Work On It Wednesday: Crafting a Killer Cover Letter

By Emily Young MA ‘16

 In last week’s Work On It Wednesday, I shared some tips to improve your resume.  This week we are bringing it all together with: The Cover Letter.

In my opinion, writing a cover letter is a little trickier than creating a resume because there is no set format or template.  Below, I’ll showcase the four-paragraph structure I like to use with an example, as well as other great cover letter tips.

 The Four Paragraph Cover Letter Template: 

Paragraph One: Summarize your board experience and the role you are applying for.

This paragraph is generally pretty brief.  Key points to get across are that you are interested in the position and you are knowledgeable about the company/role.  I always try to add a company/industry fact to express that I have taken the time to learn more about the role.

Paragraph Two: 2-3 Achievements and your passion for the position.

I like to use paragraph two to paint a picture of who I am and why I am right for the position.  You can discuss previous work experience, academic experience, or leadership experience to try and paint the best picture of yourself.  (AKA don’t mention you are a pro at napping LINK)  Choose the combination that ties in with the qualifications of the job.

Paragraph Three: Parallel between your experience/skills and the role you are applying for.

In this paragraph I like to expand on my experience and how it matches the job qualifications.  If you’re having trouble I like to lead with how the job I am applying for relates to my dream goal.

Paragraph Four: Conclusion that expresses your value to the company.

This paragraph is three-four sentences at the maximum.  Summarize your qualifications, show your passion and value for the company, and sign it off that you want the job and hope to hear from them soon.

Personal Example Cover Letter:

General Tips:

The main objective of a cover letter is to tie your work experience to the job description and show passion for the role and company.  There are a variety of ways to achieve that, so doo not feel constricted to using a four-paragraph model, or any model at all.  Key things to keep in mind:  all cover letters should be concise, clear, and convincing.  Cover letters are generally concise, one page, or else you will loose the interest of the reader.  If you do not have a lot of relevant work experience, it may be better to keep your cover letter to three paragraphs that way you are not repeating yourself.  Cover letters need to be clear and free of grammar errors and typos because it is a hiring manager’s first impression of you.  Also mirror the language on your resume and the job description.  You want the wording to be clear and unified. Finally, a good cover letter is convincing.  Show passion for the role and highlight how it connects to your dream job.    

If you have any questions post in the ask section!

Best,

Emily