The purpose of a cover letter is to indicate your interest in a particular position and to highlight the skills, knowledge, and qualifications in your background which relate to the needs of the employer. It should be concise and straightforward, and it should clearly demonstrate why you are a strong fit for the specific job you are applying to. Cover letters are typically 1 page and should include a similar layout (contact information header, heading and subheading styles, fonts, etc.) to your resume for your applicant “brand.”
Elements of a Strong Cover Letter
Speak to the Job Description and Employer
- Target your letter to the specifications of the employer. If a detailed job description is available, study its language and look for repetition of key skills or qualifications they seek and how you embody those. If there is no job description or limited information, then research as much as you can about the organization’s mission and reflect on common values you share.
- Research the company – its mission, brand, and culture. Think about what makes you want to work at this company specifically. Plan to include a couple of lines about this in your introductory or closing paragraphs
- Think about the top 3-5 values, skills, or qualifications you have identified from above. What relevant skills, experience, or accomplishments demonstrate your ability to fulfill those needs or requirements?
Provide Specific Examples
- Give examples of the experiences and skills that best qualify you for the position (the ones from your list).
- Do not repeat everything listed on your resume as examples; instead, focus on specific key points from a couple of roles held that you could reflect on with the most detail. Employers will often have your resume as a companion document.
Be Concise
- Articulate your qualifications, strengths, and interests in 3-4 paragraphs.
- Avoid examples that are not connected to the most important needs of the employers.
Write Professionally
- It’s important to remember this is a formal document that you can refer to even as you prepare for your interview and later stages of offer negotiation.
- This is not a casual letter or email, so avoid contractions, informal greetings or closings, and abbreviated terms to ensure precision, accuracy, and clarity.