone, etc.)
- Thank the employer for their time and consideration.