Cover Letter Guide
- 1. COVER LETTER GUIDE CAREERCENTER.ND.EDU | (574) 631-5200 | NDCPS@ND.EDU
- 2. WRITING and FORMATTING COVER LETTERS WHEN SHOULD I SEND A COVER LETTER? Almost every time you send your resume! • Applying through Go IRISH and the employer has requested a letter • Direct mail to an employer in response to a job posting • Email in response to a job posting (your cover letter may be the text of your email) • Sending in response to a referral through a friend or acquaintance Exceptions: • Employer does not request a cover letter for on-line application through Go IRISH • Most job fairs – employers usually want only a resume, but a follow-up cover letter and another resume to the person you met at the job fair is a GREAT idea! • Some on-line applications do not allow cover letter submission GUIDELINES Your cover letter should be: • Formal, polished, and grammatically and stylistically correct • Precise and concise – don’t waste the employers time with fluff or wordiness • Cordial and confident • Written in an active writing style – avoid passive sentences • Varied in sentence structure – don’t begin all sentences with “I” • Laser printed on the same color and type of paper as your resume o Recommend 8 ½” x 11”, white or off-white • Targeted to the needs of the company and requirements of the position • Addressed to a specific person Address your letter to a specific person: • If you do not have a contact name… o Research – Investigate the company website and other online company directories for contacts and addresses. The Career Center has many company contacts as well – see a Career Counselor for assistance. o Call the company – Request the name of the person responsible for hiring college graduates in your career area. o If all efforts fail – Indicate a specific job title, such as Director of Public Relations, rather than Personnel. Use a proper salutation such as, “To the Director of Public Relations:” or “Dear College Relations Manager:” 1
- 3. CONTENT THE FIRST PARAGRAPH • States WHY you are writing o Responding to an advertised opening o Inquiring about a possible opening • States WHY you are applying to or are interested in this employer o Company’s particular training program o Company’s product or service, as differentiated from other like products or services o Demonstrate your company research o Geographic location, if emphasized in the position description – but not as the sole reason for applying to this employer • May reference your enclosed resume • Make mention of your contact/referral if you have one THE SECOND PARAGRAPH • States WHAT qualifications you bring to the position • Highlights two or three key experiences and/or academic achievements that directly relate to the qualifications the employer is seeking • Illustrates brevity -- a valuable attribute! Wording is direct and to the point, not fluffy • Proves through experiences and activities that you have some of the key skills for the position – hard-working; career commitment; communication, problem solving, analytical skills • Is NOT a repetition of the wording on your resume • May close with a summary sentence of your qualifications and a confident statement that you can make a contribution to the firm/company/organization THE THIRD PARAGRAPH • States WHAT you WANT – an interview and/or an opportunity to further discuss your qualifications and any employment opportunities the employer may have • May reference your enclosed resume • Indicates flexibility as to time and place Exceptions: o You are abroad – indicate extent of your flexibility – resources you may have available such as teleconferencing, phone interviewing, meeting a local representative of the company, etc. o You are going to be in the area during a certain time period and would like to arrange an interview during that time – indicate flexibility to the employer’s schedule within that period. • Thanks the person and indicates that you look forward to talking with or meeting with him/her • Can state you will call the contact person on a certain date or during a certain week to discuss scheduling a time to meet or an interview (depends on the approach of your cover letter) 2
- 4. FOLLOW-UP • Calling the employer is acceptable, as long as it is gracious, courteous, and gently persistent! • You can always call to check if your application materials were received and if any other materials would assist the employer in arriving at a positive decision regarding your application. MORE TIPS • When sending a resume via email, you may follow the cover letter format to write a message in the email to introduce your attached resume. • Use the term “Enclosure” or “Enclosures” after your closing if you are sending your documents in hard copy form. This term is not necessary when sending documents via email. (See page 4 for an example.) • A cover letter is a reflection of your writing skills – take time and care to proofread your document. Treat the letter as a sample of your writing. POWER PHRASES CONSIDER USING ADAPTATIONS OF THESE KEY PHRASES IN YOUR LETTERS RESPONDING TO ADVERTISEMENTS: I am confident that I can make a contribution to your company/organization. ABC’s use of advanced digital recording technology is of particular interest to me. Your company’s management trainee program is particularly unique in its rotational plan and accompanying classroom instruction. I look forward to talking with you and will call your office during the week of September 7th to see if we might arrange a convenient time to meet. With my educational background, bilingual skills, and business intern experience, I am confident I can make a contribution to your international trade department. I would like the opportunity to further discuss my qualifications with you in an interview scheduled at your convenience. Please accept the enclosed resume in application for an Assistant Editor position with News Time. As a long-time resident of San Diego, I plan to return to the area to develop my career in journalism. I have enclosed my resume for your consideration. As Assistant Manager, I negotiated schedules, benefits, and compensation packages for twenty non- exempt employees. 3
- 5. SAMPLE COVER LETTER 1807 Construction Road Apartment #18 Notre Dame, IN 46556 Position Description October 15, 2009 The Pharmaceutical Sales Representative is responsible for achieving sales goals and implementing company- approved programs within a (company assigned) 4 blank lines geographically defined territory. This is here accomplished by providing company-approved Mr. Phillip Sorrel information and services to all classes of accounts such Director of Sales as, physicians, retail ABC Corporation 1 Industry Plaza Framington, NJ 20589 Start out with the name Show that you’ve done 2 blank lines of your referral if your research to keep applicable. the reader’s interest. Dr. Mr. Sorrel: I recently spoke with Mr. Connors at the Fall Career Expo at the University of Notre Dame regarding career opportunities within the pharmaceutical industry, and he suggested that I contact you. ABC Corporation’s recent market expansion and use of the most current biotechnology in its products is particularly impressive. I am very interested in a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative position with your company and have enclosed my resume for your review. My Science Business education has exposed me to principles of business—marketing, accounting, finance, and management—while also establishing the strong science foundation necessary in the pharmaceutical industry. As a marketing intern last summer, I applied and developed these skills in a corporate environment. Through interaction with clients ranging from computer hardware businesses to local grocers, I fostered strong communication skills and the ability to work with diverse customers. Additionally, I a committed to achieving results. For example, my new approach to marketing an on-campus community service program increased student participation by 25%. Given my goal-driven nature and desire to succeed, I am confident that I can make a positive contribution to your Sales Department. I would like the opportunity to further discuss my qualifications and any sales opportunities within ABC Corporation. I will call you during the week of November 1 to see if we might schedule a convenient time to meet. I look forward to our conversation. Sincerely, Draw attention to relevant Keep the letter short skills, as defined by the job 4 blank lines and to the point. Be description, and demonstrate direct but courteous in when and how you have used here the closing. them. Mary Flint Enclosure Include if sending a hard copy of the letter and resume. 4
- 6. SAMPLE COVER LETTER Position Description: August 22, 2009 Chart your course for success in a fast-paced learning environment and get set to become a top-performing account manager in the group Ms. Kim Dean insurance segment of the employee benefits University Relations Specialist industry. Highly-motivated and results-driven CIGNA Corporation recent grads and early-career professionals will 400 Cottage Grove Road, A-122 experience on-the-job and classroom training, Hartford, CT 06152 Address your letter Immediately state the Dear Ms. Dean: to a specific person. purpose of your letter. Please consider my enclosed resume for the CIGNA Leadership Development Program. Currently, I am a senior majoring in marketing at the University of Notre Dame. The qualities I have to offer CIGNA in this program include: • An achiever with outstanding interpersonal skills: While working as an intern at XYZ Company, I was selected for the marketing strategy team that partnered to increase revenue by 41% and customer base by 20%. Prior to attending Notre Dame, I volunteered for a local non-profit organization where I worked with clients from different cultures. Based on my contributions and Use this commitment to the organization, I earned recognition as “Volunteer of the Month.” format to draw attention • Demonstrated leader and team player: I co-founded a student organization aimed at increasing to specific community service involvement campus-wide. Over the past three years, we have been able to skills and generate a 32% increase in student participation and have made valuable contributions to the show when community. I also served as a Resident Assistant in one of the University’s largest residence halls and how while achieving a 3.59 GPA in my classes. you have used them. • Excellent analytical and quantitative abilities: In a team-based business simulation, I continuously analyzed the market and our competition for a financial services firm throughout the semester. The professor acknowledged our final project as being “an outstanding example for future classes.” Last summer as an intern, I participated in a cross-functional team to assess a proposed business venture expanding customer product offerings. CIGNA is a long-time leader in providing full-service solutions. Through this approach, the company has continued to expand its client base and market position for more than 125 years. Specifically, your mission to help people lead healthier, more secure lives matches my own personal values and interests, as demonstrated through my community service efforts. I am committed to adding value and contributing to CIGNA’s global expansion. Please consider placing me on your interview schedule during your campus visit. Thank you in advance for your consideration. If you have questions prior to your visit, please feel free to contact me at (574) 258-5555. Demonstrate your research Sincerely, and knowledge of the company and express your enthusiasm and interest. Peter Smith 5
- 7. SAMPLE COVER LETTER 123 Notre Dame Ave Position Description: Notre Dame, IN 46556 As an Associate Financial Analyst, you will experience an exciting career offering a wide February 12, 2009 range of opportunities for professional development, including the two-year Lilly Initial Financial Experience (“LIFE”) training program. By strengthening your skills through a Mr. Joe Irish variety of financial assignments, you will deepen Eli Lilly Corporate Center Indianapolis, IN 46285 Immediately state why you are interested in the company and position. Dear Mr. Irish, As a senior Accounting and Economics double major at the University of Notre Dame, I am seeking a full- time position that will utilize my strong communication and analytical skills. From the research I have conducted on Go IRISH and through contact with Ms. Eileen Froehlke, I am interested in pursuing Eli Lilly’s associate tax analyst opportunity. What has especially drawn my attention to Eli Lilly is its drive and dedication towards research and development and meeting needs that have been previously unmet in the medical field. As well, Eli Lilly’s expectations of high integrity and respect for all the people the corporation serves, impressed me. As a tax consultant intern for True Partners Consulting, I worked extensively in researching Section 199 and other complex tax deductions for our clients. I created templates for future use in evaluating the availability of specific deductions and also generated a methodology for the analysis of fixed assets for tax purposes. As an international tax intern for Zimmer, Inc., I was able to learn the foundations of the U.S. and foreign tax structures and experience first hand the importance of tax solutions in a Fortune 500 company. I participated in strategic projects with managers and directors and had first-hand experience with preparing international tax returns. Other activities included forecasting tax payments for the year and valuing the Highlight taxable assets of some of Zimmer’s subsidiaries. In my Principles of Marketing class, I lead a team of eight relevant through a semester-long project which followed a product through the entire marketing process and skills resulted in a 200-page report and 20 minute presentation. I lead discussions, critiqued my team members’ gained work, and motivated them to produce the best work possible. Outside of my academic and work through experiences, I served as the Community Service Coordinator for the Black Cultural Arts Council. In this specific position, I fostered a relationship with the Robinson Community Learning Center and established internship community service activities for our club. and academic Accompanying this cover letter is my resume, which I also submitted through Go IRISH for your review. I experience. would like the opportunity to further discuss with you the associate tax analyst position and my qualifications. I noted that Eli Lilly will be conducting on-campus interviews and hope to talk with you sometime before then. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, When applicable, state that you have applied on Go IRISH and Anthony Hermann indicate interest in obtaining an on-campus interview. 2
- 8. SAMPLE COVER LETTER 123 Notre Dame Ave Notre Dame, IN 46556 Mary Domer Under Armour 1020 Hull St., 3rd Fl. Baltimore, MD After mentioning your referral, 21230-2080 make a strong statement about why the person should continue reading your letter. Dear Ms. Domer: I recently learned of Under Armour’s full-time positions through Mr. Lee Svete, the director of Notre Dame’s Career Center, and I am very interested in this opportunity. My previous corporate internship experience, extra-curricular activities, competitive drive, and passion for athletics, make me a strong candidate for this position. While working as a business analyst intern for Target Inc., in Men’s softlines, this previous summer, I developed several important skills required by this competitive corporate setting: fast paced learning, dedication, creativity, and the ability to work as part of a team. Through partnering and individual critical thinking skills, my intern team presented an actionable inventory strategy to the division upon commencement of the internship. As an intern in Liz Claiborne’s International Marketing Division, during the summer of 2007, I worked with several cross-functional teams. These interactions were the most rewarding experiences of this internship, giving me the opportunity to effectively communicate with, and learn from a diverse group of professionals. Use short Serving as the Director of Marketing for the Student International Business Council has given me the paragraphs opportunity to explore my interests while applying classroom skills to real world business modules. In this to highlight challenging leadership position, I successfully led marketing projects with major companies, developing specific marketing strategies and providing market research, for future implementation. Through these skills and presentations, I have also improved my interpersonal skills, specifically my presentation and communication experiences. abilities. With focus, time management skills, and determination, I have also maintained an accomplished academic record at Notre Dame. Becoming a part of Under Armour, and representing the brand preferred by today’s athletes, is an exciting opportunity. I look forward to discussing Under Armour’s full time positions with you at a later date. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, It is ok to leave closing open- ended, but generally better to retain control by asking for a specific appointment. Patrick O’Connor 3