Cover Letter Writing

Your cover letter is your opportunity to formally introduce yourself to your future employer. Use it as a connection between your resume and the job you want. Tell them who you are. Tell them a story.

Cover letters are tailored to the job and unique to the applicant.

There is no one-size-fits-all how-to for cover letters. You need to write a letter that connects you to the employer and the position. The best thing you can do for help is make an appointment with your TRIO SSS Coach or Career Coach and talk it through with them.

They might ask you these four questions to start. Answer them in writing as if you're talking to your TRIO SSS Coach.

1. Why you want this job?

2. What have you done to prepare for this job?

3. Why are you a good fit for this job?

4. How do you hope to grow in this job?

These questions will help you to think about yourself and the employer with whom you want to establish a relationship. Addressing your answers to someone you know, instead of a hypothetical hiring manager, will help you to write in your own voice, not too formally. Once you have that on a page, you can start composing a letter with what you have already written.

Basic cover letter formatting rules

Your cover letter should never be more than a page.

Your cover letter should be in the form of a business letter, like this template.

If you have a very stylized resume, it will look good if your cover letter matches (heading, font, etc.).

If you are submitting your application by email, your cover letter should be attached as a pdf file, just like your resume. You should include a short message in the body of the email, but your cover letter should be an attached file.

Always proofread your cover letter. It is often your future employer's way of making sure you can communicate effectively in writing. In fact, you should email your TRIO SSS Coach or Career Coach, and have them proofread your cover letter for you.