Cover Letter Quick Tips

Purpose

  • The purpose of a cover letter is to explain and illustrate exactly how your skills and experiences address the employer’s needs (outlined in the job/internship posting).
  • Your first paragraph may serve as a thesis statement: introducing your motivation for applying and the top skills/experiences/competencies you bring to the table that align with the position (you will elaborate on your qualifications in the body of the letter).
  • Most importantly, always write with a focus on your audience. Stand out by demonstrating that you understand the job/internship posting and are committed to making a positive impact.

Format

  • Keep your cover letter to one page. See our Cover Letter Guide for example.
  • Font between 10-12 pts.
  • In the letterhead, include the date (left or right side of the page), the contact name OR simply “Hiring Manager”, the employer name and employer address.
  • Consistency is key. Cover letter and resume headers (at the very top of the page, where your information goes) need to match. Also, the header font needs to match the body of your document.

Content

  • Structure your letter based on the job description – not your resume.
  • Make sure to mention the employer, the position you are applying for, how you heard about it and how the work aligns with your interests and goals.
  • Identify 2-3 essential skill sets the employer lists as necessary in the job description. Use your resume to provide “corroborating evidence.”
    • e.g. To thrive in this internship role, one needs to possess the ability to work quickly and accurately with large data sets. Through my internship last summer at XXX, I researched 50 companies, analyzed their balance sheets and used Excel to create a document detailing market trends, which I then presented to the Sales and Marketing team.
  • Your cover letter should include a brief introduction, conclusion, and one body paragraph per relevant experience/skill OR one larger well-structured body paragraph.

Before You Send

  • Review your letter for spelling and grammatical errors.
  • Make sure equal focus is on the employer and the position. You are trying to show how you have done your research on the position and how you will support the organization’s goals.
  • Avoid making statements you cannot support versus ones that you can.
    • e.g. The notion of being an “ideal candidate” is something for them to conclude, not you to state. However, something you can claim is my passion for numbers and a willingness to keep working to find a solution to a problem are attributes I would bring to Google on a daily basis…

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