Cover letters: types and samples. You are here: Career Services > Job & internship search guide > Correspondence index > Cover letters: types and samples On this page: hard copy / e-mail differences | all cover letters should... | page margins, fonts sample cover letter format | letters of application or inquiry | info-seeking letters and follow-up The guidelines here apply to both hard copy correspondence and e-mail. (To decide which to use, see e-mail in your job search.) Main differences between e-mail and hard copy correspondence: Format: your signature block (address, etc.) goes below your name in e-mail, while it goes at the top of the page on hard copy.
All cover letters should: Explain why you are sending a resume. In a letter of application — applying for an advertised opening — applicants often say something like "I look forward to hearing from you. " Page margins, font style and size For hard copy, left and right page margins of one to 1.5 inches generally look good. How to Write a Cover Letter - Amy Gallo. No one likes job hunting.
Scouring through online jobs boards, spiffing up your résumé, prepping for grueling interviews — none of it’s fun. But perhaps the most challenging part of the process is writing an effective cover letter. There’s so much conflicting advice out there, it’s hard to know where to start. Indeed, in an age of digital communication, many might question whether you even need a cover letter anymore. What the Experts SayThe answer is yes. Do your research firstBefore you start writing, find out more about the company and the specific job you want. Open strong“People typically write themselves into the letter with ‘I’m applying for X job that I saw in Y place.’ If you have a personal connection with the company or someone who works there, also mention it in the first sentence or two.
Emphasize your personal valueHiring managers are looking for people who can help them solve problems. Convey enthusiasmMake it clear why you want the position. Principles to Remember. How to write a successful covering letter. Sample Cover Letter for an Internship. When writing an internship cover letter, mention both your academic experiences and your past work experience, if applicable.
Sample Cover Letter - Internship FirstName LastName Name University Street City, State Zip cell: 555-555-5555 email: name@gmail.com Date Name Job Title Company Street City, State Zip Dear Ms. I am interested in applying for the scientific research summer internship position that was listed through the Name University Career Services Office. I have had a great deal of laboratory experience in chemistry, biology, and geology, both indoors and in the field. Last summer, I worked as conservation assistant at Clumber National Park. I believe that I would be an asset to your program. I will call next week to see if you agree that my qualifications seem to be a match for the position. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Cover Letter Keywords. When you are writing a cover letter, it's important to make sure that every word counts.
Your cover letters should enhance the employer's appreciation of your qualifications so you can move from applicant to interviewee. Keywords are a vital element of a persuasive cover letter which portrays the candidate as a highly qualified applicant for the job. These words fall into three general categories: skill words, results oriented words, and words which show recognition for achievements. Keywords work in a couple of different ways. First, the keywords you include in your resume and cover letter will be used to match your application with the skills required by the employer. Skill Keywords Job seekers should carefully analyze the skills required to excel in their target job and incorporate them into their cover letter. Examples of skill keywords include wrote, analyzed, quantified, planned, programmed, designed, created, built, taught and trained.
The Body Section of a Cover Letter. The most important part of a cover letter or an email message applying for employment, is the body of your cover letter.
The body of a cover letter includes the paragraphs where you explain why you are interested in and qualified for the job for which you are applying. Review these cover letter examples to see samples of well-written cover letters. Cover Letter Body The body of your cover letter is the section of the letter that tells the hiring manager what position you are applying for and why the employer should select you for an interview. You're selling your candidacy to the reader, so it's important to be specific about your qualifications as they relate to the position.