Purpose

1. The purpose of a cover letter is to get your foot in the door and introduce yourself to a company. 2. The cover letter is designed to get the person reading it interested in you and what you can do for the company. 3. However, a cover letter needs to be precise and to the point.  Don't waste the persons time. 4. Below each section of the letter is discussed in detail.

Header

1. The HEADER lists your Name, Address, Phone Number, and Email (if you have one) 2. Headers used in cover letters must be conservative. No graphics and don't use a lot of colors. 3. See an Example. 4. See LetterHeads for more examples.

Date

1. The DATE will always be the date the letter is written. 2. Format for the date is: Month Date, Year.  3. See an Example.

Address of Employer

1. Fist, have the name of person you are writing to and their title (if they have one). 2. Always include a name.  Know who you are writing to. 3. Second, Include name of company. 4. Finally, Street Address and city, state, zip. 5. See an Example.

Greeting

1. The GREETING is simply saying HI. 2. Always start with Dear  3. After Dear you place the person's name with title.  (example.  Dear Mr. Murray or Dear Dr. VanLoot) 4. If you do not have a name you have two options: (either is acceptable) Dear (Name of Company) To Whom It Concerns Ladies and Gentlemen 5. Finally a : (colon) is not placed at the end of your greeting. 6. See an Example.

1st paragraph

1. In the 1st paragraph you do three things: a. Introduce yourself, b. Tell them what job you are applying for, c. and where you saw the job listed. 2. See an Example.

2nd paragraph

1. This is were you will be doing most of your writing. 2. In this paragraph you will write about: a. Skills that would be useful in the job you are applying for. b. Any training or education you have for the job you are applying for. c. Any job experience that relates to the job you are apply for. d. Why you would be good person to hire for the job. 3. See an Example.

3rd paragraph

1. In the 3rd paragraph you do three things. a. Request an interview. b. Tell them how to contact you (list your address and phone number).  If you use a header then simply refer to that. c. Thank them for their time. 2. See an Example.

Close

1. In the close you are wrapping up the letter. 2. You use words like: Sincerely Respectfully Cordially 3. Do not place a , (coma) after your close. 4. Hit enter 4 times 5. Type your name 6. Sign your name between the close and your name after you have printed out your letter. 4. See an Example.

Enclosures

1. Enclosures are items that are enclosed with the cover letter.  Most often it is a resume. 2. If only one item is enclosed then use Enclosure. 3. If more than one item then use Enclosures. 4. See an Example.