Description
Overview: A cover letter provides a platform to connect your skills, experience, and personality with the specific needs and values of the employer. It’s an opportunity to go beyond the bullet points on your resume and present a more complete picture of who you are as a candidate.Instructions: Write a cover letter for a company of your choice. Make sure you choose a company you would like to work for or a company in an industry you are interested in pursuing. Follow the Cover Letter tips seen in this document.
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Idaho State
U N I V E R S I T Y
282-2380 Pocatello
282-7750 Idaho Falls
CareerCenter
Cover Letter – General Tips and Techniques
A neat, articulate and well-written cover letter is the first step in making an effective first
impression, which hopefully encourages the reader to want to learn more about you by
closely examining your resume.
Make sure your name, address, and phone number are on the cover letter and on the
resume in case they become separated once they reach the office. It should be easy
for the employer to find the information to contact you at a moment’s notice. Don’t
make the employer search for the needed information or she/he may decide not to
make the effort.
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In the first paragraph, introduce yourself, explain your purpose or reason for
writing, the title of the job you are applying for, and a brief statement about why
this job fits you.
In the next paragraph(s), tell why you are interested in the position, how you are
qualified, and how the recipient can help you achieve your goal. Do not copy
your resume here. Rather, highlight two or three of your most important qualities.
In the final paragraph, request an interview not a job, identify your next move,
express your thanks, and state how you can be contacted.
Personalize the letter as much as possible. Do research so you can write to a
particular person. Use “To Whom It May Concern” as a last resort. Target the letter to
the specific position for which you are applying.
Be sure to use good quality resume paper. Use a conservative color such as light
beige, ivory, off-white, grey, or light blue. The cover letter and resume should be printed
on the same type of paper.
Always type the letter and use a conservative font. (e.g., Times New Roman, Arial,
Impact, etc.) Make your letter look business-like and professional.
Keep it concise. The entire letter should be no more than one page so that the
employer can scan the whole document easily.
Letters must be grammatically perfect. Proofread carefully to catch any spelling
and/or punctuation errors, and have at least one other person read and check it. Use a
writing style that is comfortable to you and avoid flowery or clichéd phrases. Because
you must be concise and thorough, write and re-write until it says just what you wish
and conveys the impression you would like to create. Make every word count.
Sample Cover Letter
125 E. 10th Avenue
Pocatello, Idaho 83201
March 27, 20xx
Mr. John Doe
Section Manager
Booming Business, Inc.
622 S. 2nd Street
Pocatello, Idaho 83201
Dear Mr. Doe:
I am writing to apply for the position of Management Trainee, which was advertised in the
Career Center at Idaho State University. I feel confident that I am qualified for the position and
can make a significant contribution to Booming Business, Inc.
Your position requires a self-motivated and reliable individual with a background in human
resources. During my undergraduate training, I had the opportunity to complete a management
internship with the ABC Company. During this experience, I was required to cultivate
relationships with potential clients while operating within strict deadlines. Also, with an
emphasis in management, I have substantial human resources experience through training in
organizational behavior, organizational development, and labor and employment laws. My
education and work experiences demonstrate both my educational qualifications and ability to
motivate myself and reliably complete required tasks.
My experience and training seem to match your job requirements well. Furthermore, I am
genuinely interested in working in a fast-paced environment for a company that has an excellent
reputation such as yours.
Please consider my request for a personal interview to further discuss how my qualifications
meet your needs. I will contact you to see if there is any additional information that I may
provide. You may contact me at [email protected] or by calling 282-2380.
Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to talking with you.
Sincerely,
Jane Applicant
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