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.