COVER LETTER CONTENT AND LAYOUT
Use your same personal letterhead at the top of your cover letter
to make your application materials more identifiable (see sample
Your Street Address
letter on next page).
Your City, State and Zip Code
As an alternative, you may use the standard business letter format in
which your return address is listed at the top of the letter, starting at
Month Day, Year
the left margin, as shown here, or starting at the center of the page.
Contact Person
If you do not have a specific contact name, refer to websites or business
Title
directories, and/or contact the company/organization directly to find out
Company/Organization Name
to whom you should direct your correspondence.
Street Address
City, State and Zip Code
Dear Mr. or Ms. (Contact’s Last Name):
First paragraph: Why you are writing
In your initial paragraph, state the reason for your letter.
Letter of application: You are applying in response to a specific opening. State the position and
indicate how you learned of it. If you found out from someone currently working there,
be sure to mention their name (with their permission, of course).
Letter of Inquiry: You are inquiring as to whether there are openings with the organization in
your field of interest
Second paragraph: What you have to offer
Indicate why you are interested in the position or organization. Do your research! Above all, indicate what you can do
for the employer. This is known as an employer-focused letter. If all of your paragraphs begin with “I…”, then you
have written a self-focused letter. Change your wording! If you are a recent graduate, explain how your academic
background makes you a qualified candidate for the position. If you have practical work experience, point out your
specific achievements or unique qualifications. You may refer to your enclosed resume, but try not to repeat the same
information that the reader will find there. This is your chance to expand that information and really shine.
Third paragraph: What happens next
In the closing paragraph, indicate your desire for a personal interview. Close with a statement that will encourage a
response. For example, state that you will be in the city where the organization is located on a certain date and would like
an interview. Or, simply state that you will call during a certain week to inquire about an interview. Ask the employer to
contact you if they desire additional information. Give the person your phone number (make sure this is somewhere you
can be reached during the day, or that has an answering machine) and thank them for their time. [If you use your personal
letterhead at the top of the letter, you may simply refer the person to your phone number above rather than stating it here.]
Sincerely,
Add your handwritten signature here, using a black or dark blue
ink pen. Start your signature along the left margin. (Leave 3
blank line spaces for your signature when typing the letter.)
Typed Name
Add an ‘s’ to “Enclosure” to make it plural if
Enclosure
you enclose more than a resume.
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